A/N: THANK You for the reviews!! You earned it...2 chapters today!! I love you all.

Just Temporary

EDWARD

I tried to call Bella several times, but she didn't answer. Why was she avoiding me? She and Tanya were friends, so was I the problem? Have Bella and I really drifted apart? We were separated for twelve years, and have grown up. Maybe we weren't meant to be friends anymore.

I walked around the house and Alice just looked at me like I killed someone. "What?" I yelled at her. All she did was shake her head and keep walking, muttering negative comments about me under her breath.

At dinner, everyone would ignore me except Carlisle and Esme. "Mom, could you pass me the potatoes," Alice would say. The potatoes were right next to me; she could have asked. I had enough. "Can I be excused?" I asked mom, before stalking from the table with no appetite.

Why did the world hate me? What did I do? Was I the bad guy in this?

I knew how to make this better. I would force Bella to talk to me. I couldn't stand the cold shoulder from anyone. It was hurting me. Breaking me up inside. And Bella looked hurt. But Tanya was so happy. What was wrong?

At lunch the next day, I would skip out on Tanya. I knew it was wrong not to inform her of my plans, but she would just hinder my objective: getting Bella to talk to me.

But luck was with me because Tanya called me and said she wouldn't be coming to school. She was ill. Not that I wanted her to get sick, but it only made things easier for me.

I waited in the parking lot for her. And right on schedule, she came up in her red truck, got out, and started towards campus. "Bella," I jogged to her side. Her arms were full of bulky books. "Here, let me get those." She didn't seem to notice I took about seven pounds off of her. She was preoccupied with something else. "Are you expecting someone?" I asked lightly.

She turned back to me with worried eyes. "Where's Tanya?"

"Tanya won't be here today. Why? Are you jealous?" Her eyes flashed away from me and she frowned. We continued to walk together and I could see the curious glances as we passed by. "Why are avoiding me, Bella?"

"I am not avoiding you." She still couldn't look at me.

"Then, why haven't you returned my calls?"

"I've been busy."

"Doing what?"

She halted and turned to me. "I didn't know I was being searched by the thought police. My life doesn't revolve around you anymore, Cullen." She seized her books from me and hurried ahead of me. I didn't miss that she said 'anymore.'

"Wait, Bella!" I called catching up to her. She stopped and turned around. "I am sorry. It's that I have been missing you. I miss my best friend."

"It's okay," she grumbled.

I grinned. "Can I make it up to you?"

She chuckled and shoved her books at me. "Here, you can carry these."

BELLA

It was like being free again. I was able to be myself today. Lunch time came and Edward and sat together.

"Wow, did you guys kiss and make up?" Emmett laughed. His laugh was cut short when Rosalie nudged him. "What? Isn't it plain to see that they are together? You guys are together, right?"

I blushed and looked down at my tray, not paying attention Edward's expression. "Not exactly," he said. "Tanya is sick."

"Well, glad that storm has blown over. It's glad to see you guys are acting like friends and not enemies," Alice smiled. I had a funny feeling that the storm wasn't done though. We seemed to be in the eye. People commonly mistake the eye for the end, only to have another round come and blow them away, leaving them devastated. I pushed this feeling to the back of my mind.

"Yeah, me too," I replied.

I was floating on cloud nine all day as Edward walked me to every class. I was like his temporary girlfriend. Was it wrong to feel like this? I didn't answer that question. Instead, I let it fall to the back of my mind.

By the end of the day, everything seemed surreal. Until Edward said, "Bella, would you mind accompany me tonight. I want to get Tanya something and I want a girl and a friend's opinion."

"Oh, why don't you get Alice? You know she likes shopping." We were walking towards my truck when he started to steer me to his Volvo.

"Because I want you to come. And you and Tanya seem like friends. I think she would appreciate that you helped," he smiled.

"But what about my truck?"

"Alice can bring it home for you and then get a ride back with Emmett or Jasper. I'm sure she wouldn't mind."

"Okay," I giggled. "Where are we going?"

