Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and her characters.

This is one big ass chapter, but I think you guys deserved it for waiting. Hope you'll like it.

Chapter 9

I stood in the corner, leaning against the wall, observing annoyingly loud people as they seemed to enjoy the pathetic excuse of what someone might call music. The rhythm seemed to constantly be the same, doing the same lame pounding, over and over again. Geez, if this was as good as it could get, I'm glad I've never been to one of these lame-ass parties. Searching the crowd, they all seemed to be buzzing, drunk beyond their mind, cheering/ yelling at someone to "Chug" or just whistling like horny idiots at the little show two girls were performing on the living room table. I snorted disgustingly. Such pathetic horn-dogs.

Everyone was here, except Assward. Not that I wanted to look for him, anyway. Or that he would- of all these people- want to hang exactly with me. That would be ridiculous and seriously pathetic. Right?

Then why do I feel so alone? Why do I feel the need for his company? Or anybody's, for that matter?

And just when I was about to leave this mess, a guy with a cute smile suddenly started to wave at me, walking towards me, like he knew me. With few more steps closer, I figured out why. It was the same guy that tried to hit on me today, when I was with Esme. Gag.

"What does a beautiful girl like you doing all alone here, instead of having fun?"

"Did it occur to you that maybe I'm alone because I want to be?" My tone was a bit bitchy, trying to let him know just how much I'm not interested. But apparently, he was dumb enough not to realize it or just too fucking stubborn. In the end, I decided he was probably both.

With an annoying smile, he continued. "Nah, that's not it." He took another good look at me, checking me out like I was standing naked in front of him, instead of wearing something as simple as a pair of jeans and a t- shirt.

"My eyes are up here asshole."

He grinned, finally looking at my face. "Wow, a girl with a temper, I like that. So, pretty girl, can I get you a drink?"

I smirked. This guy was too cliché for words. "Let me guess your idiotic plan..."

"Mike," he suddenly interjected.

"Mike. Okay, Mike, see, I already know your little plan. It's simple as much as it's stupid. For the rest of the night, you were going to try to 'woo' me with your cheesy words, constantly filling my cup with drinks, and eventually, when I'm buzzed enough to loosen up, and start getting quite horny- since, let's be real, you teens all have one track mind, and think only of sex, sex and oh yeah, more sex- you'll ask me to go with you upstairs where you'll try to get a blowjob, or even better, a blow job and a pussy you could pound on until you orgasm."

The look on his face was so absolutely comical, it made me laugh in satisfaction.

"So…how did I do?"

He took a gulp of his drink. "Pretty good, actually. But that still doesn't mean…"

"Doesn't mean what?" I ask, wanting to know why all of a sudden he stopped talking, only to feel someone's gentle, warm touch on my waist few seconds later.

My face slowly turned around, ready to punch this guy's creepy drunk face, only to realize that it was Assward.

"What's the matter Mike, cat got your tongue? Was there something you wanted to say?"

Mike just shook his head.

Edward smirked. "Good. Now, run off to that slut of yours, Jessica, this one is off limits."

And ran off he did.

"You know…I could have done that myself, without your help," I spoke, still noticing his warm hand on my body, even after Mike was long gone.

He smirked. "You could, yeah, but…you didn't."

"Says who?" I asked, anger and annoyance flowing easily from me.

"Says me," he said, finally letting go of my waist, which I was thankful for, only to reach for my hand, taking it in his own, pulling me even closer to him than I thought was possible, "now, come on, let's get you something to drink."

"But I don't want one."

"Why, you don't like alcohol?"

"No, I just don't…condone it. I don't like what it makes them turn into."

Finally coming into the kitchen, he stopped for a moment, looking at me like…I don't know, like I quoted Einstein or something.

"Fine. What then? Want some juice? Coca-Cola?"

"Coke is fine."

"Okay. Can you get me some ice? It's there, in the freezer."

I nodded.

"Good," he muttered, putting it into my cup, and giving it back to me.

"Come on, let's go."

