This chapter, written over a year ago, was very simple for me to write. Back then, it was because I had a crush on my friend's boyfriend. To her, he was "the one." However, I am now with him, and have been with him for 10 amazing months. He is the love of my life, and I am thankful everyday for him. My life relates to this story in so many ways that I can not stop writing it. I am writing this 5th chapter now, and it should be up within the next week.

Everyone deserves love, and some find it in different ways. Mine, of course, had to be the exact same as this story. I'd love to hear some stories of how you found the love of your life. :)

Happy reading, everyone.


Chapter 3: Perceptive Friends and Breaking Trends

BPOV

I spent the majority of the next day trying not to think about Edward. It was completely idiotic to be thinking about him–I didn't even know the man, but strangely, my mind always wandered to him, no matter what I did to avoid thinking about him.

I felt like such a home-wrecker, a slut. For Christ's sake, Edward was Rosalie's–my best friend–boyfriend. Who was I to interfere? Who was I to even think about interfering?

If I didn't stop, I would become a dirty whore.

When I wasn't thinking about Edward, I was attempting to finish schoolwork, but it was a useless attempt. I had to write a paper about the difference between the two novels Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice, which are two novels I absolutely adore. However, just when I was beginning to write something crucial, I noticed that I had written Edward's name out a few times. I felt frustrated beyond belief, so I'd begin again, only to be disappointed a few minutes later.

I don't know what it was about Edward Cullen that had me so intrigued, but there was definitely something about him. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. At first, it was his physical beauty. Anyone in a mile radius would be able to see that. But after I began talking to him and hearing his stories, I felt a different connection. There was more behind the face. I couldn't explain it if anyone asked, but I felt it. I felt something inside of my body that told me he was a good man.

Something else inside of my body was telling me I was a horrible woman for thinking of him that way.

I ended up unsuccessfully writing only half of my paper. I decided I needed something to do, something to keep me busy. I needed something that would distract me, to keep Rosalie's boyfriend out of my head.

I thought that maybe if I kept repeating Rosalie's boyfriend in my head, that maybe I would stop thinking about Edward.

Unfortunately, it didn't work.

Eventually, I showered and somewhat primped myself before grabbing my keys and venturing into the cloudy city of Forks. My apartment was beginning to depress me–the walls were dull and boring and definitely notdistracting me.

It was raining again, of course, which wasn't improving my mood whatsoever. I drove through the streets of Forks, searching for something to take my mind of off Ed-

No. Do not think his name. Don't think of him, Bella.

I sighed. My behavior was inacceptable and pathetic. I was being such a terrible friend. Rosalie was my best friend, and she'd always been there for me during the tough situations in my life. She'd never done anything to hurt me, yet I was doing on of the most hurtful things anyone could ever do to someone. I was being a bitch.

What would Rosalie say if she knew?

Suddenly, my cell phone started ringing a ring tone I was very familiar with–Rosalie's ring tone.

Perfect timing, I sputtered in my head, sarcastically.

I flipped open the phone and held it to my ear.

"Hey, Rose."

"Bella! Hey, I called your apartment, but you didn't answer. Where are you?"

"Oh you know, just out and about driving."

She was silent. "You never go out and about driving. You never go out and about, period."

Shit. She had to know something was up at this point. She knew me entirely too well.

"Well…" I said, stalling. "Maybe I'm trying new things." More new things than you know about…

Stop, Bella, I reminded myself for what felt like the thousandth time.

"Are you okay, Bella? You don't sound the same." Rosalie was definitely catching on.

"W-what do you mean?" I asked, although I knew she was right. Rosalie might act…blonde…sometimes, but she wasn't stupid.

"You're acting like you're–what's the right word–nervous about something."

Damn it. Rosalie and her damn perceptiveness.

"Everything is fine, Rosalie," I lied. "Don't worry about me."

"Are you sure, Bella?" Rosalie sounded genuinely worried. A pang of guilt struck my heart.

"I promise."

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. So I was wondering something…"

"Yes?"

"I'm going out with Edward tonight–he wants to take me to some fancy restaurant, I forgot the name of it. But anyway, he just adored you yesterday, and he asked if you would like to join!"

I almost ran off the road as soon as she finished her words. My tires screeched loudly as I swerved back onto the road. I squealed and dropped my phone onto the floorboard. I pulled the truck over to the side of the road when I made sure no traffic was coming. I retrieved my phone from the floor.

"BELLA! Bella Swan! Are you there? Bella?"

"Rosalie, I'm here. Calm down."

"CALM DOWN! What happened?"

"Just…" Think of a lie, Bella. "A damn deer ran out in front of me."

"Oh my God. Are you okay?"

I felt my hands shaking and my breath was uneven. "Yes, I'm fine."

"God! Bella, you scared the shit out of me for a minute there!"

I laughed nervously. "Yeah, I kind of scared myself, too."

