A/N I was thrilled that the majority of you actually felt for Alice last chapter. We'll see what you think after this one!

Words with Friends Chapter 10

Bella's last message:

I bet you smell incredible. Just a hunch I have. But I'm glad you don't use scented lotion. Some things should not smell flowery, especially manly parts.

I love that you were a little jealous when I mentioned an unfortunate incident in my very distant past. Is it okay to admit to you that a friend and I were talking tonight about how ridiculous it would be for me to assume you were sitting at home just waiting to talk to me? It bugged me, even though I knew it was true. She's just trying to get me to go out and live a little. I guess I'm happy in this little bubble. I let you in, though, so I'm not lonely anymore.

Not countless guys, which is a good thing. One annoying pest that won't take a hint, but eventually I'll knock it into his head. How many times do you have to ditch a guy before he goes away? I ask for your expert opinion on this one. And no, I'm not telling you to make you jealous, even though I love that I can. I really want to know.

I'm pretty sure you could never scare me off, even if you were packing a yard stick. That would just make you more of a challenge, and I'm quite competitive, as you've clearly seen.

I can promise you'll be the happiest prisoner in the world. I'll keep you well satisfied and you won't even need your manly, unscented lotion anymore. Win all around.

You do stimulate me just as much, if not more, than I stimulate you. I was just thinking that I needed to go buy a heavy duty package of batteries to get through our game. I'll pick them up when I get your lotion.

I'm afraid that Ed Harris doesn't have a new movie out that I know of. I went and saw a girly movie. I'm sure it wouldn't be your thing but my friends and I were blown away. And while that Edward was fantastic and yes, quite hot, it was you that I hurried home to talk to. That counts for something, right? I'll always come back to you. Stimulating conversation trumps a pretty face any day, at least for me.

I'd had a pretty shitty night after I went to bed. Try as I might, I couldn't get Alice's hurt face out of my mind. I shouldn't have snapped at her like I had, just because I was defensive about my Edward knowledge. It wasn't like I stalked him, though. Well, not exactly, unless you counted the Words with Friends thing. His history was common knowledge. It was right there on the internet for any fan to find. He talked about growing up in interviews and shit. I wasn't that bad, was I?

I sighed and reached for my other pillow. The sun was streaming into my room and I couldn't sleep whenever it started to get light outside. I was probably part vampire. That would explain quite a lot actually.

My hand finally located my pillow and I yanked it toward me. "Ow!" What the hell was that? Oh my God, there was someone in my bed. Who was in my bed? Please don't let it be Mike Newton. Wait, I wasn't drinking last night. It couldn't be Mike Newton. I cautiously opened one eye and saw a rumpled black head of hair. Shit, it better not be Sam. Even I wasn't desperate enough to go there again.

I sat up and breathed a huge sigh of relief when I saw the body next to mine was a lot smaller and a lot more female than Sam's, well, minus the pinky peen of course. That might have explained things if he was part woman. Hermaphrodite Sam. I'd have to ask Rose about that. Did they study that in med school?

Shaking my head, I focused on the girl lying in my bed. She must have come in not too long ago, because I'd have seen her during one of my many wake ups.

"Are you just going to stare at me?" she asked, finally opening her eyes and pinning me in her gray gaze.

How best to answer that? "Um, that's about the only thing I want to do with you when you're in my bed, sorry to say. If you're switching teams, go crawl in Rose's bed. She was trying to flash me yesterday."

Alice stared at me like I was nuts, which admittedly, I might be. "I didn't come in here to seduce you."

"I'm glad to hear that, I think. Why are you here?"

She sat up and threw her arms around me. Okay, maybe she was lying about the seduction thing.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean what I said last night. I just got mad and I said it and I can't take it back and I truly hope you don't hate me because you're my best friend and I love you and I'm raging bitch and I would never do anything to hurt you. You know that right?"

