AN: Alright... well... I had previously wrote a lovely heart-filled statement explaining this chapter and all that lovely stuff, but my computer decides to be possessed by Satin for a moment and go to some random page and when I clicked back, everything I wrote has now gone bye bye. So yeah... I am super pressed on time right now and I would love to explain all of this, but if you have questions, feel free to just message me or something. Also, I use some lyrics from Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars" in here. Have to give credit where credit's due.

Javajunkie101: Yeah… it took a lot to figure out how to have Bella say what I wanted her to, to set up the situation and all, but I think that this is going to be a ton of fun, the whole Zane/Edward thing. Hope you have as much fun reading this and I'll have writing it! Thanks for the review!

Andie Wolf: Yeah… I was wondering if this was too big of a risk to take, but life isn't worth it if you don't take risks, so I went for it. It'll definitely be interesting, but I think it'll be a fun thing to try out and write out. Hope you guys all enjoy what I have. I'm going to work really hard on this one! D

StephyyAnne: Aw… so glad to hear that you like the idea. I was kinda worried I might be taking too big of a leap by doing this between Bella and the guys, but Zane has kinda grown on me, and he's kinda becoming a major character in a different way than I had initially planned and yeah… this is kinda the chance for me to be creative and sappy and do all this fun stuff with Bella's relationship with both of them. Thanks for the review. It was such a relief to hear that you liked it! Thanks a bunch for that breathe of fresh air!

Rin09: Romantic tendencies are perfectly wonderful, and all of us should embrace them because they make life wonderful and bubbly and great! Yeah… Zane tends to do that to everyone, and I'm guilty of the same feelings often enough. At first, I really wanted Bella to just reunite with Edward and they'd be back to the lovey dovey stuff, since I'm a hardcore Bella/Edward fan, but girl power is good too, and there's a lot that needs to occur before that stuff gets back to normality between them. Thanks for the lovely input. It is always accepted with much enthusiasm and appreciation! D I think it is completely awesome that your school offers German. You are so lucky! My school only offers French/Spanish, and I opted for Spanish, my parents wanting me to take the practical choice, even though I really was interested in learning the language of looooove. Thanks for the luck. I'm definitely going to need it with this work schedule. I'll really try to update as much as I can, but I don't know if I'll have enough hours in the day to eat/sleep/finish homework, let alone do anything else. Bummer. Oh well… one more year for me until lovely university!

Rebel.angel.09: Aw… your faith in me is much appreciated. I'll try to keep updates coming quickly but, unfortunately, I can't promise much except that I'll try to update as soon and as much as I possibly can. I am sooooo glad to hear that you like this idea that randomly came to my mind when I posted ch. 23. It was kinda a gamble, since I hadn't expected to do it, and I was worried how everyone would take this competition with Edward/Zane for Bella, but I think it'll give me lots of fun to write romance and all that lovely stuff that I love to read, being the romantic freak that I am. Plus, it's just so fun writing out the interaction of the three of them together. I can picture it all so vividly, and it makes me smile nonstop! Your review was so sweet, and I loved reading it! Thanks for that!

E2Bella: Haha. Yeah… it was so amusing writing out this chapter because, though there was lots of anger and confusion and all those emotions for the characters, I saw the picture in my head and it all just seemed so comical to me. The rough love thing was actually something that I had said to one of the guy's in my school's leadership program, Link Crew, with our love-hate relationship. We both suffered together so much that day, and "rough love" was our term for that. But yeah… glad to hear that you liked that. Forgive me for going off on all these random tangents. I love talking to people like that, even through writing… which is kinda worse, since I'm way more expressive with the written word. ;P Yeah… the competition thing kinda just randomly popped into my head, and I was like… why not? So yeah… it's definitely going to be an interesting, but fun time writing all of this out for awhile now. Hope you like what I have, and I'll keep trying to make this interesting for you all! Thanks for the review! It's great to hear what readers think, and to hear what they like about everything, or just what they thing about it all. D

Astertisks: Aw… your flattery makes me blush. Man… you have no idea how much of a relief it is that you guys are liking this idea that just kidna came to me after I wrote chapter 23. I hadn't ever planned for something like this to happen, but it's always fun to be surprised by these kinds of things, I think, and I welcome them with open arms. Thanks so much for your kind words. Hearing this kinds of things are so encouraging and make me want to never stop writing this stuff!

