A/N: Well, you guys, here's the first chapter of the sequel to Always: A Teenage Love Affair. I am terribly sorry it's taken me so long, and that it may be a little wait between chapters. College crap is literally consuming my life these days!

Prologue: The Life I'm Leaving Behind

I took my normal seat at the Cullen's dining table for dinner. It was the same seat I had sat at every morning and night for the last three months--since my alcoholic father had gone into an asylum for trying to commit suicide and a rehab program for alcohol addicts. That was when I moved into the Cullen house permanently. I wasn't even allowed to go next door to my own, now empty house, for fear that I would be flooded with memories and have a mental breakdown.

I was trying to scrunch my notoriously flat hair while I waited for Edward to come down the stairs. He did, wiping his own soaking hair with a towel before throwing it into the hamper in the laundry closet. He smiled as he watched me fluff my hair. "It's not going to get any better, Bella," he said, pulling the Count Chocula out of the cabinet.

"He's right, ya know. You need to blow dry it to give it that extra oomph. I've told you this a million times," his sister, Alice said.

She motioned to her own spiky black hair that sat atop her heart shaped pixie face. It was blow dried and gelled, pristinely kept. I rolled my eyes at her as Edward kissed the top of my head and then sat across from me. "You know, Bella, I love your hair the way it is--silky smooth and slightly wavy."

I raised an eyebrow at him and he grinned. Alice began peeling back a banana. "Yes, by all means, keep it down and unstyled. It'll go great with that Seattle, 1994 look you're always going for."

I looked down at my Nirvana shirt and form fitting flannel, my jeans with the hole in the knee, my red converse. I liked my clothes. Edward smiled as I scrutinized myself. "I think it's sexy. She looks amazing in a t-shirt and jeans."

"You only say that because she looks better in your clothes than you do," Alice replied.

"Hey, I resent that," he retorted. "And that's not the reason. I happen to like that Bella feels no need to make herself something she's not."

"But admit that you like it when I dress her," Alice said, taking a bite of her banana.

Edward had a ready answer for this as well, to my great embarrassment. "Sure, because you always dress her in revealing clothing. What guy wouldn't want to ogle those young, supple breasts?"

I kicked his shin under the table as he chuckled. "What? It's the truth!" he said.

"Yeah, well keep it up and these 'young, supple breasts' will be completely off limits," I warned.

His spoonful of chocolaty cereal stopped halfway to his mouth. "You wouldn't!" he said in mock horror.

"Oh, babe, I would," I replied with a wink.

Alice cringed and threw the remainder of her breakfast away. "You two are freaks," she said while retrieving her book bag.

Edward laughed and washed his bowl out before grabbing my hand and following Alice to the Volvo. I slid in next to him and he kissed my hand. "So…we find out today if we got in!" he said excitedly.

I smiled back, feeling sick to my stomach. Two months ago, toward the end of October, we had applied early action to Washington State University. Today was the day we were due to get our acceptance or denial letters. I was as optimistic as he was about it. He had straight A's, a GPA of 4.2, was Valedictorian of our graduating class, and had tons of money. My grades were pretty good, a GPA of 3.7, 20th in the class. But, I had zero money. I also had no extracurricular activities, on account of I hate everyone at Forks High School and would rather die a thousand deaths than spend any extra time with them. So my odds weren't as great as Edward's.

He slid his old Volvo into his usual spot with expertise and turned off the ignition. "I'll leave you two alone to 'discuss college'," Alice said, rushing off to meet Jasper, who leaned against his own car.

She knew we had no intention of discussing college an further this morning. This was our only time together until lunch, and we took full advantage, spending the half hour before school starts attached at the lips.

Finally, flushed with swollen lips and mussed hair, we made our way into the school. He walked me to the science building and ran his fingers through my messy hair, straightening it out. His attempts were moot--even without the mussed hair, I still looked like I spent my morning in the car with him. He smiled and put a hand on the side of my face, kissing my lips.

"Break it apart, Cullen, Swan," my science teacher said, shaking his head and holding the door open for me to go in before him.

I smiled apologetically at Edward before saying, "See ya."

Science was uneventful as was the rest of the day. Lunch was before gym, and so Edward and I sauntered into the cafeteria together as we did everyday. No one stared any longer, seeing as it had become normal for us to hold hands and touch each other at ever chance. Jessica and Lauren still shot me the filthiest of glares as we strode to the line. They would never accept the fact the Edward "21st Century Sex God" Cullen wanted to be with plain ol' me. I gave them a sugary sweet smile and leaned up to kiss his cheek.

