Square One

BELLA

"What are you smirking for?" Alice interjected as I tiptoed downstairs for a drink.

I thought I was the only one up, but apparently these Cullens never go to sleep. I was caught and I must have been thinking about the night Edward and I had – just lying in each other's arms. "Uh…I slept well."

She got up from the couch and came towards me. "Why didn't you come back for our sleepover last night? Rosalie did."

I smiled and replied, "I never promised I would come back." I continued to walk towards the kitchen, when Alice grabbed my arm and whirled me around.

"It was an understood agreement between us, girls. We were supposed to have a sleepover. Not Edward and you."

"Well, thanks for telling me too late. Anyways, I'm thirsty." I continued to the kitchen and pulled out a jug of juice. "So, what's going to happen with Tanya?"

Alice shrugged. "Not really sure. I don't know how Edward will do it. I don't know if he is going to wait until school to let things blow over some. Or is he going to let everything explode now. Whatever he does, it is going to be painful." She muttered.

"I know. Tanya is going to be heartbroken." Suddenly, I felt guilty about the whole ordeal. I was going to replace something that she had with Edward before I came.

"That's not I what I…never mind. Relax, it is not your fault this happened," Alice soothed. But she was lying. This whole thing happening was my fault.

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered before retreating upstairs. I opened the door to Edward's rooms to find his bed, already made and he, already dressed. "Good morning," I smiled before kissing him.

"Good morning to you. I was worried that you left again," he teased as he took my hands and placed them behind my back as he pressed against me. "So just in case, I am going to shackle you."

"You don't have to. I will stay willingly," I breathed.

The next time I emerged downstairs, it was closer to a decent time for people to be up. I had discarded my bedroom attire for jeans and a shirt. I ate some breakfast and spent the afternoon with them until I had to leave.

I didn't want to leave, but I had to go. Edward was going to break some girl's heart and I didn't want to be here to watch.

"Okay, I will see you la…ter." My heart stopped as the car turned off. It was Tanya. She was already here. I stepped back inside the house. She couldn't know I was here. But she would know because she would see my truck. "Shoot." I mumbled curse words under my breath, as I went back to Alice.

"What's wrong?" Alice's voice didn't even seem fearful.

"Tanya. She's here," I whispered.

The doorbell rang, but none of us moved. "Oh no," Alice mouthed. Edward came to the door and laughed at our faces. He had no idea what was about to do down. Tanya was upset last night. Hopefully, she wouldn't be too upset this morning.

EDWARD

I answered the front door since Alice and Bella acted like they were statues. I swung the door open and there Tanya was. It didn't matter how many times I rehearsed what I would say to her. When she was in front of me, I choked up.

"Tanya," I whispered before going outside. "I'm sorry."

She held up her hand to stop me. "I'm sorry, too. Not because we wasted all this time together. Not because I even fell for you. Not because I kissed you. I'm sorry that I loved you. I'm sorry that I trusted you, with my heart. I got to ask you, Edward: why her? Out of the weeks we spent together, why would you throw that all away for Bella? Am I…ugly to you? Am I not good enough?"

"No, Tanya you're beautiful. And any guy would be happy to have you."

"Then, why not you?" she whispered. "Why aren't you happy with me? I thought you loved me."

"I do love you Tanya," I pleaded.

"But you love Bella, also. You know" – she chuckled – "I always knew there was something going on between you, two. Before you guys even made it official. I knew it. She was a threat to my relationship. I tried to limit her from seeing you, just to find out that you taking her out! I can't believe you! I was sick for one day and that one day changed everything, Edward!"

"I know, I know," I whispered. "And I am sorry." She shook her head and smacked me across my right cheek. I clutched it, feeling the sting. But I deserved it. I deserved everything that she could do to me. I broke her heart in the worse way possible. Something I couldn't assume to be forgiven from so fast.

"You aren't sorry, Edward. If you were, you wouldn't be with her!"

"Tanya, this isn't about Bella! This is about us. I'm tired of trying to make us work for each other. We didn't click."

"We didn't click," she smiled menacingly. "I understand. I understand that you're a lying cheating bastard and I hate you! I was there for you and you run off with her. How could you?!" Then, Tanya started to cry. "I didn't want it to be true about you two. I wanted Bella to be lying last night. I wanted to come here and not find her. I wanted to see you."

