"You cheated!" Edward whined when we got into the car.
"No I didn't! I told you I was good!" So it was a lie. I wasn't very good, but Edward was worse. But at least I got a free dinner out of cheating.
"Don't lie Isabella! I saw you cheat." Damn. My cheating was supposed to me inconspicuous.
"And when was that?"
"When I went to go pick up my ball!" I didn't cheat then. I was too busy staring at Edward's very fine ass.
I rolled by eyes. "You're just a sore loser Edward."
"Okay. So since you won, where are we going to dinner?"
I tapped my chin, pretending to be in deep thought over a restaurant."Hmm, I feel like going somewhere expensive..."
"And I feel like going down to the diner." He sulked.
"Hey! I won, so therefore, I choose where to eat." I punched his arm playfully.
"Bella, you know that there are no expensive restaurants in Forks. But we do have plenty of diners."
"Fine! Take me to the stupid diner." I crossed my arms and glared at him. Meanwhile, he was grinning. How did he always mange to get his way?
"You'll love it there. It's all burgers and fries and cobblers." While that did sound appetising, he could have suggested a more romantic place, maybe in Port Angeles. It's not like I had a curfew, he could take me out of Forks.
I glared at him "I hate you."
"No you don't."
"Fine. But you did lose, so you have to buy me dinner. It's only fair."
We ended up eating at the diner that all the 'cool' people went to went to during high school. They still had the same menu even after ten years. We even sat at the table that Edward and his friends frequented during lunch breaks. Funnily enough, I remember sitting in the corner of the diner, surreptitiously peeking over my menu to catch a glimpse of him. Good times...
"Wow. It hasn't changed a bit."
"Yeah. I really love it here. It brings back a lot of memories. So, what did you want to get?" He asked once the waitress walked up to our table.
"Oh. I'll get the chicken burger with a side of fries and salad and a coke please."
"I'll get the same. Thanks." He handed the menus back to the waitress and turned back to me.
"So, tell me a little about yourself. I've told you my life story, now you tell me yours." I said, smiling at him.
"Well, what do you want to know?"
"Do you still live here?" I asked, taking a sip of the coke that was put in front of me.
"No. I live in Chicago. I came down here for a few weeks to visit my parents."
I smiled when he mentioned their names. Esme was like a mother to me. Every time I time I went over to see Alice after school, Esme always had pink lemonade and chocolate chip cookies waiting for us when we walked into the kitchen looking for something to eat. "Carlisle and Esme? How are they?"
" They're good. Glad I came back for a bit. Esme always tells me that I never visit them often enough. She started making me feel bad."
I laughed. "That's Esme for you."
"Did you want to go visit them? I'm sure they'll love to see you." Was this considered meeting the parents? But I already knew them, and me showing up at the house wouldn't raise suspicion that something was going on between us. Like I said, she treated me like her daughter.
"How about after dinner? Now, back to you. What do you do up in Chicago?"
"I run an architectural firm." Wow. Good for him. Sexy and had his own business. As for me, after I received my diploma, I couldn't get a job because I was pregnant with the twins. I turned into my worst nightmare. A housewife.
"And how does someone who has their own business have no women in their life?"
He sighed and looked like he was sick of repeating the same story about how thing didn't work out for him with the mysterious woman. "Like I said before, I did, but things didn't turn out."
"I'm sorry." Great! I ruined the mood.
"Change of subject. When can we do this again?" He was smiling again.
"Well, how about we do this before I leave." I suggested.
"Sure."
"Just call me. I'm here for another week. Here's my number..." Wait a minute. Did I look desperate giving him my number after only one semi-date? I guess he didn't think so as he gave me his phone to put my number in.
"And I guess that it would only be fair that I give you mine now." He took my phone and put his number into my phone.
"Well now that that's sorted, do you feel like dessert?"
I looked at my phone to check the time and decided that I should probably head home. Knowing Charlie, he was most likely staring out the window to check what time I get home. "Not really. I think that I should probably go home now."
"Why? Is it past your bedtime?"
"Yes. My dad told me to come home before 9. It's 10.30."
"Well then, we'll have to get you home now."
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I walked into the house and saw that my dad was asleep on the couch. The tv was still on and he was watching a football game before he fell asleep. I tried not to wake him up. Partly because I knew he worked late tonight and because I really didn't feel like answering questions about my date. But, as soon as I stood on the one creaky stair, it woke him up.