Edward, completely oblivious to the two girls looked down at me and smiled widely, placing a hand on the small of my back possessively. I felt his fingertips slide under the bottom of my shirt innocently and couldn't stop myself from checking to see how the Bimbo Twins were taking it. Lauren was whispering quickly to Jessica, who was grinding her teeth. I felt a surge of satisfaction as Edward paid for our lunches.

We had to pass their table once more before we got to our own, and that's when Lauren called out to Edward. We both stopped and turned to them. "What?" he asked, looking bored already.

"Well, Edward, we just heard that Mike Newton's parents are out of town this weekend…" Jessica started.

"Yeah, and?" Edward asked.

"We'd love for you to make an appearance. It wouldn't be a party without the Cullens. All of them," Lauren said.

"Okay, sure. I'll let the others know," Edward replied.

We turned to leave and that's when we heard Lauren's nasally voice say," But you can keep the trash at home."

I turned around to face the girl, rage replacing earlier's satisfaction. She smiled sweetly at me. "Excuse me?" I asked, an edge to my voice.

"It's nothing. We just don't want the poor white trash of the town to ruin the evening. This party's for the worthier members of Fork's society. I'm sure you understand," Jessica said.

That's when I lunged for her, knocking the food tray out of Edward's hands. He grabbed me around the waist before my hands could go around Jessica's neck. He held me firmly around the waist, and I eventually ceased my struggling against him. "That bitch, I am going to kill her!" I said through clenched teeth.

"Now is not the time or place, Bella," Edward said into my ear.

Both Lauren and Jessica looked slightly ruffled but amused as I straightened my shirt and pulled my flannel back up over my shoulder and bent to help Edward pick up the scattered food. He lifted the tray and looked straight at Lauren and Jessica and said, "Oh, by the way, we'll not be coming to your little party. Any of us. We don't fraternize with skanky hags. Sorry."

He dumped our ruined lunch into the trash and kissed my forehead before wrapping an arm around my waist and leading me to the table. There was still acid pumping through my veins, but I grinned wickedly at the sight of their shocked and angry faces.

He sat me down and sat next to me. "Bella, that was really unnecessary."

I looked at him incredulously. "What? After all they said to me you're going to chastise me?"

He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose between two fingers. "Bella, you can't rise up to their taunting. You need to remain collective. Don't give into them, show them that you are better and more mature than they are."

"Then what was all that "skanky hag" business?" I asked.

He grinned. "Only stating fact there. But notice, I didn't try to lunge over the table and strangle anyone."

I smiled sheepishly and put my hand to his cheek. He leaned in to give me a peck and I slapped his cheek. He laughed and pulled away. "Jerk," I said.

He shrugged. "Hey, one of us has to be the levelheaded one in the relationship!"

"What relationship, traitor?"

He leaned in and put his lips to my ear. "You couldn't leave me. So you really should stop acting like you can resist me and then we can get down to business."

I shoved him away playfully. "There won't be any business at school."

"Aw, come on! The janitor's closets are quite roomy!" he joked.

"How would you know?" I asked.

He laughed. "You're right. I wouldn't. But hey, there's always a bathroom."

"Very romantic, Romeo."

He shrugged again, stealing a fry from Alice's tray. "I am the new Romeo. Get used to it. You could be with Eric Yorkie."

I cringed. He was never going to stop teasing me about that childhood blunder. "I'm going to go to the bathroom."

"Would you like me to come with you?" Alice asked, rising anyway.

I waved her down. "I'm an adult now, Alice, I can go to the restroom by myself. I even wore my big girl panties today!"

"I love those panties," Edward commented.

I punched his arm and went to the restroom across the hall from the cafeteria. I was in the stall when I heard them. The Bimbo Twins. They were talking loudly. "I mean, why does he even go with her? She's an emotional wreck."

"Her father's an alcoholic. It's pathetic really."

"Yeah. I heard he tried to commit suicide and is now in the nut house."

I slammed the stall open and let my presence be known. Both Jessica and Lauren jumped and swung around. "Got something to say?" I asked them menacingly.

Lauren crossed her arms. "Oh, hi Swan."

I glared at her. "Do you have some kind of problem?"

"Only that they let people like you into the school," Jessica said, mimicking her friends movements and crossing her arms as well.

"People like me?" I asked. "You're only pissed because Edward couldn't care less about you two."

"Tell me, Isabella, how's Chief Swan these days? I heard he's on suicide watch," Jessica said, ignoring my comment about Edward.

That was when I lunged at her for the second time that day. Only, this time Edward wasn't there to stop me. I got to her and knocked her backward. She screamed loudly and tried to push me off of her, pulling my hair. I had my hands around her neck, squeezing the life out of her when I felt my self being pulled away. Apparently Lauren had gone to get administrative back up. Weak little bitches couldn't even fight for themselves…

"Ms. Swan, this is out of the ordinary for you," the principle said, his hand around my forearm.

