A/N Thunder and lightning are rolling in now. If you want that ray of sunshine a little early, read Words with Strangers new chapter. More below.

Words with Friends Chapter 25

I didn't sleep for shit. Every time I closed my eyes I saw Edward and Jane or Alice's angry face. Her words echoed in my head, telling me over and over that I couldn't keep a guy. It was so very true. First Tyler, then Edward. So stupid. I needed to go for nerdy guys that would worship the ground I walked on. Except I'd probably bore them too and some cyber girl would come along that got them and then I'd get cast aside again.

Because I'm a masochist, I surfed the web and found umpteen pictures of Edward and Jane from the red carpet. There were already fans that were starting websites dedicated to the two of them. Every single one had that picture of him touching her cheek. There were also pictures from inside including a hug and a kiss on the cheek, not to mention numerous smiles. They made me sick. There were breathless reports of the two of them being rumored to be at this party or that party. There were also reports that he'd been seen with Irina the day before. That figured! I slammed my computer shut because I didn't need to see or hear anymore. Stupid me for not keeping up with the gossip while I was talking to him. I'd believed I was enough. What a foolish dreamer I was.

I heard the front door close and saw it was time for class and I clearly wasn't going. Alice sure hadn't waited around for me either, had she? So much for the hope that she'd be in my bed waiting to make up this time. I knew this was going to take a lot longer for her to get over, if she did at all. We'd never spent more than a day mad at each other before. God, this sucked.

And what had I been thinking calling Colin? I didn't want to go out with him. I'd call him back later and tell him that I changed my mind or something. I'd be shitty company anyway.

My phone buzzed and because I was an idiot, I grabbed it. I had to see if it was him and what he'd say.

Well good morning to you, Cheeky girl. Eight short days and I'll have my hands all over those cheeks of yours. You definitely know the answer to your question. You're earning your punishment very impressively.

Oh, you already punished me, Edward. Seeing you with Jane was like being punched in the gut. Not quite the fun you promised but I'm used to being lied to by now.

I set my phone aside. If he thought he could flirt with me after being out with her he had another think coming. Shit, maybe he was lying in bed next to her and sneaking texts to me. Men sucked. I got up and brushed my teeth and glared at my bloodshot eyes. Fucking lovely.

My phone buzzed again and I ran over to it because I'm pathetic.

You busy, beautiful? I was wondering if you might do me the honor of being my date on Saturday night? I was thinking we could watch a movie together over the phone. We could watch some other people get some swats like you'll be receiving soon.

Really, Edward? Isn't your social calendar busy enough? Screw you. Two can play that game. What's good for you is good for me.

Sorry, I already have a date on Saturday night. Guess you'll have to ask someone else.

See how you like it.

Well, if you're busy with the girls or something, we could do it Friday maybe?

Oh, right, because my date has to be with my girlfriends while yours are with gorgeous Hollywood stars. Shows what you really think of me, Edward.

I said I had a date, not that I had plans with the girls. I'm certain that you're more than familiar with the concept of a date. Getting dressed up, going out for a night on the town with a beautiful woman, or handsome man. A date.

You're all too familiar with the concept, Edward. See last night for details. How dare he be all cute and ask me to watch a movie with him, something I'd love to do, while he was busy romancing Jane and God knew who else?

No response for a few minutes so maybe I'd pissed him off. Good. He deserved it. Then my phone rang and it was him. I stared at it, wondering if I should bother answering. I'd never know what he had to say unless I did it.

"Hello?" Good. I sounded cool and confident.

"Bella? It's Edward."

Like it could be anyone else? I laughed. "I know who you are." Now I really know, Edward Cullen.

"I'm confused," he said. Of course he was. He thought he could have his cake and eat it too, which was a dumb fucking analogy because who didn't eat cake if they had it? I needed a fucking cake, a big chocolate one. Maybe Rose would get me one.

"I'm not sure what's so confusing for you." One of your playthings not cooperating? Just call up another one. You've probably got dozens on speed dial.

"I thought we had…" he cut himself off and cursed quietly. "Look, Bella, I mean, I thought you and I were going to see what we could be together next week. I guess I just don't know why…why you're going out with somebody else."

