So I'm really happy for this chapter! It's probably in my top three favorites!
I do not own Twilight. Of course not.
Take time to realize,
That I am on your side
Didn't I, Didn't I tell you.
But I can't spell it out for you, If you just realize what I just realized, Take time to realize It's not always the same
No it's never gonna be that simple
No I cant spell it out for you
Then we'd be perfect for each other
and will never find another
Just realized what I just realized
we'd never have to wonder if
we missed out on each other now.
Oh-oh I'm on your side
didn't I, didn't I tell you.
Take time to realize
This all can pass you by.. Didn't I tell you
no it's never the same
if you don't feel it to.
If you meet me half way
If you would meet me half way.
It could be the same for you.
- Realize by Colbie CaillatBe strong, Bella. You can do this. Think positive!
Yes. Okay. I only have to pass the rest of the night surrounded by people who expect me to dance and have a good time.
Oh dear, what have I gotten myself into?
Alec's POV
Everything was my fault.
It was my fault that both Bella and Edward seemed so distant from everyone else around them. The agony in their eyes was product of my selfishness.
It was never meant to go this far. Truly, I didn't know their feelings for each other were so deep. I simply assumed that this was just a fling thing, or something along those lines. I should have known Bella wasn't one of those girls.
Bella. I've always had feelings for her, and until recently I thought it was love, but not anymore. If you truly loved someone, you will want them to be happy, no matter whom they chose to stand by. I didn't do that. I was selfish and wanted Bella to be with me only.
When she just to live in Phoenix, I never got the chance to really show her my feelings for her because Jacob was always in the way of things. So when I came to Forks, I thought since Jacob wasn't here anymore, I could really show Bella my feelings for her.
Boy, was I wrong.
She seemed so happy by Edward's side, even more happy than she ever looked when she stood by Jacob. I felt jealous. Furious. So I took it out on them.
That was no excuse for my actions, though, it was simply an explanation.
Jacob had called me when one night, and demanded information about Bella. I was so angry, I didn't even think about my actions as I told him all about Edward.
So we both developed a plan. Jacob was to show in Washington and was to tell Edward that they were together still. That everything Bella told him was a lie.
Jacob, like the idiot he was though, brought his new girlfriend to Washington with him. I was mad because now that she was here, there was a chance that Edward saw them together, Forks wasn't a big town after all, and it will ruin everything. His actions had brought out a new plan, a plan that was so genius there was no way that it could fail.
I had to distract Bella and apologize or distract her in other words at the mall. I was to follow along with the plan and then make sure Bella saw Tanya, Jacob's girlfriend, flirt with Edward. Then Jacob will contact Bella and find a way to make it seem that Bella didn't mean anything to Edward. That Edward was just a way for him to get back at her.
It worked. Instead of feeling triumphant, the guilt started eating me alive as I saw Bella day after miserable day. The way the spark was out of her brown eyes, the way she didn't care about anything, how hurt she looked. How she didn't seem to care about anyone or anything. She made such a great effort to act normal, but nobody was blind enough to believe her.
Edward was no better. According to conversations I heard between Rosalie, Alice and my sister, he was as miserable as Bella or worse.
Even now at the event, they both seemed miserable. Our three families were sharing a table. Alice, Jasper, Emmett, Rosalie and Jane had stepped out to dance, leaving the adults and Edward, Bella and I sitting down. The atmosphere was tense, and I could see the adults throwing glances at us from the other end of the table.
I sat across from Bella, and Edward sat one seat away from my right. Edward kept throwing glances at Bella, but Bella was acting oblivious to it as she stared out into space.
Bella looked absolutely beautiful tonight, but I had heard from Emmett that it took them a while to even convince Bella that she had to show up today.
Edward looked older; he had darks bags under his eyes and seemed to be struggling as he took in the pain that was in Bella eyes. Bella looked distant, and I knew she was trying hard not to focus on Edward by how every few minutes she shifted her head a little bit to the right, then caught herself and ball her tiny fists.
If she didn't look like she was in deep pain, I would have found her actions humorous.
I felt so guilty. I knew I had to make it better between the two of them so that I could live with myself, but I was afraid. I was afraid that Bella wouldn't want to even look at me after the pain I put them both through, she was in her right to do so, but it would hurt me intensely.
I looked at them both and I knew I needed to fix this as soon as possible. I couldn't stand to see the pain in Bella's eyes anymore and know that I had put it there. If I hadn't been so selfish, she would be happy now. She would be dancing and laughing, with Edward of course.
