Disclaimers: All characters of Twilight belong Stephenie Meyer. In no way do I own them. Only the character that I invented, Adaline, belongs to me.

Enjoy or not. Cheers.

Chapter 7

The rest of the week passed quickly, with Edward Cullen still playing truant. I think Bella had started an unhealthy fixation on that boy and I bluntly told her so when her moping was starting to get too dramatic and her constant request for me to ask Alice where her brother was got tedious. Seriously, did she think that by constantly staring at the Cullen's table every time at lunch, that he would mysteriously appear? I think my exact words were :

"Your pining and moping is getting tiring and unhealthy Bella. Wake up. This is not some old romance novel like Romeo and Juliet or Weathering Heights. Your first meeting with him was dubious and you only met him ONCE. You have never even talked to him. So would you please stop acting like your husband of ten years just left you? And for merlin's sake stop staring at their table. It is rude and clearly bother his siblings. Would you be okay with someone you don't even know staring at you through lunch? No? Didn't think so. So stop. Edward Cullen's business is his and his family's problem. I may not like his attitude but he is not entitled to you. So stop acting like this is the start of some tragic drama that air on tv every afternoon. I cannot withstand that illogical angst that you are starting to brew, so snap out of it, please!"

Yes harsh but true. She was starting to irritate me with that unreasonable dramatic reaction. And I was getting tired of apologising to Alice, Jasper and Emmett about her near stalking behaviour. I calmly said it to her.

Fortunately, she did stop staring at their table….mostly. As for her fixation, merlin only knows if it will ebb away. I am not holding my breath. Really, I never thought that one day I would find my sister fixated so much on a boy. Or was it always there and was now only surfacing because it now has a catalyst? I mean, I understand some change but not like that. If I was not suspicious of it developing into obsession, then I would mind my own business and let her do her thing. She was my sister. I had to at least try to point out that is was starting to get unhealthy. The rest she would have to figure out on her own. I couldn't and wouldn't dictate nor watch her every actions.

I mean I was attracted to the good doctor, okay I admitted it, but you did not see me thinking about him every hour of my life and acting as if I would die if I did not see him for one day. Heck, I haven't seen him since the supermarket episode and I was completely fine! I never asked Alice anything about him either.

Anyway, it was now the weekend and we had already cleaned the house. What only remained was to wash the cars. Fortunately there was a hint of sun today and we quickly got that done. Dad was at work and Bella was scheduled to go to La Push with her friends at eleven. I opted out. I wanted a nice afternoon alone in my room with a good book. Blessed solitude and silence. Thank merlin Bella was getting out of her funk and going out.

At eleven sharp, I stood at the door as I waved goodbye to Bella and her friends. The minute they were out of sight, I closed the door, ran to my room, wrapped myself in a blanket, grabbed my book and plonked my arse on my windowsill. Just as I was about to start reading, with a anticipatory smile on my face, my phone rang.

"…..Are you bloody kidding me right now?!" I exclaimed as I got up and threw my blanket on the bed.

I checked the screen to see that it was Alice calling. My eyes twitched.

"Hello, pixie from hell." I said deadpanning.

She laughed, "Hi Adaline! What are you doing right now. You have nothing scheduled, right?"

"Actually, yes I do. I have a schedule with me, myself and I. And a good book."

"Oh nothing important then. How about coming to hang out with me, Emmett and Jasper? We have nothing to do and Emmett is getting bored. Nothing good comes out from him being bored." She said giggling.

I heard Emmett's 'hey!' from behind.

"What, are you going to deny it?" She said to him.

I heard him roar out a 'no' then laugh uproariously.

"I'll have you know that time by myself is important! Crucial even! And pray tell, what will me being present change? I am not exactly the epitome of entertaining. In fact I am quite boring, really."

"Oh come on! Please? We can play monopoly, cards, dress-up, PlayStation or watch a movie with popcorn. It'll be fun, promise."

"Wait a minute, there was one scary suggestion in there. Did I hear the word dress-up?"

"No you heard wrong! No dress-up involved! Promise!"

"Alice, you are not trying to stuff me in a costume or whatever attire you have hidden, are you?" I asked her suspiciously.