Of course not. Why would I not sit at home and wait for him to give me a few crumbs between starlets? "Don't you, Edward?"

There was a long pause. "No, I don't. I'm confused, like I said."

Enough of the bullshit, he couldn't make me feel guilty for having a date when he'd just gotten back from one. "What's good for you is good for me," I told him.

"What do you mean by that?"

Truth time. Not quite how I hoped it'd go, but I couldn't keep quiet. I wasn't going to sit by and let him play me like Tyler did. "I mean, I know, Edward."

"Know what, Bella?"

Was he really so clueless? "I know who you are, Edward Cullen, and I know where you were last night and with whom."

There was another long pause. "Okay, so you know. I was getting ready to tell you and I was hoping you'd understand…"

Ha! "Understand? Of course, I get it, Edward. You're a big time movie star and you need a big time movie girlfriend. I provided a nice diversion while you were stuck with your bitch of an ex, but now that you're home, you've got to live up to the image. Kudos to you. I really don't care." Or I wouldn't, some day.

"No, Bella. I'm not sure when you figured it out but you have to know that everything between us was real. Jane isn't my girlfriend."

Haha no, huh? Does he always look at his non-girlfriends like they're his entire world? I snorted. "Really? You know, I kept telling myself that last night, when I saw you get out of that limo and hold her hand and then put your arm around her and hold her so tight. I could almost believe it. But then the cameras caught that intimate little moment the two of you had and I saw the look on your face, Edward. You can't tell me you don't love her." I closed my eyes and the image of the two of them assaulted me yet again. I needed to hold onto it though. I wasn't going to let him break me.

"Bella, it's not like that! Look, help me out a little here. I can't even wrap my head around all of this right now. When…how did you know?" He sounded almost frantic. The guy was an incredible actor. He'd get that Oscar one day soon.

Well, one thing was out, may as well let it all loose. He'll hate me and I'll hate him and we can both go on with our lives. God, why did this have to hurt so damn much? "Ah, why bother pretending? I should have told you long ago and driven you away then. Maybe if I had, I wouldn't hurt so fucking much."

"Bella…"

Just rip the Band-Aid off. "I always knew, Edward." I waited for his response. My stomach hurt and I felt like crying again, but I wasn't going to give him anymore tears.

"You always knew what? Who I was? How?"

Here we go. Get it done. "Remember the day we started talking?"

"Yes." He sounded weird, hesitant maybe. Not like my Edward. Not like he'd ever really been mine in the first place.

"The night before you were on Letterman and you told him you played WWF. Alice decided to find you. She picked some name that I knew couldn't be right and I decided to try to find you, too." And it all blew up in my face, from both sides. I should never have bothered.

"You're a stalker?"

A stalker? Fuck you, Edward Cullen. I thought I was a fan. I'm not hunting you down and scouring your trash for your damn breakfast leftovers. "I'm not camped outside your fucking house, Edward. I'm not a stalker. I knew a lot about you. I read your interviews. I just thought I'd try your favorite cartoon and number and it worked."

"Why? Why did you want to find me? What did you hope to gain from it? You what? Wanted me to fall for you? Laugh about me with your friends? Sell information to the press? What, Bella?" He was pissed now. I knew he would be. My anger left me and I hurt. I hurt a lot.

"I just wanted to know you." It had all seemed so simple at the time. I never knew how I'd feel about you. I was stupid. Big surprise.

His laugh was hard and bitter. "Well, I guess you got your wish."

"Yeah, I guess I did." And I found out that wishes were the things of fairy tales. I knew better than to give my heart to him, but I did and I was left with nothing.

"I hope I lived up to expectations."

You did at one time. Now you're living down to them. "You exceeded them, for awhile. Not anymore. Why I thought you'd be any different from Tyler is beyond me."

"So Tyler's actually real? What else that you told me was real, Bella? Anything?"

How dare he? Did he think I would make up that shit? Yeah, I wanted to look like a pathetic asshole to him. Well, mission accomplished. "I…no. You don't get to turn this around on me. What happened to 'I'd never cheat on you, Bella'?"

"I guess we're both liars."

