Looking at you, holding my breath, for once in my life; I'm scared to death.
-Lifehouse

EDWARD: The car hummed as the heat poured through. The windows were frosted with ice. New flakes fell gently and quickly melted as they touched the ground. The trees in front of the car wore white skirts of snow and every so often a light wind would pass by and shake the snow from the branches.

Bella licked the spoon filled with ice cream and I laughed as I let my head fall back. She stared over at me and stuck her tongue out.

"Don't judge me Edward Cullen. It's never too cold for ice cream," she said and took another lick of the spoon, this time getting a bit of chocolate on the corner of her mouth. I couldn't help it. I brought her close and kissed the corner of mouth getting the bit of chocolate off.

She giggled and pulled away.

"Would you like some ice cream?" she asked and I nodded but she pulled it away and put her body in between myself and the ice cream.

"Hey! I bought it," I argued trying to reach around her.

"So, you should have bought one for yourself," she said and pulled the small plate away. She slipped the spoon in and took another spoonful and shoved it into her mouth.

"Bella…please," I begged. I wasn't sure why I wanted any. I didn't at first, but the fact that she had refused to give me any increased my desire for it. I pouted slightly and she sighed heavily. I grinned knowing the fight was over. She filled the spoon with chocolate and offered me some. I leaned to take it but before I could she angled it the wrong way, filling my cheek with chocolate.

She burst into loud giggles. I smiled wickedly and scooped the ice cream with my finger to place it on her nose. She stopped laughing and sighed as she reached for a napkin and wiped it off.

"Truce?" she asked and I nodded as I stole the napkin away from her. I wiped my cheek and she continued to eat the ice cream. A song softly played on the radio, but I didn't bother listening.

"So how are wedding plans?" I asked hoping to figure out any new information. Emmett would want to know if I found anything out that he hadn't known. True I was the one giving most of the information but I still reported it to him. He easily believed that I simply had "sources." Seth had given information too. I think that's where he believed it came from.

Seth and I had a closer relationship than Emmett. And Seth still had a pretty good relationship with Jake. Thinking of Jacob Black simply made me angry so I pushed the thoughts of my head.

"It's exhausting. This Vicky girl doesn't seem to have any friends…so she's got me and Rosalie as her Bride's maids. She has her sister-in-law, Irina as the maid of honor…oh wait sorry 'matron of honor,'" Bella then continued to recite in a nasal high pitched voice, "Because she's married and is not a maid, but matron and if I can't get that straight I might as well not be in the wedding at all," Bella took a deep breath and looked at me. She smiled sort of evilly.

"But she can't kick us out of the wedding so Rosie and I continually mess with her. It's the only fun part of that godforsaken wedding. Gosh I wish it would be over. But on the bright side only a week left," she said with a bright smile and glanced at the clock. She had been doing that for the past hour.

I raised a brow.

"Do you have an appointment for something?" I asked wondering if she had to go to a fitting or rehearsal of some kind. She looked down at the now empty bowl of ice cream and shook her head. She had somewhere to be, but didn't want to tell me.

I felt my stomach clench as I thought over the many things she would want to keep from me.

"What's wrong then?" I asked not wanting to jump to conclusions and be wrong.

"I…I mean I was supposed…he asked and I just…I didn't think it was a big deal…I—" she let out in a rush of air before I grasped her chin and forced her to look at me effectively cutting off her speech.

"Do you have a date with Jacob Black?" I asked and stared at her. I could see my reflection in her eyes. I looked hurt and I didn't want to make her feel like she was hurting me. It wasn't her fault.

"It's not a date…we were just gonna get something to eat. As friends," she said and I rolled my eyes as I released her. I leaned back in my chair and started the car. The engine roared to life and broke the awkward silence that had fallen between us.

"What was I supposed to do?" she asked frustrated with me. I kept my eyes on the road as we drove.

"How about tell him no?" I suggested and she sighed in irritation.

"How could I tell him no? I'm supposed to be single?!"

"But you're not!" I said and looked at her. She took a deep breath and crossed her arms across her chest as she stared out the window.

"But nobody can know," she whispered and I ran a hand through my head tugging at it a bit.

This was so completely complicated and I wondered if we would ever make it through, but then I looked at her and knew we had too, because she's the only one I every felt like being with and we just had to make it through. We just…had too.

