AN: Do you guys know how much I love you all? The feedback for last chapter definitely made me smile. I wrote the last chapter with the intention of making ya'll laugh at 'Ed Monkey' and also balancing that with the internal confusion and doubt Jacob was feeling. I'm glad that I could make you guys smile with my craziness! This chapter has an entirely different feel from the other chapters and that's because Jake is MIA, and Alice, Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper are a little more at the forefront. This wasn't my favorite chapter to write, but I could be giving myself a hard time again. As always thank you sweethearts for the support. Every comment inspires me to keep going with the story. Ya'll rock -Love, Maddie

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 7- Eighteen

--Edward--

A week had passed since weed brownies, Paul, and the possibility of a kiss between Jacob and I.

My thoughts played like a CD with scratches when I tried to recall that night. Some scenes from Halloween I remembered clearer than others, but overall my recollection of events were pretty foggy. Before the brownies took effect, I recalled Jacob putting his arm around my shoulders and promising to take care of me. After I went outside on the field that's when my memory started to fail me horribly. Images and thoughts blurred into a chaotic blend of fire, dancing, and wanting to sleep with Jacob. Overall my desire to have sex with him was the strongest emotion of all from that night.

The morning after Halloween I woke up with my head on his chest. He was still sleeping, but I was clinging onto him, and his arm was wrapped around my shoulder protectively. Even though I was still sobering from the night before I knew that he wasn't aware that we were sleeping like that. Especially since Quil and Embry were sleeping on twin beds beside us, and Paul was passed out drunk on the floor by my feet.

If we were in our dorm then I would've stayed in his arms for a while longer. I would've stayed there and listened to the sound of his heart, and fallen back asleep to the rhythm of his chest rising up and down. But Quil was waking and I didn't want him to catch Jacob and I in an embrace.

I placed my hands to my face and wiped tiredly at my eyes. Six hours had passed since I started working on this fucking paper. Six hours, and all I had accomplished within that time span was a nonsensical argument that would earn me a C at best. I was far too distracted to concentrate.

A week had passed since Halloween. A week. And since then Jacob's behavior had been off. He wasn't around anymore. There was always football practice. Studying in the library, or trips back home, that he never used to take, to occupy his time. I was lonely and I missed him, and for that I felt stupid and weak.

It was okay to love someone freely even if they didn't love you back, but to become a slave to love should be a sin. For the last couple of days I hadn't been sleeping that well. All I could think about was Halloween, and what exactly happened that night, but the only person that could fill in the blanks was a conveniently missing Jacob Black.

We were regressing back to the days where he dated Leah. I had the dorm room to myself; which made me analyze why I was so fucking masochistic. Loving Jacob hurt, especially when I felt like he was ignoring me. The static silence was making the room feel even more desolate than it already was, so I usually filled the space with music.

I was listening to classical music right now.

I attempted to concentrate on the paper again, but my mind just wasn't having it. Right before Jacob took me back to Quil's dorm, or after...my timeline was all fucked up, I thought that Jacob and I were alone somewhere. I squeezed my eyes shut and tried my best to recall the memory. I remembered feeling warm and then safe. I got a quick flash of me touching him.

I couldn't even be sure if my recollection was true. "Hopeless case." I scowled. Even if we did kiss it obviously didn't matter, because high or not, Jacob wasn't here. He wasn't into me point blank. After minutes of exploring the possibility further I decided that it was best to take advantage of my impaired mind and assume that it didn't happen.

Thoughts of the weed-brownie debacle ceased when my cell phone vibrated. My ringtone was 'Hot Revolver' by Lil Wayne. Jacob had chosen it for me right before we left to go up to Mount St. Catherine's. I only kept the ringtone because it reminded me of him, but honestly Lil Wayne ringtones didn't work as well for me as it did for him. I looked down at the screen, it was my dad.

"Hey dad."

"Edward. I swear I haven't talked to you since school started."

I smiled a little, "The cellphone is a device that works on both ends. And did Alice tell you to give me grief about being anti-social?"

Carlisle chuckled, "She may have mentioned that in between updating me on the awesomeness of college life, being away from home, and boys. We were on the phone for forty-five minutes. I started to fall asleep and you know how Alice tests you to make sure that you're listening. I think I failed."

