Wow! This story has 3,000+ reviews! Thank you so much:)

Also, as of three days ago, Welcome to Drama Academy reached the 12,000+ mark! I can't believe it. Really. I had no idea there were still so many people out there reading WTDA since I finished it a long time ago. I hope new readers have caught up to the sequel and I hope you continue to like my stories.

Soundtrack:

I don't wanna know it's over
So save your goodbye kiss
I don't wanna know it's over
Cause ignorance is bliss

-Bliss (I Don't Wanna Know)

by Hinder

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I just had a wake up call,
Wishing that I never let you fall,
Baby you are not blame at all.
Remember when I pushed you away?
Baby if you knew I cared,
You'd have never went nowhere,
Girl I should've been right there.

-How Do I Breathe

by Mario

(These are the songs that reminded me of Edward when I wrote this chapter. The first song is for his breakdown at Emmett's club and the second one pretty much explains his thoughts to his not-breakup with Bella.)

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Thank you, Bronzehairedgirl620, for betaing the chapter!


Chapter Twelve

Bella Swan

Bella,

I know you don't wish to speak to me right now but I can't just wait until you get back to tell you how I feel. I know I've been a jerk to you lately and no matter what had happened, I didn't have the justification to treat you the way I did. I want to explain everything to you right now so much, but it's not something I can discuss over the phone. But once you get back, I promise I will tell you everything.

Just please let me know you had a safe flight to New York. Please. I know you don't agree, but I do care about you, Bella. I always have.

I love you.

Edward

I clasped my phone shut after reading the message from Edward. He had sent it five hours ago, an hour after I boarded the plane. A wave of anger rolled through me. Did he really think he could make me forgive him with a simple apology after weeks or a month of ignorance? And what was so important that he couldn't tell me now?

I knew I would forgive him some time in the future. I didn't have it in me to stay mad at Edward forever. I was still pissed off for all the things he did- correction: all the things he didn't do like, I don't know, filling me in on what had been happening with his life- but I couldn't cut him off my life because of it. Rosalie and Emmett had assured me it was normal for couples to have fights and rows; they had them all the time. But I just thought… it was different with Edward and me. I didn't mind if we had arguments over movies or books or food, in Emmett and Rosalie's case. But the fact that he kept something huge from me, something I desperately wanted to know and practically pleaded with him to tell me, really hurt. I was always under the impression we were each other's personal confidant. Apparently, the feeling wasn't mutual.

Rose and Em had been extremely nice and helpful throughout the entire night. After I showed up at their house, wet and swollen-eyed, Rosalie lent me a pair of her clothes to change into and Emmett made me a cup of hot chocolate. I cried into Rosalie's shoulder and they listened to everything I had to say without interrupting. Rosalie let out a series of profanities after hearing me rant about Edward while Emmett just sighed and told me his brother was an idiot. Then Edward showed up, equally soaked. I couldn't say it was good to see him under the circumstances, but I took comfort in the fact that he at least cared. A little, if not much.

I admit I was being quite childish when I slammed the door at his face. He was about to tell me what he had been hiding for the past three or four weeks yet what did I do? I told him I didn't want to talk. I instantly regretted it as soon as I shut the door. I mean, how long had I been waiting for him to say those words? We need to talk. As angry as I was, I really wanted to know everything. But it felt… wrong. He didn't come over because he wanted to let me know. He came over because he was forced to. By me.

After Edward left, Emmett and Rosalie brought me to the guestroom and stayed with me until I fell asleep. I felt like a kid all over again. Emmett offered to sing me to sleep- a joke, of course. We all knew Emmett was a terrible singer. Totally off-key- and Rosalie kept making assurances that one way or another, things between me and Edward were going to work out. Then at about four-thirty in the morning, my mom called me and sobbed into the phone, saying Phil had a heart attack and was unconscious in the hospital. I had no choice but to ask Emmett to drop me off at the airport first thing in the morning.

I wasn't the only one not getting any sleep that night. I felt so bad for Rosalie and Emmett, having to put up with my hysterics. I bet they regretted meeting me in ECA, even though they didn't show it.

