I've never really thought about how loud the floors are in this apartment. But now that that I'm creeping over them on my tip-toes, I realize just how freaking noisy they are. Seriously. It's ridiculous. I look over at the clock on the kitchen wall. It's eleven-fifteen. And Edward said he would be waiting at eleven. I hope he doesn't think I'm not coming.

It took Emmett forever to get to sleep. He seemed like something was on his mind, and maybe he wanted to talk. But I couldn't get into a whole deep conversation with him. So I lied and told him I was really exhausted and pretended to go to sleep. Which was really difficult seeing as how I could barely breathe. I was proud of myself, though. I didn't move an inch until he was snoring.

I crack open the door, which is just as loud as the fucking floors. I mean, really, how have I never noticed this before? I take one last look inside. Once I step out, it's all over. I'm officially doing this. I'm officially the kind of person who lies and sneaks around. And you know what? I don't care. I can't find it inside me to care one little bit. Because I'm doing this to see the most amazing boy I've ever known. I'm doing this because it's not fair that I can't do this like a regular girl at a regular time. You know, where Edward would come to my house and meet my dad before he picked me up and took me out to the movies or out to dinner.

And it's that thought that gives me the courage to step outside. I basically run down the stairs. I tell myself that I'm running, not because Edward is waiting, but because for the first time ever I feel this surge of freedom. This almost electric jolt of what it feels like to do whatever I want. I slow when I see his figure at the end of the street – all tall and lean and perfect as he leans against the railing. But then he turns to me, and even though I can't make out his face, I know he's looking at me. He's been waiting for me.

And that is all the encouragement I need to push forward.

"Hi," he whispers, pushing off the railing.

"Hey."

I don't really know what to do with myself. My hands in particular. Part of me wants to reach out and touch him – to grab his hands in mine and tell him just how happy I am to be here. And also, I want to maybe tell him how excited and nervous I am. And just how overwhelming all of this really is to me. But a part of me is still scared that this isn't as big or as important to him, so I keep my mouth shut and wait for him to lead me.

"You made it out." It's not like a question, but more like he's impressed. Astonished maybe.

"It wasn't that hard," I totally lie. And then I feel bad for lying because while I've been lying to Charlie and Emmett, I've only been lying to them because I have to. I don't really have to lie to Edward. Not only that, I realize I don't want to. "Actually, I was a nervous wreck."

"About this?" he asks. "About…about seeing me?"

"No," I tell him quickly. "Not about you. I meant about sneaking out of the house. I was afraid I would get caught."

"Will you get in a lot of trouble if you get caught?"

"Maybe," I tell him. "I don't really know. I've never really been in trouble before."

"That doesn't surprise me," he laughs.

"It doesn't?"

I'm more than a little offended. Have I not just proven what a masterful criminal mind I have?

"No."

"It should. The only things you really know about me are that I skip class and sneak out of the house at night."

He laughs. And I'm pretty sure it's the first time I've ever seen him laugh. The sound, it's sort of beautiful – almost as beautiful as him. And then he reaches out to me and takes my hand. His hand is cold from standing outside in the night air. But I don't care because it was him – he reached for me.

"That's not all I know about you."

"What else do you know about me?"

"Come on and I'll tell you."

He smiles down at me, and I know I would follow him anywhere.

"Where are we going?"

"My car is parked right over there."

This stills me. Just stops me dead in my tracks.

"You have a car?"

And there he goes with the beautiful laugh again. It's disarming to see him this way. I don't quite know what to make of it. He looks almost…happy.

"Yes, now come on. It's cold out here."

And then the three most wonderful seconds in the history of the world take place. Almost like they're nothing, like they hold no significance at all. He threads his fingers through mine. He's holding my hand. And not just holding it like he did under the stairwell behind the gym. He's holding my hand like a boyfriend would hold my hand. And in those three seconds, I'm pretty sure I give my heart to Edward Cullen forever.

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