So, I'm not sure if I'm going to continue this or not. I just felt a twitch to write a little bit. If you'd like to see more (or want to yell at me because I haven't touched my other stories in ages), send me a review or follow this story! Enjoy!

I thrashed, kicked, rived, and pouted to no avail. My feet were held down and knew there was no way of escaping. "Let me go!" I shrieked for the billionth time, trying to hit the massive figure that had planted itself on top of me.

"No thanks. I like it up here." The deep voice chuckled, bouncing up and down once to emphasize his point. "Emmett, I'll buy you pizza if you get off of me." "I'll buy you ten" My torturer contradicted me.

"She has a point." Emmett shrugged, his laugh getting louder. I was going to cancel our cable subscription if he kept this up. I realized there was no point of my resisting. Alice would win in the end. She always won.

Soon enough, my torture devices were on. "Thanks Alice." I said, pouring as much sarcasm into my voice that could possibly fit. She smiled at me, twirling her finger to suggest I turn around after Emmett got off of me. In response, I sat back on the bed, giving her the best death glare I could come up with. "I'm not moving in these things. Emmett can carry me." I pouted.

"My God Bella they're just heels." Alice rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. If she wasn't so small, I might actually be scared. Emmett laughed at our bickering as he usually did. Before I could contradict my torturer, I felt my phone vibrate next to me. "It's Rose." I smiled, picking it up to respond to her text.

"Rosie!" Emmett sat up, giddier than usual. Rosalie, one of my best friends and Emmett's girlfriend was finally visiting us from California. She had decided to pursue acting in LA while the rest of our tight knit group took up residence in Chicago. None of us had seen her in months since coming to school. But as the semester neared it's end, our best friend had decided to come to us before we returned home for the holidays.

Alice squealed enthusiastically, obviously not concerned with my appearance and hatred of heels anymore. "Rose says she's almost outside." I smiled, Alice's excitement was contagious. It didn't help Emmett was hopping about the room with her, arm in arm. I couldn't blame him, I knew how hard the long distance thing had been for them. Even in childhood I'm sure everyone in our group knew that Emmett and Rosalie would wind up together. They were practically the definition of a perfect couple. With Rosalie's harsh and intimidating attitude to most men, Emmett had never let it phase him. He wouldn't give up until she finally agreed to go with him to junior prom. It wasn't a surprise that Emmett's normally happy demeanor went away when Rose left for LA. She was his better half, and not even Alice could cheer him up while Rose was gone.

Soon enough, we heard a car honking outside. Before I could stand up in my torture devices, Emmett was barreling out of the room, knocking me over in the process. Thankfully I fell back on my bed. In spite of Alice's sure to come lecture about how I have "no appreciation for true fashion," I ripped the torture devices off and slipped into my flats, running out of the room to join my friends in front of our apartment building. Alice had flitted out of the room before me and after Emmett.

As I approached the front door, I was greeted by sight I had been praying for for months. Emmett had Rosalie in one arm and Alice in the other. He came running towards me and scooped me up holding me tightly with my other best friends. Our group was finally reunited.

"Hey…Rose…" I grunted through Emmett's squeezing. "Hey…Bella…" she grunted back, letting a giggle escape. Emmett finally decided it was time to put us down, but as soon as she did, Alice began squealing and grabbing Rose in a hug.

Rose responded by laughing along with her and trying to respond to her questions.

"RosehowwasLAdidyougoshoppingalotohmygoshhowarecla ssesdidyoumissuswemissedyousomuch…" "Erm…slow down Alice…" Rose giggled, trying to pry her away.

"I'll take care of that." Emmett smiled proudly, grabbing Alice by the waist and setting her down on the other side of him. Alice gasped in response and punched Emmett in the arm. He chuckled and rubbed his arm as if it actually hurt.

Rose sighed, shaking her head before grabbing me and pulling me into a hug. "Finally I can breathe." She laughed into my ear. "Missed you Rose." I replied, giving her a light squeeze. She smiled at me and turned to Emmett, "What are you standing around for? Go get my suitcase!" She giggled, giving him a reunion kiss. Emmett laughed again and kissed her back, picking her up this time.

Before we could get a chance to say anything, Emmett was carrying Rose off back to the apartment. I doubt we would see them for at least an hour. Alice giggled next to me, turning to Rose's parked red BMW and lifting the gigantic suitcase out of her trunk. Alice may be small, but her strength can match Emmett's sometimes. I blame the every other day shopping trips.

..0

I felt whole again. Having Rose back in person was the best thing to happen in weeks. Alice hounded her with questions of LA, and Emmett stared at her lovingly all night. It was a challenge to get them out of his room. Emmett kept declaring his "sex life was in danger" each time we knocked on the door to remind them we had reservations at our favorite restaurant.

