Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who is still reading this or new to reading it. Hope you like this chapter.

CHAPTER 19: Play Ball!

"You can't be serious, Alice?" I scoff.

"And what makes you think I'm joking?" she looks offended.

"Well, I…I…" was all I manage to say. "Well, look at me! C'mon, Alice, you know me. I'll either end up injuring myself or killing someone. Do you really want that on your conscious?" Sounding convincing was never my forte but it never hurt to try. She shoves me toward the bathroom in my room while throwing various garments into my arms in the process. I stop as soon as she thinks I'd voluntarily keep moving in the same direction. Alice moves on to another set of wardrobe while thinking I will follow her commands. But—I don't think so. I take the pile of clothes I'm holding and sit them down in a chair and shake my head.

"Bella!" she now looks aghast. "What are you doing?"

"Alice! I don't want to go! I mean…I'll go, but I'm not playing."

"Everyone will be participating!" she whines. "There will be enough people on each team and you'll probably only end up going once. Tops!" The Hobbit even tries to do the 'cross my heart' sign, which I'm not buying.

"Why do you want me to play so badly?" I eye her suspiciously.

She roll her eyes. "Don't give me that. You need to be a little more social while you're here. We only have a few weeks left in Volterra and you barely have any great stories to take back home with you. Enjoy yourself a little. Loosen up. Relax! Do something that's not so…stressful." She smiles to herself when she thinks she's found the right word.

I chuckle. "And what have I been doing that's been so stressful?"

Alice throws her hands up. "Okay, fine! Something that's not so stressful to me."

"What?"

"Bella," she gently squeezes my arm, "I can tell you're not happy here so I wanted to try to cheer you up a little, something that will brighten your mood and forget about whatever it is that's on your mind." Alice gives me a sympathetic half-smile and walks back to the racks she's fiddling with earlier. Have her and Jacob been talking because they're both starting to sound really strange lately. Of course I wasn't happy here but I didn't realize how obvious I was. Too much has happened since my first day in Volterra and explaining it all to Alice seems like such a task and I'm not up for the challenge right now. I'm still trying to take this time and accept the way things are between me and Edward.

I softly laugh as genuinely as I can. "And what's with the concern with me all of a sudden?"

My pixie-haired friend comes back to me with a sad smile, "Because I don't want you to leave."

"Leave…?"

The thought has crossed my mind on several occasions but every time I try to pack, I can't bring myself to do it. It's a stubborn reaction on my part even though I don't understand why. The excuse I keep giving myself is Jacob's still here and I can't just up and leave before he does. However, if he wasn't here and I did depart early, I highly doubt anyone would notice.

"I just don't want you to leave with any regrets, you know?" she smiles warmly at me.

"I won't," I half-smile back. Alice is right though. If I leave the way I did now, I would be carrying these disheartening feelings home with me and nothing would change. When I return to LA, I want to feel at ease and happy that I had the opportunity to be here. Glancing at the clothes on the chair, a tinge of guilt hits me. Alice continues to sort through the garments she's placed in my room without paying much attention to me. Sighing, I pick up the clothes and march slowly to the bathroom. I look back and glare at her. She stares back with a satisfied grin.

Baseball is not my thing.

By the time we get onto the field that Aro reserved for us, I begin mentally kicking myself in the head for allowing Alice to convince me to play this game. I suck at sports! And everything else for that matter. I'm once again about to make a complete fool out of myself and in front of my uncle's entire staff working on the movie. Everyone's been working so hard on set that he decided to stop production for the day and allow the crew and actors to enjoy a day to bond and have fun. There were a few sun breaks and Alice somehow predicted today would be a good day for the game.

A ballot was handed out a couple of weeks ago on which activity everyone wants to do and baseball—for some reason—is the winner. Apparently, there are big baseball fans among the crowd. Surprisingly enough so were the Cullen clan. I can't imagine Alice playing in a sandbox as a kid, let alone baseball. She says she wasn't bad as an outfielder but prefers to be the pitcher. Now this…I had to see!