I reclined back in the swivel chair, "You officially fail as a father."

His laughter rung in my ears, "So how are you kiddo?"

"Okay."

"I hear classical music in the background." Carlisle commented.

Oh shit. I turned down the volume. My family knew me to well to discern classical music as a telltale sign that I was either saddened or in a deeply reflective state. I resented slightly that they could read me so easily.

"Your mom is worried about you Eddie."

I didn't let anyone call me Eddie but my dad. "She's always worried."

"She is, but you know that you and Alice are her life. She's having trouble getting used to the fact that you guys are several states away. But I remind her everyday that you and Alice are adults now, and with your 18th birthday tomorrow, I think Esme will handle the separation better."

"I hope so." I stated unintentionally giving off the vibe that I was bothered by my mom's over protectiveness. I wasn't some baby cub that needed protecting from the wolves. I was strong, and even if I did handle my pain in an emo-ish fashion at times, I always pulled through. Jacob Black was just a stubborn rough patch.

"So have you made any new friends?"

I smiled sadly. I knew that when he said friends, he didn't just mean people to socialize with outside of class, but also girls. He was another person I owed the truth to, but I wasn't going to do it over the phone. "I've made a few."

The door opened. I turned my head to the side hopefully, but I was letdown to see Alice. She had DVD's in her hand and a brown bag filled with food.

"Who are you talking too?" she whispered.

"Dad," I answered.

"Hmm," Alice smiled. "Is he falling asleep on you too? Probably not because you're his favorite." Alice winked and hopped onto my bed.

"Dad I gotta go Allie is here."

Alice's mouth dropped open. "Aww, you called me Allie. You haven't called me that in forever."

I flushed. She often picked up on things that I didn't realize. "So why are you bothering me?"

"Well, apparently Bella is going on a date. Did you know that?"

I arched an eyebrow. "No I didn't." I was surprised that Bella didn't tell me she was going on a date. "If she's going on a date then what are you doing here? Don't you have meddling to do?"

"She's on the date now. I did her hair, picked out an outfit for her to wear, and even made her wear some of my make-up. She wanted to kill me at the end of it all, but I wasn't going to allow her to go on a date in Converse's and a hoodie."

"Alice you really do need your own love life." I mused.

"Look who's talking solo man." Alice jumped off of my bed and floated around my room. She gathered two plates, a Dr. Pepper and a water from the fridge and plastic silverware, "The best thing about College Park is having access to all these different restaurants. I got us Caribbean food for tonight. I hope you like jerk chicken."

"Never had it before, but it smells delicious." I rested my back against the wall and watched as Alice served the food. "So who is this guy Bella is going on a date with?"

"Why are you jealous?" Alice asked in a singsong voice.

"No, I'm not jealous. I was just wondering."

"His name is Chase. They're in a sociology class together. He's cute." Alice shrugged her shoulders as she concentrated on sharing our food. "What's wrong with us Edward? We're both attractive. We're normal. So why the hell are we still single." Alice said this like it was an afterthought but I knew she had spent a great deal of time thinking about it.

"I'm still single by choice and you're probably still single because you scare guys away with your extreme perkiness." I pointed out smartly.

Alice ignored my comment. "Jasper doesn't return my calls. I never see him around campus anymore and I'm seriously starting to wonder if he has a girlfriend, is secretly crazy, or gay."

I looked down.

"I wish that he would just come out and tell me that he isn't into me, so I can stop wasting my time." Alice twisted the cap off of her water. "I would've given up on him a while ago if Bella hadn't pointed out the way he looks at me, when he thinks I'm not looking."

"You need to stop making yourself so available Alice," It was ironic that I was giving her this advice. "I only met Jasper once and he seems nice, but if he isn't calling you back then stop calling him."

"Everything isn't black and white Edward."

"I never said it was."

"You don't have to say it." Alice pushed a plate towards me. "Eat it all, you look pale."

Just to appease Alice I started to eat the food. "I don't see the world in black and white, you know that."

"When it comes to me you do. You always think guys are either good or bad. Ninety-Five percent of guys are turned away by my overprotective brother. Did you give Jasper the crazy eye?"

"No. I didn't get bad vibes from Jasper. But seriously Alice, you need to stop calling him, if he's not calling you back, then he probably isn't interested." The words had slipped out before I could catch them.

