A/N: Okay fellow Ff readers, hope you're enjoying the story so far. Since my last chapter post I have gotten over 1,550 views and 600 visitors. A big big THANK YOU TO ALL! A review would be yummy too. Now here's more of Bella's point of view. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Twilight and its characters are owned by Stephenie Meyer. I do not own Mr. Astley or any of his songs. Lastly, I do not own or take credit for any mention of any or all of the pop culture. No copyright infringement is intended with the posting of this story.

Chapter 9 "Breathe" Part 2

I continue to laugh as the cooper bronzed cutie pie appears utterly confused.

He clears his throat, coming out his state of confusion, and stutters, "Well Penny, it is nice to shock you . . . I mean meet you . . . meet you. It is nice to meet you. Listen, I've gotta go. Enjoy your hoodie."

And with that, he begins to walk in the direction of the cashier. With my hoodie in hand, I follow close behind to the cashier. Of course, I laughed all the way thinking about how beautifully clueless he appears to be. As we stand in line for the cashier, he nervously turns and smiles in my direction. This allows me an opportunity for a much needed closer inspection of this jittery Sheldon. Upon closer inspection of his facial features, I am awestruck at just how stunningly beautiful Sheldon is. Don't get me wrong, he is still totally clueless but that doesn't deter from his absolute gorgeousness. In fact, his cluelessness kinda makes him even more beautiful if that was even possible. I let out a very unladylike snort as my mind has that One Direction song on shuffle . . . 'that's what makes you beautiful' because that is what makes him beautiful.

I notice the contrast between his silly unruly cooper bronze hair and deep emerald green eyes to his pale luminous skin all which contribute to his beauty. He has strong facial features with a sharp jawline and prominent nose that seems to turn ever so slightly to one side. That slight nose imperfection is the only indication that this god-like creature is human. Nobody's perfect but Sheldon here comes mighty close in my book. And then upon even closer inspection, I notice what appears to be a day's growth of stubble and I am a goner. Growing up in the northwest a one day stubble is considered quite smexy, smoking sexy. Yummy, definitely yummy I giggle like a twelve year old One Direction fan.

Imperceptibly, I take in a breath but am unable to identify his scent. I'm more than relieved that he has no hint of one of those god awful cheap men's cologne, thank goodness. Those cheap colognes are an assault to mankind. His scent, however, is indescribable and uniquely his own just like his beauty. Yes, most emphatically, without a doubt, uniquely beautiful.

I am pulled from my Sheldon survey as he turns to me once more and offers to let me go ahead of him in line. Handsome and polite and smexy, definite perfection all rolled up in one nice big package. Suddenly, my mind and eyes wanders in another very inappropriate direction.

"Penny, since you have only one item, why don't you go ahead of me," offers Sheldon.

I giggle again hoping he can't tell what I am thinking at this very moment as I graciously accept thanking him for his gallant offer.

Moving past one day's growth smexy Sheldon, I hand the hoodie to the cashier.

"That'll be $69.99," announces the cashier.

Placing my small backpack on the counter, I remove my wallet and proceed to count out a stack of single dollar bills, my tip money. Pausing, I scowl and recount the stack of singles one more time before looking up to the cashier.

"I'm sorry man. I seem to be short about eight dollars. I'll come back some other time. Oh well, thanks anyway. . . Man, I really wanted a Dartmouth hoodie. Oh well."

Shrugging my shoulders, I put the stack of single bills back in my wallet; sling my backpack over my left shoulder as I start to head out.

"Um, excuse me Penny," smexy Sheldon interrupts. "If you don't mind, I could give you the eight dollars?" The offer comes out sounding more like a question than statement. "Really, it would be my pleasure."

"Oh Sheldon sweetie," Yeah Penny calls everybody sweetie, "that is so chivalrous of you but no thanks. It's okay. I can come back another day. No biggie." It isn't urgent that I buy the hoodie today. I'm going to be here for some time. I can always come back another day to buy my graduation present to me.

"But you just said you really wanted a Dartmouth hoodie. So take the money and buy the hoodie. Believe me I am more than happy to give you the eight dollars. As you said, no biggie," he mimics.

This makes me giggle again as I continue to decline his generous offer. He appears to be thinking about something when I once again start for the exit door.

"Bye again Sheldon and thanks all the same," I call out over my shoulder.

I feel his mesmerizing dark emerald eyes staring in my direction. My heart beat races erratically the farther I walk away from him. Oh my God, am I having a heart attack caused by the electric shock of one smexy Sheldon. I hope not but what a way to die!

"Penny! Penny wait," Sheldon calls out to me as I near the exit. "Penny!"

Just outside the book store door, I stop and turn toward him as he catches up to me.

