APOV

As we got into the months of preproduction, members of the cast spent more and more time together.

Besides seeing Meg I was starting to spend time with the actors who would make up the rest of the Cullens. Our time together was more casual, just hanging out and establishing a sort of bond or camaraderie. Our personal relationship as actors wasn't as important as mine and Meg's were as Edward and Bella, but it was still near the top of my priority list- underneath anything Meg related that is…

As I went on to see Meg after the kissing incidents, she had gone back to normal. She still teased me and laughed and we got along even better- but she never got really intimate other than when we had to for a rehearsal. I could swear then that she took advantage of what she could get- but otherwise she made no move on me, no advances. She was friendly and we had established a good bond and a great liking to each other. She was always friendly in the way that only Meg could be- purposely mean and teasing- but underneath I thought I could feel a hint of flirtatiousness to our encounters but she always kept it hidden deep enough to where I could never analyze it fully and be sure if that's even what I really saw…

I remember picking up Meg at her room at the hotel, standing outside her door waiting for her- we were going to go over dialogue, without our scripts this time because we had to start memorizing our lines to a certain extent.

As she answered the door I couldn't help but feel pulled to kiss her. It was as if that's how we should greet each other now. It was directly after she had kissed me goodnight when I took her back to her room from the pool. I had to restrain myself,-biting my lip and keeping my distance- even though she was the one who made the last move. I didn't want to go and mess it up. She seemed perfectly fine too. She didn't act awkward or try to drop little hints towards me suggesting she wanted more… suggesting that she liked me… as more than a fellow actor.

I decided I was going crazy. I had liked Meg far too much too soon. It was insane really. I had never heard of anyone falling too quickly or so hard… none of my friends could relate, no one I even knew… no one…

Except maybe the character I was playing.

But he was just fictional. There'd be no advice there for me, no cues or tips on how to handle this. Right?

Either way, I couldn't bring myself to mimic someone who hasn't even real- a figment of an author's imagination. I had too much pride to do that. I would either get Meg myself or not at all. I would not resort to using Edward Cullen.

Forget Edward Cullen.

No one's Edward Cullen, not even me. I may look like him, they can dress me up like him, dye my hair and give me contacts but at the end of the day I'd be stripped down and all that'd be left was me- as sad and sorry as that sounds. I tied not to let it bother me. Besides, Edward Cullen had his girl problems too. Bella wasn't always irrevocably, fully, completely, utterly his- there was that Jacob Black character to disrupt the picture.

I wondered for a fraction of a second if Meg had a real life Jacob Black hidden somewhere, waiting for her in the wings. Maybe he wasn't even an actor. Maybe it was someone from school- someone she's known far longer than me. What would I do then? Nothing. I couldn't compete with something like that… could I? I asked myself the same question except this time I didn't have the answer for myself. I never had the answer for myself these days. I thought I knew how to handle my life. I thought I knew it was only acting. I should know better. But it was hard not to pretend that maybe Meg could like me as much as she pretended to when we were Edward and Bella.

MPOV

It was a few weeks after nearly everyone went home from the hotel. I was back in New York and I had just gotten home from spending the first half of my day with the actor who'd be playing Jacob Black. I hadn't seen much of him, so we spent the day getting to know each other more and even read a few lines just to make us feel like we had accomplished something at least remotely work related. He was a cool kid. Kid. I couldn't really see him as a 'guy'- the way I saw Adam. It was strange, I remember thinking as I was with Alex (Jacob)- how different he was in my eyes compared to Adam. Was it all just because of the roles they were playing? I thought it had to be more. Adam and I were almost immediately flirty off the bat- with Alex he was definitely more friend material rather than crush material. He was a guy I could see setting up with my best friend and being happy about it rather than dating him myself.

I dashed home though afterwards, bounding up the stairs to my room and cleaning up. My mom was the only one home and even though I was old enough to take care of my own matters- she felt the need to remind me Adam was coming over this afternoon and that my room could use some straightening up.

