I don't own Twilight.

**

After we left the restaurant, I hung out at Mike's apartment for a bit. He wouldn't shut the fuck up.

"Dude, that girl Isabella, she was fucking hot!" He repeated, his beer sloshing around in his cup.

"Shut the fuck up!" I wanted to scream in his face.

"I should get going. I gotta get back home," I said, standing up.

"G'nite Eddo," He said, holding up his cup. I gave him a curt smile before letting myself out of the apartment.

I jogged up to the closest bus stop and waited patiently.

My thoughts kept coming back to Isabella, remembering her blush, her voice, her hair...

Snap out of it!

But I couldn't.

I needed advice. And not just regular plain, old advice.

I needed Alice.

The bus came to a quick halt and I got on. Once I was settled into a seat, a took out my blackberry and hit speed dial.

"Edward?" Her chipper voice asked.

"How'd you know it's me?" I teased.

"I have caller ID, duh," She said. "Fancy talking to you, stranger. What do you need help with?"

"How do you know I need help?"

"You're my baby brother, Edward! I think I should know my own brother," She scoffed.

"Okay, one, I was born only eleven seconds later, and two, I need your advice," I explained.

"Who is she?" She said.

"Who said it was girl advice?" I countered.

She giggled and sighed.

"Look, maybe it's better to tell you in person," I sighed, looking around. An old lady was giving me the stink eye and a hobo up in front was looking at my shoes.

"But shouldn't you be back in your lavish home on the island?" She said, enunciating lavish more than necessary.

"I went out with a couple of friends."

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!! EDWARD ANTHONY CULLEN ACTUALLY WENT OUT!" She bellowed into the phone.

"Shut up," I muttered. "Anyway, can I crash at your place? I need some advice to sort out my thoughts."

Wait for it.

Wait.

For.

It.

"EEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!"She squealed. "Of course! I moved a bit farther up from my old place, though."

"Still on 5th avenue?" I asked.

"Yup. I'll text you the address. See you then!" She said before hanging up.

The bus came to a quick halt on 5th avenue and I got out.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and read:

1 New message:

Building #1265 penthouse!! C u there!!! Luv, Aliceeee!

I chuckled and walked down the street, looking for the right number.

"Here we go," I said, walking towards the large gates with 1265 in big, plated gold numbers.

I buzzed the penthouse button, when I heard her squealing.

"Come on up, Edward!" She said through the buzzer, before the gates slowly opened. I widened my eyes; who knew Alice had such a swanky place?

I walked up to the big, stained glass doors. The door was already open, probably from Alice's doing. I made my way to the elevator and pressed 'Penthouse', before hearing a soft ding a closing doors.

My thoughts ran back to Isabella. She was...certainly different. Hell, she seemed like a bit of a spitfire, yelling at Mike and arguing with him, standing up for herself. No girl that I knew would do that, except for Alice of course. She stood out like a fucking sore thumb, in a good way. You know, differentiating herself from the other girls at her job. I bet she's smart, too. That adding on with the beauty, her witty attitude...

"EDWARD ANTHONY FUCKING CULLEN!"

I jumped out of my thoughts. Alice stood before me, arms folded with a grin on her face.

"Arent'cha gonna give your 'lil old sis a hug?!" She asked impatiently.

I laughed, picking her up by the waist and twirling her around like we did when we were younger.

"Hey Tink," I said, ruffling her hair as I put her back down.

"Not the hair!" She squealed, fluffing and patting her short, cropped hair.

"What did you do to your hair?" I asked, taking in the jet-black spikes that adorned her head.

"Do you like it? I got it done about two weeks ago," She said, twirling around.

"Very pretty," I approved, nodding.

"Oh where are my manners! Come in!" She said, yanking me down the hallway, unlocking French doors.

"Mi casa," She said, gesturing me inside.

"Wow, Ali," I said, taking in the room.

It was far better than the little one bedroom apartment I had been so used to. Everything was much like our old home back in Washington, light, airy and free.

"Don't you love it?" She asked, pointing to the chandelier in the middle of the living room. It was made out of clear white crystals, almost icicle-like.

"Who knew being an art teach can get you all of this?" I commented, running a hand along the beige leather couch.

"I work two jobs, remember?" She sighed, flopping onto the couch. I sat down next to her, pulling off my shoes.

