Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters. I've made use of them for my own writing without intent of copyright infringement.

A/N: Heavily inspired by 'Marry Me' and 'Die A Happy Man' by Thomas Rhett. I am making this beacuse it's holiday season and that means it's love season. It's going to be a short three-chapter story about childhood sweathearts. I love this country narrative and I hope y'all love it too!

Update 21/11/18 - Realized that I uploaded an incomplete chapter. So sorry about that! The longer version is now updated.

1.- .

April 14, 2018.

Paul stood behind the arch of flowers. Their sweet smell was penetrating and nauseating, but at least it hid his whole body from the reception. He reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and took out a little flask. It had a black leather cover that Paul took off before he opened it up and took a big gulp of the amber liquid within it. The whiskey burned the back of his throat and all the way down to his stomach, where it fell into a warm void. The nauseating smell invaded him again and for that he did another shot.

"Having fun already?" said a husky voice, that Paul recognized as Leah Clearwater's.

"Shut it, Leah," Paul managed to say under his breath. The Quileute girl had scared the shit out of him. "What do you want?"

"Just wondering, why you're out here hiding from Bella? You know, the usual," the black-haired girl shrugged, brushing a long strand of hair behind her ear. "She's been looking for you."

"I am just not in the best mood to see her, that's all," Paul mumbled while scrambling in his place. Hands in pockets and eyes on the floor, Paul wasn't going to face Leah just then.

"So, that's why you've been doing shots behind Alice's monster-like flower tower?" She asked in the most nonchalant way she could have. Leah changed the weight of her body from one leg to another, telling the guy that she was expecting an immediate answer.

"Who?" was all the guy asked, hoping to redirect the conversation away from his drinking.

"Edward's sister," Leah explained. "She… well, uhm. She organized the wedding, although I am not sure who she organized it for."

"I could tell the lilies weren't Bella's idea…" Paul sighed.

"She likes magnolias," they both said in unison.

"Talk about best friends, huh?" Leah chuckled. "It's creepy how well we know her."

"Yeah, creepy," Paul mumbled. He finally raised his eyes from the floor and got a good look at Leah.

She looked as beautiful as ever. Her toned body was dressed in a two-piece burgundy dress that hugged her curves and showed her tanned middle section. At the bottom of her long legs, a pair of white stilettos popped to the eyes. She was beautiful, stunning, hot even – so, why couldn't he fall for her? It would've been so much less painful to have fallen for Leah. There was never any hope there, although that always made him wonder if there was any hope with Bella anyway.

"You're beautiful, Lee," Paul smiled, sad and beaten.

"You're looking rather gloomy yourself, Lahote," Leah gave him a sad and crooked smile that said it all. She knew, she understood, and yet she could do nothing to help. "You should put yourself together, before Bella or anyone else can see you. Sam's not going to like one bit to see you sulking. He'll think it's about Emily."

"I wish it was," he lamented in return.

"C'mon, let me fix your tie," his friend said, approaching him. "You'll want to look good for her."

Leah was about as tall as he was. Their eyes met, and that made Paul a little less sad, which lead to a lazy chuckle. He let Leah do and undo. Her warm hands redid his tie and put his jacket and everything in place. She let out a sigh and then drew a warm smile, meant to comfort Paul for a moment before he had to head into the room. Leah then took Paul's flask and shoved it into his inner pocket, before taking him by his hand and dragging him inside.

The whole room had been decorated by lilies and flowers of all kinds, all in the color white. The sweet smell flooded Paul's nose and triggered his gag reflex, although he managed to keep the alcohol in his stomach. Soon, the laughs and conversation that flooded the room became a murmur. Paul lowered his head, not wanting to be seen at all, knowing he couldn't avoid it. Leah tugged his hand a little more while they were walking. It felt like an eternity, but they finally reached the other extreme of the room. In a big throne-like chair, Bella was sitting, while a group of majestically beautiful white women surrounded her.