Passionfornight: Yeah… I can't even begin to express how much this story has turned from where I had initially thought I would take it. My mind wanders way too much, and yeah… I kinda went all over the place, but I hope that whatever I come up with, you guys like. Well, I really do hope that you like what I have. I'd hate to disappoint you.

TooMuchLoveforEdward: My gosh… my smile only broadens as I read your guys' reviews. Well, I have my fingers cross that I can come up with some fun stuff for you guys, and that you guys continue to like what I think up, but for now… I'd just like to say thanks for the lovely review!

Asquared91: Man oh man… yeah… I'm starting to kinda surprise myself by some of the things that come to me. I never would've guessed to even the slightest degree that my story would take a turn like this when I first began, but I think I like it like this. It's going to be so much fun to write, too! D So yes… at least it's be mutually fun for us all!

Kyrene once Blood Roses: You make such good points in your review, and those are kind of the topics that I think that Bella kinda tosses off in all of her love for Edward, and they're why I didn't have Bella become some vampire right off the bat in the beginning of this story. I don't know… the concept of forever and never-changing is such a great thing to write about because yeah… so much to sacrifice. Unfortunately, Mike was not much of a contender in my book, but maybe If I can ever put an end to this story (considering right now I have no plans on ending it anytime soon), I'll do another story for Mike. Well, as much of a great time I'm going to have writing out the fun that's going to occur between Bella and Edward/Zane, there's still those touchy issues that you brought up that I have still to discuss. But yeah… I guess there's plenty of time to have them all addressed over time. Thanks for the review. I loved hearing what you had to say, and it was truly a pleasure.

Midnight 1987: Yup… when I was considering what to finish this chapter no, I thought a lovely witty statement, courtesy of Zane would be a nice, light-hearted way to finish off this drama chapter. The battle is so on right now… and I hope that everyone is in for this war of the hearts… ;P

Pshycoreaderperson: I feel your pain completely with the school thing. Actually, I'm very enthusiastic to be back tomorrow, despite all the work that awaits me. I'll try to update when I can, but it's going to be rough to update as often as I'd like. Zane has really grown on me as well, which is weird… since I had essentially created him to just be the bad, evil dude… but yeah… pretty obvious I've strayed away from that topic a lot.

Edward Bella Fan: I can't even tell you how much fun it was to write out that last chapter. There was a lot of drama and emotion and everything, but it all was just so hilarious in my mind, seeing the stubborn Edward and the emotionally torn up Bella and then Zane with that smirk on his face and his sarcasm and everything, despite the fact that Edward had almost macerated him. It's been an interesting and entertaining journey, writing it all out, and hearing from all of you guys is what makes this passion of mine that I already love astronomically, grow even further. Thanks for that!

PageGirl: Yes… I can't say it enough about how much fun it was to write out the last chapter, and how much fun I'll get writing out what's to come. I really hope you guys enjoy it as much as I do. Thanks for the review! It is definitely going to be very interesting, especially because both have their ups and downs and everything… hehe… I can't wait!

La07: Your dedication in sitting down and actually reading this whole thing is seriously the greatest thing ever! Thanks so much for that! I'm so glad that you like what I've got. I wrote this to keep me busy until I got the sequel, but now I'm kinda getting caught up in the story as well, and I know I'll continue this long after I finish reading the book tomorrow… yes! The day is almost here! I'll have my copy tomorrow! But yes… thanks so much for that review. It is so great to hear those things, and it's what I live for. : )

Kiwi00: Haha. Yup yup. You've got it down. ;P Thanks. That review was funny and sweet.

