Thank you Silver Sniper of Night for agreeing to help me with this story as well as Love is a Battlefield. Your help and support means a lot to me.
All Standard Disclaimers Apply.
Picking up the Pieces
Chapter One: Emmett's Baby sister?!
Bella's Point of View
I was a junior in high school when Edward Cullen and my older brother Emmett graduated and headed off to college. Edward left for the University of Utah and later transfer to Johns Hopkins to follow in his father's footsteps and study medicine. Unlike Edward, Emmett didn't go too far. He ended up in Seattle attending the University of Washington; where I ended up joining him a year later. It has been about eight years since then and now he was coming back to Washington.
I lifted my head off the sofa cushion, and turned to watch Emmett pace the floor behind me with the phone pressed to his ear. He had been talking to Edward for the past forty- five minutes. His brows were knitted together in concentration as he tentatively listened to Edward on the other line. Throughout grade school and until the end of high school, Edward and Emmett were best friends. Back then, you would never see one without the other, nor would you see them without a swarm of girls surrounding them.
They had both been star players on Forks High football team. By the time I joined them in high school they had already brought our team to the championship twice, and won each time. Not only were they athletic, they were good looking as well. Always turning heads everywhere they went.
I was brought out of my memories as Emmett stopped pacing and turned to face me, his expression lightening a bit as our eyes briefly met. "Alright," Emmett said into the mouthpiece, chuckling. "Alright, shut up for a second so I can tell her."
I raised a brow in question, assuming 'her' was me. I sat up and leaned forward over the back of the sofa in curiosity. What could Edward possibly want to have Emmett tell me? I was almost positive he didn't remember me. After all, I was only his best friend's baby sister.
"Edward wants you to remind Alice that he needs to be picked up from the airport tomorrow at one thirty." Emmett said.
I couldn't help the groan that escaped my throat but nodded. Did I actually expect something else? I laid myself back down and reached out to grab my cell phone off the coffee table and pulled up Alice's phone number.
Alice. Did I mention that his younger sister was also my best friend? But unlike Emmett and Edward, when we went our separate ways for college we didn't lose contact with one another.
Don't forget to pick up your brother from the airport tomorrow.
I quickly typed and sent the text message. I placed my phone down on my lap and turned my head, trying to pick up an idea of what they were talking about. But from my brother's silence I could only assume Edward was doing most of the talking. It was beyond irritating!
My phone vibrated in my lap and I jumped, a soft squeak escaping my mouth. I picked it up just as Emmett leaned over the sofa, giving me a questioning look. I shrugged and held up my phone and he rolled his eyes, chuckling softly.
I sighed and opened my message from Alice, my lips quickly curling into a small smile.
If he has one more person remind me to pick him up I swear I'm going to forget him on purpose! Want to come with me? You know you want to. ;3
I shifted uncomfortably on the sofa and bit my lip. I did want to go with her and she knew it. I had always had a thing for her older brother and it seemed it was obvious to everyone but Edward himself. Over the years my feelings for him, of course, faded, but I couldn't help being excited about seeing him again.
My reply was short and simple and to the point.
Sure.
I sat up and pulled my knees to my chest, waiting for Alice's reply.
"Alright man," I heard Emmett say and I fought with myself to keep from turning my head to look at him. "I'll see you soon. Bye."
I frowned and looked down at the small phone in my hand, feeling a little disappointed. For some reason I kind of expected him to ask to talk to me, but now that I thought about it, that was ridiculous. He was my brother's best friend and my best friend's older brother. We were never close and we never really talked. There were random times at school where he'd stop to say hi, but it was always awkward. I was awkward.
My phone vibrated again and I quickly opened the message.
Great! Pick you up at 8.
My eyes narrowed as I stared at the message on the tiny screen of my phone. Edward's plane didn't land until one thirty, why on Earth was she picking me up at eight? I didn't get up at eight, ever! Not for anyone.
I felt my brother's eyes on me as he sat back down on the sofa with me, but I ignored him for a moment and texted Alice back.
