what it is, what it isnt, what it does, and what it doesnt. yes, you guessed it, this is the new installment of O.f.C. how i am i doing with the story and with the updates? *questionable thumbs up* pretty good so far? if you guess like it, thx; you're amazing.

okay, well enough of this, now for the next chp. enjoy...

Chapter VIII

(Epov)

"Will you hurry up?" I urged my girlfriend as she fiddled in her locker.

"I'm just making sure I'm not forgetting anything." she said.

I sighed. "What the hell are you going to forget; we going off campus for lunch after this period." I reminded her. When I saw her this morning, she was still upset with me for not coming over to her house last night. She gave me the silent treatment during the times between first and second period and second and third period. I didn't really mind. It gave me time without her on my hip for once. But being the great boyfriend I was, I have to at pretend to care that she was ignoring me. so to show her I did, I told her I would take her to her favorite restaurant for lunch.

"I don't want to come back here after class. So just wait a damn minute, goodness." She demanded.

While we were waiting here, I thought it might be a good time to talk to her. "Babe, I have to talk to you about something." I started.

"What is it, Edward?" she asked as she looked for her lip gloss or eyeliner or whatever useless crap she felt she needed in her purse but not even use.

"I don't want to call my house when I'm not home."

She looked at me. "I was looking for you." She told me.

"That's what I have a phone for." I reminded her.

She completely turned her body towards me. "Which you weren't answering" she reminded me as she put her hands on her hips. When she did that, it brought my attention to her hips. When I looked down, I saw the charm under her shirt, dangling from ring in her belly button. I'm pretty sure she did that to distract me, like always. It might have been the reason she wore a shirt that her belly ring, even it was a glams.

I forced my eyes to look at her face again. I would never get my point across if I didn't. "Look, I know you abhor when I don't an-."

"Wait, I what?" she interrupted me.

Right, she wouldn't know that means. Hell, I never even heard it before yesterday. "You hate it when I don't answer you, I get that. But just because I'm not answering, doesn't mean you should look for me at my house. You know how my mom is." When I said that, she rolled her eyes. Another girl in my family she doesn't get along with. "When I say I'm busy, then that's what I mean."

"So." She rested her arm on my shoulder. "Still too busy for me, huh?" she said in a seductive tone as she leaned in so her body was touching mine. I didn't answer as I just looked at her up and down. I try not to show her she has as much power of me as we both know she does. She smiled then shrugged. "I'll remember that." she said before removing her arm from me. I don't like when she "threatens" me like that. She turned back to her locker.

Then we heard giggling. She turned and gave a disgusted sound. "Ew, look at those two." She complained before slamming her locker. She got what she wanted when everyone looked towards us. When the two she was talking about looked over, Rosalie rolled her eyes away from us and whispered in Bella's ear. Bella giggled. "Were they just talking about me?" Tanya snapped.

I sighed. "No dear." I told her.

"Yeah, and my palm won't have a nice meeting with their faces." She snapped. I really didn't want to have another scene like the one yesterday. And I didn't want to feel bad again when I met with Bella on Friday, though she said I shouldn't. If Tanya didn't felt the urge to snap at everyone all the time, I wouldn't. Bella didn't want me to talk to Tanya, but she didn't say anything about distracting her.

I grabbed her arms and turned her towards me. She gave me a confused looked. I smiled as I turned us so she was against her locker. "Is that skirt new?" I asked.

"No…" she said, still confused. "Edward, you've seen me wearing in this a thousand times." She reminded me. I looked down and realized I have. Probably more than that.

I looked back at her and smiled again. "Well, I like it." I leaned in to her ear. "It shows off your sexy legs." I whispered. She giggled as I kissed her neck. She put her hand on her hand on my cheek. She hooked her arm around my neck and pulled me in to her lips. I gave a small groan. I didn't want to actually kiss her, not on the lips anyways. There were still a lot of people in the hall. Too many for my liking that saw me kissing her. At least it distracted her.

"That's revolting." I heard Bella giggle right after I heard something about a dog. When I heard "dog" and not "bitch", that's when I realized they weren't talking about Tanya. I don't know what they were talking about, but it wasn't about her.

