heres chapter 6! :D

NOTE: i put the f word once in this chapter. i usually dont cuss except for damn, shit, and hell. BUT. itt seemed ncessary xD.

anyway, its just a word. :D

review! and take a look at my note on the bottom please. i need yall help. BUT after you read. :D

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CHAPTER 6 – The Dialogue

Pieces – Sum 41

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The bell rang, signaling the end of class.

I gathered up my things, shoving my notebooks and pens into my messenger bag before standing up and waving at Angela Weber, a nice, quiet girl who sat next to me in class. Then I left the building.

Several weeks had passed, and it was nearly the end of September. The weather was beginning to cool down just a tad bit more as November peeked around the corner. Jacob and I had gradually grown closer, and I totally loved our nicknames - Bells and, now, Jake. He was my new guy best friend, and it was absolutely fantastic.

At work, Edward and I totally and completely ignored each other. I didn't talk to him, he didn't talk to me. There were days where he left right after the restaurant closed, and there were other days where he stayed behind. I knew this because sometimes, I'd see his car in the parking lot while I left. Stupid, shiny Volvo owner. But I never ran into him once.

"Hey, Rose," I greeted, sliding into her red convertible and smiling at her.

Rosalie grinned at me, shrugged on her expensive-looking sunglasses, and sped down the street, away from Northwestern University to Chicago.

"How was class?" she asked genially, her smile content and cheerful.

"Fine," I replied, sighing. Then I stared at her suspiciously. "What's up?"

"The sky," she said cheerfully.

I gave her a look, though I was smirking.

Rosalie glanced at me, her expression acutely innocent. "What?"

"Rosalie Hale."

She grinned, bringing her gaze back to the street as she sank into a dream land.

There was a short silence while I waited for her to talk.

"I got the job!"

I felt my jaw drop. "Oh, my God! Congratulations!" I squealed, throwing my arms awkwardly around her neck.

She laughed gleefully. "Thanks, B."

I squealed again. "Seriously, Rose! This is awesome! I'm so happy for you," I said genuinely. "Wait…for which brand?"

It was Rosalie's turn to squeal. "Abercrombie & Fitch," she replied smugly.

"Oh, my God, did you tell Alice yet?" I asked.

Rosalie smirked. "Of course. She was the first to know."

"I'm hurt you didn't tell me first."

"I'm hurt you didn't let me sign your cast first." She wiggled her eyebrows at me, and I smacked her arm, laughing.

"So, when does your first day as an Abercrombie & Fitch model start?" I asked enthusiastically.

"Tomorrow. I get to start some mini photo shoots and everything. It's all in New York, so I've got a plane to catch tonight."

"Woo! Congrats," I said buoyantly. "Pack fast!"

She laughed, hitting the pedal when the light turned green. "You bet. And you know what else?" Rosalie sang.

"What?"

She paused for dramatic effect. "I think James is going to propose to me!" she finally blurted, her blue eyes bright, a gorgeous grin on her lips.

I laughed, sharing her instant ecstasy. "Wow!" I said genuinely. "Congrats, Rose!"

Rosalie laughed carelessly, the sound like musical notes. "Thanks, B."

"So, when's he gonna pop the pop?" I teased.

Rosalie gave me a strange look before trailing her gaze back to the road, looking happy as ever. "I don't know," she squeaked excitedly. "But who cares! It's soon! And I know my answer."

From the absolute look on her face, I could tell she wasn't lying.

"Oh. My. God," I said, my lips turning up into a wide smile. "You're going to say yes, aren't you?!"

Rosalie nodded her head fervently, bouncing energetically in her seat. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!"

We both screamed and squealed loudly as the light went from yellow to red.

"I am so happy for ya," I said sincerely, giving her another awkward hug after she pulled to a stop. "Rosie's growing up."

She smirked. "I know."

I laughed, but was interrupted by my phone ringing. Without bothering to look at the caller ID, I brought it my ear.

"Hello?"

"BELLA!" a voice squealed, and I instantly knew who it was – much to my dismay.

"Mom."

