Disclaimer: These characters and all likenesses to the Twilight Series belong to the absolutely talented Stephenie Meyer. We are only borrowing them for our story; we hold no rights to them otherwise.

Previously:

"We loaded up and climbed in his jeep. A quick stop for food and we were on to the airport. Ready or not, I had a feeling my life was about to change. "

EPOV

I just graduated and high school was finally over, not that I mind much. I didn't really feel like I ever fit in. There were the standard clicks, the weekend parties and the ever present group of, how do I put this delicately, girls that were always "willing and able" but none of that ever appealed to me. Edward, that's me, was always perceived as a bit arrogant. And why? Simply because I'd rather listen to my IPod than to people prattle on about asinine subjects. I usually kept to myself and the only interaction I had with any one else was with the baseball team or my sister Alice.

Ah, my pixie-like sister Alice. Alice and I are the same age, 18, and are step-siblings but I think of her as if she was my biological sister. Our parents married when we were very young and even though we are the same age I've taken on the visage of "older brother." When I call her pixie-like, I mean like a pixie. She's about 5' with spiky black hair, the bluest of eyes and a feisty, vivacious personality that would make a woodland sprite envious. No one should EVER give Alice caffeine OR deny her shopping.

Now the two of us were ready for the next step, college. Alice and I were both accepted to the University of Michigan starting in the fall. I was lucky enough to receive an athletic scholarship and was actually looking forward to playing baseball at UM. They just won the Big Ten Tournament! I knew my major would have something to do with music but I was a bit apprehensive that baseball would impede my studies. I have time to worry about that later though. Right now, I'm looking forward to two long months in the Florida sun. My Dad's old college roommate owns a shop down in Key West and asked him if he thought Alice and I would be interested in working for him this summer. I saw it as an opportunity to see a bit more of the country and maybe finally be inspired enough to finish a composition that had stumped me. Alice of course only saw the shopping possibilities and of course, boys!

I had finished packing for our trip and went to check on my sister. I walked into her room and stopped dead in my tracks; it looked like the local mall exploded and every bit of the fallout landed in her room. We were NEVER going to make it to the airport on time at this rate.

"Aliiiiicccceeeee!!" I whined at my sister.

"What?" She snapped back without turning around from her closet.

"How much do you need to pack? You can't possibly think you'll have time to wear all of this. If you don't hurry up, we'll be hitchhiking to Florida" I chided.

At that, she spun around hands on her hips and glared at me. I have to admit, I was a bit frightened. "Edward, you are so impossibly clueless sometimes. Of COURSE, I'll have time to wear all of this. In fact, I may need to hit the mall on the way to the airport. I only have 6 swimsuits." She stated matter-of-factly.

"Only six? Heaven forbid you don't have one for each day of the week." I said as sarcastically as I could. She just stuck her tongue out at me and continued to pack her clothes, now using my suitcase. How the hell did my suitcase get in her room?

"Alice, don't you dare think about removing anything I've packed. It's not my fault you've used your allotment of 5 suitcases. I have one lonely suitcase and I don't want your Calvin Hilfiger stuff giving my clothes designer cooties." I teased.

"Edward, it's not my fault you won't embrace the loveliness of designer clothes. Lord knows, I try to dress you as best I can but button-up shirts and jeans don't have to be your every day outfit." She lectured while multitasking.

I stood there scratching my head; certainly she remembers that she's the one who bought those button-up shirts and jeans. The last time I checked there was a designer name on my ass, much to my dismay. If I didn't let her select my outfit in the morning I would pay for it all day and no one, I repeat no one, wants an irritable pixie on their hands. When it came to Alice, I learned to just let her have her way. It really was less painful for every one in the long run.

"Fine Alice, you can use as much of my suitcase as you can possibly fill WITHOUT removing anything of mine. Okay? Now will you please hurry up?" I pleaded.

"K! Thank you Edward! You really are the best brother in the whole wide world! Now about these Birkenstocks, you aren't really going to bring them are you? I mean, they're fine for California I guess but the Keys? That would be a major fashion faux pas dear brother. We'll pick up a pair or Reef flip flops for you at the mall." She stated while scrunching her nose at the "non designer" items in my suitcase. After what seemed like an eternity, half my suitcase was emptied of the offending non designer, fashion faux pas with a promise to be replaced by Alice's hand picked, brand name items. I guess I would have to get used to having some guy's name on my ass all summer.

