Chapter 1- Soulmate

Edward was my soul mate; the other half of my heart. I couldn't help it. I needed him like I needed air. Edward loved me as I did him. We were always been best friends. Some say we were perfect. I mean, were made for each other; literally. My mom, Renee, and Esme made us for each other. I heard it all the time...

Renee and Esme were legends at Forks high school. Everyone knew their names, and respected them. They had the best money, looks, grades, attitude, and sex. They teased the boys, charmed the teachers, bitched the girls, and they never let anyone in. They stuck together. Their whole life would just be a big party. Then, when they went to college and their life was at the peak of perfection. Then reality stepped in. They got jobs. They realized high school was great, but they had to move on. They graduated college. Renee became a teacher, as ironic as it was, and Esme became a nurse. Renee met Charlie, my dad, and Esme met Carlisle. They moved back to Forks; wanting to live in a small town. Looks like their lives played out perfect. Except for one thing they wanted- kids.

Don't get them wrong, they could easily have had them; but they were scared. These were the girls that had divorced, drunk, drug addict parents. They had relied on each other since first grade. They didn't know how a parent should act. If they weren't good parents, who would they rely on? Then it hit them. Each other. They would rely on each other if anything happened. Just as they did when they were young.

It would be a boy and a girl, they decided. They would grow up, fall in love, and get married. They didn't wonder if it would play out right or what the consequences would be. They just knew. And they were right. Nine and a half months later, Edward and I were born. He on September 2, and I on September 13. We might as well been twins.

From the day we could walk and talk, Edward and I were best friends. We never even got in a fight. And just like Renee and Esme planned, we took care of each other.

I was always bullied when I was little. I was an easy target. I tripped over nothing, was very fragile, and was a wimp. Edward was different. He could have been the most popular guy at school. He was the best at sports, by twelve already muscular, and brave. He looked out for me. But Edward had a temper. I was the one who made him calm down.

This kid named Mike Newton was teasing me about my hair or something in 5th grade. I realized it wasn't a big deal, but I still ran home crying. My parents tried everything for me to stop. They just couldn't get me to calm down. Edward came over and stopped my crying. He was my cure. The next day Mike came to school with a black eye. He told everyone he fell, but the way he looked at Edward told me otherwise. Edward told me he had nothing to do with it, but I saw through him. That day was the day I knew Edward would always be there for me.

One time, Edward got in an argument with his parents in the 6th grade. He yelled at them for an hour. It was over something stupid, but Edward always needed to be right. That was his flaw. He ran away that night. I searched for him with his and my parents. I found him. He was fuming. He wouldn't let anyone near him. But no matter how many times he hit or screamed at me, at went at him. I gave him a hug and whispered, "I know your right." He calmed down. He never forgave himself for what he did that day, though everyone else did. There was never enough apologies for yelling and hitting me. That day was the day I knew Edward cared for me as I did him.

We loved each other as we loved our parents. Nothing could brake us apart. Or so I thought.

It was the summer after 6th grade. Edward and I would be going to middle school together. I was so worried, but Edward was fearless. He promised he would never let me down and help me through. We had almost every class together, thanks to Renee. I knew I would be okay with Edward there. But Carlisle and Esme were having trouble paying the bills. Then Carlisle got a job offer in L.A. so good that he couldn't refuse. Edward told me a week before school started.

Flashback

"Bella, I'm moving," Edward announced.

I was in shock. We were just sitting on a bench by a park, talking.

"W-what?" I said, shocked.

"I'm moving," Edward repeated. He looked brave but there was sadness in his eyes.

How could this be happening? Edward was my everything! I couldn't spend a moment without him.

"Where? Like, down the street? Port Angeles?" I asked desperately, trying to calm down. I could handle that. It was a hour drive, but we could make it work.

"To L.A. My dad got a job offer. We're leaving tomorrow." He replied calmly and quietly.

"LA? No, you can't leave!" I yelled.

"I'm sorry Bella, I really tried. I'll miss you. It's not like I want to go."

"Miss me? That's it? Just leave and pretend you never met me? No, Edward, please, no! I'll come with you! Anything, Edward, anything! I can't live without you."

