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How me, Isabella Marie Swan . Miss Independent ended up making out in secret with Edward
Anthony Mason . Forks High’s Player of the Year, to be rather exact somebody I swear to hate all
my life since I first arrive to this little town in the 5th grade. Don't get me wrong we're gathering
ONLY for making out purposes, NOTHING more... do you wonder how I ended like this? What
could turn "Miss Independent" in a person that could do what I'm doing right now? Don't worry I'm
still Miss Independent; I still control my own life and this situation...
Flashback
A chilly December morning, but not just a regular morning, it's the last morning I have to come to
this purgatory called High School during 2007, that's right, when I return
to this place it would be 2008... In fact I am not coming back to Forks until 2008 either.
I am going to L.A. for winter break; Charlie didn't mind that I pass the holiday with my mother, her
husband Phil and my two step-siblings Samantha & Allison. (A/N: In this story, Phil is older than
Renée and a widower he has two twin daughters that are the same age as Bella). I like to go
visit them. It allows me to show the other side of me.
You see, here at Forks, specifically Forks High School, Bella Swan is an 16-year-old sophomore,
that is ONLY known for being shy and quiet…In fact here at school I only have a few friends, okay
4. No I don’t mean 4 best friends, though they are my best friends… I ONLY have 4 friends…and
they’re the only ones at Forks who have seen the other side of me, the wild side of Bella Swan.
That’s the Bella Swan that comes out every time I go to L.A.
I finally arrive to school… I saw Alice and Angela (two of my previous mentioned amount of
friends) waving me so I started walking towards her.
Alice Cullen was my first friend here at Forks. Since the first day we’ve been the best of best
friends. Alice’s father is the best surgeon in Forks. There is no one who hadn’t heard of Carlisle
Cullen’s “miracle” surgeries. Alice’s mom is the best home decorator I have ever known in my
short life. Alice was a sophomore like me, while her older brother, Emmett was a junior. Alice and
Emmett have the most funny brother-sister relationship ever. I have grown and turn out to be friend
Emmett as well as Emmett’s best friend Jasper Hale. Alice have befriend Jasper in a different way,
they were dating.
Jasper however had a twin sister, Rosalie. She was very pretty with light blue eyes, blonde hair and
a super-model body, any boy in Forks wanted to date her. She, being a junior, was currently dating
a sophomore, Edward Mason.
A junior dating a sophomore would be news if they weren’t Edward Mason and Rosalie Hale.
Edward is the Forks High’s Player of the Year. He has dated almost all the school including the
older girls. Because of the existence of boys like him is the reason I don’t date. In my case dating is
a lost cause. I’m totally plain, though my friends try to contradict me.
After meeting Alice at the entrance, I went to my classes. The day turned out uneventful. Then the
last class of the day: Government. One word to describe this class: Boring. Not to mention I was
seeing something nauseating. I forgot to mention Edward Mason takes this class with me… ugh! I
hate him! Right now in the middle of class he is making out with some girl, Jessica I think is her
name… though I don’t really care. If you’re wondering, yes he is cheating on Rosalie, though she
knows this pretty well and don’t care about it. Perhaps it is because she’s cheating on him with
someone in the football team cough-Emmett!-cough. I don’t know why Emmett is with her, he says
she is really nice outside school. Probably that is why nobody outside me and my friends know
about that relationship, Rosalie has to maintain her reign in Forks High. Emmett is really weird in
that aspect. He doesn’t mind that she treats him like crap at school; he says she makes it up for him
after. That’s creepy. I don’t see why they (Edward and Rosalie) didn’t break-up. Maybe it’s just a
popular thing. I don’t really care about it.
Mr. Banner, the teacher started giving us our last tests. I usually do pretty well at school. I am at
the top of my class in all the subjects, this being the only exception. When I received my paper I was
very disappointed, I have gotten an A-. Ugh!
“Don’t worry. I will make it up for you. I will do some charity for you and make out with you after
class…” I turned around to see the egocentric smirk of Edward who was spying my work. I was
going to say something but Mr. Banner appeared and handed him a grade. He got an A ! How in
the world did he get that grade! Oh right! Mr. Banner shows preferences, even though I pay
attention to every single class and complete every single assignment that is given, Edward that does
nothing and doesn’t even know the significance of the word Government gets all A’s. Why?
Because he is the son of Edward Mason, the great lawyer, and he can’t get that grades in a subject
like government. I quickly got out of the classroom, not without tripping in my way.
“You’re such a klutz, it clearly shows that you’re retarded” He said. Gah! I can’t stand him! Did he
just say I was a mental person?
“You know what Mason, go to hell!” I said as I ran away from school.
The next thing I knew I was in Port Angeles Airport taking flight 2824 to Los Angeles. The flight
was relatively short.
Then I arrived. Fun Bella had her way. I was having so much fun! Finally the last day of the 2007
arrived. My step-sisters had a surprise for me. We were going to a New Year’s Eve Party. And that
wasn’t all it was a costume party. To my disgrace I went shopping. Finally I end up wearing a
beige dress with a black ribbon at waist height and a mask. (A/N: Picture of dress on profile)
We arrive at the party at 10pm, all was going normally. I was having a lot of fun. Dancing and
talking with other people in masks. At 11:45pm the hostess made an announcement.
“My guests, its an honor to have you all here and to tell you that it’s fifteen minutes till midnight
and the year 2008! Enjoy the last few minutes of the 2007!” She was about to go when she suddenly
said “Oh! I almost forgot! It’s a tradition on New Years Eve to ring in the year with a kiss, so
everybody grab your special someone and ring the 2008!”
What did she just say? I have to ‘ring’ the New Year with a kiss but with whom?
“Come on Bells, you are going to miss this experience.” Allison said to me. I just realize my two
step-siblings were standing next to me.
“I don’t have anyone to ‘ring’ the New Year with.” I was clearly telling the truth, not to mention
I’m a terrible liar.
“That’s easy to solve, I will find you someone” Allison always trying to help. She suddenly
disappeared in the mass of people.
“Of course you do. What kind of L.A. party would it be if you don’t kiss a random guy at midnight”
I swear sometimes Sam can be so weird. I raised an eyebrow. Suddenly Allison appeared of
nowhere with a completely random guy. She started walking in my direction looking all bossy like.
Oh crap! This is going to be bad.
“Listen Bells and listen carefully. I found this guy and he was alone. So you will be with him. Who
knows, perhaps you will like him.” She talked so sure of herself.
“I’m guessing I don’t have a choice here, right?” I said in defeated. Allison just nodded.
“Oh and please Bells, don’t screw it up this time. You know what, don’t talk to him until after the
kiss” What did she just said?
“Do I have to kiss him? No way, I’m so not doing it!” I replied
“Okay if BORING OLD Bella doesn’t want to show her fun side…” ugh! I hate when they do that.
Why in the world did I tell them about the Forks’ Bella, oh yes, because they’re my sisters (kinda).
“Okay then bye. Come on Sam let’s give them some privacy” I started to walk indirection to the
stranger in the black tux. He greeted me without speaking.
“Ladies and Gentlemen this is the last song that you will hear in the 2007” The DJ announced and
a song started… The stranger offered me his hand and we started to dance…
Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
All of the things that I want to say just aren't coming out right
Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to prove
Cause it's you and me and all of the people with nothing to do
Nothing to lose
Nothing to prove
“Alright ladies and gentleman we’re starting the count down…10” Oh my gosh! I don’t even know
him!
“6…” Huh?
“5…” Poop!
“0… Happy New Year!!!” Suddenly the stranger’s lips touch mine. It was very gentle at first, but
then it started going more passionately. I put my arms around his neck and he put his around my
waist. We just stay there kissing, though I think snuggling is a better word to describe it. Out of
nowhere he broke the kiss and grabbed my wrist taking me outside.
Once we were outside I realize that I really want to know this guy. He is a great kisser. I hope he
doesn’t have a girlfriend. Sure he doesn’t have one, because he should be with her right now. I
wonder if I should move in with my mom to know him better or is he in college because then-
“That was awesome; I think we should take off our masks and get to know each other better.” The
stranger said. I know that voice. Oh my god! Why me? Could it be possible, I mean I am miles
away from Forks. “Excuse me? Are you listening to me?” he said. I know that voice. No it couldn’t
be him. I was too confused to answer so I just nodded. He spoke again.
“Okay in the count of three we take off our masks alright” I nodded again.
“One… Two…and Three” I pulled my mask away from my face. He slowly pulled off his mask and
opened his eyes. Shock and realization spread upon his emerald green eyes.
“I-Is-Isabe-Isabella?” He stuttered.
“Crap! Why me!” Of all the world population I happened to cross with Edward Mason. He seemed
to recovered from the shock and stare at me.
“It’s just that I thought you would be a bad kisser and it turns out you’re a pretty good one” What
the crap did he just said. “Oh and you look so beautiful that it makes me want to kiss you again…
Fuck! Did I just say that out loud?”
“Yes you did” I to my own surprise, blushed. I quickly changed the subject. “So what do we do with
this?”
“Um…well… I don’t really know… Oh! Here’s the deal. I will tell no one about this if you promise
to make out with me frequently” What did he just said?
“Okay while no one knows about it, this would be our secret” I said.
End of Flashback
That’s how I ended like this. I’ve been getting use to it. Okay I admit it, Edward is a great kisser.
However I don’t have grown feelings towards him at all. At least I think so. No one has figured it
out yet. We normally kiss at Port Angeles’s Mall or at Edward’s house when his parents are not
home. We have a deal and that’s the way it goes. Today we were in his house. He finally broke out
the kiss.
He started calling me Bella or Iz after the first week. I was bothered to being referred as Isabella. At
school he still calls me ‘Swan’ or ‘Isabella’. I nodded.
“Just promise me you will not get mad and stop seeing me” Huh? What is he going to tell me?
“Okay… now spit it out!” I replied. I was eager to know what he is going to tell me.
“It’s that- um… well… Iz I think I love you” What?? I think I just lost the control on this
situation…
“Bella….”
“Iz”
“Say something!”
I finally wake up from my trance to see a very worried Edward sitting in the couch next to me. A
couple of seconds later, I realize he was talking to me. What should I do? Do I love him? Of course
not, my world and his world where spheres that never collide, will a few exceptions like us making
out. But that was it. Making out. No more than that. NO MORE. That was the deal. Does this mean
the deal was over? That was a good question.
“BELLA!”
“Oh, shit, look at the hour” I said pointing to wrist, only to realize I didn’t have my wristwatch on.
“Nevermind, it’s already late, I have to go…um… home… to….um…make dinner for Char-I mean
my dad!” With that I grab my coat and my backpack and start running away. Thanks to my bad
luck, when I got out from the house I figured that it must not be more than 4:30pm. I was screwed.
“Bella, wait!” I recognize that voice. I didn’t want to turn around, but I don’t know how, not even
why I did. Suddenly he grab me and kiss me first very gentle and then more passionate, but this kiss
wasn’t like the one we shared in New Year’s Eve that didn’t had the minimum dose of real feelings
behind it. This kiss was more sudden and natural than the other ones. We had to break the kiss only
to gasp for air.
“Iz, I love you, these weeks had an effect on me. I got to know you better, and it has made me grow
to love you” He spoke clearly, and you could feel the truth behind every word. But I knew better
than that. Do I? Crap! He’s waiting for me to say something...
“Look I gotta go home” I said, he looked at me with a very disappointed look in his face. It hurt me
to see him like this… but why?
“Can I drive you home?” he asked. Sadness was clearly in his voice.
“Sure” I replied. We got into his silver Volvo. The ride to my house was silently. When we were in
my driveway he spoke.
“Bella, please I don’t want to complicate things more than they already are. But I had to tell you
that. I have never felt this way about anyone before. You don’t have to feel the same way. I just had
to tell you. It was like Rosalie describe how she felt about Emmett when she broke up with me, and
she wish me the best of luck searching for someone for who I could feel that way. I just think you
should know.” His words repeated in my head over and over again. I didn’t answer.
“Bye Bella, see you at school tomorrow” He didn’t wait for a reply. As soon as I was inside the
house, his car disappeared in the driveway.
As soon as I was inside, I order pizza. I wasn’t in mood for cooking right now. Charlie arrived and
started eating. I decided to skip dinner. I got upstairs, took a shower, put my pajamas on and grab
my iPod. I lye in my bed and selected the option shuffle songs in my iPod. I always found some
song that fits me exactly in that moment. The song started to play. I didn’t bother to look at the
name or the artist. I was only focused on the lyrics…
Well you are the one, the one that lies close to me
Now there's no place else I could be, but here in your arms
Well you are the one, the one that lies close to me
Now there's no place else I could be, but here in your arms
Well you are the one the one that lies close to me
The lyrics repeat in my head… ‘I miss you, quite terribly’, ‘I fell in love, in love with you suddenly’
His eyes are green… emerald green… Oh crap! What should I do? My mind is a blur.
I quickly grab my cellphone and texted ‘I need 2 talk 2 u’. I looked at my alarm clock. It was
10:30pm. Maybe he wouldn’t read the message until tomorrow morning. Maybe just maybe, if luck
is at my side this time (at least) he wouldn’t notice my message today and I could postpone that
conversation. But, as always, luck wasn’t at my side. Less than 5 minutes had passed since I first
send the message and my cellphone started vibrating indicating I had a new text message. I already
knew who send it. I just don’t want to think about t, about him. I sighed and start reading the
message. It said:
I replied.
In less than a minute (That was quite fast, messages didn’t get that fast, unless the sender was really
close. That wasn’t the case this time.) It said: ‘Really? Take a look at ur window’
I walked to the window and gasped at what I saw in front of me. Edward was there, climbed in my
window frame. That was really weird.
“Hi there” he said
“Hey” I replied
“So what do you want to talk about?” He asked. Concern was showed in every part of him.
“I was afraid you’ll ask that” I said, and then I took a deep breath and continue “what do you
wanted to talk about?”
“Oh, that. I was worried about what I said before. If you think is better to leave things where they
are, then you and me will continue with our ‘dirty little secret’. How about that? ” He spoke each
word very clearly and distinct. It hurt me to hear it. But it was for the best. Was it?
“I-I-I guess so” I can’t believe, I stuttered. Do I feel tears in my face? Oh stupid betrayal tears!
C’mon Bella you have to make yourself believe what you’re saying!
“Bella, there is something you’re hiding from me about this. Please tell me” He pleaded. He was
pleading me with those gorgeous emerald green eyes…
Quick Bella! Find something to distract yourself from staring at him! He will win that way! You
can’t let that happen. Can you?
I quickly grabbed my iPod and press play… unaware of the song that started to play…
Kiss me
Nightly
Swing swing
He was staring at me. He had managed to get inside my room by the window while I was still in
shock for the song that was just playing in my iPod.
Oh, kiss me
Lead me
Out on the moonlit floor
So kiss me
Kiss me
Swing me
Bring bring
He removed one of my headphones and started listening to the song. He chuckled at first. Very
shocked I turned around just to let my lips found his…
Oh, kiss me
Lead me
So kiss me
Kiss me
So kiss me
So kiss me
So kiss me
So kiss me
I think we kiss during the remaining time of the song because when I realize, the song had ended. I
turned my iPod off, now ready to face him.
“Ok, I just spit it out. Right?” I asked, half to myself I had to admit. He nodded.
“Edward, I think I might like you” I said. Like you, that was it. I couldn’t tell him I was falling over
heels for him. Like him that was it. Perfect. A perfect lie.
“Oh… I suppose we can try to have more than whatever we have now then. I’m willing to take the
first step in this change if you like.” He said, very confident. I would have expected his arrogant
smirk right away, but he just shot me a crooked smile and I could hear the hope in his voice, even if
he tried to hide it.
“Ok then, girlfriend. I’ll pick you up for school tomorrow at 7:30 and after school we could go to
Port Angeles for our first date” he said enthusiastically. Either was I hallucinating or he had put
emphasis in the word girlfriend? Oh… who cares!
“Alright, boyfriend, see you tomorrow then” I said as I open my window for him to leave.
“Don’t I get a goodnight kiss from my girlfriend?” he asked. I stand on my tip toes and kiss him.
“Goodnight Girlfriend” He replied as he climbed down the tree and walk to his car.
I replied ‘Me 2’
I grab my iPod and turn it on again without noticing the song that was playing…
Completely incomplete
This was a different Edward, than the one that I saw at school everyday. This was the loving, caring
Edward. I haven’t notice that side of him before…
And I fell asleep thinking about tomorrow… I didn’t even now what I was up to….