Trina110: I'll definitely take interesting any day of the week. This is a big gamble on my part, since I'm not so sure where I'm heading with this whole competition thing, if I'm being perfectly honest, but I'm hoping that I can pull it off… for all of our sakes. ;P So nice to hear from a new person, and I hope that you like what I end up coming up with.

Alexandra Stone: You know, despite the fact I had created him in the beginning for the sole purpose of being evil, I like him too. ;P

Narita S: Haha. What can I say… I've been having way too much fun with this story as of late. P Oh well… wouldn't change it for the world. I think I just might change that genre thing. Thanks for the suggestion and the lovely review.

Angelalways17: So sorry ruining your wonderful announcement. Well, it was pretty dang awesome, regardless. Yeah… I never really thought of a last name for Zane. In my head, I just think… ZANE… and yeah… but maybe I'll think of something to attach with his name. I'm not sure what, but I'll think of something. School's already a killer and I just began! Yikes! Well, I knew I had it in for me the day I signed up for all those AP's, but I think I'll survive, even if right now I'm living off of 2 hours of sleep everyday. Caffeine does wonders… at least, until the next summer where I can catch up on a year's worth of sleep again. ;P Darn this life cycle of mine… anyways… I'll keep on trying to update when I can, and I'll always try to make my chapters as long as possible. I don't know… after the first six pages of each chapter, I never know when to stop really…. It's so hard to figure out what to end on… but eventually I find something. It's such a delight to be writing this, and I love hearing what you all think, especially when it involves announcer voices! Thanks for that. And I shall return you smiley face and smiles with my own. D :-

25. Preview Of The Games

Despite my demands that I get some sleep without interruption, I was awaken from my short slumber by Vivian, whose grin was bigger than humanly possible. Pulling me to me feet, she held a dress against me, my room already set up like some beauty parlor, with clothes and make-up and such filling up the space of the room, leaving none of the floor exposed.

"So I was thinking that you could wear this thing," Vivian began before alternating with a different dress. "But I was thinking that something that hugged your form more might do you more justice than one of those traditional ball gowns."

"What are you talking about?" I rubbed my eyes, ready to drop down and fall asleep again.

"I mean, you're not some princess waiting for some prince charming in the tower. It's the twenty-first century! You are a woman! You take action, and tell the guys how it is. Maybe the tighter dress will be better. You don't need to look like a princess, even if you will regardless… since you're already pretty like one."

"I feel like I moved from being one vampire's doll to another's." I grumbled as Vivian tugged on me to stand before a full-length mirror.

"Hey, I wish someone would fawn over me like this!" Vivian pinched my cheeks. "For a human, you don't have much of a complexion."

"I'm just getting an early start on the transformation, you know?"

"At least you're not too out of it to toss in some sarcasm," Vivian gave me a few good shakes before I had fully regained consciousness. "So, is it the full gown, or the other one?"

"Whichever." Even if I was conscious, I still felt groggy. "What time is it, anyway?"

"The crack of dawn."

"Are you kidding me? Whose bright idea was this?"

"Edward sent me over first thing, but it took me awhile to figure out exactly what I wanted."

"Of course," I continued rubbing my eyes, feeling my eyelids growing heavy again. "Doesn't he realize us humans need our sleep?"

"Love waits for no one, hon." Vivian reached down to pick up another dress. "Alright, this one's definitely a keeper."

It's a wonder why, whenever I found myself taking the position of a human doll for vampires, that I ended up in these dresses that seemed to be screaming for disaster. Vivian didn't need to comment on my paleness after I blushed a new shade of red, staring at my reflection in a white gown where the train began at the waist, another inch shorter before it might expose something I'd rather keep to myself.

"It's perfect!" Vivian clapped her hands in satisfaction. "The black straps across the back are so cute, and the little black in the front is good contrast, and a girl with a body can't go wrong in a tight gown that shows off her figure. The poor guy will have to use all of his energy not to melt in a puddle at your feet when he catches you looking like that."

"I feel like I might melt into a puddle, wearing something so daring." I turned around, looking at the back. "Even if there's straps, it seems as if it might fall lower at any minute and then…"

"And then young Edward would probably evaporate from his puddle at that sight."

