There's No Place Like Home-

Chapter One. - Sniffles and Oz

EPOV-

"Edward?...sniffle" Was she sick?

"Yeah?" My love. My life. The only object of my secret and undying affection since we were both four and I decided to let her be the boss of me if it made her happy.

"I need you right now...sniffle" Wait...is she's crying?...

" Oh, Bellabell, whats wrong?" Bella crying is a rare thing so something must have really upset her.

"... Huh? What isn't wrong, Pennyhead?" She half laughed, "... Can you just come over? I really need to talk to you. I have to get this out. If I don't I...just... Please, Edward?"

Oh god, oh god, oh god! My hands started shaking...This is it. I can feel it coming I thought to myself as I almost dropped the phone. She is going to tell me that she knows. Of course she knows. How dense could I have been to think that hiding the way I feel about her was even a remote possibility? Bella is smart and beautiful and incredibly observant. And I am her stupid, pining, love-sick, fool of a best friend.

Of course she's seen through me all of this time. She's probably sick of pretending not to notice and wants to break her lack of mutual feeling to me gently. Shit, she probably feels guilty for it. I know Bella too well. And if she does feel guilty, I know it is my fault for not being able to keep myself as guarded as I thought. I thought I was hiding it so well, though. Holy fuck. Way to screw things up Cullen!

The panic in the pit of my stomach was crashing like the waves of a perfect storm. I mean, what else would this be? Bella didn't just call to cry about things. She rarely breaks down over something so when she does it is pretty significant and I always come to the rescue. But something about the way she said my name on the phone was different this time. It was almost pleading. Desperate even?

Something was up and I couldn't help the onslaught of images that flooded my mind as I contemplated the different possibilities of what it could be. If her distress isn't over us then I don't know what it is over because Bella and I share everything with each other. And up until this point I was unaware of any other drama that may have flown her way. Other than that pervy ass Mike newton. But that is a story for another time. We'll get to it. Don't worry. Still I am pretty certain that Bella has figured what is going on in my heart. I just can't think up any other reason for her to sound so...I don't know...foreboding? Was that it?

"Edward?" Bella called my name but it didn't register with my brain. I was thinking. Seriously. I also may or may not have been trying to control the freakishly erratic beating of my heart. If it were any louder I wouldn't be surprised if Bella could hear it through the phone line. I guess I could always just tell her that our schools drum line was using my street for practice, right? Funny how fear makes ones heart try to jump out of their chest."Edward?.. You do realize that I can heard you breathing, right?"

Lost in my moment of inner monologuing, I recollected the strange behaviors and changes that had occurred in our relationship over the past few months. I began to wonder if maybe over the summer I had seen some of the same flutterings in Bella's eyes when she looked at me that I often tried to conceal in my own. Things were different whether or not either one of us was willing to admit it. But I knew that I couldn't allow myself to believe what I had seen was real because if I did then I would have to allow myself to have hope that Bella and I could be something more than what we were. More than just best friends. That maybe, just maybe Bella was in love with me too. But I couldn't allow myself to have that hope, because I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that I wouldn't survive the crushing blow that would follow if I had been wrong.

I was so fucked.

Or was I?

I guess I should explain that Bella and I have been absolute best friends since the first second we met in pre-school. I was the shy boy crying and scared when my mother left through the Winnie-the-Pooh themed door of our classroom. I wouldn't stop wailing for forty-five minutes. The staff tried all they could to comfort me but to no avail. I kicked and screamed and pleaded with all that I had until the staff gave up and all that was left of my torrent was me crouched alone in a corner of the room eyes red and cheeks flushed from crying my heart out. My forehead was red from tugging at my own hair as desperate tears continued to cascade down my face. At least that was until I was approached by the enigma of an angel named Bella Swan.

It was thirteen years ago but I remember it all so vividly. Like perfect technicolor stills permanently imprinted in my heart and mind. . . .

. . .And cue the flashback. . .and possibly... maybe...some doodley doo music and jazz fingers al a Wayne's World.

(AN-Typos are on purpose people. They are only four here so they can't pronounce everything properly!)

