19.

T, Masen and I walk into the Newton's backyard which is already full of people. Music is playing up loud and all of Bree's friends are all over the grass and then in the pool. From the corner of my eye, I see Mike glaring at a teenage boy who's eyes are glued to Bree's chest.

Lauren is here too. I guess she's on break from law school.

Jessica walks out of the house with a tray of lemonade in her hand. She almost drops it when she notices me. "Edward Cullen!" she hollers. "Where on earth have you been, young man?"

I go to her and kiss her cheek. "You look as lovely as every Jess", I compliment her. "I'm sorry for behaving that way."

She smiles warmly. "It doesn't matter sweetie. It doesn't matter at all. I'm glad to see you here today."

"T forced me to come."

"This is why I always liked her", she shakes her head. "She can make you do anything."

"Not everything."

Tanya jumps in. "The only thing I can't do is find you a girl", she says, sharing a conspiratorial look with Jessica.

"Hmm. That's going to change soon enough", replies Jess. She looks around the yard. "Bella Swan is around here somewhere."

Not Jessica too! Why can't these people let me be alone? I don't need anyone. I'm fine with all the people I already have. Except that I have this strange feeling about Bella and it's like I want to know her but something's stopping me. I'm stopping me.

Mike comes up to us and gives me a hug. "It's good to see you, kid", he says. Then he swoops down to pick up Masen and takes him to the rest of the kids.

~X~

We've been here for almost thirty minutes now and I haven't seen Bella. I wonder where she is. T has gone inside to help Jessica in the kitchen while Masen is playing with children his age after a long time. That's a positive change and I'm happy to see his face light up with a smile. If only I could get the chance to smile freely. If only...

"Hey", says a female voice as she sits on the lawn chair next to me.

"Bella?" I say.

"The one and only", she grins.

"Whats up?" I ask. "Where's your family?"

"Dad's with Mr. Newton. Riley is flirting with Bree while Mom couldn't make it because she has a headache."

"Riley and Bree?"

She laughs. "Yeah. He claims he's in love. All the way here, he couldn't stop talking about that girl."

"Then I better talk to him!" I say.

"Why?" she quirks an eyebrow. "Don't tell me you've got something for teenagers?"

I shudder. "Hell no. She is younger than my own sister and I think of Bree and Lauren as my sisters as well. Brotherly intentions here. Nothing gross."

"You have a sister?" asks Bella. "I didn't know that. Is she here?"

"No... She died a while back."

"Oh God. I didn't know. I shouldn't have been so thoughtless." She sounds sincere.

"It's not your fault you didn't know." It isn't. She is new around here.

.

.

.

"I know how you feel Edward", says Bella.

I face her. "How do I feel about what?" I say lightly.

"Your sister's death."

"Let's not talk about that", I say quickly.

"We aren't. I'm just saying that I know how it feels to lose a loved one."

"It's difficult."

"Very difficult."

The party at the Newtons' will continue in the next drabble which I'll post as soon as this gets a few reviews. Blackmail, isn't it? Well, it's a win win situation for all of us here :P

So review, please? I'm asking nicely. We're 19 reviews away from a 100!