Another update! I apologize for being so late but I've been waiting for more reviews... I'm short on reviews right now but I decided to get this one out instead of letting it sit around in my laptop. Hope you guys enjoy this one.

Only a few more chapters to go until we officially say goodbye to D&D. But a new story will be coming out soon :)

Dusk and Dawn: Chapter 23

Vulnerable

BPOV

Edward and I are good friends.

We are.

To all passengers, flight 210, bound for Los Angeles, California, will be boarding in fifteen minutes, the speaker sounded.

And we'll always be.

A message appeared on my phone's screen. It's from Jess.

Bella, if you leave Forks, I will drag you back here!

Jess is kidding of course. She kept repeating this over and over again last night and wouldn't let me hang up the phone.

The flight took about two hours. I'm walking to my dorm room right now. The map says that it'd be on the fourth floor, room 4081. The brochure that the woman in the office gave me said that there would be two girls in each room.

I finally reached the room and took the key card. I opened the door; a red-headed girl was unpacking. She looked up at me and smiled.

"Hi, I'm Kate," she stuck her hand out. "Katherine Strauss actually, but I prefer Kate."

I shook her hand. "Bella," I introduced myself. "Isabella Swan, everyone calls me Bella."

"Great," she replied. "I guess we're roomies." She flashed me a sweet smile. Her red hair had a nice shade of orange. She was wearing a green shirt, which read: What are you looking at?, with a pair of black shorts and green flats.

"What course are you taking?" Kate asked still unpacking while I led my suitcase to the other bed, near the window.

"Journalism," I replied. "You?"

"Architecture," she said while putting her shirts into a cabinet.

"I see," I nodded and started unpacking.

"You're not from L.A., right?"

I shook my head and smiled shyly.

"How about a tour since classes don't start 'til the next day."

"Sure, thanks, Kate."

"Sure," she said.

I wonder where Alice is. She took a different flight from me and I haven't seen her since the day before my flight to L.A. She must be out and about, already strolling outside boutiques.

"I'll get it," Kate said when we heard a knock on the door.

"Ohmigosh! I love your outfit," I heard someone gasp. After realizing whose perky voice it was, I started to roll my eyes.

"Um, thanks," Kate grinned unsurely.

"Is Bella around?" Alice asked. Kate opened the door wide, making Alice see me. "Hi, Bella!" Alice ran to my side and hugged me.

"Hi, Alice." I turned to Kate. "Kate this is Alice. Alice, Kate."

"Hi," Kate smiled.

"Hi!" Alice chirped. "I'm Alice," she handed Kate a calling card. Wait. A calling card? "I'm Bella's personal stylist, and all that. I think you should be my partner since you're dressed more than Bella," she turned to me and grinned, "No offense, Bells."

"None taken," I replied while rolling my eyes again.

*:o:*

"That's Barneys," Kate pointed out the window from the bus we were riding. She was wearing a shirt that said: Stop staring and look away. "Over there's Madame Cruzan's Singing Studio, and next to that is the internet café."

"Where's our next stop?" I said while looking at my watch. It was already one in the afternoon and Kate was giving me a tour around L.A., well, most of it because I doubt we can cover everything today.

"We're stopping here," she said when the bus stopped. I stepped out and saw a sign that read Starbucks. Ah, I feel like a chocolate cream chip. After taking our drinks, Kate found an empty table beside the window.

"So, where are you from?" I asked.

"I'm from Sacramento but my family takes me here every summer, so I know the place well." She said while resting both her elbows on the table.

"This is going to be your first year?"

"Yes, like you," she sipped her drink. "Tell me something about Forks."

"It's rainy," that was what involuntarily came out of my mouth. "Frequently. It gets really boring there if you have nothing to attend to."

"What about Alice?" Kate giggled. "She seems to be full of energy. How long have you known each other?"

"We met more than two years ago and we just got contact a few months before I came."

"Why's that?" she asked curiously.

"I-I…" I wasn't so comfortable with this discussion but Kate seemed to be really curious and she seemed like a good person. "It's a long story," I replied.

"Sure," she nodded. "Maybe when we have the time?"

I nodded. I wonder what Edward could me doing right now. I mean, of course I'd expect him to be with Liana. My phone buzzed and my caller ID read: Edward.

"Hi, Bella," he greeted through the phone.

"Yes?" I tried to sound casual. I looked at Kate, who was busy flipping through a magazine.

"Hi." He simply said, which made me perplexed.

"Huh?"

"Look outside."

I crooked my head and scanned outside the windows. I saw Edward waving standing outside, next to the door. He walked inside, and walked over to our table.

"Hey," I greeted while hanging up.

"Hi again," he smiled and leaned towards a chair. "May I?" he asked politely. I nodded and watched him sit across me.

