A/N: This story was written quite some time ago, and I just recently pulled it back out. I apologize for any grammatical errors that I missed while skimming through the whole story again or if some parts seem a little too childish. Putting that aside, ENJOY! :D

Disclaimer: I, sadly, do not own any of the characters in the story. Boo :(

1. NEW NEIGHBOR

"They're moving boxes out of the truck. I see Edward. He's wearing a long-sleeved blue shirt and black jeans. He's carrying the boxes into the house."

"Alice, stop your unnecessary commentary. I honestly don't care." I sighed.

She giggled. "I know. I was just on the lookout for Hoe-di," she laughed at her own joke.

I rolled my eyes. "I doubt he's still with that skank."

"You spoke too soon," she muttered, peeking out the window again.

"What? Really? Are they moving in together or something? What the hell."

"Whoa, for someone who don't care, you-"

I cut her off with a mumbled "Shut up," and crossed my arms.

I know I can't hide forever. They're going to come – HA! – And get to know the neighbors at some point of time. Maybe I could poison some cookies and give it to them. Or some pills so Edward can't get his shit up anymore.

From Alice's glare, I know that she knew I was thinking of some shit in my head.

Alice and I had been best friends since high school. We went to college together and proceeded to living together. She knew everything about me - all my secrets and pasts, and I knew everything about her. Sometimes, I think she knew too much about me that she could read what's in my mind.

"I know you hate him but I'm pretty sure nobody deserves whatever you're planning." Alice said with narrowed eyes.

Then there was a knock on the door. What the hell. It's a little too early for them to do that isn't it?

"You take care of them." I quickly said and get up to hide in my room but Alice wasn't having that.

"No way! We're doing this together." She shook her head.

"I can't face him, Al"

"You had run from it for more than three years, of course you can."

I was about to argue when she pulled that irresistible pout of hers. I groaned and rolled my eyes.

She literally skipped to the door to open it while I stayed back, hidden from their view.

"Hey g- Edward. Where's Heidi?" Alice greeted.

"Alice? Wow, I didn't expect you to be here. You look great. How did- Heidi's moving away to New York, so she's gone now." He sounded relieved.

"Oh, um, come on in."

I held my breath as the sound of footsteps became louder and closer to me.

"Awesome house," Edward complimented.

The house was pretty awesome. Alice and I enjoy video games just as much as any guys do so we set up an entertainment room with a wide plasma TV and beanbag couches. The room was air-conditioned and painted black, with glass doors. It's the first room you'll see just as you step into the house. The kitchen was painted red, with red tables and chairs, stainless steel utensils and pots, an average fridge. So it was all red except for the ceilings and floors. The living room was painted a soft grey with comfy black couches and an oval coffee table. We had fixed the flat screen onto the wall with speakers at its side. There are even more awesomeness to the house, it would take the whole day to explain every single area.

"Yeah, thanks. I live with a friend." Alice said that as they turned to the living room and Edward spotted me. His eyes widened and he looked down.

"Hey Edward!" I said with exaggerated excitement. He noticed because he grimaced.

"Bella," He said looking up for a second before looking away again.

"Have a seat; we have lots of catching up to do." Alice clapped her hands excitedly.

"I should go meet the other neighbors." He said quietly.

"Stay, there are not many people you can meet anyway. The Biers family is always out, the Denali's parents are forever busy and their daughter is an attention seeking whore," I raised my eyebrows. "And the others are just some old folks." I shrugged.

He took a deep breath and ran his hand through his messy copper hair. "Fine."

"So what have you been doing after high school?" Alice asked and I almost snorted out loud.

"Um, I went to college, got a degree and became a music teacher. I set up my own company where you can get musical instruments or music-related books, and get lessons from me. It's pretty successful and they're demanding me to set-up my store here so I asked my friend who was in need of a job to handle the old one while I worked the new one. I'm still hiring someone to help me, though."

Well, shit…

"That's great! Bella needs a job, she can work for you." Alice offered. Without even asking me first. Humph, some friend.

"I've already got a job, Alice." I almost whined.

"You're talking about your writing job? You need a more stable job, Bella."

"How much does it pay?" I asked Edward, a little bit bitchily, if I must say.

"Um, does $7.50 per hour sound good to you?"

I just nodded.

"That's great," Alice was still chirping excitedly. Seriously, where does this pixie get her energy? "Anyway, Bella had majored in English. Maybe she could write an article on your music store and advertise your stuff or whatever."

Edward nodded. "That's a great bargain. I might even raise her pay." Edward smiled at me but seemed to remember himself and wiped it away quickly. "So, what about you, Alice?"

"I majored in arts and I use it to help my mom's fashion industry. You know, come up with new designs and stuff. It pays really well." She made a gesture with her hands, around the house.

"Hey, I paid half!" I pouted. They chuckled.

"Any boyfriends?"

"I met a guy at the factory. His name is Jasper. Well, I met him two months ago so we're still in the friends stage." Alice sighed.

Edward's eyes turned to me and I grimaced. Alice looked at me sadly. "I don't want to talk about it."

"I stuck with Heidi for a year. I broke up with her when she started being too clingy." He rolled his eyes. Well, you totally deserve that. "She still is. That's why she was here with me when I moved in."

"Where's Rosalie now?" I asked.

Rosalie was Edward's older sister and one of my good friends. She looked like a bitch, but she's nice under the surface. Nice but very fierce. She doesn't take shit. She helped me kick Edward hard in the balls after I cried in her arms and told her what had happened. Alice was sick on the day of graduation, which sucked for her, so she couldn't be there.

"She stayed in LA, working as a principal in a child care." Edward smiled. "She's got a cop boyfriend, Emmett McCarthy."

"So far away." I sighed.

"Well, you've got me." Alice nudged.

I nodded. "But you're too sweet to kick an asshole in the balls though."

Edward stiffened at the mention of that and grimaced at the memory.

He looked down at his watch. "Um, sorry guys, I have to head back, call my parents, unpack some necessary stuff and all." He scratched the back of his head and looked at me. "You'll have to start work in three days. I'll swing by tomorrow to give you the address and directions. Or, if you want, we can drive down tomorrow and I'll give you a quick tour of the place and explain your job?"

"I'll take the tour." I mumbled.

"Ok, great. I'll pick you up tomorrow? I'll be here at two." He rushed out his sentence and I just nodded.

Tomorrow is going to be a long day.

A/N: Welcome back, thank you for making it this far. Hehe. Leave a constructive review (if you don't like it so I at least know what is wrong.)

There might be too much dialogue in this one, huh?