A/N: Well well well, what do we have here? Another chapter? Looks like it. So enjoy and thank you to my loyal reviewers. You guys rock Edward Cullen's socks! Which, in my opinion are the best socks to be rocked.

Disclaimer: Do I have to say it? It crushes my dreams. Sigh. Fine. I do not own Twilight. If I did, it would probably have more Jasper in it, anyway.


8. Happy Birthday Eddie!

About a year passed since then. I'd be sixteen soon. An age I heard changed your life. I'd get to drive; I'd be an adult in two years. Sounded all right to me, but I could only focus on one thing. Edward: the soon to be seventeen year old, starting tomorrow. Consequently, we were going to have a party for him. Edward and me? Well, we became nothing more than best (flinch) friends (cringe). And it hurt! A sharp pain zinged in my chest at the thought of him, almost as strong as the shocks caused by him. Sometimes, it seemed he cared-a flash of emotion in his eyes, a romantic phrase passing from his lips every now and then, but nothing more.

It had become increasingly worse, especially now that everyone (aside from the Eddie-boy himself) knew my feelings. Alice told Rose, though she had already assumed as much, what with all the hugging and what she called flirting. And, of course, Jasper being the ever present empathy he is, could feel my emotions after the first two days. Then there was Emmett. As you know, Emmett had expressed his sentiments concerning Edward the morning after that movie night. And once he'd told me I'd been perkier and brighter than I had been before. My love was blatantly obvious, even to Emmett…and that's saying something. As much as I loved my friends and my brother, at one point, it had been almost fatal letting them know. Especially when they quadruple teamed me, trying to get me to confess to Edward.

We had been sitting in my room, doing nothing and just chillaxing when the ambush began.

"So Bella," Jasper had started. "Tell us what your ideal man is!"

Too embarrassed and shocked by the demand, I remained silent. "I bet," Alice chipped in. "A tall, reddish brown haired boy. You know, like Robert Pattinson, in that one movie."

My stare turned into a mortified glare, feeling unusual tension coming from Edward, who sat beside me.

"Or what's that guys name from that book, Anthony Masen?" Rosalie added.

Emmett, the oh so simple one, couldn't be more frank. "How 'bout Ed here! He meets those standards." Once Edward excused himself, clearly uncomfortable, I almost ripped their heads off.

"I swear vengeance on you people!" I hissed in disgust.

But they merely laughed. "Stop being so romanticidal, silly Bella!" Alice waved me off.

"Yeah," Jasper chuckled. "You can't pull off Sweeney Todd."

"You all deserve to die." But my singing was soft, and they didn't hear.

Currently, Edward was already over at my house. The rest had gone out on a double date and, apparently, we didn't want to intrude. Or so Alice said. She thought a night in would be romantic and cozy. "A chance for you guys to spill!" I chose to ignore her. Although, in full honesty, I really did want to. It got exhausting and painful to keep a secret from the best friend who I loved so much. But alas, my heart wanted to protect itself in the cocoon of ignorance and bliss.

I took a deep breath, gripping the sodas tighter in my hand. My heart beat rapidly in my chest, but the moment I entered the room, his smile put me more at ease.

"Thanks," he said grabbing a can. "I could have gotten them"

I shrugged, taking a sip. "You're my guest, dear Eddie."

He smirked, his eyes disbelieving and I knew why. We spent every waking hour together. Either I was at his house, or he at mine or we were somewhere together. Even in my dreams, he was there!

"So Eddie boy," I began, laying on my bed and leaning against the pillow. He lay down on the opposite side. The better to see his stunning face. "How you feelin'? You'll be seventeen in a matter of hours."

"I feel…quite different, actually." He looked at me in wonder. One of those looks. That look.

"What?" I asked, a little self-conscious from his gaze.

"Nothing, it's just, I realized a lot has changed since I met you."

"For the better, I hope,"

"Of course! You heard Alice last summer. I've been happier than I ever thought I would…."

"I'm glad….Why weren't you happy before?" Curiosity had gotten the better of me, but my question made him uncomfortable.

