CHAPTER TWO

The condo was a little upscale, but it would have to do. Besides, it wasn't like we were going to be having people over all the time. The driver had left our luggage in the living area by the door. Jasper immediately began to drag a case of his down the hall.

"You don't want to flip a coin to decide which room you get?" I called.

"No. You will be in the room farthest from the front door. It's a safety measure."

I sighed and shook my head. I wouldn't be surprised if he attempted to dictate a proper curfew and bedtime. I looked back toward all my cases and decided that I wouldn't attempt to unpack them yet. It was a funny feeling to think about unpacking. At home, there was always someone to do it for me. It began to dawn on me just how big of a change this was going to be. No cooks or maids or valets. I had a feeling if I even mentioned one word to Jasper about cooking and cleaning he would pop me in the eye.

I walked toward the kitchen to look it over and it seemed all the appliances were in working order. I opened the refrigerator and it was completely bare. I guess that meant we would need to do some shopping. Thankfully Jasper was raised fairly common, so I hoped he would know what types of things we should buy.

I walked around toward the sofa and picked up the remote control from off the end table and decided to sit down and watch some good ole American television shows. Some news network popped up first and they were discussing a story on a local serial rapist. I sat there engrossed in the story and was told that before weather and sports the next stories would include the government's stance on global warming and the newest way to keep your home from being burglarized. I could practically hear my father screaming in my ear how it wasn't too late to change my mind and head to Canada. I quickly changed the channel.

I sat there for over an hour mindlessly flipping through channel after channel. It amazed me that there was a channel for every kind of interest. Television programs on cats from Hell to hunting ducks to models competing to be the best.

"You know I'm not going to unpack your things for you," Jasper said walking back into the room.

"I would never dream of asking you to," I replied. "I am merely trying to rest after a long and tedious flight."

"Edward, I would love nothing more than to see you fly commercial, maybe then you would know the definition of long and tedious."

I guess I had no right to complain but being kept in a small area for fourteen straight hours wasn't exactly easy.

"I'm starting to get hungry. How about we see what this town has to offer in the way of sustenance."

I knew our kitchen held no food and I wasn't keen on the idea of spending my night at a grocery store, so it seemed like the best alternative. Besides, it was Friday night, I was sure that being near a college campus on a Friday night would warrant some form of entertainment.

"I agree. Mostly because I can't imagine your cooking skills are better than mine and I don't fancy burning down this place," He replied.

"Alright, let me shower and be ready to explore in a half hour."

I walked over to my cases and looked them over. I had no idea which one held my toiletries or clothes. I unlocked one of the cases and it turned out to be dress shoes. I saw Jasper watching me from the corner of my eye with his arms crossed and a bemused smile playing on his lips.

"You're enjoying this far too much," I complained.

"I don't know what you mean. I was under the impression that this was going to be the journey of a lifetime. So far, you will be happy to know that I couldn't agree more. I only wish I had brought a video camera to document these moments. We could produce our very own reality program and call it "Prince in the Sticks."

I grabbed one of the cases and loudly dragged it off toward my new bedroom. I wasn't about to give Jasper the satisfaction of a response. I would show him in time that I was self-sufficient. It took me nearly an hour to sort out my possessions but when I walked back into the living room I was impeccably dressed and ready to head out.

The rain seemed to clear up for the moment, so we decided to walk our way in toward town and find a good place to eat with some action going on. We could hear the music and see a crowd of people a block away from this bar called, "The Mad Rush."

"This looks like fun," I stated.

"It looks like the kind of place one would attract a disease," Jasper replied.

I slapped him on the back and said, "Then I suggest you watch where you put your hands and don't use the facilities."

Jasper sighed, "It doesn't look sanitary. I don't think you want to spend the first few hours of your new life standing over a toilet heaving from the obvious food poisoning you will surely get if we proceed with this plan."

I hit him in the shoulder, "Can't be that bad, look who is going in."

The small girl who nearly sold Jasper the store counter was dancing her way through the crowd as we walked up. I could see Jasper become slightly ill but like a zombie, he continued onward to follow his new friend. I knew if I could get him interested in someone or something, he would get off my back a little.