"Bells, is that you?"
"Yeah dad."
"Come here." I sighed and walked back into the living room.
"What is it?"
"How was the date?"
"It was good. He invited me to visit Carlisle and Esme later this week."
"Meeting the parents eh?"
"Dad! We're not dating! We're just hanging out. And I've known Carlisle and Esme for years. I was friends with Alice for ages. And they were her parents too."
"Call it whatever you like. He likes you."
"Goodnight dad!" I said, walking away from this conversation. It was too weird talking about it with my dad.
I was just coming out of the shower, when my phone started ringing. I saw that it was Jacob and I really didn't fell like dealing with him now, but I really wanted to talk to the boys.
"Hello?"
"Hi momma!" Both the boys answered at the same time.
"Hello boys! How are you?"
"Good!"
"Has dad given you any more chocolate cookies?"
"No. And we really wanted some."
"You shouldn't be eating any anyway. You boys don't need chocolate."
"We do so!" I could practically hear them sticking their tongues out at me. I also knew that if I continued convincing the boys that they didn't need chocolate, they would just come up with reasons why they did need chocolate.
"So, are you guys having fun?
"Yes! Dad took up to the park and we played with the Frisbee."
"You did. Wow! That does sound like fun."
"When are you coming home momma?"
My mind wandered back to Edward and his invitation to visit his parents again. I really wanted to stay in Forks for as long as Edward was here so we could hang out some more.
"Soon baby. I promise."
I heard one of the boys whispering to someone in the background, before they continued to talk to me. "Daddy wants to talk to you."
"Well, can you tell dad that I'm busy and that I'll call him soon okay? Hey listen, I have to go okay. I'll call you again soon okay?" I really didn't want to talk to him right now. I wanted to preserve my current state of happiness.
"Okay. See you soon. We love you momma."
After hanging up on the boys, I got dressed. Just as I was pulling back the covers, my phone started ringing again. I looked at it and saw that it was Alice calling.
"Alice! Hey! How are you?"
"Why did you not tell me that you were in Forks? Why did I have to hear this information from my brother?" No hello, just right into the main reason of her call.
"Jeez. Good to hear your voice again too Alice."
"And what are you doing hanging out with my brother? What happened to you and Jake? Why haven't you talked to me recently?"
"Are you going to let me speak?" I interrupted her.
"Yes. Sorry."
"Okay. I didn't tell you that I was in Forks because I've only been here for two days and have been really busy. You heard this information from your brother because he had the time to tell you. I'm hanging out with your brother because we wanted to catch up after not seeing each other for ten years. And as for Jake, I think I may have mentioned that I am getting a divorce."
The line went quite for a few seconds, while I was waiting for her to digest this new information. This was all new to Alice because the last time I talked to her was to tell her that I had twins. And that was well over two years ago. I sucked with keeping in touch with old friends. "Oh, Bells. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. It just didn't work out."
"I told you! I told you that he wasn't a good guy! What happened?"
"He cheated! With his secretary! How cliché is that?"
"Oh, I'm sorry babe. But you know what they say. Once a cheater, always a cheater."
"Who says that?"
"Me." I smiled. I knew that I could trust Alice to lighten the mood while talking about divorce. "Well girlie, I'm coming back to Forks for a while. I have some huge news to share with the family and with you."
"I'm leaving soon. When are you coming down?"
"I'm at the airport now. We leave in two hours."
"Wow. That was really quick."
"Yeah. Jasper and I just couldn't wait!"
"Jasper is coming too?"
"Yeah. Hey, do you mind coming to the airport to pick us up? I wouldn't ask, it's just that Carlisle is at work, Esme's car is getting fixed and Edward is busy doing work or something. You don't mind do you?"
"Carlisle is at work this late at night? And where does Edward have to be this late at night?" I asked her.
"Bella, he always works night shifts. As for Edward, the hell if I know. And why are you so worried? Are you in lurve with him?" She then made kissing noised down the phone.
"No I'm not in love with him Alice, I'm not even single yet. As for picking you up, I don't mind at all. When do you land?" I changed to topic, hoping that we could avoid talking about Edward. It was weird talking to her when he was her brother.