"Paul?" was the first thing he heard. A question loaded with happiness and surprise, more than anger, which was the one he expected. Paul raised his head to find the pools of chocolate he had been dreading to see – Bella's eyes always made him feel like they saw into his very soul. "Paul Lahote?"

"Hey, Bells," he whispered with a half-smile that made several hearts flutter.

The brunette jumped from her seat and into the guy's arms. She was petite already – not tiny, because she disliked being called tiny – and she had lost enough weight that Paul felt like she was a feather between his fingers. He wondered when she lost all that weight, before burying his face in the nook between her ear and neck, taking in the scent of her signature strawberry shampoo and letting himself melt into a familiar hug. Bella had her arms tight around his ribcage, although it really wasn't tight enough for Paul to feel anything but the slight pressure of her hands finding the perfect spot on his back. She giggled and backed away, leaving Paul craving for more.

"It's so good to see you!" She let out a nervous laugh, and s sigh that indicated excitement. Suddenly, her cheeks blushed in a light pink – happy pink.

"It's good to see you too, Bells," Paul replied, not having realized that he was smiling ear to ear. "Thanks for the invite."

"Oh, I wouldn't have dared to do all this and not have you here," she mentioned, and it send a painful throb into Paul's heart. Did she know what this was doing to him?

"I wouldn't have missed it," he mumbled.

He was about to get lost in Bella's eyes for a second time, when Leah cleared her throat, letting his know that there were still people around. Paul nodded and stepped back, getting a clearer view of Bella. She was wearing a light blue sun dress, and her hair had been curled to compliment her heart-shaped face and doe-like features. She was wearing some makeup, but nothing to extravagant. She didn't look like Bella from almost three years prior.

"Paul, these are Edward's sisters and cousins," Leah explained, bringing him out of his trance. "You've met Rose, and this is Alice – Edward's other sister. These are Kate, Irina, Tanya, and Carmen – his cousins."

"Pleased to meet you, ladies," Paul turned to all of them with a smile, and some even took their hands to their hearts.

"Pleased to meet you," said one of the very white, very blond ones. Paul recognized her as Tanya. "You single, cowboy?" she winked at him playfully, which made some of the women giggle, especially Leah.

"I'm afraid I'm not looking, but thanks," Paul drew and awkward smile, looking for a way out. His eyes met Leah's, as she tried not to snort a laugh out.

"Well, let me know when you are," Tanya smiled, revealing her perfect white teeth. Paul gulped.

"Okay, Tanya, thanks," Bella interrupted, uncomfortable and amused.

The group broke into giggles while Bella took Paul by his arm and pulled him away. Leah followed closely behind, still with a smile plastered with satisfaction on her face. Bella's light blush turned into a red shade that Paul positively identified as shame. He could say he knew all the colors and all the ways Bella blushed for different reasons. This one in particular was about weird in-laws.

"Don't mind her," she said, while stopping next to the refreshments table. "She's always like that. She isn't even Edward's real cousin – their families are all just close because they are all adopted. She's just trying to tease some people here and there. I can't even believe Edward had a crush on her a few years back."

"Uh-huh," Leah chuckled. "That girl needs to step on her breaks, like hard," she now laughed a little bit more freely.

"I'm fine," Paul laughed.

"Hey," Bella said.

"Hey," he replied with a smile.

"Missed you."

"Missed you more."

"I also missed you," Leah added with an amused tone.

Bella and Paul broke into laughter.

"Oh, there you are!" A velvet voice popped their bubble, annoying Paul.

"Edward!" Bella said with excitement, before turning and clinging onto her fiancé's neck.

Paul hinged and looked away, being painfully reminded that it was he who Bella was marrying. He stepped aside to let the couple settle, while Leah watched in discomfort as she noticed Paul going back into his shell once more.

"Paul, this is Edward, my fiancé," Bella introduced them after their little display of affection was over.

"Paul Lahote, I've heard so much of you," Edward said in a low voice, with a perfect smile that mirrored that one of his adoptive cousins and sisters. "Bella only has good memories of you – and Leah, of course," he added for the Quileute girl, who replied with a polite smile.

"Heard a lot of you too," Paul smiled politely, mirroring Leah. "Congrats."

