Chapter 3 has arrived. Sorry for the wait. :D


I walked up the front steps and reached for the doorbell, my hands shaking. I pushed the little button, the "Ding Dong" bell ringing through the air. I waited, tapping my foot nervously, for someone to open the door.

"Who is it?" A sweet feminine voice asked softly. I felt my eyes light up, I knew who owned that voice.

"Esme. It's me, Bella." I replied, trying to contain my excitement.

"Bella?!" The voice squealed, and the door was swung open immediately. I hugged Esme, almost bursting into tears from just hearing her voice. Esme was like the mother I always wanted, my own mother couldn't ever compare to her. She knew exactly what to do to solve any problem you had, and she was a great listener too. She also happened to be Edward's mother.

"Bella dear! It's been years since I last saw you! Look how you've grown, you're beautiful. I have to tell Carlisle you're here! Edward and Alice too! We have to tell everyone!" Esme rambled, her honey blonde hair lifting slightly with the wind. She's the one who's beautiful, her and her husband Carlisle, and their son Edward. Edward, who was a stunning combination of their good looks, and who had a place in my heart. Where was he?

"Is Edward around?" I asked distractedly, looking inside the house.

"I'm afraid not. He's with some of his friends, but Alice is here. Come say hello." Esme didn't have to tell me twice, because I'd already ran into the house.

"Alice!" I sprinted up to her room, knowing she would be in there. Sure enough, Alice was sitting on her bed, painting her toenails.

"Bella?!?!" She dropped the nail polish, and bear hugged me. I hugged her back tightly, so happy to see my best friend in the whole world.

"You look hot, Bella Bear! Well we are going to have to get you some sexy clothes, but other than that, you're a babe! It feels like forever since I've seen your bad fashion taste." Alice gave me a once over, smiling cheekily. I gave her a grin back, running my fingers through her hair.

"And you cut your hair! We're going to have to fix it up. It makes you look boring." I gave her a once over too, and we busted out laughing.

"I've missed making fun of you, Bella Bear." Alice leaned her head on my shoulder.

"And I've missed making fun of you too, Ally Wally." I leaned my head on her head.

"Ally Wally. I haven't been called that for ages, well except Edward still calls me that. Just to get on my nerves." Alice muttered, and I stifled back my laughter.

"Speaking of which, where is Eddy Teddy?" I grinned, and Alice laughed loudly.

"Eddy Teddy! I haven't called him that since you left!" Alice giggled. " We're so going to surprise him today. He's with Jasper and Emmett, probably at Emmett's place." Jasper? The blond boy in 1st period?

"Have you ever been over to Emmett's house?" I asked, maybe she knew how to get there.

"No. Edward won't tell me. He doesn't speak about them, and lately he's been acting weird." Alice tapped her chin with her index finger, and I felt guilt start to cloud my thoughts. Alice is Edward's cousin; her parents were killed in by a drunk driver when she was 8. Esme, being the wonderful person that she was, decided to take in her orphaned niece, and raise her as her own. When I met Alice, she was quiet. She hated alcohol, even rubbing alcohol, and she was scared of cars. Eventually, being in the family brought her out of her shell, and she became happy. She still hated alcohol, and being good parents, Carlisle and Esme kept no alcohol in the house. But look at Edward, from what I've seen and heard, he is practically an alcoholic. How would Alice react of she found that out? She would be crushed.

"I'm sure Edward is fine. He's just a teenage boy, that's all." I lied, a fake smile on my face. Alice brightened up, and hugged me.

"You're probably right. I'm just overreacting." Alice sighed. I sighed too, feeling like Edward's problem was becoming my own. Edward...I hope you can change, I hope you have the power to quit drinking. Or else you're going to be like Alice's parents, or the drunk driver. Dead.

I stayed for dinner at the Cullen's place, about to pop from Esme's delicious cooking.

"No more, no more. I'm going puke if I eat anymore." I rubbed my stomach, a lazy smile on my face.

"Well come back any time for more food, Bella, I'm always cooking." Esme patted my shoulder. I nodded, smiling at Alice, who was giggling from my antics.

"It's nine already? Edward should be back by now." Carlisle frowned, looking at his watch. I frowned too, its pitch black outside, and Edward still isn't back from Emmett's place. A honk broke me out of my haze, and I jumped from the noise. Edward is here.

"Go upstairs Alice. Time for bed." Esme shooed Alice, and Alice huffed.

"Esme! It's only nine! I'm an 11th grader for god's sake! Let me at least stay up an hour longer." Alice pleaded, tugging on her sleeve.

"No buts. Go upstairs." Esme rushed Alice up the stairs, her movements nervous. I followed Alice to her room, hugging her quickly.

"Looks like I gotta go. See you tomorrow." I played with her spiky hair, and she growled at me.

"Yeah yeah, get out of here already." Alice smirked.

"What are you about to do?" I asked, walking out her door.

"Listen to music. It helps me sleep." Alice waved goodbye to me, and shut the door. Thank goodness she's going to be distracted, because I have a feeling things are going to get loud.

"I don't have to do a damn thing! If I wanna drink, Imma drink!" Edward's slurred voice boomed through the house, and I ran back downstairs. Edward had another bottle of liquor in his hand, and he looked agitated.

"Please Edward. Just go upstairs, and rest." Esme tried to touch his shoulder, but Edward moved away.

"Don't tell me what to do. I'll sleep when I wanna!" Edward stumbled a bit, but then gained his balance. I watched, sickened, as my friend acted like a baboon, and was drunk off his ass. Esme looked at me, her face ashamed, and she came to my side.

"Leave from the back door, Bella. I'm sorry you have to see this." Esme whispered. Carlisle stood silent, and I'm guessing he didn't tell Esme that this wasn't the first time I've seen Edward drunk. Edward's eyes flashed to me, and he started to walk forward.

"Bella, go." Carlisle warned, walking to stand in front of me. I ignored him, and walked closer Edward.

"Eddy Teddy?" I whispered, outstretching my arm to Edward. He looked at my hand, and then reached to hold it.

"Bella Bear. I've missed you so much. Why did you leave me?" Edward's emerald eyes started to water, and I watched as a tear started to fall down his cheek.

"Edward." I grasped his hand tightly, and was going to embrace him, when he let go, and pushed me away.

"No! You left, and you didn't even say goodbye! I thought you loved me!" Edward yelled at me, wiping his face with his arm.

"Edward, I do love you." I said quietly, trying to get his hand again.

"Lies!" Edward hissed, and dodged my hand. I let out a noise of frustration, and looked over at Esme and Carlisle. They watched us confused, wondering what Edward was talking about.

"Why did you leave me, Bella Bear? Why?" He grabbed my hands, holding them to his chest.

"Because. I couldn't stay and get hurt anymore." I whispered, my own eyes welling up with tears. Edward's eyes widened and he dropped my hands.

"Bella, what happened was a-" He started to ramble, but I didn't want to hear it. I sprinted to the back door, hearing Edward shout my name. I looked back; Edward was being restrained by Carlisle.

"I won't let you hurt me anymore, Edward. But look what you're doing...you're hurting everyone else." My voice cracked, tears blurring my eyes. I opened the door, and slammed it closed. I ran to my truck, getting in, and stepping on the gas. I cried as I drove away, wishing that I had stayed. If I had never left, Edward wouldn't be like this. Now I know why he changed. And it's all my fault.


Review please, and check out my new story! And thank the Beta for editing!