A/N: Yup! Two chapters in less than 12 hours of each other. I was in the mood to write after getting everything finished early. I guess finding out over 20 people favorite my story put me in a great mood and all the encouraging messages. I feel like my writing is getting better… I'm still working on it though.

I hope everyone liked the EPOV. If you want more EPOV let me know… if not then it will be BPOV throughout the story.

Now onto Chapter Four!

Disclaimer: Twilight belongs to SM

Chapter Four

BPOV

August 2002

The rest of the summer was perfect. Edward and I enjoyed every sunny day by going to our meadow and the watering hole. On days that the sun was gone and the rain came, we stayed at each other's houses watching our favorite movies, play our favorite board games and talked until the sun came up. When we were apart, we stayed in our rooms talking on our 'can and string' phone. But all good things must come to an end, summer was almost gone. September was almost here, which meant the one year anniversary of Mr. Cullen's death… Edward's father. Edward looked up to his father and wanted to be a surgeon just like him. On a lighter note, my birthday was coming up soon. I would be 11 years old and was going to have my first real birthday party. I really wanted to spend my birthday with just Edward, not with a bunch of kids who I hardly spoke to. Thankfully Edward and Emmett would be there. Emmett wanted me to invite Rosalie Hale, the prettiest girl in fifth grade. I knew he had a crush on her and wanted a chance with her finally. Her twin brother Jasper was invited too. He was very handsome… but not like Edward. This year I was going to finally tell Edward how I felt… that I liked him more than a friend.

"Bella?" Edward called out. I was so deep in thought I forgot what we were doing.

"Oh, sorry. Just kind of spaced out" I sighed. Edward and I were going over the activities for my birthday party. In the next few days will be the anniversary for his father and Mrs. Esme wanted him to stay as busy as possible.

"It's okay. You know, I have no idea what we could do at your birthday party. I overheard your mom about a karaoke machine… are you sure you want to do that?" He asked. My mom and her crazy ideas; I hated my voice, why would I wanted to embarrass myself.

"Um, no. Don't think so. If there is going to be one, you won't catch me up there." I said while shaking my head.

"I bet you would sing beautifully" he said quietly. I blushed immediately and murmured thanks.

"Anyways" he cleared his throat "We can always just watch a bunch of movies and order some pizza. I think it is the safest bet we have" we laughed.

"Yeah, I think you're right. We can go rent some movies the day before and set everything up before they get here"

"Who did you invite anyways?"

"Um, well I invited you of course, Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, Angela, Nikki, Ashley, Lauren and Jessica"

"You invited Jessica? I thought you two couldn't stand each other?" He looked at me confusingly.

"Well, mom is friends with Jessica's mom. I kind of had no choice." I sighed. Jessica Stanley never liked me… she was always jealous of mine and Edward's friendship. But I wasn't going to tell Edward that.

"Oh well, do you think I could invite some people? Mom's friends are in town for dad's anniversary and she wanted their daughters to be entertained… which I really do not want to do. So maybe they could be entertained by Lauren and Jessica."

I felt my heart drop at the mention of people Edward would invite… especially when I knew who they were…

"Are you talking about Kate, Irena and Tanya?" I asked.

"Um, yeah. Those are the ones." Great… not only did I have to worry about Jessica ruining everything, Tanya was going to be there… she always clinged to Edward whenever they came to visit. She always acted sweet towards me when Edward was around, but then she would go complete 180 on me.

"Don't worry Bella, Tanya won't bother you. She has actually gotten a lot better since last summer from what I heard from Mom." He must have known I was freaking out.

"It's okay, I don't mind. Just as long you are there… everything will be perfect" I tried to smile.

Right then I heard the front door slam shut and loud stomping from down stairs. Edward and I looked at each other worriedly. We walked out of my room and slowly tipped toed down the stairs to see what was going on.

"Dammit Charlie!" I heard my mom yell out to my dad.

"I'm sorry Renee, but they need me down there that day. I tried my best to get it off." My dad yelled back. Normally dad never yelled back so it made me flinch to hear him like that. Edward must have noticed because he put his hand on my shoulder to comfort me.

"Sorry is not good enough Charlie! This is Bella's birthday we are talking about! She will be crushed if you were not there! You need to be there and you better find a way, or I swear to god Charlie-" Mom stopped in midsentence when she noticed Edward and I sitting on the stairwell… watching. Dad glared at my mom and then walked towards us. I tried not to cry because I really wanted him to be there for my birthday…

"Hey kiddo." He sighed while he sat right by me. Edward seemed uncomfortable so he left for my room.

