Author's Note: Just in case you haven't noticed, I changed Alex's eyes from the last chapter. The intention I had for his character changed so I saw no point in keeping his eyes blue anymore.

I stayed on the swing and listened to the birds chirp to each other and attempted to clear my head. Every girl asked for a Prince Charming. Somehow, I ended up with two. This is not going to end well.

It was no secret that Alexander could make a girl swoon just by looking at her. This was part of what bothered me. I could never be sure of his words and actions. I couldn't tell whether he was genuine or was just executing his master plan. He was relentless and once he had his sights on something he didn't give up until it was his. The fact that I refused him only made him want me more. I never knew if he really had feelings for me or if he was just satisfying his ego.

Edward, on the other hand, was gentle and sensitive. He was adorable and very sweet, but he needed to loosen up. He was a true gentleman and I thought that that was what stopped him from going forward. I felt safe with him. A little too safe, at times. He could make me laugh and kept me guessing, but he always seemed out of reach somehow. Why am I going so deep into this? I wasn't even sure if I have to make a choice. Edward never said he liked me.

The more I thought about them, the more it all confused me. I opened my eyes and shook my head slightly. Why is this so complicated? I wanted to forget it all, pretend like this was a dream, but I knew I couldn't run from this problem. Who do humans turn to when they have question like this? I asked myself. My father! I hopped off the swing and strode toward the house. I sighed in frustration as I realized that I'd never felt more like a teenage girl. I made my way to the front of the house and the door swung open to admit me in.

I went upstairs to his office hoping he wasn't busy. How much experience does he even have? I wondered. He'd never mentioned anyone aside from my mother. I shrugged and continued down the hall. It's worth a shot. I stepped up to the large wooden door and cleared my throat.

"Come in, sweetheart," He called from the other side. Of course he knew I was coming. I pushed the door open but didn't see him sitting at his desk.

"Dad?" I asked stepping in and letting the door swing shut.

"I'm in the library," he said, noticeably distracted.

The library was an extension of his office. I propelled myself through the main office and opened the door on the right wall of the office. The library had giant bookshelves lined with books of all types and a circle of comfortable couches and chairs in the center of the room. I stepped in and saw my father sitting on a dark brown leather couch at the other side of the room.

"What is it, sweetheart? Why is your future changing a million times a minute?" he asked looking intently at me with a fatherly expression. I sighed and walked over to join him on the couch. He must've assumed that I didn't really know how to start so he just cut me the slack and cut right to the point.

"I guess I know," he stated. He took my hand and tucked my hair back behind my ear.

"Was it this hard for you too?" I whispered staring straight ahead. He chuckled without an iota of humor.

"No one said love was easy, Bella," he answered. "But it will all be clear to you eventually. For now, just go with the flow and listen to what your heart tells you."

I had never seen my father act so serious and fatherly. I glanced at him sideways and saw concern the in his eyes. I nodded and hugged him tightly. He continued to smooth my hair and I was transformed into a small child being comforted by her father.

"Edward is looking for you," my father murmured. I groaned internally and pulled away. I don't want to meet him in the garden, I realized. It felt like I was betraying him somehow.

"Dad, can you tell him to meet me in the ballroom?" I asked. My father smiled and nodded, closing his eyes to communicate with Edward. I sighed for the umpteenth time and headed back out of the room.

I walked to the ballroom deep in thought. I could only hope that what my father said was true. If I knew it would be this way, I'd have preferred to never have feelings for anyone, I grumbled silently.

I pushed the double doors of the ballroom open and the lights came on automatically. The light bouncing off the crystal of the chandelier hanging from the ceiling was truly lovely. I stepped in and headed towards the platform at the far end which supported a jet black grand piano.

I sat down on the bench and ran my hand over it. I always loved the sound of the piano even though I could never learn how to play it no matter how many times I attempted to learn. This one was here because my father would play it every ten years or so on the days that he really missed my mother.

"Bella!" I looked up to see Evelyn running towards me. She reached me in a second and sat down next to me.

"Hi, Evelyn. What is it?" I wasn't really in the mood to talk to her so I was hoping that whatever she needed would be quick.

"Are you set on a having a costume party?" she asked casually.

"It doesn't matter to me," I told her. "You're the party planner. I'm sure whatever kind of party is it, it'll be wonderful," I said politely.

"Really!" She screeched, obviously excited. "Then, what do you think of a masquerade instead? It's more original and should be more interesting." Her excitement made me smile too.

"That sounds great!" I told her, trying to seem enthusiastic.

"Fantastic! Then, I'll get on the plans right away. I'll see you later," she jumped off the bench and flounced out of the room. When she reached the doors, she ran straight into Edward's chest. Both of them quickly straightened and Evelyn giggled, glancing over her shoulder at me.

"Bye, Edward!" she said as she left the room.

Edward stared at her questioningly until she disappeared. He shook his head and began making his way over to me. He wore the perfect crooked smile that made me feel strangely unbalanced. That smile reminded me why I found Edward so appealing. Suddenly, I couldn't picture Alexander's face anymore. The strangest thing was that I realized that I liked this feeling.

Author's Note: I know I haven't updated in like...forever. I was really busy with school work and had no time for anything else. But I will try to update when I can. No promises!