Chapter 4: School
I woke up at 6:30 am. Edward would be here in about an hour. Realization came in to me… I have a
boyfriend now… right? Yes that’s true… Why do I feel like there’s something I’m forgetting? …
I dressed up and ran downstairs to eat my breakfast. I grab a bowl and a spoon. Next I grab the
Cheerios box and milk. I quickly made my breakfast and eat it. By the time I was done, it was
already 7:20. Edward would be here any minute… I ran upstairs again to check my backpack and
bring it downstairs, when the door bell rang. I checked in my window and the silver Volvo was
there. I realized that I was forgetting my cellphone. So I put it in my pocket and ran downstairs
again.
“Hi” I replied. Do I am supposed to start a conversation with him? Or should I let him begin?
“Oh” It’s that the only thing I can manage to say right now?!?!
“We should get going now. We don’t want to be late to school. Do we?”
“Sure” What’s wrong with me? I can’t even make sense of what I’m saying!
He led me to his car and opened the door for me. The he got into the driver seat and start the car.
We were heading out to school now. We were very quiet as we speed off my driveway. Then he
decided to break the silence.
“Bella? Are you ok? You seem a little lost today?” He asked.
“I’m fine. I just have a lot on my mind” I replied, without looking at him.
Before he had time to ask, we arrived to school. He got out of the car and opened the door for me,
helping me to get out off the car. Such a gentleman, I thought to myself, or maybe he just doesn’t
want me to fall and cause him that kind of public humiliation.
Then we walk in the hallways holding hands. How cliché… But that wasn’t the worst part,
everybody was staring at us…they even talk about us while we walk.
“…I wonder how they got together…” a girl that I recognized from my Spanish class was saying to
her friend.
Then it shot me. My friends… I haven’t told any of them about this and they’re going to know it
from other people and not from my self. Oh crap! Alice would be mad at me. She made me promise
she would be the first person I called when I had major news… But this isn’t major news, is it? Of
course it is! You idiot! Now your best friend would be mad at you for at least a month after this.
And if Alice it’s mad, then Jasper would be away from me too. Emmett probably would feel
offended in a way, because he did told us about Rosalie… I only wonder… Will Angela get mad at
me for this?
What kind of moron am I! How can I forget to tell them…? Maybe I could explain to them, I’m
sure they’ll understand….
The rest of the day… was weird. Instead of my friends walking me through every single class,
Edward did. He was leaning against the wall as soon as I got out of each one of my classes. He
would kiss me before we started to head to class and as soon as he left me at the door of the class
room. People were watching us and then as soon as he was gone, they stared at me like I was some
kind of freak.
At lunch, Edward has saved a table just for us. I was sad I couldn’t sit with all of my friends. I will
apologize later, I thought.
At Government, I realized, he had found a new distraction. It was quite funny, I’ll admit. Instead of
paying attention and doing class work, he stared. Do you wonder what or who he was staring at?
One word to answer that: Me. Exactly. He stared at me, while I was well focused in the class, but
not so focused, because I noticed he was staring. We handed the work to Mr. Banner who checked
immediately. The next thing that happened, however, surprised me.
As always, I had got an A-. I could never understand what was wrong in my work to make it an A-
though. Then as it always happens he got an A . He stopped staring at me, took a look at his paper,
and then to mine.
“Mr. Banner. Could you come over here please? It’ll just be a minute.” He said
Mr. Banner was quickly at his side looking at Edward as if he was his boss.
“I was just wondering, why did Isabella here have an A- and I an A if we both got the same
answers?” He asked
“Mr. Mason, I think you’re under a misapprehension. See…um… Isabella here has never shown the
same kind of interest and passion in her answers as yourself”
“Excuse me, Mr Banner, but it’s a multiple-choice test, you don’t show any of your interest in here.
You just pick the right answer. It’s totally quantifiable not qualitative.” He replied. It’s the first time
I heard him using such kind of words. I guess maybe he thinks a little bit after all.
“So, I don’t see why if we got the same answers we didn’t achieve the same grades. You should put
us both either an A or an A-, it’s up to you. But I must say that all her answers as well as mine are
correct.” Is he trying to convince Mr. Banner to finally gave me an A ?
“Oh… I’m so sorry for this inconvenience, Mr. Mason. I’ll change Ms. Swan grade right away.” He
said.
As soon as the bell rang, we got out of class and inside his car.
“Oh… I didn’t see why I shouldn’t. He put you a mark that you didn’t deserve, that was completely
inexcusable” He said
“Yeah, I mean I know that. What I mean is what are we doing?” I told him annoyed. This kind of
situations can get me annoyed.
“Ha, ha, ha. Very funny, I have news for you, Mr Surprise, I HATE SURPRISES!” I yelled.
“Now please Iz, don’t be difficult. I know you’ll love this one… I hope” he whispered the last part
to himself. I suppose I wasn’t meant to hear that part. He only stared at the road and stopped talking
to me…
“Now, now Eddie did knowing that I hate surprises upset you?” I asked. Did I hurt him by saying
that? I hope not.
“Well you call me Bella or Iz all the time so I figured that I should call you something” I replied
“Yes, I do call you that, because you like those nicknames, I on the other way don’t like to be called
Eddie” He said.
“Bella please don’t call me like that, you know Lauren use to call me like that all the time and I hate
that name.” Here he goes, talking about other girls probably reliving some memories that torture
him right now, bad memories in each of his other ‘girlfriends’ if they can be called that. He surely
looks frustrated.
“Oh… Eddie-poo is upset!” I replied. I can’t help him. I found something which I can use to tease
him and it was fun… Oh crap! He looks mad.
“Isabella Marie Swan?” He said. Full names, is it? Oh two can play this game…
“This is not funny… please don’t call me any names like that or else” he said. He threatens me? I
am going to take a little advantage of this.
I remain quiet.
Minutes passed as the silence continue. I could feel he was worried about this silence. He finally
broke it.
“Bella, sweetie”- ok, did he just said that?-“what’s wrong?” He asked. He had finally parked the car
in the Port Angeles Mall’s parking lot. He was now staring at me, his eyes full of concern…
“Love…” He continued. Ok, that’s way too far… I need to start speaking right now… I had my
knees on my chest and my arms wrapped around them. I hid my face in my knees as I start faking
sobs…
“Its just”-fake sob-“that I was trying”-fake sob-“to do something you”-fake sob-“like and then
you”-fake sob-“threatened me”-fake sob “I mean you threatened”-fake sob-“your own girlfriend.” I
said.
“Oh I am so very sorry, Iz. How is my girlfriend feeling?” he asked. I have to admit he was really
concerned.
“You, silly. Who else I would be talking about? Did the mention of Lauren upset you?” He asked.
“I just can’t believe you fall for that one. I was just teasing you… Eddie” I replied and continue
laughing as he helped me to get out of his car. He shot me a crooked smile and then warn me…
“You will pay for that, later” he said as he cover my eyes with his hands.
“I told you, it was a surprise” He replied and continued walking me. We finally stopped.
“Now you can look” he said as he removed his hands from my face and put his arm around my
waist. In front of me was a big ad that said ‘PAINTBALL’.
“Paintball?” I asked
We got inside, where we put us on the suits to play paintball. (A/N: I really don’t know what
they’re called. Sorry) As we got inside the Paintball zone I realized it was empty.
“I said you’ll pay for that and now its time” He replied as our private paintball war started.
“Yes, it was. Now would you like some ice cream?” He asked
“Sure” I replied
We head to eat ice cream. I ordered a strawberry cone, while Edward ordered a chocolate one.
While we were eating, my clumsiness took place. I accidentally fell and spill my ice cream over
him.
“Oh I’m so sorry. It was an accident! But I had to admit you look good in pink” I laughed at the last
part. He grabbed his cone and put the ice cream in my nose.
After we got to the bathroom and got all cleaned up, he took me to dinner. I look at the expensive
restaurant in front of me. Then I looked at me. I was utterly nor dressed for this kind of occasion.
“Edward! I can’t go in there. Look at me; I am not dressed for this! Neither are you” I said.
“Silly Bella, we have to change. That’s why I bring this with me” he said as he handed me a bag.
Inside it was a black dress and black heels (A/N: picture on profile) as well as a brush and some
make up. I looked at Edward confused.
He surprisingly blushed and replied. “Um… well my parents were excited that I was dating a girl
for real this time, especially mom” he murmured to himself the last part.
“Oh, you told your parent about this?” I asked. Do they know that he climbed in my window last
night?
“Well, I didn’t tell them all the details; I told them that you came over yesterday, which is true. So
they helped me in this surprise… no worries, they don’t know about me climbing on your window,
I sneak out to see you last night” He told me.
I got out of the bathroom only to see a very handsome Edward in a black tux. His green eyes
enlightened as he find my gaze.
“You look nice too” What am I saying, he looks more than nice!!! What’s wrong with me!?
With that we put the bags in Edward’s car and head to the restaurant. I ordered mushroom ravioli
and he ordered chicken parmesan. After we were done eating, Edward spoke.
“Don’t worry silly, I can” he said (A/N: I know that’s a quote from Twilight, but I thought it
will fit here). “Besides, you could dance in New Years Eve” he stated matter-of-factly. Damn! He
was right. I was lucky I didn’t trip that time.
We'll do it all
Everything
On our own
We don't need
Anything
Or anyone
If I lay here
How to say
How I feel
If I lay here
Chasing cars
To remind me
To find my own
If I lay here
All that I am
Just know that these things will never change for us at all
If I lay here
We continue dancing, until we realize, it was already 9 o’ clock and we had to get home. Edward
speed up to get us home… I was afraid watching the speedometer rise from 70 mi/h up to 150 mi/h,
we were going too fast. Suddenly I feel a crash, Edward’s arms around me and then everything
went black…
Chapter 6: Waking Up
I woke up in a blue room. It smelled funny. It reminded me of all my trippings that led to trips to
the hospital. I looked at the clock next to me 11:15. Oh crap! I’m in a hospital!
“Bella, how are you feeling?” asked a voice that I knew well, Dr. Carlisle Cullen, Alice &
Emmett’s father.
But before he had time to answer my last question, my pixie-like best friend ran into the room.
“Bella! Thanks god you’re ok! I mean…you survived… But why am I doing all the talking? You’ve
some explaining to do girl!” She said. I know noticed that Dr. Cullen has left the room.
“I mean the fact that you were in his car. I heard the rumors, but I would never believe it if I didn’t
saw it with my own eyes.” She told me.
Now I remember… Edward… car…accident…My god! Where is he? Is he ok? Then I replayed in
my mind what Alice has just said ‘you survived’. No, no, no. Did that mean that he died? I need to
know…
“Alice, where is he?” I asked
“Down to the hallway and up to the 3rd floor in room 315, by the way my dad said that you’re fine
and you can check out as soon as you wish.” She sighed and then continued. “He, on the other way,
got the worse part.” That scared me…
“You should have seen his car, it was awful Bella. You both could have died simply from the
impact”-she took a deep breath-“But when they found you, they find out how do you survived.
Instead of staring at the wheel he got a good grip on you. It sounds weird, but you’re completely
safe n his arms. He got the worse part. But he didn’t die either”
“Dear Bella, you can’t go walking in a hospital with that kind of clothes, they’re too formal” she
said. Oh crap! I realized then, that I was still wearing the black dress. I stared at her because I didn’t
know what to say.
“Don’t worry silly, you can tell me later. However, you should change to more ‘comfortable’
clothes” she said as she handed me a small pink backpack. Inside of it they were jeans, a t-shirt, a
jacket, socks and a pair of converse.
“You’re welcome, after all he convinced you to wear that dress, I would never convince of that” she
said.
Now it all fits. Edward had requested Alice’s help to buy me this dress with her shopping addiction
she obviously fell for it… ok…now Alice wants to know the truth…That was going to be difficult.
Alice always asks difficult questions.
“Now Bells, go see how is he doing, you’ll tell me later” she said.
Thanks God! I have more time to think about it. Alice is going to ask. Alice is going to ask A LOT
of questions…
After I changed my clothes. I took the elevator to the 3rd floor. As soon as I got out of it, I started
searching for room 315…
Now there I was standing in front of the door, wondering if I should get in or not.
But what if he’s really bad, it will hurt me to see him like that…
“We are Mr. and Mrs. Mason, Edward’s parents.” she said. I realized she had the same green eyes
as Edward.
“Oh…nice to meet you though I wish we were under different circumstances.” I replied.
“We’ve wanted to meet you. He talks about you a lot.” She said and I blushed.
“Oh… he has?” That surprised me… But right now I only wanted to ask how was him… I just only
couldn’t get the words of my mouth…
To my surprise, Mr. Mason seemed to understand what I was arguing with myself to ask…
“He hit his head pretty hard out there. The doctors say that he was in a shock from the impact, but
he has not wake up. They’re wondering if he has gone…in to a… coma” he said slowly, especially
the last words in which Mrs. Mason sobbed.
“Oh…I’m so sorry this happened.” That was the only thing I managed to say at the moment.
“Sweetheart, is not your fault, it was an accident, accidents do happen.” Mrs. Mason replied.
“No, quite the opposite actually, I think you two should have some time alone.” Mr. Mason said. “I
have to get to the office tomorrow anyway, c’mon Elizabeth.” They left the room.
I grabbed a chair then and sit in the right side of his bed. I looked at him and sighed. Then I took his
perfect hand and held it in mine. I took a deep breath and spoke.
“Edward, I know that you can’t really listen to me right now, because you’re unconscious, but I
really need to get this out anyways.”
“I love you, alright? I was only covering my feelings toward you last night by saying I only like
you. I had realized I love you back then and I can say it now… I love you and I don’t want to leave
your side. Seeing you like this has made me realize how much I truly love you. You got to wake up
ok? Please wake up!” I sobbed the last part. Then I leaned and kiss him gently on the lips.
As soon as I broke out the kiss, Alice was there and grabbed me by the hand as she got me out of
the room hugging me and squealing. I would bet I heard someone whispering my name; it must be
my imagination…
Chapter 7: Spelling My Guts Out
“Oh Bella! I’m so happy for you! I never imagined you & Edward… and… you didn’t tell me a
thing about this…” she said.
“I have so much to ask… but let’s start from the beginning… how did you ended here?” she said
And then I told her the whole story from New Years Eve to our ‘first date’, obviously without
talking about my feelings toward him, but I knew questions like that were coming… But she will
ask the easiest questions at first…
“So he climbed your window on Thursday at midnight, and there you became an item?”
I just nodded and kept asking questions about how was he dressed or commenting about the cliché
situations we have already been through. When she asked she was a good kisser I blushed crimson
red… Why does my face betray me in a moment like this? After that blushing show I just had to
nod. Then I just nod or shook my head on the right times. Soon the easy questions were out and it
was time for the difficult ones to begin…
“Let’s go to the bathroom for the next questions.” She said as she grabbed me by the wrist and took
me inside the woman’s bathroom…
Once inside the bathroom she asked me the one question I was expecting a long time ago, for me,
the most difficult of all…
“Yeah, I know that, but that’s all? Or there’s more?” Dammit! Alice knows me too well…
“My gosh Bella! You’re blushing crimson!!” Oh… Now I feel the blood that rose to my face…
I stood in shock… staring at the emptiness of the room, unable to look at Alice.
“Bella? Do you love him?” She asked.
That was it. I couldn’t hold myself any longer. I fell in to tears, to realize later that I was now sitting
in the bathroom floor sobbing…
“I…do, Alice. I do. That’s the problem. I love him and I just can’t stand seeing him like this” – I
sobbed. Then took a deep breath and continue, trying my best to stop sobbing, failing terribly.-“I
want him to wake up, to open his eyes as see them sparkle again. I love him, Alice, I truly do love
him.”
Alice try to comfort me for a long time, she kept telling me that everything is going to be ok… I
didn’t know how much time has passed when I decided I would stop crying and be hopeful….
Hopefully he wouldn’t get in to a coma. Who was I kidding? This was my entire fault. I took a deep
breath.
“Alright Alice, I can do this.” I said as I stood up and headed to room 315.
What if his parents were there? I should knock. Should I even knock?
I took all the confidence that I could gather for my self and knock at the door…
Knock
Knock
Knock
I knew that voice… Am I turned crazy? I may be… I could swear it was his voice…
Chapter 8: Stucked
I opened the door, my eyes focused on the floor, because I was afraid of the disappointment I would
feel when reality hit me and I realized his voice was an hallucination and I would never see his eyes
again…
"Bella?"