She gave me all the details and I promised that I would pick them up. So I guess that that meant about three hours of sleep. I set my alarm to wake me up. I put my head on the pillow and just as I was falling asleep, my phone rang once again. I was really frustrated at this point and answered the phone by yelling at the person calling me at this hour.
"What?"
"Well hello to you too Bella."
I sat up in bed surprised. "Edward?"
"Yes it is me. I guess you heard that my sister is coming back."
"Yeah."
"She also mentioned that she asked you to pick her up, so I thought that I would come with you. You take your car and drive them back to the house, I'll take mine and put their luggage in it. You know how Alice always over packs."
I giggled."Yeah. I sure do."
"Okay. So how about we meet at the airport a little bit before they come in so that we can get a coffee?"
"Sure. Don't see why not."
"Okay. So I'll see you soon?"
"Yup. Night Edward."
"Night Bella."
I was falling asleep when my alarm went off. I opened one eye and glared at it.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
I was really annoyed at the fact that I had to wake up super early and glared at those annoyingly chipper people who were laughing while sipping their cappuccinos at five in the morning. Edward was one of those people. Needless to say, he annoyed me. I walked up to him, glad to be spending more time with him, when I stopped in my tracks. There were the two other people sitting with him. I walked up to the group, hoping that, as soon as I walked up to the table, they would leave Edward and me alone. I walked up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Hi there."
"Bella! Hi!" I looked at the people sitting at the table with him, waiting for Edward to introduce me to them, but he just stood there.
"Hi. I'm Bella." I stuck my hand out towards the blonde with the great hair and big boobs waiting for her to introduce herself. She just looked at my hand as if it were infected.
"Hi. I'm Rose." She looked at me once and then turned back to Emmett. I put my hand down. Ohhhhkaaay. Who was she?
"Bella! Oh my god, it's so good to see you again!" The guy sitting next to her got up and gave me a hug so big, I believe that it cut off my circulation.
"Oh my god, Emmett! How are you! I haven't seen you in ages!"
"I'm good. We just got engaged."
"Oh. Who's we?"
"Me and Rosie."
"Well congrats." Me and Emmett talked nonstop for the next fifteen minutes about things that have happened since the last time we saw each other. I guess Rose was getting annoyed because he found someone who he could have an intellectual conversation with as the next thing I knew, she was making him walk her to the toilet.
"Well that looks like it going be a fantastic marriage." I snorted.
"I said the same thing to Emmett. He says that I have to get to know her. But I really don't want to."
"I know. It looks like she has a constant stick up her ass."
He laughed. He found me funny! No one found me funny! Sarcastic, yes. Cynical at times, yes. But never funny. Now I really like him.
"Do you want to go grab a coffee when Rose and Emmett get back?"
"Sure. And a magazine. In case you guys leave me alone with Rose, I have something to do."
"Speak of the devil..."
I turned around and saw Emmett and Rosalie walking back to our table.
"Okay guys, Bella and I are going to get coffee. Do you want anything while we're up?"
Emmett said he didn't want anything, but Rose requested the latest issue of French Vogue. We walked over to Starbucks and placed our orders. While we were waiting, I went to the nearest newsagency and bought Rose's magazine. Because, god forbid, we forget it. I walked back to Edward and saw that he was carrying two tall cups of coffee. He handed me my coffee and a cupcake he bought just for me. It was frosted with pink icing. I must say that it was a pretty cute gesture.
When we walked back to the table, we saw Emmet and Rose making out. The airport really wasn't that crowded, but making out in an airport? Seriously?
Edward coughed to get their attention and they pulled apart from one another. I walked up to Rose and handed her the French Vogue. She didn't say thanks. She just took it and started flicking through it. After I sat down, Edward moved his chair closer to me and whispered in my ear telling me that Rose was always like this. She grew up in a privileged household and was used to getting what she wanted. Still didn't excuse anything.
I was so bored just sitting there with Rose and Emmett, so I walked up to the arrivals board. It turned out that Alice and Jasper were landing in less than an hour.
"What are you doing here all alone?"
"I was getting sick of Rose being all...Rose like. So I came here. Alice and Jasper are landing soon."
"So I see. Bella?"
"Yeah?" I said, taking a sip of my coffee.
"When are you going back to New York?"
"In about three weeks. When do you leave for Chicago?"
"Around the same time."
I tried not to let the fact that we were probably never going to see each other again affect me.
