Hello!

I know, i'm being really slack with this story - and i haven't updated in a while. I'm sorry , its just everytime i go to update , something goes wrong. haha

So i hope you like this chapter. , i worked really hard on it. Please, do me a favor, and write a review. Let me know what you think!

Alright, well - enjoy! :)

I dont own anything.

Chapter 9

After finishing planting for the day, we all walked back to the big building for supper. Everyone was there. The twins and I, T.J , and Comet too.

We each sat down in our regular seats, but this time, it was a lot quieter than usual. Even though the other girls spoke just as much as they generally would, T.J. didn't even glance in my direction. Aubrey and Aura were still kind of mad at me, but T.J. was pissed. Extremely pissed. And I was still confused. Confused over everything.

" Good evening girls." Edward's soft , dreamy, yet powerful voice came from behind me.

" Hey Edward." the girls cooed. I began to turn around , when I saw the dirty looks Aubrey, Aura, and T.J. were giving me. It hurt. My so called 'friends' were being all bitchy just because I like a guy? How is that even fair? I clenched my jaw and turned in my seat so that I was looking at Edward.

" I apologize for everything that happened this morning." He began, grabbing a chair and turning it so that when he sat, he would lean against the back rest.

T.J. grunted, turning to continue eating. The twins fallowed her example as if it were an order. Comet pretended to eat, but she was actually listening to everything Edward said to me.

"Bella…" Edward said, giving my 'friends' a look. " Would you come outside with me for a moment?"

" Absolutely." I smiled, rising from my chair and fallowing him out the door, leaving the whiny bitches - and Comet - alone.

" We can't talk here." he said. " But I know just the place…"

I fallowed him throughout the tangled brush. Tripping a couple of times, and almost falling - but Edward would catch my hand and help me through it. It was kind of romantic. Something you'd see on a movie.

His hand eventually found it's way to the small of my back. It didn't feel as awkward as I imagined. It felt … almost… right? It felt comfortable and natural. I felt protected by him. And I loved it.

We finally made our way to this tiny opening in the forest.

" Here, sit." he smiled. " I promise, I won't keep you too long, and if we do happen to stay a little later than planned, I will make sure that you don't get into trouble."

If I could stay here with you, then I don't care about getting into trouble. I thought to myself, sitting down on the mix of grass and moss. Besides, it's not like I have any real friends to hurry off to.

" So what was that all about? Why are your friends being so mean?" he asked. My eyes immediately filled with tears and I felt the heat in my cheeks as I blushed .

" I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. Just… don't bother to answer that question. Why don't you tell me about yourself?" Edward asked, gently sitting across from me. I calmed down a bit so that we could actually have a rational conversation without me freaking out.

Edward and I were sitting close enough for our knees to touch, yet he felt so far away. I wanted to just… hug him. I wished for him to wrap his arms around me and make me feel better. I've been having a hard couple of days. I mean, I got kicked out of my house , sent to this abusive camp, beaten by the camp advisers, and yelled at. I've lost friends, and made enemies - and Harmony and her posse have been treating me like crap! I miss my family, and my house, and my bed, and real food. I miss everything so much. And I don't have anyone to lean on. Or at least, not yet. But hopefully, Edward will fix it. I thought, suddenly remembering that I was asked a question.

"Uh.." I began. "Well, my name is Bella Swan. I'm almost seventeen. I am filled with regret. I have many secrets. I have no specific hobbies, or talents. I'm pretty average." I said, making a face.

" I doubt that." Edward smiled.

" You'd be surprised." I laughed, looking at the ground.

" Well…" Edward began. " I'm Edward Cullen. I'm seventeen. And like you, I have many dark secrets which are not to be told. Remorse runs deep throughout my bones. No hobbies, no talents. I guess that I too, am pretty average."

" Like hell." I laughed sarcastically. " Edward, you are definitely not average."

"And why would you just assume such a fact?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well…" I began. " Just look at you. You're not average! You're just lying to make me feel better." I made a face while proving my point.

" And if I was lying, would you be upset?" he asked.

" No."

" Well maybe I am lying. Maybe I have many talents, and many hobbies. But maybe, I don't acknowledge them. Maybe I don't take pride in my accomplishments." his head tilted as a teacher's would, making me think.

" Well what accomplishments have you… accomplished?" I asked.

" That's a story for another day." he laughed. " I want to know you're achievements."

" The only benefit I have achieved is getting sent to this camp, and meeting you." I smiled.

" Well obviously." he laughed, jokingly. " But on a serious note, I'm sure that you have attained many goals?"

" No. I haven't." I spoke in all seriousness. " I've succeeded in screwing up my life. And that's about it."

" Well, we all make mistakes Bella." Edward assured. " But one's mistakes do not complete a character. Mistakes are a way of learning , and thriving. You're not a bad person - just one who has made bad choices." His palm reached up to gently rest on my grubby face. We sat there for a while, just staring at each other, until her removed his hand and we resumed our conversation.

" Thank you." I smiled. " But Edward, you do not know me. You don't know why I've been sent to this camp. You have no clue as to why I hate myself so much."

" Bella." he said. " In all honesty, I do. I know why you've been sent to this camp, because not only have I seen your file - but I've seen you. We have a organized system here at Camp Cullen. We receive letters, e-mails, and sometimes home videos requesting our aide. If Carlisle and Esme approve, then I get sent to the person's home town to check them out. I'm sent as a spy Bella." Edward spoke with sorrow.

I was speechless. This whole thing felt like a dream. I wasn't as mad as I should have been, I really didn't care. My feelings towards Edward were too strong at this point for me to be angry with him. So I just sat there, hoping he'd continue - which he did.

" I was sent to your home town. I was forced to spy on you , and you're dysfunctional family. And when I decided your previous behaviour was bad enough, a team of people from Camp Cullen were sent to bring you here. You remember waking up with strangers in your room, correct? You remember them handcuffing you - and dragging you to your doom?" his face was questioning. I nodded. " Well that was my fault - which is just a quarter of my regret." he said.

It was silent for a matter of moments, as we locked eyes.

" You don't need to be sorry." I said. "It was my fault I behaved that way anyway…"

" Negative." Edward cut me off. " It's Jacob Black's fault that you were behaving that way."

" Well…"

" Don't." he said. " There's no need for any explanation or sympathy. I know. I understand. And I do not judge you." the corner of his ever-so-kissable mouth raised in a crooked smile.

" I don't deserve to even be in your presence." my eyes watered. "You are too nice to me. Too understanding. Too forgiving."

" No." He corrected. " I am just the right amount."

I stared at the ground for a second - thinking. And when I could not fight the urge any longer, I rose to my knees and leaned towards him. We stared at each other, faces centimetres apart , for a few minutes when a soft murmur broke the silence.

" I really want to kiss you." I smiled.

" The feelings are mutual." Edward laughed, his fingers intertwining through out my hair. I pressed one hand against his chest, as he lowered himself so that I lay on top of him. My other hand rose gently to his head, where my fingers played with his soft, golden hair for a moment or two.

We continued to gaze into each others eyes until the demand for him took over me. I then closed my eyes and slowly pressed my forehead against his. My breath was shaky, and I was nervous. But the worry of failure couldn't stop me.

His lips gently pressed against mine. And suddenly, I was in my own definition of heaven.

Maybe Camp Cullen isn't so bad after all?