EPOV

I was standing by my car when Bella pulled up.

I watched her carefully as she got out of her car.

It appeared that nothing was bothering her, so I guess last night went well.

I walked over to her and she lowered her eyes from mine.

What was with that?

"Hey love," I said as I lifted her chin up.

"Hi," she said quietly.

I leaned in and brushed my lips over hers, but she seemed off.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Bella, I can tell something is. Talk to me, please," I said as I took her hand and led her over to a bench.

"It's nothing. I just feel a little embarrassed about yesterday. I...I'm worried you will look at me differently now."

"Baby, I don't see you any differently. I love you, and I love everything we did yesterday."

She smiled up at me and I took her hand and we walked inside the school.

I could tell she was nervous and I tried to convey to her that everything would be okay.

As we walked in several people turned to stare at us and I felt Bella's hand grip mine tighter.

I was proud for everyone to see we were together, but I know Bella was uncomfortable with the attention.

As we passed Tanya and her friends, they all just stared at Bella as Tanya called to me.

"Hey Eddie-kins, looking good."

I didn't even say one word to her as I steered us towards Bella's locker.

Bella opened her locker and got out her books.

I wrapped my arm around her waist as I walked her to her class.

Once we were at the door, I leaned in and kissed her quickly.

She looked up at me and I told her I loved her.

She said it back and told me she'd see me in biology.

As she went in her class, I couldn't help but watch her for a few minutes.

She looked so beautiful, and I hated that she doesn't see herself that way.

I made a vow to myself to make her see how beautiful she really is, even if I have to tell her everyday for the rest of forever.

As I walked to my class, I was thinking about how I want Bella to be my first and only lover.

I've never wanted anyone the way I want her.

Now I just need to figure out when and where.

I walked in my class and groaned as I noticed Tanya and Jessica standing by my seat.

I walked to my seat and sat down.

They both turned to me and just looked.

"What?"

"Seriously Edward, Bella Swan. You can do so much better," Jessica sneered.

"She's such a waste of space, Eddie-kins. I'd be such a better match for you," Tanya said as she put her hand on my arm.

I pulled my arm away forcefully. "Don't talk about my girlfriend that way."

"Girlfriend? That's your girlfriend," Jessica sneered.

"Eddie, that is simply wrong. You'll never be Prom king with that nobody by your side," Tanya said as she leaned forward over my desk.

"Yes she is," I said proudly. "I don't care about prom king or shallow nitwits like you."

"We'll see how long it lasts," Tanya said as she walked to her desk.

I really can't stand Tanya. As far as I'm concerned, Bella is it for me.

I couldn't wait for these classes to get over so I could get to biology to see Bella.

Unfortunately Tanya was in that class too.

After what seemed like forever, it was time for biology.

As I walked in I was glad to see that Tanya wasn't there yet, but neither was Bella.

I sat down and waited for her.

The more time that went by the more I began to worry about her.

Finally just as the late bell rang, she walked in followed by Tanya and Jessica.

I could tell there was something wrong as she took her seat without looking at me.

I looked over my shoulder at Tanya and she smirked at me.

When I turned around Bella was looking at her notebook.

The teacher came in pushing a tv, so I knew it would be a good time to talk to her.

As he started the movie I reached over and took her hand.

She tried to pull her hand away, but I wasn't letting her go.

"Bella, what happened?" I asked leaning in closer to her ear.

"Nothing," she replied looking at the screen.

"Bella, I know something is wrong. Why don't you trust me?"

"I do trust you, but I think we should break up."

She wasn't making very much sense to me.

"What!? Why?" I felt the tears sting my eyes and heard the hurt in my voice. "You said you loved me."

"I do... but.."

"But what Bella?" I said a bit loudly. "I don't understand what happened between this morning and now."

She looked over her shoulder and I knew Tanya had something to do with this.

"Edward, we're too different. I'd be holding you back. I'm not good enough for you."

"What ever she did or said is a lie - tell me what she did. Bella I'm perfectly capable of deciding for myself what's good for me and I choose you."

"I...I'm just a waste of space, everyone knows that. I don't want to keep you away from things," she said as she got up from her seat and grabbed her bag.

I grabbed ahold of her quickly before she could leave. "You aren't keeping me from anything. You say you love me but you don't respect my choice of you."

"Please, Edward. Let me go."

"I want to talk with you."

She pulled away and ran from the room as the teacher called after her.

"I'll go," I said as I left the room.

I ran down the hall and Bella was almost to the parking lot.

"Bella, stop. Please," I yelled after her.

