hello my lovely reader. how is you day? i hope it just got better because it is update day! (what day is it UPDATE DAY! W00T W00T) anyways, nothing to important to say. whateves.

Enjoy

Chapter XX

(Epov)

Okay, I'll admit, coming downstairs without a shirt on day when Bella spend the night was might have been a little much. When she asked why I didn't have one, I told her it was because I couldn't find one. That wasn't true. It was to see if she would notice or say anything. When I asked her if it bother her, she just laughed. She laughed. Why did she laugh? What was wrong with that girl? I mean, I know she liked Jasper, but come on. I was fucking shirtless and she acted as if it did nothing for her.

Honestly, when I saw her with her glasses on, I forgot why I would care if it did or didn't. But then she came down in that blue dress.

When she, my sister and I got to the party, I left them right away. I don't think I wanted to spend the night acting as if I wasn't going to check her out in that dress. Then I saw her dancing with Jasper and realized I made a good decision.

Half way through the night, Tanya came up to me. I would see her here and there, but I never danced with her. She kept saying she was busy when I asked. I only did because I needed the distraction. "Edward, there you are." She said when saw me. "Jasper is looking for you." She said.

"What does he want?" I asked. He didn't look like he was looking for me when he was spinning Bella.

"I don't know. He just told me he needed you." She said then pointed in a direction of the kitchen. I groaned. I didn't feel like going through these people unless I was getting a drink or going to the bathroom or something else important.

It took me longer than I wanted to get to the kitchen. This is why I didn't want to move my spot. This shit was annoying. Whatever the hell Jasper wanted better be hella important.

When I pushed through the door, Jasper was already there. "There you are." He was the second person to say that. What the hell was so important? I waited for him to say what he wanted. He wasn't saying anything. "Well?" he said finally.

Why was he saying that? That should be my line. He was the one who needed me and had to tell me something so important in the middle of a damn party. What the hell was so fucking important that I needed to be informed about right this very second? "Well what?" I asked.

"What the hell do you want? And make it quick because I left Bella." He said.

I rolled my eyes. "You've been with her all night. Don't you want to dance with other people?" I asked before walking to the fridge.

"No. I like dancing with her. The girl got some moves." He answered.

"I know." I mumbled before opening my third can of beer of the night.

"You know, you didn't have to pull me away from her to do that." he said as I drank from the can. I gave him a confused look "You could have just shot me a text or something. To say you needed to talk to me is a bit dramatic and something a female would do. "

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. What was he going on about? Why the hell did he just referred me as a female? "What the hell are you talking about?" I demanded.

"It that why you wanted to talk to me?" he asked. "To tell me to dance with someone else? I mean, I know it's a party, but it's not like dancing with every girl is required." he went on.

"Dude, I don't give a damn who you dance with." I stopped him. Okay, that was kind of lie. I cared he was with Bella all damn night. What if she wanted to dance with someone else or someone wanted to dance her? That someone, being me.

"Then what do you want?" he urged.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I repeated, urging back. "I didn't want to talk to you. Tanya said you wanted to talk to me." I told him.

"She did?" he questioned. I nodded. "She said that…" he stopped. Then realization came across his face. "Damn it." he cursed before rushing out the kitchen. What was wrong with him? I followed him as he pushed pass people. He didn't stop until he found who I guess he was looking for. He grabbed Tanya's arm and pulled her away from some guy she was dancing with. Oh she was too busy to dance with me, but not some random person. Any other time, I think I would have cared or been upset. But now, I was just wondering why Jasper was grabbing her. I followed them as he dragged towards the door, away from the crowd of people. "Where is she?" he demanded to her when we got there.

"Who?" she asked.

"Stop it, Tanya. Where's Bella?" he asked. Bella? What happen to Bella?

"I don't know. She left." She answered.

"Why? What did you do?"

She gave a smile. "Why do you think I did something?"

"I told you not to mess with her while I was gone."

