hey hey hey.

merry Christmas for those who celebrate. for those who doesnt, happy tuesday, aka update day. glad to see you back.

as you can see, i didnt lie to you or forget about you. Christmas traditions... you know how that goes.

anyways, here is another chp. enjoy

Chapter XXXV

(Bpov)

I had a good Saturday with my dad. We really didn't do anything special. We went to eat and to see a movie we've both wanted to see. We even stopped by the football game for a quarter or two. At dinner, he asked how everything was at school. I told him as I much I wanted to reveal. I didn't tell him what I did when I was over Rosalie's house and she wasn't there but her brother was. I haven't told anyone that, not even Jacob. However, considering how he acted when he saw me give Jasper a small peck, I don't think he would take me making out the boy very well. Charlie asked me about Tanya and I told him we still had our differences about each other. But whatever, it's not like I will have to hang out with her if I wasn't with any of the others.

I really didn't know if the team won their game or not. I assumed they did win. When my dad and I left, they were ahead with a touchdown. Knowing Edward, I was pretty sure they had it for the rest of the game. The reason I didn't know for sure was because on Monday, I didn't hear anything about the game. No one seemed to be talking about it, or I would just miss it. Since no one was talking about, I didn't think I should bring it up. Even at lunch, Rosalie and Jasper asked me how my weekend with my father was, but they didn't talk about the game. I told them it was nice to have some time with him without my mother. I think only two people, that being Rosalie and Edward, knew the reason why I was so excited to spend three-four hours outside my house while we left my mom there.

At lunch, I noticed something else. Tanya wasn't under Edward's arm like any other day. He said he was going to break up with her, but as far as I knew, they were still dating and he continued to played the role of the boyfriend who wanted to be bothered. Because of that, he would sit with her under his arm at lunch or allow her to kiss him, through it was just on the cheek.

But today at lunch, she didn't sit under his arm or felt the need to touch and kiss him all lunch period the way she did every day. In fact, she seemed quite upset with him. Edward, on the other hand, didn't seem to noticed, nor did he really act as if he cared. He said he was waiting for the right time. I wondered when that would be. It wasn't like I cared. I mean it was my business. I just think it would be nice for the rest of us not to be bothered with her as well.

After lunch, Rosalie and I walked to class. We were going to the same place, plus I thought she would know something. "What's wrong with Tanya and Edward?" I asked as we walked.

She shrugged. "I don't know. Alice said they had a fight or something after the game. I noticed he wasn't at the party on Saturday. When I asked Alice, she said he and Tanya fought about something and he went home. She didn't go much into it and I didn't ask. Why?" she said when she was done.

I gave a shrug. "I don't know. I…" I was going to tell her about the break-up he was planning, but then I remembered she didn't know and Edward didn't want anyone in the group to know. I don't know why he told me though. "I just noticed some tension between them at lunch." I told her.

"They fight, she pouts, and then they're fine. It's nice of you to be concerned about them. Someone should because heaven knows no one else is." She said. Once she did, I decided to drop the subject as we walked into the classroom. I guess she was right. I mean she knew them as a couple better than I did.

After my last class, I had to go to Rosalie locker for my books before I went to my own for my coat and bag. Sometimes I think the two lockers thing might be more trouble than it is worth. But being that it is so far into the year, I doubt it really even matters anymore.

I got home and studied on the couch. I was waiting until around five o'clock to over Edward's house. I was waiting because he was at practice. Even through the football season was over, he and Jasper still had track and field practice. They must be tired of staying after school. I didn't notice it before – well, before, I didn't know a lot about them – but it seems like they always have practice for something. First it was football, now track and field. Do they ever get a break?

I was on the couch when my mother walked through the door. I looked up. "Hi, mom. How was work?" I asked her.

She gave a hard and tired sigh. "I had a bad day." She said.

"What happened?" I asked. I acted as if I was interested, but I don't think I really cared. However, I founded the more I asked about her, the more she would talk about herself and leave me alone.

She shook her head. "I don't want to talk about it." she looked at me and gave a disgusted groan. "Isabella, you're hair." she complained.

I touched it then reminded I had it in a messy up-ponytail while I studied. "I got caught in the rain." I told her. On my way out the school, it started drizzling and I didn't have anything. It was light, so I didn't bother covering my hair with my bag or anything. Then when I got out of the car to walk to the front door, it started raining harder. I rushed to the door, but I guess not fast enough because I apparently didn't save it, according to my mother anyways. I wondered if she would have like the curly-do Alice did for me today. Knowing her, I'm sure she would've had something to say about it.

She shook her head again. "Yes, but you could have done something with it. Honestly, Isabella, all that hard work that girl does on you just goes to pure waste." She said. Then again, saying that she would leave me alone, things like that just seem to fall out of her mouth. I'm sure she doesn't really try hard to stop it. She gave a sigh. "I'm going to lie down. Tell your father when he gets home."

"Actually, I might be gone by the time he gets here." I told her.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going over the Cullens' to do homework with Edward." I told her.