"Thank you," Edward said, and then looked at Bella next to him. "Love, what about we go say hi to my uncle Aro? He's with his siblings, Caius and Marcus. They'll be thrilled to meet you."

Bella gave Leah and Paul an apologetic look. "I have to go, but why don't you wait around, and we will talk?"

Paul nodded, and Leah did about the same. The couple left holding hands while Leah and Paul just looked at them leave. Paul let out a sigh and clenched his fists.

"Are you going to tell her?" Leah asked in a whisper.

"And ruin her big day?" Paul gave her a pained look. "Never. This is what she's been waiting for. What she really wants. I can't give it to her. I am not going to be the reason her wedding doesn't go well."

"You never know…"

"No, Leah. I know," Paul sighed. "I had my chance, and I didn't take it. I am not going to sit here and pretend that I'm the victim here. This is what she wants, and I am going to respect it."

"That's nice of you to say," Leah said back, after a moment of silence.

"No, I'm not being nice – I'm just being about as decent of a person as I should be." Paul mumbled, before pulling out his flask and having another shot of shitty whiskey.

14th of December 2010.

The horn blasted a second before the clock marked the end of the game. Paul was in shock while his team had already surrounded him and half-way up, he let out a victorious scream, putting one fist up in the air while the crowd cheered him on. He had scored with ten seconds on the clock and they had made it. They had won the State Championship. The season was over. The cold crept in a little, hitting his sweaty face and giving him a good kick of natural adrenaline. Still on top of his teammates' shoulders, his eyes wandered across the bleachers, looking for a specific brunette with big brown eyes.

"YOU WON!" Bella screamed, making him notice her at the very front, being crushed by the others who had come down to take a good look. "PAUL!"

Paul raised a hand and waved in her direction, making sure she understood he had heard her. Bella answered with a laugh and signaled to him that she was going to leave. She blew a kiss his way, one thing she had done always to him and only him. Paul took a second to react, before he frantically asked all the guys to let him down. It took a good minute but between laughs and jokes the finally put him on the floor. Paul sprinted without letting anyone else know what was going on and avoided anyone that tried to make conversation or congratulate him on the way. He panicked, when he reached the parking lot across the school, and there wasn't a sign of his friend.

"Thought I would leave without congratulating you properly first?" someone asked from behind him.

Paul didn't need to check first - it was Bella. Without aiming for it, he just turned on his heels and wrapped his arms around her, lifting her up into a massive hug. Bella laughed out loud and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"Hey," he murmured, drawing the perfect smile on his face.

"Hey," she murmured back, mirroring his smile. Her face was just inches away from Paul's.

"Hey love birds, everyone's out to Cora's, y'all coming?" it was Leah's voice that interrupted.

"Coming," she said too quickly, leaving Paul disappointed. "Let's go, I'm paying."

Bella pushed herself away and landed on her two feet, something rather uncommon. She pulled from Paul's hand playfully, and he pretended to be glued to the ground, which made the brunette pout. He wanted to stay, but then a quick glance at his other friend, who was still standing by, made him self-conscious. Finally letting go, he walked both girls to their respective cars, with Bella going first and then Leah.

"Don't," the girl said before going into her car.

"Don't what?" he asked, dumbfounded.

"It's gonna break your heart," Leah said with a sigh, before entering her car. "It's not going to end well."

"What do you know?"

"The question is, my friend, what don't I know?" Leah closed the door on his face and started his car.

Paul cussed under his breath before walking back towards the field, so that he could take his things and rush to Cora's Diner.

Paul arrived 30 minutes after he had parted ways with both his friends. He had quickly showered and gone into his letterman jacket, thinking he looked really good in that, and was anxious as to how would Bella react now that he had won State Championship. His eyes located her in a booth inside, sitting across Mike Newton. Paul frowned, and his hands went into fists inside his pockets. Mike had a horrible rep, and Paul didn't specially like that he was making Bella laugh out loud. He rushed inside, making his way between people that congratulated him on that last-minute wonder he did. But he didn't care. He needed to get to Bella first.