. . . She was peaches and cream in a blue and white checkered sundress. Her soft glowing mahogany hair illuminated by the overhead lamps on the ceiling was divided into two glorious braids that flowed sinuously over each of her shoulders. One on either side of her face. Each thick braid was tied at the end with royal blue ribbons that were formed into perfect petite bows delicately framing her invitingly heart shaped face. She had a little shaggy (half strangled) stuffed dog tucked right under her left arm. She was standing there arms crossed, only inches in front of me in red glittery mary jane shoes tapping one foot vigorously on the floor. She was staring down at me with her brows furrowed and I was so caught off guard that my tears came to an abrupt halt. The only thing I could do was stare back wide eyed, jaw dropped and still sniffling.

She was beautiful...stunning...And then she spoke to me...

"Hey, your hair looks like a old penny. Did you know dat?..." When I didn't respond right way she huffed. "Hey!.. I don't want you to cry anymore ok?..... It makes me sad too." She said, puffing her bangs out of her face with a frown and an exasperated breath.

I was in awe. I was hooked. But I was only four. So I didn't know that yet.

"Sniffle" I snuffed while rubbing my wet nose on the sleeve of the tan striped sweater my mother had dressed me in that day. I was trying to keep the flow of my snot under control now that I had an audience. Blinking rapidly I looked up at her.

"This is Toto wanna hold him? He helps me when I cry..." She said as she settled on her knees and held the stuffed animal out to me with her sympathetic and inviting chocolate eyes. "He doesn't bite I prwoooomise." She cooed with a half frown begging me to accept her act of kindness.

"Sniffle" I started reaching out with one hand until she pulled the dog halfway back to her chest frightening me with her quick jerky motion. A sudden and very different look of concern was splayed across her face.

" I mean...he doesn't bite unless your a witch. Are you a witch?" Her eyes squinted and a slight crease formed between her brows. Her rosy full lips pursed for a few seconds speculative and appraising until her eyes found out what they were seeking in my own.

"No." She declared after only a moment gently biting down on her bottom lip. "Your face isn't green so I don't think your a witch. Here!" She offered the dog out again immediately after her small epiphany. A proud and relieved smile spread on her face crossing from one cheek to the other. Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

I looked in rapt fascination as I accepted Toto from her while I tried to make sense out of her brazen friendliness. She was both beautiful and strong in spirit and yet vulnerable in this simple act of reaching out to me. A boy who she had never met and had no obligation to. A pathetic crying boy at that! With that thought I decided it was time to respond.

"I'm..not a ...wi..wii...witch." I huffed out between after cry puffs of air.

"Yeah I didn't think so." She said. "You don't have a big nose and no moles neither. My dad says you gotta have those to be a witch. You're too pwetty to be one." She blurted out before smacking her hand over her mouth with a flash. Her eyes grew wide at her own statement as she recognized her folly.

"I am not pwetty! Pwetty is for girls. My mom says I am handsome. Handsome is what you say for boys" I retorted, all crying now forgotten. I. Was. Not. Pretty.

Her cheeks flushed to the same rosy color of her lips in her embarrassment as she twisted her body from side to side kicking one of her legs up in a half pirouette. I couldn't help the little flips that began in my stomach at watching her cuteness. She's the one thats pretty, I thought.

Then she spoke again pulling me out of my revery. Her face was now only inches from mine examining me closely. I pressed myself deeper into the corner I was sitting in at the sudden invasion of my personal space. She, in turn, stepped even closer. The tip of her nose was only over an inch away from mine now. She seemed to be scrutinizing every detail of my face but I didn't care. And it didn't make me uncomfortable either. I just stared back in wonder. I'd let her play connect the dots with my freckles if she wanted to. She was comforting. She smelled wonderful too. Vanilla Wafers, Strawberry-apple juice, and...flowers? I liked it. A lot.

"Hey." She spoke suddenly, "You have emerald eyes. Like the city. Did you know that Pennyhead?" She paused and thought for a moment when I didn't respond right away and then continued. "Why were you crying, Pennyhead? I wanna know." She just had to go and remind me of my mom. ugh! I had almost completely forgotten.

