Hey, guys! Wow, when a goal is set, y'all rise to the challenge. We passed 400, and I am more than happy to post twice this week. The next chapter will be posted Friday.

Twilight? Not mine.


"Hey, Edward, I gotta go let Peter in. I'll be right back," Jasper tells me after he stops the game. I was just about to beat him, too. He stands and leaves the room immediately.

After about a minute of waiting, I get off the floor. I wonder what Pedro is like. I just have a feeling I'm not going to like him. The idea of him makes me uncomfortable and fidgety, but I can't seem to figure out why. It's just since Halloween, when Jasper and I hang out, it's normally just the two of us. I suppose, I've gotten used to that.

I guess, when you've never really had close friends before, it's okay to be a little possessive of that friendship. If Jasper suddenly didn't have the time to hang out with me, I don't know what I'd do. It's not that I'm not able to function alone. I spent the majority of my high school days proving that point, but I feel completely different now than I did just a year ago. Shit, I feel like a different person since moving in with Jasper.

There is just something about him. He makes me feel... I don't know... good about myself. If that is even the right way to describe it. Being around him is natural, and I have definitely never had that before, besides with family that is. Recently, he's been acting strange, though. I can't put my finger on it, exactly, but I can tell that something in our friendship has changed. He's more reserved than he used to be, for the most part, but there are those moments, when he relaxes completely. It might just be a smile or a laugh, but they stick out.

Jasper has been through so much shit in his life. I don't ever want to hurt him, and I don't think I ever could. He is starting to mean as much to me as Alice does. In a different way, though. I mean, Alice is my sister, and Jasper is... well, Jasper. I don't know how else to describe him. He's special.

I've never been a people person, per say, but others always seem to like me. As a child, I was always able to please adults, and I still know how to charm my teachers and people like Old Googie in the Housing Department. I just can't seem to figure out the whole peer relationship thing. I have a hard time letting people in, but that wasn't the case with Jasper.

From the moment I moved in, seeking refuge from disgusting Eric, I felt at ease around Jasper. I normally take to meeting new people with a mixture of excitement and fear, with the latter being the dominant emotion. I can tell everyone all damn day that I was happy being a loner in high school, but it's not the truth. Keeping to myself was easy and in the long run, pain free. I didn't want to let anyone get to know me because what if they ended up rejecting me or I somehow lost them?

An enigma to most people, I merely existed through those four years, keeping everyone at a distance. I imagine I could have pretended to be friends with people, so I didn't have to eat lunch alone. I just couldn't see the point to that.

Now, I feel as though that whole defensive exterior that I kept up for years has crashed around my feet. I don't want to eat alone. I don't want to convince my father that I'd rather stay home reading on a Friday night than go out on dates or with my friends. Jasper awoke something inside me, the part of me that craves human connections and peer stimulation. I refuse to go back, but I'm confused as how to go further.

It's why I decided to continue dating Bella. I've always been comfortable around her which was a big shocker to me. I never imagined the first friend I would make would be a girl, but I'm glad that it was. She means a lot to me, but it just feels strange now that we've taken it to the next level.

Sighing to myself, I realize I've been just standing in the middle of the room, so I sit down at my computer chair, resting my head on my arms on the desk. My mind starts to wander, like it frequently does, to her.

Bella.

The moment I accidentally asked Bella to be my girlfriend was a crazy evening. I was dealing with panic over the party, meeting new people and being in a foreign situation. Then, Bella was drunk and spurting out nonsensical things, confusing me further. To top it all off, Jasper, angry over something, got wasted and passed out after throwing up on my boots. It was stressful and overwhelming.

That first week of November, it was like, since we were already friends, Bella wanted to jump head first into the whole dating thing. She wasn't forcing me to do anything, but she was pushing for more. I finally just broke down, explaining to her about my lack of experience. I expected her to laugh, but she simply smiled and nodded, telling me she understood.

Since that moment, she hasn't pushed for more than just kissing, but I can tell she's getting restless. Bella tells me all the time how she has wanted more since school started. She also jokes that I was fucking oblivious to that fact. Which is the truth. Now, though, since she puts out the same 'signals' when she wants affection, I've become much more aware.

I've even started noticing that other people, strangers even, send those 'signals' my way. It's fucking weird, going to bed one night an unnoticed prudish virgin and waking up the next day as an apparently attractive prudish virgin. Other things and feelings inside me have started to wake up, as well. My dreams have gotten a lot more... interesting. That's for sure. I never seem to remember them, though, but in the morning, I have to take care of the result of the dream in the shower.