"Well at least I can always depend on you to be blunt."

"Or he could be really busy with ROTC? I hear that can be pretty demanding." I attempted to save.

"Whatever," she smiled. "Where is your roommate?"

I shoveled some more food into my mouth. Good job Alice in shutting me up. "Don't know." I murmured.

***

The door creaked open in the middle of the night. I peeked open an eyelid and squinted through the darkness at the golden beam spilling inside. Alice was sleeping beside me. While she prided herself on being graceful, from the way she moved to the way she sung, a slumbering Alice was anything but graceful. Her snores resembled a train passing right over my dorm room, shaking the windows. She was also a fighter. Any pour soul that had the misfortune of sleeping beside her would wake up bruised, battered, and slammed up against the wall, while she greedily took the whole bed.

I saw Bella wave at me. For a second I thought I was dreaming but then Alice snored abruptly. A sound like that couldn't be reproduced in dreams.

I gently shook Alice as I forced myself up. "Alice go to your room. I want my bed back."

"Shh," she groaned completely out of it.

I sighed and shifted my attention back towards Bella. She was still waving me towards the door. I did my best to crawl over Alice without waking her. Bella looked like a completely different person. She was wearing jeans, her signature black Chucks, and a baby blue blouse that obviously belonged to Alice.

"How was your date?" I stifled a yawn.

Bella stared back at me confused and then she smiled. "It was okay. Why is Alice sleeping in your bed?" Bella asked with an amused grin.

"Was your date that unforgettable?" I arched an eyebrow.

Bella closed the door behind me, so our talking wouldn't wake Alice. "Damn you're way to smart for your own good. I didn't go on a date. I was up to something else."

"You were?"

Bella quickly moved past my confusion. "You never told me that your birthday is today."

"Oh yeah, oops."

"Oops!" She narrowed her eyes at me "Alice already promised to completely embarrass me with the most extravagant, cringe worthy party of my life next year, so it's only fair that I get to do something for you guys. I need you to cancel all your plans for tomorrow, which means Mr. Bookworm I don't want to see one textbook in your hand."

I gave Bella an odd look. "I don't have any plans. And for the record you can throw a surprise party for Alice she'll love it, but I'm not really into surprise parties."

Bella stood on her tipee toes and placed her hands on my face, "Just go back to sleep. I'm going keep my plan in tact and you're going to go with it."

"Bella,"

"Yes Edward? Did you have prior plans for your birthday?"

"No,"

"Is Jacob whisking you away to Dubai for a romantic getaway." Her lips turned up at the edges.

"Definitely not."

"Then stop your bitching. I have to go wash off the globs of make-up Alice caked on my face. See how much I had to suffer to do something nice and secretive for you Cullen twins? One is nosy and the other one is ungrateful. God."

"Thank you Bella." I sighed against my will. She was right. She didn't have to do this.

"I'll see you tomorrow Edward. Get some rest you look exhausted."

***

The next morning I was ruthlessly ambushed by Alice. My entire dorm room was covered with Happy 18th birthday balloons, and gifts were lined up at the foot of my bed. Now it all made sense to me why Alice had conveniently fallen asleep in my room."Happy Birthday!" she threw her arms around me.

I groaned. "It's too early Alice for loud squeals and cheek hurting smiles."

"We're finally 18!" She pressed on.

"Yeah and I don't feel any different. It's just another day out of 365,"

"Bah Humbug." Alice frowned. "Open your gifts!" She swatted me on my back.

"Can I brush my teeth first?" I eyed Alice's fresh change of clothes, styled hair, and freshly applied make-up. "What time did you get up Alice?"

"Four." Alice said with wide eyes. "I'm hyped up on caffeine and sugar, so I'm probably going to annoy the hell out of you until you at least give me a smile, Edward Scissorhands."

I stared back at my sister slightly annoyed that something as ridiculous as a birthday could make her act crazier than usual. I gave her a forced smile showing all my teeth. "How's that for a smile?"

"It's a scary one that looks more like a grimace."

I snorted and then rolled my head around slowly. "I didn't sleep well last night because you had your knee buried into my back and your elbow was in my face, so excuse me if I'm a little grumpy."