I was excited to see Adam. He'd be in town for a few days and I was pretty sure we'd be spending his entire trip together. An hour or so later, my mom called me down, saying someone was here.

I went and opened the door- and Adam was standing on my front doorstep. I smiled at the sight of him there- it was strange having him at my house but he looked good in it. I was probably more attracted to him than I remembered.

It was sort of like how Edward had grown accustomed to Bella's scent the more time he spent with her, but then had to start over once he left her and came back. It was sort of that way with Adam and his looks and his charm and warming personality.

He smiled back at me and I grabbed him by the wrist and darted up the stairs with him to my room- only after we stopped in the kitchen, intending to introduce him to my mom- but she must've stepped out, probably to go to the grocery store to get stuff for dinner.

I led Adam up the stairs and showed him to my room.

I had our dialogue book open on my bed, but I swept it away and sat down on the mattress, pulling Adam down with me.

He sank into the bed and slid next to me, our sides nearly touching but I ignored the fact.

I turned my attention instead to the TV right in front of us. I had it set up already for playing video games and grabbed the control from off my bed.

He laughed, "So is this what you do in your spare time?" he asked.

"You'd be surprised how good I am. It's become quite the hobby with nothing but guy friends… I sort of had to get into it or I'd be lost," I said casually, staring up at the screen and setting it to two player after handing Adam a controller.

"Oh.." was all he said.

"What?"

"Nothing," he shook his head and shrugged a shoulder but I could tell by the distant look in his eyes it was something. He stared determinedly at the screen as it loaded and I watched him, wondering what it was I had said.

I took this moment to fully notice the sight of him- he was wearing dark pants, not jean material, but he filled them out quite nicely. His t-shirt was plain and casual but was once again too loose on his body- better fitting than the one he had worn the night of the dinner, but still loose nonetheless. The hollow of his throat was visible just above his neckline that hung crookedly around him. I wished he'd wear tighter clothes. You could just tell, just imagine the kind of body he hid under the cotton. It was almost too much to even try to guess what he looked like with no-

I stopped myself at that point. I had let my mind wander way too far.

The day Adam and I went to the pool I had decided it was best to remain friends- good friends, great friends…. But anything more would only complicate matters. Our job had to come first- and besides, it was all too fast and too soon to be thinking of anything else. I didn't want to pursue anything with Adam, and tried desperately to not lead him on… but that night I couldn't help but give him his real kiss, cause even though he had kissed me first when we were talking as Edward and Bella, I knew it was Adam who wanted that kiss more. I wanted it too just… not now.

And what if, what if things had gone further or we let things get deeper and what if after that everything just got messed up? Adam and I would no longer like each other but we'd still be stuck doing this movie. Where would we be then? That was the worst case scenario. I couldn't imagine ever not liking Adam, even just in general, but I didn't want to push it or take things for granted.

APOV

Something inside me flared up when Meg said she had nothing but guy friends. I didn't know what it was, it just caught me off guard how completely it took over me.

Oh yeah, it was jealousy.

I was insanely jealous. I knew I had no legitimate reason to be, I just didn't like the idea that maybe the way Meg acted with me was how she acted with any other of her guy friends. I pushed it aside, not wanting to think about it, forcing myself to forget it. There was no use in me getting jealous. No point. Meg and I weren't together. Right now the jealousy would only be a feeling- I had no means or right to act on it.

I tried just staring at the TV screen to cover the emotion, but I was distracted eventually.

Meg got off the bed and bent down in front of the TV stand to fix something with the video game system. The action was innocent, it's not like she was purposely doing it in front of me- in the shorts she was wearing… and with the way her t-shirt rode up… exposing the small of her back as she bent over…

With the way she moved, so comfortable and easily, you'd think she knew the sort of effect she had on me. But she didn't. I was pretty sure Meg was still oblivious to the kind of body she had. I had to look away otherwise it was going to be difficult to remember this visit was strictly for job related purposes…

But it didn't feel like it. It felt like two friends hanging out. Even though this was only my first time over at her house, I felt utterly at ease. Everything with Meg was either blissfully easy and content or insanely confusing and frustrating.

