Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. No, I do not.

AN: The part of this chapter that is in italics represents a flashback. Just wanted to explain before you all come across that and get confused.

For the second year in a row, Bella had ben roped into going to the homecoming game. Last year, she had worn Edward and Alice's brother, Emmett's jersey, much to the dismay of his girlfriend who was cheer captain at the time. This year, though, she wore the school colors and had Jacob's number on one cheek with 'Go Trojans' written on the other at Alice and Jessica's insistence.

She sat with Angela and Ben like usual but Seth, who usually sat on the ground level with the other Quileute's had surprised them by following them up the stairs to sit in between Bella and Ben. The two of them had become friends in the first half of the game, sharing a common interest of being Mathletes.

Bella was just glad that spirit week was finally over and that things would go back to normal. She had gone dress shopping with Jessica and Angela but wasn't of much help. She was over hearing about all of the plans that her friends were making for the dance and who was wearing what. Jessica suggested that she should find a guy friend to go with since this would their last homecoming.

She had politely declined but had offered to come in on Sunday to help Jessica take down her posters asking people to vote for her for homecoming queen. She was up against Lauren for the second year in a row and she hoped to win this year. It didn't come as a surprise to Bella that Jacob had been nominated, he was obviously popular with the ladies and since he played football, he had the majority of the guys votes as well.

Angela enlisted Bella's help when it came time for the homecoming parade.

"Just make sure to have a fresh roll ready whenever I need it. As soon as I hand a used one to you, it's gonna need to go into a canister. I'm repeating myself, I'm sorry," she said sheepishly.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure not to touch the exposure's. That'll ruin the photo, right?"

"Right," Angela agreed, pointing at her.

Bella watched from the sidelines as the floats were driven onto the field by grade starting with the Seniors. Jessica and Mike held hands, while Lauren stood by herself at the front, waving like she was the Queen of England, she was the only reigning queen on the ballot this year. Jasper sat on the edge of the truck bed, his eyes on Alice who was cheering her heart out for him. By the time the Sophomore's came out Angela had gone through five rolls of film and only had three more left. Jacob sat next to Claire, his arm wrapped around her shoulders to ward off the chill. Mike's younger sister, Anna was talking to Embry as the truck pulled up behind the Juniors. Angela held out a used roll and Bella handed her a fresh one.

"You only have two left," she informed Angela over the noise.

"Text Ben and ask him to bring more, I have some in my camera bag."

Bella tapped out a quick message to and then continued watching as the homecoming court made their way to the center of the field. Jasper and Jessica were named Senior King and Queen. By the time the principal got to the Sophomore's, Bella handed Angela the last roll and Ben came jogging down the field. Angela smiled her thanks before kissing his cheek quickly. Anna and Jacob won for the Sophomore's and Bella and Angela cheered for them.

Ten minutes later the field was cleared and the game resumed. Bella decided to leave and spend the rest of the night talking to Edward. They had made the decision to spend as much time as possible on the phone tonight since he was working tomorrow night. She would love for him to come home for the weekend so that they could go to the dance together, but she understood why he couldn't.

She called him as soon as she got home, flopping down on her bed as she waited for him to pick up.

"Babe?" His familiar voice asked.

"Yeah, it's me."

"Did the game get rained out? I didn't think it would be over so soon."

"No, I left after half time. I'll hear all about it from your sister and Jake later."

"Jake was at the game?"

"He plays varsity, he and his friend Quil are the only Sophomore's on the team."

"That's cool. Alice already texted me to tell me that Jazz got crowned king."

"Yep. Jake was crowned for his grade too."

"I'm going to have to meet this guy. I feel like he's taking my place. Should I be worried?" he teased.

"No one comes close to you, you know that. He's just a friend."

"I know; I was just pulling your leg. So, he's good looking enough to be crowned homecoming king?"

"If you like that type," she said indifferently.

"What type would that be?"

"Tall, dark hair and eyes. He kind of looks like Prince Charming from Cinderella or Aladdin."

"So, he's exotic looking?"

"He's Native American. That's not exotic for these parts."

"He's a good guy?"

"He is; I'm still getting to know him for the person he is now."

"So, he's the tall, dark and handsome/knight in shining armor type? Yeah, I'm not worried about him putting the moves on you at all," he said dryly.

