I'm not SM.

ALERT: Here's a look in Ed's head! This is a really awkward filler chapter because I'm kinda stuck in a rut with writing currently. But more on that later…

CH 6: Everyone Wants to Be a Cat

I stood there, staring at the girl in front of me in complete disbelief, desperately trying to hold onto a fluffy pile of fur.

The tiny little thing meows as it wiggles in my grasp, demanding to be set down so she can explore her new surroundings.

Bella gives me a look.

I don't like that look.

I really don't like it.

When she bats those big shiny chocolate eyes at me, any resolve I may have instantly melts away.

"Bella," I groan, closing my own eyes so I don't have to look at hers. "I cannot hide a cat in my room. And you know it!"

I shouldn't have opened my eyes, I mean, I knew better, really. She does this every time she wants something.

Bella's pouting, her shiny pink lips pursed into an adorable pout, her eyes widened even bigger, nose scrunched up. Her head is tilted slightly to one side, her long deep red tinted mahogany curls cascading over one shoulder as she gazes cutely at me.

She's so delicate she doesn't look older than 10, even if she's almost 13 now.

"Pleaseee Edward?" she coaxes, knowing exactly what to do to get what she wants.

The girl is a master at manipulating people to bend at her will, without the people realizing that they're being played like a game of checkers.

She has the sweet innocence thing down pat.

I look away, then cross my room, still clutching the yowling kitten to me. I shut the door to ensure that the animal won't escape out of my room before hesitantly setting it down on the floor.

It purrs loudly, in delight, I assume and then starts stalking about. For once I'm glad my mom decided on carpet for my room, I can only imagine what damage the kitty's sharp claws would do to hardwood floors.

Bella's watching her little treasure sniff and rub her scent everywhere, beaming like a proud mama.

I grumble to myself for the hundredth time, wondering yet again, why I'm best friends with her.

She's just shy of two years younger than me, yet, I trust her the most out of anyone I've ever met. That's including my parents and siblings.

Another thought hits me, "How in the world did you get her past my mom?" I narrow my eyes at her innocent expression.

She shrugs then giggles a little, "Luck I guess, she was on the phone in the kitchen. I didn't even see her but I could hear her."

Well the sneaker has impeccable timing, I'll give her that.

I watch as the little gray colored animal prances around like she owns the place, little pink nose stuck high in the air, back arched, tail raised and curled.

Her amber eyes dart around, searching and observing. She flicks a look at me and Bella occasionally.

She's kinda cute, in a totally fierce kitty kind of way. Not that I would ever admit that that thought had crossed my mind.

But my mom would freak the moment she caught wind of a little animal inside her house. And Bella knows that quite well. My little sister, who's Bella's age tried begging for a pet bunny a few years back.

Let's just say my stubborn sister has never approached that subject again.

"Just for a day! Leah's only here for a day." Bella sidles to my side, wrapping her thin arms around me in a tight hug.

I close my eyes once again and pinch the bridge of my nose tightly.

"Why don't you have Ali look after her?" I open one eye just a tiny bit to look down to where Bella's head is resting on my side.

"Are you kidding me? Would you trust your sister with your pet if you had one?" She looks up and arches an eyebrow at me.

It's true though, I wouldn't. Ali's kind of a ditz. I love my sister and all, but she has the memory of a goldfish.

And she can't keep a secret if her life depended on it.

She has a big mouth, that one. And no common sense whatsoever.

"I'll come get her tomorrow afternoon! I promise!" Bella looks up sweetly.

I sigh. Then pull her closer to me for a super tight hug. And then release her altogether.

There's no way I can say no to that adorable little face, those gorgeous eyes.

"Fine. One night. But if my mom finds out, you are going to be in so much trouble. And so is Pom-Pom." And me, I add silently.

Her squeal makes me wince. And the kitty meows indignantly. She throws her arms back around me again.

"Yay yay yay! Nate, you're the very best best friend ever!" She bounces slightly.

Oh no. No, no, no. She's been hanging around Ali too much. Ali bounces and squeals like a beach ball and piglet. Mushed together.

A beach-ball shaped pig?

I shake my head.

"You're pretty awesome too, doll." I smile fondly, "Now don't you have somewhere to be?"

"Right!" she gasps, remembering her dad's phone call from 5 minutes ago. "Uh, I'll call you tonight? Or come over, I guess." She whirls around to reach for Pom-Pom one last time.

The animal purrs in contentment as Bella drops a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

Bella's like another little sister to me. She and Alice have been glued at the hip since before grade school.

They did everything together, and they still do. It was annoying at first, having another little girl around to irritate me. Ali was enough of a headache for anyone to handle.

I couldn't have been more off target, Bella's a complete sweetheart and really good for grounding airheaded Ali.

My parents love Bella like one of their own. She did what no one else could ever do.

Ali's really a character.

Over the years, things shifted a little. I used to not pay so much attention to her. Like with Ali, I just avoided her as much as possible.