I walked ahead, and he followed behind uneasy. Inside the place had an orange glow and we had to weave our way through a sea of people to find an empty table. My shoes seemed to stick to the floor as I walked. I could feel Jasper's hand on my shoulder and I was about to shove him off when I spotted a table. I couldn't see the small girl with the short black hair or where she had gone but the night was early, and I was sure she would pop up eventually.

I sat down at the small round table and Jasper pulled his chair close to mine. I attempted to move a little towards my left, but Jasper scooted along with me.

"What are you doing? Would you venture to sit on my lap?" I huffed.

"There are too many people in here. I don't want to rub up against anyone…"

"Except for me apparently," I interrupted.

"I don't know these people. I don't know what they are capable of and I must be ready to spring into action. There could be a brawl," Jasper explained.

"Would you please stop worrying about everything. There isn't going to be a brawl and if you sit any closer, you're going to give off the wrong impression."

The waitress came over and interrupted our little spat, asking us for our drink order. I knew Jasper would kill me if I ordered alcohol, so I asked for a Coke and Jasper did the same. The waitress seemed a little confused why we would be ordering just a coke, so I added on some hot wings hoping to appease her.

The short girl with the short black hair practically bumped into Jasper as she found her way to the table next to ours. Jasper looked like he was about to swallow his tongue.

"Sorry…oh, it's you!" She exclaimed upon seeing Jasper.

I saw another girl sit down next to the small one and she looked around uneasy. She was the Jasper to their duo. Brown hair, pale, pouty lips and totally my type.

Jasper made an attempt to form words, but nothing came.

"Uh…hi, "I greeted. "You'll have to pardon my friend. He can be a bit shy."

I slapped Jasper on the back and Jasper scooted closer to me.

"Oh, that's okay! You should know I totally marched in 2015 for your rights!" She exclaimed.

I was super confused what she meant by that but the girl that sat next to her pulled her back.

"Don't listen to Alice. She can be on an overshare sometimes when she drinks. Please enjoy your evening."

The girl with the brown hair pulled the girl whose name was finally revealed to be Alice back and they began to bicker. I could hear the girl say something to the effect of, "you don't always have to tell gay people you marched for their rights."

They continued to quarrel at their table and I looked at Jasper and then realized what just happened.

"Whoa! Who said anything about us being gay?"

I wasn't offended but the story needed to get straight.

Alice and the other girl looked back at us slightly embarrassed. The brown hair girl began to scratch her eyebrow and look down.

"They're not gay Alice, they are just…European."

"Well, how the hell was I supposed to know. The guy was totally pissing all over the other dude today when I was upselling."

These American women were turning out to be perplexing.

"I never pissed on him!" I practically shouted.

"I didn't even want to come out tonight and now you have embarrassed me, Alice!" The brown hair girl turned back to us and stood up, "My apologies for upsetting you. I…I'm going to go."

"Bella!" Alice cried out, "Come on, we just got here."

Alice went chasing off after Bella. Bella, the girl's name was Bella and wasn't she just living right up to the name. I shouldn't have sounded so offended. I embarrassed her to the point where she had to leave. My first encounter as a typical human being and they already fled the scene. I looked back at Jasper who just sat there and pushed him away.

"Once again, please stop crowding me. You just gave that girl the idea that we were gay because you wouldn't back off."

"Alice. Her name is Alice," he said.

"Yeah, and you didn't say two words to that girl. Seriously, you need to work on that."

"Edward." He thought for a moment and sighed. "I need your help. I…I…"

I waited for him to say something as he worked up the courage.

"I don't know what to do…I don't know how to talk to her."

"Obviously," I replied.

Jasper upset at my crude remark jumped up from his seat and left. I pulled out my wallet and threw a bill down on the table and chased on after him.

"Jasper!" I called out after him. He was pretty pissed off, so his walk was a little quicker than usual.

"Come on. I'm sorry, all right?"

He whirled around.