I hated relationships. They were complicated and messy and they took much time and if you weren't willing to put in the time (which I hardly was) they failed. But with Bella, I couldn't give up so easily.

"Do you think it was this hard for Romeo and Juliet?" she whispered and the question caught me off guard. I snorted a bit.

"We may seem like a modern Romeo and Juliet, but I think our situations are very different. And I figured as much. How could it not be? Society and feud keeping them apart while love keeps them together," I responded and stared at the snowy street.

"Do you think they ever felt like giving up?"

The question came like lightening. Quick and seemingly out of nowhere. The response came even quicker.

"No."

I didn't have to think about it because I knew the thought couldn't have been a possibility. Love wasn't something you gave up on. They were willing to die to be together, to give up…it—it just wasn't possible.

"I don't want you to think I do, because…I don't it's just sometimes it feels like the easier way out. But actually thinking about ending it, that just breaks my heart," she said and gently pushed some hair away from my face.

The movement was comforting and reassuring. I grasped her fingers and kissed the tips softly.

"Don't give up on me," I pleaded and stared into her warm eyes. She smiled and shook her head softly.

"That's not an option for me," she whispered. "I love you."

I smiled back and for that moment I felt bad about what we were planning.

It was only for that moment, because when I dropped her off knowing she was going to see another guy, I wanted nothing more to continue with the plan.

0~o~0~o~0

"Okay everyone ready?" Emmett asked as he placed the silver mask on his face. Seth chuckled softly and gave thumbs up. I rolled my eyes as I placed mine on and stared at the small group of boys we had gathered all dressed in suits and looking much older than they seemed. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

Seth slapped a hand on my back and shook me a bit.

"Worried?"

"A little," I said softly. Seth knew everything. He was the only one I could ever trust on this subject. We had grown up together and he was by far my best friend.

"Sure you wanna go through with it? I gotta say I got a lot to lose to. If I get caught Jake is gunna literally kill me," Seth said pulling on his locks. I smiled and bumped his shoulder.

"It'll be fine. We've gone too far now, we have to go through with it," I said and tugged on my locks of hair. The once fire bronze hair was now a deep brown. Seth noticed and gave a quick grin.

"It isn't permanent. That's a dead giveaway though, I gotta say," Seth said trying to hold back a laugh as he scuffled my hair. I hadn't wanted to dye my hair but honestly I had no choice. My hair was a giveaway and even if I wore a full face mask someone was bound to recognize me.

"I know," I said as I ran my hand once again through my hair. The dye would fade in a week or so.

The guys began to walk out from our little hiding place and I realized Emmett had given the word to move.

Our plan was risky and we might be caught the moment we walked into the reception hall, but I couldn't find it in me to quit on the plan. I knew I was acting foolish and jealous, but it was too late to go back now. Besides, it might be fun.

We entered through the back of the reception hall. We were in a small storage room. There were three other doors here and the group of seven boys split. Seth and I walked into the middle one while the other groups went into a kitchen and what I assumed was another office.

I opened the door and the sounds of instruments blasted me. I straightened my mask once more and walked into the hall full of Swans. I knew, thanks to Bella, that Vicky had made the servants at the wedding wear silver eye masks. It was our way of sneaking in.

Seth clapped my back and wished me good luck before running off to do his own thing. The hall was large. The middle of it held a stage where the band was currently playing and was cleared into a dance floor. On either side of it however tables were spread everywhere. I spotted Bella's family, but no Bella.

True to her word, I could see Waiters and Waitresses coming out with snacks from the kitchen wearing silver masks. The band members each wore a mask and I rolled my eyes. The idea was completely stupid, but at least it allowed me to walk into the wedding without anyone batting an eye. I continued to walk near the wall simply looking as though I was inspecting the hall. I tried to look into the dance floor, but it was filled with bodies and overflowing dresses and dark tuxedos.

I didn't spot Bella anywhere.

It wasn't until the band decided to play a slower song and some of the couples went to sit, did I spot her.

She looked stunning. Her hair was in curls and picked up in what looked to be a complicated design. She had purple flowers braided into her hair. From the distance I couldn't tell what they were exactly. The matched the lavender dress she wore.

Her skin was pale and glowed in the dim light of the reception hall. The image would have been perfect if Jacob Black had not been in it. Her arms were wrapped around her neck and she laughed softly at something he said. She grinned widely and the smile lit her face.

