A/N: In this chapter, you 'll get to know more about Edward and Bella 's relationship as close friends and get to know a little bit more than that, hehe. They 're in Phoenix, Arizona by the way just in case you didn't know. So here 's another update for the new year guys, consider this my new years gift. :-)

All of the characters belong to Stephenie Meyer;

"Want some cake?"

"You're making it hard to believe that you're have a sweet tooth and yet don't gain that much weight."

"That's cause I have supernatural powers."

I rolled my eyes, "Perfect."

I got my piece of cake anyway and ate a spoonful, careful not to get any chocolate on my teeth. I got my jug of juice and drank some.

"What was bothering you awhile ago?" Edward suddenly asked, looking at me while chewing. He was sitting with his one leg folded and one leg stretched in front of him. I swallowed before answering, "Nothing really, I was just exhausted."

"You barely played in gym, Bella. All you do was shield yourself." he chuckled.

"Exactly, isn't that tiring enough?"

"Not for a normal person, no."

"Thanks for being such a great friend." I added some heavy sarcasm in my voice, it was my specialty.

"Hey!" he placed a mock punch on my arm and I pinched his left cheek, laughing. The cheek I pinched then turned scarlet and I thought it was swollen. I shoved my plate of cake away and was at his side all of a sudden, cupping on hand on his pink cheek. "Ohmygod," I said in a blur, "Did I pinch it that hard? Does it hurt? I think I have so ice here--"

Edward held the hand that was on his face and smiled crookedly again, I stared back at him and noticed that both of his cheeks were burning.

He was blushing.

"I-I'm fine, Bella. You didn't make my cheek swell unless you bit me or something." He chuckled, still holding my hand.

I dropped my hand and looked at the grass, my cheeks burning up as well, "Oh, uh yeah. Sorry about that." I looked away and began to pack everything back in it's case.

"Leaving already?" his voice was sounded disappointed.

"Yeah, got a lot of homework to do."

"I'll help you then, I got a lot as well. We can drop by my place if you want."

"Esme won't mind?" I looked up at him and raised an eyebrow, Edward's parents didn't like me calling them formally so I called them by their first names. Edward smirked, "Of course not, she always likes some company."

"It's settled then." I smiled back.

****

Edward's POV;;

Bella got inside the passenger seat easily as I ignited the Volvo to life and stepped on the gas hard enough to get us moving in seconds.

I turned on the stereo and put a random cd in, Bella didn't seem to notice the music playing. Her eyes focused outside the window, her hands folded neatly on her lap. Something must be bothering her and it wasn't her fatigue from gym. I mean, whoever would be tired in gym when all you did was stand and observe? No one right? Right.

I'll get it out of her later, she always told me what was on her mind. It was nice, to know that she confided in me everything that was making her feel uneasy. That I was the one she would look for when she was in need and of course I was always there for her.

Bella wasn't just a friend to me, you see. She was always more than that.

It wasn't that she had the most beautiful brown eyes I've ever seen or the wonderful curls in her hair that I would often catch myself playing with when we were at our place just looking at the blue sky. It was that she was so selfless. She didn't act like a teenage rebel even when her parents were separated, as long as the both of them were happy so was she.

Ever since the first time I saw her in 7th grade, the first thing I noticed about her was her eyes and the way she smiled at all of her friends. I was the new student and she took up the courage to introduce herself to me.

'I'm Bella, you're the student right? Well you'll be my seatmate during History class, huh?'

'Yeah, I guess we will be. I'm Edward.' I offered my hand.

She giggled, it was a pleasant sound to hear, 'Nice to meet you.' and her small hand shook mine.

We became best friends ever since...

I was so thrilled to know that she was staying in Phoenix for high school and what made it more awesome was that we almost had the same classes most of the school days in a week. She was just as happy and ecstatic as me, running to me and hugging me tight. I hugged her back and I liked the feeling of having her in my arms. My family kept teasing me about it right after, Alice was smug the entire week and kept giving Bella hints about it.

I didn't want Bella to know how much I really felt about her...yet. I just wasn't ready, maybe in the junior prom I'll tell her. She's definitely the one I'm asking to be my date, no one else but her.

It would be nice to have a dance with Bella, her first dance would be with me. To see her in an elegant dress and to see her smile at me while her cheeks turn scarlet red. I would be there to pick her up from her house, wrap my arm around her waist and drive to school. We'd remain quiet for sure, though not at all awkward. And finally, at the dance floor, to have both hands on her waist and our eyes locked on each other. To move in harmony with the music playing in the background and to be in our own little world. I would finally confess to her, tell her how much I love her, that ever since 7th grade when she smiled to me and said her name, that she bewitched me body and soul--

"Edward, you just missed your house." Bella tapped my shoulder, interrupting my thoughts. Darn it.

"Oh, sorry." I took a U turn and parked the car in front of the garage. I turned off the car engine and took a deep breath to steady myself. I was so focused in with my imagination, I just wished it was real.