While our apartment was a nice place to live, it always felt like there should be one more person there. Emmett kept to his side of the apartment, having his own room, while Alice and I shared a bedroom on the other side. It was a nice arrangement, and I have to admit I liked it better than finding a random room mate in the residence halls at college. While it seemed a little odd to most people that Emmett, the gigantic macho guy, would live with two girls, it was perfectly natural to us. Alice and I always shrugged it off when our other girlfriends would point and say "You live with him?"

It was occasionally annoying to live with Emmett, with his strict football watching schedule and constantly emptying the fridge, but it was even more annoying to live with Alice. Don't get me wrong, I love her to the ends of the earth and back, but I draw the line at finding my wardrobe by the door in garbage bags ready to be brought to goodwill just so she could give me the "makeover I've always dreamed of."

She hadn't been too pushy until we moved to Chicago from Phoenix. Probably because she had direct access to my closet. The last few months have been a constant cycle of putting locks on my closet to waking up with foils in my hair. She was certainly a force to be reckoned with.

Rosalie laughed at my stories about Alice's attacks on my clothes and appearance. "You found flip flops with heels attached?" Rose laughed, practically shooting water out of her nose. Alice shrugged. "I did what I had to do to get her to practice."

I rolled my eyes and twirled my fork in my pasta. Rosalie was probably going to join up in the war against my personal style. I just didn't see what was so wrong with t-shirts and jeans. Why did I have to wear heels?

LA had definitely changed Rosalie. Her hair was blonder, shinier. Her body was more toned and tan. In short, she was about ten times more gorgeous. Something I thought was impossible.

Emmett had definitely taken notice. He was constantly touching her since she had arrived this afternoon. And Rose definitely didn't seem to mind. They had always been a rather touchy couple, but Alice and I didn't care. Their sex life was their business.

"Belly…" "Bella." I corrected Emmett. I hated that nickname, but he only rolled his eyes at my correction. "What?" I narrowed my eyes at him. Emmett looked at me with big puppy dog eyes. "Can we go to the banana tonight?"

"No." "Please?" "No." "Pretty please?" "What's the banana?" "Pleaseeeeee?" "Fine."

I gave in, returning to twirling my pasta. Emmett stood up out of his chair, thrusting his fists in the air in victory. "What the hell is the banana?" Rose asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

Alice giggled, "The banana is the top of one of the libraries. For some reason, the top is shaped like a banana, thus the nickname."

"How do we get in there this late?" Rose asked, turning to me. "I work for the libraries and they gave me a key to get into some of the archives. For some reason, it gives me roof access. Probably a mistake or something." I shrugged, placing a finger on my keys in my pocket.

"Let's gooo!" Emmett said, standing up again and grabbing Rose's arm. She giggled, following him off. Alice skipped behind them while I gave an apologetic look to the other customers. I loved my friends, but I knew how overwhelming they could be sometimes.

.0.0.0

"Emmett if you sing Gwen Stefani one more time I swear I will push you off the roof." Alice said, leaping onto our giant friend. He laughed and began singing again in response. "B-A-N-A-N-A-ANA"

Rose and I rolled our eyes and leaned against the edge of the roof. There was a very good view of campus and the river next to it from here, making it one of our favorite hang out spots despite the chilly weather. "How are you doing?" Rose asked quietly.

"Not now Rose." I hung my head. I didn't want to ruin a perfectly good night by talking about him. "It's been 4 months Bella, you need to talk about it sometime." "Not anytime soon." "Soon Bella." Rose responded, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"You know I'm…we're," she nodded to Alice and Emmett who were in a tickle fight across from us, " here when you're ready to talk about it." I nodded in response then turned to Rose.

"It's just been hard. It's nice to be away from Phoenix so I don't have to think about it too much. Not very many reminders here." I said, gesturing to campus.

I was very much relieved when I arrived in Chicago. College had perfect timing, it gave me a distraction. I didn't have to think about him when I immersed myself in a pile of books in the library. I didn't have to think about him when I was being made over by Alice. I didn't have to think about him in class or at work or anytime. The only time I thought about him was in my dreams. But that wasn't exactly voluntary.

There had been many nights when I had been shaken awake by Alice because I had been sobbing in my sleep. Alice got an earful every night about him. I didn't need to talk about it. My sleeping did that for me.

Alice and Emmett noticed my expression. "Rosie, why did you bring that douchebag up?" Emmett said, his expression becoming sad. Alice became unusually quiet. She knew the dreams got worse at night when someone brought it up. Rose pulled me into a hug. "It'll be okay Bells."

But I knew it wouldn't be okay.

..

I woke up in a cold sweat, Alice was still sound asleep in the bed next to me. "It was just a dream." I whispered to myself, trying to be reassuring. I hugged my knees to my chest. I knew if I didn't get up the tears would start. I did my best to avoid nights like these.

