Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyers owns Twilight. I do not. I do however, own my 'gang'.

A/N: Also thanks to my awesome Beta, Blueboarderchick.

Thank you guys for all the alerts and thank you to my reviewers.

Chapter 17

I woke up to the sun shining brightly on my face. I groaned softly. My bladder felt like it was about to burst. Even though the need to use the bathroom was great, I didn't want to wake up completely. So I opened one eye slightly while I rolled off the bed. Taking one step, I promptly tripped over a lump on my floor. I landed on said lump and heard it grunt beneath me. I opened both eyes completely to see a groggy and confused Taylor lying beneath me. What the hell?

Taylor's expression changed from confused to amusement and my mind began to register where I'd landed. I was straddling a shirtless Taylor. He smirked, "I decide to sleep in here to make sure you don't drown in your own vomit and I wake up to you trying to take advantage of me."

My body was frozen and my mouth was agape with shock. Just when I thought things couldn't possibly get any worse I heard Ryan's voice in the hallway. "I'll check but I don't think they're up yet. If they…" the door opened and his voice trailed off as his eyes landed on us.

Ryan's expression was one of shock then it morphed into this ridiculous smile that split his face in two. "I'm sorry to interrupt." Then he hurriedly closed the door leaving me sputtering.

"No…It's not…" I couldn't find the words. My mind wasn't functioning.

I turned my attention back to Taylor to see him chuckling. I was suddenly freed from my stupor as I scrambled into the bathroom and slammed the door shut effectively cutting off the roaring laughter coming from the other room. I slid down the door and sat on the floor covering my burning face with my hands. Feeling embarrassed, I groaned. Why me.

I looked down at myself and realized I was still wearing my bodysuit and stockings from my costume. I locked the door and peeled off my clothes. I put on my robe and returned to my pathetic state on the floor. It wasn't long before Taylor came knocking on the door. The big jerk was still laughing.

"Izzy? Isabella, come on, don't be like that. Open the door."

I refused to answer him. I knew that I was being childish but I couldn't care less. What just happened to me was beyond mortifying. God alone knows what Ryan may have told Liz. Now Liz probably thought I tried to seduce her brother. I would never be able to show my face again. I planned to just live out the rest of my days locked in my bathroom. Maybe after enough time had passed I would morph into a spider, build myself a web behind the toilet where I could wait for flies. I shook my head to clear those crazy thoughts. I was beginning to sound insane. How I went from the confident, sexy woman of last night to the crazy lady contemplating the life of a spider this morning was beyond me.

I suppose my continued silence was beginning to worry Taylor because his knocking became more pronounced and his laughing stopped. "Isabella, come on. Open the door."

His knocking stopped and I heard mumbling as he spoke to someone. Then it was Ryan pounding on my door. "Come on, Izzy. We were just kidding around. Open up."

I still didn't feel like answering, so I said nothing. Ryan decided to up the stakes. "Izzy, if you don't open this door right now we'll break it down."

Oh, hell no! If they wanted to piss me off on top of everything else that was the way to do it. Before I could use a few choice words to get them to leave me the hell alone I heard Liz's irritated voice. "Hey, you two get the hell out. Now."

I heard fading footsteps and then Liz was at my door. "Izzy, it's just me. Open up the door. It's way too early for this shit."

I rolled to my knees and reached to unlock the door. Liz slipped inside and closed the door behind her. I sat with my back leaning on the tub while Liz sat across from me and stretched out her legs. Her hair was pulled back in a sloppy ponytail and she was still wearing her pajamas. Even though Liz still looked a little bleary eyed she wasn't lacking cohesion as she scrutinized me intently. She must have already had her morning coffee because she was absolutely useless without it.

Liz playfully nudged my foot with her toe. "So I heard you and my brother got caught assuming the position."

I buried my face in my hands and moaned dejectedly, "Oh God."

"That's what she said." Liz sniggered.

I raised my head to look at her. "Seriously, Liz? You really want to make 'that's what she said' jokes right now?"

But Liz wasn't done with me just yet. "Oh, come on dish. Did he take you downtown?"

"Dear God. Please kill me now." My face burned with embarrassment.

"Did you find his concealed weapon?" She cackled.

"You know what, Liz? You suck." I folded my arms across my chest and pushed my bottom lip out in a defiant pout.