"Yeah, MAT or something right?"

She rolled her eyes at me.

"It's MAC, not MAT, dumbass," She teased, slapping my arm.

"Violence is never the answer, little one," I joked.

"I am not little! I'm older than you," She huffed. "Anyway, what's your girl problem? Jenny wants you back?"

"Her name was Jessica," I corrected. "And....I'm just really, very...she's really different and-- argh!"

I threw my hands up in the air, frustrated.

"Awwww, someone's gotcha tongue tied!" She said, ruffling my hair. Her face scrunched up. "Not to self: make you get a haircut."

"I don't need a haircut," I grumbled.

"Off topic here! I need something to work with, Edward! What's her name? What does she do? How old is she?"

"Whoa Ali, one at a time," I chuckled. "Her name's Isabella."

The huge grin from her face faltered for a second before she replaced it with a fake smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing. Keep going," She said, urging me to continue.

"She's...different. I can't put a pinpoint on it, but she's really different from the other girls I went out with. And she's a real looker too," I sighed as the words poured out of me. "Not like those girls that think they're gorgeous cause they cake on makeup or anything like that. You have to look at her for a few minutes to really see her beauty. She has long, chestnut hair that's not chemically enhanced or some shit like that either. And her eyes. Alice, they're like those caramel hershey kisses that I love. They're not exactly brown, but not exactly hazel. Just both of them mixed into one. And she's one hell of a spit fire, too. She stood up for herself when my dumbass of a co-worker called her a whore for working at Hooter's. And she doesn't openly flirt or any crap like that, and most girls I've met done that with me. She's just...imperfect. But in a way, she's perfect for me. I think."

God, I sound like a pussy.

The fake smile on Alice's face was replaced with a full-blown grin.

"Sounds like love at first sight to me!" Alice squealed. "You never gushed about a girl like that to me before. Ever."

"I did not gush," I huffed. "I had word vomit."

"Still, you're looooovvvveeeee drunk!" She sang.

"I hate that song," I grumbled.

"She got you head over heels in less than a day? I've gotta give her props next--"

She stopped abruptly.

"Next what?" I asked her.

"Um...er," She stuttered, adverting her eyes to the plush rug on the floor.

"Next what?" I repeated.

"The next time you take me to see her, duh!" She said quickly.

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously, but let it go.

"Alice, I'm not even sure if I'm gonna see her. She probably thinks I have the mind of a caveman!" I sighed, throwing my hands up in the air. "I barely spoke proper sentences to her."

"Then go back tonight and change her mind! I don't want some weird fear coming in between you and her!" She exclaimed.

"I'll think about it Ali," I sighed, wanting to change the subject. "It's okay for me to crash here tonight?"

"Of course!" She said. "I think I have some old shirts in here somewhere. Emmett came over and handed me his laundry."

She scrunched up her nose and pranced into her room.

"These will probably be too big on you, but unless you want to squeeze into my clothes, these will have to do!" She said, tossing me a gray shirt and sweat pants.

"Bathroom?" I asked.

"Second door on the left," She directed me.

I nodded and headed for the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I slipped on the too-big sweatpants, pulling the strings tight so the pants wouldn't fall down. I followed with the shirt ending mid thigh and the sleeves almost past my elbows.

I ran a hand through my hair, in attempt to tame it. No such luck.

I folded my jeans and button down shirt before walking out.

"Hehe," I heard Alice giggle.

I turned around, finding her holding out a mug.

"You look like a hobo," She commented.

"Gee, thanks," I mumbled, taking the mug. I took a sip from the mug before yawning and flopping out on the couch.

"You know, there is a guest room here," She said.

"I'm fine here," I shrugged.

"Suit yourself," She said, tossing me a blanket and pillow.

"G'nite Edward," She said, retreating back to her room.

"Nite Alice," I said back, setting the mug on the coffee table. I fluffed out the pillow and threw the blanket over me.

I'm gonna see Isabella again. I just know it.

**

"Wakey wakey sleepy head!"

I grumbled, burying my head into the pillow.

"Get your ass up, Edward!" Alice yelled in my ear.

"Dammit Alice!" I shot up from my position, covering my ear. "I'm gonna lose my hearing 'cuz of you!"

She smiled before motioning me into the kitchen.

"I don't have much for breakfast. I usually go out," She said, shuffling through her refrigerator.

