"Yes. You did. But I miss you."
''You do?''
''Yes. I miss my friend.'' Friend. There it was again. He always calls me his friend and then goes and gets mad for me having a boyfriend. Friends don't get mad about shit like that, boyfriends do. Or the guy who's in love with you.
''Friend. So, you want us to be friends?'' I asked, to be sure that that was what he really wanted.
''Yes.'' He took a step closer. "I want to be your friend.'' I nodded and tore my eyes away from his. It was better then nothing, right?
''Okay, then we are friends, again?''
''Friends.'' He confirmed.
''So, as a friend you won't flip again if I start to date someone?'' I knew I was playing with fire, but I really wanted for him to admit that I meant more that that for him.
''So you as a friend wont flip about shit I don't even know about which made me flip out in the first place?''
''Deal.'' I said, understanding my faults in this. Maybe, it was true – I was just a friend to him and he was just mad because I was mad. But then again, all those things he had told me the other day when he had yelled at me in the hallway wasn't the kinds of things that friends felt.
But maybe it was better. To take baby steps and see what would happen and learn from our mistakes. To start over. Not everyone got that chance.
''Let me help you with that.'' Jasper said, taking the bags out of my hands.
''Thanks.''
''No problem.'' I gave him a small smile and jumped into Emmett's black jeep.
''You didn't forget anything?'' Rose checked with me one last time.
''I said I took everything I needed.'' I said, rolling my eyes at her for the fifth time today.
''Okay. Did you bring everything, honey?''
''Yes, I did, pumpkin.'' Emmett said in a sweet voice which actually kind of made me vomit. I wasn't sure if I could survive a six hour ride with this sweet couple.
''So, where is Edward, babe?''
''Oh, he will come there later. He has stuff to do.''
''Okay. I hope he won't ditch us.'' Rose said, before turning her head to us. Jasper and I were sitting in the back seat; each of us at the either side of the car.
''So, put your seat belts on, guys.'' Rose ordered.
''Sure, mom.'' I teased her, grinning widely.
''Shut up and do as I say.'' She spoke, smiling at me.
''Okay, okay.'' I put on my seat belt and Jasper did the same. I wasn't the biggest fan of seat belts. I hated them; when I put them on, it felt like someone was tackling me.
''Don't make that angry face, Bella.'' I stuck out my tongue at Rose earning a giggle from her.
''Okay, let's go. Emmett, start the car."
''James? Vicky?" Jasper called out as soon as we opened the lounge doors.
''Here!" We heard James's voice coming from somewhere further in the house.
The lounge was beautiful. It had a huge living room with a TV and a fire place and three couches with a few armchairs at each corner and two near the fire place. On the floor was carpet made of fur. On either side of the room, was a staircase which led up to the second floor where the bedrooms probably were.
''Guys, this looks awesome.'' Emmett spoke, putting down our bags. ''This house is fucking huge, too. I love it.''
''Well, this trip was Bella's idea.'' Rose said, smiling at me. Emmett turned his head and smiled at me too before leaning down and kissing Rosalie's cheek.
''Thanks, Bells, this is awesome.'' He said before turning back to Rose.
''Let's go wander around and find those two.'' Jasper said, nudging my shoulder. I awkwardly nodded my head and followed behind him. When we walked across the room, we were greeted by two doors; one was the bathroom and the other door led to the kitchen were we found Vicky and James already making dinner for us.
''Smells delicious, guys.'' I said, sneaking behind Vicky to see whats she was making.
''Pasta. Mm, I love pasta.'' I told her, earning a smile from her.
''That's great. James told me that no one liked pasta.'' She said, shooting daggers at James.
''James, everyone loves pasta.''
''I don't.'' He admitted.
''How can you not love pasta?''
''How can you love it?''
''Don't answer my question with another question.''
''Don't ask me stupid questions, then.''
I laughed and let this one go. This was a lost fight anyway.
''So, how is the house? You guys looked around or did you find another form of entertainment?'' I asked, biting my lower lip and wiggling my eyebrows. I'd noticed that I'd been in a good mood all day and I figured that it had something to do with Edward and I being friends again.
"Oh, there you guys are.'' Rose said, walking in to the kitchen. ''Mm, pasta. Delicious.'' She said, licking her lips.
''See?'' I spoke, looking at James, getting only an eye roll in response.
''Okay, let's go look around.'' I spoke, walking out the door with Jasper following me. We walked up the stairs and found that there were plenty of bedrooms for all of us and showers in every room, so that was great. The rooms weren't huge, but they were big enough to make you feel like home; they were warm, too and with very comfy beds which really made me want to lie down after this long drive but I knew that it wasn't going to happen since Rose had everything planned out already.