I allowed myself to look up. Doing so, I met a pair of emerald eyes… his eyes. As soon as our eyes
met, he shot me a crooked smile.
"Edward! You… woke up." That's the only thing I can manage to say? C'mon! I burst out in to tears
at the bathroom last night wishing that he would wake up and when he finally is awake… I honestly
don't know what's wrong with me.
"Yep… pretty much…the doctors told my parents that I could check out of this hospital at noon.
Will you believe if I tell you that after all of this, I still get to school on Monday, anyways?" I
laughed at that. I could laugh now, now that I knew that he was alright. I looked at the clock; it was
8:15 am. I now realized that Alice had to be with me almost the whole night while I cried myself
out. Wow.
"But tell me. What did the doctors say about you?")?" he asked, concern was evidently showing in
his voice and it reflected in his eyes. I suddenly blushed crimson.
"I woke up a couple of hours ago… last night to be more accurate… I was… um… I mean… um…
I am… fine, thanks to you… you saved me." I was having serious difficulties in clearing my
thoughts at the moment. I was still blushing and I was looking at my feet. I couldn't look at him in
the face right now.
"Bella, come here" he said as he gestured the empty spot in the right side of his bed. I just obeyed
and sat next to him. I kept looking down… the floor view I had at this location was interesting…
why are hospital floors so... white? I wondered… how do they keep them clean? I mean with all the
blood that shed in here… ugh! Blood… gross! I shuddered. Then he took my chin with his index
finger and made me looked at him. I quickly turned my head down…staring at the floor once again.
"Bella please look at me" he said, it sounded like he was pleading… But I can't turn to face right
now….
I bit my lower lip as I contain myself from looking at him… trying to hold on the tears
"Bella?”
He was waiting for a response… crap! I don’t need to cry right now! Hold on the tears, you can do
this Bella…
"Bella?"
"Honey, what's wrong?" he asked as he wiped off my tears. That was it. I started sobbing. He
wrapped his arms around me as I cried.
"No is not! You saved my life out there… You… hurt yourself so I didn't get hurt and it put you in
a coma-I stopped right there, I couldn't take it anymore, this was my entire fault.
"Of course I owe you something… you saved my life, you were in a coma." I replied
"What do you mean? That you enjoyed the coma?" I was stunned. I've never heard of someone who
enjoyed being in a coma…
"No that's not it… being in a coma… how can I put it? ... helped me to realize some things and
discover other ones." He said, I could tell you that he was thinking of something else when he said
'discover other ones'.
"Like what?" His behavior stunned me yet. Enjoy being in a coma estate?
"Seriously?" I said.
He was about to answer when the door opened gently… I was too focused in trying to figure out
Edward's epiphany to look up at that second, but Edward's next words automatically snap me out of
my trance.
So that must mean the person behind the door was Mrs. Mason. I look up, now noticing that I was
cuddled up in Edward's chest and he had his arms around me, and we were both lying in his bed.
This must look awkward. However, I was very comfortable in my present location.
"Oh… sorry I interrupted?" - I shook my head-"Oh… well I was coming here to tell you that I
couldn't find Bella, but she's here… she has been so worried about you. I should get going; perhaps
I should call your father to tell him that you're awake." She said as she left the room closing the
door in her way out.
Edward's arms tightened around me, leaning me closer to his chest, he moved on of his hands up to
my head and started playing with my hair. He was so close I could feel his breath on my hair.
"So…"-he said as he twirled a strand of my hair with his fingers-"where were we?" he leaned down.
He leaned closer.
"Maybe this would help you remember" he whispered just before our lips touched.
This kiss was somehow different. I don't know what got in to us. Maybe it was the stress of the
moment… the fact that we thought we had lost each other or anything that was crossing our mixed-
up minds at that moment. I could swear the world stopped moving at that very moment. His lips
were moving in synchrony with mine, it was so natural, and it felt so right… But all good things
have to end for one reason or another; in this case it was for the necessity and obligation to breath.
I could stay in his embrace forever, but that would be too selfish. He should talk to his parents
now…
"I should get going, Alice is waiting for me downstairs and Charlie will probably want to talk to me
when I get home." I told him.
"I understand that. Chief Swan isn't going to prohibit you dating me, right?" he asked.
"Highly doubt it. He knows it was an accident. Which reminds me… you don't have a ride to school
on Monday, do you?" I asked.
"Nope… I don't think I'll be getting a new car by then either… why?"
"I was thinking that…maybe you could ride with me?" I was looking at the ceiling… I'll admit it; it
wasn't a very interesting panorama…
"Of course, who is being silly now, Eddie? That's what girlfriends are for." I stated proudly.
Instead of protesting at the mockering nickname I had just provided, he stared at me curiously,
without breaking the tight grip from which I wasn't released just yet.
"I just thought girlfriends were for this…" he said as he leaned down…
His mouth was on mine once again, he held me tighter until I broke out the kiss…
"You can get your revenge later, now I gotta go, boyfriend!" I replied.
"Ok… girlfriend, just one more thing"-he said as he released me. I was now sitting next to him. He
leaned down and kissed me swiftly on the lips.
"I-I-I…" What's wrong with me? I must have some serious brain damage… did someone drop me
when I was a baby? I could tell him when he was unconscious, why not now? I tried again…
"I…"
"Sh…sh…"- he said as he put his index finger against my lips-"you don't have to say anything
back… we put that pretty clear on Thursday, I just had to say that just the same… now go Alice is
waiting for you…" He smiled my favorite crooked smile. At that moment I made up my mind.
But I would…
Chapter 9: Sleepover at Alice's
After I left his room, I took the elevator to the first floor. Alice was waiting there for me, of course.
I tried to hide the grin that spread across my face, failing terribly. As soon as she saw me, she
squealed.
"He's out of the coma." I replied happily. I could see in her face that she was expecting more.
"AND?" she demanded as we got inside her Porsche. There was no getting out of this one. When
Alice wanted to know something, she always would found a way.
"Have you heard anything from my dad?" I asked, trying to change the subject.
"Oh… he came to see you before you woke up from shock. My dad told yours that you were ok,
and he asked him if you could stay over at my house because he's gone fishing with Billy Black."
My father has been rather emotionally-repressed since my mom left him when I was younger, and I
could tell he was still having a hard time with that. Especially since my mom had married Phil
almost ten years ago. He went fishing almost every weekend, and I believed that was where he hid
his feelings. Poor dad.
"I have an idea! I could call Ange and we could have a sleepover! I'll paint your toenails and
everything! And you'll tell us what happened, with DETAILS…" she grinned evilly.
Knowing Alice, we wouldn't have to stop at my house to pick up my pj's and clothes. She had
already planned on buying me new stuff. That's Alice Cullen for you.
Twenty minutes later, we arrived to the Cullen's house. Or should I say, mansion? The Cullen's
lived in a big Victorian mansion located next to the forest. Before I had time to say 'hi' to Esme or
Emmett, we were already on Alice's room.
Her room totally reflected her personality. The walls were pink and the rug was snow white. The
bed sheets and comforter also matched the color scheme. They were white with pink dots all over
them. You could easily notice that Alice was the daughter of a home decorator. Even her iPod and
iPod speaker followed the patterns. Alice had her own bathroom connected to her room, which also
followed the color scheme.
Alice's closet was at least two or three times the size of my room. She even had a remote and every
single item she owns is organized according to color, size, pattern and brand. It clearly displayed
her passion for shopping.
"Make yourself comfortable, I'll call Ange." She said as she pulled out her cellphone. It was pink,
go figure.
"Hi Ange. I was wondering…are you doing anything to do tonight? Oh… it's that Bella is calling
for an emergency sleepover" Um, excuse me?
We passed the rest of the day shopping for pj's, shirts, skirts, pants, shoes, and the like. Alice could
really over-exaggerate sometimes. She even bought me a couple of dresses.
On our way back to the Cullen's, my phone started vibrating. I opened it. I had a text from Edward.
'Whats doin?'
He replied
I texted back.
'Aw, lol'
I sighed; I missed him. I thought it was alright to miss a person that you saw less than twelve hours
ago. I started daydreaming about him…
At that moment Alice noticed I was daydreaming and snapped me out of my trance once again.
"Oh… me? Nothing." At that same moment my phone vibrated. It was another text from Edward.
"You're texting him, aren't you?" Alice prodded.
I sighed heavily; how could I not tell him that I love him?
"Oh for pete's sake, Bella, I'm not gonna talk to him or anything." she amended.
I handed her my phone, and she messed with it for about a minute and a half. Then, she handed it
back.
"There you go… Now you've unlimited texting, you can text him as much as you want just
BEFORE the sleepover."
"Eh, ok…"
'oh… ok'
'don't be sad'
He texted back..
"Bella, it's almost six, say goodbye to loverboy over there." Alice stated. Dammit, did I have to say
goodbye already?
He replied…
'ok… ILY gf…'
Damn, why couldn't I say anything back? I sighed and closed my phone. But if I texted it… That's
it, I would text it!
I started writing a new message. I was going to write 'ILY2' but then I realize that I couldn't tell him
the truth by a text. He faced me when he told me; the least I owed him was to do the same. At least
when I told him that for the first time.
I left my phone in Alice's room as I got ready to take a shower. After I showered, I put on my new
pajamas that Alice bought.
"Hi Angela" Alice said. "So now our sleepover can officially start. As I'm sure you're well aware, it
can't be a sleepover without makeovers, but that can wait. Now I ordered pizza and I've got pop
corn and coke. We could also bring down some ice-cream if you want. We'll be watching 'Titanic'"
She said enthusiastically.
Fifteen minutes later, we were lying on the couch as we listened to Alice's comments about
Leonardo DiCaprio while the movie was playing. But we did cry when Rose realizes that Jack is
dead. By the time that the movie ended, we went upstairs to Alice's room.
Alice and Angela look at me with evil smiles on their faces. Oh, crap. Now they could both torture
me at the same time.
What was worse is that I knew the bomb of questions was about to explode…
"So, Bella… Why Ange does your hair and I paint your toenails, dish girl!" Alice said.
"It's just that Bella is dating Edward Mason" Alice said matter-of-factly.
"Emmett, were you spying on us?" Alice, very bossily. It was funny to see tiny Alice talk to
Emmett like that. You could say they were the siblings I never had.
"Sorry lil' sis. Did you just say that Bella is dating Mason?"
"Yup" I replied.
Emmett faked a hurt face, "And she admits it. She doesn't even tell us and she has the nerve to call
us her best friends. I'm hurt Bella."
Emmett put his hands on his chest to look hurt. I decided to play along.
"Sorry Em. It's just that well… I started dating him on Thursday, but our first day was yesterday
and with the car crash and all tha-"
Emmett interrupted as soon as he heard the words car crash, "Did you just say car crash? That's so
cool."
There was silence for a moment. Angela used that chance to speak.
Alice had a dreamy look on her face, and she stood up again, miming her words as she described
what happened.
"He protected her by wrapping his arms around her when the car crashed, like this. That was so
romantic…"
"Wait… car crash? How did you ended up in a car crash?" Ange said.
"Alright" I said.
I took a deep breath. But just when I opened my mouth to speak, music filled out the room.
"Sorry, that's my phone" Angela said as he picked up the call. "Hey you... I miss you too. Ok… pick
me up at eight. Love You."
And then she hung up. I suddenly realize that I had an escape. I made a note to apologize to Ange
for this, later.
"Oh… I haven't told you about Ben. Well… we have been dating for a while and I'm pretty crazy
about him." she said.
"I can't believe you two! Emmett and I told you about Jazz and Rose and you keep your boyfriends
a secret! I'm hurt…"
"That reminds me that Jazz should know about this too. We should call him."
"Don't worry Em, that's him. Do you want me to tell him to come over?"
"Yup, please. I don't wanna be the only guy here." So now this girl sleepover had turned to a co-ed
sleepover, and I still had to dish. Crap!
Alice picked up her phone. "Hey Jazzy. I was wondering… Could you come over to a sleepover
with Em? No, he's not gonna pull any pranks on you. Ok… see you, I love you" and then she hung
up.
"Al?"
"Yes Ange?"
"Would you have any problems if he came over too?" Ange asked.
Angela opened her phone and dialed a number. "Ben, I was wondering if you could come to a
sleepover with my friends, they want to meet you. Yes it's a co-ed sleepover. Ok, see you soon. I
love you more."
Then she hung up, and nodded indicating that he was coming too.
"That's Rose." Emmett announced as he pulled out his cellphone. "Hey Rose. Oh…" he put a hand
on the phone and asked us…"Are you ok if Rose comes over too?"
He returned to his phone. "Alright, Rose, you can come too. Oh… And…Rose? I love you. See ya"
and he hung up.
So I'm the only retarded moronic idiot that couldn't express her feelings in those 3 words…
I really sucked.
"Oh, no. Not again… Who's phone is that?" I inquired. Just then, the doorbell rang. Emmett went to
open the door.
"Yours" Alice's stated. Crap! She must have changed my ring tone while I was in the shower.
I glanced at my phone.
It said 'EDWARD'…
"Hello?" I said.
"I just thought angels went to bed early." I blushed. I needed to change the subject; and quickly,
before I made a fool of myself.
"Ok… how was your afternoon?" Alice gave me a meaningful stare and mouthed the word 'lame'.
"Yeah, I miss you too." Alice quickly changed her expression to one that you would give a lost
puppy. 'Aw', she mouthed.
Rosalie and Jasper had finally arrived, and Emmett guided them upstairs to the room we were in.
"Hey Rose, Hey Jazzy!" Alice screamed as she bounced up and down like a two year old on
Christmas morning.
Hearing this, Edward asked, "Is Rosalie there?" as politely as he could.
"Yup."
And then he hung up. Jasper looked at me with a very shocked expression.
"Not much… Bella was about to start telling us how she ended up dating Edward Mason."
"She said that Bella is gonna explain us how did she ended up dating Mason." Emmett explained,
matter-of-factly.
"Kinda? Bella you're dating him and he's crazy about you; He saved you from the car crash for
Pete's sake!" Alice said frantically, practically shouting.
"Angela's boyfriend, whom she failed to mention, existed until about a half-an-hour ago." Emmett
replied.
"Wow Ange. I'm hurt… You too Bells." Jasper also pretended a hurt face.
"Sorry" we replied in unison, voices thick with sarcasm.
Angela ran downstairs, and two minutes later we were introduced to Ben Cheney. We learned that
he also attended Forks High, but he had no classes with any of us, only with Angela. We got along
pretty well. So well that, in fact, two hours later he had been added to my very short friends list.
Meeting Ben took a little of our sleepover schedule, but I already knew that next was a very sincere
heart-to-heart talk about me and Edward yet to come. Damn!
"Well Ben, I believe you've become a very good friend for all of us…" Jasper confessed, speaking
for the entire group.
"So… where were we before we met Ben?" Alice said, as an evil grin spread across her face.
Emmett started bouncing up and down, yelling 'I know, I know' like a 5-year-old. I did my best to
glare at him.
"I guess we all know, except our new friend Ben. Anyone care to enlighten him?" Alice said.
"No need Ange." I stated. "I'll repeat everything, so we're all on the same page, alright?"
"Okay, where to start? Well, I'm dating Edward Mason." I took a deep breath. As I inhaled, they
bombarded me with a flurry of questions.
"Is he nice?"
"How much did he pay you? Wait, have you two, like, done it yet?"
That last one was Emmett, and it took all my self-control to not jump up and beat him to a bloody
pulp. But I didn't have to move. Rosalie was already hitting Emmett with a pillow. Not as violent as
I would have preferred, but I would have to live.
"One at a time, please…" I begged them. "Emmett, he did not pay me. I went out with him of my
own free will. And no, we have not 'done it'." I stated.
"So… how did you guys start dating then?" He inquired.
"He's not so bad." I confessed, blushing. My voice sounded weak, I was never a good liar.
"No offense, but, he didn't seem to like you. Last I saw, you were both still calling each other by
your last names…" Rose said.
"Do you remember that I went to L.A. for New Year's Eve?" I asked them.
"Well Allison and Samantha drag me to a party, and I was being the 'fun Bella'"- I made quotation
marks with my fingers-"… so it was almost midnight. Have you ever heard the expression 'ring the
new year'?" I asked them. They all, including Ben, nodded.
"So, naturally, I didn't have someone to 'ring' the year with. I wasn't upset, but you know Allison,
she doesn't want anyone missing any experiences… so she quickly found someone. Oh! I forgot it
was kind of a masked ball…"
"A couple of minutes later, Allison appeared with a masked guy that I didn't recognize at first. We
danced, and then we, eh, 'rang in' the year…"
I paused for suspense, and to collect my thoughts. How was I going to explain the next part to
them?
