A/N: Thank you for the Story Alerts, glad to know that some people are interested in the story! No coin flipping this chapter because it's all Edward's POV. This chapter was always going to be EPOV.


EPOV

I scanned the club crowd for the girl. She couldn't have had gotten far, but apparently she had. She had totally disappeared. I avoided eye contact with that blonde girl, Lauren, and when she and her friends were not looking my direction, I slipped into the staff room. I opened my locker and checked my phone for messages, I was meeting my sister's boyfriend tomorrow and was checking that he hadn't cancelled on me. I slipped on my jacket, grabbed my bag and went out of the backdoor.

Maybe she was at the back, escaping the attention, I saw her getting checked out by guys, but she didn't look their way. Maybe she was waiting for me? I walked down the metal steps by the back door, no-one was waiting for me.

I was starving, I would pick up some dinner on my way home. I turned round the corner and crossed the road. I saw a vaguely familiar guy. I walked closer to him and recognized who it was. Mike Newton. He used to go to the same school as my brother and sister. I never went, I went to this stupidly prestigious Art School out of Forks. He dated my ex, Jessica, I knew them both through Alice. It was a brief relationship with her, I couldn't commit because I was at that school, it was 2 hours drive, back and forth, and we were still so young. I found her a bit too needy, too possessive of me. But I made sure we split on good terms. The last time I'd seen them both, they were still dating. She was at university in Forks studying English Lit, and Mike had just been scouted as a model.

As he got closer, I faked a smile, "Hey Mike, nice to see you, how are you" I kept it short and simple, I didn't particularly want to have a conversation with him. Not now, not ever.

"Yeah man, i'm totally cool and shit, you know, the usual. I'm still with Jess, 4 and a half years and counting, but that's mainly cos of me traveling, if she knew the shit I got up to round here, you know what I mean," And he winked, meaning that he cheated, or hinting that something went on behind closed unseen doors.

I didn't know what else to say, not especially after that comment, did he really have to tell me? Did he want someone to tell Jessica about his quests or something? I made the excuse that I was tired from work and was going to get my dinner then call it a night, he tried to persuade me to go a club, promising that he would pull some 'chicks' for me.

"We could go to that club, it's just round the corner, 'Volterra'? You heard of it?"

I chuckled in irony, I wanted turn him down without letting him know that I just came from there, that I worked there. But if I denied it and he came in while I worked... "Yeah, I know that place, I just finished a shift," I ran my hand through my hair nervously, hoping he wouldn't question me on my shift hours, wanting to see more of me. "It's a nice place though, there's a blonde in there, I think she's looking for someone to hook up with, you should check her out before she leaves. But Mike, I really gotta go, but you have fun, enjoy yourself and i'll see you around." I tried to pretend that I really had to leave, hoping he would get the hint. Forget that he saw me tonight and go off with thoughts about the blonde.

"Oh yeah, man, that's cool, maybe another day, or i'll even see you while you're on your next shift!" He jokingly punched me on the arm like we were old friends. "I'll have a good look at that blonde you mentioned. Well it was great seeing you," Mike leaned in for a hug but I quickly reached out my hand, trying to distance myself from him. Mike stopped halfway, looked a little confused, but shook my hand like he was planning that all along, a quick shake and I quickly dropped my arm. "Take care, man."

I turned to walk away as he spoke to me, I looked over my shoulder and waved my hand in the air, "You too."

I walked down the street and turned round another corner, looking back to see if Mike had followed, I wouldn't be surprised, the few times that I had met him, he'd been eager to please, but once he got scouted, he stayed the same, but with added cockiness. I hoped that when he arrived at the club, the girl from earlier hadn't come back, I didn't want him going home with her, she seemed too good for him. Even Jessica deserved more than him.

I took out my iPod and turned on the music, I looked both ways on the crossing and walked straight into the deli.

............

I placed the paper bag holding my food onto the kitchen counter and walked into my room, switched on the light, lifted up my laptop lid and got changed out of my work clothing. I put on some slacks and an old band t-shirt and grabbed my laptop and placed it on the couch. I went to pick up some plates and my food from the kitchen, laid them on down on the coffee table, and switched on the t.v.

