Hiding

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its characters, they belong to Stephanie Meyer.

A/N: A huge thank you to everyone who has reviewed or put this story on alerts and favorites. This chapter is much longer than the others. Patience is a vertue so please give my heroes some time. Hiding is my first story and needs a lot of work. My other stories are NOT abbandoned. I will update at least two of them soon. For those who haven't noticed them yet please take a look and tell me what you think. S..., your opinion is still expected.

My writing would not be the same without the help from the wonderful Crackupmonkey, my precious pre-reader and Beta, who managed to patiently work on my drafts. THANK YOU! and HAPPY BIRTHDAY.


Emmett: 27

Jasper: 25

Edward:22

Alice:21

Bella:16


Chapter Seven: Details from the past.

End of chapter six:

"Edward where did you find that photo?, do you know that woman?, Jasper was lost .

"The photo was inside the book. I have seen her but never talked to her and will never have the chance to."

"But how did you meet her, is she..." Jasper abruptly stopped, Edward looked in deep pain.

"I met her in Forks 13years ago. I went to her funeral."

"Fuck," was Jasper's first reaction to Edward's last phrase. For a few seconds they both stayed silenced.

"Let me get this straight..." he said trying to put his thoughts in order.

"You often see a nightmare. A small girl with brown eyes is looking at you and all the rest brown things. The child's mother died 13 years ago and you went to her funeral so you obviously knew who that child is...and..." he paused taking the picture Edward had found in the book.

"...you bumped on a woman who looks like that little girl and also has a photograph of her mother."

"Exactly," Edward confirmed in a low, distant voice.

"Do you think she is related to those two? Possibly a sister or a close relative?"

"Maybe..." Edward started saying "...it is just..." but his voice faded. He was feeling so confused.

"Edward, I still don't understand why that child is haunting you or..." and Jasper suddenly stopped, something was missing.

"Wait...Did you say Forks? Is this girl from Forks?" he asked in a rather impatient tone.

"Yes..."Edward's eyes went completely dark while answering. "There are some ..." he tried to continue but first he needed take a deep breath. He sat back and looked up like trying to find some calmness in the sky.

"There were some things from my childhood I rarely discuss. Mostly because I considered them distant and...insignificant...For me..." Edward started speaking in a collected tone.

"My life style had forced my mind to operate categorizing every piece of information in a very methodical way, even in a young age. I was always searching for an explanation about everything through science and couldn't stand the failure due to unresolved factors."

"Unresolved factors?"Jasper asked in a wondering tone.

"Yeah, things unpredictable in practice. The base of almost every religion on earth. Death is the ultimate one." Edward said and stopped to breath the fresh, sun-shined bathed air before it disappear.

"It was 13 years ago. I was in Forks with my grand father. As you already know he was a rather unusual man," he started talking while softly caressing that cheap book with his fingers.

"Yes, I remember..." Jasper said. "How could one forget ?" he thought internally.

Edward's grandfather was living alone in that house in the woods. He was a priest. After retiring from his daily presence in the local church he had almost become a hermit. His visits to town had been minimized to random shopping for basic supplies and orders from the local bookshop. Carlisle was also sending him books, usually rare editions. He was an avid reader and collector. Despite his dedication to religion he was open in everything that interested him. Literature, science, art, law, even medicine and of course history. His library was probably better than the public one there.

Jasper had seen that library during his short visit to Forks for Father Edward's funeral. To say his was impressed would be an understatement. There were several rare books in those old selves he would gladly devour.

"I wonder what happened to this exquisite collection," he thought and made a mental note to bring the subject up in the near future. He order two more beers and turned his whole body towards his friend nodding him to continue.

"It was summer, the day before my birthday. I was staying with grandpa for a few weeks. Carlisle and Esme were in Europe but I had refused to travel there. I liked spending time with him. He was...different. Never demanding or expecting anything. And most important he treated me like a child and not like a smart-ass adult in the body of a 9yearold boy, as I ...obviously was.

