A/N: Thank you for all who reviewed!! Hope you like this chapter...Oh, and to clear up anything, Bella was beat by Damien, but not raped. That would have been another drama-filled mess...

Can't Stop Loving You – Past and Present

The alarm clock rang repeatedly and I smacked around until I knocked it off my dresser. I had been living with my dad for two weeks now, just enough time to let my bruises subside in appearance. Charlie didn't question me about the scars, but I knew that Renée had already told him.

Damien ceased to exist in my mind, though he still haunts me in the back of my conscience. Sometimes, I would wake up in the middle of the night screaming and drenched in sweat. I knew the day Damien attacked me would always follow me, but I was waiting for the night when I could close my eyes and not be afraid to see him there.

Charlie had already left for the station and left the keys to my truck on my computer desk. I showered and dressed for school. I purposely put on a sweater and a pair of jeans – trying to cover as much of my scars as possible.

It was weird being back in Forks. I had left more than twelve years ago and now I was coming back. I wondered how everyone would take the reunion. I didn't think I could remember names right now, but I knew I could remember faces.

I grabbed my schedule from the front and walked down a hallway to my first class. I could hear the whispers as I past.

"Is that who I think it is?"

"Isabella – whoa baby!"

"No, it can't be Bella!"

I smiled and kept walking; I wanted to avoid all contact until I was in a secure place. Like a classroom. But I ended up rammed into the back of a huge guy and my books went sprawling on the ground.

"Oh, I am so sorry," I blurted out. "I didn't see you…and I just -" I bent down to pick up my books.

He chuckled. "No, it's okay." His hands reached them first and I waited as he gathered them for me. I could see everyone watching this altercation unfold. I hated this new spotlight. When he rose up, I remembered the face and the name.

"Emmett?" I whispered to him.

"Bella?"

"Oh, wow, it's so nice to see you!"

He drew me into a hug, and eventually began to squeeze me. "My sister from another mister – you were away for too long." When he finally put me back on the ground, I regained my supply of oxygen.

"Yes, I have been."

"How long has it been?" he asked, exposing his dimples.

"Twelve years. Twelve long years," I answered while subconsciously twirling the ring on my necklace.

"Well, everyone will be glad to meet you, just come sit by us at lunch, okay?"

"Sounds great, Emmett."

"Good, see you later." Soon, he and his buddies engaged into another conversation that didn't concern me.

So, Emmett noticed me along with many other people. But the main question going through my mind was would Edward notice me? How much did he change? Would he notice a change in me?

The warning bell rang for class and I hurriedly headed into my first period, letting my questions fall at the door.

EDWARD

"Psst…Edward!" Alice hissed at me.

"What?" I whispered back. We were in math, one of the many classes Alice and I had together. We sat by each other and were constantly conversing during lesson.

"Guess who is back?" she continued.

"Eminem?" I chuckled at the thought.

"Funny, Edward, but for real, guess who is back?"

"I don't know, Alice."

"Yes, you do."

"You know, Alice, you may be my favorite sister, but you are also my most annoying."

"Edward, I'm your only sister."

"My point exactly."

"No, Edward, but Bell-" The teacher turned his attention to us.

"You, two, please cut the chitchat," the teacher scolded. Once the teacher turned back around, I swerve my attention to Alice.

"Whose back?"

"Back again…" she mouthed.

I groaned. "Who?"

"Bella," she mouthed.

"Bella?" I asked, and Alice smiled and nodded.

Wow. Bella was back. I haven't seen her since we were kids. At this moment, I couldn't conjure up an image of her, though I knew she would be beautiful. I chuckled when I realized that my last recollection of her was when we were six and we were both losing our baby teeth.

Would she remember me? Would I remember her?

"When can I see her?" I whispered to Alice. She shrugged. That did no good for me. I would have to see her. I had to see her.

BELLA

Coming into the cafeteria, I had no idea where to sit until I saw Emmett thrust a huge hand into the air.

"Hey Bella! Over here!" he yelled. My cheeks heated with color as everyone turned their attention back to me. I was going to have to get used to this "New Kid" attention. I trekked over to the table with Emmett where a blond male and female occupied. The girl tossed her hair angelically to the side and smiled while the boy just froze awkwardly over a book.