"I could go out and get what you need," I shrugged, wiping the sleep from my eyes.

"You don't have to..." She started.

"Nah, it's fine. I really hate diner food, anyway," I said.

"Mkay," She said, handing me a list and two twenties.

I nodded, grabbing my folded up clothes and shoes, heading to the bathroom. I slipped them on and ran a hand through my hair once again, only making it wilder than before. I pulled on my shoes and slipped on my ray-bans, not ready for the too-powerful sun just yet.

"Be back in a few," I said to Alice, who was combing her hair and flickering through channels.

"See ya!" She chirped, locking the door as I left.

I took the stairs since the elevator was full of people, I'm guessing for church since it's Sunday. I watched the gates open slowly once more and made my way to the nearest market, a few blocks down.

I grabbed a basket and pulled out Alice's list:

Honey bunches of oats

Milk

Bananas

Orange juice

Playtex Tampons

Venus embrace razor heads....

I stopped.

Note to self: Never run errands for Alice.

Shaking my head, I stuffed the list back into my pocket and picked up the bananas and milk, following with the orange juice and honey bunches of oats.

I gulped, looking up at the aisle sign:

Feminine hygiene.

Everything was so...feminine. And foreign.

I felt my ears redden as I grabbed the first box of tampons and razor heads.

I turned to rush out of the aisle when I bumped into someone. Again.

"Oof!"

Wait. I've heard that voice before.

I brushed the hair out of my eyes and looking up.

Isabella.

My eyes diverted to the floor, spotting her groceries. I tried to smile as I handed her the tampons that fell out.

"Er, sorry," I apologized.

"It's fine, thanks," She said, her cheeks reddening. "Edward, right?"

"Yeah," I said lamely, scratching the back of my neck awkwardly.

She raised her eyebrows.

"Tampons?"

My eyes widened. "Er, my sister."

"Ah," She said, nodding her head. "Well I'd better go."

She started to walk away.

Do something, fucktard!

"Isabella! Wait!" I called. She turned around as I jogged up to her.

"Um, is it okay, if, er, I can call you?" I asked weakly.

She narrowed her eyes at me.

"Are you gonna be like your stupid friend?" She asked sharply.

What the fuck?

"No," I said, shaking my head. "Mike's a stupid ass. I would never act like that."

"Why do you hang out with that prick then? He's stupid," She huffed.

"Look, I know you barely know me and all--"

"Damn straight," She interrupted.

"--But I just want to get to know you. As a friend, I mean," I finished.

Her frustrated demeanor softened as I said friend.

"...A friend?" She asked softly.

"Yeah, a friend," I shrugged.

She sighed, playing with the bottom of her shirt.

I squeezed my eyes as I prepared myself for the rejection.

"I have night shifts at Hooter's."

My eyes snapped open.

"You can see me there. I mean, I might not get your table, but I may get lucky and...well, I guess I kinda want you to be my friend too. Usually I'd be jumped by now," She joked, smiling.

My knees felt a little weak.

"Great," I smiled back widely. "I guess I'll see you tonight, then?"

"Yeah, tonight," She echoed.

I nodded, grinning as she waved and left the aisle.

The feminine hygiene aisle.

Realizing where I was, I rushed to the line, dumping the stuff out of my basket and onto the belt. The cashier raised his eyebrows as he scanned the tampons and razors.

"My sister," I said, handing him the twenties.

I heard him mutter 'Gay fag' and bagged my items, stuffing the receipt inside. I narrowed my eyes at him before walking out of the store.

I looked around to make sure that no one was around.

"I'M SEEING ISABELLA TONIGHT!!!!"

**

Aww, I love head-over-heels Edward. Okay, before questions start erupting:

1) Edward is not in love with Bella. At least not yet ;). He's just so excited that he's found a normal girl that intrigues him.

2) Bella's walls aren't going down just yet. She's slowly opening up to him, being since he's the only male that hasn't hit on her.

3) Ooooohhhhh Alice almost spilled the beans! This was a VERY important chapter, a little crack into the plot, as I call it.

Now, I know that we didn't reach my goal of 40 reviews total for last chapter -_-. No matter, I know we can do it! I hope I can have at least 25+ reviews, though! Please? For the next chapter? For Edward?

Peace out kiddos ;D.