"Izzy, I was just kidding. You really need to toughen up. Have you met Zach and my boyfriend? Those guys will eat you alive if you keep letting them get to you like this." I knew Liz was right. I couldn't afford to be frail, fragile Bella here. She wasn't who I wanted to be anymore.

I sighed and looked Liz right in the eyes. She had to know that nothing went down between Taylor and me. "Liz, nothing happened with Taylor. I would never ..."

She rolled her eyes and waved me off. "You think I don't already know that?"

I gaped at her. "Then why did you torture me?" I whined.

"Because I can." She shrugged her shoulders. "I knew nothing happened because for more than a year I've watched you pine over your ex boyfriend. I don't think you'd suddenly change and start tossing it to my brother overnight." She flippantly explained.

I grimaced. Tossing it? Liz was just as vulgar as Ryan, maybe even more so. Those two belonged together.

"Speaking of hooking up." Liz stretched out on the floor. "I saw you flirting with Dillon last night. I know you're attracted to him." A grin crossed her face.

"Yeah, but don't make too much out of it. I was tipsy." Now I was the one waving her off.

"Izzy, a really cute guy is hot for you. If you want to do him then do him." I blushed. I really had no experience in hooking up and I didn't know if I wanted to be that kind of girl.

"Liz! Do him? I don't think I could be like that." I gnawed my lip nervously.

"Then date him. Nobody says you have to fall in love with him. Just try to have a little fun. I wanted to say this to you sooner, Izzy, but you really should try you move on." Liz finished as gently as she could.

Liz didn't tell me anything I haven't already told myself many times. It was easier said than done. I had no idea what I was waiting on. I knew Jacob and I would never be together but I still had trouble letting him go. I just wasn't ready to let him go and until I was able to I couldn't date anyone else. Not yet.

I fiddled with the sash on my robe. "I know but I'm just not ready yet." When she narrowed her eyes at me I hurriedly added on. "But I will soon. I promise."

Her expression softened and she pushed herself up off the floor. "Okay then. Let's go get some breakfast."

I was hungry but I wanted to take a bath and there was still the matter of my bursting bladder. "I want to take a shower first. I'll be out in a second."

"All right then and don't worry. I'll keep Ryan in line." She shook her fist as she strode out the bathroom door and closed it behind her.

I picked my bunny costume off the floor and threw it in the hamper. I removed my robe and hopped into the shower. I stepped under the spray of the shower and washed my hair with my strawberry shampoo then finished off with some conditioner. I finished my shower and stepped out of the tub. I brushed my teeth and stared at my reflection in the mirror when I was done. My skin looked rosy, almost glowing and I realized I was happy. Despite my earlier embarrassment, I was feeling good about my life and it showed.

I cautiously opened my bathroom door and peeked out to see if Taylor was still there. When I saw that he wasn't, I sighed with relief. I dug around in my closet and dragged on some jeans and a t-shirt. I towel dried my hair until it hung in moist waves around my head and decided to let the rest air dry.

I walked down the hall and bumped into Taylor coming out of Liz's room. His hair was still moist from the shower and he was shrugging on his shirt. The man should be in a magazine. My eyes were glued to his exposed chest and I looked up at his face to see him smirk at my ogling. "See anything you like?"

I blushed lightly and I heard Liz's words from earlier 'you really need to toughen up.'

Taylor liked to push but this time I would push right back. I looked him straight in the eyes and remarked, "As a matter of fact, I do." His expression changed from smug to surprised. I pressed my hand to his chest and pushed him out of the way as I continued on my way to the kitchen. On the outside I was calm but on the inside I was doing my chicken victory dance.

As I entered the kitchen I saw a contrite Ryan and smug Liz sitting at the table eating their breakfast. Ryan turned to me, "Sorry, Izzy. We were just kidding around."

I slid a glance at Liz and saw her stealthily shake her fist and I stifled a giggle. "Forget about it." I shook my head. Poor Ryan. I hoped Liz didn't rough him up.

I made my way to the counter, fixed my breakfast then sat at the table with them. Taylor sauntered in moments later and grabbed some toast and coffee. As he sat at the table I kept my eyes on my breakfast. I was fresh out of bravery.

"I can't wait to start rushing tomorrow." Ryan said excitedly.

"I didn't know you were pledging the Alpha Thetas." I nibbled on a piece of toast.

