Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or its original characters. No copyright infringement is intended with the posting of this story.

A/N: Welcome back! I'm posting this a little later than I like, but it's already two days later than I'd planned so I didn't want to wait any longer.

Much love to my beta, BPlemons. Even more so this time around since she had to look this one over twice.

Any and all mistakes are mine thanks to my twitchy fingers right before updating.

Music inspiration for this chapter: I Dare You, By: The Regretts

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.:(*):. Chapter 7 .:(*):.

.*. iNhale/eXhale .*.

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...Bella...

It takes a lot longer than twenty minutes, but just before lunch time a text message comes in from a number my phone doesn't recognize.

213-555-1068

If you're coming, move your ass little sister.

A devious smile forms on my face and I bite down on my lip as I launch myself off the bed.

After grabbing a couple of Little Debbie cakes from the top shelf of my closet, I snatch a mask off my desk and slide my phone into my side pocket.

Truth be told, with the exception of my freshman year of high school, I've never been much of a weed connoisseur.

Sure, that first semester is a bit of a blur, but I regret nothing... other than a few crummy makeout sessions in the back parking lot with Jacob Black, our local pot dealer.

Given the current state of my life, I'm more than ready to numb my overthinking brain with some legit marijuana for once, and not the usual yard clippings Jake tends to serve.

As soon as I get outside I find both Edward and Emmett laughing about something at the far end of our patio. Without saying a word, I toss the snack cakes I've brought with me onto the table and grab a bottle of water from the mini fridge before I join them.

My brother seems surprised to see me.

Edward? Not so much.

"What?" I question innocently, "Did you think I'd back out?"

"Yeah. I mean no. Maybe? I guess I'm just surprised by how fast you got down here."

I roll my eyes and gently shrug my shoulders, "Sorry. Suffocating boredom can do that to a girl."

Emmett laughs nervously. He casually looks around, "Mom and Dad would kill me if—"

"Relax, big brother. Nothing about this would shock them. Besides, I'm here to grant you the opportunity to mend one of the many promises you broke when you left for California."

His gaze instantly softens with my gentle reminder.

He knows I'm right.

He has to.

There's absolutely no way he's forgotten.

See, prior to him leaving town, I'd agreed to smoke with him for my first time… but then he disappeared the day after my fourteenth birthday.

That left me with very few options.

So, on my first day of highschool I joined the drama club, and thanks to the theatre nerds who took me in under their wing, I learned how to hit a bong like a pro and roll proper joints between set changes backstage.

Speaking of proper joints, my brother clears his throat and waves two in the air, "Okay, fair enough, but because we're still being extra careful, Edward pointed out that we can't exactly puff-puff-pass while we sit out here together. He also took the time to measure the distance of your chair. We figured seven feet would be far enough, but you can move it to wherever you'll feel most comfortable."

I stand frozen while I process what it is he's saying, and why he's felt the need to actually say it.

They've done all of this because we won't be able to wear our masks while we're actually smoking.

My entire body heats up and I instantly begin rocking in place.

I'm… I'm about to see Stranger Danger's maskless face… for the very first time… with my damn brother chaperoning.

Good fucking grief, Bella.

How did you not realize this?!

What if I accidentally moan at the sight of his uncovered lips and Emmett notices?

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

This is not a shining moment for me.

In fact, I'm actually pretty pissed at myself right now.

"Like I said, you won't hurt our feelings if you decide to go sit by the pond. Besides, we can always hang out afterward once our masks can go back on. I mean... unless you're just using me for my weed... and if that's the case… well... I guess I deserve it." Emmett teases when I continue to remain silent.

I shuffle my sneakers toward the camping chair they've positioned seven feet away, then pull it back another foot before finally taking a seat, "No, I'm fine. I just didn't think this through. I guess my brain isn't used to functioning so early in the morning."

Edward's eyes… they're studying me… he's probably wondering if I'm going to chicken out… which means I can't… Crap.

Feeling anxious, I stretch my legs and run my hands up and down my thighs, "It's been a few days and neither of you are showing any symptoms. This is… it's totally fine."

"Alrighty then, the boss has spoken." Emmett doesn't waste another second to toss me one of the joints he's rolled and I somehow manage to catch it without becoming hopelessly awkward in the process. "Heads up, this is medical grade stuff, not the dry shit you're probably used to getting around here."

Okay, now I have to laugh.

