Disclaimer - Twilight characters belong to Stephanie Meyer

A/N: Sorry about the delay had technical difficulties loading it.

So, what did you think of last chapter?

The song at the end of this chapter needs to be played when

you get to that point. It'll make it so much better.

Avril Lavinge - Slipped Away live version.


BPOV

Before James started the engine I remembered my purse and our lunches that I left sitting on the floor of his truck.

"Hold up, James, I need to grab my stuff out of your truck."

"I could get it for you."

I leaned over and kissed him quickly. "Thank you, but I'll get it." I ran to his truck and grabbed our lunches and my purse before hopping back in. As I was climbing in the jeep my cell phone rang.

"Hello, brother. What did you forget?" I teased.

"Hey, Bella."

"Edward?"

"Yea. How did your night go?" I blushed at his question and smiled at James.

"I had a great night." James met my eyes and blew me a kiss. "How was yours?"

"Long," he paused briefly. "Umm, I was wondering, has Emmett called you today?"

"Yeah, he called and said he needed a ride back to town. James and I are driving up there to go get him." I was trying to juggle the phone, my purse and our lunches at the same time but was having difficulty so I switched the phone to speaker and set it on the seat.

"Oh… I was in the shower when he called. He left a message and asked if I would drive up there, I was getting ready to head out but he must have called you when he didn't hear back from me right away."

"I'm not sure, it was like fifteen minutes ago." I buckled my seat belt and smiled over at James. "James and I were going to head to the beach before he called."

"James, huh," he muttered. I heard Edward breathing into the speaker and waited for him to talk, but he remained silent.

After a minute or two I heard Edward sigh heavily. "Are you going to ride up there with James to get them?"

I noticed James' hands tighten around the steering wheel and wondered what he was thinking about. "Yea, we just pulled out of the driveway."

Edward groaned heavily and I heard a loud noise in the background. "Are you ok? What was that bang?"

"Nothing..." he mumbled rudely. "I guess I'll see you when you get back, I'm going to call Emmett."

"Ok, well I'll talk to you later, Edward." He was quiet again; I almost thought he had hung up.

"Bye, Bella."

"Bye."

Ok, weirdest phone call ever. It didn't make sense for Edward to act the way he was. Last night he acted strange the whole time we were in the limo and now with the phone call he sounded so distant, like our connection had been broken. We were always close to each other but I didn't get that vibe from him on the phone. His tone had changed after I told him James and I were picking up my brother. Maybe he wanted to drive up there? I bet he wanted to do something in Port Angeles and us getting Emmett, ruined his plans. His actions last night were probably him being drunk or something… I stopped trying to figure it out and figured I'd ask him about it when I got back.

I reached over the center console and held on to James' hand. I raised our hands a little and tilted my head down to kiss his knuckles, which made him sigh quietly. Just then my phone buzzed.

'Sorry if I snapped at you… had a long night – E'

"Who was that," James asked.

"Edward, he apologized for snapping at me."

'Don't worry about it, hope you're ok – B'

I clutched onto James' fingers and stared out my window before my phone buzzed again; I glanced over at James before I released his hand, muttered a "Sorry," and read the text.

'I should have walked you to your door last night – E'

Where the hell did that come from?

"Was that Edward?" James sneered. "What did he want?"

"I'm not sure, he texted me something random, about how he should have walked me to the door last night." I heard James huff in annoyance, just as my phone buzzed yet again.

"What did he say now?" James was clearly irritated.

'You really did look beautiful last night, Bella – E'

I read him the text and typed a reply to Edward.

'Thank you…again…lol…and I got inside just fine – B'

I lifted my eyes from my phone, when I felt the jeep slow down. "What are we doing?" We had only gone a few miles when James pulled off of the highway and turned down a small gravel road.

He put the engine in park after he found a spot behind some trees and unbuckled his seat belt. As he got out of the jeep, he slammed the door behind him. I unbuckled my seat belt and opened my door. My feet didn't even touch the ground before James had his arms lifting me up and attached his mouth to mine. I wrapped my legs around his waist and deepened the kiss. I increased my hold on him when he started to walk, then I heard him open the back of the jeep. He set my body down and used his weight to push me on my back. He started to grind his hips against my center and caused me to moan in his mouth. We were making out like a bunch of horny teenagers on some back road in the middle of nowhere…. And it felt great.

I raised my hips in time with his thrust trying to create more friction, but I wanted more. I pulled his body closer into mine and squeezed my legs around him tighter. I moaned again as his teeth nipped at my lip. His hands had traveled underneath me and made their way to the back of my head. He started to increase the force of his thrusts and his hands fisted around the hair at the back of my neck.