"Hey, what's with the attitude? We're just friends, we don't even hang out all that much now that I am not tutoring him anymore. I only see him once maybe twice a week outside of school nowadays," she reassured him.

"Really?"

"Yes, really. The last time he was here, Alice had come over and I hardly said two words to him since I was helping her with homecoming posters."

"So, you're definitely not going tomorrow? Not even with a group of friends?"

"I don't want to go without you," she stated in a quiet tone.

"I hate that I can't be there," he said with a sigh.

"It's fine, really. But if you make me miss my Senior Prom I will never speak to you again," she threatened.

"Just tell me the day and I'll mark it off that weekend," he promised.

"You'd better."

"I love you, Isabella Swan," he said reverently.

"I love you too," she said with a smile that he could hear in her voice.

They talked well into the early morning hours until Charlie came home from work. He told her that she had been on the phone long enough and that it was time to tell Edward goodnight. She did as he asked and wished for the tenth time that week that Edward was there.

XXXX

Bella started her Saturday by waking up late. She didn't have anywhere that she needed to be and all of her friends were busy. Even Seth was going to the dance. She didn't mind being alone; she had laundry to catch up on and she wanted to read Wuthering Heights for the tenth time.

The last load of laundry was in the dryer and she was halfway through Heathcliff and Katherine's sordid love affair when someone knocked on the door. She set the book down wondering who could be at the door. She opened it, not prepared for who was on the other side. Her eyes widened in surprise as her heart lept into her throat. Edward was leaning against the railing with a garment bag over his shoulder. Alice was coming up the walkway with two garment bags and Jasper brought up the rear, carrying his own bag and Alice's makeup case.

"I'll be in your room. Do you think Charlie will mind if they got ready in his room?" Alice questioned.

"Just go, Ali," Edward said, rolling his eyes at his sister.

Alice and Jasper brushed past her and up the stairs without another word. Bella turned her attention back to Edward, leaping into his arms with an excited squeak.

"God, I have missed you so much," he said into her hair.

"The feelings mutual," she murmured into his neck.

He pulled back to take a look at her. Her cheeks flushed when she realized that she must look like. She was wearing a ratty, holey t-shirt and flannel pajama pants with her hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun; but at least it was clean. He pushed a lock of her hair behind her ear before leaning in.

After three months of not being able to kiss him, Bella was going to draw this one out for as long as she could. His lips were pliant over hers, molding to the shape of hers like it was second nature. He always knew how to bring a response out of her.

Edward's arms tightened around her middle as he carried over the threshold. He pulled away with a wry smile.

"So you missed me that bad, huh?" he asked, his voice ragged.

"I'd show you just how much I missed you if we had some time alone," she said regretfully.

"You're in luck, Alice talked Charlie into letting you stay at my house tonight."

"Does he know that you'll be there?"

"Yes, but he is willing to turn a blind eye since Carlisle and Esme will be there."

"Then our alone time is put on hold for the time being. Alice is going to come back down if I'm not up there soon."

"I'll hold you to that," he said, pressing a quick kiss to her lips before setting her down.

In her room, Alice had set the dresses on the bed and was going through the case. Her make up case was the size of one of Charlie's large tackle boxes and held a blow dryer, a straightener, and more makeup and hair care products than one person should own.

"How long have you known that he was coming home?"

"I didn't. He was there when I got home last night. If I had known, you would be wearing a new gown and not mine from last year."

"The blue one with the ruffles on the hem?"

"That would be the one. It's nice having him here, isn't it? It's a shame that he has to go back in the morning," she said sadly.

Bella nodded in agreement, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. She appreciated that Edward cared enough to come and see her but she wished that they had more time together.

XXXX

Charlie came home as they were getting ready and he hadn't minded that Edward and Jasper were getting ready in his room. Billy's voice could be heard filtering up the stairs, letting Bella in on Charlie's plans for the night. Edward and Jasper went down to watch the game while Alice finished Bella's makeup.

Alice went down first, talking and laughing with Charlie and Billy while Bella navigated the stairs with caution. Why had Alice insisted that she wear these God awful torture devices that someone had passed off as shoes? They had four-inch spike heels! She stumbled at the bottom of the stairs but Edward caught her with ease.