She crossed her arms. "You don't tell me what to do. Remember that line?" she answered.

He shook his head. "I'm not dealing with this. I'll go find Alice. I'm sure she'll tell me what happened." He said before walking away from us.

Tanya laughed. "Damn, the girl grinds against him for a few songs and he's whipped." She joked. Normally I would laugh, but he might have had a reason to be mad at her. What did she do to make Bella leave?

I turned to her. "What happened?" I asked.

She smiled. "I put a little puppy in her place." She answered.

"What?"

"Here." She said as she reached in her bra and grabbed her phone. "Kate recorded it." she said before pressing play on the video. It was her and Bella in the middle of the party. She was telling her how she was sorry and wanted to be friends. They hugged then a moment later, Bella backed away from her. When she did, Tanya threw whatever was in her cup, most likely beer, at Bella.

I looked at her. "You did this?" I asked, not believing my eyes.

She nodded. "Keep watching, it gets better." she said. I turned back the phone and did that. She went off on Bella. She told Bella she was a dog and that she was below her. I stopped watching when she said what she said about her mom. For the simple fact I knew it was some kind of personal to Bella. I could tell because Bella seemed as if she was going to response to the comment, but was to upset and embarrassed to think of a comeback. I handed the phone back to Tanya. "Why didn't you watch all of it?" she complained.

"Because, Tanya, this isn't funny." I told her.

"Yes it is." She argued. I should have agreed with her. Bella didn't want me to change anything. I would have before. Or at least just walked away and left it alone. Bottom line, I wouldn't have disagreed because I didn't want a fight. But I couldn't. I probably could have let the other stuff slide, but I couldn't ignore the fact that Tanya talked about Bella's family. Knowing how her relationship is with her mom and dad, the comment didn't sit right with me.

I shook my head. "That wasn't cool." I told her before going back in the crowd. I found Jasper talking to Alice. "Did you find out what happen?" I asked them. They both nodded.

"Your girlfriend's a bitch." Alice snapped, like I had something to do with it.

I sighed. "I know." I turned to Jasper. "Did you call her?" I asked.

He nodded. "I tried. My phone doesn't have service in here." He answered. I putted out my phone to see mine didn't ever.

I looked at Alice. "I left my phone at home. I was going to call Rosalie when we got home."

"Do you want to leave now?" I asked. I had no problem leaving now. It wasn't like I was here for something. She nodded. When she did, all three of us walked towards the door.

"I hope she doesn't think I left her on purpose." I heard Jasper mumble when we got outside. I shook my head. I'm sure she wouldn't. If anything she would think I had something to do with it.

XXX

Monday morning, I saw Bella at her locker. I wondered if she went back to Isabella. Because she just made it in, she still had her coat on and I couldn't tell. I walked over to her to see how she was doing. I tapped her on the shoulder. She turned to me and smiled. She didn't have her glasses on her or her hair in her normal ponytail. That was a good sign. "Hey Edward." She greeted.

"You seem happy." I noted. She nodded. "I just thought what happened on Saturday…" I got stopped when she took off her jacket. I wish I can say I tried harder not to look at her, but I would be lying. She was wearing a dark teal sweater dress that stopped at her knees. Sadly, the rest of her legs were covered with black leggings. The dress hugged her body so much and so nicely, I almost didn't miss it. Almost.

I just wish she would stop. Could she stop looking good in everything my sister dresses her in? Stop looking so damn hot with her hair down. And stop looking so pretty and sexy with lip gloss on. What that so much to fucking ask? It would make it easier for me to accept the damn fact that she wanted him and not and for me hook to her up with Jasper, as if they need me anymore.

"Edward." She called my attention. I looked at her. "You were saying something." she reminded me as put her jacket on the hook in her locker.

Right I was. But what exactly was I saying? "Uh…you didn't change back." I noted. I knew that wasn't it, but it was somewhere along those lines, right?