Once Jasper helped me take my bags upstairs, we were ready to go down to eat dinner. And I was really hungry since only thing I had eaten was a banana for breakfast.
''Dig in, guys.'' Vicky said, once we were all seated.
''This is fucking delicious.'' Emmett said, taking a bite from pasta.
''He's right.'' I said, adding a small 'Mm'.
''Guys, we actually need to go shopping.'' James spoke, making everyone look up.
''What do you mean shopping? Weren't you guys at the store?'' Rose asked, pushing her eyebrows together.
''Yeah, but we forgot most of the things you asked for.'' he confessed.
''Why?''
''When we went to the store which is near here, we figured that there was none of the things you put on your list.''
''Seriously?''
''And we forgot the booze, too.''
Rose dropped her fork on her plate and looked at James with her mouth open. "What?"
''We forgot.''
''How?''
''We were in a rush.''
''Why were you in a rush?''
''Do you really want to know, babe?'' Emmett asked, hiding a laugh.
''You're right. I don't. Okay, after dinner, we will all go shopping. All of us.''
''We can't go all; someone needs to stay and wait for Edward.''
''Bella can do it.'' Rose spoke.
''Me?'' I looked at her with terrified eyes. I knew that Edward and I had kind of called truce last night, but it was still weird for me to spend time alone with him. I felt stupid for what I did and that made me really uncomfortable around him.
''Yes, you. Now, let's eat so we make it on time before the store closes.'' Rose demanded.
After we ate dinner, I offered to wash all the dishes, too since I had to stay here, anyway. Once I was done with the dishes, I decided to go outside for a quick smoke.
The snow drifts were bigger than when we had gotten here and it was still snowing. The wind was getting rougher so it made my cheeks burn.
I lighted my cigarette and took a few drags before tossing it away, deciding that it would be better to go back inside. I wouldn't be surprised if a storm decided to come our way.
When I got in, I glanced around, looking for something to do since I was all alone. Reading looked tempting but by the way the light was twitching, I decided to better go up to my room and pack out my things.
As soon as I got upstairs, I heard a car pulling up. I thanked God before running downstairs hoping that Rose and the others were finally back, but I was wrong. The door opened and the voice I knew all too well called out, ''Hey'' into an empty room.
''Hi.'' I said, appearing on the stairs.
''Oh. Hi.'' Edward said, standing in the doors awkwardly.
''Well, come in. The others went to the store so it's just you and me.'' I spoke, walking down the stairs.
''Oh. Okay.'' He nodded.
''The bedrooms are upstairs if you want you can go settle in. I will heat up dinner for you since you must be starving.'' I announced, already walking to the direction of kitchen.
''Thanks.''
''Kitchen is here.'' I told him, pointing towards the door which led to the kitchen.
''Okay.'' Didn't he know any other words? Guess not.
''Bella?'' I looked up and saw the kitchen doors open. Edward appeared in front of me, looking handsome as always. He was wearing dark jeans and a dark t shirt, completing the look with a converse.
''You're just in time; dinner just heated up.'' I spoke, taking the plate from out of the microwave.
''Thank you.''
"Do you want anything to drink?''
''Just water will be fine.''
''Be right up.''
''It's delicious. I must say it was your doing?'' He asked, smiling. Now I felt like the old Edward and I, when he felt comfortable in my company and I felt just the same when he was around.
''You won't believe it, but James and Vicky made this.'' I sat down and put the glass of water in front of him.
''James?''
''Well, Vicky did most of the job.''
''I can see that. I don't even want to think about what would've happened if James had made this.''
''Disaster probably.'' I looked over at the clock. ''I wonder where they are. They have been gone for almost two hours now.''
''Maybe they just can't find the store.''
''Maybe.''
We sat there in silence while Edward ate his dinner. After he was done, I washed his dishes and we decided to go outside for a smoke. This time, I put on my coat because I didn't want to freeze again.
''Oh, wow.'' I said, once we were outside. The snow was so high, I knew it would reach up to Edward's knees if he stepped in it.
We decided to say in the stoop and just open the window.
''I should take out the snow shovel and clear the snow.'' Edward spoke.
''Yeah, you should. Soon, it will cover the door and we won't be able to get out.''
''Yeah, the wind is out of control, too.''
''I hope the guys are okay.''
''Okay, I will go clear the snow. You wait inside, okay? Oh, and see if you can try to start up the fire; it looks like it's getting colder.''
''Okay, I will.'' I gave him a small smile and walked back inside.
Once I was done with fire, my phone rang.
