A/N: Stephenie Meyer owns all things Twilight. No copyright infringement is intended.

Story is all human and rated for future chapters.

Chapter 3: Realization

BPOV

He was telling me how his parents had made up for moving a lot by spoiling them. By looking at his sister, anyone could see they were spoiled. I was thinking what it had to be like living with a girl like Rosalie and it made me smile. Hell, sitting next to Edward made me smile. What the hell was I thinking? I mean, I never chased after guys. I even went to the extent of having Em help fend them off. But here I was, having a conversation with a man who made me all mushy from the inside out. It was then that he reached out and touched my cheek. I felt my face blush a deep red. I wasn't sure how to respond. I pulled away slightly, hoping it didn't upset him.

The bell rang, pulling me out of my stupor. We both stood up and he mumbled something that sounded like sorry. "I-it's ok..." I stammered. "See you in calc." I waved and made a hasty escape. My head was a mess. The only guy I'd ever been attracted to was Emmett and I'd just barely come to terms with that. Well, ok, let's be honest, I hadn't come to terms at all. I had just decided there was the possibility that I may have deeper feelings for Em. Yeah, that was it.

"Bells, you alright? You practically ran outta there." Em caught up behind me. Not like he had to run or anything. He fell in step with me. "Did that guy say something to upset you? If he did…you know I can handle it." Aww he's being really sweet. And he was completely honest. He would have done anything to protect me. Emmett had always made sure I was safe, happy.

"Yeah, sorry. I well… I just needed to get something from my locker before physics." I tried to smile, but I could only muster something in between a frown and grimace.

He could read my face better than anyone, even better than Alice. "Bella… stop. Talk to me." He looked at me in that moment as if I was everything to him. His eyes pleaded with me. In that brief second, I could almost see into his soul. I had to be losing it. No way Emmett could love me like that. But what if he did? I chased the thought from my mind.

"Really Em, it's nothing. Just been a weird kinda day. I'm fine. I promise, if something were really bothering me, I'd come to you. You know that." I smiled and wrapped my arm around his waist. He slung his arm around my shoulders. I knew that was the end of discussion. He wouldn't push me, which was why I was relieved it was him who chased after me instead of Alice. Alice would have pestered me to the point of surrender. I really didn't want to face this conflict. Not right this moment anyway.

Emmett stopped in front of my physics class. He didn't even notice I hadn't stopped at my locker. He looked into my eyes again. I felt that connection, the one that had been so strong recently. "K Bells, if you say you're ok, I believe you. Just make sure you let me know if you're not." He brushed my hair out of my face. "You're just too… important to me. I really don't want you to be unhappy." I smiled and blushed back at him. Had Emmett really said those sweet words to me? Almost as if he could read my mind he elaborated. "I mean, you're just as important as Alice is to me. Keep me in the loop Bella." His face was somber. He was being completely serious. "Now off you go, just a few more classes. I'll see you at the jeep after school." He pulled me closer in a brief hug then released me.

"Alright Em. See you later." I waved and ducked into my physics class. I took my seat and retreated into my thoughts of Emmett and of Edward… What is your issue Bella. You know your heart, just follow it. But what was it telling me? Emmett, yes I did love Emmett… but how did I love him? He'd always been my big brother, my protector, my confidant. Now, each time I saw him my heart raced a bit. I could feel heat rising from inside of me. I wanted him. The mere thought of being with Emmett made me tingle all over. On the other hand, he was Emmett. My best friend's older brother. If I chased after him, she'd never forgive me. Then there was Edward Cullen. Edward was by far one of the most interesting people I had met. I mean, I hadn't had much time to talk with him, but there was something deep inside those emerald eyes. C'mon, it can't be that hard. Just figure it out already.

JPOV

He was standing there staring after Bella again. I had seen that look so many times. I really wished he'd just cave and admit how he felt. On the other hand, I saw how he reacted to Rosalie Cullen this morning. That was out of character for Emmett. He had always loved Bella. Sure he had dated a cheerleader here and there, but nothing ever came of it. He was just keeping up appearances. It was expected that Emmett date a cheerleader or two, after all, he was the football captain. Even as he dated these girls, he still had eyes for only one. This morning may have changed that.