She shrugged. "I thought that wouldn't do anything. I like the clothes your sister gives me and the attention from Jasper. Changing back won't make me happy, so why do it?" she asked as she got her books for her first classes.

I nodded. "Good theory." I said, trying to keep my eyes above her waist. But while she was in that dress, it was really fucking hard.

She closed her locker. She turned to me and smile. "And if your girlfriend won't leave me alone, I'm going to give her what she wants from me."

"What's that?" I asked.

"I'm going to give her a threat. I'll see you at lunch." She said before walking away from me.

"Wait, you're sitting with us?" I called after her. Why would she do that after what happen on Friday then on Saturday? Did she enjoy punishment or something? and what did she mean she was going to give Tanya what she wanted?

She turned to me. She nodded. "Jasper asked me to. Isn't he nice? I think he might actually start to like me." she said before turning and walking to her class. Of course that was the reason. She might just do anything for him. If it was me asking, she would question and come up with excuses on why she couldn't. But let him ask and she jumps at it. That shouldn't upset me as much as it does, but it does.

I groaned as I dragged myself to my class.

All of my damn classes dragged on. I almost fell asleep in all of them. The only reason I didn't because I knew that would be a step backwards from all the hard work I've been doing. It was a good thing I only have this week and part of next week to deal with this before the school is on winter break.

I was happy when class ended it was lunch time. Well, I was until I was Bella already at the table. I forgot she was sitting with us today. But that wasn't why I wasn't happy anymore. It was because I saw who she was sitting next to, talking to. She was sitting along at the table with Jasper. Again, I shouldn't be so upset, but I was.

She was giggling when I got to the table. "What are you guys talking about?" I asked when I sat down. Jasper chuckled and shook his head. I looked at Bella for the answer.

"Nothing. We were just talking about the rest of our weekend." She answered. Something told me that a lie and they just didn't want to tell me. But I didn't feel like pushing. A few minutes later, my sister came to the table, followed Emmett and his girlfriend and along with everyone else. Everyone was greeting Bella kindly. It seem like Saturday didn't happen. In fact, I don't think I've heard people talking about it. Well, I heard a few telling the few people weren't there or didn't see it what happened between Bella and Tanya. I couldn't help but wonder if Bella heard to. She was smiling, so that was a good thing.

The only person I didn't see coming to the table was Tanya. I wondered where she was. She didn't text me telling me she wasn't coming to school today. Though, I would be glad if she didn't. That means no drama for a day.

I spoke too soon when I saw her walking to the table. So much for the whole "no drama" thing. When she got here and saw who was sitting next to Jasper, she starting glaring. I don't think I saw her face so fast.

I was the only who saw it because no one else was paying attention to her. She didn't like that very much. She slammed her tray on the table. That got everyone's attention. She got what she wanted when everyone looked at her. "What the hell is that doing here?" she snapped, staring right at Bella. "I thought I was clear when I turned you back in a squash on Saturday. You don't belong here." She expressed, stretching out every word so everyone could understand her.

"Look, you." Rosalie started but Bella touched her arm and shook her head, stopping her friend from snapping.

Bella looked at Tanya. "Pumpkin." She simply said.

"What?" Tanya said what we all were thinking. What was this girl talking about?

"I'm assuming you were referencing the classic fairy tale of Cinderella, in which case, I think you mean pumpkin. By the way, she didn't turned into a pumpkin, her carriage did. Clever, not original, but clever." Bella answered.

"Whatever, it so doesn't matter. The point is…" Tanya started, but got stopped.

"The point is, if you going to insult me, I wish for you to do it correctly. And not be such a ditz about it." Bella cut her off. I was shocked she actually cut her off. that was unexpected.

"Did you call me a bitch?" Tanya said, I'm sure just looking for a reason to snap. As if she needed a reason to do so. She was going do it with or without one. It was what she was good at.

