I spent the next two days developing pictures in the dark room. Edward texted me a few times, but my replies were always short, just one or two words. I knew it was driving him crazy and I was a little surprised he didn't randomly show up at my door for the third next week was rough. He kept trying to talk to me while he was practicing, but I just avoided him. I didn't stay afterwards, I didn't show up early. I definitely didn't answer my front door. I left all that up to Jasper. Edward stopped by twice that week, but Jasper refused to let him in. He told him I wasn't there even though Iwas just hiding in the hallway.

Our flight left pretty early that next Monday morning, so Jasper and I made sure all of our stuff was already packed and by the front door. When my alarm went off that morning I just rolled out of bed, brushed my hair and teeth and grabbed our passports. Jasper threw on a hat and called a cab for us. We were supposed to meet the rest of them at Alice's place and then we were being driven to the airport. They were all standing out by the corner when we got there and Edward and Emmett helped load our things from the cab to one of the other cars. I was aware of his eyes on me as he opened the door for me and I jumped inside. Edward, Jasper, Alice and I sat in one car with Rose and Emmett in the other with all of the luggage. Edward sat in front and he kept stealing glances at me in the rearview mirror. I could see all the questions in his eyes and I had to look away, afraid that I was going to breakdown.

There was already a line of paparazzi waiting for us at the airport when we arrived. As soon as Edward stepped out they were screaming and snapping pictures, blinding all of us with their lights. Emmett went first, holding Rose tightly behind him. She was lucky he was so bulky; he practically acted as a shield. Jasper and Alice followed, him keeping hold of her by the waist. I didn't realize I'd stopped moving in the mass of people until someone grabbed my hand.

Edward quickly darted through the crowd, pulling me behind him. As soon as we got inside I let go of his hand and hurried to catch up with the rest of checked in at one of those kiosk things and breezed through security. We got there the latest that we possibly could so we wouldn't have to sit around waiting, but we still had a couple of hours. Once we found our gate, I got up to do some exploring to waste some time. I purchased a few magazines, a book, and a children's activity book to keep me occupied.

"Whatcha got there little lady?" Jasper leaned over as I sat down. "Children's activity book. Wonderful."

I opened it to the first page and read the directions. "I have to find 12 donuts in this picture, do you want to help?"

"Um. Yeah," he said enthusiastically.

We spent the next twenty minutes looking for the donuts. Edward sat across from us, occasionally looking up from his magazine at Jasper and I. A few people came up every now and then to ask for autographs or pictures and Edward always obliged with a smile.

We were the first to be loaded on the plane, first class of course. I've only ever ridden in coach but I think after now I was going to be ruined for it. I had my own seat, separate from the others. That meant no sharing armrests and no annoying people getting up and spilling your drink when they need to go to the bathroom. It was the most comfortable seat I've ever sat in, complete with a large pillow, blanket and my own personal cup holder in my armrest. The seat in front of me had a small television on the back of it, with a large selection of movies and television shows for me to watch.

"Pretty snazzy huh?" Edward turned around from his seat in front of me and smiled.

"Yeah," I sighed.

I snuggled into my seat and picked out a movie to watch. The stewardess came over and asked what I'd like to drink so I went with some wine. They gave me my own little bottle.

It was a long plane ride, but I guess being like this didn't make it so bad. I fellasleep for about half of it and watched a couple of movies. I think the wine probably helped too.

When we got to Heathrow there was another group of paparazzi waiting for us.

We were quickly ushered into a few large cars and whisked away to the hotel. I shouldn't have expected any less but the hotel was amazing. I don't think I've ever seen so much gold in one room. And that was just the entryway to the lobby. We were greeted by the manager of the hotel and shown to our rooms. They were nice enough to put us all on the same floor, Edward and I the only ones bunking alone.

"Hey do you guys want to go get something to eat? We can go out after." Emmett asked as we all separated to our respective rooms.