I was currently standing next to him, as he was talking to his friend, Ben, that he introduced me with. I couldn't really decide if Ben was just being his usual, funny, crazy self, or just too drunk.

Assward didn't pay too much attention to me, nor did he try to touch me again, but insisted that I stay near him. And for some reason that I can't completely explain, I listened to him.

It was funny and very much amusing to watch how both Ben and Assward communicated and behaved towards each other. Especially when he gossiped about all of the shit those two did, and in return, both getting into some pretty serious trouble.

I grinned. "Damn Assward, I knew you were a bad boy, but never did I realize how much trouble you can actually cause."

"Hold up!"Ben yelled drunkenly."Just hold the fuck up! What did you just call him?"

I smirked. "Oh, I call him all kinds of names," I said, as I took another sip of my beverage, "but calling him Assward is my favorite."

"Oh God," Assward groaned quietly, and Ben started to laugh loudly, as if what I said was the funniest thing in the world.

"Assward! Fucking genius! You Bella are a fucking genius! I like this girl man, she's a keeper."

Then he started nodding, like I actually responded negatively.

"You are though, you know?" he asked, nodding seriously.

"Thanks...I guess."

With a smile, Ben answered, "No problem. As for you," he continued, a deep, cocky smirk replacing the smile as he looked at Assward, "well, as of Monday, prepared to be called some names. Tonight, since I am after all, a good guy; I'll give you a pass."

"Thanks. That really means a lot," Assward answered sarcastically.

"No problem ass-I meant Edward, sorry."

I grinned at the same time Ben did.

"You know what Ben?"I asked. "You'll alright."

He made a courtesy bow, before grinning. "Why thank you, my dear. I do try to please the ladies anyway I can." Then he winked.

Ah, yes, and so the innuendos began.

"Shut the fuck up, and go make us some more drinks before you make even a bigger ass of yourself than you already are."

He rolled his eyes, murmuring, "look who's talking" before taking our cups and going straight to the kitchen.

"Sorry about that. He can sometimes behave like an asshole when he drinks too much."

"You mean, just like you do?"

He smirked at my question before answering. "Touché."

Suddenly, the closeness between us made me uncomfortable.

"So," I started.

"So…" he continued, putting his hands in his pockets, opening his mouth once again to say something, only to get interrupted when a girl with blonde hair, fake boobs and awfully screeching voice suddenly yells Assward's voice, walking towards him like he was the only guy in this whole enormous house.

"Eddie darling, I wondered where you are. How have you been?" she asked annoyingly, batting her eyelashes, and twirling her hair around her finger.

It was too fucking obvious she was flirting, so much to the point it was sickening. And with every sickening second that I watched her flirt with Assward, I was getting more uncomfortable and so sick to my stomach, I excused myself, and went upstairs.

Just as I was locking my room, a loud knock interrupted me.

I was already keen on ignoring it, but as the fucker kept pounding, I had no choice but to open it.

"What the fuck do you want?" I yelled, only to see none other than Assward.

Without my permission, he walked in.

"Why did you leave?" he asked, carefully looking around,as if this was the first time he's ever been in this room.

"Sorry, but I have more important things to do than to watch that bimbo flirting with you."

"You jealous?" he asked, sounding very glad for some reason.

"No, just couldn't stand to listen to her anymore. God, how fake can she get?" I asked, sitting on my bed before trying to imitate her annoying voice. "Oh Eddie, dahling, so nice to finally see you. You look so hot I just want to get that enormous dick out of your pants and put it in my mouth for everyone to see."

Assward grinned cockily, sitting right next to me "She said nothing of that sort."

"She might as well."

"Listen to you. You are jealous."

I snorted loudly. "Me? Please. Like I could ever be jealous of that bitch."

Assward didn't seem convinced.

"What are you even doing here? Why aren't you down there getting your dick sucked?"

"You know, for a girl who is definitely not jealous, you sure do talk a lot about my dick."

I rolled my eyes, trying to look anywhere but his annoying, smug, cocky face. "Whatever. Don't be an ass."

"Too late," he spoke quietly, his sudden joking mood gone completely.

