Author's Note

Hello once again! Sorry it's been a few days, but that's probably the way it will be from now on. I only had three chapters written when I first posted the story, so now I have to have time to actually write before I can post (obviously). And sorry for the delay, my internet has been acting crazy lately! I finally called the place and got it fixed. *Sigh* I very strongly dislike my internet provider (I won't say who for the sake of my life). But, it did give me a reason to start the next chapter. I have 4 pages written and plan on finishing it tonight, so review your little hearts out and maybe I'll post tomorrow…

Speaking of reviews, I must thank you all for the alerts and favorites, but ladies, I do need some reviews! They are essentially what keep me going. I'd rather not give up this story for lack of inspiration…a special thanks going out to roseskyangel for being the ONLY reviewer yet! Thank you very much, and I'm dedicating this chapter to you :)

Now that I'm done ranting about lack of reviews, on to chapter three!

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight, or any other famous thing/product/person mentioned in this story. *Sighs again* Not even Kellan Lutz….

Chapter Three

We Eat Dinner

Bella Swan

Sure enough, Friday night came and the Swans were heading to the Cullens' mansion to have dinner. Apparently, Esme Cullen was absolutely thrilled to have us over because she just thought Renee was the loveliest person she's met in quite some time.

Esme's words (told to me by Edward), not mine.

We arrived exactly seven minutes late thanks to my mother. One thing everybody needs to know about Renee Swan is that she's always late. I don't think she's ever been on time for anything. Luckily, the Cullens didn't seem fazed by it. There was so much movement and excitement going on in the house. Alice and Jasper were racing each other on Mario Kart. The volume was really loud, but it seemed like it belonged in the room. Rosalie was, quite shockingly, actually, reading a book. Of course, it was about how to do new hairstyles, but it was still a book. I knew she wasn't full of herself and conceited, anyways. And Edward was the one who answered the door, his big, crooked grin on his face.

"Hey bestie," I grinned. He held out his hand to mine and we did our handshake. It sounds so junior high, I know, but Edward thought it would be perfectly cheesy. I did love it though; it made me feel like I truly did have a best friend.

Emmett rolled his eyes and walked over to Rosalie, who he kissed, making her smile.

"Dad, this is Edward. Edward, this is my dad, Charlie," I introduced. They shook hands, and my mom hugged Edward, remembering that she had already met him. I brought my parents over to the living room area where the rest of the Cullen siblings were seated. "Mom, Dad, this is Alice and her boyfriend, Jasper," I pointed to each of them and they waved, having paused their game. Alice hugged each of my parents and Jasper remained his shy self.

"And I'll let Emmett introduce Edward's other sister," I said coyly.

Emmett didn't seem fazed at all. "Mom, dad, this is Rosalie, my girlfriend," he said proudly, kissing Rose's cheek. My parents didn't seem surprised. Of course not, but if I brought home a boy, they'd be all over him like white on rice.

"So nice to meet you, dear," Renee said, hugging Rosalie. "You don't be afraid to tell me if this big goof does something wrong. I'll knock some sense into him."

Rose laughed. "I don't think he'll treat me wrong," she said confidently. I knew Emmett wouldn't. They experienced love at first sight. They'd be together forever.

That and Rose wouldn't let Emmett walk all over her.

Esme decided to make her entrance from the kitchen. Esme Cullen was a flawless woman, with her perfectly bronze curls and her pearls hanging just right on her neck. Her eyes were an emerald green, just like Edward's. She was stunning, just like Edward. Edward definitely took after his mother.

A gorgeous, blond-haired man came out not two beats after her. I assumed it was Edward's father because he looked just like Rosalie with his blond hair and blue eyes. His hair was a little unruly, like Edward's. Just looking at his parents makes me a little uneasy. You can tell they're a family of wealth, and, well, we're just not. I hope Rose doesn't take that to heart while dating Emmett.

"Renee!" Esme said excitedly, giving my mom a hug. "How are you?"

My mother hugged her back. "I'm great, and you?"

