AN: Ok, so my health is deteriorating more and more [those of you who've read Going Green would already know. That is, if you read my ANs lolZ], but I'm trying to distract myself my reading heaps of my school novels and writing these stories. And since I haven't updated this story in a while, I'll do this one now.

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I didn't leave Wannabe in the morning. But I did leave the house. I'd snuck out in the early hours of the morning, when the sky was just beginning to lighten and began walking the trail that circled around the Lake. The cold frostiness of the shadowed morning was soon brought to my attention when my body began to shiver. I scowled under my breath, my words turning into a fog before my eyes. I hadn't given much thought to the weather conditions down here in Wannabe [and it had been warm the day before], so I'd worn my usual Phoenix attire: a pair of black ¾ leggings and a purple singlet. Normally, my mind would have told me to go back and pull on my black Nike hoodie, which I was desperately wanting right about now. But my pride stopped me from doing so. I didn't want to face a confrontation with Nora or Charlie today. And as for Renee – well, let's just say that my mobile nearly met its death by flying full speed towards the wall early this morning. Renee had obviously seen my text, because I had 14 unread texts and my voicemail was full. I just ignored them. If she didn't think that I mattered enough to know the truth of this situation, then I wouldn't allow her the privilege of checking up on me – or apologizing - whichever she was trying to do at the moment.

The sunrise was in full view now. I had been lost in my thoughts for quite some time it seemed. I rubbed my palms against my arms in attempt to create heat through friction, but when that didn't work, I began a slow jog. I'd jogged heaps back home. That's partly how I kept my slim, yet slightly awkward, figure. I didn't compete in cross country or track or anything. I just did it for fun; for me. But I always watched my feet as I did it, instead of looking straight ahead; Because if I didn't watch my feet, I would more than likely catch my foot on a stray tree root or stumble over uneven ground and ultimately hurt myself. But the con of watching my footing is that I couldn't really pay attention to the objects that were right in front of me. For instance-

"Hey watch out!" My head collided with something hard. It bounced backwards, throwing off my balance. The ground beneath me was still frosty and my feet slipped from under me. I closed my eyes and winced when I landed on my back on the trail floor. Sharp stones pressed into my back and my elbows stung. Probably grazed. I scowled.

"What the heck are you-Bella?" I'd previously been assessing the damage done to my elbows, which were grazed after all, but upon being addressed, my gaze shot upwards and met a pair of beautiful, green eyes.

"Alice?" [bet you didn't see that coming :D You shouldn't assume you know tsk tsk]

"That's my name" Alice loomed over me, looking much taller than she actually was from down here, and extended her hand to me "don't wear it out. Are you ok?" She yanked me up from the ground. I let out a soft hiss, feeling pain all over my tense body.

"I think so" It wasn't really lying. I didn't think I was hurt that bad. But my elbows did sting. The cold only made it worse.

"I'm sorry. Bella" Alice grabbed my hands in hers. They were pleasantly, surprisingly, warm. "I didn't even see you coming!"

"It's ok" I assured her with a shrug "I wasn't paying attention to where I was going" My body shivered as a cold gust of wind whipped about us. My hair was swept into my face and I hurried to push it back behind my ears.

"Where's your jumper?"" Alice's outraged expression caught me off guard. I retreated back a few steps.

"At – home?" My meek answer resulted in her unzipping her jacket and thrusting it towards me.

"Put it on. What were you thinking, Bella? This isn't Australia you know!" [couldn't help it]. I pulled it on without a complaint, because a] Alice's expression clearly read 'no funny business', and b] I was really freaking cold!

"Thankyou" I whispered. Her jacket was divided diagonally into two colours. The top half was black and the bottom was silver. The high, well fitted neck kept away the cold and despite how thin the material seemed, it blocked out the wind. I looked at Alice, expecting her to be shivering from the cold just about now. But she wasn't. The little pixie was layered it up, and by removing her jacket had revealed a thin woollen jumper. How she'd managed to layer that under this jacket I'd never know.

"What are you doing out here, anyway?" Alice took my hand and pulled me along behind her in the direction I'd been heading. I wasn't sure if I wanted to tell her about the trouble at Charlie's, so I stalled.

"Why are you out here first?" Alice chuckled and tugged my hand. Apparently I wasn't walking fast enough for her.

