A/N: I do not own Twilight.

Thank you to my beta Robobat, and my pre-reader jppc. This wouldn't be any good if it weren't for them. =)

To everyone who jumped right in for this ride, thank you. I'm delighted you could join me. *smiles wide*

I want to make this clear...I am no medical expert, so please excuse any discrepancy in medical situations you find in this story from RL.

I had a few readers comment that this story reminded them of While you were sleeping. I didn't even remember the movie until my beta mentioned it to me. As much as I want to credit the movie for this, I can not. This story isn't based on that, sorry to say. But if there was/will be similarities, it was/is purely coincidental.

So that being said, here is another one for you.

Chapter 2 – effin' Alice!

I didn't know what made me agree with this whole fucking lie. I had initially insisted Alice tell her cousin that it was all a mistake when Nurse Christine announced I was Bella's boyfriend. I didn't see her again for over a week after that incident at the hospital. I was pissed at the whole idea of lying so she would just be placated. I didn't know her, so why was it up to me to make her feel good? I didn't entertain Jasper's constant nagging me on the subject. I had told him to shove the proposal in his girlfriend's face. I didn't want to participate in any of Alice's plans because they were just plain wrong. There was nothing good that came out of pretending, and I certainly wouldn't want to be a part of it, however noble their intentions were.

Then how the fuck did I end up here – in the middle of this debauchery that I didn't want to be a part of? I mainly blamed Alice and Jasper…and partly Isabella, because of that goddamn lip biting of hers.

Two weeks after the accident, I saw her in class. It was in the English class we shared, and I felt strangely guilty that she had to be two weeks late for her classes, that she still had no memory of certain things in her life. I tried to convince myself numerous times that I had nothing to do with her current state, but it seemed no matter what I told myself I still wasn't convinced. When I saw her still slightly bruised, but looking all pretty and strong waltzing into our classroom, I had this strange feeling inside me I couldn't quite understand. Maybe the guilt was getting to me, but I shrugged it off, trying hard to ignore her. I assumed someone had told her I wasn't her boyfriend. That it was just all a misunderstanding, and someday we could all laugh about it. However, my futile attempt to ignore her didn't go well. I was aware of her the entire time my professor talked about some citation formats, which wasn't what I wanted at all. When the professor dismissed the class and she started walking out of the room, her sad eyes landed on mine. The sudden panic I felt by being caught checking on her was replaced by the sudden realization that she hadn't been told the truth yet. Jesus!

Catching up to Alice that afternoon, I was bent on getting everything out in the open.

"Alice, we need to talk," I told her, extricating her from the group of girls she was with.

Her expression told me instantly she knew what I wanted, but she remained quiet, letting me lead the conversation.

"What lies have you been telling Isabella?" I asked, pissed.

She looked guilty. "You know…that you're her boyfriend and you're just having some rough-"

"Stop…stop it right there." I huffed, trying to control the anger within me.

"I'm so sorry for involving you in this, Edward, but I don't have any choice."

"No, this has got to stop, Alice! From the very beginning, you knew I don't want to get involved in this crazy scheme you're trying to involve us all in. Dammit, just tell her the truth!"

"Please, help me out here," exclaimed Alice. "She's already been through so much. And I don't think I can break her heart even more."

"What the hell do you mean?"

She motioned for me to come closer, and I moved in front of her. She turned her head, checking whether someone was listening in on our conversation. When she was satisfied we were all alone, she crossed her arms across her chest and sighed.

"Four months ago her parents died in a boating accident. It was very hard on her because she was very close to them," she said wearily. "Anyway, a few weeks after the accident, she and her boyfriend, Riley, broke up. I'm not sure why, but from what I heard he was the one who broke it off with her. She never did explain it to me, but I knew the break-up was one of the reasons she decided to transfer school here. Since we were her closest living relatives, she opted to come here her junior year."

"So what does it have to do with me?" I asked impatiently.

"I'm getting there," she answered, and I snorted. "So when she announced over the summer she would transfer to UW, I was ecstatic. But when she arrived, she wasn't the same Bella I knew. She was more guarded, but she tried to hide it. I know her so well; I noticed it even if my parents didn't. I attributed it to my aunt and uncle's death."