A strong wave of jealousy ran over me, whether it was rational or not, because she was mine and I'd be damn if he took that away from me. Quickly I strode over to where they were dancing. I took a deep breath and tapped Jacob on the shoulder. They stopped dancing and Bella looked at me.

"May I cut in?" I asked politely. Bella's face scrunched into confusion. She didn't recognize me.

"Um…" Jacob mumbled unsure of what to do. I stared at Bella for a second longer and watched as recognition crossed her face.

"It's ok, Jake, me and…Anthony are friends," she said and took the hand I held out for her.

"Ok," Jacob muttered and slowly walked away.

Once she was out of reach a bright smile spread across her face and I couldn't help but want to kiss her. Of course I couldn't because I knew Jacob was probably watching us like a hawk. She looked lovely and as we swayed I realized she held lavender in her hair.

"What are you doing her," she whispered and played with the strands of my hair. A sense of Déjà vu hit me and I realized this was all too similar to the dance.

"You needed a date to the wedding, and well what better than your boyfriend," I said and grinned devilishly.

"I have a date, but I have to say this sounds so much more appealing," she said through a giggle as we took a turn.

"I'm glad," I said and I heard her gasp. We were standing under a ray of light and I knew she must have caught a glimpse of my hair.

"What did you do?" she asked as she ran a hand through it. I leaned into her touch automatically.

"I had too," I said simply and her eyes heated with anger.

"You did not have too!" she scolded in a harsh whisper.

"It's not permanent," I said softly and she sighed heavily.

"I don't like it, and what about school on Monday? When you show up with faded brown hair? What will people think of that?" she asked and I rolled my eyes. I hadn't really thought that up, but what did it matter. People could mind their own damn business.

"Don't fight. I'm risking my butt and police record to be here with you, I don't want to spend it arguing," I said with a sad smile. With a heavy breath she relented.

"Fine," she said and smiled. She rested her head on my chest and I felt perfectly content. Even if I was surrounded by Swans.

She pulled away after a moment and stared at me.

"You didn't come to start something did you?" she asked and I could see the fear in her eyes.

"No, I swear. I came for you. Seth came because he has friends here…" I trailed off afraid to go on.

She took a deep breath.

"Go on, who else," she said and I could feel her tug harder on my hair.

"Emmett came with a few friends. They don't want to start anything either. Emmett can't afford to be caught here. He just wants to take pleasure in crashing the wedding. He won't start anything, I made him swear," I explained carefully and Bella seemed to think this over before nodding her ok.

"That sounds fine. As long as nothing happens. I'm glad you came anyway," she said and the song came to an end.

Jacob strode up without missing a beat. He offered a large grin to Bella and reluctantly I passed her on to another guy. Every instinct told me to bring her closer and send Jacob to hell, but I knew I couldn't. So I gritted my teeth and slowly walked away. Bella watched me go with sad eyes and I waved softly with my fingers before taking my spot on the wall.

It was torture to watch her with another guy.

BELLA: I watched as Edward returned to the shadows and looked up at Jacob trying to mask my hurt. I offered a limp smile and Jacob grinned widely. I no longer wanted to dance with Jake, after I danced with Edward. It wasn't the same. I kept imaging Edward's hands on my hips instead of Jake's. I kept feeling Edward's soft (now colored) hair in my fingers, not Jake's rough hair.

"So who was that guy anyway?" Jake asked.

"A friend. We got to know each other because of the wedding," I said softly surprised how fast the lies were coming.

"Well I have to be honest. I didn't like you guys dancing… it felt weird," Jacob said smiling brightly. The smile made his face look boyish and completely innocent.

"Jealous?" I asked and laughed softly. I didn't expect an answer.

"Yeah, I guess I was. I must really like you," Jake said in a whisper and softly pushed a lock of my hair behind my ear. I stared at him with wide eyes. I stopped dancing and looked at him. Jake wasn't supposed to like me. He couldn't like me! That wasn't how things were supposed be.

He was my friend. My brotherly friend.

"Jake I don't—"

Before I could continue the sentence Jake grasped my chin softly. He stared into my eyes with heavy lids and I realized he was going to kiss me. In front of my boyfriend.

Jake lowered his head and I was frozen for only a second before a rush of blood came to my head making me dizzy. I shook my head and pulled away from Jake. I looked to the spot where I had seen Edward, just in time to see him making his way to the exit.