"I do this every morning" her sing song voice was so cheery. I couldn't understand why. It probably wasn't even later than 7AM yet 'But I asked you first"

"Oh, well-" I bit my lip hesitantly "I – I needed to get out of the house for a bit – for the fresh air you know?" Alice tilted her head to study my face a we walked. For a moment I thought she was going to pry, but then she smiled and gave me a little shrug.

"Ok. I can understand that" She didn't believe me. I could tell that much. But she was going to let it slide. I was thankful for that. Suddenly, it hit me.

"Alice?" I stopped and let go of her hand "Where are we going?" Alice grinned at me, her white, perfect teeth showing.

"To my house. You're in desperate need of Hot Chocolate"

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I was going to end it here since it's like, 12:24 AM right now, but I thought since I'm sick anyway and I haven't been able to sleep without a blood/blocked nose, coughing, sore throat or queasiness, I'd just keep writing until I'm too tired to care about these things :D

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"Are you sure this is ok, Alice? I don't want to impose-"

"Don't be silly, Bella. You sit down right there" Alice pressed me down by the shoulders onto a counter stool and turned to the fridge "this will only take a minute anyway" Alice's house was absolutely beautiful. It was much larger than Charlie's, and it was mostly glass walls on the Lake side. Everything was ultra modern and clean like Charlie's, but it seemed to suit the house here. It was mostly earth colours inside; Or autumn colours. It was pretty much a mix between the two. The kitchen was wonderful. The counters were a glossy cherry oak with black marble countertops. The stove and oven was built into the counter at the end. The walls were like a café brown colour while the linoleum was a pale yellow. It was obviously well designed.

"Do you have sugar usually?" Alice asked me as she busied herself with the stove, heating up the milk she'd just poured into a pan "I'm not sure. I don't have it with this because it's pretty sweet as it is-"

"I'll be fine without it Alice" I smiled teasingly "I'm probably sweet enough already"

"That's what he thinks too" Alice giggled. I frowned at her, a confused smile tugging at my lips.

"Sorry?"

"What?" Alice gazed at me with innocent, yet amused eyes.

"What did you say?"

"What did I say when?"

"Just then?"

"What?" I gapped at Alice, and shook my head in confusion. She grinned. "I'm sorry, Bella. What were we talking about?"

"Never mind" Alice had, during my confused state, already finished the hot chocolates and turned off the stove. She handed me a hot pink mug, holding a light blue one in her own hands. The ceramic mug was nice and warm against my still slightly cold fingers. The house was quite warm though. There was a fireplace in the lounge room behind me you see. I took a sip of my drink and my eyes closed. A smile pulled at my lips again. A content one.

"This is good"

"I know, right?" Alice's eyebrows went up as she agreed wholeheartedly. She leant forward over the counter, towards me. Her elbows rested on the top and her hands cradled her mug. "It's a Family special. Edward makes it better though. He adds something different to it. I just use the normal stuff" A pensive look swept over Alice's face and she smiled down into her mug. "You should try his hot chocolate next time you see him. I'm sure he'd make it for you if you asked"

I snorted inwardly. From the impression I'd gotten down by the jetty, he wasn't going to go out of his way to make me hot chocolate upon request. Alice sensed my doubt and rolled her eyes, grinning again. She was always grinning!

"Don't look like that Bella!" she reached forward and touched my arm affectionately "He would make it for you! He loves to show off in the kitchen. And since you're probably the only girl left in Wannabe that he hasn't dazzled with his kitchen expertise, you can bet he'd be more than eager to do it"

"You make him sound like such a player, Alice" I kidded. She shrugged.

"Well, if the shoe fits, I suppose" I was about to ask what she meant, but someone chose that moment to enter the kitchen.

"Good morning Alice. Bring home a stray did we?" A large, muscly boy with brown hair walked straight to the fridge and extracted a carton of milk. I assumed this was Emmett since he seemed older than both Alice and I. He grinned at me.

"You're Bella aren't you?" When I nodded, he chuckled "I thought as much. Alice hasn't shut up about you" he took a swig straight from the carton, earning a smack on the back of the head by Alice. The force of it caused him to spill milk down the front of his sleeveless jacket.

"Emmett!" Alice's horrified expression was pretty funny. I stifled a giggle. "We all drink that milk you moron! I don't want your backwash!"

