A/N: Sorry guys! I was going to post this chapter last night, but my mom needed the computer for tax stuff.

Thanks to those of you who reviewed! I know there was only three reviews, but that's three more than I was expecting. Thanks again! They made my day.

Without further ado, here's chapter two! (Hey that rhymed! Lol.)

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Chapter 2: Phone calls and bad news

The next morning I woke up from the most wonderful dream ever. I went to Rachel's party and actually enjoyed it! That's odd. Like that would ever happen. Like that kiss ever happened…Sigh. I checked my cell phone on the bedside table and saw that it was only nine, but I was wide awake. Hmm. Usually I woke up really late on Saturdays. I looked at my phone again just to be sure that it was early…oh. I had just gotten a text message, which probably woke me up.

To: Bella

From: Edward

Edward? Did I know an Edward? Well no unless…my dream! That was real? I haven't even been awake for five minutes and it's already the best day ever. I flipped open my phone so I could read the text.

Hey- idk if you're awake, but call if u are. I'm not leaving till this afternoon so u wanna hang out??

Oh my god! Not only was my dream real, he enjoyed it too! What am I still sitting here for when I could be talking to an angel?

I dialed the number, and he picked up on the third ring.

"Hello?" a velvety soft voice said.

"Hey," I said shyly.

"Bella?" He sounded more eager now.

"The one and only." I chuckled at the same time he did. "So…I, uh, got your text."

"Oh, good. We should definitely hang out today, since it's my last day in New York," he said sadly.

"You live out of state?"

"Yeah, across the country actually. I live in Seattle."

"Dang, that's not exactly nearby. How will we get together this summer?" I asked.

"I don't know, but we'll find a way," he replied optimistically. "But let's enjoy today while it's still here. Who knows? You might not wanna see me after today. Actually, I'm kinda surprised that you even wanna see me today. Hasn't Rachel told you all the bad things about me so you'll stay away?" He laughed.

"Well…I kinda didn't tell her about last night and how fun it was. I told her I was totally grossed out-which I wasn't!" I quickly added. "I mean, how could I? You're like her brother, she totally looks up to you. How could I tell her how perfect it was?" I was talking so fast that those words just kinda slipped out. Good thing he couldn't see me, because I was red as a fire truck. "I mean…uh…it was…um…I don't know…."

"Don't be embarrassed, I, uh, kinda liked it too," he said quietly.

"Really?" I asked eagerly.

He chuckled again, this time in relief that he hadn't said anything embarrassing. "Yes, really. So, do you wanna come over here or meet somewhere?"

"Is Rach there with you?"

"Yeah…" he said, unsure of where I was going with this.

"Let's go meet somewhere then…I'm not sure I wanna tell her about last night just yet. I'm not sure how she'll take it, or how I would feel telling her. I'm just not ready yet, Edward. I really like you and it's not that I don't want her to know, just…it'd be awkward if I did tell her." I really hope he wasn't offended by that, he had no reason to be. But how would I know if he would be? He's my first…not even boyfriend. He just gave me my first kiss, but still, he was the closest thing to a boyfriend I've ever had and he doesn't even live here! How sad is that?

"No, no…that's okay, I get it. It's gonna be awkward for me too because she's gonna be all like 'stay away from her! You'll infect her and make her a nerd like you!'" he said in a hilarious imitation of her. I laughed and he did too. "So when and where do you want to meet? I'm not really familiar with NYC, so how about you pick?"

"How about we meet behind Rachel's house and walk to the park? My mom really doesn't like it when I'm in a busy place without her."

"Sound's good. Rachel's not up yet, so how about you come over in an hour? I'll call you if she wakes up so we can reschedule," he suggested.

"I can't wait! See you in an hour!" I waited, just in case he said something, because I didn't want to miss one thing that he said.

"Goodbye, lo-Bella," he said quickly.

"Bye, Eddie." I teased, and expected a rise out of him. But there was silence on the other end. "I thought you hated that name," I pointed out.

"I do, but I don't care what you call me, just as long as you're still talking to me, I don't care," he said so quietly I wasn't even sure I heard him. "See you soon." He hung up probably so he wouldn't receive a negative reaction from me.

But how could any girl not fall for that? That was the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. All's Brian did that was semi-sweet in the guy mind, I suppose, was stare at my boobs. He hardly ever made direct eye contact with me, and Edward had yet to look at me like that. What a gentleman. And he seemed to really like me! How could I ever get so lucky?

~*~*~

After I was showered, dressed, and looking presentable, I headed downstairs. No one was home. My parents, Charlie and Renee, had been happily married for fifteen years now. Charlie was probably out fishing with the guys, since it was a Sunday, and Renee was most likely out shopping somewhere.

I took out a pen and a piece of paper and wrote my parents a note so they wouldn't freak out or anything.

Mom or dad, whoever is reading this at the moment, I'm hanging out with a friend from school. Call me if you get worried or lonely or something. I'll be back by dinner, I promise.