I knew that we would eventually have to leave Forks. I just wished that it didn't have to happen so soon. "Well, I had fun hanging out with you."
"That's it?"
"What's it?" I turned around to look at him.
"We had fun for a few weeks and were never going to see one another again?" He looked...angry?
"We do live in different cities. How is it going to work?"
"We'll find a way." He walked closer to me until we were nose to nose.
"Edward..." I sighed.
"HI GUYS!" Before I had a chance to turn around, Alice was already hugging me. And she also ruined mine and Edward's moment.
"Alice! What are you doing here? You were supposed to be an hour away."
"We borrowed on of Jasper's friend's private plane. How are you?" Private plane? Just how rich was Jasper?
"Good. What about you? Living in L.A, doing fashion. How is it?"
She didn't even answer the question. "You know what we should do? We should go out to lunch. All of us. To catch up."
Edward walked over to me and Alice. "Lunch sounds good. Bella's going to take you home and I'm taking your entire luggage in my car." He said, kissing her cheek.
"Thanks Eddie."
"It's Edward. And let me guess, you have two dozen bags waiting to be loaded into my car right?"
"You know me too well. So Bella..." She turned to me and walked with me to my car, leaving Edward and Jasper to load the luggage. "What's going on with you and my brother? And don't say that nothing is going on or I will have to hit you."
"I don't know. We're just hanging out."
"Hanging out? Come on Bella! This isn't high school! You have to give me more than that. Unless...you two haven't?" she made a motion with her hands that I was trying to figure out.
"Haven't wh...ALICE! Of course we haven't!"
"Okay okay. Just asking."
"Jeez. You're his sister. Do you really want to know these things? I mean, I know you guys are close..."
"Hey! I tell you things. Like remember that time that Jas and I went on vacationto that little beach house, where we..."
"Okay!" I held my hands up. "Too much information. I love you, but I don't need to know every detail of you sex life."
"But that's what friends are for! There are no friendly girls in L.A. My closest friend is another designer, who is gay. I need girly time!" She whined.
"And here I thought that all gay men were feminine..."
"Well...I supposes he...WHO'S THAT!" Alice all but yelled in my ear. I think I might have gone deaf.
"Alice! My ears are ringing. I think I've lost my hearing!"
"Stop whining. I had no idea that you knew Rosalie Freida!"
I looked over to where she was pointing, which was right at Emmett's wife.
"I don't know her. I just know that she married your brother."
She let out a squeal of delight that was so high pitched, that dogs all across Forks were yelping. Alice ran off in the direction of Rose and Alice, leaving me alone on the curb. I looked over at Alice, only to find her trying to convince Rosalie to model her newest collection in the spring. So Rose was a supermodel. Go figure.
"Ready to go home and sleep."
I turned around and was Edward right behind me. "Yeah. I hate the airport and the drive up to them. Why do they have to be so far away from everything! It takes a freaking hour to get up here, and now we have to drive for another hour!"
It looked like he was trying to hold back his laughter. "I take it you're not a morning person?"
I grunted in response, and help down the horn on the car until Alice and Jasper finally joined me. All the while Edward was standing on the sidewalk crying from laughter. I almost hit him with the car. That will teach him to mess with me at five in the morning.
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
At 12.30 the next afternoon, I was awoken with a knock at my door. I grumbled and rolled over in bed, willing that person to go away. Three more minutes of the knocking, I got out of bed to yell at the person who dared to wake me up. When I found Alice there, with a cup of coffee and a garment bag sling over her arm, I reluctantly let her in.
"Good morning sunshine!" She said, thrusting the coffee at me.
"No. Let me go back to sleep!"
"Nope. Remember, we have a lunch to get to."
"Right. Who's coming? And what's in the bag?"
"In the bag, is an Alice original outfit. And as for lunch, it's me, you, Jasper, Emmett, Edward and Rosalie."
When she saw that I was about to argue with her that I wanted to be as far away from Rose as possible, she begged and pleaded until I gave in. She dragged me back to my bedroom, where she did my hair and makeup and helped me style the outfit that she had planned. I thought that it was too much for lunch with friends, but Alice was always right. Twenty minutes later, we were leaving my house. Great! A lunch with Rose bitching about the fat content of the salad dressing or some crap like that. I couldn't wait.