She gave a groan. "Fine. I guess I will just do everything by myself. And please do something with yourself before going over there. We don't want them to think that you are incapable doing so." She said before leaving the room.

"Love you too, mother." I mumbled sarcastically as I heard her climbed the stairs. I was about to get back to work when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw I had a text from Edward. I unlocked it to read it.

"Hey, I'm just got out of practice and heading home. I might hop in the shower when I get there. If you get here before I get out, you can just go to my room." he texted.

"Okay. See you in a few." I replied. I gathered my things and pushed them in my bag. I yelled up to my mother I was leaving before walking out the door.

I took me longer than I had wished get to his house. My truck was taking too long to start when I got in it and it didn't help that it was still raining. Not as hard as when I got home, but still enough to slow me down. I love my truck, but sometimes I wished it would just start and drive like a normal car. But I guess little quirks like that are what make my truck my truck. I've had since I turned fifteen and got my permit. I don't think I would want anything else besides it.

But I finally got there. When I did, I saw Edward's car was there. I wondered if he just got here or if he's been for a while. I walked up the drive way and rang the bell. A moment later, the door swung open and Alice greeted me with smile. "Bella, hi!" she said with excitement.

"Hi Alice." I replied before she gave me a tight hug.

She released me and stepped out of the way so I could walk in. I was glad she did, I was getting rained on. When I got in the house, I looked around. I've been here a few times, but the size still kind of amazed me. I don't see normal houses this big, besides this one. "Nice hair." she teased.

I looked at her and smile. She sounded like my mother, but of course, nicer. "Rain." I reminded her.

She laughed. "I know, why do you think I have a hat on?" she said poking to her beanie on her head.

"Cute." I commented.

"Hi Bella." I heard a voice. I turned to the couch and a girl was sitting there.

"Hi." I replied politely. I didn't know her name, but I knew her face. She was one of Alice's underclassmen friends who sat at the lunch table with us.

"What are you doing here?" Alice asked. I turned back to her.

"Homework." Was all I said. It was all I needed to say for her to nod.

"Well, I think Edward is in the shower. You can watch a movie with us until he gets out." Alice offered.

"Uh, Edward told me to wait in his room. Thanks through." I said. She nodded before telling me which direction his room was when I went up the stairs. I realized that I haven't really been up there besides being in the large closet they have where I had my make over.

I climbed the stairs and went in the direction Alice told me to go. I went into the only room with the door open. Edward wasn't in there. I probably wouldn't have known it was his if I didn't see it was a typical teenage boy room. He had a full size unmade bed in the against the far wall with dark blue sheets and a black and gray comforter that looked like he just threw it off when he got out of bed this morning. Besides that, his room was pretty clean, not as clean as mine. He had a few clothes hanging out of his dresser. In fact his clothes were the only thing not organized. He had a shelve full of trophies and metals hanging near his bed. Funny, I thought he would have more, but they were probably in another room. Knowing this family, they probably had a trophy room.

The bed had shelves that looked like they were built into the room. He wasn't joking when he said he liked music. The shelves were full of them. I walked over to look closer and careful not to lean to much where I was on his bed. He had his CD's in alphabetical orders. I didn't think he would take the time to actually buy physical albums let along put them in order.

When I was done with the CD's, I looked around the rest of the room. He had a picture of Megan Fox in a bikini on top of a car on his closet door. Funny, I heard she was kind of rude to people around her, but she was pretty so it kind of fitted his taste in girls.

I looked along his smaller dresser with a mirror on top of it. He had a lot of pictures stuck in the sides. I don't think there was an open space for any more. I saw one with him, Tanya, Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, and Emmett in formal wear. The guys were matching with their dates. Jasper was wearing a pink tie to match with Alice's dress. I guess they went together. She was right; he did look good in a suit. I looked at the corner. Homecoming, 2013 was written in the corner in Edward's handwriting. Uh, so that's what I missed this year. Hopefully we can take something like that a prom.

I looked at all the pictures. There were a lot of group shots, like the Homecoming one. Some with just him, Jasper and Emmett; they were in their uniforms or at party. There of course were some with Tanya. Any picture with just Edward and her, she was hanging on him or kissing him on the cheek. There was one where they were kissing on the lips, but I saw her hand holding his chin. She probably made him take that one. In fact, any one with her, yes she was hanging on him, but it didn't look like he gave was he was receiving. It seem like he made look like he was too busy holding the camera or phone to take the picture to do anything else. So was their relationship always like that?

Then I saw one that was so cute. Of course, he had pictures with his sister. He expressed many times how she was his only female best friend. But there was one that was so cute; I had to take it out the mirror to get a better look. It was him and his sister. He had to be about six or seven, maybe even eight so his sister must have been five or something. They were in some park. Alice was tightly hugging Edward around the waist, giving a big little girl smile, with her eyes closed and a tooth missing and curled pig tails and everything. While she was doing all that, Edward just stood there with his hands in his pocket, barely breaking a smile. He was even too cool for anything then. It was cute.

They both look so young. I kept looking at the picture until I heard a voice. "What are you doing?" I heard the male voice say.

