Other Side of The Coin

(A Bella Cullen and Edward Swan Story)

Chapter 1

(I do not own anything)

"We had math homework?!" Eric says flustered as he digs through his backpack as if in hopes his untouched homework will just appear.

"Just about every day." I say not looking up as he checks his over.

"UM hello, shhhhhhhaaaaaawing!"

I look up to see what Kevin's throwing a fit about from his table. Slowly turning my head I see the family entering the cafeteria. Narrowing my eyes, I sit still and watch. There enters a cute pixie like girl coming in with a blonde haired man that looks to be in pain for some reason. Then the high maintenance looking blonde comes in with the bear like jock looking guy. Another girl reaches for the door handle and Kevin starts humping his chair. "Now that's a shawing if I ever saw one. Hot damn."

I swallowed suddenly finding it awfully hard to breathe. I'd honestly never seen anyone so beautiful in my life. Her gorgeous shiny brunette hair flowed about her and rest about her waist. Her eyes were a breathtaking honey color, lips red as an apple. The girl looked directly into my eyes momentarily. My heart picked up speed and I suddenly felt weak. The girl bit on her bottom lip then quickly turned away having that same painful look the blonde boy had.

I find myself wondering what was wrong and if I somehow offended her. Maybe she noticed me staring? I shook my head blushing and slouched down in my seat wanting to hide.

"What's with you bro?" Eric asks playfully hitting him on the arm.

"Nothing."

Eric smiles glancing back at the girl.

"Not too shabby."

Meanwhile Kevin still managed to make a fool of himself and high fived Mike Newton.

"Just think that was you at that table not too long ago."

I wrinkle my nose in disgust praying I never looked that idiotic.

"Think that ever really works?"

"How do you mean?" I say sneaking another glance at the girl but quickly looked back down as she was looking directly at me again with a very odd expression about her.

"You know? Them? Think a girl ever really goes for that?"

I crack a smile.

"Only the smart ones." I say sarcastically.

"Hey Edward." Jessica said as she passed by running her hand against my neck as she walked by.

I close my eyes and shuddered on the inside.

"Hey Jess."

She winked at me and took a seat next to me.

I noticed the blond haired boy whispering something into the girl's ear and she broke into a smile laughing. My heart literally stopped.

"OH please! Tell me you're not admiring them? I've heard they are all like together and I mean TOGETHER like inbred type of stuff."

Jessica makes me so mad as to why I've never given her much thought. We went to one dance together never again. All she ever does is cut down others while thinking highly of herself. Unfortunately, she's not left me alone since that dance and that was over a month ago. I've not the heart to snap at her even though I want to at times.

"Inbreed or not looks good to me." Eric said tilting his head.

"Oh come on they all look alike and you can easily tell they are all brothers and sisters."

"I doubt that." I say snapping the tip of my pencil against my math homework.

"OH I have a pencil you can borrow." Jessica said with all smiles.

"No thank you I'm fine. In fact I better go I needed to hit my locker before class."

I didn't like to hurt people's feelings especially girls but Jessica was like a tumor that just wouldn't go away. Last thing I wanted was for this new girl to think we were an item. Then I find myself laughing.

"Like I'd even have a chance." I muttered under my breath dumping out the contents of my tray.

I look back over to see they were already gone.

I go on to class and take a seat, thankful the day was almost over. The tardy bell was about to ring when I see the same girl from the cafeteria enter the room, books in hand. She looks around for a seat but the only available one left is next to me. Part of me celebrates this, the other part is afraid I'm going to make myself look and sound like an idiot. What I don't expect is the cold shoulder and the look she gives me as she sits down. I laugh in spite himself. Go figure, she already thinks I'm a waste of space. The girl covers her mouth as though she's about to gag and sits as far away from me as possible considering they are at the same table.

Oh come on! I think, knowing I showered this morning have on deodorant and cologne.

I catch myself looking at her chest and legs. Quickly I shake it off as she eyes me. They both turn their heads away at the same time. My hand shakes as I take notes during class. The bell rings and the girl acts as if she can't get away fast enough.

Entering the hallway I see the blond haired boy with his arm around the girl. He's whispering in her ear. A slight jealousy comes over me wondering if I was wrong about the pixie girl and if maybe these two were an item after all? The way he's holding her like almost protectively even lovingly?