"Yeah, it almost made me throw up." Rosalie agreed.

Tanya was no longer distracted as she pulled away from me. "It's called a kiss, Swan." She said to her. Both Rosalie and Bella stopped and turned to us. so much for distracting her. "You know, like from an actually guy. Just because you might never experience one, does give you the right to make childish ass remarks."

"I'm just surprise she used the word 'remarks' correctly." Rosalie mumbled to her friend. Bella covered her mouth and gave a cough. It reminded me of the one she gave when I first met her at her truck. It took me a second, but I realized why it reminded me of that one. It was because that's exactly what she done when I was with her by her truck. That's when I realized she was trying to cover a laugh. Well, since I knew that, looking back, I think I should feel a bit insulted.

"Shut it." Tanya snapped as she glared at Rosalie.

Rosalie laughed. Bella nudged her. "Rosalie, leave her alone." Bella said under her breathe to back to her friend.

"Oh please spare me that nice girl crap Swan." Bella looked away, avoiding eye contact again.

Rosalie held out a hand. "Step back, Barbie. As much as you really want to believe it, not everyone talks about you and your life-size Ken doll here." She commented as she gestured towards me. I saw Bella cover her mouth and "cough" again. This one wasn't as well covered as the last one. I saw a smile and heard a light giggle. It sounded like a mouse. It was so cute, I couldn't be mad at the comment that Rosalie made.

However, I was annoyed that I was still being held like a damn doll. I dropped my hands from Tanya's hips. I tried to step away from her, but she tightened her grip around my neck. Great, I was tripped. This was one of the reasons I hated kissing her in the hall like that. she feels she needs to hold on to me. I guess to "warn" any other girls. But when she does things like what's she doing now, I don't get much attention and I find myself getting really annoyed.

"Well wha-."

"If you must know, we were talking about a rabbit"

Tanya gave a face full of disbelief. "A rabbit?"

"Yeah. My brother found a dead one in the yard last night and I was telling Bella about it. The reason you heard her laughing because she has some sick obsession with taxidermy and was making jokes about it. She stopped when I told her it was half eaten by a dog or something." She explained. That's why I heard the word "dog". I knew they weren't talking about her. I would have told her, but I thought it would be better if I didn't and tried to get her focus on me instead. But, it didn't work like I wanted it to.

"What the hell is taxidermy?" Tanya demanded.

"Stuffed animals." Bella and I said at the same time. I didn't even know I was answering until I noticed both Tanya and Rosalie looking me; as if they were asking me how I knew that. "So I've heard." I told them.

"He's right. and it's not an obsession. I simply find the art of stuffing animals somewhat interesting." Bella explained to her friend. I gave a small smile because I think I knew the reason behind it. However, Bella didn't see it. I noticed she made a hard effort to just look at her friend and not in mine or Tanya's way. I knew it wasn't because of me. She has no problem telling me off when we're alone. Was she really that uncomfortable around my girlfriend?

"Yeah, because you're a fucking freak." Tanya joked before laughing. I wondered if it still as funny even without her own person laugh track behind her joke.

Rosalie took a half step in front of her friend. "I would really watch what I said around me if I was you." She threatened with now a very serious look on her face.

"Come on Rosa before we're late for Bio." Bella grabbed her friend's arm before walking away.

Okay, that didn't work. I didn't need to play boyfriend anymore. I removed myself from her. when I did, she crossed her arms in anger. "Why do you abhor them so much?" I asked her, using my word of the week for a second time. I was kind of proud of myself.

She turned to me. "Why the hell do you keep saying that word? Where did you even get it from?" she asked in annoyance. This would always be my second time lying to her. I really didn't care so much about that. but this was also the second time I would have to reword the sentence I used the word in for her to understand. And that might get annoying. I worry if that's how Bella feels when talking to someone.

"I heard on a show last night. I like how it sounds." I explained.

She rolled her eyes. "Well, stop it. It's really starting to get on my nerves. Now ask me correctly." She demanded.

I sighed. "Why do you hate them?" I asked.

"You know why. I told you." She reminded me. I thought about it for a second. I remember the subject bring brought up a lot, but for the life of me couldn't remember any actual words from anytime we talked. I think it was because I wasn't really listening. I most like wasn't and it was because I didn't care enough to waste effort doing so.