But I didn't know if Bella could handle herself. I mean she did kind of lose it the last time this happen. It might be time for me to interfere. I stood up and grabbed Tanya's arm, ready to pull her away. I was until Bella chuckle. What was that? "No. I called you a ditz." She stood up. "But what you said, might be a little more accurate." She replied. Whoa. Where the hell did that come from? Did Rosalie feed her that line or something?

I looked at both my sister and Rosalie. They both looked as shocked as everyone else. No one saw that coming. She thought of that herself? Kind of impressive. "Look." she went on. "I don't know what your problem is with me, I don't know why you hate me so much, but what I do know is that Saturday is the last time you catch me with my guard down. You might think I need Rosalie and Alice to protect me from you, and at one point I thought I did to, but I don't. I'm not afraid of you anymore, Tanya. So leave me alone or things between us are going to get real personal real fast."

The whole lunch room was silent. All eyes were on them. They tension was so thick, I found myself holding my breath. I waited for Tanya to explode. She didn't say anything, but boy did she look pissed. I wondered if she didn't say anything because she couldn't or because she had nothing to say.

"You. Are. Such. A. Loser!" She yelled before yanking her arm out of my loose grip and stormed out of the room.

Everyone looked at Bella. She looked around then let out a breath then smiled back. "I'm fine." She assured everyone.

Alice started clapping, and then Rosalie followed then, Jasper. Before I knew it, the rest of the room was clapping too. Bella blushed and gave a small smile. Alice stood up and gave Bella a pat on the back. "Well done." She approved.

"Yeah, I'm so proud." Rosalie said. "You just stand up to her on your own. How does it feel?" she asked her best friend.

Bella chuckled. "Like my heart is about to jump out and run across the room." She replied in a tease as she sat down. Everyone at the table laughed. When she sat back down next to Jasper, he leaned in and said something her ear. She turned to him. She gave a small smile before tucking her tucking a piece of hair behind her ear and nodding her head.

What did he say to her? I wasn't going to sit here and wonder. "I'm going to go check on Tanya." I told them before walking away.

"I hope she doesn't take anything out on him." I heard Bella.

"He'll be fine." Alice assured.

When I got pass the door and in the hall, I saw Tanya pacing back and forward next to her locker. "Babe." I said to her.

She turned to me. "That fucking loser. How dare she talk to me like that? Who the hell does she think she is?" she snapped in a yell.

I placed my hands on her shoulders. "Calm down."

She knocked them off. "I will not fucking calm down. Did you hear what the hell she said to me? She does not get to talk to me like that." she replied. "She needs to pay for that. She will pay for that."

"Why are you being so defensive?" I asked.

"Because Edward, she's been a loser for three years. She does not get to come out of no fucking where and be everyone's best friend. What if she takes all my well-deserved attention, what if she started dating one of the players and become popular by association? What if she becomes p…" she stopped and gagged. I think I knew she was going to say. I don't think it was likely for her become prom queen. "I can't even say it." she said turning away from me.

"Maybe you should just leave her alone." I suggested.

She turned and glared at me. "What?" she growled as if I spoke of some kind of sin. "What did you just say to me?" she asked.

I sighed. Maybe I should not have said anything. I should have stayed out of it. But here I was, in the middle of it. What was it about this time that I just couldn't keep quiet? "I mean, you clearly don't have the same effect on her. Maybe just leave her alone."

"Edward, shut up. This isn't about her. It's about me and my position. And wait a damn minute, why the hell to you keep defending her?" she demanded as she crossed her arms.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Saturday at the party and now, you took her side. Why?"

When she pointed out, that was the only time I realized what I was doing. She was right. I did keep taking Bella's side. I honestly didn't know why I did. I wouldn't do that when Alice and Tanya fought, why the hell I was doing it now? I shrugged. "Because she's a pretty cool person." I told her.

She stared at me. "What the hell is wrong with you?" she asked.

"What?" I replied.

