A/N: Okay, so I should probably explain why I haven't updated in so long, but I'll do that at the end. Instead I'll say; I'm not happy with this chapter. I had a lot of trouble with it because it's mostly dialogue and it's not very exciting, but it needed to be done so I could move on in the story. So I'm sorry about that. Secondly, it's very short, I'm sorry! I could have added more but I wanted this part to be on its own because it just didn't fit with the next chapter ;P And THIRDLY, there's probably a billion mistakes because I didn't even have time to proof read it and it hasn't been beta-ed. Mostly because I just want to get this out as fast as possible. I promise the next one will be better!

Also, this is dedicated to my friend Nikita, who I wish wouldn't read this ;)

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

Interrogations

The week that followed was… interesting, to say the least. Things were not perfect between Bella and I – far from it – but it was certainly an improvement from the pervious week.

All of us – Bella, Emmett, Alice, Jasper, Rosalie and I – spent most days together, not to mention most nights. On the nights when Bella and Rosalie had to work we would eat at their restaurant, keeping them company. Rose certainly didn’t object to spending more time with Emmett. Now that they were officially a “couple” they were inseparable. I envied my brother slightly for being able to jump into relationships so quickly.

Bella and I still had our awkward moments, but as I got to know her more and more those moments came much less often. We were thrown together so much that I found myself spending the majority of my time with her – something I’m sure neither of us had expected.

One evening I found myself sitting alone in the Masen’s garden, reading. It felt unusual to be by myself; I had become accustomed to having so many people around me. Alice had dragged Jasper shopping and they were planning on heading back to her house afterwards. I had quickly learned to keep my opinions on shopping to myself around Alice. How such a tiny girl could make so much noise was beyond me. Rose was working tonight, and Emmett, as infatuated as he was, had tagged along as usual. I hadn’t seen Bella all day, and I found that I missed her company.

I shook my head, trying to suppress the small smile that formed on my face every time I thought of her. How different things were now, I thought to myself. So much had changed in such a short space of time.

I looked up from my book when I heard a twig snap. Making her way over to me from her backyard was the very person I couldn’t get out my head. She smiled timidly when she noticed my gaze and I returned it sheepishly.

“Hi,” said Bella breathlessly when she was two feet away.

“Hi,” I breathed, never tearing my eyes from her face. It was always like this; our greetings. One little word meant so much. It meant a truce, it meant friendship, and it meant forgetting our shaky start.

“Do you want to sit with me?” I asked. Gesturing to the empty garden chair beside me.

She nodded and sat down, resting her head against the cushions. Her long hair was down and part of it fell over the back of the chair. I resisted the urge to run my fingers through it.

“How are you?” she asked, eyes searching my face.

“Fine. You?”

“I’m great…” she paused, as if wanting to say something else. She took a deep breath. “Edward?”

“Hm?”

“What are your parents like?”

Her question surprised me. I stared into the distance, watching the setting sun disappear behind the horizon.

“My parents? They’re… they’re great. Esme and Carlisle, they’re really really great. They put up with so much from me. My mom is one of the most loving people I’ve ever met. My dad – I’m constantly learning from him. Without even realizing it – or maybe he does, I’m not sure – he’s always teaching me something. Now don’t get me wrong,” I chuckled “They drive me absolutely insane sometimes. But… I know they only do it because they care.” I looked up at Bella, trying to figure out what she was thinking. “Why do you ask?”

“I feel like I know nothing about you.” She shrugged.

“You’ve been getting to know me for the past week.” I pointed out.

“Oh I know the simple things…” she scoffed. “How old you are, where you grew up, who your favorite power ranger was…” she smiled. “But I don’t… I don’t know Edward. I have no idea what you’re into you, what kind of music you listen to, what you want to do when you’re older, what your favorite book is…” she trailed off and glanced at the cover of the book I was reading. “The Goldbug Variations? Any good?”

I smiled, “I don’t know yet, I’m only on chapter three.”