I smiled. "Tell me again." and this time, I'll probably listen better.

"Because they're annoying. They both think they're fucking untouchable. Someone has to remind them that they are not and I just happen to love to be that person." She said.

While I was listening, I felt someone hug me around the wrist from behind. Other than the person I was talking to, there was only one other person who I would allow to do something like that. "Hi Alice." I said with a smile. she let me go before in front of me.

"As if I wasn't already fucking annoyed." Tanya said in disgust.

My sister turned to her. "Because seeing you all over my brother brightens up my day." She said to Tanya.

"Maybe if you had your own friends, you wouldn't be all over my boyfriend." She said like it was two different people.

I didn't want to hear the rest of this. So I stopped it before it could start. "Baby, go to class before you're late." I told her. She looked at me. "I'll meet you at your locker when it's over."

She smiled. "Okay. I'll see you later." She reached up to kiss me. I turned my head so she could kiss my cheek instead. She turned and glared at Alice. "Hopefully, this little bug won't be on your leg when I do." She said, pushing my sister in the forehead before walking away.

I saw Alice ball up her fists. I knew what she was planning on doing. It wouldn't be the first time they actually fought. My parents were pissed when Alice got suspended for fighting with her about something last year. I don't even remember what it was, but I knew it was my job to keep it from happening again. I grabbed Alice arm before she could take a step towards my girlfriend. Alice looked at me. "Let it go." I told her.

She yanked her arm out of my grip. "I really hate that damn girl. You should break up with her you catch some nasty ass disease or something."

I rolled my eyes. "It's not happening anytime soon, so get over it."

"I don't understand why you've been dating her so long."

"I don't understand why you have such a problem with her." I mumbled as I started to walk away.

She ran and caught up with me. "I don't like the way she treats people. She acts like everyone is fucking below her or something. Besides, you're too good for her. You're going to go pro in a few years. These four little high school years will be the best ones of her life." she explained.

I sighed. "Whatever. Must you always get her started?" I asked.

She laughed. "I don't always start it. In case you haven't noticed, I didn't even do anything this time. Besides I thought you didn't care. It's not like you get involved." She reminded me as we continued to walk in the direction of her own class. Because practice and games and hanging out with Tanya and my friends in the rest of my spare time, I don't get to spend as much time as I want to with my sister. So I promised her I would walk her to her classes when I could.

I sighed. "The whole thing is starting to wear on my nerves so can you try to get along with her; at least until after prom."

She gave a thinking groan. "That is a really long way away."

"Alice, for the sake of the rest of the group, please."

She laughed "I can try; but no promises, bro." she took my arm and hooked it around her neck. I gave a chuckle. I probably should have seen that coming. No one couldn't say I wasn't trying. It was just that no one was listening to me for some reasons. "What were you and Miss Drama Queen talking about anyways?"

I shook my head. "Nothing important." Or in other words, nothing I cared to repeat to any outside party. "Can I get your opinion on something?" I said, wanted to change the subject.

"Sure, bro."

"What do you think about Be-, I mean, Isabella Swan?" I asked.

She thought for a second. "I don't really know her well. From what I can see, she seems pretty nice. I've never seen or heard her making fun of anyone, even people who deserves it. And everyone knows she's probably the smartest person at this school. I mean, that pretty much sums her up. Why do you ask?"

I shrugged. "I've been thinking about what you said the other week. And I don't know, I might actually ask her for some help."

"Really? That's interesting."

"She can only help, right? but if I do and she comes over or something, can you promise not to mention it to anyone?" the reason I asked because I wanted to see if we could study at my house without being worried about Alice and the whole school knowing. I don't think I could be over Bella's house all the time with her Dad all over my ass about my driving and her mom all over my…well, acts the way she does for whatever reason that seems normal to her. besides, it might do us some good to have other places to study besides her dad's office with that creepy ass bear.

She laughed, breaking me out of my thoughts. "Once again, no promises."

"Alice…" I sighed.

