Hey guys! I'm really sorry about not updating sooner. I had a bad run in with writer's block full on and after battling through I managed to crank out a chapter. Unfortunately school opens for me Monday here and then it's basically chaos and hell for me. However, I know that as long as I had your awesome support that I had when I was in school, I can give you some updates. They may be a bit scattered and not very frequent but as long as you guys want more and keep telling me, I'll comply. Anyway, I think you guys might like this chapter. For one thing, we get to see what's going on inside Alice's head for once. And there's a surprise that we all will know at the end of this chapter but neither Edward nor Bella knows. The next chapter is going to be fun! xD Anyway, please enjoy this chapter and review at the end! :)

Disclaimer: Honestly? I'd love to say with pride in my voice that I, Stephanie N., own Twilight. But the honest truth is that while my first name is Stephanie, it ain't spelt with an E, nor does my last name begin with an M.; so unforutnately in order to avoid being sued, I have to disclaim Twilight as NOT MINE. Hope you're not too disappointed :) 'Sides if I owned Twilight, the movie would probably turn out like Vampires Suck xD

"I'm so tired of trying to fight this,
I'm asleep ,
And all I dream of is waking to you,
Tell me that you will listen,
Your touch is what I'm missing,
And the more I hide I realize I'm slowly losing you…"

-Comatose by Skillet

:-:-:

Chapter 11

EPOV

After my mother's not so subtle bribery, I headed over to the guest room where me and Emmett were staying and packed quickly, only taking the few necessities I'd need for a weekend stay at my cousins'. I was a little eager to get away from Forks because the evident conflict my stay here was causing in my heart and brain but not completely ready to leave Alice…and Bella.

Packing took less than five minutes. With that done, I decided to return to where I had left Emmett and Alice. Surely, they would be wondering what was taking Bella and me so long. We had only come back to get reinforcements for Emmett's greediness after all, only to be side tracked by that little twit Alec.

Speaking of which, I brightened considerably at the thought that I had a legitimate reason to march over to where he and Bella were undoubtedly having a rather chummy conversation, from what I had witnessed first hand earlier, and quite literally drag her away.

I knew the thought of it should not have filled me with so much of smug triumph, but as I pointed out earlier, it was clear that Forks had been messing with my head.

I checked my window from the guest room to see Alec driving away whilst Bella unselfconsciously hugged herself, rubbing her hands up and down her arms as if chilled despite the unusually warm weather today. Her expression was forlorn as she sadly watched Volter leave with a silent regret on her face.

Volter, meanwhile, was stoically trying to keep his expression closed off from Bella's vulnerable one. Confused at both their expressions, I wondered what I had missed in the time I had been speaking with my mother. One minute they're all chummy, buddy-buddy; then next they're both upset and regretful.

Obviously, I had missed something I would have wanted to see. Had Bella had another boy falling at her feet yet again? First it was Black, then Newton, then that blond git James and now, Alec Volter? Bella certainly had a way with the boys, one of the few traits I did not like about her. Usually, I liked her quite well, maybe a little too much, when she was being her funny, witty, all together beautiful self. But when she was attracting boys? It was like a warring zone for them all. And somehow, I felt I was one of them as well.

I realized with disgust that I had been straying off the path of Alice and into Bella, yet again. It was like she was the natural choice for me and though I should be thinking of Alice, my mind always drifted back to Bella. Hopefully, this trip would help me clear that one out so I could be with Alice without thinking of her, and my, best friend like a love struck teenager.

I heard Bella float up the stairs and I contemplated talking to her about what had happened between her and Volter. I peeked from a tiny divot in the wooden door. I saw her profile as she slowly shuffled to her room, her mind obviously far off. Her heart-shaped face was etched with worry and sorrow and her deep brown eyes expressed something a little hurt and wounded, reminding me of a bird whose wings had been clipped.

My instinct was to step towards her and gather her in my arms, comforting her from whatever it was that plagued her. But I knew if I did that something bad might happen that would further complicate all the things that were already so twisted in my head. I felt like a coward that I could not comfort her when she herself had been helping and comforting me all this time with Alice. Regret burned strongly in my heart.

