A/N: An Alice POV! She's going to play bigger role as the story progresses :)


Chapter 4. A Former Friend

APOV

My brother was truly an idiot. I don't know how he didn't recognize Bella. She had always been smart, charming, and witty. I'd concede on the fact that she was a shy girl and mostly kept to herself, but she had always been beautiful, even back in high school. I always thought that Bella was probably the type of girl Edward would be attracted to, and he had always talked about her fondly when he mentioned his Biology classes. But while I thought that maybe they had a chance of being together, he had wasted his time dealing with the bitches, Lauren and Jessica, and then dealing with his so-called 'friendship' with Tanya.

It was such as surprise when he mentioned that he was working with a junior editor name Isabella Swan. I immediately thought of Bella. It had to be her, it couldn't possibly be a coincidence. I was even more convinced that it was her when Edward mentioned he invited her to lunch with us, but she had to refuse because she already had plans. I could only guess that she was avoiding meeting the rest of us for fear that we would recognize her, while Edward had not. I couldn't help but sigh at my brother's idiocy. How could he not recognize her?

I had never been great friends with Bella, mostly because I never got the chance. She was a really nice girl, and I had gotten to know her when she helped out with decorations for the spring dance. I had volunteered to run the committee and organize the ball, and Bella had been roped in somehow by one of her friends. Although I had wanted to be better friends with her then, she preferred to be in the shadows instead of the limelight, so I never really got the opportunity.

Now that she was back in my brother's life, I knew I had to do something about it. Mother was intent on getting Edward to settle, even if that meant getting him together with Tanya. I knew that Edward and Tanya would eventually work out if they did, but Edward would never truly be in love with her in the way that I was in love with Jasper. I was certain of this. But with Bella, I had a feeling there was something there. When Edward talked about her, even back in high school, he would have that certain glint in his eye, and his crooked grin would involuntarily creep on to his face. Four years later, despite not remembering her, Edward definitely seemed happy talking about her now.

Either way, Alice was always up for a matchmaking challenge.


A/N: Finally, a new character POV! Alice and her scheming ways will be important if Bella and Edward ever want to have a chance!