I turned towards the doors to see Edward standing there with nothing but a towel around waist and another one in his hand. What was with him and no shirt when I was over? "You told me to wait in your room." I reminded him, in case he forgot and was surprised I was there when he got out the shower.

He rolled his eyes. "I know that. I thought you would be on my bed reading or something, not looking through my stuff." He answered.

I gave a smile. "I figured it was my turn." I teased.

He chuckled. "Be quite. Did you find anything interesting, by the way? Anything to embarrass Mr. Popular?" he teased back.

"Just this." I said as I showed him the picture I was looking at. He walked over and took it out of my hand.

"Oh yeah. This was the day I realized I was kinda stuck with her." he said, handing it back.

"It's cute." I commented.

He gave a shrug. "Thanks." He said as he ran the towel over his wet hair.

I looked up and down him. Was he not aware he was in front of me with no clothes on again? "What, do you not like your clothes or something?" I asked in a joking matter.

He looked down as if he didn't know what I was talking about. He looked at me. "I do have boxers on. Would you like to see them?" he asked with a smug smile.

"No, that's okay." I said as when I saw him pulling at the towel that was tied around his waist. He just laughed at me. "I would, however, like for you to put some clothes on." I told him.

"You are not like any other girl at our school, that's for sure." he chuckled; I guess referring to the fact that any other girl would be just begging him to drop his towel. However, once again, it just made me a little uncomfortable. I did change my shirt while he was sitting right in front of me. However, I can't help to think that maybe we've become a tad bit too comfortable around each other. "Besides, I just got out the shower. Sorry if my attire is not to your liking. Unless…" He stopped, I guess waiting to see if I thought something different than the first time I saw him shirtless. I haven't so I just shook my head. He gave a small smile. "Still does nothing for you?" he guessed. I shook my head again. He gave a small chuckle. "Right. Let me put some clothes on and we can start. "Excuse me." he said and I stepped aside so he could get to his dresser I was standing in front of.

"You want me to wait down stairs or something?" I asked as he ruffled through one of his drawers.

He shook his head as he pulled out a gray t-shirt and dark blue sweat pants out. "Nah. My sister and Charlotte are having some Channing Tatum movie marathon thing or something so we'll be in here anyways." he looked at me. "Is that okay?" he asked. I gave a shrug. He was in my room so many times, it was only fair. "Okay, but since you don't want the privilege of seeing this god-like body…" he said gesturing to himself. I rolled my eyes. I still don't know if he's joking when he says things like that. "You mind?" he said before giving the turnaround signal with his finger. I gave another shrug before turning around so my back was to him.

A moment later, he cleared his throat. When I turned back to him, he was picking up his towel from the floor. When he stood up, I got a good look at him. I saw him pull the clothes out the drawer, but I didn't think of how it would look on him. "Uh." I said in a thinking tone. I don't think I ever seen him so causal. Even when he's shirtless, it feels as if he wants to prove something.

"What?" he asked with a confused face.

"You look so…relaxed." I told him.

"Thanks?" he said, still confused as he tossed his towels in the basket in the corner. He grabbed his bag and walked over to his bed. "Let's start."

It was a good time to do that. But before we did, I think I wanted some more information about him and Tanya and why there was so much tension between them. Rosalie couldn't give me the answers. Maybe I should get it. "Can I ask you something?" I said as I followed him.

He sat in the middle of his bed. "Sure, I don't see why not."

"So, what was the deal between you and Tanya today?" I asked.

He looked up at me. "You saw that." he noted. It wasn't a question; it was just a…a statement.

"Was I not supposed to?" I asked as I sat across from him on the bed.

He gave a shrug. "I don't care if you did."

"Rosa said you two are always like that. You fight, she pouts, you guys are fine." I told him what Rosalie told me when I asked.

"Well, not this time." he sighed hard.

"So you're…"

"If you're going to ask if I still going to break up with her, then the answer is yes." He interrupted. "I just need to figure out when and where is the right now. I've been with her so long; the time never seems to be the right one."

"Do mind me asking what you guys fought about this time?" I asked.

"Besides the same old thing? She blamed me for the game." He said.

"The game?"

"On Saturday, it wasn't exactly the outcome we wanted." he said. And then I realized what he meant without him exactly saying it.

"You guys lost?" I asked.

He gave a sight and little nod. "Yeah. It was the most important day for me and the two most important people weren't even there." No wondered no one was talking about it. No one talked about loses, only talked about their wins and the rest of the awesome weekend. Then I got what he said.

"Wait, two?"

"Yeah, my 'great' dad wasn't there either. Anyways, my girlfriend blamed me for the lost. I mean, I see why. It was kinda my fault. My head wasn't in the game like it should've been and I got tackle on the last play." he explained. I guess that was how they lost.

But Rosalie said there was still a party. If they lost, why did they still have a party? "But Rosalie said there was a party." I told him.

"The rest of the team wanted to celebrate a great season. I wasn't in the mood; the other reason Tanya and I fought. She called me selfish."