It would be unnatural to say I'd never gotten an erection before recently because I went through puberty, and I had my fair share of wet dreams and such. When I was about twelve, I discovered my dick... well, discovered what it felt like when you rubbed it in just the right way. I never thought about anyone in particular, though. I normally just concentrated on the sensations I was giving myself. After my mom got sicker, it stopped being a leisure, enjoyable thing. A hard cock was something I had to take care of quickly, either by hand or a cold shower. It wasn't particularly pleasurable.

Now, for the first time, I want pleasure. I'm having sexual urges, cravings. It's more than just handling my baser need in a perfunctory way. I want it all, and it makes me feel more alive and more afraid than ever before.

Still, even though I am definitely a red blooded male, it doesn't feel completely right with Bella. I mean, sure, the kissing is nice, but it's not electric. Bella's body is soft and warm against mine, but it doesn't seem like enough. At the same time, I worry that it's just my overactive mind causing unnecessary worries about the whole situation. Maybe, I just need more time to feel completely at ease.

All I know is that I obviously don't know anything.

The door knob turning breaks me out of my head, and I sit up straight, trying to relax my suddenly tense shoulders.

"Right back, my ass," I call out jokingly the moment Jasper opens the door. I knew he wouldn't be alone, but seeing his old friend standing in our dorm room wipes the smile off my face. I don't know why. I just don't feel like I can trust him. After meeting Jasper's other friends, it's of my opinion that maybe Jasper isn't the best judge of character. "Hello," I greet him. "It is so nice to meet you, Parker."

"Peter," he corrects me with a smile. "And, the pleasure is all mine."

My response catches in my throat, and I start to cough loudly. "You alright, Edward?" Jasper asks me, looking at me with concern. I give him a half a nod.

"Of course," I choke out "So, Porter..."

"PETER!" Jasper yells at me, rolling his eyes at this game, and I wince. "Seriously, Edward, what the fuck?" I notice Peter standing rather uncomfortably as I look down, hiding the hurt laced with shame that must be evident on my face. "His name is Peter," he tells me again in a much softer voice. "Peter."

"I know that," I confess because I do. I don't know why I'm acting so childish. God, it's like everything I do, every emotion, confuses the shit out of me. Trying to smooth the situation over, I ask, "So, what do you feel like eating tonight, Peter?" I force a smile to show my maturity.

"Oh," Peter's mouth falls open, looking over at Jasper. "I didn't know that you were coming with us." His finger moves between Jasper and himself. Jasper said earlier we could all go together. I mean, he agreed, right?

"Jasper and I talked about it," I state, looking over at Jasper for clarification. "I'm looking forward to getting to know you better," I add, trying my best to be sincere.

"Sounds like fun," Jasper grumbles.

Peter lets out a small huff. I make a face. "Just the three of us, then?" He questions.

"No," Jasper snaps, staring at me. "Edward's girlfriend, Bella, will be joining us."

"Your girlfriend?" Peter asks with an arched brow, and I nod. Why is that hard to believe? He whispers something to Jasper. My roommate makes a strange face and then shakes his head vehemently. "Well, I'm starved. Who feels like Thai?"

"That sounds great," Jasper agrees, and I shrug. "Well," he adds, turning to me, "call Bella. We're ready to eat."

*~E~*

"What do you mean to each their own?" I ask, giving Peter a pointed look. "You can't be serious."

"Quite," he answers smugly, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed. "We all just need to learn to mind our own business. The world would be a happier place."

"So, you're basically telling me that you don't believe in giving to charities, soup kitchens, homeless shelters?" My voice starts to rise in the end, but I am astounded at his selfishness.

"That's not what I'm saying," he insists, raising his hands in surrender. "All I'm saying is that we have no reason to be at war," he continues. "I have no idea how it got twisted into me being anti-philanthropic."

"Yeah, Edward," Jasper adds. "You seem to be getting worked up about nothing."

I hiss in frustration and rub my temples. "Alright," I agree. "Let's just drop the subject."

Bella scoots closer to me, moving her hand to mine and resting it atop my palm. I give her a small smile, and she squeezes my hand reassuringly. "So," she says sweetly. "Has anyone read any good books lately?"

"I've been reading David Sedaris like crazy," Peter comments with a laugh. I raise my lip into a tiny sneer, and Jasper widens his eyes at me in warning.