I make my way to my truck wanting to hurry and get out of there. Luck have it I see the bear like guy get into a Hummer as the rest of them load up. I rear my head back in confusion as I see the blonde kissing the cute pixie girl whilst his arm is around the sexy one. "Was Jessica actually right for once?" I say to myself. The sexy girl looks my way and I can't start my truck fast enough wanting to get the hell out of there.

"Rough day?" My dad asks as I walk in.

"You could say that." I say and dig through the fridge.

"Sorry son didn't make it to the store today."

I shake my head bitterly.

"Dad come on you've been saying for three days you were going to go to the store."

I look at the kitchen table and see why once again he's not made it out the door.

"Damn it dad!"

I grab a trash bag and start gathering empty beer bottles.

"Don't you talk like that in this house!"

"Why dad? Cause drinking up whatever money we have left to survive is that much better?"

"I'm tired son I work all day and come home and…"
I slam down the bag and grab his wallet on the cabinet.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting us some groceries when I get back you're going to sober up and eat a healthy meal!"

"I need that money Edward."

"For what dad? More beer? You're not the only one going through something! I lost her too you know!"

Charlie sighs sitting down at the kitchen table.

"I know son I know."

I close his eyes momentarily shaking my head.

"I'll be back dad. Please just no more beer. Keep this up you won't have a job to go too much longer. I'm surprised you still do."

I get back in my truck and slam my fist into the stirring wheel. I hear someone land in the back of my truck as I'm about to start it.

"Jake." I mumble trying to gather myself.

Jake playfully taps on the back glass.

"Whatcha doing?"

"Got to get to the store."

"Mind if I join?"

"Sure I guess why not."

"Cool."

Jake climbs out of the cab and gets in the truck.

"You alright bro?"

I nod and peel out of the driveway.

Jake turns on the radio as we head into town. We sit in silence for a moment.

"Wanna talk about it?" Jake says.

"Nope."

"Of course you don't. Keep it up you'll turn out like your old man."

"Don't be a dick. I will make you walk!"

Jacob laughs. I crack a smile. Jake always has a way of making me break no manner how mad I am. I shift gears thinking about the new girl.

"Just give him time he'll come through."
"It's been a year nearly Jake."

"Yes and you're both still not quite yourselves."
"I really wish he'd take your dad up on his offer and go fishing, camping, something anything to get him out of the house and to stop drinking so much."

"At least Charlie's not an ass when he's drunk."

"Yeah, well it's still annoying and takes our grocery money. Not to mention he'll be joining my mother as well if he doesn't stop."

"I'll talk to Billy and see what I can do. Might take an intervention to get him out."
"So be it. I've had it."

Jake helps me gather what groceries we need. However, we go to check out and I open my dad's wallet to see exactly three dollars. I close my eyes trying to control my temper knowing it's not the cashier's fault.

"Nevermind…" I say completely embarrassed and start to put the groceries back.

"Hey I got it." Jake says taking out his wallet.

"Don't Jake let's just go."

"Come on Edward let me help."

"I can't."

"You can and you will. We've been friends since diaper years. Lord knows how many times you've helped me."

Humiliation sets in as I watch Jake hand her the 60 dollars.
"I'm paying you back."

"Don't I'll be insulted and pissed if you do."

"Jake!"

"Shut up dude! Besides you need to eat! Look at you! How are you going to be strong and sexy like me bro?" He lifts his shirt showing his abs and the girl at the register blushes. Jake winks at her flirtatiously and flexes.

We gather the groceries and place them in the truck.

"Thanks." I say as we're halfway home.

"Don't mention it. No biggie." He shrugs.

"Girl at the register sure was cute."

I shrug. She was blonde, shoulder length hair kind of short. She wasn't too bad I thought but not near as hot as the new girl.

"Speaking of girls, know anything about the new family in town?"

He shrugs.

"It's amazing really it's like flipping through a GQ magazine."

"Really?"

"There's two boys and three girls none of them have a flaw about them. And this one girl the brunette, I'm telling you she's like…"

"Playboy centerfold?" He teases.

"Something like that."

"Wow never heard you talk about another girl like that before. I want to meet this one."

"Why so you can parade around her with your shirt off?"

"Well if I must!"

We both laugh.