Personally, my mother, Renee Dwyer, wasn't a bad person. She was slightly eccentric of course, and a little all over the place, but there wasn't anything bad with her really. I just didn't like her much – I mean, she was too energetic, way more than Alice. Overly bouncy to the point where it got annoying. Her hobbies changed frequently, and she was one of those act-before-you-think kinds of people. Her mentality was often questioned by spectators.

I'd gotten my calmness and maturity from Charlie Swan, my dad. He's the chief police back in a small, rainy town called Forks, in Washington. My parents are divorced, and even when Renee left, I knew it hurt Charlie more than ever. I was about nine when the divorce happened, and later ended up staying with my dad in Forks. I paid occasional visits to Renee, who'd moved to Jacksonville, Florida, during the summers.

"So, baby, how have you been?" she asked, her motherly/best friend tone coming up.

"Just fine," I said, sending a look to Rosalie, who only smiled and kept driving. "How's Phil? And Allison?"

Phil is Renee's husband, and my step-father. He's an overall cool guy, though he's several years younger than Renee. Phil was probably the only person besides me that kept Renee together rather than jumping all over the place doing life-threatening things. They married about five years after the divorce (Charlie didn't attend the wedding. He claimed to be "too busy.") and about two years later, they gave birth to Allison Dwyer. Little Allie is as cute as a button…and as evil as a witch.

When I'd come to visit last year, the little mongrel hid my purse (which had my wallet, ID, driver's license, etc.) in a trash can at some neighbor's house four blocks away (How did she do it?!). It took me five hours to find it, for I hadn't realized it was gone until I'd decided to leave. And when I'd found it, it smelled like something I never ever wanted to smell again. What was sad was that it was a hundred-dollar Coach purse, something Rosalie had given to me for my nineteenth birthday.

"Oh, Bella, they are just fantastic." Renee's voice snapped me out of my memories. "Allison learned how to walk!"

"That's great, Mom," I said. "She knew how to walk the last time I visited."

Renee didn't catch the sarcastic tone in my voice. " – offering him a job to coach the baseball team. The Angels. Can you believe it, Bella? Phil could make tons of money!"

"Wow, that's awesome," I said sincerely, glad that they were well off. Back in Forks, Charlie had struggled with loans and bills, so I'd had to take a job in a local camping store to earn some extra money. "It's nice to see that things are going well in Jacksonville."

Renee laughed loudly. "So, when are you going to visit again?"

I bit my lip, deep down, not really wanting to visit. I didn't like Jacksonville much.

"I don't know, Mom. I'm hoping to graduate, and I need all the time I can get."

I heard her sigh on the other line. "Alright, Bella. Fine." I could imagine her pouting. "But come over for Thanksgiving!"

"I'll see what I can do," I said with a weary sigh. "So, Mom, why are you really calling? You never call just to check up on me."

Renee chuckled.

"You know me too well," she teased, and we both laughed. "Well, the truth is, Phil, Ally, and I are flying up to Chicago soon."

I almost choked over nothing.

"What!"

"I know! Isn't that great?"

"Um…yeah…" I said, trying to put as much enthusiasm as possible.

Thankfully, she didn't notice. "Phil has never been to Chicago before, and I want you to see Ally again. She loves you, you know."

"Mhmm," I said somewhat monotonously. "She's great, Mother." She didn't know this, but I always used 'mother' when I was highly aggravated by her.

Renee sighed cheerfully. "Well, we'll be up in a couple months or so. Probably for Christmas or something, or maybe before that."

I sighed, biting my lip. "Alright," I said somewhat reluctantly, resting my elbow against the side door. I pressed my forehead against the cool car window, closing my eyes tightly. "I need to go. Talk to you later, Mom."

Renee squealed. "We'll see you soon, Baby!"

-E-c-l-i-p-s-e-

EPOV

Bella Swan. Isabella Swan. Bella Cullen. Bella Masen? Isabella Masen. Isabella Cullen.

My brow furrowed. Something was seriously wrong with me.

I took a drag, glaring out at the city of Chicago. This world was messed up and twisted. Sure, Chicago was a gorgeous place. I'd give it that much. But this damn universe would be the death of me. I wanted to murder whoever came up with Internet. I wanted to murder whoever came up with love. Hell, I wanted to murder whoever came up with murder. All in all, I wasn't in a good mood.