"Hey" I whispered.

"Look kiddo, I am going to try my best to make it to your birthday party okay? I promise."

"Really? Because if you can't it's okay dad. I'll understand"

Dad wrapped his arm around my shoulders and kissed the top of my head. I felt a tear run down my cheek but quickly wiped it away. I had to make sure he saw that I was okay with it. It was just one birthday…

"Okay, well you go hang out with Edward. I'm sure he will be spending the night?" I grinned and nodded my head. I kissed his cheek and ran towards my room to find Edward lying down on my bed. I knew he was feeling down because the day was so close…

"Edward? You okay?" I asked. I climbed on the bed with him and stared right him.

"Yeah" he whispered unevenly.

"You want to talk about it?" I whispered back.

"Can I… can I just stay here tonight with you?" He asked. I could tell he didn't want to be alone.

"Yeah, let me go get the air mattress" I sat up to go get it but he gripped unto my wrist to stop me.

"Can I just sleep with you? I don't think I can sleep alone… the nightmares are coming back"

Edward use to sleep on my bed all the time but our parents just thought it would be more appropriate to sleep on separate beds. I did not mind anyways, he was my best friend and needed be close to me tonight.

"Sure, I don't mind. Let me go get some of your extra sleep pants you have here and go change." He nodded and let go of my wrist.

After we changed we lay down on the bed and let sleep take us over…

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Present 2009

September 1st

The next day I decided to face Edward in Biology. I could not let him make me feel this way. We haven't said a word together since I came back from Phoenix last year. I started almost at the end of the year at as a sophomore when I started at Forks High School. Everything looked the same but at the same time… it was like another world. Since I started I became the bookworm… the geek just because I liked to read and study. That's all I could really do… I needed to do something to get everything that hurt me to just go away… even if it was for a little bit. So that's what I did, I cut myself off from everyone and everything and kept busy with my school. My teachers noticed how smart I was in Literature and wanted me to tutor a few students who were falling behind at the last minute. That was the only interaction I made with any of the students and that did not last that long.

Alice was the only person who even tried to talk to me and be my friend since I moved back. It was strange… foreign to think I could have a friend… even though that friend happened to be my ex-best friend's sister. I still did not understand how Alice and Edward were brother and sister. Things just did not add up… because Edward was an only child last I remembered. Had Esme remarried? Surely Charlie would have said something… but then again he knew talking about the Cullen's upset me. I put in my earphones from my ipod and walked out towards my truck. It was not the prettiest thing or the best working… but it had character… like me…

"Bellllaa!!!" I heard someone yell out. I took out my earphones and searched for the person that called out my name

"Bella! Over here!" It was Alice running up towards me. I looked towards his house to see if he was out there, but he wasn't out yet I suppose since his Volvo was still parked in front of their house.

"Good morning Alice" I tried smiling.

"Goooood Morning!" Oh god… she was a morning person…

"What's up?" I tried to perk up.

"Nothing really. Would you like to ride with us today? I'm sure Edward wouldn't mind" She pleaded with me with the same pout she did yesterday. Not today girly… that pout was not getting her way…

Before I could answer heard the door shut and saw it was Edward walking out. He looked wonderful in the mornings… I could tell he took a shower this morning since his hair was damped. He wore a long green sleeved fitted sweater and it brought out his emerald eyes. His jeans were loosely fitted and I had to fight back a moan while I bit my lip. Edward could make me weak in the knees without even trying. Once my head was out of the clouds I noticed he was staring right at me and I turned back to Alice.

"Um, sorry. But I'm going to La Push after school to visit a friend." I lied… well partly; I did need to visit Jake sometime and thank him for the truck. I felt bad that I haven't visited him since I came back.

I looked back up towards his house and he was still standing there… staring at me. I felt self conscience and a bit of hurt run through me…

"I'll see you in class Alice." I sighed. I turned around and got into my truck to begin another day of school

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The day went on like I thought it would, not interesting. Alice sat by me in all the classes we had together and that was something different. She kept bugging me on the way to lunch about coming over to my house and helping me with my wardrobe. Why did I have to agree with that yesterday? I looked over towards the center of the cafeteria and noticed my copper hair boy was not there.

As we reached our table from yesterday, I decided it was time to ask her… how was she Edward's sister?

"And then we can start on sorting out all your winter and summer clothes which I am sure you have mixed up. Whatever we get rid of we will go to the mall in Port Angelas and do some much needed shopping-" Alice was still going on about our big weekend. She was convinced a new wardrobe would make me more confident and impress that boy I am interested in… little did she know that boy was her brother…

"Alice" I tried to interrupt her but she just kept on going.

