I'm so horrible at updating! I hope you guys don't mind my inconsistency I'm so sorry. School is super crazy. Grade 11 is a huge jump from Grade 10, not to mention the three nights a week I spend at dance. Anyway thank you very much for all the reviews from the last chapter! We're at 486 reviews now and almost 43,000 hits! Wow thank you so much! Can we hit 500 reviews with this chapter! I would be even more ecstatic! Okay so this chapter is called Never Say Never by The Fray (I love this song!) and it sort of has a hidden meaning ;) After another long wait...ENJOY!

P.S. Can you believe New Moon comes out in 12 days?!?! I'm so excited!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything or anyone relating to Twilight

Chapter 21: Never Say Never

BPOV

I sat in the hard plastic chair outside of the dean's office staring at the redness slowly evaporating from my right hand.

Mrs. Cope, resident secretary, was chatting on phone and glancing in my direction every so often. You can have a clean record and then all of the sudden one bad decision can make everyone wary of you.

I didn't really know what I was feeling. I just felt so alone and things just felt so wrong without Edward. I wasn't the kind of person to get into trouble and slap people across the face. That wasn't me.

It scared me to death that one person could affect me so much, even change who I was. I wasn't willingly submitting to the depression that threatened to drag me under, but fighting it took so much energy and willpower. Energy and willpower that I wasn't sure I had anymore.

It felt like after being hit with such a harsh reality everything came into perspective. I was far from my family; the people who attended this school were conniving, self-centered, and vain. What was I even doing here? Who was I kidding coming to a school like this? I don't have money, I don't have fancy clothes, and I certainly didn't think I would have to deal with have the shit I've had to face in my short time here. I didn't belong here.

I was suddenly mad at myself and mentally chastised my inner thoughts. I had to stick it out. I had to show these people that I don't give up in the face of defeat. My boyfriend may have dumped me, and I may have just slapped a girl in the face, but I was not going to lose my dignity. After all, it was all I had left.

I did not need Edward Cullen. I could stand alone. I had been screwed over by a boy before and survived and so help me god I would do it again.

"Dean Franklin will see you now" Mrs. Cope said, eyeing me warily, as if I were a time bomb, set to go off at any moment.

I sighed, stood up, and grabbed my backpack from the floor.

Even as I walked into the Dean's office I couldn't bring myself to regret what I had done. I wasn't the kind of person to get into fights, nor was I one to slap girls in the face, yet here I stood, walking towards the giant oak doors that held my fate.

I wouldn't come undone. I had to establish some sort of control over my life. I was sick of feeling helpless and weak. My heart hurt more than anything but I know that the constant knot would fade and I could get along with my life.

I knocked on the oak doors that led to the Dean's office and held my breath. I heard "Come in" from a strong voice and I entered slowly.

"Bella, could you come and sit down please" he said.

Dean Franklin was a middle-aged man. Late forties at the least. His brown hair had gray flecks throughout it. He was seated in a brown leather chair. A picture of a woman I assumed to be his wife and two children, a boy and a girl, stared up at him from his desk.

I sank down in the chair opposite of his desk, hoping the next words out of his mouth wouldn't seal my fate.

"Bella, I pay special attention to all the scholarship students when they join the school because they seem to have more of a difficult time adjusting to the school environment then some of the other students. I kept an eye on your marks and school activities and you seem to be an extremely humble, well-rounded young lady."

I felt the blush I hated so much creep on my cheeks. So he was just going to tell me that I was well-rounded and let me off with a slap on the wrist?

"However, the recent actions you have displayed are unacceptable. What propelled you to take physical action against Ms. Mallory?" he asked with a concerned look on his face.

I sighed "Look Dean Franklin, I appreciate the whole 'relating to the student to find the inner workings behind the conflict' thing but I'm going to be straight with you. I've had to deal with a ton of stuff the past couple of days and I'm really not in the mood to be psycho analyzed."

He looked slightly taken aback and I bit my lip. "Miss Swan I promise you my intentions were purely to discover the root of this behaviour as it appears to me that you are not the kind of person who slaps other people in the face for no reason." He looked at me pointedly.