Eight is too early.
Only reply I got back was trust me.
//*//
I sat down on the airport bench pouting. Alice not only came to pick me up at eight this morning but took the time from then until about fifteen minutes ago to dress me and do my hair and makeup. I attempted to argue with her, but after five minutes I decided it was too early and there was no way I was going to win. Luckily, she kept things simple.
She had me in a pair of faded low rider jeans with a black slim fit tank top and tennis shoes. My makeup was simple shades of brown and a clear lip gloss. My hair was straightened and pulled back into a half pony tail.
"Don't pout." Alice said taking the seat next to me. "You look great."
I grumbled something under my breath and watched Alice roll her eyes.
"I'm sure Edward will agree too." She added after a moment and I choked on the air that I was inhaling.
"Alice!" I squeaked. "You can't be! No-Not after all these years, plus he never even noticed me before."
Alice lifted her arm and looked at her wrist watch, frowning. "That was high school." She mumbled. "Things are different now."
"No, not really." I grouched, covering my face with my hands. Why didn't I realize before that this is what her intentions were? Am I really that slow? I dropped my hands from my face when I felt Alice's firm grip on my upper arm. "What?"
"There he is!" She squealed happily, jumping to her feet. "Edward!"
I looked toward the direction she was running, unable to catch a glimpse of Edward anywhere. Slowly I pushed myself up and followed her, catching up to her just in time for her to throw herself into Edward's arms.
"Edward!" Alice chirped happily and her brother chuckled, placing her back on her feet. "How was Baltimore?"
"It was okay." He said softly and for whatever reason he looked my way and I stopped in my tracks. Our gazes locked and his lips lifted slowly into a lopsided smile that stopped my heart and took my breath away. "Who is that?"
Alice turned her head in the direction he was staring and a huge smile quickly broke out across her face. "That's Bella silly."
His smile quickly faded from his face and he seemed to pale slightly. "Emmett's baby sister Bella?!" He seemed to choke out. And I felt my heart slowly begin to shatter.
Emmett's baby sister Bella. Yup, that was me alright, Emmett's baby sister. That is how everyone seemed to remember me. Why I thought it would be any different, even for a second, I don't know.
I forced a small smile on my face and continued forward. "Yeah, that's me." I answered for Alice. "But I'm not so much a baby anymore. I've grown up quite a bit."
He cleared his throat and nodded. "Yeah, I guess so."
Alice giggled and grabbed her brother's arm, gathering his attention. "Let's go get your luggage and get some lunch, shall we?"
Edward turned his head, glancing at me. "Actually, I already ate and I'm pretty tired." He then lifted his carrier on bag and smiled as he looked back at his sister. "And this is the only luggage I have. Why don't you drop me off at Emmett's place and you and Bella go out to eat?"
Alice pouted and shook her head. "Edward we haven't seen each other in a little over a year and you'd rather go see Emmett?" She seethed.
He chuckled softly, glancing over at me again and I shifted uncomfortably. "Well…" He muttered.
"Actually," I said cutting him off. "I've got to get to work here soon, so you two are going to have to go without me. Sorry."
Alice gave me a stern look and I bit my lip. I couldn't help but feel that Edward didn't want me around and if that was the case I wouldn't be. "Oh, but Bella…" Alice whined.
"Alice don't guilt her." Edward said taking her hand. "If she has to work she has to work."
They began walking and as the passed me, Alice glared at me knowingly. That was when my heart shattered completely.
Alice and Edward dropped me off at the apartment I shared with my Emmett and swapped me for my older brother and headed off to lunch, and while I sat in the empty apartment I tried to figure out what I could have done to Edward to make him hate me.
I got an idea for this in a dream. Sorry it is kind of short. Tell me what you think. Here are the character's ages for future reference.
Bella:26
Alice:26
Emmett:28
Edward:28
Rosalie:28
Jasper:27
Jacob:24
Please review!
Much love,
Anna.