A/N: Laura F, you are my beta God.

Chapter 3.

Edward.

Lit was over very quickly, or so it seemed. Yet again, I spent the whole class chatting with Bella and ignoring what was being taught. I didn't really need to pay attention; most of the shit that was taught I already knew. Yeah, I was arrogant as well as weird.

I walked Bella back to her locker. She was telling me about her dad. She didn't know mine was dead, but it still felt like she was bragging. I felt myself get a bit pissed off with her, but I reminded myself she had no fucking clue. So I smiled and nodded at the right times, all the while my right hand clenched into a tight fist. My knuckles were aching by the time we got to her locker.

"Meet you at my car" I said casually.

"I have to take mine home" she said stubbornly. I sighed.

"I'll follow you home, then you get in my car."

"I'd rather just drive there."

"Don't be stupid" I said. Her smile faltered and I nudged her arm playfully to let her know I was only playing around. She was insecure, and I would have to be careful with what I say around her or I'd end up hurting her.

Edward Masen caring about other people? I know, it freaked me out too.

"Plus, my car is heaps better" I boasted.

"You drive a Vesper" she pointed out with a giggle. I would have teased her back, but I was suddenly overcome with embarrassment. Bella didn't know the reason I had a crappy Vesper. It was because I was poor. Mum didn't work. She got money from the government, and that's what we lived on.

"Edward?" she asked nervously.

"Huh? Sorry. I…got distracted" I lied.

"See you in a few" she said, grabbing her bag out of her locker and making her way to the girl's bathroom. I went to my own locker to collect my things, glaring at the still visible graffiti as I pulled my backpack out. I slammed the locker shut and stormed off to my Vesper. I felt like an idiot putting my helmet on and waiting on the piece of shit for Bella to come out of the school building.

She ran to her car and started the engine. The truck roared to life and she set off to her house. The truck spluttered thick, grey smoke at my puny Vesper as I drove behind her. It was freaking annoying, and I could see her smirking at me in her rear-view mirror. I frowned; glad my helmet was covering my grimace.

We pulled up at the front of her house and I instantly felt like I didn't belong, like I was some kid from the fucking slums. The place was huge, in the nicer part of town. Near-mansions and multiple story, elegant homes surrounded her own. It was cream stucco on the outside with large windows shielded by purple shutters. There was a long driveway leading to a double set of fragile-looking glass doors. It was only single story, but I got the feeling it was worth more than my house, all its contents and my Vesper put together. Hell, it was probably double that. I waited on my Vesper at the end of her driveway, too afraid to get closer to the beautiful house. It was a lot like Bella, in a way. Gorgeous, elegant, yet fragile and different. The splash of purple on the shutters and the unkempt garden set her house apart from the others in her street.

She came running to me with a smile on her face. She had no dimples or creases in her ivory skin when she smiled, so I guessed she didn't do it often.

I passed her my helmet and she raised her eyebrows at me.

"I'm not wearing that, I'll look like an idiot."

"Thanks" I said bitterly. She laughed and took the helmet. It was too big for her and it flopped around on her head loosely. I had to chuckle. She looked like a boggle-head.

She sat behind me and gripped her seat like her life depended on it. I rolled my eyes and turned my head so I could just see her over my shoulder.

"Hold onto me, or you'll fall off" I said tiredly. She hesitated, then hugged my waist. It felt nice. Fucking nice. It was a rare occasion somebody touched me so tenderly. I started the cheap engine and made my way past the nice houses, into the shitty part of the neighbourhood.

The whole way there I found myself full of regret. I shouldn't have invited her to my place. It was a small, dirty, embarrassing house. She would probably laugh; just like she laughed at my ride.

Bella.

Edward was stiff as he drove me past the part of town I was familiar with, and into a completely different world. Or, so it seemed. The houses were a lot less…nice. Actually, they were pretty dilapidated. I wondered if he lived in this street, or somewhere beyond. It wasn't like I was a snob, not at all. I was actually embarrassed by my huge, terrific house. I didn't want Edward to think I was some rich kid who got everything she wanted. It wasn't like that at all. My mum bought that house years and years ago, and Charlie and I had never moved. I'm sure the both of us would have preferred something a lot more subtle and cozy, but we couldn't part with the house. The memories it held. Even though, for me, there were none.

