Chapter 1

The girl sighed subtily and pushed her long straight hair behind her shoulder. She felt them fall on her back lightly and without thinking she crossed her legs. The guy in front of her seemed lost in his thoughts, and although he did hear the sound of her breath coming out, and from her hair falling on her back, he didn't even blink and kept staring at the window.

"Will you tell me what's wrong, Edward?" she finally asked, staring at him.

He remained motionless still, except for this imperceptible move from his right eyelid. Knowing that she now had his attention, she kept going.

"Unlike you, I can't read minds, so the only way to communicate from you to me, is talking."

Edward wanted to be annoyed, but he couldn't. He focused his attention on his best friend and noticed her long dark hair had been tied in a ponytail. He didn't remember her doing so... perhaps he was too absorbed in his own thoughts. Her light eyes flashed an unusual green. Unlike most vampires, she had not inherited of the golden shade the rest of them had, except when she had just been feeding. She was laying her tiny body on the back of the couch and Edward smiled. They were all used to act like humans, but she was the best at it, although she hated everything about her human life. It seemed like she was hanging herself to something that she wanted to escape in first place. Edward would never understand, and he never dared to ask. Surely, she was not as strong, or as quick as he was, but she was impulsive and showed her fangs easily.

"Nothing's wrong, Livia." he finally expressed.

"Yea, right." she snickered. "I may just want to use my power on you!"

She only used this threat when she knew she wasn't getting anything from him, but she'd never dare to try. She had promised Carlisle to restrain herself from using it on any member of the family, or when it was not really needed. This time fit both descriptions, and she knew it. And so did he.

Edward only smiled to her, being totally aware of his power on her. For everyone, they were together, but Edward knew something was missing. When he layed his eyes on Livia, a lot of feelings invaded him, but nothing seemed to convince him she was his second half ; his soulmate. After so many years, Livia had not filled that empty space the way a soulmate should have, like some piece of an invisible puzzle was still hiding somewhere... and he knew she didn't have this piece in hands.

He didn't know the whole story about her human life, she kept some parts of it secret and would leave the room when anyone would wonder about it. Edward only knew the basics, and although they were intimitely commited, she never opened up about it. Edward never pushed it, hoping the decennies would help the confidences. He respected her for what he knew she had gone through. All of them had hard pasts, and he could never force any of them to reveal what they didn't want to. In this case, he even restrained himself from reading their thoughts.

"I know you won't do it." he teased.

Her lips move to send a bitter remark but she pressed them together quickly. He could read her mind, he was not lying. With a loud sigh -bringing a smirk to Edward's amused face- she got up and put herself in front of him. With a daring expression, she took his hand and stared into her eyes. She never dared to kiss him anymore ; she knew he never wanted to, and she didn't have to read his mind to be aware there was no attraction on his side. Perhaps they were still together because everyone else around them had found their second half, or maybe because half-being with Edward was better than not being with him at all.

"You are my best friend." she whispered.

Edward slided his arms around her, bringing her into a friendly hug. She wanted to cry at the way he touched her, sweet but lacking the kind of love she wished he felt.

"You're my best friend, too."

Her heart shattered, and it surprised her. She knew he wouldn't tell her he loved her, but it seemed like a part of herself expected it anyway. That part of her that kept her alive for so long, that made being inhuman worth it.

"I'm going to hang out with Alice." she informed, getting herself out of his embrace.

He didn't have time to say anything back, she was already gone. Relieved, Edward stopped moving once again, losing himself in his thoughts. The night was already back when he found himself alone, and the moon was full. The light emanating from it entered the window and Edward felt it on his skin ; it smelled like a mix of cocoa and something he couldn't define.

Somehow, Edward knew he had to tell Livia about their twisted relation. He didn't want to hurt her, but he couldn't let her pass next to someone who would truly complete her ; he couldn't keep her from her own piece of puzzle. He knew it would hurt her, and this time, he couldn't play the role of the best friend, since he'd be the cause of her tears. He didn't want to warn anyone else about it, feeling it would be a betrayal. If anyone had the right to know first he wanted to change his relationship with Livia, it was her. She deserved to know first, it was only fair.

He kept the time he'd tell her vague, so even Alice wouldn't be sure about it. It had to be done, and although it broke his heart, he knew that in the end, it was the only solution.