"Hey, it wouldn't be my fault. It won't be like I'll do it on purpose. It would probably come out in conversation or something." She assured me. "Hey Charlotte." She called when she saw her best friend. "Gotta go." She said as she removed herself from under my arm. "By the way, tell mom I won't be home until later. We're learning about different chemicals and later Charlotte and I are going to test what blows up." She said excitedly.

I chuckled. "Have fun with that."

"Will do." She smiled before turning away from me.

"Hey, be careful with that please." I called after her. the last thing I needed, or wanted, was for her to end up in the hospital. She waved me off before running to her friend and hooking their arms together.

The rest of the day went on without any other trouble. After the lunch with Tanya, she seemed happier. I think she's just the way she is because she wanted me to be with her and only her. I should be flattered, but I don't want to be with her all the time.

During lunch, I gave her the same speech I gave Alice. I really did want them to at least try to get along so the guys won't do what Jasper did and come talk to me about it. Tanya just laughed and rolled her eyes. She said she want to get along with my sister because she didn't deserve anything she was given. One thing I can honestly say I like about Tanya, she's doesn't hide what she's feeling. If she has a problem, she will tell you; no matter who was listening.

The next day, I tried to keep them apart. If they weren't going to try, the best thing I could do is be with one at a time. we they were at practice, they were on their own but I was going to handle it when they were with me if I could.

But now the school day and practice was over. I was still working. It was Thursday and I was meeting with Bella tomorrow for the second time and I wanted to be done with my paper before then so she could look at it. It started off great, but now, I had my eyes closed and my head resting against the cushion behind me. The problem was I was stuck now and I didn't know else to write.

I felt another tap of my forehead. I groaned. "What do you want?" I opened my eyes and saw my sister smiling down at me. "What?" I demanded.

"I'm bored." She answered.

"When did that become my problem?" I asked.

She propped her head on her hand as she rested her elbow next to my head. "Do something with me." she said.

"I'm busy." I told her as I looked at my computer screen again. still nothing new.

"Then what am I supposes to do?" she asked me.

I shrugged. I couldn't care less, but I knew if I didn't give her something, she would keep bothering me. "I thought you were hanging out with Charlotte."

She sighed. "I can't. she's grounded for the rest of the month. She won't even be at the next few games." She explained.

"Then go call Rosalie. I'm sure she has some cheers or something to tell you about."

"Did it already. We even video chatted so I could practice them with her watching me."

I groaned. She was really starting to get on my nerves. "Then do your homework or something"

"Did it already." She repeated.

I rolled my eyes. Of course she did. "Alice, I'm busy." I repeated in a more urged voice.

She jumped over the couch and sat next to me. "What are you doing?" she asked.

"I'm trying to write my paper."

She laughed. "No, really." I looked at her. "Seriously?" she questioned when she saw my serious face. "But it's only Thursday. You're paper's not due until Wednesday. Aren't you going to wait until the night before and beg me to do it like always." She teased.

I rolled my eyes away from her and back to the screen. "Dad told me to try, so that's what I'm doing."

"Okay…well, take a break and hang out with me." she asked. I shook my head. She nudged me. "Come on. There's a sale going on at the mall this weekend. It's on those new Converses you want. We can go and get some before the good ones run out."

"Maybe tomorrow."

"Then let's go downtown. We can get matching piercing, oh matching tattoos." She said excitedly as she shook my arm. That's always her go to thing to do when she's bored. I don't know what her deal with needles going through her body is. But I didn't want to listen to her; not now anyways. I needed to get this done and I wasn't going to with her next to me.

I didn't want to do this, but desperate times calls for desperate measures. I sighed. "Mom!" I called. "Alice is bothering me." Alice hit my arm.

Esme came into the family room. She had her hair up and her yoga pants on. The look she usually has when she's working on something. "Alice, leave your brother alone." She told my sister.

"But I'm bored." She whined.

Esme looked at me. I begged her with my eyes to get Alice out of my hair. she sighed. "Well, I'm working on a display for a new line. Would you like to help?" she asked.

I saw Alice get a big smile on her face. "Uh…yeah." She said as she popped up. "Later." She said to me, more than happy to leave to go do something she really wanted to do.

"Meet me in my studio." Esme said to her as she walked pass. Then she came over to sit on the arm rest next to me.