She laughed along with me before bringing back up the conversation that had actually caused me to run off the road. "So, what do you say?"

"To what?" I asked, even though I clearly knew what she was talking about.

"To dinner, of course! Please say you'll come! Please, please, please!"

I knew I shouldn't accept the offer. It would only lead to more trouble. More trouble that I knew I'd regret afterwards.

Yes, I wanted to make Rosalie happy. There was such desperation in her voice–how could I refuse?

But (I could never admit this part) I also wanted to see Edward. It was selfish and extremely immoral, but there was something inside of me that screamed to see him. Just to catch a glimpse of him.

So, I did the worst thing I could've done. Something that would torture me later.

"Sure, Rose. I'd love to go."

Rosalie called me back about half an hour later with more specific details. We were meeting at seven p.m. at the new, fancy Italian restaurant called Ciao Bella. It was supposedly expensive, and I knew it was entirely out of my price range. But to see Edward, I was willing to pay the price.

Stop, Bella, I reminded myself once again.

I found it ironic that the name of the restaurant was Ciao Bella, which means "Hello Beautiful" in Italian. Either Edward had good taste in restaurants, or he was thinking about me when he chose the restaurant.

I wished my second thought was right, but I knew it was the first.

I took my sweet time getting ready for the night. I primped myself more than I'd ever dreamed of doing in my entire life. I showered and used my favorite strawberry shampoo, and decided to leave my dark brown hair in its loose curls that fell to my middle back. I applied little makeup, but enough to enhance my features. My brown eyes popped from the mascara that I'd decided to use. I wore my one shoulder black dress that showed off my curves–I'd never been thankful for them until now. I put on my tall, black heels that Rosalie had bought me one Christmas about two years ago. I'd neglected them, but they matched my dress, so I though what the hell? I was breaking all of the rules now; I might as well do it in style.

I sprayed my favorite perfume that smelled like freesias onto my pale, bare skin. I looked myself over in the mirror after I'd decided I was finished dressing. I smirked with mere satisfaction.

Edward Cullen was going to die when he saw me.

Shit, I'd done it again. I spent two hours getting completely ready to impress Edward.

I was going to hell–there was no doubt about that.

I grabbed my hand sized purse, my gray pea coat, and my keys before leaving the apartment.

The drive to the restaurant was fairly long, which blatantly sucked. It gave me too much time to think about things. I fretted over what would happen tonight. To start, I knew I was cursed by wearing these heels–I was bound to trip, and probably fall into some waiter, which would cause a disaster. Then, I would be mortified in front of Edward, who would then see me as Rosalie's psychotic friend who was meant to live in the loony bin. Finally, Rosalie would somehow notice my strong attraction for her boyfriend who was supposedly the one.

I'd come to the conclusion the night would be a disaster.

I pulled into the restaurant parking lot about forty minutes later. It took a little longer than I'd expected–Mapquest had given me false directions. Even though I was a bit behind my schedule, I arrived fifteen minutes early. I didn't want to sit in my cold car, so I made my way into the building.

It was fancy and elaborate. Everything was carved from stone, and I could see gold and silver linings along the tables. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling and little golden lights were on each table. It gave a romantic vibe.

I suddenly felt out of place.

I went to the hostess to see if Edward and Rosalie had arrived.

"Hi, I'm Bella Swan," I said as I came up. "I have a reservation with Edward Cullen and Rosalie Hale. Do you know if they've arrived yet?"

The hostess–her name tag said her name was Megan–glanced at the reservation sheet, I assumed, before looking back at me. "No, but you're welcome to wait at the table."

"Sure," I smiled. She led my back towards a table that was mostly secluded from other customers. I knew I probably looked awkward sitting alone, but it gave me time to process my thoughts.

I could not, and would not, act like a fool in front of Edward. He was my best friend's boyfriend, and that's all he'd ever be. He would never be more than an acquaintance to me, and I would have to accept that. I would not be embarrassing myself further. No more embarrassing stories from my past, no more ogling over his fantastic body, and definitely no more spilling coffee on myself.

I groaned inwardly at the memory.

I would have to break the trend of thinking of Edward constantly. It was not something that a good friend would do. It was not something that any girl would do to their best friend.

It was not something I, Bella Swan, would do anymore.

"Bella!" I heard my name, and looked up to see Rosalie waving frantically.

I smiled in return and lifted my hand to wave, but as soon as my smile began to grow, I felt my mouth open and my eyes widened a bit.

Edward joined her, looking like a Greek God, and cracked his crooked smiled at me. I saw his eyes glowing, the bright emerald green color shining like stars.

The promise that I'd just made myself flew straight out the window and spiraled down to the fiery pits of hell.

Sweet Jesus, I thought to myself as I struggled to gain control of my emotions. This is going to be a long night.


The sexy man wants to come out and play in the next chapter. If you want to hear from him yourself, leave a review and you'll hear from him fast! :)