Many "hvalas" to my fantastic pre-reader, purpleC305 and to Ninkita, my beta extraordinaire.

Disclaimer: The author does not own any publicly recognizable characters herein. No copyright infringement is intended.

IPOV

"Isuse Kriste," (Jesus Christ) I groan and turn slowly around in my bed to look at the time on my phone on the nightstand. Every sore muscle in my body screams for relief and my head threatens to split in two when I move. What the hell happened yesterday evening?

I get up and shuffle to the bathroom, hissing and wincing. It seems like I drank a lot last night, because my bladder reminds me urgently that it would be a great idea to use the toilet. It takes everything in me not to fall asleep while peeing. I'm so tired, I can barely keep my eyes open. Washing my hands afterwards, I look in the mirror and cringe at the haystack on my head and the smudges under my eyes. Koja lipotica (what a beauty), I think sarcastically. I hope this wasn't what I looked like last night.

I'm trying to be as quiet as possible as I head to the kitchen to drink some water. I'm thirsty like parched soil. I try not to wake up my parents while filling my second glass. I'd hate to be caught and have to lie about why I'm already up at seven on a Sunday morning and more importantly, why I smell like I emptied an entire distillery. I wouldn't know how to answer anyway, since I can't remember much. And besides, every eventual made up story would be for nothing since my mom Renata, a high school English teacher, has enough experience with teenage lies for me to never be able to get away with it. I'm not a teenager anymore, but I'm her child and she'd see right through my bullshit.

A noise from my parents' bedroom causes me to retreat to my own room as fast as my state allows. Plopping back into my bed, I try to fall asleep again but sleep doesn't come. I also try to remember anything from last night but to no avail. I recall Edward going to look for this Alice person and me hanging around the other side of the bar with a few friends and the drinks flowing.

I've never drank as much as I did last night. It's atypical of me since I don't really handle my liquor well. I usually have one alcoholic beverage that I tend to nurse the entire evening. Why I had the urge to accept every drink someone shoved my way puzzles me. According to Roza, I'm pretty wordy when drunk and very entertaining too, so I know where my limits are and therefore refrain from too much alcohol… Oh, who am I kidding? I know why it went downhill last night. It's all Edward's fault. That sexy motherf-… Ugh! I'm not saying he made me drink, that was all my own stupidity, but I was frustrated and my ego did suffer. Also add the lack of attention on Edward's part and it did the trick. I have no idea when I became such a bitch. For fuck's sake, he has a girlfriend, Izi! Of course he's not interested.

I'm wracking my brain for more info about what went down last night, but my mind goes blank. The last thing I remember, although pretty vaguely, is joining Jakov, my dad's best friend's son, at the other end of the bar and having a few more drinks.

After that, nothing.

I bury my head into the pillow and groan. And why can't I remember how I got home? Someone must have helped me. I was obviously too inebriated to make it here on my own. I grab my phone again to take one more look at the time, and realize I've missed a text from Roza.

Hey, Izi. I hope you're ok. I feel terrible that I wasn't there for you. I'm glad you were with Edward though. He looked for me and then we brought you home. Well, he brought you to the door but I tucked you in ;) oh, and I have some interesting news. Please just let me know that you're ok. Love you!

I was with Edward? And he and Roza brought me home? Well, at least that answers my question about how I got here. I shoot Roza a quick text, letting her know that I'm fine. Now I wonder how much I embarrassed myself in front of him since I allegedly can't shut up after only two drinks.

Burying my head deeper into the pillow, I try to free my mind from everything Edward. As if it's that easy. What is it about him that makes it impossible for me to ignore him? Oh, yeah, he's an Adonis, that's what makes him memorable. I'm not a shallow person, looks aren't everything to me, but I can't just ignore the fact that he resembles a freaking Greek God.

With my head still spinning with thoughts of Edward and everything that happened yesterday (at least of what I remember) my eyes finally get heavy and sleep finds me again.

ooo

By the time I reawake, it's four in the afternoon. The house is quiet and I remember my mom and dad telling me earlier in the week that they are visiting my aunt today. She lives in another county so they won't be home until later tonight.