"No, I'm sorry! I'm trying to ask something of you and you make fun of me for it. Being your friend takes a lot, but you don't seem to ever want to be there for me. I know you think that being a man that women just fall into bed, but you've never had to work for it. Women fall into YOUR bed. But it's not because they like you, it's because of what you are not who you are."

I had to admit his words stung. I never had any problem with getting what I wanted from a woman. I never had any deep meaningful relationships mostly because I knew that what he said was true. Every woman I had ever been with had this look in their eyes. Like they were picturing themselves with a crown and being called "your highness." It was a prize that many women went after through the years. Which is why I never stayed with a girl for more than a couple of dates.

I held up my hands in surrender.

"I'm sorry and you're right."

We both stood there trying to let our emotions calm.

"Look, I don't know why you would want my help. As you said, I don't know how to get a girl without my fancy title. So how the hell could I help you?" I asked.

"I don't know but maybe just…trying to help me would be enough. You're my friend Edward. Can't we just be friends?"

"Can you?" I asked without thinking. He scrunched up his forehead at my question.

"Will you back off on the whole security thing? Sit an appropriate distance away from me at a bar so that the ladies don't manufacture false conclusions of us? Stop thinking of my father as your employer and just stop thinking of me as anything royal. Can you just imagine that we are two normal guys sharing a flat while we lead normal humdrum lives?"

Jasper mulled that over for a minute.

"I'll try," he managed.

"Okay." I turned to walk towards our condo, "I'll help you with Alice. Besides I have a feeling that she will talk enough for the both of you."

Jasper let out a laugh.

"Oh and I will help you with Bella," he replied.

I didn't say anything but gave him a look.

"I know your type, Edward and before you scoff at my offer for help, remember that this is a new day and you are no longer a prince, so she may not fall for your usual lines."

"Lines? What lines?"

"Uh…hello my name is Prince Edward for example?"

I socked him in the shoulder.

"I don't need any lines. I can get the girl if I want."

I know I sounded like a cocky arse but inside my mind was frantic. How the hell would I get her to notice me if I was just some regular Joe? What do normal people do when they want a girl to like them?

We found a take-out place near our home for food since we left the two cokes and hot wings sitting at the bar. I had a feeling that we would have many more take-out containers in our trash before the week was out.

I laid in my new bed staring up at the ceiling and thinking over my first day as a civilian. I felt an enormous surge of excitement within. I couldn't believe that I was here in Washington. This was going to work. I could be just plain old Edward. Then I thought about the brown hair girl. Bella. It was silly for me to think about her. I had been here for less than twenty-four hours. There was plenty of time to think about women. What was so special about her? She was the first person to look at me without a reflection of a crown in her sights. She was the first person to think of me as plain old Edward. Well, she couldn't think of me like that since she hadn't learned my name yet but anyway she had the potential to think about me.

The thunder and lightning welcomed us throughout the night. When I awoke the next morning, the rain falling seemed fierce. I walked out towards the common room rubbing my eyes. Jasper was sitting at the table on his laptop.

"Did you know that it rains on average one-hundred and fifty days out of the year here? That's nearly half the year? Why would anyone want to live in this godforsaken place?"

I sighed.

"Some people like the rain."

"They also have one of the highest suicide rates in the country."

"No, that is false! They don't even rank in the top twenty," I rapidly replied. "Rebuttal?"

Jasper narrowed his eyes at me. "Well Oregon does, and they aren't too far away from us."

"I knew you would eventually try and find all the downfalls to this place, so I have prepared well for this debate. I will have you know that Washington was named the top state in the country for business. They are able to hold on to college graduates far better than any other state and boast enough commerce to keep the Washingtonians satisfied. Next?"

Jasper looked back at his computer and let out a huff.

"Please tell me that debate is one of the courses you'll be taking. It would be nice for you to get this out of your system before you come home at night."

I flopped down on the couch.

"Approaches and Paradigms in the History of Rhetorical Theory on Monday, Wednesday and Friday's from two to four pm. I don't know what you will do on Tuesday and Thursday's…," I said.

"Thanks for the warning. I will be sure to make myself unavailable for those days. It's a shame your destiny is all laid out for you, you would have made a brilliant lawyer."