I thought about the last time I was in New York without Edward. Edward and I had only begun dating at that time in our junior year. My mom got involved in a car accident and Charlie had booked an early flight the next morning so we could visit her in the hospital. I remembered how sweet he was back then. He found me in the rain, took me back to his room, made sure I was dry and warm, held me while I cried, offered to sleep on the couch so I could take the bed… I remembered how unwilling I was to part from him the next morning.

How different this time was.

Even though I knew I couldn't stand seeing Edward right now, a small part of me yearned to be in his arms. I wished he could be there with me while I stayed in the hospital with my mom and Phil, I wish I could tell him all about Royce Asshole King so he would go into his protective mode like he would in high school and college whenever guys hit on me.

What had happened that changed everything all of a sudden?

I hailed a taxi and gave him the address of the hospital as soon as I claimed my baggage after getting off the plane. I brought almost every single item of my clothing since I had no idea how long I was required to be in New York. Truth to be told, I wanted to be in New York to clear my head. It was nice to have my friends with me while I cried, but crying time was over. Now it was time to bring the order back into my life. And that wasn't something my friends could do for me. I knew I had to do that myself.

Just please let me know you had a safe flight to New York.

We were now stuck on the highway, unmoving, due to the traffic jam. I looked anxiously to my watch and saw that an hour had passed since I left the airport.

"Excuse me," I said to the cab driver, who was honking at the car in front of us and sighing at the same time. "How long do you think it would take to get from here to the hospital?"

The cab driver glanced at me from his rearview mirror. "I don't know, love." There was a mix of Spanish accent in his voice. "There's a car accident six miles up front. We'll be trapped here for a while."

Groaning internally, I dialed my mom's number so she wouldn't have to worry about why I hadn't arrived yet. Mom sounded so better since the last time I talked to her; she wasn't wailing anymore since Phil had regained consciousness during my flight here. He was still in a delicate condition, according to his doctor, but Mom was convinced that he could recover fairly quickly. Renee was always the optimist one out of the two of us.

Just please let me know you had a safe flight to New York.

Dammit. I couldn't get Edward's words out of my head. I wanted to ignore his message. I mean, he ignored me for a month. Not a day. A month. Now he thought by sending me his concern, by showing me he cared, it would make everything okay? That I was going to jump back into his arms, telling him nothing was wrong between us? Hell no.

And maybe he didn't even think of texting me. Maybe Rosalie made him do it to make me feel better.

But why did I feel the guilt eating me up whenever I thought of not replying?

Or maybe he really needs to know if you're okay, a tiny voice in the back of my head countered. He ran after you over to Rose and Emmett's place, didn't he? He did say he want to tell you everything in his text. Rosalie couldn't make him write something like that. Edward's the most stubborn person in the world aside from you. No one could force him into doing something he didn't want to do.

I chewed my lip repeatedly and fiddled idly with the zipper of my purse while I debated with the choices that I had. Then taking a sharp breath, I fished the cell phone out from my purse.

To: Edward

From: Bella

I'm in NY. I'm okay.

I wanted to write more. I really did. But for once, I had nothing to say to Edward. What amused me was those five little words took me half an hour to text thanks to numerous times of deleting and retyping. By the time I went the message, the traffic had cleared and we were now off the highway.

I glared out the window while the cab driver sang along to a Spanish song that I had never heard of before. While we waited for the traffic light to turn green, I caught a glimpse of bronze by the lamppost, his head buried in a Times magazine that he was reading. Immediately, I stifled a gasp and straightened myself. Edward… there was no way he could be here. The next plane available was at eight twenty-six. Even if he had decided to come after me, there was no way he could be in New York already unless he knew how to teleport.

Then the man raised his head and I saw he was indeed not Edward. I couldn't stop the wave of disappointment that washed through me.

"Are you alright, love?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose and smiled at the driver. "Yes. I'm fine. Thanks."


Emmett Cullen

It had been more than a week since Bella left for New York.

Edward… there were only two words that could represent my brother at the moment- a wreck. Ever since his complication with Bella, the boy had been visiting my bar daily. At first I thought of letting him be. We were all bound to have our downs in life and I supposed now was Edward's time... but seriously, this was getting beyond ridiculous. He was turning into a freaking boozy.