Little sisters, you know? They drive you crazy without even doing anything.
But then once when they were about in 5th grade or so, Bella came over but Ali was held up at a soccer practice that had gone over time.

She'd been sitting in the kitchen, homework open in front of her but her eyes had been fixed on my baby.

My guitar's my pride and joy.

I'd walked into her gazing at the instrument, short legs swinging, little forehead creased in thought.

She'd jumped in surprise when I asked her if she knew how to play.

Apparently I'd startled her a little bit.

She blushed firey red, and looked away quickly, mumbling something I couldn't quite catch.

This was still a few years back, when we hardly ever talked to each other if we didn't have to. I suppose she felt awkward.

I didn't have anything better to do. So I asked her if she wanted to learn to play.

To this day, I'm still not sure why I did it, but something about the way she was gazing at the guitar though got to me. So I offered to teach her a few notes and chords.

She was an eager student and learned very quickly.

The following hour we spent practicing was some of the most fun I'd ever had.

From then on we'd have little mini lessons whenever. If one of us felt like playing, we'd just show up and the other would automatically understand.

Bella got me like no other person ever had nor has since.

Weeks went by, and she progressed quickly.

Before the lessons she would come over every other day or so. Mostly just to dance with Alice as they were in the same dance class at my mom's academy.

And we've been super close ever since.

I even gave her that nickname that everyone calls her.

She hated Isabella; it made it feel like she was in trouble whenever anyone called her that.

So Bella it was.

She's my best friend, and even if the guys laugh at me for being friends with a girl, I don't care. They just don't understand that she's so much more than a friend.

I love her contagious laugh, see her goofiness and smiles, hear her collection of cheesy pickup lines, and everything else about her.

Bella's the best.

I spent the rest of the afternoon holed up inside of my room, keeping a close eye on Bella's ridiculous puffball.

Stupid cat. Stupid name.

I can't believe she roped me into doing this.

Her cousin Leah's over visiting. And she's allergic to cats.

Does it matter that I dislike cats? Nope, not a bit, in Bella's book at least.

I'm much more of a dog person.

Chancing it, I rush downstairs to make a quick sandwich for my dinner. I grab a glass of milk, chips and plenty other snacks to keep me occupied for the night before hurrying back upstairs.

The door's still closed and I can't hear any meowing.

Hopefully the cat hasn't made too much of a mess in my room.

Or enough racquet to alert others of its presence.

It was a tense night.

The damn cat wouldn't stop meowing either.

By the time Bella appeared the next day, I was at my nerve's end. And SO thankful that Ali was not allowed to have a fuzz ball.

~Present day

Pom-Pom went back to her momma, and lived happily there for the rest of her life. I eventually moved out, and when I did, the little devil-child tried to convince me to get a cat for company.

I ignored her for a few hours.

Then felt bad, and sent her a dozen tulips as an apology for yelling at her.

Thanks to that cat, every time I see one know, I keep my distance. It's pretty much traumatized me for life. So when Jazz first suggested a kitty for the Princess' birthday, I was not happy with that idea, even if I knew how much fun she had with them.

A dog was a perfect compromise.

'Cuz you know…I'm more of a dog person. They don't meow. Or pee in a box that you have to clean up. Or shed all over.

Dogs are just cooler.

And it's another good reason for the whole everyone moving into one house thing that she's still resisting.

Bree squeals besides me as she watches Riley chase the soon-to-be-Bella's-present puppy around the breeder's yard.

The lengths I go to for this girl.

Seriously.

A/N: Hey guys! Super long note…explaining the odd chapter. I'm trying to move the pace of the story along a bit...
1) Someone pm'd me, asking about the Alice-Edward-Bella situation. Which is kinda fuzzy up until now, because I haven't really done much with it yet. But this chapter detailed the start of the E/B friendship.
2) ALSO. This chapter was originally written a few months ago when I was toying around with a new story plot. The story's in the works right now. Not sure if it'll be posted yet. I thought it flowed pretty well with the LWYMI, so I went ahead and altered it for here. But if it seems strange, that's why.
3) I debated for a while where to put this. This is kinda like an outtake, kinda vital to the original story line, yet it's a flashback. So this is an outtake-styled chapter…LOL
Some of you may be curious as to why I'm posting this chapter now, since the timeline doesn't exactly fit.
Truth is…I've hit a writer's block. Hence the reason of stealing a chapter from another fic. I need inspiration. And a reason to avoid studying. But I couldn't come up with anything. So this is going up for now.

Andddd I beta'd another piece, guys, this one's fuckhawt. Miss Nyddi's 'A Debt Repaid.' It's steamy goodness! Go read it and tell her I sent you :)
www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/7579907/1/bA_b_bDebt_b_bRepaid_b

CH title: Everyone Wants to Be a Cat from Aristocats. There's really no connection other than the kitty…

Merry Christmas guys! I hope your holidays are filled with laughter and lots of good food. See you in the new year! :)
Let me know what you think! xo C