"I'm good," Esme grinned.

Renee decided to introduce us. "This is my husband, Charlie, and Emmett and Bella." Emmett waved from his seat next to Rosalie. Esme didn't look surprised, so Rose must have told her about Emmett.

"Bella! What a beautiful young lady!" she hugged me. "Edward talks so much about you." That made me blush, of course. I'm not used to guys talking about me in a good way.

"Mom," Edward groaned.

Esme just smiled innocently. "Whoops! That's a little embarrassing, isn't it?"

"Just a little."

She shrugged. "Well anyways! This is my husband Carlisle, and I assume you've been introduced to my children?"

Carlisle and my dad went out into the garage to talk cars; apparently, the Cullens own many cars. Alice and Jasper resumed their game, and Emmett and Rose sat on the couch, completely immersed in each other. Renee followed Esme into the kitchen to finish dinner. Edward and I had nothing better to do, so we went into the kitchen too, but we ate bread and cheese while we waited.

"So Bella, how do you like your room?" Esme asked.

I swallowed a piece of my warm roll. "I love it! I'm not normally a pink kind of girl, but the room is perfect. You're an amazing designer," I nodded.

Esme waved my comment away. "Thanks, darling. Interior design is simply my hobby, but I'm glad you love your room."

I nodded again. "It actually made me wonder if Edward was as talented as you in some aspect of his life," I smirked at Edward, who was sitting on the opposite barstool, facing me. He laughed mockingly at me, confirming my thoughts were correct.

"Edward is a very talented musician," Esme beamed with pride.

"Great, mom, thanks. No woman wants to be friends with the band geek," Edward said, his voice heavy with sarcasm.

"I think it's great that you're so well rounded," Renee defended.

I scrunched up my nose. "Personally, I'd have to hear you play before I could decide on if it's worth it to be my friend or not."

Edward gasped and threw a piece of cheese at me. It hit my nose and I started cracking up. "Zitto!" he yelled at me. I was holding my stomach and bending over from the laughter spilling from my mouth.

Esme turned around sharply and looked at Edward. "Shush! Non parlare cosi che!" she scolded him.

I had calmed down a little to look at Edward. He looked like a beaten down puppy. "Scusame," Edward muttered, looking at me.

I grinned at him. "Mi dispiace per prendere in giro voi," I said, the added, "Si maiale." Edward and I broke out into fits of laughter, remembering my first day at school.

"You didn't tell me your family spoke Italian too," I commented.

Esme returned to her cooking. She had a small smile on her face. "Carlisle has family in Italy. We visit every once in a while, and it's good to know the native language if you want to get around." She stirred something in a pot. "What about you? You must have more knowledge than a school class."

Renee, who was chopping various peppers, spoke up. "Both Charlie and I are full-blood Italians. We made sure Bella and Emmett knew Italian because it's a part of their heritage." More like grandpa and grandma make sure we remember it. Mom and dad could care less, honestly. Both sides of the family aren't very…charming.

Esme nodded. "Family is very important," she agreed.

Edward and I were told to set the table. I honestly have never seen a more beautiful house than the Cullens. "You know more than a few phrases, Edward," I chided, setting a fork on one of the deep red napkins.

He shrugged. "I guess I failed to mention I had Italian relatives too," he said innocently.

"Yeah, you did." I looked pointedly at him. He sighed deeply. "Just don't keep stuff from me. I don't care what it is, honestly," I told him.

We finished setting the table right as Esme and Renee started bringing in the food. Edward went to get the rest of the family and I helped carry in tons of food. Esme had made stuffed potato skins, barbeque chicken, and grilled peppers. She also put out the rolls Edward and I were eating earlier. It looked delicious.

"Esme, this is too much," Charlie said as he sat down. He looked like he was a kid in a candy store. My dad was a sucker for anything grilled. Emmett had the same look on his face, but Emmett, well, he just really liked food.

"It was my pleasure, really," Esme insisted.