His words cut me through me like a knife. I didn't think anything could hurt more than seeing him with Jane but having him confirm it was worse. A part of me, a deep down part, had hoped it was all nothing and that I was overreacting. God I was naïve.

"I guess so."

"There doesn't seem to be anymore to say. If you go to the press with any of this…" Oh, he really thought well of me, didn't he? So much for all his sweet words.

I laughed because what else could I do? "I have no intention of doing that."

"Good. Have fun on your date, Bella."

He didn't even care. Of course he didn't. "Have fun with Jane, Edward."

There was nothing else on the line so I disconnected the call and let the tears fall again. I'd been lying to myself when I said I wouldn't cry anymore. Right now it felt like I'd never stop. The temper that had gotten me through most of that call was gone and all I had left was a hollow feeling inside me.

I heard a door open and I prayed to God Rose was home. I flung open my door and she screamed in surprise. "Jesus, Bella! Did you have to…" she broke off when she saw my face and dropped her bag and ran to me. "What happened?"

I buried myself in her arms and sobbed against her shoulder. She held me tight and rubbed my back. "It'll be okay. I swear I'll make it okay."

That made me laugh. "It'll never be okay again." I raised my head and wiped at my eyes while she held onto my shoulders and stared at me.

"What happened, Bella? You didn't cry over him all night, did you?"

No, these were new tears. "Only part. These are new tears."

"Why?" She steered me into my bedroom and we both sat on the end of my bed.

I stared at her pretty purple shirt that I'd snotted all over. "I got your shirt dirty. I'm sorry."

She flicked a wrist. "Bella, that's not important. What is important is that you look like your best friend died, which I know is not true because here I am. Tell me what happened?" She glanced at my computer, which was lying on the side of my bed. "You didn't look up Edward and Jane did you?"

I eyed her guiltily and she shook her head. "Damn it, Bella. You know how those sites misconstrue shit. Why would you do that to yourself?"

I sniffled. Too bad they got it 100% right for once. "They didn't misconstrue."

"How do you know?" Her eyes widened. "Did you talk to him?"

I nodded slowly. "Yeah."

"Shit. What did you say? What did he say?"

She was going to be pissed. "I told him, Rose."

She let out a string of curse words, each more impressive than the last. "So, instead of telling him at some good time, like right after you made him come so hard that he saw stars, you told him when you were upset about him and some girl? No wonder you're crying."

I started crying harder and she sighed. "Bella, calm down. I can't help if you don't tell me what went down."

I shook my head. "You can't help at all, Rose. It's done."

"We'll see about that. Tell me what happened from start to finish."

Right. "He texted me something cute in response to my last text yesterday, just more flirty stuff. I didn't answer, because I knew if I did, it wouldn't be something nice." I grabbed some Kleenex and started dabbing at my eyes.

Rose snorted. "No shit. Then?"

I felt my blood heat at the memory. That was good. I'd much rather be mad. "Then he sent me another text asking me if we could have a movie date on Saturday night, you know, watch together over the phone."

She nodded. "That sounds like something right up your alley."

"Of course it is! But it pissed me off! He asked me out when Jane was probably lying next to him in bed!"

Rose raised an eyebrow. "Jumping to conclusions much, Bella?"

"Rose! You're supposed to be on my side!"

She took my hand. "I am always fully on your side, Bella. You know that. Sometimes being on your side means making you see that you might not have handled things the right way, but loving you anyway."

Damn her and her logic. "Okay. Well, then yes, I jumped to conclusions and I got mad and I answered him."

She sighed. "What did you say?"

"I told him that I already had a date on Saturday night."

She laughed. "Well played. Making him jealous with a good lie. I like it."

I bit my lip. "It's not a lie. I really do have a date on Saturday night."

Rose stared at me. "Damn it, Bella, what did you do?"

Crap. "I kind of, sort of called Colin last night and told him I was free."

"Damn it, I knew I shouldn't have left you alone to wallow! Why in the hell did you do that?" She glared at me.

I threw up my hands. "I don't know! I asked myself that after. I figured it was something you would do."