Lying down on the bed, he muttered, "I haven't been here over two years, yet, all of it still looks the same. Like she never left."

"You wanna talk about it?" I asked, lying right next to him, looking right in to his green eyes.

"Nope. You wanna talk about your weird aversion to alcohol?"

I shook my head. "Nope. And it's not weird."

"Whatever you say."

I thought Assward's next move would be to get up and get back to the party, but he just kept staring at me with those expressive green eyes. I was starting to get really fucking uncomfortable, which I never do, not in the company of men, and especially not in Assward's presence.

Unlike me, he seemed absolutely calm, serene.

Without any notice, his index finger slowly touched my slightly exposed skin, the small spot where the neck connects with your shoulder. For some unknown reason, even though I was momentarily feeling more than warm enough-my body shivered. Made goose bumps appear through my entire body.

"Your skin is so soft," he murmured, making his way up and down my arm, adding another two fingers.

"Are you drunk?" I blurted. This version of Assward was very unfamiliar to me. This quiet, complimenting boy who couldn't stop touching or even looking at me with those quiet, gentle eyes of his.

Then I asked myself; why would he do this? Why would any guy show any kind of kindness towards me?

Then, I figured it out. The only rational answer that could explain everything. He wanted sex; nothing more, and nothing less.

"No, I'm not drunk."

"Then what? Do you want sex? Is that it?"

"Not everything is about sex Bella."

"What do you want from me then?"

"Why would I want anything?" he asked, taking his touch away from me, no longer concentrated on the movements he did, but strictly my face.

"Everybody wants something. That's just how the world goes. How people are. Nobody ever does anything out of kindness if they're not asking something in return."

"That might be true, but why would I want anything?"

"I don't know, why would you?"

He hadn't answered, and that fucking pissed me off.

I got up, frustration pouring out of me. Throwing my hands in the air, I yelled, "You know what, I don't have time for this bullshit. Just leave."

"No," he spoke, getting up as well.

"Go! Get back to your little blond friend and fuck her brains out because that's not what you're gonna get from me tonight."

Opening the door, I waited for him to listen, only to get once again surprised by his decision. He stubbornly closed it, making my back slam against the cold, hard wood, holding me captive between him and the door.

"You're right. I do want something from you," he answered, letting his eyes focus on my lips rather than my eyes. I gulped nervously.

"What? " I whispered, already knowing.

Licking his lips, he dared to come closer. So close now, that in fact, I could feel his breath on my face.

Leaning his forehead to mine he whispered, "Just one kiss. That is all I want."

But I couldn't give him that. Anything but that. "We can't. I can't."

"Why?" he breathed.

"Because it's just too…personal. I don't do that."

"Personal?"

"Yes."

"So, if I were to say do…this," he asked, his lips making my skin tingle where he touched it, removing my hair so his mouth could reach my neck better.

His lips disappeared near my ear, kissing it with such gentleness- and going lower still- I could do nothing but want more.

"Would that be okay?"

"I guess." My voice was weak and unstable.

"And if I were to do this…" he continued, kissing away my collarbone, his tongue peeking out barely, tasting my skin and grazing me just a bit, before once again kissing the spot.

"Yes, that's …that's actually uh… good…too."

That's when his hands appeared, and unlike his lips, they were strong, harsh, and wanting. They went from my thigh, stopping very quickly to run his greedy, wanting hands over my ass, squeezing it- making my leg instantly wrap around his hip and feeling his very prominent hard on- only to move them back to my tummy, and slowly, as a snail, make his way up toward my breasts, his fingers barely, but surely touching my stiff peaks. My mind was telling me to push him away, yet, my betraying body was telling me to let him do whatever the hell he wants, not wanting this tingling, fiery feeling to go away.

"You want me to stop?" he asked with a silent whisper, lust evident in his voice.

My only answer was a silent moan, encouraging him to continue as his fingers went lower, this time seeking an entrance underneath my shirt. Just as his left hand was subtly starting to touch me with uncertainty—waiting still for me to turn him down?—there was a loud pounding on the door. That same action immediately made us stop in tracks, removing our wondering body parts and quickly making enough space between each other.