His grip tightened and he started to slam his hips into mine, which was not feeling good anymore. It had started to hurt. I tried to move my mouth away from his to tell him but he forced my head to stay in place. I opened my eyes hoping he would be able to see my discomfort but the look on his face scared me even more. He looked crazed and pissed off, his hands were pulling too tight and his hips were slamming too hard I couldn't help but cry out.

"Ow, James, it's hurting," I wasn't able to mask the pain in my voice but it had managed to stop his movements.

He removed his hands from my hair, bringing them to my caress my face.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

I sucked in some air and nodded my head, "It's ok, it was just a little too rough."

He kissed my lips gently and made a trail down my chin and around my neck until his tongue was flicking my earlobe. He nipped lightly at the skin beneath my ear and ground his hips once more into mine.

"I love you, Bella." He said and met my eyes. "You know that right?"

"Yes," I said nodding my head. "I love you, too,"

"You know I would do anything for you, right?" His lips started kissing my neck again.

I nodded my head.

"Would do you anything for me?" His voice sounded soft and innocent in between his kisses.

"Of course, James," I said incredulously.

"If you want…" he paused and I moaned as his teeth bit down on my shoulder the same time his erection pressed against my center, gentler this time. He rocked his hips, bringing another moan from me before he stopped and pulled back the top part of his body. I raised my hips wanting to feel more of him but his weight kept me from moving. He continued as he alternated kissing and licking my neck, "to be with me…" He brought his face directly in front of mine, our noses lightly touched together as he inhaled my scent. "You need to promise me…" his eyes darkened suddenly and his hands gripped my hair tightly once more, his voice deep and menacing, "that you'll stay the fuck away from Edward."

"What?" My eyebrows rose in confusion.

"You need to stay the fuck away from Edward." He said calmly but his eyes never changed from cold and daunting as he stared at me.

"James," I whispered, puzzled by his demeanor. "What… I don't understand… you can't ask me that."

He lifted my body into a sitting position, my legs dangling over the edge of the jeep, feet resting on the bumper and grabbed hold of my chin hard.

"Stay the fuck away from him," he growled out and squeezed harder.

He kept hold of my chin and the more he squeezed the more it hurt. Tears filled my eyes and I shook my head. "James… what's the matter? Edward is like my brother, you can't ask me that," I sobbed loudly.

"He doesn't think of you as his sister. I see him look at you like he wants to fuck you. I see him find any excuse to touch you, did you forget about Seattle when I had to stand by and watch him cop a feel on your ass." His hand increased the pressure on my chin and I winced but he didn't stop. "I heard him on the phone earlier, he was pissed when you told him you were with me. Now with those fucking texts, you know he fucking wants you."

I shook my head, "No… he wanted to drive up there to get my brother, he had a bad night and was grumpy that's all. Please let go, baby, you're hurting me."

Ignoring my plea he continued with his rant. "I'm not going to share you. You're mine… not his," he screamed out.

I shook my head in agreement and cried out as his fingers gripped my face harshly. "I'm yours, James, now please let go."

"I fucking love you, Bella," he screamed at me.

"I love you, too, James. I swear, only you… please you're scaring me."

"You're mine," he scowled.

I didn't understand what happened to him, he was so sweet and loving this morning. Then suddenly he was like a crazed maniac, rough and mean... He was breathing hard and his eyes were callous and cruel. His eyes were not the same ones that looked at me this morning while we made love. He removed his hands from my face, placed them at my hips and jerked my shorts off my body vigorously. His hands were not gentle as he pushed me onto my back and ripped my underwear off.

I yelped loudly when he tore the fabric from my body. "Please stop, James," I cried. "This isn't you… you're scaring me." My body shook violently from the uncontrollable sobs, but he wouldn't stop. His eyes were blank, like he wasn't even seeing me. I grew more afraid with each second that passed. My hands gripped onto his arms in an attempt to make him quit but he had easily over powered me. "You're hurting me, James!" I screamed loudly, tears pouring down my face.

And then… like a flip of a switch, he stopped, his face had softened and I was in his strong arms being rocked tenderly. His hands rubbed soothing patterns on my back as he whispered comforting words in my ear. "I didn't mean it, I love you." I felt him kiss my head a few times. "Fuck, I'm so sorry, Bella."

I cried in to his neck while he rocked me back and forth, my arms flung around him, desperate for the comfort, as his fingers stroked my hair tenderly.

He kissed the top of my head and pulled back to wipe away my tears that continued to flow freely. Gone were the cold, heartless orbs from moments ago, and replaced with the soft blue eyes I had fallen in love with.

"I'm sorry baby, please stop crying."

"You sc…sc…cared me, James," I stuttered though my sobs.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to, baby, but… Don't you see, Bella," he murmured softly. "Don't you see what you mean to me, just the thought of someone wanting to steal you away from me, drives me crazy. I love you. I can't live without you."

