Disclaimer: I would not even bother to pretend that these characters truly belong to me. The storyline does, however.

Chapter 2: Coffee

Bella POV

I could not believe what I had just done. As I stood in my tiny dorm room, two single beds pushed against either wall with tiny wooden desks opposite, an enormous wave of emotion carried me in its wake.

There was sadness – Renee and Charlie were not here to help me unpack. There was pride, that I had managed to make it this far alone. And there was lust. Dancing too in the depths of my stomach were butterflies of angst, and hope for the future.

I don't think a boy had ever given me his number before. That meant today was a day of firsts: first time alone in Seattle, first time to get a number, first time in a college dorm.

As I began unpacking the basics from the single suitcase I had taken onto the plane (the rest of my things were arriving later in the week), I hoped that my room mate was going to be nice. The stories I had heard in the past from some of the guys from school were enough to make you never want to step foot in a college dorm. Ever.

My fears were proved to be for nothing due to a little thing my hippie-mother would have probably called fate. Some days, I believed in fate too, I realised. I used to believe in God, and I went to church each week with my grandmother. When she passed away, however, I just could not go anymore. I did not understand what kind of higher power would be able to take them away, but suddenly words from an incredible novel I had read recently came to mind, "the world does not deserve them."

I gasped. As this realisation came over me, I fell to the ground in shock. I did not have time to really grasp my thought however as some kind of force made its way through the open door.

It felt like a whirlwind swept into the room as my roommate Alice bounced through the door. We had shared a few emails and her hyperactivity was endearing, rather that frustrating at this point in time. So it was not her energy that surprised me as much as the men carrying her boxes upon boxes of "necessities" into the room.

Edward. Well, fate must have been having a right old giggle wherever she was. Fate must be a woman see, as only they have a sense of humour like this.

I proceeded to stare at him unashamedly gobsmacked as Alice jumped on me (still sitting on the floor I might add…) with so much enthusiasm I could only vaguely discern that this was supposed to be a hug. My lack of response must have been telling however, as she looked at me, saw me staring eyes wide at her brother, and then turned back with an even bigger grin on her face.

"This is going to be sooooooo much FUN!" she squealed in my ear. I was not sure on the best reaction, but as I instinctively rolled my eyes, Edward laughed and made introductions. It seemed Alice was incapable through the squealing and jumping around the room in her perpetual excitement.

"Bella, this is Alice Brandon, my sister. This is Emmett, our other brother. Good to see you again."

This last comment was with a wink, which Alice did not miss. She bounced over and insisted we inform her how we had met.

Our little tale was not really started as I was stuttering, and Edwards suddenly found a great interest in the floorboards. Edwards brother (who looked about as opposite physically from Alice as you could get) decided to get involved as Alice glared furiously at Edward for not divulging the "hot gossip".

"Hey Bella, Sup? Wanna go get ourselves a coffee while these two duke it out? *wink*"

"Emmet, what the hell? You're married?"

"…, exactly, I am obviously waaay cooler that you two immature brats, so I am sure Bella wants to hang with me. In fact, I bet Rosie wants to meet her too, especially if you two *points between Edward and me* are getting it on."

I was, for the second time today, beyond mortified. However Edward seemed to take it in his stride, grabbing the phone out of Emmet's hand, which was already dialling Emmett's wife 'Rosie' and informing her that,

"You need to buy a leash before your husband preys on anymore of my potential dates. Understand?"

I was not used to this level of confidence at all, but I figured now was as good a time as any to start having a bit of faith in myself.

Edward began dragging Emmet out the room, telling me to call him when I could. Well, I guess there was no getting out of going out with him. I needed to think. Instead, I had Alice standing at the closed door with her arms crossed and an eyebrow cocked.

Oh dear.

Alice POV

THIS WAS SO EXCITING. Today was going to be amazing, I was meeting my elusive roomie for the first time. I had been living in the onsite dorms for a couple of months, as I attended a short course in the big break between high school and college on design, luckily having the opportunity to meet the teachers of the course I was planning on taking for the next couple of years!

Just as I had gathered in my emails, my roommate Bella was a bit of a minimalist – she only had one suitcase with her! She told me more was arriving later, but I bet it would still leave plenty of time to go shopping. I hope she likes shopping. OMG, I hope she does. If not Rose and I would have to drag her at least once. With us she must have fun. I'm sure she will.

Sometimes, I tire myself out with all my thoughts. Hmm, that would be a good new years resolution – slow down a bit. Hahaha. Bet I wouldn't make it a day.

It took me all of like, 2 seconds to realise that Edward and Bella had a "thing" already. I knew he would find it soon. It being what I had with Jasper, and what Emmett has with Rosalie. Love.

All I could wonder was when they would realise it. I knew that I would be pushing them until they did.