"Are you taking some kind of drug you're not telling me about; are you getting too many hits in the head; what?" she clarified. "I ask because something has to be fucking wrong with you for you to think something like that, let alone allow the words to come out of your mouth. She is not 'pretty cool'. Neither one of those words describe her." she said.

"Just give her a chance. You might even be-." I stopped when she held her hand up to me.

"Don't say it, don't even think it." she warned. She let out a hard breath. "You know what, since you can't be with me, you can be with yourself over break." She said before turning and walking away.

"What about the trip?" I called after her. For the past three years, every break, she, Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie come with my family and me on our family trip. It was the only time of the time where were could hang out and not worry about football for the guys and cheerleading for the girls. My mom buys enough tickets for all us, first class and it was hard to get eight first class tickets during the holiday season.

"For once, I think I rather be with my own family all break." She said over her should as she kept walking.

"Babe." I called. She didn't answer. "Tanya." I called again. Again nothing. Damn it. I would hang out with Tanya all week. Who was I supposes to be with if she wasn't there?

XXX

I didn't see Tanya after her little storm off. Kate told me that Tanya took the rest of the day off. I figured she would get over it by the time I got out of practice. It was over and I looked at my phone to see nothing.

I send Tanya another text. I've been sending them since I leave school. I wasn't texting her because I didn't want her to be mad at me. I didn't care if she was mad at me because I didn't do anything. I just wanted her to reconsider coming on the trip over break. If she didn't come, Alice would probably invite on of her friends and I wouldn't have anyone to be with it all week. Jasper and Emmett was cool, but I was sure they didn't look good in a bikini when we're in the hot tub. She still wasn't answering.

"Damn it." I groaned as I tossed my phone to the kitchen table.

"What's wrong with you?" Alice asked as she grabbed the chocolate milk from refrigerator. She grabbed a glass and filled it have half way. Since we're both athletes, dad doesn't allow us to drink anything, but water and milk. So all mom buys is milk and water bottles. We only get something else when we're not in the house.

"Tanya's pissed at me and she's not coming with us." I told Alice.

She finished drinking before replying. "Yay." She answered.

I looked at her. "Alice."

"I'm sorry, I mean…no I mean yay." She said. I rolled my eyes. She laughed. "I'm sorry, but can you blame me. I spend enough time with her. I don't want to spend my time that I should have away from her with her too." She answered.

"With who?" mom said as she walked into the kitchen. She placed a bag on the counter.

"Tanya's not coming on the trip." Alice answered.

"Aw, that's a shame." Mom replied.

It was a surprise, but I was glad mom said that. It helped proved my point. Maybe if I said my mom wanted her, Tanya would think she was getting on her good side and might rethink not coming. "See, mom agrees with me and sees the problem." I pointed out.

Esme chuckled. "No, I don't. It might be good for you to be away from that girl for a while. Plus, I won't have to worry about you two every time your father or I turn our backs." She replied before putting something in the cabinet.

Alice giggled. "Shut up." I told her.

"Edward, be nice to your sister. Alice, stop bothering your brother." Esme said before taking more things out of the bag and putting them in the refrigerator. "Anyways, I meant it was a shame that that girl isn't coming because now I already ordered the tickets. They're nonrefundable and now hers will go to waste." She explained.

"We can invite someone else." Alice said. Here it come, she was going to suggest one of her underclassman friends or something.

"That's a good idea." My mom said. "Who were you thinking of?" she asked.

Alice looked at me. "We could invite Bella." She said. Now there was an idea. I'm sure seeing her in a bikini wouldn't be a bad sight. "Can we, mom?" Alice turned back to my mom.

"You have to tell my rules. She has to ask her parents' permission, and she has to have own spending money" She reminded us. Alice and I both nodded. "Then I don't see why not." She said.

"Cool. She's coming over today. I'll tell her when she gets here." I said.

"I'm going to my room. I need write a speech for my Communication final." Alice said before grabbing her glass walking out of the kitchen.