"I love you, too, James," I cried quietly.

"I'm sorry, baby," he whispered and kissed me softly. His hands held my face gently and his lips moved against mine lightly. He didn't try to deepen the kiss; he kept it soft and sweet. "I love you Bella, tell me you forgive me."

"I do…. But… you can't ever… scare me like that again," I hiccupped between words.

"I won't, sweetie... I'm so fucking sorry." He kissed me again a little more passionately than before. I brought my up his shoulders and ran my fingers through his hair. James cupped my face tenderly, his thumbs rubbing back and forth against my chin, while his fingers stroked my jaw and neck soothingly. "Please, don't leave me. You can't ever leave me."He kissed me repeatedly until I parted my lips allowing him to deepen the kiss. My body started to heat up and I moaned in his mouth as his fingers found their way down to my sex.

James caressed my folds and had me quivering in his arms until I cried out with my orgasm. He kissed my neck until my breathing had calmed and watched my face as he unbuttoned his pants, his eyes were silently asking permission to carry on. I shyly nodded and moved my hands to help with his zipper. He reached into his back pocket while I pulled his pants and boxers down, freeing his very erect shaft. My hand wrapped around the velvety skin and moved slowly up and down his length. James bent down to kiss me and pressed his chest against mine to lay me down on my back. He lifted his body off me long enough to roll the condom on and place the head of his cock in my entrance. I gasped the moment he made contact with my sex, which still throbbed from my earlier orgasm. He inched his way slowly inside of me while lowering his body and eagerly kissed my lips.

The minute he was fully sheathed inside, he pulled his lips away and made eye contact with me.

"Can you see how perfect we fit together?" He groaned and began to rock his hips. "You were made for me, Bella. I won't let anyone come between us." His thrusts started to speed up and the heat that was overtaking my body began to flow like an electrical current in my veins.

"I love you so much, Bella."

"I love you too, James," I moaned as he moved in and out of me and the muscles in my stomach began to tighten. My fingers tingled and my toes had the sudden urge to curl upwards. My breathing became ragged and my entire body shook as the intensity of my orgasm broke free. I lost my sense of sight and sound, my body only concentrating on the waves of pleasures exploding from my core. I screamed out as the explosion hit its peak and slowly lowered my jello like arms down to my sides. As my body started to function again I felt James' breath caress the skin on my neck as his hips pushed him in and out of me.

"Promise me, Bella… promise you'll stay away from him," he whispered, sliding his body in and out.

"James, he's my brother…" I begged. My hands went to his head, running my fingers through his hair. "I can't do that."

"I know that… fuck" he shouted in my neck and picked up his pace. "I hate the way he looks at you." He slammed into me harder, creating intense pressure against my clit and caused waves of euphoric electricity to ripple down my spine. "I hate the way he touches you." His fingers clenched onto the hair behind my neck and forced my body to arch off the trunk bed. His lips went straight to my fully exposed throat, licking and kissing along my flesh. "You're mine…" He continued to pound into me, building up another orgasm inside of me, "He can't have you."

"James… oh god… he doesn't…. want me… mmm, right there," I moaned.

"Does that feel good, Bella," he slammed into me a little harder. My body immediately seized up and the energy waves that had been building up in my core, exploded, I felt my walls contract around him, squeezing him tightly. I cried out his name and clawed my fingers on whatever skin I came in contact with. He pulled back to study my face as my body started to settle back down.

He brought his lips down to mine and rocked his body harder against me. "I don't want to hurt anyone, Bella," his voice pleaded to me. I wasn't sure what he meant, my brain was still foggy from my orgasm and the feel of his cock sliding in and out of me kept me from thinking clearly. "Don't make me hurt him, Bella," his voice was void of emotion, his eyes were blank, sending a cold chill down my body. I grabbed on tight as I felt James' movements become frantic, the muscles in his back tightened and he kissed me intensely as his body found his release, and he cried out in my mouth.

I held him until his breathing calmed down and ghosted my fingers down the muscles in his back, feeling his body relax above me. He kissed my lips warmly before he stood up and tossed the condom into the bushes. He fixed his pants and helped me step back into my shorts, minus the underwear. His hands gripped my ass and he lifted my body out of the back of the jeep, shutting it behind us. My arms went to his shoulders and my legs wrapped around his waist as he walked me to my door. My body was delicately pressed against the side of the jeep and he rested his forehead against mine.

"If you tell me there's nothing going on with him, then I'll believe you," he sighed loudly.

"I promise, James. Edward has never done anything inappropriate to me," I rubbed my thumb over his cheek, in way to try and comfort him.

