Dida's car rumbled to a stop next to the path at the top of my driveway, the whole ride back here had been pretty much silent. From what I could tell Dida wasn't angry with me, she just seemed pensive. She sighed and leant back in her chair.

"That was quite a performance," she murmured, after a second a grin stretched across her face and laughter fell from her lips. "I don't think I've ever seen Liz look that shocked before."

"I know, she must hate me." Even though I knew I should have been more upset by this a smile crept up onto my face.

"I'm sure she doesn't..." she said, totally unconvincingly.

"Right..." I sighed. "Well, anyway, thanks for inviting me Dida, it was... interesting." I grinned and reached for the door handle, when Dida place a hand on my shoulder.

"Wait a second, there's something I like to discuss with you." She gave me a small smile as I sat back in my seat. "This year will be your third year coming for work experience and also your last. I know you were planning on heading of to university at the end of the year, but I wanted to offer you a alternative before you start filling out applications." She grinned, I hadn't given much thought to universities so far, because if I did I'd have to think about what I planned to do at said university – and I have no clue. I know that I'd love to go into publishing because I knew that my own writing was just a hobby, but books were still my passion, and helping others become published authors sounded like the perfect job for me.

"Okay." I murmured.

"How would you like a six month internship at the publishing house?"

"Are you serious?" I laughed, "I'd love it!"

She smiled, "I'm so glad! You'll have a lot more responsibility than you would have for work experience and you will learn so much. And once the six months are up the company may consider taking you on full time, which considering your experience with us I'd say it's highly likely."

"Wow, that's amazing , thank you so much!" I grinned, excitement filling my stomach, I had to resist the urge to jump up and down in my seat.

"It's my pleasure, you've worked so hard for us over the years you deserve to start getting something out of it."

"Thank you."

She laughed, "Stop thanking me, sweetheart. Go tell everyone the good news, maybe a certain boyfriend of yours would like to know."

I frowned my face heating up, "How did you..?"

"I'm nosey, sue me." She shrugged.

"Dida!" I gasped, I wondered how much she'd seen, but brushed it away knowing it was best not to dwell on it.

"Go." She grinned, " I have my husband and daughter to get home too"

I smiled at her one last time before climbing out of the car and sending her a wave as she puled away. I could get rid of the smile of my face as I walked to the front door, as I reached the porch I let out an uncharacteristic squeal and bounced on the spot unable to stop the laughter from falling from my lips.

A boyfriend and an internship in one night.

Who would have thought?

Monday morning when I got to class I immediately searched for Edward. I caught sight of his bronze hair, but my heart faltered when I saw a blonde head of hair bent next to his. Lauren Mallory. My confusion grew when he straightened and, having caught the puzzled glance I sent to him, jerked back down. She was whispering something in his ear a grin stretched across her face from ear to ear, satisfaction oozing from her smile.

What's going on? I wondered uneasily, thinking back to the last time I'd overheard them speaking. The fact that Lauren was smirking at me nastily didn't help matters. My confusion slowly turned to anxiety as she approached me, Edward following her with what appeared to be the greatest reluctance. I was momentarily distracted from them when Rosalie grabbed my arm and hissed;

"Why is that witch looking at you like that?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but Lauren cut me off saying, "Well, well, well. Look who we have here."

"Lauren, don't." Edward warned his face like thunder s he looked at her.

I shifted uneasily under her smug glare. I took a quick glance at Edward, who looked furious, but I could also see fear hiding behind his eyes.

"What's this about, Mallory?" Rosalie asked furiously. To my surprise, Lauren only smiled wider. Turning to Edward, she asked sweetly, "Why don't you tell them, baby?"

"I'm not your baby, Lauren. don't do this."We had gained an audience now; I could feel the curious gazes of the students surrounding us. I had no idea what was going on, but inexplicably my mind flashed back to the conversation between them I'd "overheard" and I felt sick. Ignoring Edwards protests she ploughed on.

"You see," Lauren began, "You had decided to challenge me-" here her eyes darkened, and her mouth contorted into a snarl of hatred, "-and people who challenge me always learn one way or another that I rule this school, and that I will always rule thisschool!" Lauren took a moment to compose herself, before continuing in a sickeningly sweet voice. "I have to admit this was one of my more brilliant plans. You had tried to steal my boyfriend - not that you ever could - so what better way to humiliate you?"

"I told you I wanted nothing more to do with this!" He shouted, she just smirked undeterred.

I began to shake when I realized where she was going with her little speech. My vision blurred as my eyes filled with tears. Lauren continued, paying no mind to my reaction.

"So, I convinced Eddie here to steal your heart, and lure you into my trap. It seems that my plan worked even better than expected, eh Swan?"A few people in the crowd sniggered, causing Lauren to smirk triumphantly. I bit my lip, willing the tears in my eyes not to fall. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

"I told Eddie to woo you, to gain your trust," she continued, "Then, when he had your heart in his hands, to crush you. After all, what better way to ruin a wannabe boyfriend stealer than to break her heart?" She laughed when I choked back a sob. I felt Edward's eyes on me now, but I refused to look at him. I wouldn't look at him. Not anymore.

"Bella, I can explain, please." he whispered, still trying to catch my eye. I gritted my teeth and said nothing.

Lauren, seeing the exchange (or lack thereof), jeered, "What's the matter, Swan? Finally realized that you don't deserve to even look at him? I can't believe you even fell for it in the first place. Why would he have ever looked at you? He has me, Swan, and I have way more to offer than you ever could!" Even though I knew Lauren was only saying it to hurt me, I couldn't help but take her words to heart. And I hated myself for it.

"No," I spat shaking my head, long hair falling in my face.

"Oh, yes, and the best part," Lauren exclaimed, a savage glee in her voice, "Was that he broke your heart, humiliated you, all for money! He was paid to do it! He would never have touched you otherwise!"The entire class began to laugh it was horrible jeering and taunting, and I finally succumbed to the tears that had been threatening to fall.

"Do you want to know how much you were worth?"

I didn't hear Lauren's next words, I didn't hear what Rosalie snarled in reply and I didn't hear the argument that broke out behind me. I only looked up and looked at Edward only mustering up the courage to fix him with one final stare and I'm sure he could see how much it hurt me, how vulnerable I was, but I just didn't care.

"Bella, just let me explain!" He called out.

I said nothing.

Then in true cowardly fashion - I ran.

A/N So here it is, option 1 was the most popular from the people who reviewed, so i've gone on ahead, I can't guarantee I'll add anything to the next chapters, I also haven't had this beta'd and as I'm just beta'ing written chapters now, i'm not really going to use a beta from now on. I also don't really like this very much, so I'm sorry that the chapter isn't very good.

So a MASSIVE thank you to angel for everything she's done and putting up with my terrible updating. I'm beta'ing the next chapter as we speak so if it isn't up later tonight it'll be up tomorrow.

I'm also not using this as my primary fanfic account, once this story has finished I won't be using this account again. I still have it connected to an email address I check very regularly so i'll still see PMs and reviews and what not.

Monstergirl

:)

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