I closed my eyes slowly, reopened them and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude but I've just been a bit...on edge recently. I've had to deal with some issues unexpectedly and Lauren said some things to me that were inappropriate and my temper flared. I realize my behaviour was unacceptable and I promise nothing like this will ever happen again. I just beg you; please don't take away my scholarship. This school, this opportunity it's all I have left." I finished quietly.

"Miss Swan I assure you I do not intend to revoke your scholarship. But you must now that the behaviour you exhibited is not acceptable at Weston. I will let you off with a warning, but next time, I implore you to think of the consequences before you act." He said warningly.

"Thank you Dean Franklin I promise it won't happen again!" With a weak smile I grabbed my backpack and quickly exited his office.

I returned to my next class glad that I didn't have a class with Edward or Lauren for the rest of the day. For the first time, my head felt clear. Maybe a talk with the Dean had been what I needed to see that I was screwing up my shot. I had to focus, concentrate on my future. Right now, it was the only thing that mattered.

The next morning was cold, damp, and rainy. I had slept okay the night before, only waking up twice.

I walked slowly to biology despite the heavy rain pouring down on head. I twirled my umbrella mindlessly and glanced at my watch. My heart felt heavy when I realized that I would have to go now or risk being late which I did not want to do.

I walked silently into Biology ignoring the stares of my classmates. I sat at my desk and patiently waited for Mr. Molina to start class. I did not hang my head, I did not shield my face and I did not avert my eyes.

I couldn't help but glance to my right. My eyebrows scrunched together as I took in the sight before me. There sat Edward, next to Lauren who looked equally confused dressed entirely in brown. From the hat on his head, to his shirt, his sweater, his pants, his socks, and his shoes he was completely covered in brown.

I also noticed his gaze staring at me intently. I felt my blush rise to my cheeks and I quickly looked away. His appearance made absolutely no sense to me.

I tried my best to keep my mind focused on Mr. Molina and my work, but it was getting harder and harder as I kept feeling Edward's penetrating gaze staring at me throughout the class. I was grateful because he didn't try to talk to me again today. The response I had attempted to formulate in my mind during class had he tried to talk to me was seemingly not needed which was a good thing because it didn't make any sense anyway.

Class finally ended and I was grateful to exit the room of eyes following my every move. From Edward's curious, obviously upset gaze to Lauren's hateful glare.

I floated through the rest of my morning focusing as best as I could on the rest of my classes. I was actually looking forward to lunch, glad that my friends hadn't ditched me as soon as I became a moody wreck.

I felt bad for putting them through my moods. Despite my attitude recently, they seemed more than happy to see me when I walked up to the table which sat Jasper, Alice, Emmett, and Rosalie.

"Hi guys" I smiled lightly "Mind if I join you?"

"Of course not! Why are you even asking?" Alice said smiling. I quickly sat down beside her sighing in relief.

"So, are you feeling better?" Rosalie asked.

I nodded my head "Yeah, I think I am."

"Happy to see you back on your feet Bella." Jasper said.

"Me too Jazz." I smiled at my friends re-welcoming.

"Well it took you long enough!" Emmett scoffed.

Rosalie slapped him on the head "Emmett!" she glared.

"What? I was kidding! Duh! God Rose learn how to take a joke" he said.

I couldn't help but laugh at Emmett; he could always cheer me up. "So, um, what's with Edward's get-up today?"

"Oh I saw that. So sad. I mean who wears one colour like that? Especially brown! Ew, he could have picked a colour less icky!" Alice exclaimed.

Jasper rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I'll go talk to him" he glanced at me quickly "If that's okay with you Bella."

"No worries Jasper, you guys don't have to not talk to him for me. It's fine I understand you're friends with him too and he didn't do anything to you"

"When he hurt you like that, he pissed us all off Bella" Rosalie said.

Jasper rose from his chair and walked over to Edward who was sitting alone at a table across the cafeteria.

I glanced over my shoulder at their conversation and saw Edward explaining something fiercely and gesturing with his hands. Jasper was nodding with a ghost of a smile on his face.

I turned back to my food and began to pick at my lunch. Would Jasper find out this reasons as to why Edward was dressed all in brown? I engaged in small talk with the rest of the table, eager for Jasper's return.

A few minutes later Jasper returned and sank down in his seat with an amused expression on his face.

"Well it's not exactly how I would do it but I have to admit Edward is definitely getting creative." He said.

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion "What are you talking about?"

