ok, i know this might be moving a little too fast for you guys...but this story kinda wrote itself lolz

DISCLAIMER - SM owns all.

Read on, my brave warriors! (I'm not bothered to write a really long A/N it's too eaaarly)

Bella's POV

Nice to meet you too, Edward.

Every weekday, twice a day, I'm afraid.

What about you?

X

Same. I live just around the corner, and I work at

St Thomas' hospital. Do you live or work around here?

Edward xx

I work near the hospital. I'm a journalist.

I also live near here. Clapham's great, isn't it?

Bella xx

Totally awesome, for want of a better word.

Everyone seems to love the clubs, but I tend

to avoid them.

Edward xx

Me too, it's too loud and I'm too uncoordinated to survive.

Last time I went clubbing I managed to break my ankle.

Haven't been since

Bella xx

I would be lying if I said I didn't laugh when I read that.

Forgive me if you are angry.

Do you have an msn or email address? I would like to

get to know you, but my pen is running out.

Follow the arrow for mine. I put it down so you can feel

like you can trust me. Please don't give it to any strange women!

Edward xx

I felt down the back of the seat, my fingers brushing the square of white paper. I drew out the envelope and opened it carefully, my hands shaking slightly.

He had given me his email. I could hardly believe my luck.

Ok, breathe, Bella, breathe….

I took a deep breath and turned around to sit on the seat, dropping my bag next to me and crossing my legs. After a quick glance around, to see if the bronze haired man was hiding anywhere, I slowly opened the envelope and pulled out the little piece of paper.

Hey Bella!

Thank you for trusting me, and this is my real msn address, I promise.

I figured IMing would be more fun, since it's live talking.

No strange women, I beg you!

Edward xxxxx

I smiled widely, resisting the urge to squeal and jump about. For me, this was the equivalent of getting someone's number…only this time this was someone I actually liked.

I turned the paper over quickly, ripped off the part with his address on it, and took out my pen, giving it a small shake to dislodge the meagre amount of ink left in it.

No problem, I would like to get to know you too.

This is my msn address; I don't use it normally, but my friend made me get it.

I won't, I promise.

Bella x

bella..uk

p.s You owe me a new pen

I resealed the envelope and stuck it back under the seat, then put a 'Bella' over the arrow so he would know I had answered.

As I stood up carefully and walked away I clutched the little piece of paper to me, as if it might disappear any second. That scrap of paper I held was evidence that Edward was real; that I wasn't just dreaming him up.

I was too busy daydreaming to look where I was going, and I walked straight into a tiny girl who was making her way down the platform. She squealed and careered wildly, swinging her arms to try and regain her balance, whilst I caught my leg on her foot and twisted around, landing painfully on my ankle.

"Shit!"

"Ow…"

I looked up apologetically, clutching my ankle, "Oh my god, I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going…"

The little girl giggled, a dazzling smile on her astoundingly pretty face, "It's ok. Do you need a hand?" She stuck out her hand and I took it gratefully, surprised at how strong she was as she pulled me straight up.

I took a step forward but my ankle flared painfully, and I nearly collapsed again. "Oh dear," the girl said, running forward to hold me up, "are you ok?"

I shook my head, gritting my teeth, "It's just my ankle, I'll be fine."

"All the same, I think you need a hand." She glanced around, her small mouth twisted to the side, "My brother was just here. Eddie?!" she called out, "Eddie? Damn, I swear I saw him like a second ago. Oh well." She came back and put her arm around me, "Where are you off to?"

"Home, I live just around the corner."

"Ok, I'll come with you, I live here as well."

"You really don't need to-"

She laughed, "I don't think you'll get very far without help." I sighed and let her tow me towards the stairs. "I'm Alice, by the way."

"Bella."

"What a lovely name!" I blushed, and she laughed again.

We walked – well, I limped – out of the tube station and down the road, Alice chattering away the whole time. I listened and nodded when it was appropriate, trying to ignore the pain in my ankle.

Alice's phone rang, the theme tune from Friends. "Hello? Oh, it's you. Yes, that was me calling you earlier. Yes, I did need your help. Yes I am angry at you. Yes I am going to beat you to a pulp when I next see you." I giggled and Alice rolled her eyes, "I tripped a girl up and she hurt her ankle, and I needed help taking her home. No no, it's fine, I've got her now. She says hi – say hi Bella." I said hi obediently, then Alice concentrated on the phone again, "What were you doing anyway. Nothing? I find that hard to believe." She sighed breezily, "Don't worry, I'll just find out later. Yes, her name is Bella." Alice's expression grew suspicious, "What's it to you? Nothing? Jeez, Edward, you are so mysterious at the moment. Yeah well, right back atcha, oh annoying brother of mine. Anyway, I'll be back later. Say hi to Jasper for me." It didn't escape my notice that she flushed a little as she said his name, "Just do it, Edward. Yes, I will say goodbye to Bella for you." She leaned over, "Bella, Edward says goodbye."