I tiptoed into the living room, sitting down on the couch. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back. I listened closely, hearing Emmett's snores in the next room. At least Rose and Emmett were done having reunion sex. I really didn't want to hear that right now.

I looked out the window and noticed people moving around on the front lawn outside of a moving truck. It looked like a rental. "Who the hell moves in this late?" I murmured, peering closer to the window to get a better look.

The two figures were trying to move a couch inside. I saw one drop it and apparently it landed on his foot because the other began laughing hysterically, placing the other end of the couch down. I decided to walk out onto our small balcony to witness the scene. This turned out to be a good distraction.

As I slid the door open, the hysterical laughter turned into musical laughter. "Jazz you need to be more careful" the smooth voice said, the laughter dissipating.

"Fuck you Edward. Now lift up the couch, I just want to get to bed." The other voice grumbled angrily. I smiled gently at their exchange.

I saw the angry guy look up at the balcony, he appeared to spot me. I couldn't make out his face, but he seemed to smile at me. The other guy, the one with the enchanting laugh, noticed his companions attention being diverted. He looked up to the balcony, and even from this distance I saw his striking green eyes. I felt a blush creep to my cheeks. How could they see me from here?

The guy with the green eyes lifted up a hand to wave at me. "Damnit!" he said suddenly, dropping the couch on his own foot again. I couldn't help but laugh a little. Not wishing to distract them anymore I went back inside and lay down on the couch. Who was that guy?

Maybe that was just a dream too. But I'd be okay if his eyes were in my dreams all the time. I could definitely live with that.

..0

"Bella Bella Bella Bella Bella Bella" I slowly opened my eyes, feeling small hands shaking my shoulders. "…what?" I said groggily, reaching up to rub my eyes.

"There's people moving in next door and they are cuuuuuuuuuuute." Alice whispered, but it really sounded like a lower pitch squeal. As I opened my eyes more, I saw her flit across the living room to the door where she was bouncing up and down, looking through the peep hole.

"He is one hunky man." Alice purred, rubbing her hands together. "Alice stop that!" I groaned, throwing my arm over my face in defiance. "But Bella come look!"Alice said, running back to the couch to pull on my arm.

She managed to drag me off the couch and onto the floor. "I don't care Alice." I murmured, pulling the blanket back on top of me. I could sleep on the floor.

Suddenly I heard another door open and Emmett's heavy footsteps approached us. "What's going on?" he asked grumpily. If there was anyone less of a morning person than me, it was Emmett. "Boys!" Alice giggled, pointing a finger at the door.

Emmett grunted, disinterested and took my place on the couch. "Rosie is making me get up." he groaned, trying to take the blanket from me. "That's not my problem. Don't take my blanket." I mumbled back at him, trying to keep my grip on it.

Rosalie waltzed out of Emmett's room, looking perfect even in her pajamas. "Bella make me breakfast!" Rosalie smiled at me. "I missed your cooking! Please?"

I grumbled in response, throwing the blanket at Emmett and making my way to the kitchen. I turned on the tea kettle. Tea usually helped the morning grumpiness in my case. Emmett was a lost cause until he got food.

As I got out the eggs, I saw Rose joining Alice at the door. Emmett took notice and starting whining at Rose. "Don't worry Emmett, you know you're the only man for me" she winked at him. "Besides, I'm only looking because Bella won't do it herself."

I rolled my eyes. "Not interested." I mumbled, beginning to make breakfast.

Alice and Rose began whispering and giggling. "What are you two planning?" I asked, sipping on my tea. "Figuring out how to welcome our new neighbors." Alice wiggled her eyebrows at me, then peering out into the hallway again. "Maybe we should go help." Rose suggested, reaching for the doorknob.

"At least put a bra on first." I stuck my tongue out at her. "Yeah, I'm not meeting those two hotties in my pajamas. Not cool Rose." Alice said, tugging on her arm.

Emmett started to smell the food and stood up to sit at the table. "Bella breakfast!" he cheered, finally waking up. I laughed as I handed him his plate of eggs. He would probably finish his first plate before I had a chance to serve the rest of us. "Slow down Emmett!" Rose chided, pulling his plate away. I'm pretty sure if anyone else were to do that, they would end up with a fork in their eye. But Emmett had a soft spot for Rose. She could probably murder a kitten and he'd still worship the ground she walked on.

Emmett pouted at her before snatching some toast and eating it in one bite. "Bella make her give it back!" Emmett pouted, turning to me, waving his fork in the air. "You shouldn't have taken my spot on the couch. Deal with it." I laughed, giving Alice and Rose a plate before joining them myself.

Rose laughed and then pushed the plate back to him. I felt the feeling of wholeness return to me as I sat with my friends.

Suddenly I remembered what I had seen last night. Who had those two guys been? Who was the one with the green eyes? Edward…I think. I repeated the name in my head. I hope they moved their couch in okay without dropping it again. Had I really been that much of a distraction?

