AN: Wow, this took me forever to finish. I will make lame excuses about being busy with my last year of high school and enjoying my last summer as a free woman. Now I'm in college and have nothing stopping me from writing for you all! Yeah...anyway, I like this chapter. This is the start of when the story will differ from the original Twilight. Some plot elements will still be present, but for the most part, this will be from my mind now. I'll try not to disappoint!

Without further ado, chapter five! Where the boys get friendly.

Disclaimer: Nope, still not mine. I don't think I'll ever have enough money to own Twilight.

Chapter Five

The next morning, I woke up surprisingly refreshed. My sleep had been sound and calming, more so than any other night I'd slept in Forks yet. I threw off my covers and looked out the window; still raining. I frowned. I guess it hadn't been that it was clear. Maybe I was just getting used to the weather.

Shrugging, I got ready for another wonderful day in Forks. The pronged instrument was quickly becoming my least favourite piece of cutlery. Maybe I'd actually get hit by a car today. It'd sure get me out of this hellhole faster than anything else I could think of. I slipped awkwardly into the new rain jacket Charlie had bought for me as a present for being not dead (carefully minding my sprained wrist), wincing at the way the fabric squeaked as I moved. It wasn't ideal, obviously, but it would have to do. Call the fashion police: Alexander Swan is leaving the house.

The morning crept by achingly slow, and the eyes of seemingly everyone followed me once more. The eyes of everyone but Edward. I tried not to let it get to me. After all, we had had less conversations than I could fit on one hand; there was no reason for me to be upset when a beautiful guy who seemed vaguely interested in me suddenly stops talking to me. None. The stupid bipolar jerk.

By the time lunch arrived, I was sick and tired of being stared at like one of the slides in science class, and convinced Eric to sit outside with me, despite the rain. To my surprise, Tyler, the maniac van driver, insisted on coming with us. I noticed they had removed his head bandages, and his limp was not nearly as exaggerated as it had been the day before. Shrugging in response, I balancing my tray of food on one hand, then pushed the exit open with my shoulder. The rain had slowed to a drizzle, but, as always, was still present. An annoyed groan escaped me as I trudged out to a partly sheltered picnic table that I assumed was very seldom used. Really, no one in their right mind would want to have lunch outside in this weather.

I settled down on the vaguely soggy bench and put down my tray of food, gesturing to the other two boys to follow suit. Eric raised a sceptical eyebrow, then sat across from me, while Tyler immediately sat next to me, a bit too close than I thought necessary. A muffled snort came from Eric, making me aware my expression was plainly shown. Sure, Tyler was cute, but not really my type. No, tall, brooding, and mysterious seemed to be my tastes recently.

"So, what brings you to the dark side, Tyler?" I ask casually, picking up my sandwich. The dampness of the air had made the bread slightly soggy, but the tuna was still decent.

"I just feel really bad about the whole car incident, y'know?" he replies, putting his hand on my arm. My eyes go instantly to it, twitching slightly at the touch. My mouth was full of sub par sandwich, hindering my response, so I just nodded tensely. "I realized I hadn't been able to get to know you very well, and if you had been hurt badly, or even died, I would never get to," The hand squeezed, and I started to choke on my bite of food. Eric sat across the table, shoulders shaking with silent laughter. "All I ask is that you give me a chance to be your friend, and maybe later, something more?"

"I think Alex is better off going solo for now, bud," Eric cuts in, saving me. "But maybe in a month or so you should try again, eh?" He winks and I glare daggers into him. I finally swallow the food properly and compose myself to speak.

"Oh, but Ricky, we both know I'm saving myself for when you finally realize how in love with me you truly are," I say, putting a finger under Eric's chin and tugging him forward to brush our noses together. A sudden pain in my head makes me pull back. "Did you just headbutt me?" I complain, rubbing my forehead. Eric grins.

"It was but a love tap, Lexi,"

"Oh, piss off,"

I recalled that we had a guest, albeit a vaguely creepy one who had a thing for me, and smiled sheepishly at him.

"Sorry, Tyler," I apologize. "I just don't think that me being in a relationship is the best idea at this time, what with the general attitude towards gay people in this town,"

Tyler nodded, smiling good naturedly. "Well, if you ever change your mind, I'll be here," With one more squeeze, this time on my shoulder, he stood and retreated to the dryness of inside. The second the door closed behind him, Eric burst out laughing.