I pondered her comment for a moment. “Okay, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll ask a question about you, you’ll ask a question about me… and we’ll take it in turns.”

“You have to be a hundred percent honest though.” She replied with a meaningful gaze.

She really could see right through me.

“We each have two vetoes then.” I countered.

Bella raised one eyebrow before finally nodding in agreement.

“Fine. I’ll go first then, will I?” she asked softly.

I nodded.

“Favorite color?” she asked simply.

I raised my eyebrows but answered “Green.”

She nodded and I knew it was my cue to ask her a question.

“Favorite food?”

“Lasagne. Or anything Italian really.” She grinned before thinking of her next question.

“What do you want to be when you’re older?”

“A musician. I want to play piano,” I answered automatically. “Well, that’s the dream. My dad’s always telling me I should have something to fall back on though. He’s right I suppose,” I shrugged. “Playing piano is hardly going to have steady income.”

I looked up at Bella, who, surprisingly, had an expression of pure fascination on her face. “Your dad’s a doctor, right? He didn’t want to you to “follow in his footsteps”?”

I shrugged, “He’s supportive of whatever I choose.”

It could have just been the light, or even my imagination but I could have sworn I saw a wishful smile grace her features. “It’s your turn to ask one.” She finally said.

“Same question you asked me.”

She cringed and looked away from me. “Can I veto this one? It’s too embarrassing.”

“Oh come on,” I laughed. “It can’t be that bad. Besides, who knows what I might ask later… You might need your vetoes…” I grinned playfully.

“Fine.” Sighed Bella. “I – I want to be a writer…” she mumbled almost incoherently.

“Why is that embarrassing?” I asked, utterly confused.

“Because it’ll never happen. I’m not very good and it’s impossible to get published these days.”

"And your parents don't approve." I deduced.

"No. Not really. Well, my mom more than my dad. Charlie says I can "be whatever I want to be". My mom is a different story. She wants me to become a teacher. She teaches atthe local elementary school. She can't see why I don't want to do the same. She thinks I should just settle for a "safe" job." She smiled, no happiness present. "She doesn't really understand. I love my mom, I do. But she can be close-minded about some things. A lot of things, actually." she finished thoughtfully.

"Like what?" I asked, curious.

"Marriage. Dating before you're thirty-five." she snorted.

"Ah, so I take it she doesn't approve when you dates home?"

She flushed red at this. “Nope, not answering. That counts as another question. My turn.” She sat up straighter in her seat and leaned forward slightly. “Why did you come here for the summer?”

My grin faded. “Veto.”

She seemed to notice the sudden change in my demeanour because she didn’t push the subject. However her question sparked some curiosity in me. “Do you date a lot?”

She blushed and looked down. I could tell she was considering using a veto. “Not really,” She mumbled, embarrassed. “I had a sort-of-serious boyfriend when I was fiteen, but I haven't dated much since. I’ve never found anyone I’ve clicked with, you know?”

I nodded in agreement; only realising how true her statement was at that particular moment. Had I really clicked with Tanya? No, a tiny voice inside my head said.

“Yeah.” I replied, still thinking about this recent revelation. Did Tanya and I even have anything in common? Did she even treat me as anything other than her taxi driver?

“Hello, earth to Edward?” called Bella, waving a hand in front of my face. “Sorry to wake you, but I have my next question ready.”

And so it continued. We asked each other about everything. From school to music, from books to politics, from our families to vacations we’d been on – everything.

I felt oddly comfortable around Bella – like I could tell her about anything. Anything except my relationship with Tanya of course. There was no need to drag her into it. It would be pointless.

That’s what I tried to tell myself anyway. Truthfully, I was in two minds about whether I should come clean or not. Part of me knew it was wrong keeping it from her, while the other part, the part currently in the lead, told me to keep quiet.

Bella had one veto left, having used one when asked about her most embarrassing moment as a child. I also had one left, having used none since her question about why I had come to Phoenix in the first place.

“Okay, what was your most embarrassing moment as a child?” said Bella, grinning. She was more relaxed than I had ever seen her.