I waited until she had shut her door before I cautiously ventured toward it. Softly I knocked on her door. "Bells?" I asked my voice coming out more worried than I'd hoped.

"Are you—" I stopped. I had been about to ask her if she was okay but knowing Bella, I knew she would not answer that question honestly. She would hide whatever pain and hurt she had inside of her and she would try to put up a fake façade to ensure my happiness. Instead of the question I had been about to ask, I switched it. "Are you going back to the picnic?" I inquired instead, trying to make my tone a little less uncomfortable and a little more warm.

I hear feet scuffling before Bella opened the door a crack. Her eyes rimmed with a little of red and her normally healthy glow had been reduced to a pale sheen. It was obviously she'd been silently crying but was now trying to hide it for my sake. She offered me a sad smile before shaking her head. "I'm not feeling well," she answered, trying to grin. "Headache," she added, attempting at a not very convincing wince as she put her hand to her head.

Despite the lying I knew it was best to leave her to herself, alone as she clearly wanted. Still, it was hard for me to nod as I stifled my impulse to take her into my arms. "Okay," I replied, "I'll see you later." She nodded and quickly shut the door, returning to her gloom. I had the idea of hunting down Volter and kindly beating him to a pulp for whatever he had said or done to Bella that had put her in such a mood but knowing that would just upset Bella more I quickly squashed it. Still, it didn't make the thought any less tempting.

Sighing heavily, I turned to leave. As I passed my room again on my way to the staircase, I vaguely remembered something. The necklace! I thought eagerly my clouded mind suddenly becoming clearer. I shoved my hand into my pocket and drew it out, admiring it as a thought occurred to me. Now would be a perfect chance to gift it to Alice.

It would be my promise to her that she could ponder over until I came back. Although she'd been rather close with me these past few days since Lauren's party, we'd never brought up the subject of being a couple. Bella had told me that Alice had had a rather rough time with relationships and settling down. I knew Alice liked, maybe even loved me as much as I did her but was she ready for a relationship? Maybe the trip would serve another agenda as well.

I trekked down the stairs and out the house, into the woods. Our perfect day was almost to an end since the ever present dark rain clouds of Forks were returning. Emmet, by now, would have seen them and I knew they would probably already be packing up. I found them at the meadow, doing just I expected, re-packing the blanket and what not. Emmett was almost done and he carried all the stuff since he was as brawny as Alice was tiny.

"Hey, bro," he greeted me as he swung a bag with the blanket and other picnic items over his shoulder, his other hand holding the picnic basket. "We're almost done here," he said, not meeting my eyes as he headed in the direction of the house. "Bella back home?" he asked suddenly looking up and alert.

I nodded. "She said she wasn't feeling well," I relayed to him. He eyed me sternly and I shifted uncomfortably. It was as though he knew that wasn't the entire story and knew that I was telling a lie. I managed to meet his eyes with as much nonchalance as I could muster. Finally, he nodded and without another word, trudged back to the house.

Meanwhile, Alice had noticed nothing of our exchange and was delicately placing her hand in mine as she smiled at me coyly. "Ready?"

I grinned but it felt strangely fake on my lips. Emmett's mention of Bella had brought back all my thoughts of her. I gripped her hand, trying my best to banish all thoughts of Bella, especially now when I was going to attempt to make a relationship with Alice.

"Before we go," I said, "I wanted to—" Suddenly I stopped as the rain began to fall. I really have horrible timing.

"Edward!" Alice squealed in horror as the rain pelted against us in full force. She clung to me and I laughed. Alice gave me the evil eye. "Get me out of here!" she said sternly, "I'm being soaked!"

Rolling my eyes at her obvious girlishness, I took her by the hand and maneuvered her through the woods as quickly as I could. We stopped first by her house on the front porch, shivering from our damp clothing.

"W-what w-was it y-you wanted t-to d-d-do?" she stuttered. I chuckled as I tried to warm her up, rubbing my hands up and down her arms.

I shook my head. Now was not the time to do this, I realized. Aside from the fact that she was soaking wet and freezing, there was something else stopping me, an instinct that I should not give it to her now that I had a chance to. Shrugging it off at once, I decided, I'll give it to her some other time.