"Yeah. It's my dad's old fraternity. I decided to give it a try. It should be lots of fun." I peeked at Liz. She didn't look the least bit excited at the news.

"Are you pledging too, Taylor?"

Taylor rolled his eyes and snorted, "As if I would willingly join any organization that would make Dillon Buchanon my brother."

I frowned at him. I really didn't understand why Taylor and the other boys didn't like Dillon. I thought he was a nice guy. Attractive too. So what if he seemed a little cocky? If I was a young, hot, rich guy I would probably be cocky too. Liz and I shared an annoyed glance.

We finished eating and the guys were watching TV in the living room I turned to Liz as we were doing the dishes. "Why did you have that look on your face when Ryan was talking about the fraternity earlier?"

She sighed, "You have to understand, Izzy. Growing up in our neighborhood was tough. The only people that looked like Taylor and me were the help. So we had a hard time fitting in and when Ryan started hanging out with us, it was great because he didn't care about fitting in. He didn't care about what people thought of him." Liz's eyes welled up with tears.

I was stunned. I'd never seen Liz cry, ever. I rubbed her back trying to offer my support.

She wiped her eyes and continued, "I'm just worried about him joining this fraternity and him wanting to fit in so much that he'll change. You know what those guys are like." I nodded. Fraternity guys were notorious for being drunken morons.

I hugged her. "I don't think you have anything to worry about, Liz. Can you honestly see Ryan becoming an uptight snob?" I pulled away and I raised an eyebrow.

She shook her head and sniffled, "No, I guess not. But I still worry, you know?" She didn't want to lose him.

"Yeah. But you'll see. You have nothing to worry about." I turned to look at a guffawing Ryan punching Taylor in the shoulder and silently prayed he wouldn't make a liar out of me.

The following day I called Leah. "Hey, Leah. How's it going?"

"Crappy as usual. But what else is new, right?" She sounded tired.

I stretched out on my bed. "What's the matter, Leah? Not getting enough sleep?"

"Between classes and patrol, I'm burning the candle at both ends. By the way I've got some news." By the tone of Leah's voice I could tell this was gossip.

My curiosity was piqued. "What is it?"

"Well, Jacob's sister Rachel is back and Paul imprinted on her."

"Oh my God. Seriously?" I sat up. Jacob must have been going crazy. He hated Paul. I didn't think Paul liked him either.

"Yeah and Jacob completely lost it, phased and ripped out a piece of Paul's fur. It was so funny." Leah obviously still thought it was. She was really laughing it up. It was nice to hear her laugh. It sounded better, more natural and not quite as bitter as before.

"So Rachel's back, huh? Guess you have her to talk to now." I felt a slight twinge of jealousy. I knew Rachel and Leah used to be great friends before she went away to college. Now that she was back, I was kind of worried that Leah and I wouldn't be as close as we were before. I mean, why would she call me when she had Rachel close by?

Leah sighed, "Things aren't the same between us anymore, Bella. Rachel's an imprint now. She's in on the whole stupid wolf soul mate crap now and I'm not the same person I was before she left."

"So how's Jacob doing?" I decided to change the subject.

"He's doing just fine." She hesitated to answer for just a second but I heard it anyway.

"What do you mean? He's okay, right?" I could barely finish the question.

"Don't you worry your heart out about Jacob. He's doing just fine." The sarcasm was back and I didn't know what to make of it. She said he was doing okay so that was something.

"Hey, how's it going with Emily?"

"About four times a week she shows up at my door and I slam it in her damn face. That's how it's going." She snarled. Jeez, I was a little sorry I asked.

Okay. I was going to ask something and hope she wouldn't tear my head off. "Leah? Do you think you could ever forgive them?" I held my breath and waited for the fire and brimstone to rain down on me.

She sighed wearily, "I don't know, Bella. I don't want to be like this, you know. Always angry all the time. I wish I could forgive them, so I could move on with my life but I can't. Not yet. You understand what I mean?"

Oh, I understood all right. I understood about wanting to move on but feeling like you were stuck in place. "I know exactly what you mean, Leah." I wish I didn't, but I understood.

Liz was really starting to freak out about Ryan and the fraternity. Every day he disappeared for hours then he would come home exhausted or drunk. Then there was the no bathing thing. I mean…Eww! They fought so much and at the end she would throw him out of the apartment. Then she would spend the night crying in my room.

