Twilight is owned by Stephenie Meyer but these versions of Edward Bella and the rest of the gang are mine as well as the plot. Please don't steal it. I think plagarizers are the lowest of the low and it's not flattering so don't do it. I'm also not interested in having the story translated at this time. Thanks for the interest! : )

Disclaimer: This story will eventually include subject matter that may be sensitive to some readers (No rape, cutting, or suicide). If you're overly concerned about it, I would suggest you not read. I love people to read my stories, but I don't want to totally blindside you with something, that's not fair and it's not why I included it in my story. I have very personal connections to elements in this story, which I'll be happy to share at the appropriate time.


Bella

If I thought I was sore after that first day, it was incomparable the next few. I'd stayed a little longer, practiced a little harder, pushed myself a little more.

I'd finally taken an actual break from the museum. In fact I'd been sleeping later and later because I was so utterly exhausted. Edward always managed to sleep later than I did though. Part of me was sure he was still sneaking out as well. Neither of us said another word about it to each other, but we both knew. It was only a matter of time before it bubbled up again.

"So your friends are coming today?" I asked. Edward had just woken up and taken a shower. He sat at the bar and ran a towel through his damp hair.

"Yeah."

"Are you excited?" I teased.

"Yeah I guess." He set the towel down on his shoulder. "What are you up to tonight?"

"I think Alice is supposed to be back tonight. So we'll probably just hang out here." I grabbed an icepack discreetly from the freezer.

"Well you two are welcome to come out with us. I don't know where we're going yet…"

"Oh. That's okay, I mean I don't want to intrude." I shook my head and started towards my room.

"It wouldn't be an intrusion at all."

"Have fun tonight Edward." I slipped inside my room and closed the door.

I laid down on my bed, wincing as I pulled my feet up. They'd been swollen and banged up from adjusting to the shoes again and I was in a lot of pain. I set the ice pack down and tried to relax. Alice was supposed to get in around six and even though she deserted me this week I missed her.

"Bella?" Edward knocked on my door. "I'm going to meet my friends. Are you sure you don't want to come out?"

"I'm okay," I called.

"Alright well I'll call Alice when we figure out where we're going in case you change your mind."

"Okay thanks." I bit down on my lip and waited for him to leave, but I could see his shadow lingering outside my door.

He finally walked away and I heard the front door close.

This thing with Edward was weird. I mean I don't really know what the thing is necessarily. We're kind of friends right? Friends with this odd volatile relationship where half of me wants to punch him and the other half wishes he would just…touch me again. It was so confusing. I didn't, couldn't like him more than a friend. He was Alice's brother and I had no interest in starting a relationship right now. And even if I did he's so far away from my type he might as well be from Narnia or something.

I flipped through the channels as I waited for Alice to get home, hoping she wouldn't sense my confusion concerning Edward. She always had a knack for these kinds of things and she would react strongly to it. As in probably trying to get us married and pregnant by New Years. I always hear Alice saying how much she wishes Edward would find someone, but I honestly don't think I'm that someone for him.

"Bella!" Alice screamed. My door whipped open and she jumped on my bed with a big smile and a newly gained sun kissed glow. "Hi!" She smiled.

"Hi." I waved.

"Where is that handsome brother of mine?" She asked.

"He's out with his friends."

"That's probably what he told me on the voicemail I haven't listened to yet." She looked down at my feet. "What happened? Did you fall again?"

"No. I just…yeah I fell. Just twisted my ankle a little, I'm fine."

She pulled out her phone and started listening to what I assumed to be Edward's voicemail. "Oh my God! I didn't know Jasper was coming," she squealed. "We have to go out with him. I've had a crush on him forever."

"I don't want to go out Alice…"

"Please! Please go out with me." She pouted. "I'll buy you a drink hot stuff."

I crossed my arms and sighed. "Fine, but I'm only staying for a little bit."

"It's okay I plan on leaving on the arm of a cute blonde with a southern accent," she laughed. "Get up and get ready."

I didn't move. I knew when Alice said "get ready" she'd be at least two hours, maybe more. It took me like a half hour so I had some time.

I finally rolled out of bed at about 8:30 when Alice started putting on her makeup. I ran a comb through my hair and washed my face. I threw on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and I was ready to go.