Edward let out a shaky laugh. "Bella, your being ridiculous! Come on now, show me your brave face." That was a saying Edward usual said when I was scared. It had worked every time before except now.

I could only close my eyes and shake my head. Traitor tears leaked through.

This just wasn't happening. It couldn't be.

"Good-bye Bella," Edward whispered.

I couldn't move. Time stopped. The world stopped. Everything just... stopped. I stayed there for who knows how long. The pain eventually became numb. Hours felt like seconds. Please god, no, let this be a bad dream! Let me open my eyes to find Edward smiling his crooked smile. Please.

I felt someone shaking my arm.

"Bella! Bella, are you alright?" I heard my mother's frantic voice. I managed to open my eyes. It was dark outside, and my mom and dad were looking at me desperately.

"Is Edward gone?" I croaked.

"Oh Bella, I'm so sorry! I thought you would take it better than this," Mom said. Even a tear came down her cheek too.

That was the day they became Renee and Charlie. They knew they were moving, and didn't even tell me. No one told me except Edward.

Edward. Edward, Edward, Edward! The pain rushed back into every inch of my body, and I could finally do what I was dying to. I broke down sobbing.

Charlie picked me up, and carried me to the car. All the while he whispered soothing words about how everything was going to be okay, but it wasn't. The tears were endlessly flowing. They didn't seem to help the pain in my chest at all. I cried all night until I finally went to sleep. Then the nightmares began.

End of flashback.

Things weren't any better by the first day of school. It was all downhill from then.

"Bella! I can't take this anymore!" Alice shouted all of a sudden.

"Hmm?" I was dazed. I had blanked out again. That was pretty usual for me.

"Bella, I've been your best friend forever, and you keep saying, 'I'll get over it.' And it's been five years, but you still haven't! This is not a healthy behavior!" she continued. She was mad, but I knew it wasn't at me. It was at Edward. Even though she never met him, I had told her endless hours and hours of stories about him. She thought it was his fault that I was like this, but it wasn't. I was just a loser that couldn't get over him.

But I had to admit, she was right about both things. Alice had been my best friend since the beginning of 7th grade, when Edward left. She helped me act even human again. She had black spiky hair pointing in every direction, a pixie-like face, and could barely pass for 4'11. No matter her size, she acted as a body guard for me. A lot of people had fun messing with me, and Alice scared them away. People learned you don't mess with a force like Alice. I had no idea why she wanted to be my friend. I always sulked, spaced out, people thought I was emo, and on a rare occasion, I would smile and have fun. I'd become the living dead without Edward.

I sighed. "Alice, we've been over this."

"Damn right we have! And now it's time for new story. Not that damn Edward leaves and I'm sad for the rest of eternity one. Get your ass up and start moving! We are going to have fun, dammit!"

She was standing up now, her face serious, fist held high in the air. I always thought Alice would make a good motivational speaker. Then again, Alice would pretty much make a good anything. She had so much talent, and could be anything she wanted.

I thought I might mention we were in the cafeteria at school, and we had 2 more hours before we could go anywhere. But if I did, Alice would start rambling about the injustice of school.

I already heard that one too many times.

"It's okay Alice. I really am fine the way I am," I lied. I wasn't fine. The only thing that could fix me up, was Edward, like he use to. But he was gone, having fun in L.A. while I was here, depressed. It was pathetic, really.

"It's okay Bella. I can tell your lying," she imitated my voice. She smirked, and I had to smile.

"Bella," Alice continued seriously, "Didn't you say you loved Edward?"

"Well, yeah-"

"Why, dammit! God, look what he's done to you! And from what you told me, he didn't seem that sad to be leaving in the first place! How could you love a person like that? You were always better off without him. Can't you see that, Bella?" Her anger turned to sadness by the end. Oh, Alice.

A couple of people were giving us uneasy looks. Alice didn't seem to notice and stared at me for answers. I sighed. How could I explain it to her? In many ways, she was like Edward; brave, beautiful, smart, loving. The list went on and on. I closed my eyes and shook my head softly.

"You never saw him," I said so quietly it was almost a whisper. "He was always there. Always. And there was this look about him... Oh, Alice I can't explain it. He never lied, never cheated, never did anything mean. And when he smiled, you knew he was good. When he laughed, and you heard the sound, you knew that there couldn't be any wrong with him. When he hugged you, and you felt his cool arms, you never wanted to move. And he never messed up. Ever."