“Lets just say it involved a few “friends” in my class, a Valentines Day card, and my fourth grade teacher.” I replied, laughing.

“Oh you can’t just leave me with that! What happened?”

“Well, these so called “friends” of mine sent a Valentines Day card to our, might I add, very pretty fourth grade teacher, signing my name at the bottom.” I shook my head, chuckling. “She called me back after class and, thinking I was in love with her, decided to explain about why we “couldn’t happen”. It was awful; she kept talking about how I was a “lovely young man” but that she just wasn’t right for me. I had to stand there and listen while she patted me on the shoulder, feeling sorry for me.” I shivered at the thought. “It wouldn’t have been so bad if her husband wasn’t the principal.”

“No!” Bella gasped, hand over her mouth, trying to hide her laughter.

“I’m guessing she mentioned something at home because the next day I was called into his office. I don’t remember exactly what he said, I was too busy trying not to die of embarrassment, but I think it had a lot to do with fish… and babies.”

By this time Bella could no longer hide her amusement. She was bent over, clutching her side while she shook with laughter.

I lay back in my chair, waiting for her laughter to subside. When it finally did she straightened up, biting her lip. “Okay, sorry, I swear I’m done.”

I didn’t mind too much, she was adorable when she laughed. I bit my own lip to prevent myself from voicing this thought.

The questioning went on for what must have been hours. I hadn’t noticed the sky gradually turning black until she pointed it out.

“Wow,” she said, glancing at her watch. “We’ve been talking for nearly four hours. Look.” She pointed to something in the sky.

I followed her gaze until I was met with the sight of a full moon. I was about to comment on this when the sound of a door slamming interrupted me.

“EDWARD ANTHONY CULLEN, GET IN HERE NOW!” shouted a high-pitched voice. Both Bella and I turned our heads sharply in the direction of the voice.

Alice Brandon was standing outside the French doors of the Masen’s house. And she did not look happy.

“I think you’re in trouble.” Said Bella, getting up and patting my shoulder. The knowing look on her face made me instantly wary.

“Think it’s too late to run?” I asked, only half kidding. Getting up I followed Bella over to Alice, who upon seeing us up strolled inside, leaving the doors open behind her.

When we reached the kitchen I was surprised to find the entire group gathered there. Emmett was leaning against the counter, one arm behind Rosalie who was perched on top of the marble. Jasper was seated on a chair beside the table, and seeing me come in shook his head in a way that said, “It was nice knowing you, buddy.”

“You screamed, Alice?” I asked her calmly when she turned round to face me.

“Why didn’t you tell me it was your birthday in two days?” spat Alice. “This leaves me absolutely no time to plan anything! Do you not want to have a party?”

“Not particularly, no.” I had to admit; I was a tiny bit afraid. The little pixie’s eyes were practically bulging out of their sockets, and at my comment her jaw dropped.

“What did you say?” she seethed.

“Rookie mistake.” I heard Rosalie whisper to Emmett.

“Alice I don’t want any fuss. I don’t need a party.” I replied.

Alice’s face immediately softened, her eyes losing their menacing appearance. She stepped towards me and snaked an arm around my waist.

“Edward,” she said, smiling. “If you didn’t want a party,” her smile grew wider. “You became friends with the wrong person.”

So yeah, that's that! Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up soon (and it will be better, I swear). The reason this took 3 weeks (apart from the fact that I'm a horrible person) is because I was on in Italy for a week and then at a 3 day music festival straight afterwards. Then I was working everyday this week and literally had no time to do anything. I had planned on updating the night before I went but I just wasn't able to write anything :P If anyone wants a detailed (ish) account of my holiday/3 days at Oxegen (music festival) head over to my livejournal ;P There's a link in my profile.

Oh and BTW, I'm reading The Goldbug Variations at the moment, which is why I put that in. I'm only on about chapter three, though, like Edward ;P It's good so far though, so you should read it.

So uh, even though this is sucky - review? Please? I got so many for the last chapter!