She gave me a tentative smile, and I just nodded for her to continue. "After the accident, when that nurse told her you're her boyfriend. I saw something in her eyes…call me stupid, but she looked hopeful. And so I waited to tell her the truth. She asked why she hadn't seen you after that meeting in the hospital, and I lied and told her you were both on a break from the relationship. To my dismay, she took the whole thing seriously. She even looked devastated…more than she was when Riley and her split."

I frowned, not knowing whether to be irritated at Alice or pity her because she was just trying to help her cousin in the most stupid way she thought she could.

"It was really weird, Edward. Maybe subconsciously she thought you were Riley."

"Alice, I don't think making up things about the situation could help her."

"No, I think you're wrong there," she insisted. I wanted to strangle the little pixie. "The doctor said to make her comfortable with her surroundings as much as possible. To go on with her life as if nothing has changed. That way she'll recover faster."

"There you go, little imp. That alone should be my argument. I can't do this," I stated slowly, trying to make my point against doing this.

"But that's the point! Everything had changed for her…and we can't just let her go back to Arizona alone so she can have the comfort of a familiar place, or familiar faces because she doesn't have that anymore!"

She was on the verge of tears, and for the first time my heart went out to her. She had good intentions even though she was doing it all wrong.

"What did your parents say about all this?"

She bit her lip, and shrugged before lowering her gaze. That was when I knew she was putting this big problem on her little shoulders.

"Please, Edward! I really need you. Just until she's okay," she pleaded.

"Look, I feel for her. I really do. But this is wrong!"

"I'm worried she might have a setback if we tell her the truth. I can't have that," she said, her eyes pleading with me to concede.

"This isn't a game, you know that right?"

"I know."

I closed my eyes and took a long deep breath. I knew I would somehow regret this decision in the future.

"Okay, but you promise you'll tell her the truth as soon as possible."

She lunged at me and gave me a tight squeeze.

"Oh my God, thank you! Thank you! I totally owe you one for this!"

She was still hugging me after a few seconds, and I was becoming uncomfortable. I cleared my throat and she removed her arms around my waist.

"Oops, sorry. I got carried away there," she said, and then giggled.

"Yeah, I don't want to think you're making a pass at me. Jasper would be pissed if you did that," I joked, and she slapped me on the arm. Ouch!

"You wish, pretty boy," she answered. Then she became silent all of a sudden. "Edward, I want you to know I appreciate you helping me on this. I will make this up to you in any way I can, I promise."

"You better," I answered, making light of what we would be embarking on.

"Thank you," she whispered shyly, and I smiled, hoping the apprehension didn't show on my face.

"Don't thank me yet, we still have to make Isabella believe she and I are an item," I told her. She just nodded. "But I want you to know, if something bad happens it's all your fault."

"Yes, it's all on me." She nodded her head in agreement.

That was how I ended up agreeing to Alice's plan to act as the doting boyfriend to her cousin.

Whatever doubts I had left of my participation in this whole charade went out the window the moment I saw Bella up close and personal. She was so fucking beautiful, and I would be lying if I said I wasn't insanely attracted to her. If the situation was something other than the one we were in, I would have probably pursued her.

I haven't had a girlfriend since Heidi…since my freshman year. I wasn't sure if I had it in me to be doting, to be sweet. I never was with Heidi. Not that I didn't want to be. Whenever I tried, it just came out all wrong…fake. I attributed it to the fact that Heidi only wanted to be with me because of what my name represents, much to my dismay. So having to act like I was irrevocably in love with someone I barely knew was unthinkable.

This would definitely be interesting.

"Hey, you're looking gloomy," I heard Bella say. She appeared out of nowhere, in a tiny pair of shorts and a top, looking fresh and sweet. I tensed but tried to give her a smile.

