Thank you so much for the reviews and alerts, I'm so glad people are liking this! If you have any suggestions, tips or just general comments don't hesitate to message me, just please, be constructive? The support is MUCH appreciated, especially the support of Nik. YOU are the best. :P As usual I own nothing except my little ideas. [sorry this one's taken so long, I was busy graduating from university :)]

RPOV

I couldhave killed my brother, had he not been my twin, and overall a great person. But he could be so blind sometimes! I was sure he felt something for Alice, given the way he acted when she was around. He was so shy, only stealing quick glances at her, and coyly smiling when she glanced back. It was a game they'd played for years, although neither was particularly subtle about it. The sexual tension they emitted whilst in the same room was palpable enough to get Emmett going, which was quite a feat, bearing in mind how lovably clueless he was about non-couples.

When he showed up to our dorm room a couple of nights ago with Maria in tow I assumed she was a study partner. A clingy study partner, but nothing more. I was wrong. She was all over him, and he didn't look like he minded at all. Emmett had been hassling him since they walked through the door together, but I'd already had enough. My eyes nearly fell out of their sockets when he said he was bringing her home with us. My thoughts had immediately turned to Alice. Perhaps Jasper was trying to deny his obvious feelings for Emmett's little sister, but that was not an invitation for him to invite a brand-new-hopefully-not girlfriend to join us.

After a few awkward moments in the foyer, Esme smiled softly and led us into the dining room. Emmett took a deep breath, obviously appreciating the glorious smell. I had to chuckle at his antics. I wasn't sure whether he was trying to diffuse the tension that Maria's arrival had created, or whether he was just being himself; completely oblivious. Whichever, I was grateful. As I looked to Alice, who also managed a giggle at her oldest brother's antics, it looked as though it had worked.

As usual Esme had outdone herself. I could see why her chilli was Emmett's favourite. Although there were almost a dozen of us around their huge table Emmett managed to put away a good portion of it for himself.
"Don't worry Emmett, your mother has made enough to feed a small village for the week." Carlisle joked lovingly, clinking his glass with my Dad before glancing to Alice.
"I'm glad you're able to eat some this evening sweetheart."

Emmett turned from beside me, looking his baby sis over.
"What's wrong with Mom's chilli, Short Stuff?"

Esme chuckled lightly, swatting Emmett's huge arm.
"No, it's not like that dear, Alice wasn't feeling too well last night."
"Aw Little One…you feeling ok now?" Emmett asked, nothing but concern in his voice. Alice nodded fervently, rolling her eyes.
"Yes, guys I'm fine. Totally and completely. You all worry too much."

I smiled, looking to my Dad.
"Don't worry Alice, they'll still be the same when you're off at college. I think it's because we're girls." Alice rolled her eyes at this.
"I don't understand that logic at all. Boys are such babies when they're sick." Her comment was quite rightly targeted towards Emmett, who grumbled a response. I heard Jasper chuckle from beside me.
"Alice is right Em, you're particularly bad for it. The girls can handle themselves." I caught him grinning coyly at Alice as he spoke, and my temper flared again. How dare he do that with Maria there? Yet another thing I'd have to apologize to Alice for.

"So where was Bella tonight? I thought you were going to invite her for Edward to drool over."

Alice and I were sitting on her bed whilst I showed her some recent pictures we'd taken at SU. I knew I'd have to apologize for my brother's behavior sooner or later, but admittedly, I was stalling.
"I did invite her, but she said she and her dad had been invited down to La Push for a bonfire or something. Sounded like she'd made someone a promise 'cause I could tell she really wanted to come."

"Poor Bells." I smiled at the nickname. Emmett referred to her as 'Bells' frequently.
"We should do something with her this week. Just us girls."

I looked to Alice, her small hands toying with a stray end of her comforter. Her delicate brows were creased into a frown.
"I guess…"

Well…now was as good a time as any.
"Look babe, I'm so sorry about Jasper and Maria. I had no idea until a few days ago. To be honest I don't know what he sees in her. She's.. - "

Alice interrupted me.
"She's beautiful Rose. Just like a more exotic version of you. Like she's jumped off a catwalk in Madrid."

I sighed, running my hand through Alice's long, inky locks.

"She's not you, though. I know my brother. We shared the freaking womb together, and I know he feels something for you. I wish he'd stop being such a jackass and admit it to himself.

She shrugged and shook her head, her expression sad.
"Rose we've been best friends forever. Maybe that's all he sees me as."

"Well I doubt it. Anway…we'll see what the boys say about this week, k?"

Alice nodded, resting her head to mine as she sighed tiredly.
"Thanks Rose."
"No problem. I'm beat, you want to help me set the blow-up mattress up?" It was a ritual we'd had ever since I'd been away at college. I'd sleepover at Alice's the night I got back, and we'd share everything we'd missed in our months apart.
"Sure, I'll get it out if you want to use the bathroom first."

I nodded, heading into Alice's en suite to change and brush my teeth. I gazed around, smiling. Instead of the silver accessories she'd had in here last time, everything was now a deep turquoise. As I fixed my hair out of my face and stepped back into the bedroom I frowned softly. The blow-up mattress lay in its usual spot beside Alice's bed, half inflated. Alice was curled on top of her own bed, already fast asleep, still dressed in her jeans. Alice never fell asleep before me. Nights like this usually ended in me tossing a pillow at her head at 2am in an attempt to stop her ever-enthusiastic chatter. It was barely past 10pm. Not wanting to wake her, I slotted carefully onto the bed beside her, tucking the duvet over us both, willing myself to sleep.