"To the jewelry store. Tanya said she wanted a ring and I think it would cheer her up while she is sick."

Instinctively, I fingered the keepsake around my neck. When he uttered the words, it suddenly devalued mine. It was no longer special anymore, if Tanya got one. But she was his girlfriend; wasn't she entitled to something?

I gave Edward my keys which he jogged over to Alice, explaining to her what was going on. She nodded and waved and I waved back as Edward returned. I sighed as he opened the passenger door for me. He was always such a gentleman. "Thank you," I smiled and climbed in. He smiled and came around the car to his side.

Then, we were off. I was a little on the edge with Edward's driving. It was too casual, as if he wasn't paying attention to the road. Picture this: Edward laid back in his seat with one hand on the wheel and one on the gearshift. Then, he would look at me and smile.

"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" I asked.

"Why? You don't like it?"

"It's like you are having you own personal joke or something. Am I funny?"

He shook his head. "You look a little tense. Do I make you nervous?"

"No, but your driving does."

"Oh, I can slow down. That's fine. I am in no hurry." As he spoke, he speed broke and he stopped turning to look at me. "Bella?"

"Yes, Edward?"

"Why have you been avoiding me? And please tell me the truth."

I sighed. I couldn't lie to him. He was my best friend. And I was a bad liar. "Edward, this is going to be hard to swallow, but I wasn't supposed to be near, talk, or think about you."

"Bella, that's absurd! Who would issue an order like that?" Anger was with him.

"Tanya would! Do you remember the party, Edward?" He nodded, ushering me to continue. "Tanya and I talked. Well, I listened while she told me to stay away from you. So, I complied…at least I tried."

He relaxed and then started to smile. "I guess I'm not making it any easier."

"No, you aren't. So, I would appreciate if this can stay between us. This little outing."

"No can do," he asserted, glancing my way.

"Why?" I frowned.

"Because I am going to tell her. Bella, you are my best friend. If she can't accept you, she can't have me. We are a package deal. We are like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich."

"Edward. People eat peanut butter and jelly separately all the time."

I could see the corners of his mouth draw up in a smile. "But they always taste better together."

"Yum," I laughed, and he joined me. He was right. Both spreads were good by themselves, but delicious combined. Were Edward and I delicious?

"We are here." The car stopped at the jeweler's and we both got out.

He opened the door and I heard the bell ring overheard as we slipped inside. It was dimly lit due to the lighting shining from the cases of jewels. They sparkled all over. I was so in awe that I didn't notice the thin lady coming from the back storage room. "Welcome, how can I assist you today?"

"We are here to look at some rings," Edward said coolly.

"Getting married?" the lady smiled. I knew my cheeks were probably rosy red.

I couldn't help but imagine that shopping for wedding rings was the objective of the trip. And for a split second, I could see myself getting married to Edward. I was standing in a long white dress with lots of lace. And he was down the aisle in a tux. And I would be walking down to him and we would vow to be each other's forever.

But Edward chuckled which pulled me from my fantasy. "Not today. I just want to look at some for my girlfriend."

The lady nodded. "She is very pretty," she complimented as if I wasn't standing there. "You guys are a very lovely couple." If my cheeks weren't red enough, they were now.

But Edward just played it up. He didn't even correct the lady. Instead, he replied, "Thank you, we are told that regularly."

"Well, right this way," she gestured to the rings in the case furthest to the right. "These are the most modern in our collection."

I saw one I like. "How about that one?" The jeweler pulled the ring out.

Flashing in the light, the thin-banded, emerald-faceted silver ring sparkled. "This is very pretty," the lady remarked.

"May I?" Edward asked, taking my left hand. I nodded, and he took the band from the jeweler. My hand was trembling from his touch as he slid the cool ring down my third finger – the ring finger. It fit perfectly. "There, like it was meant to be," he smiled. He possessed the same lopsided smile when he was little. It was crooked, but perfect on him.