It was pretty chaotic, having ten people dishing out their food at the same time. It did eventually calm down, though, and Renee thought it would be the perfect time to ask what was going on at school. And Alice being Alice just so happened to mention homecoming.

Damn Alice.

"Oh, I'm so excited! Rose and I are going to get our dresses tomorrow!" Alice turned to me. "Bella! I can't believe I didn't even think about this before! You can come with us and find yourself a dress too!" she squealed, totally excited.

"Oh no! No shopping for me. I don't do dances," I said nervously.

Renee and Esme both looked at me in shock. Alice looked like she was about to kill me with the daggers she was throwing at me. "Isabella Swan, you are going."

"I don't have a date," I tried again.

"Neither does Edward," Alice practically growled.

Esme clapped her hands together. "Oh how perfect! Edward, ask Bella to go to homecoming with you!" she looked at him expectedly.

Edward looked like he was choking. Poor boy was put in the spotlight twice tonight. I honestly hope he didn't ask me. I couldn't say no, and I wouldn't want to, really, but homecoming night could cross very dangerous territory. Territory I'd rather not cross.

Everybody was looking at Edward, who sat across from me. He was cutting a piece of pepper, purposely avoiding everyone's eyes. We were both beet red from embarrassment.

"Honestly, Esme, it's fine. I really don't like dances," I tried one last time. I already knew it wasn't going to work, but I had to try.

"Bella, you can't miss your first homecoming in North Carolina! Edward wouldn't mind taking you. Besides, you two are practically best friends," Esme said.

Yeah, that's exactly why it would be weird and abnormal.

"Go ahead, Edward, ask her."

Edward looked at me nervously. He swallowed loudly, and I felt terrible for him. "Bella, would you like to go to homecoming with me?" he asked me, his voice shaking. I knew he wasn't nervous from asking me; it was being persuaded into it and asking me in front of his family and my family.

"Of course," I answered. I flashed what I hoped was a reassuring smile at him. He didn't look any better. He actually looked pretty sick.

"Splendid!" Renee beamed.

Yeah, splendid.

"May I be excused for a minute?" Edward asked, his voice strained. He didn't really wait for an answer; he just got up and left.

Edward Cullen

Shutting the door to my bathroom, I sink down to the floor and use the door as a back rest.

I can't believe I had to do that. I have never been more embarrassed in my life. Never. And I've been pretty embarrassed before. But this, this is beyond embarrassing.

I know I have feelings for Bella, that part is a given. I figured that out the first time I talked to her under the pier. She's real. I'm pretty sure she doesn't have feelings for me, though. That part was obvious five minutes ago when she tried multiple times to get out of saying yes to me. But honestly, I'll stick to being her best friend if it means she's still in my life.

Best friend. Best friend who I'm attracted to. Taking her to homecoming.

Ugh!

I had to go back downstairs. I probably just embarrassed myself more by leaving. My whole family and Bella's are most likely making fun of me as I sit here, freaking out.

Okay Edward, just breathe. Act like a man and get your ass down those stairs to face the music.

As I descend, I hear Alice squealing about something. I hesitantly walked back into the dining room, but nobody really notices. All they're talking about is how Bella's going to get her clothes to our house.

Say what?

"Okay, so I'll follow you home, Mr. Swan and family, Bella will get her clothes, and I'll drive her back to my house," Alice said. She bounces and claps her hands. "Oh this is going to be so fun! We're going to have the best sleepover ever!"

Oh my God. Bella's sleeping over at my house.

This. Is. Ridiculous.

They're trying to kill me. All of them. They know how I feel and they're rubbing it in my face.

It's going to be a long night.

Bella Swan

Alice and I had changed into our pajamas. Mine were white shorts with red polka dots on them, and a plain red v-neck t-shirt. Alice's were very similar, but were pink.

She had a whole bunch of things for us to do, like chick flick movies, paint each others' nails, read magazines…regular girl things that I never had the chance to do in Jacksonville. I was always really shy, and never really had friends that liked me enough to invite me over.