As she put the phone back to her ear, I registered finally what her brother's name was. Edward. I nearly collapsed again with shock. Was her brother the man I had been messaging with for the past week? Was the man who starred in all my dreams…her brother?

Fate certainly had a twisted sense of humour.

Alice snapped her phone shut and grinned at me, "I don't know what's up with him; I've always known he was a total freak. Unfortunately I have to live with my idiot brother and his roommate until I can find a new apartment, and I haven't found a potential roommate yet either."

I smiled, "If anything around me opens up, I'll give you a call."

"Thanks!"

We arrived at the house: my apartment that I shared with Angela was on the top floor. It was a typical English flat, with two floors, front windows that jutted out of the house, and a very grumpy old man living on the floor below us. I opened the door with my key and trooped up the stairs, aided by Alice who insisted upon it.

Angela was already home, staring absentmindedly at the wall as she chatted on the phone to her boyfriend, Ben Cheney. Alice looked around appraisingly as we entered the little flat. "Wow, this place is gorgeous!"

"Thanks."

I was still thinking about Edward, and Angela hadn't noticed we were in the room yet. Alice danced across the floor and sat on the sofa, crossing her legs under her just like I had done in the tube station. I went into the kitchen and had a drink of water, trying to calm myself. I couldn't stop the flashing images of 'Edward'…who I suspected was the bronze haired man I saw frequently at the station. But those were just suspicions.

I returned to the living room, and Ang was just getting off the phone. "Alright, Ben, I'll tell her. I love you too."

Alice grinned at her, and I introduced them, "Angela, Alice, Alice, Angela."

"Pleased to meet you!" Alice stuck out her hand and her eyes twinkled. Angela looked a little taken aback, but shook her hand all the same. Alice noticed me limping, "Oh, Bella, sit down! I'll go find some ice for that." She bustled out into the kitchen before I could say another word, Angela staring after her.

"Well…she's nice."

"Isn't she?"

Angela shrugged, "Anyway, Bells, what happened?"

"Same old, same old. Twisted my ankle because I fell over. It's nothing serious, but Alice is making a big deal out of it."

Angela laughed nervously along with me, her expression unnaturally serious. I knew that look, "Ang, what's up?"

She took a deep breath, "Bells…I'm just gonna come right out and say it. Erm…Ben's asked me to move in with him."

I gasped and hugged her, "Angela, that's fantastic! Congratulations!"

She hugged me back, "Thanks Bells." When I pulled back to look at her, she was biting her lip worriedly.

"What's wrong?"

"I just feel so bad, Bells. I told Ben I would, but that means I'm leaving you here all alone…"

I shook my head, still smiling, "Don't feel bad, Ang! This is amazing, I'm so happy for you! I'll find a roommate, don't worry." My smile felt a little forced as I imagined being here alone, but I didn't let it show, for Angela's sake.

Angela brightened, "Really, Bella? You don't mind?"

"Not one bit. Like I said, I'm happy for you."

"Thank you! And Ben doesn't live that far away, so I can visit you all the time!"

I laughed, "Angela, Fulham is pretty far from here."

She shook her head, her ponytail swinging, "It's not that far…"

Alice came back in with the ice then, a strangely excited expression on her face. "Here you go, Bella."

"Thanks Alice." I smiled at her, and was gifted with a giant Alice grin back. Alice was certainly very lovable, I already felt as if I was going to be very good friends with her. We sat and chatted for a while, until Angela decided to go to bed. Alice stayed with me on the sofa, bouncing up and down.

"So, Bella, where are you from?"

"Forks, Washington, USA."

"The US of A? Awesome! I've been to New York…the shopping there is fantastic!" I'd gleaned from my earlier conversations with Alice that she really really really liked shopping. "Why did you move here?" Alice asked.

I shrugged, "Me, my brother and my dad all came here after my mother left…we figured a fresh start, you know. I've lived in London since I was 16."

"That explains why you don't sound too American."

"Yeah, it's kind of phased out. My dad has kept his accent though; he's refused to talk like a 'British person', as he calls it."

