I'm baaack! Again. Well the internet is working successfully again. It hasn't been working for six days. I was really bored. So, I'm sorry for this really late update, but I plan for lots of reviews from you guys. I'll probably wrap this up by the end of May since summer just started. Enjoy!

Dusk and Dawn: Chapter 21

Unparalleled Regrets

BPOV

I woke up at about five in the morning. I twisted and turned, flipped and flopped, I couldn't sleep. The probably symptom was Edward. It's been two whole years since we've broken up, but why can't I stop contemplating about the past? I wish all this could have been easier for me. My emotions are being difficult and unmanageable right now.

I still keep thinking about what Alice asked me yesterday. Edward wanted to be friends with me. Me. I always thought that he would have been holding a grudge on me. I'm still skeptical about how Alice said it was Edward's idea. Jake's always been trying to convince me that he was sure Edward wasn't mad at me.

Jake's still at some camp right now, being accompanied by Sam. He wouldn't be back for until a week yet, which means I have no one to talk to. Jake always said that my second option could be Charlie, but he's different. I flipped through the college brochures which I laid out on my side table. Harvard seemed too serious, Jess said that she didn't want me to become ultra-nerdy, seeing as how nerdy I already was in school. She's wrong about that. Princeton might be okay, except Jess warned me about their late dry-cleaning services. UCLA, Jess said they had tacky dorm rooms and the smell of hallways restrooms are repulsive.

She tried to convince me that NYU would be absolutely better. She said that we would only be a step away from broadway and a minute away from the gym, plus there was an all-you-can-eat buffet mentioned in her brochure. If I hear another more plea from her, I might scream. I understand she doesn't want me to be away from her during college.

I checked my phone for messages, one message from Mom.

Hey, Bells

You haven't called in a while. How are your college plans coming along? I've been thinking about your options. Phil and I think it's great if you'd go to UCLA. Let me know where you actually decide to go, OK?

P.S. Does your head still hurt? I'm worried.

Love you, Mom

I smiled at the messages then glided my hand through my unruly hair. I clicked reply and began to tap:

Hey, Mom

I think you guys could be right. I'll consider it. Sorry about not having called in a while. I've been busy. UCLA seems great. Thanks. And no, my head's all fine now. The doctor's said it'll be okay in about a week. And my brain cells still seem to function normally. I'll let you know if I feel like I'm starting to speak gibberish. ;)

Love you too, Bells

I set the phone on my side table and combed my hair away from my face, getting ready to doze of to sleep again. My phone rang again as I groaned. It's too early for calls.

"Hey, Bella," Alice greeted.

"Good morning, Alice," I replied.

"Morning!" she chirped. "Can't sleep? Well, I can't either, so I decided to call you up."

"It's still five, Alice."

"I know," she replied. "I was wondering… could you come over later? We could hang out and stuff. Thank you, bye!" She was speaking to fast for me.

"Wai—" Alice had already put the phone down… Great.

I put the phone back on my side table and flopped my head to my pillow, no more calls.

It's seven A.M. now, and Charlie's probably going to come down any minute. I was in the kitchen, cooking an omelet.

"Bells?" Charlie walked down the stairs. "I'll be heading to the station a bit early today. Are you going to work?"

"Not until tomorrow," I replied.

"Uh, Dad?" I put the omelet onto a plate. "Do you know where the Cullens live?"

"Yeah," he nodded while setting the table. "Edward, right?" Dad knew about my relationship with Edward because he wouldn't stop asking what bothered me. I didn't give him all the details. Just that it was wrong and that we had to end it. He took it well.

"Alice, actually," I smiled. "She wanted me to come over, but she hung up before I could get the directions."

"I'll drive you there on my way to work," Charlie offered.

"Thanks, Dad."

*:o:*

Dad said we'd be there ten minutes from now. I've never actually seen the Cullen's house; Alice never mentioned anything about it. Edward never did, either. What if Edward's home? Please, don't let him be home. He could probably be busy with Liana. She's really nice… except for that look she gave me the other day.

"Here we are," Charlie stopped in from of a large gate. "Have fun," he added.

"I'll try," I smiled before closing the door. Did I mention that their house is huge? It's painted with a clean white color; one wing was cornered with a tall glass window, showing the stairs. I walked to the front steps, the gate was open. I looked at the large, green lawn with a fountain in the middle.

I pressed the doorbell, beside a large mahogany door. I couldn't hear any footsteps so I rang the doorbell again. I finally heard footsteps approaching; it must be Alice. I wondered why she even wanted me to come in the first place. I was stunned after seeing who answered the door. Edward. I continued to look at him with semi-horrified and semi-stunned eyes. He gave a crooked smile at me, making my spine, for the millionth time, shiver.