"You're wrong," Alice gave me a sad smile. "He did mess up. He made the biggest mistake anyone ever could. He let you go."

With that tears fell down my face. Alice put her arm around me and said, "Shh... It's okay. Everything's going to be okay."

But it wasn't. It would never be okay without him. I let the tears flow freely now, not caring. Most people had already left the cafeteria, so we didn't make a scene. With each silent tear that fell, I let the pain fall too. I couldn't stay like this. Alice was right about one thing. This wasn't healthy. And I was making Renee, Charlie, and Alice unhappy too. I was a selfish creature. I needed to make things right, or as right as they ever would be. I could do this. I would do this. I took a few deep breaths. I wiped the tears from my face and looked up at Alice, smiling, but it seemed a little forced.

"Your right, Alice. He... messed up. I'm ready to move on," I lied. I was always a bad liar, but Alice was so surprised she didn't notice. Her eyes were wide, lips slightly opened, and still.

"Are you sure Bella?" she asked, dumbfounded. I couldn't seem to read her tone.

I nodded. Alice's face lit up like a child's on Christmas day, and I had to smile too.

"Oh, Bella, I'm so happy! And you are going to be too! I can see it!" She exclaimed. She was so happy that I had to laugh. Alice was the world's best friend. She was happy when you were happy.

"Um, Alice?" I said uneasy.

"Yes?" She looked so determined, ready for anything that I said or asked. My heart throbbed a little from how much I loved this girl.

"I think I'd be a lot happier if we weren't late for class." I laughed.

Alice looked confused. She looked around the room and jumped in surprise.

Just like Alice to forget that the rest of the world still moving even if she wasn't.

"Oh! Yeah, c'mon let's go!" She pulled my arm and we headed off to our next class, laughing all the way.

"OH MY GOD!" Alice screamed. I jumped in my chair then covered my ears. Jesus. I gave her a look that said, 'are you done now?' Alice just beamed and nodded. I unwillingly uncovered my ears.

We were sitting in the cafeteria again, and people were giving us weird looks that I had strangely gotten used to. Of course, Alice didn't notice at all. It was Thursday. Yesterday had gone really well with being happy and cheery. Unfortunately, Alice and I had to much fun in class and got detention. After that, we went to the movies and saw a horror film. I never got why Alice always wanted to go see one. Half way through the movies, Alice would be screaming her head off and running out. And she did, I laughed all the way. It felt good to laugh again. And to smile.

"Yes, Alice? Whatever could you be screaming about?" I asked sarcastically.

Alice tended to scream and squeal a lot when she was happy. I racked my brain trying to find something. Maybe it was about Jasper... She had been drooling over him the past few years. He had wavy, honey blonde hair and crystal blue eyes. He's skin was smooth and body muscular. He was easily a leader and could make anybody follow him. All around, he was a crush worthy guy. Unfortunately, he joined the dark side."The Untouchables" as the school called them. Basically, it was a table where the sluts and jocks sat at, enjoying their kingdom. He seemed nicer then Tanya Denali and her groupies, but that was uncharted territory. No one in their right mind would go over there... Well, except for Alice.

"Jasper Hale just winked at me!" Alice whispered way too loudly for it to actually be considered a whisper.

Dead on. Alice always said Jasper's full name like he was famous... Or a god. Alice was ogling Jasper, and he was laughing about something Tyler Crowly said. I managed not to roll my eyes.

"Well, he won't anymore if you scream like that again," I joked. "Why don't you go talk to him after school?"

"After school? Bella Marie Swan. Do you think I could wait hours to talk to Jasper Hale?" She looked at me like I was crazy. Oh yes. Because I was the crazy one. I stifled a laugh.

"Well you're going to have to. You don't have any classes with him," I reminded her.

"Yet," I thought I heard her mutter, but I couldn't be sure.

Alice stood up and pulled on my arm. I stood up reluctantly. "What, Alice?"

"We are going to go over there and I need a wingman! Wing woman, whatever!"

I swear all of the blood in my body rushed to my face.

