DISCLAIMER: Thank you, Stephenie Meyer, for letting me play with your characters

EPOV

I have a date.

I have a date with the most beautiful woman I've ever met.

I have a date with Bella Swan. Tonight.

But what will I wear?

Oh fudge.

I quickly dial Alice, my little sister.

Alice is a fashion stylist. She even has her own brand, called Brandon, after our mother's father, who pasted away seven years ago. They were really close.

Back to the present, I wait for her to pick up.

''Alice Brandon, amazing sister and fashion stylist with a perfect outfit laying around for a date, how can I help you?'' Damn, she knows everything.

''Excellent! How do you do that, pixie?'' I really wonder. Perhaps she's psychic.

''HA! You'll never know. So, she said yes huh? I knew it! From what you've told me, she seems like a wonderful person.''

''More than, pixie. She's the best.''

''Hmm. I don't know if I'm offended or happy for you. Anyways, it's in my shop. Drop by whenever.''

''I'm on my way.'' I hang up. Immediately, I grab my coat and seconds later I'm driving towards her shop.

Just as I get there, Alice walks out. ''Dang, took you long enough.''

''Alice, the way over here is ten minutes, and I did it in five. How do you call that long?''

''Whatever Wardo.''

''Don't call me that! You know I hate it.''

''Do you want the clothes or what?''

I sigh. ''Yeah, I want them. You know I love you, Ali.''

''That I do,'' she sing-songs. ''And guess what?''

''What?''

''I love you, too.'' she says seriously. ''And, I'm sure I'll love this girl you're dating as well. When can I meet her?'' There's always a reason behind sisterly I love yous.

''Just wait, okay? I first need to take her out. So back to the main subject – my clothes.''

''Alright, come on in.'' She walks inside and practically sprints towards the back. Keeping up with her felt like running a marathon.

''So, you gonna tell me more about her?'' Alice asks.

I chuckle. ''I don't know where to begin. She's effing awesome, that's for sure.'' Just thinking about her makes me smile.

''Ahw, look at that goofy smile on your face! You're in love!'' Alice spins around, shrieking excitedly.

''Yeah, sort of. I guess I'm falling, or something. How's Jazz?'' I ask, trying to change the subject.

''Nah ah, I see what you're doing,'' Alice says. ''Trying to change the subject. Argh, fine, you can have this one. But I want deets tomorrow. Anyways, Jasper's alright, I guess. Ya know, I think something's bothering him. I mean, he's been kind of distant lately.'' Alice frowns, looking deep in thought.

''Distant how?'' I ask, trying to picture it. Based on her concerned features it must be serious.

''Like, nervous or something? I don't know how to describe it. Ooh, like the other day he was supposed to come over, but he never showed up. I don't want to assume he's cheating or something, because he wouldn't do that, right? I love him, he loves me, and we're perfect together. Maybe it's just work. He got a new client, and he was telling me that she had a lot of troubles, I mean an awful lot. Like, her mother left her at her father's doorstep when she was just six. She remembers some of it. Her mother wasn't ready for children or something like that. Either way, her father was abusive. He'd come home drunk and beat her up for no reason at all. Then she met this guy whom she fell in love with, but guess what? He eventually did the same thing as her father! That's some forked up shit, right? Now she's afraid her ex-boyfriend might come back, and that's why she ran. And now she lives here.''

''Wow, Ali, that's a lot. Did he mention her name?''

''No, of course not! It's unprofessional to do so, no matter who you're talking to. I really wanted to know though, but I didn't ask. Either way, something is bothering him, and I just let myself believe it's this. I don't know what else.'' She sighs deeply. I hate seeing her like this.

''The clothes are decent.'' A navy-blue button up and designer jeans that could possibly pay my rent and food for three months.

''Mhm..'' she hums quietly.

''If she still wants me after this, you can meet her next week,'' I say, changing the subject again and hopefully distracting her from what's going on inside her head.

''YAY!'' she squeals, and I'm glad that it worked. I'll be sure to have a word or two with Jasper about this.

After what seems like a lifetime, I'm finally driving towards her house.

Thinking about how I changed these past few weeks with Bella in my life makes my adoration for her grow even more.

Before her, I was stumbling through my days without a care, not really living or minding what others were thinking. Alice sees that tremendous change in me; she told me I smile more often.

While I was dark and pessimistic about people and life itself, Bella was bright and full of eagerness. She quite possibly saw the broken soul inside me and decided to fix whatever there could be fixed. And even if she hadn't intended to, she sure as hell has come a far way with stitching up my shattered spirit, though she might not know that.

Without her, I don't function right. Now that I've seen what joy is, I'm determined to never let it slip through my fingers.

I arrive at a quarter to six.

Is it too early? Probably. Am I excited? You bet your ass I am.

I walk towards where her apartment should be. But as I get there, I see that the front door of her apartment is slightly opened. Perhaps it was warm inside...?

Not trusting it, I slowly walk to the door. And I should've expected what I would see when I opened that door.

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Until next time...

~TIME