Fighting Temptation

Chapter 24: Goodbyes

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

Everything was a whirlwind. The doors behind me flung open, the cold hinges protesting loudly from the force. I couldn't keep track of the voices and bodies swarming around us. One moment Reid was in front of me, the next he was stumbling back in a snow pile.

Bodies and colours whirled around me. Small hands found my arms, dragging me back to the doors. We didn't stop as Alice dragged me down the hallway, footsteps sounding behind us. I didn't allow myself to turn and look, focusing on steadying my steps, our pace slowing only when we emerged from another set of doors adjacent to the parking lot.

The door opened behind us, and I finally turned to look.

Edward was the first one out, his arms wrapping tight around me as I watched more bodies emerge from the building. Jared and Jaclyn were next, their arms linked at the elbows. Jasper and Emmett were close behind, with Rose bringing up the rear.

It was the latter who broke the silence, looking around at our small group assembled. "How does pizza at our place sound?"

I didn't know if I wanted to laugh or cry. Both seemed like viable options at this point … and both won out. Tears gathered as a laugh forced its way out. Rose's face softened as Edward tightened his arms around me. "It's your choice, Bella. We can stay or go," she whispered.

My chest tightened as everyone looked to me. "I'd like to go," I admitted, fighting the tears still gathered in my eyes.

"Thank God," Jared drawled. "I can't dance for shit." His distraction worked, my mind pulling away from what happened with Reid. I didn't want to think about it, didn't want to process it right now.

Edward guided me with a gentle hand toward Rose's car, Jared and Jaclyn following Jasper and Alice. Rose blasted the heat, a violent shiver forcing its way down my spine. The hair still stood on my arm, my jacket still forgotten at our table.

"I don't have - "

"I'll text Tyler," Edward cut me off, squeezing my hand. "I'll have him bring everything back to the hotel."

I had only seen Tyler and Mike in passing at the dance. Tyler, cast and all, dancing away with more energy I would have ever anticipated, while Mike was grinding with a certain dark-haired pain in my side.

I let out a long sigh, clutching Edward's fingers in mine. "How much did you guys hear?"

Edward's brows tightened but it was Emmett who answered.

"All of it," he admitted. "Edward may have been willing to give you five minutes, but I sure as hell wasn't giving him five minutes." He half turned in the passenger seat, trying to face me. "We were all fine until he touched you," he said softly.

My mind flashed back a few minutes on its own accord. He had just grabbed my hands, nothing major, but it was enough to spring everyone into action.

"Who pushed him into the snow?"

Emmett snorted as Rose craned her neck, flashing me a wicked smile. "I may have punched him. On accident, of course." She flipped on her turning signal, looking around before she glanced back at me. "Emmett held Edward back, but they forgot about me."

Her smile was feline, and I didn't have it in me to lecture her on how punching him was without a doubt a bad call. Emmett read my expression easily. "He won't admit to being punched by a girl. Chances are he doesn't even know what happened."

We pulled into the driveway, Jasper close behind. He didn't even have the engine off before Alice hopped out. "I already ordered," she announced by way of greeting. "It'll be ready in twenty."

Alice and Rose led the charge into the house, all of us cramming into the foyer. I fumbled with the clasp on my heels, my hands shaking. Rose took pity on me, bending down to assist. "I'll grab you some warm clothes," she promised, disappearing down the hall. She emerged moments later, bundles of clothes for both Jaclyn and I.

"I'll meet you downstairs," Edward promised, pressing a kiss to my forehead. I made my way downstairs, changed and cozy, greeted by Edward opening up his arms from his spot on the couch. I didn't hesitate as I made my way over and curled myself into him.

"Don't get too comfortable," he murmured into my hair. "I'm going with Em to grab the pizza."

"I still have a few minutes then," I muttered. I stayed tucked into his side as everyone congregated in the large family room downstairs. There was plenty of room on the large sectional couch, but Jaclyn and Jared opted to situate themselves on the floor in front of it.

