"No, Edward!" I screamed giddily as he chased me along the shore. I knew he would catch up to me eventually. Tag was never really a strong suit of mine, not when I was 5, and not now. I had looked forward to this week all year. This was the only week where I had Edward all to myself. Every year, our families would rent a cottage together and me and Edward along with his sister, Alice and her boyfriend Jasper, and his brother, Emmett and his girlfriend Rosalie, would do all sorts of crazy things together. I'd never say it aloud but we were a makeshift family, and they were my rock. This year Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper all had to leave state for university, and Edward's parents allowed Alice to spend the last week with Jasper. This meant it was just me and him.

I suddenly felt strong arms wrap around my waist, as we both tumbled down to the sand. We were rolling around, in laughter, and I could feel the hot sand pressing against my back. Eventually, we simultaneously stopped, and looked up at the horizon, to watch the sun set. A shiver ran through my spine, from either my overflowing happiness, or the close proximity of Edward's hand next to mine. I turned around and examined his face, while he was still gazing off. My heart fluttered, as I watched his emerald green eyes and his bronze hair. Was it fair to have absolutely no imperfections whatsoever?

Sometimes I wished, I could even be a fraction of how good looking he is, so maybe he could notice me in that way. Edward is what people call popular at our high school, he's on the school hockey team, he won the academic award, and he's on student council. I know he considers me his best friend, but after juggling so many things, I only make 10th place on his list. I know my wallowing. It's apparently unattractive, or so I've heard.

He turned his head around and caught me in my moment of self pity. He flashed me a smile.

"You okay? Stop thinking about whatever's making you sad." He was teasing me.

"Shut up, I'm okay! Just thinking about how awesome summer is. I'm not ready to go back to school, Edward. Because after this year, we're graduating, and I don't even know what I want to do with my life yet." I sighed dramatically, and fell backwards into the sand.

It was getting dark and we both knew we probably should head back soon.

"Bella, you're like the most stable person I know. If you have no idea what you're doing, how do you expect me to have an idea either? Let's just apply to all the same schools. "He chuckled. I knew he was joking, but that would literally make my life so much easier. And it would move me steps higher towards my life goal of having him fall in love with me.

"Edward, be realistic. C'mon, we have to get back; our mothers are going to get mad if we miss dinner. Let's go." I said as I stood up and brushed the sand off of my bum, and extended a hand to help him up. I could never get over the tingly feeling that rushed through my whole body whenever we touched. It felt right, and I knew this was what all my teenage romance novels warned me about.

When he stood up, I had to squint up to reach his eyes. I couldn't get over how much he had grown, over the past two years. It was ridiculous, and I felt like a kid. Now it was completely dark, and we were stupid enough to leave without a flashlight. I tried to follow him the best I could, but I kept tripping and brushing into objects.

"Bella, why are you so uncoordinated? Come on, give me your hand." He turned around and grabbed a hold of my hand before I could process what was happening. We stumbled along until we saw the familiar light of the cottage. I felt tinge of sadness that I didn't milk this opportunity for as long as I could. He let go of my hand and opened the door for me when we reached the top of the steps. I curtsied and winked at him. Maybe, I could flirt my way to my goal.

The waft of pasta filled me as soon as I stepped in.

"Hi mom, hi Esme!" I greeted as I saw them dancing around in the kitchen.

"Oh there you kids are, get washed up. Dinner's in ten" Esme ordered. Edward and I shared a look, and proceeded to our rooms. Before, it was always Alice, Rosalie, and me that shared a room, now that there was barely anyone here, Edward and I got our own rooms. We had free reign over which ones we wanted and we chose the ones that were connected by a door on the inside. We probably weren't allowed to, but that didn't stop us from joining the each other at night, and watching all the Saw movies together.

I pulled my tank top over my head, and unbuttoned my shorts, and kicked them off. I had my bathing suit underneath and it was all hard and smelly from the day. I sighed, too tired to continue to change, and flopped onto my bed. I reached over to my bedside radio, and started singing to Sara Barielles. I pranced over to my closet, and looked for something to wear.

I put on a pair of skinny jeans, and a light cream t-shirt. My hair was disgusting from being windblown all day and I just redid my ponytail. I looked at myself in my mirror and knew this was the best I could do. I was ordinary, and was never blessed with any of my mother's 'assets'. I was as skinny as a twig, and had ordinary facial features. Clearly no one up there was feeling generous when I was made.

I opened the door, and saw Edward walking by.

"Nice singing, you should really pursue a career in that" He said over his shoulder. I felt my face heating up.

"Screw you, Edward."

Yeah, screw you Edward.

Aha, this is my new story.

Hope you guys like it.

Love, Beauty and the Book.