"Oh, look, there's everyone!" she points excitedly. I see four groups of people dressed in different outfits marking which team they belong to. We head for the team with the same yellow and white outfits as us. The other team colors are red and white, blue and white, and green and white. Whichever teams won in the two separates games would face off in the championship.

My hands start clamming up and I suddenly don't feel so great. "Alice…I have a bad feeling about this."

"You'll be fine. Stop worrying!"

"I don't want to embarrass those people, especially since they have no idea how disastrous I can be," I say a little quieter as we near the team.

Alice stops to face me. She places her hands on my shoulders and sighs. "Bella. The most important thing is that you're here and no matter what happens at least you tried. That's all I want from you today—is to try. Can you pleasejust do that for me?"

"Yes," I hesitantly nod.

"Besides, there are first aid kits available," she chuckles.

"Har...har," I roll my eyes with a smile.

"Hurry up you two! By the time you get here we would have already won this thing!" Jacob calls over to us. He's anxious to get started. He's always been the athletic type and got a ride here with Jasper.

As Alice and I jog over to our team, I see Edward in the corner of my eye. He's playing catch with Emmett while trying to look our way discreetly. He, Emmett, and Rosalie are on the blue and white team. Even Rosalie, I'm amazed is playing. She seems like the stay on the bleachers in sunglasses kind of person. But she has the full gear on with the baseball cap and her hair tied back in a ponytail, rotating the metal baseball bat around in her hand. She no longer appears to be the bossy, demanding, prissy type at all. Rosalie looks like she means business and if I thought she was intimidating before, I'd surely sleep now with one eye open.

"Here's the roster." Jacob hands me a copy while Alice glides over to Jasper for a kiss. I notice he's wearing the same uniform as Edward's team. My team consists of Jacob, Alice, myself, and some crew members. Jacob isn't a part of the cast or crew and well, frankly, neither am I, but we are the two exceptions. The blue and white team has Edward, Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper. The green and white team has Mike and Jessica, and the red and white team has Angela and Riley.

"Jasper, you're not on our team?" I ask.

"No," Alice answers for him, frowning.

Jasper just smiles at her. "You actually have a lot of good players on your team. We want to keep the playing field even between everyone."

"Even? Hardly…" Alice snorts.

"What do you mean?" I ask curiously. Jacob quietly scoffs at my question while he continues his stretching exercises on the grass.

"Jasper was an All-star in high school. Edward's batting record was one of the highest in college, and Rosalie's been playing softball since she was little. Yeah—real fair," Alice pokes her boyfriend. "Edward, Emmett and Rose can be pretty competitive, too." I can't help feel intimidated by the players on the blue and white team. And no wonder why Rosalie looks determined to win.

"Yeah, well…they're not the only competitive players," Jacob stands up. "If they think they're going to win this, then they'd better think again." He glances at Edward and Emmett then back at us. "Like Jasper said, we also got a pretty good lineup. One of the guys was about to go pro a few years ago and we got the best coach out of the all the teams."

"Don't forget Alice," Jasper points out. Jacob and I look at Alice who is grinning mischievously.

"I'm going to make them run for their money…" she grins even wider. I have no idea what that means but I guess the Hobbit is going to be our secret weapon for winning. After about ten more minutes of people inter-mingling, Aro finally appears on the field and blows a whistle very loudly to get our attention. It just occurred to me how big this field really is. How did he even find this place? It's secluded and big enough for an outdoor concert. He blows his whistle again and takes the mic that someone hands him.

"Hello, everyone! I just want to firstly say that you are all doing a terrific job on the set! Every one of you has contributed to this project and you have my deepest gratitude. It's not easy bringing two foreign crews together with the challenge of working well and communicating effectively, but I am happy to say that we've made great progress in that area." He then switches gears and starts talking in Italian for the crew who are based here in Italy that didn't understand English very well. Aro always sounds more passionate when he speaks in his native tongue. "I thought it would also be a great opportunity to have everyone bond—the American crew and Italian crew—in a friendly game of baseball! Given that this is an American sport, the Italians know how it's played and are excited to participate. As you know, the two winning teams will play against each other for the championship, and whoever is the winner of thatgame will receive a very special surprise from me so everyone do your best! We'll take a two hour break in between for lunch then resume the final game."

