Hope you guys had an amazing Thanksgiving! Mine was pretty good, except for the nasty burn on my wrist- damn turkey.

Things are moving along quite a bit here. I'm really excited to be posting this chapter and the next!

Thank you to all of you that review, especially those of you that review consistently! I really do try to respond to each of you! Your opinion means the world to me!

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight

xxx

July 2007: Colorado Lodge- Restaurant

I hate her.

I hate her overly processed blonde hair.

I hate her preppy, pink outfit that looks straight from Mean Girls.

I hate her annoying, high pitched giggles.

I hate her boujee, designer jacket that looks like a sparkle machine vomited all over it.

I hate how she finds excuses to touch Edward.

I hate that he seems to like it.

I hate Jessica Stanley.

"So Jessica, is this your first time here?" My dad asks.

He's entirely too pleased with this cookie cutter, plastic bitch. She giggles, for no apparent reason, then places her talon like nails over Edward's arm.

"Oh no, we like, come here, like every summer," she says in a nasally tone. "Like what about you guys?"

I shudder. God, could she be more annoying.

Rosalie smiles, all teeth, like a predator and leans over.

"Oh we like, never like, come like, here at all like," she says in a high pitched, preppy voice.

My dad chokes on his wine and Edward glares at her. My hero. A little laugh escapes my lips and Jessica rounds on me.

"Oh cool. So, Edward tells me your like his sister," she says, completely oblivious to Rosalie's jab.

My spine stiffens at her words. Sister. Of course he would say that. I should just nod. Or agree. Anything other than the bubbling hostility and resentment breeding under my skin, just waiting to roll off my tongue. But it seems that despite my usual self control, I just can't help myself.

"Really, so I'm your sister now," I say with a wide smile. "Funny, just three days ago you specifically stated I was not your family."

"Bella," my dad hisses.

I shrug before taking a sip of water.

"What, he's the one who said it," I say before leaning over towards Edward. "But it's so good to hear you've had a change of heart."

Edward's eyes narrow, glaring daggers at me as his fingers grip the table. Jessica just blinks in confusion.

"Really Bella," he says between his teeth. "Could you just stop making everything about you for just one day."

I want to throw my glass in his face. I want to scream and hit him. I want to make him feel worthless, used and disposable just how he's made me feel. But I can't do any of those things, so I settle on the next best thing.

"You see Jessica, Edward and I aren't actually siblings, we're step siblings. I'm not sure what's got his panties in a twist as of recently, but good luck to you sorting out the landmine that is Edward Cullen," I say before clapping my hands together. "Bread anyone?"

Edward just stares at me with his mouth hanging wide open and Jessica looks uncomfortable. Finally. Just listening to her talk makes me feel like I'm losing brain cells. She's a real keeper Edward.

"I've had enough with the two of you," my dad says standing up. "Both of you to the room. I swear if you don't have your issues worked out by the time we come back, you'll both be grounded. Bella at least till you go home and Edward, till the end of summer break," he says pointing to the restaurant opening.

Edward groans, "Come on Dad-

"No, both of you. Leave now," my dad interrupts.

Throwing my napkin on my plate I scoot back my chair, the legs scraping against the floor loudly as Edward mumbles an apology to Jessica.

Edward rushes past me, completely ignoring the fact I can't walk as fast due to my injury. Prick.

What does he expect to happen? That Edward and I will kiss and make up? Suddenly I blush at images of Edward's lips descending on my own and I shudder. Jesus Bella. Pull yourself together. As I make my way to the room, my heart palpitates harder in my chest. I don't know how to do this, because I don't really understand why he seems to hate me so much overnight.

It can't all just be jealousy, because he knows I haven't seen Mike since the fall. So it must be something else. My hand shakes as I reach for my key and unlock the door.

Walking inside I see Edward, sitting on the couch running a hand over his face. He looks tired.

I hobble over to the opposite love seat and sit down before taking a deep breath. Maybe we should just be honest with each other. It's not as if it could get worse. Edward's whole world revolves around my dad's money and Esme's care. Everything is so black and white for him. Maybe he just doesn't understand where my apathy comes from.

"She doesn't even want to be here." Edward's words wash over me.

And he's right, I don't want to be here. Edward's biggest problems is whether he aces his History test, or the big game, or the girl that plays hard to get. I don't identify with those problems, because mine are so different.

Well, here goes nothing.

Yikes, things are going to be heating up! No where to run now Edward! And clueless Carlisle, if only he knew! Hope you guys enjoyed this and please let me know what you think!