"Well, don't you look as pretty as a picture," Billy said as he took her in.

"Thanks," she mumbled, embarrassed.

"Your mom wants a few pictures," Charlie explained.

Bella followed Edward outside, being mindful of where she stepped. Charlie took half a dozen pictures of the small group before letting them go. The two couples rode separately, since they had different dinner reservations.

Edward pulled up to the nicest restaurant in all of Port Angeles. He gave the keys to the valet like it wasn't a big deal, like it was a regular occurrence to go to a place that required a valet. He tucked her arm into the crook of his before walking into the restaurant. It was way too fancy for Bella's taste and she had never known Edward to be so extravagant.

A hostess seated them immediately when Edward mentioned that they had reservation. They were both silent as they perused the menu. They were charging twenty-five dollars for a bowl of butternut squash ravioli, which was something that Bella could make for half that price.

"Order whatever you want, Love," Edward said, not looking up from his menu.

"Are you sure? This place is really expensive," she said, apprehensively.

"I wanted to do something nice for my girl. I don't get to spoil you all that often nowadays. Really, order whatever you want."

Their waitress came and took their drink and food orders before leaving as quickly as she had come. They continued to talk until their food came almost half an hour later.

"I've been thinking, maybe we should take a year off from school and travel. That way, if we don't get into schools close to each other, one of us could reapply," Edward suggested.

"Um, I've already applied for financial aid and my dad is taking out a loan to help me pay for college. I can't do that," she said with a nervous laugh.

"Have you heard back from any of your schools yet?"

"I heard back from UDub last week, I've been wait listed," she said quietly.

"That was one of your fall back schools, right?"

"Mmhmm, I should be hearing back from Berkley soon. Have you heard back from Stanford or Cal Tech?"

"Not yet. Taking a year off was just a thought. Who knows, maybe we will end up going to school close together after all."

The conversation was changed and Bella was grateful for it. She didn't want to worry about what would happen for the next four years until she absolutely had to. She had spent too many sleepless nights worrying about what would happen if they were separated for college already. Why did he have to bring it up?

XXXX

Bella took in the decorated gym while Edward got them something to drink. So far, no one had noticed her; but they had only been there a few minutes. Edward came back with Angela on one side and Jessica on the other, with Jessica chattering away. He nodded and said a few words in reply as they walked the last few feet to Bella. He handed her her drink as Jessica invited them to sit at their table.

"It's alright with me if it's alright with Bella," Edward conceded.

"Sure," Bella said with a nod.

"Great! We're spread across three table and the guys need help pushing them together," Jessica informed them.

Bella stayed close to Edward, his hand on her lower back to guide her through the crowd so that they didn't get separated. Bella knew that Edward wasn't a fan of big crowds so she was surprised that he was willing to spend time with the large group of people who loomed on the other side of the gym. Mike, Tyler, Ben and Eric were moving chairs away from the tables so that they could be moved when ready.

There were even some of the La Push kids at the end of the tables. Bella saw Jacob talking to a girl who vaguely looked like Claire. He hadn't noticed her so she continued her scan of the group. Seth and Embry were moving chairs against the wall at the opposite end from Mike and the others.

Edward walked towards the Quileute end since it was obvious that they needed help. Embry nodded his thanks while Seth launched into a conversation with Edward.

"It's great to finally meet you. Bella talks about you all the time," Seth informed him.

"It's nice to meet you too. She talks about you as well," Edward said with a shy smile.

Seth introduced Edward to Embry and Jared who had shown up around the same time as Edward and Bella. Bella stood off to the side, out of the guys' way, talking to Jessica and Angela.

"I think it's nice that he surprised you," Angela said.

"Yeah, he was the last person I expected to see on my doorstep this afternoon. It was a great surprise."

"How long is he here for?" Jessica questioned.

"He leaves tomorrow."

"That's not very long," Angela said in concern.

"I'm staying at his house tonight, so we'll see each other until the second he has to leave."

"At least he's here. It goes to show that he's willing to make things work," Jessica observed.

Bella noticed Jacob standing a few feet away and she smiled in greeting. He waved and returned her smile and Angela noticed their interaction. She pulled Jessica away, claiming that she needed to touch up her makeup, not giving Jessica a chance to argue.