"Edward, get your dick out of whatever pussy you're banging, and open the motherfucking door, we have big trouble."

"Then deal it yourself, fuckface," Assward yelled, only to look at me, like he was expecting something for me to say, or do. I did none of those things.

"I can't. We tried to keep the fight between jocks, but then some weird dude who's apparently your neighbor appeared at your front door and threatened to call cops on us. I tried to keep him calm, even offered him some beer, but for some reason, that made him even angrier."

Assward groaned, and quickly opened the door. "Fine, let's go."

Ben immediately went inside without some much as a sound.

"Wait, first, let me see who was the hoe you…oh, Bella, it's you." Then Ben did something I never thought I would see. He actually seemed ashamed.

"Shit…I didn't mean it like…that. You're…you…You're not, you know…that."

A lifted eyebrow."What? A whore?"I asked in defiance, showing a tiny ironic smirk, because that's exactly what I was not long ago. A prostitute, selling my body for money to survive.

"Oh. N-n-n-o."

Damn, if I thought Ben looked embarrassed just a few moments ago, there was no way to explain in words just how comical he looked- flustered and red in the face, eyes bulging, just ready to pop out at any moment…mumbling and stuttering words I couldn't begin to understand, even if I wanted to.

"Dude, stop with the fucking mumbling already, and get the fuck out of here, you'll have time to suck up to Bella some other time."

Ben muttered something both of us couldn't hear, but did as he was told.

"You," he spoke with an authority, "stay here, and don't move. Lock the door as soon as we get out and don't let anyone else in, unless it's me, you got it?"

"Fine."

Assward didn't come back that night. Not that I waited up for him or anything. Nope. And I certainly wasn't anxious for his lips or hands to be back on my body as soon as possible. Nope. Abso-fuckin-lutely not. That would just be too fucking lame, wouldn't it?

Waking up the next day at 3 pm in the afternoon, I went downstairs to see all kinds of crap on the floor, stomping away as I tried to find my way to the kitchen. After drinking a glass of water, I started on doing breakfast. Walking inside the living room, there Assward was, lying on his back, his feet dangling all over the couch. Getting closer, I could see a small bruise on his eye that started to form. For some unknown reason, my fingers itched to touch his soft, unruly hair. Instead of that, I crouched down near him, my hand barely outstretching to gently trace his bruise only to—seconds later —hear his sudden increase of breath. A moment later, he slowly opened his eyes. They looked straight through mine, not wavering or blinking. Instantly panicked, I removed my hand momentarily, asking, "What happened to you?"

"Oh, this?" he asked, barely touching his bruised eye. "It's nothing. Got it from the same neighbor last night."

"What did you do?" I asked quietly, calmly, not wanting to sound judgmental, but knowing that's exactly what I sounded like.

"I might have called him an uptight asshole."

My eyesight never wavered from his, and a start of a small smirk appeared on my face.

"Of course you did. Does it hurt?"

"I'll be fine."

Changing the subject, I asked, "You hungry? I made breakfast."

"Sure."

After I brought the plates that were filled with eggs and some ice for Assward's eye, we both stayed quiet, eating in silence. That same silence started to bother me, making me nervous, and it only started to be more and more uncomfortable behind the annoying silence. Well, at least he didn't want to talk about yesterday, which was more than fucking fine with me.

"So, what are we going to tell your folks about your little accident?"

He just shrugged, completely calm. "I'll think of something believable."

Of course he will.

After we were done eating, he actually helped me clean up the mess that was made last night, but of course, it turned out that he made more of a mess than actually helping, so I forced him to go upstairs, and get some sleep. It might also be because I got just a tiny bit distracted by his hands, or his nice shaped ass when he'd bend down to pick up trash, or glancing every once in a while over to see his jeans covered dick, which was fucking crazy. I was never that girl. I never acted like this; like some horny, immature teenager who was actually proud of myself for behaving like a mature person yet, who couldn't stop thinking about his touch, and the way just how much it made me feel something other than numbness, made me feel alive for the very first time. To clear my mind, I turned up some music in the kitchen, making some lunch after all that hard, exhausting work.