It's kind've adorable my brother has it in his head that I've become a straight up stoner during his absence.

Sure, things were touch and go for a hot minute in the ninth grade, but once the initial heartache over his abandonment depleted, I eventually found much better ways to get into trouble.

Before I can explain this to him, he stands without warning, looking down at his phone, "Shit. I really need to take this call. You two go ahead and start without me. It shouldn't take too long."

With Emmett's sudden departure, the porch swing Edward's sitting on begins to sway, capturing my attention.

On impulse I look down at his feet when I find him already staring in my direction.

"Bella, are you sure you're okay with this?"

"Yeah," I whisper, "I'm totally fine."

"You keep saying that, but I dunno… I have this funny feeling you might be stretching the truth again for my amusement." He toys with a soft laugh.

It takes me half a second to realize he's referring to last night and the information I'd withheld from him, regarding my break up with Mike.

When I look up again I find his eyes still smiling at me while he waits for my response.

I release a loud sigh from behind my mask and slowly hug my body, "I just hadn't thought about our masks coming off. That's all."

Edward's gaze softens, "Gotcha. Well, what if we—"

"Good grief! I said I'm fine!" I snap, before tugging my mask from my face with an exasperated huff to prove it to him.

He shrugs indifferently and runs his fingers through his hair, then sits up straight to follow my lead without hesitation, "I was going to say we could do it together on the count of three, but I should've known you'd want to be the leader."

Holy. Mother. Of. God.

Seeing his smoldering smirk for the very first time… it becomes all of my everythings, making lockdown worth every stupid moment I've had to endure while my life has been put on hold being stuck here with my parents hating the rest of the world.

His chiseled jaw could cut through ice, and his mouth… I want… no, I absolutely need it to explore every trembling inch of my body.

When he has the audacity to wink with a subtle lick at his lips, it causes me to almost fall out of my chair like some love drunk moron who's just undergone an out of body experience over the sight of his panty dropping grin.

Jesus Christ, Bella.

Have some self respect.

Rose was right… I can't… I can't even utter a sound right now, let alone take in a steady breath without looking like a suffocating fish floundering for air.

Focus.

Inhale...exhale.

Breathe!

No matter how hard I try though, it's impossible to end our silent staring contest that's taken absolute control of me.

Words.

What are words?

Speak, you idiot!

He's waiting!

"You um… you have a really nice face."

SERIOUSLY?!

That's what you decide to spit out?!

'YoU hAve a rEaLLy NiCe fAcE.'

Well, at least I didn't ask him if I could sit on it?

Finally, fresh oxygen fills my lungs when I begin bouncing my leg over my knee like some kind of anti-twitterpated defibrillator, "Okay, Stranger Danger. It's your turn to speak before I say something else I'll regret."

"Sorry," He pauses and smirks, "I was just thinking about how your lips will likely haunt me in my dreams tonight."

My eyes blink hard after hearing his confession, but I'm determined to hold it together and not react like a giddy teenage girl even though I'm sure that's what he's expecting, "I dunno, Edward. I bet you say that to all of your friends' sisters."

"Nope," He laughs softly, "I've never uttered those words before in my life. Not to any girl. There's something about you, Bella... I thought I told you that last night?"

I feel my heart thump hard against my chest with his softly spoken reminder.

While I struggle to find my next words he starts to burn the tip of his joint, rolling it back and forth with his fingers over the glowing flame of his black lighter.

It takes him a few seconds, but as soon as its cherry is lit he brings the other end to his mouth, puffs twice and then looks back up at me with silent purpose.

There's something hypnotic about seeing him release a cloud of smoke from between his perfectly parted lips.

The sight causes me to sink deeper into my chair and then take in a hitched breath.

"Light it up, Sawyer. I'm starting to feel pretty awkward getting high by myself while a minor quietly watches."

A minor?

Pft.

I accept his challenge with a roll of my eyes, and lift my joint up to my lips to carefully light it. After holding in my first hit for several long seconds, I give him a sarcastic thumbs up and then casually let it out.

When I refuse to look away from his heightened hungry stare, Edward laughs to himself and runs his fingers through his wild auburn hair. He shakes his head two times. He releases an exasperated breath, "You're making this incredibly difficult, Bella. I really wish you didn't have to be so far away."

"Nope, that wouldn't be a good idea," I tease, finally feeling relaxed, "Not with the way you're looking at me right now."

