Disclaimer: If I were SMeyer I would probably be more diligent about my writing. Although I feel like the ending of this chapter is uncomfortably similar to something she would write—fluffly teen romance with absolutely no body. Sorry, it's just what came out.

Chapter 19—Edward POV

Edward woke up on Monday morning with nothing to do. He thought of staying in bed for a while, but the utter boredom soon got to him. Where was Alice? Why hadn't she come to wake him up? Why hadn't his mother come to say goodbye before heading off? He got up and headed downstairs, but found everything empty. A cold pot of coffee sat on the breakfast island, indicating Alice's long absence. Where had she gone?

Edward headed up to Alice's room, hoping to find some hint, and found a note on her door. It read: "Gone to Bella's. Come over when you wake up." He was slightly miffed that she had gone off without him. And that he hadn't been invited. He considered not going. However, he soon realized that he would have little else to do otherwise. Besides, he really wanted to see Bella, for some unexplainable reason. He went to his room, showered, changed, and was ready to go when he realized he did not know where Bella lived. He groaned and went to his father's office, where he had all the school documents. Among them, he found the student directory.

Edward opened the directory to the junior section and turned to the H, but he found no entry for an Isabella Hale. He was confused. Had he misread her signs? A G and an H were very similar; maybe her name was Gale? But when he looked that up, there was no entry either. He finally resigned himself to reading the entire junior section; there were only about 75 of them after all. There were no Isabellas under the A's. Or the B's. When he got to the C's, though, he founds something that turned his blood to ice; Isabella Carper.

It couldn't be. He refused to believe it. Had he misread it? Well, maybe there was another Carper. It was not that unusual. Sighing, he looked up the directions to the house and headed downstairs. He threw the directory on the passenger's seat and started driving. It was not the way to the house he'd visited for the dinner with their family a few days before. It was smaller, the streets were more winding, and the houses looked much more generic. His final destination was what looked like it had once been a homely house. Now, however, its paint was chipped, the shutters were tilted, and the glass of the windows was rather dirty. The yard was covered in leaves that needed to be raked quite precariously. However, Bella's infamous red truck was parked in front of the house. Edward sighed, gathered his strength, and left the car.

He walked up to the house slowly, taking careful steps and going back repeatedly. Finally, he made it to the front porch, climbed up the steps, and stood in front of the door for a while. He took three deep breaths, raised his fist to knock, and then turned around to leave. He stopped. He turned around again. He stepped towards the door. He took two steps back.

Could he stand it if he found that Bella had lied to him? That she was not a Hale at all? That, furthermore, she was his teacher's daughter? Maybe, just maybe, he would find some other girl in the house. There could be other Isabellas. Hehad not looked past that entry, after all. Maybe Isabella's last name was…um…Xale? An X looks somewhat like an H. Or a G. If he had really misread it. Or if she had really messed up her signing. She was not native to ASL, there was a possibility she was not very good at finger spelling. She had told him she had nobody to practice with, maybe she was rusty. Who knew?

After having talked himself out of it three times, Edward decided that he had no choice—he had to know. He walked to the door, closed his eyes, took a breath, counted to ten, released it, and finally knocked on the door. He waited. And waited. And then the door opened and Edward's eyes widened, his heart stopped, and his blood ran cold.

Why, hello, Mr. Carper signed. I had been expecting you to come by soon. You took a bit longer than I thought.

Mr. Carper? Is, Edward stopped, confused, not quite sure whether he dared to ask. Is Bella home?

No, she's not.

Edward waited expectantly for an elaboration on Bella's location. When he received none, he asked.

Well, where is she?

Mr. Carper shrugged, leaning on the doorsill. Edward seemed unable to believe that a father could be so uncaring. He could not imagine his parents ignoring his whereabouts so easily, let alone admitting it in public so uncaringly.

I could not care less. She'll be back eventually. She always is.

Edward backed away from Mr. Carper, debating what to do. Should he stay and wait for her? Or go looking? Or what?

How about Rosalie and Jasper?

Those kids? I don't know, why would I? At Edward's confused look, he rolled his eyes and clarified. They're not mine. Did you really think Isabella was their sibling? Just look at her and look at them; they have class and beauty. Isabella is…plain, stupid.