"I had to tell you something. I'm going to Alaska for one of my cousin's weddings," I replied, substituting quickly. "I'm leaving on Friday, but I'll be back by next week Tuesday. The wedding's on Sunday but my mother wanted me to stay with Tanya and them for a little while longer and spend some time with my cousin before she and her husband go off to France. I didn't want to have to miss any time with you especially after I've been waiting to see you again for so long but my mom begged and you know how Esme is. I'm sorry about this, Al."

"Oh," she said, sounding a little taken aback. "Of course," she said nodding, "I understand." She pouted prettily and asked, "I don't suppose your suitcase has room for one more?"

I laughed and bent my head to peck her on the lips. "You know if it did, you'd be coming along too." I sighed as I hugged her to me. "I love you, Alice. Always have."

She looked up at me and smiled softly but made no reply. "What? No answer? No rebuttal?" I teased. "Usually I can't get you to shut up."

Alice giggled and tiptoed to kiss me. When she was a millimeter away, she broke away from me and hurtled herself into the doorway. "You'll get your reply," she replied coyly, "when you return." And with that, she shut the door in my face.

Mary Alice Brandon, ladies and gentlemen.

APOV

My heart beating faster than I'd ever known it to, I shut the door into Edward's face. Still soaking wet from the rain, my chest rose and fell rapidly as I slid down the door, finally falling to the floor. Curling up into a ball against the door, I rocked myself with the sheer joy I was feeling.

He loves me, I thought joyously, he loves me! My heart was sighing his words over and over again. Bella had told me that he had of course but his own admission of it made my heart sing. It was not the first time a boy had told me that he loved me, but it was a first that I actually felt the same way about him.

Ever since the first day I'd met Edward Cullen back in the airport, I'd absolutely adored him from that moment. Who wouldn't? He was gorgeous, tall, patient, charming, polite…he was like the prince charming I'd always dreamed of. He listened to me, he laughed at my jokes and best of all, he seemed to love me no matter what. It was a little annoying whenever he'd bring up something he and Bella had talked about and I had no clue what he was talking about. Once he knew the truth though, he wouldn't do that anymore and he'd still love me!

I was so happy to have had found him that I hadn't realized I was falling for him until he'd surprised me at Lauren's ball with that beautiful dinner. And it was moments ago when I realized I loved him back when he told me he loved me. I was amazed at myself for almost turning to mush and being unable to say anything. But of course, I was Alice Brandon and I did not blush and stutter over guys. They did that over me. I'd never met a guy who could not be charmed by me and Edward was no exception.

However, I was not immune to his charms and now we'd fallen in love. I was little starry-eyed as I imagined how my life with would turn out. We'd get married after college, me a fashion designer, him a doctor and then move to Chicago, Edward's hometown or New York or Paris .At thirty I'd get pregnant and have his babies and Edward and I would be socialites of some high society, and rule over them. We'd be immortal together, an unstoppable couple, watching our children climb higher and higher. Then we'd be a legacy.

The tableau I painted of our life seemed wonderful, perfect. I sighed happily. When Edward came back, I decided, I'd give him his answer. A little waiting would make him even more eager to be with me and I felt positive that every moment he was away he'd be thinking of me. Happily I thought of him being tormented by me and then finally returning when I'd give him his answer and we'd live happily ever after.

A throat cleared, startling me. I realized that all this time my parents had been staring at me, knowing smiles on their faces. "Out with Edward?" my father asked, attempting nonchalance.

I nodded sheepishly, my cheeks turning pink at being caught at my day dreaming. My mother and father exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously. My father left us, me and my mother, whistling jovially and excusing himself by adding, "I have a feeling this is something between mother and daughter." He winked as he ambled away.

My mother shook her head after laughingly and then bent to where I was sitting to bring us at eye level. "You really love him huh?"

Her clear grey eyes looked into mine. Sometimes, I wished that I had inherited my mother's light beautiful grey eyes rather than my father's pale blue ones. Her expressive eyes were like liquefied pools of silver and they held a depth and an intimacy that I would have loved to have. Even at her age, my mother could still turn heads; she was that beautiful and I was proud to be her daughter and have some of her looks, if not her striking eyes and dark honey blonde hair.