How she got all that out in one breath was beyond me. Seriously, the English major in me was diagramming her attempted sentence and working it into about four different sentences. I shook my head again and tried to focus on what was important, which was Alice apologizing.

"It's okay. What you said was, well, it was partially true I guess." She shook her head vehemently but I held up a hand. "I haven't been trying. You were right about that. After Tyler…"

"Tyler was a lying cocksucker and I'm still going to drive to Pullman and kick his ass one of these days when he least suspects it," she hissed, her face in a comical grimace.

I laughed and ruffled her messy hair. "That's not necessary. He's getting his punishment in the form of a life sentence marriage to a girl he claims not to love. I'm better off without him."

"Well, of course you are! You don't need his stupid ass. You can do way better Bella. And you will, when you're ready."

What a far cry this was from yesterday. I almost didn't know how to wrap my head around it. Edward entered my mind and my fingers actually itched to reach for my phone. Not now, Bella.

"It's been six months. I am closer to being ready. I'm just not ready ready, if that makes sense."

Alice giggled. "Actually, it does. The fact that you're willing to think about taking a chance again means a lot. I was afraid you'd just give up on guys completely."

"And that's why you snuck into my bed, to see if I would succumb to my womanly desires?" I smirked at her.

She smacked my arm. "No, I snuck into your bed so I could be sure not to miss you before you headed out for the day. Because I needed to apologize."

"You should apologize for smacking me." I rubbed my arm and mock glared at her. "That's my throwing arm."

"What do you ever throw?" she asked, tilting her head, her lips twitching.

"Uh…I toss Rose the remote control when she asks for it." That really was about it, too. That was pretty sad.

Alice shook her head. "Exactly. The only thing you need that arm for is masturbating."

My mouth fell open. Was Rose wearing an Alice disguise? "Excuse me? Even if I did, which I don't, then injuring it would be really rude on your part, seeing as you know I'm not hooking up with anyone at the moment."

She lost it then, dissolving in a fit of giggles. "That's true! I'm sorry!" She rubbed my arm even as she laughed herself silly. "I can get you some ice if you want, you know, like they give to pitchers during a baseball game? I wouldn't want you to lose your mojo!"

I pushed her and she nearly toppled off the bed before catching herself. "Bitch."

"Whore. No, wait, that doesn't work under the circumstances. Nun." She grinned widely.

This was much better than yesterday. "Such an insult. You know, you need to work on your apologizing skills. They're rather lacking."

Alice's eyes widened and the smile fell off her face. "Bella, I really am sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I shouldn't have lashed out like that."

I sighed and patted her pink pajama clad leg. "It's okay. I wasn't exactly tactful when I told you my opinion."

She looked into her lap and then looked back up at me. "You really think he's a kid?"

I shrugged. I was going to tell her the truth, well, as much of the truth as I deemed acceptable at this time. "I don't know. The stuff you showed me made me think he was a kid. But he could be anybody and any age."

"But you don't think he's Edward Cullen." Her voice was flat and I feared another explosion.

I shook my head slowly. "No. I've watched and read a lot of his interviews. He doesn't sound like the person you're talking to. And I know, it's possible that he's putting on a show and he's entirely different in person, but that different? I just don't think so."

She looked impossibly sad and I put my arm around her. "But you've spent a lot of time talking to this guy and you obviously like him. Isn't that what really matters? Not that he's Edward, but that he's somebody you connect with?" I didn't think I'd trade my Edward for the real Edward, if indeed he wasn't the real Edward. Well, maybe not. The real Edward was pretty damn hot though. Still, I'd miss my Edward a lot and ultimately, a hot face and a hotter body wasn't enough to give him up.

Alice looked like she was thinking over what I'd said. "Yes. I mean, I'd rather he be Edward, because hello, hotness, but even if he's not, I really do like him, Bella. He's so sweet and he asks me all about myself and he thinks I'm great. It's pretty addicting, you know?"

I squeezed her shoulder. "You are great and the fact that he sees that says something about him."

