Fighting Temptation

Chapter 8: New Friends

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Stephenie Meyer. The original characters and plot are property of me, Dobber17. I am in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

This chapter has been edited by CherryBerry12.

Bella Swan

It was an intense afternoon of alternating between free throws and layups, but I would gladly take it over running. There was less than a half hour left until we were done when I realized I had been drinking way too much water, and there was no way I would be able to hold it until we finished. I waited until we finished our shooting drill and I quickly made my way to the bathroom. When I got back to the gym, I saw everyone was doing a suicide.

Reid noticed me as soon as I entered the gym. In only a few short strides, he was in front of me. "Swan, where were you? Are you aware everyone else is finishing up running five suicides? Quite the perfect timing on your end." Reid was really starting irritate me. It was quite the feat, really, as I had only met him a little over twenty-four hours prior.

"I went to the bathroom," I explained, trying to keep my voice down as everyone finished running. While the majority of the athletes were looking in our direction, only a handful or two were attempting to be discreet about it. Emmett made his way across the gym to us, raking a hand through his hair.

Reid crossed his arms and let out a cool, hard laugh. "The bathroom? Little Princess couldn't wait? Do you realize how unfair it is that you're the only one who didn't have to run?"

"Reid, c'mon. Who cares. We're almost done for the day," Emmett remarked, keeping his tone casual though his eyes were tense.

"You were hired to make them better, not to babysit. We're not here to take it easy. We're going to treat her like everyone else. Get on the line, Swan." I could tell from his voice that he wasn't going to change his mind. I mouthed I was fine to Emmett as I took my place. "You do ten push-ups, do a suicide, nine sit-ups, do a suicide, eight push-ups, do a suicide and so on and so forth. On my whistle." Reid blew his whistle and I started my push-ups.

This was beyond punishment. Everyone else only had to do five suicides total, yet I had to do ten suicides, thirty push-ups, and twenty-five sit-ups. Alone. With everyone staring.

"No one else joins them," Reid commanded.

Them? As I finished my push-ups and started my first of many suicides, movement flashed in the corner of my eye. I was stunned to see that another girl had joined me. She glanced over at me with a kind, but exhausted smile as we continued running. She was tall and lean with light brown hair that swung in her ponytail as she ran. I snuck a glance behind me to see Jasper pulling Edward out of the gym with a firm grip on his shoulder.

By our third suicide, many of the other athletes were sitting on the floor or bleachers, talking quietly in clusters, sporadically encouraging us. Reid remained in the same spot. He fiddled with the whistle around the neck, watching us intently with a scowl firmly etched on his face.

I kept pace with the girl who had joined me. I suspected she was slowing herself down for my benefit, especially when she finished her sit-ups before me and waited for me to finish before we took off to do our final suicide run. I was completely out of breath when we finally finished. I worked to catch my breath and turned to thank the girl who joined me, only to find her striding to where Reid stood.

"Jaclyn, what the hell was that about?" Reid snapped as she made her way closer to him.

"I peed too! So did probably half the people in this gym, yet you made her run by herself for something she couldn't control. Hell, Lori announced to the whole gym she didn't feel like sweating and sat out on two of the morning drills! I didn't see you doing anything about that!" Everyone was still scattered in groups, but the whole gym had gone quiet, watching the exchange taking place.

"Jac—" Reid began, his voice lower, but was immediately cut off.

"No. This is when you keep your mouth shut and realize how big of a prick you're being. Just think of everything you've done to her. Yesterday you kept making her redo all her tests. Trust me, we all noticed. Today you're punishing her for having to go to the bathroom. Honestly, climb off your pedestal, and pull your head out of your ass."

Jaclyn took a step closer and lowered her voice. Out of everyone in the gym, I was standing the closest to them, and I could scarcely hear her. "And believe me, it's a tie between you and your sister as to who's the Little Princess here." Jaclyn stalked out of the gym, leaving Reid speechless and red with fury.

