A/N: Okay, so I want to make it clear that I haven't yet decided the final pairings. I haven't thought the whole story through yet. I'm just writing as it comes to me. I would really appreciate some feedback though. Let me know what you're thinking. Please. I don't want to have to beg, but I will if it's necessary.


You're on the verge of going crazy and your heart's in pain
No one can hear though you're screaming so loud
You feel all alone in a faceless crowd
Isn't it strange how we all get a little bit weird sometimes.

- Weird by Hanson-

"Jasper, what the hell?" Edward shouted as his brother who was just standing there.

"What?" Jasper was defensive.

"You're just gonna let her go? You're not gonna go after her?" If it had been him he would have never let Bella leave the room.

"Trust me. I know Bella. She just needs some time to cool off," he said.

Edward noticed Jasper was still staring at Alice. He shook his head. How could he do that? Then suddenly Edward wondered why the hell he cared so much. He didn't know Bella. But he had seen the hurt look in her eyes when she caught his brother staring at Alice. Which he was still doing.

"Jasper, man, stop staring!" Edward took his brother by the shoulders and shook him.

"Sorry. I didn't… I don't…" He couldn't even formulate a response.

Edward cast a glare in Alice's direction, but she too was still staring.

"Ugh!" Edward through his hands in the air, turned and marched out of the room. He wondered how long the two of them would stay there before coming to their damn senses.

Meanwhile, Bella was somewhere in the house, presumably by herself. Unless she'd run into one of his parents. In the hallway Edward could hear the faint sound of someone crying. He could only assume it was Bella. He followed the sound and it lead him to his father's office. He peaked through the door and there she was.

She was folded in the middle of the floor, her arms around her knees, her head in buried in her lap, muffling the sobs that shook her small frame. Edward felt strange, as if he were intruding on her private moment. He cleared his throat to alert her of his presence.

Bella's head snapped up when she heard someone clear their throat. She assumed it was Jasper. She was shocked to see Edward standing there instead.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice like melted butter.

Bella didn't respond. She just stared at him, her eyes red and swollen from crying.

"I'm sorry," Edward started, "I didn't mean to just barge in. I thought…" he didn't finish.

Bella quickly wiped the tears from her eyes and stood up. She must look like a complete fool sitting on the floor balling her eyes out.

"I'm sorry." Her voice, rough from crying, sounded even harsher to her ears after Edward's smooth velvet tone.

"For?" He was staring at her with what looked like concern, but that Bella could guess was probably pity.

"I didn't mean… um… you didn't finish," she told him.

"Oh. I thought maybe you could use some company."

"Oh!" It was all she could say as her mouth fell open in surprise. She hadn't been expecting that. She shook her head trying to clear her thoughts.

"I'll go then," Edward said.

Bella looked at him confused. "You don't have to." She hated that her voice sounded so fragile.

"I don't want…" Edward seemed to be struggling with his words. "I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable."

"You're not," Bella assured him.

"I'm sorry Jasper is such a bonehead."

"Where is he?"

"He thinks you need your space. To, you know, cool down."

Bella nodded slowly. "But you thought different." It wasn't a question.

"I'm sorry. If you need you're space, I'll leave"

"No, its okay. I'd really rather not be alone." Bella bit her lip.

It was Edward's turn to nod. The girl was fucking gorgeous. He wondered if she realized what she was doing to him when she did that shit. He felt oddly unnerved around her. He wanted to pull her into him and kiss her hard, but he had to keep reminding himself she was his brother's girlfriend. Instead, all he could do was stand there and stumble over his words like an idiot.

"So, uh, are you alright?"
"Yes. I'm fine, thank you," Bella drawled.

Edward looked at her in confusion as she turned bright red. Had she said that in a southern accent? It was beautiful.

She'd let her accent slip. Why the hell had she done that? She felt so damn comfortable around Edward she'd forgotten to cover it up. Maybe he hadn't noticed. But one look at his face told her he had. Shit.

Bella giggled nervously. "Too much country music," she lied softly, all traces of the accent gone.

Edward nodded in understand, but he still looked confused. "You wanna take a walk?" he asked.

"Sure." Bella was grateful he'd just let it go. She followed him from the room.

"I just have to run upstairs and grab a hoodie. Would you like one?"

"Yes, please," she said knowing it would probably be freezing outside.

Edward disappeared up the big marble staircase. Bella sat down on the bottom stair to wait. After a few minutes Edward reappeared wearing a gray South Carolina hoodie and carrying another one in a slightly darker shade. He handed it too her.

Bella pulled the sweatshirt over her head inhaling his delicious scent that clung to every fiber of it. It was almost dizzying how amazing he smelled.

"Thank you."

"Sure, not problem." He smiled at her. "So, how did you and Jasper meet, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Well," Bella said, "we actually met at a frat party my freshman year. I saw him across the room and I felt like I had to know him. Like he was completely different from anyone I'd ever known in my entire life."

"And is he?"

"Yes."

"And you're from Seattle?" Edward felt the atmosphere change as he finished the question. He glanced at Bella and noticed that her body was tensed, her jaw clenched and her brow furrowed.