We were usually alone. Except from Alice and her family who lived close to grandpa's house there were rarely other people visiting us. Our own visit's to Forks were almost nonexistent.

I didn't mind. Living in a big city from the day I was born had made this tiny dot on the map very appealing. The scale, the green scenery,the water, the mysterious forests always had a power over

me. Most important, there, I was just little Edward, Father Edward's grandson, nothing else. I'm sure you understand what I'm saying," he turned to Jasper waiting.

"God bless anonymity. People usually search for it in big cities. You went to a tiny town. Picky from your childhood I guess." Jasper confirmed to his friend they were in the same page.

"I'm not sure about the accurate term but mainly yes, I wanted some distance from people." he said and drunk a little from the fresh cool glass.

"I guess you and your grand father had a lot in common. That place was like nothing I had stayed before. Like a private sanctuary or something..." Jasper followed.

"So...What about that funeral. Who was the dead woman?" He had started getting more in Edward's mood as his own images from Forks were swimming towards the surface of his memory.

"As I was saying it was the day before my birthday. I expected us to be alone again and did not mentioned anything. Grandpa was up very early. He always worked a little in his garden . He had flowers, vegetables and apple trees. The most delicious apples I had ever eaten. That morning a basket was full of those apples. Grandpa left for the grocery store taking the apples with him. We were supposed to go into Forks together in order to visit the bookstore . He said we would go the next day. Obviously some sort of surprise had been planned. I watched him driving an old Chevy- truck I always secretly hated. The car was almost his age plus my father was always willing to replace it with a new one. Well, now you know were my stubbornness is also coming from."

"He seemed a humble man according to yours and Carlisle's descriptions. Was he also coming from money? He sure had a not so humble library though," Jasper pointed returning to that note in his head.

"Actually...I have no idea. He never talked about money. I thought he was just a very conservative consumer and not fond of luxuries. He was a man of religion... Anyway, I think my father was supporting him. A s I said, I really have no idea"Edward sounded a little embarrassed.

"Those people of wealth. The often forget how , for the majority, money is not given." Jasper thought rather with kindness than hostility. He was more from the minority side anyway.

"That day he was very unlike himself. When he came back he asked me if I would have any objection for us to dine with some friends. We were both invited to a house down in Forks. I did not object.

It was late in the afternoon when the phone rang. Grandpa took it from his office. The only thing I heard was a cracked, faded voice saying: "I see..Thank you Father Weber, I 'll be there soon. I hope...He won't be there before me."

I timidly approached the office door. Grandpa hung the phone up and looked me directly in the eyes.

His own eyes were more clouded than the sky. He told me that dinner was canceled and he had to go to Forks to visit a friend who was sick. He would leave me to Alice's grand parents.

I knew better than to make further questions. He would talk about it only when he thought it would be necessary.

After he reassured me that none from "my" family was hurt we headed towards the Brandon's property. Just as I was ready to get out he gently grabbed my arm and stopped me. "Son wait,...please", he said and opened the little drawer in front of the passenger's seat. To my surprise there where two packets inside both looking like presents. They were both wrapped in white paper and simple colored ribbons . He picked the one with the green ribbon and gave it to me.

"Something to read till I return tonight," he told me and left." Edward stopped for a while.

Jasper took the chance to ask.

"It was about that woman huh? She was the...sick friend?

Edward looked pensive. "Yes it was, although I found out about her the next day. Grandpa returned to take me home around midnight. He hugged me and said nothing. I will never forget the pain on his face. Half an hour later I was in my room on the second floor still reading when I heard someone knocking . Grandpa was in the study on the first floor. I heard him walking down the stairs and opening the front door. It was obviously someone he knew since after a small talk he invited him in and they both sat in the study with the door closed. I was already exhausted. In two minutes my eyes were shut . I never heard the man leaving but next morning I had the feeling he had stayed for hours."

"Had this happened before?, I mean people come to visit your grandpa in the middle of the night?"