"After we made out, he took me to a balcony… And he starts saying, that 'we should know each
other better' and asks me to take my mask off… I was already recognizing the voice, but I wasn't
sure until I stared at him, while realization hit us… we didn't know how we ended both in the same
party…"
"So as soon as I was home from winter break, Emmett told me you'd broken up with Edward, Rose.
Then he told me himself, I didn't care though. I was just happy for Emmett, because he could be in a
more established relationship. After that, me and Ed made out often. We went to Port Angeles or to
his house, when his parents weren't home."
"That was basically our whole relationship for a couple of weeks. Of course he still treated the same
at school. One day we were at his house, making out, I blushed, "And then he tells me that he thinks
he loves me. I ran away, but it was raining, and I hadn't brought my truck… He ran after me and
told me that he loved me. Then I told him I was late and he drove me home…"
Then I continued the story with the texting, climbing to my window at midnight, our 'first date', the
car crash obviously omitting my feelings towards him. And then, to Alice's delight, I continued
beyond that, to his coma.
"So he was in a coma, and I was very upset. The whole situation had made me realize how strong
my feelings towards him are. I'll get to that part later. So I was really messed up… I can't believe I
did that to him. It was my entire fault, even if everyone says it wasn't…"
"Well, after seeing him like that, I couldn't sleep all night. Alice was with me that time… That was
Friday… This morning I went to his room and he was awake, looking at me. With those green eyes
of his…" Oh my God, had I just said that out loud? Crap!
"Goodnight Rose"
"Goodnight Em"
"Goodnight, Al"
"Goodnight, Jazz"
"Goodnight, Ange"
"Goodnight, Ben"
"Goodnight Bells"
"Goodnight"
And with that I drifted in to sleep. I could not wait until Monday...
So today I was going to pick up my boyfriend for school. The boyfriend my mother knows nothing
about, but I’ll deal with her later. Right now the only thing that matters is him. And that I have to
tell him how I feel about him. I love him… a lot, to be rather exact.
But what exactly do love stands for? I know, but I mean, you aren’t supposed to love only once or
twice and I’m way too young to know that I love someone. Many teenagers confuse crushes with
love and do things they would regret later. Like…
My mom has told me that she had thought she loved Charlie. While, according to her, he was only a
phase, a crush. She had met him in high school and things had gone way too fast because they were
young and foolish. And even if she didn’t regret having me, I know she always wonders what
would have happened if she had gone to college instead.
But that wasn’t the case with Edward and I. We would take things slow, our way…
I was now in front of a very familiar house (at least it had became familiar during the last two
months or so). He was waiting for me, naturally. He smiled my favorite crooked smile as soon as
his gaze met mine. He opened the passenger door and got inside the car.
“Hey” I replied.
“How are you this morning, love?” he asked. Love? Haven’t I just thought about the significance of
such a word?
“Really? Did you talk about me?” Okay, I took a quick glance at his face… not Bella, bad idea…I
felt the blood rising to my cheeks. I used my long dark hair as a curtain between us.
“We should probably get going” I said in a rush as I put the key in ignition.
We talk non-stop during the whole ride. It helped me to not think about… no Bella, don’t go back
there… but really, are we going too fast?
We got out of my car in a blur. Though we have been ‘officially’ introduced as a couple last week,
gossip has spread out. I’m sure the whole school knows about the car crash. There aren’t secrets in
Forks. Everyone is staring.
Ignoring all the eyes that were ‘observing’ us, Edward grab me by the wais and lock me up in to a
passionate kiss. I kiss him back, just a little. I think we have to discuss public displays of affection
soon! This is too public for my liking.
Morning classes went in a blur, sooner that it seemed, it was lunch time. I must admit I was a little
mad at Edward for his little stunt earlier. I wasn’t hungry so I just grabbed my old copy of ‘Romeo
& Juliet’ and sat under a canopy tree.
I can’t recall how much time passed. I was lost again in Shakespeare’s writing. I’ve always thought
that Romeo and Juliet were two misfortunate souls that couldn’t fulfill what life had planned for
them… but right now I might have changed my mind. I mean they met and that same day, they
decided to get married. They get married on the second day, Tybalt dies a few hours later, Romeo is
exiled. On the third day, Juliet is told that she is to marry Paris and drinks the vial. And on the
fourth day miscalculation ends it all.
But did it really was fate or did they do something wrong?
I mean how did they really know if they love each other? Their whole relationship lasted less than
four days… They have moved too fast…
They went too fast and that screwed everything up. But they didn’t notice it because they were so
young. I mean they were two teenagers that got carried away…
Just like...
My parents…
Just like...
Just like Edward and me. I think the world is cons pirating to make me realize something.
“There you are. I’ve been looking for you.” I looked up to meet his too-perfect face.
“Just so I could do this” he said as he lifted me up and leaned closer to me. I turned my head aside
and push him away.
“Look at the hour! I don’t want to get late to class” I wasn’t completely lying. Lunch was almost
over.
At government, I could feel his gaze on me. He was staring at me thoughtful, like he was
calculating something. I focused on my textbook.
When school was finally over, I found him leaning against my car.
“Bella, are you mad at me?” He asked with serious expression in his face.
“I’m just…”
Neither of us spoke during the entire ride to his house. When we arrive he gave me a concerned
look and a quick peck on the lips. After that he got out of the car and I drove away.
I glanced at the clock. 7:30. Oh crap! I’m late for school and I’ve to pick him up!
I ran downstairs grabbing a granola bar in my way our. I sat in my truck and turned the engine on.
Twenty minutes later, I was in the Mason mansion. Mason Masion? It’s sound quite funny…. and
repetitive. I giggled at the thought.
“You’re late.” He stated. I noticed he was pouting at me. However, all I could think about was…
MASON MASION!
I failed trying to hide my giggles by putting my hand over to my mouth. Oh c’mon! Bella control
yourself! Stop giggling about non-sense! Non-sense…
Non-sense…
Nose sense…
Alright Bella, you need to sleep more and stop taking too much sugar, you’re worse than Alice!
“It’s good to see you smiling again. I was worried about you. I love to see you smile. But may I
wonder what are you giggling at?” he asked me. His words automatically stopped my giggling and I
turned back to my serious façade.
Love?
Too fast…
He closed the door beside him and we headed to school once again.
Once we had arrived, we both ran off to our classes. Just like yesterday, classes went out in a blur
and before I knew it, lunch had arrived. I grabbed a chicken sandwich and a soda… Then I
proceeded to find a sit. Where can I sit?
With my friends?
With my boyfriend?
Alone?
I got it! Maybe I could slow down things with him if I offer some space…
So where do I start? I’ll sit with my friends today. I need the time anyways. I walked over to their
table.
“Bella!” Ang said with a happy tone. I noticed that Ben had become a new addition to our table.
“Hey guys. Excuse me Em, why did you call me ‘squirt’?” I demanded angrily while I did air
quotations with my hands.
“Just teasing you Bells.” He replied as he grinned at me. Rose punched him playfully on the
stomach.
“So… where’s Mr. Boyfriend today?” Alice asked at the same time as she raised her eyebrows
playfully.
“No idea.” I replied as I lift up my shoulders. Just then, a pair of arms grabbed my waist and a
velvet voice whispered into my ear.
“Fine” I hissed at him. I can’t help feeling a little guilty. He was being sweet, but we were going a
thousand miles an hour in this road.
He grabbed my wrist and led me through the cafeteria door and far beyond until we were by the
same tree where I was reading yesterday.
“Bella are you ok?” he asked. Anxiety was filled in his eyes.
“Yeah. Sure. Never better.” I blurted out too quickly to make it seem like the truth.
“What is keeping you so worried?” He asked. Concern was filled in his eyes.
He lifted my head up with his index finger to make my gaze meet his.
“As I said before, and I quote myself, ‘You’re my business’, my Bella. I love you and if something
is keeping you worried, I want to know what it is. Your concern is my concern.” He said.
He just leaned down and kissed me. It took all my will power to restrain of giving in. It was
pointless so I started to give in to the kiss and kiss him back. Stop Bella! What are you doing? What
happened to the space, YOU had promised to yourself so that this doesn’t screw up? I pushed him
off.
“Ok, my love.” Again with that word. That’s the word that I have trouble with.
Finally, classes were over. I drove him home. When we arrived we got a huge surprise…
A brand new silver Aston Martin V12 was parked in his driveway with a huge red ribbon around it.
It looked quite expensive… talk about spoiled children.
We got out of the car and there they were. Mr. & Mrs. Mason smiling at us. Edward couldn’t
remove his eyes off of the car.
“Of course, son. We realized that you’ll need a car to drive your girlfriend around.” Mr. Mason said
matter-of-factly. I blushed.
“Thank…you… a lot” Edward replied. His eyes hadn’t left the car yet. I guess he was interiorizing
the surprise.
“Well, let’s leave them alone, Edward.” Mrs. Mason said to Mr. Mason. They got inside the house.
Edward turned to me.
“So… do you like my new car?” He asked me. His eyes lit up the excitement.
Before he could kiss me goodbye, I blurted out a ‘bye’ ,jumped into my car and drove away.
That night I stayed up, thinking. I had lots of questions in my mind. Were we really going too fast?
Was it really too soon? Do I tell him that I love him. Do I? I’m too messed up!
I opened my window and let the fresh air fill the room. I, pathetically enough, started talking to
myself out loud. Oh god, I’m really wicked!
“What do I do? Do I ignore it? Do I tell him? Do I? Why can I get the guts to do it? C’mon
everybody could. I’m sure I can too. But do I? It’s not like I could walk to him and say ‘Hey
Edward, guess what? I-’ that’s way too pathetic. I need a better way to tell him and stop freaking
out like this.” I started thinking of ways when...
“Tell me what?” A voice asked. I notice that it was coming from my window.
And the worse part was that I knew that voice, and I did not want to hear it now.
That-that… that… JERK! He thinks the can just come here and spy on me. Damn you
eavesdropper!
I was too pissed off to speak. Although, he waited till I had finally enough self-control to reply.
“WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING HERE?” I yelled at him. I was glad that Charlie had a
late night shift at the station; all this yelling would’ve probably caught his attention. I waited for
him to explain his behavior.
I watched his facial expression get angrier. His gaze was pointed firmly at me when he spoke.
Though I had to admit he still looked hot even with that angry façade. Bella focus! It’s the enemy
you’re talking-or rather thinking about! Right then the bomb that was ticking inside of me
explode…
“Do you understand that I care about you? Fuck! I damn care about you a lot” he hissed….
That started a night that I’ll record in my memory for as long as I exist, everything came in a blur as
soon as those words came out of his mouth…
“Oh, don’t give that. You’re a doubting bastard. You couldn’t even trust your own girlfriend.
Maybe it is because you aren’t trustworthy at all.” It wasn’t supposed to come out like that.
“Bella get this inside your thick skull: I care about your well being; besides you still are my
girlfriend.”
The glass was broken. Some anger faded from his face and he stared at me flabbergasted.
“What?” he almost-whispered.
“We’re freaking over! I don’t give a shit if you’re alive or dead! You are dead to me!- No sorry, it
will be as if you’d never existed”
His face was red. He was too angry to speak. Right then I opened my mouth and said the words that
I’ll regret for the rest of my life.
That led to the words he said, the ones that my mind kept replaying every once in a while…
“And I can’t believe I ever asked you. I should have stayed with Lauren.”
“I bet you cheated on me with her, didn’t you? You know what? Don’t answer that. I don’t give a
shit.”
“Bella-”
“It’s Isabella to you, Masen. Get the fuck out off my house!”
“Fine!”
“Fine, go away.”
He jumped out of my window and climbed down the tree cursing and fumbling all the way down. I
subtly watched him walk away. I could feel the tears that started to gather around my eyes.
By the way, Edward, I love you. Was the last thing I thought as I watched him disappear in the
driveway…
Why on earth had those words come out of my mouth? Why had I said that to him? I’m an idiot.
I couldn’t sleep all night. I regret everything that happened tonight… I would take it all back if I
can, but I can’t.
No
So he did regret having me as his girlfriend… My tears keep falling down my face.
I'm done, I'm done, said I'm so done, (so done, yeah).
--A/N: I was going to leave it there, but I though you deserved a longer chapter.. ;) It would've
been too short...--
A/N: (Soundtrack: Apologize by Timbaland & One Republic) I suggest you re-play the song
as you read this…
Wednesday’s abbreviation in the calendars is wed, and wed reminds me of wedding and wedding
reminds me of love and love reminds me of-STOP BELLA, GET OVER IT.
I pulled my car into the school driveway. I recognized the silver car; that everybody was staring at.
As I parked my car, I watched him get out of his with a grim expression on his face. I got out of my
car and closed the door behind me. I headed to the main building.
I did hear footsteps-his footsteps- coming behind me. I ignore it. I started to walk faster…
“Bella” he said
“No we don’t”
“Bells, I’m sorry… I really acted like an ass last night” It’s too late to apologize, Edward. What’s
done is done.
I didn’t. Instead, I stood up all by myself, luckily, turn around and keep walking to the classroom”
I know that I could sit with my friends, but I was wondering where he would sit and more
importantly with whom.
I took my usual sit between Alice & Jasper and Emmett & Rose. I know notice that I was the only
one single in my group of friends. Yesterday, you weren’t. My mind told me.
“I heard Edward got a new car, but he didn’t drive you to school today did he?” Alice asked.
“Yeah, I heard about that too, an Aston Martin V12, pretty expensive car…” Em said.
“Well, listen carefully; because I’m only saying this once, he has no right or obligation to drive me
to school anymore.” I said flatly.
“Stop looking at me like that! I’m going to take fresh air. I’ll see you guys later.” I said as I got up
and walked out of the cafeteria.
I walked too that tree- that cursed tree, where my life had changed so abruptly…
I tried to open my book-Romeo & Juliet- but I just couldn’t. So I grabbed my iPod and hit play…
I could feel the tears falling. C’mon Bella you can do this… stop the tears from falling
Open your eyes and look outside, find the reasons why.
You've been rejected, and now you can't find what you left behind.
I should regret it too, but I can’t. Well I do, but I shouldn't... right?
I felt someone beside me. I did not have to look to know who it was. I already knew…
He tried to reach for my hand. I got up abruptly and ran to my next class...
Wasn’t it?
For some people is a special day, for others is just another crappy day….
And I have no idea what it is to me.
I wish I could ditch school only for this day, but I couldn’t. Some perfect student I am.
I was lying lazily in my bed. I took a glance at the clock. 6:50 am. Damn! I’m up early. As if I
needed more time to hate this day!
I tried to search for my iPod, but as soon as I found it, I realized it had run out of battery probably
because it has been serving as my escape lately. I connect it to its charger.
Love me love me
NEXT! Dammit!!
Kiss me
The last time I heard that song was… NO! BELLA DON’T THINK THAT!
I jumped into the shower and changed quickly. I made myself a bowl of cereal and ate it slowly.
It was early when I pull over in front of the school’s building. But there was another car parked
already. A silver car, obviously…I allowed myself to take a quick glance at him. Hopefully he
would not notice. But damn! He noticed.
I couldn’t stay locked up in my car as much as wanted to. Let’s get this over with, I thought as I got
out of the car.
“Bella” he called.
I ignored him and kept walking to the front building, only to discover that it was locked. Just my
luck.
I turned around and kept walking to a different direction. I stopped in front of the tree. I touched the
grass to see if it was dry, and surprisingly it was. I sat down Indian style and grabbed my calculus
notebook. The work wasn’t supposed to be done until next Wednesday, but I needed something to
distract myself.
As you might imagine, I was being followed. By the Edward Mason himself. He had kept my pace
and he was now sitting two feet away from me. He just sat there, watching me. Or I should say…
observing me. I swear he looked at me like I was a science experiment or something.
“So now you stalk me?” I hissed, trying to break his gaze.
“I didn’t mean to say those things Tuesday, I’m really sorry…” he said remorseful.
“No you listen. I don’t care what you’ve to say unless it is the answer of equation 45b.” I said trying
to get back to my homework.
“Ignoring you” I blurted out. Dammit! I need to keep some things to myself and not blurt them out
like that!
“That’s because I don’t want you to ignore me” We were now gazing fiercely at each other. It was
like our anger had trapped us in our own little bubble.
“You’re a jerk” I stated confidently.