.........

I was stuffed, the plates had been put away and I knocked back a beer. I always felt weird drinking alone, I was a social drinker, I would drink when I had company, but if I was alone, I only drank a beer or two. Three maximum. There was a indie type film on, I left it playing quietly in the background and leaned over to place the laptop onto my lap. I checked my emails first.

I smiled to myself, I think I have even done a happy dance. Yes yes yes! I thought, I had been emailing companies and photography agencies, hoping one would take me on as an assistant. I waited 3 months and finally it had started looking positive. Along with my CV, I sent along examples of my work. 4 new emails.

One was a rejection, saying that didn't do work experience of any kind. Two asked if I was free for interviews, telling me to bring my portfolio of work along and the last one offering me a place.

"Dear Edward,

Thank you for your recent application for Photographer's Assistant. We reviewed your CV and the image samples you sent over.

We are pleased to inform you that we are offering you a placement. It is a 5-month, minimum wage placement. You will be 2nd assistant to the photographer James Nomad. Currently he is on a trip abroad and will not be back in the country until two weeks time. Please have your passport renewed as you may need the use of it.

Please come down to the studio next tuesday at 2:30pm. Please bring a portfolio of some of your latest work.

Again, we would like to congratulate you, and we are pleased to welcome you on the team.

Yours sincerely,

Laurent Da Revin,

First Assistant."

OH FUCKING YES!

I sat there, re-reading the email again and again. I couldn't believe this was be true. I had mentioned this at work, they were supportive of me and were happy to let me change my work hours if the placements came through. I had so many people to tell, I didn't know who to tell first.

My managers at work had been like a second pair of parents to me, when I moved down, I had little money and I hated having to reply on the monthly payments my parents sent me, they were willing to hire me even though I had little bar experience, they helped me find my flat. Esme and Carlisle made enough for themselves and still had enough money free to send over to me, but I always tried to be fairly dependent of myself and pay my own way through life. With shaking hands I called work. I quickly looked at the time on my phone, 12:11am, the club was still open but how busy was it? Voicemail.

"Hi, this is Aro Volterra, you've reached my voicemail, please leave your message, name and your number."

"Hey Aro, it's Edward, I got the photographer's assistant job! I'm only second assistant, but that's more than I hope for, i'm being called down to see the people next tuesday, it's a 5-month thing, I may even be going abroad. I'm still coming in for work tomorrow so i'll come find you either before or after my shift and tell you in person. Bye."

That was the first of the many people I needed to tell.

I needed to tell the girl at the club.

I send a text to my siblings, also letting Jasper know as well, even though I knew Alice would tell him, but I send it to him regardless. I would tell Emmett to pass the news onto his girlfriend, Rosalie.

"Hey guys, I got the photographer's assistant job! It's second assistant job but it's more than I planned. Not sure when I start, i've been told to go down there to the studio next tuesday, it's a 5-month thing, it may include traveling. We should all meet up and celebrate sometime, get Esme and Carlisle down, maybe. E.x"

I thought it was too late to call Esme and Carlisle, so I made a mental note that I would call them in the morning. Esme would be a little annoyed that I didn't tell her first, but she'd rather I told her myself than find out by someone else.

I replied to the emails inviting me to the interview and politely turned them down. I cleared and washed up my plates, deciding I would shower in the morning, I got ready to sleep.

.........

I woke up the sound of my phone vibrating. I didn't bother looking at the screen to see who it was.

"Hello?" I answered, groggy and disorientated.

"Mornin', Ed, it's your wake up call." A southern accent filled my ears.

Jasper. He dated my sister Alice, they'd been together for so long that he was pretty much part of the family. We went through the situation of best friend-dating-best friend's-little-sister, but they felt right together, like they were meant to be. There was no hiding of their relationship, although Jasper at first felt a bit wary of me when we hung out, but I gave him my approval.

Not opening my eyes and cursing Jasper for calling me, "What's the time? Why are you calling me so early?" I was meeting him at 1pm. I wasn't late was I?

"It's just before noon." His voice echoed.

