Author's Note: Here's the third chapter for you! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Chapter 3

Edward's Point of View

As soon as the door closed behind Bella, I turned to Alice. "What were you thinking?" I hissed. "I told you not to do anything!"

"I just asked an innocent question," Alice defended herself. "I didn't mean anything by it. I was just honestly curious, that's all."

"And where did you get that idea from?" I asked sarcastically. "I'm sure it didn't just randomly pop into your head like you explained earlier."

She huffed indignantly. "Okay, fine. I was thinking about how you two would look good together. But the question was totally innocent, I promise. I did get the idea from you guys, but the third person and the whole 'what would you do?' thing was totally made up. Happy?"

I sighed angrily. "Don't ever do that again."

"I told you," Alice said, looking hurt. "I just want you two to get together, and-"

"Yeah, well, it's probably not going to happen," I said, stony-faced. "She doesn't like me that way."

"She probably just never took the time to think it through," Rosalie said wisely. "Don't give up hope. She's been your friend for so long that it's just rubbed off on her. She probably never even dared to consider liking you that way, since all those girls are hounding after you."

"Of all the girls you could've chose to fall in love with," Emmett chided. "I can't believe you chose the one that has been your best friend ever since you were young. The one that has absolutely no interest in you whatsoever."

"Emmett!" Alice snapped. "That's not true. I told you. I'm pretty sure Bella has feelings for Edward too. She just doesn't know it yet."

"I think I might just give up," I said gloomily, slumping. "I've been giving her hints these past few years, and she's always so innocent. She doesn't know what my real intentions are. I think I should just give up."

"No!" Alice and Rosalie chorused.

"I told you," Alice hissed. "I'm having Bella as my sister-in-law in ten years! That means you guys have to start dating right now!"

Jasper chuckled. He was the only one who was finding her behavior cute.

"Alice…" I said wearily. "It's all my fault, okay? It's my fault for starting to like her in the first place, and it's my fault for not keeping my secret such a secret so that you guys were able to find out, and it's my fault for not trying hard enough to make her see me in another way. It's obvious I'm not the one for her."

"You're kidding, right?" Emmett asked, gaping. "You can't give up now."

"I think I'll just tell her that I decided to give up on the girl," I said, rising. "I should just stick to dating other girls."

"Sit back down," Rosalie hissed, pushing me back down. "You're not finished. Don't give up! Confess to her!"

"Look, I know that she doesn't like me in that way, so what's the point?" I asked, irritated. "She'll just reject me, and then, our relationship will get awkward! We'll drift apart, and I won't be able to regard her as my best friend anymore!"

"What are you so afraid of?" Jasper asked. "We told you. We're positive that she has feelings for you. And if you won't go for it, then you'll regret it for the rest of your life. You wouldn't have even tried all the way."

I leaned back and closed my eyes. "I know Bella. I know she doesn't like me that way. But I also know that my feelings for her won't change either." I paused. "I think I should just go out with other people for now…"

"You'd better not," Alice said. "I won't forgive you." She pouted.

I laughed. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."

I had heard a saying once. Falling in love is easy… Falling out of love is hard.

But just because I was giving up on trying to make her notice me didn't mean that I was going to stop loving her. I could stop hinting around.

I couldn't live without her. That wasn't going to happen.

Bella's Point of View

"…know how surprised I was to hear Edward answer the phone?" Mike was saying on the phone. "Man, I'd never heard him so annoyed."

I sighed. "He did it for a reason, Mike. It's true that you're bothering me with this. I think you've asked me about a hundred times these past few months. It's getting a bit…tiring."

"I'm sorry," Mike said. "But you have to consider my position as well. I've liked you ever since elementary school."

"Mike… I can't go out with you anymore. So please stop asking me. I'm begging you. I just want to remain friends with you. Nothing more."

"Is it because of Edward?" he asked, a hint of jealousy in his tone. "Did he tell you to reject me? Or even worse, are you guys really dating?"

I closed my eyes, exasperated. "No. How many times are you going to ask, and how many times will we have to say no? No, no, we're not dating! Mike, you know that I've known Edward since we were five. Does that mean we've been dating for twelve years?"

"I guess not," he admitted. "But he's always so protective of you. It's unnatural."

"So are Emmett and Jasper," I pointed out. "Does that mean they like me too?"

"Alright, alright," Mike relented. "You win. I guess you're right."

"And please don't do this anymore, Mike. Really. It makes everything so awkward. Besides, how will I face Jessica?"