Edward slowed his Vesper and eventually turned into a small driveway. I didn't look at the house immediately, because I fell off the back of the Vesper with a grunt. Edward turned and began to roar with laughter. It was a nice sound. It made me smile.

"Take this, it smells like sweat" I said, handing him the oversized helmet.

It was then I lifted my head to look at the house. It was tall, but that might have been because I was still on the ground. It had two stories but it was very small. It would have to be pretty cramped inside. Beyond cozy.

"Here" said Edward, offering me a calloused hand. I took it and he pulled me up. The house was still pretty tall, even standing up.

"This is my house" he said softly.

"I like it" I said honestly. He snorted and started towards the small, plain, wooden front door. The house was a dark red brick, and most of them were chipped or faded. It created a very vintage effect and I did, honestly, love it.

He opened the door and waited for me to step inside. I took my dirty Vans off and he looked at me oddly.

"Trust me, there's no point."

Still, I left my shoes at the front door and stepped inside. The carpet was dark grey and the walls were old and worn. I was jealous immediately because the walls were covered in beautiful wallpaper. White with little yellow patterns scattered all over.

"It's not a very nice house" he admitted. I turned and gaped at him.

"Are you kidding? I think it's beautiful."

"You're just saying that" he said blankly and grabbed my hand, taking me on a small tour.

I was right. It was cramped.

The living room was the size of my bedroom, with stained, ripped sofas and a small television sitting next to a dirty fireplace. I always wanted a fireplace. Again, I was jealous. The most peculiar thing was the body slouched over the sofa. A woman. Edward's mum, I assumed. She was snoring and holding a bottle of rum loosely in her limp hand. Edward saw this too and pulled me hastily up the rickety stairs to a room that was obviously his bedroom.

It was like it was made especially for him.

The walls, a dark shade of navy blue, were charming and aged. The small bed was messy and there were clothes all over the floor, just like my room. I smiled at the mess.

"I should have cleaned" he said angrily, and started to kick clothes under his bed.

"My room is like this, too" I said and sat down on his soft bed. The room smelled of sweat and cigarettes. Who would have known the combination would be so lovely.

I spotted a cracked acoustic guitar resting on the far wall, next to a messy desk and scratched stereo.

"You play guitar?" I asked. Of course he did. You don't get calluses like Edward had from anything else.

"Not very well" he said modestly.

"I bet you're good."

"Yeah, and I also bet you're good at singing" he shot back. I fell silent. I wasn't prepared to sing in front of him, let alone anybody else ever again. I simply shrugged.

"Fine, I'll play" he said grumpily. But I could feel the excitement emanating off of him at the thought of sharing his talent with a friend. I brought my knees up to my chin and watched him fuss over the machine head.

He looked up at me from underneath his eyelashes and I had to hold in a gasp. He was incredibly sexy holding the guitar. The stubble that was slowly forming into a beard just elevated the 'troubled musician' look.

Edward began to strum a tune I had never heard before. It was soft and melodic. I would be feeling sleepy if I weren't so intrigued by the boy sitting in front of me, playing a tune for me. I smiled and swayed my head along to the notes. Edward looked up and gave me a small smile.

I knew he wanted to play for me.

He finished with a faster paced song that made me tap my feet on his bed. I clapped at the end and he smiled.

"Now, you have to sing for me one day."

"That wasn't part of the deal" I said with wide eyes. He tilted his head and shot me a crooked smile.

"It is now."

We talked for a while longer. Edward sat across from me on his bed. It wasn't awkward because we were simply friends. We joked and laughed until my stomach hurt.

"I think I should get home soon" I said, looking at the small clock on the wall. It was six o'clock. Charlie would be wanting dinner soon. I wasn't going to let him cook another TV dinner. I shuddered at the thought.

