For the next week I ignored Edward. Every time I saw him coming towards me or trying to talk to me I ran off in the other direction. I know it must have looked strange but how else was I going to get over him? I mean, really, I had just admitted to myself... and Alice... that I was in love with him and now he's all over some other girl?

And trust me; I know he and Allison are dating. Why else would our phone be ringing off the hook? Every time it does I bolt from the cabin and head down to the water. And Edward is always disappearing, he isn't in the cabin or down by the beach or anywhere I know of. He must be hanging out with her… or hooking up, which I definantly don't want to be thinking about.

So I have been reading to get my mind off things. But even reading can't keep me busy forever so I volunteered myself to help Alice plan the party which will be in five days. I know things are really bad since Alice was somehow able to get me to help her out. We have spent the last few days sorting out the decorations she's bought and planning the music and food. Oh, and the guest list, which unfortunately Allison and her twin or both on. I don't even want to attend this party but of course I have to. Alice tends to go a little overboard for the simplest things. Why can't we just have a small little get together? Watch the fireworks on the beach? Go swimming for awhile like we normally do? But no. She has to plan a beach party full of sparkling fairy lights and required swimsuit attire. I am so not looking forward to it.

Alice and I were sitting at the kitchen table pouring over the guest list for the twentieth time today when Edward walked in. I got up and walked toward the door muttering something about going to the bathroom when Edward grabbed my arm.

"Bella. We need to talk." He sounded angry. What did I do now? I haven't talked to the boy in a week.

"Umm... I've got to go..."

"No. This is important." He interrupted me and I heard the phone ringing. "Why have you been avoiding me all week?"

I saw Alice jump up and answer the phone. Please be for me! Although nobody calls here for me except for my mother occasionally to see how things are going. I needed to find a way to get out of talking to him. Not that I don't love hearing his voice, but what was I supposed to say? I have been avoiding you because I am in love with you and can't bear to see you with another girl? Yeah, right, like I would ever admit that to him.

I still hadn't figured out what to say while he glared at me, sitting holding my arm, and said, "Bella….. Answer me."

I fumbled with my words, "Uhh... well... I have been... uhhm... busy lately..."

He was about to say something when Alice bounced over to us, still standing in the doorway, with the phone in hand stretched out toward Edward.

"It's for you Edward! It's Allison." She didn't smile when she said it, most likely because of what I had admitted to her that night after the party.

He wasn't smiling either. He took the phone from her hand while letting go of me and that's when I ran from the room, Alice on my heels. Of course it's Allison, I knew she is the one that's been calling. Well, at least he will forget about what he was trying to make me admit. Ugh. I walked out on the porch where no one was sitting and leaned against the railing.

"What was he expecting me to say, Alice?"

"Umm... I don't have a clue what you guys were talking about! But he looked mad and you looked uncomfortable so I faked a call." She smirked.

"What? Then who is he talking to now?"

"Nobody, which he is probably going to realize soon and come looking for you again. I called the cabin from my cell phone. I know you don't want to talk to him but you are going to have to eventually Bella."

"Not while he is dating that slut." I was angry now. I don't have to talk to him anytime if I don't want.

"Allison? They aren't dating! I don't think they have even talked since that party."

"Yeah, like I believe that. Listen, Alice, I don't want to talk to him and he's most likely going to try to find me again so can I borrow your car? I just need to get away. Go into town for a couple of hours or something."

She tossed me her keys. "Well I guess. But really, Bella, they aren't…"

Before she could finish her sentence I saw Edward coming around the side of the house and I dashed through the back door. I can avoid him if I want to. I slipped into my room and grabbed my purse as well as the stack of books by the dresser that I had taken to reading everyday this past week. I slipped on my shoes and went to get Alice's car. As soon as I was in and starting the ignition, I saw Edward by the passenger window. I faked an apologetic look and pointed to my books. Then I was off.

Once I got in town I stopped by the library to return my books and get a few new ones. When I was done with that I'd only wasted about an hour and didn't know what else to do to pass the time. I drove around thinking. For the past month I've been on this vacation it hadn't really been that much fun. Well I love being able to swim anytime I want, lying out on the beach, and hanging out with my friends, well Alice mostly. The thing with Robert was a complete mistake though and I'm so glad he's gone. Alice talked to one of his friends staying in the cabin with him and found out he went home early. Something about his parents wanting him to get a job? Well serves him right. He was a jerk and a player and we need a lot less of those types of guys in the world. And then the whole thing with Tanya. I never liked her and I am so glad she's gone, although we are all going to have to deal with her our senior year. At least we only have one year left. Then I'm off to college.

Now, I have an undeniable, time-consuming crush on a boy who I think is dating another beautiful, mean girl. I'm in love with him, and I have been for most of my life even though I never quite admitted it to myself. Well, I think I am in love with him, not that I know what love is, but every time I look at him or think about him I just feel like he's the only one for me. We connect perfectly and have been best friends since middle school. But now, I don't even know what is going on. I have probably ruined our "best friends" status by the whole ignoring him and running away from him every time I have seen him for the past week. Especially because I plan on ignoring for a long while, at least until I can get over him. This is much more complicated than I thought it would be. I probably should just follow Alice's advice and talk to him. Or I could just go meet a distraction, not that I am any good at meeting new people especially guys. How hard could it be? Pretty hard for me, I guess.

I could just follow Allison's example. Act stupid and flirt a lot. At least it would get my mind off things. With that thought, I pulled into a gas station and went in. I walked into the bathroom and dug around in my purse pulling out some eyeliner and a hairbrush. I hadn't really bothered to look good today. I had just pulled my hair into a ponytail and wiped my face clean of makeup this morning. Not a good plan if you are trying to impress anyone. Not that there is anyone to impress, yet. I swiped on the eyeliner and dabbed some eye shadow on, and then I brushed out all my hair. There was a bit of a wave to it from sleeping on it wet the night before but it made my hair look beachy, which wasn't a bad thing. I bought some gum before I left to complete the affect of what I think Allison acts and looks like most of the time. Then, I headed to the coffee shop. There must be some guys there right? Not that I know where to look for guys at. I bought at vanilla bean cappuccino and took a seat by the window.

There weren't very many people in the little shop although I saw a lot of guys walking by the window, looking like they were heading to the beach. Of course! How stupid could I get? I wasn't going to find any distractions inside a coffee shop at four in the afternoon. They are all going to be down at the beach. The local one must likely, not pebble beach.

Defeated, I headed home. I decided that tomorrow I was going to head down to the local beach. I am going to get over Edward, no matter what it takes, and I am going to meet someone else that's gorgeous, nice, and funny. Someone who has beautiful eyes that sparkle when they smile and who can always make me laugh at the stupidest things. And who cares enough to know when I'm upset and can make me feel better with a little ice cream.

And that person is not going to be the boy that was standing in my doorway, trapping me in my room, as I laid in my bed thinking of how tomorrow was going to go.