If I really loved her, then I had to prove it to myself and her that my feelings were sincere. I wasn't stupid enough to believe that that would make her fall in love with me or anything, but I had to do this. For myself, for Bella.
Okay, if I was really going to do this, I had to find a way and a room. I didn't want to do it here since it was way too loud, but how was I going to get both of them to follow me.
I doubted that if I told them that I needed to talk to them alone, that they would listen to me.
I looked around, obviously I couldn't just drag them out of here, and we were in a room full of people.
I thought and thought about it, until finally I came up with my answer.
Alice.
Bella's POV
I was right. The event so far was terrible.
When my siblings and friends were dancing, I sat at our table across from Alec, trying to tune out Edward's stare.
That was confusing the hell out of me. I could feel his stare, willing me to look him in the eyes. The atmosphere was tense, but I refused to recognize that and just kept looking out into space.
After a while, I heard Alec sigh and he stood and made his way towards the dance floor.
One down, one to go.
I was relieved to find that Edward had come to the event alone, but that didn't mean anything. Probably Esme asked him to leave the slut behind.
I could feel Edward's eyes on my face once more, I was running out of patience. ''Can you please stop with the staring?'' I asked him, still not looking his way, but making sure he knew the question was directed his way.
''Bella-'' He was interrupted by Alice who came to stand by me. She looked a little bit too excited to do whatever she had in mind.
''Come on Bella, we need to go to the bathroom to redo your make-up,'' she hurried me.
I stood up quickly, as she grabbed my hand and led me to the bathroom. I was just really glad for the intervention before I did something stupid, like break Edward's handsome face. Okay, I know how unlikely that possibility seemed, but I would have given it my best try. Behind me, I noticed Rosalie, in her beautiful red draped dress, and Jane join us.
Something was definitely off.
My suspicion was proven correct as we exited the room and walked in the general direction of the exit instead of the bathroom. I turned to look at them, wondering what was going on and pulled my hand away from Alice.
''Where are we going? I thought we were going to the bathroom.''
I stopped in place, willing them to tell me what was going on, but all I received were impatient glares. It was Alice who spoke.
''Come on Bella, we are merely going outside!''
'' Outside? No. If we are not going to the bathroom, then I am,'' I looked at them, and noticed something. They were up to something, I just knew it. ''I'm not moving from here until you guys tell me what is going on,'' I demanded, making eye contact with the three of them, proving that I was serious.
''Alright then, guess we would have to make you,'' Rosalie said as she pulled out her phone and texted someone.
''What are you doing, Rosalie?'' My question was ignored as Rosalie sent her text and continued to watch me. We were in the middle of the foyer just standing there glaring at each other.
I refused to move as the three of them watched me closely. Not two minutes later, I hear Emmett's loud voice.
''Okay, ladies, I'll take it from here,'' he said as he quickly kissed Rosalie on the forehead and swept me off my feet. Literally.
Like earlier this morning, he threw me over his shoulder and led us outside.
''Emmett, what the hell do you think you're doing?'' I demanded as I shivered from the cold air outside. I had left my coat inside. Suddenly remembering I had a quite short dress I gasped. ''Emmett! People can probably see my ass!'' I yelled.
''Don't worry Bells, nobody is really outside,'' he reassured me, completely ignoring my question.
I growled in pure anger. Yes, I growled as he pulled me away from the building and to the side of it. There were trees, but they were all upside down, seeing them from my position. I think I saw a dark figure towards where we were heading, but I wasn't sure since it had gotten really dark outside.
The only light that led the way were the moon and stars. It was a beautiful night. Actually, I thought I could hear the slight sound of the music that had been playing at the event. I couldn't be positive though.
Emmett came to a stop, and I sighed in relief. He put me down, but instead of letting go of me, he held me in place with his strong arms.
I sighed angrily and tried to move out of his grasp, but stopped my actions as soon as I heard another deep sigh. I looked up and noticed that someone was indeed with us. I studied the figure and gasped as my eyes adjusted to the light and recognized him.
''Alec?'' Just as the words left my mouth, I heard another velvety voice from behind me.
''Seriously, Jazz, what's going on? What are we doing outside? I need to wait for Bella inside.''
I froze in Emmett's arms, and looked down as I heard Edward approach. As soon as he came to a stop, with Jasper by his side, he took in the scene before him. Alec was standing a few feet away from us in the shadows of the trees, I was being held in place by Emmett right by his side.
''Bella? Emmett? Alec? What's going on here?''
So he wasn't part of this?
''Wouldn't you like to know,'' I spoke to the ground, but as soon as the words were out, Emmett sighed loudly, as did Alec and Jasper.