Bella smiles and nods. "I love David Sedaris!" she almost shouts. "I also love Amy Sedaris."

"Well, what could be better than Strangers with Candy," Peter continues, looking at Jasper for his opinion.

He shrugs. "I don't know what that is."

"Neither do I," I insert.

Bella and Peter laugh. "It's this show that was on Comedy Central with Amy Sedaris and Stephen Colbert," Bella tells the table, well, Jasper and I.

"It really was the best!" Peter adds, seeming as though he's trying to convince us.

"I'm sure it was," I agree halfheartedly.

The rest of dinner goes about the same. Bella and Peter do most of the talking, but it's obvious they are just trying to prevent the evening from becoming even more awkward. Jasper is unusually quiet, and I'm.... Shit, I don't know what I am. There seems to be this unspoken tension in the air that, honestly, I think is radiating off of me and reflecting onto everyone else. I just can't get my emotions under control any more.

My life used to be so level, so fucking constant, and now, I'm all over the place. I just can't seem to find what I need to get shit together. It's really starting to get on my nerves.

*~E~*

"What time is Alice getting here?" Bella asks me from her position on my bed. I break my stare from the TV to look up at her from the floor.

"She told me not to pick her up from the airport, and that she would be here about eleven," I tell her, looking at my watch to check the time. It's 10:30. I wonder where Jasper is? When I woke up this morning, he still wasn't back. I guess he slept at Peter's hotel room. I hope he didn't do that because of the ridiculous way I acted last night.

"Is she taking a taxi from the airport," Bella asks as she traces random patterns on my bedspread with her finger.

"Yeah," I say with a huff. "If my dad knew I wasn't picking her up from the airport, there would be hell to pay." Bella laughs, but I'm not joking. My father does not play around when it comes to Alice, his baby girl as he sickeningly refers to her.

"Edward!" A shrill voice calls out on the other side of the door before a melody of knocks and bangs echos in the room.

Rolling my eyes, I pick myself up off the floor. "Alice is here." I unlock the door and it swings open. My tiny sister rushes through, already talking a mile a minute.

"Eddie!" she screeches, and I give her a warning glance. She smiles sheepishly at me, and I relent, like I always do. Opening my arms to her, she squeals and hugs me tight. She's a small girl, but she is definitely not to be trifled with. "I have missed you, Bub."

"Bub?" Bella questions from the sidelines of the hug.

I shake my head. "Don't ask," I retort, letting Alice go. She turns to Bella and gives her a frighteningly wide smile.

"Hi, Bella," she greets, pulling her in for an awkward hug. "It's so nice to meet you! I used to call him Bubber, instead of brother, when I was little, and Bub just stuck. You know how it is. God, thank you so much for letting me stay in your dorm. I don't want to be a burden. I told Edward I could sleep in here, but he freaked out about me being in the guy's dorm. I mean, I can't wait for college - all the boys!! I also hear that there are some great stores in Seattle. Sometimes, I get to go into Chicago with my dad, but he never lets me go in the stores I really want. It's like, yeah, dad, I know I can fit into the girl's section, but that does not mean I want to shop at Limited Too! Don't you just hate that. I'm almost seventeen, now! I have boobs. I mean they're small, but they're there!"

"ALICE!" I chide, embarrassed by her boob talk. She gives me an annoyed look and keeps talking.

"Maybe, if you're not to busy with class, we could go shopping together next week because that shirt does nothing for your wonderful figure," she continues, ending her rambles with a huge smile directed at Bella. During Alice's speech, Bella opens her mouth a few times to interject or comment, but my sister just keeps on talking.

"Whoa, there, little one," I say calmly, placing a hand on Alice's shoulder. Her breath is heavy for the next minute as she regains oxygen in her blood stream.

Bella looks at me with wide eyes, and I nod, silently telling her that yes, Alice is for real. "Umm..." Bella starts. "I'm glad to have you stay at my dorm. My roommate is staying with her boyfriend, so you can have her bed." She pauses, probably trying to remember what else Alice said. "We could go shopping, I guess." I cringe. She has no idea what she agreed to.

"Great," she says in a much softer voice. "Oh, Jasper's here!"

Bella looks at me again for clarification as Alice runs to the door. I shrug. I'm used to Alice's weird feelings. "Hi!" she exclaims in a high pitched soprano. "You must be Jasper. It's so nice to meet you. I'm Alice."

I look up to find a disheveled Jasper standing in the doorway with a pensive look on his face. "That's right, sugar," he replies with a smile. "I've heard a lot about you."