"Oh...my...god!" he sputtered between gasping breaths. I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. It's not that funny, idiot,"

"You have no idea how funny this is,"

Over the course of the next three weeks, Edward Cullen never spoke to me, not even in Biology, and I had only caught him looking at me once: when Jessica (who apparently still hadn't gotten the memo about my sexuality, despite the fact that I broadcasted it to the whole cafeteria on the first day) asked me to the girls' choice dance that was coming up. I'd always found "girls' choice" things as a cop out for actual equality between sexes. Why couldn't girls choose stuff outside of these events? It's the 21st century, folks, let's get it together.

Jessica was twirling her blonde hair around one finger, and pouting in a way that I supposed got guys to notice girls. I thought she looked akin to a duck. She smiled a too bright smile at me as I approached my locker, and I prepared myself for the worst.

"So Alex..." she started, leaning against my locker to keep me from getting into it.

"Yes, Jessica?" I replied, raising an eyebrow, "What can I do for you today?" I tried to reach around her to open my lock, but she stopped me with a perfectly manicured hand on my chest.

"I was wondering," Jessica continued, looking up at me through her lashes demurely, "If you'd like to go to the dance with me?"

I blinked at her for a moment, stunned. Then I found my voice and said the first excuse that came to mind, "I'm sorry, I already have plans to go to Seattle that weekend," I smile apologetically and shrug.

"Well, can't you go another time?" she demanded, nails curling through my shirt now.

"I really am sorry, but my dad and I have had this planned for weeks. Next time?" I offer to placate her. Her grip begins to loosen when I hear a voice call to me.

"Hey, homo!" Ah, yes. It had been a while since I had heard from my favourite person in the school. "Not enough guys willing to bend you over? You cutting into our pool now?"

"Of course, Mike," I reply, placing my hand over Jessica's, still on my chest. "I'm sure one of these lovely ladies is interested in doing that for me,"

"God, Mike," Jessica cut in, moving closer to me. Maybe after this confrontation she would understand that I didn't swing her way. "Just because I'd rather go to the dance with Alex than with you doesn't mean you have to be a jerk to him,"

'Well, this should end well,' I think as the first punch hits me in the cheek. The crowd that had begun to gather 'ooh's as I fall to the ground. Mike had probably fifty pounds on me, but I was quicker. I could do this.

Looking over my shoulder, I saw Mike pulling back for a hit on my shoulder, and I rolled out of the way, leaving him to punch the tiled floor of the school. A string of curse words escaped him as he shook his hand. I straightened up as quickly as I could, keeping my eyes on the angry boy. As I couldn't hit worth a damn, it was up to Mike and his clumsiness to take himself down. The crowd had formed a circle around us, making the pitiful fight seem like an MMA battle.

Quicker than I thought he was capable, Mike punched me again, and I felt my lip split. The coppery tang of blood filled my mouth as I swore, ducking under the next punch and pushing the larger boy off balance as I did so. I dropped down into a crouch so I could manoeuvre easier for the next swing.

Mike charged at me next, as I thought he might, and I moved to the side swiftly, leaving one leg extended to catch his. As expected, he fell hard. I wasted no time jumping onto his back and pinning him to the ground. Hopped up on adrenaline and bravado, I leaned down and whispered in his ear, "Guess you're a bottom, Mikey,". Hearing teachers pushing their way through the mob of people, I released my hold on the larger boy and stepped back. Glancing away from Mike, I caught the eye of one brooding boy, whose eyes were once again dark. I frowned at that, and noticed the slightly panicked look on Edward's face at my scrutiny. The moment only lasted a few seconds, and Edward was gone again.

"What on earth is going on here?" came the voice of the first teacher. I opened my mouth to reply, my jaw aching in response, but someone else beat me to it.

"Mike just attacked Alex," Tyler explained, "Alex was just defending himself," I put my hand to my mouth and pulled it back to see it quite covered in blood. 'Oh, this is great,' I think as the world starts to spin. I dropped to my hands and knees, dizziness taking over. I'd always had a weak stomach when it came to blood, especially my own. I heard someone, probably Tyler, call my name, and warm, clammy hands trying to pull me up. Suddenly, the sweaty hands were replaced with another, much cooler, pair.

"I'll take him to the nurse," a deep voice said, gently holding me against them. I managed to glance up without hurling to confirm that it is indeed Edward helping me. I looked back to the floor, head pounding and stomach rolling. We slowly made our way through the crowd, and once around the corner, Edward swung my legs up and carried me bridal style.

"I can walk, you know," I commented, snuggling into the embrace despite my words. Edward chuckled lowly.

