Previously…

I looked back at the girl in the corner and thought about his words. Just as I was contemplating taking Jasper's advice, she lifted her eyes and met my gaze. A shot of electricity shot through my body at the eye contact, but I couldn't look away. Red lit her cheeks, but she didn't blink either. It was like I was trapped in her eyes.

And the scariest thing was that it was almost familiar.

I tried to hold onto that familiarity, but when someone passed between us her eyes shot back to her book and it was gone faster than it had come.

I sat back in my chair and shook my head in annoyance.

Really, these things come to a point where something's gotta give.

~FOM~

You just sit there, quiet, with your fake smile

Don't tell me, don't tell me

Everything's alright and you're happy

Is it something you can say? I'll stay all night

So tell me, so tell me

What is there to hide? I'm with you

-I'm With You (Don't Tell Me), Go:Audio

Foundation of Memories

Chapter 9- An Hour at Starbucks

Edward POV

Butterflies swirled in my stomach as I waited. And I was just one of the many people watching in the auditorium; I wasn't alone today.

Mum looked over at me from the corner of her eye, and I resisted the urge to say something snarky; subtlety really wasn't her bag. Like when she had begged me to come today. Her 'oh but it would mean so much to Bella' excuse was really obvious. It had been crystal clear to me that her excuses told me that Bella wouldn't know if I came or not; Esme wasn't about to break the girl's heart by telling her. But I had given in anyway. Esme had thought that I was making an effort to remember. She wasn't aware of the fact that I was up here almost everyday watching my neighbour practice the routine that she was about to perform to hundreds. She wasn't aware of the fact that I was falling in love with this girly sport.

I frequently wondered why I hadn't skated in the life I had forgotten about. I mean, if my best friend was a pro then surely the appeal to do it would have been even stronger than it was now? Though I supposed that I didn't blame myself for not taking it up. It was a pretty emasculating sport; even the hulk that was more commonly known as Jacob looked like a freaking pussy in his skin-tight costume. It was baby pink too.

That didn't stop his numerous local 'fans' from squealing and shouting and screaming when he and Bella skated into the centre of the rink after their names had been called. Most of said fans had unfortunately been seated right behind me. My fists clenched angrily as I heard one whisper, "Ohmigod look at those muscles! He's sooo been working out again!"

I chanced a glance over my shoulder to see a girl with auburn ringlets nod enthusiastically. "I know, right? That girl who dances with him is, like, so lucky."

Pathetic. If only they knew what a tactless bastard he really was.

A quiet hush fell over the stadium as Jacob and Bella took their positions at the opposite ends of the rink. My breath caught in my throat as my whole body tensed. This was it. This was the competition that they had been practising for since… before I could remember. In the literal sense of the phrase.

And then the music to Taylor Swift's Love Story came on, and they started their dance. I knew it inside out, after watching the practices in the entire fortnight leading up to it, so I would have noticed if there were any wobbles. There weren't. It was absolutely faultless, of course. They skated, danced, jumped, spun and landed everything with perfect precision, right down to the expressions painted on their faces as they looked at each other. I would be lying if I said that the look of absolute adoration covering Bella's face didn't cut me like a knife. In fact, I would have given anything to see inside her head in that one moment.

When they finished the routine, the auditorium around the Seattle rink burst into huge applause as people got to their feet. I stood and clapped too, but my eyes were on Bella. Always Bella.

Just then, she looked into the stand, directly at me. She met my eyes and I watched as hers widened and then blood rushed up to colour her cheeks as she looked away, a shy smile pulling up her lips.

Suddenly, I wished that I could remember. I had wished for the same thing before, but never this strong. I wished that I could run down and pull her into my arms after and congratulate her and praise her for being so brilliant, so perfect. But I couldn't do that now.

Everyone sat back down as they waited for the scores to come through, and I followed suit, taking my seat in between Esme and Alice, but then I was instantly jarred by an image so clear that it was almost a psychic vision. Except I knew that it wasn't a psychic vision. It was accompanied by a strange sense of déjà vu and another sense of longing. It was a memory.

