a/n: I need some reviews. How come I always have to ask for them? Does the story suck that bad? I mean..jeez guys I could just stop writing it ya know.
When I woke up the next morning, he wasn't gone. I realized that the moment I got to my room, and noticed the still figure in my bed. I figured as much. I made my way quietly to my closet, and grabbed some clothes. When I turned around, he was awake. And staring at me. Lovely. I swallowed, and looked away.
"We didn't do anything so don't worry." I said still looking down. I was uncomfortable. It reminded me of when we'd first met, and gone on our first date. Though this was slightly more awkward than that. By a long shot actually. "Yeah, I know. Uh, look, I'm sorry about that. Thanks for letting my stay though, I shouldn't have even driven here let alone somewhere else." He replied. "It's good, don't worry about it." I said as nonchalantly as I could manage.
"Bella, despite what you're thinking, I did not come here last night for…uh, that. I just…I wanted to talk to you." He muttered. I stood there for a few more awkward minutes, not knowing what to say, and then hurried out. I used Alice's bathroom to shower and dress, and by the time I was finished, he was gone. I took that as a sign that I was right. He was only here for that, or else why did he leave?
The next couple months passed by uneventful. I continued to mope around, still damning the coffee shop with my presence. Rosalie had moved out, and into Emmett's place. I was sure Alice would be gone shortly. I knew she was only staying because of me. I told her daily not to worry, to go on and stay with Jasper. It was what she wanted, what she deserved. So, finally she took my advice. Today I was helping her pack, and move boxes to the living room. Jasper and Emmett were coming over tomorrow to take them to Jasper's place. We'd been crying off and on all day remembering when we'd first met in college, to the day we first rented this place. It'd been a long, very adventurous road, and we'd promised each other to keep it going even though she was moving out.
I went to bed that night reminiscing about old times with Alice and Rosalie. Alice was always the one who patched things up between Rose and me when we'd fight as kids. And Rose was always the one bullying anyone who even looked at Alice or I the wrong way. They both agreed that I was the one who balanced out the equation. I kept them grounded, and from getting arrested on more than one occasion.
In other words, I was the mother hen. And after tomorrow, I would be completely alone. Part of me wondered if I'd be alive in two weeks…not because I'd intentionally do anything just because I knew how I'd react. I'd get even more depressed, and not eat or anything. And then apart of me wondered if I'd get better. No, definitely not. I knew that for sure. I fell into a restless sleep, and woke constantly throughout the night.
By the next morning, I felt like shit and looked even worse. I was back in Edward's shirt again, and a pair of boyshorts. A bandana covered my ratty hair, and I was moving boxes from upstairs to down. A little while later, Jasper and Emmett came over…with Edward. I tried my best to ignore him as he maneuvered boxes out the door to Jasper. They had a cute little system going. Edward handed a box off to Jas, who gave it to Em, and then he'd carry it out. Only he took too long apparently because the other two followed him out with more boxes. I just wanted to be done with this.
"I'm sorry." Alice stated once they'd taken more boxes out. "I didn't know he was coming, or I would have said no." she explained sympathetically. I shook my head and smiled. "Its okay, I promise. Not your fault." I replied carrying another box downstairs.
Once down there, Alice began talking very loud. It made me wonder what she was up to as the boys came back in. "So, Bella, I'd really appreciate it if you could take this client on Saturday night. I mean, since I'm just moving into Jasper's I should probably stay there and unpack." She started. I nearly dropped the box I was holding. Did she seriously just bring this up in front of Edward? She was up to something for sure.
"Alice." I bit out through gritted teeth. "You know I haven't done that for a long time. So drop it." I snapped out the last bit, and shoved the box into Jasper angrily. I gave him an apologetic look and started back up the stairs. "Bella, I know you don't, but I really need you to do this for me. Please?" She all but begged. I stood my ground, and glared at her. "No." I said in finality. She glared back at me, and stomped off. I didn't dare glance back to see if the boys were watching.
I wanted to yell at her, scream or something, but I just couldn't. I knew what she was trying to do; she was trying to get Edward to see that I had given it up. I could have saved her the trouble, he didn't care. An hour later, we were all sitting in the living room, laughing about old times, Edward included. I tried my best to pretend everything was alright, but on the inside I was trembling. I was glad he'd become close to the guys, but…why did he have to be here? Without warning, Alice plopped herself down on my lap. I glared at her. She was going to do it again.
I tried to give her my best threatening look, but she just laughed causing everyone to look at us. Awesome. "Really, Bella you aren't that scary. I'm sorry sweetheart. Now, back to my problem." She began. I pushed her off of me onto the floor and reveled in the shocked expression on her face. Serves her right trying to do this to me in front of Edward of all people! "Yes, Alice you're right. It's your problem, not mine. I am absolutely not doing it." I hissed as quietly as I could. She sighed in frustration, and jumped up. Grabbing my hand, she pulled me a few feet away from the guys…for privacy? Yeah…because they couldn't hear us now.
"Bella, its one date! Only one I promise! I'll never ask you again, it's really important." She pleaded, giving her best pouting face. It was so not going to work this time. I shook my head no vigorously. "I can't believe you're even asking me this right now! In front of…him." I snapped she arched an eyebrow. "I can't believe your making a big deal out of this. You haven't even asked me the details, or the amount or anything." She rambled, ticking each point off on her fingers. I stared at her disbelief.
"Oh, now I'm really not doing it! Didn't I tell you how much of a whore I felt like after that whole fiasco with Edward? And you really think I'm going to take a date of yours, AND take the money? For real?" I exclaimed, way louder than I meant to. I felt my face flush as the guys quieted down to look at us. Shit.
"He's not paying anything, Bella. It's a charity case. He just wants to have dinner, and he agreed to meet at the coffee shop first. If you don't like him you can leave. It's just like it's always been, I promise." She explained, folding her arms over her chest. Oh, I hated that stance. It was the one she used when she knew she had you cornered! Damn it!
I sighed heavily, and folded my own arms in defeat. "He's really not paying anything?" I whispered. I so didn't want to do this. But I couldn't tell her no after all she'd done for me when I was with Edward. She smiled, and shook her head. "He really isn't paying anything." She repeated me. As she gave me all the details, as far as why he wanted a date and what time and such I kept glancing at Edward. I noticed he was smiling slightly, and I wondered what he thought of me now. Surely worse than he had before.