A/N: Okay, so I sat down to write Chapter Three for Sweet Catastrophe and this is what emerged. It was supposed to be an Emmett x Bella one shot, but it's taken on a life of its own, and apparently it wants to be a multi-chapter fic, so, here's Chapter One. This is going to be almost strictly fluff, minimal drama, and if I have it my way, no angst. A nice little counter balance to Sweet Catastrophe. Rated M for later chapters. Please give it a read and let me know what you think. And of course, thanks to everyone that reads and reviews my stories.

Twilight and its affiliated characters are property of their respective owners. I don't make money from this. Blah blah blah.

Brighter Than Sunshine

Chapter One

Falling

"Bella!"

I glanced up as the sound of my name echoed across the parking lot, a half smile on my lips as I immediately recognized the voice. Probably not my wisest move to date, looking away from where I was stepping, especially considering I was just exiting my rickety, albeit beloved, old truck. You really think I'd learn by now. True to form, I stumbled over some nonexistent obstruction and hurtled toward the ground, hands outstretched for impact.

Impact that never came. Two large hands scooped me up just as I was about to hit the damp, cold pavement. I breathed a short lived sigh of relief. The world began to dip and spin wildly, and I shrieked, the bottom dropping right out of my stomach as my savior, quickly turning tormentor, whirled me high into the air. I was trembling as he dropped me back into the cradle of his arms a few seconds later.

"Mornin', Bella, my sweet."

Oh, he thought that tossing a few affectionate words around was going to get him off the hook, did he? My resolve to let him have it weakened considerably as he cuddled me close to his chest. Well, yeah, alright. I grumped good-naturedly, "That is so embarrassing! Can't you just say good morning like a normal person?" I punched the rock hard shoulder by my head, grimacing as my knuckles immediately began to ache. Stupid, big old jock guy.

His low chuckle rumbled pleasantly throughout me. "What, was I just supposed to let you fall? What kind of gentleman would I be if I did that?"

I snorted, glancing up into his pretty, gold eyes. "You're a gentleman? Well, that's news to me."

He smirked, and I briefly felt the safety of his arms depart, my stomach lurching wildly as the ground eagerly rose in its second, but definitely not final, attempt to bruise me that day. I screamed, the sound annoying and girly, and was rewarded with being caught perhaps a half an inch before collision. I struggled against the iron bands that held me now, hissing heatedly, "I can walk, you know!"

I was on my feet in a fraction of a second, and wouldn't you know it, stumbled just as quickly. A low, masculine chuckle sent a blush creeping into my cheeks and a big hand at the small of my back helped me regain my balance. "You sure about that?"

Considering my two near-misses already this morning, I was sorely lacking in the come-back department. So I took the mature route. I scowled and stuck my tongue out at him.

He mussed my hair affectionately, before tucking me beneath his arm and pulling me toward the school. "Not even here five minutes and you're already in need of protection from the big, bad gravity. You're lucky you have me, you know." I knew. "'Course, from the looks of things, you could have any hero you wanted." He didn't sound to happy at the prospect, and I looked around curiously. What'd he mean…Oh. We'd drawn quite a few stares with our antics, many from our classmates of the male persuasion. I ducked my head, flushing brilliantly.

I hated being the center of attention. Not surprising, really, considering it didn't happen often. I wasn't particularly beautiful or smart, funny or athletic. In fact, when all eyes were upon me, it was generally the result of my inherent gracelessness. But I was okay with that. Not the clumsy-to-the-point-of-injuring-every-part-of-my-body bit, but the fact that I was pretty darn prosaic. I'd never been comfortable with the spotlight.

Yet, here I was. Timid little Bella Swan, knowingly engaging in acts that were sure to bring about the attention of the entire student body of Forks High School. I must've lost my mind. Not that it mattered, I grudgingly conceded. I was happy. For the first time in a long time. Even the gloomy, overcast pallor of the day, such a sharp contrast to the wide, sunny blue skies of Phoenix, was cause for a bit of joy. For as long as the sun remained hidden, he was sure to be here.

