Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

"We never really talked much or even looked at each other, but it didn't matter because we were looking at the same sky together, which is maybe even more intimate than eye contact anyway. I mean, anybody can look at you. It's quite rare to find someone who sees the same world you see." – John Green, Turtles All the Way Down

It's been days since the coffee stint. I haven't heard back from Edward. But that was understandable. From what I heard from Seth, who heard from Mr. Almighty Alpha himself, Bella found out. Edward never told her about our weekend plans, let alone who he was going to be with. To say she was pissed was an understatement. She didn't like me. I didn't like her. And here her husband was going off with a woman to Port Angeles. It caused quite a stir. She's probably kept his phone by her side at all times. And I don't even know his number so its not like I could call to insult the bitch.

Jake came by to check up on me. Between the Sam and Emily thing and now this- he saw it as priority to make sure that I was okay. It was pity. I hated it with a passion. Him showing any signs of pity made me feel uncomfortable.

"You hit your head or something Clearwater?"

"Hmmm?"

"Well for starters you weren't listening to a word I said. And secondly, you're willingly hanging out with vampires."

"For your information Black, I'm trying something new. It's called being a decent human being. And Edward isn't that bad."

"Sure. Sure."

I walk over to my fridge and take the yogurt and strawberries out. Jake raised an eyebrow at me.

"What?" I snapped.

"Since when did you eat yogurt? Is that why you lost 30 pounds?" His eyes were bright and he wore a smirk on his face. That fucker...

"If you don't get out of my house in 5 seconds Black, I'm gonna kick your ass!" I threatened, wielding the spoon in the air.

"Aha! There she is! There's the Beta I know and love!"

"Jacoooob!" I chased him out of the house as he was laughing hysterically. That gigantic moron had a death wish.

The house was basically mine now. Mom officially moved in with Charlie months back. And as disgusting as it is to think of exactly what they were up to, I was glad she was happy. I just wish it wasn't Bella's dad. If they got married, that would make me Bella's step sister, Edward's sister-in-law. And that would make the plan even weirder. Seth still lived with me, though he spent most of his time at Brady's. Playing any violent video game they could get their hands on.

We got to the tree line of my backyard before he abruptly stopped and held up his hands.

"Alright I surrender. I didn't come here to tease you. I mean it was a bonus. But I got a favor to ask ya."

"So, you didn't just come here to berate my food choices and babysit me?" I was still debating on whether or not to hit him with the spoon.

He rubbed the back of his neck, and looked off sheepishly.

"Not initially no. I have a very important question to ask you. I'm not sure if you'll agree to it."

"That depends. What is it?" It was probably extra patrol shifts. I couldn't think of something that would be important that wasn't something wolf related.

"Well, you see. Nessie wanted to see this museum in Port Angeles. We were supposed to go with Bella and Blondie. But Bella and Edward took an unexpected vacation to Canada so it'll just be me and Blondie. I was wondering if you could, ya know? Help a brother out." Jake was rambling, moving his hands around as if he was conducting an orchestra.

Of course, it was Loch Ness related. I should have known. And that would explain why Edward was M.I.A. I guess they didn't want anyone else to hear about their marital squabbles.

"So translation: Bella dipped and you're stuck with your arch nemesis, vampire Barbie. And how exactly am I supposed to help?" I raise my eyebrow as I lower the spoon.

"I know for a fact Blondie will take control. She'll bitch about everything. I was kinda hoping that while Nessie and I go through the museum, you do some girl bonding or something."

So, Jacob wanted me to hang out with Blondie so he didn't have to? I don't know whether to feel insulted or liberated. It's been a while since I've done things women would do. I hang out with boys 24/7. Rachael and I aren't as close as we were in high school. Especially after Rachel and Rebecca left La Push after we graduated high school to pursue their dreams. Rachel came back years ago. But she spends all of her time with Paul. And that was enough to keep me away. Emily was obviously not an option. Kim was as exciting as a piece of plain white bread. And other than my mom, who nowadays I rarely talked to, I haven't had any girl friends. To say I was up for the idea was tempting but…

"Doesn't she hate all of us?" Including me. Especially after Bella's freak out that drove both her and her husband to Canada.

"Lee, she hates just about everybody! Please?!" The audacity of this guy! He has no right to use puppy dog eyes.

"Fine. But I get Halloween off." I sigh.

"Yes! Thanks Leah! You're the best! See you tomorrow at 3:30!" He gave me a fist bump and ran into the forest.

This wouldn't be so bad… right? What did I get myself into?

…

This time I didn't have to walk all the way to the border. I was riding on the back of Jacob's black Harley. Thankfully, I showed before he came 30 minutes earlier than expected. I wore a simple purple sweater, a pair of blue distressed jeans and some converse. Barbie would probably hate it but I didn't care.