I decided I was on Edward's team right now. ''Okay, what's going on? Why are we here?'' I asked nobody in particular, hopping for some answers.
Alec was the one that answered that. ''I asked them to bring both of you here so I could speak to you both,'' he answered.
I sighed. ''Well, can Emmett at least let go of me?'' I asked. His hands were on my shoulders, maybe a little too tight. ''You are hurting me, Emm,'' I hinted.
''Are you gonna run off?'' he asked. I thought about it, wanting to be honest.
I was curious as to why we were here, and I wasn't leaving until I knew. ''Nope,'' I answered. He must have heard the honesty on my voice because he let go of me.
''Okay Alec, see ya' later man,'' Emmett said as he and Jasper stepped back and made their way back into the building.
What? They weren't staying here?
''Okay, Alec what's going on?'' I heard Edward's low voice ask. I looked up at Edward and noticed the curiosity in his face. It was clear that he didn't know why we were dragged here.
I looked away from him, afraid if I kept staring, I wouldn't be able to take my eyes off him.
Alec took a deep breath. ''I wanted to talk to you both...about what happened between you two.'' The last part was so quiet I almost didn't hear him.
''What about it?'' I asked in a hurt voice. Did he want me to relive the night to hurt me or something?
Alec shook his head. ''I just want to ask one thing out of both you: please don't say anything until I finish,'' he said as he looked at the two of us.
''Okay,'' Edward said immediately. Was it my imagination, or was that hope in his voice?
I looked at him in question, and found myself unable to think as I looked at the pleading look on his green eyes. I nodded because I suddenly couldn't find my voice.
Alec nodded, and took a deep breath to start. ''It's not secret that I have feelings for Bella ever since I met her,'' I felt Edward stiffen next to me, and I nodded. Alec took it as a sing to start again. ''I'm not sure if you Edward have heard about Jacob Black or not, and I'm not the right person to tell you about-''
''Yeah, I know about him,'' Edward interrupted in a hard voice.
Alec nodded. ''Okay, then. As I was saying, it's no secret that I have feelings for Bella. Back in Phoenix though, I couldn't say anything to her because Jacob was always by her side; controlling in a way. So when they broke up, I thought I had a chance, but then she moved here.
''I was happy when I found out we were coming for this huge and important event. I was excited not for the event, but because I got to see Bella again,'' he said with a bitter smile. ''Of course when I found out that you had a new boyfriend from Emmett, I thought it was just a fling-''
''I have never been one to just have a-''
''I know, I know, Bella. You promised not to interrupt so let me talk, okay?'' I nodded, crossing my arms while waiting for him to continue. ''Anyways, I was mad. So I took it on both of you and said some pretty mean things. I want to apologize for them,'' he said as he looked at the two of us. Edward nodded, accepting his apology with guarded eyes. I just nodded. Hadn't he already apologized to me?
''Thank you. So one night I went to bed and my phone woke me up. It was a number from Phoenix so I answered immediately without thinking. Imagine my surprise when I saw that it was Jacob.''
I froze. Jacob. Was he here? I looked around in panic; my breathing came out in gasps as I looked around for him. He knew where I lived. Both Alec and Edward noticed my actions and I felt two warm hands wrap around me. I knew that it was Edward, and instead of fighting him, I stayed there because I felt safe.
''No! He is not here,'' Alec explained quickly. I took a deep breath and nodded turning towards him once more. Edward's eye stayed wrapped around me, and I let them.
''He demanded to know about you, Bella. He somehow found out that I was in Washington, and he demanded to know what was happening with you. Full of anger, I told him all about you,'' he admitted. I froze, and I felt Edward stiffen once more and held me closer to his chest.
Alec nodded. ''I know it was a mistake, but I was mad. It's not an excuse, it's simply an explanation-''
''Why the hell will you do that then? Huh, Alec? If you truly cared about Bella-''
''You promised, Edward. Listen,'' Alec reminded him. ''I know what I did was wrong, okay? So anyway, I told him about Edward and you. Boy was he mad. Of course I was mad too, and we decided that we had to do something to separate both of you.''
I stiffened, as did Edward. Was what he saying true? If it was, then... was it possible that…that everything between Edward and me...?
Don't assume anything. Yet.
Alec continued. ''The plan was that Jacob was going to come to Washington, and pay a visit to Edward. He was going to make it seem like he was still dating Bella, so Edward would be mad at you Bella, and break up with you,'' he admitted.
Edward's arms tightened around me at hearing this. I leaned closer to his embrace, needing him to hold me together at the moment.
''How can you plan that?'' I asked, surprised at how broken it sounded. How about if they would have gotten to that ''plan'', would Edward believe them?