"Be careful with that milk, young lady. I'm not cleaning any more spots out of you carpet." Esme said after her.

"Sure, sure." Alice replied. Something told me she didn't care nor believed my mother's threat.

I chuckled as Esme sigh. "That girl." She said, shaking my head. She looked at me. "Will you help me with the rest of the groceries?" she asked. I nodded before following her out the kitchen. "So why is Bella coming over?" she asked as we walked to the front door.

"To help me study for finals." I told her. Since my sister knows, I asked Bella to if we could study at my house for a change. She said it was fine because her mother has some grading she needed to catch up on, so she would probably be on edge. I bet it would nice for her to get out of that house.

"She wouldn't be the reason you've been doing so well in school, is she?" Esme asked.

I rolled my eyes. "You know the reason." I told her though the reason I was talking about started to seem less and less important. Maybe because the season is almost over. We have more two more games before break. Since we've won the games we were required, we will be in the running for the state championship. All we had to do is win one of our games we had before break, which we will. Then when we come back, we have a play-off game. If we win that, we have the championship game. If we don't, then we're done. This year seem to be going by way faster than I thought. at least I still have track in the spring.

"You know what I mean." She broke my thoughts.

"She's been helping me, yes."

Esme chuckled. "If she's been helping you all this time, she might need the trip to relax." She joked.

I gave a fake laugh. "So funny, mom. " I replied.

She laughed again. "I'm just joking. You know I'm very proud of you for getting your grades up so quickly." She replied.

"Thank you." I said. We made it to the front door. I followed her to her car. When we got there, she filled both my hands with grocery bags. Even with my hands filled with five bags each, she had more in the trunk. What the hell she do, buy the whole damn store?

I turned when I heard a door closed. When I did, I saw Bella grabbing her bag from the bed of her truck. She still had her car. I mean, of course she did. It's just weird to see her step out of the piece of junk being as hot as she was now.

She looked at my mom and me and smiled. "Hey, Edward. Hello Ms. Esme." She said as she tossed her bag on her shoulder. Esme? I was so use to my girlfriend calling her "Mrs. Cullen", I forgot she let any of my friends she actually liked to call her something different.

"Hello Bella." Esme replied back with a smile. And not one of her "I'm just doing this because I'm polite and not because I like you" smiles she give Tanya. "How are you today?" she asked.

"Pretty good. Do you need some help?" Bella replied, gesturing to the bags.

"Edward's got it." my mom replied.

"It's fine. I can help." She said before grabbing five of the bags out of my hand. "Just show me where everything goes." She said then followed my mom and me into the house. When we got back to the kitchen, Bella even helped my mom put some of the things away. She put up all the food. She would have put everything if Esme told her some of the things upstairs or in a bedroom. Bella nodded in understanding.

"Thank you for your help, Bella." Esme said as she folded the last bag.

"You're welcome." Bella relied as she put her bag back on because she took it off to help. "I put away the groceries in my house so it wasn't really a big deal."

"It was one to me. You cut my usually time in half. Thank you. Would you like a snack?" my mom asked. Wow. She never offers Tanya and me a snack.

Bella shook her head. "I ate before I came here. Thank you, though." She answered.

"Mom, Bella and I need to study." I reminded her before she offers the girl a three course meal or something. If I didn't know any better, I would think she was acting this way because Bella was one of her children.

"Right. Study hard." She told us before we walked out the kitchen.

"Your mom is so nice." Bella said as we walked into the family room.

I shrugged. She was a mom, being she had her moments. "Step-mom." I corrected as we sat on the couch. "She makes me correct people when they call her my mom. She said she doesn't want to try to replace my actually one." I explained. However, I haven't seen that one since I was one. Therefore, I think it was okay for Esme to replace her.

"Sorry. I guess I understand that."

"How?" I asked. How could she possibly understand something like that? She had both of her parents.