“And you’re a hopeless pushover” he said mockingly. But he was right about that, crap!
I was about to reply to him with some words I would most probably regret saying, when he grabbed
me by the wrists and made me stand up. As soon as I was up his lips press to mine fiercely. Our
anger was clearly reflected in the kiss. The force of it made me dizzy. When he finally released my
wrists, I pushed him off.
--
Classes passed one by one… and all I could think about was him. Damn him and his breath-taking,
dazzling, amazing kisses!
Once I had grabbed a chicken sandwich and a bottle of lemonade, I sat down in my truck and
started eating. When I was down, I took a few sips of my lemonade. Suddenly I felt a knock on my
window. It was him. There was no way out of this one. I got out of my truck.
The rose was beautiful to say the least, it was perfect. I couldn’t accept it though…
“No, besides I’m someone else’s valentine already.” Such a liar I am! Now I need a date!
“What?” he was trying to find the truth about the matter I suppose.
“Wait and see” was my only reply. His expression turned hurt. It broke me to see him like that. He
just turned around and left.
--
“Why?” she asked flabbergasted. I remembered I haven’t told her why Edward & I broke up.
I drove home quietly. I e-mailed Renée, got my homework done and was getting dinner ready when
the phone rang.
“Tomorrow 7 pm, he picks you up. Got it? , you owe me.” Alice voice announced.
“Newton,” she said. I’m sure she is getting me back for something…
“Sorry, no whining accepted. You’re the one that was desperate” she announced. She’s definitely
mad at me for something…
“I was not. I just needed to make a lie become a truth” That really sounds stupid…
“Then you’re stuck with Newton” she announced as she hung up…
I was sitting in a gas station dinner. But it wasn’t anywhere near Forks, so I couldn’t just ran away
all the way home. Plus, that would probably look rude. I shouldn’t blame myself for this. This date
has been awful. Not that my dating history, automatically resumed to him, was of help at the
moment. I’ve been told I shouldn’t compare dates like that. But if I did, I don’t think this date
would get a 1 in a 1-10 scale!
He came late. And when I say late I mean really late. He could be late by 10 minutes, but he kept
me waiting for two hours!!
Then he drove us to a gas station near Tacoma. Do you know how far that is? We ended up dining
in an unhygienic dinner just because the burgers where cheaper there. Mike didn’t even ask me
what I wanted to eat, he ordered 2 of what seem to be, cheese burgers and 2 un-branded sodas. I
only sat there, afraid of even pick my food. It doesn’t look edible. I swear I can see the fungi in my
bun! Ew! I don’t believe I would ever look at a cheeseburger the same way…
He tried to grin at me, failing miserably. I could see the food, already chewed falling from the
corner of his mouth.
“Hey, babe, I’m quite a catch, aren’t I?” he said in a mouthful of the so-called food
“Sure you’re Mike” sarcasm colored my tone. Of course Mike being the prick he is; didn’t catch it.
He finished eating his food and then just grabbed mine, without even asking me. I didn’t mind, I
wanted to get rid of that nasty food anyways.
Our waiter walked toward us. He was an 18-year old teenager with acne problems, but Mike had a
thing for him, I think.
“Anything else you want?” Tyler asked smiling a little too warmly to Mike. He was flirting with
him, figures... And I’m starving!
When it was time to pay, Mike ‘discovered’ that he had forgot his wallet. So… I ended up paying
for both of us. He drove us home; it was almost midnight. I got out of the car and he followed me.
Damn!
We were in my front door step and I was wishing to get inside, when he turned me around. He
grabbed me and put his horrible lips in mine. Ew! I mean he had just eaten that disgusting so-called
food and I can now taste it! In addition he was an awful kisser. I think I’m gonna puke… I pushed
him away.
“No, I didn’t”
“So… what?”
“HE IS A JACKASS!”
“No he is not. He is sweet and caring, and sometimes he actually can think-” Shut up, Bella! You
hate him, remember!
“I’m not going to discuss further with you. Bye Newton. I hope this would not repeat ever!”
I got inside my house and change into my pjs. I put my headphones on and hit play… (A/N: The
song is Can I Have a Kiss? By Kelly Clarkson)
Something so pure
I'm unworthy
Don't move
Don't move
Can I
All I have
Can I, can I
Damn! Why am I so weak? I can’t surrender, not now. I gotta get started with that essay due
Monday.
-- (A/N: You can play ‘Who’s that Girl?’ by Hilary Duff here)
Monday was already here. Alice apologized for the date with Mike. However, she seemed up to
something…
As I pulled up in the school driveway, I deduced I had about 10 minutes before classes actually
started.
I couldn’t believe what I saw. Edward was in a deep lip lock with some blonde bimbo. How dare
he? Calm down Bella, you broke up with him. Remember?
I headed to class.
In my way to each of my classes I found him with a different one. I felt something strange inside
me; probably I’m sick because of Mike’s unhygienic burgers. Ew! I’m going to puke if I even recall
that he kissed me!
Government was the worse. Edward actually had a waiting list. How much of an ass can he be? I
swear he make out with at least 5 girls in the class in an hour! Mr. Banner, didn’t mind of course, he
could be burning the place for all he cared. When class ended, I gathered my books and headed out
of the classroom. Me being, well me, I tripped.
I ran away from class and drove away fighting the tears the whole way back home.
By the way
He’s back.
--Flashback--
Tuesday was here, once again. I was lying on my bed with no intentions to get up. You’ve to go to
school, the voice in the back of my head told me, damn conscience! Why do you’ve to bother me
right now! Okay Bella, get up now…
I got dressed and headed downstairs. I needed to waste time, so I made myself a bowl of cereal and
ate slowly. I have no intentions of running on to him and one of his girls today. Yesterday’s stunt
was more than enough.
I mean... he hadn’t said that he loved me? Key word in that sentence, loved, past tense and we live
in the present.
He is just a dickhead. A scoundrel! He is unimportant in my life, even if every cell in my body ached
to deny that. I would get over him; I would focus on most important things.
Figures… it’s not even 8 o’clock and he’s already exchanging saliva with the Asian exchange
student. How much of a pig can he be?
Oh… but that’s not all, here comes the French, guess he wants authentic French kissing now…
C’mon! 3 girls in less than 20 minutes! Asshole! Stupid womanizer! And I’m the idiot who is stuck
staring at his actions! Get a grip Bella!
I, as much as I hate it, have to admit that I’m hurting a lot. But I would not let him know that. It’s
all over. I grabbed my books an headed to class.
--End flashback--
--Flashback--
So… he’s there with the French again, and now she’s walking away. Might as well go talk to her.
What was her name, again? Oh that’s right! Amélie!
Fortunately, I was taking AP French, so I could explain her, the basics on him in her own
language. (A/N: Sorry if I messed up a little bit, I’ve just began taking French. I’ve written the
English translation on parenthesis)
“Amèlie?”
“Oui?” (Yes?)
“Vous savez Edward? Vous savez celui là-bas?” (You know Edward? You know the one over
there?)
“Eh bien, il est un homme à femmes; il change les filles plus souvent que ce qu'il change de sous-
vêtements. Il est une mauvaise nouvelle, il est des problèmes. Je vous recommande de se tenir loin
de lui.”(Well, he is a womanizer; he changes girls more often than he changes his underwear.
He is bad news, he is trouble. I recommend you to stay away from him.)
I expected her to be mad and simply stop seeing him, but she surprised me. She went all red and
ran to him completely pissed off. She stomped on his foot, slapped him in the cheek and started
yelling at him… in French! I approached the area to hear the ‘lecture’.
“Vous porc dégoûtant! Comment pourriez-vous faire pour nous pauvres filles! Vous n'avez pas de
coeur, pas de sentiments que ce soit. Vous êtes un dégoûtant trou du cul!”(You disgusting pig!
How could you do this to us, poor girls! You have no heart, not feelings whatsoever. You’re a
disgusting asshole!)
He was utterly shocked. I bet he didn’t catch a thing of that. I was fighting with myself to no burst
out laughing. I ran to my car, lock myself up and laugh until I felt tears ran into my eyes.
But deep down, I felt bad for him, I’m sure it will go away…
--End of flashback--
Good times…
But of course, Mr. Banner ruined it all. The man doesn’t have another thing to do than ruining my
life, I’ll assure you!
I was sitting at my lunch table with my headphones on. (A/N: She’s listening to ‘Miss
Independent’ by Kelly Clarkson)
Miss independent
Miss self-sufficient
Miss unafraid
Surprise...It's time
Miss if you want to use that line you better not start, no
She sat next to me. She watched me curiously. I just tried to ignore her, she seemed to be implying
something with that look. Damn! I swear she’s up to something…
“Bella… Earth to Bella!” Alice snapped trying to direct my attention back at her. But it was too
late; I’d already focused my gaze on him. Damn him and his freaking good looks!
His gaze found mine and he sent me an arrogant smirk. What a dickhead! He thinks I’m staring at
him? As if! Bella, you idiot! You are!
Miss Independent.
“Bella, I was wondering what’s up between you two guys?” She questioned
“Huh? What are you talking about?” I snapped, wishing that she will drop the subject. Of course,
with Alice, there is not such luck.
“Isabella Swan! You know exactly what I’m talking about! Don’t you dare think I’ll drop the
subject!”-DAMN!
But for some odd reason, luck decided to help me at that precise moment, because the bell rang.
“Gotta go, Al. Tell ya, later, ‘k?” I blurted out.
Government was a living hell. As if I wasn’t pissed at Mr. Banner that he had returned giving me
lower grades (he had heard that we had split up). Edward was really… let’s say… involved in his
player ways…
“So, class. As you know, you’ll have to present an important assignment by the end of March. It
will be a mix between Law and Drama Class. No complaining, I know most of you have not taken
drama ever, however, the teacher’s board decided that this would be a more educative dynamic. The
project is supposed to be completed in couples. Each couple will have a determined type of case and
they’ll have to create a case and perform it in front of the class. You can ask for help of your
classmate for the performance, as extras, you and your partner will have to do the main roles, but
not for the creation of the case. Understood?” Oh great… Another assignment in which I would get
a low grade because of his freaking preferences.
“Because, I don’t trust you enough to pick you own partners, I’ve taken the liberty to assign them
already. You’re not allowed to switch partners nor complain about yours. I don’t care if you get
along with your partner or not. You’ll do this project together because I say so.” Crap! That… ugh!
Jessica dared to complain. “But I wanted to be partnered with Edward!” She sang in her nasally
voice.
“Shut up, Miss Stanley. Your partner is Mr. Newton and it’s going to stay that way.” Mr. Banner
replied and continue telling the names.
“Mr. Clarke, your partner will be Miss Newley.” No one dared to complain about it.
“Mr. Adcock, your partner will be Miss Reeves.” No one complained either.
“Mr. Mason, your partner will be… Miss Swan” He stated. The next thing I can recall is Edward
and I screaming in unison.
“WHAT?!”
“As I said before you’ll work together because I said so. Now all the teams will meet for further
arrangements. This project is planned to be developed outside of school so you’ll have to meet at
each other houses, understood?”
I was left with no choice, but to sit next to him. We just glared at each other.
“Look Mason, it seems that we’re stuck in this project together”- bad word Bella-“So, I propose a
truce only for self-benefit. I suppose you don’t want to fail this and neither do I.”
“I will give you a paper with your assigned cases. Remember you’ll have to create a plot for the
case, they cannot just be plain laws.”
He started approaching each table and giving them their cases. Hannah Reeves and Jack Adcock got
a murder case. Newton and Jessica got Tuna company demand… Edward and I were next. Mr.
Banner approached our table.
“Here’s is your case, Miss Swan and Mr. Mason, or should I say Mr. & Mrs. Mason?” What the
heck? What is he talking about?
Students:
You’ll have to use your real names in this case, just for simplicity issues. The rest of the case can be
whatever you want. Your case will be a DIVORCE TRIAL.
Mr. Banner
“Swan, you’re fucking white. What does the damn paper say?” Edward exclaimed.
“Students, I think it will be a good time to inform you that you cannot change cases. You have to
work with what you got.” Damn! I swear I’m going to kill that man someday… But if I kill him I
will go to jail, so maybe I should hire someone to kill him.
--
Friday had arrived. I was pulling out in his driveway…
The door opened. Elizabeth Mason was standing in front of me with a smile on her face.
“Call me Elizabeth, sweetie. After all, we’re soon to be family” She stated with a small smile. I
wonder what did she meant by that. Better keep your mouth shut, Bella.
“Perhaps I should go up and get him” Crap! I did not just say that! That sentence can, obviously,
have more than one connotation. I hope she doesn’t get it. She did! Damn it! I blushed.
“Perhaps you should” Elizabeth replied with a small chuckle. “Second door to the left” she
instructed.
I made my way upstairs and then turned left. I walked beside the first door. Sooner than expected, I
was in front of his door.
It took all my guts to knock that stupid door. I listen to music on the background. I heard him
approach the door. He opened the door. And there he was. As soon as we were face to face, we
stared at each other.
In the beginning we
Emerald green…
“Mason, stop staring at me. It’s creepy” I said as I returned to my all business façade.
“If my memory doesn’t fail me, you were staring at me too, Swan. Plus, I’ve caught you checking
me out more than once…” He replied wittily as he raised one perfect eyebrow at me. Damn him!
“Okay, let’s get things straight first, right?” He asked me. I just nodded.
“If I recall correctly, Banner did say that we had to use our real names.” He said
We both sat cross legged at the floor. I had a notebook and a pen to write down the brainstorming.
“Let me think” I said. Suddenly a great idea popped into my mind. Damn idea! Come back! I was
about to state it when I took a look at his eyes and just like that –poof!- goodbye idea! “Nada”
“Alright, you first. What do you think we should clear up?” I asked as I prepared to write.
“I have a lot of things in mind… How old are we? How many years have we been married? How
did we meet? What are our current jobs? How much money do we make? Do we have any kids? If
so, how many and what are their names? Do we-” I cut him off.
He waited. I proceeded.
“Ok. First question. How old are we? I would say early 30s. It’s not that old. Plus, getting a divorce
at twenty-something is just plain sad.” I said.
“Edward, your turn now. How many years have we been married?” I asked him.
He was thoughtful for a minute. “I guess about 8-10 years”
“Huh?”
“8-10 years. I want us to have kids.” Okay that did sound weird.
“So, we’re both doctors. However, I’m a neurosurgeon and you are a…?” he asked me
“Alright. If we’re 32 that means we got married sometime when we were 22-24 years old”
“Exactly. I got it! We married just before med school. The kids came later though. We have been
married for 10 years.” He said enthusiastically. KIDS?? As in plural?
“I want a whole football team.” He stated with a grin. No way on Earth, Mason!
“Excusez-moi?”
“Well, I guess we haven’t gotten there yet. How about twins and one on the way” Okay…
“How far along do you want to be?” This project just get’s weirder with time.
“No way. I’m not naming the poor child after me”
“Well, I don’t. How about Elizabeth Anne?” I asked him. It was really strange to discuss the names
of our imaginary family.
“I think she makes about 200 grand a year and he makes about 250, so they’re financially stable” he
said
“Ok.” I wonder how did he knew that data. I knew it, but by research.
“No way. I think he is a cheating bastard so you cheated on me with some slutty nurse.” I snapped
at him.
“HE’S NOT THAT COLD-HEARTED. C’MON! LEAVING HIS WIFE THAT IS CARRYING
HIS CHILD AND HIS KIDS FOR SOME SLUT? I DON’T THINK SO. I THINK SHE
CHEATED ON HIM” he yelled.
“HOW ON EARTH CAN SHE CHEAT ON HIM? SHE’S CARRYING HIS CHILD FOR
GOODNESS SAKES!”
“AND WHAT GUARANTEES HIM THAT THE CHILD SHE CARRIES IS HIS?” he asked. That
bastard!
“SHE SHOULD TRUST HIM, TO BEGIN WITH. SHE SHOULD BELIEVE ON HIM. HE
WOULDN’T CHEAT ON HER.”
“HE WOULDN’T CHEAT ON HER BECAUSE…” but he didn’t state the reason.
“I’M WAITING…”
“DEEP DOWN… SHE LOVES HIM TOO” oh my god! What did I just say…
I didn’t had much time to think about the consequences because as soon as I said those words his
lips were on mine eagerly. Oh… I’ve missed this. It was just like the old times, when we had no
worries… It was just him and me… being ourselves… I didn’t pull away. I kissed him back in fact.
