"You mean you're staying here?" Bella asked, seemingly nervous.
"Well yeah, the point of me being here is to stay. I couldn't really afford a graduation gift and you stopped emailing me. I missed you, Bells, you're going to be leaving for college soon and I wanted to keep Dad company anyway," I babbled. I was nervous now. I honestly didn't know what to expect when Bella saw me; fear definitely wasn't on the list at all.
"I'm confused," I paused, taking a deep breath before I continued. "I thought that you'd be happy to see me. I mean, I know you have a boyfriend now and that apparently makes you too busy to email me back, but you're still my sister...my best friend!"
"It's just...I...now is not a good time, Brooke!" Bella cried.
"Well when would be a good time dear sister? Because I am getting sick and tired of sitting around waiting for you to make contact. Either way, I'm staying. I don't know what your problem is, but I'm here for Dad just as much as I am for you," I argued.
This answer seemed to frustrate her even more. This time she chose just to not answer me. I didn't know why she didn't want me here; it wasn't as though I was going to steal her boyfriend or something. Wait, boyfriend!
"Is this about your boyfriend, Edmund?"
"It's Edward," she grunted, "and no, this is not about Edward at all. You just shouldn't be here right now, Brooke, it's dangerous."
"It would be dangerous for me and nobody else because...?"
"Because...because...I have to call Edward," she mumbled, turning and walking away from me, into the kitchen. I followed her lead. I wasn't going to allow her to brush off telling me why she didn't want me here so that she could talk to Edward. Nope, I was as stubborn as mule and I demanded answers. Something was going on here.
"Edward? We have a complication," she paused, "with um... our plans this weekend."
She couldn't be serious! She was mad because she had plans with Edward this weekend, and I was apparently ruining it? Despicable.
"Yeah, that. My sister Brooke flew in as a surprise for me. I guess she's moving in with Charlie,"
"I don't know! I can't be sure!" she cried.
"Okay...yeah."
"Just," she lowered her voice to the point where I had to strain to hear, "just come smell her and see please, everything could be ruined if she smells even remotely the same as me!"
I couldn't have heard her right. Damn hearing; obviously she didn't just ask her boyfriend to come smell me. What the hell was going on?
"See you soon," she mumbled, hanging the phone back on the wall.
'Bella, you better tell me what the hell is going on. I may have only caught half of that conversation, but I still don't get what the big deal is." I paused, trying to gather myself before I started to really go off on her. "Look, go on your secret date with your boyfriend this weekend. If you want me out of the house, I'll find something else to do. Maybe I'll just drive down to Seattle for the weekend or something."
"No!" she screamed. "You can't go to Seattle! You can't go anywhere! Just give me some time to figure this out. I promise that I'll explain everything to you; I just need to see Edward first. I am glad to see you Brookie, (AN: Pronounced BrookE emphasis on the e) you just have crappy timing."
I just sat there and stared at Bella. The doorbell rang, but neither one of us made a move to get it.
"Well that must be the pizza," Charlie said, opening the door.
"Oh, it's you. You can't stay tonight, Edward. Bella's sister Brooke just flew in to stay and she's getting settled. It's been a while since they've seen each other and I want them to be able to have some time alone to talk," he ordered.
"Of course, Charlie. I just stopped by to tell Bella goodbye, before my brother and I left for our camping trip. We leave first thing in the morning." A melodious voice sang. Well not really singing, but it was pretty damn close.
"Make it quick," Charlie grunted.
Bella broke off our little squabble to listen in on Charlie's greeting to Edward, and her face brightened when Edward entered the kitchen from behind me. I sighed loudly before turning to face him.
I certainly wasn't expecting to be faced by a Greek god. He was flawless; every feature on his face was perfect. He was extremely pale, a pale that was only emphasized by the honey-butterscotch that were his eyes. He was tall and lean, although he was no doubt completely ripped beneath his blue polo. Even though he wasn't my type, I preferred more of the rugged, buff men, he certainly was gorgeous. And that's not a word I would have used on just anybody.
"Hello, my name is Edward Cullen." He spoke softly, offering his hand. "You must be Bella's younger sister, Brooke."
"Yeah," I said, momentarily stunned, before taking his hand.
"Holy crud! Your hands are freezing!" I exclaimed, taking my hand back.
"Yes, I have poor circulation, and it's a bit chilly outside from the rain," he explained.
It made sense; yet for some reason, I couldn't make myself believe it. I simply nodded.
"So, Bella tells me that you will be moving in with Charlie," he said.
"Well technically I already am moved in. Bella will be moving out soon, so I am planning to take her room when she goes. Until then, we're bunking." I replied, shrugging my shoulders.
"What do you mean bunking?" Bella cut in.
"Don't sound so excited. If it's that big of a deal I'll just take the couch," I said.
Bella and Edward shared a look. I could only guess that he had been sneaking in for late night visits or something. An awkward silence ensued. Well, it was awkward for me, being the third wheel and all. I took this as my cue to leave.
"Well, I have some pretty bad jet lag; I'm just going to head up to bed now. See you in the morning, Bells. It was nice meeting you, Edward," I said, giving a polite nod before walking up the stairs to the bedroom.