"She's the one who's selfish. I understand why you didn't feel like partying. And I'm sure the outcome of the game wasn't your fault." I told him.

"You don't have to what you think I want to hear." He said.

I gave him a confused look. "What does that mean?" I asked, a little offend.

He looked at me as if he didn't understand why I didn't understand. "It means what it sounds like. That was a very cliché answer and you didn't have to say it. You don't have to pretend you care." He said.

"I do care." I told him.

He gave a chuckle. "Right, is that why you were actually there?" he challenged. That wasn't fair. He was making me feel bad.

"I'm sorry I wasn't, I told you…"

"Yeah, you were hanging with someone you see every day. If you cared, you would've know how important that game was and... "

"I did." I stopped him.

He gave me a confused looked. "What?"

"I did understand importance of the game. That's why I asked my dad if we could stop by. We were there for the first two quarters."

He gave a light chuckle. "Right, the first one I was doing so badly, we had to put in James for the second one." he commented.

I gave a small smile. "You weren't doing that bad because you guys were ahead at half time, which was the reason we left. I thought you had it." I told him my thought process.

He looked at me and smiled. "Thanks for confidence. I'm glad you had some, because I sure as hell didn't."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah right." Him not having confidence, that was funny. That would be like Reese's cup not having the peanut butter filling and still tried to call itself a Reese's. It didn't make sense and wasn't possible. He gave a playful eye roll away from me. I placed my hand on top of his, which caused him to look at me again. "It couldn't have been that bad. Tanya's being a brat." I told him.

"I know. I think I should start surrounding myself with better people. People more like you." He said looking at me in the eye.

"Me?" I questioned. I wondered what he meant by that.

He gave his head a shake, like he was clearing it of something. "Um…I mean more friends like you." He stumbled out. He stopped and slipped his hand from under mine then grabbed his book. "Can we start?"

XXX

When we started, we were studying for about an hour or so. I'm glad I got a head start on my homework because when we started, I was just helping him with his. We started on his history homework. He was doing his questions he had to do after every chapter. He says when I read and he answers, it helps him remember the information for when a test came since his teacher just takes questions right out of the book. But so far, for every one question he got right, he got two wrong. I was beginning to feel he wasn't even trying.

"You want to read the chapter over?" I asked. I looked behind me for his answer. He was lying on his bed while I sat on the floor. I didn't mind being on the floor, because I didn't feel I should be sitting on his bed. I wouldn't expect him to sit on mine. It was something personal about where you sleep; like your own personal home inside your room. Besides, what would someone think if they saw us both on it? "Edward." I sighed hard when he didn't answer me.

"Can we be done?" he asked before sitting up and looking at me. "I think I'm done being dumb for one night." He answered.

"I don't remember saying anything like that." I reminded him.

"I'm pretty sure you were thinking it."

"No I was not." I snapped. I really didn't mean too, but I don't like when people assume things; especially when I didn't give anything to make their assumption.

"Bella, I told you, you don't have to say what you think I want to hear." He said. That was the second time he said that. it was starting to annoy me

"Is that what you think of me? That I looked down on the ones who might not match me intelligibly?" I asked him, offended. He gave a shrug, telling me he did. I looked at him. Where in the world did that come from.? "After all the time we spend together, you think so lowly of me? Why would you think that?" I snapped at him because I didn't know where anything of this was coming from.

He sighed hard. "I don't. I just don't see the point of this anymore."

"The point of what?" I asked.

"All of this, any of it. Studying, getting good grades, what the hell is the point?" he asked.

"I thought you still needed them you do track and field." I reminded him.

He nodded. "I do, but again, what the hell is the point? I can't run and play for high school all my life. What am I supposed to do after this is over? What if this is as good as it's gonna get for me?" he asked. So it wasn't about me. It was about him. Something was wrong or something happened for him to be getting discouraged like this. It wasn't the game; He didn't seem that bother by it and it might because he had time to let blow over and forget about it. Did he get a poor grade or something? Considering the whole "the point of grades?" thing, I'm going to assume that's what it is.

"What happened?" I asked him, figuring that was the only way I would get a real answer and not just assumption.

He looked at me. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"I mean you're acting as if you don't even care about all this anymore." I told him.

"I don't." he answered.

"So you say. You were doing so well. My question is why don't you 'care' anymore?"

He looked away from me, avoiding eye contact. "I guess I wasn't doing well enough." He mumbled as he ran his hand through his hair. He looked at me. "I didn't get in to Norte Dame." He said.

As soon as he did, my mouth dropped. "What?" I said.

He shook his head. "Don't make me repeat it." he said.

I shook my head. "You don't have to. I heard you. I just don't understand." I told him the reason I let out that expression. That's why he was all like "What's the point?". He didn't think grades mattered anymore. His grades were as good as they should be, but from what I hear, his skills on the football field should be good enough. "What did they say?" I asked.

He gave another sigh. I could tell he didn't want to talk about this. "In so little words, they said my skills were perfect, but my grade, not so much. I hate to say it, but my father was right. Damn him." he said shaking his head. "But now I have to figure out what I'm doing after graduation." He complained.