I nodded earnestly. "I think I do, Mom. Really, I love him." She sighed and took a place next to me, her slender body mimicking my pose. My mother bounced heads with me as she slipped an arm around my shoulders. "Are you sure Ally-Bear?" she asked, using my old nickname. "I do know your track record with boys dear."

Man, sometimes, it really does suck to live in a small town. Everyone knows everything. "I know, Mom, but Edward's different. He's handsome, and sweet and wonderful, and he loves me back too." Seeing my mother's thoughtful expression, I contemplated something. "You don't like him?"

She shook her head. "No, I love Edward as though he were my own son, Alice, but it's just that sometimes you two seem as different as day and night—"

"I thought opposites attract?" I pointed out, interrupting.

She pondered that for a moment and then looked at me. I think she could see in my eyes that I really did love Edward since she dropped it. "Well," she said, lifting her shoulders in a shrug, "maybe I'm just over-thinking things. It just nagged me a little bit so I had to tell you about it." Her smile showed the dimple I'd inherited. "So what's going to happen to you two?"

My cheeks blushing just the slightest, I told her about his upcoming trip to Alaska. She listened attentively, surely one of the many reasons my father had fallen in love with her. "So he's leaving Friday then?" she concluded.

"Just until next Tuesday, and then he'll be back," I clarified. She frowned momentarily before saying, "And then the following week they return to Chicago right?"

I opened my mouth to deny that before I realized that I hadn't known. Bella, when she was begging me to pretend for her, had said that I would only have to pretend for a month and then Edward would leave. I hadn't thought when that time came I wouldn't want him to. I nodded swallowing hard. "I think I'll have to talk to him about that."

Sensing that this news had saddened me, she nodded briskly and said in a stern voice, "Now young lady I think it's time to get out of these clothes." Pulling me up with her, she nudged me towards my room. "You're soaking wet!" she exclaimed and chuckling, I shook my wet hair towards her. She shrieked and threw a towel at me, laughing.

Later that day, I sat by my bedroom window, drying my hair and gazing at the rain. Despite the heavy rain, I could still make out one of the Swan's windows and I caught a glimpse of Edward's face looking out into the rain as he, I guessed, was preparing to leave. Friday was only a day away after all.

Putting my hand to where his face was seen through my window, I caressed it as I whispered the words I'd tell him when he returned.

"I love you, Edward Cullen."

EPOV

After returning home and taking a much needed shower, especially after being soaked in the rain, I sat on the bed of the guest room, enjoying the peace. Emmett was somewhere in the house, either with Charlie watching sports with him or with Bella.

Speaking of Bella, I hadn't seen her since I'd returned home. Her door had been locked as I had passed it so I assumed she was taking a rest after whatever crying that Volter had made her do. I knew I had to talk to her, especially about Alaska, but call me a coward, I was procrastinating.

I tried to find something to do in the house but I couldn't, having all my thoughts drawn towards the girl whose bedroom was just down the hall from mine. I couldn't even concentrate on thoughts of Alice, of our conversation of only a few hours ago; I couldn't seem to get Bella out of my head.

Giving myself one of those pep talks about being a spineless coward, I hauled myself off the bed but not before glancing out the window. Forks was really a depressing place sometimes, with the bleakest of skies. A nice sunny day might have lifted someone's mood but not right now.

Forcing my feet to walk towards Bella's door, I stopped shocked to see it was open. Bella sat by her window seat, curled up with a guitar on her lap as she idly strung it to match the song playing from her iPod Doc not far from her.

Softly, she sang along and the words drifted to me, "Take me where I've never been, help me on my feet again, show me that good things come to those who wait. Tell me I'm not on my own. Tell me I won't be alone. Tell me what I'm feelin' isn't some mistake 'cause if anyone can make me fall in love, you can." She sighed quietly, closing her eyes as she strummed the tune.