"Alright. I'll take you home."

We walked down the stairs and I tripped on the last step. Edward cracked up again.

"I'm glad I amuse you" I said bitterly. He wiped away a tear and pushed me out of the house in a rush.

"Edward? Who's there?" came a croaky voice from the living room.

"Nobody, mum, just go back to sleep" he said quickly, trying to shove me out of his house. I gripped onto the frame and waited as I heard stumbling coming towards us.

Edward's mother stood behind him, glaring at nothing in particular. She would be very beautiful if she didn't have a bottle of rum in her hand and crazy, messy hair. Her eyes were the same colour as Edward's, but less intense. And they had large bags under them, creating the effect that she might be a zombie.

"This is Bella Swan" said Edward, holding my hand tightly behind his back. I smiled and nodded at his mother.

"It's good to meet you."

Edward's mother looked between the two of us for a while, then gasped. Her face instantly lit up and she smoothed her hair back so it wasn't as frightening. She already looked a lot better.

"If Edward had of told me he had a friend coming over, I would have made snacks! Drinks!" she began to fret, "It's good to meet you too, Bella. I'm Elizabeth Masen, Edward's mother as he forgot to mention" she smiled. Her smile was crooked like Edward's, but her eyes remained tight and bagged.

"Stay for dinner, won't you dear?" she practically begged. I couldn't say no to her.

"I would love to."

I felt Edward's grip on my hand tighten and I heard the tiniest noise escape from his mouth. I sounded like a sigh.

**

Edward's mother had whipped up a lasagna so fast I almost expected it to be ordered in food. But it wasn't. It was fresh and tasty. I sat at the small dining table with the two Masens, humming and appreciating the meals I was given. It really was delicious.

"I'm glad I stayed for dinner, Mrs. Masen" I complimented with a smile. She smiled back.

"Call me Elizabeth, please."

"Elizabeth" I nodded, "So, where is Mr. Masen? Is he still at work?"

Edward dropped his fork and his mother's smile turned into a grimace. I had said something wrong, like always. Edward leaned over his plate to mutter something to me.

"He died five months ago."

"Oh" I said lamely, "I'm sorry."

"It's ok dear, you didn't know" said Elizabeth, looking at me with sad eyes. I had ruined the night. The rest of the dinner was awkward. The sounds of cutlery scraping on plates and chewing of food were the only thing to hear. Nobody said another word, until it was time for me to go.

"That was a good meal. Thank you, Elizabeth."

"Anytime, love."

Edward took me home in silence. He was brooding.

"I had fun" I said, once I dismounted the Vesper and gave Edward back his helmet. He shrugged.

"Next time it's your house."

He drove off without another glance.

I barely took note of Charlie greeting me as I entered the house, and I barely heard him ask where I had gone, and who dropped me off. I walked straight to my room, slammed my door, and fell in a heap on my bed. I cried for a while, for Edward's sake more than my own. I didn't care that I had only just met him, and I didn't care that we barely knew a thing about one another, I just cared about him. He must have been so hurt and sad. Oh, and how I had gone on about Charlie all day at school…I let out a wail and buried my face into my pillow. I don't know how long I lay there, in my bed, sobbing and thinking about what had happened that evening. But when I looked up, it was clearly past midnight. The night was awfully still and there was a small, warm breeze filtering in my window.

Tap.

I looked out of the window as hard as I could to see what had made the noise.

Tap. Tap.

Pebbles from our overgrown garden were being flung at my window. I strained my eyes to see who was out there. I could just make out the form of a tall, lean boy. It was Edward.

I lifted up the window more and hissed out Edward's name. He came running up and climbed in my window without asking.

"What are you doing?" I whispered, "You're going to get me in so much trouble."

"I'm a pro at sneaking into girl's rooms. Relax" he assured me. I crossed my arms over my chest and waited for him to explain why he was in my room so late…or, early. He didn't say anything. He just stood next to my window, looking around at my plain, boring room.

"Nice room" he said, raking his hands through his messy hair.

"Why are you here?" I asked bluntly. He shrugged.