Ah man, I felt bad for him. He really wanted to go to that school, but because he decided too late to get serious about his grades. And now they aren't good enough for his school. I didn't want him to be alone after graduation. I didn't know where everyone else was going, but I knew I wasn't going to be there because all the schools I applied to were out of state. And the worst part was, he didn't apply anywhere else. I had to literally force him to apply there. There had to be something else.

Wait, maybe there was.

"Maybe we could change their mind." I said, more thinking out loud than talking to him directly.

"What the hell are you talking about?" he asked.

I looked at him. "I think I read somewhere you can change the minds of college admission if you try hard enough." I grabbed my laptop and sat on the bed next to him. I went on the internet and put what I was thinking in the Google search engine. Then I found a site that explained everything perfectly. "See. You can retake your SAT's and resend the scores. You can write a letter telling them how you didn't take your grades seriously, but you do now. I can write you a Letter of Recommendation."

"So pretty much reapply?" he interrupted me.

I looked at him. "Kinda, but I can help you more than the first one."

"Why?" he asked.

"Because I want you to get you in your school. If they really have one of the best college football teams, you of all people deserve to be on it." I replied.

"No, I mean why do you care so much. Our deal was you help me and I help you get Jasper's attention; you got what you wanted. Why are you still helping me?" he asked me.

"If I am recalling correctly, I said I want him to ask me to prom, which hasn't happened yet?"

"Really?" he asked, as if he didn't believe it. I shook my head. I didn't even know if Jasper wanted to go to the dance, let along with me. He hasn't brought up. And I haven't brought it up either because I didn't want to appear desperate or something like that. I figured if Jasper wanted to ask me, he would do it on his own terms. Once again, I was okay with that; I think.

"And I also said, once you help get his attention, your job is done and I will help you until the end of the year. And that is what I'm doing. I'm helping you. Even if it's after high school, I want you to be successful."

"Why?" he asked.

"Because you're my friend." I said as if it should have been obvious. It should have been, right? I mean I have been hanging out with him almost every day since we made our deal, which seem forever ago. "I like to see my friends succeed." I told him with a smile.

"I think that is the most unselfish thing I ever heard anyone say." he said as if he just had some kind of epiphany. Maybe he did.

"Thank you." I said as I gave a shrug. "Do you want to start? I asked.

Before he could answer, his cracked door opened the rest of the way. Alice looked at him then at me. "Uh, Edward, mom said dinner is about ready." She looked at me. "She wanted me to ask if you were staying." She asked me.

I looked at the clock on the corner of my screen for the time. We must have been studying longer than I thought. I didn't know it was so late. "Actually, I think I should go home. My mom had one of her days so I have to cook dinner for me and my dad." I told them as I gather my things to put in my bag. When everything was in there, I closed it and put it on my shoulder.

"We'll walk you out." Edward said as him and I got off the bed. Then we left the room and we all walked down the stairs. Edward opened the door for me when we got there. "Thanks." Was he said and I knew what he was thanking me for.

I smiled. "You're welcome. But I think we all deserve a break from school." I told him with a wink.

He chuckled and nodded. "I think you're right."

"Bye you guys. I'll see you tomorrow." I said before walking out the door.

XXX

It's been about a month, maybe longer, since Edward told me he didn't get win his last game. Since then, I've been at every track meet they had. I felt as if I needed to because I felt so bad about missing their last game. It was the least I could. And it wasn't like I was going for no reason. I was there to watch two people compete in one or two events. So it worked out. Every one I went to, both Jasper and Edward would place in their diversions. Edward would usually get first place while Jasper would get first and second, sometimes third. But they both were doing well.

It has also been about a month since he told me about is school rejection. I really didn't want help him. Everyone deserves to get a chance at their dream school. So when it came to studying, we've been putting Edward's actual school work on the back burner so I could help him study and focus on retaking his SAT's. Since he missed the deadlines for any and all retakes, he had to take them with the juniors in late March. He took them, but he didn't tell me how he did. He said he didn't get the score back, but when he does, I will be the first one to know. All I could say was okay.

Then once that was over, we had spring break. I didn't see him or Alice the whole time because they went on an actually family trip with their parents to the Bahamas. All I can say is of course they went there for spring break. I mean, they went to a cabin they owned in New York for winter break. They had to have some great place like that for spring break. They were the Cullens'. Did someone expect anything less from them? I was surprised they didn't go to their own personal island. I wouldn't be surprise if Dr. Cullen gave his wife one for her birthday or my even Valentine's Day and called it Isle Esme.

During my spring break, it wasn't as glamorous. I got a few of my college letters back. All of them were acceptance. I haven't replied saying if I was going to any yet because I was still waiting for my number one school to come. I tried to spend most of it outside the house as possible. My mom was on spring break too, but my dad had to work so that would mean I would be alone with her. And I didn't want that. I can only take so much.