A curt "yes" was the only answer she gave. You would have thought he'd insulted her.

"Are you alright?" he asked worried. It was such an odd reaction to such an innocent question.

There was no answer and Edward looked over at her again. She looked like she was at war with herself.

"Do you hate Seattle?" Edward asked.

"What?" Bella sounded confused and distant.

"Seattle? You don't like it," he guessed.

Bella sighed softly. So softly Edward wasn't sure he'd actually heard it.

"Is that it?" he asked wishing she'd say something to him.

"No," Bella said shaking her head vigorously as tears began spilling down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry," Edward was apologizing again. He didn't know why she was crying. It must have been something he said. Maybe she was homesick and wanted to spend Thanksgiving with her family.

Bella looked at Edward. He looked like he was scared. She didn't blame him. She was acting strange. She knew it. And yet she couldn't stop crying. She hadn't been expecting to spend any one on one time with Jasper's family, although she probably should have been prepared for them trying to get to know her. But she hadn't been. Or maybe it was just the stress of the lie she had created was finally catching up to her. At any rate, she was thankful it was Edward asking her now and not one of Jasper's parents. She had to get a hold of herself.

"You wanna go back home?" she heard Edward ask softly.

She shook her head. That was the last place she wanted to go right now.

"I'm sorry," she said between sobs. Damn it! Her accent had slipped out again.

"Really, are you alright?" Edward asked again, clearly frustrated.

What the hell was wrong with her? Why couldn't she keep it together around Edward? She forced herself to stop crying.

"I just… miss my family," she lied once again, covering up her accent.

Edward seemed to relax at that. "I understand. I don't know if I'd be able to spend the holidays away from my family."

"But you have such a beautiful family." She narrowed her eyes and scrunched her nose as she realized her mistake.

"Thank you," Edward said. "I'm sure yours is lovely as well."

Bella laughed out loud, bitterly and then quickly covered her mouth.

Edward looked at her strangely again. "That was funny to you?"

"I'm sorry. No, it's not. I don't… I can't control my emotions around you. It's very strange."

"I've noticed. Yes, it is very strange."

They were quiet for a moment. And then Edward asked, "Can I ask you another question?"

"I suppose," Bella answered.

"Promise you won't cry?" Edward smiled at her.

Bella blushed and giggled, "I can't promise anything."

"I guess I'll take my chances then." He hesitated for a moment as if he was trying to work up the courage to ask her whatever was on his mind. Or perhaps he was just gathering his thoughts. "Do you feel like Jasper is the one?"

"The one?" Bella repeated.

"Yeah. Like, could you see yourself spending the rest of your life with him."

Bella took a deep breath. It definitely wasn't a question she'd been expecting. But it was one she'd thought about in depth before. "I love Jasper very much," she started, "and if he'd have me for the rest of our lives, I would surely be happy to stay with him that long."

Edward inhaled sharply. It sounded as if someone had punched him in the guy. "So, you'd let that be up to him?" he said after a long moment.

"Believe me, I'd fight for him if someone tried to take him away from me. But if he made the decision he didn't want me anymore, what can I do?"

Edward just nodded.

Bella couldn't believe how much she was sharing with Jasper's brother. It was unlike her.

"So, this Alice," she said changing the subject, "is she your girlfriend?"

Edward laughed at the thought. "Nah. She's just a, um, a friend."

Bella raised an eyebrow at him. "Just a friend, huh?"
"I swear," Edward said raising his right hand, still laughing.

"So, how'd you two meet?"
That made him laugh even harder. It made Bella laugh, although she had no idea why they were laughing.

"The truth?"

"Yes, of course," Bella said, her gut wrenching at the word truth.

"You can't tell anyone, okay?"
Bella sucked in air as she realized he was about to tell her a secret. She felt guilty, but she nodded.

"I met her on the plane."

"The plane?"

"Yeah, on the way home," Edward gave her a shy smile and then looked down at the ground.

"As in, you just met her?"

"Yeah. Crazy right?" he laughed.

"Yeah, crazy." She giggled shaking her head.

Edward threw his arm around her. "You're sworn to secrecy. My parents would kill me if they knew I brought home a complete stranger."

"Why?"
He looked at her for clarification.

"I mean, why did you bring a complete stranger home?"

"I guess I didn't want to feel like a fifth wheel."

"Um… okay."

"She didn't have anywhere to go. I guess it worked for both of us." He shrugged.

They were silent again.

"I guess we should go back. Jasper's probably looking for you by now," Edward said finally.

Bella shivered at the thought of going back to face Jasper. What if he had decided he didn't want her anymore? That he wanted Alice? Would he tell her right away or wait until they went back to school? And if he did tell her now, would he make her leave or ask her to stay? She didn't want to think about it.

Edward drew her closer, probably interpreting her shiver to mean she was cold. She didn't pull away. The warmth and closeness of his body was comforting. She leaned into him for support, praying that her imagination was running wild and that Jasper would still want her when they got back.


A/N: In case you're wondering, no I don't really care for Hanson. The song just happened to fit well. Okay come on and hit that little green button down below. Please!