"Well, I don't remember something similar. Then again, it was not a common night." Edward answered while motioning for another round of drinks towards the waiter.

It had already started getting darker. The day's events had finally started to overpower him. Fatigue was almost around the corner. A sudden buzz coming from Jasper's cell phone distracted him instantly. He wasn't surprised about the person on the other side of the line.

While Jasper was talking to Alice, Edward took some time to marvel the view. People were still enjoying the sun. Te deck was full of men, women of all ages and children. Small boats were slowly crossing the bay heading towards the marinas. The silver surface seemed painted with millions little touches of gold and red shades. It was a few minutes before twilight. The perfect hour for lazy talks on a deck by the water. A soft melody was coming from inside the small restaurant. Piano and violins and Lou Reed's voice. "Could be a perfect day for some of them," Edward thought and a strange feeling of nostalgia took over him. Sometimes the only thing you need is a little sun to open your heart and your mind so easily.

In the background he heard his friend explaining their current location on the phone. His suspicion that Alice was already in Seattle became a fact. " Is she here ?", he rhetorically asked Jasper.

"Yes, she is on her way to meet us. I hope you don't mind...I kind of asked her to come...I..."

"God, how pathetic can I be. She has already wrapped me in her little finger," Jasper thought.

He felt a little guilty. Edward needed his attention and all he could think was Alice.

"Hey, it's fine. I've missed her. Just...let's keep our discussion between us. Alice can be tyrannic about explaining dreams and their future meanings. She has an odd tendency to make predictions. She thinks it's a gift. His friend nodded in understanding.

"I guess you didn't celebrate your birthday that day," Jasper said just as the new glasses of beer arrived.

"No, things became even more weird. The next morning I woke up earlier than usual, around 6.00. I found my grand father still in his study. He had already prepared some kind of breakfast. To my surprise there was also an apple pie on the kitchen table. I could not imagine my grand father sitting all night baking apple pies. He must have noticed the shock in my face. He sat across from me and offered me a piece of pie. He told me it was a gift for my birthday. It was from the family who had invited us to that canceled dinner. The dots had started to get connected. I asked him if a member of that family had died, who was he, and why he was so important. The childish straightness had never left my more mature mind." Edward stopped to breath again while passing his hand through his hair. It was not a way to rule them, they were constantly a mess. It was a habit he had, like chewing your nails.

" I can think of a couple of occasions that straightness has put you in trouble", Jasper noted. Edward natural affinity to find answers and logical explanations was a great factor for all those kind expels from schools. He had to know. "So, it was not he but her I suppose" he added.

"Yes. Grandpa answered me in a minimal way. He told me they were a young couple with a daughter around three. They both were from Forks. The woman used to help in church activities, mostly charities. The man was a police officer. I had assumed they were simple people. The night before there had been an accident. The woman slipped form the stairs and hit her head. By the time the ambulance arrived she had lost a lot of blood. It was too late. She died a few hours later."

" Who called your grandpa?, you referred a name...Weber?" Jasper asked. The story had started to intrigue him more and more.

"It was Father Weber. He was the priest after my grandpa retired and a close friend of him. The woman had kept her senses for a while. She was very weak though and was asking for a Father. People assumed she meant the priest since her own father was dead. They called Father Weber. When he got there and saw who the woman was he immediately called my grand father." Edward paused and drunk a little more from his glass.

Jasper put his own beer down and made a brief resume."Well...I think I have the picture now. You went to that funeral with him right? And you met the little girl there. A sad girl since her mother had just died. Nothing sounds weird. Everybody is sad on funerals. It is natural for a child to cry and express hate, especially at her age. Seems to me you must have taken her attitude too personal if you have a nightmare about it. I'm sure she doesn't even remember you...But..."He suddenly stopped for a second a seemed puzzled.

"Edward...How did you recognize the mother. I'm sure she didn't look like in the picture and her eyes must have been close. This picture is not like those you put beside a dead person during funerals. They usually are more formal, you know...more stylized."