I chuckled silently at myself. Geesh. Cue the sappy orchestral music and a hundred snow white doves flying into the sunset. It was way too early in our relationship, our friendship, I hastily corrected, to start depending on him being around for my happiness. I'd only known him for a month, after all. That wasn't long enough to fall in love. Love took months, years of commitment and hard work, not thirty days of exhilarating fun. Yet, as I glanced up into his handsome, mischievous face, I couldn't help but feel a faint fluttering in my chest, in what I suspected to be the vicinity of my heart. I was definitely in trouble with this one.

I'd moved to Forks just about a month ago, now. Left the beloved heat of Phoenix, to live with my father in a tiny town in Washington. I hadn't been particularly thrilled with the prospect, but my mother, often more a child than I was, wanted to travel with her new husband for a while, and who was I to deny her happiness? Besides, it couldn't be that bad, right?

It'd been worse. Aside from the constant rain (I'd seen the sun perhaps half a day in the last month), there was the absolutely awful fact that my arrival had been front page news. Literally! Despite my pleading, and assurances that I was nothing special, they'd run a little article in the school newspaper about me. The staring, the whispers…my first week had been wretched.

Luckily, I'd fallen in with an easy going group of my peers shortly thereafter and the rumor mill had found some other juicy bit of gossip to chew on. For a while anyway.

I met them that second week. Well, perhaps met would be stretching the truth just a bit. That second week, I'd admired their perfection from afar. The Cullens. According to Angela, my closest and least-gossip driven new friend, they'd just arrived back from some sort of nature outing that their adoptive parents often insisted on. Must be nice.

We'd been seated in the cafeteria, giggling over this or that, when they'd entered. I couldn't help but notice them, ridiculously beautiful as they all were. Jessica, the rather catty companion sitting at my side had quietly informed me that they were together. You know, like 'together.' It seemed a bit odd to me, adopted brothers and sisters and all of that, but who was I to judge?

Alice and Jasper had been the first to arrive, arm in arm. Alice was a tiny pixie of a girl, every move she made seeming to be part of an intricate dance. I envied her grace. Jasper was cute, though his constant, pained expression would've made him a welcome addition to any emo-boy group. My suggestion had most of the lunch table in a fit of laughter. I couldn't be certain, but I thought Jasper shot me a scathing look in passing. I hoped he hadn't heard me.

Next waltzed in Rosalie and Edward. They were stunning, to say the least. Rosalie looked as out of place in the lunch room crowded with ordinary kids as an elephant might have. She was gorgeous, picture perfect. It was no wonder that the equally beautiful guy on her arm had chosen her. And she him. With tousled auburn locks, and a slightly crooked smile that seemed reserved strictly for Rosalie, Edward was quite a sight. He stared at me for a second, quite intently, before moving on.

And finally, close on their heels came the last of the Cullen kids. Emmett. He looked more like he belonged on a professional football team than in a high school. Standing at least a head taller than the others, he was the epitome of physical perfection. He looked like he could've bench pressed me. His smile just screamed that he was up to no good, and his soft gold eyes twinkled with mischief. He was adorable.

I made the mistake of mentioning as much to the two girls at my table and they'd both just shaken their heads, as if I were incredibly dumb. I must've missed something. I was promptly relieved of the burden of my ignorance. Apparently the Cullens were freaks, pariahs, and only associated amongst themselves. Jessica had decided that they felt they were too good for the rest of us. Well, if I looked like any of them, I might've had a bit of an ego myself. They didn't look like freaks to me. A little pale, for just having returned from a nature trip, but I was from Phoenix and didn't exactly boast a tan myself. They intrigued me.

But, like the others had said, they kept mostly to themselves, a tight, familial circle that looked impossible to breach. I sure wasn't about to try anyway.

Until one day…

We were playing basketball in gym class. I hate basketball. And baseball, and volleyball. Really any sport that required a ball. Or running. Or moving at all. So, I'm not exactly athletic. Sue me. Besides, it was just in the interest of my friends' physical well-being that I avoided such things. Unfortunately for all of us Coach Clapp insisted on my participation. And to make matters worse, if such a thing existed, while the outdoor court was being renovated, one of the senior classes would be joining us. Great. Humiliation in front of twenty people wasn't quite enough to crush the last vestiges of my dwindling confidence, so why not just double the number. Yep. That oughta do it.