He had looked at Rosalie with such intensity… such… such… I was having a hard time placing the expression. It was so foreign to Em. Then it hit me, I had seen it before. Not on Emmett's face, but on Mike Newton's face when he looked at Bella. That was it. It was pure and utter lust. Emmett lusted for Rosalie Cullen? That wasn't right. How would that make Bella feel? Bella had never made her feelings for Emmett known, but I could see how she looked at him. How she responded to his every touch. You could almost feel the love emanating from her. If she saw how Emmett looked at Rosalie, she'd die. It would certainly break her heart. What was the man thinking?!

"Yo Em. You going to watch her class all day or actually go to your own?" I asked in jest. He was just standing there, staring. No need for him to get Bella in trouble the first day of class.

He shook his head, breaking his gaze on Bella. "Sorry man, I'm just… aw hell I dunno." He shrugged and began walking with me.

"You know Em, you're like a brother to me right?" It needed to be said. Someone had to say something. This was getting beyond ridiculous. I had been considering this for awhile now, it just seemed like now was as good a time as any.

Emmett took the question in stride. "Yeah, sure man. You've been my best bud for … ever." That was as close as Emmett came to saying yeah, I love you too. We weren't the touchy feely sort, and certainly didn't want to start now.

"So I'm going to tell you something you won't like. But don't shoot the messenger ok?" I said this in the most playful and serious tone possible. The bell rang signifying we were officially late for class. As Seniors, we honestly didn't care. Besides, it was only the first day of school. He nodded, telling me to continue. "I think you should just tell her Em. I mean, you've loved her since grade school. It's time you do something about it before you lose her forever." I held my breath, bracing for the explosion.

I glanced over at him. He looked genuinely shocked. "H-how did you… why would… what…" His voice trailed off. I could swear I heard the gears turning in his head. He honestly didn't think we knew? Wow. I had thought his affection was so obvious. I guess he thought he was doing a great job of hiding it.

"Emmett, do you seriously think that we didn't notice how you look at her? How you touch her? How you smile each time she enters a room? How you cringe when she's upset and how you protect her from every guy around? I'm amazed you didn't rip Edward Cullen to pieces at lunch today. Honestly, that'd be typical Emmett MO." I wasn't being intentionally harsh, but he needed to man up and admit it.

He sighed again. Obviously beaten. "Jasper, you wanna cut class this afternoon? We'll be back before the girls are done. We… I need to talk this out." His face was pleading. Hell, he didn't have to ask me twice.

"Let's roll." I smiled and we headed for his jeep. This was a turning point for Emmett and I was going to help him through it… Even if I did get detention for it.

EmPOV

Holy shit. Jaz had just called me out. Where in the world did that come from? How in the hell did he know? My stomach was in knots. Could I really admit it? Could I really tell Jaz that I loved Bella? Did I love Bella? What about Rosalie? Damnit! I cursed myself. What in the hell was I going to do?

I let out frustrated sigh. I needed to get out of here. I needed to confide in Jasper. No one else would understand. Maybe if I could just talk through it… maybe then it'd all make sense. "Jasper, you wanna cut class this afternoon? We'll be back before the girls are done. We… I need to talk this out." I could feel my pleading expression. I was desperate.

"Let's roll." He stated and we headed for the jeep. We jumped in and I started the engine. The stereo came on in a roar. Usually this wouldn't bother me, but I needed to talk. We exited the parking lot and headed toward First Beach. At least there we could just sit and work this shit out.

"So tell me about it Emmett. I know you love her. Like I said, we've seen it forever." Jasper picked up a piece of driftwood and started fiddling with it. I grabbed a rock and chucked it into the water.

"When you say we've seen it forever, who exactly is 'we'?" I really really hoped he didn't mean Bella knew. I just couldn't take that right now.