She smirked. "That maybe he's not twelve?"

I laughed. "Since he threw some Shakespeare at you, I might be willing to concede high school age."

She poked my side. "Rude! For all you know, he could be some hot cowboy, riding the range on his horse, Magnum, and packing one in his pants at the same time!"

She killed me. I was doubled over from laughing so hard. "You can hope!"

"Maybe I do. If he's not Edward, then he's a hot Texas cowboy who will read me poetry while I lounge by the fire on a bear skin rug. I win either way."

Were there bears in Texas? What did I know? I continued to snicker and nodded. "You deserve to."

She smiled and hugged me again. "And so do you. I really am sorry I said what I said."

"I forgive you, as long as you forgive me, and of course, let me cop a squat next to you on your bear skin rug from time to time."

"I can do that!" She beamed up at me. "What time is it?"

I glanced at the clock and groaned. "Eight."

"Shit! I gotta get ready for class. Are we okay?"

I nodded. "Sure we are. Are you still going to call your mystery man Edward?"

She hopped out of my bed. "Hell yes I am. Until he gives me a real name, he could still be Edward Cullen. Maybe it's not likely, but if it's even a tenth of a percentage point, I gotta roll with it, right?"

More like a millionth of a percentage point. I rolled my eyes. "If you say so."

"I do. I love you and I'm sorry."

It was good to have the normal Alice back. "I love you, too. Now get out of here. I've got to get around."

"Okay, see you later!" She skipped out of my room and headed to her own.

I leaned back against my pillows and closed my eyes for a second. Even if she was still holding on to the idea of Edward, at least she wasn't completely delusional anymore. And we were okay. That was a relief.

Also a relief? I had a little time before I had to get ready which meant I had time to check and see if Edward had played. I grabbed my phone and frowned at the world he'd played. I give him a heart and he gives me a tuna. How male was that? Humph. I opened up his message and leaned against my headboard to read.

My manly parts definitely do not smell like flowers, nor does any part of me. I have no idea what I smell like, unless I'm wearing cologne. Perhaps one day, you could tell me?

Um, yes. I will bury my nose so far in your neck that you'll wonder if I'm trying to crawl inside you. And that, Bella Swan, sounded incredibly stalkery. Absolutely do not use that in your reply. He will run away screaming.

While I might not be at home waiting to hear from you, I can tell you that you're on my mind an inordinate amount of time during the day and even more at night. And if I were actually at home right now, I think I'd prefer your company to that of most anybody. We can be a little less lonely together. Honestly, I'm traveling a ton right now and you're helping get me through. So thank you for that, Bella.

My heart was pounding at his words. If I wasn't careful, I was totally going to fall for this guy. Not that that would be a bad thing, necessarily, but seeing as he might be a major movie star and I was just Bella Swan, college student, well, it might be a bad thing. I don't know. Weirder things had happened. Maybe. Good God, I wanted the hell out of him. Whoever he was. And traveling? Edward was on a media blitz for his movie now. Entertainment Tonight said he was in Paris. Check another box in the Edward Cullen column.

I really can't say that I know how to get rid of a guy who can't take a hint. I could brag and claim that nobody ever tried to get rid of me, but that would be a lie. I was pretty awkward for awhile there when I was a kid. I knew how to take a hint though. No means no and all that good stuff. Maybe you could wear a t-shirt that says that? Or perhaps I could run him off for you.

Absolutely, Edward. You get your fine ass up here and we'll make out right in front of Mike. Hell, you could make love to me right in the middle of the quad in front of the entire school and I wouldn't utter a word of protest. I would utter all sorts of other words, like fuck and yes and harder, but no protest.

I enjoy your competitive streak. No point in playing with someone who can't bring it. And you can play with me, and my yard stick, any time you like.

See, same page. Meet me on the quad, Edward.

You can't take way my lotion after you tell me you're running out of batteries. I reached for my bottle the instant I read that. Do you know what a hot image entered my mind? Let's say you were in your best teacher wear and your desk was involved. So you see, I need my lotion, unless you have a better idea.