I pulled her into a hug. "We tried, Tanya. It just didn't work. I'm sorry. I am truly sorry. I wish it was different between us."

She pulled away, wiping her eyes. I rubbed my thumb under her eye, removing the streaking makeup. "I wish it was different too. Look at me, I'm a wreck," she smiled. "So, this is goodbye?"

"I guess it is. But know that I will always care for you," I smiled.

"I will try to believe that. But you guys are meant for each other. It was only a matter of time before I was out of the way. She was your first love, wasn't she?"

"Yeah, she was," I chuckled. "Our history goes way back."

"That's sweet. You're a good guy, Edward. And she is lucky to have you. And could you tell Bella that I am truly sorry about last night? I shouldn't have acted that way. And if somehow, we could be friends again?"

"She'd like that."

I kissed Tanya's forehead. "Take care, Tanya," I breathed against her skin.

"I will. I wish this could have happened differently. I'll see later." Tanya walked down to her car, got in, and drove away.

I smiled to myself. I imagined it would be different. I imagined that she would scream and hit. I imagined she would try to fight. And she did. But she understood the situation. She understood the Bella was the one for me.

I opened the door back into the house. Emmett was on the other side. "How did it go, little bro?"

"It was a mutual break-up."

Emmett laughed and pointed as he saw the red mark on my cheek. "She totally dumped you!"

I didn't even try to explain the situation to him because I knew he wouldn't understand. I came into the kitchen to see Alice and Bella sharing a container of ice cream. I washed a spoon and dug in as well.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Bella asked.

"Not really," I answered before I scooped out a big chunk of cookies and cream and shoved it into my mouth.

"Well, can you talk about it?" Alice pressed. Such a gossip queen. She just wanted to know, so she could talk at school.

I shook my head, until I got a brain freeze. Bella laughed. Alice just huffed and took another scoop. Once it passed, I said, "It was mutual."

"She dumped you," Alice muttered. "Did she hit you?"

"Slapped my face."

"Did she cry?"

"Yeah, make-up ruined and all." I felt bad for that. I knew Tanya was always conscious of her appearance and she would be upset to know her make-up was streaked on her face.

"Good." Alice smiled and took another spoonful. Bella jabbed Alice in the crook of her elbow. "OW!" she yelled with ice cream on her tongue. "Whaw wa tha fo?" Translation: What was that for?

"Alice, stop being mean," Bella scolded. "We are not supposed to cheer at people's misfortunes."

"Oh, you're just happy because you got the man," Alice pointed out.

"True," Bella admitted. "But still it's not nice." – She turned to me – "I'm sorry Tanya dumped you."

I let out an irritated laugh. "Why was everyone saying that? Tanya and I both decided to call it quits. She didn't dump me. I didn't dump her."

Alice eyed me curiously. "Edward, never before in my life has a guy said 'it was mutual' and meant it. But…I believe you. I told Bella it would painful and look at that: a red handprint to show for it. Red might be your color Edward." She laughed and this time, I stamped on her foot. "Oww! You guys are going to have to stop doing that."

"I should be heading home, now. Charlie is probably looking for me." Bella stood up from the table and went to clean her spoon.

I said, "You know, Tanya talked about the slumber party. She said she was sorry for acting the way she did. She wants to know if you want to be friends, again."

She came back to the table. "I don't know. We are both in a delicate place right now. How am I supposed to be her friend when I…stole her man?"

I laughed. "Girls and Rules."

"What do you mean 'Girls and Rules'? There are certain guidelines we all have to abide by when it comes to the dating world," Alice corrected.

"Yeah, well, I don't follow by any rules. I'm a rebel," I smiled leaning over to kiss Bella. "And Tanya means it. She wants to be your friend."

"Don't do it, Bella," Alice warned. "It won't be safe. You have to wait. Tanya is still bitter."

I asked, "How would you know, Alice? You never had to worry about Jasper's exes."

She smiled. "I never did want to deal with Jasper's exes. In his life, there is only me, now. There isn't any Leslie, or…Brenda. It is just Alice. I plan to make that forever.

"And I am a woman. Women know how other women act and react. It doesn't matter how many times Tanya can say she is over you. She will never be truly over you. And being a woman, she will be spiteful towards the next girl of yours, which in this case is Bella."