"Let's just say, I know how it feels to have a step-parent who is technically your real one." she answered.

"What do you mean?" I asked. She didn't ask to let it go. When she does, I will do so; however, until she does, I was going keep pushing. Hey, she brought it up; it's only fair she continues.

"Uh…" she nervously tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "Because Charlie technically fits that description." She answered.

Wait, Charlie her dad? The one she seem so close to? "Are you saying…?" I stopped, not wanting to say it out loud.

"That he's not my biological father?" she guessed. Then she shook her head. "No, he's not."

"Have you ever met him; your real father, I mean." I couldn't stop myself from asking.

She laughed. "That would require for me to even know who he is, which I don't." she answered.

"Really?" I asked. She shook her head. Whoa, that was heavy. I knew my mom, but I haven't seen her in so long that I would just rather not. I don't miss her, but at least I had to the opinion to do so or not. Now I see why the relationship between her and her dad is the way it is. Charlie Swan was the only dad she knew.

"I probably should explain." She didn't have, I pretty much understood. But I didn't say anything. "When my mom was our age, she was the Tanya of her class. The thing was, she was a little more…'friendly' with guys than your girlfriend is. She always had a different one. When she got pregnant with me, she was with too many to know for sure whose it was. After he graduated, Charlie told my mom he was in love with her, for what reason I don't know, that he would help raise me. She jumped at the chance and grew to love my him."

"So what Tanya said at the party?"

"Was right, yes." She answered.

"You don't seem ashamed." I pointed out.

She shook her head. "I'm not. Not really. To me, he is my dad. He acts more like a parent than she does. What I hate is that she's doesn't even seem to care we don't know who my real father is and that she wants me to be the same way. She thinks that's all a high school girl should do, 'play the field' as she calls it. She doesn't hear me when I say I don't want that. But she keeps pushing and pushing." She stopped herself from going farther. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you any of that."

"No, it helps me get to know you better." I told her.

She chuckled. "I guess that means I trust you more than we thought." she answered.

I was going to answer, but I heard footsteps coming from the stairs. We both looked up to see my sister running down them. "I thought I heard Bella. Edward, why didn't you tell me she was here already" she said. She ran down the rest of the steps then over to us. She crashed herself into Bella's lap.

Bella laughed as Alice hugged her tightly. "Hi Alice. Why are you so excited to see me? We just saw each other two or three hours ago." She reminded her.

Alice pulled away. "Did he ask you yet?" she said, ignoring the statement.

"Ask me what?" Bella said, looking back and forward between my sister, who was still sitting on Bella's lap, and me. I was surprised she didn't push her off yet. I guess she didn't care enough. If that was me, I wouldn't think twice before pushing her to the floor. She knew better than to do something like that to me anyways.

"You didn't ask her yet?" Alice snapped at me. I rolled my eyes. I really hadn't time to talk about it. How does it look for me to stop her story to talk about a ski trip? "Want to come with us on our family trip to our cabin in New York over break?" Alice asked excitedly.

Bella turned to me. "You guys have a cabin in New York?" she asked.

I shrugged. "Yeah, a small one. It's by a place with the best slopes in the country." I said simply.

She chuckled. "I can't impose on a family trip." She replied.

"The word 'family' is used loosely when it comes to our annual trip." I told, implying that it wasn't an implosion. "You should come. It will be fun. Everyone is going; Rosalie, Emmett."

"Jasper's coming." Alice said before I could get his name.

Bella's eyes widened at his name. "Really?" she asked. Alice nodded. Bella gave a smile. "I guess I can ask my parents." She said. I should have known she would try to come if it meant getting more attention from him. Which brings me to the question of if she would have come if Alice didn't say his name.

"Great." Alice said as she got off Bella's lap. "If ou can come, text me before we go so we can go shopping for some cute snow clothes. Oh, and you have to have your own money." she told her before leaving the room.