Because of that, I hung out at Rosalie's house a lot. It help that I wasn't afraid of running into Jasper anymore. In fact, most of the time, I was looking forward to it. Some days he would be hanging Emmett, other it would be me, him, and his sister. Others, it would be all four us. It was never just me and Jasper. Rosalie wouldn't allow it. I would say it was okay because it was April. Through, it was still early, prom was coming soon. I feared the more time I was alone with Jasper, the greater of the chance I would bring it up and I didn't want him to feel pressured about it. I think Rosalie figured something like that and was why she was around all the time. At least I hope that was the reason and not because she suddenly felt the need to block us.

After the week was over, we all have to go back to school. When we did, Ms. Alice had a nice and even tan. Even Edward was a shade darker. I could tell they spend a lot of time in the sun while they were gone. They both looked nice. Alice was talking about the trip for the whole first week back. It was as if she remembered something else that she wanted to tell us that she didn't get the chance to say the day before. It wasn't until the next Monday where she stopped.

The following days, I saw people smiling and I heard a lot of them saying they couldn't wait for Wednesday. They were talking about the weather and other things that I didn't catch. I didn't know what Wednesday was so I was never a part of the conversions. I wondered what everyone talking about.

Then Wednesday came and maybe I could finally see what everyone was talking about. I got up and when went to school like any other day. It was a nice day, for Forks anyways. Was that what everyone was excited for; a fifty-five degree day?

When I got to school, I found a parking space easily. I mean, there were cars, but not as many as any other school day. It was weird because I usually have to circle the student parking lot once or twice before finding something. When I got out, I noticed I didn't see Rosalie's car or Jasper's motorcycle; I mean it would have been a perfect day for him to ride it. I didn't even seeA Edward's car. That was weird too because they're usually here before me. Okay, what the heck was going on? Where was everyone?

Maybe they walked? I stopped thinking about it as I walked toward the building. Before I got too close to it, I heard a honk. "Hey loser." I heard male voice. It was deep enough where I knew who it was. That was one the only reason I turned around. When I did, I saw Emmett, Rosa and Jasper in a Jeep. Emmett was behind the wheel, Rosa was in the passenger's seat and Jasper was in the back. They were in a black Jeep Wrangler. It was one the ones with no real roof, just bars and tires set the car high off the ground. It must have been Emmett's; it looked like something he would drive. I don't think I've ever seen his car or seen him drive until now.

Rosalie hit him on the arm while Jasper hit him over the head. I laughed at them. I thought it was funny they felt the need to do that. I was fine with Emmett. I knew he didn't mean it, well, didn't mean to be mean about it.

"Come here." Rosalie invited me as she motioned towards the car. "I told you guys she would be here." She said as I walked towards them.

"Hi guys." I greeted when I got them. I leaned on Rosalie's window. When I did, I saw their clothes. Emmett was wearing a white wife-beater and aqua shorts. Rosalie was wearing one of her jean short shorts she became known for over the summer. She had on one of her shirts that she cut so it would be off the shoulder. I saw she had strings tied around her neck. And Jasper had one a white shirt with faded blue lettering on the front with dark blue shorts. "You guys look…beachy." I commented, knowing that wasn't a real word.

"Thanks." Rosalie answered.

Then I realized, that's exactly what they were. they were dressed in swimwear and covers. Why were they dressed like that? "Are you guys going to school like that?" I asked them in confusion. And if they were, why didn't they tell me they were doing a thing?

When I said that, all three of them laughed as if I was telling a joke. Clearly, it was joke I missed or didn't understand. They stopped when they saw I was laughing. "Wait, I think she's serious." Emmett said. I nodded, telling them I was.

"Bella, is that why you're here?" Rosalie asked. I nodded again, this time with the face that implied the "duh". Why else would I be at school? When I did, she snapped around and glared her brother. "Damn it, Jasper I thought you told her." she snapped at him.

"I didn't because you said you would." He replied.

"Tell me what?" I asked. What were they talking about and did it have something to do with their current attire?

Rosalie rolled her eyes away from her brother and looked at me again. "Bella, why do you think no teachers gave us homework yesterday?"

"Or why there are no cars in the lot?" Emmett said.

I gave a shrug. That was what I was trying to figure out. "It's Senior Ditch Day." Rosalie answered.

"What?" I asked, still confused. What were they talking about?

"Senior Ditch Day. The day where the seniors don't go to school. It's a different day with each class, but we all can assume the teachers know when they hear us talking about it, which is why we didn't have homework because they know we won't do it." Jasper explained. Huh, that was why. I thought they were just being nice, but it's uncommon for the teachers for senior classes.

"Well, you guys have fun." I told them.

Before I could pull away from the car, Rosa grabbed my arm. "Uh, in case you forgot, you're a senior too." She reminded me as if I needed to know.

I rolled my eyes. "I know. "

"So you're coming with us." she said.

Oh, that's why she said that. She wanted to invite me. Too bad I couldn't go. I shook my head. "I can't skip school. My dad would kill me." I told them. My dad was very strict when it came to my school work. He didn't want me to miss unless I was too sick to get out of bed. He said there was no reason otherwise. It was reason why I never missed a day of school since I was in the first grade. I tried my best not be sick or too over sleep so I didn't have a reason to.