She sighed. "Bella, it's something I would do if I didn't give a shit about the guy who fucked me over, or to throw it in his face. You could hardly throw it in Edward's face when he lives in California."

"You went out the night after you found out about Royce." It was all I had.

"Damn right I did. But I wasn't in love with Royce."

"I'm not in…" I broke off and she nodded.

"Exactly. You are in love with him, or damn close to it. And he feels the same way." No, no he doesn't. "Don't shake your head at me. I know what I've seen and what I've read from him. That guy is hooked on you, Jane or no Jane."

Maybe he was. Before. "He's not now."

She shook her head. "Tell me the rest of it."

"After we established that I did indeed have a date on Saturday, he called me."

"Of course he did," she replied. "Because he cares."

"Sure. Whatever you say. Anyway, he said he thought we had some kind of understanding, which is ridiculous since he was the one who went out first." Rose just stared at me so I plowed on. "He kept saying he was confused so I enlightened him."

Rose groaned. "And you did that by?"

"By telling him that I knew who he was and what he'd done last night."

She shook her head. "Of course you did. What did he say to that?"

"He tried to explain himself, said some crap about how he hoped I'd understand and I told him I understood that he needed a famous girlfriend and I was just some girl on the side that he could fuck and forget."

"Oh, shit, did you really say that?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I think I was a little less crass than that but the implication was there."

"What then?"

"He tried to tell me they were just friends and I told him that friends don't touch and look at one another the way he looked at Jane."

"Bella, you don't know what you saw."

I reached for my computer and flipped it open. The web page I'd been looking at last was up. "This! This is what I saw, Rose! Don't tell me that I misinterpreted it!"

She glanced at the screen and then closed it. "Context is everything, Bella. Don't they teach you all about subtext and hidden meanings in your lit classes?"

I laughed. "Don't throw my classes at me, Rose. I know what I saw."

"Alright." She held up her hands. "You think you know what you saw. What did he say?"

"He said it wasn't like that and then asked me how I even knew."

Rose's lips pursed. "And you told him."

"Yes. I told him I always knew, that I looked for him after his appearance on Letterman and that I found him."

"What did he say?" she asked, sounding resigned now. She finally got the hopelessness of the situation.

"He called me a stalker."

Her eyes narrowed. "He did what?"

"Exactly!" I shouted. "He called me a fucking stalker and I told him I wasn't sitting outside his house and monitoring his every movement."

"Good for you."

"Yeah. Then he asked what my purpose had been and I told him I just wanted to know him. He laughed and asked me if I was going to go to the press."

The glare became more pronounced. "Does he know you at all? How could he think that?"

I felt the tears start again. "He also thought I made up Tyler."

"HE WHAT?" She shouted. "Who would do that?"

"The stalkery loser he imagines me to be, I guess."

"You are not a loser. And you're not a stalker. I'm going to rip him a fucking new one. How dare he?"

I took cold comfort from the fact that she was now completely on my side. "It gets worse. After the Tyler thing came up, I told him that he wasn't allowed to turn me into the bad guy. He was the one who said he'd never cheat on me and look what he did." She waited expectantly. "He said it looked like we were both liars then."

"Oh, Bella." She wrapped her arms around me again. "I'm so sorry. You didn't deserve that. I like to think he was just lashing out but…"

"No, Rose. He meant it. I could tell. He hates me now and he's glad he's got Jane and Irina and whoever else. He told me to have fun on my date and I told him to have fun with Jane and that was that."

She held me while I cried some more. God, when had I turned into such a fucking baby? I pulled back and wiped at my tears. "Sorry about Spring Break."

She rolled her eyes. "Don't even worry about that. We'll figure it out."

I got up. "I need to wash my face."

She laughed. "Yeah, you do. Then you need to get some real sleep I think."

"I doubt I can." I went into my bathroom and washed my face and brushed my hair. I came back out and saw Rose holding my phone. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing." Her voice was entirely too smooth.

"Rose, don't. Don't call him. Don't make this worse."

"Could it get any worse, Bella?"

I doubted that but still. "Please? Leave it alone. For me. I don't want or need you calling and yelling at him. If I'd have told him in the beginning that I knew who he was, we'd never have gotten to this point."