I flipped on the television and thought about what he said. It was a shame. I never was going to have the opportunity to have a real career of my choosing. Don't get me wrong, I would be working for the rest of my life, but it would have been nice to have a choice in my future career. Jasper thinks I would have made a good lawyer but if I had the choice, I might choose something far more financially meager and yet far more respectable. I loved being in the classroom which is why I was so well educated. I would have loved to share my love of education with some young minds.

"Mr. Rhetoric, mind sharing with me a debate on the whole food situation we have?" Jasper asked.

I looked outside at the rain and thought back to the previous night when it had been dry, and my desire was not to be in a grocery store. Lugging a bunch of bags in this weather was not my idea of a good time.

"I think we are going to have to wait until it calms down out there for us to go and get food for the flat."

"I wouldn't count on that happening anytime soon. The weather report states there is a particularly nasty storm coming in and this is just the easy part. Besides…people like this weather, right? Why wouldn't we go out and do as the what did you call them? Washingtonians?" Jasper mocked.

"Fine," I replied. "I'll get dressed."

I swaggered off toward my room. I wasn't going to give Jasper the benefit of thinking that he was in any way right. I knew he hated it here and by the looks of the clouds overhead, I knew I should feel the same, but I could handle a little storm if it meant the opportunity laid out before me. It's just water. It wasn't acid rain. We could survive to get wet. It was just a little water.

Fast forward to an hour later.

"I hate you! You know that, right?" Jasper spats in my direction.

The wind was blowing at us while the rain pelted us from all directions. Jasper was cowering under his hood trying to keep it attached to his head and we trudged the four blocks toward the supermarket. I wanted to look at my phone and make sure that we were headed in the right direction but I was worried about water damage, so it stayed nicely tucked away in my inside pocket.

"I'll call my father when we get home and…"

"Tell him you changed your damn mind and want to go home?" Jasper interrupted me.

"…and tell him that we need a car." I finished. "I don't think he knows the weather would be like this here. We need a mode of transportation if we are going to get around in this weather."

We finally made it to the store and even though it wasn't far if felt like the walk of eternity. I pulled out a cart and began down the aisle furthest to the right.

"Just put it in the cart if it looks good," I mumbled still trying to get the feeling back in my lips.

There were so many choices and most of them I had never even heard of. I didn't eat a lot of processed food back home, so I was a tad weary of the choices in front of me. Still, since this was my new life I thought why shouldn't I try as many things as I can find. It's all in the experience. With my new-found outlook, the cart filled quickly. Jasper began to look at me concerned.

"You're like a kid in a candy store."

"I have no idea what a Cheez-It is. Do you?" I asked him looking down at the bright red box with the yellow cookie cracker thing on it.

"No…I don't think that I want to know," Jasper replied pulling a gallon of milk into the cart. "Besides, how do you plan to get this all home? The last I checked we only have four arms between us."

"I'll call us a taxi." I waved him off.

"Great! Why couldn't you have called us a taxi to get us here, so I wouldn't be sloshing around the store fearing hypothermia?"

"Is every word out of your mouth going to be a complaint? It will be a long semester if so," I replied inspecting an endcap that held a small cake called a Ding Dong. How does any person know what food lies within when they give it cutesy names like Ho Ho and Ding Dong? Can't they just call it Chocolate cake with frosting in the middle? I guess that would be a long name to give a product but there had to be a simpler method for deducing the contents inside.

"If the calorie content is upsetting you that much, perhaps you should put down the fake chocolate cake box and move on."

I must have been staring at the box too long for Jasper. I pushed on towards the fruit and vegetable section hoping that it would shut him up. The cart reached maximum capacity when we finally made our way toward the cashier. We piled on the food onto the conveyor belt and the beeping from the store clerk's table began.

"Storing up for winter?" She asked nicely.

"Just moved in." I replied.

"That's nice. Where are you from?"

"uh…a small country in Europe. People have rarely heard of it. I wouldn't want to bore you with the details."

I didn't think about the story I would have to create for the people here. I didn't want to give out too much information just in case. I would need to sit down later and put some real thought into it.