"I just thought this would be a good time to take advantage of you, what with how helpless you are in your current state," The words were joking, but his voice had a suggestive quality to it.

"You don't need me to be helpless for me to let you take advantage of me," I replied, face buried in his shirt. He smelled like laundry, rain, and something purely masculine that I couldn't describe. Despite the coolness of his body (the boy needed a sweater, apparently), I was almost cozy.

"I'll keep that in mind," Edward murmured. I peeked out of his shirt and saw his dark eyes gazing down at me. I smiled innocently, ignoring the ache in my face at the action. The boy above me slid his eyes to my lips and I braced myself for a kiss that never came. Edward stiffened and looked back to the hallway ahead of us. I huffed a sigh.

We then fell into silence, both of us vaguely tense.

"I'm sorry," Edward said, breaking the silence. I raised an eyebrow, motioning for him to continue. "I thought that it would be better if we weren't friends, so I decided to avoid you," I glared at him. "Which I see now was probably not the best way to go about ending a friendship, but I've never really done this...friend thing before,"

"Why not?" I asked, genuinely curious. Edward paused to think about his answer.

"I don't like talking about myself," he began, "I have a lot of secrets that could make a lot of people hate me," I snorted, disbelieving. No one could have that many secrets.

"Everyone has secrets," I replied, "You don't have to tell your friends all of your secrets, though,"

"I'm also not much of a people person," Edward continued, as if I hadn't spoke, "I can't stand to be around most people for too long. Kids your age are generally so immature, as well. Take Mike, bullying you for something you can't change about yourself," I wondered momentarily why he had said kids "my age", as opposed to "our age", since he was in the same grade as I was, then shoved the thought to the back of my mind. It probably wasn't important.

"Here we are," Edward said, setting me down on my feet again, then pushed the door to the nurses office open. "I'll be back in a couple hours. You just get yourself cleaned up and rest," I looked at him sceptically, not quite believing him. "I promise,"

"You know, you haven't been very good at keeping your promises," I commented, walking through the door to the office. "But maybe I will see you in a few hours." The door swung shut behind me, leaving me alone in the room with the nurse, who immediately rushed up to me, fussing over my lip. I assured her it wasn't a big deal, but asked if I could lay down for a bit, quickly explaining my nausea. She nodded understandingly, cleaned my face and hand free of blood, and put me to bed in one of the cots in the small room. I laid there, thinking over the confrontation with Edward, but sleep finally took over.

Soft lips caressed my neck, sucking, biting lightly. I moan softly, writhing under practised hands. "Edward," I gasp as the mouth nips at the junction between my neck and shoulder. My fingers thread into the head of hair, carding through the soft strands, before I feel the bite more sharply, causing me to fist my hands unintentionally. The bite sends a jolt of pleasure and pain through me, and I can feel my cock harden.

"More...please!" I beg, voice hoarse. A dark chuckle reaches my hearing, making me shiver. A warm tongue laps at my ear, breath panting almost as much as mine is.

"Such a needy thing," the voice chastises warmly, catching the lobe of my ear between teeth and sucking. My breath quickens and I begin to rut against the leg that is so perfectly placed between mine. Moans are spilling from my mouth now ceaselessly. The man above me finally captures my lips, and I can taste the coppery tang of blood on his tongue. "What shall I do with you, pet?" he murmurs against my lips. His teeth grab my bottom lip, kneading it. I stare up into amber eyes, dark with what I think is passion.

"Anything," I reply when I can, "Everything," The chuckle returns, and I can feel a cool hand slide between us, under my shirt. Another gasp slips out of me as fingers dance across my chest, teasing my nipples.

"Let me have you," the voice demands, dark eyes boring into mine. "All of you," I nod, and the lips return to my neck. This time the bite is not pleasant, and does not make me want to continue. Pain blossoms from the wound, burning through my veins. I scream, unable to get the teeth out of my neck. My vision slowly fades as the fangs retract. A hand strokes my face gently and, with my last bit of sight, look above me to see Edward, jaw covered in blood. My blood.

"Why?" I ask, voice barely audible.

"Because you are mine," he replies fiercely.

I sat up, sweat soaked and shaking. My breath came in ragged gasps, and I noticed my pants felt tight. I couldn't recall anything that had been in the dream, only that it had scared and aroused me in equal measures, and that there was a pair of dark eyes. I ran both hands through my hair in frustration, cursing the fact that I couldn't remember anything else from a dream that had clearly affected me greatly. I belatedly noticed the hand on my shoulder, and I turned to meet the same eyes that had gazed at me in my sleep. I jumped away, skittish, before recognizing the person as Edward. A very concerned looking Edward.

