A/N: I don't own anything. All mistakes are mine. Past is in italics. Give me some love! :).
Immediately, Alice throws herself into Bella's life.
Alice had realized she never got Bella's number, but to her luck they meet again the next day when Edward sends her on a mission involving the auto repair shop. The sight of a tow truck hauling Bella's junk truck and Bella hopping out of the tow's passenger seat catches her attention. It may have been the reason Alice took her time in requesting her brother's order and actually leaving.
Just as Alice was slowly walking towards her car, Bella exits the shop and spots her.
"Alice?" Bella calls out.
The pixie-like girl turns around with a grin. Perfect timing. "Still out of wheels, huh?"
"It just got here," Bella grumbles, walking closer to her. "What are you doing here?"
"My brother ordered a part for his car. I came to pick it up for him," Alice says, shrugging. "Need another ride?"
"I guess I owe you two favors now."
"Well, we'll count the school tour as one. As for the second," Alice considers it for a moment before she lights up, "Do you want to stay for dinner?"
"How is offering me dinner a favor for yourself?" Bella looks confused butentertained.
"Because seeing you will convince my mother and brother that you really do exist and aren't a part of some fantasy world."
"You've been talking about me to your family?"
There's no way Bella misses the bright blush on her cheeks.
"Maybe."
Bella doesn't say anything about it, but she does grin brightly.
"Shouldn't you ask your mom first?"
Alice rolls her eyes and laughs. "She loves to take care of others just as much as she enjoys showing off her cooking skills to people. You'll be making her day." Alice leans about towards her, winking. "And mine."
Charlie wouldn't be back until late that night giving Bella no real reason to say no.
"Sure."
Alice's smile is almost blinding.
When she gets home, she takes Bella by the hand to lead her inside. Esme is the only other person home,and she lights up the moment she sees Bella.
"Told ya," she says, sticking her tongue out at her mother, excitedly dragging Bella up to her room.
She watches as Bella takes in her room. Dark chocolate eyes scan the art on the wall, the clothes thrown everywhere, the dreamcatcher over her bed, the books, and the crystals that are lying on almost every surface.
"This one's my favorite," she says, reaching to pluck a crystal up off her windowsill when she notices the girl taking a more interested look at them. The almost pastel pale pink stone is carried over to Bella with a smile. "It's a Rose Quartz. All about love."
"Does it stand for anything else?"
"It's said to restore trust and harmony, provide comfort, encourage things such as respect and gaining a sense of self-worth."
"Sounds like perfection."
"Here," Alice takes her hand, sliding the stone inside into her palm and closing the girl's fingers around it, not removing her own hand from on top of Bella's. "It's yours now."
Bella's eyes widen in surprise. "No, I can't keep it," she shakes hand, trying to give it back, but Alice would not allow it.
"Nonsense!" Alice removes her hand, smiling at her new friend. "Don't you want all those wonderful things in your life?"
"I think we all do."
"Well, then take it! It might just give you an enhanced connection," Alice spins around with her arms out, making Bella laugh, "encourage the beauty of loving someone."
Bella runs a thumb over the stone with a soft smile gracing her lips, speaking quietly, "Thank you so much, Alice."
Alice can't help it. It's like all control ceased to exist in her, because she's reaching forward and tucking a lock of soft, dark hair back behind Bella's ear. It startles her and she looks up just to immediately get locked into Alice's gaze. What startles Alice is the urge to kiss her.
They jump apart when there's a mild bang on the bedroom door.
"Dinner is ready!" Edward calls out, apparently home now, and his footsteps are heard taking the stairs.
It's when they sit down for dinner that Alice realizes her mistake. She shouldn't have introduced the girl to her family just yet. She discovers it when her mother starts up a conversation with Bella.
"Actually, my dad's the towns Chief."
"Oh!" Esme exclaims, pleasantly surprised. "How long has he been a part of the law?"
"All my life even though I wasn't here for most of it."
Alice can tell it's happening already. Edward is concentrated intensely on Bella. He keeps grinning, and Alice starts to feel a bit green.The last thing she needs right now is her brother coming on to her friend. A friendship that is quickly blossoming, and Alice might start leaning towards wanting more.
Why? Because Bella is polite, strong, and she can already tell that the girl is worth knowing.
"Why is that?" Esme asks politely, taking a sip of her drink and spearing some lettuce onto her fork.
Bella pushes some food around her plate, says, "I chose to live with my mom in Arizona when my parents split up."
"So," Esme smiles, "I assume you're a momma's girl."
"I don't have a favorite," Bella shrugs. "But I really did miss my father."
"Well, I'm glad you came back!" Alice happily says, reaching over and giving Bella's hand a squeeze. "Meeting you has made my new life in this town easier."
Bella shakes her head with a chuckle. "It's only been two days."
"I stand by what I said," Alice is firm, confident about it.
Edward leans in, pride showing in his smile at the light blush Bella has dusted upon her cheeks when he says, "It has been a pleasure being around you."
Alice looks between them, trying not to glare.