Lunch was made just as there was a sound of door closing. Thinking it was Assward finally getting up, I was surprised to see Esme and Daddy D.

"Hello Bella…wow, what is that divine smell coming from the kitchen?"

I smiled to Esme. "Nothing special, just some potatoes with steak. What are you guys doing here?" I asked, just as Daddy D walked in.

Apparently he heard the question, sighing disappointingly before answering. "I got called in, and unfortunately, there was no way to get out of it."

"Carlisle, I told you it was fine." Her hand disappeared in his hair, trying to soothe him.

"No, it's not fine. I actually try to do something nice for us and…"

"Carlisle," Esme spoke, turning his face toward his, looking at him with such gentleness and love yet seriousness, no one could look away. "I said it was fine. Let it go. We'll have plenty of time for other plans." Then she kissed him softly, and surprisingly, he eagerly deepened it. I moved away, not wanting to intrude, taking my time putting the plates, forks and knives on the table.

Hearing footsteps coming down the stairs, there was another groan that kept getting louder as he appeared in the lobby.

"Ugh, can you guys stop making out for two seconds and tell me what the hell you're doing here? You just left yesterday."

"Language Edward."

"Yeah, yeah. So, you gonna answer me or not?"

"Your father got called from the hospital."

"Of course he did."

"Don't talk to your father like that," Esme chided. "It's not his fault. Now, come on, let's go eat, I bet you're starving. I know I am."

Sitting at the table, filling their plates with food, everybody congratulated me on the job well done-Esme the most of course- except Assward. He just nodded along, but I guessed he had other things on his mind.

"So, Edward, you got something to tell me?" Daddy D suddenly asked, looking directly at his bruised eye.

Both Assward and I hoped it would at least fade away a bit before they arrive from their vacation—since they should have stayed in Italy the whole week, not just two days— or if nothing else, I tried to persuade him to use some make-up to cover it up, but he refused, saying something about how real men don't wear make-up.

"What?" Assward asked, sounding surprised for some reason.

"What happened to your eye Edward?" Esme asked with a sigh.

He looked so lost and confused that I took the liberty to answer this on his behalf, not wanting for them to get suspicious.

"I punched him."

"What?!"yelled both of them in unison.

"He, um…saw me naked…"I shrugged as nonchalantly as I could, as if this information was nothing of importance.

Edward chocked on the food, looking at me with pure shock and panic before quickly taking a few big gulps of water.

"Edward?" Daddy D called his name with strong authority.

"It was my fault." I continued, all the nonchalance gone. "I forgot to lock the door before taking a shower. Ass…I mean Edward," I added, correcting his name for Esme's sake," needed help with his homework, and caught me without my clothes on. I momentarily panicked, and instead of covering myself with a towel or whichever was the nearest, I punched him. It won't happen again, I promise."

Esme believed us, but Daddy D's eyes stared at Assward- who didn't pay any attention to him whatsoever, because frankly, he was still stuck watching me.

"Well, Edward, son, be sure to learn to knock next time, okay?"

Assward finally focused on his father. "Yeah. I will definitely do that."

I knocked on her door, waiting for Esme to open it, wanting to know the whole story, including the dirty parts of it, which I was more than sure there were.

"Who is it?"

"It's Bella."

"Come in dear."

"Thanks." I said, sitting on the side of the bed.

"You alone?"

"Yes."

"Good, because I'm here to hear all about your little trip."

"It was nothing special..." Esme started to say, but the look on her face said differently.

"Really? Then why are you glowing? Admit it, you two did the nasty."

"The nasty?" She asked with a blush, knowing exactly what I was talking about.

"Yeah. Come on Esme, you know I'm talking about sex."

"Oh…that."

I smirked at her uneasy posture. "Yeah. That."

I patted the spot next to me. "Come on. Sit."

She did, still being quiet.

"So…" I began, hoping she'll finally start.

"You were the one who put the lacy night gown in my suitcase, didn't you?"