Ryan was falling asleep at his classes because they put him on a sleep ban and once I saw him puking in the parking lot. I really didn't understand why every year intelligent people lined up to receive such harsh treatment just so they could belong to a club.

I was beginning to worry because Liz and Ryan were arguing a lot more than usual. In the past, Liz would be the one arguing about something Ryan did and he would concede in silence but now he was always tired and irritated. So when Liz snapped at him, he would snap right back then they would scream at each other and slam doors. They were driving me crazy.

The constant tension in the apartment bothered me. Gone was the peaceful, playful environment and in its place a strained and tense atmosphere. Zach and Taylor usually cleared out when the arguing started. Leaving me alone to deal the aftermath. Because Liz wasn't having sex, she had a lot of excess energy to burn off. So our usual morning one mile run was now turned into three miles. The situation with Liz and Ryan was killing me. Literally.

One night when I was watching TV with Zach and Taylor I decided to ask what they thought about Ryan and Liz's situation.

Zach grumbled, "I don't get why he's even putting himself through this crap." I sensed he was mad because his hang out time with Ryan had been drastically cut.

Taylor shrugged. "It means a lot to him because of his dad. I think this might be about trying to impress him and getting his approval. Ryan's majoring in economics because his dad wants him to someday take over his company but what Ryan really wants to be is a football coach. It's all about his dad."

That surprised me. Ryan was always so protective of Liz. If his parents hated her why would he want to please them? "Why does he even care what his dad thinks? I thought his dad doesn't like Liz."

"His dad is not the one that hates Liz. His mom is." Taylor frowned and his hand tightened on the remote.

If he could just survive the hazing then things would get back to normal. There was nothing I could do to make Ryan stand up to his dad but if there was anything I could do to help him get through hazing faster, then I would try. I made up my mind to go see Dillon.

My plans to drop by the frat house to see Dillon were changed when I ran into him in the Dining Hall. I was having a latte and trying to do some last minute reading before my next class when he came over and sat in the chair next to me. "Hi there, beautiful."

I looked up from my book and smiled. "Just the guy I wanted to see."

Dillon leaned forward and raised his eyebrows. "Oh really? Could it be that you've finally agreed to go out on a date with me?"

I sighed mentally. Not this again. "No, this is about my friend, Ryan Sinclair. I have a favor to ask."

He eyed me curiously. "What is it?"

I took a deep breath and continued. "I want to know if there's anyway you guys could go a little easy on him with this whole hazing thing. It's really hard on him and it's driving his girlfriend crazy and me by extension."

Dillon leaned away with a small smile on his face. "Well, I don't know if I can do that, Izzy. It would be unfair to the other pledges and besides I don't really have that kind of power. I'm just a lowly junior." Oh please. I saw Dillon hanging around all the time with senior guys in the frat. I didn't know much about frat life but I knew that the seniors had the most pull.

I rolled my eyes and folded my arms across my chest. "Don't give me that crap, Dillon. I know you could get them to lighten up if you wanted to."

He raised his hands in surrender. "All right, all right. I'll talk to them but only as a favor to you. But I'd like something in return." He was smiling again.

I gnawed my lip nervously. Crap! I should have seen that coming. "Okay. What do you want?" I hoped it was nothing that would result in me slapping him.

He grinned in triumph. "Since I know you don't date, I'd like you to have lunch with me tomorrow, as a friend."

Well, it wasn't a date and if he could get the guys to lay off Ryan, I thought it would be okay. I agreed, "I guess lunch as friends would be okay." I made sure to stress the friends to let him know it would only be just that.

He smiled and I couldn't help but smile back. "I'll call you later with the details." He really was charming.

"Okay, that's fine." I glanced at my watch. "Oh, crap. I gotta go or else I'm going to be late for class." I packed up my books and got up in a hurry.

"Okay then. I'll see you later." He got up and went to sit with his friends a few tables away.

As I sprinted to class I began to worry about what I'd just agreed to. I tried to convince myself not to feel guilty for agreeing to have lunch with a guy friend. It was just lunch and Jake would want me to eat.

A/N: Poor Bella being teased relentlessly by Liz and now she's being blackmailed into lunch by Dillon.

Coming up next the gang goes on a crazy pledge mission with a guest appearance from a character out of one of Stephen King's books.

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If you want your chapter early you know what to do. Review!