"Uh…no I think I'm just going to stay and unpack. I'm not really hungry," I shook my head.

"Are you sure?" Alice said.

"Yeah you guys all go." I smiled and started in to my room. "Have fun though."

"Okay everyone meet down in the lobby in ten," Emmett said, pulling Rose into their room.

Edward waited until everyone else was in their rooms before he started towards me. "Do you want me to stay with you?"

"No it's okay. Go out." I tried to avoid his eyes. The trick is to look at the eyebrows. That way it looks like you're looking at them but you're really not. A few

inches lower would be the death of me.

"Okay," Edward mumbled. He shuffled back to his room as I closed my door behind me.

My room was huge, probably almost the size of my apartment. There was a small living room area with a bar and a small kitchen. French doors off the living room opened up to a luxurious bedroom with a king sized bed and its own balcony and bathroom.

I plopped down on the bed and closed my eyes. "Operation Avoid Edward" was in full effect and so far I was doing good. I actually said no to him. Of course it was only to dinner so that wasn't a big test, but it was something.

I unpacked all my clothes, hanging some up in the closet and putting the rest in the drawers. I barely even heard the knock on the door. I skipped over to it, expecting to find anything except for what I did.

"Hey I brought you some food." Edward held out a box and came inside. "It's a chicken sandwich, I hope that's okay."

"Um…yeah that's fine. Thank you, you didn't have to do that." I glanced back at the door, assuming he was going to leave now.

"Are you sure you don't want to go out with us? I mean I could stay in and we could watch a movie or something?" He stuck his hands in his pockets.

"Edward…" I sighed. "What are you doing?"

"I think we're just headed to a bar down the street."

"No, I mean…what are you doing? What is all this?" I held up the box of food. "Bringing food, medicine, staying in when your friends are going to the bar. That's not who you are."

He blinked a few times, trying to process what I'd just said. In all honesty I don't know why I said it, but everything was just becoming too much.

"I…" He started. "I don't really know who I am." He turned around and left.

I put the chain on behind him and went to bed, too exhausted to even think about what just happened.

Jasper woke me up the next morning, begging me to go sightseeing with him. Everyone else had been to London before so they had seen everything. He called us the London virgins and insisted that we go out and pop our cherry.

I took a quick shower and got dressed while he waited out in my living room. We started out at the Tower of London. Apparently Alice had arranged a whole sightseeing tour for us at some of the best places. We got to skip all the lines and had our own personal tour guide for each place. After we were done with the Tower of London we had lunch along the river before taking a taxi to Buckingham Palace. Jasper and I tried to make the guards laugh, but they stood their ground. It was a little disappointing. That was always my one goal if I ever got to come here. I begged Jasper to stop at Piccadilly Circus and we ended up buying a ton of touristy souvenirs before heading back to the hotel. Everyone else was tired, so the two of us just grabbed a bite to eat in the hotel's restaurant.

"So…what's the deal with you and Edward?" Jasper said, taking a bite of his burger.

"Nothing." I pushed my food around on my plate. "I just don't think it's going to work out."

"Do you want it to work out?"

I shrugged. "I mean I like my Edward, the other one can be kind of irritating."

"Wait, what?"

"Oh." I blushed in embarrassment. "Don't laugh okay? There are two Edwards. There's the competitive, smug bastard of a tennis player and then there's my

Edward. He's nice and sweet and down to earth and I just can't seem to reconcile the two. I wish he could just…meet in the middle you know? Be the best parts of both."

"No, I get it. I think." He smiled and set his burger down. "So, what's the plan?"

"Right now I just need some time to figure it out. Figure me out I guess. I don't even know really what I want. I have to decide if he's worth the risk."

"Do you think you could fall in love with him?"

"Maybe. I don't know."

"Well isn't love always worth the risk?" He smirked.