I held onto his back as he increased speed and laid my head on his shoulder. If he went any faster he'd burn a hole through the concrete. Not even the cement, or the possibility of the earth's magma rippling through the cracks, would stop him from reaching his Loch Ness monster.

We finally reached the Cullen Crypt. The moment we got off the motorcycle, Nessie made a beeline towards Jacob and jumped into his arms. Barbie was leaning up against her cherry red Corvette convertible and she grimaced as we got closer. Like she smelt any better! The smell of bleached candy was everywhere. It took me a few seconds to even calm down. I haven't been here since Bella's pregnancy. The stench was so pungently overwhelming.

It was then I noticed the buff Britney Spears enthusiast. Standing next to what I'm assuming was his black Jeep Wrangler.

"Oh, here comes trouble!" He winked and smirked at me.

But before I could ask why he was here, the blonde bride of vampinstein pushed herself off her car and walked up to me. We were around the same height. Her black Louis Vuitton stiletto heels gave her a few inches. If she wasn't wearing heels, I'd be a few inches taller, which made her at least 5'8. Her blonde hair was sleek and straight. And while she was wearing a causal cardigan and some skinny jeans, I knew they costed more than anything I'd ever own. She crinkled her nose, and raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow as she gave me a once over. And then suddenly, in a flash of blurred movement, she starts dragging me to her car.

"Wait! Hold on! I thought we were going to the museum? Let go of me you leech!" I tried struggling but her grip was firm. Though not to the point where it caused me pain. Clearly, she didn't want to hurt me. She let me go as she opened the passenger seat, gesturing with her hand.

"We were. Plans changed. Emmett's taking them. It's been stressful and I want some TLC. Get your ass in the car and buckle up before I do it for you."

Wait! I was being wolfnaped? Did Jacob know about this the entire thing?! I turn my head to look at my alpha. I was fuming. This bastard set me up! He mouthed, "Sorry." as he ducked his head into the Jeep. You're gonna be sorry you scheming piece of shit-

"You've got 5 seconds to get in before I make you." She was still gesturing with the door open, her perfectly manicured nails drumming on the door.

I huff, ducking to make sure I didn't hit my head off the roof of the car, and take a seat in the passenger's side. She immediately closes the door, and within a flash, was in the driver's seat. I quickly put my seat belt on as she starts the car up and drives down the twisty driveway. When we're on the main road she sighs and puts her sunglasses on. It was supposed to be cloudy and rainy all day, as per usual. A perfect day for a vampire outing. She didn't need to worry about glowing up like a disco ball.

The moment we passed the 'Welcome to Forks' sign she turned her body to me ever so slightly.

"In case you're wondering where we're going, we're having a girl's day in Seattle."

"But that's 4 hours away. And its 4 already." How were we going to have a girl's day when roughly 8 hours was strictly travel? It made no sense!

"We won't be coming back until tomorrow afternoon." Wait what?!

"Is there any reason why we're doing this? And why I'm here? And where are we staying for the night?"

She laughed. It sounded like a bell chime. "Do you have to question everything? I'm doing you a favor. Now shut up. We have a long drive ahead of us. Find a radio station you like. Play iSpy. I don't care what you do. Just stop integrating me. At least, until we're in a more comfortable and controlled environment."

Vamptoria's Secret model wasn't playing around. The moment we got into Seattle she took us to this lavish 5 star hotel. The guy at the front desk turned beet red as she strutted up to him and asked for the key card. He stumbled around, papers now in a disarray, before handing her the card. With the flick of her wrist, she beckons me to follow. We got into the elevator as she pressed one of the buttons and swiped the key card.

"So… if we're staying here for a day. What am I going to wear?"

"Patience pup! We've got a lot of things to go over. That's for a bit later."

The doors opened. And I couldn't believe my eyes. The hotel suite wasn't small. It was massive. Bigger than my own house. Everything was white and brown. It was pristine, with crystal chandlers. Marble flooring and lush rugs (probably real fur). It surprisingly didn't smell like rotted candy. The air smelled expensive. Like fresh roses and caviar.

"This entire floor is ours. There's 4 bedrooms so you can have one on that side," she points to the left, "and the other one is mine on the opposite side. Any questions?"

"No but-" she cut me off.

"Good! Now if you excuse me…" and with that I was left to own devices. And my thoughts went to how I was going to stab Jacob with multiple knives, and where exactly I was going to put said knives. What the hell was he thinking?

Having nothing better to do, I decide to just got to my assigned bedroom. Which was just as grandiose as the rest of the suite. Flipping through channels on the flat screen TV, I stop at the 1940s Pride and Prejudice movie. I felt my eyes slowly flutter and before I know it, I see nothing but darkness.

…

"Wakey wakey! Time for dinner!" A voice sings as they dance around me.

"No mom… 5 more minutes."