She stopped halfway to my car, I don't think she realized where she was going.

I caught up to her and took her hand.

I opened my car door and motioned her to get in.

She did and folded her arms over her chest.

I got in the car and started it up. I was going to get her to talk to me one way or another.

I drove us to one of the deserted roads and parked the car.

"I would like to talk about this. Last night you seemed so sure and now you want to throw it all away like I mean nothing to you. What happened?"

I finally saw some real hurt in her eyes.

"You mean a lot to me, Edward. I'm just no good for you."

"Says who?" I snapped.

"Everyone."

"I don't care what everyone thinks. I care about you and that's all, but maybe you don't care about me."

"I do. I care about you so much, that I'm willing to let you go."

"So you are going to break my heart because you think I'll be happier without you? I will be miserable without you."

"I don't want to break your heart. But Tanya said if I didn't I'd regret it."

"What!? So you are ditching me because of something she said? You have that little faith in me?"

"I have faith in you. I'm just scared of her."

"I won't let her hurt you. I believe in our love enough to fight anyone to be with you - don't you want me enough to fight for me?" I couldn't help my voice cracking as I spoke.

"Yes, I want you so much Edward," she said as the tears fell. "I'm so sorry."

I pulled her into my lap, "Tell me what she said, Bella."

"She...she said I was pulling you down. That I'm not in your league and you could lose your spot on the team and...and that you had mentioned how you wished you had your free and easy sex life back."

I sighed deeply, fighting back my anger.

"Bella, those are all lies. All that league stuff is crap - I don't put any stock in that. And I'm not going to lose my spot on the team, it's not like I got it because I'm popular - I got it on skill. And why would you listen to Tanya about my sex life - hell I don't even have a sex life, I've never had sex - I told you that. Why do you believe her so easy but I have to convince you of my every word?"

Her tears came as I yelled at her.

I cradled her against me, I didn't mean to make her cry.

"I...I don't know...maybe because I don't believe in myself. I don't see myself as worthy of you or anyone. I should've have cut a little deeper a few weeks ago and you wouldn't have to be with me at all."

"Wha...what?" I ask shocked.

"The day you gave me the journal, I tried to kill myself. I was tired of all the pain I was feeling. I mattered to no one. I wanted to make it end."

"I would have mourned you deeply, Bella - I've liked you for a while. And loving you is the best thing I've ever done."

I held her even tighter, kissing her forehead. "You matter to me."

"I know that now. I'm sorry I let her get to me. Please forgive me. I do love you."

"Always. Please don't hurt yourself again, okay? You always have me, you can always lean on me. You are the most important thing in my life, Bella."

I wiped her tears away as I leaned in and captured her lips in mine.

I was so going to ruin Tanya once and for all.

I pulled her tightly against me and kissed her some more.

She felt so good on my lap, that I wish we could go farther. But I'd rather not have our first time to be in my car.

I removed her from my lap and kissed her slightly swollen lips and then started the car.

"I love you, baby so much," I said as I took her hand in mine.

"I love you too. I'm sorry I hurt you."

"It's okay, love. Just talk to me next time okay?"

"Okay."

I drove back to the school and once I parked the car, I helped Bella out and we walked hand in hand to the cafeteria.

The first person we saw once we entered the cafeteria was Jessica.

She looked at our joined hands and I couldn't help myself - I leaned in and captured Bella's lips, kissing her right there I'm the lunchroom for everyone to see.

When I pulled away from Bella, Jessica was staring open mouthed and then hurried off to her normal table.

As we got in line to get some lunch I saw Jessica talking to Tanya out of the corner of my eye.

I know there is going to be trouble, but I will see to it that Tanya stops bothering my Bella.

I could see Bella tensing as Tanya looked at us.

I reached over and grabbed her hand tightly.

I led us over to our normal table where Alice was kissing the lips off Jasper and we took a seat.

"Some people are trying to eat here," I told Alice.

I couldn't answer her since Emmett was standing over us.

"Yo...Tanya is on her way over here. Thought I'd give you and Beautiful a heads up."

"Thanks Emm," I said wrapping my arm around Bella.

Tanya strutted over to our table with a sneer on her face.

As Bella saw her walking towards us, she started to get up but I stopped her.

"Baby, just stay here with me. I won't let her hurt you."

For a brief moment I wasn't sure if she was going to stay or run from the room.

But she sat back in her chair and I put my arm around her shoulders.

"Please tell me Jessica wasn't serious, Eddie-kins - you weren't really kissing this nobody, were you?"