"I'm sure we could try Seattle if my mom does not mind me going, I could ask if we could borrow the Volvo or ask Edward to take us" I stiffened when she mentioned his name… driving to Seattle? With him! I felt myself start hyperventilating and tried to calm myself down.

"Bella? Are you okay?" Once I found I was calm enough I was finally able to speak…

"Alice… I have something to ask you. If it is too personal, you don't have to answer… but I have to know…" I tried to bring myself to ask her… but I was afraid if I mentioned his name I would lose all control.

"How Edward and I are related?" She finished my question.

"Yeah" I sighed. I could tell she was uncomfortable answering.

"Um, I was adopted by Esme this past summer. So Edward and I are not related. Things at my last home… well they weren't that great." She paused as she tried her best to keep her composure.

"I had no idea… well I'm glad Esme was able to adopt you. She is a great mother." I smiled, remembering how much I loved Esme. I always told her that she would have to adopt me one day because she was never getting rid of me.

"Yes, she is." She smiled. "Bella? Are you in love with my brother?" I about choked on my pizza when those words came out.

"Umm, what do you mean?" I tried to act like I had no idea what she was talking about.

"Oh, nothing. I was just wondering. He is a really great guy… just been kind of out of it lately." She sighed. "I don't know all that much about him since I moved from California. Did you know him as a kid?"

I looked down at my plate trying to think of a way to talk about him without bursting into tears. I was tired of crying.

"Alice, Edward and I use to be… well." I looked towards his table to see if he was there, he wasn't.

"We were close when we were young…" I admitted. "He was my best friend." I finally looked up at Alice. I could feel tears betraying me as always…

"What happen-" I held my hand up at her for her to stop.

"Alice, can we talk about this another time. I don't… I don't think I could handle talking about it right now" I felt my cheeks getting wet.

"Okay, we'll talk about it another time." She finally let go of the subject and went back to eating our lunch. I looked once again towards his table and while Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper stared at me. It made me uncomfortable so I picked up my things and told Alice I was going to class early.

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Edward never showed up to class that day. I was beginning to worry about him but then became upset thinking he did not want anything to do with me. He probably changed lunch and classes just so he wouldn't be near me.

The rest of the day went on like normal. Gym sucked. One thing that happened what was strange was Mike staring at me and smiling. I remembered Mike from fifth grade. We weren't really close back then but we were friends. I pushed the thought out of my head before anymore memories came back.

Once gym was over with, I was met up with Alice. Edward had checked out of school earlier and left her with no ride home. I decided that La Push would have to be another day. Today I just wanted to be home and bury myself in my books.

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Once I was home I decided to check my e-mail. The e-mail in my mail box was from my mother. I clicked the most recent e-mail and read it to myself.

Bella,

Florida is wonderful, Things are looking permanent here and we might be getting a house. The house we looked at today was a three bedroom and one of the guest rooms had their own bathroom. It would be perfect for you honey. The other guestroom would be perfect as a nursery. Only a few more months and you will be a sister! I know how much you've always wanted to be a big sister.

I hope you call me soon or e-mail me and let me know how you are doing. We miss you baby.

XOXO

Mama

I hit the reply button immediately to let her know how everything was.

Hey mama,

Things in Forks are… well Forks. Nothing has changed here .I made a new friend and you would like her very much. Her name is Alice and we are in the same classes together. She wants to revamp my entire closet but I am very skeptical on what she has in mind. School is… okay I guess. Classes are easy. I just with the student population was just as easy to handle like my subjects. Ed-

It hurt to just type his name… I decided to erase almost everything and just be very vague about everything.

Mama,

Things here are great. Couldn't be happier. I can't wait to see your new house and hope to be there when the baby is born.

Love you bunches

Bella

There. Perfect.

I hit the sent button and went downstairs to start on dinner. As soon as I started walking down the stairs the memory of Edward and I came full blown that I had to sit myself down since I could not feel my legs. I remembered that day mom and dad were fighting about my birthday party and Edward placing his hand on my shoulder. I let out a quiet sob and quickly put myself together before Charlie was home.

Dinner was quiet as always. Charlie and I never had a close relationship to open ourselves up to each other and have a meaningful conversation. Nothing personal… it was just how we were… we were so much alike. We both liked our space and if we needed something we asked for it.

Once I changed into my sweat pants and old t-shirt, I slipped under the covers and let sleep take over and memories flood through my head of my happier times seven years ago.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

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