A/N: Just want to clear up that "La Bamba" is latin rock not cha-cha. But Bella and Jacob can still get their 'groove' on. Thank you Bella Latina. Thanks to Rosalie McCarty for the awesome line. This chapter short compared to the last ones I have written, but it was important to isolate this one. I just wanted some "Edward and Bella" time. I believe I'm better at creating drama than this scene that follows. What can I say, I watch "Gossip Girl." This is probably the "loser" scene when it comes to my writing, but hopefully these intimate scenes get better. Oh, and the "I hate you" stuff, yeah I actually did that in real life to my former best friend...I wonder if he remembers? Anyways, Read and Review, because you know I love them.

I love reading each and every review and then, replying!! It makes my day. Oh, and this chapter is unofficially edited, but worth reading!!

DISCLAIMER: Stephenie Meyer may own them, but I can manipulate them. HA, HA, HA, HA, HA…cough. That's it for my Mandar laugh. Oh, and I don't live in Seattle with my characters, but how I wished.

Chapter 11: Lesson Learned

BELLA

"Bella, will you be alright by yourself? You seem a little preoccupied," Alice said voicing her concern. Jasper had swung by our apartment to drop me off.

"Yes, I will be fine. You and Jasper can finish the night without me." I smiled, though it was a front.

Alice continued to eye me suspiciously, until she felt comfortable enough to leave me. "I'll be back to check up on you." She pecked my cheek before locking the apartment door behind herself.

But Edward's questions were still going through my head. What did I want? I was confused between Edward and Jacob. Jacob made me feel wanted and carefree, but Edward made me feel like Cinderella. Like we only had so much time.

I knew he was wanting for me, but I wasn't sure for how long. Edward could have already picked up another girl, but I doubted that. He looked just as broken as I felt right now. I had to straighten this mess out. And I knew I had very little time.

I ran into my room and grabbed a duffel bag from my closet and dumped the contents onto my bed. I throw open my drawer and threw in my necessities. The dress from tonight was still sticking to my skin, but I didn't bother to change. I was acting on impulse.

I scribbled a note for Alice, grabbed my truck keys, and headed out the door.

The rain still fell when I pulled myself into the cab and started the truck. But the engine choked. I cranked my key again, but the engine didn't turn again. I took the key out and calmed down for a moment. I was just a little tense that was all, right.

I slid the key into the ignition, but didn't turn it, yet. "Come on, baby, don't fail me, now," I whispered into the dark. I turned the key, and as if it heard me, my truck revved to life. I smiled and backed out and made my way down the slick roads.

I vaguely remembered the way to my destination, but all I knew was I had to get there. I had to find Edward. I had to find out if what happened was real. My heart and brain were battling with each other trying to prove who was right. My brain was telling my heart to wake up and smell the freesia, but my heart was saying that if I woke up and none of this love was real, that I would shut down.

Lightning flashed through the sky, but no thunder rumbled. After winding through avenues, I finally approached my destination. Hopping out of my truck and grabbing my bag, I made my way up the walkway towards the door.

I put my hand up to knock, but hesitated. What if what he told me was just a front? What if I misinterpreted what he said? I sighed deeply.

"Knock, knock." I waited for awhile, but still there was no answer. I didn't knock again, but I was about to chicken out and turn back when the door opened.

There he was, and he still made my heart melt. I couldn't believe this. But I didn't want to be the first to talk so I crossed my arms boldly. But he responded by leaning on the door frame and crossing his arms. We stood like that for awhile, but I was the first to crack.

"Are you going to let me in or what?" I said sassily. He then straightened up and made way for me to pass him. I kept my arms crossed as I stalked into his living room, plopping my bag on the leather couch.

He stealthily closed his door and followed me while keeping his hands in his pocket. He looked relatively fine, as if he didn't endure the same situation I did tonight.

"I am here for one reason and one reason only," I began. He went over to his floor-length windows, but still directed his attention at me. When I noticed he was waiting for me to proceed, I quickly fumbled through my bag to pull out my motive. "Here, I thought it would be the perfect time to return it," I explained while handing back his ivory sweater.

He reached for it, and shuffled it within his hands. His eyes drew down to the sweater and shifted back up to mine. This made me uneasy.

"What?" I said sharply. I could see the grin that was fighting to appear on his face. "What?!"

"Thank you. But I am curious. Are you sure this is your only reason for coming?" He pressed. His green eyes shown into mine, but I had no response.

I turned around so he couldn't read the expression on my face. "Yes," I lied.

"I highly beg to differ," he retorted.

"You know what?" I snapped, and turned sharply back to him. "I hate you. I hate you, Edward Cullen."

"And why do you hate me?" he smiled.

"Do you think this is funny?" He just continued to smile at me. "I am not your little personal joke, Edward. What you pulled tonight wasn't funny?"

"And what was that?"

"You pulled on my heart. You made me feel different. But I can see that is was just your own joke." I rambled on and on.

"Miss Swan, you are mistaken," he said softly. "You see, tonight wasn't a joke."

"Did you mean it when you said you loved me?" I held my breath for his answer.

"Bella, I meant every word I said, tonight."