I looked at her small frame sitting beside me and I felt guilty again. I knew I was abusing the trust she gives me. But her warmth close to me was pushing away all of the guilt, and in its place was the giddy feeling of seeing her smile. I didn't know what it was about her that made me want to protect her, but I had stopped trying to understand. Maybe the accident gave us some kind of cosmic connection or some shit that was hard to comprehend. I still wondered what I had gotten myself into. This shit wasn't funny, and I bet Bella would think the same when she would discover the truth.

It had been over four weeks since the accident, two of which had been spent making Bella believe we were in some kind of a romantic relationship.

At the beginning, it was totally awkward to be with her. However, after the initial and much needed explanation and apologies for the supposed quarrel we had had, everything seemed to go off without a hitch. Bella was so comfortable with me it was unnerving. She kept touching and kissing me without hesitation. Where as I had to squirm without her noticing and act as if we had been doing this for some months now. Didn't she feel something was amiss? Subconsciously, shouldn't she have felt I wasn't a constant in her previous life before the accident? She should, but she didn't. It was weird.

Several times I tried to back out of my promise to help, but truthfully I kind of liked Bella. I mean really fucking liked her. I know I wasn't supposed to, but I do. I'm so screwed!

I felt soft hands on my cheeks. Bella was holding my face in between her small hands, looking questioningly at me, her brows squished together in a frown. "Are you okay, Edward?"

I gulped, and nodded stupidly. She looked confused for a second, but then smiled at me. I was able to breathe normally when she stood up to go to the kitchen. We were in Bella and Alice's apartment, just hanging out. It was one of those things I had to do to keep up with the appearance of the loving boyfriend.

Bella came back with a beer and handed it to me, going back to her previous position beside me. If I wasn't nervous to be staying alone with her, I would've appreciated the gesture more. I was about to thank her when she leaned forward to kiss me. I turned my head quickly and her kiss landed on my cheek.

I felt her staring at me, and I slowly turned to face her. She had this expression I couldn't decipher. I smiled, trying to make her feel as if nothing was wrong. Eventually, she gave me a grin, her dimples showing, and I relaxed.

I heard a snort. I checked to see Jasper smirking at me, his feet comfortably propped up on the coffee table. His eyes were twinkling mischievously, and I wanted to smack him. My shoulder was completely healed, and I could do that easily.

"What?" I said, trying not to let the irritation come out in my voice.

"Nothing," he said deadpan. I would definitely be talking to him later. The fucking asshole was mocking me! He was one of the reasons I was in this situation.

"Fucking liar," I clipped, and took a swig of my beer. I felt Bella move closer, and it was then I realized that my hand was wrapped around her shoulder. Shit, how did it get there?

"Baby, are you always this moody?" Bella's sweet voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

Baby. Usually I hated when girls called me that, but it seemed Bella had the opposite effect on me. Truth be told, I liked the sound of it coming from her lips. Too much actually.

"Oh, you don't know the half of it, Bella," Jasper said. "He's such a downer sometimes I ask myself why I'm fucking friends with him."

"Shut up, man."

"I can't imagine Edward so serious. I don't think I would've agreed to be his girlfriend if his mood swings give me whiplash. I'm sure you're just making it all up, Jasper," I heard Bella say. I tried not to choke on my beer, while Jasper tried not to gape. Bella was defending me, and it was so sweet. If it didn't come as a shock, I would've beamed with pride at how quickly my girl defended me.

After a few stunned seconds, Jasper chuckled and both Bella and I joined in.

"You'd better thank your lady love here, man. She clearly knows who you are, and loves what she sees."

I glared at Jasper, warning him to shut the hell up already. He would give everything away with his non-stop chatter. I hated to see the heavy influence Alice already had on him.

"Besides, your man is kinda pissed he couldn't go with us. He loves Kings of Leon, Bella. That's why his panties seem to be in a twist," Jasper said nonchalantly, winking at her.

"You can still go, you know. I'll be okay," she whispered, her eyes lowering down her lap. She tried to hide her disappointment, but I still caught it. I didn't want to see her sad. She already had so much to deal with, and I didn't want to add to her burden. I squeezed her shoulder, reassuring her.