"I love the accent. But you'll find most girls here go gaga over accents. We're all just a bunch of hopeless romantics in search of a prince," the girl said.

Jasper coughed loudly and turned to hide his smirk.

"Well, I…wish you luck with that endeavor."

I shook my head trying to think of what to say to her confession.

She smiled at me and then looked at her computer.

"Your total is two-hundred and seventy-three dollars and nineteen cents."

I stood there and waited for Jasper. I felt a nudge and I looked back at him.

"Are you not going to pay, Edward?" he asked.

"Pay? I don't have that amount of cash on me. I thought you had the card," I snapped.

"What card? Do I look like your servant? I don't have that kind of money on me." He snapped back.

"Well, why didn't you say so. I thought my father gave you the cards? I only have…" I pulled out my pocketbook and looked through my cash. "One hundred and eighty dollars. We have to put back some things."

I looked up at the cashier with chagrin and started rifling through the bags to pull some things out. I guess I would need to investigate Ding Dong's next time. It was super embarrassing as the cashier took item after item off to get our total down. I would need to find a different market for future food runs.

We were finally done and the good news was that there were eighteen bags which we could manage between the two of us but since we spent all the money I had, we wouldn't be able to afford the taxi-car I had promised Jasper. If we thought the four blocks there was bad coming, it was nothing on the four blocks back with heavy groceries on our arms and us unable to keep our hoods from flying off our heads.

"I can't believe you didn't think to bring your charge cards with you!" Jasper slammed down the food onto the table and ripped off his soaked coat and shirt. Pulling his shoes off one by one he attempted to slam the water out of them into the sink.

I put my bags down gracefully, mainly because I was carrying the eggs and began to disrobe down to my boxers as well.

"I thought you had the cards. Didn't my father give them to you before we left?" I asked.

"Why would I have your cards?"

"Because you're like my…" I trailed off realizing the punch to the face I would have received if I finished that sentence. "Well, I usually have someone at home to carry stuff like that. I naturally thought my father had passed them along to you."

I sighed and walked over to my phone.

"Let me make a call and see if I can get a card rushed over."

I began dialing and Jasper returned to wringing his clothes out in the sink. After being put on hold, my father finally answered.

"I see you got in safely." My father started.

"We did. Um…but uh there seems to be a problem. You didn't give Jasper the charge account cards."

"I know," He replied.

"Well…then why didn't you give me them?" I asked confused.

There was a long pause.

"Because I was only giving you what you requested. You wanted to be just plain old Edward. My son Prince Edward has access to the charge accounts you…"

"You have got to out of your mind! You're doing this to teach me some kind of lesson?" I snapped.

"Edward, you came to us and requested to be just Edward. I set you up in a safe condominium, paid off the school to let you in late admission, just what kind of monster are you making me out to be? If you want things like food and other pleasantries than I suggest you do what any other plain person would do and find a job."

I can't believe he was doing this to me? Was he really so upset that he would possibly let his only son starve? He's just hoping that I get hungry enough to cancel this whole endeavor.

"Fine. I don't need anything more from you. Please let mother know that I appreciate the very least you both can do for me."

I hung up the phone and Jasper shook his head bemused.

"What are you snickering about?" I snapped.

Jasper picked up his wet clothes and shoes.

"There is nothing more than a royal tantrum that I love to bear witness to."

"TANTRUM! You do realize that I no longer have access to any money which pays for things like food and taxi-car rides. You're just as screwed as I am."

"Edward, you just got upset at your father because he paid for you to fly halfway across the world. PAID for you to have a nice place to stay in a safe area. PAID for you to go to some University but because your father wants you to respect the money he has which causes the poor prince to have to work, you are throwing a tantrum."

Jasper walked towards his room.

"And I am not as screwed as you are. Unlike you, I know what it is to have a job and work for a living. However, I fear for the place of employment you will impose on. I suggest you put the eggs and milk away soon. They are precious commodities after all."

AN: Thank you for reading and reviewing.

DISCLAIMER: STORY IS MINE. CHARACTERS BELONG TO STEPHENIE MEYER.