I jerked my arm away from him and pushed my hair away from my face. "Yeah, well there really getting on my last nerve."

The principle shook his head slowly. "My office, the three of you."

Lauren and Jessica looked at him in protest, Jessica massaging her throat where I had wrapped my hands around it. "Why do we have to go? She attacked us!" Lauren protested.

"Right. I'm sure it was a completely unprovoked attack."

I glared at the two girls but smiled slightly when the principle said this. He opened the door and motioned for us to leave. I walked past Lauren whose foot was a little too far in front of my path, and I tripped. I turned around and shoved her and the principle stepped between us. "Ms. Swan!"

"See, Principle Higgins? This is what we get for allowing anyone to come to this school."

"That's enough Jessica. This is a public high school," he said. "Get to class, Cullen," he said to Edward, who stood outside the cafeteria.

I ground my teeth as we marched to the office, wishing I could push Jessica off her high horse. We passed Edward who have me a "What the hell did I just tell you?" look. I shrugged at him half heartedly and motioned to the two girls. He shook his head and I looked at the ground. Great. Now I was in trouble at school, and at home.

We got to the office and the principle motioned for the other girls to sit. I was satisfied to notice that I had ripped Jessica's sleeve and followed him into his private office. He motioned to the chair across from his desk as he sat in his. "Well?" he asked.

I ground my teeth again and stared stony faced at him. He sat back in his large chair and crossed his arms. I must have begun to suffer from delusions because the first thought when I saw him sit like that was, "Oh my God, he looks like James Gandolfini. Tony Soprano, mob boss."

I must have smiled at this thought because he raised an eyebrow and sighed. "Ms. Swan, I don't know what you are finding so amusing. You are in my office because you assaulted one of my students."

"But she started it!" I yelled, outraged, feeling like a five year old.

He leaned forward on his desk and crossed his hands. "Bella, I know that, but--"

"She insulted my family. That wasn't even the first time today! Not even the first time during lunch."

The principle sat across from me and scrutinized my face. "I know that you've been having some…troubles lately. We all feel for Chief Swan. But, Isabella, you are graduating in six months. Please don't give me reason to suspend you."

"Am I free to go?" I asked, feeling more pissed off and angsty than I had felt in a while.

He sighed. "Not that easy, Swan. You've got a weeks worth of after school detention. Starting tomorrow."

I fumed but nodded once. He waved his hand to the door and called Jessica in for her side of the story, something I'm sure made her look innocent and like the victim. I met Edward in front of the cafeteria, and he did not look happy. "Isabella," he began and I cringed, "Did I not just tell you to be better than them?"

"They insulted Charlie," I said.

Edward's face softened and he sighed. "Bella, you've got to be strong and not let them affect you."

Tears welled in my eyes and he put his arms protectively around me. "I hate it here, Edward. For four years these same assholes have been like this. I can't stand it."

He kissed my hair and made a calming shushing noise. "I know. But we've got six months and then we're out."

I buried my face in the place where his neck flows into his shoulder, inhaling his scent. He gave me a final squeeze and pulled away. "What do you say we blow off the rest of the block. We'll just go pick up some food and chill at home."

I looked at the clock. There was only an hour left of the school day (in which I had gym), but I nodded. "Come on."

We made it to his Volvo and he drove in silence to Taco Bell, his hand on my thigh, rubbing circles absentmindedly. We got home and went up to his room to eat. "Kids?" Esme called before we made it to the third floor.

"Yeah, mom?" Edward called.

"What are you two doing home so early?" she asked.

"Crap," I said, knowing we were busted for skipping a class.

"Bella was feeling a bit under the weather," he called. "I brought her home to rest."

Oh he was good

"What's wrong, does she need anything?" Esme asked.

"No, mom. Just to rest. I gave her some headache stuff when we got into the car so it should kick in soon," he called, pulling me up to his room.

"All right then. Bella, dear, call me if you need anything at all, will you?"

"Yes, Esme, thank you."

Oh. He was real good.

Later that night, we went downstairs for dinner, after I had taken a nap alongside Edward, who hadn't slept, but spent the whole time brushing his fingers across my arm. Esme had an amazing dinner laid out on the table and I inhaled the scent hungrily. It felt as though we had never even eaten tacos this afternoon.

I took my seat and Edward followed suit. Carlisle sat across from us, which was odd because he usually had to work at dinner time. Only on rare occasions was he home for supper. Esme brought out a bowl of salad and set it on the table, smiling at Edward and I. I raised an eyebrow. "What?" I asked suspiciously.

She pulled two large envelopes out from behind her back. "These came for you two today."

