A/N - This was my contribution to a Domestic Violence fundraiser a few months ago. Thank you to those who contributed. I'm quite excited to share this with the rest of my readers now.

Big thanks to Ninkita, Pamela, pixiekat7 and IpsitaC77 for all their help and feedback. The gorgeous banner you can see above was created by the very talented Mina Rivera.

DISCLAIMER – All publicly recognizable characters, settings, quotes, lyrics etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

I'm breaking the original one-shot into small chapters because I like how it flows that way. I hope you enjoy the story.

"Then, he just turns around, and it was literally like if we were in a movie. The music would start playing and the violins would go . . . I think for the first time ever he took my breath away . . ."

"Aww," I sighed, my head tilting dreamily as I watched the interview. The video shifted over to a few of the couple's sightings since their public admission of their relationship.

The way his hand curved at the small of her back, the secrets in her eyes as she smiled, tipping her head up to glance at him, the look on his face when he returned that smile . . . They sent my heart into hopeful flutters, and I couldn't help but long for the day someone would look at me in that manner.

"Bella, I'm leaving. Have a nice day, sweetheart," Dad yelled from the living room. Seconds later, I heard the front door slam shut behind him.

The sound of his departure jarred me out of my fantasies, and I peeked at the digital clock on my nightstand.

"Shit," I muttered, shutting the computer quickly and cursing myself for having lost track of time. Edward would be honking in the driveway any moment now, and I was still lounging in my bathrobe.

Well, at least I'd showered.

Praying that he'd also had a late start to the morning, I jumped to plug my hair dryer in, turning it to full blast before unleashing it onto my limp, wet tresses. My hair was just as boring as the rest of me – dark brown with that stupid sort of wave that was neither cool enough to be curly, nor easy enough to manage as the corn silk straight kind. But I did the best I could.

And my dreams were interesting enough to make up for my lackluster reality.

Throwing the door of my closet open, I picked up the first pair of jeans I could find and grabbed a plain black T-shirt to go along with it. I threw a cute pink checkered shirt over it, tying a knot out of the two ends at my waist. A quick look in the mirror to apply some lip gloss and I was ready to go.

I was grabbing my book bag to check if it had everything I needed for the day when the familiar horn of Edward's Volvo sounded in my ears.

"Coming," I yelled, bounding down the stairs as though he could hear me in his car.

I passed the kitchen, but forewent breakfast because I really had put this whole getting ready thing off until the last possible moment. Even a glass of milk now would cost Edward and me a few minutes of the first period.

While I was okay with the little reprimand the teacher might throw our way, Edward would certainly not be.

The guy was such a stickler for rules, I sometimes wondered if he had OCD.

He didn't. His parents had gotten him tested.

He didn't have any compulsion in any other part of his daily schedule, but rules were something he adhered to with utmost sincerity. Being his best friend, I tried my best to keep his needs in mind.

Tried being the operative word.

Sometimes, I lost myself too far in my thoughts to remember the time.

But then that's how we'd been since we were toddlers in diapers, building a tentative friendship through our mutual love for soft toys.

He was the anchor that grounded me to reality, and I was the kite that helped him soar when he let me tug him along.

It worked for us.

Usually.

Sometimes, though, I just made him mad.

A/N: The next one should be up in a little while.

FB group - Fanfiction by ForeverRobsessed - Pics for each chapter will be uploaded here. Come join us. Link is on my profile.