For a second I see disappointment flicker in his eyes, "Yeah, I guess you're probably right."

"Oh, I absolutely know I'm right." I affirm, then take another hit until my lips begin to tingle against the warmed paper.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure," I exhale, "Just don't get mad if I refuse to answer it."

Edward smirks in my direction, "Okay. Fair enough. Let's see if you'll indulge me."

When he pauses to reposition himself on the swaying bench, I feel my entire body react to the sight of his strong hands as they grip at the edge of the swing.

"You might want to hurry, Finn. My brother won't stay gone forever."

"I'm hurrying!" The sound of his nervous laugh makes me smile. "If you could change anything about being on lockdown, what would it be?"

This is the conversation he wants to have while we sit here smoking weed?

Random, but okay… I'll play.

I think his question over for a few seconds, then uncross my legs and lean forward on my knees, "I dunno… I guess the timing. I feel like an entire chapter of my life has been stolen from me, and now I'll never be able to write it. Why such a randomly melancholy question, weirdo? Shouldn't we be talking about aliens or debating if it makes us a little bit gay when we masterbate?"

He laughs hard at my response before coughing nervously into his closed fist, "Sorry, I was just thinking about it last night… Wondering how I would've handled being shut in with only my parents for months when I was your age."

"So wait... are you saying you were still thinking about me… Even after you ran away from my room like a delicate female last night?"

He tilts his head to blow out a fresh cloud of smoke, but never once does he actually look away from me, "Bella, I don't think there's been a minute that's gone by where you haven't been on my mind since I got here."

And there goes my ability to breathe.

Damn him to hell.

Without warning, the back door acts as my Savior forcing us to break our heated stare.

Emmett has returned, and with his return he's brought along more snacks.

His timing is actually perfect because three more seconds from now I would've been mounting his best friend on the porch swing, begging him to take me against the wall on the side of the house.

"Everything cool, with James?" Edward questions, not even realizing how close he just came to having to toss me from his lap like a horny rag doll on an x-rated mission.

"Yup, all is well. He's going to email me the other form we need. Once it's signed we'll be ready to move forward thanks to his loan."

I'm too busy trying to calm myself down to pay them much attention.

I take in the longest drag I can and then purposely close my eyes while tilting my head back to release the smoke into the air the same way Edward had before Emmett had interrupted.

"Jesus, you doing okay over there, Smokey-B?" My brother questions with a booming laugh.

I do my best to not cough like some lame ass beginner by taking a sip of my water.

"Doing excellent, big brother." I eventually whisper. My lips tingle with their relaxed smile. My body gently twitches.

"Very good. If nothing else, maybe this will help take some of the sting out of your break up."

"Ew," I grumble, "Can we please not talk about Mike? There's absolutely no stinging going on over here. Trust me."

Emmett laughs, and when I finally open my eyes again I see him nodding his head as he takes his own hit from the joint he's sharing with Edward.

Edward.

His pretty green eyes continue to watch me.

He's still wishing I didn't have to be so far away.

It's obvious.

"Besides," I suddenly speak up, "I'm kinda already into someone else."

Edward's jaw instantly tightens. I see him sit up straighter beside my brother and tug at the back of his neck while he takes his next toke like a true professional.

"It's new though... and with things so weird right now... I'm not really sure what will become of it." I decide to continue without hesitation.

"Really? Already? Well that was fast. Someone you know from school?"

"No, Dad. No one from school. It's actually kind've random how we met… but he's really hard to read sometimes. I'm not even sure he's into me… in that way… he seems pretty determined to keep things platonic."

Edward coughs into his fist, then swiftly apologizes before he stands up to cross the patio and grab a water.

"Well if it's meant to be, it will happen. Isn't that what Mom says?"

I smirk and nod then raise my brow on impulse when Edward sits back down.

This time he makes it a point to look me in the eyes as he slowly sips his water.

Emmett is busy messing with the joint and his lighter, so I keep my stare set on Edward wondering what he's thinking, and if he'll be cross with me later.

"I'll definitely be holding my breath while we figure it out, because I think I really like him."

I honestly don't know what's come over me… oh wait… yes I do. I'm high as fuck right now and I'm having fun watching my brother's best friend battle with his own dirty thoughts while we sit here smoking as if all is right in the world.

"Well, I'm rooting for your happiness, sis. Truly. Whoever he is, I hope he's worthy," Emmett takes his hit and passes it back over to Edward who continues to remain silent, "What's his name?"