She handed them to us and I recognized the Washington State University crest. Edward and I looked at one another and the blood began rushing to my face, my heart racing. We both opened it and looked at each other once more. "On the count of three we pull it out?" Edward asked.

"Very mature," I said sarcastically.

"One. Two. Three," he said and then ripped the folder out of the envelope.

I did the same and then looked down at the first sheet that was in the folder. My blood was racing so fast it made my ears ring and then I heard Edward shout "YES!! We both got in!"

He punched at the air and I stood up quickly and threw my arms around his neck. "This is amazing! We got in!"

He lifted me into the air and then set me on my feet before kissing me full on the lips. It was not until he kissed my jaw line that I remembered we were in front of his parents. I cleared my throat and backed up, my face flushed. He grinned widely and hugged my once more, kissing my cheek.

We turned to his parents, who were looking at us with a bit of shock at our kiss and a lot of pride at our acceptance. "This is brilliant, you two. Well done!" Carlisle said, smiling too.

Esme had tears in her eyes. "Yes, excellent you two. I couldn't be happier."

"What's all the fuss?" Alice asked as she entered the room.

"We got in!" Edward replied happily.

Then it occurred to me as I looked at all of the Cullen's shining faces. I could never afford this with my father out of work and my meager wages from the camping store. When Carlisle saw my face fall, his brow furrowed and her grew concerned. "What is it, Bella?"

My face flushed. "I can't afford this."

Esme laughed merrily. "Well, we're paying for it of course."

"I could never ask you to--"

"We weren't going to wait for you to ask, dear," Esme said. "You're part of the family, always have been. It's only natural that we'd help you out of a tight spot."

I sighed in relief, still feeling slightly awkward. But my euphoria from before was wearing off as I ate dinner.

After supper, Edward and I went to his room. We laid down on his bed and stared up at the ceiling. "And, of course, I'll have to sneak to your dorm room!" he was saying excitedly, the happiness from earlier even more intense.

I sighed happily. At this time next year, I'd be with him. Away from the evil bitches at school, and with the only person in my life that still matters.

There was a soft knock at the door and Esme popped her head in. Edward and I sat up and I swung my legs over the side of the bed. "Hey, Esme."

"Hello, dears. Edward, I was wondering if I could have a moment alone with Bella."

"But this is my room," he protested.

"Your father would like to speak with you in his office."

Edward sighed exasperatedly and left the room. Esme came across from me in the chair me and placed a hand on my knee. "Bella, there's no easy way for me to begin."

I cringed. So this was it. The Talk. The Talk she had to deliver to me because my mother had died before she got the chance. I cleared my throat and she winced. "I noticed that the kiss you and Edward shared--"

"I am so sorry about that. That was uncalled for--"

"Please, let me finish. I noticed it was quite heated. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to give you this speech for a while."

"I'm eighteen, how long were you going to wait?" I teased.

She smiled. "Until you were married," she laughed.

Her face grew serious once more. "I know this is a little awkward because I am not your mother. Even more awkward because I am the mother of your boyfriend. But Bella, I feel it necessary to say to you that I believe you are responsible, and then can therefore make you own decisions."

I nodded once and she went on. "I'm not in here to tell you you can't have sex. Forbidding things always seems to make them more appealing. But I do want to tell you that I feel you are wise enough to think for yourself, but that I hope you wait until your married for that."

I inwardly cringed. She was only about three and a half months late. Whoops. "I know you two love each other very much. You've been together for your whole lives. Bella, if you do decide that Edward is the right one for you to share those special moments with, and before marriage, please be careful. Be responsible. Be smart. I would hate for you to end up pregnant at such a young age and unwed."

"We will be, Esme. I would never let that happen. I'd end up like my mother, and I don't want that," I said, feeling terrible about admitting this was my fear.

Esme nodded knowingly. "Just be absolutely sure that he is the right one for you to share this with. A girl's virginity is the most basic and most sacred thing she has. Give it away to the wrong person, and there could be unpleasant consequences."

I nodded again and said, "I'm going to be with your son forever, I assure you that. I'm not going anywhere."

"You're sure of that now, but you don't know what will happen when you go off to college. Just remember what I've told you, dear," she said, patting my leg.

I know that one floor below us, Edward was getting a similar speech from Carlisle. Esme and I continued to have this mother-to-daughter type talk, and I didn't have the heart to tell her that I had already done unmentionable, completely sinful things with her son, a few times right on the bed she was sitting across from.

I would truly miss her, the only mother I've known for six years, when Edward and I left for Washington State in eight months. I would miss them all.

O.O.O.O.O

Okay, that was the prologue. From here on out the story will be set two years from this scene.

Time for a review, lovelies.