"Bella," he finally spoke with a sincere smile.

"Hi," I managed to reply.

"Alice is still upstairs," he motioned for me to step inside.

Claustrophobia had hit me once Edward closed the door. I was around a meter away from him but I could still pick up his scent. I should have never agreed to come in the first place. I never agreed to come here actually; Alice was just in such a hurry to hang up after asking me. I looked around the manor, keeping my eyes busy on other things other than my ex-boyfriend. He gestured for me to take a seat while waiting for Alice.

He turned his head before heading to the kitchen. "Can I get you anything?" His velvet voice suddenly stunned me again. I fiddled with my fingers cautiously while shaking my head in response to his question. He was busy in the kitchen. What was taking Alice so long? I feel as if she's just trying to trick me into hanging in the same house any longer with Edward.

"Hey, Bella?" Alice called from the top of the stairs. "I'll be ready in a few minutes; I just have to remove these stockings!"

I decided that I would have to be upstairs, to… help Alice… instead of being here. "Wait!" she suddenly shouted before I could even take one step. "I can do this; keep yourself busy with Edward or something."

I didn't like the tone in her voice, it sounded like she was some sly mastermind.

I rested myself back to the couch and sighed. I could smell another type of scent from the kitchen. It's a bit nauseating. Edward walked out with two wine glasses. "Here," he said while handing me one glass. I sniffed it before deciding to plunge it down my throat… peach… great. It's peach… I'm going to be sick. I felt vomit was ready to come out of my mouth. Edward sat on a lounge seat as I carefully set the glass on the coffee table.

He kept drinking for a little while. Alice was still upstairs. My eyes caught his and his expression seemed like he noticed I hadn't touched my drink.

"I-I'm," I started to say.

"Not a favorite?" Edward stood and reached for my glass.

"Uh… no!" I stuttered. "I.. uh… I'm allergic to peaches."

"Sorry," he quickly replied and headed towards the kitchen. "I had no idea."

EPOV

Peaches… Of course she was allergic. Anyone… some people should be… I feel like I've blown everything up. Alice was probably trying to come up with some more reasons to stall the time. This was all her idea anyway, but I feel like I'm the one suffering. I'm struggling to make a better conversation with Bella, I was struggling to be simply casual and I'm not sure whether Alice would give me a whole day for this shot.

I opened the fridge. Mom should have another drink. Grape would be fine but I'm guessing Bella wouldn't like it since most girls don't like it. There's nothing else left except a carton of milk.

I felt my phone vibrate. It seemed that Alice has to check every five minutes.

"Well?" she quickly said. "She liked the peach juice, right?"

I chuckled lightly. "I'm sorry Miss Alice but she's allergic to peaches."

"What?" she said, sounding flabbergasted. "She can't be! You're playing a trick on me, Edward, I know it!"

"She didn't even touch it, Alice."

"Fine, then offer her another drink. What else does mom have in the fridge?"

"Just some grape juice, which is still untouched, and a carton of milk. Which one's your pick?"

"Ugh. Do I have to get things right these days?" Alice complained. "Wait there, I'll go out through the back and get some juice boxes."

"Are you being sarcastic?"

"Not unless you plan to give her some water!" she spat.

"Great idea," I smiled and hung up.

I quickly took a glass and filled it with water.

"I'm sorry, this wasn't my idea," I managed to say while handing her a glass of water. "There aren't any other beverages left."

"It's fine," she gave a small smile and took the glass. "I think water's fine."

"I'm sorry," I quickly said.

"You?" Bella looked at me but her voice was much clearer. "You didn't know."

"For everything," I breathed. I put my elbows on my knees and kept looking at the floor. "I've been meaning to talk to you about things because I feel we didn't end things right years ago." And I still have so much to say. Alice must be irritated by now since she expected me to have 'wrapped things up' minutes ago.

"At camp?" she asked. "Don't sweat it," she added. "I got over it," the tone in her voice was as phony as ever. Alice was right, she is bad at lying.

"I know you haven't, Bella," I said. "And that's why I wanted to talk, because I know we both don't like to feel awkward around each other." She just kept looking at me.

"To be honest, I'm feeling as awkward as you probably are right now. I'm sorry for everything. For that horrible break-up and everything else. For your recent head injury that was my fault."

"Edwar—"

"And I'm sorry for sometimes being so cold, or being fine the next time."

"I'm used to that," she replied. "You haven't changed."

"Neither have you," I smiled.