She gives him a megawatt smile. "All good, I hope."

He looks at me and smirks. "Well, I heard all of it from your brother, so..." he trails off, and I shake my fist at him, mockingly threatening.

"Edward!" Alice turns on me. "You better not have been saying ugly things about me to your gorgeous roommate!!"

My cheeks flush with her words, even though, I'm not really embarrassed. "He's lying," I insist. "You're my favorite sister."

"Duh!" She rolls her eyes. "I'm you're only sister."

"Well," I laugh. "Then, I guess, that means you're my least favorite sister as well."

"You got me on that one," she agrees with a chuckle. I smile at her, and then turn to find Bella and Jasper staring at us, amusement etched on their faces.

"I wish I had a sibling," Bella remarks, and Jasper looks at her like he didn't notice she was here before.

"Do you want mine?" Alice asks Bella innocently, and I shove her playfully.

"Always," Bella says, giving me a lustful smile.

Jasper starts laughing. "You want Edward to be your brother?"

Bella turns red, obviously embarrassed. "What? No. That's not..."

"I was just joking," Jasper interrupts her. "I get it. You want his hot bod," he continues in a humorless voice. He walks over to his closet and practically sticks his whole body inside as he picks out clean clothes. Alice gives him a long look, narrowing her eyes at him. My eyes flicker back and forth between her and him, trying to figure out what is not being said.

"Oh, no, not that one," Alice directs at Jasper. She at some point moved to stand right behind him, peering around his much larger body into the open closet. "Go with the gray vest and a white t. You'll look hot."

"Alice," I grit out between my teeth.

"What?" She asks innocently. "Jasper doesn't mind being called hot, do you?" she questions him, looking up at him with an angelic smile.

"Not at all, darlin'," he answers her with a laugh, throwing an arm over her shoulder.

Well, I don't like this development at all.

*~E~*

I rest my head against the airplane seat, situating myself as far away from the snoring elderly man sitting next to me. I always get stuck next to the most annoying people on flights. On the way home for Thanksgiving, I had this French girl on my left, singing loudly and off-key to Britney Spears, and Alice was sitting on my other side, yapping about how dreamy she fucking thought Jasper was. I considered locking myself in the bathroom until it was time to land.

Except when we did land, I fortunately got rid of Frenchie Spears, but Alice was going home with me. She talked non-stop about my roommate the entire long weekend, and I wanted to stuff a gym sock in her mouth. The only moments to myself were during the middle of the night.

Thanksgiving was as it always is. This time of year, especially this holiday, was my mom's favorite. She'd make a giant meal for our family of four, and we would go around the room and each name what we're thankful for. I just wish that as a child, I would have been more thankful of her.

This year, like always, we spent it just the three of us, with my dad making a small meal. Normally, we'd eat in reflective silence, commiserating and remembering, but my dad was in a strangely upbeat mood this year.

He actually laughed.

Which alone was strange enough, but last night I went down to get a glass of water, and he was on the phone. It was almost midnight! He's usually out for the night at nine, so I was fucking shocked. Tempted to listen outside his office door to figure out who his midnight caller was, I walked by as softly and slowly as possible.

All I got out of my spy mission was hearing him laugh once more. Figuring that whoever or whatever is making him happy again must be a good thing, I felt guilty for eavesdropping. If anyone deserves to find happiness again, it's my father.

A sawing snore resonates in my ear, making me jerk forward in my seat. My knee slams into my tray, knocking a half full soda into my lap. "Son of a bitch!" I yelled out unintentionally. The cause of this whole problem continues sleeping peacefully.

Grumbling, I slide myself in front of his lap, pressing my body flat against the chair in front of me. The occupant of that chair, turns to glare at me, and I shoot the woman a dirty look. When she has a throbbing knee and a wet spot of coke covering her crotch, then she can fucking glare at me.

"Sir," I turn to face the voice of the male stewardess... flight attendant... umm... plane employee. "Is there a problem."

I take a deep breath to calm myself. "I was startled by the man sitting next to me and knocked my drink into my lap. I was just trying to get to the bathroom."

He gives me a sympathetic smile before his eyes travel down to the large stain on my jeans. "Well, that is a problem." His gaze lingers for a moment before coming to my face again. "I'll get you some napkins and bring them to the restroom for you," he says, directing me with both hands in front of him. For some reason, he doesn't walk in front of me, and he waits for me to squeeze by him on the narrow aisle. I have a quick fretful moment of whether to pass by crotch to crotch or ass to crotch. I decide on the latter.