We finished our dinner and walked back up to our rooms. Jasper came in and hung out for a little bit while he waited for Alice to wake up from her nap. I told him he should go wake her up anyway because otherwise she won't be able to sleep tonight and Edward started pre-tournament stuff tomorrow morning. No doubt she'd be following him around like a hawk. He finally agreed with me and started towards the door. He leaned down and kissed my cheek before opening the door.

"Think about what I said huh? The choice is always yours Bella, remember that."

He turned to leave, but stopped dead in his tracks. "Edward."

I pulled the door open even further and sure as shit there he was. "What are you doing here?" I asked, leaning my head against the door.

"Just…seeing what you were doing." He looked nervously between Jasper and I.

"You should go to bed Edward. You have a long day tomorrow. Goodnight." I nodded as Jasper stepped out and closed the door on the both of them.

I was going to just walk away, but as soon as I heard their voices I spun around and looked out the peephole.

"Cullen," Jasper said. "I need to have a word with you."

Edward crossed his arms in front of him and sighed. "Okay."

"Bella is my best friend and I would do anything for her. Literally anything. I know that she likes you and if, and that's a big if, she decides to continue whatever the two of you have going on that's her decision. But so help me if you hurt her, I will have no problem dealing with you. Don't think I'm blind Edward. I saw you with that stripper the other night at the club and I will gladly kick your ass if you ever…" He trailed off. "Bella deserves something good in her life. And if you can't be that something good for her then leave her be and go play your games with someone else."

"I want to be good for her Jasper. I don't want to hurt her." Edward shook his head.

"Then you'll wait until she's ready." Jasper stepped forward and harshly jabbed Edward's chest. "Now go back to your room and leave her alone."

Edward glanced at my door once more, almost like he knew I was standing there, before he walked off. Jasper waited until he was gone before he retreated back to Alice.

I turned around and allowed myself to fall down the back of the door. I sat on the ground and pulled my knees up to my chest as I went through their conversation.

Did he sleep with a stripper the other night? Why would he do that if he claims he wants to be good? He said he wanted to be good for me.

I wiped the tears away and started towards my bedroom. I was supposed to go to all these places with them tomorrow. Edward had some interviews and photo opportunities before he started training with Emmett.

My alarm woke me up the next morning and all I wanted to do was stay in bed all day. I finally rolled out of bed and pulled some clothes on. After I got ready I gathered my camera bag and started down towards the lobby.

As I waited for the elevator I tapped my foot anxiously to the music playing lightly in my headphones.

"Good morning, Bella," Edward said, stepping beside me. I barely glanced his way and stared back at the elevator.

"Edward."

The door opened and we both stepped inside, obvious to the awkward tension between us.

"Bella, I…"

"Edward! Bella!" Alice shouted. "Hold the door!" She rushed inside before either of us could get another word in. "Are you ready for the day?" She smiled. "Edward, we've got some interviews with the local papers before your press conference. And then you've got some promotional pictures to take before you start with Emmett at four." She tapped away at her PDA while she spoke.

The rest of the day was a flurry of activity. We were bustled about from one place to another. I couldn't believe that Edward could keep his cool being in an environment like this all the time. No wonder he has anger issues.

Rosalie joined us as we were on our way to the press conference and said that Emmett and Jasper were going to watch some of the other players practice. We walked into a large room full of reporters and cameras, flashbulbs going off everywhere. There was a small stage equipped with a long table. There were three chairs, three microphones and three glasses of water. I noticed there were nametags in front of each microphone. Alice Cullen, agent. Edward Cullen. Rosalie Hale, assistant. I stood beside the wall as they all walked up on stage.

Rosalie spoke first after they sat down.

"Hello everyone and thank you for coming to this press conference. Mr. Cullen will be happy to a few questions before he has to leave for practice." She leaned back and everyone started shouting questions. "Yes, you in the red shirt."

"Edward, George Daley, London Times. This is your third Wimbledon appearance. Your last two years have ended in early defeats. What have you done differently this year to prepare?"