" Umm...I'm...Scared?... My momma's ..(huff, huff, sniffle).. Gone to work. Sheeee. Lefffft. Meeeeeeee!" My voice started to shake and my lips began to quiver. I could feel the lump of panic rise in the back of my throat at the sudden reminder of my abandonment. I almost started the crying all over again but before I could, the girl crouched before me screamed in excitement. "OH!" Taken aback by her unexpected outburst, I just stared at her, frozen in my place waiting for her to speak.

" Dats all?! You need courage!" She let out a mischievous giggle." Come with me and I'll get you some courage from da wizoorred. After all, I. Am. Dorothy!" She said excitedly.

" Isabella Swan!" The teacher exclaimed from across the room." What did we say about telling fibs?"

My angel in blue turned around to look at the teacher and huffed with her hands placed on her hips obstinately. She turned back to me with slight resignation and with a roll of her four year old eyes she said ...

" Fine! Bewwa. My name is Bewwa Swan. But! Today I! Am! Dorothy!" She said with force. Her voice grew more gentle as she continued to speak. "And cause you are scared, you are gonna be my cowardly lion ok?" Her chocolate eyes softened as she took in my hesitance while she finished her thought. "And we are going to get some courage for you. Ok?!"

Perplexed by her beauty and tenacity the only response my four year old boy brain could muster was a simple head nod followed by a weakly spoken " Ok."

"So what's your name, Lion?" She asked.

"Huh?" I replied furrowing my brows as I deciphered her question.

She huffed shaking her head back and forth and threw her hands back up to her hips" I said... What's your naaaame, Lion?"

"Oh, I'm Edwod." I said timidly. I could already tell that this angel was a force to be reckoned with. She scared me a little. But in a good way.

She grabbed my free hand ( The one not carrying toto) and pulled me up off the ground and out of my sad little corner. Once I had wiped off my cheeks and brushed off my pants she grabbed my hand again and surprised me once more.

"Come on, Edwod! Let's sing, ok?" With a huge grin in place she immediately started to sing and skip and I had no choice but to follow her lead. '"We're off to see the wizod" We began, "The Wonerful Wizod of Ozzzzz!" I had no choice. I was her lion.

(Cue the doodley doo's and jazz hands again because we are going back! )

Even then I knew I was hooked, that I would follow her anywhere. But right now, at seventeen years of age, suddenly I felt like that four year old boy sitting alone in that corner again afraid of what was to come. If she did know how I felt and did not return my feelings I would have to figure out what to do from there. It would be excruciating but I would do whatever necessary to keep Bella in my life. I can't just assume she knows how much and in what way I really loved her though. For all I know I am jumping way ahead of my self in all of this. I needed to prod. Test the waters so to speak. So hesitantly, still on the phone, I asked my next question.

"Bella? Sorry, you lost me for a minute there." I realized that I had probably been quiet for longer than I thought when Bella responded.

"Really? You think? Jeez Edward, what were you over-thinking this time? Hello?! Crying girl calling best friend for comfort here." She said obviously a little perturbed but also knowing me well.

"Umm...What exactly do you need to get out? Is everything alright? I mean...I...I?" I spoke unsure of my own words. Nerves began to over ride my brain's ability to form coherent sentences.

My hand that wasn't holding the phone to my ear began tugging at the thick hairs on top of my penny-head. (Don't judge me! That term came from my Bella and I gladly embrace it for myself!) My heart was hammering against my rib cage as I sat here waiting for her to respond. I can't lose her, I told myself. I'll deny it. I will deny every accusation of my affection for her if it means that I can keep her. That is just the sick type of masochist that I am.

"Edward,.. just come over ok?" She sounded tired, desperate, and pleading. I didn't expect her to go all out in detail right there but I had hoped for a little more than she gave so I sent out a small little prayer hoping for some serious favor. God if you here me...now would be a good time to help me out.

Resigned to possible defeat I gave Bella the only response that my seventeen year old boy brain could muster.

"Ok, Bellabell, Ok."

"Oh! And Edward?"

"Yeah?"

" Use the window, ok?"