Hey people! I know I've been slow updating but school's been mad these days. Three tests in one day each back to back and at least two tests a day and then there's been projects and choir and a whole lot of other drama in my life. But THANK YOU SO MUCH for your reviews! And those who added me to Favorite Stories and Story Alert thank you! So I knew I had to update for those wonderful people. Now here ya go! I hope you will reward my effort with a nice review! *smiles hopefully*
And now our love story will continue…. *Dun Dun DUUN!*
Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, I'm aggrieved to admit. *hangs head shamefully* All of this belongs to Stephenie Meyer. *pouts* Lucky woman!
"Why do I keep running from the truth?
All I ever think about is you…"
-Crush by David Archuleta
Chapter Two
Dear Alice,
I'm so glad you wrote back. I was literally bouncing in my seat like you do when there's a new episode of Project Runway on when I found your letter. I know it's embarrassing but at least this way we can be friends forever. Over the years we can still keep in contact. You'll give me all the news that's happening in Forks and I'll keep you up to date on everything over here. See? The best of both worlds. We'll always be friends now. That's actually kind of cool to think about. We could keep this up till we're really old. Like in our thirties. That would be awesome.
Nothing's really changed much here except that I have a new friend. His name is Jasper, Jasper Whitlock Hale. I know right, weird middle name but he's really cool. His sister, Rosalie, is also cool and pretty, I guess, but she's really stuck up. On the plus side for you though, she's crazy about shopping. I'm sure if you met her the two of you'd be like BFFs. Poor Bells would go crazy if she had the two of you on her tail. Emmett really seems to like her though. He refuses to admit though that he's getting a little crush on Rose. In all fairness, Rose seems to be crushing back. It's actually kind of sickening to watch their constant glances back and forth. And we're only eight! Jasper's really great though. He plays guitar and he's really charismatic. You can't help but want to talk to him.
School here's okay but the worst part about it is that we have to wear these uniforms since it's a private school. I would prefer my own clothes to wear every day. It gives a person character, you know? Instead they have us all looking like robots.
Hey, the weirdest thing happened to me when I saw your letter. This new song started playing in my head so I rushed over to the piano and started playing it. It sounds so cool, almost like a lullaby. All I need now is a name. I know you can't play piano but I'll send you the score anyway. I'll send a recording for you too so you'll be able to hear it. This could be like our special song. Just for the two of us, not to be shared with anyone. Wow, that sounds ominous.
I have to go. Mom's calling. I'm so happy you wrote back, Allie and I hope you'll keep writing. Tell me everything that's been going on in Forks, 'kay?
Bye for now.
Love,
Edward.
I know I should have told him the truth. But I couldn't. It would break Edward's heart to know that Alice didn't care.
It was only two days since I had sent my first letter to Edward and he had already replied. Alice, meanwhile, had forgotten all about our friends, the Cullens. She remembered that they were gone; she just didn't stop her life because of them. Kind of like I had stopped after they left.
I clicked on the score sheet he had sent me and printed it out so that I could play it later on.
He had also sent a digital recording with him playing it for me, well Alice, since she couldn't play piano, to hear. The song was beautiful, like an angel's lullaby. I saved the song to my iPod and plugged in the ear buds as I sat in front the computer, watching his e-mail.
So now choice: Do I keep up the charade or tell Edward the truth?
I made my decision and clicked on "Reply".
After ten minutes of composing, I was finally done.
Then I signed off.
Love,
Alice.
And so my charade continued.
:-:-:
~TEN YEARS LATER
Just_Me09 has signed on…
Eddie_Boy84 has signed on…
Just_Me09: Hey Edward. Em changed your screen name again huh?
Eddie_Boy84: YES and he's so going to get it later
Rose'sMonkeyMan938 has signed on…..
Rose'sMonkeyMan938: Hey guys!
Eddie_Boy84: Emmett, why the hell did you change my screen name AGAIN? I thought we had a deal dude!