Edward was sitting at the booth in the corner, like usual. From the dark circles under his eyes, you could detect that he hadn't slept these past couple of days quite easily. Shaking my head, I sat down right across from him and sighed.

"Yo man. What are you doing?"

Edward picked his head up to look at me.

"Nothing," he replied simply. He sounded worn out.

We sat in silence for I wasn't sure how long. Then Edward asked Garrett, one of the waiters, to bring him two more orders of beer and lapsed back into his miserable state.

"What if she doesn't come back, Emmett?" he murmured, his eyes downcast.

I frowned. "I thought she texted you back a week ago."

"She did. But she didn't say when she was coming back so does that mean anything?"

"Bro, she texted you back. That means she's still willing to talk to you, alright? And she'll come back as soon as she sorts things out in New York."

Edward got to his feet instantly. "She called? She said that?"

"Nah, man. The last time Rosalie and I talked to her was a week ago, like you, when she called to tell us Phil was okay."

Edward slumped back down on the leather booth, wincing. It was hard for me to see my brother like this, depressed and dejected. Now, I wasn't usually one to get mushy and emotional, but this was not Edward. What happened to Mr. Confident Smartass Cockhead?

"What if she doesn't come back?" he repeated, his eyebrows furrowing.

"If she doesn't come back then you aren't meant to be," I stopped. "Look, Edward. Listen to me. I know Bella, okay? She loves you. She'll come back. I also know that deep down inside of you, you know she will, too."

Garrett came back with Edward's drinks. Edward mechanically gulped down the first glass and was about to move on to his second when I knocked the glass out from his grip.

I saw a couple of people craning their necks to see what had happened. It was Wednesday night. Since it wasn't the weekends, instead of having loud music playing, couples dancing and groping each other on the dance floor, Element was just a normal bar for love birds and loners to hang out at. But really. None of the loners looked as bad as Edward. The dude had completely lost it. If I had a misery detector, my little brother would have made the machine beep like there was no tomorrow.

Edward glowered at me. "What the hell, Emmett?"

"What the hell?" I repeated his question in disbelief. I raised my voice, my temper rising. My brother could be such an idiot! "You've been drinking nonstop for how long now and you're asking me what the hell? Dude, get a grip of yourself. You think this constant drinking, moping around is going to bring her back?"

Edward looked as if he had been slapped in the face. He lowered his head and stared at his hands, which were clasped together on the table. He stayed unmoving for so long that I wondered if he had fallen asleep.

"Do something, Edward. Drinking isn't going to solve anything."

"I know," he answered quietly.

I felt a wave of frustration roll over me. "Look, bro. You know me. I don't pry and I don't probe since it's usually Alice doing those things. But something big has happened, right? I've never seen you like this. What is so important? "

He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. I could see him debating inwardly with himself. I tried to act like the patient, understanding big brother so he would lean toward telling me the truth, but damn. He of all people should know I sucked at being patient.

"You have to promise that you won't tell anyone. Not Rosalie, not mom and dad, and especially not Bella," he said finally. "Can you do that?"

I was known as Secret Keeper Emmett back when I was a teenager. Okay, not exactly true, but still. I was good at keeping secrets. I didn't gossip like Alice. And Jasper, who'd have you believe that he was so 'quiet' and 'sophisticated'. He wasn't. There was a reason why he got along with Alice.

"Alright, I promise."

"Okay. I don't know where to start but…"


Edward Cullen

I told Emmett about the ARVD screening that I had a month ago. It was the first time that I had talked to anyone about it. Emmett seemed shocked at first but he tried to keep his face deadpan.

I was the most unlucky person on the planet. A couple of days ago, I called to see when I was getting the results back since it had been five weeks since the screening and I was supposed to receive the papers about two weeks ago. And it turned out that the hospital had made a mistake. They mailed the papers to the wrong address so now I had to wait for another three weeks or possibly longer since they had to contact the research center to get the test results again. I was livid when I heard the news. Fate was so cruel.

"ARVD. ARVD…" Emmett kept repeating the name of the disease with incredulousness. "Man, I don't believe this. You've been keeping all of this to yourself? This is what you've been keeping from Bella?"

