DISCLAIMER: I own nothing.
A/N: I just want to thank everyone who took the time to review. I really appreciate it. You can't imagine how good a feeling it is to know that people actually like this. Haha. Thanks again and I hope you enjoy this one. I apologize in advance for any mistakes!
---
I dressed quickly, although I was still cautious of what I put on. I had decided on a pair of black shorts and a blue polo with sneakers when I heard the phone ring downstairs. I ignored it for the moment as I finished brushing out my hair, which I left down, and rushed out my room, down the stairs and into the kitchen.
"That was Alice." Charlie said to me, as I pulled a bowl out of a cupboard and grabbed a spoon from a nearby drawer. I poured my milk and cereal before responding.
"What did she say?" I asked; my mouth was slightly full and the spoon only part of the way out of my mouth.
"That she was ready for you to come over." Charlie narrowed his eyes at me in suspicion. "Why are you going over there Bella?"
"To visit Alice." I said. "We're friends."
"And you're sure this has nothing to do with-"
"Yes, Dad. I'm not going to see Edward. I'm going because Alice invited me."
"Uh-huh." His tone suggested disbelief.
I was glad that he didn't ask me any other questions. I wasn't exactly sure how to explain when or how she'd asked me to come over. I was lucky that Charlie wasn't all that concerned.
I got up, rinsed my bowl and spoon in the sink and then turned to face Charlie. "I'll see you later, Dad." I called.
I was half-way out the door when I remembered, "If Jake calls…just tell him I'll call him back later." And I was off.
---
The drive took me a shorter time than I had thought it would. I was sure that I would have forgotten some turn that I was supposed to make or something. After I'd parked and made my way up to the beautiful house, I took a deep breath in, preparing for the absolute worse and even I as I lifted my hand to knock on the door, I hesitated, wondering if I could get away with driving off in my loud car.
I shook my head, hoping that I was making this whole thing out to be worse than it actually was, took another deep breath and knocked. The few seconds that it took for the door to open felt like hours and the entire time I was hoping that Alice would be the one to answer the door.
"Bella?" It was Carlisle. By the look on his face and the tone in his voice, I suspected that Alice had not told him that I would be coming. He was smiling but his smile did not look as genuine nor was it as warm I'd remembered.
"Hi." I said, sheepishly. "I'm here to-"
"Hello Bella." Alice appeared behind the young doctor. She was smiling cheerfully, looking as though she had not a care in the world. It amazed me that anyone could look so happy. She was practically bouncing as she grabbed my arm and pulled me inside.
If Carlisle found anything strange about my sudden appearance or Alice's elation, he said nothing. He merely smiled again, nodded and ambled off to go back to whatever it was he'd been doing.
"Come on, Bella." Alice said, taking my hand and leading me up to Edward's room. His door was ajar. "Go on." She said, crossing her arms and looking at me expectantly.
I hesitated, knocked and then, feeling a shove in the small of my back, entered.
"Edward." I managed to say before almost falling over, but thankfully, catching myself before I could be embarrassed.
He eyed me curiously for a second before responding. "Bella."
"Hi." I said quickly. I was slowly becoming frustrated with myself. Couldn't I come up with any sort of response that sounded as though I actually had a brain?
"Bella, you didn't have to come."
"I know…I uh-" I paused. 'Was forced to come against my will.' sounded somewhat harsh. "-wanted to." I added lamely.
"You did? Honestly?"
I made a weird sort of squeaking sound. He was on to me. "Kind of…" I said, clasping my hands together to keep the rest of my body still.
"That's more what I thought." He said, looking me up and down in a way that made want to check whether I'd spilled anything on my clothes or was wearing something that didn't match.
"Oh." I said. I really didn't know what to say to that.
"So," he paused, crossing his arms. "Why are you here?"
"I wanted to apologize." I mumbled.
"For what?" he asked me, sounding as though I was wasting his time.
"I don't know. Maybe I was harsh…earlier."
"Harsh?" Edward said incredulously. "Bella…" His statement remained unfinished.
"You didn't think it was harsh?"
"You'd rather be with a human than a vampire." Edward told me. "I told you, I understand."
I sighed. "You think I did it because of what you are? Hello! Jacob is a werewolf!" I laughed somewhat insanely at his ridiculous assumption.
"I wouldn't be so sure."
"Wouldn't you?"
"Considering all of the things you'd be missing out on…yes."
"Missing out?" I asked in disbelief.
"On human things. Milestones."
I shook my head. "This wasn't about that."
"It wasn't? What was it about then? I'm curious."
I stopped and just stared at him for a few moments. As the conversation grew more heated, I started to run out of ideas. I didn't know what to say to him.
"I just felt like-" I searched for the right words. "In my heart I-" Ugh. That was cheesy.
"What?" he asked me gently.
"Nothing." I said.
"Why are you here, Bella? You have Jacob now." He spoke in a somewhat venomous tone, but other than that, he might as well have been informing me of the weather.
"That doesn't mean we can't be friends." I pled. "Just tell me how you feel. Don't be so unselfish!"
"You want to know how I feel?"
"Yes." I said. "I want to know. Let me have it." I winced slightly, but braced myself all the same.
A/N: This chapter was relatively short, I know. I hope you enjoyed it and that everyone isn't confused! Please review!