Then, I looked at myself. I believed he had cheated on me while it was a trick, did I really deserve his trust. I looked up at Edward who was watching me closely. I looked into his eyes for hatred or disgust at me, but I couldn't find it.
''I don't know, I was mad. The plan continued, then one night he called me to tell me he was in town...with his girlfriend, Tanya.''
The name made Edward tighten his hold on me. So he had a girlfriend. It didn't bother me really; I was just sorry for the idiot who was with him. Suddenly I wondered if that was the call that I had eavesdropped on.
Alec shook his head. ''So obviously the plan had to change. Forks is a small town and if Edward saw Tanya and him together, everything will go to waste. So we developed a new plan.''
I grabbed tight onto Edward's dress jacket, if I let go I was sure I was going to punch Alec. Edward was breathing was hard, I could hear it from where I buried my face into his chest.
''At the mall, I was to distract Bella, while Tanya took care of Edward. Bella was supposed to see Tanya and Edward together. Then Bella will get a call from Jacob telling her that he used Edward to get back at her. That she didn't mean anything to you, Edward. That you were faking.''
I let a sob escape me, and Edward's hands started rubbing up and down my back in a comforting gesture. I grabbed onto him tightly. I felt his lips on top of my hair and for a second I wondered how messed up it was. After all, Emmett had probably messed it up when he through me over his shoulder.
''There, you're done Alec. I can't believe you will do this! If you loved Bella so much you would want her to be happy, but you were too selfish for that, huh? Instead you chose to hurt her...'' Edward trailed off in disgust at Alec.
''I know. I didn't realize it will hurt her this much, but then I saw her around the house crying...all miserable. I knew I had to fix it, and maybe you can't forgive me now or you never will, and I can understand. I'm incredibly sorry about it all.''
I heard steps so I assumed that Alec had left.
I didn't know if I could ever forgive him for what he did. Though I had to keep in mind that he was man enough to admit his mistakes and told us the truth, I had to give him credit for that. But still, I was furious about it.
''Shh, love, shh,'' Edward repeated again and again, trying to calm down my crying. I realized that my make-up was ruined, but I couldn't care about it at the moment.
I looked up at Edward and found the adoration in his eyes that were filled with sadness as well. I couldn't believe I was stupid enough to not have enough trust in him to believe in him. Everything was right in front of my face, but I refused to see it. Instead, I believed what I saw. Lies.
''I'm sorry...so sorry for not...believing in you,'' I told him between sobs. I heard his mantra of comfort words, while he rubbed my back in a soothing manner.
''You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm sorry too, love,'' he told me sincerely. I looked up at him through my tears and gave him a questioning glance. He laughed softly. ''I should have tried to fix things. You were completely right with your actions-''
''No, Edward. I should have...trusted in you...in us.''
''No Bella. They made you believe it. How can you beat that?'' I just shrugged, not knowing what to respond that with.
We stood there, both our arms wrapped tightly around each other, just relishing our closeness once more. Tears were still running down my face, but no more sobs. Edward was saying us from side to side and it took me a minute to realize he was saying us at the rhythm of the low music you could hear in the background.
''You have no idea how happy I am,'' he sighed softly. I simply smiled, not wanting to ruin the mood by saying something cheesy.
We were still swaying from side to side, when I shivered remembering that I didn't have a coat and it was freezing outside. Edward realized this quickly and un-wrapped his arms around me to reach for his jacket.
''No...Juusttt...huug meee,'' I said shivering. He smiled my favorite smile, but took his jacket off and wrapped it around my shoulders, and resumed our embraced.
''I don't want you to be cold,'' I whined. I didn't want him to get sick or anything, and now he didn't have a jacket and if he got ill it was going to be my fault.
''Shh, don't worry about it. I'm not cold anyway. I'm not the one with the beautiful, little dress,'' he reminded me, whispering in my ear, making me shiver, but not from the cold anymore.
''Well, I probably look terrible. Red eyes, ruined make-up, and my hair probably looks like a hay sack.''
''You look perfect, beautiful,'' he assured me.
''You are lying! I know I must look really bad,'' I argued.
He shrugged. ''What ever you say, love, but I'm not letting you go. Not yet.''
''You don't ever have to,'' I sighed deeply, content.
''I'm holding you to that.''
Okay so far I know three things.
1. Next chapter is going to be the last one. Ever.
2. No sequel.
3. I really want you guys to review!
Srsly! My beta (who is AWESOME) and I worked really hard for this. I'm sorry it wasn't posted earlier, I blame that on me.