"Alex, is everything all right?" he asked, brows furrowed as he grasped my chin and inspected my face for signs of harm.

"Fine," I said too quickly. His frown became more prominent, and he opened his mouth to argue. "I...I really am fine, Edward," I could tell from his expression that he was less than believing of my words, but he dropped my chin anyways and moved back to a more reasonable distance. The taller boy coughed to break the silence we had fallen into and began to speak.

"It's lunch time, now," he commented, "Would you...want to spend it with me?" I raised an eyebrow incredulously.

"I thought you didn't do friends,"

"I've decided to give up trying to be good," he replied cryptically, then held out a hand to help me stand. I took it, hauling myself to my feet, and managed not to stumble into him when a head rush hit me.

Edward lead me to the cafeteria, continuously checking over his shoulder to make sure I hadn't fallen and died on the way, presumably. I caught Eric's eye as I went to get a tray of food and shrugged at him as he motioned to the brooding boy next to me. Edward took hardly any food, while I piled my tray high. I frowned at that, wondering how he wasn't more hungry, what with how tall he was. Following him to an empty table, somewhat secluded from the stares that were tracing us across the room, I marvelled at the mystery that was Edward Cullen.

We sat, me with my back to the rest of the room, my companion facing out. I began to eat, tucking into the food I bought, while the tall boy opposite me just watched. After I had scarfed down half a box of fries, I met his eye.

"Something the matter?" he asked, arching one perfect eyebrow in query.

"I'm trying to figure out what you are," I replied, sipping from a juice box. Edward flinched slightly at the word 'what', hardening my beliefs. "I can't believe that you just were in the right place at the right time when Tyler's van was coming at me," I told him, eyes hard, "I distinctly remember you not being next to me. I would have known if you were," His eyebrows raised, disappearing under his fringe.

"Would have 'known', huh?" he prodded, caramel eyes twinkling with pleasure. I flushed, noting that his eyes had changed colours since earlier in the day. "You're that attentive when I'm around?"

"Shut up," I told him, looking down at my food to hide my blush, though I knew he had already seen it. "This isn't about me. This is about you being...not normal,"

Edward sobered, face blanking once more.

"Are you some sort of superhero?" I mused, tapping a fry to my lips as I studied his face. He snorted a laugh. "Bitten by a radioactive spider? Does kryptonite worry you? Afraid of bats?"

"Are any of those questions supposed to even mean anything?" Edward sighed, feigning exasperation and running a hand through his hair.

"I'm just making sure you aren't one of those guys who dresses up in tights in his spare time," I defended. "You really don't know what any of those referred to?"

"Should I?" he questioned. I shrugged.

"Not necessarily. I was just really into comic books a few years ago," I admitted. "So what are you if you aren't a superhero?" Edward's face darkened again.

"What if I'm not a superhero?" he asked, a strained smile on his lips, "What if I'm the bad guy?"

"You're dangerous?" I guessed. My blood ran cold. Of course. I was stupid. He had been hinting at that since the first time we met. I purse my lips. "But not bad," I told him with a shake of my head. "I can't see it," His eyes had gone nearly black, not a trace of a smile on his face.

"You're wrong," he whispered to the table. I wasn't sure I had heard him correctly at first. Frowning, I placed my hand over his tensely clasped ones.

"Prove it," I dared him, squeezing the ever-chilled appendages. His eyes sped up to my face, disbelief written all over him. One of his fingers curled up over my hand, holding it in place. We stayed like that for the rest of lunch, though our talk was in much lighter topics. I tried not to get too distracted when Edward's finger began tracing over the back of my hand, sending light shivers through me. I was both disappointed and pleased when the bell rang, signalling the end of lunch. Reluctantly pulling back my hand, I smiled at the tall boy.

"Let's do this again sometime," I winked playfully. "You coming to bio today, partner?" Edward smiled in return.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world,"

Biology was much more tolerable now that I had a lab partner who treated me like an actual person. We worked quickly through assignments, and Edward actually let me answer some of the work without questioning me. I counted this as a remarkable improvement from previous weeks. I still got dirty glares from Mike once he was back from his suspension (I had gotten off with just a warning since I had been defending myself), but he never tried to attack me again.