I took another drag, exhaling clouds of smoke and willing my grumpiness to go away. I leaned against the rail of the balcony, staring at the pink-yellow-orange mixture of the Chicago skyline. The air was cold, but I didn't care.

Who the hell invented women? They were infuriating.

I took another drag, inwardly ranting about how women – such as Bella Swan – could be so adorable, nosy, irritating, and gorgeous, all at the same time.

Isabella Swan. I'd known her for years on end, ever since the day she began working at La Bella Italia. The buzz of a new employee was quite conspicuous, and I discreetly listened in. It wasn't as if people were quiet about it. I remember what I thought the first time I saw her – beautiful. But even then, I was a shell and didn't want anyone barging into my life. I'd had enough of that.

She looked sort of annoying too. But then again, any woman I meet nowadays is considered annoying to me. Especially after Tanya. That girl was an epic disaster. Once again, who invented women?

"Edward?" a deep voice called.

I exhaled heavily, closing my eyes and trying to wear off the fury that was bound to come every time he came to visit me. I remember getting the text message. He sounded so happy to be visiting again.

"Emmett," I growled. Reason 1 - My brother is here.

Emmett was my brother. We weren't biologically related, for both of us were adopted by Carlisle and Esme Cullen when we were younger. Emmett was a big, burly guy who looked intimidating on the outside, but really was a childish, immature loser on the inside. I hated him. He always found some way to get himself involved in my business, and I hated it. That damn meddler.

"Are you smoking again?" he asked, that familiar disapproving tone in his voice.

"Are you mothering me again?" I snapped, barely turning around to glance at him, though I knew he had joined me on the balcony. "I've already had enough of it from Esme. I don't need you coming here to sympathize for me." Reason 2 - Those sympathetic/pitiful looks.

Emmett held his hands up, palms forward. "Hey, watch it, I was just asking," he said, but we both knew better. He hated it when I disobeyed Esme in any way. "You know I care about you," he added.

I didn't answer. Instead, I said, "How did you get in?"

Emmett smirked, and at the corner of my eye, I saw him dangling a key in the air. "You gave this to me, remember? When you were drunk that one night?"

Shit.

I didn't answer, taking another drag instead.

I heard Emmett sigh. "Edward, get rid of the cigarette."

"No."

"C'mon, Edward, stop smoking."

"No."

Emmett gave an aggravated sigh, and I finally turned to look at him, my face an unfathomable mask.

"Dammit, Edward," Emmett said, running a hand through his curly brown hair. He was at least a head taller than me. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, and then grabbed my hand, which was holding the cigarette.

"What the hell are you doing?" I exclaimed, yanking my arm away, only for it to be tugged on again. Emmett threw me over his shoulder. "Dammit, put me down!"

Reason 65,876: He knew I hated him, but yet he found pleasure in annoying me.

"Nope, little bro," Emmett said cheerfully from below me, sounding happy and annoyingly cheerful. My head bobbed up and down as he walked back into the house, me thrashing angrily against his back with my fists.

He roughly set me onto the couch, yanking the cigarette from between my fingers. I waited for a moment, trying to get the blood back from my head as the room spun slightly.

"This," he growled, "…is gonna kill you."

I allowed myself to smirk, knowing just how much it annoyed him. "And?"

Emmett narrowed his eyes at me. "And, Carlisle and Esme would –"

The mention of our parents hit a nerve, and I shot out of my seat, hands clenched at my sides. "Don't you dare," I seethed. "They really don't give a damn about me, Em, no matter how much Esme says it."

My older brother sighed, shaking his head. "Sit down, Edward."

"No."

"I said, sit down."

"How many times must I say it? I will not s –"

"Damn you, Edward," Emmett sighed, roughly shoving me down. "You need to learn to –"

"They lied to me, Emmett," I spat, crossing my arms angrily before I did something I'd regret.

Emmett froze, his eyes hardening. The expression on his face was impassive and unfathomable, a lot like mine was when I attempted to hide my thoughts and feelings. When he spoke, the words were slow, as if he was gradually forming the sentence in his head, word by word. "What on earth are you talking about? Carlisle and Esme wouldn't lie to you."

