A/N: This chapter has taken me a while to write, and I apologize for the wait. thanks for all the continued support. I own nothing.

Chapter 26

Senior Trip?

Chapter Song: Dice, by Finely Quaye

Remember when I said life has a way of doing the exact opposite of what you expect it to do? I thought I understood that before- felt I had a pretty firm grasp on that concept. I'm embarrassed to say that I had no idea the extent of my words.

Let me lay it out just how oblivious I was. I was so oblivious that I thought nothing about what wonders GPS and phone call and text message tracking could accomplish. I was so oblivious that I didn't even realize how many calls Alice had given me just a few minutes before she'd interrupted my angry make out session with Edward, all of them asking me if I was indeed the person inside the unmistakable red Chevy parked on the side of the interstate, the very same interstate that led to the Ohio Airport, where the four of them were driving to catch their connecting flight back to Washington. I was completely oblivious to the fact that they had to sneak off of the bus in order to come and investigate the scene, risking major trouble solely on a hunch. But none of us were oblivious to Alice's uncanny sixth sense when it came to those kinds of gut feeling things, and so I'm proud to say I was not surprised that they'd all agreed to it. Still, that left me with one measly tally mark next to entire column of dashes. At least I wasn't the only confounded one.

Edward had absolutely no idea what was going on. He didn't get why a little pixie had opened the car door, why a grizzly of a boy couldn't stop laughing, why a blonde boy was frowning in confusion and a blonde girl was grinning from ear to ear. He didn't have the slightest idea why I was suddenly scrambling off of him and yanking my sweatshirt over my head, telling Emmett to shut up and Alice to knock louder next time. And he sure as hell didn't get why I was instantly greeted with a massive group hug by all those mentioned above.

So now here him and I sat, on the edge of a bed in a hotel room with my four best friends laughing hysterically in the other room while they watched re-runs of Friends. Yeah…

"What the hell just happened?" Edward finally blurted, breaking the silence that had settled uncomfortably around us. I lifted my head up from my hands and looked at him, still dazed.

"I have no idea."

He nodded before dropping his eyes to the floor again, his brow furrowed in confusion. I couldn't help but feel like all of this was my fault.

Once we'd finished with our little reunion, I'd had to deal with the awkwardness of introducing Edward to everyone and explaining that he was the reason for my absence off the face of the earth the past couple of weeks. I should have known that Alice would wrap her arms around him and say something about how gorgeous he was and how I had good taste after all, completely unabashed. And of course I should have anticipated that Emmett would be just as instantaneous in his acceptance of Edward and quickly beginning drilling him on who he was rooting for to win the super bowl and whether or not Jessica Beal was hotter than Jessica Alba. Naturally, I should have known that once Jasper noticed Edward's guitar case in the back of my truck as we shoved stuff out of the way to pile the boys in the back, he would jump on the band wagon like the rest of them. And I definitely should have expected the flood of suggestive looks and sly innuendos Rose gave me the entire drive to the nearest Best Western. But like I said, I'm obviously more oblivious than I'd ever imagined.

"I'm sorry." I whispered, hanging my head. Edward's head snapped up and his eyes shot to mine briefly before he was scooting across the bed to pull me into his arms.

"No, no Bella don't worry about it love. This isn't your fault, and I'm not mad."

"But it is my fault!" I mumbled into his chest, "They're my friends and I should have dealt with this a while ago. I guess I just never thought they'd find me so randomly…or in such a compromising situation…"

I felt my cheeks burning towards the end as I recalled being caught in the act of getting it on it the cabin of my truck. I would never live it down.

"Bella, really it's fine. I'm just in shock, but it will blow over soon I promise." He soothed, stroking my hair and cradling me in his arms. I sighed shakily, not realizing I was on the verge of tears. I wasn't ready to deal with something like this.

They couldn't stay, and I most certainly couldn't leave. I'd chosen a life of constant motion, constant running. I wasn't going back because I wasn't strong enough to face all that was behind me now. I wasn't strong enough to turn around and bulldoze through it like I knew they'd want me to. And I couldn't bring any one else down with me as I tried to out run my own life. I had no idea how I was going to break it to my best friends that I didn't plan on going back home with them.

"What am I going to tell them?" I whispered, the thought of having to send my friends packing making my stomach drop and my chest thicken.

Edward hesitated for a moment before pulling back to look at me with a confused expression.

"Tell them?" He asked. I frowned, confused by his confusion.

"Yeah, you know, when I tell them I can't go home with them."

His eyes widened in shock before he stood up suddenly in alarm.