That was a big mistake. Without any warning, my warm cocoon of blankets was ripped off my body. Leaving my feeling body to jolt in the freezing air. "Eeep!" I squeal.

I swing my arm out, fist ready to punch whatever demon this was. Only for my attacker to catch my hand. It took me a second to realize how cold the demon's hand was. Another second for how disgustingly sweet they smelled. And then it hit me. I remembered where I was and opened my eyes. Her topaz eyes looked at me. And she was…laughing?

"Feisty. I knew I had a good feeling about you. Get your lazy ass up. You need to eat and we gotta talk."

And she disappeared. Like a ghost that just appears and disappears on a whim. I debated on whether or not I should just go back to bed. Even if I wanted to go back to bed, I wouldn't be able to. My adrenaline was high and Blondie wouldn't allow it. Groaning, I get up and drag my feet, following her scent to the dining room. She had a whole buffet out. Chicken wings. Burgers. Lasagna. Soufflés. There was so much to take in. I didn't even acknowledge her, I just started to dig in. I was shoveling my 3rd burger into my mouth when she coughed. I look at her, and she diverts her gaze. She seemed nervous. And I, for the life of me, couldn't figure out why. It takes her a few minutes (when I'm finished devouring most of the food) to finally break the silence.

"As you must know I brought you here for a reason." She starts. I nod, an a non-verbal way to say continue, and she does. "I'll be frank. I think you smell disgusting and your fashion sense is left to be desired. However, I can see what Edward sees in you." What? Any typical day I would have snapped and said a 'fuck you' but that last sentence…what was she talking about?

"What do you mean 'sees in you'?"

"For the first time in his life, Edward feels lustful. For you. Someone who isn't Bella. He's never seen me in such a way. Never saw anyone this way." My eyes widened. I can see why she waited until I was finished. I would have choked on a chicken wing.

"But why…?" Was it the kiss? Did it affect him like it affected me too?

"I'm not sure why. All I know is you awoke something in him. And the entire family knows about it. Jasper saw his emotions when he spoke of you. Alice says he keeps flickering in and out of her visions. Alice of course is Team Bella. Jasper by association is also Team Bella. Carlisle and Esme are trying to be peace mediators…" So that's why he left. It wasn't just because of our coffee hang out, it was because of his emotions.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm Team Leah. I never liked Bella. I've always thought she was a dumbass. Who throws their entire life away for some boy? To watch your family and everyone you know and love die as you never age. To never live a normal life. Knowingly wanting to deal with unquenchable thirst. She's put my family at risk time and time again, nearly got us killed multiple times and not to mention, she was stringing along two guys. The only blessing in all of the mess is Renesme, but she'll never have the normal life she truly deserves. And she'll never have a chance to experience love without the imprint meddling with emotions."

"Okay. So…why do you like me then?"

She sighs and flips the hair that settled on her face to the side.

"You had your entire life ripped to shreds by their actions. You never asked for any of this. However, you did what you could to protect the ones you love. And that speech you gave Bella while she was pregnant, I agreed with everything you said. But it wasn't the time nor the place to do it. And to answer your question about why I like you… I guess I see myself in you."

That would mark the second time a vampire had said that to me. And I'm not sure how to feel about these projected feelings. She wasn't terrible, at least not to me.

"And what exactly am I supposed to do with this new information? Just because Edward thinks about me while he's jerking his popsicle dick doesn't make him magically available." I was being careful with my words. Just because Blondie claimed she was on Team Leah, didn't mean she actually meant it. This could have been an elaborate plan to get me to confess about my plan. And then shit would really hit the fan.

She reached forward, grabbed my hand, looked me dead in the eye and said something to me that I will never forget, "Bella and Edward won't be together forever."

"What…? But Alice had visions of them together when Nessie was fully grown."

She released my hand and moved back in her chair.

"Alice has seen multiple visions of our futures. In past visions, Bella was killed, or she stayed human. If human, she ends up with another human, or with that fleabag you call an alpha. In others, Bella turned. And that became our reality. But that doesn't mean she'll stay with us in the long run. Money, wealth and immortality are only shiny new toys to people who've never had them before. As time goes on, things get stale. Visions started appearing long before she was pregnant. In some visions, she has a mental breakdown after Charlie dies, and resents her choice. In others, she ventures around the world to "Go find herself." She'd have new relationships and would experiment. Point is. No matter what, she always leaves. It might be in the next 10, 20, or 50 years. But these visions are there. That's what happens when you make a big life decision as a flighty, indecisive, naïve teenager. You regret it later on in life as the dust settles."

"Does he know?" I can't imagine why no one would tell him. He has got to know this information. It changes everything.

"No. Only Alice and I know. Jasper suspects things won't go well but he tends to mind his own business."

That pissed me off. "Why the hell didn't you say something to him?! And does Jake know about this?"