"Bella we're going out. You can't wear jeans," Alice said.

"Yes I can."

"Okay but if you're going to wear jeans at least wear skinny jeans honey, you could fit like five people in the ones you have on." She headed into my room to search. I knew by the time she was finished she'd have a whole new outfit picked out for me. And she did.

I changed into the gray skinny jeans and flowy tank she'd picked out. I made sure it securely covered my scar before I agreed to wear it. She wanted me to wear high-heeled boots but I refused, opting for my sneakers instead.

I didn't know why but I was a little nervous. I mean I didn't go out a lot, but I've never been this anxious about it. Maybe it was because I was going with a group of people I didn't know. Or maybe it was because of one boy that I was starting to.

Before I knew it, I'd actually swiped some makeup across my face and lightly twisted the sides of my hair back from my face.

'Okay I'm ready!" Alice yelled. "Wow," she breathed when I stepped out of the bathroom. "You look great. I didn't think…" She examined my face. "Wait. I know that look." She took a few steps towards me.

"What look?" I shrugged.

"You're dressing up for a guy. But you don't even know any of the…" She trailed off as her eyes widened. "You have a crush on Edward!"

"No I don't!"

"Yes you do. Bella Swan likes my brother." She laughed and hugged me. "This is great. We're going to be sisters."

"Alice!" I scolded. "Stop being ridiculous." I hoped she would take that as a denial, even though it necessarily wasn't.

I wrapped myself up in a coat and we went downstairs.

We hopped in a cab and Alice told the driver where we were going. I was just glad it was a bar and not a club. I may be able to dance ballet with the best of them but my ability to booty dance is zilch. I can imagine there'd be some dancing at this bar, but it wouldn't be as overwhelming.

We waited in line for about ten minutes before we were carded and let in. It was fairly crowded so it took us a while to find them, or him I guess. Edward was the only one I would have recognized. Apparently Alice had met the rest of them very briefly before.

Edward's eyes lit up immediately when he saw us. "Bella!" He smiled at me and turned to Alice. "Hey sis." He stood up and gave her a hug, keeping his eyes on me the whole time.

Three other people were seated at the corner booth with him. There was a blonde girl who I assumed to be Rosalie. She looked like a bitch to me and I could see where she could be intimidating. Her bright red lipstick and obvious tattoos might have given it away.

She sat next to a big, thick man, her arm draped over the back of his chair. She leaned in and whispered something in his ear and kissed his cheek.

Even if Jasper wasn't the only one left by process of elimination, I would have known him. Alice gravitated towards him like she had some magnetic pull.

"Guys you all remember Alice," Edward said. "And this is her roommate Bella."

"Bella," Jasper said, glancing towards Edward. "It's nice to meet you." He nodded his head, almost like he was tipping an invisible hat my direction.

"Bella this is Jasper, Emmett and Rosalie."

I said a quick hello to everyone and grabbed a chair from the table beside them.

"What do you guys want to drink?" Jasper asked.

"Beer," Alice and I said in unison.

"Can I get another round of beers please?" Jasper yelled to the waitress as she passed. She scowled at him and started towards the bar. "So Bella…Edward's told me so much about you."

I glanced at Edward quick enough to see him blush.

"Is that so? All good I hope," I smiled.

"He seems to think so."

"Jasper," Edward scolded under his breath.

"So you're going to school?" Emmett asked, effectively breaking the awkward moment.

"Yeah. Well I intern and go to classes."

"What are you going to school for?"

"Undecided at the moment. I guess I like history so maybe that or anthropology. Something like that. My internship is at a museum and I'm actually doing research for this year long class. I have to do this huge freshman term paper."

"Sounds brutal. I hate reading."

"It's not so bad." I glanced over at Edward and laughed, thinking about our day at the museum.

"When you sit in a library all fucking day and do it, it's brutal," Edward teased.

"We were there for like an hour."

"Wait you went to work with her?" Alice said. She looked between the two of us grinning.

"Yeah," Edward shrugged. "I needed something to do."

The waitress finally returned with our drinks and I gulped mine down. I was never a beer drinker growing up. In fact I didn't drink much because I was always training, but the whole college student thing was really getting to me. I didn't mind it so much now.