"Since you won't take my offer of money, what do you think if I give you my very old very used sweatshirt," he offers as he begins to remove the sweatshirt. He implores, "Think about it. You won't have to make another trip back and you'll save about seventy bucks. It may be just a bit too big for you but please take it just the same." He seems to really want me to have his very old very used sweatshirt. I can't understand the urgency of his request; he seems almost desperate for me to have his hoodie so who am I to deny him.

"Oh Sheldon, you really are just too gallant. Thank you kind sir, I would be happy and most honored to take you up on your offer," I acknowledge with a slight curtsey. "I can see you're not gonna be satisfied until I accept your offer but . . . would you be offended if I at least paid you for the hoodie?" I can't just take his old used hoodie from this completely beautiful stranger, could I?

A scowl crosses his face but before he can respond, I let out a snicker.

"Scratch that. I think I knew the answer to that question even before I asked. And, the look on that beautiful face of yours says it all."

"You think I have a beautiful face?" he asks attempting to hide what seems like a sly smile.

Smiling, I take his very old very used sweatshirt. Before putting the hoodie on, I sniff his sweatshirt attempting to decipher his indistinguishable manly scent, nope not a clue. I smile at his emphatically indescribable unique aroma knowing how it only complements his smexy gorgeous being.

Absolutely uniquely beautiful but odd, I internally confirm, before I picking up my backpack and sling it over my shoulder. Taking possibly my last chance at getting closer to this beautiful man, I step closer and boldly place a thank you kiss on his cheek. I take a good whiff of his scent while I'm up close and personal but, as my lips touch his cheek, I instantaneously feel that same electric shockwave travel my body.

"Yup, definitely an electric cosmic connection," I nervously giggle like that twelve year old One Direction fan again. "Thanks again Sheldon. I truly do appreciate your kindness and I promise to take extra good care of our hoodie," I declare in a more serious tone. With that, I turn and walk away causing my heart to again beat erratically.

He calls out, "Oh and Penny, my name is Edward not Sheldon."

Laughing aloud, I holler back even though I'm not a holler back girl, "Yeah, I know Edward. And my name isn't Penny it's Bella," I giggle as I shake my head continuing to walk away from smoking sexy Edward.

On my way back home, I occasionally lift the sleeve of our hoodie and inhale; yup, there are definitely no words to explain it. Exhausted from my afternoon excursion, I decide to shower, eat a small dinner and veg out in front of the television. For some strange reason, it hurts to remove our hoodie; and when I did, rather than dropping it on the floor, I respectfully place it the bathroom counter. After a quick shower, I throw on a pair of yoga pants and our hoodie. I convince myself it is sorta cold out but I know the real reason. I flip on the television surfing the channels until I see Sheldon Cooper on the screen and hysterically laugh to myself. Yeah, it definitely is a Big Bang Theory marathon kind of night.

I don't remember drifting off to sleep but that is the first night I dream of smexy Sheldon slash Edward.

The pizzeria is hectic. Family after family walks through the door for a celebratory graduation lunch. "Isn't Dartmouth an ivy league college, I question to no one in particular. "How is having pizza and beer for lunch any way to celebrate a graduation from Dartmouth?" Then I remember back to my own non-celebratory dinner and shake my head at my hypocrisy.

After dropping off a pizza at one of my tables, I walk over to my newest customers hearing a girl at the table say, "Oh, I think that's our waitress."

Suddenly, my senses are bombarded by an indescribable scent. My heart begins to beat erratically as I recognize that silly unruly cooper bronze hair.

"Good afternoon folks. My name is Bella and I will be your server for today." As I greet my customer, I move to the center of the table and began to hand out menus. I hope that no one at the table notices my shaking hands or nervous voice. Yeah, the twelve year old One Direction fan girl has returned.

As I hand out the last menu, a look of wonder crosses my face. I never thought I would see that man's beautiful face ever again. "Sheldon? Sheldon, is that you?" I lean in a bit closer to get a quick whiff of his scent. I needed a fix. The sweatshirt had lost most of his aroma. "It is you," I giggle.

I smile as I tried to assess if I looked presentable with what I am wearing. I had on our hoodie with a pair of leggings and my purple high top converse that matched my hair.

"Hello Penny, how are you?"

"Her name is Bella not Penny," interrupts the girl sitting with my smexy Sheldon. "And his name is Edward not Sheldon. This isn't The Big Bang Theory," she playfully corrects.

The older gentleman at the table smiles at me. However, it is the woman wearing a non to subtle and slightly mischievous grin that catches my attention. She is just as exquisitely beautiful as Sheldon only an older female version. I hope I look that good at age. Placing her hand out, she introduces her family to me. Politely, I shake hands with Mr. Cullen, Mrs. Cullen and Alice Cullen, my smexy Sheldon's sister and I think Pop pop fiz fiz oh what a relief it is.

