One chapter will talk about the past, one about the present until we reach the point where we began with the present. Confusing much? It keeps things interesting. ;)

Same disclaimer applies-Twilight belongs to S.M., but the idea of this story is mine.

Many thanks to my awesome betas and friends - TeamAllTwilight and m0t0b33. And to my newest help: Momma Laura.


October 2011

The party is so much calmer than what I anticipated, but of course, I have the New Year party as a memory. Nothing crazy happened back then, so why now?

I'm currently in a room, sipping from a glass and talking with a few people from the team.

Everyone knows that I'll leave Red Team for Green Team, thanks to James's announcement at the beginning of the party.

My actual teammates encourage me, saying that I'll be just fine on my own and to make sure to beat Edward's ass in the first project we get. They don't really like him, but he's an ass at work most of the time.

I wish he wouldn't be so uptight. Work is important, I know, but there's no need to try and kill someone with your looks every time they make a mistake.

I'm in the middle of defending him, saying that he's not that bad when there's a knock on the open door.

Edward.

He looks disheveled and angry.

"Can I speak to you, Isabella?"

One guy throws me a pointed look, and I roll my eyes, going to Edward.

"Yes. Something wrong?"

"Not here," he whispers, taking the glass from me and putting it away.

"We can't just leave!"

"Yes, we can," he insists. "Come on."

Well, it was good as long as it lasted.

"Is your sister okay?" I ask while I'm being pulled to the car.

"Don't talk to me about that little, annoying person! I want to strangle her."

Uh-huh.

What has she done?

Once in the car, Edward peels off before I even buckle the seatbelt.

"She's so fucking irresponsible! Seriously," he mutters.

"I still don't understand what happened," I tell him.

"Well, let me explain a thing about Victoria. She's worse than a teenage boy when it comes to dating. I don't know and I really don't want to know if she started having sex, but after what just happened at her school, I believe she's an expert."

"At sixteen?"

"She's seventeen, Bella."

Like that makes a difference.

"So what has she done?"

"The school's gossip chick heard noises from a bathroom stall, and she called a teacher. It could have been nothing," he mutters. "But, no. It turns out my stupid sister was going down on some senior. And she called me so that our parents don't hear anything about it."

Whoa.

"Does this really happen in high school?" I ask, shocked.

"Apparently. Anyway, she has a new one coming her way. I called Mom to come to my house where I drove Vic earlier."

"Edward!" I gasp.

"Don't say anything, Bella. She has to understand that what she did is beyond rude and all kinds of forbidden."

"Really, Edward? I mean, seriously?" I hiss. "You're trying to teach her a lesson—yes, I know it's not okay considering how young she is and that it happened in her high school bathroom—but need I remind you of the times we hid in the smoking room or even in your office? Edward, you can still lie to your mother. Victoria will be really punished for this. I bet you did your fair share of stupid stuff in high school and college," I say as I try to talk sense into him.

I really like his younger sister. I can consider her a friend even though she's so young and everything.

"Bella…"

I can feel his resolve crumbling.

"I sort of told Mom that Vic did something bad at school. And I know Victoria. If Mom made it there, she already told her because she would feel guilty. She'd tell her anyway, even though I'd lie now. They're really close."

Oh.

"I wouldn't know." I shrug. "My high school years were spent only with Dad, and he didn't really know what to do with a teenage girl. Around that time he started dating Sue, so yeah, I did what I wanted for most of the time, but I always minded the curfew and his house rules."

"Lucky you," he mumbles.

When we arrive at his house, there's Esme's Volvo parked askew making Edward grumble that she never parks normally, and he can't get his car in the garage. Not like I've seen him parking in the garage before—maybe a handful of times.

Once inside, we take the shoes off then walk into the living room where Mr. Cullen is pacing with his hands behind his back, Esme is on the couch fiddling with her wedding band, and Victoria is on her beanbag, coiled up looking like a human ball.

"Edward, at last!" Mr. Cullen exclaims. Then he sees me and smiles. "Oh, see what you've done! You not only embarrassed him at school, you interrupted his plans!" He turns on his daughter.

"Daddy, I said I'm sorry! It's Haley's fault for ratting me out!" Victoria whines.

"That's just…" Mr. Cullen shouts, raising his arms above his head. "Stop blaming that girl! It was you who was caught in a compromising position! It is you risking expulsion!"

Victoria burrows her face in her knees and starts sobbing.

Expelled?

I didn't think of that one, but it sounds legit.

But can't they do something?

"Can I ask something?" My voice is trembling horribly, especially when every member of their family looks at me.

"Yes," Victoria mumbles, wiping under her eyes. "You hate me, too. Don't you?"

I walk closer to her and crouch next to her. "No, I don't hate you. I'm just curious… Did you want…you know… you weren't there against your will?" I whisper.

This makes Esme gasp. "God, tell me she's not right! I didn't even think about it, sweetie!"

Victoria turns as red as her hair. "No, Mom. He is…or was…or whatever…my boyfriend. I willingly followed him to the boys' toilet."

"Wait!" Edward exclaims. "Men's room? You said another chick told on you."

