AN: So, it's 4 in the morning and I'm tired. Tomorrow (or later today, I guess) I'll go back and fix mistakes :] On a side note, thank you to all the reviewers! To those who don't comment, I find it funny how so many people don't like to admit to others that they're reading this story - as if signing a review with their penname is a death sentence :P Ah well, I'll go weep in the corner alone ;]

Disclaimer: Nothing's mine and also, nothing's yours. Unless you happen to be SM... Unlikely.

October 8th 2004

Bella stared at the clock, watching its slow progression with irritation. Her foot tapped against the floor, her teeth chewing on her pen lid, and around her sat the rest of her class, all equally as bored. Their teacher wasn't the best – his voice seemed perfect to fall asleep to, his lessons never piquing interest or excitement to learn. It was her last class of the day; only 2 minutes left of hell.

Over the years she had managed to make one friend – a kind, quiet girl much like Bella herself named Angela Webber. They met during one lonesome lunch: Bella had been sitting silently outside on the grass, wishing Emmett hadn't graduated high school, and Angela had just about tripped over her after being pushed by some catty girls in their year. Bella smiled, thinking about it. Her first real best friend, excluding her brother of course.

Angela currently sat beside her, her chin resting on her hand, elbow on the table, glasses slipping down her nose. Apparently even she'd had enough of the lesson.

The pupils in the room all jumped up instantly when the bell rang. Bella collected her books quickly and waited for Angela at the door. Her friend was much slower on account of her exhaustion. She'd told Bella she hadn't slept much the previous night; her little twin brothers were restless and had caused mayhem for their entire family. Bella linked her hand around the tired girl's, pulling her gently to each of their lockers to collect their things and then out into the parking lot.

After slipping through the crowd of teenagers littering the blacktop, Bella searched around with her brown eyes. A loud beep from a familiar horn caught her attention, a smile stretching across her face as she dragged Angela to her brother's car. Emmett hung himself half out of the Jeep's window, his huge arm waving as he grinned cheerfully. Girls around the parking lot began gathering around the car, attempting to draw him towards them. He refused them all, politely telling them to back away before opening his car door and jumping down. The females sighed in unison as they watched him.

Bella felt a frown creep upon her face, her steps speeding up, leaving poor Angela to almost run. Her hand released her friend's when Emmett bounded toward her, ignoring the girls surrounding him. Her smile returned immediately as her brother scooped her up into his warm embrace, swinging her around once to get her to laugh. He put her down, still grinning, and gave a friendly wave to Angela.

"Your ride, mademoiselles," he joked, holding open the back door of his car. They both smiled and let him help them up into the vehicle. He shut the door behind them and jogged back round to get behind the wheel. The females his presence had attracted all scattered unhappily when he paid them no glances. Bella remembered a time when he would have gave them all a saucy grin and a wink, flirting back readily, and she reached over the seats to squeeze his shoulder.

He looked back at her, smiling softly at her approval, thankful he'd done something right. He started the car and strolled out the school grounds, carefully avoiding the students still standing around.

The two siblings had been quite serious when they made their 'deal'. Bella had helped Emmett change his behaviour – she'd distracted him from the slutty girls, had given him company when he ran away from them all during school, had fed him hints about which girl would try to score with him next. While she was in the dark still about his motivation to change (namely his twisted fascination in her body), she had never asked or pushed, only guided him. He was grateful, always eager for her praise.

Once Angela became friends with Bella, even she offered her assistance. In return, Emmett forever tried to get his mate Ben to finally notice the poor girl that had crushed on him since middle school.

When he stopped the car outside the bespectacled girl's house, he again came and helped her down, waiting until after the girls had exchanged farewells and then driving away. He glanced into his rear view mirror, his gaze locking onto his sister's beautiful face as she looked out the window at the passing greenery. She had certainly matured over the years, her curves growing and her height increasing. She now came up to his shoulder; tall when considering him to be a giant at just over six foot. His eyes wandering even more than they had two years ago and he could never escape the small thought that told him his baby sister had grown up. She was seventeen now, he nineteen.

He had put a stop to their bathing together after the shower fiasco. They were back to being extremely close and affectionate, but he made sure at all times that they never crossed the dangerous line he had been the first to see. Bella was as oblivious to his true feelings as she was back then. However, he knew she was suspicious about some stuff – particularly the period of time when he had ignored her. He'd never explained or told her the reasons behind it, after all.

"What's for dinner?" he asked her. She turned away from the window and rolled her eyes at him.

"Always thinking of food," she shook her head at him playfully. He grinned at her.

"I'm a growing boy," he said proudly, puffing out his chest. She scoffed, but smiled.

"Grow anymore and I won't be able to hug you properly."

It was true; she had to jump a little now to wrap her arms around his neck. Either way, the thought of being denied her hugs made him frown. He lived on her close proximity; her love. He changed the topic swiftly. "Why don't we have a movie night and order pizza?"

She smiled again, nodding her head. "Sounds good."

"Good," he repeated, beaming.