"Izzie, it's one day. Your dad is cool; he would understand the tradition of Ditch Day. We're going to the beach and the movies and anywhere else we can think of."

"Yeah, it will be fun." Jasper said. I looked at him. "We can all use the break." He said.

"So you should just get in the damn car." Emmett said.

Rosalie turned and him and hit him on the arm again, harder than the first time. "Em, shut up. We're trying to get her to come have fun with us, not kidnap her." she snapped at him. He rolled her eyes before she turned back to me. "So, are you coming?" she asked with a smile.

I smiled back. It was nice of them to invite me, but I just couldn't. What if my parents found out I skipped school to hang out with my friends? Well, my mom would either be happy or not care. My dad on the other hand would care a lot. It's just not an acceptable reason. "Sorry, I can't." I told them.

Rosalie groaned. "Fine we'll put it to a vote. If it is unanimous, then you have to come with us." she said.

"But…"

"No, buts. If it is unanimous, you coming with us. No exceptions." She ordered. I sighed a fine. I know there was absolutely no arguing with her. When she has her mind set on something, no one can change her mind. I have tried times before. Besides, Emmett wouldn't probably say yes. "Okay, I think you should come." She said as she took her hand off my arm and raised it. Of course she did.

I looked at Emmett. When I did, Rosalie turned and looked at him too. He rolled his eyes again. "I think you should come." He said as he raised one hand off the wheel.

"Does his vote really count since I'm pretty sure you're focusing him?" I complained.

"She's not. I do want you to come. You're been around us enough well if you're not, it feel like we're missing someone." He answered. Well, that was nice of him and unexpected.

And last, but especially not least, I turned to Jasper in the back. I think I know his answer. "No, I don't think you should come." He answered. What? I tilted my head in confusion. Rosalie looked at him. He smiled before grabbing my hand. "I know you will come."

I looked at our hands. "Really?" I said looking at him again.

He nodded. "We have way too much fun together for you not to." He answered. When he did, Emmett gave a small cough, that he was using to cover a chuckle. I knew that because I've done it myself enough times to know the difference between a real cough and a fake one.

"Double meanings aside…" Rosalie said. Double meaning? What were they talking about?

Jasper chuckled and turned to them. "Get you minds out the gutter you guys." He told them. Then he looked at me. "So…" he said, waiting for me.

"It's unanimous, Bella." Rosalie reminded me.

Shoot, I did promise. I gave a sigh. "Okay. But if I get in trouble, I'm blaming all of you." I told them. They all laughed.

"Fair enough." Jasper said as he removed his hand from mine. He opened the door and hopped out. He held the door open for me, grabbed my hand again and guided me up the step and in the back. I'm glad he did. I've never been in a car high like this before and I didn't know how to get in.

"Thank you." I said when he got in next to me. He nodded before closing the door. "But wait, what about my bag and my car?" I asked.

"You can leave your car here. It's not like anyone will steal it." Rosalie teased. I glared at her. I wish she would leave my poor car alone. "And we can drop you bag at our house. That will give us a chance to get you something to wear to the beach as well." She answered.

"Guess, we'll taking a detour." Emmett mumbled before pulling out of the parking lot.

After we stopped by Jasper's and Rosalie's house, the first place they said we were going was the beach. That's probably why Rosalie forced me in one her swimsuits that were too small for her. Unfortunately, she wasn't the shy one when it came to showing her stomach so all she had were bikinis and it was what I had to wear. If they would have just told me before today, I would've wore the one Alice brought me for the trip we took to their cabin. But I guess I will have to deal. At least I will have my shirt on over it for the most part.

When we got there, almost everyone in our senior class was there. I guess they all had the same idea. Jasper had to help me out of the Jeep. I hope he will be doing this all day. After we all got out, Rosa gave Emmett a bag. She said it had everything we needed for a great day at the beach. I didn't know what that would be. I guess I will just go with whatever they had planned.

"So what do you want to do first, Bella?" Rosalie's asked me as she put on sunscreen. After we picked a spot and got settled, it was the first thing she did.

Both Emmett and Jasper looked at me. So much for the "going with whatever they had planned" plan. "Uh…I don't know whatever." I told her.

"Come on, Belle, it must be something you want to do." Jasper said.

I looked at him then thought for a second. There was something, but I'm sure they would think it was lame. "Can we build a sand castle?" I asked.

"A sand castle?" Emmett asked.

I nodded. "I haven't built one since I was seven." I told him.

"Oh, Emmett, let's build a model of our future house!" Rosalie said with excitement as she stood up. "Come on." She urged, pulling his arm. He groaned as stood up. She grabbed a bucket with the other hand and walked toward the shore.

Jasper stood up and held his hand out to me. "Come on." He said.

"You're going to help me?" I asked.

He gave a shrug. "Sure. I haven't built on in a while either." He grabbed my hand pulled me up. "But I don't think we should build our future home." he teased.

I chuckled. "Why, you want to live with me?" I teased back.