After finishing off in Italian, he has everyone break into their sides of the field. Aro randomly picks which teams will first play against each other by writing the team color on a piece of paper and drawing it from a hat. We are playing against the red and white team that has Angela and Riley. I feel relieved because I'd be a nervous wreck if Edward actually has to witness me play up close. There are nets placed around the baseball area, too, so homerun balls didn't go astray into the streets. A yellow line is marked far into the designated areas so if a ball passes that mark, even if someone catches it, it would still be considered a homerun. The crew even spent time covering a portion of the field with actual dirt to make things appear more authentic. It's almost like another movie set they put together.

I finally get a good look at the roster Jacob handed me earlier and relax because I'm last in the lineup. He most likely helped put this together knowing what a great player I was. Ha! I roll my eyes at my disgraceful talent in everything and search the field. I'm not looking for anyone or anything in particular, just darting my eyes around to see what everyone else is doing as far as preparing for their game. People are still in small conversations and stretching. Alice is on her phone texting Jasper even though he's only a few yards away from us.

The sun is also bright today. I have to shield my eyes with my hand to see across the field at the other teams who are starting. When I finally avert my vision to a different part of the field, that's when it happened. I catch Edward staring at me. He's twirling the end of the metal bat in hand, almost like it was a baton, just looking at me. His eyes seem distant but I know it was me he's focusing on until someone calls his name. He nods, not bothering to look my way again, and approaches the plate. He's actually the first at bat.

"See anything interesting over there?" The sudden voice by my ear makes me jump.

"Dangit, Jacob!" I lightly hit him in the arm. "You scared me!"

He merely laughs and points with his head toward the other field. "I see Cullen is up to bat. He still looks like a blood sucker to me. I'm surprised he hasn't melted in the sun or something."

"Will you stop that?" I glare at him. "Alice and Emmett are the same complexion as him and I don't see you saying anything about them?"

"Emmett's gotten a little more color on him since that one time I saw him. And Alice…well…it looks natural on her," he shrugs.

"Natural?" I raise an eyebrow. Was he joking? I'm pretty pale myself but not like the Cullen siblings. But they did look somewhat out of place with the darker olive tones of the Italians.

"Well, whatever. Let's see what Cullen's got." Jacob crosses his arms, waiting for Edward's first hit. The pitcher shakes his head at the first suggestion of the catcher then finally nods for the pitch he wants to give. He throws Edward a fast ball that he doesn't even swing for.

"Ball!" the Umpire calls.

Edward takes a step back after the first throw and stretches his shoulders before stepping back near the plate again. His expression changes, looking more determined, and so did the pitcher. I swear he even has a little cocky grin on his face. The pitcher lets the second pitch go, which Edward times and hit perfectly. He hesitates to run to first base until he sees the ball pass the yellow mark signaling it was a homerun. His team cheers while he jogs around the diamond plate. He bows his head and smiles, getting high-fives and pats on the back from his teammates. When he sees I'm still staring at him, I quickly turn back to my own game that I haven't been paying attention to.

"Eh…not bad," Jacob gives him a small sense of praise. "My turn."

I was so busy watching Edward that I barely notice our leader board. We already have a homerun of our own and now, it's Jacob's turn to bat. "Good luck, Jake! Get that homerun!" we cheer for him. Edward's probably watching our game as well to see how well we do. Jacob didn't get a home run but he did make it to first base with a steal to second, which gets him a round of hoots from our team. Baseball for me is fun to watch but not play. I'd sometimes sit with Charlie and watch the Seattle Mariner games on television with him when he isn't out fishing with Harry Clearwater—and that's as close as I got to the game.

After our two homeruns in it was now the red and white team's turn to bat. Alice is jumping up and down because she's finally able to get on the pitcher's mound. "Really, Alice?" I chuckle at her.

"Oh, yes!" she gives a cheesy grin back. "This will be a quick inning."