When we broke the kiss we were both gasping for air. But as soon as I looked into his eyes… he
asked me the only question I didn’t know how to answer…
He was staring at me intently. I gulped. What was I supposed to say? I tried to open my mouth and
say something, but my voice did not work. So I chose to do, what seemed like my only choice at the
moment, leave. I headed towards the door.
But, he beat me to it. He put himself between the door and me. Clearly, I would not be getting out
of here that easy. He raised one perfect eyebrow at me.
Silence…
“Umm….You see…”I really suck at explanations for irrational and illogical actions! Keep that in
mind next time you decide to commit one, Bella!
“I can’t…” I whispered
“You can’t, what?”
“I just can’t. Don’t get me wrong. I just can’t. I really do like you, but…” I started
“But…?” he inquired
“I think we would be better off as friends” I can’t believe I just said that. But we do have to take
things slow. Either way, being friends is way better than being enemies, right?
He looked at me thoughtful. He gave a cold glare and turned his back at me. Great, now I really lost
him. He sat on the window frame, his back at me. I curled up in the ball and out my head between
my knees. Why am I such an idiot?
See? He doesn’t want to be even near you anymore. You screwed it up.
Sucker…
Idiot…
He loved you once, and you blew it. Now he doesn’t want to look at you at all. Way to go, dim
brained.
I would have critiqued myself more thoroughly, if I hadn’t heard him sigh. I looked up at him and
our eyes met. He stood up. I hid my face on my knees again.
He must have turned the stereo on, because music filled the room (A/N: Start playing ‘How To
Save A Life’ by The Fray). He approached me and offered me his hand.
“Would you dance with me?” he asked me with pleading eyes. I just nodded and he helped me
stand up. He put his arms around my waist and I put mine around his neck. I rest my head in his
shoulder. It came natural, like it was meant to be this way…
I missed him.
Just enjoy the moment, Bella. This might be the last time…
He leaned closer and whispered in my ear. “If you want me to be your friend, then so be it. I would
love to be your friend, Isabella Swan.”
And finally, I ought of Edward as my bother. Guy friends are kind of like brothers, aren't they?
Oh lord! I love my own brother. NO YOU DON'T BELLA, REMEMBER THAT. I COMMAND YOU
TO STOP LOVING.
Ok, I might have been losing it ('it' being my sanity) a little. Self control, Bella. Self control.
Suddenly my cell phone started vibrating. I had forgotten I had put in on silence while driving over
to the Mason's. I looked at the caller ID, 'Evil Pixie'
"Yes, Mary Alice?" I answered. Alice hated to be called by her full name almost as much as I hated
to be called mine.
"Good evening, Isabella Marie" she replied. Ugh, she got me there. The game was on...
"Well, Isabella" Oh, God. "I am calling to cordially invite you to spend this evening, at the cease of
today, at my humble residence, where I reside. Hence the title, 'residence'." she continued. Her
house, humble? I almost laughed. It was a mansion; far from humble.
"I am deeply sorry. I will be unable to comply with your request." I told her.
"I have unfinished educational work in my possesion that is in need of completion." Ah, I hated
lying, but it was necesary. I just wanted to take a mental break for myself.
"C'mon Bells. Loose it a little. You study way too much." She accused me.
"Alice, don't make me start. I really had a hard day." And it was true, I had.
"And what would be better to make up for it than to have some fun tonight." She proposed.
"Listen Bells and listen good 'cause I'm not saying it again. Sleepover tonight. You, Me, Rose, Ang,
Jazz, Em, Ben & their new friend. There's no point in objecting. Got it? Yes? Good."
"Yes ma'am"
"Fine by me"
I did not know if Alice had bought me new clothes for this 'party', and I didn't want to be taken by
surprise if she had. I packed my stuff anyway. I was trying to stuff my bag when Charlie arrived.
"I'm gonna stay over at Alice's tonight. Is that alright dad?" I asked back.
"I suppose it is." He looked at me and continued "Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Sure" I replied. He took a deep breath and looked me carefully. "I know how much you like this
boyfriend of yours, Edwin isn't it?"
"Huh. I'm confused. Isn't Mason's son who you were with in the car crash?" he asked me
"That's him. But he's not my boyfriend. Not anymore at least. I broke up with him quite a while
ago." I told him
"Oh." He thought for a minute. Conversations like this had always been hard for him. "Are you
alright?"
"Yeah."
"You need to update me, tell me what's going on in your life once in a while…"
"I know dad. I will try. Starting now. Edward is my friend" I informed him.
"What are you implying dad? That just because things did not work between us, we can't even be
friends?"
He looked at me all-knowingly.
"I'm fine if you ask me. You said I needed more friends and I got another one. See? Everyone
happy?" I explained.
"Bells, are you really sure about this?" he asked me. He seemed to know something that I didn't.
I said goodbye to him, picked up my keys and drove down to the Cullen's Mansion. I got out of the
car and rang the doorbell. I was immediately faced by a the Hyper Pixie known only as Alice
Cullen.
"Hey Bella! We're gonna have sooo much fun now that we will be eight instead of seven!" Eight?
Who was the eighth person?
Then I remembered her saying something about Emmett and Jasper's friend. "Who is the new one
the guys are bringing over?"
"You'll see. He's not such a new friend though. He's an old one." So it's a he, figures… "Maybe you
should go, say hi to my mom and dad. They have company, so be warned."
I decided to head there. Carlisle and Esme were like family to me. I walked into the living room as I
always did. "Hi Carlisle. Hi Esme, Hi…" I looked over too see who was it.
"…Mr and Mrs Mason, what a surprise" It certainly was. But why should it be? It's Carlisle and
Esme's house. They could invite anyone they want.
Mrs Mason looked at me disapprovingly. "Isabella, what did I tell you this afternoon? Please call us
by our first names. No need to be so formal."
"Alright" she agreed and continued. "Edward should be arriving soon. He was practicing piano
when we left home." A pianist, figures… He is damn freaking perfect! That definitely did not make
things any easier. Wait a minute; did she just say he's coming? Why would he be coming? Unless…
Damn!
"MARY ALICE CULLEN" I yelled. The two couples looked at me quizzically, waiting for an
explanation. I blushed. "Sorry," I muttered.
Alice appeared then and dragged me out of the room. "Jeez Bells, chill"
"No Alice, I will not calm down. I'm leaving. And you can't stop me" And she didn't even try. She
knew what, or rather who, was at the other side of the door. I, on the other hand, did not. So I
opened it without thinking-Just to faced a green eyed god.
"Hey Bells" he greeted me. His hair was just as messy as this afternoon, but his eyes had some
sparkle that wasn't there before.
"Hey Ed" I replied. He took a looked at my surroundings and then leaned down. Our eyes were at
the same level. Our faces, almost touching.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked me, raising his eyebrows.
"Home" I replied.
"You don't want to know" I replied as I leaned closer. Control yourself, Bella!
"Edward, dear" Elizabeth spoke as she entered the room "I see you met your girlfriend. But is that
way to greet her? I believe I taught you better manners, young man"
It was actually fun to watch Edward being lectured by his mother. And all of this, because he didn't
greet his girlfriend adequately, as she put it. Wait. Girlfriend? Does she mean me?
No way.
No freaking way.
I was about to object when Alice drew me out of the room and took me to her. Rose and Ang were
already there. The interrogation started.
I took a deep breath. "Al, I haven't tell you about this because it happened barely 4 hours ago.
Edward and I decided to-" But they didn't let me finish. They started guessing.
"Take it slow, but be together anyways?" Ange guessed. I shook my head again.
"Be friends with benefits?" Rose guessed and then continued. "No, you aren't the type of girl that
does that sort of thing"
Alice looked at my confused expression and answered me. "You and Edward? Friends? Never."
Their laughing fit continued. I still didn't get it.
Rose replied this time " Perhaps we should be more specific. You and Ed were never just friends"
"I, unlike some people, can practice self-control." I defended myself. Ange took me off guard
though.
"Exactly. The fact that you have to use self control only proves our point: You two were never just
friends." She said.
I didn't think much of it, I had no idea of the surprise that was coming.
Rosalie's pajamas were white and kind of loose; like they were meant to be used by a carefree
person. Ange's, on the other hand, consisted of a peach top and stripped pants, which fit her well.
Alice's pajamas were sleeveless and green with pink designs all over them. Mine were brown, also
sleeveless and had white designs on the pants. I had to admit, they were very pretty.
"Al, how come your parents know the Masons?" I asked her.
She looked at me with skeptical eyes. "Bella, which world do you live in? Everyone knows Edward
Mason, greatest lawyer in Washington state and probably the whole west coast." She raised her
eyebrows. That hadn't answered my question.
"Mary Alice Cullen, you know what I meant by that." I told her. She looked at me and sighed. She
was fidgeting.
"Ok Bella, but I'm warning you, you won't like it." She took a deep breath. "You see...Esme, my
mom...and.... Elizabeth, his mom...are... cousins." she stated. Her eyes did not meet mine.
"No, that’s not possible... because that would mean that you and Edward are..." I couldn't make
sense of what she was saying. There was no way.
"Second cousins" she finished for me. She looked at me, waiting for my reaction.
"How come?" My brain still couldn't process the information she was giving me. "Al, this has to be
a joke."
Although, in the back of my mind, it made perfect sense. This could explain a whole series of things
that didn't seem quite so before. How Edward could contact Alice so quickly to get the dress-and
her automatically trust him. How she seemed so sad when I told her about it, like she had lost
something. How she could have planned this out perfectly and kept it away from my attention. So
she was up to this... She's trying to make us get back together. My mouth hung slightly open.
Alice started explaining. "Well, all three of us, Ed, Em and I grew up together. We were really,
really close. Like siblings. A year before your arrival to Forks, in fourth grade, things got tough
between Em and Ed" She sighed. "You see, they were doing a project together for the science fair
and they had made it to the finals. However, the night before the award ceremony, Em got
appendicitis. Edward couldn't believe it when they were announced winners…but, he was
acknowledged to have done all the work himself. Ed refused to receive the price without Em, but
they insisted on him taking it home. Em didn't wait for Ed to explain anything, he didn't forgive
him. That's why he was the first to support you when you expressed your dislike towards Ed.
Things with Rose did not make it any easier. It was quite a shock for him when you started dating.
So he called Ed and talked things over. Turns out that Ed missed him too."
"And how do you...?" Alice seemed to understand what I was about to ask.
"He trusts me. Asides from his grudge with Em, I'm still his little cousin. We were always on good
terms. So... yeah he told me that he was dating you so I could help him with the details. He wouldn't
give me details though. I didn’t mind so much because I wanted to hear you say it." She finished.
"Wow. That's…that's something. And you didn't tell me this story before, because..?" I asked her
"I thought they should tell you themselves. But I got tired of waiting."
I took a deep breath. "Let me get this straight, you're Edward's cousin?"
"That'll take some time to get used to." I scowled at the floor.
"Well you better get used to it because this is the first of many sleepovers that we will have
together. Ed will join us every time."
"Yes, but this shouldn't bother you. You said that you two were friends, still, right?" she smirked at
me.
"Rose, would you shut up?" I snapped, "You don't know anything about it. You don't know
anything about anything." I continued scowling.
Rose closed her mouth immediately, but fixed me with a stare that seemed to say, You'll pay for
that, Bella Swan. I wasn't impressed.
Angela cut us off. "We should head downstairs before they come up wondering what on Earth we're
doing."
As soon as we were downstairs, we spotted the guys. They were also in their pajamas. I noticed that
Emmett's pajamas matched Rose's, Al's matched Jazz's just as Ben's matched Ange's.
Just like...
"I understand why Em and Rose match, why Ange and Ben match and why you and Jazz match." I
explained. "But why do we match?" I pointed at Edward and then back at me.
Alice smirked again.
"Well, if we're finally an even number. I didn't want you two to be mismatched." There was a
double meaning in those words. "But it shouldn't be a problem for you. You two are friends, right?"
I nodded once. She smiled knowingly. "Let's get this party started"
--------
Three hours later, we were lying on the floor. We had watched The Grudge and The Ring, one after
the other one. Usually, I did not like horror movies. But Edward was there, and he did anything but
make me act like my usual self. So instead of hiding myself under the blankets and screaming my
head off, I laughed like a maniac.
"In my opinion, The Grudge was just a bad imitation of The Ring" Ange stated.
"Well what does miss I-laugh-my-ass-off-in-scary-demonic-movies has to say?" Al asked. Damn it!
She had noticed me laughing. Well, you were pretty loud…like, duh.
I tried to defend myself. "Well, you can't blame me. The situations were just plain ridiculous." Plus,
I was sitting next to the guy I’m in love with.
"I agree with Iz on that one." Edward had my back. Aww... Edward, have I told you how much I
love you? No, I haven't. You don't even know I love you.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about. Actually, you both do." Is she talking about.... nah....
she can't be. C'mon! She sweared to keep it secret.
"Lets change the subject." I proposed. I really didn't want to talk about me loving him. It wasn't the
best time. I would probably break down.
I turned to look at him. "You realize you don't have to agree to everything I say, don't you?"
He grinned at me. "I do understand that Bells." Crap! Why do you have to smile now…all gorgeous
and…and…smiley? And remind of how out of my mind you drive me?
"Oh! I have an idea! Let's play truth or dare" Rose said, grinning mischievously. I clenched my jaw.
"Great idea, Rose." Al agreed. I noticed she took a quick glance at me, easily identifiable sparkle in
her eye.
We gathered in a circle. Alice and Jasper were sitting across from each other, so were Rosalie and
Emmett, and Angela and Ben. Therefore, Edward and I had to sit across from each other, too.
Rose was the first one to speak. "Because Ed is new here, I believe he should start."
"Alright, is it true that Aunt Esme tried to convince you to date Bella when she first came here?"
Edward asked. Emmett laughed once, loudly.
"Yes, she did. But she seemed more like a friend because we got along easy." I did remember that.
The reason we became friends in the first place was because we both hated Edward. Oh, the irony.
"Oh. But Bella didn't want to?" Rosalie asked. Now I remember she didn't know about this either.
I nodded. Emmett continued "Mom finally understood that and left both of us alone. We're buds,
that's it man…" He was trying to erase the murderous glare from Edward's perfect face."Don't kill
me. The only girlfriend I've shared with you was Rose, though I doubt that counts."
Leave it to Emmett to bring up our past together again. Wait a second, Edward had that murderous
glare just because he was jealous? What would it mean if he was?
"It's my turn. Who should I pick?" Emmett looked around the room. "Oh I know! Bells! Truth or
dare?" I rolled my eyes. Emmett could act so childish at times.
"Truth." I muttered hesitantly. They always have said I was too coward to pick dare.
I stared ahead.
"Yes I did, though I would not call it 'going out'. It was just one really awkward, painful date. I
really don't want to go into details" I confessed. Emmett started laughing probably at the terrified
expression on my face as I remembered that terrible and even traumatic date. Edward looked
relaxed like he had just received good news.
"I believe it's my turn now." I started as I picked my victim. "Rose, truth or dare?"
"Go upstairs and bring your iPod. Then sing-along to Barbie Girl mimicking what we saw in that
video at YouTube." She instructed her.
Alice did as commanded. About fifteen minutes after, she came downstairs dressed in a neon pink
dress, and white leather boots. She searched through her music library and found the song. Then she
started mimicking the voices, acting way too girly for 'Barbie' and trying to look all masculine for
Ken. She raised her hands often, especially in the 'fantastic'. All of us, even Jazz, laughed at her
expense.
"Ok, enough laughing. It's my turn now. Bells?" She looked determined.
She grinned. That was a bad sign. "Did you kiss Mike Newton? Did he kiss you? How was it? Did
you like it? Did his breath smell like nachos? Details, please." I went over the question in my head a
few times and tried to find a loophole. There was none.
"I did not kiss him. He kissed me, I pulled away. It was awful. Worse than the date, I must say." I
took a deep breath. "And before any of you ask me about it, he took me to a gas station in Tacoma
where they serve food that did not look edible at all."
It was silent.
"When did you and Ben started dating?" I asked her. She blushed.
"Well, actually, we met during the summer, but we started going out on Halloween" she confessed.
Alice burst out then.
"What you two were together and you didn't even bother to tell us?" Alice exclaimed, she looked
really disappointed and so was I.
"Yeah, Ange. I thought you trusted us more than that." I said, almost mockingly. Right then,
Emmett decided to remind me, that she wasn't the only one who had hid her boyfriend from us.
"You don't have any right to complain! You also hid it from us! You don't trust us either!" Emmett
yelled at me.