"I know what I see when he looks at you, but I'll try really hard to ignore it, unless he touches you Bella," he growled out the last part. "I don't want to hurt anyone, baby, especially you." He pulled his face back and looked me in the eye. "If he EVER touches you like he did in Seattle," his eyes clenched shut and his hands gripped tighter on my body. I planted soft kisses on the side of his face and continued to rub my thumbs along his cheekbones.

He took a few deep breathes before he opened his eyes and sneered. "If he ever touches you like that again, I will kill him, Bella. Nobody will stop me from breaking his fucking neck. You. Are. Mine." He crashed his lips to mine and kissed me fiercely, sucking my lip in between his teeth, biting and licking until I needed air and pulled away.

He set me down carefully, when he had finished his assault on my mouth and helped me in the jeep. He was the sweet James again; he buckled my seatbelt, gently stroked my face and whispered his love for me. We drove in silence which allowed me to ponder over James' behavior and insane mood swings today. I also thought about what he said about Edward. I didn't believe that he would actually kill him but it wasn't the first time he threatened this and I had no doubt in my mind that he would hurt him if he wanted to.

I just needed to find a way to help prevent episodes like today. If I could find what triggered them, I'd be able to calm him and possibly prevent them in the future. It wasn't his fault he reacted to his anger that way, he never had any one to show him patience or coping mechanisms. I knew he loved me and I loved him and there was no way I'd give up on him. I understood James behavior was a result from the abuse he was subjected to by his dad, he didn't mean to scare me or hurt me today. Our love would be enough to help him overcome his trust and anger issues; it was going to take time though and lots of reassurance from me, but I wasn't going anywhere. I was in for the long haul.

I smiled over at the man who held my heart and sighed contently as I watched his face. "I love you, James." I reached over and took his hand in mine.

"I love you, too," he said quietly.

He looked at me with a broken expression and spoke with a sad voice. "Are you really ok, Bella... Are we ok?"

I stretched my body over the console and wrapped my arms awkwardly around him. I wanted to comfort him, but he also needed to watch the road.

"I'm fine, James. You didn't hurt me too bad, for the most part you just scared me." My lips pressed against his cheek before I sat back in my seat. "And I already forgave you."

"I am sorry again, Bella… it's just… there's no excuse what so ever for me being rough with you," he glanced over at me making sure I understood him. "But look at it from my point of view for a moment. If you constantly had to watch some girl, look at me like she wanted to be with me or grab my ass or rub her hands over my body, then she pretended to be my sister, how would you feel?" His voice was so timid his face held a pained expression when he looked over at me. "Then imagine how you would feel if you brought it to my attention and I shrugged it off, dismissed your feelings like you were overreacting. What would that do to you, Bella?"

I sat quietly and stared out the windshield. I was in complete shock hearing his explanation. I never once stop to really think about the situation from James point of view. I shrugged it off because it was Edward; he was a brother to me. But the mere thought of another girl touching James, dropped my heart into my stomach. It felt like I couldn't breathe as I thought about him allowing some girl to touch him. It was even worse to know he assumed I dismissed his feelings, which was not the case at all, but it didn't change the fact that I made him feel that way. I suddenly felt like the world's biggest asshole.

"I am so sorry, James," I spoke through my tears. "I never thought of it like that."

"I didn't mean to make you cry I only wanted to let you know how I feel about it all," he said sincerely.

"I need you to know that I NEVER once dismissed your feelings, it was just hard for me to see Edward as being a threat to you because… well, he's a brother." I tightened my hold on his hand. "I can't kick him out of my life, James… he is family…. But I swear I will make every conscious effort to not be overly affectionate towards him. It was so normal for me to sit on his lap if we were watching movies, or hold his hand if we were walking down the street. I didn't stop to think how that could be interpreted as something more than friendly."

"I believe you, Bella. I want you to know that. But you have to be careful and more aware of the effect you have on guys. I love that you are so innocent you don't take notice of them staring at you, but I'm telling you this so you can be prepared. Guys check you out every day. They are sneaky about finding ways to touch you." He kept his tone light but very serious. "I'm not telling you to change your behavior because it's not what you do, it's absolutely, on hundred percent their faults." He pulled on my hand making me move closer towards him. I shifted my body to the side and leaned over so he could plant a few chaste kisses to my lips. "I'm asking you to not be alone with them. If your brother or me can't be around then don't put yourself in that position to be taken advantage of, baby."

"I won't, James."I kissed him once more and returned to my seat.

"I love you, Bella," he breathed peacefully. "You're it for me."

"I love you, too. I can't imagine not being with you." His fingers traced invisible patterns on my cheeks before he turned back to watch the road.

"Alright, enough of this sappy shit," he teased and winked at me. "What songs are you going to sing for the graduation party?"