"Well you took back your key." Alice reasoned. "How was I supposed to surprise you with no access to your room?"

"You weren't." I pointed out.

Alice waved her hand, "Not having a key is just a technicality Edward. I respect your privacy, but I want you to actually enjoy your birthday this year. And if that means busting in your room with a shitload of gifts then that's fine. It's my way of showing you that today matters because it's your birthday too."

Her words sunk in. Holidays were huge to Alice and birthdays fell underneath that perpetual umbrella of festivity, so the least I could do was indulge her. I walked towards my closet, and removed an oversized painting. "Back in September, Jacob and I went to an art gallery in Baltimore. I saw this and I knew that I had to get it for you since you idolize Audrey Hepburn."

She stood with her hands clasped to her heart. Her eyes were wide and eager.

"It's a one of a kind, or at least that's what they told me at the art shop." I handed Alice the painting. "You might need my help hanging that up, short stuff."

"Edward!" Alice jumped ten feet in the air. "I love it!"

"I knew that you would." I moved my mouth to the side, "I know it's not much but..."

"Not much!" Her eyes widened and her voice elevated in horror. "It's everything." She stared down in awe at the painting for a few moments, and then placed it on my bed. Alice gave me a tight hug. I was stiff at first and then I wrapped my arms around her. "Best birthday gift ever."

My cheeks warmed. "No need to lie

"Third best." Alice corrected hugging me tighter.

***

The day passed uneventfully. I stayed in my dorm most of the day working on schoolwork, and answering calls from relatives. Everyone in the world was more excited about my birthday than I was. It was six o'clock now, and I hadn't heard a word from Jacob, and even Bella was strangely MIA.

I heard a knock at the door. "The door's open." I called.

Bella poked her head inside. She was wearing a sleek black dress, hoop earrings, and clutching a red purse. My mouth dropped to the floor. "You look...stunning."

She waved her hand shyly. "So Edward this can go one of two ways. You can be a good boy and follow my orders or else I'm going to have to result to operation other plan." Bella gave me a hopeful smile, "For the sake of me wearing a dress, make-up and heels for your birthday; I'd appreciate it if you followed orders."

"Okay?" I said still trying to get over her outfit.

"You have a monkey suit right?" Bella asked. "We're going to dinner at an upscale restaurant and a monkey suit is required to gain entry."

I took in a deep breath. "When you say upscale...how upscale do you mean?"

"Upscale as in appetizers for 100 dollars, upscale."

"Woah," I shook my head. "If you made those reservations already cancel them Bella. I won't allow you to spend that much on me, and I know Alice wouldn't either."

Bella stepped inside and closed the door behind her. I assumed she realized that this was going to be a hard sell. "Where's Jake?"

"I don't know." I crossed my arms. "He hasn't really been here all week."

"Jacob probably has no idea that today is your birthday."

I decided to change the conversation from Jacob, back to the ridiculously expensive dinner Bella had planned. "If I go to this restaurant tonight, I won't let you pay the bill on your own. I appreciate all of your scheming behind my back..." I paused to smile a little. "But I have to help cover the cost since this is for Alice and I."

The lesson I was learning today was to just accept when people wanted to do nice things for me. The least I could do was say thank you, offer to split the check for dinner, and stop being so damn depressed. Jacob wasn't here, I possibly chased him away, and life had to fucking go on. I clenched my jaw. "Give me ten minutes to get ready okay."

"So, you're all the way in. I won't have to track you down later to find out that you changed your mind?"

"No, I'm in. But you have to agree to let me and Alice help you with the check."

"Well that's not entirely necessary. My limited funds are only paying for a small percentage of the night. Emmett McCarty and Rosalie Hale are footing the rest of the bill."

I waited for Bella to burst out laughing and then admit that she was only kidding. But her facial expression remained serious as ever. "Uh...come again?"

"Emmett and I were working on Math and I mentioned planning a party for my best-friend, you, and he volunteered to help out because apparently he's a serial party planner. " Bella smiled crookedly. "I couldn't say no because he helped me plan the most important details. I suck at planning. Emmett said that any reason to party was a good enough reason to spend money. He also said that you and him were close." Bella shrugged. "So I wasn't going to talk him down."