She sat back on the bed and the game was finally starting.

It was a fighting game. For about half an hour we went at it, back and forth, it was so time consuming and addicting I was able to forget the charming girl sitting so close to me. We got pretty into it too- Meg was rather competitive- then again so was I.

And I wasn't afraid to result to cheating to have my way.

I nudged her in the side, trying to throw her off balance- she laughed but was otherwise unaffected in the game and I needed her score to go down. Meg was good. I had to be better.

I nudged her a little harder but it still didn't work, and I was unwilling to increase the force yet again, so this time I opted to be a little more straight forward. I reached over and hit the controller out of her hands. She objected loudly and had to practically walk across the room to where I had flung the thing, the cord stretching out as far as it could go without being unplugged.

Before she came back I stretched my legs out on the bed, taking up the entire edge of the mattress where we had both been sitting, leaving no room for her once she came back.

"Hey that's my spot!" she whined, her hands on her hips expectantly. I shrugged my shoulders.

"Too bad so sad" I smirked and continued playing, taking advantage and beating up her video game character to a pulp while she was distracted.

"Fine then, I'll just sit here…" came her voice, which sounded like a distant mutter as I was too far gone with the game.

I was shot back to reality though as she stood in front of me, completely casual and nonchalant- and yet there was a hint of apprehension to her that I could feel.

I felt it too, my heart rate picked up when I realized what she was doing.

She took a seat on my lap. Just settling herself there, as if it were as natural as ever- and yet she did it on purpose.

If this was my payback for cheating in the game, I'd gladly take it.

I dropped my game controller for two reasons- it was hard to see the TV screen anymore with Meg in front of me, and secondly I just didn't care.

I thought I could feel her tense as my controller hit the ground but she stayed cool and kept on playing the game. My hands went to the tops of her legs, spreading out with my palm on the smooth skin of her outer thighs. My touch was just light enough, just casually taking in the feel of her skin. She didn't stop me. I mean it's what she wanted, wasn't it? She started it. It seemed like Meg always started it…

She wiggled in my lap slightly, lifting herself up just a bit. I pulled her back down with my hands on her waist, holding her firmly in place. She laughed lightly under her breath and before I knew it she threw her controller down and turned to face me.

I held my breath for a moment. She hadn't been this close, not even during our intimate scenes as Edward and Bella. Her legs were wrapped around my waist and her hands came up to touch my face, her eyes half- closed as she stared down at my lips, all the while her chest was lightly pressed against mine.

"Now tell me…." she started, in a light, soft tone, "what's really bothering you? Why are you being so mean to me today?"

"Mean to you today? I don't know what you're talking about," I shook my head, as I did I let my lips brush against her chin.

Her lips curved into a sly smile, "You're such a terrible liar," for reason she was slightly amused, "I can tell something's up… what's on your mind?" she persisted and I couldn't resist the urge to take this conversation elsewhere..

"Right now? You really want to know?" I raised an eyebrow and gripped the back of her legs, holding her closer to me. She leaned back and let her hand drop to my chest, scoffing but otherwise amused more than annoyed.

"No, Adam, earlier… you seemed much too quiet. Was it because of what I said?"

"What did you say?"

"Adam! When I was talking about my guy friends!" she exclaimed. I sighed exasperatedly.

"Can we not talk about this? It makes me feel stupid."

"Stupid??" she shot me an incredulous look.

"Yes…stupid."

"Adam, why on earth would that-"

"Because I'm jealous, Meg! And I know I have no reason to be- that we're only working together and all we've done is kissed and I only ever see you every two weeks or so since the hotel… but even still… I can't help it. It's just the way I am when I like somebody." I finished, slightly irritated she made me say it all out.

"Like somebody?" she breathed, all serious now.

"Uh…"

"you like me, Adam?" she asked, leaning away again so she could judge the expression on my face.