He laughed. "I don't think I'm quite ready the commitment." He answered before grabbing the other bucket and we walked to the shore where Emmett was standing and Rosalie was on her knees scooping up the moist sand.

As we were we building, I saw more and more kids form our senior class coming in. Then I saw the ones I notices who weren't with us. I saw Tanya with Edward walking behind her. Not that I cared about Tanya, but I wondered why Edward wasn't with us. For some reason he looked over to us. He waved. When he did, I waved him over. He shook his head and nodded to Tanya. I could guess then why he wasn't with us. I nodded.

But then I noticed someone was missing. "Hey, where Alice?" I asked the others looking at them.

They looked at me. "Alice isn't a senior, Bella. She's a sophomore" Rosalie, who was sitting next to me, reminded. Right, I knew that. I don't know why I asked. It just she's always there so I forgot that she wasn't. Rosalie turned to her boyfriend. "Emmett, I want a big kitchen." She told him. I don't know if she was talking about her actually house or the replica they were building together. Probably both.

Emmett gave a sigh. "Sure Rosa." He answered.

"Yay!" she cheered before kissing on the lips. I laughed at them. Sometimes, she can act like a child with him sometimes. I'm glad she had him. He seem like he would do anything for her.

"Stop it." Jasper ordered, clearly more bothered by them than me. They pulled back and looked at Jasper, who was seating on the other side of me, but on an angle. "You guys are nauseating. I think I like it better when you're fighting. At least I get some entrainment." He teased. I couldn't help but laugh. I guess he had a reason to say something like that. He had to deal with his friend and his sister longer than I did. I guess the "awe" factor as wore out its welcome for him.

His sister glared at him, apparently not amused by his joke. "Shut up Jazz." She said before throwing a half empty bucket of water at him.

When she did, the whole front of his shirt was soaked with water. "Damn it, Rosa." He groaned as he pulled the wet part away from him. "This is my favorite shirt." he complained.

"Relax, bro." she laughed. "It's just water." She told him.

"Still…" he complained more. I laughed at their banter. What was he complaining about? It was just water. It will dry quickly and dry clear. I stopped laughing when I saw what he was doing. He pulled at his shirt and over his head then started ringing it out. Since he was seating where he was kind of in front of me, I saw his whole front. Whoa. He didn't have as many abs as Edward and his frame was smaller and leaner. But he had a lot of muscles to fit in his slimmer structure. I had to say, it was kind of a nice view. Okay, it was really a nice view.

That's when I realized it was the first time I've seen him shirtless. Well, not the first time. The first time was when we were in the hot tub, but it was too dark for me to see anything. This is the first time where there was enough light for me see, well, everything. And like a perfect masterpiece painting, I was staring at it to take in all the beauty. "You're staring." Rosalie mumbled in my ear.

I nodded. "I know." I told her; fully aware how I was looking at her brother. Heck, I wasn't staring. That was too nice of a word. I think was more gawking than anything else.

"Well, stop." She mumbled.

I shook my head. "I don't think I can." I answered, but I don't think I wanted to. She wasn't going to make me. Then I felt a pinch in my side."Ow." I said, looking at her. Okay, if her plan was to hurt me to get me to stop, that might work.

"Don't you think, Belle?" I heard him. She nodded to him.

In risk of staring again, I looked at him. "I'm sorry, what?" I asked.

He smiled before holding up a seashell. "I said I think we should add these seashells I found to our castle." he repeated.

Our castle? I liked the sound of that. I knew what he meant, but I still like the sound of it. I nodded. "Good idea." I told him.

As we kept building, one of our classmates came over to us. "Hey guys." He agreed.

"Hey Tyler. What's up?" Jasper greeted for us.

"I just came over to tell you about the renting shack that my uncle owns. When he asked me why were so many kids from school here, I told him that it was Senior Ditch Day. He said for the next two hours, everything in the shack was free to rent for any seniors."

"Are you serious?" Emmett asked. "Even the jet skis?" Tyler nodded.

"Why would he do that?" Rosalie asked.

Tyler shrugged. "He said it was gift to the graduating class. I have to go tell everyone. See ya." He said before running away from us to tell the next group of kids.

"Sweet." Emmett said as he and Rosalie stood up he grabbed his girlfriend's hand before they both ran to the shack.

Jasper stood up after them and wiped sand off him. He looked down to see I was still sitting. "Aren't you coming?" he asked.

"I never really used anything in the shack, so that's won't me any good. You can go." I told him.

"You never even jet skied?" he asked.

I shrugged. "I mean, Jake took me once. But I was on the back so I don't know how to drive it."

He smiled. "Well, don't worry." He reached down and grabbed my hand then pulled me up. He pulled me hard, so I kinda lost my balance. I ended up falling on him. I felt my body get weak as my hand touched his bare chest. Oh geez. If that wasn't bad enough, when he caught me around the waist, he ended up pulling me closer to him. "I can take control." He said before leading me to the shack. Okay, this impromptu day off may be a good one.

welcome to the bottom of the page.

so...um...nothing.

thanks for all the reviews and everything. i love you guys.

Luv & Rockets