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Chapter Four

"So mom's in town." I mumbled to Charlie across the shabby kitchen table.

"I know." He uttered back, sticking a watt of fish in his mouth.

"How do you feel about them getting married?" I asked.

"I'm happy for your mom, she deserves it."

"That's good." I nodded, finishing my salad and putting the plate in the dishwasher.

"I'm gonna go finish my homework." I stated.

"I'll go watch the game when I'm done."

"Okay."

And that was just another awkward evening with Charlie.

As soon as I got upstairs, I emptied my English book out of my backpack and set it on my desk, flipping the unit to Shakespeare and then making myself comfortable.

This was the fifth time I was studying Romeo and Juliet and could practically recite the book by heart. The task was to write an Essay on how unrequited love was shown in this novel and I figured I'd just recycle mine from two years ago, maybe edit it and make it more mature.

By the time I was done that, it was nine thirty and I had nothing to do.

Alice's ring tone on my phone solved my problem.

"Hey Alice." I answered automatically.

"Actually, it's Tanya."

I froze.

"Tanya? What are you doing using Alice's phone?"

"I'm at Edward's and wanted to call you but Eddie wouldn't let me use his phone so he gave me Alice's." She exclaimed. "So what's, like, up girlie?"

"Umm...nothing really. Why...?"

"I was, like, wondering if you wanted to hang out tomorrow afternoon, just, like, the two of us."

"Umm...sure."

"Great! Anyways, I got to go. I need to spend as much time with Edward as I can before I leave his house."

I let out the breathe I'd been holding, thankful that she wasn't staying the night.

"Okay...see you tomorrow."

"I call you in the morning Bells!" And then she hung up.

I sighed and put my phone down on the nightstand and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

~/~/~/~/~

"I'm so glad we get to hang today! I've been wanting to get to know you, for like, ever! Edward talks about you so much!"

"Good things, I hope."

"Duh!" She smiled. "So tell me about yourself."

And there I was, telling Tanya Denali, only parts of my life's story in McDonald's, in the mall, in Port Angeles.

"OMG! You're an only child? So am I!"

Sure she was a little talkative it's almost stalkerish and yes, her vocabulary is extremely limited but her heart's in the right place. As much as I would enjoy disliking her, there was no way it was possible. She was perfect for Edward. They say opposites attract, right?

"I'm totally sorry about the whole divorce thing. I completely know how you feel but I have the worse end. My dad is on his, like, eighth wife. She's probably three years older than I am. He barely, like, ever visits and when he does, he gives me jewelry thinking that fixes it but it doesn't. My mom is a drunk slut and then there is me. Some people, like, think I live upper class but in reality, I'd totally kil for your life Bells Swan."

Then it suddenly dawned on me that Tanya really wasn't as perfect as she comes across as. But then again, she has one thing I don't have. Would I swich lives with her to have it?

"And then, there is Eddie." She sighed. "He makes me feel so alive but I feel as though it isn't enough in a way. Sure I really like him, but think about it, there is only two ways to go in a relationship. You either marry the guy, or break up with him. I see Edward as the high school hottie, the guy to keep me busy during my years as a teenager, someone to lean on but I can't see myself having a family with him. Like, at first I could but then he talks about you, Bells and it's clear I am only there to do one thing."

"What do you mean Tanya?" Where was she getting at?

"I'm jealous of you Bella and I think you should give Edward a chance."

"A chance?" I confirmed.

She nodded her head. "Yeah, like, a chance."

"For...?"

"I'm not completes sure." She shrugged. "I just know that you guys are perfect for each other."

"So then why are you with him?" I asked.

"In reality, I'd probably go for someone like James or Laurent at our school."

"Didn't you go out with both of them already?"

In my school, the more popular guys who could pass for 'hot jocks' were James and Laurent. James has baby blue eyes and dirty blond hair, your stereotypical 'hot jock' and 'hottest popular guy because of his rare genes'. He seems okay I guess.

And then there was Laurent. The complete opposite. He had chocolate skin, deep chocolate eyes and a black haired boy cut. He was extremely fit and was the best friend of James.

"Yes. I was with James for about a year and a half and, like, you probably remember because everyone does and, like, I was totally in love with him and then he broke up with me, never even giving me a reason as to why and I was, like, so heartbroken so I tried to make him jealous. A couple days later I began dating Laurent and my dad, this was during his single stage after he'd just broken up with his fifth wife, was in town and was, like, totally concerned so he made me break up with him but I refused, getting revenge on him too by sleeping around with a bunch of guys that he'd walk in on it. Eventually he, like, put his foot down and took me on an 'intervention weekend'. By the end of that I was totally done with everything, feeling so guilty and broke up with Laurent, even though I was going to anyways because James was apparently dating some goodie-two-shoes from his Spanish class, and, like, that was when my dad introduced me to Edward. I wanted my dad to just love me again so badly so I dove head first for Edward, trying to change who I was to have my dad back! And look at him, he's with his eighth wife somewhere in Europe! If I could go back in time, I still wouldn't change anything though because having James, someone who at least seemed to care for me for quite some time, over my dad was the best thing I could have. I just want him back now over anything I have."

Tanya was tortured and I felt bad for her. From the way she presents herself, I would have never guessed this was her background story.

"Does Edward know all of this?"

"No, you're the only one. Not even Lauren or Jessica know and they are my best friends! I can't tell them this because it will make Lauren feel superior about herself when she's nothing but I dumb bitch and Jessica will just spread it to the whole world. You are the only one I can trust."

"Thanks." I think.

"I just don't know what to do Bells. I'm tired of pretending I feel something more for Edward than just a good friend. He is the sweetest and nicest guy ever but he's not James."

"Do you have the slightest idea of what you want to do?"

"I want to be myself again. I want a sober mom, a single dad, two friends I can tell secrets to, and most of all, I want James."

"How are you going to do it?"

"I need your help. Edward is my friend and I need to keep it that way. Do you know how he feels about me?"

"You'd have to ask him that yourself, Tanya. I know nothing."

"Okay, Bells."

"Bella." I corrected.

"Sorry."

"That's okay." I paused. "Are you going to break up with him?"

"As soon as possible."

"What are you going to do about James?"

"I'll confront him when the time is right. But for now, I need to be single." She chuckled.

"I wish you the best of luck Tanya."

"You too Bella."

And then she walked away, out of McDonald's, swinging her hips in her short mini skirt and tight tank top.