"I saw this photograph in her house." Edward answered flatly.

Jasper was about to continue guessing about the rest of the story when his phone buzzed again.

"Alice", he murmured and opened the phone. "yeah...outside, on the deck...ok," he said, "I guess we will have to put this off for later. I have something to ask you before we see her." Embarrassment was obvious in his tone.

Edward arched one eyebrow and took a knowing look.

"You want me to refresh Alice's...state for you, don't you?"

"Em...Yeah. We talk but we haven't seen each other for a long time. Do you...em...know … if she was seeing anyone...special?

"Hm...I don't know. Last year Esme had tried to set her a date with "a perfect future husband". She politely declined saying that she could date but she already knew whom she was going to marry," he said and started tearing a smart piece of bread into pieces; hiding his zero appetite.

Jasper generally had delicate manners and a cool attitude against almost everything. His friend's sudden appearance had no significant effect on these qualities. But there is a first time for everything. Edward's last words took him completely by surprise. He almost chocked and spilled his last sip of beer on the table. In a place with nine tables he didn't stay unnoticed. The waitress was instantly beside him offering him water and a towel. As Edward waited for his friend to regain his demeanor he looked around him. Some of the customers were still looking towards their table. Correction, some of the customers were looking straight towards him.

It was already near 6.00 in the afternoon and the sun had started to dive in the background, painting his face with shades of orange and coral and highlighting the natural bronze in his mesh of hair. An artist would be thrilled to catch that snapshot and it didn't get wasted. A smooth flash guided Edward's eyes towards the small figure at the other side of the deck.

"Hm...I would prefer a more friendly look but this picture my friend will make me a small fortune. Should I put it on line? It doesn't need any editing..." the figure spoke in an amusing tone.

"Alice?" Edward narrowed his eyes as pointing his "disappointment" about his friend's indiscretion but it was all in the game. Deep inside he was thrilled to see her.

It had been almost two years. Her short visit to New york on New Years Eve had found Edward drunk, crushing her in a hug on his parents couch, telling her that pixies should be hidden inside the Christmas tree. It was his first winter break he could drink legally and the Cullens could afford some really good stuff for their guests and friends.

The next morning Edward found a picture of him on the tree with a note written in golden ink:

"I wish until this day next year you will have find your destiny's path and I hope you will not pass by it, but keep it beside you. Love, C-tree pixie."

The picture was a portrait of him sleeping under the light of candles on that elegant couch. He didn't look peaceful. The specific kind of light added in a dramatic result. He looked consumed by agony and most of all...lonely.

In a minute Alice was in Edward's arms. Their embrace was warm but friendly and lasted for a few seconds. Those seconds were enough to make Jasper happy and turn Edward into flames.

Alice was so small, Edward had lifted her from the ground easily. She had rested her head on his left shoulder and he was kissing the top of her head like an older brother. A famous director could not have set a better scene.

Alice, although in the arms of her friend, had her eyes totally focused on the blond man behind Edward. A sweet smile had transformed her face. It was not a friendly one. It was happy, seductive, positive. "That's why he calls her "pixie"," Jasper thought and started approaching them.

What Jasper could not see was Edward's face though. It was as if he had turned to stone.

"Can't be...No...It can't be," he murmured and softly put Alice down letting her enjoy a different embrace.

He started heading towards the interior part of the restaurant like a man following an invisible rope. Once inside he took a good look around. "No, it's not an illusion" he tried to convince him self and stopped in front of the reception desk.

"Excuse me miss..." he started talking to the girl there and waited for her response will she was talking animatedly on her cell.

"I told you, he is gorgeous, you should come and see. A chick was just taking pictures of him, must be a mod..."and she abruptly shut the phone when she realized the object of her gossip was standing right in front of her.

In any other occasion Edward would have just laughed. In that one he cared only for one thing.

"Excuse me, do you by any chance notice a young brunette entering about five minutes ago?"