As the older group of students filed through the double doors, I couldn't help but notice one in particular. Emmett Cullen. I heard a few feminine sighs from behind me, and chuckled. I couldn't blame them. He made the faded school gym uniform look like something straight out of a fashion magazine. Every muscle in his body rippled gracefully beneath the fabric, and I had to admit that he moved a lot more agilely than I'd have expected for someone that size. I could only imagine what my bumbling would look like when compared to his cat-like motions. I suddenly, fervently hoped that I was nowhere near Emmett Cullen for the next hour.

But God, or fate, or whatever you believe in, hates me. I must've done some serious damage in a past life to deserve this. Not only was Emmett near me, he was on my team. Figures. I only hoped I didn't manage to maim him.

Things were proceeding about usually, I stood in the back, and let my team do all the work, something they were normally quite grateful for. But then, the big, stupid lug tried to pass me the ball. The nerve!

I saw the orange blur just in time to swat it away. It promptly, humiliatingly, went flying straight back into Emmett's face. I groaned at the hollow thunk as the make-shift missile hit its unintentional target. Great.

I hurried over, assuming what I hoped was an appropriately contrite expression, when really I wanted to yell at him for being stupid enough to throw the ball my way to begin with.

Emmett was staring at me like I'd grown an extra limb or something. I shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny.

"Hey, sorry about that. You okay?" I gestured toward his face with a little grimace.

He rubbed his nose lightly, though from what I could see, no damage had been done. "Yeah, I'm alright. What was that all about?"

I could feel the blush warming my cheeks and glanced quickly down at my feet. Why'd he have to be so cute? "Oh, yeah, you know, I just don't really play sports at all. A total lack of coordination makes it kinda pointless. I tried to warn Coach Clapp that I'm a hazard, but the guy's just stubborn. He'll see. One of these days, somebody's gonna end up dead, and he'll have no one to blame but himself."

Emmett laughed at that. He had one of those loud, confident, utterly contagious laughs, and I couldn't help but join in. "Well, I'll vouch for you," he offered. "You are a dangerous girl. All, what, hundred pounds of you?" I blushed at his teasing. He obviously didn't understand the sincerity behind my words. Guess he'd find out. "Bella Swan, right?"

I nodded. "Emmett Cullen?" Like I didn't know. He smiled as if he was thinking the very same thing.

"Yup."

"Well, Emmett, don't say that I didn't warn you."

The rest of the game went well enough. I only tripped twice, hit someone with the ball once more and elbowed Tyler in the face. Not bad, for me, and we actually ended up winning, only because Emmett was cheating. Well, Emmett was probably just being Emmett, but it sure looked like cheating. He never missed a shot, and no one could get past his determined guarding. It really wasn't fair that they even allowed the guy to take Phys Ed.

He hooted at our triumph, performing what I could only assume was some type of insulting victory dance. "Yeah! What now?" He exclaimed as people trudged off the court. I could only watch him, helplessly shaking with my laughter. His enthusiasm was so consuming.

His eyes narrowed on my smiling face. Uh-oh.

"Don't be jealous of my skills, Swan."

"Your skills?" I feigned indifference. "Well, I guess you were alright."

He clapped a hand to his chest, as though I'd just mortally wounded him with my words. "Alright? Just alright?" He picked the basketball up from where it'd been resting near my feet. "I'll show you alright." He dribbled the ball quickly towards the net, his hand moving so quickly I could barely see it. The muscles of his legs bunched, tensing, before he leapt through the air as though he weighed nothing at all, and drove the ball through the basket forcefully, hanging on the rim for a second, before dropping to his feet. He turned back to me, smirking. It appeared as though he'd just crossed the border from confidence to ego-ville.

My mouth was open. I knew it, but I couldn't help the reaction. The guy was so good. Why wasn't he on any school teams? I blinked a few times, shaking my head. "Must be nice. Having such control of your body that way."

He watched me quietly for a moment, his head cocked to one side. It was the most serious expression I'd ever seen on Emmett Cullen's face. Of course, I'd known him for all of sixty minutes, so I probably wasn't the best judge.

"Wanna try?" He held the ball out to me.

I scoffed, shaking my head and backing away. "Yeah right. Even if I could, by some small chance, get myself that far off the ground, I'd probably end up finding a way to injure us both. Nuh-uh."