"Emmett and I aren't close." I insisted. "I only talked to the guy a few times, and all I know about Rosalie is that she is Emmett's roommate, and that she carries around a big ass polka-dotted umbrella when it rains. I don't know them Bella and I can't let them pay for my dinner."

"Edward," Bella sighed. "This was all my idea. They just agreed to help out with no strings attached. Yes it might be more extravagant than any birthday you've ever had, but if someone wants to do something nice for you let them. God knows it's definitely time for someone to give back to you."

"I just don't understand why anyone would want to throw a party for people they don't know." Despite all my objections I was trudged to the closet anyways. I was going to go, but only because I knew Alice would want me there, and because Bella was wearing a dress for this.

"Just get ready okay." Bella said. "Oh and one more thing, you can question Emmett about why he wants to treat you and Alice to dinner for your birthday, but whatever you do, don't question Rosalie. She might take that as an insult and kill you."

I nodded slowly. "Did you tell Alice about Rosalie and Emmett's kindness?"

"I did. But Emmett's been over to our dorm a few times to help me with math so she knows him." Bella walked towards the door. "When you're ready meet us downstairs in the lounge."

"Okay," I agreed reluctantly.

"I texted Jake." Bella tossed in just before slipping outside. "I told him that we're having a birthday party for you and I would appreciate it if he showed up. I gave him the directions so maybe he'll be waiting for us there?"

"Maybe," I murmured.

Bella paused by the door fidgeting with her hands. "Edward did you tell him that you liked him?"

I had been so confused over the weed brownies and what actually transpired that night that I hadn't mentioned anything to Bella. "I honestly don't know what I told him, or what I did to him, but I think I have an idea."

Bella frowned. "Did you guys get drunk or something? I would usually take perverse pleasure in your drunk stories with Jacob, but this one couldn't have possibly ended well if you're all mopey." Bella placed her hand to her heart. "Don't tell me he's back with Leah."

"Bella,"

"Edward," she looked horrified. "You can't just give up that easily. Leah's the safe choice, don't let him choose the default."

"It's not a matter of choosing. I was high and I think I kissed him."

Bella gave me a look that mirrored my expression when I found out that Rosalie and Emmett were helping to pay for dinner. "You were high? Edward you smoke weed?"

I scowled. "No I don't smoke weed. One of Jake's idiot friends made brownies and I stupidly swallowed them down whole."

Bella placed her hands on her hips angrily. "So one of his friends drugged you."

I could see that she was getting upset. "The point is that I wasn't myself and I might have said or did something that made him back off completely. Jacob isn't gay. I've been forcing myself to realize that all week which is why I've been a poster child for a Zoloft commercial these last couple of days."

Bella frowned. "Have you considered the possibility that he's confused? And who knows maybe nothing happened at all?"

"That would be grasping for straws." I said. "I've been waiting around for him for days, pathetically, and he isn't even my boyfriend. I love him, but what I've realized is that being alone in this room without Jacob, reminds me how much it hurts to feel so strongly for someone who might never return the sentiment." I blinked with difficulty. "It's my birthday so I'm going to try and have some fun."

***

I got ready with little excitement. I took a shower. I made sure to use Dial soap and not Irish Spring because it reminded me of him, and I got dressed robotically. As soon as the white buttoned down shirt, black and red striped tie and crisp slacks were on; I wanted them off. I hated dressing up with a passion.

Downstairs in the lobby Bella, Alice and Jasper were talking about something or the other. Alice was all smiles and sitting right beside Jasper. He was hanging onto her every word but once again he looked painfully shy. From where I stood I could see Jasper's leg nervously tapping.

Bella saw me first. She whistled. "Hey baby can I get your digits?"

I rolled my eyes at her and grinned. "Hi Jasper." I said to the curly blonde.

"Nice to meet you again Edward." He stood up to shake my hand. He was obviously relieved to get away from Alice for a second. "Happy Birthday."

"Thanks," I said quickly.

"Okay now that everyone is here, I'm going to call Rosalie and Emmett and tell them to meet us at the dorm." Bella pulled her cell out of her clutch purse. "Hey Em, the twins plus Jasper are ready to go."

I watched as Jasper sat back down next to Alice. She was texting on her phone and laughing at something, while he was staring straight down at the ground. There was a wall that prevented me from seeing what kind of guy Jasper was? Alice probably saw something in him that I didn't.