I pushed open the door of a cafe – I instantly recognised it as the cafe at the ice rink in Forks – and stepped inside, my eyes instantly zoning in on a table in the corner. I watched as Jacob passed Bella a love heart and my eyes narrowed. I started to walk towards them, my gaze fixed on the beautiful girl ahead of me. When I was close enough to smell her shampoo, I gently put my hands around her eyes and bent down to whisper in her ear, ignoring the glare I was sent from The Hulk. "Guess who?" I murmured, my lips brushing against her ear.

Bella shivered and then pretended to think about it. "Um… is it Brad Pitt? Oh Brad, have you finally come to rescue me?"

I laughed, and then settled into the seat next to her, flinging my arm protectively around her shoulders and raising my eyebrows at Jake, as if daring him to try something. "Not interrupting anything, am I?" My tone was patronising; egotistical. It was as if I knew that Bella would always favour me over The Hulk and it sent a boost straight to my self-esteem.

"Not too much," Jacob replied with a sneer. He clearly disliked me as much as I disliked him. Well… maybe not quite as much.

Ignoring the kick Bella had landed on my leg, I smirked right back at him. "Good. Then you won't mind me taking Bella away for our date." The way I said the last word was thick with implications- designed to taunt Jacob. I wondered whether it was just to taunt him or… or something else?

The vision that had been playing out behind my eyelids vanished when the auditorium erupted again. I cheered, too, and stood up and clapped but I didn't know what I was clapping for. I was too busy thinking about what I had just remembered.

When I said date did I mean… date or just… date? Had we been dating? It would explain why I felt the way I did about Bella, and why she had been so torn up about it to start with, and my hatred toward Jacob? Did I hate him because she was mine and he clearly liked her?

I blinked and forced my mind back into the present just in time to watch Bella blush and accept the flowers given to her and Jacob for winning the competition. As the commentator announced it over the speakers, her eyes darted to where I was sat. She caught my eye again and, this time, she held it. She smiled right at me and I smiled back.

It was then that I realised. I had so many questions, but they didn't have to remain unanswerable. I could ask the one person who would know better than anyone else. I could ask her.

I broke our eye contact, and turned, making my way out of the auditorium. I ignored the stares I felt on my back; I had to get down to the dressing rooms and be waiting outside Bella's before anyone else was.

Bella POV

Edward was here. The moment I met those sparkly green eyes for the first time, I knew that it was him. I didn't even have to look at the rest of his body.

What the hell was Edward doing at a skating tournament? Even more so now that he didn't even remember me!

Since he had caught me spying on him almost two whole weeks ago now, I had done my best to avoid him; I didn't need the embarrassment or the awkwardness. It had been a lonely few weeks, and I could have done with a friend at school or something, but I repetitively told myself that it was better this way. I was even starting to believe it.

Alice had worked her magic on me on the Saturday morning, as she had promised, and she had made me look fantastic, but Edward didn't appear to have noticed. Jacob did.

Just a few days after I had been transformed into 'hot Bella' (Alice's words, not mine), Jacob had commented on how much of my cleavage he could see because of my new top. It had taken all of my self-control to not break my other hand, and I had gone straight round to Alice's (tactfully avoiding Edward) and given her back the clothes, insisting that it just wasn't me. Alice had scoffed and said "that coming from the girl who performs in front of hundreds of people in a freaking leotard" but luckily she hadn't pushed me, and had taken her expensive clothes back without me needing to point out that skating was just that- a performance.

Needless to say, when Jacob and I had skated out at the competition I still hadn't quite forgiven him. He had been apologetic, and bought me flowers- the whole works. But… I just didn't want to forgive him. For either of his inappropriate comments.

I wasn't sure why I didn't want to forgive him. I mean, he was being a hell of a lot nicer than Edward was at that moment in time. And if Edward came up to me and told me that he remembered everything, I'd launch myself into his arms quite willingly. Hell, if Edward said two words to me I'd launch myself into his arms.

Of course, he did nothing of the sort. He ignored me, and I ignored him. Occasionally, I caught him watching me in school, a crease decorating his forehead and the sides of his mouth turned down. I often wondered what he was thinking when I caught him doing this, but I was too chicken to approach him.

