A/N: Sooooo sorry for the long delay. I have been so busy in the last week. It's amazing that I have the time to get this chapter written at all. I went and saw The Dark Knight and was slightly disappointed that the TWILIGHT trailer that was rumored to be attached to the film wasn't shown in our theaters here. Anyway, it was a great movie, so if you get the opportunity, check it out.

Now, back to the story. As you may remember, Bella, Edward, and the gang went to the Valentine's Day Dance on the night before Bella's birthday. After the dance Mike acted like a moron and tried to push Bella into something she wasn't comfortable with. They broke up (which made many of you happy). She went upstairs and cried herself to sleep.

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing TWILIGHT related. But this is my story. I hope you like it.

BPOV

February 12

I was walking down the hallway of Forks High. Everywhere I looked I saw couples making out in the hallway. I saw Mike come out of a classroom and look at me like I had leprosy. I tried to catch back up to him, but he kept walking away from me just fast enough that I was unable to catch him. Finally he stopped and turned around. He looked at me, then over my shoulder and smiled. Suddenly, a wave of blonde hair whipped passed me and a tall blonde wrapped her arms and legs around Mike. I stood shocked in place as I watched Mike and this girl make out in the hallway in front of me. Finally they broke apart, and there stood Lauren and Mike holding onto one another. Lauren walked up to me and leaned in toward my ear to whisper something. "See Bella, I can always take any guys away from you. You are nothing but a common little girl. And I am a true woman. You will never be able to keep a man interested in you."

I sat up breathing hard. The dream was exactly what I had known since Edward and I broke up. I wasn't ready to date anyone. I wasn't ready to be with a guy. There was no way that any guy in high school would want to date me when girls like Lauren and Jessica were around and willing to help them in their frustrations. I laid back down and faced the wall. I could feel the tears streaming down my face once again. I buried my face into my pillow so my parents and Emmett wouldn't hear my sobs. I somehow found sleep again, but it was restless and easily interrupted by simple sounds.

I was awakened hours later to the soft touch of fingertips wiping tears from my cheek. I was embarrassed that my mother had come into my room and found me like that. "I'm okay mom. I just had a bad dream. A really bad dream. I'll be fine." I kept my eyes closed and tried to turn back to face the wall. Renee wasn't getting on my nerves, because she didn't leave and she stayed sitting on my bed. Her arm was keeping me from turning around.

Just as I was about to open my eyes, I felt a hot breath near my ear and a sweet velvety voice spoke into my ear. "Bella. You promised to never lie to me. I know you, and I know that this is more than a bad dream if it has you still in bed at 2 in the afternoon. Tell me what is wrong." Edward was leaning over me when I finally opened my eyes. He had a sad smile on his face as he looked down at me.

"It's nothing I can't handle Edward. You didn't need to come over here." I told him. I hoped he would believe me, but I was the world's worst liar, and he saw right through my statement.

"Bella… Didn't we promise to be honest with one another? Please tell me what's wrong. Maybe I can help." Edward was starting to look concerned.

"Fine. Mike and I broke up last night." We sat silently for a while until the only sounds were coming from our breaths and animals outside my window.

Edward had a strained expression when he finally spoke. "What happened. I thought you told me you two were happy."

"We were. I mean, I thought we were. I don't know. After the dance, he drove me home…" I stopped. I didn't think Edward would want the gritty details. "He just decided that I wasn't the girl for him anymore." I finished lamely.

"Bella. What happened? You're not telling me the whole truth." Edward sat patiently while I searched my walls, looking for anything to distract me from telling Edward what was on my mind.

"Fine… He drove me home and we were happy. Then we stopped in front of the house. Mike leaned over and kissed me. Which was fine. I mean, we've kissed before, so it wasn't a big deal. Then, when I went to pull away, Mike's hand went behind my head and kept me pressed against him. I could feel his hands starting to wander and I was able to pull away. He accused me of basically being a tease. I know he heard those rumors back in November, but I thought he liked ME. I guess he wanted a 'more mature' relationship, and I wasn't ready for that. So we broke up." I looked back at Edward finally and was surprised to see that his face was turning red.

"Edward… are you all right?" I asked finally.