"I did not have to hear that, Vivian!"

"Hey, just a thought. He's a guy, after all, Bella."

"I know," I sighed and relaxed as Vivian began to mess with my hair, opening up a bag at her feet. "So, how long is this going to take, really?"

"Well, I'm a fast worker, and I already had a vision in mind when Edward told me about his plans…"

"What does he have planned?"

"Come on now, Bella. If I told you, where would be the fun in that?"

"So you're going to make me wait as you mess with my make-up and hair and all those small details and leave me to my imagination of what's to come?"

"I sure am," Vivian nodded.

"Do you think this is wrong of me?"

"Wrong?"

"You know, doing this to Zane and Edward."

"I think it's perfectly fine, but I'm just thinking of the gossip I'll finally be able to spread, watching this all happen first-hand!"

"Vivian!"

"I'm kidding," Vivian laughed. "I think it's good for everyone, Bella. Edward here will learn to appreciate this gal all the more, and maybe you'll both get what you want in the end, and Zaney-boo will get a little longer with you."

"But is it wrong? To throw Zane into it?"

"Not at all. He's very anxious to have an excuse to get closer to you."

"Oh, of course." I rolled my eyes and began to laugh. "Zaney-boo?"

"Hey, I've known the guy for awhile. I'm entitled to pet names after awhile. Especially after all I've done for the fellow."

"Zane doesn't seem like the type to go for pet names."

"That's because he's not the type."

"So why the sudden need for one?"

"Because he turns an adorable color when you do," Vivian shook her head with laughter. "Really, Bella, before you, the guy knew nothing of sentimentality. If you were watching a show or something with kissing or some bit of fluff and mushiness, that boy could bring up the temperature of the room with how red he would get."

"Zane did that?"

"Kind of hard, thinking that false bravado could ever be broken down, huh?"

"Maybe just a little."

"A little?"

"Okay, it's really hard to believe." I grinned, feeling like a teenage girl, giggling over a boy with a girl friend. "So, what did you tell Edward exactly, Vivian? He knows about Zane and me."

"I tried to explain why you were taken away," Vivian began. "But you know how I get once I've started, and the whole story kinda spilled out in no time."

"Does he know about everything?"

"I told him that Zane had a thing for you."

"Edward thinks that Zane did something with me."

"Well, he kinda did, didn't he? I know I did not walk in on nothing that night."

"Yes, we kissed. But… I didn't tell Edward anything."

"I never mentioned you and Zane doing anything taboo. I'm not that big of a blabbermouth, even if I like to hear myself talk."

"But if you didn't say anything to him then…" I stopped, growing tense. "He wouldn't."

"Wouldn't what?"

"I can't believe him!" I felt like screaming.

"Okay, as much as I'm in on the story, I have no idea what you're talking about, Bella."

"He read your mind, Vivian! That's how he found out. You didn't even have to tell him a thing. He already knew."

"You kidding me?" Vivian shook her head. "I thought I was the only one out there able to get into people's heads."

"You read thoughts too?"

"More like I can get into their head. I can see their dreams and stuff, but no reading their thoughts like that." Vivian shook her head. "Man, what a gift. Although it's always fun to check out what people are dreaming and join them in the subconscious and unconscious world."

"And he's probably read Zane's mind too!" I grew angrier the more I thought of it. "No wonder Zane had no chance when Edward began throwing punches. He knew exactly what Zane was planning on doing and could counter anything he might come up with…"

"And I thought Zane had the home-court advantage," Vivian remarked. "Your fellow's got himself quite a gift, Bella."

"I just can't believe him," I glowered at my reflection, frustrated at myself for forgetting Edward's powers. "He listened on purpose!"

"Well, as much as I would love to console you and take you out for a girl's night or something, where we don't have to deal with men and all these problems... you've got a date to go to."

"Now I don't even want to go."

"Come on now," Vivian placed her hands on my shoulders, smiling at our reflection. "I did not slave away over you for this long for us to go sit on the couch with ice cream, crying at chick flicks."