"He hurt you," she replied, her voice steely.

"Yes. And I lied to him, he was right about that. It's over, Rose. It was three weeks of my life, not years like with Tyler. I'll get over it."

"With Colin?" she asked. "Are you really going to go out with him?"

I flopped down on my bed. "I don't know. I woke up thinking I was going to cancel but why shouldn't I go? It's not like I have anything better to do. It's all screwed up, Rose. Edward, Alice…I never should have tried to find him."

She shook her head. "No, Bella. Even if this is really the end, it was worth it. He was good for you." I scowled at that. "He brought you out of your shell. The old Bella spent months avoiding guys and being anti-social after Tyler. Your response this time, rash though it may be, shows that you're not going to let a man bring you down. I don't really know that you're ready for this, but I am proud that you're not going to wallow."

The end. Those words echoed in my mind and I fought the tears that threatened again. I knew it was over. "It's just one night, right? I don't have to marry the guy. I just have to get through one meal."

Rose laughed. "You sound like you're going on a trip to the dentist."

It felt like one. "Same thing."

She snorted. "No, it's not, which shows that you aren't ready. Blow Colin off and we'll go out, just the two of us."

"And I can watch you get hit on by dozens of men? That's supposed to make me feel better how?"

She grinned. "Only a half dozen, tops." I smacked her and tried to smile. It probably didn't work but I knew she was trying. "We could go get dinner and then watch a movie or something."

I shook my head, remembering that if things were different I would have been watching one with Edward instead. "No. I'm going to go. Who knows, maybe I'll like him more than Edward." That sounded ridiculous coming out of my own mouth and Rose snorted.

"Right. Well, I'm not going to stop you. If you want to go, go. But I don't think this thing with Edward is over."

I stared at her. "Were you not listening to the entire story?"

"Yeah, I was. Your temper was high and he got mad when you attacked him and revealed what you knew in the worst possible way. Maybe after you two have a little time to calm down, you can talk and explain yourself better and give him a chance to tell you what the deal with Jane was."

Ha. I already knew. "Sure, Rose."

She smiled and stood. "Come on. I'm starving and you need to get the hell out for awhile. Then you can take a nap or something. You have bags under your eyes."

"Thanks," I muttered.

"Hey, have I ever let you down?"

I shook my head. "No, of course not."

"Then trust me now. Everything's going to work out. You get ready."

"Rose, you can't possibly believe that."

Her smile turned almost wicked. "I do. Now get ready."

"Don't…whatever you're thinking, don't."

"No worries, Bella. It's just breakfast." She looked at her watch. "Or lunch I guess. Let's go."

I grabbed some clothes and eyed her. "Just lunch?"

"Lunch and a nap, just like I said. Get a move on."

I didn't trust her, but what could I do? I took my phone just in case she had any ideas of calling Edward. She laughed. "Go."

"I'm going." Not anywhere good, but I was going. Better than staying home and crying myself to death.

A/N Well, the revelation didn't exactly go well, but how could it with Bella pissed off about Jane and Edward blindsided like that? Again, I ask for a little faith. Or peek at WWS. Or wait for the outtakes I'll be posting on Friday (in this story and WWS).

Last chapter, not surprisingly, probably got my biggest reaction ever. I want to thank all of you that left your thoughts and speculation and sometimes your rants. There are a couple of things I'd like to address though. Death threats aren't funny. Even if they were joking, it's hard to tell intent over a few sentences. You won't get the HEA if you kill me anyway.

Also, I'm not sure where going on a date=fucking but no. I have never and will never write B or E fucking anyone else. Even my manwhore Edward's never hook up with another girl when Bella comes along. So, no, Bella won't be screwing Colin. Period. There were a number of you worried about that and I'm setting that record straight right now. I'm as canon as they come.

Finally, thank you to all those of you who either understood or trusted in me or both. That means a lot to me. I've never had such a passionate response to one of my stories before and I'm honored that you all care as much as you do. I do, too, and I will do it right for these guys. You can believe that.

WWF players this week: SeekingsJamestown, Lilypad1588, Chicsarah, AnomalousRDR, & ReBernardi. Thanks all, and happy playing!