I placed my tray down for the introduction. "Okay, Bella, this is my girl – Rosalie…" she waved gracefully in my direction, "…and her brother, Jasper – currently dating Alice. You remember Alice, don't you?" Emmett eyed me.

"How could I forget her?" Alice was Emmett's younger sister who would constantly use me as her real life doll. She would dress me up in her play gowns and force me to partake in her tea parties.

Just then, Alice in all her pixie glory came into the cafeteria. "Bella!" she squealed while cutting off my air circulation. By the time Edward would get to me, I was going to need an inhaler. "Oh, Bella, how I missed not having someone to dress up," she pouted.

"Yep, you're Alice," I joked while she let me go.

"Oh, Edward is so excited to see you!" she sped.

"Is he really?"

"Oh yeah, we have some much catching up to do, Bella!"

"Yes we do…" I mumbled while retaking my seat.

"So, I see you met the table. Jasper is mine, so don't touch him," she smiled while joining her beau. They seem blend together. He instantly closed his book to engage in whatever Alice had to say.

I laughed. "I won't." I looked around the cafeteria, anxiously waiting to see Edward. "Sooo, when do I get meet my old pal?"

Emmett and Alice searched around the cafeteria. "Umm…he should be here any minute now," Emmett muttered. But then I thought I heard Emmett say, "You know he is with that girl…"

Girl? Edward had a girl? I should have expected it. He was a catch even in the days of kindergarten.

I remember it was Valentine's Day and Edward had twelve Valentine offers from the girls in my class, but he wanted to be my Valentine. Of course, I said 'yes.' I remembered his mom, Esme, had made cupcakes and Edward had shoved one in my face. I cried a little and then he hugged me while he wiped the pink frosting out of my eyes.

"Don't cry, Bella," he whispered. Gradually, the tears subsided and I still had the comfort of my little Valentine.

But Edward was dating. Wow, it was hard to wrap my mind around that and the thought dwelled in my mind while I grasped at my ring. I didn't even know what he looked like.

"Ooo, there they are!" Rosalie giggled. I twisted around to see him.

He took my breath away. He was my Edward – resembling a deity. He still had the same facial features except he had lost all of the childish curves. I giggled inside as I saw his ruffled hair. Though he was older, he still didn't comb his hair into a neat fashion.

I saw the girl that he had laced his fingers around. She was beautiful, much more beautiful than me. She had long flowing strawberry blond hair and the appearance of a model.

I ducked my head away from them as they sauntered towards our table. My heart started to race and I couldn't keep my palms dry. Why was I this nervous?

"Edward – here's Bella!" Alice announced while pulling my arm.

Slowly, I looked up and met his gaze. Our eyes locked for what seemed like infinity as his green eyes mingled with my brown ones and exchanged unspoken information. It was like I never left.

I heard the girl clear her throat and I smiled, embarrassed, trying to wipe away any drool that could have pooled from my mouth.

"H-H-Hey, Edward. Nice to see you," I greeted, extending my hand.

But he opened his arms inviting me for a hug instead. I stood up and felt a slight shock passed between us. "Bella! I waited all day to see you again! Twelve years and I was lost without you," he whispered into my ear.

Finally, he pulled away and the beautiful girl stepped back next to him. "And this is my girlfriend, Tanya. Tanya, this Bella."

I extended my hand out and Tanya took it. We smiled cordially. "So, would you, two, care to join us?" I asked.

"Oh, yes." He and Tanya took a seat across from me. "So, Bella, how have you been?"

"Better. Just came back to stay with Charlie until I am finished with high school."

"Why did you decide to come back after twelve years?" Alice asked. She tossed an apple into the air and I saw Jasper snatch it. She laughed and stole it back.

I shrugged, while trying to figure out the exact words to say. "Uh…I needed to be home…again." I grabbed my arm and rubbed it along the bruises hidden under my sweater. This was the only barrier protecting my clandestine life.