"Give me a good reason I shouldn't hang up on you. And you should be asleep. Go back to bed. Please." I wanted this to end. Why was Jasper up so early. I couldn't sleep last night, I tried sleeping, but the excitement from the email was still fresh in my mind.

"I'm outside your door."

"I don't believe you. I'm hanging up now." I wasn't going to fall for his 'I'm-outside-your-door' tricks again. I heard the knocking of my door. I laid there and listened to the quiet monotonous sound of knocking, the repetition of knocking got quicker and louder. I didn't realise I was still on the phone until I heard his voice.

"Do you believe me now? I don't think your neighbors will be too happy with the noise." He sounded smug.

I hung up on him and got up to put some boxers and shorts on. I paused and decided to also put on a t-shirt for safety measures, last time he had brought Alice round without mentioning her to me and I was pretty much in my boxers with I opened the door. Thankfully Alice got distracted by one of my neighbour's little kids and I heard her voice as I was turning the door handle, I was able to open the door, run back to my room to put on a pair of shorts and a top. Making sure I looked through the peephole, I saw that he was alone and let Jasper in.

We both reached in for a friendly hug. We exchanged hellos and he congratulated me on the work placement. I told him to make himself at home and I went into the bathroom to wash.

...............

"Edward...?" Jasper looked at me curiously, this was the second time today that I had got lost in my thoughts, I shook my head and refocused my eyes at him. "Are you.. OK?"

"Shit. I'm so sorry." I felt bad, I kept thinking of the brunette at the club. I wasn't usually like this, "I'm really sorry." I apologized again.

"Is this about someone?" Bingo.

I had been planning to bring this up at one point during the conversation. We were sat inside of this snobby looking café for lunch. I chose the place because I'd seen a review of the place online and wanted to check it out of curiosity.

Still looking at me, waiting for an answer, I tried to think of an excuse. But I couldn't. I would talk to him about her. Maybe he knew her?

Running my hands though my hair, I did this when I felt nervous, "Yeah, it kinda is," I said unwillingly.

"Oh good, about time you found someone." He grinned at me, "So, who is she?"

I shook my head, "I don't know the girl. She came into the club last night but..."

"Maybe she saw your face," Jasper joked, "I know, bad joke. Go on."

"No more," I shrugged, "She left pretty soon after she got there. She looked like one of those model types, but I didn't get a look at her properly, just saw her face a few times. Even then she was standing in the dark most of the time. I think I recognized her from somewhere."

Jasper chewed on his steak. Swallowing the meat, "Describe her." He told me.

I picked up my burger and took a bite, chewing while remembering what she looked like.

"She was beautiful, like I said, model-esque, long brown hair, dark eyes, I didn't get to see what colour they were," But they were beautiful eyes... Why did I still remember her in such detail? It was unlikely I would see her again. In my 3 years at working in the club, half the customers I saw from time to time, and the others I never saw again. I feared she would be of the latter.

"Someone you recognize... I can only think of Jessica, or Angela? Maybe Tanya dyed her hair? Otherwise I can't think of any brunettes that we would both know and I can't help you much after that. Sorry, man."

I shrugged my shoulders, I was sure it wasn't Jessica. I hadn't seen Angela since Forks, but I would have recognised if it was her. As for Tanya? She most likely would have come up to me. She always had a 'thing' for me, everytime she saw me, she would try and make a move on me. I wouldn't have put it past her to dye her hair, any way to get into my pants. But what about the eyes? Now I was definitely sure that it wasn't Tanya.

"Neither of them. If it was meant to be, I'll probably see her again somewhere." And that was the end of that topic. For the rest of the lunch we talked about some new store and my photography placement.

We left at around 2:30pm, Jasper got a call from work and had to go to. Outside the cafe we said our goodbyes and I walked away, putting my headphones around my neck and turning my iPod on. The weather was warm with a light breeze and road works were everywhere. The traffic didn't look bad though. I had an urge to take some photos, to see if I could capture anything new for my meeting next week, I attempted to fish my camera out of my rucksack while crossing the road. It didn't work, so I let the cab drive past first while I stayed on the side, getting it out.

I walked around for 2 hours, just taking photos of anything that caught my eye and a few portrait shots from some passerby's. I got their contact details incase I needed their permission to use the images publicly. I told them I would email on copies of the photos when I got home. It reminded me to call home again.