I sped after her on my shaky legs, finding her at the water fountain. "Thank you so much, for running with me and for sticking up for me. You didn't have to." I was truly grateful. We didn't even know each other and she was being so kind.

She stood up from the water fountain and wiped away a stray trickle of water from her chin. Up close I could see she had deep brown eyes that rivalled my own, a small smatter of freckles across her face, and a cute, straight nose. "Honestly, no problem. I've been waiting to yell at him like that for years and now seemed like the perfect time. I'm just sorry you've had to go through all of this and it's only the second day. I'm Jaclyn, by the way."

I took her outstretched hand, ignoring how clammy my palms were. "I'm Bella. I'm assuming you've known Reid a long time?"

She sighed. "Unfortunately. On the bright side of things I think we've been dismissed ten minutes early." She gestured behind me with her chin. I turned as the gym doors opened, groups of athletes pouring out with their bags. "So much for not taking it easy on us, huh?"

Despite my exhaustion I huffed out a laugh. "Something tells me this wasn't Reid's decision."

Movement around the corner caught my attention. Jasper and Edward turned the corner, the latter stopping in his tracks for a brief moment. Edward's face softened as he started walking again, his gaze turning to Jaclyn before giving her a polite nod. They entered the gym, and Edward glanced behind him, locking eyes with me quickly before disappearing.

When I turned back to face Jaclyn, she was smirking at me. "It was nice to meet you Bella. I think your boyfriend is waiting for you."

I was already flushed from running, but I felt myself heat up even more. "Oh. Edward? No, um, he's actually not my boyfriend."

She smiled, showing a row of even, white teeth. "My mistake. Is it the blond guy with you? Mike, I think? Just letting you know he offered to show me the world… or his bedroom ceiling, whichever I preferred. He might not be a keeper." She winked and I couldn't stop my snort.

She laughed and waved her and in the direction of the gym doors. "Seriously though, you two are too cute it's almost sickening to us single folk."

Before I could respond, the door opened across the hall and Edward walked out, Tyler and Mike in tow.

"I'll see you around, Bella." Jaclyn waved to me as she made her way back to the gym. I couldn't help but grin, knowing I had made a new friend. A friend who had no problem giving Reid a piece of her mind.

~!~ FT ~!~

I was exhausted by the time we got back to the hotel room. It was only day two, how the hell was I going to make it through two weeks of beating my body up? They guys were trying to decide what they wanted to order for dinner while the only thing I could think of was a nice, long, never-ending nap.

"Bella?" Tyler asked. I looked over to see all three of them looking my way as I sat on my bed. I had a feeling it wasn't the first time they had tried to get my attention. "Pizza or Chinese? Do you have a preference?"

I shook my head. "No."

Edward made his way to our bed, crouching down beside me so we were almost level. "You look exhausted."

I tried to smile. "It is that obvious?"

Edward let out a light chuckle. "Absolutely, yeah. Have a nap. I'll wake you up when the food gets here."

He didn't have to tell me twice. It was a feat just the get myself situated under the covers. As soon as I tucked the comforter under my chin, I closed my eyes and fell asleep. I drifted in and out of sleep, never truly waking up. I felt the occasional brush of fingers through my hair, I heard someone calling to order food, and heard three sets of voices yelling at the television.

Only when there was a knock on the door did I finally open my eyes. Tyler stood up, grabbing his wallet from the nightstand before opening the door. The smell of pizza wafted across the room as Tyler carried in two large boxes.

We all dug in, ravenous as we hadn't eaten since lunch. The pizza was gone before the next intermission of the hockey game.

I tried to stay awake, but my body craved the soothing darkness once again. The bed dipped beside me as Edward shifted next to me. My eyes slowly shut and I curled myself so I was more comfortable. It was a lighter sleep than before, my mind still dipping in and out of consciousness as I heard conversations around me. I was awake enough that once the hockey game was done, I heard Mike ask a question that would surely make the night interesting.

"Who's up for playing a little truth or dare?"

A/N: What could go wrong with a little it of truth or dare? Don't forget to leave a review!