"Hmmm...yeah, I mean...no,...I mean.. let me see," the girl who Edward assumed was their waitress also, quickly scanned the room but saw no one fitting to his description.

"Hm...no sir, I don't see her... Are you expecting a date or something?" she asked anxiously.

"Ah, no...No...I just thought I saw an old friend, excuse me," Edward said and left.

"GET. A. GRIP." he told himself while taking his seat next to Alice. "Thank god at least they are too preoccupied to notice me" he thought when he realized they were already in a different world.

He was almost embarrassed to sit with them.

"You sure made a major cock-blocking appearance in Seattle," he thought and started packing his things when Alice spoke and put him out of his misery … for a little while..

"What's the matter,"Adonis"? Don't I deserve a little more time with both my favorite men here? Don't you tell me you are here for less than a day and already have a date! Tell her to come in a month." The pixie in her was high.

"I should have tied you to that tree last Christmas," he said and all three of them burst into laugher.


Alice's presence was a blessing for Edward that evening. He was always impressed by her optimism, her attitude against life. For an outsider she would probably look like someone without problems. Cheerful, well bread, educated, pretty, self efficient. Alice had deeper qualities though. See cared. She cared for everybody. But she was not a fool. A lot of people had misjudged both her mind and her size. Everybody who had really talk to her knew better than to underestimate that little ball of energy. Edward was one of them.

While Jasper had to make a phone call about keeping the car for a few days Alice took the chance to "inspect" Edward.

"Well, I see you are in one piece, hmm... No bites yet, still full dressed. Something is wrong but...you WILL tell me and we will fix it. Now, what's good here?"

The pixie had brought her appetite with her. That place was new but well known for the sea food snacks. Simple, small, delicious bites and small fresh salads. They continued their unofficial reunion by ordering more drinks.

The rest of the evening was for Edward less stressful. After enlightening Alice about his news the three of them started a game of embarrassing each other with stories from their childhood and school years. Giving another "checkout" look inside he left a couple of hours later living the "unofficial" couple alone. Jet lag was always a good excuse to avoid explanations. Not that they would mind...

It was almost 12.30 when he heard Jasper's keys on the door. He was still awake trying to read that awful copy of withering heights. His friend had noticed the light and smoothly knocked on the door.

"Are you OK?" he asked .Once Edward nodded affirmatively he added: "Try and get some rest. We will continue our talk tomorrow. I have the sense I was a little simplistic before...Good night Edward."he said and closed the door behind him. He sounded a little mysterious. The night was not so good.


After her shower Bella got dressed and started collecting her things in her messenger bag. He belongings were the usual basics. Her wallet, some pens and pencils, a notepad, tampons, a simple elastic hair-band and a lip-gloss. Girls at her age would have tons of mascara's, eye-shadows, light make-up and lipsticks in their purses. Hers was full of band-aids and handkerchiefs. Being a klutz means you must always be prepared for an accident. She had become an expert in giving the first aid treatment to herself.

An odd feeling had started to rise inside her when she picked the bag she considered complete. It was light. Much lighter than usual. A flash passed through her mind. Her book. That copy of Withering Heights. It was not in the bag. She didn't remembered taking it out of it either. Realization hit her in seconds. She must have forgot to pick it up after she collided with that man the day before.

"No, Oh ..no, no...not this one. My mother's picture is in there. No, it must be in here somewhere," she thought and started looking everywhere inside the apartment almost like rampaging it.

After searching even inside the fridge she sat on the floor and started crying. The book was nowhere. She would prefer to loose that damned manila folder than her book. Fate was playing unfair games that day.

After 15 minutes she slowly stood up and started cleaning the mess she had created in seconds. Bending down in order to pick her bag again she noticed the papers from Harvard. They were almost under the couch were they had landed the previous afternoon. She picked them up and was determined to tear them apart when a note at the end of the acceptance letter in small characters caught her attention.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If due to any sudden change of address or due to severe mistakes of mail service a candidate student was not informed in time about his admittance, Harvard Law School preserves the right to reevaluate his or her application if he or she wishes to. A committee of all schools of Harvard will be responsible for this task. Only serious cases will be under consideration.