"Couldn't sleep."

"I see."

Edward sighed and ran his hands through his hair again. He smelled of cigarette smoke.

"You've been smoking" I accused.

"I was stressed" he defended. He eyed my pajama-clad body for a while, not saying anything. Then he sat down on my floor, smirking at my underwear and clothes lying everywhere.

"Your room is worse than mine."

"Why are you really here?" I asked, sick of the stalling.

"I wanted to apologize for being a jerk" he said quietly. I nodded.

"And…I'm sorry. You didn't know. I shouldn't have left like that" he continued.

"You shouldn't have. But I don't blame you" I said, sitting on the floor myself. We were facing each other, sitting cross legged and staring into each other's eyes. His were glinting in the moonlight shooting in from my window, creating the illusion he had cat's eyes.

"Forgiven?"

"Yeah, you're forgiven" I said offhandedly, "Is your mum okay?"

"She'll manage" he said. That meant she wasn't okay. I felt guilt and sympathy pit in the bottom of my stomach. Tears welled in my eyes, but I swallowed them back.

"I really am sorry" I said.

"I know you are" he said, "You're a very honest person."

"You bring out the best in me, what can I say?" I joked. He laughed quietly.

"Can I have my sweatshirt back?" he asked. I shot up and searched for it frantically.

"I'm sorry, Edward, I forgot about it."

He laughed, "It's okay. Don't freak out about it."

I finally found it crumpled on the floor underneath a rather raunchy bra. I blushed and kicked it out of Edward's view. But I knew he had already seen it, as he was smirking crookedly at where it had just lain.

I handed the sweatshirt to him and stared out of the window awkwardly.

"I might go now. Sorry to wake you."

"I wasn't asleep."

"Oh."

Edward took a few steps towards me and quickly pulled me into a friendly hug. I smiled into his chest and hugged him back. He was warm, and he smelled comforting, despite the scent of tobacco lingering around us. There was something else there as well, something indescribable, something I had never felt before. He pulled away after a while and looked at me sheepishly.

"Sorry."

"No, that was good" I asserted him. He smiled and left my room via the open window, chuckling as he did. I giggled and threw myself onto my bed, smiling like a fool.

Who knew having a friend could make you feel so good? I drifted into a long sleep after that. I overslept. I slept through my alarm and Charlie prodding me with his hand repeatedly. Eventually, I heard him yell in my ear and I shot up. My heart was racing.

"Why did you do that?!" I yelled at him croakily. He laughed.

"You must have had a big night. Where did you go?"

"I had dinner at the Masen's" I said with a smug smile.

"Ah" said Charlie, "How is Elizabeth doing?"

"Um, good. Why?" Charlie's question struck me as odd.

"I've had to deal with her down at the hospital a few times" he explained.

"What? Why?"

Was she a criminal? She seemed so nice. Even if she was a bit frightening.

"She's tried to kill herself a few times" he said matter-of-factly. My mouth fell open.

"Oh my God" I said, almost hysterical, "That is so terrible."

"It is" Charlie mused, "That poor Edward boy; I don't know how he handles it all."

Neither did I, to be honest. The sympathy and guilt came back, along with sadness and shock. Elizabeth was so beautiful, and she had such a good, well-mannered son. Why would she leave that all behind?

"Is it because of what happened to her husband?" I asked, feeling curious.

"Yes, and no. Ever since his death she's been diagnosed with chronic depression. She's completely erratic. Her moods swing all of the time. I read her hospital file" he added.

"Dad!"

"I am authorized to."

I sighed and got out of bed.

"How long do I have to get to school?"

"About twenty minutes."

"Crap!" I yelped, grabbing random clothes off of my bedroom floor and sprinting to the bathroom. I got ready as fast as I could, but I was still late for school. My outfit was completely fruity, but that didn't really matter. All I cared about what Elizabeth and Edward. I couldn't get rid of the sadness swelling in my heart. I wanted to help them, but I knew I couldn't.

Suddenly, my motherless situation didn't seem so bad at all.