Edward took a sip of his water and leaned towards the microphone. "Well, those performances were definitely a disappointment. I think I've grown a lot as a person and as a player even from last year. I've hired a new coach and he's given me a brand new focus for my game. I've been practicing more, spending more time in the weight room and perfecting my technique. I hope to have a better performance this year."

The screaming ensued again.

"Yes," Rosalie pointed. "The lady in the white and blue dress!"

"Edward, Linda Hamilton, New York Times. It's no secret that you sometimes become very confrontational during your games. Some are even comparing you to John McEnroe. Would you like to comment on this?"

"Well Linda, if it's no secret I don't know how much I have to comment on," he laughed nervously. "I just love this game so I won't apologize for being passionate about it. Next."

"Man in front here!" Rosalie shouted.

"Yes, Bob Smith with the Sun. There were some pictures taken of you recently with a young woman named Isabella Swan, who appears to be doing some kind of work with you. Are you two engaged in a romantic relationship?"

My breath hitched in my throat. Crap.

"I think we should keep the questions to Mr. Cullen's career please," Rosalie said.

"No, Rose, it's okay," Edward said. "Bella is a very talented photographer and is doing a photo feature on me for Sports Illustrated. Since she's basically being paid to stalk me, we do end up spending a lot of time together and she's becoming a very good friend. Those pictures were taken the night of my birthday and we were out with a big group of friends, including my lovely sister and her boyfriend, and they were completely innocent." He glanced very briefly over at me. "Now, if you'll excuse me I must go start my practice for the game tomorrow."

The three of them got up and walked off stage.

We dropped Edward off with Emmett and went back to our hotel rooms. I was so exhausted I fell asleep on my couch watching television.

When I woke up it was already starting to get dark outside. I glanced at my clock and saw it was close to nine and I was wide awake, I decided to go and see what Alice and Jasper were doing so I ran a brush through my hair and started towards the door.

Sitting outside on a silver platter was an envelope with "Miss Swan" written delicately on the cover. I looked down each side of the hallway, wondering who had dropped it off or who it was from. I picked it up and pulled out a single sheet of paper.

Meet me down in the lobby.

There was no name, no indication of who wrote it. I wondered if Edward would try something so soon after the talk, or I guess after Jasper's talk, and decided that nothing would surprise me when it came to him. I grabbed my key and started down towards the lobby. It didn't mean I was doing whatever he wanted me to do, but I wasn't going to make him sit down in the lobby for hours either.

The lobby was fairly empty except for a few people passing through. I looked around, searching for the bronze mop of hair I thought I'd find down here. He wasn't here.

"Hello, Bella," a voice said from behind me. Jake took a step in front of me and smiled. I guess I kind of forgot he might be here; he was playing in the tournament.

"Jacob?"

"I see you got my note."

"Yeah," I laughed. "I didn't think…How long have you been waiting down here?"

"A little over an hour."

"Sorry, I was asleep. How did you know what room I was in?" I elbowed his ribs lightly.

"Please, don't ever doubt my skills of persuasion." He winked.

"So, what's up?"

"I wanted to take you somewhere."

"Now?"

"Yes, now."

"But it's getting late, I mean…don't you have to get some rest before tomorrow?"

He shook his head. "I'll be okay. Besides nighttime is the best time for this." He reached his hand out to mine. "Come on. I promise it's worth it."

I crossed my arms in front of me and stared into his dark brown eyes, trying to see what he was really after. I knew I was going to go with him. He'd peaked my interest. But I could at least be a little prepared if he was going to try something fishy.

I brushed past him and started towards the front door of the hotel.

"Are you coming Black?" I called.

He laughed and jogged to meet me. He hailed a cab and told him to take us down to the riverfront. I wondered what could be down there that was so fantastic.

"Okay," Jake said as we got closer to the river. "You'll see it in a minute. Look up over there." He pointed ahead of us to the left. "Wait for it."