Though that was due in large part to the embarrassment I felt after Charlie had told me that Edward had had to bring me home. I had fallen asleep in his bed. There was really nothing more mortifying.

I wasn't really mentally there as Jake and I were crowned champions of the regional competition and it was announced that we were going through to the nationals. I was caught up in a pair of smouldering emeralds, and I couldn't for the life of me look away. But, in the end, I didn't have to. He turned away and abruptly left the stadium, as though he was ashamed to be seen there. Which wasn't unlikely.

I pasted a false smile on my face after that, thanking the people that congratulated us, and pretending not to notice Jake's hand around mine for our image's sake. Finally, Jake and I reached the privacy of our dressing room. I went to pull the partition across so that I could change into my normal clothes and maybe catch Edward before he left, but Jake caught my wrist.

"Jake!" The irritation at him that had built up over the past few weeks finally made me snap. "Will you please leave me alone? I want to get changed, okay?"

His dark eyes saddened slightly and he let me go, looking dejected. "I just…" he trailed off and then forced a smile at me. "Sure."

But there was something in his eyes that made my heart pang in my chest. "What? What is it?"

"I just wanted to ask you… if you…" He sighed and raked a hand through his hair. "Will you come for a drink with me? Just now; it won't take long. I just… there's something… ugh! I want to talk to you." He bit his lip nervously.

I shook my head sadly, trying to keep my anger in check. "I've told you, I don't…"

"Not as a date," he added quickly. "Just… just as friends."

I hesitated. I didn't particularly want to go out with him right now. I was still mad at him for everything that he had said and everything with Jacob now was… weird. We couldn't go anywhere without it getting awkward in some way. But then, I looked up into his dark eyes and saw pain there. And, regardless of how annoyed I was with him, he was still my friend. And I didn't like my friends being in pain. So I gave in. "Yeah. Okay. Just… give me a sec to change."

"Sure," he agreed. He flashed me a quick smile and then pulled the partition across himself.

I sighed and changed out of my skating gear and into a pair of jeans and the top Jake had given me on Valentines Day. Even though that was only two weeks ago, it felt like months. Years, even. It felt like that had been a different life altogether. The life that Edward had been a part of; the better life.

I packed up my stuff and then cleared my throat awkwardly and called to Jake, asking if I could pull the partition across. When he replied with a 'yeah' I pulled it back and smiled at him. "I'm sorry for snapping at you."

"S'okay," he muttered, "I don't really blame you. I'm an ass, aren't I?"

I laughed a little. "You're no more of an ass than I am."

"You ready to… uh… brave the onslaught?" he asked.

I cringed, remembering that my erratic mother would have come along. And, no doubt, she'd be outside the dressing rooms waiting to squeal at me about how amazing I am. I wasn't wrong.

"Bella!" she exclaimed excitedly when Jake and I emerged from the dressing rooms. She pulled me into a massive hug. "Baby, you were brilliant out there! Oh, sweetie, I'm so proud!"

"Mum, are you crying?" I asked in disbelief.

She put me down and wiped at her wet eyes. "I'm just… oh I'm so proud!" she repeated.

I nodded awkwardly. "Um… it's good to see you."

"Yes, you too, honey. Shall Phil and I drive you back to your Dad's?"

I looked over to see Charlie hovering as Phil talked at him; probably something about baseball knowing Phil. Charlie waved at me and put his thumbs up. I smiled and waved back before answering Renee. "No, I'll meet you there." I jabbed a thumb in Jake's direction, where he was speaking to his father, Billy. "I promised to go to coffee with Jake. It seemed… important. Besides, someone needs to drive the truck home." I shuddered; I wasn't looking forward to the drive from Seattle back to Forks. At least I'd have Jake with me this time; he had travelled with Charlie and Billy on the way up. On the other hand, having Jake with me could be awkward.

My Mum winked at me with the subtlety of a freaking elephant. "Ah, it's like that is it Bells? I get it. Take as long as you want." Her eyes appraised Jacob's body. "He's a nice bit of man meat that one." She hugged me once more and then turned for the door, taking Phil's hand as she went out. Charlie started to follow, but then she turned back and yelled, "Be safe, Bella!"