"I have to tell you something else that might make you mad."

"Is it that bad?"

"Forget it," I breathed. "It's pretty useless anyway."

I wanted to tell her about my contact with Jacob and how I kept posted about her for the last two years. But to my own unexpected impulse, my capricious mind decided to switch its course.

"Alright," Bella sat back and set it aside.

"You know," I lowered my voice in a whisper. "You're not a very good liar."

"So I've heard," she crossed her arms and leaned back. "And I don't know how to change that."

I chuckled lightly, "I think that's great." I managed to smile. I was glad that this was turning up to be a casual conversation.

"No, it's not. I mean, I'll never be able to lie about things to make my friends feel better."

"You think that's a bad thing?" I looked at her with a baffled expression. "Try being a horrible friend like me. I tell Emmett that he sings like David Cook when what I really meant was a broken ukulele."

I wasn't lying. Emmett did practice this song he wanted to serenade Rose with for Valentine's Day a year ago. Fortunately, after too much practice, and loosing his voice, Emmett decided to act as a mime instead.

Bella started laughing. "Don't you mean a bruised trombone?"

"That's better; I'll tell him you said that after he finds out about the ukulele comment."

She still kept laughing, and put a hand over her mouth. "Okay, okay. Stop." She gulped and inhaled sharply.

"Hey," I shrugged my shoulders. "I should ask the same thing about you, how's singing? Didn't you love doing it?"

Her grin fell, slightly. "I never did any."

"Oh," I dug my hands into my pockets. Things were starting to get uncomfortable again. Not so well, in other words. "Well, I—"

Alice was already skipping down the stairs; she must have been patient enough.

"Alice!" Bella quickly stood up and carried her bag.

"Sorry, but those curlers were a mess," she replied and quickly glanced at me. "Sorry for the wait." She ushered Bella towards the door. "We mustn't keep Rose waiting!"

"But you asked me to come over?" Bella told Alice.

"Uh," Alice said. "Of course, we're going to have to pick Rose up and we can head back here!" Doesn't Alice know that there is a flaw in her plan? Rose has a car, and if she drove her by herself, it would save Alice the time. "—and she can't drive alone because I heard there were rotten bandits out there."

What? Alice is the worst in coming up with excuses.

"I see," Bella hastily nodded while being pushed towards the door.

Alice gave me a comical wink before walking behind Bella.

APOV

That excuse was the worst one yet. It was worst than that pathetic excuse I made when I told Mom that the dog ate her goldfish when it was I who accidentally dropped Benny into the drain while 'trying to give him a bath'.

"I'm really sorry for making you wait, Bella," I grinned sincerely. "I mean, five minutes must have been really long for you."

"Fifteen," she smiled sarcastically. "And no, I didn't mind."

"Really?"

"Yeah," she nodded and bit her lip.

"What?"

"Nothing," she hesitated to say.

"That is not nothing."

"It is," she fell into a deep silence.

"So you guys had a conversation!" I chuckled. "You can tell me."

She shook her head twice. "It's just that it seemed so easy for me that time. It was like everything was so casual," she paused. "And I liked it."

"So…" I looked at her. "You're going to—"

"I'm not getting back with your bother, Alice. If that's what you were thinking."

"I'm appalled. I never said that," I gasped, putting one hand over my mouth in shock.

"Of course you didn't." I actually did, but Bella will learn to see things my way. I just know it.

*:o:*

"Ugh!" I banged the computer with my purse. "The broadband connection here sucks!" We were in an internet café, just outside a coffee shop. Rose was checking a personal shopper website called Buy It for Me. Bella looked like she was checking up some more colleges while I was trying to play a dumb dress-up game, and I am not crazy. I just thought that this might be a good way to find outfits with Bella's consent, I mean, I can plan them ahead and let Bella know. Less pain for her, right?

"It agrees with me then," Bella laughed. "I really think that planning outfits ahead of time is a waste of time itself."

"How can you say that, Bella?" Rose gasped. "We save more time. Like when we need to get to a party, Alice and I make sure to have a plan a night before. That way, we wouldn't waste time preparing a few hours before the party."

"Yes, Bella," I chimed. "I mean, think of all the other stuff you need to do other than planning an outfit a few hours before the event: you still need makeup, a manicure and a pedicure, and don't even get us started on the hair. It takes approximately twenty to thirty minutes to let a few strands of hair to stay put."

"I get your points, but I don't plan on attending parties and the like. So planning outfits would be a waste of time when you want me to where them."

"Oh, pish-posh," Rose said. "No problem at all, Bella. You can where them everyday then, so they don't go to waste."