I threw my hands to my sides and walked away from him. "And now I am supposed to believe that?"

"I don't know considering that you don't even believe that I'm real," he pointed out.

"No, no. It's because you are too perfect. I hate you, because all I think about is you. Edward, when I dance with Jacob, the only person I think of is you. I see you in my dreams almost every night. In the back of my mind, there you are," I voice rose in volume. "And in my heart, there was always a place, waiting for you to come in and fill me. But, Edward, I have been hurt before and I don't want to be hurt anymore!"

I continued to prattle about the silly things that get me upset with Edward, but he began to approach me, dropping his sweater onto his couch. "And the stupidest thing you ever made me do was wish on this measly little star! I wished that I would make the right decision with you and – and – and…will you stop smiling at me?"

He was in my face now and I was still mad. "Did your wish come true?" he asked while he softly touched my cheek.

"How am I suppose to –" Before I knew it, his lips were on mine, but I was hesitant to follow. I wasn't sure what his intentions were for this, but finally I gave in again. This kiss was better than the one from earlier because there was no force behind it.

Finally, Edward pulled away from me, with his forehead resting on my mine. He was grinning broadly, and I couldn't help but smile back. How could he have this much power over me? "I'm going to ask you again. Did your wish come true?"

Instead of verbally answering, I threw myself at him. I eagerly kissed him back.

A smile rose on his lips. "I take that as a 'yes' then," he mumbled on my lips and I nodded.

"I still hate you, though," I said as I pulled my mouth from his and casually poked his chest.

"Why me?" His eyes widened in shock.

"Because…because, you're Edward. That's why. Where do we go from here? You have me, now, so what do you want do you want to do with me?"

"I am simply a co-pilot; I fly under your orders," he smiled while going back to his window and looking out at the rain.

"It always rains in Seattle," I grumbled while following him. "Why are you so captivated by the rain?" I came to his side and looked at the fulguration in the sky.

"Bella, you aren't the only one who was hurt before…"he began ignoring my last question. I rested my head under his arm as he embraced me. "Remember Cindy?" I nodded against his body. "Well, she actually broke my heart.

"You see, she and I were more than just friends in high school. She was my sweetheart. But when graduation came about, I was moving into my own place, and naturally she followed. But soon after we moved, she became distant from me. Not returning my calls. Coming home late. Breaking dates because she was hanging out with friends until the early morning. She would come in around breakfast time the next day and wouldn't be able to provide an explanation.

"One night I came home early from a dance class to find another guy in my house. Cindy and I had a fight and eventually she walked out. Come to find out, she was secretly dating someone else. I lost my trust in her and eventually began to pour my heart and soul into dancing.

"Finally my heart moved on – slowly, but surely. I still consider her part of my life, a chapter in which there was a lesson learned."

There was so much sadness in his voice, that I almost cried, but I wiped the tears away before they could spill over. "What did you learn?"

"I learned…how to move on and love again. And you were the one who opened my heart back up." His voice perked back up.

I smiled and considered his words. "You know, you helped open my heart, too."

"What happened?"

"In high school, I was dating a guy. I really liked him, but I guess he didn't feel the same. Everything, he said was apparently a lie. So, I had to rebuild my trust with people. I only recently started to come back out again, and live life the way I used to."

None of us spoke for a while. Then he kissed the top of m hair before saying, "Not all of us, are bad guys."

"I know that, now. And you helped me learn that." I released myself from his loving hold and ambled towards the couch. "So, seriously, what do, now? What would people think when they found out?"

He strolled to his couch and sat next to me, taking my head in his. "I guess we will find out when the time comes. But, let's not worry about those things. Bella, all that matter is that we have each other."

"Yes, but -"

He placed a finger to my lips. "You worry too much. Just let those things be and when they arise, we will deal with them – together."

I nodded and trusted him.

"I love you," I whispered, before drawing my mouth back onto his. He was eager for me to because he arms wound around my waist, pressing me onto him. I rose up and placed my knees on the couch so I was leveled with him. He lowered his self down onto the couch so that I was on top. "Don't ever let me go," I breathed.

"I won't" he vowed, while he lips softly came down to my collarbone. His hands wandered as they memorized all of curves as I desperately tried to memorize his body.

"Edward, will you love me?" I asked.

"Now and forever," he whispered, while bringing me down with him.

But I rested on his chest, lying on top of him. "I am curious, now. What did you do after that night in the studio?" I was a little wary of what his response would be.

He stroked my back, breathing steadily. "Do you really want to know?"

"Yes!"

He sighed. "That night, I went home and looked out of my window. I picked out a star that reminded me of you and I wished. But my wish was answered when I spoke it. It was just a matter of time, before you answered your own."

"I guess that is another lesson learned. Along with not playing with emotions…" I giggled.

He chuckled. "Yes. That is something you learned. You're a silly girl, you know that?"

"Yes, but I'm your silly girl. Now and Forever."

We sat in silence listening to each other's breathing, before Edward started to hum "Whatever Lola Wants" into my ear.

Slowly, I found myself drifting under a wave of sleep – induced by Edward's soothing melodic voice. There wasn't a dream, because my dream was resting right underneath me.