"Yes. Now remember your promise. You can tell nobody," I reminded him grimly.

Emmett frowned at me. "Bella would have wanted to know this. I understand you didn't want other people to know but she's your girlfriend. She deserved to know."

"I couldn't tell her, Emmett," I said, resigned. "She would have freaked out. And maybe I'll end up being fine. Why worry her for nothing, you know?"

I told him about my uncle Laurent and my aunt Irina, about how worried I was that the same situation was going to apply to me and Bella if I did have ARVD. And even if I didn't die, could I really stand having my friends and family- Bella especially- looking at me as if I was some fragile person who might just drop dead any second every time I cough or run out of breath? I couldn't stand the pity.

Emmett shifted in his seat. "I guess I can see where you're coming from. If the same thing happened to me, I wouldn't want that to happen to Rosalie either."

I nodded my head and took a sip of water. Emmett refused to let the waiters serve me anything that contained alcohol.

"And you said Renee was hysterical when she found out Phil had a heart attack, right? Heart attacks happen to a lot of people, out of the blue, just like that. If I do have ARVD, the chances of that happening to me would be greater than normal people like Phil. Do you think I can stand seeing Bella pull a Renee every time something goes wrong? I love Bella. I can't… I can't..." I shook my head in agony and closed my eyes. "But I don't have a choice but to tell her anymore. I can't risk losing her. It's selfish but it's true. You remember what I was like before Bella, Em. I was… unhappy. I need her in my life. She's my other half."

A couple of barflies giggled and waved at us when they passed our table to go to the ladies room. Emmett and I darted a glare at them that just screamed 'piss off'. I was in no mood to deal with giggly Bimbos.

"Then tell Bella, dude." Emmett said when they were out of earshot.

"I will when she gets back. That is if she gives me a chance to explain."

Emmett laughed. Like I'd said before, only Emmett could find anything remotely funny at a time like this. How on earth could Rosalie stand living with him?

"Good luck with that," he guffawed. "If you were dating someone else, I would bet that they'll welcome you back with opened arms. But Bella? Dude, you have some serious sucking up to do. That girl's as stubborn as… you!"

I cringed at the thought of her yelling at me to leave her alone, saying she had found somebody else while she was in New York.

Emmett's eyes widened at my expression. "Edward! I was kidding! Stop freaking out, man. You're as vulnerable as a heartbroken girl these days. Jesus."

I snarled and heard him muttering "Okay, maybe not" under his breath.

"So you'll tell her for real, right?" he inquired suspiciously.

"I told her I would, didn't I?"

Emmett nodded his head. "Good. I'm going to hold you to that. Don't ever go talking yourself into not telling her again, okay?"

"Alright," I agreed. "I won't." Then straightening myself and smiling with determination, I vowed, "I'll do whatever it takes to make things right between us again. Bella and I will be back together."

Emmett extended his fist with a wide grin. "Good to have you back, little brother."

For the first time in weeks, I felt hope.

-

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Gerald was surprised to see me in the hospital the next day. When he saw how depressed and abnormal I was last week, he told me to take two weeks off. He must have thought I was stressed because finals were coming up; little did he know finals had nothing to do with my mood change. I wasn't someone who would get upset over grades.

I was grateful for the break. I didn't have the heart to concentrate on the job anymore with all those things in my life going on. Gerald was so generous and nice about everything that it made me feel bad. He made up an excuse for me- he mentioned something about me working too hard to achieve my degree and how little time I was giving myself to do that; I was already graduating ahead compared to the other students thanks to the internship yet I kept on pushing myself. He said I needed a break just to catch my breath.

"Edward! What are you doing here?"

I smiled apologetically. "I'm feeling much better now and I thought it would be appropriate to come. I'm really sorry for last week."

Gerald patted my shoulder kindly. "We all need our breaks every now and then, kid. I understand with both school and your internship, it gets hard."

"Thanks, Gerald."

"Sure. The kids miss you, you know. They were asking about you."

"I'll go visit them right away."

It seemed that it had been years rather than a week since I walked down the familiar corridor. I met Tanya, Kate and Zafrina in the elevator and they pried about my absence. I told them that I was ill; I had no desire to discuss my personal life with them. Tanya was okay. But Kate and Zafrina… they were the It Gossipers of the hospital.