"I already told you about the song I wrote… Edwards going to be playing the piano for that one please don't be uncomfortable."

"I told you I'm going to try and ignore my jealousy, but if he fucking touches you inappropriately, Bella…"

"He won't, baby," I assured him.

"Ok… what others are you going to sing?"

We carried on our conversation about the music choices until we pulled up to the hotel. I had texted Emmett when we got to Port Angeles so he and Rosalie were waiting on the patio outside when we arrived.

I laughed as soon as I saw my brother. He was dressed in his football jersey, blue holey jeans, smiling like a fool with an incredibly big, red velvet crown on his head. Rosalie rolled her eyes when I opened the door and snapped a picture with my phone.

"Don't encourage him, Bella," she mocked annoyance. "He hasn't taken that fucking thing off."

"Shut up, wench," my brother said in his best Englishman voice, flowed by a whack upside his head. I slapped a hand over my mouth to hold in my laughter and I heard James behind me disguising his as a cough. Emmett huffed and reached down to grab their bags.

I doubled over in laughter when my brother looked at Rosalie then to me and in his best Rodney Dangerfield voice, "Even as king I get no respect." My brother was great at impersonations and that one was fucking brilliant. Even Rosalie was laughing as she opened her door and got in the jeep.

Emmett wanted to drive so he and Rosalie sat up front, which allowed James and I to sit together in the back. They told us about their night and how Tyler and his date ended up throwing up in the pool, ruining some of the fun. Rosalie and my brother stayed in their room most of the night but heard everyone yelling about the puke.

Mine and Rosalie's phones went off at the same time, as we drove past the Welcome to Forks sign.

"Did Alice just text you?" She asked over her shoulder.

"Yeah. Do you guys want to?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "What else are we gonna do tonight?"

"Do what?" My brother and James asked.

"Alice wants everyone to hang out at her house, so we can practice our songs for the party and maybe play some games tonight."

"Only if they can handle the gun show," Emmett joked and flexed his right arm at Rosalie.

"Shut up, Emmett," she laughed out. "She wants us there at five."

"Ok, I need to change and grab my guitar. Are you going to ride with us?"I asked James.

"Yea, if you guys don't mind."

"It makes the most sense," Emmett replied. "Did you guys eat yet?"

"No, I made us sandwiches but we haven't eaten them yet."

"Well, let's go to the diner after you change," Rosalie suggested.

I ran to my room and changed into jeans, grabbed my guitar and started to head back out when I noticed my brother and Rosalie were standing in my doorway, both with surprised looks on their faces.

"What?" I asked when they wouldn't speak.

"Where did the flowers come from?" Emmett asked suspiciously…. Crap. I felt my face heat up and immediately looked away. I did not think about my brother seeing the flowers and there was no way in hell I would throw them out. I couldn't tell them James bought them for me, it would ruin everything. I hated lying to my brother, I hated lying period, but it was necessary if I wanted to be with James. I turned back around but kept my eyes on the floor.

"I don't know how they got here." I didn't technically see anyone put them here. "They were here when I got home last night." Nothing was a lie; I was simply withholding information, which made me feel a little better.

I heard Emmett mutter a 'shit' and Rosalie beamed. "Someone has a secret admirer."

"That's not funny, babe," Emmett whined. "Again, why couldn't you be ugly?" Emmett shook his head and walked downstairs, with a smiling Rosalie behind him.

Our trip to the diner was actually pleasant, aside from Emmett's occasional pouts when he'd look at me. He really was a good brother but seriously, did he expect me to be a nun?

"Alright, that's the fifth text from the pixie, time to head out," Rosalie said.

There were about six people already there when we walked in the living room. James and I joined Gavin and Edward who were playing guitars off to the side near the piano.

"So what songs are you going to do?" James asked the guys. I glanced over at him when I heard his voice and was very relieved to see he was actually being nice. I was hoping after our talk in the jeep that he wouldn't hold any animosity towards Edward and he seemed to have been doing good so far.

"We're actually thinking about doing some songs that'll make people laugh," Edward snorted.

Gavin and Edward had three songs to sing together and then each would do two solos. James had two songs he wanted to sing, I'd be doing three. We all went over our song choices a few times and it turned out to be a good little set. I would be the first to perform only because I'm surprising my brother with my song. Edward and James are the only ones who knew about the surprise and I have been crossing my fingers that it would stay that way. I worked really hard on the song and I was anxious to see Emmett's face when I performed it for him.

We stopped and took a stretch break when Alice brought us pizza then went back to practicing. Two hours later people started to join us.

"Are you guys about finished?" Emmett asked as he plopped down on the couch.

"Yea, we're just messing around now," Gavin replied as Esme and Carlisle walked in to join us. I got up and started to walk away when Esme gently tugged on my arm.

