(Bella's POV)

I became immobilized as Edward's eyes met mine. Time seemed to halt its hectic pace to give us time.

My heart wanted to run into his strong arms, no matter what he had done to belittle me. I loved for goodness sakes!

But my mind, the one thing actually holding back, was screaming at me, reminding me.

"Edward, darling, you came!" Anna rushed up to him and much to my utter horror, kissed him.

Before anything else could happen, I shot straight out of my chair, curlers still in place. Beauty could wait.

I ran as fast as possible, and when I was finally far away enough from the room, I broke down and cried.

I had loved him. So truly, completely loved him, that it felt like part of myself had been killed, stabbed over and over again, when I saw her kiss him.

I was taking in deep, shuttering sobs. I felt like those stupid drama queens- the ones you have no pity for and want them to just get over their freaking problems. But the thing about me was that my dilemma was nonreversible, there was no forgive and forgetting going on. Love was irreversible.

I turned and left the building after that, and went straight were I was supposed to, Jacob's house.

Weeks and weeks flew by. The wedding preparations were taking up every waking hour. I would see Jacob every now and again, and I enjoyed my time with him, I even started to care for him. But the thing was, I could never love him as more than a brother. I had even tried. I had gotten the most famous hypnotists and all the other things designed to help you forget things.

I would have dreams every night centering on Edward. None of them ended well though. The staff working for Jacob seemed to think I was a lunatic. Empty smiles, screams at night. I wasn't hollow, just… lifeless.

The thing is, for most people, you have to want or care about something before it all works out. That was the problem, I didn't care about anything. The only thing I tried to do was look normal, happy even, for Jacob.

I had lost track of time, everything was a blur. A colorful blur, but all the same, just a blur.

(Edward's POV)

"Look, the zombie shows her face again." Rosalie let out a laugh. "Gosh, where's her dog?"

I let out a loud sigh. "Stop calling her a zombie." I told her, referring to Bella's new nickname.

"Well that's exactly what she looks like." Rosalie stated, not at all sorry.

For Jacob it had been another word. It still meant dog, that's not what she said. Though when Esme heard it she made Rosalie wash her mouth with soap saying that words like that weren't meant to be said about anyone.

I went over to Rosalie's side to see what Bella looked like. What I saw took away all breath.

She really did look like the walking dead. She was pale, with waxy, fake looking skin, and abnormally thin. Her hair looked greasy and sat flaccidly on her. The dark holes under her eyes gave the finale look- Bella was not okay, she needed help, but I couldn't help.

I skimmed the article only to jerk back in surprise. "Bella is getting married!?" I let out a few choice words before continuing down the page. "It says here that they are going to have an engagement party tonight."

Inside my lunch seemed to come up. What the heck was happening?

Rosalie leaned back in her chair. "Something's fishy about this whole situation. I mean, Bella never really liked him- the dog, you know? So why is she going to marry him? Sure, he's hot and all, but you're way hotter Edward, and I say that all in a sisterly way."

"Thanks, I guess." I said unsure.

Rosalie sat back smugly. "Your welcome. Anyways, why did you let her get away? Sure, you could do much better, but I liked her better than the other bimbos that like you."

I stood up stiffly. "Well, I must be off now."

Rosalie let out a snort. "Gosh Edward, what is your problem? Don't you know how to fight for a girl?"

I kept my eyes fixed on the fireplace. "She's engaged."

"So?"

"So what?!" I yelled at her letting my frustration out.

Rosalie didn't even flinch. "So fight back you wuss. All's fair in love and war."

I turned my back to her and started out.

As I was leaving she came up behind me. "I don't know why the directors ever give you the part of the hero."

I stopped and stared directly ahead but let her know I was listening. "And why is that?"

She came up and looked up me straight in the eyes. "Because in reality the hero would have already gotten the girl back. And you, you're going to be lucky if you even see her. You are no hero." After her last cutting words she turned away and walked right off.

I wanted to call her back and yell at her, scream until she lost that smug smile. Tell her how I still wanted Bella, but Bella didn't want me.

But it all dawned on me. I did let Bella go to easily. I loved her, and I let the enemy take her willingly. I was going to go to that party and win Bella back, no matter what. Who the heck cares about invitations, nothing was going to stop me.

Just then the phone rang.

I picked it up. "Hello, Cullen residence, Edward speaking."

"Just the man I was looking for! I know this is late notice but I wanted to see if you would mind going to Jacob's engagement party tonight." Anna's voice rang through the speakers.

I smiled. "Sure. I'll be there."

The plan was in action. I loved Bella, and she was going to realize she loved me. Who cares about the dog? He was history.