Just_Me09: Hey Em! Nice one, btw. Too bad Eddie boy's probably gonna kill you for it later.
Eddie_Boy84: ALICE! Not you too!
Just_Me09: Aww…sorry Ed :(
Eddie_Boy84: It's okay. The evil that is Emmett seduced you to the dark side for a moment.
Rose'sMonkeyMan938: HEY! I take offense to that!
Eddie_Boy84: Well, you should. Next time honor the respect of a truce.
Rose'sMonkeyMan938: Fine. Whatever. You're no fun dude.
Rose'sMonkeyMan938 has signed off…..
Just_Me09: The Cullens certainly have not lost their charm
Eddie_Boy84: Nor their wicked ways might I add.
Just_Me09: So…what's up? Didn't we talk just yesterday? Or to be more exact, three this morning?
Eddie_Boy84: Hang on I just HAVE to change this idiotic name that idiot brother of mine gave me.
Eddie_Boy84 has signed off…..
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78 has signed in….
Just_Me09: Interesting new name, Edward. I swear you and your Volvo should just get married already
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Hey, isn't a man allowed to love his car?
Just_Me09: Well. :|
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Fine. :P So where were we? We haven't talked in like ages.
Just_Me09: Edward. We talked this morning. AT THREE. And it's only NINE right now.
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Really? It feels like so long ago. :)
Just_Me09: *rolls eyes* Nothing's happened in the last six hours Edward. Except the fact that I slept and dreamed.
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Of me, I hope?
Just_Me09: Smartass. No, I did not dream of you; I dreamt of Robert Pattinson :P
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Aw. I feel so hurt.
Just_Me09: Just kidding!
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: *wipes sweat from forehead* Close call. And here I was thinking you didn't love me any more.
Just_Me09: I was kidding when I said it was Rob. It was actually Ian Somerhalder.
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: What is it with you and that vampire dude?
Just_Me09: He's so cute!
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: SO AM I! .
Just_Me09: And he's a hot vampire! Which is always a bonus!
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Oh how hurt I feel….Discrimination against non-vampires.
Just_Me09: How did we even get on this subject? Okay. Let's MOVE ON…
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: FINE. Let's plat twenty rounds okay and we'll test how much we've learnt about each other in these last ten years….
Just_Me09: Okay. I'll start. What's my favorite color?
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Easy. Brown because it's everything Forks isn't. Brown for once and not green.
Just_Me09: I see someone pays attention…
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Of course I do, Al. Now, my question: Why have you never sent me a picture of you and Bella? I have asked you countless times and yet all I see now as your profile picture is a peach! Why?
Just_Me09: Because I feel peachy :D
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Alice. I'm serious. Why?
Just_Me09: *sigh* Edward I have my reasons okay? And besides I want to see if you'll be able to recognize me without a picture. Who knows? You might mistake Bella for me or vice versa.
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Alice, that will never happen. Who needs a picture? I'm sure I could find you with my eyes close. Even if I have no idea what you look like, I'm sure I'll always be able to find you. The most beautiful one.
Just_Me09: Hey, you know your lullaby?
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Yeah?
Just_Me09: Everywhere I go it keeps following me around. I hear it in my sleep, every time I see a piano.
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: At least it keeps me in your thoughts :P
Just_Me09: Aren't you already in my thoughts too much?
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Never!
Just_Me09: So how was your graduation?
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: It was great. Graduations are always a little sad though.
Just_Me09: Because it seems as if everything you ever cared about is coming to an end?
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Yeah. You know, it's scary how you know me so well.
Just_Me09: Nope I only know that that's how I felt. School's always been a big part of everything and now, everyone's off to different colleges and you feel as though nothing will ever be the same again.
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: You say exactly what I feel. Hey, did you get any acceptance letters yet?
Just_Me09: Nope. You?
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: No, but we still have a while till they start showing up. Who knows? We might be at Dartmouth together.
Just_Me09: Yeah. Maybe.
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Hey, guess what?