"Wow," I whispered. "When you say it like that it makes sense. But, I still would like for everyone to be friends."

"If I dumped you right now, and went out with Mike, would you friends with him?" Bella asked.

I leaned back in my chair, frowning. "That's different."

She challenged. "Is it really? You know, the girls at the slumber party said Mike and I hit it off at the party. He isn't seeing anyone. And you just got out of a relationship. I may want to…play the fields first since I just came back and all."

At that moment, I was going to tell her that we were going to be together forever. That it didn't matter who we dated in between, we would still come back to each other. But instead I got up from the table and grabbed the cordless. "We could test that theory right now. Are you willing?" I asked, calling her out.

BELLA

I snatched the phone from Edward's hand. But I couldn't do anything. What was I going to do? Call up Mike? No way. I shoved the phone back into his hands and he took me in his arms.

"I'm sorry. About everything today," he whispered sweetly in my ear. "But I wasn't lying about what I said. I can't stop loving you, so of course, Mike and I can't be friends."

I giggled. "I knew it. So, I guess that eliminates every guy in my life."

"I can be friends with Charlie," Edward pointed out.

"Not for very long. No father can be friends with the guy that is dating their daughter. Initially."

Edward pulled me back some so he could look me in the eyes. "Please explain."

"Well…I don't think Charlie would be pleased with the way you touch me." I blushed at my attempt to insinuate what I meant.

Edward smiled the imperfect grin as his fingers tickled my waist. "I'm a virtuous boy. I haven't done anything that is questionable."

"Huh," I giggled out as I wriggled out of his touch. I was successful, but ended up colliding into a chair. Edward helped steady me. "Okay, now I really have to go home. Charlie…"

"Okay," Edward frowned. "But will you be back tomorrow?"

"Most likely. Charlie might go on another fishing adventure." I smiled as I gathered my stuff and headed out with Edward following alongside.

I was at my truck when I noticed the rueful look in Edward's eyes. "Are you sure about the Tanya situation? I didn't want to cause all this trouble. I didn't mean to cause you and her…. I was only supposed to help. I'm sorry." Suddenly, I found myself embracing him in a hug. Not a hug between lovers.

A hug between friends.

"Bella, it isn't your fault. I was unhappy. No…Tanya was just insatiable. It almost became like a chore to date her. I was going to let her go anyway. You were just the catalyst and the incentive. I just have to…get over it."

"Oh, well…I can understand if you want to. If you need some, some time…" I stumbled over my words, blushing as I said them. Though, I didn't want to say them, they seemed right.

"Right. Time. That's exactly what we don't have in this world. Who promised me tomorrow?" His voice was shaky, and I could hear he was fighting to keep the anger away.

"If we do have our tomorrow, I will be here. You know that."

"I guess you're right," he sighed. But he didn't release me yet. We just clung to each other. "I love you, Bella."

"I love you, Edward."

He exhaled deeply as if he was struggling with his words. "Can you do me a favor?"

"Anything," I responded quickly. Edward's hand fell away from my body, leaving a space for ether to flow around us. Though he wasn't physically touching me, I could feel his emotions radiating off of his body and flowing through me.

"Can you…give me some time? Just a day or two."

"Oh," I smiled weakly. "That would be the best for the both of us. We are moving a little fast."

"Yeah, maybe go along as friends for awhile," he confessed awkwardly while kicking imaginary rocks under his feet. He was no longer looking at me, and I was glad he wasn't.

Tears induced from guilt teemed from my eyes. "Well, I am going to go Edward," I mumbled. "I will see you at school." I climbed into my truck, wiping the moist evidence from my cheeks.

Edward was upset.

I was upset.

The events of today were not the joyous. Everything began happy, but then just took a turn for the worst. Deep down inside, we were all putting on our happy faces for show.

How was I to be happy knowing that I ruined someone's relationship? How was Edward to be cheery knowing that Tanya was hurting? We couldn't prolong the pain any longer. We both felt it. It was inevitable. Not only did he break up with Tanya, Edward was breaking up with me. He cut his time-consuming and short-lived connections with everyone. It was like he was ripping up the puzzle and starting back at square one.

Edward didn't need another relationship to complicate his life. I knew that he loved me and that would never change. We were bound together by fate. But he didn't need a girlfriend right now; he needed a friend.