"Hello, Cullen residence."

"Mom, it's Edward."

"Edward! Why don't you call home more often?! How are you, honey?"

Esme always asked me why I didn't call home more often. To be honest, I wasn't sure why either.

"I'm really good. I just came from lunch with Jasper. But I have really good news to tell you."

"You're outside the house in a surprise visit!" She said enthusiastically.

OK, now I felt really bad. "No, not that good. I got the photography placement! Second assistant only, but I got it!"

I heard inaudible talking and then screaming. I laughed and held the phone away from my ear, I could still hear her.

"Edward that's fantastic! It would have had been great if I hadn't heard it from Alice this morning, but i'm still so proud of you! We all are. Especially Carlisle. He sends his love."

I would call Carlisle later too, tell him the good news myself.

I told Emse that I had to go and hung up. I was doing a slightly earlier and longer shift tonight so I decided to take a nap before going off to work.

................

With my shift starting at 7pm, I lied on my back and looked over at my bedside table clock. 17:53, the numbers blinked at me. I had another 30minutes until I had to get out of bed and start getting ready for work. I would grab an apple from the fridge and maybe dinner at the club. Although most of the people who came into the club never came in twice in a row, I hoped the girl from last night would be there. I had to find out her name at least.

I got up and got changed. I washed my face and headed to the door. I checked I had my keys and my phone. Thats pretty much all I needed, but I went back to my room and grabbed my backpack with my camera and headed for work.

...............

The club had just opened it's doors and already quite a few people had started coming in, filling up the room. I scanned everyone in the room, hoping that one of them would bring me closer to the girl from last night. But if that blonde came back, I didn't know what I would do. It was part of my job to deal with partly obnoxious customers, and she was one.

The night stayed the same, new customers I had never seen before and the same occasional faces, but none of them was the girl.

After I got finished, I went to search for Aro. But I couldn't find him and instead found one of the other managers, Caius. I didn't usually deal with him because he had always taken a slight dislike to me. He was at first a bit reluctant to hire me because of my lack of experience working behind a bar, but it was Aro who convinced him to take me on, he told me that I didn't have to report to Caius. I would report to him instead. There was one more manager, Marcus, but I hardly ever saw him, I didn't know what he did in the times that he wasn't around in the bar. It wasn't my place to ask so I left it.

I cleared my throat as silently as I could and knocked on the already open door. "Caius?"

He looked up at me and tried to discretely cover some white powder on the table. I pretended to not notice and averted eye contact, looking at the floor instead.

"Yes?" He was wiping his nose now.

"Um, sorry to disturb, but have you seen Aro?" I placed my hands into my jean pockets, trying not to fidget.

"He's not here today. But Edward, I heard about your news. Congrats." I wasn't sure if he was being sarcastic. "5 months? That's an awfully long time." He was now openly cutting up the white powder into lines. Aro had told me soon after I started working, if I saw Caius doing something 'odd', just ignore it and carry on. I now understood that the 'odd' was drugs and it was just to prepare me so I wasn't too shocked when I saw it happen.

Half a minute of silence fell so I thanked and walked away. All I heard was the bass of the music inside the club and the sound Caius snorting the crap up his nose.

..................

I had the same routine every night. Walk home from work and place food on kitchen counter, or sometimes I cooked if I wasn't feeling too tired, get changed, maybe a shower and then sit myself down in front of the t.v. I thought about the girl. What was she doing? I hoped she wasn't dating someone else, but how could she not? She was perfect. Now I was just sounding obsessive. I hardly knew her, I'd only seen her from afar once. What the hell is wrong with me? I couldn't mindlessly watch the t.v anymore and decided to go to bed.

At 1:17am, I turned off the lights.


A/N: Remember that line about the cab? If you hadn't thought about it, have a guess who may have been the passenger. And yes, all the Cullens and co know of Bella, except Edward. But I promise they will meet soon. I mean, they have to right? The next chapter may take a while, i'm still brewing ideas in the ol' canoodle, it won't take long to type up though. But to pass the waiting time, I have a one-shot uploaded for you to check out and review!