"Adaline, good morning. This is Jasper. Alice had to go handle something. We would be pleased to pass the afternoon in your company. Won't you consider it please?"

"Good morning Jasper." I said with a smile.

"And really? Handle something?" I drawled as I continued, "That something wouldn't have a correlation with the word dress-up, would it? Did she go hide all the attires she took out?"

He just laughed and said, "It's Alice."

"I see." I deadpanned.

"Won't you consider coming Adaline? I promise to rein Alice in. I am in need of another calm soul to help keep me sane."

His southern drawl was so soothing. In fact Jasper was soothing overall. He didn't speak unnecessarily, was mostly calm and shared my appreciation for silence. Really, I got along extremely well with him. Sometimes we just sat in companionable silence and listened to Alice talk while sharing commiserating looks.

"Okay Jasper. I am coming just to save your sanity. We can dump the two hyperactive children and go find a corner to hide in. It'll just be us with a book each and blessed silence." I said while laughing.

"Thank you Adaline and I look forward to it. I'll come fetch you as our house is difficult to find. You can get lost easily. I'll be there in ten minutes max. Either Alice or me will drive you back, so don't worry. " He chuckled as he tried to fend off Alice and Emmett.

"Very well then. See you in a few. Cheers~"

I hanged up and dialled my dad's phone number.

"Hello?"

"Hello dad. I am calling to let you know that I'll be at the Cullen's if you need me. Alice and Jasper invited me."

"Okay. Will you be able to get there on your own. It is tricky to get to their place."

"No problem. Jasper is coming to get me and he'll drive me back."

"Okay have fun then. If there is any problem, call me."

"Will do. Byebye."

With that I hung up and walked to my wardrobe for more appropriate clothes. I had already showered after cleaning earlier. I pulled on a long baggy burgundy sweater dress and see-through black leggings. I took a simple black handbag and put my book, purse and phone inside then went to the mirror to brush my hair. I left my hair down and put an elastic in my bag just in case.

Just as I had finished putting my white trainers on, I heard a honk outside. I grabbed my bag and quickly went downstairs to write a note for Bella, telling her I won't be home until later. With that done, I grabbed my house keys and went outside. I made sure to close the door then made my way to the parked Volvo. Jasper was at the wheel and Alice was in the passenger seat, with half her body out the window.

"Adaline!" She greeted with a big smile.

"Alice." I greeted her calmly with a teasing smile, " if you lean even more you are going to fall out of the car."

She laughed in response as I quickly pulled the door open and got into the back.

"Hello Jasper. I hope your sanity has not been completely jeopardized yet." I said as I closed the door.

"Hello Adaline; my sanity was hanging by a thread. Thank you for coming to save me."

"You are welcome. At least now you have a companion to lose your sanity with." As I said this, he put the car into drive.

"Oh I really like what you are wearing Addy! I approve!" Alice exclaimed.

"Thank you for your approval Alice. God forbid I wear something you do not approve of." I said sarcastically.

"Exactly! Don't worry, I am always available for fashion advices." She said with a cocky smile.

I rolled my eyes at her.

'And Addy? The only ones who call me like that sometimes are mum, Bella and dad. I guess it is fine even though I really don't like that abbreviation.'

Unlike Bella, I preferred my full name. Who in merlin's name would like to be called Addy? At least not me.

The rest of the drive was filled with random talks and Alice's chatter. Jasper and I played the indulgent listeners.

"Sweet merlin! It really is tricky to get to your house! I didn't even notice there was a path there. I definitely would have missed the turn and end up somewhere in the middle of the forest."

"You definitely would!" Alice acquiesced.

"Didn't you ever miss the turn? Especially at night?"

"No, we never did. We are quite used to it and have good memory." Jasper answered as he pulled up to a white house with old architecture, shrouded by trees. It looked like it was recently renovated.

"Your house is like a little sanctuary in the middle of nature. No nosy neighbours around, no traffic sounds and hidden far enough to discourage visitors. I love it!" I exclaimed with a smile as we got out of the car.