Just_Me09: What? Emmett and Rosalie's finally gonna get hitched?
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Nope, although they might as well. They're getting sickening these days. They've gotten so much worse since we were eight. I should be given a noble prize for all that I've endured.
Just_Me09: Aw. Poor Eddie. You do realize we've gone totally off topic?
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Don't we always?
Just_Me09: True. But seriously, spill. What's up?
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: I'm coming back.
Just_Me09: WHAT?
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: No need to sound so excited. The Cullens are coming back to Forks for summer vacation!
Just_Me09: Um. Wow. How long have you guys been planning this? How come I've never heard of this before?
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Esme's been planning this for like a month now. You should see her. She's all bouncy and excited. And besides I wanted to surprise you.
Just_Me09: Wow. You've definitely done that.
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Alice? Don't you want me to come?
Just_Me09: Of course I do. So when are you guys arriving? Do my parents know?
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Yep, even Uncle Charlie and Aunt Renee.
Just_Me09: So it's just been me and Alice who are not in the know?
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: You and Alice?
Just_Me09: Crap. Sorry. Typo error. I meant me and Bella.
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: I know you goof. Speaking of Bella, now I can finally ask her why she hasn't been speaking to me.
Just_Me09: Oh. Yeah, you'll definitely have to ask her. But she's been really busy and stuff.
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: So busy that she forgot me? She talks to Emmett though.
Just_Me09: Um well you know your not talking to her didn't help.
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: What? Is that the reason why she's never e-mailed or IMed me?
Just_Me09: I'm not saying that. Look, Edward I have to go just now, Renee's calling me down.
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Renee?
Just_Me09: I mean Elizabeth! Mom! Damn typos. Anyway when are you guys arriving?
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Tomorrow.
Just_Me09: Okay. WOW.
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: I know. But at least we'll get to see each other. TEN YEARS!
Just_Me09: Yeah. Ten years. And we'll get to test your theory.
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Theory?
Just_Me09: You really have a hole in your brain. Remember recognizing me without a picture?
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Of course I will. You'll always be the easiest to recognize. All I have to do is look for the most beautiful one there.
Just_Me09: Um….yeah…I gotta go! Bye! See ya soon, I guess.
Just_Me09 has signed off….
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78: Yep, see ya soon. Bye. I love you.
SilverVolvoKindOfGuy78 has signed off…..
EPOV
"Hey Eddie boy! Where are you?"
"In my room, Emmett!" I yelled back. Under my breath, I muttered, "As always, moron."
"Hey, I heard that you know," I heard Emmett's voice say right behind me. I jumped as I turned around to find my "big" brother behind me. He's only older by like five minutes but he never lets me forget it.
He was not much taller than me. He looked like a bodybuilder which came from his constant working out to stay on his football team. His brown hair was untidy like mine but cropped short and he had a pale pallor. His green eyes sparkled evilly as he took a swipe at my head.
I ducked. "No need to be all snippy, Eddie," he boomed in his loud voice.
I shot him a look of disgust. "Well, I wouldn't be this snippy if someone hadn't changed my screen name. You know I hate that name, Emmett."
"Oh shut up. You know the only reason you're so upset is because Alice saw it." He grinned.
I shook my head. "You will never change will you?"
"Nope," he said happily. "Mom wants me to make sure that you packed everything but by the look of this room I would have thought you were going away for a year." He gestured to the bare closet.
I rolled my eyes. "Well you've done your job now go away."
He laughed. "Someone's a Mr. Grumpy Pants today." He walked over to the still open conversation and silently read it. I had been reading it over and over again trying to find some hidden meaning in Alice's words.
There were so many times I had come close to saying those three little words but every time I told her something nice she's purposefully avoid the subject and change the conversation. Ever since I had known her, I was always in love with Alice. I had talked to her over the last ten years via e-mail and internet but never over the phone. I didn't even have her number. Again, she had avoided giving me it, always making some excuse. I knew there was something that she kept from me. What it was I had no idea.
