Thanks so much for all the reviews, follows and favs this story has gotten! Next chapter will have E & B in it!
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.
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NOV 2007: Alice Brandon's House
"God I'm so jealous," Alice says while passing me the cigarette. "I swear, your stepbrother is so fine," she continues her voice dreamy.
The memory of Edward pushing me up against the door, his mouth against mine, fingers trailing up my skin makes me blush.
Oh, he's hot alright.
"You don't think it's weird?" I ask before taking a drag.
She shrugs her shoulders. "Yeah, I mean maybe it's a little weird. But weird is hot. And it's not like you two are actually related," she says taking the cigarette from me. "Holy shit though, your dad is gonna freak."
Just the mention of my father finding out makes me shutter.
What a nightmare that would be.
"Angela says I shouldn't, that it would be irresponsible," I whisper.
And she's right though, I mean what good do you think will actually come from this?
"Pfft," Alice scoffs. "Angie's just a stickler. I think it's super romantic. Besides, he makes you happy right? I mean, your mom and stepdad have really done a number on you, seems to me like Edward is helping you."
An uncomfortable feeling settles in my stomach. I'm not sure why. I hate being clingy with him, but sometimes I feel like a starved animal.
"It's weird, I'm not usually all cuddly and stuff, but I kind of like it with him," I admit.
Alice takes another drag, her hand grips the back porch railing.
"I guess it's like being sick, you don't really know what feeling good feels like, until you finally start feeling better," she says softly.
My eyes scan the front porch, beer cans littered the ground.
I'm not the only one.
I take one last drag before putting the cig out and we walk back inside. Alice's dad is passed out on the couch, the ashtray is knocked over, cigarette butts and more cans of beer all over the floor. Alice quietly picks up the tray and a few of the cans.
"They fuck you up, you know, I mean at least my dad doesn't mean to," she starts before looking at me with sadness. "But your parents, I think they do mean to."
I begin to help her pick up the cans strewn about the room. Her dad is great when sober, he's not even a mean drunk, he just can't take of himself, or her for that matter. Alice grew up fast, otherwise no one would eat.
How she can even still believe in love is beyond me. I mean, if my mother ran off and left me to rot with an alcoholic I'd be livid.
I almost drop a can.
But your dad did leave you, he did run off and leave you with a crazy mother. How's that any different?
Alice's dad groans and shifts in his seat. His eyes widen as he sees Alice cleaning up after his mess. He stumbles to a standing position and shuffles his way towards her putting a hand on her shoulder.
"I'll do this," he says with a slight slur.
He's ashamed.
He should be.
But it's hard to be angry when he has the decency to at least try. Or the facade of trying.
Alice just smiles softly at him.
"It's okay Dad, I was cleaning up in general," she says.
Her dad looks over to me, his cheeks still red.
"Do your parents know you're here, I'd figure they'd expect you at church," he says as he wobbles back to his chair before lighting a cigarette.
I shrug. "No."
"You know how they are Dad," Alice interjects. "You won't tell will you?"
Her father looks at me hard, mulling over his daughter's request.
"You shouldn't give them any reason to be angry at you Bella," he says his voice now completely clear. "I say that because I know exactly how they are."
Charlie and Alice's dad had a meeting with child social services. He saw how Charlie was friends with the judges and social workers. Then he saw him backhand the shit out of me.
I mean, I did pop off, so that wasn't really a huge deal.
But my chest tightens at the memory of blood filling my mouth.
"You will never speak to me that way again, do you understand me?"
"Yeah, I know Mr. B." I say. "I should probably be heading out anyways, church was over five minutes ago."
He waves me off. "Yeah, just be careful alright."
When I get into my car, I quickly change my clothes so there's no smell and head to the church to pick up Seth and Leah.
They won't rat me out. They never do.
Just three more days, three more days and you'll be the hell out of here.
There's a tightness in my chest at the thought of seeing Edward.
God, I hope he hasn't changed his mind or anything.
Ugh, oh Alice. I've been waiting for the right moment to introduce her in! I hope you guys enjoyed this one.
More Edward and Bella hotness in the next one!