I do not own Twilight or any of its' characters

BPOV

Chapter 35

Release

I was so done with school at this point in the year. I was ready for the spring to come and then the summer, where my responsibilities would be cut in half and I could finally uncurl the tight knot that sat like a weight in my stomach. But, that wasn't going to happen for a few more months and a week off for Spring break would just have to get me through for now.

I walked over to the Culinary Arts building to meet Edward when my last class had finished. I found him in the prep area of the kitchen meticulously sorting his knives and putting them away neatly at his workstation. He still had his jacket on, most of the other students wore black work pants to finish off the look even though it wasn't required. Edward however, chose to forego workpants and wore jeans and black converse sneakers instead. I lingered in the doorway watching him clean up and he took no notice of me, he was just in his own little serious, solemn world. When he was satisfied with the organization of his workstation, he looked up and finally saw me patiently watching him. His serious expression immediately changed and his pretty green eyes lit up.

"Bella," he chirped, sounding pleasantly surprised.

I gave him a shy little wave and a smile and he motioned for me to come in. I walked over to him and kissed the side of his clean shaven face. "So this is it huh?" I asked looking around.

He nodded and smiled, averting his eyes to the floor slightly. He looked more tired than I had seen him in awhile. I knew he wasn't sleeping very well these days, he never made mention or complained about it. He had dark circles under his eyes that looked like bruises, bruises that I hadn't seen on his face since before Christmas. I reached up and touched his face, tracing the bags under his eyes with my thumb. "You need to get some sleep," I said quietly.

He shrugged it off casually and made some kind of lame joke, running the back of his hand along my cheek. His eyes flickered behind me and I knew someone had just walked in.

"Edward, are you planning on spending your entire vacation here?" A man's voice said behind me. A fearful look appeared on Edward's face, which was quickly cancelled out by a look of irritation.

"No, sir, I was just leaving." He said pulling off his jacket, "come on Bella." He said quietly to me as he grabbed the rest of his things.

As we turned to walk out the door, the man came over closer to Edward. He stood protectively in front of me out of habit, the man cocked his head and smiled at us, "I'm Gordon Scott." He said in a very congenial tone, thrusting his hand out to shake mine.

I felt Edward's free arm curl around my waist tensely, I looked at the outstretched hand before me and offered up my most polite smile, "I'm Bella." I said shaking his hand.

"Pleased to meet you." He replied, his smile growing. "I would say that Edward talks about you all the time, but Edward doesn't talk much at all." He gave Edward a teasing side glance, Edward remained unmoved. "He's really an excellent student. He's going to be a fine Chef someday." He said happily, clapping Edward on the back.

"Thank you Chef." He said politely.

"Well, Bella, it was very nice to meet you. Even though he may not say much, I'm sure Edward thinks about you all the time." I grew irritated by the fact that some stranger felt as if he needed to reassure me about my relationship with my boyfriend.

I felt the need to say something defiant and rude; I felt flames rising in the back of my throat as I chose my poisonous words carefully. "We should all be so lucky to have someone in our life like that." I gazed over at Edward adoringly, and then shot a smirk in Gordon's direction, "tell me Chef Scott, do you have someone who thinks about you all of the time?"

I felt Edward's grip tighten on me. Chef Scott smiled calmly at me and chuckled a little, "Oh that ship sailed for me many years ago." I gave him an overly exaggerated expression of sympathy.

"Better luck next time perhaps." Edward added darkly.

"One can only hope. Anyways, you two have a restful break, again, very nice to meet you Bella. Edward, good work today." Edward nodded politely and we left together.

We were halfway down the hallway when I saw the look on Edward's face expanding and turning into one of pure, evil, delight. He looked like he was trying to hold back from bursting into hysterics. It was one of my favorite expressions on him, the one that came before the flood of laughter that would echo throughout the entire building once he let loose.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing," he said hoarsely, shaking his head and putting his sunglasses on.

"What?" I said nudging him hard, causing him to stumble a little.

"You're getting quite bold in your old age Miss Swan." He teased. A look of satisfaction crossed my face.

"I have a killer instinct."

"Apparently. I'm glad you don't carry a handgun. We'd have at least four bodies to get rid of by now, including my own." He chuckled.

"I'm not that bad am I?" I asked, suddenly feeling self conscious about my attitude. I instinctively held my books closer to my chest as we approached the car.

He laughed again, opening the passenger side for me, "No love," I climbed in and he leaned against the door and smirked at me, "you're perfect."

We got home and simultaneously threw our books and coats down and collapsed on the couch. I was glad we would be leaving to pick up Alice and Jasper in a few hours; we were becoming too similar to one another.

Edward turned and looked at me and smiled crookedly, "so, we have a few hours alone, what do you want to do?" He asked toying with the zipper on my sweatshirt.

