Here's a nice long chapter for you.Thank you for all the lovely reviews I received. They are my inspiration to keep writing.

Bella's POV:

I took a deep breath and opened my closet door. I didn't understand why this was such a big deal. I usually didn't care what I was wearing.

But this was different. I would meet him tonight. I know I sounded just like a hormonal teenage girl, but this was important. Except that he already knew who I was, so it wouldn't really make a difference.

I had forgotten about that. He already knew me and what I usually wear, so dressing up would be pointless. Besides, it wasn't a date. This was just two friends, meeting each other for the first time.

"Okay." I whispered to myself. I could do this. I picked out a nice blue blouse (one of the only shirts I owned that wasn't a tee-shirt) and threw it on with my favorite pair of jeans.

I chanced a glance in the mirror on my way out the door and shook my pony tail out.

I ran downstairs before I could stop to think some more about what I was about to do. I got as far as the entryway when I noticed that Charlie hadn't stopped me. I spun around, looking for him. I was sure he had been watching TV just a minute ago, and, sure enough, I finally spotted him on his back on the couch. He was fast asleep with his head lolling off one arm of the couch, and his feet dangling over the other. It looked very uncomfortable, but I had no time for that right now.

Rolling my eyes, I quickly and quietly made my way out of the house, climbing into my truck. I gunned the engine and set my purse on passenger seat, glancing at the clock as I did so.

I was already late.

Edward's POV:

"Alice," I sighed. "What are we doing here? Can't I just go home?"

We had arrived at the fair ten minutes before it had opened. We had been let in ten minutes ago. Fixing my collar, my sister had grabbed my arm and pulled me along to the concession stands –all two of them –where we had been standing ever since.

Alice ground her teeth together, tightening her grip on my arm. She muttered something, too low for even me to hear, although I did catch something like, "She's late."

This puzzled me, but I didn't question, knowing I wouldn't get anything out of her.

Alice's POV:

SHE WAS LATE! I was positive she would come. And I couldn't even look ahead because that would mean letting my guard down, and Edward would catch on immediately.

Normally, I would have 'gone to the ladies room' for a quick look into the future, but tonight I was sure that if I left him alone, my ignorant brother would make a run for it. And we all know that when Edward doesn't want to be caught, he isn't.

I would just have to wait for her to show up. I suppressed a growl at the thought. I hate waiting.

Bella's POV

I arrived about fifteen minutes after the carnival had started. I could only hope that he hadn't gotten tired of waiting.

By the concession stands. In blue. Got it.

I walked briskly, not wanting to be any later than I already was. Lucky for me, the 'county fair' was more like a two-ride attraction with too much publicity. Finding both of the two concession stands was easy. It was what I found there that made things difficult.

It was if no one had anything better to do on their Friday nights than to come here. And, blue being the customary first-date-shirt-color, there were two men that weren't wearing blue button up shirts: the people working at the concession stands who were wearing their mandatory black polos.

I shook my head. He would have to find me, and that would be completely impossible in this crowd. I made my way through the mass of people and over to the side, a little bit away from everybody. It was when I felt hot breath in my ear, creepy hands grab my hips, and heard a growly voice whispering suggestively to me that I was forced to again migrate with the flock.

I walked –well, pushed –my way over to the concession stand on the left and got in line, not that the line was easily discerned from the rest of the mob.

I spun around, getting ready to defend myself if need be, when an arm was thrown over my shoulder. Surprisingly, it was a dainty, little pixie of a girl, probably about my age.

I knew exactly who she was, of course. I could never forget the short, spiky hair, or the pale, beautiful face of Alice Cullen.

I looked around confused. "Hello. . ."

She smiled brightly. "Hi Bella! We haven't been properly introduced yet, but I'm Alice Cullen, and I just know we're going to be the best of friends!" She paused, grabbing someone's arm from behind her and pulling him into the conversation. "This is my brother, Edward."

I mumbled a quick hello, not looking at him. I did not know what was going on. And neither, it appeared, did Edward. He didn't say anything, but looked wide-eyed at his sister until he finally came to a conclusion and glared balefully at her. If looks could kill.

She gave him a pointed look, and I found myself wanting to know what she was silently telling him. He sighed looking defeated, and glanced at me, this time shyly.

I felt my eyebrows pull together in confusion. The last time we had been this close, he had looked like he wanted to kill me. Now he looked . . . like he wanted to tell me something important but didn't know how to go about doing so.

I raised an eyebrow, and he looked away.

"Um, I don't mean to be rude, but I'm going to have to cut this short. I'm supposed to be meeting someone."

Alice nudged her brother, who had looked away. He sighed. "Bella . . ." I suddenly felt as if I knew his voice, which was absurd considering I had never heard him speak. But I recognized the way he said my name. Before I could ponder this any further, he spoke again, his words coming out fast, as if he just wanted to get it over with and go home. "Can I get you something to eat? While you wait for your date, I mean. If you don't want to that's fine, I just didn't want you to have to wait all night to get some food."

I opened my mouth and closed it again. Why would Edward Cullen care about my dietary habbits? For a split second, I thought about letting him buy me dinner, but then it was gone. I was waiting for my mysterious friend.

On second thought, it was twenty after, and he still hadn't showed. I was kind of hungry. What would it hurt?

"No, I mean yeah, that sounds great. I don't think he's going to show up, anyway." I smiled up at him. "Thanks."

Alice nudged him again with a smug look on her face. "Well, I won't bother you two anymore, then." And she slipped into the crowd and disappeared.

I looked at Edward, worried. "I don't think she should be in these crowds alone. There are some pretty creepy people out there. I was almost grabbed by one. He was gross."

He frowned deeply. "I'm very sorry to hear that. But Alice can take care of herself. Anyway, she is going to find Emmett, so she'll be fine." He smiled as if he were remembering a secret joke.

I nodded. That was as good as it was going to get, though I was still nervous for the girl. She was smaller than me, after all.

Edward took a step forward and I looked at him questioningly. He turned around, facing me, and asked what I wanted to eat.

"I can take care of it." I answered, taking out my wallet. He waved me off.

"What would you like?"

I raised an eyebrow but gave him an answer. I would find a way to pay him back. After all, his sister and I were going to 'be the best of friends.'