A/N: Thank you all so much for the reviews! Its good to know this story is being read. I will try harder to make the chapters a little longer though, I promise. =]

Disclaimer: not mine, the characters anyway. SM just wont sell them to me... le sigh

BPOV:

May 2006

Ok, time for another milestone. Today is the day of my Senior class's Baccalaureate, otherwise known as a candle light service, and I, because I have no control over myself, apparently, have said 'yes' to singing 'You Raise Me Up' for the entire group. A nice gesture, yes, seeing as how Mrs. Seahorn was freaking out over not having enough performances to fill up space. An opportunity for possible embarrassment? Oh definitely.

Oh, but I didn't stop there. I asked Edward if he would like to come. Am I a masochist? No. Is this answer made obvious by my actions? Sadly, no. I really and honestly have no idea why I did this. I just thought it would be nice for him to be there..... and to have a chance to show off a little. Mischievous? Possibly.

Sighing softly, as I let the nerves take over while I was changing into my graduation robe, I walked over to where Alice and Angela stood, speaking quietly to one another. Alice grinned from ear to ear. "Aren't you excited, B?. This is going to be great!", she exclaimed. Then seeing my nervous face she chuckled softly, "Sweetie, you'll be fine. Just imagine all of us naked.". Fake gagging at the image, I rolled my eyes towards her.

"Time to eat!", our Guidance Counselor called out. I quickly walked up to where Edward was standing, looking a tiny bit nervous. Bumping him a little, I asked,"Whats wrong? You seem a bit tense.".

He smiled at me and replied quietly, "I just--- I don't know anyone at our table.". I giggled a little to myself. I had forgotten that. Over the past few weeks, I had been talking about him so much that I'm pretty sure my best friends and even a few of their parents knew him a bit better than he thought they did. I can't let him know that of course. I just smiled and told him it would be fine before I walked over to the buffet line and got my plate of chicken fingers. Well, our little school had already splurged on a steak lunch for us about a week ago.

"Ok kids, line up!", shouted our Vice Principal as we all grumbled at his enthusiasm. Personally, I think he was just happy to get some of the more rowdy football players out of his almost non-existent hair. Still talking amongst ourselves we alphabetically we filed into the church sanctuary and found our seats. I grazed my eyes over the crowd quickly to see if my family had made it.

Indeed they had. I saw my aunt with a video camera in the back corner, my mom sitting beside some of my friends' mom's, and my grandmother situated somewhere between them. I guess it was too crowded to find seats together. They were probably running a little late. As usual. Laughing inwardly at this thought, my eyes were suddenly captured. Edward. He had stayed after all. Shyly, I grinned at him before turning back around in my seat to face the speaker. Oh, I wish he knew how I felt.

"And now, performing 'You Raise Me Up', Ms. Bella Swan.", our Principal announced. Swallowing my fear and letting out a shaky breath, I stood up and made my way to the front of the room.

When I am down

and oh my soul so weary

When troubles come

and my heart burdened be...

During the song, I did my best to remember to breathe throughout and to not snort at the memory of naked Seniors, as intended by Alice. Looking around I noticed quite a few teary eyed stares and realized that alot of them were mouthing the words with me. Then, I caught his eyes. Again. And I tripped over my song. It was only a slight stutter, I'm not even sure anyone realized it, but it was enough to turn me a bright shade of pink. I mentally kicked myself and focused on what I was doing, so as to prevent any other mistakes.

After the service was over, I met up with my mom before she left to go home.

"Are you doing anything tonight, honey?", she asked me.

"Eh, Alice, Rosie, and I are thinking about going to a movie. We haven't decided for sure yet though.", I replied.

"Ok, well just let me know. You really did a great job. I can't wait to see you at graduation!", she smiled warmly.

"Oh momma, I think you're more excited for me to graduate than I am!", I teased.

We laughed over that for a little while. We both knew how anxious momma was for me to get into a school and succeed. She stopped laughing suddenly, and leaned in a little closer to whisper to me.

"Which one is Edward?"

I pointed him out quickly, as he was standing by our youth ministers, "That one right there, with the kind of messy hair.".

"I thought so,", she replied. At me questioning look she continued, "He didn't take his eyes off of you the whole time.".

I blushed quickly and brushed it off as I went to say my goodbyes to those who were leaving, including him.