Edward's eyes widened. Bella? Plain and stupid? That was so far from his image of her, that he once again had to wonder if they were talking about the same Bella. By now he had long given up on that hope, but it was nice to dream, he thought. Without a word of goodbye, he turned and returned to his car. Once there, he pulled out his directory and opened it to the senior page now.

This time, when he opened it up the H, he easily found Jasper Hale and Rosalie Hale, as well as their address and phone number. He squared his shoulders, started driving, and tried to find any street that looked familiar. It took him some time, but he eventually found his way to the house. He saw Alice's car parked in the driveway and he pulled in behind her.

Edward got out of the car and caught sight of Jasper, clad in merely a towel and covered in some sort of sticky, shiny substance, running after a laughing Bella. He stood by his car, watching silently as she tripped over a rock and Jasper finally caught her, covering her in the sticky substance. Jasper then went after Rosalie, while Bella sat on the porch, her shoulders heaving with her laughter and her neck straining as she threw her head back, her hair falling loose from its braid. Edward smiled as he watched her; she was not plain at all.

Alice finally came out through the main door, carrying a video camera. She sat next to Bella and whispered something in her ear, making her laugh some more. Edward started to step towards them and he caught Alice's sight, who pointed him out to Bella almost immediately. Bella turned to look at him and her smile widened. She waved him over excitedly.

Edward! You missed all the fun!

Sorry, he signed ruefully as he joined them on the steps, a certain pixie forgot to wake me.

Bella smiled right back at him, shaking her head at him.

Well, did you at least enjoy your sleep? she teased.

Well, I did. But it seems like you had much more fun here than I. Why exactly is Jasper running around after Rosalie, covered in—he leaned over to smell Bella's now-stained clothes—eggs, and dressed in only a towel?

Alice and Bella laughed and Alice explained quickly. Edward laughed, but was somewhat confused as to what had incurred such a need for revenge. It seemed somewhat disproportionate. He turned to Bella.

Well, was it fun, despite the eggs and the running?

It was, she answered, smiling widely, you should have been here. Alice videotaped it; we'll show it to you later.

Edward nodded. His thoughts, however, now turned away from how beautifully happy Bella looked and returned to what he had discovered of her; she was Mr. Carper's child. She noticed the change in his demeanor and leaned into him, placing her hand on his forearm worriedly. Edward looked down at her small pale hand on his arm, somewhat moved.

Are you alright? What's wrong?

I was looking for you before; I looked you up in the directory.

Bella stiffened but said nothing. Edward continued.

I went to your house. I saw Mr. Carper. Why didn't you tell me? You lied to me. To Alice. I just don't understand.

Bella looked away from him, gnawing at her bottom lip and fiddling with the edge of her shirt. Her eyes flickered from Alice, who was not paying much attention to the conversation, and to Jasper and Rosalie, who were still rolling around on the ground, immersed in a tickle fight. She closed her eyes, breathed deeply, and started signing.

My father and I do not get along. I prefer to stay with the Hales. They have taken me in and given me the family my father did not. I stay with them for the weekend, and Jasper cares for me like the brother I never had. Rosalie has taken over the motherly role. Thanks to them, I have never lacked for love.

Edward cocked his head to the side, not entirely understanding. Having always been loved and coddled, he had never had to encounter a situation in which a child was refused his or her parents' love. It was a concept foreign to him.

So…do you not live with your father?

I live with him during the week. Over the weekend, I live with Jasper and Rosalie. Their parents travel a lot, so we've organized our own little family. We manage quite well.

Edward felt as if he weren't getting the whole story, but decided to let it lie. It seemed as if this was very difficult for Bella to tell, and he felt gifted that she had trusted him with her story. He placed his hand over hers, which she had not moved from its place on his forearm, and held it tightly. She smiled sheepishly at him.

Sorry to lay that on you. How are you?

Don't apologize. I asked. And, even if I hadn't, I want to know things about you. I am interested. We are friends, right? Friends tell each other things.

Bella smiled and nodded.

Alright, so I told you about myself. How about you? What are you hiding in that pretty little head of yours?

