Chapter 2: Back Home

First, I would like to thank anyone who has read or reviewed by story. Thanks, it means a lot. And second, in this next chapter, Jacob Black will be coming. Just to make everyone aware, in my story, Jacob is the same age as Bella, so he is 17, and he goes to Forks High School along with everyone else.

Chapter 2: Back Home

"Bella, it is almost 5:30 already! Aren't you suppose to be by the Cullens' by now?," Charlie shouted to Bella, who was upstairs getting ready.

"Yes, I know. I am coming," Bella responded back as she quickly swiped on a quick coat of lip gloss onto her lips. She took one last look in the mirror before heading out the door. After much trial and error, Bella had decided on a red sweater to accent the flush on her cheeks that she would get whenever she was around Edward and a favorite pair of jeans. Never before had she spent so much time getting ready just to go see him but with this year being their last in high school she wanted to make the most of every moment she had with him. Once satisfied with her reflection, she grabbed her keys and bolted out for her car.

Edward laid on his bed, starring at the ceiling and tossing the small black box from hand to hand. It was 6 o'clock and no sign of Bella. He was tempted to call her to see if she had forgotten but he knew that if she didn't show up it wouldn't be because it slipped her mind. Edward would not have been surprised if she didn't come over today after what happened last night. He was still kicking himself for what he said to her. "How could I have been that stupid," he thought, "Maybe it is a sign that we aren't meant to be together. Not anything more than friends, anyway." He let out a sigh, "Oh god, I don't know what to do". Just then he heard the doorbell ring and it was music to his ears. He threw the black box onto his nightstand and ran stairs. Edward opened the door.

"Hey, you. Long time no see, eh?", Bella said to him, trying to keep her voice as steady as possible. She had decided that she has going to play it cool, as if the end of their conversation last night never happened. She wasn't going to let what had happened stop her from at least attempting to show Edward how she really felt.

"Yeah. Well, um, you look so, uhh, so," Edward stumbled to find the right words to describe Bella. After two months away from her, seeing Bella now took his breath away. At that moment Edward wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and kiss her.

"So what?" Bella asked innocently, cocking her head to the side.

"So different, but in a good way. Always in a good way," Edward replied in a tone that was almost seductive.

Bella was breathless for she was taken back by Edward's response. All she could manage in response was, "Oh", as she tucked as stray piece of hair behind her ear.

"Well, do you want to stand outside all day or are you going to come in?", Edward asked smiling brightly as he extended his hand out for hers.

"Sure let's go inside", Bella told him as she put her hand in his.

Once they were inside, Bella nearly tackled to the ground when Alice snuck up on her.

"Oh my god, Bella! I missed you. What's been going on?," Alice shouted as she gave Bella a big hug, forcing Edward to reluctantly let go of Bella's hand.

"I have been doing pretty well, but even better now that all of you guys are home," Bella replied, gazing past Alice to look at Edward.

"Aw thanks, Bella. Well I hate to leave so abruptly but I am meeting Rosalie at mall. We want to do some shopping before school starts up again. Maybe you can catch up with us later?'

"Thanks, but I think I will pass. Next time though, okay?" Bella wasn't sure but after she said this she thought she saw Edward smile.

"Alright, sounds good. Catch you guys later," Alice said before she was off.

After Alice was gone, Edward took a step closer towards Bella. "Now that she's gone, there is something I wanted to show you. Something I got for you", he told her.

"Oh Edward, you know I don't like it when you spend money on me," Bella said innocently.

"I know, I know. But I was away from you for two months, Bella. I had to get you something because I was, well, thinking about you," Edward said in a very intense tone.

"Okay", Bella replied, laughing lightly out of nervousness.

"Come with me," he told her as he led the way up the stairs.

Before they knew it they were in his room. Bella loved his room, everything from the black leather coach to his high tech stereo system. And of course, there was the bed. Bella felt her cheeks get hot as she pushed the thought out of her head.

"You okay?" Edward asked, obviously noticing her sudden flush.

"Yes, I am fine," Bella said as smoothly as she could.

"Well feel free to put on some music. Anything you wish", Edward told her.

With that, Bella put on both hers and Edward's favorite Debussy CD.

"Ah perfect!" Edward exclaimed, "And now for your gift," he said as he handed her the small black jewelry box.

"Oh Edward, what did you do?" Bella asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Just open it", Edward replied, showing off his crooked smile.

Bella couldn't help herself but smile back. She opened the box and gasped at what was inside. It was the most stunning piece of jewelry she had ever seen. A perfectly symmetrical snowflake hung from a delicate silver chain. The snowflake's clear and light blue crystals seemed to glisten just as brightly as freshly fallen snow.

"Edward! It is gorgeous. I love it!" Bella said with her eyes glowing with excitement as she threw her arms around him.