"Alice I don't think-"

"Exactly," She interrupted. "You don't think, you just stand and compliment me." And with that she was pulling me to the popular table. My face was red as a tomato, I was sure.

When we walked over there Tanya looked at us like we were crazy.

"Can I help you?" Tanya sneered.

We were standing on the edge of the table. Every pair of eyes were on us now. I looked down at my feet, and fidgeted with my shirt.

"No, but Jasper can," Alice said, ignoring Tanya's sarcasm.

Oh god. This would not be good.

"And why would Jasper want to help you?" I never noticed what a nasally voice Tanya had.

Alice imitated her voice. "Well why doesn't Jasper just speak for himself?"

I looked up and Jasper was smirking, trying not to laugh. Alice winked at him.

"Whatever. Why don't you lesbians go jump off a cliff?" Tanya said, not looking hurt. Maybe she just didn't under the diss.

"Tanya leave them alone," Rosalie said, looking bored. She was pushing her salad around with a fork. She didn't even look our way.

Rosalie Hale was Jasper's twin sister. She was easily the prettiest girl in the school. She had golden, long, blonde hair and those crystal blue eyes like her brother. Her face was perfect in a heart shape. Her body had curves and she looked like an airbrushed girl from Sports Illustrated. I had never talked to her so I didn't know what she was like.

Tanya glared at Rosalie.

"Fine," she sighed. "I was bored anyway." She smirked and gave Jasper a look.

"I'll see you later," Tanya purred. Jasper's face was unreadable, and Alice was clearly upset.

Now, why couldn't I do something like that? I wasn't even considered pretty. I had no idea how to flirt or tease. If a guy even looked at me, I would look down at my shoes blushing. Stupid, stupid, stupid!

Tanya and her groupies walked away, leaving the guys. They stared at Alice expectantly. They didn't even look my way. I expected that much, but it didn't make it hurt any less.

"Hey Jasper," Alice said sweetly, looking under her eyelashes. She could easily be as popular as Jasper, yet she chose not to. Because she was a great person. Without Alice I'm not sure what would have happened to me. She deserved Jasper.

"Hey," Jasper said nonchalantly, but I could tell he was trying hard to keep his cool.

"Are you busy Saturday?" She asked curiously, a coy smile playing on her lips. How did she do that?

"Well, not really. What did you have in mind?" he asked. Some of the guys were smirking.

"Maybe you could take me out," Alice said. How did Alice ask a guy out? I would be way to embarrassed. But Alice was confident. She didn't even look nervous for a no.

"I guess that would be cool. I'll text you," Jasper decided.

Alice was trying to hide her grin, but I could tell she was bursting with joy.

"Great," Alice said. Then she turned to me. "C'mon Bella, were going to be late."

I rolled my eyes before I could stop myself. Alice was the one making us late. She gave me a look but said nothing. We walked off and went into the girl's bathroom.

Alice started squealing and jumping up and down like a little girl.

"OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD!" Alice said. I laughed.

"Congratulations," I said. I was really happy for her. It had taken two years, but Alice finally got a date with 'The Jasper Hale.'

"Oh, Bella! We need to go shopping now to celebrate!" She said excited. My smile was wiped off my face.

I groaned. "No, Alice! Please, no! We just went a few weeks ago!" Alice always tried on endless outfits that I had to complicate. Then Alice said that I wasn't helping. It was maddening. It made my head spin. It. Was. Not. Fun.

"Quit whining, it's not sexy," Alice informed me. Like I needed to be sexy right now.

I sighed. I wasn't going to win. I never win. "Fine, but an hour and half tops."

Alice squealed. "Thank you so much Bella! We can shop for you too!" She beamed at me, as if she just suggested we should go to Vegas.

"Um... Yeah, uh... No. It's okay," I stuttered.

"Oh, I insist! And a new student is coming! It's a guy and his brother. One's Emmerson or something and the other is Eddie or whatever. This could be your chance!"

"Chance for what Ali?" I complained. I knew she hated to be called Ali.

Alice scrunched up her nose at my nickname, but didn't say anything about it. "Your chance for your first boyfriend!"

I hated when she brought that up. Yeah, I never had a boyfriend. I never needed one. Besides, nobody liked me that way. I was emo girl, right? If the boys labeled me that way they weren't even worth it.