"Don't bring her up," he groaned. "She's such a…" He mumbled the b-word under his breath, knowing full well that I wouldn't tolerate it.

"She likes you," I said, pretending not to have heard. "It's not easy for girls to confess to boys, you know. You should be more nice to her." I slid down the wall and sat down on the wooden floor next to Edward's door.

"Fine…" he grumbled. "I'll consider asking her out. Happy?"

I smiled. "Very. Is that all, then?"

"I guess."

"Good. I'll see you tomorrow at school."

"Oh, wait, speaking of school, did you hear about that new girl?"

I frowned. "No. What new girl?"

"She's transferring from a school in Seattle. Apparently, she's a real hottie. She's going to gain some attention tomorrow."

"Huh. Alright, thanks for letting me know."

"Bye."

A transfer student? Why would she transfer to this small town if she had been living in Seattle?

The door beside me opened suddenly, startling me. Edward looked down at me, also surprised. "What are you doing?"

"I was… I just hung up on the phone," I said, scrambling to my feet. "Did you know there's going to be a new transfer student tomorrow?"

"Didn't you know?" Edward asked blankly. "I thought everyone knew."

"Really?" I made a face. "I'm always the last one to find out."

He laughed. "Come on, pouty. Let's go down and help Esme with dinner." He dragged me toward the staircase.

I caught a glimpse of Emmett, Jasper, Alice, and Rosalie, still in his room. They looked rather unhappy for some reason.

"So what'd you say to Mike?" Edward asked. "Did you cut him off?"

"Yes. I told him to go ask out Jessica."

"Good," he said. "Then she'll stop bugging me."

"Why would she bug you?"

"She wanted me to take her out on a date," Edward snorted. "Since Mike didn't work, and you claimed that we weren't dating, she was obviously trying to go for me. Mike or me, either one."

"I'm sorry, Edward," I said, smirking. "It must be hard, being popular."

"A bit," he said, grinning at me. "And it must be hard for you too, being popular amongst boys."

"You're not going to start that one again, are you?"

"Why would Mike ask you out, then? Why would Austin, Tyler, and Eric all ask you out?"

"Shut up."

"I could go on forever," he told me. "What about Ben and-"

"Okay, enough, Edward," I said, pinching him. "I'm seriously going to punch you one day."

He smiled. "I'll be waiting for that day."

"So? What's the verdict?"

"What do you mean?"

"What did you guys talk about while I was on the phone?"

"Nothing much," Edward said. He hesitated. "I decided to give up on that girl."

"Why?" I asked, surprised. "I thought you were crazy about her."

"I was. I still am. I don't think I can ever forget about her. Especially since she's around me so much. But I don't think she likes me in that way. So I decided to give up. You know, maybe go out with other people for now…" He grimaced at the thought.

"But isn't that going to be hard?" I asked. "Trying to fall out of love?"

He smirked at me. "Whoever said I was going to fall out of love? I'll still love her."

"But you just said that you were giving up…"

"Giving up trying to make her notice me as more than a friend doesn't mean that I can't keep liking her," Edward said, raising his eyebrow. "Right?"

I shrugged. "Sure. I guess."

"Why? Is something bothering you?"

"It's just…" I frowned. "Well, it doesn't seem right. If you want her, you should at least confess to her. You never know, she might like you back."

"Nah, I know her like a book." He sighed. "I know her better than I know myself."

"So you're just going to go out with cheerleaders now?" I asked. "I know all of them irritate the hell out of you, Edward. How will you deal with them?"

"I don't know," he grunted. "Somehow, I suppose. I'll deal with it. Don't worry so much." He smiled wryly.

"I do worry though," I mumbled. "How can I not? You're my best friend."

"Of course you are," Edward said. "You can interfere with everything that's related to me, but butt out of my love life. I don't want you going there." He winked. "Too complicated."

"I just hope it doesn't get more complicated," I said. "I wouldn't be able to stand seeing you suffer."

He grinned. "This is why I love you so much, Bella. Did I mention how much I love you?"

"Yes," I said, abruptly cranky. "Numerous times before, so don't go there again."

He threw his arms around me, laughing. "I love you, Bella."

"Ugh, get away! Not again!"

He only laughed, holding me tighter.

Though this was not a strange behavior for him, it unnerved me to see him like this. It was like he was trying too hard to act normal. It was unnatural.

Still, I sensed that he didn't want to talk about it with me, so I let the matter rest and humored him by complaining how heavy he was.

AN: I love how all of you have expressed your positive feelings for this story! Keep them coming! ;) And reviews, please!