"God bless details," Bella thought.

A hint of hope was dancing in her mind. Maybe not everything was black. She grabbed the rest of the papers and put them back in the manila folder aiming to take it with her. She had a last card and nothing to loose.

The loss of her mother's picture was still a painful fact. By the years, loss had become a habit for Bella, or at least she thought so.

"People and things just come and go, don't fight with nature," she was always reminding herself. That little sparkle of hope made Bella re-think about some breakfast.

Last night she had a pleasant surprise. Her boss gave her an extra payment. Due to the sun the restaurant was full from very early leaving an unusually high profit for one day. Of course everybody had to work harder, and Bella was not excluded.

On her arrival the fact that the restaurant's veranda was already full with people had confirmed her suspicion about a different day at work. More customers , more fish. Before going back at the kitchen area she couldn't resist and took a look out side. The sun was low, hitting her straight in the eyes. She could see the customers talking calmly and enjoying snacks and drinks. A young couple in a friendly embrace was standing out. A high-toned voice talking to a phone interrupted her private wandering. The same voice stopped and spoke to her in a rather rude tone.

"Just hold on a second, ….. Bella, finally, you are here. We are dying to work today. Hurry up, the orders are nonstop," the waitress told her and returned to her cell phone. "I'm sorry, where was I ? Oh yes, I have never seen someone like him..."

"Sure, to much work," Bella thought and passed through the staff door. She usually preferred to enter from the back staff entrance in order not to mix with the customers. Though ridiculous she always had a feeling that some day someone would recognize her. She worked there legally but her family's past was something her employes were not informed off. People were often biassed about persons related to problems with the law. The truth was never convincing enough. That evening was an exception as the rest of the day. It was that sun. He had an almost addicting power on her. She felt that she was following him and didn't want to miss a beam. If she was battery she would be fully charged.

The extra money went unnoticed until the morning. They were welcomed but without much enthusiasm. All the problems were still there. Her happiness about that little card she was mentally holding made her remember the extra cash.

"At least tomorrow Mr. Newton will eat dust," she thought devilishly and decided to spend some of her hard obtained cash to a good breakfast before school. She found the cafeteria of the central library a good place to start her day. A short visit to the security office sounded a good choice also. In case someone had found her book and was kind enough to deliver it there. No such luck. She left after leaving a description, her name and her phone number. When asked if she was a student the answer was "no".

Her breakfast was short but good. Orange juice, french toast and a small cup of coffee, a habit she had acquired due to working late. A delicious chocolate muffin was wrapped in her bag. A treat for Charlie.

Seattle had already drunk the first cup of rain. It was almost 8.00 in the morning. Bella had an hour to spare before class. The cafeteria had already started to fill with students from different schools. Her mind was stuck to that letter from Harvard. She was sure she had not send anything. No, she was positive she had thrown the papers in the trash can.

"Someone must have found them," Bella thought and one face came flashing in front of her eyes, her first and usual suspect:

"Alice," she frowned.

"I bet that she was the one who committed such an indescribable action, who else? She was there, she had seen me filling them, she had even winked at me approvingly," the girl continued her assumptions. She had to find a logical explanation. Who, when, why and how.

Bella didn't really know Alice well. She had met her just last Christmas. They were both volunteers in the annual charity bazaar and meal for the less blessed through the area around Forks. There were children from the local orphanage and a few pour families. The town was small. Their most important aim was to collect money for those who could not afford medical expenses. Bella knew by hand what that meant. She had to sell her father's house to pay his treatment. She even deceived him by passing him the contract papers among her college applications. Charlie never bothered to read them. He trusted his daughter and hoped the best for her.

