"Hey, have you seen your Aunt Ali'?"
Ness looked up from her homework, shaking her head.
"I think she's with Uncle Jasper. Why?"
I shook my head, smiling at her.
"Never mind, finish your homework."
Ness looked at the books in front of her.
"Fine."
I laughed closing the door to her room. We were back in Forks and in school. I walked downstairs, leaning against the wall. Edward was out with Emmett, doing who knows what, after I convinced him I'd be OK without him. His possessive behaviour really got to me sometimes. But, it wasn't him I wasn't interested in anymore.
It all started one day in the woods...
FLASHBACK
Alice and I were walking through the woods, talking. Edwards behaviour was really bothering me. "It's like I can't cope without him for more than two minutes!" Alice laughed, looking at me. "Yeah, I know. He cares. That's all." I just looked at her.
"Alice, he should know by now that I can take care of myself." I stopped walking, and Alice turned to me. "I know. Jasper can be ... No, he is just like that."
Wait, What? They always seem so happy. "Alice, what do you mean? You two always seem so happy." She looked away, but I grabbed her hand. "He's ... I don't know. He doesn't like me going anywhere without him. Or doing something without asking him first."
I squeezed her hand, this wasn't like her. She was always so perky. And I knew her well enough, to know she wouldn't take that. None of us would. I doubt Emmett would survive if he tried that.
"Why haven't you told one of us before?" Alice shrugged.
"It wasn't this bad, until recently." I made her look at me, I had a feeling there was more to this, and I wanted to find out what.
"Come on." We were close to the meadow, and I led her to it, sitting in the grass. Alice sat next to me, and I put my arm around her. She leaned into my embrace.
"Now, why do I get the feeling there's something you're not telling me? And don't say there's not, I know you and I'm not moving until you tell me, pixie."
She smiled, as I used my nickname for her. "It's nothing, Bella." I looked at her, not believing her. "What did I say about not moving? Alice, I know something is wrong. You can talk to me, you know that. There's something more to this, isn't there?"
She looked away, and I knew I was right. "It's not working out, is it?" She shook her head, and I took her hand. "What happened?"
"I... I fell for someone else."
Well, why didn't they just end it then? It was obvious from hearing what Alice had to say, that neither of them were happy.
"Then end it, neither of you are happy. Maybe that way, you could tell this person, and he could find someone." She shook her head, and I made her look at me. "Alice, what aren't you telling me?"
Alice looked at me. "Here goes nothing." Confused by that, I just looked at her. she leaned forward and kissed me.
Now, I'd always found her attractive, but I never really thought anything of it. I'd always thought of her as my best friend. But, when she kissed me, I didn't pull away. In that moment, I realised that it was her all along. Not him. I'd always felt more comfortable around her, but I'd thought I loved him.
Alice pulled away, leaning her forehead against mine. "Bella, I-"
I cut her off, kissing her.
I pulled away, looking at her.
"Well, I don't need to ask who you fell for."
She smiled at me. "I didn't expect you to react like this. I either saw this, which wasn't often, or I saw you freak out and tell me to stay away from you." I just looked at her, not quite believing what she was saying. "Alice, I would never do that. I always thought there was something about you, but never realised what. I always knew there was something special about you."
She just looked at me, smiling. "From the day Edward brought you home, I knew you were special."
My jaw nearly hit the floor. That long?!
"You knew for that long, and you never said anything?" She looked away.
"I didn't want to get in between you two."
I made her look at me. "Alice, I always felt something for you, I never realised exactly what."
I put my arm around her, pulling her close to me.
"What are we going to do about the others?" Alice looked at me, shaking her head.
"I've seen it, it's not pretty. Jasper and Edward don't react well. Ness keeps saying 'I knew it.' And the others seemed happy for us. Can we wait a while?"
I nodded, maybe letting things settle between us would make this easier for us to handle.
"Ness said you were looking for me?"
I jumped, realising Alice was behind me. I hadn't realised she was even downstairs.
"Yeah."
Alice looked at me, realising she's startled me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's OK. I was just thinking."
I smiled at her. "About?"
I just looked at her, not answering her. I smiled at her. "Hey, want to go for a walk?"
Alice nodded, and we walked towards the door.
"Where are you two off to?"
Alice looked at me, as Edward appeared behind us.
"We're just going to a walk Edward, we'll be back soon."
Edward looked at me, as I spoke. "Are you OK, Bella? Would you like me to go with you?"
I shook my head, considering punching him. I noticed Alice trying not to smile. "It's fine Edward, Alice and I are just going for a walk. We'll be back soon."
He didn't seem happy about that, but we left anyway.
"I don't think punching him would have helped."
I shrugged, taking her hand as we walked through the forest. "It would've made me feel better."
She laughed, squeezing my hand as we walked towards her cottage