And then there was Bella. She had been my best friend for as long as I could remember. She knew all my secrets, she knew everything about how I felt for Alice. Everything. We knew each other inside and out when we were kids. But ever since I moved, I never heard a word from her. Just Alice. It was true, I had never e-mailed her; it was always Alice. But I had figured if she wanted to speak to me she would e-mail first. But nothing came. And frankly I was a little hurt. But hey, people changed. Maybe she had become an entirely different person in my absence. What did sting a little bit though was the fact that she would speak to Emmett but not me. I had tried asking him about it but he never said a word. When I brought up the topic, he would always start to say something then shut his mouth and give me a dirty look and then walk away mumbling things under his breath.
"So. Talking to Alice huh?" Emmett stated nonchalantly. "And I see you choked up the courage to say those three words but a little too late as always." His face darkened as he read, like a sun setting quickly over the horizon. His tone was casual but there was something else in it. Disapproval? Hurt? Disappointment? Anger? None of it made sense.
They were keeping something from me. Alice and Emmett and maybe even Bella. Why else would everything they say have a double meaning?
"Yeah. Emmett, do you know something I don't?" I asked curiously, an undercurrent of annoyance burning through it.
He looked at me solemnly. Seriousness was a rare thing for Emmett and whenever he did look serious, it usually meant that he was really serious.
"You know Edward, for a smart person you really are extremely dumb." His voice was angry and a little on the scary side. "And you are really blind too." His mouth settled into a straight line as he stomped away.
"Emmett!" I called after him, completely bewildered. "What are you talking about?"
"Figure it out yourself Edward. If you haven't realized it for eighteen years, who knows when you'll finally see what's right in front of you?"
I heard his room door slam from down the hall.
I knew I was right. He was keeping something from me. Alice was keeping something from me. Maybe even Bella.
I swore to myself that I would find out what it was. Now I was all keyed up and anxious. I was going to be seeing Alice this same time tomorrow. What would I do? Would I fumble on myself? Would I completely disgust her? And what about Bella? Would she still talk to me?
I did the only thing I could do when I was stressed: I played the lullaby.
BPOV
After Edward went offline, I was anxious. Well, that would be an understatement. I was apprehensive and nervous as hell!
He was coming back! Coming back to Forks!
Where he would not find his Alice but me. Plain little obscure me. Bella Swan. Not Mary Alice Brandon. Isabella Marie Swan.
He would find out about everything. The charade I had kept up for the last ten years. It had never been Alice talking to him. It was Bella all along. And I knew if Edward were to ever find out, he would hate me for it.
He loved Alice. I knew that already. In every single one of his conversations, there were lines that hinted how much he loved her. I was evil. I knew it. I had encouraged him to fall even deeper for her by writing him back.
And even worse, I had fallen even deeper in love with him.
What was going on? Everything was falling apart.
Alice had no idea anymore who the Cullens were. I never spoke to her about Edward. Sure, we were best friends and acted like sisters. But Edward was my secret. My secret that I cherished and kept close to my heart. The one who I loved.
The last years I had spent hiding Edward from everyone. Only Emmett knew the truth.
Tomorrow. The day Edward would arrive and find out the truth. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO! He couldn't! He would hate me! He would be crushed. And Alice would feel hurt that I used her name like that.
Everything I ever cared about would fall apart.
Unless…..
What if I got Alice into it? She could pretend that she wrote those letters, that she was the one who talked to him. The one downside to it was that she would fall for him. I knew Alice. And I knew Edward. No girl could resist his charms. Alice and Edward would fall deep in love and then I would be left all alone.
Why hadn't I thought that Edward would come back? And now the only way I could make him not hate me was to make Alice fall for him.
Did I want him to hate me? No.
Did I want Alice to fall for him? No.
Did I want him to know the truth? No.
Did I want to see the two of them fall in love? No.
Did I have any other choice? No.
I felt tears welling up in my eyes. My heart felt as though it were breaking. I choked back a sob, trying not to alert Renee or Charlie to my slowly annihilated heart. As I went to close the window for the Messenger, Emmett signed in.