''Oh, Rose, hey. Where are you guys?''
''We're stuck. We can't get out of the city so we have to spend the night here because the snow blower isn't working.''
''Are you serious?''
''Yeah, I'm sorry. Is Edward there?''
''Yes, he's cleaning the snow, it's like all over the place.''
''Damn. Well. At least you're not alone. Tell him hi from me, okay?''
''Sure.''
''We will try get there as soon as possible, babe.''
''Okay, Rose. Bye.''
''Bye.''
I put down my phone and slipped on my coat before walking outside to look for Edward.
''Edward?'' Nothing. ''Edward?'' I called louder, opening the front door.
''Yeah?'' The wind was making the snow dance all over the place so it was difficult for me to see him.
''Where are you? It's crazy out here; come back inside.'' I yelled, hoping he would hear me.
''What about the snow?'' He called back.
''Come here and I will tell you everything.''
I held the door open so Edward would see where he had to go. After a few seconds, he was in front of me, completely covered in snow.
'''You look like a snowman.'' I laughed at him, before stepping away from the door and letting him in.
''Ha, ha. So what were you going to tell me?'' He asked, brushing the snow off of himself.
''Rose and the others can't make it back today. They said the road is blocked and there's no one to clear the roads.''
''Are you serious?'' He looked at me as if I were joking.
''Dead serious.'' I admitted, holding my hands up.
''That's sad.''
''I know. It was Emmett's birthday and now he has to sleep in some cheap motel.''
''Yeah, too bad. Did you manage to make the fire?''
''Yeah, the fire is on. You just need to go look for some more logs to keep us warm. The temperature is dropping.''
''You stay here and I will go look for the logs.'' I nodded and walked back inside. The room was getting colder so I decided to look through closets and search for some plaid.
Suddenly it occurred to me. I would be staying here all alone with Edward. My stomach did a few flips and the butterflies decided to dance in my tummy. I just hoped we wouldn't get into a fight since we would have plenty of time to talk.
''The weather is a bitch.'' I heard Edward's voice coming from the living room.
''It is. I looked around and found some warm plaids. They will keep us warm if the fire goes out.''
''Great. I guest we will just need to stay closer to the chimney.''
''I guess. I will go make some hot chocolate; you must be freezing out there.''
''Thanks, that would be great.'' He spoke with a smile on his face. I nodded and he walked over the chimney to put in some more logs to make a bigger fire.
''Smells great.'' Edward spoke, entering the kitchen at the same time I poured the hot chocolate into the cups.
''Smells like childhood and Christmas.''
''Comforting.''
''Yeah.'' I smiled up at him and handed him his cup.
''Let's go sit by the fire; it's much warmer there.''
''Okay, let's go.'' I slowly followed Edward as he walked to the chimney and sat down on the ground, resting his back at the edge of the couch.
''I can't believe this happened.'' I spoke, shaking my head.
''What?''
''This, the weather, the guys getting stuck in some shitty town instead of being here with us, the electricity.'' I rolled my eyes at the last one; the electricity had gone completely and the only light we were getting was from the chimney and from the candles which Edward had found and put around the room.
''So, what's new?'' He asked, nudging my shoulder. I simply shrugged as a response. ''Come on, there has to be something.''
''No. Nothing is new, except that you and I are friends again.'' I spoke, looking down at my hands.
''Right. I'm sorry for the way I treated you.''
''No. I'm sorry I was stupid enough to think...'' I stopped in the mid sentence because I remembered that I still hadn't told him what had happened.
''To think what?'' He asked, shifting his body to face me.
''It's stupid.''
''Tell me.'' He urged me.
''Well, at my birthday, James told me the story about you, Maria and Jasper. I began to doubt you.''
''I see, so you thought what? That I was just playing you?''
''Yes. But then I felt stupid about it I just wanted to hear your side of the story so I drove to your place to talk to you and then I saw you with Alice.''
''So?''
''So, I saw you two hugging and I thought that you were with her.''
''What? That's just...wrong.''
''Yeah, but I didn't know that she was your cousin until recently.''
''Are you serious?''
''Yes. I thought you were seeing her so I decided to give Jasper a chance.''
''Oh my God, why didn't you just talk to me instead?''
''I don't know; I'm a girl. Girls do stupid things and I jumped to conclusions. I'm sorry, I learned my lesson.''
''You really should have just talked to me.''
''I know.''
''Silly Bella.''
''Silly or not, Alice is beautiful and I thought you really liked her.''
''Even if she wasn't my cousin, it wouldn't change things, beautiful or not. Because to me, you're the most beautiful girl."