I whimpered when I read that because I could see it all too clearly. Maybe I should chuck the masters and start teaching immediately. The sooner I was at that desk, the better.

A chick flick, huh? What kind of manly actor stars in one of those? Clearly not one that could compete with me. No wonder you ran home to play with me. Now there's a good thought. And now I need my lotion yet again. People are going to start saying I have girl hands with all this moisturizing. I'll blame you for it too.

I'm glad you enjoyed your movie and your hot actor. I'm gladder that you prefer me to him. Gladder? That's a weird word but autocorrect says it's right. Heart, huh? Are you trying to tell me something? I kinda like it. Your move!

I like it too, Edward. Very much.

I give you my heart, you give me tuna. Are you trying to tell me something? That I'm fishy? That I smell? Now I'm the one who's insulted!

I giggled as I imagined his expression. Would he worry?

I'd love to tell you what you smell like, and I'm willing to bet it isn't tuna. Yes, I am still offended. But I'll forgive you, because I'm full of heart, just like my word.

Take that, Cullen.

I'm more than happy to help take away your loneliness, Edward. Do you travel a lot? Is it for work or pleasure? I'm very glad I'm not alone in having thoughts throughout the day, and yes, especially at night. Hence the battery shortage. In all seriousness, I prefer your company to most everybody else's as well. You, as they say, get me. And vice versa. Plus, you're sexy, or at least your words are. For an English major, you can't get much better than that!

There, tell some truths but keep it lightish. Good job, Bella.

A no means no t-shirt? I don't think that would get through to him. You most certainly would though. And that's the second time you've referenced being in the same vicinity as me, or me and my stalker. Are you traveling to Washington anytime soon?

Please say yes. Please!

I can play with you anytime I like? That would cut my battery spending costs. That could only be good for the environment, so I'm going to say that we'll be playing quite a lot. Is that alright with you?

Like I don't know the answer to that particular question.

A desk you say? And hot teacher wear? That would be the see-through blouse and tight skirt, right? Would I accidentally drop my chalk and bend down to pick it up right in front of you, driving you mad with lust and forcing you to bend me over the desk and have your wicked way with me? How's your lotion supply doing now? I really hope you're able to stock up while traveling. They don't allow big bottles on the plane. Be careful!

And, with my mind full of that image, I was going to need to get my batteries out soon.

I'm sure your hands are quite manly, even if they're well moisturized. I'd be more than willing to check them out for myself and let you know. It's all in your best interest, of course. The actor was plenty manly but you hold a certain appeal that I just can't resist. Playing with you brings me pleasure. Playing with you would probably bring me more, if you get my drift.

He'd totally get it. Edward was a bright, pervy guy. I adored that about him. And his hands were masterful. He had to know that.

Crazy though it may be, I do prefer you to just about anyone but my best friends, and then it depends what kind of mood they're in. I'm glad that you're glad I prefer you. What do you prefer?

And that would do it for now. I glanced at my letters. They really kind of blew. I had an S, O, and F but there was no T open. It really would have rocked if I could play soft after the hands moisturizing comment. Oh well, I'll play Loafs off of Lone for a triple word score instead. Loaf went with tuna after all. Plus I got 33 points and a 70 point lead.

I shut off my phone and hopped out of bed. I couldn't wait to see if he answered any of my questions. Give me more, Edward and I'll give you anything you like.

A/N So our boy is traveling quite a bit right now. I wonder why? And a little mention of a visit to Washington has been floated on both sides. That should be please some (okay ALL) of you.

Sideline is one of The Lemonade Stands recs next week. Thank you for nom'ing and voting and all that wonderful stuff. You guys are incredible! First is wrapping up, though I have lots of outtakes to write. I hope to post this one faster but I make no promises right away! I want to get an outtake or two knocked out before I ramp thins up. But it's coming soon, I promise!