"It's okay, Bella," I said, and she beamed. My heart warmed for some unknown reason, but I was glad I wasn't going. I wanted to keep her company. She was not comfortable going out in crowded places, and a concert wasn't an option for her just yet. "Jasper is just playing you. I don't want to go. I'd rather stay here with you," I told her, staring at her and willing for her to believe me. She reached for my hand over her shoulder, and squeezed it tight.

"You're such a jackass," I hissed to Jasper.

"Whatever you say, man," he answered back. His eyes were trained on me, and I knew what he was thinking. I would clear that up with him as soon as I could.

Alice appeared, wearing some tight pants and a top that looked cute on her. Jasper quickly stood up and complimented his girl. They shared a kiss, and I could feel Bella stiffen beside me. I coughed, breaking them up before they started making out in front of Bella and me. That would definitely be awkward…well, mostly on my part.

"Ali, baby, we've got to go or else we'll be late," Jasper told Alice. Alice looked panicked for a moment. She faced me, giving me this tentative look.

"Edward, are you sure?" she asked, and I reluctantly nodded. I hoped Bella didn't catch the meaning of her question.

Then it was just the two of us alone. I wasn't really sure what I was supposed to do so I stayed silent.

I felt Bella moving, and suddenly she was on top of me, straddling my hips. I tried not to panic. She was supposed to be my girlfriend. So I held her waist, holding her in place.

"What are you doing, Bella," I asked, my voice quivering slightly.

"Ali said I didn't take care of you enough. That was why you were pissed with me before the accident," she said. Shit, I forgot all about that.

"That's why I'm trying to rectify that now." She leaned her forehead against mine, her lips just inches away from my own.

"You're so handsome, baby. Did you know that?" she said breathlessly. My heart was racing, and it had everything to do with her proximity. My mouth was suddenly dry, so I licked my lips. "Kiss me, Edward."

My heart stopped for a second. In my nervousness, I pushed her away. She looked so shocked, then suddenly she was angry.

"Don't I appeal to you anymore? Is that why you don't like to kiss me?" she snapped, her nostrils were flaring. "I know I'm not pretty to you anymore because of all these bruises but that doesn't give you the right to treat me this way!" She pushed at my chest, and struggled to stand up. Instinctively, I tightened my hold on her.

"Oh God, no Bella! I want you, it's just that…it's not…shit!"

"What? I don't want your pity, Edward." Her lips were quivering now. I knew she would cry, and I didn't want to see her tears.

"Dammit, Bella. It's not because of your appearance that I'm trying to stay away. You're fucking beautiful. You're the most gorgeous woman I had ever seen." It was the truth.

"Really?" Her eyes were shining now, and I was relieved.

"Yes," I answered. She smiled tentatively and bit her lip again. I couldn't help it, so I pulled her head close and captured her lips. She immediately opened her mouth, and her tongue caressed mine. I couldn't help the moan that escaped me. She tasted so sweet, and I was dangerously close to getting addicted to her. She started grinding, and I knew for sure she could feel my growing erection pressing against her thighs. Her hands slowly crept around my neck, her fingers playing with the hair on my nape.

"I love how soft your lips are," I whispered against her lips, trying to catch my breath after that intense kiss. I felt her smile, and I grinned. She gave me a quick peck on the lips, before she nuzzled my neck.

I could feel my erection straining against my pants, and I sighed. This was one reason why I didn't want to kiss her, mainly because she wasn't my real girlfriend who I could kiss and be intimate with whenever I wanted to. I rubbed her back, a safe place for my hands. I didn't trust myself to do anything else. I didn't want to abuse her situation like this.

She was making it hard for me, however. She raised her head and stared at me, her lip between her teeth again.

"Do you want me to help you with this, babe?" she asked, as she slid her hand to touch my crotch, my cock twitching from her touch. My eyes widened as she winked.

Holy shit! What have I gotten myself into?

Crazy ass situation Edward got himself into, don't you think? lol.

I have two other stories, and those will be my priority until one or both finishes. I will update whenever I had the time to squeeze in a chapter or two in between writing those two. Hopefully it won't take long.

Until next time. =)