"Bella…" she said sweetly, looking up through her lashes. I knew what she wanted and smiled down at her. "Please," she pouted quietly.

"Ok." Esme loved it when I sang her song.

"Yay!" an overly excited Alice shouted into the room and clapped her hands. "Everyone get in here. Bella's going to do moms song."

"Thanks, Alice," I said sarcastically.

"Come on Bella, it'll be good practice for the party." Of course she was right. I didn't mind so much singing for my family, but the entire senior class was invited to the party and I was a little nervous about all those people watching me.

The group filed in one by one and watched me as I sang, Walking After Midnight, but I managed to make it through. I could have done without the applause, but I got them anyway. Esme hugged and thanked me, before she said goodnight and went upstairs.

We hung out for a little while longer, played cards and pool, then drove back home. James snuck a kiss good-bye and told me he'd see me tomorrow. I smiled as I pulled the comforter over me and was immediately engulfed in his scent. I loved that a part of him was with me, it brought back the memories of last night and this morning. The way he touched me and kissed me, the song he sang to me, the way his body felt against mine, I flushed all over thinking about our time together. I fisted my hands in the comforter and inhaled deeply, his smell had me asleep in no time.

Monday at school was incredibly boring. All the seniors were finished and that left Alice and I alone at school. I didn't like not having them there, I would normally hear my brother's laugh or see them in the hallways during the day. It was strange; the school seemed so empty without them.

I never hung out with anyone at school outside of our group and felt nervous when people would approach me. I kept my face down as I walked and smiled politely when they'd try to talk to me. I recognized a few of the guys, from the baseball and football team.

It seemed every time I was at my locker a new face would come and say hi. Most of the week I had someone walking me to class and trying to sit with Alice and I at lunch. A lot of the conversations were about the party coming up, and figured that was why people were approaching me all day. No one wanted to miss the party will all the hype Alice was putting out there. Stuff had died done Wednesday after lunch, I had noticed. Usually there would be someone walking me to class or waiting at my locker and I was relieved things had stopped.

However, all the attention I had been getting might have amplified my paranoia; I had an eerie feeling that I was being watched. I would get this chill up my spine and felt the hairs on my neck prickle. A few times when I turned around to see if I was being followed I swore I saw a person duck out of the way. Thursday was the same way. I was constantly checking over my shoulder to see if someone was there. When Emmett dropped me off Friday morning the feeling of being watched was much stronger and I mentioned it to Alice when we were clearing out our lockers.

"You know, Bella," she started. "I have been getting a lot of people ask me if you are single. I bet it's just the guys who want to ask you out."

"Arg, don't even say that," I moaned. "I'm glad today is our last day."

"We can take off early if you want, it's not like they can suspend us."

My face beamed. "I think that's the best idea you've came up with all year."

She laughed and we shut our lockers. "I'll call Jasper and have him get us."

"That's not necessary," a familiar voice said from behind us and awakened the butterflies in my stomach.

"James," I smiled.

"What are you doing here?" Alice grinned appreciatively and asked him.

"Just dropped by to grab some stuff from the office," he replied.

"I thought I saw you here yesterday too," she scrunched up her face a little.

"No," he said dismissively. "So, did I hear you guys needed a ride?"

"Yes, we are so done with our freshmen year," Alice squealed.

James and I laughed and the three of us walked through the doors. We loaded into his truck, which was parked down the block for some reason and headed over to Esme's. Alice had called to tell her we left school and Esme said the guys were helping Carlisle build the stage for the party.

Esme was a little worried about redesigning her living room area for the entire guests so she decided to have a stage set up outside under a tent. Alice and her had ordered the decorations and planned on setting them up Thursday, Rosalie and I would help with that.

We joined them inside while James went to help the guys out back. Rosalie and Esme were looking through a menu from the catering service. We tried to convince her not to get any food because most of the kids would have eaten with their families but she insisted on having something for us to eat. Alice and I chose the cake, and then left them alone and went to her room.

"What do you plan to do for the summer?" I asked her as she started to brush my hair.

"Not sure," she shrugged. "I'll probably work on my fashion sketches. Mom was talking about these classes in Seattle that I could take. They help with your drawing technique but also teach you more about working with fabric and body movement."

"That should be fun," I told her. "When do they start?"

"The end of June, twice a week for six weeks. Mom said she'll go with me. What are you doing this summer?"

"Mrs. Anderson said she could use my help in the store. It took me weeks of convincing her not to put me on payroll. It's not like I need the money, she'll be helping me out with school credits and besides I get first dibs on any book that comes in the store."

She giggled, "I love my nerdy best friend."

"And I love my overtly ADHD best friend." We laughed together."Hey show me some of your new sketches."She beamed and jumped up to grab her book.