"Well, here's some news for you, baby sister" Emmet ruffled her hair and put the milk away "I've been swigging from that thing since we opened it" Alice's mouthful of hot chocolate was spat into the sink.

"Emmett Cullen!!! You are disgusting!" I rolled my eyes and kept on drinking my drink. Alice shot me a horrified look "Bella! His germs are in that drink!" I shrugged and smiled at them both.

"Phil did it back in Phoenix too. It doesn't bother me anymore. We all have the same germs I reckon anyway"

"But – that's not the point!" Emmett laughed at Alice's shocked reaction and ruffled her hair again.

"Carlisle will be up soon. I'll get the paper if you do the coffee, 'kay?" he flashed a trademark million-dollar smile and Alice glanced at me.

"Did you want to stay for a while Bella?" she looked quite excited at the idea "I mean, you're already here, and then you can meet everyone. Please?"

"Just say yes, Bella" Emmett advised from halfway across the lounge room "It'll make your life easier" he closed the front door behind him noisily, and I wondered how no one else had woken up yet.

"Come on Bella!" Alice pleaded. She peered up at me through her dark eyelashes "Please?" I didn't want to go home yet, and there was no where else to go. So what else was I going to say? Besides, I decided that I liked the Cullens –

"Sure" I agreed "That'd be great"

"Awesome!"

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The next person to stumble into the kitchen was a beautiful woman with caramel coloured hair. She wasn't very tall, much like Alice, but she had an extremely well angled face. She almost reminded me of one of those classy actresses from the old black and white movies. And she, like Alice, was very chipper in the morning.

"Oh, Hello!" She smiled uncertainly at me before switching her gaze to Alice "Did I adopt another one and forget about it?" Alice pressed her palm to her mouth and continued to brew heaps of coffee with her free hand.

"This is Bella. Bella, this is Esme" She turned and winked at me "My step mum" she elaborated.

"Oh! Pleased to meet you!" I expected her to offer to shake my hand but she didn't. Instead, she came around to my side of the stool and kissed each of my cheeks. Very classical and elegant.

"The pleasure is mine, I'm sure" Esme's voice, I noticed, was very sweet and lovely. She articulated very well and her tone was smooth and calming. I could tell instantly that I was going to like her.

"Are the lazy asses up yet, mum?" I found it odd that Alice referred to Esme as 'mum'. I guess though that it just seemed weird because I preferred to be on first name basis with Phil… and Charlie… and occasionally Renee. Maybe I was just weird.

"Getting there" Esme replied and took a cup of coffee that Alice offered her "Rosalie just finished her shower so I'd say Carlisle's next"

"Jasper?"

"Getting dressed as we speak"

"and Edward?" Esme gave Alice a knowing look.

"Still asleep" Alice sighed dramatically and shrugged.

"That figures" I giggled. Emmett soon returned with the morning paper and handed it to Esme with a kiss on the cheek. Alice had buttered a bread roll and smeared it with jam, before holding it out to him without looking in his direction. She smirked when he took it and hungrily bit into it. Rosalie appeared from no where and kissed him on the cheek .

"Morning gorgeous" Emmett mumbled with a full mouth.

"Hello" Wow. Ok, I assumed that these two were a couple. I guess it wasn't bad because they weren't related, but it was odd that Esme was unfazed by this happening in such close quarters. Rosalie turned and saw me. A smile lit up her features. Her blonde hair seemed to be sitting perfect despite the fact that it was still a little wet from her shower. "Bella! How good to see you again!"

"Ditto" I offered timidly. Rosalie had been nothing but nice to me, but I couldn't help but be intimidated by her beauty. I mean, all these people were beautiful. The males included. But Rosalie was the type of beauty that every girl secretly envied, no matter how much they pretended that they didn't.

"Morning everyone!" Two males entered the now crowded kitchen. Rosalie moved to the stood beside mine to make room. I assumed that this was Jasper and Carlisle. Carlisle stood tall, blonde and beautiful. I'd assumed as much. But Jasper was different to what I'd imagined. His featured were almost feminine, but there was masculinity there to. He sported wild blonde hair that stuck up in all directions, and he had an athletic build. Not overly muscly. But not weak. He hugged Alice from behind and kissed her head. Another couple.