I giggled. It was a stupid move, but I didn't know what else to do. I looked into his eyes and realized why I had picked the ring. It matched his eyes perfectly. I looked back down at the jewel on my hand and smiled; it had a little bit of Edward in it. "It's gorgeous."

"Yes, it is," he said, but he wasn't looking at the ring; his gaze was on me. "Do you like it?"

"Yes. It matches your eyes."

The lady looked between us and squealed. "Oh, it is so delightful to see two people in love."

"What?" I mumbled, pulling my hand from Edward's touch.

"It is okay," Edward whispered to me. He turned back to the lady, "It's been a long day. We will take this ring."

"That's fantastic. Is there an occasion?" she inquired. I slipped the ring off. And suddenly, my hand felt heavy as if the was supposed to be there forever.

Edward laughed, "Peanut Butter and Jelly." I couldn't help but laugh as well.

The lady raised a brow. "Peanut Butter and Jelly," she repeated skeptically, breaking down each syllable.

Edward wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"Whatever," she breathed while ringing us up.

Finally, we strolled out of the store with one expensive gift. "Do you want to get something to eat?" he asked, turning to face me.

I felt my stomach grumble; I was hungry. "What did you have in mind?"

"How about a big, fat, juicy All-American Cheeseburger with French fries?"

"Ooo…that sound so good, I can feel my arteries clogging already," I joked.

"Come on."

We came to a small roadside diner that looked like it was frequented by truck drivers. Edward opened the door for me and everyone turned their heads nosily at the door. There was a man sitting at the counter with a coffee who tipped his hat to us. Besides him, there was no one. A waitress came from the kitchen. She was a young. Probably no older than twenty-one. "Hey, Edward. How's it going?" she greeted as we took a booth.

"Hey, Betsy." Edward didn't seem to notice her looks.

"Who is this gorgeous girl? Is she your girlfriend?" Betsy asked as she turned to me. "Nope…" she furrowed her brow in concentration. "You must be…Bella."

"Oh, yeah," I smiled nervously. This freaked me out a little.

She nodded approvingly. Why was everyone doing that? Nodding at me? "So, Edward, do you want the regular?"

"Yep, but make that two orders and one chocolate milkshake – two straws."

"Gotcha," she smiled before disappearing behind the counter and into the kitchen.

I turned to Edward, who was smiling to himself. "Do you come here a lot?" I laid my hands on the table.

"Yeah, just to get away. That's how I met Betsy. She knows what I like," he smirked. Somehow, his ended up on mine, and I pulled away, afraid this could get out of hand.

"And apparently you talk to her enough," I commented, implying for him to finish.

"Yeah, I talk about you. Is that a crime?"

Game time. I leaned on the table towards him. "That depends. What did you say about me?"

"I forgot," he shrugged. Liar.

"Tell me, please. We have only one night like this. Come on, what happens in this diner, stays in this diner," I hinted.

He shifted in front of me and leaned on the table as well. "Well, I told her about our childhood. You know – the usual stuff."

"What usual stuff?"

"The good stuff," he smiled. I guess he wasn't going to answer my question.

"What was with the whole lying thing back at the jeweler's? You should have set the lady straight," I pressed.

"And what? Burst her bubble. No, she was too happy to see us. So, the least we could do was put on a show. Why? You don't like pretending to be my girlfriend?" He was smiling my favorite smile, which only made me blush. Again. I was going to have to work on that. I blushed more times today, than I probably did in all of the twelve years I was away.

"You know, that ring is very pretty. Tanya is really going to like it," I said instead of answering him.

His smile faded. "Yeah, I can only hope she likes it."

"What do you mean 'you can only hope she likes it'? That was an expensive gift, she better like it." I was getting defensive. I had chosen the perfect ring only to be tainted by imperfect person. She better be pleased.

He looked away from me and I could see the frustration in his eyes. "Tanya is so hard to please sometimes. She likes things one way – her way. I like her. She's pretty, but sometimes I don't feel like I am enough for her." He looked back at me for a moment and we clicked. Connected. "But this night is between you and me, now." He smiled again, sending my heart into frenzy.