We flipped through the pages and she explained what type of fabric she wanted for each one. It amazed me how many forms of silk were out there. And her color pallet was phenomenal. What I knew about poets, she knew about the combinations of blue.

"These are amazing, Alice," I exclaimed. It was remarkable how good she was.

"You think so?" She asked excitedly. I nodded and we flipped through more pages.

"Have you written any new songs?"

"Yeah," I sighed and looked down.

"What's wrong?" She asked concerned with my reaction.

"It's nothing, I've just… I've written a few songs…." Decided that I was going to confess my surprise I met her eyes. "You have to promise not to tell anyone ok?" I pleaded.

Her head bobbed animatedly and she used her fingers to lock her lips together, very Alice like.

I giggled at her childlike behavior and told her about my brothers' surprise.

"He's going to love it Bella. Do I get to hear it?"

"I kind of want it to wait for the party," I replied reluctantly.

"That's ok. I know it's going to be great." She clapped her hands. "Is that the only thing you've written?"

I looked down at my hands and shook my head sadly. "No, I wrote a song about my parents."

She leaned her head against my shoulder and nodded. I could hear her stopping herself from talking and knew she wanted to ask it but she didn't want to be rude. I chuckled lightly at her restrain and turned my head.

"Do you want to hear it?"

Her eyes lit up and she shook her head yes. I laughed one more time at her and grabbed her hand to climb off the bed. We hooked our arms together and walked to the piano. I could see through the window that everyone was outside working on the deck and then sat down on the bench. Alice stood off to my side and smiled.

"I wrote this after their year anniversary." I said softly and brought my hands to the keys.

Na na
Na na na na na

I miss you
Miss you so bad
I don't forget you
Oh it's so sad.

I hope you can hear me
I remember it clearly.

The day you slipped away.....
Was the day I found
It, won't be the same
Oh

Na na
Na na na na na

I lifted my head when I heard a noise and locked eyes with my brother. He and the rest of the group had walked in and stood watching me as I played. He smiled sadly as he moved to the chair closest to the piano. I looked back down to my fingers and continued the song.

I didn't get around to kiss you
Goodbye on the hand
I wish that I could see you again
I know that I can't oooooh
I hope you can hear me
Cause I remember it clearly

The day you slipped away...

I lifted my head and held my brothers gaze with a soft smile. Although this song was sad, it felt sort of soothing to sing about our loss.

Was the day I found
It, won't be the same
Oh

I've had my wake up
Won't you wake up
I keep asking why.
And I can't take it
It wasn't fake it
It happened you passed by

I turned my head away from my brother and closed my eyes as I let my emotions come through my next words.

Now you're gone
Now you're gone
There you go
There you go
Somewhere I can't bring you back
Now you're gone
Now you're gone
There you go
There you go
Somewhere you're not coming back

The day you slipped away...

Was the day i found
It, won't be the same
Oh

Na na
Na na na na na

I miss you.

"That was beautiful," my brother said and wrapped one arm around my shoulder, bringing me into his side for a hug. "You have a gift, Belly Bear."

"Thank you," I replied and rested my head on his shoulder.

"I mean it, your words… they were my thoughts… you explained how I feel," he choked out. I could tell he didn't want to cry. "Your voice is incredible, the entire thing gave me chills…. But in a good way, sis."

I nudged his shoulder and smiled at him. "Enough with the flattery," I teased. "You don't want my head as big as yours, do you?"

"No," he chuckled softly. "But I meant it about your voice, sis."

"I know you did and thank you, Em."

"Is everyone ready for lunch?" Esme's voice broke through the quiet.

I spent most of the week over at their house helping out where I could, which was mainly helping Esme in the kitchen. I didn't mind. Alice was crazy with her orders and specifications. I would never hear the end of it if I messed up the decorations or chose the wrong placement for something. It was a lot safer for all of us for me to stay in the kitchen.

James and I would sneak away any chance we got when no one was looking. During that week James and I had made love in my room a couple more times, twice in his truck, once at the beach and twice in his bed, each time strengthening our love for each other.

The night before the party we did a run through of our songs and tested the stage. James sounded great during his rendition of Safetysuit's Anywhere but Here. I was so excited when he told me he was going to sing the song. When we first got together he had me listen to it while we were on the phone one night and I've played it at least once a day since then. He stared at me the entire time he was rehearsing making sure I knew he was singing to me.

After he finished his song I wanted to sneak off with James so I told my brother I wanted to go home.

"Can you wait like twenty more minutes and I'll drop you off on my way to Rosies, her parents wanted us to stay there tonight," he said.

"I can take her on my way home. I'm heading out right now," James told him.

"If you don't mind," Emmett replied. James said no and we loaded in his truck.