"Yep," I said with a pleasuring smile."Did you wear it?"

"Um…no."

"No?" I asked, confused. "Well, did he even see it? Did he like it?"

"Um…yes."

"Oh come on Esme…talk to me…tell me something, anything."

"Well…."she spoke after a pause, "we didn't do much sight-seeing, since we mostly spent our first-and only day- in the room."

"Bow-chicka-wow-wow." I commented, making Esme blush strongly.

"Not…not for that silly. Well, it certainly wasn't our agenda, but it just kind of …happened. We were pretty tired by the time we came to the hotel. We wanted to take a walk around a block or two, but after deciding it was a bit too late, we stayed in, Carlisle making a few calls while I was putting our stuff in the closet. Just as I turned around, Carlisle stood behind me, picking up a nightie off the floor with an amused smile. I didn't know what to say, I was just too embarrassed. And well…one thing led to another…"

"Yes?" I asked a bit too eagerly than I wanted.

"Well…you get the point." She added.

I wanted to ask her for more details, but she didn't seem quite comfortable talking about it-the word 'comfortable' being an understatement- so I decided not to push it.

"So…how was it? Good? Bad? Awful?"

"It was…good." Then after a few moments, she spoke again, with a soft smile. "Actually, I'm lying. It was…not very nice actually. We were both very nervous, having too many expectations I guess. But later, after we actually relaxed, well…it was actually good. Really, really good."

I grinned with her, happy to see her happy and betting from now on that there will be a lot more loud midnight noises coming across the hall.

A surprising knock on the door made me get up from my bed, just as I was about to get ready to sleep. Opening it, I recognized Assward, leaning against the doorway, trying to look casual, his hands in his pockets, the picture of ease. Of course, as soon as he looked at me, the pretense entirely disappeared.

"Yes?" I asked, crossing my arms.

His eyes appraised me for a moment, clearing his throat, and giving me his signature smirk, before asking, "You asleep?"

"Not yet, thanks to you. You need something from me Assward?"

His smirk turned into a tiny, light smile. "Just wanted to…um…well…you should be very flattered because I don't say this to a lot of people but…"

"Say what?" I asked just as he made a few attempts to tame his disheveled hair, moving his hands through it, succeeding in only making it look worse.

"Thank you."

"For?"

"Today. For lying for me. I think they bought it though. And as for yesterday…."

My voice went from joking to a whole new patronizing sound in just a few moments. " Listen, there is no point of talking about it. We were both a bit too drunk, and got carried away. Won't happen again. End of discussion."

Ready to close the door, Assward quickly blocked the way with his boot.

"I disagree. All you had last night was coke,and I know that since I was mostly the only one who kept pouring your drinks that night,and, as for me, I had only two beers, which was fucking nothing."

Sighing tiredly, I pleaded,"Assward, just…go. Go away. Go to sleep because you're saying nonsense."

I tried to close the door for the second time, only with more force, but to no avail.

"Say what you want, but we both know what happened last night was real, and something we both wanted. If you want to act like nothing happened… that's just fucking fine by me,because trust me, I don't need this shit, but we both know this shit between us- whatever it is- won't just go away."

"Well, then, you will be more than surprised at just how much of a great actress I can be."

"Looking forward to seeing it then." Assward said flatly.

"Goodnight Ed…Assward," I spoke, quickly trying to cover up my stupid fucking mistake.

He suddenly looked up, surprised as well, only to quickly look away, walking away to his room, and after a few moments, closing the door ever so quietly.

For the rest of the night, I couldn't sleep, thinking about the look on his face, with just how much force he tried to dissimulate the sudden hope- and just for a half of a second, pain- instead of nonchalance he only ever showed, only not quite succeeding in his plan. I knew that those eyes would follow me in my dreams for the rest of the night, but I had to remind myself that they had no space in my life. I had to pull myself together, and act like nothing happened. Setting up my life rules was not done as a joke, they were there strictly for following, not breaking, but something told me that already the first, and most important one —never get too close to anyone—got broken more than just once, and as more time passed, so will the others.

Thanks everyone for reading.