AN: Hey guys! I'm really sorry it took so long to get this chapter to you. Honestly, I was struggling with whether or not I wanted to continue writing it. I received some harsh comments regarding spelling and grammar mistakes that I have made in previous chapters. Don't get me wrong, constructive criticism is great tool to help us grow as writers, but there's no reason to be rude about it. I'm currently working around 65 hours a week, and writing is my way of relaxing. I know that I'm not some amazing writer. This story will have mistakes that I don't have time to go and fix because really, I'm just doing this for fun. If you're looking for something that's perfect, this might not be the story for you. But for now, this story will continue because I'm very excited to continue with the plot line. Also, I just wanted to give a special shout out to danielynn79 for encouraging me to keep writing! I appreciate your kindness! Hope you all enjoy!

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?"

It was the third time that Alice had asked within a ten minute period, and I, once again, assured her that I had no desire to be the third wheel on her and Jasper's date night.

"I'm positive. I have a paper due on Thursday that I need to proof read." Sure, my plans weren't nearly as exciting as hers, but it was a Tuesday night after all, and I was supposed to be focusing on m studies. Not that I'd never been a bad student.

"Well.. alright." Alice replied, finally dropping it. "I'll probably just stay at Jasper's tonight, so.. I guess I'll see you tomorrow. We're still doing our weekly dinner, right?"

Though it seemed like we mostly lived on take-out, Alice and I had agreed to do at least one weekly dinner at home, and it was a tradition that I'd come to look forward to immensely.

"Yeah, of course." I sent her off with a smile and wave, watching as the door shut and I was left to my thoughts.


"Is this really how you're spending you're night?"

I nearly jumped out of my skin when he spoke, and I turned with wild-eyed look to see Edward standing in my doorway. I'd had the t.v. volume up so loud that I hadn't heard the apartment door open.

It was close to seven, and I was mid-way through a true crime documentary, the bowl of popcorn sitting in my lap acting as my dinner. Reaching for the remote, I paused the show and adjusted myself to face him.

"What's wrong with how I'm spending my night?" I huffed, setting the bowl of popcorn off to the side.

"Bella.. you're in New York City and this is the most exciting thing you could find to do?" He said, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe I just wanted to relax." I countered. "What are you doing here anyways?"

"My sister sent me to check on you. She's worried that you're not taking the whole Mike situation well." He folded his arms across his chest and leaned against the doorway.

"I'm fine, really. He's a jerk, and I wasn't ready to date anyways." Nothing that I said was a lie.

"So why haven't you gone anywhere besides school and here in the past week then?" His eyes narrowed slightly, challenging me.

"Because I'm here to study, and go to school. Not to run around the city partying." I pointed out. Okay, that was a lie. My nightmares about Jake had resurfaced, and I wasn't getting much sleep, which lead to me not really having the energy to do much.

"... Get up." He said. Moving towards my bed, he reached out and grabbed my hands, pulling me up. "Get dressed. We're going out."

"Am I going to win this fight if I tell you I don't want to?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"It's not likely, no." He replied, gently pushing me towards my closet. "I'll be in the living room when you're ready."

With a groan, I opened my closet door as my bedroom door swung shut and began to look for some half decent clothes. It wasn't hard to find lavish things. Ever since Alice had figured out my sizes, new clothes were appearing in my wardrobe every week, whether I'd gone shopping or not.

It look a little digging, but finally I came across something more simple and understated, and much more 'me' than what I'd been wearing as of late. I slipped into the sage green tee-shirt dress and paired it with a brown belt and matching brown ankle boots. The summer head was still lingering and I knew I wouldn't be able to wear dresses like this for much longer.

Once I was dressed, I stepped into the bathroom and brushed on a little mascara and eyeliner, and tamed my hair the best I could. I wasn't trying to look overly extravagant or anything. Edward was nothing more than a friend.

After about twenty minutes, I finally joined him in the living room.

"Ready?" He asked, not looking up from his phone.

"Mhm."

"Great." He took up and finally put his phone in his pocket, glancing at me. He looked like he wanted to say something, but decided against it and headed for the door. It made me a little self conscious. Did I look bad?

"You coming?" He asked, pulling me out of my thoughts. Nodding, I quickly ran after him, curious about where this adventure would lead us.