"Yeah?" I inquired dubiously, glaring at him. "Well, face it, Emmett. The world is a screwed up place, and I accept that." I hesitated, and then said, "But of course, you wouldn't know that. You're Esme's perfect son." I rolled my eyes.

He opened his mouth to interrupt me, but I continued on.

"You had the best grades in high school, the best grades in college, the best house in all of New York, and right now you make a shitload of money from your McCrinkle shit," I said icily.

Emmett scowled. "It's McCarty, Inc."

I rolled my eyes again. "Whatever."

"I named it after my last name before I was adopted."

"That's great."

Emmett sighed, looking relieved for some reason. Then he perked up again. "See? This is why I took you out to that club the other night. You are a socially damaged, mentally deranged –"

"Shut up!" I yelled, getting onto my feet. "You don't know what I've been through. I seriously thought I was done with you guys, and suddenly" – I turned a fierce glare on him – "you pop up again. Why can't you just leave me alone?"

Emmett smirked, standing up as well, though looking totally at ease. "Well, I do know things, little brother. Besides, Esme and Carlisle still love you. It breaks Esme's heart to see that her son –"

"I'm not her son," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose meanwhile trying to control my anger.

Emmett scowled, ignoring me. " – isn't part of the family anymore. She thinks it's all her fault that you are so isolated. The least you could do is come home for Christmas."

I snorted, crossing my arms. "Over my dead body," I muttered under my breath.

But Emmett heard. "Damn it, Edward. Don't you care at all about Esme? She loves you so much. It kills her that you don't even care."

"I do care."

"Good." He grinned at me. "So you'll be home for Christmas?"

"I didn't say that, Em. I might not even go."

"So there's a chance you'll come."

"I didn't say –"

"YES YOU DID!" Emmett roared suddenly, hopping up and down like an immature five-year-old. Sometimes, he didn't even act like he was twenty-four. "You need to loosen up, buddy. You need to stop being emo." He gasped, cutting off what I was about to say. "I know exactly what you need!"

I raised an eyebrow at him, my lips twitching upward. "And what is that?"

Emmett mirrored my smirk, beginning to pace around the living room floor with a bulky hand on his chin. "You, Edward, need something a man needs. You need something that can make you soar with pleasure...something that gives you all the power." I gulped. "Yes, Edward, you need sex."

Rather than chucking the lamp at him, I merely cocked my head to the side, still smirking. "I don't think so."

"Yeah, that's 'cause you're a virgin," Emmett said, shaking his head. "You see, this kind of stuff isn't as important to those...of the inexperienced." He grinned widely, wiggling his eyebrows at me while I scowled. "Hook up with that chick from the club. You had quite a load of fun with her. What was her name? Beth? Bailey?"

"Bella," I corrected automatically. I was shocked that I could be this defensive, but quickly got over it. I glared at him, though I wasn't sure whether it was because I didn't like the mention of Bella, or because he wanted me to hook up with her just for sex. Maybe she didn't deserve a relationship like that. And since when did I get empathetic? I planted a firm scowl on my face, forcing the words out of my mouth. "She's a nosy bitch who takes pleasure in irritating people, Emmett. Kinda like you." The last sentence was quite truthful.

Emmett raised an eyebrow at me, crossing his arms. "Really? Because the other night, you didn't seem to think that," he said, ignoring the latter statement.

"God, Emmett, you got me drunk. What was I–"

"She is quite attractive." Attractive was an understatement. More like the most beautiful, exquisite creature on this entire planet. But I would never tell him that.

"You know what, Emmett? I want you to leave."

"Oh, I don't think so," Emmett said, frowning. "Not until we settle everything. Sweet, sexy Bella got you defensive, didn't she?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose with my thumb and forefinger, not answering him.

Emmett laughed. "So you do like her!"

"Dammit, Em!" I exclaimed. "I do not like her. Could you stop jumping to conclusions? And did you not hear me before? She is a nosy –"

But I stopped when Emmett laughter interrupted me.

My hands balled into fists, and I sat back down on the couch, trying to control my anger. He was even more infuriating than Bella.