"Hey," Bella hissed.

"What?"

She linked her arm in mine, "Your horns are showing. Stop glaring at Jasper."

"I wasn't glaring. I'm just interpreting. He seems like he doesn't know what to do around her."

"Well let that be their problem. Jasper only acts that way around her. When I talked him into coming tonight he was confident, and sweet, but when Alice walked into the room, he turned into this shy kid. I think it's cute that Alice makes him so uneasy."

I stole another glance in Jasper and Alice's direction. Alice was showing Jasper pictures on her camera phone, while giggling and pointing at me. Jasper was smirking, but his eyes were on her, instead of the pictures.

That look in his eyes was familiar because I had perfected it. Hopeless love.

***

Five minutes later we all piled into Rosalie's Mercedes Benz SUV. Like her polka-dotted umbrella, her ride was extravagant. She had spinning rims, and a sound system that vibrated all throughout the SUV, making me feel like I was more in a club than a car.

"Hey," Rosalie waved at all of us. "Watch the seats."

Emmett was up front wearing a suit. He was too busy singing to some Rap song to even greet us. Rosalie turned down the radio. Emmett still sung however.

"Happy Birthday!" Rosalie rubbed her hands together. "So how old are you anyway?" Her eyes were trained solely on me. "Sixteen?" she laughed.

I laughed nervously, "No, I'm eighteen."

Rosalie's smile faded. I wasn't sure if she heard my response. "We're going to one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Baltimore. The food there is really good."

I saw Emmett pass Rosalie an irritated look, which she noticed, and returned with vengeance. Her glare reminded me of Carrie. Just one glance from those eyes could send rafters falling onto helpless students, and gymnasiums bursting into flames.

"You're Edward's sister right." Rosalie said to Alice.

"Yes, I'm Alice nice to meet you." Alice extended her hand but Rosalie didn't shake it.

"Nice meeting you too Alverena."

"Alice," My sister corrected.

"Sure," Rosalie said indifferently. She slipped on her white shades and turned back up the music. "Strap in kids, we're going for a wild ride."

***

The restaurant reminded me of a place that my mom and dad liked to frequent back home in Savannah. I hated restaurants like this one because everyone was wearing their flashiest best. This was a society establishment that reinforced the importance of being wealthy and able to afford Prada, Gucci, and Versace like they were Wal-Mart brands for the wealthy. I was part of this world, but it wasn't something I was proud of. Rosalie obviously was.

On our way to Baltimore I contemplated why Rosalie would pay for this? She seemed selfish enough, so there had to be some ulterior motive. Most people would've let it go by now, but I couldn't. I eventually concluded that it made her feel good to show people how much money she had? By buying other people lavish gifts or taking them out to dinner she established her place above them.

I felt guilty for assuming all these horrible things about her, but when something didn't make any sense I went out of my way to find reason.

"Rosalie Hale," she said crisply to the attendant. "I made the reservations yesterday." Rosalie flipped her long blonde hair off of her shoulders. The attendant was busily texting on his phone, and ignoring her. Rosalie loudly cleared her throat and then tapped her hands impatiently on the podium. "Did you hear me? Rosalie Hale, reservations made yesterday."

"He heard you Rose." Emmett spoke up. "It looks like he has his hands tied."

I glanced sideways at Emmett surprised. It wasn't like him to stand up for anyone.

"I don't give a fuck if he's talking to the President, himself. I made my reservations yesterday, and I want my table now."

Emmett brushed past her, "The ice-queen will get you fired dude. You better get her a table and quick."

Rosalie nodded, "Thanks Emmett. And while you're at it Barry, get me a chilled glass of white wine."

"ID ma'am?" The attendant said shakily.

Rosalie gave him her signature stare. "ID? Excuse me? Do I look like a toddler to you?"

"No you don't and I um...I said Ice tea on the side?" He substituted shakily.

"No, just get me my table now." Rosalie barked. She craned the fancy restaurant, her eyes wandering over every head. "And one more thing." She dropped her voice, "Has Dean Montgomery arrived yet?"

I listened unapologetically. Who was Dean Montgomery?

"He is here." The waiter answered questioningly. "Why do you ask?"