Aly leaped into my arms the moment I opened her door. She was more used to walking now, but she still felt dependent of her wheelchair. But when she saw me, she completely forgot about her legs.

It took me a second to realize she was crying.

I carried her over to her bed and patted her back. She had her tiny arms around my waist when I sat her down and tears were still streaming down her cheeks.

"Aly, what's the matter?" I was bewildered. It was out of her character to break down like this.

"I… I…" she hiccupped, her face flushed from all that crying. "I thought you… not coming back. I thought I won't see you again."

I was an awful, horrible person. I didn't even think what my sudden absence would do to Aly, who I had promised to visit everyday except for the weekends.

"Aly." I got the box of Kleenex from her bedside and handed it to her. "I'm sorry I haven't been visiting. Things have been complicated…" You're talking to a five year-old, Edward. Telling her things have been complicated? Like she would understand. "I promise I won't disappear like that again without warning. I'm sorry. Forgive me, friend?" I smiled at her, holding out my hand.

She shook it with a sniffle. "Okay." Then scanning the room, she said in a sad tone, "Where's Miss Bella? She doesn't like me? Is that why she doesn't visit anymore?"

Aly always referred to Bella as Miss Bella, no matter how many times I had assure her it was okay to address her by her first name. I mean, she had no problem with calling me Edward.

"No, she likes you a lot, Al. Bella's stepdad is hurt so she went to New York to make sure her parents are okay."

"Oh."

I felt responsible for her insecurities. Bella had been gushing about making another visit to Aly as soon as we got back from the hospital the other day. But it was my fault that she didn't. If I hadn't had that stupid ARVD screening, if I hadn't been avoiding her, we probably would have made dozen more of visits to Aly since the last time Bella saw her. It was my fault.

This time, no more screwing up. I will make things right. Whatever it takes.


Two and a half weeks later

My ringtone went off and I looked down at the screen with suspicion. Rosalie seldom called so I rarely saw her name displaying on my cell.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Edward! Are you still at school?" she inquired.

It was about five o'clock. Class had just finished and I was making my way across the lot.

"Err… no, Rose. Why?" My voice was strained. If she asked me to pick up her dry cleaning like Alice on my way home, I was going to hang up. Without a doubt.

"Guess what? I have good news."

I sighed impatiently. I'd lost my sense of humor these couple of months since I felt low and unhappy almost all the time. The old me would have made a snappy comeback at her to piss her off. Because that was the way Rosalie and I were; we were constantly bickering.

"What is it?"

"Bella's coming home tonight!"


Sorry if I got you confused with the POVs. I wanted to write in Emmett's since I didn't get the chane to do that in WTDA. And don't hate me for the cliffy. I'm sure most of you would rather have me post now instead of waiting another week for the update.

In order NOT to let the story drag, I decided to insert the time skip at the end of the story. So yes, Bella comes back in the next chapter and it'll probably be angsty. I would like to remind you again that this is NOT a New Moon kind of story- you know, Bella and Edward kiss and makeup and the mess forgotten and stuff. It won't be like like:) But don't worry; the chapters from now on will be happier. So like I've said before, please bear with me. Bella and Edward WILL be together again.

News:

• My one-shot, "One of the Guys", made it into the 3rd (final) round in the Epic T-rated contest! I'm so surprised my story hasn't been eliminated. If you liked the story, please go to Bronzehairedgirl620's profile to vote! It goes until July 10th and the winners will be announced on July 12th.

"Welcome to Drama Academy" is nominated for the Best T-Rated Story over at the Twilight Choice Awards! Voting will be from July 2nd to July 20th! The link is on my profile

I have no idea who made the nomination. If it's you, please let me know so I can properly express my gratitude! Anyway, if you liked "One of the Guys" or "Welcome to Drama Academy", please drop by the websites that I mentioned to vote. Be sure to read the other nominations! There are amazing. Thank you so much for sticking with me.

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Please review!

I always love reading what you guys think. And yes, I DO read all of my reviews and PMs. I try responding to them all but sometimes I don't have the time to do that. I'll try though, I promise.