"Finn." I blurt out, then puff twice on my joint to prevent myself from laughing.

"Ah, well, may you and Finn find your way in this crazy new reality we're all living in."

When I look up at Emmett he's smiling back at me.

It's a smile I haven't seen in years, and for a brief second it pains me.

For the first time since his return it's actually nice to see his stupid face.

It's in this moment when I realize we've just had our first true heart to heart in four years, and he too seems to have noticed.

Shit.

If he only knew… And now I feel dirty… but not in a good way.

Dammit.

Time to retreat before this turns into an awkward Hallmark movie moment.

"You know what, I think I'm good. I'll let you two finish so you can talk business without me pretending to listen. Thanks, Em. This was exactly what I needed this morning."

My fingers put out my spliff and I swiftly return my mask to my face.

"Yup. Happy I could finally come through for you, even if it was four years too late."

"Yeah... What's that saying you old people like so much? Better late than never?" I tease after standing up to stick what's left of my joint into my pocket, "Enjoy your Swiss Rolls. It pains me more than you know to share them."

My legs can't move me toward the back door fast enough, but then I remember there's still something I need to take care of in the yard before I can retreat to my room.

The shed.

Ugh.

I have to check it before Rose comes by, just in case Mike left something completely absurd.

Honestly, I can't even begin to imagine what it might be since he's never been much of a romantic.

Emmett and Edward are talking and laughing about something.

The sight actually makes me pause long enough to smile.

At first they don't even notice my U-turn until I push open the screen door and hop the steps down to the grass.

"Everything okay?"

"Just peachy!" I holler back with a quick wave.

Before Emmett can ask any follow up questions I take off toward the other end of the yard.

At first the door is hard to open, but with a proper tug and bump from my hip it finally budges.

Sunlight pours through two windows, making it easy for me to maneuver around my dad's mower and other random boxes filled with things we no longer need but my mom refuses to get rid of.

I lean against the stool by his work bench and then slowly reach down to grab my semi-super-secret mailbox.

When I peer inside I blink hard, instantly recognizing the logo printed on a large white envelope that's waiting to be opened.

"What in the world?"

I reach down with trembling fingers.

Slowly, I pull out the only sheet of paper that's inside.

It's an acceptance letter… with Mike's full name on it… to Georgia State... the very same college I'll be attending once the world returns to normal.

The asshole applied and apparently he's been accepted, which I'm sure has pissed off his parents in ways I can't even begin to wrap my head around.

His dad is an LSU alum, and Mike was born to follow in his footsteps.

The amount of drama this has to have caused in his house… for a very VERY brief moment, I almost feel some pity for him.

Still, what does he expect me to do now that he's told me?

He's been cheating on me for months according to Rose, so this stupid piece of paper means absolutely nothing to me, no matter how he wants to spin it.

Without thinking twice, I crumble the damn thing in my hand and stuff it into my back pocket.

I know what to do next, but first I'm going to need something from Emmett.

The entire way back up to the house my anger rages and festers.

This is one hundred percent Mike's way of pretending he's actually made a sacrifice for me.

In other words, typical A+ gaslighting, which he's always been quite good at.

He's never wanted to go to LSU. His father was literally forcing him, and that's never been a secret. He's probably been planning on using me as a scapegoat for months, even before the stupid pandemic.

"Emmett, can I see your lighter for a minute?"

My brother looks confused, but he knows better than to ask any questions.

He tosses it without saying a word and both he and Edward watch as I cross the yard again, this time toward the fire pit by the pond.

Once there, I remove Mike's college admission letter from my pocket and drop it into the center after setting it on fire.

The flames grow rather quickly. They're almost enchanting to watch, but I pull myself from my hollowed daze, and then I slowly turn my body around.

On my way back up to the house I unblock Mike's number long enough to send him a captionless selfie with my middle finger and his bullshit letter burning brightly in the background.

A/N: Burn Mike burn. *wink*

So, what are we thinking now that these two have finally "seen" each other? Will Bella still be able to behave, or will she break and pounce before those test results come back? Decisions decisions.

**I'd love to read your thoughts!**

**As thanks for a review, I'll share an outtake from Edward's POV while he watches Bella burn Mike's letter,

which will also serve as a sneak peek to how the next chapter will start.**

Will Bella still head upstairs to her room, or will she decide to hang a little longer now that she's go something to vent about?

Thanks for reading!