"I want a table right beside his." Rosalie ordered.

Emmett was staring at her lividly now. "Don't you think that's a little too far Rose?"

"Actually I don't." Rosalie answered haughtily.

I watched as Jasper placed his hand on Alice's back and led her to where Bella and I were standing. Jasper didn't look shy now.

"We can find somewhere else to eat." He suggested.

"Well we're already here?" Alice said.

"But she doesn't even know your name." Jasper's cheeks flushed scarlet. "This is your birthday not hers."

Bella racked her hands through her hair, "Jasper hold on a second. We came here with Rosalie and Emmett."

"Rosalie could've just came by herself being that she obviously booked this place in her best-interest." Jasper looked down, "And we did come with her, but that doesn't mean we have to spend the night with her."

I noticed Rosalie glance behind her back at us a few times. It was as if she sensed an uprising. The attendant was gathering menus now.

"You're going to make an idiot out of yourself." Emmett warned.

"So what?" Rosalie snipped. "Dean and I aren't together anymore. I don't have to worry about impressing his fucking parents, or being something I'm not." Rosalie pushed Emmett out of the way, "Move." She positioned herself in between Bella and I.

Rosalie suddenly started to giggle as if I had said the funniest thing in the world. Bella gasped as if she had just saw a three-headed beast, and Jasper stared back at Rosalie as if she was crazy. Rosalie linked her arm in mine.

"Edward we're friends right?" she asked.

I thought she was delusional.

Before I could answer her question Emmett stood in front of us, blocking the path.

"You can humiliate yourself Rosalie, but I mean it when I say don't drag anyone down with you." Emmett didn't bother looking at me. "Let him go. People are already staring."

I eased my arm out of Rosalie's. "Yeah, I don't want to be in the middle of whatever this is?"

Emmett glared at Rosalie, "Rose."

She raised her chin, "Nothing is going on. Can't someone do something fucking nice for their friends?"

"They are not your friends." Emmett said gesturing angrily towards us. "You don't know them, all you know is that their birthday is the perfect excuse for you to show up here and pretend that your being here is a coincidence. And then humiliate the guy that chose another woman over you, because his family approved of her"

Rosalie was deathly silent. Her face twisted and contorted until I thought she was going to cry. But not even one tear fell. "Fuck you Emmett."

He shrugged carelessly. His eyes looked saddened though.

"I want my own table!" Rosalie yelled. "This is what happens when I try to do something nice. Get me my own fucking table Barry!"

"But you didn't make split reservations?" The attendant stammered. "I can't just find another table."

Rosalie stepped closer to the poor attendant. She looked like a beautiful amazon compared to him; ready to sink her fangs into his pale flesh. "It's their birthday, and I drove all the way down here. So I don't give damn if you got to set up a table outside for some old people, I'm going to eat and so are they."

"No," Jasper spoke up. "You can't just talk to him like he's a dog. We're not eating here." Jasper looked at me obviously hoping that I would back him up.

"Thank you Rosalie, but no thanks." I said.

"Well then." The tall blonde dismissed us with the cold shoulder, "I'm eating here and I'm going to stay as long as I want. When I'm ready to go I'm leaving. I'll call Emmett once, so you self righteous idiots better stick close to the king idiot." She glowered at Jasper, "And I don't like you at all, you little smurf."

"His name is Jasper." Alice spoke up. "Let's go guys." She tugged on Jasper's arm, and on her way past me linked arms with Bella. "Edward?"

"Are you coming with us Emmett?" I asked.

Rosalie had already stormed towards her table like an overdramatic Tyra Banks sneering at some handsome brunette that resembled a younger Matthew Fox. Emmett's eyebrows furrowed.

"Why little Cullen?"

"Just answer my question and don't bullshit me."

Emmett clenched his jaw, "What's it to you. Answer my question."

I waved my hand dismissively, "Forget it."

"She's my friend." Emmett stated simply.

I stopped in my tracks. The thing about Emmett was that he seemed to have difficulty expressing emotion. His voice sounded unusually strained, and nowhere near as loud, or obnoxious as it usually did.

"She can be the biggest bitch in the world sometimes. What she pulled tonight was fucked up, but Rosalie acts without thinking about the consequences. Believe me three days from now she'll be beating herself up about ruining your birthday, but right now this is her day. Her chance to get revenge."