"Oh! I love this song!" Alice screamed, looking pointedly at Jasper. "Dance with me!" She jumped up and pulled him with her. Edward sighed and shook his head.

"You want to dance baby?" Emmett asked, kissing Rosalie's shoulder. Rose didn't answer she just stood up and pulled him out on the dance floor, leaving Edward and I alone at the table.

He glanced at me as he traced his finger around the top of his beer bottle, and smiled. Please don't ask me to dance. I gulped hard and took a sip of my beer.

"Bella," he leaned over the table. "Come sit with me." He nodded to the space beside him.

"O-okay." I stood from my chair and walked around the booth, scooting into the seat next to him. He lazily rested his arm along the back of the seat behind my shoulders.

"You don't go out much do you?" He asked.

"No not really. I mean Alice drags me out sometimes, but it's just not my scene I guess."

"Are you having fun?" His eyes were slightly glazed over and I wondered how many drinks he'd had before we got here.

"Yeah. Your friends are nice." I started playing with my beer bottle.

"Yeah they're pretty great." He glanced out at the dance floor. "Except for the fact that Jasper has his hands all over my sister's ass at the moment." He laughed and shook his head.

"I'll tell you a secret," I leaned in close. "But you can't tell anyone because I'm severely breaking girl code right now."

"I promise."

"Alice likes Jasper. She told me she's had a crush on him forever."

"Hm. That makes sense I guess."

We sat together talking and watching them all dance.

"You look really pretty tonight Bella," he mumbled.

"Thank you." I knew I was blushing so I tried not to look at him.

"You have the most…beautiful brown eyes I've ever seen." He brushed my hair away from my shoulder and I blushed even more.

"Thank you," I whispered again.

"Boo!" Emmett yelled, sitting back down at the table. I jumped and cleared my throat, distancing myself a little from Edward. "Rosie's ready to head back to the hotel."

"Which hotel are you guys staying at?" Alice said, suddenly popping in behind them. She toted Jasper behind her, grasping firmly onto his hand.

Emmett rambled off the name of the hotel and I didn't even recognize it.

"Oh no that won't do!" Alice said. "You come stay with us."

"Alice we have a two bedroom apartment." I wasn't trying to be rude but I honestly didn't think we had the room.

"We'll make it work. We can always bunk up with someone." She glanced back at Jasper.

"Fine. But I'm not sharing my room." She was inviting all these people, which I didn't really mind, but I wanted my own space.

"Fine." Alice reached in her purse and called for a cab that would fit all of us. This should be interesting.

Edward

We all piled into the cab and headed to their hotel so they could check out and get their things. I see why Alice didn't want them staying here. It was an overpriced dump. I never would have asked her to offer her apartment but it was really nice that she did. Six people staying in a two bedroom was definitely going to be a fucking adventure.

As soon as we got back everyone started scrambling figuring out where to sleep. Emmett and Rose called the pull out couch and I saw Alice dragging Jasper to her room.

"I don't think so," I said. "Jasper can sleep on the floor out here just like I am."

"I'm a big girl Edward," Alice protested. She whipped Jasper inside her room and locked the door just before I could try opening it.

"Jasper you remember that's my sister!" I yelled as I pounded on the door.

"Let me get you some blankets," Bella said softly, opening the hallway closet. She pulled out some more pillows and a few blankets. "You could always use the couch cushions for a bed," she shrugged.

"I'll try that. Thanks." I smiled as she disappeared into her room and closed the door.

I attempted to make myself a make-shift bed out of the cushions, just like Bella had suggested. I guess it was alright. Emmett and Rose were already settled in on the couch so I turned off the light, pulled my shirt off and tried to get comfortable on my shitty bed. It was kind of ridiculous when you thought about it. I was the original guest here and somehow I ended up on the damn floor.

"Come on baby," Emmett purred. "Edward's asleep."

"No I'm not!" I yelled. "I'm not asleep."

"Okay well he won't listen."

I grabbed my pillow and held it around my head, trying to block out the sounds I knew were about to happen. They were like fucking animals.

"For fucks sake!" I sighed. I got up and pulled a blanket and pillow with me as I started towards the hallway. I knew better than to knock on Alice's door. Even though I was pissed it was happening, I knew they were probably doing the same thing I was trying to get away from.

I took a tentative step towards Bella's door and knocked.