"Save me from myself, you can, and it's you and no one else. If I could wish upon tomorrow, tonight would never end. If you asked me, I would follow." She whispered the last sentence with a slight quaver in her voice. She continued, "But for now, I just pretend 'cause if anyone can make me fall in love—"

"You can," we sang together. Bella's eyes flew open at once. "Edward," she said startled, "what are you doing here?"

I grinned and replied. "Singing." I held out a hand to her. "Want to join in?"

Hesitantly, she slid her hand into mine and I twirled her on the spot. It was obvious Bella's spirits needed to be lifted and a plan of sorts to cheer her up was to make her laugh. She deserved to laugh after everything she'd done for everyone but herself and besides, she looked beautiful doing it.

With one hand on her waist and the other in hers, she placed her hand on my shoulder and I began swaying with her in time. She laughed as she and I, still chuckling, belted out the rest of the words together.

"Save me from myself, you can. And it's you and no one else. If I could wish upon tomorrow, tonight would never end. If you asked me, I would follow. But for now, I just pretend 'cause if anyone can make me fall in love, you can," we sang, grinning and giggling at each other like idiots.

"Okay, okay," I said, faking solemnity. "It's time for my solo!"

Laughing, she commanded teasingly, "By all means, take it away!"

Clearing my throat I continued, "Only you can take me sailin' in your deepest eyes. Bring me to my knees and make me cry.
And no one's ever done this. Everything was just a lie. And I know, yes I know..." Somehow, between all our joking, the atmosphere had changed as I sang the last sentence.

I looked into Bella's eyes, the dark chocolate that seemed to consume me as I looked into them. I suddenly became aware of how close we were and my grip on her tightened instinctively. I whispered the words that came next and this time I wasn't joking.

"This is where it all begins, so tell me it'll never end. I can't fool myself; it's you and no one else. If I could wish upon tomorrow, tonight would never end. If you asked me, I would follow but for now, I'll just pretend 'cause if anyone can make me fall in love, you can."

All this time I'd been singing the last verse, our bodies had moved on its own accord and our heads begun to inch closer and closer. As I sang the sentence, I meant what I was saying and I moved my head closer to kiss her. Pausing, our eyes met as we listened to the last words of the song.

"Show me that good things come to those who wait."

Just as our lips were about to meet, Bella jumped and I let go of her as she stepped away.

I tried to laugh it off. "Well, turns out I learn something new every day," I joked. "Who'd have thought that Bella Swan was a David Archuleta fan?"

Though spooked, Bella was still Bella after all. "Who'd have thought," she countered, smiling smugly, "that Edward Cullen would know all the words to a David Archuleta song?"

Laughing, I held up my hands, a sign of surrender. "Nice, Bella, touché. Okay, okay. You caught me. I listen to David every once in a while," I admitted. "So sue me. He's a good singer."

"And rather cute," Bella added with a wink. I knew we were both avoiding what had been about to happen yet again. This was the second time we had almost kissed and once again, she didn't want to talk about it.

We settled into an awkward silence. "So..." I began, looking around the room for something to talk about, "I see you still play." I gestured toward the piano.

Her cheeks coloured as she smiled a little sheepishly. "A little." She didn't elaborate, instead asking, "Do you?"

"A little," I replied mimicking her tone. She grinned and faked a punch to the arm. I nodded. "I do but mainly, I focus on piano. Do you still play?"

She bit her bottom lip and chewed on it self-consciously. "Every now and then," was her mysterious reply. Usually she was so straightforward. What was up with the mystery tonight?

I remembered her crying earlier and contemplated whether or not I should bring it up. "What happened earlier after I left with Volter?" I asked, unable to clamp down my curiousity.

Cheeks once again pink, she blushed. "N-nothing," she stuttered and gave a small smile. "Alec's really a wonderful friend, Edward. He's been there for me a lot."

I nodded absorbing that. "I saw you and Alice today, in the rain," Bella admitted suddenly. She smiled a crooked grin and her brown eyes were over-bright. "Can I safely say that you two are hitting it out the park?"

Laughing, I agreed, "Nice phrasing but I'd put it more like we're more like photography. Developing from the negatives in our relationship I guess you could say." She looked at me curiously evidently not understanding where I was coming from.