"Edward, this is Kate. Kate, this is Edward, Alice's brother."

Kate momentarily lifted her head from the magazine and greeted Edward.

"She's my roommate," I explained to Edward. "She was giving me a tour around L.A."

"I see. I was walking along myself and looking around. I'll get a drink and be right back." He stood from the chair and headed for the cashier.

"What?" I looked at Kate who was grinning.

"Nothing," she shook her head but still smiling.

"How do you know Edward?" she chuckled. Did she just figure things out so easily? That's impossible…

"He's my friend's brother." I said. Wow, Bella, duh.

"No," she smiled. "Like… how do you know him—in a relationship way."

"Oh…" I managed to say. "Why are you asking?"

"No reason," she shrugged her shoulders. "It's just that you've been blushing deep red ever since you answered your phone." She passed me her mirror, she's right, I'm bright red. "You were much lighter a few seconds ago. Plus, there was a bouquet of flowers outside our door addressed to you."

I slapped one hand to my forehead. It's just a crush. But… I look like a tomato. That's an understatement. No… how about a cherry. Edward's walking back to the table and I passed Kate her mirror.

"Don't hold your breath," she smiled sincerely. "Relax."

Edward reached our table holding coffee and a brown lunch bag. "I'm sorry, but I have to leave and attend to something." He waved to Kate. "Nice meeting you, Kate. Bye, Bella."

"He's probably going to meet up with his girlfriend." I told Kate. I didn't mind that she was teasing, because I pretty much get that from Alice, but I don't want her to think I was insane about Edward, because I'm not…

"I don't think he has one," she objected. "Did you see the way he—"

"Look at the time!" I suddenly said while looking at my watch. "I promised my mom I would call at… exactly… two twenty-seven…" what? I should really think before saying anything.

"Okay…" Kate said skeptically.

"Thanks," I smiled politely to Greg, the gardener. He's fifty-three years old, and so far he's been to our room thrice this week. I took the bouquet of flowers from him and slowly placed it on the side table. We've talked a lot since he's been bringing bouquets for me,

"There's a new addition," Greg said while pointing to the flowers. "He's requested me to add some sunflowers and more red roses." He grinned, looking proud of his flower arrangement.

"I'm sorry for the trouble, Greg," I apologized. "I know it must be exhausting to have to prepare these."

"Oh, no problem at all, Bella," he shook his head, making things look so easy for him. He leaned towards me and whispered, "but if I were you, I'd say yes already, before he asks me to give you the whole garden."

"Oh, he's not courting me," I shook my head. "He's just making it up for not being able to get to our gatherings because he's always busy. But, don't the professors notice that the flowers are decreasing?"

"'course not," he grinned. "I've been telling them that this season's not so good for plants, especially flowers."

"Please don't give in to what else he asks you to do," I said sternly.

Greg nodded in complete disbelief. And sighed, "Kids," he turned towards the elevator, "See you later, kiddo."

"Okay," Kate passed me a bottle of lemon Gatorade. "Spill." It's been about two weeks since school's started and it's a Saturday today.

"My drink?" I replied.

"Don't play coy, Bells," she smiled. We were pretty close. And Alice came about three times this week. She didn't really like her roommate, Sydney, for being so sloppy. I haven't seen the mess Alice was ranting about, but I'm positive that it's not that bad. "You promised you'd tell me today."

I leaned by back to the couch. "But it's a really long story, Kate." I groaned, trying to sound like I was as lazy as ever.

"Please, Bella," she sat while taking a seat beside me.

"Okay…" I sighed and started telling her about two years ago, not very detailed, of course.

"So," she said. "You must really have it bad."

"What?" I looked at her with complete skepticism.

"You can't hide it, Bella." She shook her head. "You are in still in love with Edward Cullen."

"What makes you think that?" I looked at her innocently. I was going for innocence.

"Because it's so obvious." She simply said.

"Are you sure?" I bit my lip.

"I'm sure Edward knows it, too."

"But he has a girlfriend."

"Screw her," Kate joked.

"I don't want to get between them."

"You might regret it, Bella," Kate said lightly. "You might wake up one day and feel that you've made a very huge mistake. Plus, I don't think those bouquets are just apologies, Bella. We both know they're more than that."

"Did Alice put you up to this?" I looked at Kate. Kate's been coming to our shopping trips and she clicks with Alice pretty well; there was even an instance when both of them were wearing the same jeans.

"No. Just my own stroke of genius," she smiled and turned her head towards the large, and very stuffed, flower vase on our coffee table. Edward's sent me about three bouquets with no messages, except his name signed on the card. Kate wanted to buy a new vase today, in case another flower delivery comes in. "It's just my instinct to get through your head."

*:o:*

Edward's been really busy. I've hardly seen him this past week.