"Morning" he yawned sleepily. Alice giggled and held his arms tighter around her.

"Morning lazy bones" she turned in his arms and gave him some coffee. He pecked her on the moth.

"Thankyou"

"Jasper I assume?" I greeted knowingly, winking at Alice who blushed for the first time. "And Carlisle?" I nodded at Carlisle, who'd kissed his wife and taken a sip of her coffee. They both greeted me politely, but it was obvious that they weren't morning people, unlike the others. They yawned and blinked hard, trying to awaken their senses. The energy in this place was warm and light hearted. The love and affection in the atmosphere was like nothing I'd ever experienced before. I loved it.

"I'm off to work honey" Carlisle mumbled, kissing Esme on the cheek. He kissed both Rosalie and Alice as well.

"Nice to meet you Bella" Carlisle smiled apologetically at me "Sorry if I'm a little out of it, but I'm just not quite awake at the moment"

"That's ok!" I completely understood "I'm the same usually" He nodded at me and headed for the front door, his keys in one hand, and a brief case in the other.

"I'm afraid I have to leave too" Rosalie sent me an apologetic look also "Emmett and I are going to the city today. We've got shopping to do for Christmas"

"Fun" Emmett groaned. Alice elbowed him and he half choked on the last mouthful of his bread roll. I smiled.

"That's fine. Don't worry about leaving. I did show up uninvited"

"I invited you!" Alice corrected "The word you were looking for was unexpected. Like we care about that though"

"Be that as it may" Rosalie cut in with a laugh "We do have to shoot off. Maybe I'll see you later, ok?"

"Sure!" my head nodded of quickly "Of course" Rosalie picked up a set of keys which had been sitting unnoticed on the edge of the counter. Emmett trailed behind her, pouting.

"I hate shopping" he groaned.

"Suck it up, Cullen!" Esme, Alice and I laughed until they left. Jasper was still in a sleepy state of mind, leaning casually against the counter, sipping more coffee.

"Where does Carlisle work?" I asked.

"He works at the new local hospital" Esme replied "It's newly built. It's quite lovely actually"

"Oh, ok"

"Did you want another drink, Bella?" Alice offered, holding up a nearly empty jug of coffee "there's still some left"

"Oh" I replied, holding up my empty hands in a weak form of apology "Sorry. I don't drink coffee"

"Oh! I can make you some more hot chocolate, since we've all got Emmett's germs now – by the way Esme, Emmett's been swigging from the carton again" Esme laughed and shook her head, not concerned by this, unlike Alice had been earlier

"I'm fine, thankyou Alice"

"Suit yourself" Alice turned to her left and stopped. Her jaw dropped and she cried out.
"Edward! Could you at least have gotten dressed before you come parading your body down here?"

"You guys know what I look like Alice" Edward appeared from beside the fridge where the doorway had apparently been hidden. He stood there in nothing but a pair of black and red plaid boxers. I couldn't help but stare at his well muscled chest. I noted the thin line of hair that lead downwards from his navel. Realizing where it led, I blushed and averted my gaze from him entirely.

"We may have but Bella doesn't need to see!" Edward frowned and opened his mouth to reply when his gaze locked onto me. I shifted uncomfortably on my stool while Esme tutted humorously. Edward blinke at me for a moment before he grinned the she grin Alice had sported moments ago.

"Oh well. Nothing she hasn't seen before, right?"

He went about pouring the last bit of coffee into a mug, promptly ignoring the rest of us. I perposfully kept my gaze on anything but him.

Because he was actually quite attractive to me.

Too bad he was an ass.

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So there we have it. Over 3,000 words in this chapter! Whoo, I'm tired. But I still won't be able to sleep. But whatever. I hope you enjoy. And I appreciate reviews. If reviews die on my stories, I stop writing chapters for a while and move back to my other story, so if you'd rather me write more for this one rather than Going Green [which I'd love it if you read that too, but no pressure! :D], then just review and let me know. Ideas, comments, criticisms… anything goes so long as it's tasteful and helpful.

Check out my profile for images to do with this story and Going Green. I forget sometimes to mention them in these chapters so there's probably stuff there that you don't know about. But again, whatever :D

Stay well.

Well, well 'er' than me anyway :P

Cheers

Kellie.