"I am glad you like," Edward said shyly as he hesitantly hugged Bella before quickly breaking the embrace for he was once again panicked with her so close. "I thought it would suit you", he continued. "You always complain that the snow in Forks is like the ends of cotton swabs and that the flakes should look more like this", Edward said, gesturing towards the necklace.

Bella laughed. "You are right. You know me all too well But this is much nicer than any snowflake". With her response, she was certain that she had seen Edward blush, not something he did too often.

"Here, let me put it on for you", Edward said as he took the box from her hand to take the necklace out. He positioned himself behind Bella as he lifted her hair up. He draped the necklace in front of her and clasped it shut from behind. He gently let her hair fall back into place. The sweet smell of her strawberry shampoo hit him hard. It was an irresistible smell that only drew him closer to her. He put his hands on her shoulders so he could turn her around to face him. He slowly and cautiously ran his hand down the thin chain, starting from one side of her neck, until he reached the snowflake in the middle. He let his fingers linger there for a moment, "Wow. It looked nice when I saw it in the jewelry store, but it looks amazingly more beautiful on you," Edward breathed.

Bella tried to steady her breath but she couldn't get enough oxygen. She had never felt him be so close to her before. If she were to move just an inch or two more towards him, she would be kissing him, a very tempting thought. His piercing green eyes that were staring into hers were like the green light telling her to go for it. But before she could even move, Edward had backed away and turned his back towards her, mumbling a barely audible, "sorry".

He hated himself. He wanted to tell her so much about how deeply in love with her he was but he couldn't do it. He was a coward and he knew it.

Bella sighed, overwhelmed yet again with disappointment. Why would he always lead her on, just to back out? She couldn't understand it. He was making his intentions toward her quite clear and she was towards him, or at least she had thought. But all she did know what was that she was getting frustrated. Why couldn't Edward see that she so desperately wanted to be with him? She began to feel the tears swell up in her eyes.

"Is it because I am not pretty enough, is that it?" she shouted at him, trying her best to maintain some composure over her temper.

'What? Bella, what are you talking about?" Edward demanded.

"Or is it because I am not smart enough or something else? What is it that is so wrong with me that you always do this?" Bella pushed.

Edward knew exactly what she was talking about and couldn't blame her for feeling as said did. All he could manage to say in return was, "I am sorry, Bella. Truly I am."

"So that's it? That is all you are going to say?" Bella was yelling now, tears streaming down her face.

"Don't cry, please", he said as calmly as he could, walking towards her.

"Don't touch me! I don't want you to touch me," she lashed out at him.

She could see the hurt in Edward's eyes when she told him to back off, but she didn't care. She was too angry to care at the moment. Just then, her cell phone rang. She answered it, "Hello?"

"Hey, Bella. Is this a bad time? You sound a little stressed" the voice on the other end asked. It was Jacob Black.

"No, it is fine. You couldn't have called at a better time actually. I could use the distraction," Bella told him, glaring at Edward.

"Oh thank god, because I need a big favor. My car broke down and I need someone to pick me up. I am about five miles away from you house, would you mind?" he asked her kindly.

"Not at all. I will be right there", Bella responded, calmer than before.

"Thanks, Bells. You are the best" Jacob told her before hanging up. He had called her Bells and her heart sank. Her thoughts reluctantly trailed back to Edward, who still stood with a pain-stricken look on his face, but she quickly pushed them aside. Even though it was only the first time Jacob ever called her Bells and while he probably didn't mean anything by it, Bella picked up on the conviction in his voice. Unlike Edward, Jacob had always said things in the way that he meant them. He was upfront and honest. That was what she liked about Jacob. And right now, he was exactly what Bella needed.

"I got to go", Bella said harshly as she headed down the stairs.

"Wait!" Edward shouted after her. "Where are you going?"

Bella sighed but didn't turn around to respond, she just keep walking as she answered, "Jake's car broke down. I am going to go pick him up."

"Since when are you friends with Jacob Black?" his obviously dislike for the guy was clear in his voice as he spun Bella around to face him.

Bella could feel the fury cover over her face. She was livid. Did he honestly expect her to wait around for him while he blows hot and cold until he could admit his feelings for her? "Since the summer. Why? Are you jealous, now? Huh?" she screamed at him.

Edward's jaw dropped, but she was right. He was jealous because he knew Jacob would have no problem going after her if she was what he wanted. Jacob could so easily do the one thing Edward couldn't find the courage to do.

"Here" Bella told him sharply as she put her hands behind her neck to take off the necklace. "You can have it back. I don't want it. I am tired this. If you don't have the guts to tell me how you really feel then I am putting an end to it before it even started", Bella said as she forcefully shoved the necklace into his hand. And with that, he watched in agony as Bella stormed off into her truck, blazing away. He looked down at the necklace in his hand, clutching it tightly as if it were the only way to keep whatever pieces he had left of his heart together.