Alice interrupted my thoughts. "Mall trip today?" Alice smiled, looking at Rose. She knew I wouldn't be convinced. Rose clapped her hands happily. "Oooh! An Alice shopping trip, haven't had one of those in a while!"

They both turned to look at me. "I'm not really feeling up to it. Why don't you two go?" I said, shrugging my shoulders indifferently. To my surprise, Alice nodded. "I know you didn't…um, sleep well last night. We'll be back later. Emmett?" Alice looked at him hopefully. "No way. I have to work remember?" Emmett said, glancing at the clock.

Emmett worked at the local sporting goods store. Newtons I think. I had only been there once to deliver Emmett's lunch because he forgot it. His coworker Mike creeped me out, so I had avoided going there ever since.

"Right. We'll be back at 3 so we can do mani pedis okay Bella?" Alice said, smiling widely. I smiled at her, knowing she would force me to no matter what I said. And I had missed girl time with Rose along. "Sounds great." I said, causing her to squeal and get up to hug me.

Everyone finished their meal, and before I knew it, the apartment was empty. I took my time getting ready and decided to head to the library to get some homework done. I had a hard time concentrating at home only because Alice or Emmett usually distracted me. It felt weird not to have them there. I grabbed my books and headed out the door.

As I walked down the hallway and turned the corner, I was hit by some unknown object, causing me to fall to the ground, spilling my books everywhere.

"Oh my God I'm so sorry…" I heard from above me. When my head stopped spinning I looked up to see someone holding their hand out to me. "It's okay. It happens more than you think." I said, grabbing the hand and returning to my feet. "Let me help you." he said, reaching down to grab my books.

"Oh thanks…" I murmured. He stood back up and handed me my books. He was a very…very nice looking guy. Not really my type though. However, I didn't really have a type. He smiled at me and reached down to pick up his box, what I had apparently run into. It was filled to the top with video games.

"Mario Kart?" I asked, looking at one of the games on top. "Hey, you can't deny Mario Kart as a guilty pleasure." he laughed, grinning at me. He seemed like a truly loveable guy. I laughed lightly. "I wasn't trying to offend you. I mean, I've played my fair share." I shrugged guiltily. It was true, Emmett's video game sessions had made me quite accustomed to video games. "Yeah right, I bet I could beat you any day." he challenged me. Was he challenging me to a competition? "I don't even know you, for all I know you could be the world champ." I laughed, however I was beginning to feel a little awkward. "You'll just have to play to find out." he winked. "Follow me." he said, heading back down the hallway.

I stared down the hallway, gawking. Did he really just expect me to follow him to his apartment? "I'm Jasper by the way. And you're…?" he stopped to turn around. He noticed me still standing at the end of the hallway. "I live across the hallway from you. I met your room mates earlier." he smiled, waving at me to come down the hall. He was stopped at the door way directly across from mine. "Oh really?" "Yeah. Emmett and his girlfriend Rose, and then Alice." he smiled. I noticed his eyes light up a little when he said Alice's name. No doubt she had worked her charm on him.

"Alright…" I murmured still skeptical. I walked into the apartment with him, surprised by the emptiness. I noticed the couch I saw last night set up across from the TV. "You moved in last night?" I asked, nodding to the couch.

"Oh yeah. Worst idea ever. Zero out of ten, would not recommend." he sighed, setting the box down before grabbing Mario Kart and popping it into the Wii set up by the other gaming systems. Maybe Emmett would finally have some good competition to play with. "So what do you say?" Jasper asked, waving the game at me.

I smiled. "You're on."

...0.0

"Well what do we have here?" I heard Alice peek into the apartment followed by Emmett and Rose.

"Can't talk. Kicking Jasper's butt." I mumbled, crossing the finish line. "YES!" I cheered, jumping out of my chair. "Remind me never to challenge you to Mario Kart again." Jasper pouted, throwing his controller on the ground.

Jasper and I had been playing Mario Kart for a total of three hours, and I had beaten him almost every single time. The one time he beat me was when he unfairly tried to block my view so he could make sure I fell off the map.

"Alright Bella!" Emmett laughed, giving me a high five. I laughed and set the controller down. "I suppose I should really go study now…." I said, getting up to leave.

"No Bella! We're going out tonight remember?" Alice said, grabbing my arm. She suddenly turned to the blond sitting in his chair. "Would you like to come with?" she asked, batting her eyelashes shamelessly. "Yeah that sounds like fun." He grinned, batting his eyelashes back at her.

I swear Alice almost fell over. I was surely not going to hear the end of this.

"What's going on?" I heard from behind me. However, it wasn't Emmett's loud voice or Rose. I turned around and was met directly with the striking pair of green eyes I had seen last night.

"Hello, I'm Edward Cullen."