A hand was suddenly on the small of my back, Bella's hand. It was so warm. "Edward, do you want to rest first? Driving is exhausting and you're looking a little pale." she chuckled. I looked at her to see her brown eyes melt, I gulped, "Uhm, no I'm fine. Let's go shall we?"

Once we got inside, we saw Esme placing some flowers on the new vase Carlisle got her as a present. "Hello Esme, I'm home and Bella's with us." I grinned widely and Esme winked at me. "Hello Bella, nice day out huh? The sun's rising nicely out as usual, how's school? Gym right?" Esme giggled. Bella blushed and bit her lip, "Yeah gym always keeps me on the run but you're right. The sun's beautiful today."

So are you. "Let's get on our homework, Renee won't want you out so late." I said, gesturing up to my room.

She nodded in agreement, "Let's go."

***

While we were still in my room, I was already done with my homework but Bella still seemed to have a hard time with hers. She didn't want help so I didn't bother asking her again, instead I went back to where my thoughts were earlier...

Bella's POV;;

Ah finally! I'm done with the last question!

But when I turned around to tell Edward, he was asleep. His head leaning on the arm rest and his arms on his lap, I could hear his slow breathing.

I smiled and packed back all my books and notebooks inside my backpack. I wore the backpack and took another glance at the sleeping Edward. My cheeks started to redden when I saw how peaceful his face was and how...adorable he looked. I wanted to kiss him goodnight so I looked to see if there was someone with us upstairs but there seemed to be no one in sight. I closed the door slowly and quietly.

"Why'd you close the door, Bella?"

Aw crap. "Uhm, uh I dropped my pen." I looked under the drawer nearest to the door and pretended to look for my 'pen.'

"Sure you did." I looked back at him and saw him ruffle his hair and stand up, "Where you planning to hold me captive here?"

I frowned, "No." I got my backpack again and swung the door open, hitting my knee really hard in the process. Ouch.

"Careful!" He had me at my waist and I had to lean on him for support, my arms around his waist. "God, Bella. You're such a klutz!"

"Just don't provoke me next time and maybe I won't end up in the hospital for a long time." I muttered.

"I was just kidding, take a joke for once. Now come on, let's get you home." And yet, it didn't bother me to be in his arms for the longest time I've ever been. It was a good thing I wasn't blushing for awhile until Alice saw the two of wrapped around each other. A wide grin flashed on her face.

"Homework load huh? Really got you two going on, maybe you should do this more often." she winked at me mostly and Edward glared at her.

"Knock it off Alice, mind helping Bella down the stairs?" he let me go and I didn't want to be separated from him for a second there.

"What did you do to her?! You hurt her just when she was that close to you?! You should be ashamed of yourself." Alice wasn't serious at all, it was so obvious she was amused by what she saw just awhile ago.

Edward ignored her and went to the car to start it. And while he did, I nudged Alice, a bit annoyed myself. "Alice."

"Admit it Bella, you're enjoying every moment of this." she smiled at me. I blushed in response, ugh my cover's blown. "Ahahaha! Finally!"

"Shut up!" I pursed my lips and Alice kept quiet in return but whispered, "Anything exciting happen?"

"Nothing Alice."

"Hmm, I'll find out soon enough." she smugged.

"Yeah..." Alice walked me outside and let me go when we got to the car, I sat in the passenger seat. Alice saluted us military style and winked, "Take care of her for me, won't you Edward?"

"Sure." Edward rolled his eyes. He waved back at Alice and drove away.

***

We arrived at my place and he shut the car off. It grew quiet.

"Sorry about awhile ago, me being clumsy." I muttered, staring at my hands. I heard Edward sigh.

"That hardly needs an apology, you've been that way ever since Bella. Now, I think we're a little late and I don't want Renee to be upset with me."

"Renee wouldn't be the slightest upset even if you kidnapped me, she likes you a lot."

Edward blinked and thought for awhile, "That...worries me a little."

I laughed, absorbing that he understood it the wrong way. "She's hardly a cougar, Edward. Ahahaha, not that way at all. She likes you like you're her own son. She likes the way you're my friend and the way you treat me." I smiled at the thought that Renee saw something behind Edward's actions towards me. I could see it now but I wasn't so sure.

I didn't notice it then but Edward was staring at me with a grin on his face, "Really? Well, do you?"

I look back at him, I simply shrugged. "I don't know, is there something behind it?" I got annoyed cause my tone gave too much away.

Edward chuckled and leaned back in his seat, "That's for me to know and for you to figure out."

"Annoying."

"Stubborn."

"Weirdo."

"Klutz."

"You kids done yet?" Renee suddenly appeared outside my window with a flashlight, the sky was already a dark blue. "It's a little late isn't it Edward?"

Edward got out the car, "I'm sorry Ms. Swan, I'll drop her earlier next time."

Renee giggled, "I'm hardly angry, Edward. I was just playing, it's nice to see you guys spend some time together. You can have her as long as you want---"

"Mom!"

Renee laughed now, "Okayokay, well come in now. Dinner's ready and Phil's hungry."

"Yes mom, bye Edward. See you."

"You too. Take care of yourself."

I rolled my eyes, "Like always."

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