I flushed a deep crimson as everyone in the foyer turned to look at me, but Renee didn't notice as she had already gone. There were times, like this one, when I really disliked my mother. I loved her, but I didn't really like her.

I glanced over at Jake to see him still talking with Billy, so I leant back against the wall, closing my eyes for a second. It wasn't long before someone cleared their throat in front of me. I opened my eyes to see whose way I was in… and then regretted it when I was met with the stunning visual that was my… ex-best-friend? Ex-boyfriend? Well, whatever. It was Edward.

He ran his hand nervously through his gorgeous hair. "Um… hi."

I felt blood pool at my cheeks as I looked down at my feet. "Hey," I said softly.

"You're… um… pretty talented," he complimented shyly.

Well, this wasn't at all awkward. "Thanks," I replied, and then I said, because I just couldn't help myself, "Why are you here?"

He blinked, slightly taken aback, and then answered, "Esme bought me a ticket and… well, she told me to come."

"Oh." I was still yet to lift my eyes from the ugly burgundy carpet to look at his face, and I started to shuffle my feet anxiously. "Is Esme here? Like… around?"

"No."

"Oh. Did she… like the competition?" This was a stupid question; I knew that the moment I got home there would be a congratulatory card waiting for me from the whole family. Edward had always rolled his eyes at his Mum's 'embarrassing' generosity. I thought it was lovely. I had a whole draw full of the congratulations cards that had accumulated over the years.

"Yeah."

"Oh."

"Alice was here too."

Instead of idiotically repeating 'oh' again, I just nodded my head. I wondered why he had come to the foyer and waited outside of my dressing room without Esme or Alice, if they had both come. I considered asking, but I didn't want this moment to get any worse than it already was.

We stood in silence for a few more minutes, but then he broke it. "Bella, I…"

But interruption was inevitable. Jacob sidled up to me and raised an eyebrow at Edward. "What are you doing here?"

I looked up now, silently thanking Jake for asking the question I hadn't had the guts to.

Edward shuffled uncomfortably. "Um… I… I'm waiting for my Mum. Don't let me keep you."

Jacob nodded. "We won't. Come on, Bella."

And then I was lightly being pulled toward the door. I could have pulled out of Jake's grasp – for once it wasn't tight – but I didn't want to. I just muttered 'bye' to Edward and followed Jake. But when we reached the door, I glanced over my shoulder to see Edward with his head buried in his hands.

I hesitated for a split second, but then Jacob called my name and I turned to him with a smile, pushing Edward firmly out of my head for the moment.

~FOM~

Jake was silent as we sat in the back corner of a nearby Starbucks, him stirring sugar into his coffee and me spooning the whipped cream off of my hot chocolate and into my mouth.

After a long while of silence, I sighed and put my mug down on the saucer. "So are you gonna tell me what you desperately wanted to back at the rink or are we gonna sit here in silence for an hour?"

Jacob put his mug down too, and circled the rim with his left pinky finger. "Um… I don't really know where to start…"

How was I supposed to respond to that? "Well, just… um… just say it?"

He looked up and met my eyes. "Before I say anything, can you… will you promise me that, no matter what, you'll still be my friend? And, preferably my skating partner…"

I nodded slowly, wondering what on earth was going on and how it could be so important that I'd ditch him as a friend and a skating partner. "Yeah. I promise."

Jacob took a deep breath and looked back at the table. Then he said softly, "I… I know you're mad at me for asking you out a lot. But I don't want you to be. And… well, you're my best friend so… I think I should tell you that…" He hesitated and then blurted out, "I think I'm gay."

I was glad that I had had the sense not to take a gulp of hot chocolate or I might have choked on it. What? Jacob Black was gay? The guy I had known for years; more than half of my life? The guy I knew inside out? The guy who had repetitively tried to persuade me to date him? Jeez, he had put on a good act. "I'm…" I searched for a word. "Um… confused."

Jake rolled his eyes. "I know. Me too. But… no one knows, so you have to promise that you won't tell. Please?"