"Okay, lean back!" Betsy warned dropping two warm plates in front of us. That was when I noticed how far Edward and I had leaned into each other. Betsy didn't say anything.

The food was a dream. Toasted bun on top of god's gift to man – the cheeseburger – accompanied with a generous amount of fries. Mouth watering. And then I looked up to see the chocolate milkshake with two straws. I thought they were joking. Apparently not, because Betsy disappeared and Edward dug in. So, I followed suit.

As soon as I consumed as much greasy food as possible, Edward pulled the milkshake between us. "You know you want to," he teased as he moved it around. And I so did want to.

"Race to the bottom?" I suggested.

"You're on." We took positions on our designated straws and slurped to the bottom. I won. The prize: a major brain freeze.

"Wow, this is what I get from being competitive," I complained as I sat back down clutching my forehead.

Edward chuckled, holding his head too. "Well, if it makes you feel better. I have one, too." Betsy was attending to another customer, when Edward looked at me. "Wanna go again?"

"Is it wrong to say yes?" I laughed, and he shook his head.

"Betsy," he called out to her. "Can we get another round?"

"Sure thing," she smiled.

Before I knew it, Edward and I had gone through two milkshakes and one root beer float – mixing things up. "Okay, let me get you home," he finally said after picking up the tab.

"No, no, no, Edward. Let me pay for something."

"Nonsense, I invited you. I pay the bill."

"You make it sound like this was a date."

He smiled, shrugging his shoulders. "If you want to call it that…"

"Whatever, Cullen." He grabbed my hand, and we said goodbye to Betsy before going back to his car.

"I know you said that this was about you and I, but do you ever take Tanya there?" I said, pointing back at the diner as we drove down the road.

"No, she wouldn't like it. She is a little…picky."

"So, she doesn't know about Betsy?"

"No. You just met her. Should she know about Betsy?"

"I guess not." Betsy didn't seem like a threat. "Why do you go there?"

"Good food, I guess."

"But you're my mom is like a chef. You get great food all the time." I looked over at him and he seemed to be struggling with what to say. Or maybe I was seeing things. There wasn't much light.

"I just like it. And Betsy is a good friend."

"Like me."

"You're more than that, Bella," he whispered.

"More than a friend? Then, what am I?" I whispered back. I wanted to know what Edward considered me.

"You're…you're," he struggled again. "You're…my Bella." Whatever that meant.

"And you're my Edward."

"That's good to hear," he whispered. Then there was silence. I could hear the car riding against the road and Edward's breathing; I was steadily aware of it. I noted how he stopped breathing when I asked him questions that made him think and then, how he was exhaled deeply before answering.

"So, are you going to swing by Tanya's house tonight and give her the ring?"

"No."

"Are you…going to give it to her at school?" I asked hesitantly.

"No."

I shifted in my seat, trying to read his expression in the dark. "No?"

"No."

When was he going to give it to her then? Was it going to be on a special date? A secret rendezvous between lovers? My heart sped up in my chest. It was so quiet that I swear Edward could hear the loud thumping. "Well, it would be nice to check up on her. I mean, she is your girlfriend." I was pretending like I didn't hear his last statement, but it only replayed in my mind over again.

He sighed. "I will check in on her, but after I drop you off."

"That will be nice. Can you send her my 'get well soon' greeting."

"I will be sure to tell her," he chuckled.

"What's funny?"

"Aren't you dying to ask me?" I knew what he was referring to – my questions about the ring.

"Not dying, per se. Just curious."

"How curious? On a scale one through ten."

I bit my bottom lip. "Uh…I give it a seven. I feel like being generous."

I could see him shaking his head. "No…I think it is more like an eight and a half or even a nine. And I am not being generous"

"Why would you think I would be so curious?" I crossed my arms, curiosity taking me over.

He sighed, before the corners of his mouth twitched as if he was suppressing a smile. "Because the ring is for you."