Love, Bella

I put the note on the table where whoever was home first could easily find it. With one more look at my cell phone to make sure Edward hadn't cancelled because of Rachel, I began walking towards her house. Rachel's house was only a few houses down from mine, so it took all of about five minutes, if that. I went around the back of the house. If I knocked on the patio door, it would probably wake up Rachel, considering her bedroom was located right above the back door.

So, instead, I texted Edward.

To: Edward

From: Bella

Open up, loverboy! I'm right outside the backdoor. Be quiet when u open the door, cuz Rach is sleepin!

Within seconds, he was opening up the slider. A huge smile was plastered on his beautiful face. His green eyes were bright with delight. He stepped outside, and the light hit his bronze hair at just the right angle so that it practically glowed in the sunlight. He closed the door, walked over, and stopped just about a foot from me. Even though he was so close, it was still too far away.

"Hey," he said simply, sounding out of breath for some reason.

"You okay? You sound like you just ran a marathon," I joked. He laughed, but didn't answer, just looked down at the ground. "You ready to go?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm all set," he said, raising his eyes to meet mine.

"Okay, let's go then. Do you know where the park is, or do I have to lead the way?"

"I do know where it is, actually. Me and Rach used to go there when I would visit. But that was a long time ago." He looked to the left slightly as if remembering something, and laughed.

"When was the last time you visited?" I asked.

"Um…" He ran his hands through his already messy hair, struggling to remember the last time. "Oh jeez…It had to have been at least four years ago. It was when I was in like fourth grade or something."

"That's probably why we haven't met before now. I didn't meet Rachel until middle school," I explained. I checked my phone, and it read 10:13. "We better go before she gets up and sees us down here."

"Yeah," he agreed. Tentatively, he reached down in grabbed my hand with his, his eyes never leaving mine. "I'm glad I get to spend time with you," he said quietly.

"Me too." He smiled as I felt the betraying blush creep up and cover my face.

"Let's go."

We started walking down the street towards the park. The neighborhood looked beautiful this time of year; it was mid-March and trees and flowers were in bloom already because the snow had finally subsided. I smiled. I absolutely loathed winter, I would much rather live somewhere warm, like California or Florida. New York was nice I suppose, but it constantly smelled of big business and it was so bright that you couldn't see the stars at night. In a way, New York was very lonely, but that depended on who you were with most of the time. For instance, right now, I felt very happy, just because of the god-like creature walking next to me.

We reached the park and sat down on a park bench, still holding hands.

"So, how do you like NYC?" I asked.

"It's nice, but I like Seattle better. Less people, but it does rain a hell of a lot more there than it does here. Rain sucks," he shuddered.

I laughed. "Yeah, I'm not exactly a fan of rain either."

"How long have you lived here?" he asked me.

"My entire life, which is much, much too long. I'm ready for something different. But it's not like I get to decide what happens, I'm just trying to make the best of what I got right now."

"Yeah, I know what you mean. Life does get repetitive when you don't have any change. My father has lived in the same house his whole life. He claims he wants to follow in his father's footsteps exactly. He wants me to do the same," he sighed, and looked at the blue sky.

"What does your father do?"

"He's a doctor."

"Well, that's certainly a respectable position to hold, you know. You seem smart enough to be a doctor." I didn't really know what to say, so I just complimented him. My parents never forced me to do anything really; they just wanted me to try my hardest. "Why don't you want to be one, anyway?"

"I just can't picture my life like that. I won't even get to really be one until I'm thirty anyway, with all the years of medical school after college. My father talks about it like it's the best job in the world. It may be…for him, but not for me." I thought he was going to keep talking, so I didn't say anything. Even when he didn't continue, I didn't speak because he seemed so deep in thought. Finally breaking the silence, he asked, "I mean, would you want to be a doctor?"

"Um, no thank you," I said, practically choking from laughing so hard.

He looked utterly confused. "What's so funny?"

"Can you really see me as a doctor? I nearly faint at the sight of…never mind." I was about to say 'at the sight of you,' but that would probably scare him away. Instead of looking at him, I looked at my hands in my lap so he wouldn't see embarrassment in the form of a blush on my face.

"What is it?" he asked with my eyes still cast downward.

"Nothing," I mumbled.

He lifted my chin up with his finger which only made my heartbeat quicken and my face get even redder. "What's wrong?" he asked quietly.

God, was he trying to sound more attractive to make this harder on me? How was I supposed to tell him now with those smoldering green eyes? No way. Nada. I bit my lip, a little to hard to where I thought it was going to break the skin, but luckily it didn't.

He was waiting, patiently, but I could feel his patience slipping.

"Well…" I began.

"Yes?" he urged.

"I, uh, was gonna say-" A sudden pain in my arm cut me off. It was like something had fallen from the sky and smashed into me, or we would have to duck and take cover from squirrels trying to take over the world, but it was much too hard an impact for a squirrel. "Ow!" I screamed. Don't cry. Don't cry.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his eyes frantic.

"Yeah, it's gonna bruise, but I'll live." My attempt at a joke was in vain. "What hit me anyway?"

"Those idiots playing baseball over there," he practically growled.