With such a narrow walkway, I end up with my back pressed against his chest for a moment as I pass by, and he emits a strange hissing sound. Without looking back, I pick up the pace to the bathroom.

After trying to unsuccessfully dry my jeans with toilet paper, there is a knock on the door. "Sir, I have your napkins." I twist around in the tiny bathroom to open the door.

"Thank you," I tell him, holding my hand out. He leans over, placing the napkins gingerly in my hand, but he doesn't move back right away.

"Would you like my help with that?" He asks, nodding his head in the direction of my pants and then lifting a quirked eyebrow to me. "I'm great with my hands."

"Uh, no, I got it," I mumble out, pulling my hand away from his.

He smirks and licks his lips, running his eyes over my body, causing me to fidget nervously. "Alright, but if you need anything, and I mean ANYTHING, don't hesitate to ask. You just come find me, sweet cheeks, or ask one of the other attendants to get Garrett for you."

"Sure, thanks," I blurt out.

He smiles. "It was definitely my pleasure."

I close the door and turn to the mirror, looking at my reflection. That guy was just hitting on me. Do I look gay? Did I send off signals of interest to him? I don't think I did, so maybe, he just found me attractive? It seems, by my accelerated heart beat, I didn't mind his flirting. What does that say about me?

Shit. A flight is not the time to think about stuff like that.

Sighing loudly, I give up on my internal monologue. People like to be flirted with. That's all it is. I throw the paper towels in the trash, hoping that I've dried enough of the coke that you won't see the stain on my dark wash jeans, and head back to my seat.

I pop in my earbuds and let my airplane playlist drown out the man snoring next to me. Next thing I know, we're landing in Seattle.

I make my way off the plane and push through the crowd to the exit. I just have a carry-on, so I don't have to stand at the baggage carousal. I reach in my pocket to take my phone turning it back on. As soon as it's on, it buzzes at me, alerting me to the fact that I have two new messages. I press the number one and then dial.

"You have two new voice mails."

I hit the number two, waiting for a moment.

"Hey, Edward. It's Bella. It's about four-thirty on Sunday, and I just got in. Call me when you get back! I miss you!!"

I pull the phone from my ear, pushing seven to delete. I listen to the next one.

"Hey, man. It's Jasper. Look, I hate how everything went down before we left for break. I'm sorry for being an ass. I'm in our room now. Umm... when you get back, I have something I need to tell you. It's important. Bye."

I press the disconnect button, sliding my phone back in my pocket. I tighten my grip on my bag and brace myself for Seattle's wet cold. I slip into one of the waiting taxis and give the driver my address, unraveling the scarf around my neck.

It was nice of Jasper to call and apologize, but he hasn't nothing to be sorry about. The fight we had last Tuesday night was my own fault, my own making. It's just that Jasper flirted with Alice the entire time she was there, and she's... Alice, my sister. It was eating me up, watching those two together. I mean, it was always innocent, but I didn't enjoy the way he would smile at something she'd say. Also, they kept having these secret conversations. It was driving me fucking insane.

Tuesday night, when Jasper gave Alice a kiss on the cheek before the girls went back to Bella's dorm. I lost it, blowing up.

I raised my voice at him, warning him to stay away from my sister, but when he asked me why, I had no better reason than – I just don't like it. He left the room, not coming back until much later. We both left the dorm for Thanksgiving without talking.

I take my phone back out, open the phone book and press dial.

"Hey," I start when the voice mail picks up. "I just got your message when my plane landed. I'm sorry, too. I had no right to freak out like I did. Well, I'll be back in about thirty, so I'll see you then."

I flip my cell closed and stare out the window, wondering what Jasper has to tell me.


I'd love to hear what you thought! All or you review again. That was fun last chapter. ;)

Thanks to Meisun for letting me steal the name Pedro. She used it in a review, along with Percival. That girl was coming up with all kinds of names for Peter in her review for last chapter.

Also, Alisha (mombailey) started a thread for ATD over on the Twilighted forum. I put a link on my profile. Please, come by and say hello. I had so much fun on the forum for my last story. We can talk about ATD and how much you hate Bella or how you can't wait for them to get together and how I'm obviously just stalling (which I'm not, btw). Or, we can talk about random stuff. Either way, I'd like you to come by.

So, who's seeing New Moon on opening night? I just can't do it... the tweens scare me.

I look forward to hearing from you. :)