Alice giggled, "Me and my family have always lived here. You learn to love England, even though it rains all the time."

I nodded, "It's just like Forks, except more rainy."

Alice and I talked for hours, and I found myself thinking of her as my new best friend. Halfway through a conversation about which fruit was better: Apples or Pineapples (Alice said she couldn't see the difference since they were basically spelled the same anyway) I was suddenly struck with a crazy idea.

"Hey, Al, you know you said you're looking for an apartment?"

"What of it?"

"Well, Ang is moving out soon, to go and live with her boyfriend, so I'm going to have some room to spare."

Alice's face lit up like a Christmas tree, "Oh Bella, really?!"

I nodded, "Really."

She threw herself at me, hugging me round the waist, "Oh my god, thank you so much, Bella! I mean, I know we only known each other for, like…5 hours, but still! I'd love to!"

I patted her on the head, laughing. Alice stood up and was dancing around the room, clapping her hands excitedly, "This is going to be great! We're going to be best friends, Bella! And we can go shopping and watch movies and eat ice cream…I've never had a proper roommate before!"

"Where did you live before this?"

"Well, I've been living with my brother for a year, and I was in college before that. My roommates switched around a lot, so I didn't really get to know anyone that well, apart from one girl: Rosalie. She's lovely; I'll make sure you meet her sometime. Oh, and you HAVE to meet Jasper and I guess you can meet Edward too." She was talking so fast it was hard to keep up with her, "Oh, and we can all hang out together now! This is so totally awesome!"

She'd lost me at Edward. I was still wondering whether her brother was THE Edward, but I had been too shy to ask.

Alice sat down suddenly, pulling out her phone, "I have to call Edward and Jazzy!"

"Jazzy?"

For the first time, Alice didn't say anything. By the way she went red as I said his name, I could tell there was more to Jazzy than it seemed.

"He's my brother's roommate…he's really nice."

I raised a brow at her, and she huffed, "Ok, he's totally gorgeous, and I kind of have a teeny-weeny little crush on him. Don't you dare tell anyone!"

I crossed my heart, "Roommate's honour." I smiled to myself as she dialled in the number and put it on speakerphone.

"I want you to talk too," she explained.

A musical voice answered the phone, "Yes, Alice?"

I shivered involuntarily. Alice didn't notice and screamed, "Edward! Put it on speakerphone so we can talk to everyone!"

Edward sighed, "We?"

"Me and Bella!"

"You're still with her?" Another voice asked, and Alice's face softened.

"Yeah, I'm still with her. Bella and I are new best friends, aren't we Bella?"

I nodded and said quietly, "Yes."

The one I thought was Edward chuckled, "She doesn't sound too sure."

Alice scoffed, "Well we are. And you guys can clear my stuff out of your closets, because she's invited me to live with her!"

The other voice said, "Really, Al? You're leaving?"

Edward cut in, "That's great Al. Thank you for taking her in…Bella." The way he said my name was slightly questioning, and I couldn't help but blush. Thank god he couldn't see me.

"I…it's no problem."

Alice was looking at me strangely, and I ducked my head. She shrugged and turned back to the phone, "Anyway, I'll be coming over soon to pack up and stuff. You don't mind, do you Bella?"

"No…no, it's fine. I need to go on my computer and sleep anyway. Knowing Ang, she'll be moving out within the next two days, so bring your things round whenever." She nodded brightly at me then snapped the phone shut.

Alice's brother just managed to cry before it cut off, "Bye Bella!"

Alice gave me another hug before jumping up. "I have to go home now; I have so much to do! I'll come round tomorrow, Bella, ok? Thank you so much, I love you!"

I waved absentmindedly as she shut the door, then slumped back on the sofa, waiting for my heart to slow.

After a while, I felt for the little piece of paper in my pocket, then scrambled off the sofa and launched myself to the computer in the corner. I switched it on and waited impatiently for it to load, trying hard not to crush the paper in my hand. My computer finally flickered to life and I immediately switched on my messenger. I unfolded the paper and typed in the address, hitting the enter key slowly.

The computer beeped, and was added to my contacts.

ooohoooohooooooo

ok, they're not meeting yet, no worries, so don't stop reading! at the mo bella is going to get to know him better...then BAM!

looolz

anyway, review review review! and i have 45 already! *screams!* for two chapters! I'm so happy, thankyou all my reviewers and college talk readers who took the time to come here and read this. and CT sequel is out now! so GO READ IT BWAHAHAH!

Love, ATO xxxxx