"I'll help you. C'mon." He took a step toward me, his long legs bringing him rather close. I stared at the ball as though it were a leper.

"No, Emmett, I can't."

"Sure you can, Swan, just take the ball."

I sighed heavily. Obviously this was going no where. Fine, I'd humor him, throw the ball at the hoop in some feeble attempt so he'd just back off. I pulled the ball out of his hands.

"Alright then. Now what?"

The look in his eyes should've been some warning. Sadly, I was no good at reading Emmett's expressions just yet, and that devilish twinkle, combined with his impish grin made my heart race with something other than fear. He was behind me in the blink of an eye, his hands wrapping around my waist. I was too shocked to move. Jessica had informed me primly that Emmett didn't date. He didn't talk to girls, he didn't flirt with girls, he just stuck with his family. Then what the hell was this?

I glanced down at the cool, pale fingers, surprised to see that they nearly met. Geez, the guy was huge.

"Emmett," I began cautiously. "What are you doing?"

"Hang on tight, Swan."

"Wait, what do you…" The words ended on a shriek as the ground fell away from my feet and I was suddenly in the air. I thrashed wildly against his strong hands. "Emmett! Put me down right this instant!" I barely noticed that I'd come eye level with the hoop.

"Just relax, not like I'm gonna drop you. Put the ball through."

Was he serious? He was lifting me feet off the safety of the floor so that I could make a basket? The guy was nuts.

I hurriedly dumped the ball through the hoop. Not surprisingly, I almost missed.

"There!" I murmured hurriedly, my pulse roaring dully in my ears. I wanted down. Now. "Put me down!"

I could practically hear the smug smile in his voice. "Say please, Swan."

I grit my teeth. I didn't want to say it, but my will to resist him was seriously dampened by my need to feel the floor beneath my feet. "Please," I ground out.

"There ya go, that wasn't so hard, was it?" His voice was quiet, bemused, and it touched my nerves as surely as a caress. I shivered lightly.

He lowered me at an irritatingly slow pace. The very second my feet hit the ground, I turned on him, teeth bared. "If you ever…Don't do that…I mean…" I could only glare.

He chuckled, reaching out to touch the end of my nose. His fingertip was like ice, and I was barely able to bite back my soft gasp. He seemed to be watching me for some type of reaction. Well, I wasn't about to give him one. So, he had cold hands. Stranger things had happened.

He seemed satisfied with my response, and lightly pinched my cheek.

"You're adorable when you're mad, Swan."

I didn't want to, but I laughed. It was impossible to stay mad at this guy.

We'd become fast friends, much to the disapproval of my friends and some of his family. I knew why my friends were acting as they were. I mean, these were the crazy Cullens, to associate with them meant something was wrong with you. I had a feeling that their concern was tinged with more than a little jealousy, but refrained from saying so. His family though, I couldn't figure out where their animosity came from. I'd never said so much as two words to them. Maybe that was the problem…

"Whatcha thinkin' 'bout, lil bit?"

Emmett's voice pulled me out of my reverie, and I rolled my eyes at his choice of nickname.

"Oh, just remembering that day I met you," my voice held the tiniest hint of laughter.

"Ohhh, yeah. That day. The day you almost ruined all of this perfection," he waved a hand in front of his face, and I pressed my lips together, staving off a grin, "with your insane ball-handling."

"Please, Emmett, with a skull as thick as yours, it'd take a lot more than my feeble ball throwing to even make a dent." I inched out from under his arm, already knowing what his response would be.

"What did you say, woman?"

It was becoming increasingly difficult to keep a straight face.

"You heard me, you hard-headed jock." And I bolted. I heard his mock ferocious roar behind me, and my heart stuttered. Despite the game we were playing, there was always that underlying fear. Like as a child, when someone would chase you up the stairs. You knew you could stop at any moment, turn to the person and see that it was just a friend, but it still set your little heart to racing with excited terror.

I giggled as I heard him in hot pursuit. He'd catch me easily, he always did, especially once my feet found some invisible bit of something or another to trip upon.

Emmett descended, scooping me up and tossing me over his shoulder. I was so caught up in the moment that I failed to notice the reproachful eyes, watching us from the shadows.