Alice had stayed only for Christmas. She spend the rest of the break in New York. Her grandparents were still living in Forks and she wanted to see them before her return to Europe. She had gained Bella's attention from the very beginning. Short, with spiky black hair, blue eyes and a delicate nose. She was very pretty, like some kind of trendy fairy. Her clothes were elegant but unusual. "Very fashionable", was Bella's words. She had felt mortified for her poor appearance compared to that woman. Alice was 20 when they met. Bella's apple pie was the reason those two started to talk in the first place.

After three pieces she approached Bella while saying. "If you made those pies to catch a boy's attention they sure have worked. I'm positive about you having a date by the end of the day."she told her and motioned for her to look at the opposite corner of Forks High school Gym. A pack of male teens had attacked three pies mercilessly. She recognized some of them. They were from the reservation near La Push. Charlie used to take her there often.

" Oh, I know some of them , we used to make a different kind of pies together. Bella told her in an amused tone."

"Oh yeah, what kind of pies if I may ask? Alice sounded intrigued by Bella's comment.

"Mud pies, stuffed with leaves, we were creative."she replied and waited for Alice's reaction.

A huge smile took over the pretty pixie-like face.

"I think I like you, I'm Alice , humble pie exterminator and aspiring artist. Charmed by both of you and your pie."

Bella was not used to such a straightness. She was used to people talking to her with restrain and sometimes...pity. Alice's enthusiasm had caught her by surprise.

"Hm...Hi...I'm Bella. I'm a senior in high school and….that's all...And...I think I...like you to?"

"What am I doing, she seems a little high, I 've never even seen her before." Bella's internal monologue had taken a doubtful path when Alice broke her insecurities by saying:

"Look I know I can be bit scary. I'm not high or something, though all that sugar heightens my spirit. I'm Alice Brandon. See that old woman over there, she is my grandmother Mary. I'm visiting her and grandpa. Ok?"

Bella felt relieved. The Brandon's were good people. They were treating her and her father with respect no matter the circumstances. "I'm sorry, I'm just not good at socializing I guess, it is very nice to meet you Alice, I happen to know your grandparents," Bella apologized for her hesitation.

"Sorry, there is nothing to be sorry about sweetheart and since you know my family would you care to come for breakfast tomorrow ? I am their ride for tonight and we'll be leaving in a while. What do you say? I'm sure your parents won't mind. Do you have a car?" Alice was a rocket.

"How many pies did she eat?" Bella wandered while trying to answer all her questions in order.

"I'm, yes I can come. It's just my father and me and he will be okay. In fact I think he is going fishing tomorrow. But ..you see...I don't drive ...yet." Bella answered a little embarrassed thinking: "Alright, now she is going to start asking things and ages and she will finally remember she has to feed her cat tomorrow, all morning. Nobody feels nice in the company of a boring geek with an awful past and no social life, plus she is older, pretty and trendy, nothing in common." Her self confidence was under Alice's expensive ballet flats, making company to the dusty floor.

Her new acquaintance put her out of her misery instantly.

"Oh, I love driving, if the weather is nice, maybe we can ditch my grandparents and go to Port Angeles. I will have my grandmother call your father so don't worry. I'll pick you up at 8.30. Where..." but Bella never let her finish.

"I will be at the post-office tomorrow morning, I have to personally deliver something. You can pick me up from there and my father is okay with leaving me by my own so don't bother to call." she said feeling awful for her totally rude interruption. She just didn't want that young woman who looked so perfect to see her small, old, house which had seen better days in the past.

Alice just agreed and left after hugging Bella like a friend. The next morning the sun must had heard Alice and had parted the clouds. The trip to Port Angeles was meant to happen.

They sat for breakfast near the sea. Bella had not lied about the post office. She expected some college applications and other personal papers for academic purposes. During the trip she learned a lot about Alice. She on the other hand told her the minimum. Her age, how she skipped classes and a few things about her mother and father avoiding the dark parts. Who needs drama for just one day?

