COOL STORY, BRO

FRIDAY

Emmett crooned over to Jasper's in his beat up van, miffed by Rosalie's car taking up his space, though he didn't mind it. The afternoon sun Edward sat up front with him, clad in new hunting gear. He looked like a green boy, twiddling his thumbs in clothes too big for him. Can't believe he hasn't shot a gun before. Emmett shook his head. He and Jasper had been hunting since they were boys. With his father a cop - and now chief of police - he was no stranger to guns. What do lawyers' kids do?

"I can understand the hunting thing," Emmett said, "but you've never touted a gun?"

Edward shrugged as he slugged out of the van. "Never got around to it."

"Not even a BB gun?" Emmett saw Edward's smile and let a laugh. "My God, Edward, my fucking God."

The door opened to another blonde. "Emmett?" She looked unphased by his presence. He was surprised she actually addressed him with his real name. She always played him off with knick-knacky names. I fucking hate that pact. Emmett sighed regretfully, thinking of the promise he and Jasper made. You don't fuck my sister, and I won't fuck yours. Not that Rosalie would ever go on a date with the Marshmellow, but it was a dream. I still hate that fucking pact. Even if I did think it up. It was only to protect his considerably younger sister Bella, and a half-joke besides. Now, with Bella's legality, it had become an unspoken rule.

"Hey She-ra," Emmett said. "How's the crystal castle?" Edward snickered.

"God, you guys went all out." She let them in, her eyes rolling at the sight of their outfits. "Jasper's gonna be late for some reason - I forget - and Alice is just out." Emmett's gaze went around the room a few times before finding its way back to Rosalie. It already looks and smells better in here. Edward lingered by the pictures. Most of them were of Jasper and Alice now - she had been keen on being a big presence in Jasper's life. There were a few pictures of Emmett up, but they were overshadowed. "Can I get you guys anything? Edward?"

"I'm fine, thanks." Edward said. Emmett denied the offer as well.

"Haven't you seen those pictures a million times?" Emmett asked, flicking on the TV. There wasn't anything fun in looking at a friend's relationship slideshow. Edward gave him another shrug.

"There's really nothing on TV anyways." There's always something on TV, thought Emmett, though he wasn't watching the TV as attentively as he was watching his best friend's sister stride over to Edward.

"So, Edward," she said so coolly. "Jasper tells me you've an interest in acting?" His face lit up.

"It's why I'm here." He's an office monkey now, Emmett wanted to shout. "I haven't had much success, TV or movie. Just the odd extra here and there, maybe a few speaking roles that got killed off too early."

"I've always wanted to act, you know." She winked at him. "It's why I quit modeling. You been on anything big?"

"Just random movies, but you can barely see me in any of them." Emmett frowned as his friend was just basking in her approach. Fuck, Edward, don't you get it? She's using you for her career! He thought of the pact he had cursed earlier, thinking of introducing Edward to it.

"Hey, on second thought," Emmett piped up, "I think I'll have a drink." Rosalie glared at him. He half-expected her to get something, then realized his grave mistake.

"Yeah, everything cold's in the fridge." The words were like a slap. Emmett got up to fetch whatever Jasper didn't already drain dry.

o-o-o

Their conversation came to an abrupt silence, a chance for the both of them to catch their words. Edward saw immediate lines of family resemblance in Rosalie. He figured it would be easy to find any spark of attraction. The two of them had hit it off with her instantly, but it only reminded him of Jasper even more.

"You guys hang out here often, huh?" Her interest was far from waning. Edward tried to swallow in a dry throat. "Oh, look who's home." The door hung open and Jasper filled the doorway. Edward felt the corners of his lips curl out of his control, felt the heat touching his cheeks. Damn it.

"Oh shit, is it Friday already?" Jasper gave Edward a hard slap on the back. "What's up, Edward?" Edward nearly lost it. He managed to squeak out a hello, but Emmett swept in with his greeting.

"Hey bro, I'll be in the car!" Emmett yelled. "Nice seeing you too, Rose." Edward watched him give her his dashing smile before turning on his heel and stepping out the door. Rosalie seemed unphased. The room grew silent and Edward fidgeted nervously.

"So," she said.

"Just so." Edward guessed this was about the time they exchanged information. The situation reminded him of his first car accident.

Rosalie picked up a picture frame she had been pre-occupied with. "So my brother and this little girl, huh?"

He stiffened. "Um, yes. I suppose." Frivolous banter had never been Edward's cup of tea. He did wonder why Jasper was still dating Alice. Neurotic little twit, he thought. Often times Alice reminded him of a little boy, and he wondered.

"I see." She put the picture back. Edward raised an eyebrow. "Funny."

"Funny?" Edward asked.

"Well," Rosalie whispered to him, "he's not the type to go for girls... like her."