She scoffed and raised her eyebrows, "No. The mangy mutt only knows about my plan to take you for the night. And don't you think I thought about doing exactly that?! Alice wasn't going to say anything because she's hoping Bella will stay. Alice sees Bella the same way a human sees a pet. She's attached and doesn't want her to leave. And do you seriously think they're going to believe me of all people? Especially when I've stated that meddling with a teenage girl was a ludicrous idea! Do you think I like lying to my brother?!"

I lean back in my chair. She did have a point. The rest of Cullen's liked Bella, and thought the sun shined out of her ass. It wouldn't look good on her if she tried to come out with the truth.

"How do you even lie to a mind rapist?"

"Think about sex. He'll run through heaven and hell just so he'll never have to see Emmet in a sexual light." She laughs. "So do you see why I brought you here?"

"Not really. And I'm not sure if I want to be a part of it."

"I'm getting ahead of myself, aren't I? I'll spell it out for you. You want to fuck my brother. My brother sees you for the sexy woman you are. Bella's only temporarily in the equation. For how long? No one knows! And I'd also like a friend. Someone who isn't like my sister or my mother. So, what do you say? Friends?" She held out her hand. I crinkled my nose as I reach for her hand.

"Sure. Why the hell not?!"

The turn of events were unexpected. Yet welcomed. We went on the balcony. I looked up at the stars. And after drinking the rum I was offered, I cried in her arms. I word vomited my whole life story to her. Sam, Emily, dad. Everything. She, in turn, told me how she became a vampire. How she was gang raped and left for dead by her fiancé and his shitty friends. How Carlisle changed her without her consent, and the main reason he changed her was for her to be Edward's mate. How she met Emmet, who was knocking on death's door after a black bear mauling. And how she instantly fell in love with him.

"Why does life hate me so much?"

"I think everything happens for a reason Leah. Even though we have lived different lives, our stars still crossed. And I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship."

Talking for hours on end throughout the night, I discover something. We weren't so different after all. Blood or no blood. Heartbeat or cold stone. She too was screwed over by the universe.

…

Here we were, in one of Seattle's best malls, as we both shopped. I hated taking her money, but she wouldn't take no for answer. And luckily for me, she wasn't trying to force me to wear the things she liked. I had full control over what I bought. I felt like we were Blair and Serena in that one Gossip Girl episode. My feet were starting to hurt and the bag straps were digging into my wrists. But no matter how much physical pain I was in, my smile was persistent. Ignoring all the attention we were receiving, I make my last purchase and met her outside the store. It was like we weren't Leah and Rosalie, a freak and a vampire. It was just two friends on a shopping spree. I got a whole new wardrobe. New shirts, jeans, dresses, shoes, and new lingerie. By the time we left the mall, we were walking out with more than 10 bags in each hand.

When we got back to the suite, we parted ways to our rooms. The moment I entered my room I dumped all of the bags on the floor. I knew we were set to leave in a few hours. And I genuinely didn't want to leave this paradise. A knock at my door made me snap out of my rather somber thoughts.

"Wanna drink? It looks like you'll need one." I nod. I didn't want to outwardly express my sadness but she saw right through me. She ushered me to the living room. Where she laid out 2 wine glasses. One glass was empty, and the other was filled with a suspicious red liquid. Was that blood?

"And before you ask; yes. This is elk blood. No. I have never had a single drop of human blood. And no, your wet dog smell makes it impossible for me to even consider you edible. Want some pinot noir? It's 1990 Domaine Leroy Chambertin Grand Cru."

She pours me a glass of pinot noir and sits down, grabbing her drink and taking small sips. I grab my glass and sit in the chair next to her. I take a sip of the dark red liquid. It tasted like plums and cherries. "When we go back, are we still friends?" I wasn't sure if this was just a one time thing.

"Of course! Which is why you're invited to our Halloween party tomorrow night! And don't worry about the costume, I got that covered!"

"I don't know..." I wanted to spend more time with Rose. But I didn't know if I could handle Tinkerbell.

She suggestively wiggled her eyebrows and smirked, "And I have it on good authority that Edward should be back in time. So ha! Like it or not you're coming!"

He was coming back? I felt nervous and excited to see him again. I could feel my cheeks burn as I focused my attention on the glass in front of me. "Fine. I'll go."

She said nothing, but that smirk was still present on her face as she took a swig of blood. The thought of it being blood made me wince.

"Hey Rose?"

"Yeah?"

"When we go back, everything will change, right?"

"As with all things Leah, yes."

An: Hey guys! No Edward appearance in this chapter. I gotta world build. He will be in the next chapter, I promise! Anyway, it's so amazing to see so many people who are interested in this story. Especially after all these years. I just want to thank everyone, whether you review, favourite, follow, or are a silent reader, for reading and coming along with me on this journey.