Alice takes her place on the mound, waiting for the first batter and the catcher's first signal of which kind of pitch to give. Once she nods, her smile disappears and Alice turns into a whole 'nother person. Her form and the way she throws the ball is as if she was a professional who has been doing this for years. The batter swings and misses. "Strike one!" says the Umpire.

"Whoa!" I turn to Jacob, who tries to seem unimpressed. But even he looks surprised at the petite, little girl out there. As a matter of fact, everyone s shocked to find out that someone so small and girlie like her could pitch like that. She's normally of course this bouncy little thing but up there, in her little area, she's focused and can't be shaken. After three quick strikes from the first batter, she doesn't even blink or smile once—only raises an eyebrow as if to say, "What? That's it?" And as she predicts, this inning is over quickly.

The other game across the field seems to be going well in the blue and white team's favor as well. We're up by three homeruns and Edward's team by two. Rosalie is a machine every time she goes up to bat. The pitcher always looks stressed out whenever she's at the plate. The players out in the field also keep alert since they haven't been able to get her out yet. Rosalie, Emmett, Jasper, and Edward are really the ones carrying their team to victory. Emmett always has a smirk on his lips during his turn, and Jasper would do fancy tricks with his bat before he actually steps to the plate. They all make it look so easy!

Both games are almost over so that gives little time for the opposing teams to catch up unless they're able to knock out homeruns within the allotted time. I batted twice—both times struck out. I keep praying that I didn't hit anyone with my bat or fall face first into the dirt. I tried my best and thankfully no one has yet been injured by me.

"Bella, you are up," says our coach.

"What?" I give him a puzzling look. I know there's still one person before me, but honestly, I wasn't paying that much attention to our game because I'm still discreetly watching Edward's. Everything about him out there is perfect.

"Jericho twisted his ankle in the last game so he is sitting this last inning out," he explains.

I blink widely. "Last inning?"

"Yes. You are the last to bat." I glance in Edward's direction again and see they just finished their game. The teams are already shaking hands in a single file line. "Bella?"

"Huh?" I stare nervously at the coach who looks very curious about my behavior. "I—I don't think I can do this. I'm not very good! Can't someone just go in my place?" I beg but he just shakes his head.

"Do not worry, you will be fine. Just try your best!" he smiles encouragingly. He hands me a bat and helmet and gently nudges me to the plate. Because the other teams are finished, they decide to watch me make a complete idiot out of myself. Now that I have Edward's full attention, I become even more nervous.

"You got this, Bells!" Jacob's trying to be supportive but we both know I'm terrible at this game. I glance at Alice who looks a little worried but smiles reassuringly nonetheless. Also glancing over at Edward again is out of the question because I can already feel his eyes boring into my back, watching me intently.

My hands are shaking as I hold firmly onto the metal bat, letting the pitcher know I'm ready. But it feels so heavy in my hands like my arms are jelly. Even if I get a strike we will still win this game so that didn't worry me. It was the fact that everyone is watching is what gets me in a panic. The pitcher finally nods at the catcher and lets a curve ball fly, which of course I miss. The ball zooming in my direction barely has time to register in my brain. "Strike one!" says the Umpire.

"C'mon, Bella! You can do this!" Alice claps for more encouragement. All the bases are loaded so the players are also counting on me. No sweat…

I gulp and wait for the next pitch. It's a fast ball. "Strike two!"

"Just close your eyes and focus, Bella!" Jacob yells out to me. Okay, I think I can do that? It's the last pitch so I thought I'd better make it count. Or least try like my life depends on it. I close my eyes, take a deep breath and set my eyes on the ball. It comes at me in slow motion like the whole world around me has disappeared in a blur. I see the ball so clearly in my sights. I briefly shut my eyes and swing. Then freeze. Suddenly the world is back to normal and people are yelling at me. Why are they yelling? I tried my best! I look at my teammates who are flailing their arms and jumping up and down like crazy.

"Bella! Run!" Jacob and Alice's voice finally burst in my ears. What? I look out toward the field and see the ball rolling in between players trying to scoop it up in their gloves. My teammate that is on third base running to home plate tries telling me the same thing. Immediately, I drop the bat and run to first base as fast as my feet will carry me. The ball is coming toward the player on first base and I know I don't have a chance.