"What negatives?" she asked disbelievingly. "You and Alice are like the poster children for perfect love."

I shook my head. "No love is perfect, Bells," I replied thinking of how different real Alice seemed from the person in the letters. Bella said nothing digesting what I had said.

"Edward! Bella! Dinner's ready dears!" I heard my mother calling us from downstairs. I winked at Bella and crooked her a grin. "I guess that's our cue." I slipped my hand into hers. "Dinner milady?"

Laughing, she rolled her eyes but still grinning, we went down to dinner hand in hand. The night was silent and beautiful as I lay on my bed that evening. As I began to fall asleep it was only then that I realized I hadn't told Bella about Alaska. Sleepily I etched it into my mental agenda to tell her about that tomorrow. And then all was lost to me as I fell asleep, still thinking of the way Bella looked as I had been about to kiss her...

BPOV

I could not pretend to myself that I was okay with all that had happened today. My life had been complicated enough this afternoon with Alec and now this second almost kiss between me and Edward just came up and complicated them even more.

The first time it had almost happened it had taken all that I had not to kiss him. I was surprised that I'd been able to do that a second time. I certainly did want to kiss him after all.

Sighing, I jumped up from my bed where I was lying down. Agitated I paced the room, unable to get my head clear. There were so many things that went through my mind but right now, prominently, it was exactly how much I wanted to have had kissed Edward the two chances I had had.

I sneezed suddenly, and a thought flitted through my mind. Whenever you sneeze someone is thinking of you. Wasn't that how the saying or legend or whatever you called it went? Briefly I wondered if Edward was losing sleep as I was thinking about the same things. Somehow, I had serious doubts about that.

Urgh! Why does this keep happening to me? I wondered desperately. It had been happening all day. Any time I began to try clearing out my head, Edward, either literally or figuratively, kept popping up into my head! At first I thought it was just all the stress of everything that had been happening, especially after Alec, but now I wondered if I were going crazy. I probably wasn't the first girl to go crazy over Edward Cullen though.

And there I went again! I thought in frustration. Why was Edward so hard to get out of my head?

Aggravated at the gorgeous boy, I plotted back down into my bed, fuming silently. Idly, I contemplated murder for a second. After all, he was sleeping just down the hall and it wouldn't be hard to sneak in and suffocate him with a pillow. And then, my brain might finally have some rest. Humourlessly, I had a vision of me in handcuffs in front of a judge, shouting "Your Honour, I killed him because I was in love with him but he was in love with my best friend and I couldn't stop thinking about him so to see if I'd stop, I murdered him!" Yeah...I'd plead insanity instead of murder. And even then, I didn't think that'd drive Edward Cullen out of my head.

I huffed and stared at my comforter. What was I going to do about this? I certainly couldn't stay here with Edward and probably have another almost kiss yet again. And maybe the third time really was the charm after all. I was too much of a coward to find out.

"She's a Maneater, make you work hard, make you spend hard, make you want all, of her love," sang my phone. Interrupted from my inner montage, I looked at my phone in wry humour.

"Hey, Tori," I answered.

"Bells, my favorite cousin, what's crack-u-latin'?" replied my cousin, Renee's only niece and my aunt Claudette's daughter, Victoria Spencer.

"Only cousin, Vic, only cousin," I clarified wryly. "Nothing. The Cullens came to visit a couple of weeks ago and they're still here. All of them, by the way."

"Oh, details, pish posh," she teased. "Wait," I could practically hear the wheels turning in her head as she processed all of what I had said, "the Cullens you say? Oh my darling, say it ain't so."

Tori had spent a summer in Forks and she knew everything, one of the few who knew the entire story. She liked all of them well enough but wasn't particularly fond of Alice, which was odd to me considering the fact that they were both fashionistas and shoppaholics.

"Tis so, sadly enough as it is. Why the sudden phone call now, Tor?" I asked, wishing for nothing more than peace and quiet again, something I certainly couldn't have with Tori around.

"Oh right. Laurent's getting married," she said shortly and bluntly.