"This just… it wasn't exactly how I pictured starting off my day."

"Let's just hope the worst is over," Vivian smiled. "I love that dress, Bella. Makes me kind of wish I didn't have a nonexistent love life so I could go flaunt myself like that for some lucky fellow."

"You're the lucky one," I replied. "I'm dealing with two arrogant guys right now…"

"Oh, poor Bella, she has two outrageously wonderful men fawning over her every moment of the day!" Vivian's voice was loud and shrill as she batted her eyelashes in a theatrical display of facetiousness. "Please forgive me if I have no sympathy for you right now, Bella."

"Fine," I turned around again before grinning. "I think I can do this."

"That boy has no idea what he's about to face."

"You're right about that one."

Edward awaited me in the great room, sitting on an armchair. His smile broadened the closer I got to him, as his eyes went wide at my attire. I watched him inhale, his eyebrows raised, and that twisted smile teenage boys are prone to have when they see something that catches their interest appeared.

"You look… so beautiful." Edward held out a hand and I stared at him. "I thought we were starting back at the beginning."

"You read Vivian's mind! How could you do that, Edward?"

"So much as starting off new," Edward let out another breathe and took his seat again. "Bella, I don't know Vivian. I wanted to make sure she could be trusted. Could you blame me?"

"Yes, I can blame you, and I do." My arms folded across my chest, my voice stern as I continued. "You know, I might be inept in walking across the street without falling, but I think I at least deserve some credit to be trustworthy enough that when I say you can trust someone, you'll believe me, Edward."

"You know, I saw a pretty romantic scene in Vivian's head as she told me about Zane…" He let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. "Alice's vision… it was cut short at a very convenient time. Just moments before you decided to go and get all physical with someone else…"

"Edward…"

"Is that what you want, Bella?" Edward asked. "You want us to be more passionate?"

"Edward, that's not what…"

"Because I can kiss you like that, if that's really what you want."

"Sorry, but if your memory is fading… the last time we tried kind of ended in disaster. Like the… almost farewell to this sad, sad world kind of disaster."

"So, we'll try again…"

"It would just be easier if you transformed me, Edward, and then we could do whatever we pleased."

"I would never do anything to dishonor you, Bella."

"No, you'd rather leave me to die."

"I did not leave you to die, Bella."

"Wow, we're off to such a great start this morning." I grumbled, dropping down on the side of the couch farthest from Edward. "If I knew this was what Vivian woke me up for, I would've just kept on sleeping…"

"This isn't exactly what I had in mind either, you know." Edward retorted, pouting as he crossed his arms.

"So much for falling in love again."

"I brought you chocolate and flowers, like I had said I would."

"Are you kidding?" I stared at what he held out to me. "I didn't think you were serious when you said that."

"I would sing you a love song, but I'm not a choir hopeful really."

"Pity. Maybe that would lighten the mood."

"We'll do it all. Everything. On our own."

It seemed like the entire room had gone still when Edward attempted to sing. I grew stiff from where I sat, hearing the voice that I had loved so much before become suddenly melodic and, though I knew he was certainly not the contender for the next pop star of the century, I could feel my heart beat slowly rising, hearing him singing to me. Turning to look at him, he had turned his head, looking over at the wall. Only a small portion of his face was visible from this angle, but I could see how much it took for him to try and sing for me, his face etched with the kind of mortification associated with blushes that turned ears red.

"We don't need anything or anyone."

"Please…" I placed a hand on him this time, feeling the embarrassment for him. "It's really okay, Edward. I was just kidding. You don't have to…"

"If I lay here. If I just lay here. Would you lie with me and just forget the world?"

"Edward…"

"I don't quite know how to say how I feel."

"It's okay. Really…" I closed my eyes, losing the battle of my senses as I continued for him, sparing him from hearing me singing. "Those three words are said too much. They're not enough."

"If I lay here. If I just lay here. Would you lie with me and just forget the world?"