"Slide, Bella, slide!" I hear. I've never slid before in my entire life but I was going to attempt it today. Just when I thought I had it, I trip on my feet, losing my balance into an ungraceful stance that sends me flying to first base on my side, pretty much colliding with the other player who gets knocked over. And that's all I remember.

A few minutes later I feel something cold on the side of my head, which is throbbing with pain. I have to blink several times to get my vision to focus on my surroundings. I'm in the shade somewhere and no longer in the dirt. I slowly sit up, feeling woozy, in the foldable bed I'm on.

"Easy, dear…"

"Aro?" I ask groggily, looking at the person next to me who I didn't notice there before.

He takes the ice pack from my head and caresses my cheek with a smile. "Aro?"

"Sorry, uncle…" I blush. I forgot that I only call him 'uncle' to his face like I did with my dad, Charlie. "What happened?"

"Well," he sighs, "after your run to first base your head hit Felicio's shoe when you fell. Your helmet had fallen off and you blacked out upon impact. Felicio's alright. Just got the wind knocked out of him a little."

I touch the sore spot on my head and wince. "Typical," I breathe.

"The doctor says you'll be fine with no major injuries, but you'll have rest for a while."

"Did we win at least?" I ask, still trying to control the room spinning around me.

Aro smiles again and nods. "Yes, you did. Your team will be going up against the blue and white team in a few minutes."

I'm confused by his words. "In a few minutes? How long was I unconscious for?"

He takes my hand and squeezes it. "I'm afraid you've been out of commission for nearly two hours."

"Two hours!" I stare at him in disbelief, the pulsing pain resonating in my head again. That means I knocked out right after our game and slept through the two hour lunch break! And the doctor says I'm fine? Unbelievable. My head must be made of bricks.

"You also slept like a baby," Jacob's voice enters the tent I'm recuperating under. He has a goofy grin on his face. "But that was some hit, Bells."

"Yeah…and look at where it got me," I roll my eyes.

"I'll leave you two alone," Aro kisses my hand and leaves.

"So…I heard we made it to the championship."

Jacob nods, sitting down next to me. "Sure did. We're up against the 'All-stars'," he chuckles.

"I hope we win," I reply quietly. My brain isn't fully functioning yet and I'm still feeling tired, even though I was out for so long.

"We will. I'll make sure we win for you," he smile.

"Thanks, Jake…"

He stands up and looks out toward the field. "They're getting ready to start the game." I can't bring my head up all the way to see what he's looking at since every inch of me still feels heavy like I have sandbags tied around my body.

"Good luck. I'll be fine here. Don't worry about me..."

"Don't be ridiculous, Bella. We're not leaving you alone by yourself."

I furrow my eyebrows at my best friend, who sits back down so I can see him more clearly. "Well, then…how are you going to win for me?"

And that's when he smirks again. "I didn't say I was the one keeping an eye on you."

"Huh?"

"I am…" another voice enters the room. No…it can't be? "You should get going, Jacob. I think your team is out in field first."

"Take care of her for me," he instructs before running out of the open tent.

"I will." What on earth is going on? My heart rate is off the charts and no way did I want to look up to see him standing before me. But, he eventually sits down slowly with a plate of food. "Hungry?"

Hungry? I was starving! Without a word, I quietly pick up the cheese sandwich. "Thank you," I half-smile quietly.

"How are you feeling?"

"Fantastic…" I answer sarcastically.

Edward slightly chuckles. "Well…you look great."

I know he's also being sarcastic but his words still make me blush. I clear my throat and put the half-eaten sandwich back on the plate. "You're not participating?"

"Nah…" he shakes his head. "Between Emmett, Rose and Jasper, they'll be fine without me. Besides, you need my services more right now." Services? Did he mean he's going to be my man-servant until I'm fully recovered? It's an entertaining idea but we all know that it wasn't going to happen. Still, the thought did make me blush again—a habit I've developed around him. He must have noticed since his grin grows a little wider. "You should eat some more. Gather your strength back."