"Oh my goodness! Tell him I say congrats. When's the wedding?" I asked excitedly. Tori's best friend, Laurent Anjou, was also a good friend of mine. I'd met him on one of my and Renee's rare trips to Alaska when we'd gone to visit aunt Claudette. Although he and Tori were both seven years older than mem I had fit in with them and Laurent thought of me as a sister.

"This Saturday," she answered.

"And you tell me this now?" I said, my voice filled with disappointment that I couldn't go and sarcasm for Tori.

"Well, we would have told you eventually since the wedding was supposed to be in December but then Laurent got this big job offer from Europe and decided that he just had to accept." Laurent was a great upcoming technical engineer who was making quite the name for himself so it didn't surprise me that he was offered a big job. "Anyway, my point for calling you is not to rub it in your face for not being able to come, as you apparently think I'm doing from your rather bleak tone, but to tell you that I already clarified with aunt Renee and uncle Charlie, e-mailed over a ticket and to inform you that you're coming to Alaska tomorrow so you'd better pack. Your plane leaves bright and early at 7:00 AM." Her tone couldn't have been drier.

"Nice, Tor, have I ever told you how efficient you are?"

"Maybe once or twice. But I'd love to hear it again."

"Too bad. I wasn't put on this earth to toot your horn, dear. I leave that to one of your many beaux to do."

"Oh, how you wound my ego, darling cousin. But don't worry; there are many to do that," she said loquaciously.

"I bet there are, dear," I replied. I wasn't kidding though; Victoria was runway worthy with her perfect body and luscious fire red hair. But model-like she may look, she could give you one hell of a put-down with her quick mind."Now, if you're done, I'll thank you for everything and then you'll be off to a night on the town with one of those beaux?"

"Not completely down yet, sweetheart. I just wanted to tell you that this trip could be good for you especially for if your casa has been invaded by the Cullens of yesteryear. You didn't know they were coming right?"

"How'd you guess?"

"I expected you to skip town when they came back. In fact, I think I own Laurent a twenty. Thanks Bells for that by the way," she said dryly.

"It's your fault, betting on me when it's clear that Laurent knows me better than my own cousin does. Edward seemed to think the same thing which is why I wasn't informed earlier. Your logic isn't faulty though," I admitted. "I do think, however, that this trip is just what the doctor ordered."

"Hmm, maybe I should've become a doctor after all huh Bells? Anyway, I wanna hear all about the Cullens' visit so get your cute ass down here as soon as possible, cousin. I'm waiting." With that enigmatic good-bye, she ended the call.

Thoughtfully, I headed over to the window seat and looked out at the deep blue sky. One of the best things about living in a small town like Forks: You get to see the stars when you look out your window.

I knew this trip would be best for me. If I stayed here. I'd likely to get even more depressed watching the Edward-Alice happy fest. The scene I'd witnessed earlier in the rain was quite possibly one of many to come and I didn't want to be there to witness the rest of them. I'd leave first thing in the morning and leave the explaining to my parents. I'd make sure that they didn't tell them exactly where I was going though so that Alice and Edward wouldn't be calling me to remind me of their happiness when I was trying to forget them.

Maybe I'd have fun in Alaska. Ha, maybe if I had great luck, I'd come back to Forks with a hunk on my arm.

If only I were that lucky.

:-:-:

So...did you like it? Not like it? Just not feeling the love? Hating? Loathing? Are you feeling anything at all? Even if you're feeling hungry and sleepy or cranky even (all of which I'm experiencing) just tell me about it 'kay? :)

I have recently begun to "tweet" these days. I've never really used my Twitter account before but the other day, I started and it's strangely addicting. Thank you to all of you wonderful people who follow me and if there's anyone who has a Twitter, my account's up on my profile/bio thingie if you'd like to follow me.

Thanks so much to the last reviewers. You are all AWESOME PEOPLE and therefore, get a virtual cookie *hands out virtual cookie*! They are: Kimbolee Cullen, Esha-Loves-You, Twilightaddict, ilOVEyOUh . 1001, vampiregurl, RosesFromDrew, nvcullen, Vicklish, KBlairM11, LissaHuff, matster9222, AllyAlwayz, Edward-dazzles and Ashlie Christine!

Thanks for everything guys and please review :)

Love,

~Steph