As we round a corner, I saw a huge Ferris wheel type thing sitting down by the water, except it was bigger than any Ferris wheel I'd ever seen. There were little orbs of light every so often around the outside.

"What is it?" I asked.

"That's the London Eye and it's got the best view of London in the whole city," he smiled.

"We're not going up there?" I instinctively reached out for his arm. I wasn't really afraid of heights per se, but I also didn't go around dangling myself up in the air in a hamster ball.

"Yep."

"Jake," I said, shaking my head. "I don't think I can do it."

"You can."

We pulled up to the curb and Jake paid the cabbie as we got out. There was a short line of people waiting to get on. Some of them recognized Jake and asked to take a few pictures.

I shivered a little as we waited, wrapping my arms around myself to keep warm. I guess I didn't realize it would be so chilly out.

"Here." Jake wrapped his jacket around my shoulders as we reached the front of the line. He purchased two tickets and we were led up a ramp towards the Eye. He gave the man our tickets, who in turn led us to our very own cage. He opened the door for us and Jake held my hand as we walked on and sat. I started panicking a little when the operator closed and locked the door behind us, but Jake held tightlyonto my hand and told me to relax. There was something calming about him and even though I thought I had feelings for Edward, it was nice to just be with someone like this and not have to worry about all the tension or questions.

We jerked forward and started our ascent up. I closed my eyes tightly and Jake laughed a little at my trepidation.

"Bella, don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you," he whispered.

I shook my head and tried to think of happy things. Puppies. Flowers. Rainbows. Edward.

"You're going to miss it," Jake teased.

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes.

"Holy shit…" I mumbled. I could see practically the whole city from up here, lights for miles. There were a few boats floating down the river and crowds of people that looked like ants walking along the sidewalks. "This is beautiful."

"I told you."

We went around a few more times before they let us off. Jake took me for ice cream and we walked along the river a little before heading back to the hotel.

It was close to midnight when he walked me to my room and I assumed everyone else was already in bed.

"Thanks for tonight Jake. It was a lot of fun." I reached for my key and turned towards me door.

"Wait, Bella." He grabbed onto my arm and pulled me closer to him.

He dropped his arm to my waist and licked his lips as he leaned in. He was going to kiss me and I didn't know if I wanted him to or not, but I didn't stop him. Maybe this would be the test for me. Maybe if I kissed someone else I would finally know if my feelings for Edward could be anything more than just butterflies. I hated thinking of using Jake that way, and it wasn't that I didn't like him, but this thing with Edward was so much more complicated than he could even imagine.

I closed my eyes the moment he pressed his lips to mine. I allowed my hands to roam up to his neck and through his hair, giving it my all to try and just feel

something. There was just nothing there. No electricity, no sparks, definitely no butterflies.

"Jake," I mumbled against his lips. "I…I don't think…"

"Open your eyes, Bella," he whispered as he caressed my cheek.

I slowly inched them open, but I didn't see Jake. I saw Edward. He stood down the hallway, frozen halfway into his room. His shoulders heaved up and down as he stared at Jake and I, almost like he was trying to hold it in. I realized then that it was never going to be Jake. It was Edward. Always Edward.

"Edward," I mumbled, brushing past Jake. "Edward, wait," I called as he disappeared inside his room. I reached it just as it closed shut. "Edward." I knocked lightly. "Please. Talk to me," I whispered. I rested my forehead against his door, praying that he'd open it. As soon as I heard the deadbolt snap into place the tears started falling freely from my eyes.

"Bella?" Jake gently grabbed my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Jake, I can't. There's…there's someone else." I turned towards him and wiped my eyes.

"I think I knew that…deep down," he smiled apologetically. "Can't blame a guy for trying can ya?" He leaned forward and kissed my cheek before heading towards the elevators.

I sat by Edward's door for another half hour before I went back to my room alone.

I set my alarm and crawled into bed, crying until I fell asleep.