When Bella realized what she had said, she blushed to the tips of her ears. Edward looked amused as he smiled at her.

Oh, I didn't mean to be insulting. I mean, that sounds so derogatory. Your head is not little. Or pretty. She blushed once more. I mean, not that you're bad looking. Because you're very good looking. She blushed more profusely. I mean...

Laughing, Edward grabbed her hands to stop her.

It's alright. I understand. So, you want to know something about me. He paused to think. I am not very good at friendships. I have always felt like my 'friends' were simply circumstantial; when we were together it was convenient to confide in each other, but as soon as there was some distance between us the friendship simply ceased to exist. Alice has been my only constant friend. Well, her, and my friend Tanya back home.

Bella's eyes widened and her mouth formed a perfect little O. Edward blushed.

Sorry. Too personal?

No, no, not at all. I just…I thought…I mean, I saw myself as your…never mind.

Edward's mouth formed the same little O hers had formed when he figured out what she thought he meant.

Oh, you are my friend! You are not at all circumstantial, Bella. I did not mean you when I said that! I swear!

Bella smiled and relaxed.

Thank you. She paused for a second. So you don't think of Forks as home just yet?

Edward raised an eyebrow questioningly. Bella specified what she meant.

Before, you said something about your friend Tanya "back home."

Oh. That.

He blushed and looked at his feet. Alice, who had finally caught on to the conversation, looked at him curiously, wondering how he would react and what he would respond. However, before he had a chance to answer anything, Jasper and Rosalie, who had been frolicking about the yard, came over, interrupting the conversation.

Hey, Edward! Jasper greeted. When did you get here? I could have used another guy on my side.

Edward laughed. No, I don't think anyone could have helped you. And, anyway, based on what the girls have told me, I don't want to get on their bad side.

True, true, Jasper joked, shaking his head. Rosalie, slightly uncomfortable around Edward because of her inability to have a conversation with him without somebody's aid, started up a conversation with Alice and Bella. They all fell into an easy banter that lasted until lunch time. Edward was surprised when it was Bella, not Jasper or Rosalie, or their parents, who got up to prepare their lunch.

Any allergies, food preferences, utter dislikes? She asked, coming out of the house, having showered, changed into clean clothes, and putting her hair up. Edward smiled contently; she looked so at home, so comfortable. And, thinking about it, he could not imagine her looking so at home in the run-down house, with Mr. Carper.

Anything will be great, he answered, I'm a growing teenage boy. I can eat anything.

Bella rolled her eyes, but giggled before heading inside the house. Edward made to follow her in, but Jasper held him back, keeping their conversation going. Edward was disappointed; he enjoyed both cooking and Bella's company much more than he did tennis, which was what Jasper was discussing so avidly with him. However, he did not dare try and join Bella again, feeling awkward about being the only one that seemed to want to join her.

By the time Edward finally managed to disentangle himself from all the conversations around him, Bella seemed to be pretty much done. He stood at the doorsill, watching Bella as she seemed to fly from one end to the kitchen to the other, much more gracefully than he had ever seen her. However, suddenly, as she attempted to take a tray out of the oven, Bella seemed to slip on something and she began to fall backwards, the hot tray on her hands threatening to fall on her, along with its contents, and burn her. Edward shot off and rushed towards her. He held her up with a hand on her back, stabilizing her arms to keep the tray, which contained 5 quesadillas, from burning her.

Bella gasped, surprised, as she regained her balance. Her eyes opened wide and turned to Edward, who was still holding her. Her cheeks blushed and she bit her lip once more, but she kept her eyes trained on Edward's. After a few seconds, Edward looked away, feeling awkward. Bella pulled away and straightened up, rushing to the other side of the kitchen to put some distance between them. Edward blushed as well now.

I'm sorry, I only wanted to help, he signed. He felt bad for Bella, who looked thoroughly embarrassed.

No, no, it's alright. Thank you. I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing.

Regardless her words, she refused to meet his eyes and she was busying herself with arranging the quesadillas on to plates. Edward sighed and pulled at his hair. He did not want Bella to feel awkward around him; friends who did not feel awkward around him were rare and far in between and he would hate to lose one over something as stupid as…as…he didn't even know what had happened to create that awkwardness.