Alice wasted no time, rifling through the inordinate number of movie cases lining the bookshelves around the room. The rest of us chatted, falling into an easy, familiar rhythm.

Emmett stood first, showing the clock on his phone. "Who's coming for a ride?"

Apparently, all the men in the room as the other three stood. Kisses were exchanged around the room, save for Jaclyn and Jared. Though the latter only made it a few steps away before he turned around. He hesitated, only for a moment before closing the distance between them. Jared leaned down, and Jaclyn didn't move as he pressed his lips against hers. It was just a quick peck but her face was flaming when he pulled away. Jared didn't look back as he followed the guys to the door. No one said a word, no one acknowledging it as the doors closed behind them. I held my breath, waiting for her reaction.

Slowly, too slowly, she met my eyes. "I don't know if I love or hate him right now," she breathed. The smile growing across her face was enough for me to guess which emotion she was leaning toward.

"He's got a cute butt?" I offered. It worked, her laughter chiming like bells. Rose and Alice didn't bother hiding their grins at her happiness.

Her laugher quickly shifted into a deep groan. "He just … left." She shifted, letting her back fall to the ground instead of resting against the back of the couch. Her hands dragged down her face before they moved back to cover her eyes.

"I mean, there is pizza involved," Rose said. "Plus, boys are capable of very poor decisions."

Jaclyn snorted. "Both are very true." Her permanent smile returned, and the three of us teased her endlessly until the sound of a key in a lock turned our attention upstairs.

"Pizza's here!" Emmett voice boomed.

Jaclyn was on her feet and up the stairs in an instant. She wasted no time, grabbing Jared by the arm and hauling him back outside.

Rose tsked. "Can someone please tell them they can talk inside?"

Jasper was the closest to the door. He poked his head out, only to quickly come back inside. "They aren't talking." His grin was explanation enough.

~!~ FT ~!~

We woke to the sound of Jasper careening himself down the stairs. "We're going to be late."

I look at my phone, shooting upright as I looked at the time. Despite starting an hour later, we had severely overslept. If we weren't out of the house in the next five minutes we were going to be late. Edward, Jaclyn, Jared and I slept on the large section couch, passing out shortly after we started the second movie Alice insisted on. I stayed awake long enough to bid Jasper and Alice goodnight as they made their way upstairs to the guest room.

Rose was down the stairs a few moments later, throwing clothes our way. "There's gum on the counter."

I cringed, the taste of sleep still thick on my teeth. Gum would have to suffice. I had clothes in my gym bag, left in the car from the night before. I didn't have time to grab them, so I accepted the clothes with a quick thanks. Edward and Jared were already half undressed, sorting through what might fit them. I had a better shot fitting in Rose's clothes - everything of Emmett's was going to be massive on them.

We were all piled in cars no more than six minutes later. By the time we parked we were only a minute late, though as we pushed through the doors it appeared no one was in a rush to start the day. Everyone looked exhausted, barely noticing our arrival.

Except for Tyler. He pushed off the bleachers, quickly striding toward us. "Clapp's on a mission to find you two. I told him you guys left early for breakfast but he wasn't buying it. He might stop by here or try to grill you as soon as we get back."

Edward's grimace was all the discomfort he showed. "We'll deal with it. Thanks, Tyler."

It was the final day, and no one was up for any strenuous activity. All our testing was done, and everyone seemed content to talk and hang out. At lunch, Rose and Alice told us how the girls in their dance class were driving them insane. Emmett suggested they bring the dancers over to the gym since we weren't doing anything anyway.

We just had to make it through a few more hours until we were officially free to go.

The eight of us sat on the bleachers, enjoying our last few hours together. Though we were all paired up with our significant others, none of us looked as happy as Jaclyn and Jared. They were radiating happiness, never letting go of each other for more than a few seconds at a time, if they weren't holding hands, their arms were around each other or their sides were pressed flush to one another. Their permanent smiles were enough to make me squeeze Edward's hand.