Rose'sMonkeyMan738 has signed in….
I signed in quickly.
Just_Me09 has signed in….
Rose'sMonkeyMan738: Bella. You HAVE to tell him.
Just_Me09: I know Em.
Rose'sMonkeyMan738: I still don't get why you've been doing this. He doesn't love you. It's ALICE that he loves.
Tears welled up in my eyes at the last sentence.
Just_Me09: I know, Em.
Rose'sMonkeyMan738: Bells, I'm not trying to hurt you or anything. You know I just came really close to punching the living daylights out of Edward?
Just_Me09: Emmett. We talked about this. You can't hurt him! He's your brother!
Rose'sMonkeyMan738: Yeah he's my brother. He's my incredibly dumb brother. He's so blind though! And you're my sister Bells, I can't help but want to hurt him for hurting you.
Just_Me09: He doesn't mean to hurt me. He just thinks he's talking to Alice. He can't know it's actually me, Bella Swan, who's been in love with him for as long as she's known him.
Rose'sMonkeyMan738: I know Bella, but that doesn't mean he should be so damn stupid! I'm not half as smart as he is and he doesn't even see it!
Just_Me09: I know Emmy.
Rose'sMonkeyMan738: And he still doesn't get the reason why your name is Just_Me?
Just_Me09: Nope.
Rose'sMonekyMan738: That dude's an idiot.
Just_Me09: It's my own fault Em. But why didn't you tell me you guys were coming back? I could have used some warning.
Rose'sMonkeyMan738: That's exactly why. I figured you would've skipped town or something. I want to see you Bella.
Just_Me09: I know, Em but I can't see Edward.
Rose'sMonkeyMan738: So what are you going to do?
Just_Me09: Get Alice to help me. She'll pretend to be the one wrote the letters.
Rose'sMonkeyMan738: But what if he falls even deeper than he is and she falls too? Will YOU be able to watch that? Bella. NO.
Just_Me09: Emmett, YES. I thought of that already. It's best for all of us. Alice will find true love, Edward will be happy, everyone will be happy.
Rose'sMonkeyMan738: Except YOU.
Just_Me09: *shrugs* I'll live off of others' happiness. I rather watch the man I love fall in love with someone else than have him hate me.
Rose'sMonkeyMan738: I don't believe that. You won't be able to watch them Bella. You'll leave.
Just_Me09: No I won't. Em, please. I don't want to talk about this anymore.
Rose'sMonkeyMan738: Bella TELL HIM. He won't hate you.
Just_Me09: He will, Em. I have to go okay? Bye.
Rose'sMonkeyMan738: BELLA! COME ON! Just tell him!
Just_Me09: I can't Em. He'll hate me. I'm sorry. I guess I'll see you tomorrow. Bye.
Just_Me09 has signed off.
I closed the window before he could say anything else and collapsed on my bed, my body shaking with silent sobs. Emmett was right, I wasn't strong enough to watch the two people I loved most in the world, my love and my sister, fall in love. It would be agonizing pain to watch. But I had to do it.
Tomorrow would bring Edward and he would want Alice. I had to fill her in on the plan. She wouldn't expect herself to fall in love but I knew Alice. She was impulsive and she dreamt of a prince that would come and sweep her off her feet. Edward was that prince and they would fall in love. I knew that much already. I would have to watch.
Was I strong enough to be able to watch them fall in love?
Hell no.
Would I have to be?
Hell yes.
:-:-:
So. What. Did. You. Think?
Please review if you want this story to continue :)
Thank you to those who reviewed the last chapter that is: I-LOVE-EDWARD-FOREVER, blazing, karebear9593, EdwardxBellaxLover, team-edward-lion-lamb, RaomChickOliviaxx, SuperSumer, Maryam AKA Bella, XxsweetcakexX, xxxParamorexxx and Alice!
Thanks a mil guys!
REVIEW!