Alice made an 'iiieeeee' sound as she jumped in place while slightly clapping her hands, "I knew you would love it! Carlisle chose the house and renovated it on his own. Rosalie and I helped with the decorations. I am sure he'll be delighted to hear that you love it as much as he does." She finished with a mysterious smile.

"The good doctor has acceptable tastes. But there is no need for him to know that. Just tell him that I said he has a lovely home."

"Good doctor?" Jasper asked bemusedly.

" It's just what I had been calling him in my head all this time. It came out by the force of habit…..Delete it from your memories." I groaned and threatened at the same time.

Just as I finished saying that, a booming laugh came from the house and Alice and Jasper also burst into laughter.

"Cease this laughing you dunderheads! It is not that funny. I didn't mean to call him that out loud. And what in merlin's name is dunderhead number three laughing about inside?" I hissed.

'Emmett couldn't have heard us right? I was not talking that loud.'

That made them laugh even more. Dunderhead number three definitely could hear me. Alice was laughing so much that she had to lean on Jasper. And come to think of it, this was the first time I heard Jasper laugh. I just stared at them blankly with my arms crossed, as I waited for them to calm down.

"Are you finished? Or would like to laugh some more?"

Just as I finished that sentence, the door to their house opened and Carlisle Cullen came out.

'Oh….he is home…..that is why it was so funny…did he hear it?... Merlin's pants! Anyway, does it really matter? I already called him that to his face once….even though he didn't know I do it all the time…well now he certainly does…' I thought as I stared dumbly at him.

The good doctor was a vision for sore eyes with his white sweater and black trousers. He had an amused smile on his face as he looked from me to the two dunderheads beside me.

"Alice, Jasper, please invite your friend in before continuing with your fun. Adaline, good morning. It is good to see you again." He said as he walked towards us.

"Dr Cullen." I greeted, trying to act as if that little episode never happened.

"I thought we were past this. Please call me Carlisle."

I tried to keep a blush down as Alice sent me a mild suggestive look, "Ah yes. Carlisle then."

He smiled widely, "welcome to our home. I apologise for Alice and Jasper. Please, come in." With that he lightly put his hand on the small of my back and guided me into the house.

I let out a 'Thank you for having me' as I tried to minimalize the contact of his hand.

'Alice what did that suggestive look mean? Why did you invite me? Jasper,I thought you needed me to save you?! You are abandoning me just like that? Just what are you trying to achieve?! Oh you'll pay for this, I promise you!' I tried to communicate to a smirking pixie and Jasper as I turned around slightly to narrow my eyes at them.

Carlisle paused slightly at the door to let me enter first. I let out a ' thank you' as I entered.

'Wow' I thought as I took in the interior. The living room was the first room you saw as you entered. It was a mix of modern and classic. The walls were an off-white with a big stone fireplace at the center. The ceiling was high, giving the room a bigger feel. There was a beautiful grand piano at the side. Sitting on the large white sofa were Rosalie and Emmett. The latter had one arm on the back of the sofa and was turned in our direction with a big smile on his face. In front of the large screen above the fireplace, a game was paused. On both side of the screen were black built-in shelves holding in all manner of entertainment systems, games and films.

"Hey there Adaline." Greeted Emmett.

"Hey there dunderhead number three. I could hear you laughing from outside. Jeez, your laugh is really loud." I teased him.

"Yea! That was really funny! So daddy dearest has a nickname huh. What was it again? The good…." He trailed off as he heard my next words.

"My, what a beautiful PlayStation. I wonder what the result would be if it happened to be thrown into an ocean somewhere. Accidentally, of course." I said with a sweet smile.

He looked at me with his mouth wide open, an incredulous expression marring his face.

"You wouldn't, would you?"

"Would I what? Did I imply something? I was just pondering something out loud."

"You are absolutely evil!"

"Why, such sweet words coming from you! Thank you Emmett." I said as I mockingly patted his cheek.

A chuckle came from behind me, surprising me. I had completely forgotten that the good doctor was behind me.

'I really have to stop calling him that inside my head.'

I turned my head to look at him, only to see him already looking at me with a tender look in his eyes. I quickly looked back to Emmett to see him smirking at me. I gave him a blank look.