Jacob came to stand in front of her as she nervously pushed her hair behind her ear. What Edward has said about him the night before had gotten her to thinking. Yes, Jacob was gorgeous; Bella would have to be blind to not notice that. But was Edward's blind observation founded? Bella saw Jacob as a friend, and a friend only. When they were younger he had been her best friend and confidant. Edward now held that place. If things hadn't gone south between them, would they be dating now? Bella couldn't even imagine it.

"Fancy see you here," he said with a smile.

"Yeah, right? I didn't know I was coming until a few hours ago. Congrats by the way."

"Yeah, it's so horrible being well liked," he said with an exaggerated eye roll.

Bella shook her head, not able to hold back a teasing smile. Edward came into her field of vision behind Jacob and she waved him over. He came to stand at her side, wrapping an arm around her waist.

"Edward, this is Jacob. Jake, this is Edward."

"Hi," Edward said with a polite nod.

"How you doin'?" Jacob asked with a nod of his own.

"You and Bella became friends again the same way she and I did. I was her Math tutor last year," Edward informed him.

"She never mentioned that."

"I don't think that it's a secret that I am terrible at math, Jake," she said with a small laugh.

He chuckled, before agreeing with her. She was always texting Seth and Embry whenever she needed help in math.

"I'll leave you two alone since your time together is limited. Enjoy your night," Jacob said before turning to leave.

"Jake?" Bella asked before he could walk away.

He looked over his shoulder at her, awaiting her response.

"Thank you," she said with a kind smile.

He nodded with a smile of his own. How had she known that he'd asked his friends to be nice to Edward? He had been discreet about it, going to Embry as soon as he had seen Bella come in. He hadn't needed to worry about Embry, Quil or Seth because they were kind by nature. No, he'd had to warn Jared, Paul, Brady, and Collin.

"Why should we be nice to him?" Paul questioned.

"Because it would mean a lot to Bella. You don't want to ruin the only night that she has with

him, do you?" Jacob countered.

"He has a point, Paul. I'll be nice, only because it's her," Jared agreed.

Brady and Collin had nodded in agreement, but Paul had stood his ground. He didn't even associate with Bella, unlike Jacob and the others. She need nice enough, just too timid for his taste. Why was this girl so special? Yes, she was pretty and a nice person in general, but Paul came in contact with people like that every day.

Bella and Edward were on the dance floor when the DJ announced that it was time to switch partners. Bella inwardly groaned at the tradition that she'd had to endure since a Freshman. The principal and teachers of Forks High thought that it was fun to mix things up so they made you switch dance partners with the couple closest to you at random. Edward searched the small cluster of people around them and his brows furrowed in concern when Bella heard someone behind her.

She looked over her shoulder, craning her neck slightly to look into Jacob's eyes. His date, who turned out to be Claire's cousin Melissa, from the Makah tribe not far from Forks stood just behind him.

"Go ahead," she encouraged Edward.

"I know how much you hate this," he reasoned.

"It'll be fine since it's Jake," she promised.

"Alright," he agreed, letting go of her.

Jacob placed a hand on her waist while taking her other hand in his. Bella kept a little distance between them by placing her free hand on his shoulder.

"How did you get a dress on short notice?" he asked.

"Oh, it's Alice's. She was nice enough to let me borrow it."

"You look nice, not entirely you; but nice."

"What do you mean?" she asked in confusion, her defenses threatening to go up.

"Your make up is a little over done and I can bet that the shoes you're wearing are Alice's too. You like to keep things simple and draw as little attention to yourself as possible."

His ascertain of her had hit the mark. She hadn't changed much since they were kids. He had never cared that she could be introverted at times, he had enough charm and charisma for the both of them. She smiled reverently as a way of saying thank you for understanding her so well. Very few people knew her the way that Jacob did. She could count them on one hand, and her mother wasn't even one of them. How had he known exactly what to say to ease her fears? It was a gift that only he had. Not even Edward could dismantle the emotional bombs that life threw at her as well as Jacob could.

AN2: I'm debating on if I should continue the night in the next chapter so that you guys can have some more Bella/Edward time. Would you be receptive to some lemon, or no? Let me know.