"Sorry guys" Angela mumbled. But my attention was focused on Emmett right now. How dare he?
"Well, maybe I would trust you more if you had told me the guy we both hated was your cousin!" I
told him.
"Everyone shut the hell up!"Rose exclaimed "It's Ange's turn to ask the questions"
"Truth, I suppose. And no, Emmett. I'm not a coward for choosing it." He answered
"Why did Bella and you break up? Bella here didn't tell us anything besides that you did. So
perhaps you could give us a little more detail."
I decided to play dumb. "I don’t really remember. That day was a bit…foggy." I lied, lamely. I
hoped they didn’t notice.
Of course, Rose did. She was about to accuse me, when she evidently thought of a better idea.
"Why don't we let them tell us together, that way we could understand a little better." she proposed.
“I’m sure that Edward can fill in all the blanks from what you don’t remember.” She smiled at me.
Bitch.
Edward continued looking at me, waiting for me to answer, and I nodded somberly. He spoke first.
He continued. "So I parked in your driveway, I was lucky your dad wasn't there, I bet he would
have noticed either the Vanquish or me." He sighed heavily. "I climbed up your window, and
surprisingly it was open. I was about to say hi, when I noticed that you were talking… to yourself."
I blushed. "I listened to your conversation awhile, and it seemed like you had something to tell me. I
thought it would make things easier for you if you told me right away, so I asked you."
No, no it did not happen that way. He wasn't completely innocent. I did not snap at him and destroy
the best-and-only-relationship I have ever been in because I was too stubborn to listen.
He blinked, taken aback. "You got mad at me for caring about you. That’s your own fault, Bella.
Not mine."
"It wasn't the first time, Ed. It was just the first time I called you that to your face. Besides, you
called me a bitch first." I regretted saying that the moment the words left my mouth. He didn’t need
to know how violently I had hated him, before. Ugh, great job, I thought, I doubt he even wants to
be in the same room as me now.
He looked hurt, which made me hurt, knowing that I had caused it. In the back of my mind, I knew
that even if I hadn’t caused it, seeing him hurt would have been painful for me to watch.
The next thing he said was also painfully true. "You were the one who said we were over."
I remembered then. He had said something else that night. Those words were among the ones that
hurt me the most. My mind drifted, just for a moment, to that fateful day.
***
His face was red. He was too angry to speak. Right then, I opened my mouth and said the words
that I would regret for the rest of my life: "I can't believe I ever agreed to be your girlfriend."
That led to the words he said, the ones that my mind kept replaying over and over, and the words
that I wished most in the world had never been said.
"And I can't believe I ever asked you. I should have stayed with Lauren."
***
No, he’s not as innocent as he says, I reminded myself. "You cheated on me with Lauren". Jaws
dropped around the room.
"What? Of course you did. You didn't deny it. You even said you were better off with her."
At that point, we had almost forgotten our audience. Our audience, however, hadn’t forgotten us.
"Shut up you two! You're worse than kindergarteners.” Emmett snorted. Then, a grin slowly spread
across his face. I wondered if I should be nervous. “You know what? Let's play seven minutes in
heaven. Ed, Bells you first!" Emmett shouted, getting up to push us.
Before we had time to complain or argue about it, we were being locked in the farthest possible
closet within the Cullen household. The lights were either off or broken, but it didn’t matter. The
ruling fact was that they weren’t there. There was a small window, big enough to let moonlight
illuminate the room, but not big enough to use it as a gateway. Realizing that my only way out was
when they decided to open the door, I sat on the floor with my head on my knees. Edward sat
beside me and turned to face me. I looked up.
"Just… being locked in a closet with my girlfriend." He smiled, then froze, realizing what he had
just said. Where did that come from? "I mean friend who is a girl." he corrected himself.
When the laughing stopped, he met my gaze again. "I have a question, though"
"Shoot."
I blushed. "It was the day after Valentine's. In my defense, Alice picked the date"
He laughed. "Newton was your Valentine? And you said your date was awful? I can't believe I was
so upset about…" he trailed off, looking at the darkness in front of him.
"Never mind."
"C'mon, you can tell me. We're pals, right?" I reminded him.
He tried to change the subject. "So, what have you been up to?"
I decided to leave it at that. I could try getting him to tell me later. "Nothing, really. Just being
locked up in a closet with you."
"I wonder when Alice will decide we can come out. It's getting kind of cold." A dim blue light
caught my eye. It was the heater, but it worked from the outside; the little screen only indicated the
room temperature-and it was decreasing. The evil pixie strikes back!
Talk-or think- of the devil, and the devil should appear-or call.
And I just can't wait till the day when you knock on my door
Now every time I go for the mailbox , gotta hold myself down
"Ask your cousin, the short, annoying one." I replied. He laughed as I picked up the phone.
"Hello?"
"Isabella Marie Swan what the hell are you doing in there? A staring contest?" She seemed mad.
"You know I'll find out sooner or later, one way or another." She threatened.
“Or…you could just tell me, and I won’t embarrass you about it.”
"Jeez, chill. I was just kidding.” She amended. I didn’t believe her. “Well go back to…whatever
you were doing."
"Hey! Play-time is over. How about you open the door"
"The door handle kind of broke when Emmett closed it, so you're really locked inside." No way. No
mother-frickin’, goshdarned way, ran through my head, along with a few other colorful words.
She took a deep breath. "I mean, I’ll tell my mom everything tomorrow morning and she’ll call
someone to fix it. But, as far as tonight goes, you two are stuck in there." And she hung up.
Crap!
I took a deep breath and put my best sarcastic smile. "She wanted to tell us that Em broke the door
handle, therefore, we are stuck in here until tomorrow at who knows what hour."
"I don't know. Maybe keep getting to know each other." I nodded slowly.
"How come you went to L.A. on New Year's Eve?" He asked. We had talked before, but never
about that night. I had assumed it was some kind of taboo for us.
I sighed. "You know my parents are divorced, right?" He nodded, and I continued. "Well, my mom,
Renée and her husband Phil live in L.A. with my stepsisters, Sam & Allison; those were the girls
that were with me that night."
"Now… it's my turn. What were you doing that day on that party?"
"My parents know the hostess; however they prefer to celebrate the New Year's in Europe." Spoiled
brat. I wasn't satisfied with his answer either.
"How was the night of the car crash? I mean the part when I was comatose." He asked me.
I took a deep breath. "Well I woke up and Carlisle and Alice were there. Alice handed me a bag
with a change of clothes, she said I couldn't be running in a hospital with that dress. Those were the
clothes I was wearing when you woke up."
"She scared me right then and there. I recall she told me 'at least you survived'. I thought you were
dead." He put his hand unobtrusively on mine. I shivered. "After I asked, she told me that you were
pretty badly hurt and told me which room you were in."
I took another deep breath. I had to squeeze my eyes shut to keep the tears from leaking out. "I ran
upstairs and knocked on your door. When I went in, you were lying on the bed, unconscious. I
talked to your parents. I was about to leave, when they told me I should stay. They left instead. I
talked to you until Alice dragged me out of the room. I spent the night at the hospital, though; I
didn’t go upstairs to see you until the next day." I decided not to tell him about my confession to his
unconscious self or all the crying I did that night. He's better off not knowing, I thought.
He looked surprised somehow, like he knew I was keeping part of the story from him. I realized I
might be hallucinating; it was pretty late after all. I yawned.
"Yes." I confessed, though trying to sleep in such an environment was a lost cause. But that wasn't
something I was planning on telling him. Therefore I curled up in a ball and attempted to sleep,
unsuccessfully. I was shaking, and this did not pass unnoticed.
"Bells, what do you think you're doing?" he asked. "You are going to get sick. Come here." He said
as he patted his side. I looked at him confused.
"I'm not going to let you get sick just like that. You're my friend. Plus, I know body heat helps in
these kind of situations. Now, if one of us gets sick, we can share it." He smiled.
I did as he told me. We were now lying next to each other, but I was still shaking. He raised his
arms and I knew what he was about to do.
I fell asleep in his arms. I was happy… with him, and locked in a closet, as odd as it seemed. I had
found my happy place.
Chapter 23: Rapunzel
I was woken up by a bright light, followed quickly by the click of a camera. I grunted, half asleep,
and tried to mentally brush away the voices; to no avail.
“You know.”
A moment’s pause.
“Oh. Er…”
“I dunno. I thought maybe rich people have something a little more special. Like, snap-tarts or
crackle-tarts or something.”
“What’s a crackle-tart?”
“Soh-ree.”
Alice had opened the door, seen us sitting there, and immediately taken a picture. This was
followed quickly by a short but extremely intellectual conversation about sex and pop-tarts. Damn
it! I would be definite remorseless teasing about this later. I guess I have no choice… I gotta get up
and do this. I opened my eyes.
There were the six of them, crowded around the closet door, silhouetted strangely by the light
behind them. They looked like one big, long dark scary monster.
Alice noticed. "Good morning sunshine. Looks like you slept well." She smirked and snapped
another picture.
I grunted and shifted around in Edward’s sleeping embrace to look at him. My heart leapt slightly at
the sight of a fallen angel, sound asleep, right next to me. Blinking the sleepiness from my eyes, I
reached down and tried to unwind his arms from my waist. He snorted in his sleep and pulled me
closer, his entire body shifting in my direction as his arms wound tighter, until I was crushed in an
awkward crouch to his chest.
“Erm…” I muttered.
Emmett burst out laughing, leaning his side against the wall and holding his stomach as he snorted.
I realized I needed to wake him up if I wanted a way out, and I wasn’t going to get any help from
them.
"Edward… Wake up!" And once again, this time even louder than before. He didn’t move. I sighed.
"Edward Anthony Mason, wake the hell up!" I yelled. He grunted and jerked upright, blinking
stupidly.
"He lives!" Emmett exclaimed, breathless from laughing. Alice took another picture. What does she
want pictures for, anyway?
Edward still had his arms around me. I cleared my throat. He looked at me for a moment then
unwound his hands from me, allowing me to slide back into a sitting position. We both looked at
Alice.
"Alice, dear, what’s that for?" He raised his eyebrows and jerked his chin at the camera.
"Oh… don't give me that Eddie, we both know you would want these anyways…" I stiffened, What
would Edward want with pictures of us sleeping together in his cousin’s closet? It wasn’t like
people kept collections of pictures of themselves sleeping with their friends…if we were even that.
He inhaled as if he was about to argue, but I didn’t want to wait for that.
"Crap! I have to go, its Renée's birthday and I have to call her before Phil and the twins get her out
of the house."
Ten minutes later, I was ready to leave. I said my goodbyes to everyone and drove away. Fifteen
minutes later, I got home and found out Charlie had been called from the station, so I was on my
own. I picked up the phone and dialed the number.
"Oh, Bells! How are things up there in the rainy Forks? Do you still miss your creepy- I mean, uh,
sneaky bronze-haired Californian boyfriend? Or has another guy caught your eye by now?" So…
Edward was probably sneaking out during the time we were both in LA to accomplish the
conditions in our deal. And the twins might have caught him more than once sneaking into the
house. And… they might have assumed that he was my boyfriend… and they might tease me about it
still.
---Flashback----
I was sitting on my bed Indian style with my laptop in front of me. I gazed at the clock. 12:15 am.
It's LA… figures… they probably have parties this late every day. Suddenly I heard a tap on my
window.
I walked to my window. Edward was throwing rocks at them to catch my attention. How cliché. I
opened the window.
He grinned. “Not that, Bells, what do you take me for? Some kind of asshole?”
I snorted.
"Come on, are you seriously implying that you don’t make out with me right now?" He said,
changing tactic.
"Really, I can't go out now. Renée and Phil would notice." I said.
He inhaled deeply, as if he was about to start singing. "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let down your hair for
me." He shouted up to my window.
"No such luck, though, given that your hair isn’t long enough to help me climb to your window,
you’re going to have to roll out your bed sheets." He said.
He pouted and looked at me with those mesmerizing green eyes. My heart leapt up in my throat and
I tried to swallow it down.
He got down on one knee. "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let down your bed sheets for me.” He shouted.
"Shut up, that sounds weird.” I told him, as I turned around and grabbed my bed sheets.
When he was finally upstairs, he stood by my open window, just looking at me. I inhaled to say
something, shifting my feet nervously, but couldn’t think of anything to say. I closed my mouth and
coughed.
He grinned and walked over to the end of my bed. Sitting down with his long legs hanging off of the
edge, his feet flat on the ground where mine would dangle over, he patted the spot next to him. I
walked over and sat down next to him stiffly, wringing my hands in my lap.
“Relax…” he said, taking one hand and gently rubbing my shoulder, then moving down to my lower
back.
He pulled my body toward him, and put the palm of one hand on my cheek, rubbing it softly. He
leaned forward and pressed is lips against mine, pulling my face closer to his. I kissed him
awkwardly, wrapping my arms around his neck.
I felt him smile. He opened his mouth, slipping his tongue in between my lips and rubbing it against
the back of my top teeth. I squirmed and was about to pull away, when the door banged open. We
both jumped, turning toward the door. For a sickening second, I thought it was going to be my
mother or Phil.
“Yeah. Sorry…strange guy Bella’s making out with on her bed at in the middle of the night.” Sam
said, frowning at him.
We all stood there, the twins standing in the doorway and me and Edward sitting stiffly next to each
other on the bed, for a good thirty seconds. No-one could think of anything to break the silence.
“Well then…” Alli said, making me jump, “You two can just…erm…go back to what you were
doing.” She reached forward and grabbed the door handle, taking one last look at Edward.
"I hate you, Mason." I said quietly, scooting away from him as Alli shut the door.
"I hate you to.” He said, smiling crookedly, as though he didn’t mean it at all.
---End Flashback----
"Bella? Bella? Are you still there? Hellooooooo?" Allison's voice woke me up from my
daydreaming.
I coughed once into the phone. "Uhm, yeah. Yes. I'm here."
"Oh, what a shame.” She said airily. “I bet I can find the one you met here for you." She offered.
Well, I bet you can't because he lives in Forks.
"Ok. Mom… it's for you!" The twins had grown to call my mom 'mom' too, it didn't bother me
when they started doing it and it didn’t bother me then. I could hear my mother's voice from the
other end.
"Hello?"
"Thank you, sweet pea. Hey, am I wrong or were Allison and you talking about a boy?" She asked.
I couldn't risk lying to my mom. "You’re right, I was. I'm not anymore."
"How come Isabella? You’re usually so sure when you make decisions about…stuff like that."
"Okay, sweetie. Just don't forget to update your old mother once in a while." She told me.
"Love you too." I could hear the twins on the background fighting to get the phone. They had heard
what my mom said. They would want an explanation. I took a deep breath. I would deal with them
later.
Unfortunately, I wasn't that lucky. Although the house phone didn't ring, my cell phone did. I
looked at the caller ID… 'SAM'. Oh great. I realized I didn't have a choice here. I picked up the
phone.
Alli took the phone from her. "You know exactly what we're talking about Iz! We know what you
did last summer!" She said as she giggled.
I guessed Sam might have put me on speaker then because the next thing I knew they were both
talking at the same time. "So…?" They asked eagerly.
"Don't worry, Bells. We waited 'til we were able to find somewhere far enough so you could tell us
about it." Alli said.
"No… the son not the dad! Unless it was the dad you dated. Bells?" Alli said.
I really didn’t need to think about that. I love Edward Anthony Mason, I thought to myself, a.k.a.
Edward Mason Jr. "Guys, I'm talking about Edward Mason Jr."
"Of course we want us to tell us. Who is this mystery boy that was able to lure you out from your
infatuation with your Californian bronze-haired boyfriend?" Sam said.
"My Californian, bronze-haired boyfriend." I admitted. Unfortunately Charlie was just coming
through the door.
"Not anymore" I whispered back. He looked like he had been smacked in the face with a spatula.
He stomped out of the room, muttering. Poor Charlie.
"I never thought there would be a day we would say this. Bella is in love, Bella's in love, Bella
loves
"Well… you see I kind of broke up with him before I had a chance to tell him that." I told them.
Alli started snorting. "Some kind of friends you guys’ll be. I remember you couldn't control
yourself when you were making out with him here."
"It's more complicated than that. Remember that I told you once or twice about this guy I hated?"
"Yes… why the past tense… you don't hate him anymore?" Sam asked. She seemed a little
melancholy about the whole situation.
"I told you, Sam. There is a thin line between hate and love and Bella crossed it!" Allison said
happily.
"But you can't be just friends if you love him." Sam said.
"Nah… I don't think so. You two are too into each other to deny it." Alli said.