I'm waiting for Alice to come out of her dorm. Kate couldn't come since she had to come up with a design for a house, her first assignment. Mr. Woods hasn't given us any assignment yet, but I look forward to one. He's only been feeding us notes for this past week, maybe he'll throw some sort of unexpected pop quiz on us.

"Hi," Alice said while closing the door behind her.

"Kate had an important assignment to make."

"Okay," she shrugged her shoulders and grabbed my hand. "We better catch that next bus." I followed behind her, taking the elevator and passing the cafeteria.

I saw Edward coming our way before we were going out the front door. He was walking in from the left lobby, while flipping through papers in a folder. He lifted his head up and looked at us.

"Hi," he gave a small smile and took one short glance on the paper. He was dressed in a loose white polo, pants and shoes. He was clutching his jacket with one hand and the folder in the other. He must have been busy and it would be strange for me to ask about it. I wouldn't want him to think that I was prying.

Alice stopped and turned to her brother. "You know, Edward, Dad didn't tell you to be committed twenty-four seven with the hospital. And plus, it isn't going to open until Dad's going to be around."

What hospital? I'm not supposed to be prying.

"Have a break, will you? Come with us." Alice invited.

He sighed and closed the folder. "I'll have to review these first," he grinned lightly. "I need to bring them back to the hospital tomorrow morning."

Alice grabbed Edward's hand with her free one; she was now pulling us both. "Jasper's going to meet us at the bus stop; you won't be the only one carrying bags. Don't worry."

Edward must have been insulted when he gave a fake chuckle. Alice rolled her eyes, "I don't even see why you're still doing college; what you do around the hospital is much more than what universities can teach." She let go of my hand and reached for both his shoulders. "I'll talk to Dad about it and let him lay off some paperwork."

"Alice," Edward grunted and shook his head. He turned to me, "Sorry about this, Bella. And were you able to get the flowers this morning?" I nodded and kept a small smile on my face.

"Isn't by brother such a workaholic, Bella?" Alice looked at me.

"I don't want to be dragged into this," I said softly, and putting my hands up while backing away. Average sibling disagreement while must happen sometimes. "Because I absolutely have no clue about what you guys are fighting about."

"I'll tell you about it," Edward voluntarily said. "When we meet up with the others next time."

"Sure," I nodded.

"Edward!" Alice said loudly. "You've only been out once this week! We haven't seen you since Wednesday because you're TOO BUSY!"

"I'm sorry, Alice," Edward gave in. "I know you're concerned and if it helps…"

"You'll come along?" Alice interjected, but I could see the smile she was already hiding.

He nodded and sighed. "You win."

"Thank you!"

"I'll be right back outside, I'll need to drop this off in my room," he showed the folder.

"Hurry," Alice replied curtly as we walked out.

"How busy is he?" I looked at Alice, who was already tapping buttons on her phone.

"He's too dedicated with the hospital Dad told him to manage in his free time," Alice replied while emphasizing free time. "It's too much work for Edward."

"You're really concerned aren't you," I smiled sincerely. I admire Alice for that.

"I guess I am," she shrugged her shoulders. "It's… I don't know, something I've never expected from me."

"You're doing good," I commented, making Alice chuckle.

"I better be." She was silent for a minute. "So what's the deal with all the flowers?"

"I thought you already knew," I said uneasily.

"You know what I mean, Bella." Alice replied.

"You talked to Kate, didn't you?" I gasped after realizing that Kate must have told her about the garden in our room.

Alice shook her head. "You're being such a drag, Bella. You can't play innocent for long."

"Edward is not courting me!" I said in exasperation and indignation. "Get it in your head."

"I never said that," Alice grinned. "But if you say so." She looked behind me, "Hi, Jazz!" She hugged Jasper.

"Hi," he replied. "Hey, Bells,"

"Hey."

Edward walked out the door with a jacket on. "Hey, man," he greeted Jasper.

Jasper grinned at Alice. "Is this a double date?"

Alice just shrugged her shoulders and began to point at the bus coming to the stop.

"Jasper has something to show me, Bells," Alice walked to me. I was sitting on a bench, resting from the one hour we've already spent. Edward was looking at some watches. "I'll be right back, okay?"

I nodded.

Edward spent another ten minutes in a jewelry store and then sat beside me. There is no tingle… just… frisson? I really wish that things would become easier.

"Alice will be back later," I told Edward.

He nodded. "So…" he looked at the ground. "What's the deal with the disagreement with Alice?" he said, like he was reading my mind. "Long story, short: my dad has a hospital here, I'm supposed to be… keeping an eye on it when he's not around."

"I see," I replied, looking at Edward who was focused on his blackberry phone. It's full of e-mails. There were more than ten which were unopened.