"So are you coming?" I asked.

"I don't know if I can. I really do have to ask my parents." She told me.

"I'm sure they will say you can."

"Hopefully." She said.

That made me said what I did next. "Would you wanted to go if Alice didn't say Jasper was going?" I couldn't help but ask. I wanted to know. Was she coming to hang out with the rest of us or to just be with him all week? I don't know why, but I don't think I wanted her to come if the first one would be the case. Probably for the same reason I didn't want him dancing with her all night at the party. I mean, she was coming to replace Tanya. What if I wanted to hang out with her too?

"Probably."

"But not likely." I guessed.

She chuckled. "Edward." Was all she said. Then I knew how I sounded. I sounded jealous.

"I mean, it's just a question." I said, trying to cover up the tone.

"I don't know." She answered.

"You're will to do just about anything for his attention. You must really like him." I pointed out. She nodded. "Why?' I asked. What the hell was so special about him? That was the first time I asked out loud. All this time I was wondering, but never asked her.

"When we all were in sixth grade, about two or three weeks after school started, these new twins came in. the girl was very outgoing; friends with the whole class right away. Then there was the boy. More quiet and shy. Something about him just drew me to him. Whatever it was draw every other girl, as well. Then it died down after a while. It did for them anyways, not for me. I still wanted to talk to him, but I was too shy to say anything.

"It was like that for four years. It didn't change until sophomore year. The first day of sophomore year, I told myself I would talk to him, at least be his friend."

"What happened?" I asked.

She turned and smiled at me. "You threw a football at him." she said. When she did, I reminded. It was my first year on the football varsity team. I was in charge with helping the coach of building a strong team. I threw it randomly at Jasper, not know if he could catch it or not. When I found out he could, I convince the coach to let him be my receiver. We were lucky because that was the position he was trying out for anyways.

"I'm…sorry." I said, feeling weird for apologizing for something that happened three years ago, but also felt like it was something I should. It was technically my fault the reason she hasn't talked to him until now.

She chuckled. "It's fine. I think you've made up for it." she said to me. "I just can't believe that we're finally talking after all this time. I think I might get what I wanted after so long." she said.

"Oh." That's when I saw it. The tinker in her eyes. The little girl smile she gets when she's talking to or about him. The way she blushes every time she hears his name. The giggling, the desperation for his attention. The real reason she wasn't shy around other guys. I saw all that before. I was about two the first and last time I saw it. That's probably why it took me so long to see. It was when my dad first met Esme and he was walking around with that same look and still does. She didn't just like Jasper. "You love him" I blurted out.

I was ready for her to deny it. But she didn't. She just laughed. "Am I that obvious?" she asked. She wasn't going to deny it, because it was truth. I was right. She was in love with someone she hasn't even dated yet. I dated Tanya for long enough to have those feelings, and I still didn't feel anything like that for her. "Of course no one knows but Rosalie. I'm sure he doesn't feel like that yet, so can you not tell anyone?" she asked. I nodded. "Goodness, enough about me. I came here to help you study." She said before pulling out a piece of paper.

She started to say something, but I tuned her out. Knowing what I did, I knew what I should do. I should hold up to my side of the deal. I should play her up when she not around. I should back off her and Jasper to let them be with each other.

I should, but I knew I couldn't. When I realized how she felt was the same time I realized why I get jealous when she's with him or upset when they talk about each other.

I couldn't back off simply because I didn't want together. I didn't want this Bella to be for Jasper. I wanted her for myself.

welcome to the bottom of the page.

btw, the person who caught the paramore song a few chps back and said they love paramore. we are now new best friends. i meant to said early but forgot. so yep, TwiSam1989, you're my new best friend. you will accept this friendship. i dont care if you already have best friend, you're mine now.

okay, i done with my daily crazy rant. thx for all the reviews, favs, and alerts. they make me so happy.keep on Reading & Reviewing. love you guys.

Luv & Rockets.