"I have to go. I haven't been able to finish the school work I have for next week."
"Okay, bye… Bella is in love!" Alli screamed, one last time into the phone.
I sat down on my bed and started working and then went to sleep. The hours flew by and it was
suddenly Monday.
I got ready for school and went downstairs to get my breakfast. Charlie had already left. I went to
the cupboard and started looking for cereal. When I found the box I realized it was empty. I looked
for the granola bars but they were gone too. Looking for other breakfast alternatives, I realized I
would have to do grocery shopping in my way back from school and that I would have to start
classes with an empty stomach. It groaned.
I sighed and pick up my keys. I drove to school. I was early again, he was too.
"Alright, my father had some business meeting and he wanted me to go with him." He told me.
"Hungry?" He asked.
He started looking worried. "Why did you do that? You know how unhealthy it is to skip meals?”
he started ranting. “I expect stuff like this from someone as dumb as Jessica or Lauren. Not from
you. What if-”
"Excuse me, who are you to judge me? I didn't have breakfast this morning because I didn’t have
the time to go grocery shopping during the weekend." I explained. How dare he?
"Oh… Sorry.” He grinned. “My beloved Rapunzel. Can you ever forgive me?" He asked me as he
pouted. And once again I got lost in his eyes. Wait a second… did he just said beloved? Oh forget
it…
"I suppose."
"Thank you." And he hugged me. The bell rang. I ran to class.
----
Lunch arrived and I was glad. My stomach had not stopped making funny noises all morning. I was
about to go and pick up my food, when I notice everybody was staring at me. I wonder why. And
then I notice that certain someone was the reason. He lifted his finger and gestured me to join him.
He had already picked up a lot of food. "I thought you might be hungry after…well, you said you
didn’t have any breakfast.” He explained. I nodded and sat in front of him.
I grabbed a pizza slice and a coke. "Why are you doing all of this?" I asked him.
"You do realize skipping one meal isn't going to make me starve to death, right?" I said to him as I
took a bite of pizza.
We spent the rest of the hour talking and teasing each other. I guess being friends with him is not as
hard as everyone thought it would be, I realized. The bell rang.
"Yeah… see you there." He replied with a smile that made my heart melt. Or maybe it is.
I walked into government and took my seat besides Edward. Mr. Banner arrived late, as he always
did. Sitting down and frantically shuffling the papers on his desk, he ordered us to get in couples
and start working. I turned to face Edward.
“So…should we pick up form we left off?” I asked, too late realizing how suggestive it sounded.
Hoping he hadn’t caught it, I blushed.
“Well, we were…umm…oh right we have to decide why we want to get divorced.” I said, trying to
put up my serious façade.
He turned to me, appearing serious as well. “Right… so Mrs. Mason, why are you filling for
divorce?”
“Because my husband has been cheating on me with someone at work.” I explained.
I thought for a minute. “I was walking out from the O.R. after performing a nine-hour-surgery,
when I saw them together.” I said
“Impressive. Nine hour surgery? Didn’t think you had it in you” He stated.
He changed the subject curtly. “Well… we have to ask around for some favors.” He grazed his hair
with his fingers.
“We would need lawyers, a judge, and people to interrogate…”He sighed “We better start making a
list…”
----
Later on that week, we found out that the project was to be due by the end of the following week.
This would mean double-shifts of study sessions with Edward, not that I was against the idea. We
spent the rest of the week pleading people to play as judge, lawyers, and so on. It was surprising
how much it seemed to matter it him. He hadn’t used to care about things like this; he was getting
an A anyway.
It was Thursday already. We were sitting in his room, working. We had been through custody
papers, marriage licenses, medical diplomas, birth certificates, the works. Anyone reading the
papers who didn’t know about the project would’ve thought they were genuine.
I heard the printer going off and looked up to see Edward walking toward me.
“Bells?” He said.
“We haven’t signed these yet.” He said indicating the legal papers he had just printed while handing
me a pen. I looked at the papers.
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE
STATE OF WASHINGTON
By: _____________
At: ________________
“Oh… we ought to fill the minor details too, right?” I asked him.
“You know what? We should put whichever time and date it is now. We would change the year
though.”
“Alright, and given that the license is from Washington, we should put that Mr. Webber ‘wedded’
us.”
“Ok. So, we are all settled then” He said as he finished writing what we had just decided. “Want a
pen, Mrs. Mason?” He asked, handing it to me.
“Oh, you’re too funny.” I said as I signed the piece of paper. I took a glimpse at it. It just looked, so
official; as if we had really gotten married.
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE
STATE OF WASHINGTON
At: 4:30 pm
BellaSwan
“I have yet to print the birth certificates for Tom & Liz” It seemed funny how he talked about them
as if they really existed. “So… you can check out our medical school diplomas”
I search through the papers in his desk until I found them. The printed pieces of paper that
fictionally accredited us both as Dr. Mason. I thought it was ironic.
“Great.”
I heard the printer once again and Edward approached me with three papers in his hands. He handed
me the first one. “We only have to sign it, I filled the rest out already”
BIRTH CERTIFICATE
Measuring 22 inches
EdwardAntMason BellaMason
BIRTH CERTIFICATE
Measuring 22 inches
EdwardAntMason BellaMason
I sighed once again. The signing process seemed so official, it felt almost real.
“Edward Anthony! Is Bella in there with you?” Elizabeth’s voice sounded loudly. Edward paled.
“Yes mother. Why do you want to know that?” Edward asked, almost…nervously?
“Oh, I’m sorry, Bella.” She shouted through the door, “I was just came to see if Edward had invited
you to dinner yet. Since he hasn’t, would you like to have dinner with us tonight?” She asked
sweetly.
Edward started to make signs indicating me to say no. I just tilted my head towards my shoulder,
pretending to be confused. Edward sighed and nodded somberly.
-----
Several hours later, Edward and I were sitting side to side in a dining table that could easily afford
at least twelve people. However, there were only four seats on there. Elizabeth had cooked meat
loaf with mashed potatoes. After she finished arranging the table, she took her seat in front of us in
silence.
“Just a minute sweetie, Edward’s father should be here any minute” She told me. I just nodded.
This whole ordeal seemed way too formal to be just a simple dinner. It looked like it should have
been far more.
“Hello family and… Bella. I didn’t know you would join us this evening” He said.
“Neither did I, sir, until a few hours ago.” I admitted.
He took a glance at his son, probably expecting him to say something. He hadn’t said a word since
his father had arrived. I turned to look at Edward. He was as pale as if he just had seen a ghost; Like
he had seen the handwriting on the wall or something like that…
We returned to our seats and started eating. Edward (Jr) was well focused in his plate, filling his
mouth as often as he could so he didn’t have to speak. He had this kind of traumatized look. He
looked as if he had just received utterly shocking news.
“Alright, Bella… my son and you have been dating for how long now?” He asked me. What the
heck? Who says I’m dating Edward? He’s just my friend…
“I was asking how long have you two have been together” He repeated. Why would he think that?
Edward and I broke up weeks ago… Unless… I glared at Edward.
I took a deep breath. “I don’t know what your son told you, but I can assure that-”I was cut off by
Edward’s (Jr) stepping on my foot, hard. I yelped.
“We’ve been together a little over three weeks, dad.” Edward added. What? Since when? I looked at
Edward confused, his foot was still firmly pressed on mine It didn’t look like he wasn’t moving it
anytime soon, so I kicked his shin with my other foot. Edward picked his foot up immediately.
“Ow!”
He looked sheepish.
“Oh. Excuse us.” He said to his parents as he walked me through a hallway to a room I had never
seen before. He opened the door and turned the lights on. I saw a piano, a bigger and fancier stereo
than the one he had in his bedroom, and a guitar among other items. He locked the door once I
walked in, turning toward me.
“Well… talk.”
“What the hell happened there Edward? Why are your parents asking me questions like that? I
swear anyone could have believed that that was an actual parent-girlfriend introduction! And you
know as well as I do, that it wasn’t!” I said.
I sighed. “I just need you to-”But I was cut off by his lips pressing into mine. It wasn’t as bluntly
passionate as the last one we had shared, however there was more feeling into this one. It wasn’t
long, but just long enough.
“Bella, I love you. I thought I could do it from afar, but I can’t. I love to be your friend, but I kept
wishing to be more. When you broke up with me, I couldn’t bear it. I guess I wanted to keep
pretending that you were still my girlfriend. Perhaps that’s why I didn’t tell my parents about our
breakup. Perhaps that’s why it took me a lot of effort trying to stay away from you. Because I can’t.
Because I love you. Because you’re it for me, Bells. There’s no other I would rather be with. You
are my life now.” He concluded.
“I know you don’t love me. I think you’re closer to hating me than loving me, really.” Edward
continued. “I just wanted you to know. My feelings haven’t changed. More so, they have increased.
That I will be waiting in the wings. Do whatever you want, don’t worry about me. Go, ran off with
Newton if you want to. I believe you two can already get married under Vegas law, so, what are you
waiting for? Go ahead. Do you need car keys? You can have mine. Do you need money for gas? I
can give you that too. As long as you are happy, nothing else matters. But if you want to marry
Newton in somewhere exotic, you’ll need more than that. Maybe a couple of pass-“I cut off his
nonsense with a kiss off my own. He was surprised, but I felt him smile under my lips.
“I love you, idiot. How could you think otherwise? Oh, yeah. I guess I did lie convincingly once,
didn’t I? That was weird. I didn’t think you would believe that time. But what is even weirder, is
those creepy illusions of yours. Why on earth I would want to marry Mike Newton? Just plain ew.
Why would you-” He interrupted, grinning.
“Which part? The part of you wanting to set me up with Mike Newton? The creepy and weird
illusions that you have of me marrying him?”
He shook his head, laughing. He looked happy, the happiest I have ever seen him.
“That I love you, despite your stupidity?” I said with a smile. I had done it. I had said it, just like
that, without hesitation, and without even a thought.
He smiled and closed the space between us. His lips found mine eagerly, moving softly against
them. He lifted my legs and sat me on his piano.
As much as I liked it, his parents were still waiting in the other room for us to get back.
“Yeah” he said as he helped met off of the piano. “But I need to do something first.”
“Well, you were the one that pointed out that this seemed like a parent-girlfriend dinner. I would
like to make it one. Officially.”
“Edward…”
“Bella… I never got to ask you properly the first time. So, since I have nothing else left to say:
Isabella Marie Swan would you be my girlfriend?” He asked me.
“Well, let me think about it” Edward grimaced for a moment, making me laugh “Of course! I would
love that, Edward”
Epilogue
I was sitting on the same tree, our tree. Yes, I was on school in the middle of the summer and it
wasn’t because I’m a dork. Actually, this would be my last summer before my last year of high
school. A couple of weeks, after presenting our government project, the school informed me that I
was in conditions to graduate a year earlier. This, of course, didn’t pass unattended by Edward. My
mind drove back to that day.
--Flashback---
“Isabella Swan, to the office” the receptionist called over the speakers. What happened? It’s
something wrong?
I walked cautiously to the office. Ms. Cope greeted me and told me to go to the Principal’s office. I
entered.
“Hello Isabella, sit down for a moment please.” My breathing was still heavy. Did I do something
wrong?
“Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad. It’s quite good actually.” She said. I took a deep breath.
“Well, you have been taking advanced courses and passing them with flying colors. As you know,
AP courses give you more credits than the regular ones; therefore, you’ll be able to graduate with
honors one year earlier. There’s not much high school education can do. You have gotten almost
all the tools already, so I hope you join our senior class next fall.” I was completely astounded. I
knew I needed great grades for college, but I didn’t expect them to gain me a year. Wow.
When I walked outside of the office, Edward was leaning against the wall. Just as he saw me, he
walked towards me and started bombarding me with questions. “What happened Bells? What did
they tell you? Did they do something bad to you? Because if they did, I swear I-” I cut him off.
“Edward calm down, will you? It isn’t bad. They just gave some…news.” I said. I hadn’t thought
about this? How will Edward take this? It’s one whole year away. Me in, glup, college and he in
here still. That’s surely going to be tough. I will miss him… a lot. “I’ll tell you at lunch, okay?” I
finally told him.
“Okay Bells. I got to go, I’m late to class.” He kissed me chastely on the lips and left.
---
At lunch he found me at our tree. He looked worried. “So what is it?” He finally asked.
“I’m graduating one year early.” I blurted out. I expected him to be sad, or to get mad or
something. Instead, he smiled.
“No, it’s not” I said “That would mean I would have to be away from you for a whole year. And
I’m sure then you will realize that I’m just plain, boring and a total dork.” I said, looking at the
grass; spring had come, finally.
He hugged me and then kissed my forehead. “Listen to me Bells, this is about you, not me, okay?
This is great! I’m proud of you and you should be proud of yourself.” He said.
“I guess it is kind of great.” I admitted. “I’m going to miss you lots, though”
I didn’t see Edward during the rest of the day. Not even in Government. What had happened to
him?
When I got home I noticed familiar Aston Martin was parked in my driveway. Edward was leaning
against the door frame, grinning sheepishly. I got out of my cars, grabbed the house keys and
walked towards him intrigued.
“Why are you here? Not that I mind, of course.” I asked him.
“Oh. Really? And what news would that be?” I asked him.
“That you and me, missy, are going to be seniors next fall.” He stated. Did I hear him right? Did he
just say ‘we’? I was in awe.
He must have seen my confusion, so he continued. “Hey! My grades aren’t that bad either. I talked
to Mr. Greene and he said that as long as I took a couple of extra credits in the summer, I should be
fine. I’m a straight-A-student too, you know.” He said.
I just kissed him right there. I couldn’t believe he had done that. He had done that to be with me.
God, I love him.
--End Flashback—
So, I was sitting in our tree in the middle of the summer with Hamlet on my lap. No more Romeo
and Juliet for me. Just kidding. Just then my perfectly amazing boyfriend walked out of the school
building.
“Hey you, birthday boy!” I called out. He turned to look at me, surprised. I walked towards him.
“What? Can’t I come and greet my boyfriend for his birthday?” I questioned before giving him a
peck on the lips.
“You sure do, I didn’t see your truck though.” I bit my lip.
“The pixie dropped me off, after she dragged me shopping with her, again.” I explained him.
“Oh I see. And how exactly do you plan to get home?” He asked. I smiled sheepishly.
“I was going to do it anyways, what kind of boyfriend would I be, if I didn’t?” He replied.
“Oh… and Alice kind of talked with your mom and now we’ve this ‘gathering’ at seven.” I
informed him.
We got in the car. However, Edward didn’t start the engine just yet. He stared at me intently. He
stayed like that for a while.
I was getting frustrated. “Hello? Earth to Edward!” I said as I shook my hand in front of his face.
“Nah. I, unlike some people, don’t need to know all of what’s on your mind. It can’t be that bad,
can it?” I explained.
“Of course not, love. I was just remembering that one year ago, this same day, I’d not be able to
imagine this, and that just makes my last birthday wish so silly…” And now he makes me curious.
“But you knew you were going to get it either way. If it wasn’t when the other one died, you would
have received it as a birthday present.” I explain.
“That’s what makes it silly. Back then, I thought it was hopeless to ask for anything else. My life
was perfect, or so I thought. I hadn’t realized yet that you had been missing all along. I love you
Bells.” He replied.
“I love you too.” Wow… is it me or this just gets kind of repetitive. I don’t get tired of saying it
though. We just stood there for awhile, until our hormones took the best of us. We started making
out and I’m not sure how much time had passed when my phone went off.
“Edward.”-kiss-“I”-kiss-“really”-kiss-“have”-kiss-“to”-kiss-“get this”.
I checked the caller ID. “Oh boy, now we’re in trouble.” I picked up. “Hello Alice.”
“Don’t you ‘Hello Alice’ me! You two should’ve been here about five minutes ago.” She ranted.
“Jeez Al, chill. We’re on our way. His class took a little longer than expected.” I attempted to
explain.
“His class or your make out session?” She half-yelled into the phone. I blushed. Edward chuckled. I
glared at him.
“Al, there’s people around you. And seriously, you freak me out when you do things like that.” I
told her.
“Oh, so you two were making out all this time! Isabella Marie Swan! I gave you one simple task to
accomplish. You think you would still be able to accomplish it?” She asked.
“Ok. So no more delays please. Seriously Bells, Aunt Liz is freaking out.”
“Sorry Ed, but I have strict orders to bring you home as quickly as possible. And I’m talking about
Alice here. I really need the Fast and the Furious now.” I told him.