"Wait, you mean you're not going back with them?"

I felt my own shock plaster itself across my face, and I stood too.

"What? Of course I'm not going back," I half-laughed incredulously, "You honestly think I was going home with them?"

"Uh, well…yeah," He stammered, fidgeting uncomfortably where he stood, "I thought with them here and all, you'd maybe realize how much you missed them and decided to-"

"Stop," I interrupted, holding up a hand, "Just stop right there."

His mouth snapped shut quickly, his eyes widening in surprise at my outburst. I glared sternly at him, planting my hands on my hips

"At no point did I ever plan on leaving you. I think you should have realized by now I'm sticking with you till the end."

He didn't say anything at first, but after a moment a broad grin pulled across his face and he grabbed my face between his hands, kissing me soundly. He pulled away to smirk at me.

"You're crazy, you know that right?"

I giggled and shrugged, wrapping my arms around him and resting my head against his chest.

"Crazy in love, maybe. Quite possibly madly."

He chuckled and sighed, resting his head on top of mine and swaying us softly from side to side. After a moment, I spoke.

"I still don't know how I'm going to tell them-"

"Tell us what?"

Both our heads snapped up and we turned to see Alice standing in the doorway, her hands on her hips and her brow cocked curiously. I shot a frantic glance at Edward before turning back to her.

"Uh, well um," I stammered, wringing my hands together nervously, "Alice, I uh, I'm not sure how to stay this but-"

"Bella, stop stuttering. We're not taking you back home." She said, waving me off with an eye roll. I sighed in relief.

"Thank you Alice, and I promise, I'll call you every day and maybe we'll be able to meet up every couple of-"

"Hold up," She interrupted, shaking her hands in front of her to silence me. I stopped short, not sure why she was smiling at me that way.

"Bella," She laughed, stepping forward to place her hands on my shoulders, "I said we weren't taking you back. I never said we were going back either."

I felt the confusion on my face fall into shock, and it took me a minute to form any coherent words.

"Wait, you're not think what I think you're thinking…" I stammered, shaking my head as she nodded hers, "No, Alice you guys can't come with us!"

"And why not?" Rose's voice interrupted as she stepped into the room, coming to stand behind Alice with her hands planted firmly on her hips. I gaped at my two friends, exhaling in disbelief.

"You guys can't possibly be serious about this?!" I balked. Alice frowned.

"Of course we are," She chuckled, "Bella, this is the first time you've ever taken such a big risk in your life, and I'll be damned if I miss out on this ride!"

"But Alice-" I whined, but she placed her finger firmly on my lips.

"No 'but's'" She warned, shaking her finger at me, "You're not changing our minds about this."

"And what about Emmett and Jasper?" I asked, "How do they feel about this?"

Just then I saw Emmett and Jasper's heads peek around the corner, their eyes falling on us all huddled together.

"What are we talking about?" Emmett asked cheerfully, popping his tongue on the last word. Jasper didn't speak but just stared at the three of us curiously. Alice turned to both of them.

"You guys don't mind if we extend our senior trip do you?" She asked, smiling widely. I turned to the two boys who were my last hope. I should have known what their responses would be.

"Hell yeah!" Emmett whooped, punching his fist in the air. Jasper shrugged and smirked.

"Sounds good." He said simply. My shoulders fell and Alice turned back to me with a triumphant smile.

"Does that answer your question?" she asked, raising a delicate brow at me. I turned to Edward, who looked like he was trying not to smirk at my pathetic overruling.

"You seriously want to stay with us? We don't even know were we're going," I warned, but the battle was already lost. Rose snorted.

"Please, Bella. We're goin' where the wind blows baby!" She howled, wrapping her arm around my shoulder. I turned back to Edward, who had his hands in his pockets and a goofy grin on his face.

"Why are you smiling?" I asked, feeling annoyed that he was enjoying this so much. All heads turned to him, and he shrugged.

"I've never been on a Senior trip before." He said simply. Alice's smile widened and Emmett hollered, laughing.

"Let the party begin!"

A/N: This chapter sucks. Wow I really am sorry it's so bad and it's taken so long. I'm not even going to give you some excuse for why it's so bad, but I have been beyond busy and that's why it's so late coming. Still, there is no justification for it's crappiness. After this chapter, I almost feel bad for asking you guys to review. Almost.

REVIEW ANYWAYS! Hopefully I'll get the next one out sooner and it will be better quality.

Much Love,

The Romantically Inept

P.S. I'd just like to say how much I appreciate all the continued support and love. You guys are my lifeline right now