All of us lost track of time and didn't realize the last day had finally come to an end until people started coming over and thanking Emmett and Jasper or Alice and Rose. No one questioned why Reid wasn't present. Lori had, of course, shown up fashionably late and had pointedly ignored us all day. I didn't mind.

Edward and I stood with Jared and Jaclyn, the four of us making our rounds around the gym as we said our farewells to the new people we'd met during our two weeks here. We promised to keep in touch and hugs were shared as the four of us said our goodbyes to each other. As I pulled back from Jaclyn's embrace, my emotions stuck in my throat.

"Thank you," was all I could manage. She nodded, understanding. I appreciated everything she did. Not just the friendship we created but the kindness and support she had shown me along the way. I watched as Jared took her hand firmly in his, holding tight as they left the gym.

Edward and I made our way to the doors where Alice, Rose, Jasper, and Emmett were standing. Alice and Rose grabbed me in a hug at the same time, our tangle of limbs surely a sight to behold.

"We'll be in Forks for Christmas," Rose promised, kissing my cheek before pulling away.

"I'll miss you guys. Say bye to Lucas for me." I gave each of them another hug before I moved onto Jasper.

Jasper pulled me into a tight hug. "Keep Edward out of trouble." Jasper winked and gave me a playful shove in Emmett's direction.

Emmett engulfed me in a bone-crushing bear hug, lifting my feet of the floor in the process. "I'll miss you, little sister."

I could feel my eyes fill with tears. Emmett was the brother I never had. I wiped the lone, traitor tear that slid down my cheek before I assured Emmett I would miss him too. He watched the motion, a frown marring his normally carefree face.

"And you were worried about me making her cry," Edward grumbled, pulling Emmett into a quick embrace.

Emmett clapped him hard on the shoulder. "Not all of us have a pretty face like yours, Eddie."

Edward rolled his eyes at the nickname, wrapping an arm around my waist. "We'll see you all soon."

Mike and Tyler were already halfway done packing when Edward and I got in the room. We made quick work as we packed up, each of us doing multiple final checks to make sure nothing was forgotten. We technically had until the next morning to check out, but Coach Clapp had informed us early on we were leaving as soon as our final day finished. We met him and his wife in the lobby. Though we were twenty minutes early, his face showed he was far from impressed. He didn't say a word as he gestured us to follow. Only when all our bags were safely stowed in the back of the van did he speak. His eyes locked on mine before sliding to Edward's.

"Where were you two this morning?"

"We went to go get breakfast," Edward stated simply, his voice steady.

A humourless chuckle escaped Coach Clapp's lips. "Interesting then, that I didn't see you getting breakfast when I got out of the elevator."

Edward didn't falter as he answered, telling him we didn't grab the continental breakfast at the hotel and opted to treat ourselves with one of the pancake houses down the block.

Coach Clapp took a deep breath. "Get in," he finally said, his posture still tense as he climbed into the driver's seat.

Edward and I climbed into the back seat and put our seatbelts on. Coach Clapp started the car, his mouth set in a grim line as we pulled out of the hotel parking lot. I grabbed Edward's hand and threaded our fingers together. Edward squeezed my hand, pulling my hand toward him to rest our clasped hands on his thigh. We didn't even make it to the highway before Coach Clapp unceremoniously pulled to the side. We knew what was coming before he spoke.

"Newton switch with Cullen," was all he said.

Edward had his seatbelt off, while Mike clung to his like a life-line. "I don't want to be

crammed in the back," Mike complained, pouting before he caught himself.

Tyler was already unbuckling his seatbelt, rolling his eyes. "I'll go."

It was by no means graceful watching as two long-limbed teenage boys maneuvered themselves in a packed van. Eventually they got themselves settled in their new seats. Coach Clapp stayed quiet as he pulled back onto the road, tires squealing with the effort. We stayed quiet, none of us wanting to tempt the wrath building within Coach Clapp. Everyone except Mike. Mere minutes after pulling onto the highway, Mike shifted in his seat.

"How long until the next bathroom?"

We just have the epilogue left to go!