Summary

Edward Cullen, just finished his senior year in highschool, goes to Phoenix to spend his summer vacation. He's not expecting much - all he wants is to get away from the gossiping residents of Forks. He's certainly not expecting the beautiful girl next door. But can he trust her? After he's already been hurt once? And how much can three little months really change? AU All Human. Canon pairings.

A/N: Okay, so this is my first attempt at a twilight fanfic. Well, this is my first attempt at publishing a twilight fanfic. Either way, I'm new at this, so bear with me ;)

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

Prologue

It was my all my mother's idea, going to Phoenix. She had approached me one evening in the living room while I was practicing. She knew playing always put me in a good mood.

"It would just be for the summer," She said as she sat down beside me on the piano bench, "the weather's lovely there, and Emmett could go with you…"

"Mom-" I began, but she cut me off.

"Edward, don't tell me you're "fine", again. You're not fine. I know you're not. I just think it would really help if you got away for a bit… until it all blows over."

She had a pained expression on her face, and I wondered vaguely if she saw the same thing on mine. I hated seeing her worrying about me - she did it far too often - and it hurt to see her so anxious because of it.

It was that look, and only that look, that had made me agree to go.

So here I was, suddenly boarding a plane to Phoenix, Arizona, off to spend 3 months staying with one of my mom's best friends – Elizabeth. It was raining when I left, as usual, but this time it made me feel homesick. And I hadn't even left yet.

I had lived in Forks, a small town in Washington, my entire life, with my older brother Emmett and my parents, Esme and Carlisle. And I had been relatively happy. No, content would be the right word. I had been content with my life, until I met her.

Tanya was new in school, with a typical attitude problem. When it was me she had paid attention to I had been very surprised, I was hardly her type. But behind the initial shock, I was somewhat thrilled. She was dangerous, exciting. Usually girls flung themselves at me, but she somehow managed to play hard to get while still making sure I knew she wanted me. We began spending more and more time together. We'd go to parties and she'd get so drunk I'd have to carry her home. I didn't mind that much - she was like a drug. Alluring and addictive.

But things began to change fast. Very fast.

At parties she'd disappear for hours on end, only appearing minutes before it was time to go. She'd stumble towards me smelling of smoke and alcohol and whatever perfume she was wearing. And as usual I'd carry her home. But during school I knew something was different. She acted distant towards me and made excuses about not sitting with me at lunch. This went on for weeks and weeks until she finally told me.

She was pregnant.

I looked out the window, seeing clouds and only patches of blue. No matter how much I tried not to think about her, I couldn't. The baby wasn't mine. The baby wasn't mine.

It couldn't be, we hadn't slept together. Hell, I hadn't slept with anybody.

I don't think she meant to cheat on me. She had probably been drunk. At one of the parties…

My stomach churned at this thought. I was there.. She cheated on me while I was in the next room.

I shook my head trying to clear my head and looked across my brother. He was flicking through the catalogue they gave out at the start of the flight.

"You want anything, Eddie?" Emmett looked up.

"No, and don't call me Eddie." I said with a frown.

Emmett grinned and called over the air hostess. She all but sprinted down the aisle to get to us.

"How can I help you, sirs?" She said with a smile, looking Emmett and I up and down.

"Well," Emmett looked at her name tag "Wendy, is it?" He smiled. She giggled and nodded. "My brother Eddie here is feeling a bit down, do you have anything that could cheer him up?"

"Emmett…" I groaned. "See?" he said, still grinning at Wendy. I closed my eyes, not wanting to watch my brother flirting. I was used to this by now. Girls loved him. So did the guys. He was probably one of the funniest people I had ever met. And one of the biggest. Behind this tough exterior I knew that he was really one giant teddy bear though.

"Would you like to order headphones for the movie? Meet the Parents will be starting in 10 minutes…" I heard Wendy ask.

"No, thank you." I said, forcing myself to open my eyes and return her smile.

The rest of the flight passed quickly. Emmett fell asleep after an hour, and I spent the remaining 3 hours contemplating calling Tanya. By the time I had decided it was a bad idea we had touched down in Phoenix. It was about midnight, and dark outside.

We spent about half an hour getting our rental car – a silver Volvo- and our luggage until finally we could leave the airport.

"So, what did Mom do to get you to agree to this anyway?" asked Emmett as I got into the driver's seat.

"Nothing, I thought it would be a good idea."

"You're a terrible liar, did you know that?" He replied, laughing.

"So I've been told."

"Aw cheer up, Eddie, plenty more fish, or women – whichever you prefer, in the sea"

I glared at him and pulled out of the parking lot.

It took us about an hour to find the Masen's house. And when we did I couldn't help but admire it.

Three stories high and painted white, it was huge. Lights from the garden bounced off the walls, casting everything else in shadow. We pulled up and headed to the front door, planning on getting our bags later on.

I rang the doorbell and a minute later heard the locks clicking as someone opened the door.

"Mrs. Masen?" I asked as a woman about my mom's age answered in a dressing gown. I felt guilty for arriving so late.

"Edward, Emmett? Is that you?" She exclaimed, beaming. She pulled the both of us into a hug (which, considering Emmett's size, is no mean feet) and somehow managed to drag us through the door.

"Thank you for letting us stay with you, Mrs Masen." Emmett said politely. Like I said, women loved him.

"Oh call me Liz, don't make me feel old!" She laughed, leading us into a large open kitchen.

"Peter! The boys are here!" She called up the stairs. A tall, balding man appeared at the top of the stairs and made his way down.

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Masen" I said, holding out my hand to shake his.

"Peter, please" He said, shaking my outstretched hand.

After we were asked all the usual questions – how the flight was, how school was going (how college was for Emmett and what college I was going to in September), the normal stuff, we fetched our bags from the car and returned to the kitchen to find Liz making coffee.

"And Edward, how are you these days?" asked Liz carefully. I suppressed a grimace.

How many people had Esme told?

"Can't complain," I said, not giving too much away.

Liz continued watching me carefully, as if I might burst into tears at any moment, until I saw her trying to conceal a yawn behind her hand.

"Oh, I'm sorry, we're keeping you both up. Emmett and I are fine if you want to go back to bed" I said.

She looked at me guiltily "I'm sorry, we were up early this morning and… well…" she smiled apologetically "I'll show you to your rooms and you can get settled."

After being shown my room I collapsed on the bed, fighting the sleep that threatened to engulf me. I wasn't ready to sleep just yet.

I looked around the room I would be spending the next three months in. I had the lights switched off but the moon outside lit up the room. It was quite large, and had its own bathroom. I smiled as I noticed a box of chocolates sitting on the desk. The Masens really did seem nice.

But even with the Masen's hospitality I doubted very much if this little trip would help me. Three months away from Forks, away from the gossiping residents, away from Tanya… How much could three little months really change?

So, should I continue? Please please REVIEW and tell me what you think!