Alice's room was huge. The walls were ivory, but it worked really well with the décor. It was very textured and printed with rich colors. It's screamed Alice in every way.

Currently, we were lying on her bed. I was flipping through a magazine and Alice was painting her nails. We had Dear John playing (we both had a thing for Nicholas Sparks), but it was more like background noise. We were gossiping.

"So Bella, you can tell me, and be honest. You like Edward, right? As more than a friend?" she asked me.

Oh God. What do I tell her? I can't tell her I think there is something between us, because I wasn't even sure myself. So I had to lie to her? No, maybe I wouldn't have to.

"I…I'm not really sure," I said honestly. I felt much better I didn't have to lie to my new friend, because I knew she would never lie to me.

"Well, I think you two are perfect for each other. Even if neither of you see it," she added.

Alice was asleep by eleven, and I was wide awake. I decided I needed some water and ventured into the kitchen. I passed Edward's room on the way, only to see the light was on and the door was open just a bit. There was a beautiful melody coming from the room. My curiosity got the better of me and I knocked quietly. The music stopped and seconds later the door opened, revealing Edward in a high school baseball t-shirt and boxers. He looked amazing; I wanted to kiss him so badly…

"Hey," I said quietly. "I heard your music and just had to know where it was coming from." He looked stunned, and his eyes might have raked my body quickly.

He snapped out of his trance. "Guilty as charged," he smiled. He opened the door wider and let me in. Once again, a Cullen bedroom shocked me. Edward had a big sleigh bed surrounded by shelves upon shelves of books and CDs. He had a black couch opposite his bed, and a baby grand piano off to the side. It was lit by lamps only, giving it that certain glow. It was beautiful, honestly.

I walked over to the piano and sat down on the bench. Music sheets were everywhere. I looked back at Edward, who was still standing by the door looking nervous. "Will you play for me?" I asked.

He looked hesitant. "Please? It was really beautiful, what I heard," I told him.

Edward caved. He walked over and sat next to me on the bench. He started playing the piece that was actually set on his piano, but it looked like he had the song memorized. "Esme's Song," it read.

I couldn't believe he composed this. It was so…complex and stunning. I don't know who was calling him a band geek, but that certainly wasn't true. All the band geeks I know can't play anything this good. Edward truly had a talent.

He finished off and just sat, not looking at me. He was probably embarrassed, and he shouldn't be.

"Edward, that was the best song I've heard played on the piano in a long time. And you most certainly aren't a band geek," I whispered. He finally looked at me and gave me his crooked grin.

"That might be a stretch, but thank you," he said genuinely.

We said nothing for a long moment. I laid my head on his shoulder as we sat comfortably. Edward thought it would be good to address the whole homecoming thing.

"I really am sorry if you were embarrassed tonight, and you really don't need to go with me," he rambled. "I mean, we were kind of pressured into the situation, and people just don't get that we're just friends, and-"

I cut him off. "Edward, it's fine. Your sister was dragging me to homecoming, whether I liked it or not, and I'm glad I'm going with you. If I have to go to the dumb homecoming, you would be the first and only person I would consider going with."

He let out a breath and smiled. "Same here, Florida, same here."

"And who knows? We might end up having some fun if we're going together."

Author's Note

And the translations…

Zitto-Shut up

Non parlare cosi che-Don't talk like that

Scusame-Sorry

Mi dispiace per prendere in giro voi-I'm sorry for teasing you

Si maiale-You pig

So I was just thinking while typing those….does scrolling down to read the translations bug you? I know I always get annoyed when I have to do that, so I don't know why I do that. Would you all prefer if I put them in bolded letters next to the Italian in the chapter? (Ha! Now you must review to tell me your preference!)

There are a few pictures for this chapter, so please go check those out. Do you guys look at the pictures? (Ha! Another thing you must answer!) If not, I will stop posting them and only I shall know the visuals (which will make me sad :'( I like sharing visuals).

Here, I'll even post the link! How wonderful!

.com/

Until next time, dear readers,

Meggie Jay