Author's note: This story was published as different one and has been reworked a little with some name changes. I really hope that you like this a little better. I have to thank Sparklingwand for her pushing me into reworking this. I wouldn't have done this without you.
This story has been rated M because of language, sexual situations and rape in later chapters. You will be warned when a chapter deals with rape. Other then that, I hope you enjoy this.
The Fine Line of Friendship
Chapter 1
Bella's POV
The sweltering sun here in Washington D.C was killer in the summer time. At times, the heat nearly scorched my skin to the point of blisters. It was primarily in those times I would do almost anything to be back in London.
I had an errand to run quickly before finally going home from work. However, as soon as that was done, I had a date with my couch and a movie. I pulled into the small parking lot adjoining the bookstore I frequented. I'd arrived with the intention of purchasing a book for my very best friend. Ah…my best friend, Edward. If anyone knew that I was in fact his best friend, I'd probably be mobbed by an angry crowd of prepubescent girls and their equally addicted mothers.
I had to say though, I was very proud of him and what he'd accomplished. We'd been best friends for at least ten years now. I've told that man just about everything involving my life, with the exception of a few details; I choose to keep those to myself. We have a unique kind of relationship, but it has worked for us. He's been there for me nearly every time I needed him. However, those times he was unable to be there physically, he made a point to show me he was there spiritually, whether by phone, letter, or a simple email. Honestly, I have no idea why I moved to D.C from London. I guess I just needed a change. Painfully, I remember that day like it was yesterday, for it was the day I left behind the person I cared about most in the world.
**Flashback 5 years ago**
"Why are you leaving?" Edward asked me, his eyes burning intensely into my own.
"I want to prove to everyone I can make it on my own," I told him, fighting back the tears that were threatening to surface.
"You don't have to prove anything to anyone. I don't want you to go; I can't lose you," he begged as his hand cupped my face.
I looked into his eyes, and the sadness there nearly knocked the wind out of me. It was the kind of sadness that comes crashing in large waves and tears a jagged hole through your heart. "I have to go, Edward, but that doesn't change the fact that you're my best friend. You'll always be right here in my heart...always. Don't ever doubt that," I told him before grabbing his hands and squeezing them. The tears finally fell from my eyes.
Edward didn't say a word, and he didn't even try to speak; he grabbed me into a tight hug and buried his face in my hair. It was then that I felt something I never thought I would. Nevertheless, I pushed it aside because I felt I had to. He was sobbing quietly into my neck, and I just held onto him, crying as well. My heart broke a little more with each tear that fell down his cheek. We stood there, holding onto each other as if it would be the last time. The minutes passed quickly, and I realized it had to come to an end; we had to sever our hold.
"I'm going to miss you so much, Isabella," Edward said, looking at me with such sad eyes.
"I'm going to miss you too...so much," I responded. I wanted to tell him how I really felt, how it was killing me inside doing this to him, but I just couldn't bring myself to say the words I've buried for the last two years. I couldn't tell him I was so deeply in love with him and this was tearing me apart. I never had the courage to tell him before and I couldn't now. I was scared of losing him. He was my best friend, and I didn't want to lose the one thing that meant more to me than anything. Sadly, the time came for me to head to the airport, so we gave each other one final embrace.
Edward pushed his head against my neck and whispered, "Please don't go, love. I want you to stay here with me."
I cried even harder upon his words to me. What the hell am I thinking doing this? It hurt too much. "I don't want to go, but I have to, Edward. Believe me; I would love to stay with you."
We rested our foreheads together, both of us crying out our agony.
"Bella, I love you," Edward told me, his voice cracking.
"I love you too, Edward."
He gave me a soft kiss on the forehead before finally letting me go. I turned around and gave one last look at his family before climbing into the car and heading towards the airport. However, I did the one thing I told myself not to do and chanced a look back at Edward through the rear window. The vision before my eyes literally shattered my heart. His head was rested against his mum's shoulder, and he was sobbing. That one sight opened the floodgate of my pain, before the tears spilled forth like a faucet whose water line finally broke. I cried through my entire trip to America, knowing I broke my best friend's heart…and my own.
That was the last time I saw him. We managed to talk regularly on the phone, so we never lost contact with each other. But I missed him…I missed him terribly. When stardom hit for Edward and he got his first book published, the time apart grew even more. Thankfully, the fame never changed who he was as a person; he was still my Edward.
He routinely called me to tell me about his day or about life in general. He always wanted to hear how I was managing, too. I was his rock and kept him grounded, just as he did for me. I think he missed how life used to be; the calmness and serenity he once knew.
The only thing that had become a sore subject between us was my boyfriend, Riley. Edward had every right to dislike him, mainly because of all the late-night phone calls of me crying uncontrollably. Every time I broke down, Edward was the person I called. He never failed to tell me how Riley was no good for me and that I deserved better. We had many arguments that revolved around Riley, and many times, we'd hung up on each other. Thankfully, ten minutes later, we'd call each other and apologize. I loved him for that.
