I wandered around the house, trying to keep my mind off what was happening. If I had ever felt like trash in my life, it was then. It wasn't my fault Renee and Phil…

I wanted to cry. Tanya was right. No one wanted me. Charlie wouldn't want me anymore because of what I am. Jacob already didn't for that reason. The Volturri got rid of me, even with my talents, which I've heard they're always in search for. I didn't belong anywhere and the worst part…Edward could never love me.

Wait, why do you care about that? You don't love him. Sure he's you friend… he saved you from Volterra…

But that doesn't mean anything to him. He did it out of pity.

But then I remembered all the beautiful things he said to me. I remembered the way he held me protectively when I cried for Jacob, when I cried for my parents… the laughs we had stealing Rose and Emmett's cars, the anger that he felt when the bartender hit on me… and the subsequent joy and anger that coursed through me when he said he was protective of me. Were those all lies? Why did it matter?

I remembered how he started calling me Bellissima and Super Bella. Super Bella because Bella in Italian is beautiful and Bellissima means very beautiful or super beautiful. I remembered the way he smiled after his calling that would make me either laugh or get embarrassed.

And I knew the answer. Because you fell for him. Hard. The more I thought about it, the more I knew the truth. I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I ran around looking for any sign of him in the house, frustrated when everyone said they hadn't seen him around in a while.

I ran outside, thinking he might be at our spot near the river. And that he was. With Tanya. Pinned against a tree. He said something, and then she pressed her lips to his. Not wanting to see anymore, I ran.

As I ran, I could hear him shouting. "Bella! Bella wait! Please!"

I ran harder. He didn't want me. He was hers. He had lied. I trusted him and he lied. Now I didn't have anyone to go to. Anyone at all.

"Bella! Bella, please, let me explain…"

I whirled to face him. "Explain what? That you've been lying about everything since day one? That you never wanted me around and that skank was the perfect opportunity to get rid of me? Well you got what you wanted, Edward! I'm never going back to you or that house again!" I turned and tried to run again, but he was in front of me.

"No! Bella, please don't go. I don't want you to go."

"Don't you?"

"Please," he begged.

"She told me that all you felt for me was pity. That you didn't even want to be my friend. That I was a burden for you. That I'd never amount to anything. She said I was useless and a stupid little orphan girl and a whore. She said all those mean things, Edward. And when I went to talk to you about it, because I trusted you, I saw you kissing her. Do you really expect me to stay?"

"I told her to stop harassing you, Bella. I told her that I didn't want her… again… I stood up for you! Bella, believe me."

I looked away; the torture in his eyes and pain on his face would shake my resolve to leave. I would crumble.

"Bella, I never want you to go. Do you know why?" his voice dropped and he stepped closer to me. I didn't bother trying to keep my shield. Up. The truth was, I didn't want to be away from him. That and I needed him to see how jumbled and painful my thoughts were. He sighed. "Oh Bella, I'm sorry. Please let me apologize for her behavior. I spoke to her about it. And believe me, please, when I say I want you to stay. Do you know why?"

I shrugged.

"Because since the first day I saw you, I felt something for you I'd never felt before."

I froze.

What?!

He actually chuckled. "Oh Bella, don't you see? I love you," he whispered.

This time I was stunned into silence.

!!!!!

"Please Bella…" he whispered painfully, the rawness in his voice clawing at my stone hart and reducing it to scraps.

"I don't mean for you to be hurt, Bella. You know I hate it when you hurt."

I finally looked up at him. If I were human, the tears would be making my vision blurry. But there was still a tight knot in my throat blocking both my voice and my breath.

"I love you," he whispered again. "Not her. Never her. Only you." He tilted my chin up gently, forcing me to look at him again. "Do you believe me?"

I couldn't stand it anymore. With a sob, I crumbled in Edward's arms and we sunk to the ground as he soothed me. Eventually, I stopped dry crying, but I still clung to his shirt like a lifeline, my face never lifting from the crook of his neck.

Finally, several hours later, I got curious and looked around. We were in the little meadow Edward had shown me. I looked up at him. "We're here! This is our spot."

He laughed. "I hereby dub this Edward and Bella's Meadow," he proclaimed in a perfect British accent, with a grand voice.

I laughed with him.

He sighed, stroking my cheek. "I liked Edward and Bella."

I smiled up at him. "Me too."

He smiled that breathtaking crooked half-smile of his, and I stared at him for a long time. He raised an eyebrow. "Your eyes are clearing out a bit. They aren't so red."

"Good. I like yellow better."

He laughed. "You said that already. Don't worry, Super Bella. Your eyes are beautiful. they can only get better."

I hid my face in his chest, my vampire equivalent for blushing.

He picked up my chin and brushed my nose gently with his before smiling at me. "Let's get back, okay?"

I jumped to my feet, spreading an imaginary cape. "Super Bella to the rescue!"

Before I knew what was happening, there were lips on mine. Warm, perfect lips. Vampires don't need to breathe, but I felt out of breath when he finally pulled away. He stared into my eyes for a long time before kissing me again. "Super Bella," he breathed. "My hero."

A/N: hope you all liked it. Still looking for title suggestions. Free teasers are still up for grabs for the person who names my story!

Sorry it's taken so long to post. I've been busy and my birthday was on Friday. Anyhoo… hope you all like it. More soon, sooner than this time, I promise.

Cheers!

~temporary insanity