"I agree," I smiled and watched Bella roll her eyes and get back to what she was doing. This stupid computer still isn't working.

"Maybe you should ask for another unit," Bella suggested.

"Good idea; I'll be right back."

"Excuse me," I called the man who had his back bent down. He looked up. Gosh. He is so hot. His blonde hair was cascading down, nearly an inch or less above his broad shoulders. He had piercing blue eyes and a great smile. Too bad he's such a turn-off. He's in an employee uniform, an orange employee uniform.

"Yes, miss?" he breathed.

"Can… can I ask for another unit? Mine doesn't seem to work."

"Sure," he taps a few keys. "Take number eight, right there," he points to a computer at Rose's left.

"Thanks," I took my bag from the counter.

"Anytime," he winked and headed to the broken one. "I'll fix it up."

I could hear him walked towards it while I was walking towards Rose.

"Hi," he called out to Bella.

"Uh, hi?" Bella replied.

"Come here often?" Yuck, that move is so old!

"No, not really." Bella focused on her monitor again.

"Well, maybe you should," he was already sitting on the chair and taking glances at Bella while 'pretending' to repair the unit.

"I guess," Bella replied quickly, still reading something on here screen.

BPOV

I looked at the screen, blinking a couple of times. I have a message from Edward? Was it possible that Alice gave him my e-mail address? I was torn between two options: I could delete it and pretend I never got it or I could just open, take a peak maybe? After all, we are cool now.

I scanned through the rest of my e-mails. There's a message from Jess who was away on a weekend at her grandparent's.

Ohmigosh, Bells. You will never believe the internet signal here. It's so slow! I mean it took me about fifteen minutes to get to send this to you. Anyways, my gramps let Mike come along. With one condition—Mike had to stay in the den. Isn't that so wrong? Okay… you'll probably disagree with me. And you're probably laughing right no, huh?

I was laughing, well, not too loud.

How do I know that? It's pretty obvious and I so know you this much.

All my love, I know that if you reply right now, I'll probably receive it a few hours later, so don't make much of a hassle. E-mail me from time to time, though. Things are so boring here. Ever heard of using a squash-buckle-what-chama-call-it to milk a cow? Gramps said it was the traditional method for getting the best milk. Gross. PM me soon, will you?

-Jess

P.S. I feel like I'm stuck in the middle of nowhere.

P.P.S. Gramps sort of caught me making out with Mike in the pantry room and things didn't get so pretty. He made Mike stay in an inn. Gramps… Sigh.

"That your boyfriend?" the blonde employee was talking to me again. I'm beginning to be irritated by his accent.

"No, just my friend."

"Sending you jokes to brighten your day?" He kept talking.

"Really, she's a girl. No boyfriend."

"Really," I saw him raise one eyebrow. "Then would you," Gah… I think he's going to ask me out…

"Hey, Bells!" Alice called. Phew.

"Yes?"

"Come over here, will you and have a look."

I got out from the seat and quickly walked to her. "Thank you, thank you!" I whispered.

"Anytime," she smiled. "Now pretend like you're commenting or talking to me or something."

"Right."

The man left and I got back to my seat.

I opened Edward's message.

Hi, Bells. Sorry for the sudden message, Alice gave me your e-mail address; I hope you don't mind or get mad at me. I was just wondering whether Alice or Rose has told you about the charity party this weekend. Dad plans on making this event as an opportunity to raise money for the orphanage and be able to introduce some kids to a few couples for adoption. It'll start at exactly two-thirty P.M. and ends at around six or seven. Place of venue: Forks National Park.

Will you be able to make it? PM me back, will you? Thanks.

Your friend, Edward.

He signed it with 'friend'. Isn't that—never mind. We're friends. I can tell Jess that. I opened a black page and started typing.

I'm not so sure about it yet. But I would love to go. I'll have to ask Charlie about it, maybe he'd like to come. Would that be okay with you?

- Bella

I didn't really sign it with anything and quickly hit send.

"Woah!" I heard Alice say. I looked behind me to see her peaking from behind my shoulder. "Did my brother just ask you out?" She said loudly.

"He did not!" Rose gaped and looked at my screen. I didn't get to delete the message yet. "No way!" She smiled at me. "What did you do, Bella? Strike him with a cupid's arrow?"

"Look, he did not ask me out, okay? He just… informed me about it." I should have never opened that message. I regret even looking at it twice.

"Edward's my brother," Alice said looking all smart and wise.

With that, Rose added, "And we know him like the back of our heads."

How was it? Review it will you? I spent some time making this. And thanks for all the support... I know that this was really late. R&R

-Kar