Emmett laughed. "Glad you're back from the extended vacation!" Everyone joined in, too. "I remember when you and Edward were always together…and you guys were so broken up on the day that you moved, Bella."

I looked away from Emmett and stared at Edward. "Yeah, Edward and I were quite close."

Alice chimed in while still messing with Jasper. "Hey, weren't you guys like childhood sweethearts or something?"

I blushed and Edward smiled at me. "You can say that."

"Oh, yeah, I remember!" Emmett chuckled. "Edward would creep into my room and ask me about how to make a girl know you like them. Remember that, Eddie?" He nudged Edward in the shoulder.

"How could I forget," he muttered while zooming in at the ring around my neck. He cocked his head to the side. "Is that the…ring that I gave you?"

I looked down at the necklace. "Yes," I chuckled. "It stopped fitting my finger."

"May I?" he asked and he reached out for it. I nodded and stood up to lean across the table so that Edward could examine his trinket. I felt his warm breath pass his lips as he fingered the token around my neck. I could have sworn he could hear my heart thumping loudly in my chest. "Just exactly as I remembered it…"he grinned.

"Edward, when are you going to give me a ring?" Tanya pleaded coyly.

Edward released the ring letting it fall back to my chest, and sat back down next to Tanya. Slowly, I sat back down, making sure I didn't lose my balance and fall into a tray of food.

He laughed. "Is that all you want Tanya? A ring?"

She was too much for my poor Edward. I could tell that she was a hassle to please, but he seemed as content as ever to give her what she wants. I couldn't stand it.

"Well, I better get going…" I mumbled before dumping the contents of my tray and walking out of the cafeteria.

"Wait! Bella…" I heard Edward call; he was jogging up to me. "Can I catch up with you sometime?"

"Edward…I don't know. I mean, I still need to get acquainted with school thing and you obviously have your hands full." I looked over his shoulder and saw Tanya glaring at us.

He shook his head and smiled unequally. "I just want to spend sometime with an old friend. We do have twelve years to catch up on."

"Yes, we do," I smiled.

"So, how about it? Can we meet up somewhere? Maybe at the house? Esme will be glad to know that you are back…"

"Okay, okay, I meet up at your house."

"Tonight at six," he said while slowly backing away.

"I promise." I watched as he jogged back to Tanya, who had her arms folded impatiently.

EDWARD

Wow, Bella was different. She was no longer the little awkward girl that I occasionally would knock to the ground. She was a woman.

What have I been missing in these last years? It was great to have a friend back – someone who I could confide in and never be self-conscious, or just another person to spend time with, without having people question your motives.

I wanted to catch up with her, to know what has been going on in her life without me. I always thought of Bella when she was away, but I never figured she would be back.

But when Alice asked her why did she come back, I saw a change in Bella. She started to rub her arm as if it hurt and she was trying to soothe the pain. I wanted to know her again. To be part of her life again. I wanted to be her Edward.

I invited her to dinner and hopefully without Tanya around, I would be able to be less tense. There were a lot of things about me that I haven't told Tanya, yet. Not because I was hiding them from her, but because she was never interested in my life. She didn't care about the past as long as she wasn't in it.

I jogged back to Tanya. She had folded her arms impatiently.

"What took you so long, Edward," she whined. "If I didn't know any better, I would have thought you were hitting on her."

"Tanya, I can assure you I am a one-woman man. And right now, you are that one."

Her expression stiffened. "Good, now eat up. You look a little thin." I took a bite of pizza she was offering though I wasn't going to enjoy it.

Emmett and Alice both ignored Tanya and me, though I desperately wished they would save me.

"So, Edward, you and Bella liked each other when you guys were…what?"

"Six."

She smiled. "Yes, six. Such a delicate age. You know, I still thought boys had cooties when I was six…"

"Is that so?"

"Yes, it is, Edward. But –" she leaned in carefully. "That was in the past, right?"

"Yes – yes – yes. Of course..."

"Good," she said again not even looking at me again. She checked her nails once and then whispered into my ear that she was going to sit with her friends.

As the good boyfriend, I got up and followed.

Edward - too wonderful for his own good.