Edward stood and started pacing around the floor at the foot of my bed. He mumbled to himself, but I couldn't catch what he was saying. Finally he turned back to me. He spoke through his gritted teeth. "Did that boy hurt you? Did he?" He was practically strangling a yell in his throat.

"N… nnn…no," I stuttered.

"But he didn't respect you. You told him no, and he pushed you, like he knew what was best, like he knew better than you?" Edward was starting to lose his temper.

"Edward. I'm fine really. I just… I'm fine."

"No, you're not. You were crying in your sleep. That doesn't constitute as fine. That pretty much proves that you are not fine. Mike deserves to pay for this. He deserves to be utterly humiliated. I could kill him. I could wrap my hands around his pathetic little neck and squeeze the dismal excuse of life out of him. He doesn't deserve to live after what he did to you. I could hit him with a really big car, as long as that doesn't hurt the car of course. I could…"

"EDWARD!" I shouted. Edward stopped his pacing and finally looked back at me.

"Edward… You don't have to do anything. Mike is always going to be an ass. Nothing you do to him is going to change the fact that we broke up last night or the fact that Mike will always be an ass. I'm just sorry I didn't find out sooner. I'll be fine. I promise you that." I looked as sincere as possible.

"Bella, you don't deserve to just be fine. You deserve to be happy, and that jerk didn't make you happy. He deserves to pay for making you upset. I will hurt him for making you cry. You should never have to cry." He reached over as he sat on my bed once more to pull me into a big hug.

"Edward. You're doing enough. I mean, knowing that you're willing to commit assault or something is enough to make me laugh. I mean, to think you could be able to hurt or kill someone is just hilarious. You're a sweet guy, Edward. I don't deserve to have you as a friend. You're too good to me." I placed a quick kiss on his cheek. As I pulled away, I noticed Edward had a large grin on his face.

"That's where you're wrong, Bella. I don't deserve you as a friend. You deserve so much better than me."

Edward and I were soon laughing at nothing while we sat in my bedroom. Finally I excused myself so I could take a quick shower. I let the warm water wash away all the lousy feelings I had been keeping to myself since last night. Finally, the water started turning cooler. I wrapped myself in a towel and dressed quickly. I walked back to my room and saw Edward sitting on my bed. Beside him was a tray with breakfast foods and a small, red gift box. I looked at him slightly confused.

"Well, I figured that you may actually be a bit hungry. And, it is your birthday after all, so I had to give you your present. I mean, that's why I came over here in the first place, actually."

I smiled in spite of my miseries, and walked over to where the food sat. I ate my eggs and bacon while Edward watched me and playfully made fun of my eating habits. Finally I held the red box in my hands. I recognized the box as a jewelry box, but had no idea what to expect inside. I looked at Edward as I opened the box. I kept my eyes on his until the box was fully opened. I took a deep breath and finally looked down at what was inside the box.

My mouth hung open. Inside was a gorgeous necklace and earring set. The earrings were simple amethyst studs, my birthstone. The necklace was a silver "B" in fancy writing with a small amethyst stud in the center of the letter. I gaped at the jewelry. It was simple, but elegant at the same time. Edward knew I didn't like flashy things, but this was something I could wear anytime. It took me a moment to realize that Edward was still watching my reaction. I looked back up at him and smiled.

"So, do you like it?" he asked unsure of himself for once.

"No. I don't like it," I told him honestly.

Edward looked a little shocked and confused. "Um, well… I know you don't normally wear jewelry, but I figured that maybe… I don't know. I can take it back and get you something else that you like instead…" His hand reached out towards the box, but I was able to snatch it away from him.

"Edward, I don't like this gift, I love it. It's perfect. Thank you." I smiled up at him as he realized what I was saying.

He got an evil grin on his face and he pounced on me. Soon he was on top of me tickling my sides as I laughed and cried hysterically until finally he allowed me up. We spent the rest of the afternoon watching movies downstairs in the living room. I first had him help me put the necklace around my neck. I didn't plan on taking it off. It was a gift from my very best friend.

That night, as I was laying down to sleep, I realized that what had started out as one of the worst days of my life, turned into one of the best birthdays. And I had to thank Edward for that, because he truly was the best friend I'd ever had and probably would ever have.

A/N: Again I'm sorry that this chapter took so long to get put up, but I will try to have chapter 12 up tonight or tomorrow. Hope this was worth the wait. please review and let me know.