"Well, someone's late," Bella mentioned while Paul made his way to her table right after crossing the front door. "Like the jacket."

"They interviewed us, and I guessed it wouldn't hurt to use it" Paul said with a smirk, before sitting down in a booth next to her. Shoulder to shoulder, she didn't more to have more space, although she could've. "What did you get me?"

"Shake and fries, just like you like it," Bella grinned, and Paul felt the impulse to lean in to kiss her, but he wouldn't. Not in front of his team and half the school present.

"So, where's Newton?" Paul asked directly. He itched to know.

"Mike?" Bella asked, realizing that he wasn't there anymore. "He came to talk a little. He invited me to the winter formal."

Paul's soul sank to the bottom of his feet. He gulped before he looked at the girl, afraid to know the answer. "And?"

"I said no, of course," she replied, with a half-smile.

"No?" Paul tried his best to sound surprised and not relieved.

"Yeah, no."

"Why, though?" Paul smugly passed his arm behind her, putting it on the back of the booth seat. It was normal, organic, and he didn't notice that when he did it, the distance between their faces shortened more than a few inches.

"Well…" Bella had started to turn red. He couldn't tell why. "I'm not about to date some small-town boy right before I go to college. I want to get out of this god-awful town, really."

"No dating? With anyone?" Paul's soul was now under 2000 tons of nervousness.

"Not one person here could make me want to them," Ouch, he thought. "If I do, I would end up here forever. I don't want that."

Paul wanted to stay there, in Forks. Her comments hurt, and he wasn't brave enough to come forward and say that if she didn't want to, he wouldn't either. But he was a coward and remained quiet.

"I see," he mumbled.

"Hey there, Mr. I-Won-State-Championship," Leah interrupted yet again. "How's it going?"

"If you must know, I'm starving, dear Leah," Paul joked. He wanted her out of here, and if she offered to buy more food he would've succeeded.

"Oh, I can get a burger for you, it's on me tonight, remember?" Bella winked at him, before crawling under the table skillfully and leaving the two friends behind.

Paul didn't have time to ask her to stay, or to send Leah away. The taller girl slid into the booth, next to Paul. He buried his face between his hands and then let out a sigh that sounded painful.

"She won't have me, right? Not as long as I am tied to this place," Paul mumbled.

"I'm sorry, lover boy," Leah replied. "I told you,"

"You did," Paul lamented before turning to see Leah. "Thanks, Lee."

"Don't thank me," Leah said. "C'mon, let me hug you. You look awful."

"Sam will get jealous," Paul joked.

"Sam will understand," Leah smiled and put out her arms.

"What will Sam understand?" Bella's voice asked when Paul had just gone in for the hug. He quickly let go, before turning to see Bella.

"That Paul's in love with me," Leah joked.

"You wish," Paul put out his tongue.

"Oh, don't hide it, I bet you have your name with her last name written in some journal somewhere," Bella added onto the joke.

"That's it," Paul threatened playfully before he pushed Leah and himself out of the booth.

Bella laughed out loud and after leaving the burger on the table, she sprinted out of the diner. Paul followed suit and tried his best not to reach her before they could be completely alone. He caught her from the back, and much like their previous hug, he lifted her up into the sky while she laughed to her heart's content. Paul let her down after a couple spins and was careful as to wrap her with his arms in case she felt dizzy right after. Their eyes met, and Paul thought it was the perfect moment – he could lean in for a kiss. With their faces now only fractions of an inch from touching, he thought that his heartache, his anxiety, and everything that had stopped him before, couldn't stop him now. A fraction of the way to her lips, a chuckle made both of them raise their eyes to a tall, tanned figure coming out of a truck. Sam.

"Hey there, love birds."

"Hey Sam," Paul said with annoyance, before looking back at Bella.

"I think we should go back inside," Bella said before Paul had the chance of saying anything.

He sighed and followed suit. Neither him or Bella mentioned the kiss the rest of the night, or the days to follow. Soon, it was graduation day and the kiss seemed long forgotten.