"If I said yes… what would you say?…"

"No! why do you always do that? Why do you always have to ask what I'd think before you commit to something and actually say it?!" she seemed angry now…

"Because I'm afraid of messing things up!" I yelled back at her. "Do you know how stupid you make me feel sometimes??" I glared at her. She looked hurt though. I wondered why?

"Stupid? I make you feel stupid?" her voice was weak and her eyes softened. For once it was easy to imagine that she never meant to hurt me, cause discomfort… even when I thought she did everything on purpose, the teasing, the tempting… she seemed now like she never wanted to really hit me emotionally.

I shrugged, "Meg… I don't know if you're aware of this, but… you lead me on." I stated simply, my hands falling slightly from their hold on her legs. She exhaled evenly, quietly before she turned away and left my lap altogether in one swift motion it stunned me.

"Meg- did I say something wrong?" I asked, eager.

"No… and even if you did it's not your fault. I'm sorry, Adam. I never thought about you wanted. All I ever did was what I wanted… and I didn't stop to think that maybe I could be confusing you."

"Oh."

And then I felt that very same wave of rejection hit me like it did the time when she offered me her hand outside her hotel door. When she had pushed me away when I tried to kiss her… except this time I wouldn't get another kiss from her. I wouldn't get that surprise that would give me hope that maybe I was just reading her wrong… she was being clear as day now. Her words were unquestionable. I couldn't help but feel I understood where she was coming from and saw her reason. It was the responsible, professional thing to do- even though I still liked her.

She took a deep breath, "I'm sorry Adam. I don't know what to tell you… except…" she bit her lip, thinking it over. I'd like to think this was as conflicting for her as it was for me. Maybe it was. I could only hope that somewhere, on some scale we were equal with something…

"maybe we shouldn't spend anymore time together."

"What?!" I blurted, not expecting that at all…

"Not until we have to leave for Washington… I just think if we keep going at this rate… it's not going to end good." she chose her words carefully, not wanting to say if we kept going at this rate 'someone's gonna get hurt.' I hated those cliché words.

"What about… you know, our roles? I'm afraid they won't be just as good if we spend time apart…"

Meg thought over my words, her hand under her chin in contemplation.

"Well… if you can't bring yourself to part with me…" she started, a devious, teasing smirk on her face. I rolled my eyes, feeling stupid again as she was starting to knowshe had the upper hand between us and take advantage of it. "And seeing that I can't bring myself to part from you either…" she added, much to my relief- if only slightly- "Why don't we prepare for our roles in another way?"

"How, dear?" I asked dryly, uninterested. I was tired of her teasing and stringing me along… but at the same time I liked when she did it. It showed she still had some sort of interest in me.

"Well, we can still spend time together- but how about we just don't touch?"

"JUST DON'T TOUCH!?" I blurted, completely caught off guard, I let out a laugh, "are you joking?"

Meg shook her head and pursed her lips to keep from laughing at my reaction, "I think it's a good way to get into the mindset of Edward and Bella… think about it. They love each other so much and can barely even touch he's so afraid of hurting her or loosing control… and I think that's a nice metaphor, a good exaggeration for our relationship right now."

I squinted at her, glaring, but eventually my expression softened as I realized that it was probably the smartest thing to do- both professionally as a good way to prepare for our roles, and personally, as a way to slow our, or at least my, affection.

"Fine," I nodded, reluctantly agreeing, "when does this little… touching strike start then?" Meg gave a feminine little laugh at how I spat the words, as if they were filthy.

"Mmm… tomorrow?" she quirked an eyebrow and stepped towards me, one hand on my chest, pulling down the collar of my t-shirt and tracing the outline of my collar bone, her other slid up the side of my neck and into my hair to pull my face down to hers. She closed her eyes and inhaled as our lips met in a half open mouthed heated embrace. When I felt her hands slide under the hem of my shirt and brush against the bare skin of my sides I moved away, smiling against her lips as I stepped aside.

"I say it starts today."

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