"I don't want one," I said softly, but firmly.

"Damn right. You don't want one. You need one," Alice said just as firmly. I hated when she twisted my words around like that.

"No," I stated.

"Yes," Alice said.

"No!"

"Yes."

"NO!"

"Yes."

"God, Alice, no!"

"Yes."

I wasn't going to win. But that didn't mean I was going to give up. Then reality hit.

"Oh, crap Alice! Class!"

Alice's eyes were like a deer in headlights.

We ran out of the bathroom to biology. Well, Alice ran while I stumbled. Did I mention I had no coordination? Alice fumbled with the door knob, and we bursted into the classroom. The whole class looked taken back. Then me and Alice looked at each other, realizing how ridiculous we looked. We bursted out laughing falling on the floor.

We looked like psychos, which made us laugh harder. I think I even heard some students chuckle too, not that they would admit it. Mr. Steiner, our teacher, cleared his throat. Alice and I were gasping for air by the time we were done and looked at him.

"Take your seats," he barked, but there was a smile playing on his lips too.

Alice and I giggled all the way to are seats.

Friday passed without interest. Alice said Jasper asked her out this Sunday. That was good. She also kept going on about the new guys, saying they were positively the hottest guys in the universe other then Jasper. They seemed to be the talk of the school. Yup. Forks was so boring that all it took were 2 new guys to make everyone jumping out of their seats. Wow.

"Alice, how could you?" I yelled. We were at my house doing homework in my room.

"Bella, you even said I had no classes with him. This was the only one I could switch! You know how much I wanted to be in a class with him!" Alice whined.

"But switching from Biology class? Alice, I suck at Bio! What kind of friend are you?"

Alice sighed. "One that's trying to make Jasper Hale my future husband." She stared into space, in deep thought. Okay, Alice kinda scared me sometimes.

I ignored her for the rest of our studies, angry. But we both knew I wasn't the one who could hold grudges. I would probably- and by probably I mean definitely -have forgiven her be Saturday.

Now it was Saturday; I couldn't have avoided it forever to my dismay. Alice said we'd only be gone two hours, but I knew it would end up all day.

I sighed and took a 20 minute shower, hoping that it would melt away my troubles. And it did... For 20 minutes. The shower was soon over and I took the time to blow dry my hair, something I never do. I went into my room and put on my most comfy sweats, since this would take a while. I went down stairs and made myself a bowl of cereal, chewing each bite with care. Then I slumped back upstairs and brushed my teeth. Soon, I was out of things to do, and was ready. I sighed, and grabbed my bag which had my phone, about 40 dollars, pepper spray, and useless junk like chapstick.

I headed outside and sat on the front porch. It was 10:27 and Alice was suppose to be here and 11:00. But Alice tended to show up early.

Just like I thought, Alice was there in her yellow Porsche. Alice's family was very wealthy unlike most people here, and so Alice could pretty much get anything she wanted. I envied her.

I waved and went to the passenger side.

"Hey Alice," I said.

"Hi," Alice said, pratically bouncing out of her seat. I laughed.

"I can tell you really don't want to go shopping," I said sarcastically.

Alice rolled her eyes. "Well , since you never let me, I like to enjoy myself. Thank you very much!"

"Oh, okay then." I rolled my eyes, but my lips couldn't help but smile.

The drive to Port Angeles was pleasant. Alice did most, if not all, of the talking, but it was okay. We were comfortable that way. The drive to a little over a hour and a half, so by the time we got there, we could eat lunch. Alice wanted to be quick so we, meaning Alice, decided to eat in the food court.

We pulled up to the mall and Alice hopped out. I got out slowly just to annoy Alice.

Alice glared and I laughed.

"Too slow," Alice scolded. I laughed while she pulled me to the entrance. I gulped. The sign said, 'Welcome to Port Angele's City Mall'. It should have said, 'Welcome to Alice's Wonder Land'. To Alice, it probably did.

"Bella your shaking," Alice informed me. I look down to realize I was.

"No I'm not," I lied. Alice smirked.

"Please. You lie terribly, and I'm your best friend."

Alice skipped inside the store like a kid in a candy shop, eyes filled with wonder.

Upload days every Thursday.

Review pretty please 3

-Lauren