Not her too. "Mom." I started

She shook her head. "I'm not staying. I just wanted to tell you something. I know your father doesn't tell you kids much, but I've been seeing you work on your paper all week. I wanted to tell you that even if you don't make the grades, I want you to know that I'm proud of you for trying." She said. she ruffled my hair before kissing my forehead. She didn't say anything as she left me.

Proud. I hardly ever heard that word when it wasn't something involving my football and track recorders. It was nice to hear it. And I had to admit, it did feel nice not to be rushing to get something done. Maybe this won't be as hard as I thought.

XXX

It was Friday. After practice, I went to her house when I didn't see her truck in the parking lot. She must have figured I knew where she lived and she didn't have to wait for me every day. I thought she would look for any reason to look at Jasper, but whatever. It made it easier not be accidentally seen with her if she didn't.

I grabbed my bag from the back seat before walking to the door I rang the bell. The door opened. Bella greet me at the door with a t-shirt that said something about the Forks Police Department on guess was it was her dad's or something. She had pajama pants on and her hair in a low messy bun. There was one thing I didn't expect to see. She smiled at me.

"You made it." She said.

I rolled my eyes. "I don't understand why you're surprise."

She laughed. "Call me pessimistic, I suppose." She said with a shrug. "Come in." she turned away. It must have my hint to follow her. so I did. I closed the door behind me. "How was your week?" she asked.

I didn't think she would say something like that. I didn't think she cared enough. I shrugged, but then remembered she wasn't looking at me. "Okay, I guess. Yours?"

"Mine was unobjectionable." She replied as she leaded me to the office again.

"Uh…" she held up her hand to stop me, probably because she knew what I would ask. "Never mind; I'll look it up later." I told her.

When we got to the office, I tossed my bag on the couch. She looked at me. "That reminds me, did you use your word of the week?" she asked. I nodded. "How many times?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, about six or seven times." I told her. I used it as much as possible. I made sure I didn't say it to Tanya again. but I said it to Jasper and Alice a few times, they might have been the only ones who knew what it meant without me having to explain it. Even to Emmett once or twice.

She smiled. "That's pretty good." She turned and walked out. I followed her. I realized she walked to the kitchen. I remember the last time I was here, she made a big deal about to going in there. It made me think of something. "Where's your mom?" I asked.

"She went to the store for something. I couldn't care less, really."

"So it's just us?" I asked.

She looked over shoulder. "Missing your mistress, are we?" she smiled so I can she was teasing.

I gave a chuckle. "Not really. The opposite actually. I don't need any kind of distraction." She turned to me when I said that. she gave a disbelieving face. "What?" I asked.

She shook her head. "Nothing. That was just more mature than I thought of you. It's…" she stopped to look for the right word. She fixed her glasses before looking at me and smiles again. "Impressive." She said before turning away. Finally. Who knew all I had to do was to ask about her mom to get that?

She went to the refrigerator while I leaned against the counter next to her. She opened it and leaned. I was glad I wasn't behind her again. "Juice?" she offered.

"Uh…water."

She took out a water bottle and tossed it to me. She leaned in again. When she stood back up, she had a juice pouch in her hand. I haven't seen one of those since fifth grade or something. She stuck the straw through the hole. "Let's get started" she nodded towards the way we came after taking a slip.

I think I was soon going to learn, she was not like any girl, hell not like any other people I've dealt with. I would have to see how I felt about that.

welcome to the bottom of the page.

so you know what i was just looking at, my first story APL and it's reviews. yeah, because of the whole wattpad thing; you never know how proud you are of something until you look back at it. i feel like a proud momma *wipe tear*. and lowkey, i feel nothing i do will amount. a total #thatfeel moment, right?

one more thing before i leave my wonderful readers for two days is that i need some help. my next story, the chps are named after songs, if you guys can give me any song; doesnt matter what kind, artist or year, any song will help me. i'm going to be listening to the songs i use while i'm writing the chp for it because i want to pick out certain lyrics and if i feel it will fit it perfectly, i will use it. this will really help me.

anyways, keep Reading and Reviewing; be your mos awesome self. love you guys.

Luv & Rockets.