"Uh…come in," she said softly.

I opened the door and peeked my head inside. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, her backpack sitting by her feet. She was going to sneak out again.

"Going somewhere?" I asked, cocking my eyebrow.

"No," she lied.

"Listen I know you said you wanted your space and I get that, but everyone else in this apartment is having sex and I really don't want to be in the room while that's happening."

"Oh."

"Can I sleep on your floor?"

"Of course." She sighed and laid back in her bed.

I smiled and closed the door behind me. I didn't bother bringing the couch cushions because I just wanted to get the fuck out of there. I stumbled a little as I walked over to the empty space beside her bed.

"Sorry I'm a little drunk," I laughed.

"It's okay. Do you have enough blankets?"

"Yeah I'm good." I laid down on the floor and pulled the blanket up around me. "So where were you really going?"

"Nowhere."

"Liar," I laughed. "It's okay though I'll figure it out eventually."

"Why do you want to know?"

"I don't know I like knowing things about you. And the whole mysterious thing is driving me crazy…in a good way."

"I don't think I'm the only one with secrets Edward."

"No you're not." I turned on my side so I could look up at her. She was laying on the edge of her bed, her head propped up on her elbow so she could look down at me.

"Why don't you want anyone to know?" She asked.

I shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I'm afraid."

"Of what?"

"That people won't accept me, won't like me for who I really am. My dad always thought I was going to be a doctor like him. I know he would never be a jerk about it. He'd always support me, but it's just really personal and I don't know if I want to open myself up like that. It leaves me vulnerable."

"And being vulnerable is bad?"

"It's terrifying." I turned and tried to get comfortable, but this floor was hard as a fucking rock.

"Edward?" She whispered.

"Yeah."

"Come on." She scooted over and pulled her blankets back.

"Are you sure?"

"It's just a bed and it's just sleeping. I don't want you to injure yourself sleeping on that floor," she laughed.

I got up and stood there for a moment, hesitating before crawling into bed beside her.

"If you try anything sneaky I'll knock you back where you just came from," she warned.

"So it'd probably be inappropriate if I asked to spoon?"

She laughed and punched me in the shoulder. "Goodnight Edward."

"Goodnight Bella."

When I woke up a few hours later I was completely horrified. Besides the fact that I was already sporting morning wood, sometime during the night I'd rolled close to Bella. My arms were wrapped around her and my chest was pressed against her back. I thought she would have pushed me away, kicked me out of the bed, but she didn't. Her arms rested gently upon mine, almost like she liked it. I don't know if she consciously liked it, but she fucking liked it.

I quickly and quietly separated myself from her and looked outside. It was only four in the morning. It was still dark out. I never slept well when I drank unless I passed out.

I got out of bed and covered Bella back up. I tiptoed blindly towards the door and was happy to find the rest of the apartment silent. I figured if I left now I could still get some time in. I grabbed my backpack and bundled myself up before heading out.

It was so late, or so early depending on how you look at it, that there was hardly anyone out. Even the throngs of homeless people had found a place for the night and were asleep.

I didn't walk far from the apartment before I found a place. I set my bag down and started working. I was out until the sun started coming up.

I stopped by the store and grabbed some donuts and coffee for everyone. When I got back to the apartment Emmett, Jasper and Alice were awake.

"Good morning dear brother," Alice said. She looked happy as hell and to be honest I didn't want to know why. She took the box of donuts from me and a coffee.

"Where have you been?" Emmett asked.

"Just getting breakfast."

"That long?"

"What?" I set the rest of the coffee down.

"I got up at like 2 to piss and you weren't on the floor. I actually tried to step on you."

"You must have just missed." I shrugged. I grabbed a cinnamon donut and a coffee and started towards Bella's room. "I'll just take her some before you two eat it all."

Emmett narrowed his eyes at me playfully. He knew. Not that there was anything to know really, except for the fact that I slept in her room. In her bed.

I didn't bother knocking, just pushed the door open and walked inside.

"Good morning," Bella said, stretching her arms above her head.

"I brought you breakfast. If I would have left it out there, they would have eaten it." I sat back down on the bed beside her and handed her the donut and coffee.

"Thank you. Did you go out and get it all?"

"Yeah. I was on my way back." I didn't think I needed to elaborate about where I'd been.