Picking up my phone, I see that there's a text waiting. It's Roza telling me that she's glad I'm ok and that everyone's at the beach. When she says everyone I assume it's her, Emmett, Edward and… Alice. I groan at the thought of seeing Edward in the company of his girlfriend. Of seeing him at all. I have to admit that I've developed a little crush on him or I wouldn't have teased him like I did yesterday. My heart did that weird 'skipping a beat' thing upon seeing him for the first time. I can't deny that every time I think of him I get all warm and tingly inside.

Did you forget what happened the last time you felt like that about someone so fast, my conscience reminds me.

"He's nothing like Petar," I mumble into the quiet room. I don't know how I know, but something tells me he's nothing like my bastard of an ex-boyfriend.

And that's why I'm reluctant about joining them. I don't want to see Edward all cozy with his girlfriend when I feel what I feel for him. And besides, being the third wheel has never had an appeal to me. The thing is though, there's also my best friend who's counting on my presence. I have never seen Roza so happy like when she's with Emmett. On the other hand I've never seen her so unsure about herself either and that's why I'll have to be there, to support her, no matter what. Crush or no crush, I'll just have to suck it up and make it through this afternoon.

I'm sure I'll eventually be able to come up with some excuses to avoid future get-togethers, but right now, my sticky body screams for a shower. I grab my blue two-piece bathing suit, my purple sarong and take a quick shower before I brush my teeth, drink another glass of water and leave the house with my big sunglasses on. I throw my beach towel, a change of underwear, the house keys and phone in my huge bag and make my way to see my friend. I forgo the obligatory coffee, figuring that I can have a macchiato at our favorite café and later a cheeseburger or something in my equally favorite burger joint.

ooo

It's already past five and the beach is crowded. Still, I know where to find Roza and the rest. We always sit at the same spot; under one of the many pine trees closest to our favorite café.

I spot my friend's blond hair and Emmett's huge frame immediately. They're lying on their towels, heads together and whispering to each other. I smile at the couple's intimacy. I'm so wrapped up in what's going on between them that I almost don't notice the small figure sitting next to them. She's about my height, her black hair is cut in a short bob and her bikini top barely covers her perfect breasts. Her body is flawless, not one gram of extra fat on her. For the first time in my life, my self confidence drops to an all-time low. I can't explain why, because my imperfections never bothered me before.

She's engrossed in reading on her kindle so she doesn't notice me gawking at her.

"Hey, Alice. Where's Edward?" Emmett asks. I look around to see who he's talking to when the person — who just notched my confidence down a peg or two— looks up from whatever she's reading and smiles. And she has a beautiful, all white teeth, smile. Her bluish-green eyes are big, surrounded by long dark lashes.

Holy cow! That's Alice? Edward's Alice? All hope I might have had deep inside of me only five minutes ago, no matter how miniscule, just flew out of the window. How can I compete with that? Not that I want to, because I don't chase taken guys, but still.

"He and Jasper are in the water," she says. Her voice is raspy, sexy even, and her tone is friendly which makes it even worse for me. I was hoping she had at least one flaw. It would make it easier for me to dislike her.

I'm too far gone, it seems. Edward has definitely messed with my mind. I need to get away before Edward and this Jasper dude show up.

And anyway, who the heck is Jasper now?

"Oh, hey, Izi," Roza greets me when she's finally spotted me. Too late. I can't go now even if I wanted to. Three pairs of eyes are looking at me and I give the group a curt wave and a small smile.

"Hey, guys. I'm here." They can see that, you idiot, I chide myself.

"Jesi li dobro?" (Are you ok?) Roza asks with concern coloring her voice. I nod and smile in confirmation.

I try to figure out where to sit. Towels are lined up and there are two unoccupied on either side of Alice. I opt for sitting next to Roza when Alice speaks to me. "You can sit here. I don't think Edward will mind. And you won't be sitting that far away either." Alice's smile is warm as she pats the towel between her and Emmett. I open my mouth to say that it's ok, because no way do I want to sit near her and Edward when Emmett reaches up and pulls me down by my arm. I lose balance and end up rear first on the towel Alice has just offered to me. "Do you have to be such a brute, Emmett?" Alice scolds him. "Are you ok, Izi?" Argh! Why does she have to be so nice?