I smiled coyly at him in response, he leaned in to kiss me, and then his eyes shut tightly and I saw him clench his jaw. "UGH." He growled, rolling his eyes.

"What?"

"They're already here."

Within a split second I felt cool, thin arms around me and full lips on my cheek.

"Alice!" I squealed, spinning around and throwing my arms around her.

"Hi Bella!" She squeaked, squeezing me so tightly that she almost broke one of my ribs. Jasper now stood behind the couch smiling at both of us. Edward got up and hopped over the back of the couch and hugged Jasper.

"Glad you could make it, even if you are three hours early." He said firmly looking Alice's way, knowing that she was responsible.

She frowned and flicked her hands at him, "Oh, relax, you two weren't going to do anything anyways." She winked at Jasper.

"We actually got here late this morning, we went and spent time with Tanya and Eleazar, and then they dropped us off. We only arrived here at this house a few minutes before you both got home." Jasper explained.

"I'm so glad you're both here." I said happily, snuggling into Alice. I shivered a little against her cold little body; I had grown so accustomed to the new warmth of Edward that I was no longer used to the glacial body temperature of the Cullens. It was so familiar though that I didn't mind, and then I looked at Alice's face and saw Edward's golden eyes staring back at me for a moment. I smiled warmly and hugged her once more, glad to be around some of family again.

"You both look exhausted." Jasper noted, as he studied us carefully.

"Exams were a bitch." Edward muttered, stretching his back. Jasper smirked at the comment.

"Oh my God, yeah they were." I said in agreement. "I am so glad to be off for a little while."

"Is there anything that you two want to do? Or would you rather just stay here?" Alice asked both of us, her eyes darting back and forth.

I was actually very tired, but I felt the urge to go out and do something simply because we didn't have any school tomorrow. I wondered if Edward felt the same way. If I was the only one who wanted to go out, then I didn't mind staying home, but if I wasn't…I looked up and Edward and he shot a glance back at me, and somehow we were both in agreement.

"Pub," we both said at the same time.

"I'll buy." Alice said smiling.

"I'll drive." Jasper added.

Within a half hour, the cat was fed, our clothes were changed and we were arming the house behind us, our tires practically leaving skid marks in the driveway.

We went to a local hangout near campus; it had two bars, tables, pool, darts and usually a DJ or a band on most nights. Edward and I never spent a lot of time going to parties or bars, but every so often, we needed a release and tonight was going to be one of those nights. We had both mastered the art of the tequila shot, and that was usually how a night out would start and end for us. Alice brought her digital camera and was ready for anything. By the end of the night, she had gotten some very candid shots of all of us goofing around. My favorite picture was one of Edward dipping me backward, and squeezing a lime in his teeth over my arched neck. I had no idea when it was taken, but it was silly and irresponsible and I loved it. Too much time had been spent between Edward and I being vigilant and serious. Caring for a home, going to classes, paying bills, dealing with the complexities of our transitioning relationship, we had both had enough. It was time for us to start acting our age and embrace the recklessness of being two college students living away from home.

It was midway through the night, when Jasper and Alice looked like they were starting to get antsy, I wondered if they were bored. They shared a glance with one another that was silent, but clearly communication was occurring between them. I saw Edward smirk to himself and say out loud, "go ahead," waving his hand dismissively at them. Within seconds, they were gone, leaving us alone.

"Where'd they go?" I asked.

"They're going to play for awhile," he replied.

"Play what?" I asked, taking a sip of my beer.

"Watch," he said gesturing at the two of them.

It was almost as if it were a perfectly planned act in a play or a movie. Alice sat down at a table by herself and feigned innocence, her sharp black bangs hung in her eyes and she pursed her lips slightly. Meanwhile, Jasper made his way around the bar, he appeared to be looking for something, and then a look of affirmation crossed his young, beautiful face as he chose his 'victims.' He glided over to a group of guys sitting a few tables away from us and started speaking to them. I could barely hear what he was saying, but when I saw a gleam of amusement cross Edward's face I knew that something was up.

"You might have to get involved in this." He whispered to me.

"What?" I asked, slightly alarmed,

"Oh, yeah, you're definitely involved in this," he started snickering, horror washed over my pale face. "Quick, look angry."

"What?!" I hissed as Jasper started coming toward me with three huge guys.

"Angry, look angry," Edward muttered into his beer.

I slammed my beer down and crossed my arms over my chest and scowled at Jasper.

"Okay, I brought witnesses," Jasper said to Edward letting his southern drawl coat his words slightly. Jasper gestured to the three guys behind him that seemed more than willing to go along with whatever he was up to. "This is Alec, Brian, and Matt," the three all made some kind of polite greeting gesture. I concentrated on looking furious and tried to keep up with what was going on.