"Sorry," he said, talking about his phone. "I know Alice isn't comfortable when I'm working." He was grinning again, a light crooked smile. "I'll put it away once I see Alice coming."

"She's just being like any other sister."

"I understand," he nodded. "And… I know it's too much. I'm feeling pressured and stressed."

"She's right, Edward. A break might do you some good."

"I'm here, aren't I?" he grinned a more perfect smile. Concentrate, Bella.

I gulped, and then nodded my head.

*:o:*

Is it okay to admit I'm weak? I want to be because I feel like it, I can't do anything about it. I know that forcing it out will make it worse. I know that trying to avoid everything will also lead to unwanted consequences. So what's left for me to do?

"Well," Kate looked at me as if she was a psychiatrist. "I suggest, you take it!" I lifted my head from the couch she had me lie in. "Drive it, girl!"

I looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "You're not really getting through me, Kate."

"Give in to it, Bells," she added. "It wouldn't hurt to get back together."

"But he's—"

"So what if he's your ex-boyfriend?"

"He has a—" I tried to say again.

"Forget her, okay?" she was already shaking me by my shoulders. "Go for it!"

"Thanks for the encouragement, Kate. But I was expecting something less…" I don't know how to say this, "hullabaloo-causing. Something that speaks peaceful."

"Is there really something called peace left?" Kate sounded like some rebel leader. "Violence in the new trend."

The screen on my laptop buzzed. It's an e-mail from Jess.

Bells,

Ohmigosh. Why have you not called within three days??? Do you know how boring it is here? And my suggestion about you being love struck: Grab him. Seriously. Stop laughing, okay? Make him sorry that he never got together with you earlier. Alice is still keeping you dressed cute right? :D :D :D Don't worry, you don't sound pathetic at all, not even by a slight second. This is sooo normal for anyone.

-Jess

P.S. REPLY INSTANTLY!

I clicked the reply button.

Jess,

Haha. I wasn't laughing. It's just that I got the same reply from Kate a while ago. Do you know that you sound like a rebel leader? Hahahahaha. I've only told you and Kate about this… so shush… Is this even possible? Didn't you certify that I was completely over him years ago?

- Bells

"Is that Jess?" Kate inquired. She knew about Jess, in fact they talked on the phone when I wasn't around. Kate said that they're getting along pretty well. Kate's been great; I was hoping that I'd end up with an obnoxious roommate or something like one. But fortunately, it was Kate.

"Yes," I replied. The screen buzzed again.

Bells,

I'm sure he thinks the same way of you, so stop being a coward and just ask him out. Although, it would be better if he asked you out first. Still… you don't want to regret anything, do you? And if you two aren't back together again, I'm going to have to do something about it.

Luv u, Jess :D

"See," Kate said. "Jessica thinks so, too." She looked at the message. I started typing:

Jess,

Can it wait? I really don't feel up to it right now. Kate says 'hi' by the way.

- Bells

"NO waiting!" Kate suddenly said from behind me.

"Don't you have another assignment to work on?" I looked at her.

"Finished it an hour ago," she said proudly.

Bells,

Say hi to Kate for me.

And…Don't you dare do that. I swear, it's like you have the exact same problem everyday. I'm tired of hearing the same thing from you. No offense, but all it's only going to take is one sentence for both of you to be together again. One sentence, Bella, that's not so bad, is it?

- Jess

"I think Jess is about to blow up," Kate said looking worried.

"No, she isn't," I replied.

"She is," Kate insisted. "You're fault, Bella!" She said while skipping away to the couch.

I rolled my eyes and sighed. Another message appeared on my screen.

Hi, Bells,

It's Edward. My parents are coming over tomorrow, so there'll be a small get-together in a restaurant. I'm not sure which one, though, but Alice will probably give you the details. Esme wants you to come. Will you be able to make it?

I breathed sharply. I guess I have to reply back.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Can't wait for the next chapter? I'll be posting it once my reviews have reached 170. I know you guys can do that. And here's a sneak peak:

APOV

"Where's Edward?" I asked after noticing Bella's silence.

"He's still in his room, said he's going to head there by himself."

"He's probably busy," Bella stated.

"No duh," I replied. "Have you tried talking to him?" I asked Jasper.

"Yeah, but he doesn't seem to be listening." Jasper replied.

BPOV

I lost my appetite. I lost it.

"Excuse me," I said while standing from my chair.

"What's up?" Alice whispered.

"Nothing," I replied. "I'll just be a while." I walked to an open balcony. It was windy outside. I could hear leaves rustling and cars passing by. This restaurant was on the fifteenth floor of a hotel. I hugged my arms while resting them on the rails. I'm still contemplating about everything.

That's it. I know that it wasn't completely understandable, which means you need to press that button below and make me a review!

170! Remember that number!