As if to prove his point, one of the players ran over to us. Hey, I recognized this idiot! It was Brian. It was early spring, yet he was sweating like it was the hottest day of summer. Ew, another reason to stay away from him.

"Hey Bella…and you're Rachel's cousin, Edwin, right?"

"It's Edward," he answered, still with the animalistic growl.

Brian pretended not to notice, and began talking to me again. "I'm so sorry Bella, are you okay?" he asked, his eyes feigning concern. Ugh! He probably hit that ball purposefully over here so he could just come over and talk to me.

"I'm fine, thank you," I said with as much politeness as I could muster up, though I was thoroughly repulsed.

"Are you sure? I have some band-aids and stuff at my house. You could come over, I could fix you up, you could stay over for a while-"

"She said she was fine!" Edward shouted.

He looked scared out of his brain. It was hilarious to watch. "Well, uh, see you later, Bella, bye!" He ran back to the baseball diamond, his lost ball forgotten, and he and his friends left the park. Edward and I started laughing loudly.

"That was hilarious! You like scared the snot out of him!" I said, gasping for air.

"I did, didn't I?" he replied arrogantly.

"Oh shut up. Hey, what time is it?"

"Um, eleven, why?"

"Well Rach should be up in the next hour or so. So do you wanna go have an early lunch at McDonald's? It's right down the street," I suggested, hoping to God that he would say yes.

"Sure," he said, standing up and taking my hand yet again.

~*~*~

The whole way there, we talked about family, friends, places he's lived, all the normal stuff. When we sat down with our food, I decided to ask him a question that has been on my mind all morning.

"Was last night with Jenny your first real kiss?" I asked tentatively.

"Um, no…" he replied, his eyes cast downward as if he was embarrassed about something.

"Oh, that's okay, I guess. When did you have your first kiss, then?"

"Last night."

"But you just said that your first kiss wasn't with Jenny," I said. Now I was completely confused.

"I don't count the time with Jenny as a real kiss. I only kissed her because I had to. My first real kiss was with you, and I count that time because I… because I wanted to." He looked up at me with a small, reserved smile on his face, as if he was afraid of my reaction. How could I be mad at him for that?

"You shouldn't be embarrassed about that," I said, putting my hand over his. "Don't be embarrassed about anything you tell me."

"The same goes for you. Won't you tell me what you were going to say earlier?" He cupped my cheek in his hand. It was so…warm. So…loving. We were in McDonald's, yet I wanted to stay there forever.

I sighed. "I only didn't want to tell you because I thought it would scare you off. But, whatever, if you really wanna know…" He nodded eagerly. "I was going to say that 'I nearly faint at the sight of you.'" I wanted to hide my face, because I was embarrassed, which meant my face would be bright red.

"Thank you for telling me that. But I feel the same way about you. I wasn't downstairs at the beginning of the party because I didn't want to be an ogling fool staring at you. I called one of my friends, who told me to 'suck it up and be a man', so I did." He laughed. I wish I could be that care-free.

I laughed along with him, and looked at the clock, and sighed. "It's almost noon, Rachel's gonna wake up soon," I said sadly.

He stood up, without saying a word, and together we left the restaurant. We walked to my house, where he stopped and turned to look at me, taking my hands in his.

"I'm really going to miss you, I don't want this to be goodbye." He looked like he was going to cry, which made me start. He held my face in his hands and wiped away my tears with his thumbs.

"I'll miss you too," I croaked out.

"When I get my license, I'll drive all the way back here and come for you. Promise me that you'll be here?"

"Two years is a long time. I don't think I'd be able to wait. Come back here for the summer," I said. "Please?"

"You know I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I can promise I will try my hardest." Tears were now welling up in the corner of his eyes. "I hate seeing you so upset," he whispered.

"I can't help it, what if I never see you again?" I sobbed.

He didn't answer. Instead, he caught my lips with his, pulling them into a passionate kiss. I felt like I was on fire, the heat was so intense. But all too soon, he pulled away, and pulled a piece of paper with something written on it.

"This is all my info, my address, school, email…everything," he said. "Call me if there's anything, even if you're just bored. And if you're ever in Seattle, come see me."

"I will," I vowed.

He kissed me one more time, and grudgingly turned around and headed to Rachel's house. I was stuck on the spot. A strangled sound from in the house brought me back to reality, and I ran inside.

I found my mother rolled up in the fetal position in the middle of the living room, crying hysterically.

"Mom, mom!" I shouted, frantically searching her body to see if there was any damage done to her.

"He left!" she wailed.

"Who mom?"

"Ch-Charlie!" she sobbed.

I could feel my world crashing down around me. Two people very close to my heart had left, and I might not ever see them again.

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A/N: I was listening to the song I Caught Fire, by The Used for this chapter. Great song; great band.

I will attempt to have chapter three up by later on tonight, but that's highly unlikely. I have an orthodontist appointment after school tomorrow, so I will definitely have it up by tomorrow night at the latest.

Have a nice night. Review. Watch American Idol. Review!!