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Once again, I do not own Twilight.

Song Rec: What About Now by Daughtry (Really fits here, I think)

*Slight spoiler alert for the Movie THor... If you don't wish to read it, five sentences...

"Was it just me, or was that movie fucking amazing?" I squeal, punching Edward's shoulder playfully.

"Eh, it was alright." He shrugs, trying to suppress a smile.

"Shut up, you know it was good." I pout. "Although, I must say I was surprised he didn't get to stay with the girl."

He sighs, "It's an action movie, woman, not a love story."

I glare at him and mumble, "Men," softly under my breath.

He laughs teasingly, "Aw, you love me." My playful mood vanishes as I remember my earlier revelation.

I think I do love him. His hair, his eyes, his skin. His totally lickable abs and jawline... His personality. Just him. Everything about him draws me in.

And I can't have him, because he'll never feel the same.

"Bellie, you okay?" Bellie. Funny how much I hated it coming from Emmett, but from him? He could call me Ball Sack and I would still find it endearing, just because it came from his mouth.

His mouth, his lips. Those perfectly kissable lips.

I digress. "Yep, I'm fine." I fake a yawn, "Just tired, I think."

He glances at the clock; "At ten thirty?" he cocks an eyebrow.

Hehe, cocks. Edward's cock... Mm.

"I had a long week. Some of us have to work for a living." I tease, hoping I'm not overstepping some unspoken boundary by teasing him about his money. Friends do that, right? Are we friends?

"How do you have so many friends already?" Marie asks, slumping down on the grass beside me.

Today was our first day of middle school, and the first day we spent completely apart in school, her taking all the smart people classes and me... Not. "It's easy, just be yourself."

She huffs. "But what do you talk about, you know when there's an awkward pause?"

"Anything, really. There's no set rules. Just, anything that comes to mind." I ponder it for a second. "Stay away from political things though. And religion. Don't talk about anything controversial."

"Like money?"

"Exactly. No one has to know we're middle class. The richie-richs'll judge you for it."

"That's horrible!"

I sigh, "That's people."

Edward puts my mind at ease by laughing heartily. I clear my head from the memory with a shake of my head. "I'll have you know I was doing some hard labor this week." he tells me smugly, reaching out to play with the ends of my hair.

Holy shit, he's touching me.

"So that's why you were too busy. What does this 'hard labor' entail?"

He gives me a thoughtful look. "Construction." he tells me cryptically.

"Construction, huh?" Edward in a hard hat... Yummy. "Rose and Em having work done to their shop or something?"

"Or something."

I send him a reproachful glare. "You're not going to tell me, are you?"

"Not a chance." he smiles distantly. Um, ouch.

"Why?" I try to act nonchalant when really this is tearing me up inside. Why won't he just tell me? Cuz you don't need to know, Bella. He's not going to tell you every god damn thing happening in his life. You have no right to know that.

"You'll find out eventually." he pushes my hair over my shoulder and stands up, stretching. I nearly moan at the sliver of stomach skin visible as he lifts his arms up over his head. Just a little higher Green eyes! Show mama some skin!

Woah, creepin' much Bella?

Shut up, brain.

"So," he fiddles with the hem of his shirt, rubbing it between his fingers. Nervous habit.

"You okay, Green eyes?" his eyes snap to mine at the sound of my voice. He looks... Panicked?

Oh god, he knows. He knows how you feel, Bella. You were too obvious and now he knows!

He's not panicked, he's uncomfortable.

Is he leaving me?

"Yeah, I'm fine." he chuckles, running his hands through his hair. Another nervous habit. "I actually had an ulterior motive for coming tonight." he tells me softly, coming to kneel in front of me.

Oh god, he never wants to see me again.

"See, my dad's a doctor."

"Dr. Cullen." I clarify, really just wanting to drag this moment out as long as possible.

What does his dad have to do with him leaving?

"The hospital's having this charity ball thingy tomorrow night and I kinda have to go and support him." Wait, what? "I can bring a date, ya' know cuz that's generally what people do at those things... Dancing and stuff. With partners. Usually their dates."

God he's adorable when he rambles.

"So you need a date?" I ask carefully. Is he... Is he asking me? Me? Bella Swan?

"Yes," he nods quickly, "A date. And I was wondering..." he gently reaches along the couch for my hand, staring intently at it. He seems to decide something, his whole demeanor changing. He takes a deep breath and sits up straighter, squeezing my hand. "I was wondering if you-" his eyes meet mine, seemingly searching for something.

Does he see how much Io... like him? Does he know?

His face falls and he drops my hand. "I was wondering if you could help me. I want..." his eyes fall to the ground. "I want to ask Marie."

... Marie? He wants to ask... Marie?

I feel tears forming in my eyes as I bite my tongue to suppress the sob that's willing its way up my chest.

Of course he wants to ask her, Bella. You're so fucking stupid.

"Marie?" I squeak, my sadness clear to my own ears.

He squeezes his eyes shut and nods once. "I want to ask her as my date." His voice is barely above a whisper.

A traitor tear slides its way down my cheek and I wipe it away quickly, before he can see it. "Then ask her." I tell him, my voice emotionless.

There's a silence. It feels like an hour before he finally speaks. "I don't know how." he refuses to meet my eyes. Good thing, because I don't know what he'd see there. Hurt? Betrayal? Jealousy? All of the above, probably.

"Ask me." I plead.

"W-wh-at?" he stutters.

"As practice." I add in a quiet voice. "Pretend I'm her."

He shakes his head, a sad smile on his face. "You're not."

Ouch.

"It's just pretend, Edward!" I hiss angrily. "Just act like you aren't completely repulsed by me for two fucking seconds. Ask me the damn question and get out of my apartment!"

"Bella-"

"Now, Edward! I don't have all fucking night!"

He nods and meets my eyes for the first time. They're glassy. "Okay." he whispers.

I sit back down, trying not to let my tears fall. I'll be damned if I let this man see me cry. Again. I refuse to be the weak one. He wants her? He can fucking have her. They'll be perfect together.

Two heartbreakers.

"Bella," he whispers, kneeling in front of me like before. His hand is warm as he clasps it around mine. "Bella, will you do me the honor of being my date tomorrow night?" my heart skips a beat.

It's not real, Bella.

I stand up, dropping his hand, "That was perfect." I turn away from him, the tears falling freely down my face, "You should go."

"What? But Bella-" I ignore him and head to my room, closing the door securely shut behind me. He knocks on my door, the sounds echoing in the quietness. "Bella?"

I say nothing.

Eventually, I hear the ancient floors creak under his weight and the rustling in the entry room.

The front door slams.

I wait a few seconds to be sure he isn't coming back before letting loose in my pillow, unleashing my pent up anger and sadness.

Screaming, sobbing, wailing.

This is why I vowed nine years ago to keep my heart under lock and key. You give it away to someone?

They rip it to pieces.

Ruh-roh... Trouble in paradise?