Bella, come on. Nothing happened. You tripped and I helped you. Why are we acting so awkward?

Bella laughed sheepishly. She finally met Edward's eyes.

I guess. Sorry. I'm OK now.

Edward stepped towards her, extending an arm for her to take his hand. She hesitated for a second before stepping forward and taking his hand, and he pulled her into a hug. She was awkward at first before allowing herself to relax into the hug. Edward smiled contently.

For the rest of the afternoon, Bella and Edward talked calmly. They still had a certain awkwardness about them, but they worked around it, having both decided to place their friendship above all else. Emmett came shortly after, and all six of them spent the rest of the day cheerfully. No more comments were made about Bella's home for the day.

Author's Note-I'm sorry I've been gone for so long. I'm a horrible author!!! I've just been so busy, getting settled, getting used to school again, not having free time all the time anymore… But I'm back, and I promise at least 2,000 words a day from now on. Don't hate me, please! I hope you all keep reading. Oh, and, if you want to look it up, I posted a video on YouTube with the sign names for the characters. My display name is "AnnaTheASLKittyCat." I also got a Twitter account that I plan to use solely for Rattling Silence purposes—you can send me ideas there, if you prefer. My name there is the same as here, AnnaTheKittyCat. I hope you enjoy it and, as always, if my signing is awful, please tell me! I will do my best to improve.

Thanks To:

Ange87

PrettiaLydia—yes, I'm finishing this…sorry I was gone for so long…=[

SparklingTopazEyes

Klsymrrsn

Cabtwilighter

Cheesepuff331—I realize this isn't really satisfying either…but it's getting there. And Edward finally found out some of what's going on!

Bellaleigh2009

Mkitkat

Hollywood Girl

A. Fire. In. The. Attic

Ceara1888

Silver Fire Vampyre—the feathers would be mean! And they would probably not have feathers just laying around the house. It's a fun idea, though.

Sleepthroughthestatic—sorry! I'm back and writing again…I hope you're not too disappointed on me.

HorsecrazyJr—well, anyone who takes the time to not only read my story but also review it deserves a gold star, in my opinion. Since I can't easily give you one of those…An individual review reply seems like the least I can do.

Loves to read

Daisysweetheart19

FRK921

High-off-skittles-XD

Penguincrazy

Bandgeekcp24

Jess

Little-Miss-Giggle-Fit

Music Loving Bookworm

BreyonnaMorgan

Bella Baby24

Katchelle87

LookAtMe612

Special Thanks To:

Erin—Again, I hope I haven't been gone for too long for you…I promise, I'm back in the zone and have a pretty clear idea where things are going now.

Vixen Hood—now I'm jealous! My friends think I'm sort of silly with my ASL… although we do have some fun with some of the signs (the sign for Germany really cracks them up…). I hope you're having a great time learning more about the Deaf community and feel free to share anything you find with me. It's all fascinating! As for the story, thanks for the comment. I really do try my best to be realistic; like you said, stories that use only stereotypes are just plain annoying. Hope you like what's to come, too!

Philologique—Can I just say that I loved your review? It's obvious that you read quite carefully, and that makes me all fuzzy inside. I am working on rewriting some of the story, so I will definitely make those changes you suggested. And, yes, the italics are ASL. I wanted a way to differentiate between speaking out loud and ASL, and thought that would be the easiest. Any other comments or corrections you have, I'd love to hear them! Please, don't hesitate to share!

TeamASHLAN—Yay! I loved your review. As always. First off, I hope you had fun at your Twilight Convention and that you finished your last semester of university well (congrats!). Then, on to the story…You are giving me some pretty great insight into my own characters, which is awesome! And you have some spiffy ideas for the sibling relationship, although I'm somewhat hesitant to delve too much into Bella's past…it's so complicated, I feel as if I suddenly made a flashback it would seem too much. But I do see an absolute need for one soon…Bella's situation is developing too much for you to navigate blindly through it, don't you think? I also have to do a time jump. It'll most likely be in the next chapter (which I'm planning to sit down and write tonight). Please, again, don't be afraid to tell me what you think! It helps me more than you'll ever know!!