"Thank you so much for coming, Edward.", I said shyly. He just smiled and said, "It was my pleasure. I guess I will see you at church tomorrow.".

"Of course.", I replied.

After he left I met up with Rosie and Alice to discuss our plans.

"Yeah, we should definitely go to the movies. I mean, look at us. We're adorable tonight.!". We all giggled at Rosie's comment before Alice looked me square in the eye and said, "B, you should call Edward and invite him. I'm sure he'd love to come.".

I just glared at her for a second. My best friend just called me out. Harsh. Well, I'll show her. I will call him and invite him on.

"Hello?"

"Hey Edward!"

"Bella? Hey, whats up?"

"Well, Al, Rosie, and I were just wondering if you and Seth would like to come to the movies with us."

"Um, well, I guess just call him and see what he says."

"Oh, Alice already has. He said he'd love to."

"Then count me in!"

"Great, we'll meet at the church in, say, fifteen minutes."

"Sounds great!"

After hanging up with him, I felt a new sort of elation. I was going to the movies. With Edward. Ok, sure it was still tentative between us and we were in a huge group of people, but still. Yay me!

We decided on the new horror movie and went in the theater to chose our seats. I sat first and my friends spread out along two rows. Edward sat by me. I giggled nervously and, at his expression, told him about my horror show antics. I always make a fool out of myself in scary movies. Jumping, screaming, hiding my eyes. I got pretty into it. He laughed at my explanation and assured me that he could handle it. Of course, halfway through the movie I almost gave him a black eye, jumping at a particularly scary part. He easily caught my hand, however, and prevented the disaster. Funny thing though, he wouldn't immediately let it go.

After the movie was over we all piled back into our cars to head home. It was nearing midnight and my parents could be strict about my curfew. On the interstate, zoned out a bit, I noticed that Edward kept either staying right on my tail or pulling up beside me and staying there. I was completely bewildered, but luckily Alice wasn't.

"B, he is challenging you!", she half whispered, excited.

Oh yeah? Well, if its a challenge he wants its a challenge he'll get. I was in my almost-brand-new, purple, Chrysler Seabring convertible, and it would fly! I couldn't wait to leave his Oldsmobile in the dust.

He proved to be more of a challenge than I thought. He'd obviously done some work under the hood of his old car. All of a sudden, what I thought was smoke started boiling out from under his car. He quickly pulled off the road, followed closely by me.

Worried, I stepped closer to him, as cars zoomed by us on the dark roads. "What is it?".

"I think the radiator busted.", he replied, shrugging.

I winced slightly," I knew I shouldn't have raced you.".

He rolled his eyes, "Bella, Bella, it wasn't your fault." I smiled and he walked off to make a phone call to his uncle, who lived nearby.

"Hey Bella, would you mind giving me a ride to my uncle's house? Its right on the way to drop Alice and Seth off.", he asked me, blushing a little.

"Sure, no biggie.", I replied, grinning like the chesire cat.

We all piled back into my car, this time, and after Seth climbed into the back, I felt someone push me up against the car. Panicking for a second, I didn't realize it was Edward.

"Shh shh, sorry, but look.", he whispered. I looked over and saw a giant semi truck bearing down on us. Scared, I tensed up, and immediately felt Edward's hands rubbing soothing circles on my back. I could have probably stayed like this forever. My own personal heaven.

Just as quickly as it happened, it was over. I climbed into the driver's seat and started my car, all the time thinking about how amazing he felt right up against me. After I dropped a very smug looking Alice off, Edward gave me directions to his uncle's house. I pulled up and stepped out of the car to let him out. He hopped out and walked up to me, very close, and shook my hand, passing me a twenty dollar bill. I sort of felt like I was in a drug exchange. He really didn't have to give me money, it was perfectly fine by me to drive him home. No matter how much I insisted, however, he just wouldn't take no for an answer. Leaning in for an awkward hug, I asked him to call me if he needed anything else. He agreed and I promised I would see him in the morning.

"Hmmm", I thought to myself, "maybe we should make the movies a weekly tradition.".

A/N: Well, this is definitely the longest chapter so far. I think that from here on out the chapters are going to be a little longer than the first ones were. Also, I know this can be confusing, so if you have any questions, please let me know. =] Also, don't forget I am posting the dates right under the POVs so y'all can kind of keep up with the timeline. =] R&R please!!

loves

L