I pinched the bridge of my nose with my thumb and index finger willing her to move at super human speed. If she didn't hurry up we would not be making a pit stop at the mall. On second thought, maybe I should accidentally dump the contents of two of her suitcases…hmmm, that should buy me some time and save me a trip to the mall.

"All done!" She declared snapping me out of my reverie.

Damn! "It took you long enough!" I sighed.

I grabbed our suitcases needing to make three trips thanks to Alice packing her entire wardrobe and some how managed to stuff them all into the back of my Volvo. We said goodbye to the parental units and were on our way. We actually were making good time; I learned long ago if you wanted Alice ready by 7 you told her 5:30.

After an hour at the mall which seemed like an eternity and about a dozen bags we were on the way to the airport. I was looking forward to being able to finally sit down and relax. Trying to get Alice out of the house at a reasonable time really frazzled my nerves a bit. We stepped up to the counter to check in and of course were charged an exorbitant amount for "additional bags."

"Only when you travel with Alice." I mumbled.

APOV

Wow, my brother can be such a fusspot sometimes. If he would stop and consider the time he was taking away from my packing with his nagging, we would have been able to leave the house sooner. He's lucky I love him but he really needs something to help him unwind. He's wound up tighter than a coil and if he doesn't relax soon he'll end up burning the wick of a stick of dynamite at both ends come college.

We checked in and found ourselves a seat while we waited to board.

I looked over at Edward and he looked so peaceful but I knew that was a façade. His music does calm him at times but you can't go 24/7 with IPod buds in your ears.

Think Alice, what does Edward need? What would help him unwind?

"AHA!" I accidentally yelled out loud.

"WHAT!?" Edward yelped as he jumped out of his seat. Apparently even with his IPod blaring he still heard me.

"Oh, nothing." I murmured while smiling shyly. Edward went back to his IPod and closed his eyes not without giving me a quizzical but knowing look first.

I decided that it was time for Edward to spice up his life and live a little; and by life I meant his love life. Edward never really had a girlfriend in high school. It's not that the girls didn't like him, quite the contrary. Girls practically threw themselves at him and rightfully so. My brother is quite the looker. He's about 6' with bronze unruly hair that won't do a damn thing but look completely disheveled no matter what you do to it , green eyes and the girls seem to like his bod by the way they drool over it. Edward however, just didn't pay any attention to it. He would occasionally flirt but that usually only happened when he was with the baseball team. Other than that Edward was more into his music, baseball and schoolwork.

I must have had a very serious look on my face and it didn't help that I had my index finger up to my temple looking like I was contemplating something because it was enough for Edward to notice. He waved his hand in front of my face knocking me out of my deliberation.

"Alice…..what are you thinking? You usually only look like that when you are up to no good." Edward asked with a grin.

Damn, he's better than Inspector Clouseau. How do I put this delicately without actually laying my plan out there?

"I was thinking dear brother that you should really try and let loose this summer. You know, live a little and maybeenjoythefinerqualitiesoftheoppositesex." I admitted with the biggest smile I could muster, jumbling the words together to make him have to think about what I just said.

He blinked several times with a look of confusion on his face and I knew he was trying to comprehend that last bit. However he said nothing, opting to look at me with a blank expression that slowly melted into a mischievous grin. We sat there in silence for what seemed like ages until I could bear no more of his silent treatment. I sighed heavily and crossed my arms across my chest.

"What's wrong now Alice?" He questioned with a hint of amusement in his voice.

I looked at him and gave my best pout slash puppy dog eye combo.

He sighed and finally acquiesced. "Fine Alice, I promise I will try and let loose and live a little as you put it. Happy?"

"Immensely!" I squealed as I clapped and bounced in my seat.

This was going to be a good summer and I had a feeling big things were around the corner for Edward and I.

EPOV

After Alice's little rant I felt like I needed a drink. I mean, I know how to have fun. Don't I?

I turned my IPod on and slid down the chair a bit so I could rest my head. As I closed my eyes I kept thinking back to what Alice said and something in my mind kept telling me that maybe she was right. Maybe I just needed to let loose and actually try and enjoy myself this summer. That's when I decided that I was going to take Alice's advice. "Having fun" was exactly what I intended on doing. I have a feeling this will be a summer I'll never forget.

A/N: And now we have been introduced to Edward and Alice.

We hope you enjoy the story and do apologise for the slow build-up but we do promise it will be worth it in the end. If you like it, let us know...reviews are greatly appreciated.

Next chapter will be up Sunday. The flight!