He's never done this before. At least, not on purpose. He's so inviting to other people just by his looks alone. If you add in the broody teenage boy attitude, and the passion and talent he has for playing the piano, he's almost irresistible. The fact that the only girlfriend he ever had broken up with him and told her gossip spreading friends that reason didn't really ruin his image. It turns out that the news had backfired more than it succeeds. When word got out last year that Edward was a sixteen-year-oldvirgin, and a boy one at that, there were some snickers and some teasing, but he somehow managed to draw in more infatuated girls and even some boys.
This is different. He actually takes an interest in her quicker than he did with his only ex-girlfriend of seven months. Jessica Stanley. Alice will have to keep an eye on this.
After dinner is over, Alice takes Bella back home. Due to needing to use the bathroom, she finds herself meeting Charlie that day. He's instantly charmed by the pixie like girl. Already insisting for her to not be a stranger, welcoming her into the Swan house whenever.
It doesn't matter that they just met two days ago. It doesn't matter that school starts in five more days. Alice doesn't let any second spent not busy with something else go to waste when it comes to hanging out with Bella. The little bit of summer vacation that they had lefthad been full of clothes shopping that included her friend's protests and whines of complaints, sleepovers, and just getting sucked into the vortex of each other's lives.
Throughout all this, Alice silently swoons. Though there are moments where she catches Bella sneaking glances at her, Bella starting to be more comfortable with touches like hugs and kisses on the cheek and playing with each other's hair, and she wonders if Bella's swooning too.
When school starts, Bella follows through with an official tour and she doesn't comment on Alice taking her hand and holding it on and off all day. She does blush consistently, and Alice doesn't bother trying to hide her grin.
As the weeks go by, Bella unknowingly dips her hands inside Alice's chest, pulling out piece after piece of her heart to glut onto her own. Alice doesn't mind. Bella is gentle about it, and she makes Alice terribly happy.
As the weeks go by, so does the consistent looks and flirtatious words that Edward gives Bella.
As the weeks go by, so does more and more splitting time. Bell with Alice. Bella with Edward.
It's late on a Saturday day night, Edward strumming on a guitar while Alice sits drawing in the chair next to him. It's like old times before Bella came into their lives. Nobody is running around trying to impress the girl or to try and get closer to her. She doesn't want to disturb the peaceful moment, but the two of them haven't been able to talk much recently because of the girl.
"Hey, Eddie?" Alice put her sketchbook aside, chewing on her bottom lip out of nerves as she contemplates on what exactly to say.
He rolls his eyes in false annoyance. He hates being called that, but he always allows her an unlimited pass. "Yeah, Ali?" He stops strumming the strings as he gives her his full attention.
It's better to do this now before things get too deep between all three of them.
"I would appreciate it if you didn't go after Bella. She's important to me. I don't want you risking our friendship."
"I won't hurt her," he says, as if he was expecting this conversation.
This isn't about that. It's about being hurt if her two favorite people were to get together. It's about wanting Bella too.
Alice timidly says, "And if I were interested in her?"
Edward is silent, frowning. After a long moment, he says, "Then we'll see who she chooses. Whoever it is, you and I will have to accept that."
It's not the answer she wanted, but she knows this problem isn't going anywhere anytime soon.
By the end of September, Edward is walking around with Bella's shoulders underneath his arm as claim of a relationship. Alice found out through Mike. Mike! Out of all the people who should have told her, Mike Newton breaks the news?
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Bella and Alice stand next to the fixed truck in the school parking lot.
"I was going to," Bella stresses, almost incapable of handling the hurt on Alice's face, "but Edward made us public before I could."
Alice has to look away as her bottom lip starts to tremble. She doesn't want to cry about this, especially right in front of her crush. She can't believe Edward would do that. They were close. He is her best friend after Bella. He used to talk to her. The Edward she has grown up with has always been honest with her.
"How much does this change things?"
It changes everything, but Alice can handle it. She has to handle it if she still wants to be in Bella's life.
"It means that I better not be made the third wheel," Alice playfully shoves her shoulder. "Other than that, we're good."
Alice feels betrayed by both. And it's possible Bella knows this because she analyzes her, unconvinced, but drops it when Alice changes topics. Bella knows that Alice will talk if she needs to do so. She just doesn't know that it will be Esme Alice confesses to.
By the end of September, Jasper Whitlock, the handsome honey blonde boy that sits next to Alice in history, starts showing interest in her. He's kind, well mannered, and is actually really passionate about history. Plus, she can't help but to adore his southern accent.
At the time, Alice doesn't know what the fuck she should be doing. Her feelings and her thoughts are all over the place. Her mother's insanely tasty sugar cookies could not even make her feel better.
The paintbrush in Alice's hand swiftly, almost gracefully strokes along the canvas in front of her. She adds more of the white paint in the brown to make it/ lighter before glancing up at the nude male sitting in a statue like position at the front of the classroom. She studies him for a moment then turns back to the art in front of her.
A half an hour later, the class is being dismissed. Jacob slips back into his clothes, approaching Alice with a smile as she gathers up her things, and they start walking out together.
"You had almost everyone in there drooling," she says, playfully bumping her shoulder against him.
Jacob Black is nothing less than gorgeous. From his beautiful long black hair to his clean smile, and his very sculpted muscles. He's a looker, that's for sure.
