I'm always apologizing, I know, but I can't help it. I feel bad for having to make you all wait for an update, especially since there really isn't much to be waiting for (I always have short, sucky chapters, but I don't have time to make them longer and the suckiness cannot be helped.)So anyway, here it is, sorry if it depresses you. Just remember that I have a reason for all that I do, and you will see how it turns out in the end and you will hopefully forgive me. And, I know at some point in the near future, you will want to scream at all the characters for being stupid. Feel free to do so.

Kasey

PS (and PPS, just for the sake of annoying certain losers that like to be jerks): this chapter is also dedicated to the number 17, and the original readers that know what I'm talking about here.

Edward and I set up a movie and spread blankets on the floor while Carlisle and Esme made the hot chocolate. Alice stood in the corner staring blankly. Angela stroked her short hair softly, whispering comforting words.

Carlisle and Esme came in with the steaming mugs, balancing them carefully. They set them down and told us not to spill them. They then kissed Alice on the head, Carlisle first, then Esme, causing her to widly look around the room, struggling to catch her breath.

Her parents looked at her worriedly but exited the roon with concerned looks on their faces. I continued to stare at Alice's heartbroken face, and my own heart broke for her. How could Jasper do this to her?! Hadn't he said he had loved her! I wanted to hurt him, badly. Looking at Edward, I saw that his eyes were flared with anger as well.

As I stared into his eyes, I had to chastise myself. It would hurt Alice to see Edward and I together, ignoring her in her time of need, in the same room. I got up and helped Alice to the sofa, where she curled into a ball.

"Alice, drink your hot coco... it's got extra marshmellows..." Angela encouraged.

Alice shrugged and sat up to reach for her mug. She sipped it with no expression on her face and then she curled back up into a ball. We put her pillow on the other end of the couch and wrapped her blankets around her, making it clear that she should strech out and take up the whole couch. Angela sat down on the floor next to Alice's legs and Edward and I nestled together on the other end, on the floor by Alice's head.

Throughout the movie, we all shot Alice concerned glances. She seemed to be an empty shell, lost and searching for something that she new she wouldn't find. I couldn't imagine the pain she must be feeling, the loss and the hopelessness.

Seeming to sense my thoughts, Edward pulled me closer to him, tightening his grip around me and kissing my forehead.

cooliolinethinigieee...

When the movie ended, and the remainder of our hot chocolate was cold, I glanced around the room. My shift caused Edward to wake from his almost-asleep state. Angela was sprawled out on the floor, fast asleep, and Alice was staring at the credits with glazed eyes.

I got up from Edward's grasp.

"Alice..." I leaned around Angela to try and get closer to her. "I know everything seems horrible right now, but please remember that we'll always be here for you. We'll never leave you, even if you want us to. You're stuck with us for life." She attempted a chuckle, but it was more of a splutter, and it was obviously forced.

She nodded her head once and then stood up, stepping over Angela. She picked out a random movie and put it on. I hugged her gently. She leaned towards my shoulder and let a few tears escape.

"I'm so sorry, Ali, so sorry..." I murmered, not knowing if I was doing any good.

"It's not your fault, Bella," she whispered back in a broken voice. She pushed away from me and drunkenly walked back to the sofa, and curled onto it.

As soon as I got close enough to him, Edward yanked my arm and pulled me down towards him, pushing his face into my neck and breathing in my ear.

"Do you have any idea how incredible you are?" he whispered.

I had no idea what he was talking about. I shook my head at him.

"Later," he said, and then he turned his attention to the opening credits of the random movie Alice had chosen.

A few minutes later we heard her snoring lightly; she had tears drying on her cheeks. How could Jasper have done this to her?! I thought again. How can love like theirs go away, just vanish? If Alice and Jasper were broken up, then how was there any hope for the rest of the world. Alice and Jasper had seemed to be made for each other. They were perfect. I couldn't comprehend how their relationship didn't exist anymore. What had happened to change Jasper's feelings?

"Bella," Edward whispered in my ear again. I had been so focused on Alice that I jumped when his warm breath touched me, and then I shivered. "How can you do this? It has to be hard for you too, seeing your friend this upset. How can you manage to stay so strong, my beautiful Bella?"

"I have to. She's one of my best friends. She needs me to be strong, so I have to be. I know she'd do the same thing for me, if I were in her situation. I need to comfort her until she is able to start healing. It is hard, but I can't let her down." He shook his head at me.

"You are amazing." I shook my head this time.

"No I'm not. I'm a horrible friend to her, I mean, I do things that I know will hurt her feelings, and I'm not sure if the things I'm doing now are hurting her and everything I say could make her more upset. I'm not amazing in anyway at--" he cut me off, pressing his lips to my own. I kissed him back; kissing him was already natural instinct, it was like we were perfectly in tune with each other.

He pulled back, both of us breathless. "Don't lie, Bella. You're doing the best you can."

"But what if its not good enough?"

"It will be. Stop worrying. Everything will be fine, you have to believe that. And stop talking about yourself badly, I can't stand it. I like you for who you are, and I care about you, there is nothing wrong with you. You are not allowed to think like that." He wrapped his arms tighter around me to emphasize his point. "And," he whispered, "No one else will talk bad about you either, I won't let them."

It was one of those moments where you wanted to pause the screen and go "awww.... he's so protective of her, isn't that sweet?" and I almost did comment on it, but instead, I just smiled and kissed him sweetly.

"Fine, I'll believe you for now, but only because you said it." He nodded.

"Good."

We watched some more of the movie before a random thought strayed into my head.

"Hey, Edward?"

"Hmm?"

"As much as we would all like to kill Jasper, please don't hurt him; it might upset Alice."

He sighed. "You're probably right, but I still don't understand how he could do that to her. He's an idiot moron for doing that. Him and my sister had something special, and when he realizes his mistake, it will be too late. God, how could he be so stupid? So blind to his own self? Bella, I promise you that I will never do that to you. I won't make that mistake, I couldn't handle it if I lost you due to my own stupidity," he ranted.

"If you do the same thing, I'll wait for you. If you have a laspse in thought, and you make a choice you aren't happy with concerning us, I'll always be waiting if you change your mind. Unless... I'm not what you want, then, I'll move on, or try, but know that a part of me will always be with you."

"And I you," he said. I pulled my self, if it was even possible, closer to him and leaned my head against his chest, loving the closeness. He kissed my forehead.

"Sweet dreams, my Isabella."