"Mercy! Please, mercy on me!" I begged him to stop, tugging on his arm. "You don't have to do that for me, Edward."

"You sure?" Edward turned now, and grinned. "And I was just getting into it."

"Oh please," I laughed. "You only wanted to break the ice."

"More like put out the flame that was catching the room on fire."

"Well, whatever it was that you did, it worked." I smiled at him. "Forget what we're told before we get too old. Show me a garden that's bursting into life." I moved towards him, closing in the space between us. "Nice song choice, lover boy."

"You going to take that up now too?"

"No need to rub it in, when I know Zane will."

"You know, that's what I feel like… when I'm with you." One of Edward's arms went around me. "No joke, either. And I'm not trying to be all romantic on you, either, when I say that. It's just the truth."

"Well, too late for not being romantic." I responded, not done with the song quite yet. "Let's waste time chasing cars around our heads."

"You human girls, always wanting their share of romance." Edward laughed and I actually allowed him to place a kiss on my forehead. "I need you grace to remind me to find my own."

"Okay, please… I feel like I might explode from all this mushy stuff." I giggled as Edward only nestled closer to me. "You're making it really hard for me to say no right now, Edward."

"Really? Good to know my plan's working…" Edward grinned and kissed my cheek. "All that I am… all that I ever was… is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see."

"And you think us humans are hopelessly romantic?" I rolled my eyes, messing with his hair before breaking away from him with a laugh. "It's going to take more than that to get to me, Edward Anthony Mason Cullen."

"I don't know where… confused about how as well… just know that these things will never change for us at all." Edward looked at me, his smile so hopeful that I felt myself melting into the very puddle Vivian and me had laughed about as she got me ready. "If I lay here. If I just lay here would you lie with me and just forge the world?"

"I can't believe you!" I hissed, moving back into his arms, my turn for nestling closer. "All this romance and horrible singing and endearing lyrics are making me remember…"

"Now this was more of what I had in mind for us today," Edward let out a sigh of contentment, relaxing as I laid in his arms on the couch, my body stretched out over what used to be the space between us, and my head resting against his chest. "I think it's been a successful start, don't you think?"

"You so cheated, using that sappy song to win me over."

"But it worked."

"Yes, it did." I smiled softly, closing my eyes, and trying to savor this short moment. "You know, as soon as this moment ends… it'll be back to before."

"I know, but how about we forget about that before this moment ends?"

"I'm still mad at you."

"And I'm still sure that you'll come back to me."

"After we leave, we'll actually start this thing."

"So what? This doesn't count as anything?"

"If I lay here. If I just lay here. Would you lie with me and just forget the world?"

"Okay…" I grinned, glad that Edward couldn't read my thoughts as he continued. "I think the song's over now, Bella."

"I just… you make it really hard to keep to the plan."

"It's only the first day. You could call it off and we could leave and…"

"No," I replied, sighing. "I need this, Edward. You need this. After we both leave this room, we'll start over. Completely new. We can't keep going back to this moment."

"Why not? I'm pretty cozy from where I am."

"I bet you are," I giggled before turning serious again. "It's just, if we keep getting caught up in the moment like this, it doesn't do us any good, Edward. Because the moment will end and then the same questions and arguments will come back. We need to go back to the beginning…"

"Do I get any points already for getting off to a good start?"

"If you remember, our start wasn't exactly good when I walked in the room."

"How could I forget? An eternity wouldn't make me forget any of the time I spend with you, even if it's spent in anger."

"You play so unfair," I pushed him away, laughing. "You know just the right buttons to push to make me forget that I'm still mad at you!"

"Can't blame a guy for trying, Bella."

"I guess it seems reasonable enough not to, but love is completely irrational anyway, so that claim doesn't exactly work with me."

"So is it Zane's turn to try at it?"

"I hope he doesn't try to take your approach. You both are having me really eat my words right now."

"I love you, Bella. You love me. That's a mouthful already."

"Those three words are said too much," I leaned forward, giving him a kiss before I departed to wait for the actual game to begin with us. "They're not enough."