Riley and I met four years ago, and we'd been together ever since. At first, Riley was every girl's dream, a fun-loving and romantic guy. We never fought; there didn't even seem to be a selfish bone in his body. Now, it was the complete opposite. He was never loving or romantic anymore. We began fighting all the time and I'd never seen a more selfish person than the one he'd become. Even in the bedroom suffered, and I found myself faking it most of the time. What was the point? Neither of us really seemed to be there physically. There were some things I just simply couldn't mention to Edward about Riley. If he knew, Edward would be on the first flight out to see me. He was always very protective and deep down, I got the feeling he wanted us to break up.
Trying to clear these thoughts from my head, I unbuckled my seat belt and walked into the bookstore. As I was browsing the lengthy aisles, I couldn't help but smile. Edward's face graced nearly every magazine cover. I laughed at the idea of seeing his face all over the place, but this was his life now. As I walked further into the bookstore I stopped in front of a display of his latest book Daybreak. The heroine in the story reminded me of well, me. I never asked him about it because I didn't want to embarrass him. I was actually flattered that I was interesting enough to write about. I was nothing but proud of him and yet, it angered me how the paparazzi hounded him incessantly, plastered lies about him, and endangered his safety on a daily basis. Ever since he sold the movie rights to a big Hollywood company, everyone wanted a piece of him. I knew his mum hated reading all the embellishments about him.
However, I couldn't help but snicker at the accusations pertaining to the budding romance between Kate, the leading actress in the film and him. That couldn't be further from the truth. He was neither in love nor did he have a girlfriend. Occasionally, he had dates or even a one-night stand out of pure loneliness, but he always called me after. I think it was his way of letting go of the guilt for using someone. I would remind him that these women didn't care about being used or not; most begged for a chance to get into bed with him. He always sounded as if he were committing some kind of act of betrayal by having a one-night stand. Deep down, I wished I was the person he wanted to be with. I'd always wanted that, but I was in the friend zone, and I never expected to have anything more than that.
As I continued to browse the titles lining the shelves, I felt my phone vibrate. I looked down to see who it was, and a smile immediately spread across my face.
"Hi, my sexy, British lover," I said in my best British accent.
Edward laughed. "Hey beautiful, what are you doing?"
"I'm just in the bookstore looking around," I told him.
"I wish I was able to be there with you and have some normalcy for five fucking minutes. I really miss that," he said, sadness lacing his words.
"I know, Edward, I miss you. You do realize that you can come and visit anytime. I would love to see you," I said with hope in my voice.
"Maybe soon, love. I'm dying to see you. I miss you so much."
"How's everything going?" I asked him, "You sound tired."
"Yeah, I'm very tired. We're finishing up my book signing here and then, I'm heading back to the states for another book signing tour. Once I get to the states, I'll have a week and a half off before I go to New York to start my American tour. Once that is finished, I'll have another few weeks free before Lunar Eclipse starts production. I hate having to be on set to oversee the start of production. You would think I was the writer of the book or something," he chuckled. "Anyway, I think I'll head to London for some relaxation during that time," Edward said tiredly.
"Wow, you're busy! Everything here is still the same, except more drama and fighting," I said, my voice carrying the sadness I felt within.
"Love, what's wrong?" he asked, concern filling his voice.
"Nothing really, it's just Riley and I seem to be fighting a lot these days. Lately, everything he says and does is hurtful to me. I just don't know how much more I can take of this," I said, and my voice cracked.
"Bella, you know you can call me anytime to talk. I'm always here for you," Edward stressed.
"I know, but I didn't want to bother you with my petty, little problems. Plus, I don't like to make you worry about me."
"You never bother me and I do worry about you, Bella. You're my best friend! I love you and I want to be there for you whenever you need me," he said and there was something hidden in the tone of his voice, something I couldn't quite make out.
"I know, Edward, I love you too. I just miss seeing you."
If he only knew how much I loved and missed him.
"How about I come to D.C. for a week between book signing? We could catch up and hang out like old times," he offered, and for the first time in a long time, there was hope in his voice.
I instantly cheered up. "I would love that, Edward! Just tell me when, and I'll pick you up."
"Ok, I'll call Elizabeth and have her make the arrangements. Sweetheart, I have to go, but I'll call you later on tonight...ok, love?" he said cheerfully.
"Alright, I'm excited to see you. I really need you right now."
Edward laughed. "I can't wait to see you either. I'll call you tonight…love you."
The minute the words hit my ears, I wished there was more behind them than just the love of a best friend.
"I love you too…bye, Edward."
"Bye, love." he said before he hung up.
I couldn't wait to see him. I needed him more than even I think I realized. However, I was a little scared because I knew Riley would be pissed once Edward showed up. Not to mention, Edward would see what was going on first hand, and I wasn't prepared for him to see how bad things had truly become.
I spotted what I was looking for and grabbed the book off the shelf. Immediately, I went to pay for it and headed home to share the news with Riley. I was certain he wouldn't like it very much.
End notes:
I hope you enjoyed that. Trust me the chapters will get longer. This story has 31 chapters already completed and only 3 or 4 that need to be written. I'll be posting here and on Twilighted where I'm a validation beta, once a week, either on Saturday or Sunday. I would really enjoy hearing your thoughts on this. Have a wonderful weekend and welcome to my world. ~Pen