It had been easier than I thought for James and I to find ways to be together, everybody was preoccupied with graduation and the party, no one was paying that much attention.

His hands were instantly on me as we entered my room, tearing my clothes from my body. I barely got his pants unbuttoned before he had me up against the door, biting and licking his way down my stomach. He was on his knees and hooked one of my legs over his shoulder.

"I need to taste you," James said in a husky whisper. He plunged his tongue deep inside me, making me gasp out loud. The feeling of his tongue working back and forth turned my body to jello. I lost complete muscle use and slumped against the door. James sensed my dilemma and placed my other leg over his other should, hooking both hands up and around my thighs, holding me in place.

I felt him move slightly and then he was slowly torturing my clit in a circular motion with his thumb. My body was on fire and it didn't take long before I was seeing stars burst around me.

"Fuck," James spoke as he continued to move his mouth against me. "I could… live off… the taste… of you… alone."

Nothing was sexier than when James talked to me while we were intimate. The huskiness of his voice, the vibrations it created against me, had my mind spinning and turned my body to mush.

"Baby, I'm coming again," I screamed as another orgasm ripped through my body arching my back off the door.

He licked and sucked until my orgasm died down, then he stood up and draped my legs around his waist. He had one arm around my waist, holding me against the door while he used his other arm to roll a condom down his length. My breathing didn't have any time to settle before he quickly and forcefully pushed himself inside of me.

"Mine," he growled and I moaned at the sensation of being filled by him.

He pulled me down on him as his hips rocked and thrusted hard and fast, eliciting moan after moan from me. I clawed frantically at his shoulders and attacked his mouth with as much force as I could assemble when James began to swivel his hip in time with his thrust. Each time he would surge upwards, his hips would pivot and rub viciously against my swollen nub. I threw my face into his neck and bit down hard as my body was smashed with another orgasm. James moaned loudly and thrust into me hard three more times, before calling out my name as he came.

Tired and completely spent, James slowly collapsed to the floor, bringing me with him. He rested his head against my chest and placed kisses over my heart while we sat and caught our breath.

"I love you, so much, Bella," he breathed.

"I love you, too, James," I hummed.

"That was fucking incredible, baby."

I giggled and kissed his head. "Thank you."

He chuckled softly and slowly removed himself from inside me. I groaned at the loss of our contact and brought my lips to his.

"Will you stay with me tonight?" I asked him.

He kissed me back and brought his hands to my face. "I couldn't leave if I wanted to."

We showered together and quickly got into bed. We set the alarm for six, to give us enough time for him to leave without us getting caught, then snuggled together under the blankets.

"Goodnight, James," I said into his chest.

"Goodnight, baby." His arms wrapped tighter around me, "I love you."

"I love you."

We made love two more times before he left in the morning to get ready for the ceremony. I wasn't able to go back to sleep without him laying with me and decided to text Alice.

I'm up and bored… what are you doing? – B

Everything!!! When are you coming over?! –A

As soon as someone comes and gets me – B

I put my jeans on and tossed some random shirt on when my phone texted again.

I had strict orders to wake up and get you as soon as possible… hope you're ready. Be there in 5 – E

Lol… what'd she threaten you with? – B

Hair dye in my gel when I least expect it – E

You know the sad part is that it would hurt her more than you – B

How so? – E

When has she ever been a fan of hair dye? – B

Good point – E

I'm ready just gotta brush my hair – B

Out the door – E

Hurry up old man – B

Dammit woman, stop texting me back – E

I laughed and went to the kitchen, tossing two pop tarts in the toaster. I drank a glass of milk and quickly scarfed one pop tart down. Edward showed up looking like he just rolled out of bed and snatched the rest of my breakfast out of my hand.

"Hey," I protested.

"Consider this payment," he teased and walked outside.

"Bully," I yelled as I grabbed my bag and shut the door.

Edward swallowed what was in his mouth before he turned around and winked.

"Bully?" He sneered playfully. "I'll show you bully." Before I could react Edward had me tossed over his shoulder and tickled me til I had tears in my eyes.

"Stop," I cried out. "You're gonna make me pee."

He laughed and set me down, grabbing a hold of me as I began to fall over.

"I came here out of the kindness of my heart and you call me a bully," he mocked hurt.

"You stole my breakfast, then tried to tickle me to death" I laughed out. "So, yes, that makes you a bully."

"Oh come on," he walked with me under his shoulder. "Bully's are mean and you know I love ya."

"Tell that to my empty stomach," I joked.

He laughed as he leaned over and placed a kiss on top of my head before he opened my door and I climbed in. Neither one of us noticed the truck that had been parked around the corner watching my every move.


A/N: Tell me what your thinking people...

I love to know.

Ok, graduation is next