"Well…" he began, hesitantly. "About two years ago, when I still lived in Chicago, I was in a horrible accident." He paused once after my gasp, then continued. "That wasn't the worst part. It wasn't my fault or anything. I know that's probably hard to believe, due to my way of driving, but it's true. Anyway, there was a little boy in the other car…and he died. I felt awful. For a while there, I actually did think it was my fault and afterward, we had to move here. Many people had blamed me.

"Since then, I kind of became a loner, depressed and angsty. I left Forks last summer to visit my aunt there. She used to cheer me up when I was little. And she did a bit, but the ride on the plane changed everything. You have no idea…." He looked down, almost ashamed. I hated to see my Edward like that, so I grabbed his hand firmly between mine and he squeezed it in response.

"You made me believe again…." In love, I added mentally. He looked at me questioningly, but I checked the time to distract him. Word vomit, my arch nemesis…next to my feet…and the ground. "Are you staying for dinner, it's almost eight?"

"Nah. My mom is having a party tonight with the family so the group can celebrate tomorrow. I'll talk to you later." We got up and headed for the door.

"Night Eddie! Call me at twelve, OK? Then you can go to sleep." He nodded, clearly curious. Before I couldn't help myself, I kissed his cheek and opened the door. He left as though in a daze. Hmm…interesting…

At midnight, I got the call. I felt bad, considering Edward usually went to bed early where as I could stay up rather late. Still, I deemed this necessary.

"Hello, dear Edward."

"Whey hello there, my Bella. To what do I owe this lovely late night call?"

"I'm now the first person to say this to you, and I want it to be perfect." I paused and it sounded like he'd stopped breathing. Cool! I'm good with suspense!

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" And I sang the birthday song.

"Thank you, that's the nicest present I've ever gotten." He actually sounded sincere.

I stared at the phone, then replied. "Your best present was being kept up to hear some crazy girl sing a song? What kind of scary ass presents has Alice gotten you?"

"Um…a permanent shopping buddy?"

I shivered. "You're right that is pretty bad."

"Besides you're voice is the most beautiful sound in the world. If I could, that would be what I'd want for my birthday."

I laughed lightly to hide my embarrassment. "I'll look for a box to put it in. But for now birthday boy needs sleep."

"Sweet dreams, my Bella," he whispered.

"Sleep well," I replied softly. "Try not to have nightmares about a crazy girl who keeps you up."

"I can only dream of you, Bella. Only dreams contain sweet things. Goodnight." And he hung up, leaving me in stunned and flattered silence.

O

M

E

!!!

He was the sweet, if not mushy, one.


The next morning was much the same as any other, though I did get to wish Edward a happy birthday…again. He was standing outside with Alice, Jasper and Rosalie. Emmett ran straight to his "flower" with a loud 'happy birthday' to Edward. I walked up and jumped on his back placing a big smacking kiss on his cheek. "Happy b-day Eddie!" I sang, and then laughed at the lip gloss imprint I left on his now rather pink cheek and wiped it away. "You feelin' old now, grandpa?"

"Well… yes, now you say that. See any gray hairs up there?"

Ah, what a wonderful excuse to run my hands through his soft locks. "No…wait yep, here's one!" I plucked a very light colored hair out and handed it to him.

"Oh great," he groaned. "Now two are going to grow in its place."

"Aw, little Eddie's all grown up. Don't you remember the good ole' days when you'd run around outside naked, screaming, 'I am a vaaaapmiiire!?'" He staggered slightly, turning his head to see me better.

"How did you know about that?" he demanded.

"Alice," I stated simply, making a huge effort not to laugh.

"Figures," he grumbled. "I'll get back at her….Someday." However, we both knew that was an empty threat.

The rest of the day was spent doing whatever the hell Edward liked to do. Swimming, bowling, sliding in our socks in the grocery stores….OK that was my idea, but he liked it!

At eight, we all decided to head to Port Angeles to see a movie and whom did we see, but the devil and her loyal sidekick?


A/N: You know the drill. Pretend you are a vampire and the only way you can satiate your thirst for this story is if you review it. Cuz more reviews equals quicker chapters! Thank you!