Eric told me on Friday that Mike and his friends had plans to go camping at La Push, an Indian reserve that had wonderful beaches, so I heard. I still wondered how someone like him had any friends to go camping with. After assuring me that we wouldn't get caught, Eric convinced me to play some minor pranks on the group while they were away. As much as I didn't want to get into trouble again so soon after the fight, the idea was tempting, so I agreed. I asked Eric if he'd mind Edward coming along and got a shrug in response.

I proposed the idea to Edward in Biology that day and was met with a very forceful denial.

"I don't do beaches," he said in way of explanation. I pouted at him, crossing my arms.

"We aren't going for the beach," I stressed, "We're just going to pull a couple pranks, and I figured your superhuman speed and strength could come in handy!" That comment got me a pointed glare. I huffed, throwing my hands in the air. "Fine, I'll just have to get one of the nice locals there to help me," The glare hardened.

"Alex," Edward warned, his no-nonsense face on. "Please behave yourself this weekend if you do go to La Push. And be careful,"

"I'm always careful," I replied, receiving a sceptical look. "But seriously, why won't you come? Eric doesn't mind,"

"I'm going away with my family for the weekend," he finally admitted. I couldn't keep the look of disappointment off my face.

"Oh, okay," I replied, turning back to my finished work. "Sorry for bugging you," I felt Edward place his hand on my shoulder, the coolness seeping through my cardigan.

"Next time you need me for a prank, I'm there," he told me, squeezing lightly, "Just say the word and I'll be there, okay?" I looked up at him and saw the sincerity in his eyes, and nodded. "I'd try to come with you this time, but we've had this trip planned for weeks now, and Carl—my father wouldn't like it if I tried to get out of it," I nodded again, meeting his eye and smiling slightly.

"I'm holding you to that, by the way," I told him. Edward laughed. I leaned forward, craving the rich sound like a drunk craved alcohol. 'This is getting embarrassing,' I told myself, but I couldn't take my eyes off his smiling mouth. I wondered how it would feel pressed against mine, sliding down my body. I imagined Edward would be gentle the first time, then gradually become more dominant. I shivered, picturing it, and immediately averted my eyes from the boy before me. He had no reason currently to think that I was imagining having sex with him on a near daily basis. I flirted with everyone. If people thought I liked Edward, then they probably thought I was wanting in Eric's pants too.

There was even less of a reason for me to think that Edward might like me back. So I was the only friend he had; that didn't mean that he was in love with me. Besides, we'd only known each other for just over a month. I assumed that what I had to him was just a physical reaction, since he was pretty much the most gorgeous man I'd ever seen in my life, and that it would fade in time. I didn't want to deal with his mood swings, his bouts of treating me like I wasn't even there, or his stupid colour changing eyes, did I?

"Penny for your thoughts?" the smooth voice interrupted my pondering. I jumped, having forgotten I was in class.

"Um," I said eloquently, "Just...nothing important," I obviously couldn't have told him I was wondering whether I wanted to date him or just jump his bones. That would go over well, clearly: Hey, Edward, I was wondering if you'd like to fuck me or not. Thoughts?

Yes, that was not exactly the thing to say at this time.

"You sure?" Edward prodded, brow furrowed in a way that made me want to smooth it out, "Because from your troubled expression it's not nothing,"

"Very sure," I replied quickly, "In fact, I'm extra sure." Edward huffed.

"Why are you so hard to read?" he grumbled, leaning his chin delicately in one hand.

"Why are you so nosey?" I returned, mimicking his position. Edward chuckled.

"Because you're very interesting to me, Alex," I ignored the way my face flushed at his comment. I opened my mouth to reply, but was mercifully cut off by the bell signalling the end of the period.

"Have a good weekend, Edward," I told him, smiling brightly. "See you next week!" I scooped up my belongings and met Eric walking to the door. All the way out the door I could feel Edward's eyes burning into my back.

"What was that about?" Eric asked as we cleared the room and disappeared into the mob of people all leaving classes.

"What was what about?" I blinked innocently at him and earned myself a glare.

"I'm talking about the way you and Edward were undressing each other with your eyes in there," I scoffed at him.

"Hardly. He's not interested in me," My mind went back to what the tall boy had said not five minutes ago about my being interesting. "Well, not in that way,"

"Sure he's not," Eric said, sounding not agreeing in the slightest.

"And I undress everyone with my eyes," I argued. Eric snorted.

"Well, that's true, at least," he agreed, "Though I can't blame you for doing it with Cullen,"

"Oh, do you have a crush too, Eric?"

"'Too'? Oh, man. You've got it bad,"

"Oh, fuck off,"