He seemed to know what I was feeling. Jasper was crazy like that. He could tell whenever someone was upset or overjoyed, he just knew. "No, no Emmett. Bella has no idea. Hell if she did this would be much easier. I meant Alice and me. We've known forever. It's not like you hide it well at all Em." He rolled his eyes at my surprised and mortified expression. My sister knew? But if Alice knew, the surely she'd have told Bella? Wouldn't she? I mean, that's what best friends do. Maybe Alice felt an obligation to me too.

"Ok, so you and Alice know. Know that I… that I…" Could I say it out loud? I didn't know. I wasn't sure… but damnit I had to try. "…Love her?!" Wow, that was easier than I thought. I felt sudden relief wash over me. My heart swelled. I did love her. I had loved her for as long as I could remember. How could I not have said it before?

Jasper slapped me on my back. "There ya go man! You do love her. I knew you did. So glad you could finally say it out loud." He grinned back at me. My heart was warm. Now instead of the knots I felt before, my stomach was fluttering. I had butterflies? Thinking of Bella that way gave me butterflies. Wow.

"Yeah yeah… so I love Bella. What do I do now?"

"Um…well first you've gotta figure out the Rosalie situation. You have to get her out of your mind before you even think about admitting your feelings for Bella to her. She'd flip if she actually saw how you looked at Rosalie Cullen today." His face portrayed the seriousness of his words. I, on the other hand, was confused.

"What about Rosalie? I barely said three words to her today."

"C'mon Em. Be honest. I saw the look on your face at lunch today. You saw Rosalie and then it was like nothing else mattered. Hell, you drug Bella across the fucking room by her arm man. You're damn lucky you let go too, cuz I almost had to say something." Jasper rarely told anyone off. He was always the mellower one of the crew. The fact that he was pointing out my very poor behavior this afternoon, well, it hurt.

"I…I… I didn't mean to hurt Bella. Really. I saw Rosalie as she walked into the room. Then Bella pointed out Edward." I said his name with a great deal of venom. "And I saw Rosalie there. I had some seriously mixed feelings. I mean, this woman who sat there, I could see bothered Bella. So I hated her for that. Then on the other hand, I had this urge… to make her mine. To protect her, to worship her. I'm tellin' you man, it was messed up." I raked my fingers through my hair. What was I doing? What was I going to do?

Jasper shook his head again. "I don't think you love Rosalie, Emmett. I think you got dumbstruck by her unbelievable beauty. She's a temptress Em. I mean, if you didn't think she was absolutely drop dead gorgeous, I'd start to worry. But I saw how you looked at her Em. Like I said, it was the way Newton looked at Bella. No love at all. Sure, desire, lust, need… yes those were all over your face. But I have also seen how you look at our Bella. You love her. No doubt in my mind." He was right. I knew it as he spoke the words. No matter how much Rosalie made me want her, it was fleeting. Temporary. I knew in that moment, Bella was my future. My everything. She was the one I couldn't live without. How could I have waited so long? Wasted so much time??

"Jaz, can I just say… with risk of sounding like… well all mushy. I am beyond glad you're my best friend man. What the hell was I thinking? I actually hurt Bella today." My voice cracked. I had seriously pulled her across a room by her arm. God I hoped I didn't leave marks on her… "You're right though, I love Bella and I'm not hiding it anymore. I'm going to tell her… everything. I just can't believe I've wasted so much time." I sighed. I was glad I had finally come to the right decision… I was also still worried. I knew she could reject me and honestly I think I'd have crumbled if she did.

We had walked the beach a couple of times now. We were nearing the parking area. Jasper checked his watch. I knew it was getting late, but I was glad we'd come here to work this shit out. "Well man, I'm glad you have finally come to your senses. It's our last year here, you can't fuck it up man. You owe it to yourself and to Bella to be honest. So… when are you going to tell her?"

I rubbed my face with both hands. "No time like the present…" Could I do this? Would she reject me? Did she feel the same? So many questions…