"Awesome," Edward replied, standing up. His tone had changed into something I couldn't recognize. Gone was the smooth, articulate resonance that was distinctive of Edward. I had never heard him use the word 'awesome' before, it was so…common. "So guys, this is the girlfriend," his speech was very choppy and lazy as he gestured to me and I scowled harder, "and that's the sister." He pointed at Alice, who was still sitting alone. It was becoming clearer to me that this was some kind of performance the Cullens put on in public for their amusement and now I had become a part of it. "They get a little 'catty' sometimes when we go out, so I would really appreciate you guys helping us put an end to this," he said warmly.

"Dude, two girls arm wrestling, that's awesome. I can't wait to see this." One of the three 'witnesses' said.

"After you," Edward said crassly to me. I continued my performance as I narrowed my eyes at him, standing begrudgingly and strutted over to Alice.

I heard the witnesses behind me, "My money's on her, she looks pissed."

"No, I think the one with the black hair's got this one, silent but deadly."

I sat across from Alice and she smiled darkly at me. I wish I could hear thoughts like the others could, it would have been easier than guessing what was going to happen.

"No rings." Jasper instructed. Alice removed the three sterling silver rings that decorated her hand and gave them to Jasper. I took the one ring I had on off and handed it to Edward.

"Non wrestling arm needs to come off the table." Edward ordered, putting my arm gently to my side. Alice gripped the side of her chair and I did the same. The three guys leaned back against the wall and watched carefully.

I gripped Alice's freezing hand in my own and glared at her, her golden eyes felt like they were going to bore a hole through my forehead.

"May the best girl win," Alice sneered at me.

"Don't worry, I will." I retorted, smirking at her.

I caught a glimpse of Jasper turning his head away from us to prevent him from laughing out loud; Edward gave him a similar look and averted his eyes to the floor.

"Ready? Go!" Jasper said with a little bit of twang to his voice.

I pushed against Alice as hard as I could, there was no way I would win and I knew this. Alice controlled the whole situation, she would let her hand waiver for a moment and then overtake me and then waiver, just to make it interesting, and then to my surprise, she let me win.

"Hah!" I shouted jumping up from the table.

"Thank God that's over," Edward grumbled, rolling his eyes.

"Dude! I knew she would win!" One of the witnesses said, that seemed to do the trick.

Alice hopped up from the table and gave an accusatory look to my supporter, "why don't you put your money where your mouth is? I'm just getting warmed up."

"Alice come on, get over it, you lost." Edward chided her.

Alice slammed a twenty on the table and stared at the witness, "it's yours if I lose." He shrugged his shoulders and sat down across from her. They got set up and wrestled, Alice lost again. "Double or nothing," she said throwing another twenty down.

"Alice, be reasonable," Jasper cautioned, "you guys want a beer?" He asked the three guys who still lingered. He took off and came back with a round.

The guy who just won twenty off of Alice stared at her; she had made his victory very easy for him. Poor, starving college students would do practically anything for extra cash. He reluctantly put the twenty he had just won back down, "okay, double or nothing," he said.

Alice raised an eyebrow and smiled; she wrestled him and won in seconds. A satisfied look crossed Jasper's face. The other two guys were astounded, one by one, each of them challenged her and one by one, they lost. By the end of the night, Alice had arm wrestled practically every man in the bar. She had become a novelty, a challenge, and then, a legend. Once the wheels were set in motion, Jasper started hustling pool, until I beat him and then he lost interest. Edward watched the whole thing happening around him, only playing his role when required. That night, the three Cullens ended up walking out of the bar with an additional five hundred dollars in their pocket.

You would have thought that this would have caused a problem in the bar, but with the talents of Jasper's ability to charm a crowd, Edward's ability to read thoughts, and Alice's premonitions, everything went over without incident. There was a feeling of levity and good times throughout the entire bar that night. I wondered if it was Jasper's doing or if it was just the fact that Spring break had arrived that kept everyone mellow. It didn't matter; we were all having a good time, non vampires and vampires included.

We calmly exited the bar around one and all climbed into the Cadillac together. As soon as the door shut, Alice squealed with delight and threw her arms around me.

"You were fantastic! That was perfect!" I laughed at her enthusiasm.

"Do you guys, do this a lot?" I asked. Silence rang throughout the car.

"On occasion," Jasper answered. Alice couldn't stop grinning and laughing.

"You're terrible." I said grinning, "All three of you, using all of your powers to hustle people. It's so unfair."

"All in good fun, love," Edward defended.

"I know you got a cut of that money." I said seriously to him, "That could have been some poor college student's food money."

"Or their beer money," he replied. "Now it's our beer money," he said coolly, handing me a hundred dollar bill. "Here's your cut."

"That's more like it." I said taking it from him and shoving it in my pocket.

Alice giggled again, "You truly are a Cullen now." She said kissing my cheek.

"Without a doubt," Jasper added.