"When did you leave?"

"Around four."

She nodded and took a bite of her donut.

"I was going to sneak out last night. Before you came in," she admitted.

"I know."

She nodded again and fell silent.

I turned my head towards her and watched her. It was strange, this feeling in my chest. It wasn't something I was used to, or knew how to deal with. Hell I didn't even know what it was to be honest. It scared me. It was another way to be vulnerable.

"What?" She mumbled, turning towards me.

"Nothing," I whispered.

I wanted to kiss her. I wanted to so fucking bad but something was holding me back and I couldn't understand why I didn't do it. I glanced down at her lips and sighed as I turned my head away from her.

"What's going on in here?" Alice screamed. She ran in the room laughing and jumped on the bed, landing squarely on my legs.

"Ouch! Fuck!" I tried to push her off.

"She does that a lot," Bella said.

"Maybe you should put a deadbolt on your door."

"What are you two doing?" Alice asked, her eyes dancing between the two of us.

"Having breakfast." Bella held up her half-eaten donut.

"I see. So what are we doing today?"

"I'm going to the museum."

"No! You're always there. You're supposed to be on a break. Hang out with us." Alice grabbed her hand.

"I can't. I'm sorry. I have some things to do." Bella glanced my way and got off the bed. She left the room and went into the bathroom.

"Edward." Alice smiled.

"Alice."

"You like her don't you?"

"She's nice."

"And?"

"And what?"

"And this blanket and pillow don't belong here." She nodded to my blanket and pillow from last night.

"Don't worry about it." I took Bella's coffee for my own, assuming she was done with it. I jumped off the bed and headed out into the living room.

Bella emerged from the bathroom a while later, freshly showered with her hair damp. She went back into her room and closed the door.

"So. Are we going to see the city today?" Jasper asked.

"Yeah sure," I glanced over at Bella's door.

"I'll be your tour guide," Alice offered.

Bella's door opened and she walked out, carrying her backpack.

"I'm heading to the museum." She gave us a smile and quick wave as she headed towards the door. Liar. Again. I don't know how I knew it, but she wasn't going to the museum.

After she left we all started getting ready. I felt like the fucking Brady Bunch with five people sharing one bathroom. Good thing Bella got ready and got the hell out of there.

Alice took us around the city, showing us all her favorite spots. I think I liked the Bella tour better, but I couldn't decide if it was because of the actual tour or the company.

They all decided they wanted to stop and get lunch and I realized we were fairly close to the museum, so I offered to go get Bella to join us, even though I knew she wasn't there. I just needed to see it, to know I was right about her. To show myself that I knew her better than she thinks even after a week.

Thankfully the security guard recognized me and allowed me downstairs. Siobhan looked surprised to see me, but I wasn't surprised that she was alone.

"Edward. It's nice to see you. Bella isn't in today you know."

"No I knew. I just wanted to see it myself." I laughed and looked around. "And when is she scheduled to be back here?"

"Not until classes start back up again. After the New Year."

"Alright. It was nice to see you."

"You too."

I joined up with the group again and we had lunch before starting back to the apartment. Bella arrived a few minutes after we did, looking exhausted. It made me even more curious as to what she was doing. She mumbled a hello and grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen.

I jumped up from the couch and pretended to be doing the same. The rest of them were too involved in their conversation to notice.

I came up behind Bella and gently grabbed her hips. "I had a nice visit with Siobhan today…" I whispered. She tensed under my fingers and turned her face slightly towards mine.

"Please don't say anything…" She said softly.

"I won't."

She quickly maneuvered out of my grip and disappeared into her bedroom. I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair, trying to act normal as I returned to the group. I wasn't normal. This girl was making me not normal.


A/N: I am back safely home : )

Only one announcement today. While I was driving I thought of a great idea for a one shot contest so I'm running one and it's going to be really fun! Check out the link here for the deets. www . ossoundtrack . blogspot . com Just in a nutshell, you sign up for the contest and after sign up is finish I'm randomly assigning songs to the participating authors to be used for inspiration for their o/s.

Thanks for all the reviews, alerts, favorites. You're awesome and I love reading what you guys think of this story : ) It was interesting to see how many of you think that they're using the same space...

How long do you think it'll take for them to get their shit together and go for it?