I smiled at him slightly, starting to recover from the shock. "Of course I won't tell, Jake. Friends don't do that." But then I frowned. "If you don't like me like that then… why did you keep asking me out?"

Jacob sighed. "This is the embarrassing part." He hesitated again.

I reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "Hey. It's okay. I'll be here for you no matter what, 'kay?"

He nodded slowly. "Uh… well. My Dad is… kinda… he doesn't like gay kids. That was why it was originally such a battle to get him to let me do figure skating; he said it was a sport for poufs. But Mum persuaded him otherwise. And… I know Mum would support me but, my Dad is… difficult, and my Mum's not here anymore. So… I just…" He raked a hand through his hair and reminded me of Edward for a split second. "Well, I'm seventeen, Bella. How many guys get to seventeen without a girlfriend? Dad kept dropping hints for me to bring a girlfriend home, and pointing out various girls. Hell, he even invited a few to the house!"

I grinned. "Ouch. It sounds like trying to live with Renee. Did any of them… catch your attention?"

Jake cracked a small smile at my joke and then shrugged. "Nope. None of them. And then one night about a month ago, my Dad came to me and said 'Jake, I know what's wrong with you'." Jake's imitation of his Dad's voice was spot-on. "I panicked, but then he said 'you like Bella, don't you?'. And, at the time, it was just easier to go along with it. I was going to tell you… and ask you to maybe pose as my girlfriend or something but… it was so scary. So I asked you out instead. I wasn't going to use you or anything," he hastened to add, "I mean, I knew how head over heels you were for…" he trailed off, not wanting to say Edward's name. "But I persisted – because I'm an irritating bastard – and now you hate me and I feel shitty for annoying you so much…"

I cut him off then. "Jake. Honestly, it's fine." And it was the truth. A part of it was the relief to have Jake's sudden crush on me explained. I remembered when he had asked me out for Valentines Day and I had been so confused, wondering what other secrets he was hiding from me. I had never considered this.

"It is?" He, too, looked hugely relieved.

I smiled and squeezed his hand again. "Of course it is. I understand." Then I bit my lip and added, "But I do think that you should tell your Dad."

"I will," he said. "Just… not now. I can't do that now."

I nodded. "Sure. Well. I'm glad you trusted me enough to tell me." I paused before saying, "And, if you still want, I don't mind dropping by your house sometime and uh… pretending." I winked at him. "And you can hold my hand if you want to."

He beamed. "Are you sure?"

"Certain."

"Wow, I wish I had said something earlier now," he joked.

"Yeah," I agreed. "I'm more than happy to hold your hand as long as I know that it doesn't mean more to you than it does to me."

"Believe me, it doesn't." He backtracked fast then. "Not that you're not pretty or anything. I mean, you're gorgeous but…"

"Not your type?" I put in with a laugh. "I know."

Jake just smiled at me and I was relieved that I had sorted out that fallout in the very least. Now there was just the fallout with Edward that I had to sort. But I had a feeling that that was something that couldn't be fixed in an hour at Starbucks.

~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~X~

Please, please do not hate me! (I'm talking mostly to the team Jacobs out there…) But… well, it's been planned since the start and I'm not one to chicken out :L Besides, how many straight guys would happily do a skating routine to Love Story in pink lycra? I don't think I know one :L

Now, this chapter is actually really long for me (more than 4,000 words :D) so I hope that makes up for the lack of updates. I hated this story for a while and got such bad writer's block on it that I'd glare at the folder every time I saw it :L But I think I'm catching up with it now; I've got it under control now :) I hope :L

But poor Edward huh? He's all trying to remember but he can't! Well, I feel sorry for him… :L

And Bella… she doesn't know whether she's coming or going :(

And Jake… well, no I don't feel sorry for him because he's Jacob and I'm strictly team Edward but y'know… you guys might feel sorry for him, what with him being stuck in the closet an' all :L Bless :L

And, in the words of Top Gear (which I don't own any more than I own Edward Cullen… Edward Cullen does own me though… sigh), on that bombshell, goodnight! :D

But the good night could get better if you leave me a nice review? *hint hint*

Lol thank you all!

-Steph :)