"I'm really not very hungry…"

"Well, at least drink some water." He opens the bottled water he also brought and hands it to me. It's still dripping wet from being in the cooler. The cool liquid feels good going down my throat and I finish more than half the bottle. Edward gives another soft chuckle.

"I didn't realize how thirsty I was," I say sheepishly.

"I can get you more, don't worry," he grins.

"You really don't have to take care of me, you know?"

Edward shakes his head, his grin never faltering. "Are we back to this again?"

"I don't need much looking after. I can just sleep until the game is over." I'm probably safer sleeping anyway. There isn't much I can do in my condition either so there's little chance of me making my situation any worse. But it feels good to talk to him again after weeks of avoiding him. But, the ache in my heart is still there with thoughts of him and Tanya together. I'm surprised she's not here cheering him on. However, she didn't seem like the outdoors, fresh air, and getting dirty kind of person.

"What's the matter?" He puts the plate down on the floor and examines me.

"Nothing. Just feeling light-headed still."

"I'll take you home." Edward stands up and extends his arms down to me.

"What? No…I'm fine." He's being a bit extreme. If the doctor says I'm going to be okay, then I'm sure this feeling will pass.

"The game just started and this really isn't an ideal place for someone with a concussion. It's better that you rest in your own bed so that you're not disturbed. C'mon. Emmett and Rosalie can get a ride back with Alice." I try arguing with him but to no avail. I just didn't have it in me right now. And the sound of my own bed did sound enticing. After my short fit of stubbornness, I wrap my arms around his for support and walk out of the tent. I wait for Edward while he explains the situation to Emmett, who hands him the keys to their rental. Rosalie didn't seem too thrilled by the idea, glaring my way, but she didn't say a word or stop him.

He also makes sure to drive slowly in case my headache became worst, asking me now and again if I was okay. "I'm fine…stop worrying so much!" His concern for my well-being is sweet but it also gets old and quite annoying. I don't understand why he's being so over-protective again. I wasn't that fragile. But then again, it's nice to see the old Edward I know.

"So, how have you been?" he suddenly asks. "We haven't…talked in a while."

It's because you've been so busy with your girlfriend! "Umm…okay…just been hanging out with Jacob while he's in town."

He nods with his sights still on the road. It feels weird to talk about Jacob around him from the way his demeanor changes when they're around each other. Even mentioning him, Edward gives off a strange vibe. I laugh at the idea that he's jealous or threatened by him. Why would he be? He has Tanya. "How long is he here for?" he asks.

"Jake leaves on Monday."

"I see," he finally glances my way and briefly smiles. "You two seem pretty close."

"Yeah, I love him." I blurt my words out without even giving what I said any thought! It's just a natural thing for me to say when it came to Jacob because I did love him, but not in the way Edward probably thought I meant it. He's my best friend and is always there for me. "I mean—"

"No, that's nice," he cuts me off. "He seems to really care about you, too." His smile doesn't reach his eyes. They seem distant when he looks at me again. "We're here, let me help you out."

"Okay…" is all I can say. I want to explain myself but was there really a need? We walk silently into the house as he leads me upstairs to my room.

"Let me know if you need anything," he half-smiles.

"You don't have to stay, Edward. I'm sure you'd rather be back at the game. There's still plenty of time for you to play." I'm feeling low after how he must have taken what I said about Jacob. However, I no longer have the energy to even correct myself. The car ride and walking up the stairs made me feel dizzier. He most likely will object, knowing him, but I have to make the offer.

"I kind of lost my interest in the game. I'll see you around…" he gives a short nod and leaves without waiting for a reply from me. I watch him until he disappears down the stairwell, into the shadows where the sun hides him.

I try to hold back the tears that are threatening to fall, my lips quivering at his retreating form. I sniffle, trying to gather myself to be strong about it. No. There's no need to explain anything to him. This is just how things are between us and I have to finally accept it.

Author's Note: Well, at least they sort of started talking again? Oh, the angst! LOL. It'll get better between them. I promise. :)

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