I feel a hint of blush spread across my cheeks and my heart race as I shake Edward's electric hand. I compose myself and get back into waitress mode by telling the Cullen family about the specials. However, Mrs. Cullen seems to have other plans by the look on her face.

"Oh, so tell me Penny slash Bella. How long have you and Sheldon slash Edward known each other," she inquires with a definite gleam in those emerald green eyes of hers. I can almost hear those wheels in her head turning.

I shake my head and chuckle, "Oh Mrs. Cullen, don't get the wedding invitation printed just yet. I don't really know Edward. We just ran into each other about a week ago . . ."

Just as I begin to retell the story of how her sexy son and I met, I'm interrupted by one of my other tables. I apologize, giving them a few minutes to look over the menu and saunter over to the other table.

Unsuccessfully, I pretend to busy myself with my other tables as I inconspicuously eye the Cullen table. I watch as Mrs. Cullen and Alice or, should I say Briscoe and Curtis, seem to be interrogating an guilty looking Edward.

As the interrogation continues, Edward pulls out an envelope and hands it to his parents. Mrs. Cullen pulls out a card placing a folded paper on the table. I think it's touching the way Mr. and Mrs. Cullen both treasure the card as they read. Mrs. Cullen passes the card to Alice. As Alice reads the card, Mrs. Cullen picks up the folded paper and, once again, she and her husband read the contents of the paper. Simultaneously, they gaze up to Edward and then back down to the paper. They reread it once more.

Without warning, Mrs. Cullen screams, jumps from her chair and grabs her son with what can only be described as the mother of all bear hugs.

Even though I shouldn't have eavesdropping, I couldn't resist.

"You're coming home! You're coming home! Oh my goodness, I can't believe this. You're coming home. Oh, my baby boy is coming home. Thank, thank you so much." She stops taken aback. In an extremely serious voice, she questions, "Wait, you're not doing this just for me are you? Yes, I love you and miss you terribly but . . . is this really what you want to do?"

Mr. Cullen reaches out to his wife. "Esme, come sit down and let Edward tell us all about it."

My eyes fill with silly tears at the sudden realization that my beautiful stranger is leaving. Of course he's leaving, he just graduated. I left after my graduation. Why wouldn't he be leaving, silly Bella. As Mrs. Cullen takes her seat, I look away and am met with his emerald green eyes fixed on mine. He begins to slowly smile until I realize he has seen my tears.

Embarrassed by his discovery, I subtly turn away and wipe my eyes with the sleeve of my hoodie . . . our hoodie.

A moment later, I turn back with a pleasant waitress smile plastered across my face. As I approach our table, I stand close to Mrs. Cullen and lightly place my hand on her shoulder hoping she doesn't mind a stranger's concern. "Mrs. Cullen, are you alright. Is there anything I can get you? Maybe, I can get you a glass of water?" My attempts to calm her only set off the floodgates.

"Oh Bella slash Penny," she weakly jokes, "aren't you the sweetest thing ever. Thank you, a glass of water would be nice . . . thank you," she weeps as she hiccups to slow her tears. "I'm just so happy . . . these . . . these are happy tears. I promise. My baby boy just gave his father and me the best gift ever."

I give him my deadly arched eyebrow look. I silently scold him for making his mother cry. After sufficiently silently reprimanding him, I look back to his mother. "Well Mrs. Cullen, I'm glad those are happy tears." Back in waitress mode, I ask, "Now, can I get anyone else something to drink?" Taking the rest of the drink orders, I give them a few minutes to look over the menu. If I am being truly honest with myself, I need a few moments to compose myself.

Placing their drink orders on the table, I comment on how much better Mrs. Cullen appears. I then asked if they are ready to order. Looking to one another, they apologize that they haven't had a chance to look over the menus.

"Understandable, totally understandable. Well, if you're in the mood for pizza," I hum for a moment while tapping my pen to my lips in thought, "I recommend the house special pizza. Definitely yummy," I suggest triumphantly.

Edward agrees with my recommendation of the house special pizza. I notice Edward roll his eyes as Alice orders a salad.

"Good choice Alice." With another deadly arched brow aimed directly at Edward, I silently scold Edward again before excusing myself to place the order. Unlike me, some woman like to eat rabbit food.

Every so often I take a peek at the Cullen table. Well, not so much the Cullen family but more at Edward than the others. They appear to be enjoying their graduation celebration. At one point, Mrs. Cullen is texting as Edward scowls. Wonder what that's about. Then I admonish myself for being just a tad too interested in the Cullen table.

The chef calls me to say that my order for table seven's pizza is ready. I place the pizza and salad on the serving tray and head back to the Cullen's table.

"Here we go folks. Enjoy. Let me know if you need anything else," I say in my best waitress voice as I distribute the food.