Alice was discrete about her young "friend". She was making small talk about books, and clothes and her life in Europe. Bella was fascinated. It was one of her dreams to travel abroad. Her only trip was in Canada for a school contest. Their last stop was at a book store. Alice bought presents for her grandparents and a copy of Withering Heights for Bella while she was not looking. She had seen her eying it the time they had entered the shop. She had asked for a leather wrapped edition but they were out of stock so she had to put up with a small cheap edition. Their travel back was full with laughs and some "boy" talk.

Alice had to leave the same evening for Seattle and then New York. Bella was again volunteering at that bazaar but without pies. Alice found her in a corner filling different forms for colleges. Bella had kept all Ivy league applications separately. One of them was her secret weakness. Harvard Law School. The top law school for decades but forbidden fruit. Expensive and far away. She was re-checking the forms when Alice sat beside her startling her.

"You know, a little bird told me you were more than a good student. How many advanced classes did you take Bella? I mean, when did you really finish high school?" she asked in a mother like tone. She could not avoid other truths, Alice had obviously talk to Ms Cope, the school counselor.

"One and a half years ago. I've been taking advanced classes through the mail since then. The school had a few but not enough to complete my schedule." Bella answered looking at her hands and biting her lower lip, her old habit when she was nervous. She didn't dare to look Alice in the eyes.

Alice on the other hand was in deep thought. She finally grabbed Bella's hand and said.

"Bella, look at me. You are special and every single one of those prestigious institutions will be lucky to have you" she said and winked. "Just go and get what you deserve , okay? Here is my number. Call me if you need anything, and I mean ANYTHING." Bella nodded and she suddenly hugged her tightly. "Thank you" she told her. Alice hugged her back with force.

"Good luck kid" she wished her and left after kissing her on both cheeks. "...you are so like HIM..." she heard her murmur while exiting the gym.

Seconds later Bella found the copy Alice had purchased at the bookstore inside her bag with a picture attached to it. It was a picture of her in Port Angeles Alice must have taken secretly.. She looked fresh and innocent and...sad. A note was written at the empty back side with gold ink:

"I wish next year will finally bring you closer to all those things you really deserve. Love, Alice."

Bella almost fell apart. That woman had shaken her world in just one day. She suddenly felt sick.

The need to go home overtook her. She collected her papers and left after throwing those Harvard papers in a nearby trash can. Her only assumption was now that Alice had seen her leaving. She could not think of anyone else.

Bella finished her coffee and left. It was Thursday morning and she had another class with Prof. Banner. Wednesday's test was just test day. The teaching part was on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She was a bit hesitant about meeting again the new TA but she decided to be bold. Even if he remembered her there was nothing she should worry about. People have accidents all the time. She would just have to avoid referring to her name or age. She didn't know for sure if he was related to that man, maybe it was all in her imagination.

Luckily the TA was not present that morning. The class went on uneventful. A couple of minutes before the end Banner announced the general results from the previous test.

"The general level is good. I received both good and bad approaches but that was expected. Your grades will be formally announced by the end of the next week. Expect at least two more similar tests till Christmas. Thank you all. Before I leave I would like your help with something. I received an anonymous paper among the others. I suppose one of you was too excited to remember writing his or her name. If that person is in class or if someone knows who he or she is, please come to my office afterward. I would like to discuss the paper with them. Thank you." Banner said and left.

Bella was dying of curiosity. It was no doubt about her paper but she could not appear there pretending to be that student. Her lie would be revealed. Time was pressing her since in less than an hour she had to go see Charlie at the hospital She decided to go for the second option.

The friend of the irresponsible student.


A/N: So, there are many questions there unanswered. Why did her mother asked for Father Edward , who called the umbulance, how did they finally meet, was Alice the one who send the applications, what does Banner want to discuss? If you have any idea about those answers please let me know. There is a teaser ready for you in my laptop. All you have to do is press that little button, Edward might give you some apple pie and my Beta will send me some cake.