"Yeah…" Victoria nods then her eyes widen. "Holy shiiiit! I'm so going to rip his dick off and shove it up his ass! He did this on purpose!"

I'm the only one laughing at her rage.

Mr. Cullen starts scolding her for such crude language, and then Esme interrupts him and starts questioning her about this boyfriend of hers.

It turns out that this boy has been dating that Haley girl, and he broke it off when Victoria started flirting with him. So now the girl wanted revenge. Typical high school drama.

In the end, in Esme's words, "We're putting away the odious act you committed, and first thing in the morning, we're going to the principal, and you're going to tell him what you just told us about that girl."

Subject closed, Esme starts ushering her family away to leave us alone, but we both insist on having them for dinner.

I have no idea why I offer such a thing considering I'm not even Edward's girlfriend.

Esme refuses, vehemently insisting on leaving. When they're all at the door, Mr. Cullen suddenly realizes how we're dressed. This makes us laugh, then laugh even harder when Victoria points out why her principal gave Edward dubious looks.

He huffs, folding his arms across his chest, making his muscles bulge out. "You mean you don't like having a pirate for a brother?"

"Of course! But tomorrow if you join us, wear something normal or your explanations won't be reliable. At all."

"Jack Sparrow is upset," Edward mumbles.

Giggling, Victoria slings her backpack around and looks through it for something. A moment later, she comes up with a lollipop. "If you ask nicely this is yours." She winks.

Edward's eyes light up.

Seriously?

For a lollipop?

He's so not living this down! Ever.

Taking his hat off, he turns it around and grins at his sister. "Trick or Treat?"

She cocks her head to the side, slowly unwrapping the candy then sticking in her mouth. "I guess it's just Trick this year."

"You little..." Edward hisses. "Mom, did you see that?" He looks at Esme with pleading eyes.

She shakes her head, guiding her daughter out.

Mr. Cullen pats his son's back, winking. "I bet Slob will share a treat with you if you play nice."

"I hate my family!" Edward shouts after them. "They're mean! I want candy. It's Halloween!"

"You have candy behind you, son," his father says amused before sliding in the car.

We stare in shock after the departing car.

After we close the door, Edward picks me up and carries me upstairs. "If you're candy, I'm gonna lick the shit out of you."

"That sounds nasty." I laugh, wrapping my fingers in his hair and kissing him deeply.

December 2011

My first project as the leader of my own team was a total disaster, but instead of being upset, I found it funny.

When Edward won, it wasn't a surprise, but he felt guilty and asked me out that night. I kept saying no, because I was aware we've never gone somewhere alone…just the two of us.

I guess he got tired of me saying no, because right now, we're parked in front of a restaurant.

I thought he was taking me home, but apparently we're having dinner at some fancy restaurant.

Alone.

Like a date.

"What's this, Edward?" I ask, not comfortable in this place.

He frowns, helping me out of the car. "Do you know what today is?"

I shrug. "Tuesday."

"The date, Bella. Yeah, I didn't think so, or you'd have said something."

"What? I don't get it."

He walks me to the entrance of the restaurant. "It's our one year anniversary."

"Our…what?" I screech. "Back up a second. We're not dating!"

"Then what do you call this?" Edward asks, cocking an eyebrow at me. "I think the lines between fucking and a little more got blurred along the way."

"Edward…" My mouth is suddenly dry.

"Please, accept this night out." He's begging me with his huge green eyes, and I can't say no.

Inclining my head, I allow him to escort me inside. We've been out like this a million times, but it's always with the team in the past.

I don't like this one bit, but my stomach keeps churning, and my chest is tight. I can't breathe.

We're led to a table in a secluded spot.

Jeez.

Edward orders a glass of whiskey on the rocks, and I blurt out about needing a long martini. I need a dozen to get a grip on myself.

"Bella, if you don't want to label this, think of it as dinner between two supervisors, sharing thoughts on the last project."

I play with the edge of the table cloth, avoiding his eyes, thinking of what to say.

I know this isn't merely fucking—it stopped being that a long time ago.

The waiter brings us the drinks, and after glancing at me, Edward orders today's special. Whatever that is.

I doubt I can stomach anything.

"Bella, please. Since I saw you then…when you…bit my ass. Fuck, woman. Then we had that memorable night together…"

"Edward, it's changed. I know," I blurt out, drinking half of my glass. "I'm not good at this. Relationships…"

He reaches across the table and covers my hand. "Like I am. You know how my last relationship ended. Please, can we just try…and see what happens?"

I giggle nervously. "We're already kinda doing it."

"True, but officially? I'd like to date you."

"Edward… I don't want to blame James's rule, and I won't. But I think it's best if you keep this as it is. Sure, if you need to label it…do it, just not…I don't know when it changed."

"Before it started. We have such good chemistry."

I swallow dryly.

There's an awkward pause—which is only his fault!

We never had awkward moments.

Why did he have to go and say we should date?

Why did he decide December thirteenth is our anniversary?

Ugh.

I want to kill him, but at the same time, I want to straddle his lap right here in the restaurant and stake my claim.

This relationship of ours gets more complicated by the minute.


I'm sure you didn't expect that from Victoria.

As for the last part...let me hear your thoughts on how silly they both are!