"What about you?" Jacob smirks, holding the front of the school's door open for her and receiving a smile in thanks.
"Appreciated," she rolls her eyes playfully, "but no."
"So, does that mean no on my question last week?"
They stop on the sidewalk.
Jacob has had a thing for her since the moment they met. He hadn't been subtle about it. The attention had been nice. He had been the first one to become a part of her life in the big city. It made her single and sad self feel good, but Alice has been trying to make it clear that she didn't want him in a romantic or sexual way. He had a habit of dropping it for a time before bringing it back up again. The longest he had gone without saying anything had been four months.
Alice gently rests a hand on his forearm to lessen the blow when she says, "You're a great guy, Jake, but you aren't who I want. I prefer our friendship."
He clenches his jaw, relaxing it when he takes a deep breath. He probably thinks his voice comes across soft, but I can hear the cold tone. "When are you finally going to let go of your brother's girlfriend?"
And okay… that hurt.
She has been. Or at least she thought she had been. But really, can one ever completely part with someone in their heart? And there's also something that Jacob doesn't know that is helping to prevent her from letting Bella go. She can never tell him what it is, nor would she if she could. He wouldn't like that confession at all. Bella wouldn't like knowing that she confessed to anyone.
When she doesn't say anything, he speaks for them both.
"She doesn't want you." He takes her hand in his with a pleading look on his face. "I'm right here, and I can make you happy."
Alice doesn't doubt that he could make some girl happy. It just isn't going to be her and she knows there are plenty of others out there who could appreciate and love him like he wants. If only he could let himself see that.
Taking her hand away from his, she can tell he is angry inside, but he nods at her silence and tells her goodbye as he stalks off in the opposite direction she's heading. She sighs as she watches him go. She didn't want to hurt him, but there was no other choice.
She heads off campus to meet Edward at the café. He isn't there when she enters, so she orders a latte and a black coffee before seating herself at a window table. The bell above the door rings. Alice looks up to see her brother looking around. He spots her, walking over with his hands stuffed in his jeans pockets. She slides the coffee she ordered for him across the tiny table when he sits down.
Her brother has confidence, but right now he seems nervous. He keeps looking around with worry on his pale face and wiping his hands on his jeans like they are sweaty. He hasn't even touched his coffee. He lives off of coffee.
Then softly, he speaks, "Bella and I have been together for five years. I can't imagine living life without her."
Alice has imagined living life without Bella. She's had to in order to see what possibilities could be there. She had gotten herself romantically attached to someone she could never truly have.
It had been terrible.
Without Bella, Alice knows her light will dim. Her world would be altered in a way that will only leave disappointment and heartbreak in its wake. Is a life without her best friend a life worth having?
Unlike what Alice did for Jacob, Edward doesn't lessen the blow for her when he says -
"I'm going to ask her to marry me."
Her hearts stutters and stops. This can't be happening. Then her heart starts right back up. Her body wants to set panic into motion.
She chews on her bottom lip, debating what would be the best to say. "Don't you think the two of you are a bit young to make such a huge decision?"
"It is huge," Edward nods, straightening up his posture in a more confident way, "and I'm serious about it."
Don't you know this is torture for me?Alice almost screams it in her head.
"We're young but we're each other's soulmate, Alice. It's an inevitable escalation in our lives."
Alice had feared this. Edward is right. For him, it is inevitable. Though, neither of them truly knew if Bella thought the same way. To Edward, she probably did.
In the years that they've been best friends, Alice has never heard a clear answer on what Bella wanted out of life when it came to love and family. Alice has known what she wants since the moment she was able to comprehend what marriage and kids and adulthood meant. She did want to get married one day, but would compromise to at least wearing a ring and throwing a celebration party if her partner didn't want to sign a legal form. It would be enough for her because she didn't see how a couple of signatures on a paper really mattered if two people in love wanted to be together forever. They could be without the pressure. Alice just always thought the idea of marriage was daydream worthy.
Bella would always shrug her shoulders or frown and shuffle awkwardly around, not saying no but not really giving off any sign that it could be yes. She did say she thought people made too big of a deal out of it.
"I want to support you, but maybe think a little harder on this. You might be ready, but maybe Bella isn't."
I'm not ready, Alice does scream in her head. This is something she should have prepared herself for, and she can't understand why she never did, but then again, it's probably one of those things that no matter how much one tries? There isn't anything in the world that could prevent the blow.
"I'd thought you'd be happy for us," Edward says, frowning at his sister. "I'd like your help picking out the ring. We could also use a wedding planner."
And she should be happy about this. She wants to be happy about this, but she just can't right now.
So, she says -
"I just don't want the two of you to rush things. You're only twenty-two."
"And if I don't change my mind?"
She knows her brother greatly. She knows Edward won't. He's stubborn. With his mind already set on marriage, he won't give it up.
"Then do you have a jewelry store in mind, or do I have to do all the work?" Alice says, trying to keep a teasing tone in her voice and a smile on her face in order to not give her dissatisfaction away.
Edward outwardly smiles.
Alice inwardly dies.