I watched as Rosalie took a seat at a table with five chairs. She was sitting in the middle. "I should know better than to expect honest answers from you, but if she wanted to get back at an ex, what was your reason for coming here?"

"Simple. I fucked up football season this year. I'm keeping busy."

I wanted to get closer to him, but I couldn't, because even though Jacob wasn't here with me, I still felt his influence. "So are you really finished for the season?"

Emmett's expression hardened. "Coach already filled my spot." Emmett laughed bitterly, "Apparently I'm as dispensable as a magnum condom."

"You're not dispensable." I said.

Emmett licked his lips, "If you want to catch up with the smurfettes you better get going kid."

"I'm 18," I said smiling a little.

Emmett nodded slowly and looked back at me, "At least you're legal now. No longer will I have to worry about that guy from to Catch a Predator busting in on me when I'm having less than holy thoughts about you. Kiddie Porn no more. Welcome to the adult world."

My eyebrows furrowed and I cleared my throat. I felt like I was seeing him for the first time. No jokes, come-ons, our jabs at Jacob. This was him. And I felt at ease. "So what are you going to do about her?" I tilted my head towards Rosalie.

She was now drinking a glass of wine.

"I'm going to wait for her to finish making a fool out of herself and then I'm going to drive us home." Emmett scoffed. "I hate being the designated driver."

Rosalie waved Emmett over, "M&M," she called with a high-pitched fake as ever tone.

Emmett chuckled, "If she thinks I'm going to respond to M&M then she's got another thing coming. I'll give her fifteen minutes." Emmett turned his back and started to walk away. Once he was a few steps in front of me he stopped. "You coming Kiddie Porn?"

"Where are we going?" I asked shoving my hands in my pockets.

"To go find you some cake. It is your birthday ain't it?"

***

Emmett and I ended up at a bar. I had no idea where Alice, Bella and Jasper wondered off too.

"So much for being the designated driver." Emmett snorted as he took a swig of beer. He handed me the bottle, "Grow some hair on your chest, and take a sip of my magic juice."

"I know what beer tastes like." I took a sip and then slid the bottle back to him, "And besides I already have some hair on my chest."

Emmett wagged his eyebrows, "If you weren't wearing that tie, then I would demand a nip slip."

My cheeks warmed. "Which I wouldn't give you." I looked down and smiled. I was bantering with him and I couldn't stop. "This is unholy."

"You and me in harmony?" Emmett grinned.

I nodded slowly.

Emmett winked, "Downright sinful. The angels in heaven are crying for your soul."

I took Emmett's beer from him and took another sip.

"Where's your boy?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Jacob," Emmet clarified.

I downed half his beer without realizing it.

"You know you wouldn't even be talking to me if he was around. I would just be the slutty stand in with soggy boobs, one leg, and a moldy eye patch."

I laughed and beer came out of my nose. "Uggh."

Emmett grinned along with me. "Let me go get you some napkins. I'll be right back."

When Emmett left I realized that he was right. I wouldn't be talking to him if Jacob was around, I avoided him, because I felt like I should. My heart was stupidly loyal to Jacob, even though he probably knew by now that today was my birthday.

He didn't even bother calling me; which hurt like hell.

With difficulty I swallowed down the rest of Emmett's beer. I was right back to where I started at the beginning of the day. Miserable and trying to remember how to patch my heart back up to the way it used to be.

"Make a wish." Emmett snuck up behind me with a pink frosted cupcake in his hand. He raised it and made a gesture to smash it in my face, but instead he tipped my nose with frosting.

I stared down at my nose, my eyes going crossed.

Emmett chuckled and wiped my nose clean with his thumb. He pulled a box of candles out of his pocket. "Shit, I stole the wrong ones."

I bit my lip.

Emmett placed two blue candles on the cupcake, "Let's just pretend that's a one and an eight." He then removed a lighter and lit the candles. "Now make a wish Cullen." Emmett sat down across from me, his knees brushing mine.

"I can't believe you got me a cupcake." I half-smiled.

"I didn't get you a cupcake, I stole you one. I got a bounty on my ass over this, so you better make my crime count."

I closed my eyes and without making a wish I blew out the candles.

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