I ran from Jacob to chase after him. Jacob called for me but I ignored him as I made my way through family and friends, trying not to lose track of Edward.

I wanted to call out for him to stop, but I couldn't very well do that.

He made it to the Lobby of the hall a minute before I did. He was walking down the steps and toward the street when I made it outside. The night wind hit my bare shoulders with a sudden fierceness I shivered.

"Edward wait!" I called and began to walk down the steps careful not to trip over my dress. He didn't listen as he continued to walk down the sidewalk and away from me.

"Edward please!" I begged. He froze and I watched his shoulders rise with a breath he had taken.

I walked behind him silently and wrapped my arms around his waist while pressing my cheek against his back. He turned slowly and hugged me in return. Rubbing my arms to keep me warm with the friction.

"I'm sorry, I didn't think—"

"No, you didn't think." He said ending my apology abruptly. He was angry. Somewhere in my mind I wanted to yell and argue and tell him he was stupid for being angry, but I knew that if it had been reversed. Had I been the one watching another girl about to kiss him, I would be just as angry, just as hurt.

"O Edward, Edward, Wherefore art thou Edward?" I whispered softly and felt him shake with laughter underneath me.

"That was cheesy," he said calling me out. I looked up at him with a bright smile.

"But you laughed," I said and he leaned down and placed a small kiss on my lips.

"Did you kiss him?" he asked as he pulled away.

"No."

He stared at me for a second. He stared at my eyes, trying to figure out if I was lying which I wasn't.

"I believe you," he said softly.

"You should," I whispered back before rising up to kiss him.

Edward straightened and I turned to see a bright line of light break the darkness of night as the reception hall's door opened. It was hard to tell who had come out in the dark.

"Bella!" Jake called and looked around trying to spot me in the dark. Edward took my hand and began to run down the sidewalk. We were running away from Jake and I could kiss him for being such a genius. I began to giggle as the scuffling of our shoes on the side walk left Jacob even more confused.

"BELLA!" I heard him call once more before we had run out of ear shot. Even then we did not stop running and though the icy air hurt my lungs and my legs were beginning to tire, I felt no need to stop running.

"Where are we going?" I giggled breathlessly as we reached the end of the block. Edward led me to a dark car that clearly was not his Volvo and opened the door for me.

"Let's ditch the wedding?" he asked and I nodded as I got in the car.

He came around and got in. The car started with a low quiet rumble and we were off.

"Where are we gonna go?" he asked me and I laughed.

"Aren't you suppose to figure that out?" I asked and he shrugged.

"I don't really care as long as were alone."

"Then, neither do I," I said and leaned back into the seats of the car.

"We could stop at my house," he offered.

"What about your parents?"

"They're at a banquet. Won't be coming home until dawn. Alice is at a friend's house. She said she didn't want anything whatsoever to do with our plot. And the boys are still at the wedding," he said and I thought this over.

"Do you ever see your parents?" I asked avoiding giving an answer.

"Of course I do. It's just different for me Bella; I've never been too close with them. They had Emmett young and didn't want to put aside their work and fun so they gave him to a nanny. When they had Alice and me a year later they thought parenting was easy so they passed us on again to a nanny. I never thought anything strange about our family until I started school," he explained to me with a shrug. I felt a bit sorry for Edward although I knew I shouldn't have, because Edward had no problem with the situation.

"That's a shame," I said softly and he laughed.

"No. it's not. Don't think I'm missing out on a family, because I'm not. Alice and Emmett and I are as closer than most brothers and sisters out there and it makes up for it. Trust me," he said and entwined his fingers with mine.

"So do you have a better place to go or will you settle with my home?" he asked and again I was brought to face the question.

"Okay," I whispered and he smiled once again and turned to face the road.

I liked to imagine that we were driving away. Driving away from the fights, from Jake, from my parents, his parents, family, and worries. Driving away from everything that kept us apart and to a place where we could be normal.

But I knew, when the morning came everything would come rushing back to us.

- - -

Okay, so here's the deal and what may cause some updates for all my stories:
's spring break for me!
2. Two days before spring break, I sprained my foot in gym becuz I'm a major klutz.
3. The weather decided it wants to be bipolar. So it snows and then sun, it snows and sun.

So pretty much I'm stuck in my house with nothing to do for a whole week. So I write to entertain myself.

Anyway I hope you liked the update and I would love reviews. They might make this horrible strain of bad luck end and make me feel better!

-T. Tanya