"This looks delicious. Thank you for the suggestion," compliments Mrs. Cullen as she serves her family. "So Bella, tell me about yourself. Are you a student at Dartmouth? What's your major? Do you live on . . ."

"Wow, slow down there Mrs. Cullen. One question at a time," I laugh holding my hands up.

Edward nonchalantly picks up a slice of pizza as I speak.

Using a very bad impression of the old western movie star John Wayne, I explain, "Well, I tell ya lil lady, no I don't go to Dartmouth." Ridding my voice of the bad John Wayne imitation, I continue. "I've only been in Hanover for just over a month and I've been working here for the last few weeks."

"That explains why I've never seen you here before," shouts a surprised Edward.

I smile at him as he reciprocates the smile. His dad clears his throat as Edward eyes his mother who arches her brow and smiles knowingly.

"So what are you doing besides working here," inquires his sister Alice. I like saying his sister.

"Mmmm, nothing much, I just work here. That's all."

"Are you planning on attending Dartmouth in the fall?" questions Mrs. Cullen.

"No, just working here for now. I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to be doing in the fall yet. Keeping my options open and all that ya know." Another of my tables calls for help, I excuse myself and walk away.

I spy the rest of the Cullen's celebratory lunch is a mixture of conversation, weird glances between Mrs. Cullen and Alice, apologetic looks by Mr. Cullen to Edward and, of course, Edward's casual glances in my direction. Every once and a while, our eyes lock and I feel a faint blush cross my pale checks. Mr. Cullen motions for me when they have finished with their meal.

"You folks got room for dessert," I laugh knowing by the looks on their faces there will be no tiramisu for dessert.

In unison, they answered, "NO!" and laugh.

"Well then I'll be right back with the check. Would you like a box to take the rest of the pizza with you?" Edward shakes his head yes. I return with the check and the pizza box. Alice and Mrs. Cullen stand as they tell me how much they enjoyed the Sheldon and Penny story, it was a pleasure meeting me and wished me good luck.

With another faint blush across my checks, I return the sentiments. Surprisingly, Mrs. Cullen hugs me goodbye. Then it is Alice's turn for a goodbye hug. This family sure does like to hug I think to myself. Silly tears fill in all three of our eyes as if we were life-long friends saying goodbye for the last time. With one last goodbye, Mrs. Cullen and Alice leave. Mr. Cullen gently shakes my hand telling me that he too has enjoyed our meeting; I return his sentiments.

There is an awkward silence until Mr. Cullen says that he is going to take care of the check leaving Edward and I alone at the table. Not really sure what I'm feeling, I'm not sure what to do or say. So I simply speak.

"Well Sheldon, it was good to see you again. Thanks again for the hoodie. You broke it in just the way I like it," I snort rotating my shoulders as if I'm trying to get comfortable in our hoodie. "You have a beautiful family. Your mom is . . . your mom is something you know but in a good way."

Edward laughs at my obvious uncomfortable awkwardness. "It was good seeing you again too Penny. By the way, my roommate explained the Sheldon/Penny reference. Very funny," he deadpans. Just as he steps to hug me goodbye, his dad calls that they are ready to leave. I look to see the rest of the Cullen family waiting at the door.

Edward and I glance back at each other and without a hug say goodbye. He walks toward his family as I walk to another table. I peek up for a moment and our eyes lock. A small shy smile crosses my face and his emerald green eyes sparkled. He smiles back and mouths goodbye; then he is gone. I feel sort of empty.

Walking pass the Cullen's empty table, I notice that Edward has forgotten his leftover pizza. I pick it up hoping to still catch him in the parking lot. As I reached the door, Edward is jogging back into the pizzeria just as I walk toward the entrance.

Before I comprehend what is happening, Edward walks straight up to me, gently cups my face with his tenderly firm hands and kisses me hello and, at the same time . . . goodbye.

I drop the pizza box slowly weaving my fingers into his silly unruly cooper bronze hair. His hair is amazingly soft. I could live the rest of my life with my hands weaved into his hair. With as much passion as I can summon, I return the hello slash goodbye kiss. The more intense the kiss becomes the more I tug at his amazing hair. As he slowly ends our kiss, we gaze into each other eyes, smile and whisper "goodbye."

Edward stoops down to pick up the pizza box all the while his eyes fixed on my tear filled eyes. I desperately try to memorize the kiss and the eyes.

One last time, we mouth goodbye as Edward walks out of my life and I walk out of his. I lift a sleeve to wipe the tears from my eyes only to once again be assaulted with his indescribable scent on our hoodie and I smile.

A/N: Lots of pop culture references and, sadly, I do not own any of them. I hope you enjoyed another chapter from Bella's point of view. If you liked this chapter, please leave me a small gift in the name of a review.