"'Bella' is Italian for 'beautiful,'" Emmett informed me. "You think she's beautiful, don't you?" He raised his voice to a high-pitched, girly tone. "OhmyGod, you're blushing!"

I glowered at him, feeling my cheeks turn even hotter than they usually were. "So, what? Now you're a mind-reader?" I asked sarcastically, fuming.

"So it's true!" Emmett squealed again, sounding like a little girl. It was this tone that always made me want to drive a punch up his nose.

"No it isn't."

"You're such a prick, Edward."

"Fuck off."

"Ooh, watch your language," Emmett sang.

I narrowed my eyes at him, stalking angrily over to the door and yanking it open, not caring who was watching. "The door's open. Just leave. Now."

Emmett smirked. "Don't think so. I'm quite comfortable on your couch. Where did you buy it?"

"Get the hell out," I spat. "Or I'll make you leave."

Emmett chuckled wholeheartedly, laying back along the couch and holding his hands up in defeat. He crossed his ankles and moved his arms behind his head. "Watch it there, little brother. I'm leaving for NYC tomorrow. Must you be so rude?" He paused, frowning, and then a toothy grin formed on his face. "I bet if it was that Bella girl here, you wouldn't shoo her out. In fact" – his grin became a knowing smirk – "you both would be quite occupied in your…ah…bedroom."

I scowled at him, every cell in my body filled with pure hatred for my brother. He made me want to jump off a building.

Emmett roared with laughter.

"And you wonder why I smoke," I said bitterly as I pulled the lighter out of my pocket, along with a pack of cigarettes. I began to light one, ignoring the looks of dissatisfaction from my brother.

"Stop it, Edward," he hissed, immediately becoming that disapproving guy again. "Esme raised you to be a gentleman." There was no trace of laughter on his face.

I shrugged, looking completely at ease and knowing just how much this irritated him.

"Dammit, Edward," Emmett growled. "Stop it."

"I don't think so," I said, taking a drag just for him. "I'm quite…comfortable…with this cigarette."

"Edward," Emmett said in a warning tone.

"Yes, big brother?"

He narrowed his eyes at me, but I smirked anyway, showing no sign of fear.

"Stop being such a prick," he said.

"I feel quite comfortable being one."

"Edward."

"Yes, big brother?" I couldn't hide my smile.

Emmett glowered at me, and in one swift movement, he stood before me, squaring his shoulders and looking down with an intimidating look on his face.

I barely flinched.

"Look at yourself," Emmett said, shaking his head at me. "You're in pieces."

"Am I?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him as I exhaled smoke right into his face.

"Quit with the tough-ass act, Edward," Emmett said, wrinkling his nose and driving a hard punch to the side of my head. It wasn't strong enough to knock me over, but the threat was clear as I stumbled. "We all know it isn't you."

"But then again, there isn't much you actually know," I retorted, brusquely rubbing the side of my head as a light throb began to form.

Emmett narrowed his eyes at me. "You're hiding something, aren't you?" He looked guarded again, much like earlier in the evening.

For a long moment, we stared at each other, neither of us able to break down the walls hiding our secrets. Emmett wasn't scowling, though his expression was once again wary and reserved.

"I think you should talk to someone," he finally said.

I laughed humorlessly. "Like who? You?" I nodded my head at him. "Right. Because you would help me," I said sarcastically. "Go to hell, Emmett."

I held his gaze, daring him to challenge me.

"You know what?" Emmett said. "Esme raised you better than this. You could be at a hospital saving lives right now."

"Well, I'm not," I said, shrugging indifferently, though deep down, a knot of guilt formed in my stomach. But I ignored it, still glowering up at my brother.

Emmett looked down at me, and for once, his brown eyes weren't filled with anger or amusement. They were filled with disappointment. Raw, naked disappointment. And it only hurt my stomach even more.

"Maybe that's a good thing, Edward," Emmett said resentfully. "Maybe it's better you save your own life first."

With one last look of disapproval, he left, just like I'd asked him to.

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i hope that made sense. o_O its confusing at the end. but dont worry. itll all make sense once the story progresses :D

review please. :) and i have a question. what should emmett's company sell? ive been wondering but couldnt come up with anything. help? xD reviewsss make me happy. :D