Hanging out with Edward felt awkward and tense. The car ride was filled with silence, and it seemed like he wanted to say something but wasn't. Maybe he was still feeling weird over the talk that we'd had the other night. But then, why would he come get me to hang out?

"Are.. are we okay? I mean, since our talk about me being mean to you and.. all of that? Are you still mad at me?" He finally cut through the silence, pulling me from worried mind and causing me to look over at him.

"Are we...?" I was confused at first, but then nodded. "Yeah, we're okay." I assured him, surprised that this rather intimidating man was spending his time worrying whether or not his sisters best friend was mad at him. It seemed trivial, but then, I guess everyone had their insecurities. It's too bad I couldn't be quite sure what his were.

"Okay, good." He smiled, a rare occurrence, and I couldn't help but melt. I turned to look at the window to hide my blush. I had no interest in Edward Cullen.

That's what I kept telling myself, anyways.

The city passed us by and I wondered where on earth he was taking me. One of the family clubs? Dinner? As more and more places passed by, I grew skeptical. And then we arrived and I was awestruck.

With the sun just setting and the lights all turning on, Coney Island looked picturesque.

Looking back at him, I saw that Edward was grinning like a little kid, and I knew we were in for a wild evening.

We had rode nearly every ride there, gorged on cheese fries, burgers, and cotton candy, and were now strolling barefoot along the beach near the water, enjoying the calming sound of the waves crashing against the shore.

"Thank you for tonight. I guess I hadn't realized how desperately I needed a night out." And not the kind of night where you drink and dance and forget your troubles. No, I needed the kind of night where you laughed and enjoyed yourself, and thought you didn't forget all your worries, they suddenly became less awful. Tonight had been perfect.

"No need to thank me. This was just as fun for me. I needed to get away from life for a little while. The family business can be... Stressful." He said, thinking his words over carefully.

"I can only imagine. I don't know what I'd do if I had that kind of pressure on me." I told him, shaking my head.

He was quiet for a few moments, seemingly trying to make a decision in his mind before he finally spoke up again.

"You're struggling with something thought.. That's why you have nightmares, right?" He asked timidly.

I was silent for a few moments, but ultimately nodded my head. "Right."

"It's your ex-boyfriend.. isn't it? Jake?" As the words left his mouth, I could feel my eyes growing wide and a panic rising in my chest.

"Who told you?" I certainly hadn't. And I was sure that Alice hadn't. Jake wasn't a part of my life that I was keen to bring up to anyone other than the people who had been involved, and the therapist that had been helping me work through my emotions.

"Well.. I sort of ran a background check on you?" He admitted, his face showing that he was currently regretting bringing it up.

"That's really invasive, Edward! Why would you do that?" I felt hurt, and angry that someone was privy to the darkest moments in my life without my consent.

"I just wanted to make sure that you weren't some awful person. My sister was getting attached to you, and with my feelings for you.. I just wanted a reason to make them go away. But it turns out you're a great person." He said, chewing nervously on his lip. "And.. I'm actually really glad that you're in Alice's life because she needs someone like you to mellow her out. Not to mention you're a great friend."

He was trying to compliment me and make me forget that I was mad, but it wasn't working.

"At first I just did a criminal check. You know, any convictions or felonies. But then.. I kept thinking about your nightmares and I just.. dug a little deeper because I was curious. And.. I know that it wasn't right, and I'm sorry." He finished off softly, looking away from me.

"You had absolutely no right to dig into my life." I snapped, and I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes. I hated that I cried when I was angry.

"I know.. Bella, I really am sorry." He repeated, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. I didn't say anything as the tears starting making their way down my cheeks.

"You know..." Edward said, after I had spoken for several moments. "None of what happened was your fault.."

Was he really trying to console me right now?

"I don't need you to tell me that." I said harshly, wiping at my cheeks in vain.

"Bella.." I could tell that he wasn't sure what to say.

"I don't want to hear it. You know, I actually thought that we could be friends. But you're just too much for me." I snapped, turning away from him. "I want to go home."

"Okay, I'll take you home." He agreed. As he passed me to walk back to the car, I could see a look of pain on his face. He was truly upset about what he'd done, and it surprised me.