"I'm sorry, Izi. Did I hurt you?" Emmett looks apologetic and I quickly shake my head.

I smile at him. "It's ok, Emmett. Nothing's broken."

"You have to forgive my brother. He has the grace of a drunken bear," Alice says and shoots Emmett a disapproving look.

Brother?

"Yeah, yeah, go on and make fun of me, sis," Emmett counters in mock hurt.

Sis?

What the heck is going on? I turn to Alice who's laughing at… her brother? "Wait. What? You're brother and sister?"

Alice nods. "I'm Alice Cullen," she introduces herself and offers her hand. "It's nice to meet you. I'm sorry we didn't meet last night with you being… you know." She looks at me sympathetically. I'm sure I'm blushing furiously.

"Not my finest moment," I admit, cringing. Is there anyone who doesn't know I was that drunk last night? You were in a bar full of people, what do you think, silly? I'm grateful that I still have my sunglasses on. Not that it hides the stupid and mortifying blush but I feel kind of safe nonetheless.

"Don't worry about that," Alice comforts me with a pat on my arm. "We've all been there. Good thing Edward was with you." There's my stupid blush again. "Speaking of which." I avert my eyes and look in the direction Alice is motioning.

All air leaves my lungs because the sight in front of me is nothing short of spectacular. Edward is coming out of the water, his wet board shorts clinging to his visibly worked out and strong legs. Water droplets are glittering on his trained body and his usually full hair is slicked back from his face, bringing out his hypnotizing eyes even more.

I don't miss the looks he attracts from other women but it's like he's not really aware of it. Or he's so used to it that he doesn't even care anymore. Either way, he has a confidence that shows in the way he walks; purposeful strides and a satisfied grin on his face.

I lick my lips involuntarily. Burying my hands in the towel - his towel - is the only thing I can do to hold me in place because his appearance alone makes me want to do dirty, dirty things to him.

Alice clears her throat which brings me back to the present. I shake my head at my blatant ogling and turn to her. She's grinning like she knows what's going through my mind. "So, Izi, are you single?"

I nod hesitantly, wondering where her curiosity about my love life is coming from. "Hm," she hums pensively and looks back at Edward, who's only two meters away from joining us. He hasn't spotted me yet and I wonder what his reaction will be. "So is Edward," she says nonchalantly and winks at me before she gets up and runs towards the water.

My heart starts beating frantically at Alice's out of the blue statement. Now that I know she is his sister and he's free, everything is different. A new opportunity has presented itself; Edward is single and completely fair game.

Edward has reached our little group and looks perplexed when he sees me sitting here.

"Hi," he greets me and looks down at his towel, confused.

"Oh, sorry," I apologize for occupying his place. "Alice said it was ok." I smile at him and I'm about to get up when he stops me by shaking his head.

"No, don't get up," he says and one corner of his mouth lifts in a lopsided grin. "I bet there's enough room for two." The grin transforms in an outright dazzling smile. He's flirting and it's killing me. If I thought he is gorgeous when he's serious I had another thing coming because he's breathtakingly beautiful when he smiles.

I scoot over a bit (greedily, I might add), my nerves at a high, knowing that shortly I'll be sitting so close to him I will be able to touch him. Not that I plan to. At least not on purpose. He sits down with his legs bent and his forearms on his knees. He hasn't taken his gaze off me and the smile is still present. "Hey," he greets me anew, this time in a less confused and more satisfied tone and there's a playful gleam in his eyes.

Oh, yeah, Edward's undoubtedly fair game.

It can only get better from now on, right? I guess we'll see ;)

It's Easter week and since everyone's going to be home I won't have time for the next chapter, meaning there will be no update next week. I'm sorry.

I hope to "see" you in two weeks again.

Thank you for reading and please tell me what you think.

Voli vas,

LunaBev