I just stared at her like she was stupid.

I didn't even answer Tanya, just leaned into Bella and kissed her long and slow.

I could hear her huffing next to us and I could just see the bitchy look on her face.

Bella slid her hands up into my hair and pulled ever so gently. I couldn't help the moan that came from me.

"Your social standing is over, Edward. I hope you enjoy obscurity," Tanya snarled at me as I pulled my lips from Bella's.

"I think you're the one that should be worried about obscurity," I told her.

"What is that supposed to mean?" she snapped at me.

"Well you wouldn't want everyone to know about your little STD problem, would you? I mean how embarrassing would that be?"

Tanya stood gaping at me - her mouth opening and closing like a fish - her skin a bright red.

I looked around and people were listening.

"What's wrong, Tanya? Didn't think I saw you clutching that prescription and those STD pamphlets when you were leaving my dads office?"

"Those were for a friend, not me."

"Isn't that how it always is Tanya?" Emmett said standing behind me.

"Yeah right, I grew up with a doctor - they don't give meds for friends."

"You...you're making that up," Tanya stammered.

"I thought it was for a friend?" Emmett questioned.

Tanya looked around in desperation as people began to laugh and even Jessica took a step away from her.

I can't find it in me to feel bad for her, she has been torturing Bella long enough - she is long overdue having a taste of her own medicine.

Tanya gave Bella one last hateful look before fleeing the lunch room - gales of laughter following her.

Bella relaxed once Tanya was gone and we finished eating.

Emmett hung out with us for a bit and he even got Bella to laugh.

Maybe she'll begin to feel comfortable hanging out with some of my friends.

I'm hoping that will be the last we heard from Tanya but somehow I doubt it.

I walked Bella to her class and kissed her before letting her go in the door.

I hated to be away from her, after all that happened today, I just wanted to reassure her that I love and want her.

I watched her take her seat and she over at me and smiled.

Emmett was also in the class and he said he'd watch out for her.

I walked to my class and I heard people talking about what happened at lunch.

As I walked in my class one of the other guys on my team told me what a big mistake I was making with Bella.

I just gave him a look that said back off.

What does he know? Bella is a wonderful girl and frankly I don't care what anyone says.

"Hey Edward."

I turned around to see Rosalie standing behind me.

"Hey."

"Don't let them get to you, Bella is awesome. I think you and her make a great couple. Besides I know how long she has liked you."

"Thanks Rose. People have treated her so badly. I don't understand it."

"I know. She's always been quiet, even more so since her father got killed. Not to mention her creepy stepfather."

"Tell me about it. I can't stand him. There's something about him."

"Yeah. Just treat her right, okay?"

"Definitely Rose. I love her."

She smiled at me and went to sit down.

"I can't believe that you actually love that loser."

"Shut up, Newton you don't know Bella the way I do. She's wonderful."

"Wonderful in bed you mean - who wouldn't love a little pussy."

"Watch it, Newton - or I may forget that quarterbacks don't tackle in practice."

Mike said, "Whatever," but he eyed me warily.

I stepped closer to him, reminding him that I'm a good five inches taller then him and outweigh him by at least 50 pounds.

"Remember what I said. There are other kickers and I would take great pleasure in snapping your leg. Don't talk about my girlfriend ever again. Don't even think about her. Are we clear, Newton?"

Mike nodded and hurried to his seat.

I wish that this day would hurry up and get over. I just want to hold Bella in my arms and just get lost in her.

Finally the bell rang and it was time for the last class of the day.

This class was pretty easy. I had independent study, so I just worked on some of my homework and looked up some stuff on sex. I didn't want to ask anyone about it, so I figured reading about it would be good.

It went by fast and as I the bell rang, Emmett caught up to me.

"Hey, Edward."

"What's up?"

"Do you and your beauty want to come to a party this weekend?"

"I'm not sure of our plans yet, but I'll keep it in mind."

"She's great by the way."

"Yeah, she is."

"Don't let anyone hurt her and if you hurt her, I'll kick your ass," he said with a wink as Bella came walking up.

"Hey B," Emmett said. "See ya tomorrow."

Bella just nodded as I pulled her into my arms.

"I've missed you, baby."

"Missed you too," she said quietly.

We walked to her locker so she could get her stuff and then I walked her to her car.

"Edward, do you want to come over to my house?" she asked.

"Sure, is your step-dad going to be there?" I asked.

"No. He's gone for the night. Thank God."

"Okay, I'll follow you over there."

I got in my car and as she pulled out of her spot.