"I asked him why he was wearing all brown and he gave me a very long, thorough answer but I will spare you the details. Basically what it comes down to is Edward is wearing all brown because it's his favourite colour."

"What?" Rose said flatly "That's it? That's why he's wearing all brown?"

Jasper inclined his head "He says brown is his favourite colour because it's the colour of Bella's eyes."

My mouth dropped open and I gaped at him. Alice let out a squeak and Emmett snorted in laughter. Rose lips were set in a small smile.

"What? That's why he's wearing all brown? Because it's the colour of my eyes?" I gaped.

Jasper smiled and chuckled slightly "That's what he said"

"Aw, that's so sweet" Alice cooed. "Who knew my brother had it in him?"

"It's unconditional to say the least but still a nice gesture" Rose said nonchalantly.

"Nice gesture?" Emmett snorted "That's the cheesiest thing I've ever heard!"

"Emmett! How can you say that?" I said. "I can't believe he did that for me" I murmured more to myself. I smiled to myself and took one more glance over my shoulder, but Edward was gone.

The rest of the day proceeded normally. I couldn't get what Edward had done out of my head. I was in English, my last period and my favourite class. We were studying Macbeth which I had already read so I had resorted to staring out the window.

My teacher was guiding the rest of the class through a translation of Act 1 Scene 1. I sighed, a small smile creeping at the sides of my mouth as I once again thought of Edward. I missed him so much, wishing I could go back and erase this stupid break up from happening.

Suddenly there was a knock on the classroom which broke me out of my reverie. A younger boy walked into the classroom and looked around nervously.

"Yes, may I help you?" my teacher questioned him.

"Um, I'm looking for Bella Swan" he stuttered.

My eyes widened in surprise. Me? Why was he looking for me? "That's me" I said.

He walked to my desk briskly and placed a single red rose on it. Attached was a small piece of paper. I was aware of everyone's eyes on me as I gently picked up the rose and held it to my nose allowing the sweet scent to envelop my senses. I turned over the piece of paper and there, scrolled in a familiar hand was a note.

Red rose meaning beauty, courage, respect, sincerity, passion, loveliness, unconscious beauty. All of these things are true about my beautiful rose. My Bella rose. I have the utmost respect for you. Your unconscious beauty stuns me every time I see your face. I have so much to explain and so much to make up for. Please allow me the chance to do that.

Yours,

Edward

Mine. He still thinks he's mine. I didn't know what to think or what to say. Such a small gesture had such a great effect on me. It made my heart swell with hope and joy. He still cared, that was evident. The ball was in my court. It was up to me whether or not I wanted to fix things. And boy was he making it hard to even think about saying no.

I met up with Alice after class and we wandered across campus together. The sky had eventually cleared up and now the sun was out in full force. I closed my face and turned my face up to the sun feeling its warm glow on my face.

Alice had been chatting my ear off about graduation and how it was so close but I didn't mind. I felt like I had missed her and it was good to see that she was still herself.

"Alice can I say something?" I cut her off.

She stopped talking abruptly "Sure, go ahead."

"Alice I just wanted to let you know how much it means to me that you were there for me when I needed it most. I never really had a lot of close girl friends back home and I'm just so happy I found you. You were really there for me and I can't thank you enough for all that you've done and helped me with this year. I'm really glad we're friends."

Alice's eyes glistened with tears and she bombarded me with a hug "Oh Bella I'm so happy we're friends too! I'm glad I could help because I really care about you. I'm so happy you have found you too."

I hugged her back tightly. She pulled away and smiled at me "As much fun as this has been I have a ton of homework so I have to head back to our room" I groaned.

She nodded "Yeah me too, I'll come with you."

We happily chatted as we walked back to our room. As the elevator doors opened Alice told me something that made me laugh. It felt good to laugh, and smile again. I stuck my key in the door and slowly opened it as I turned to Alice and said "You know what's really funny about-"I stopped talking as I noticed her expression. Her eyes widened and her mouth popped open in surprise.

I turned my head around to my room and gasped.

The entire room was covered in lilies. Small lilies, tall lilies, lilies in vases, lilies in pots, all different colours they were everywhere. I stumbled into my room. "Oh my god" I whispered.

I noticed a bright yellow card at the center of the flower explosion and moved towards it as Alice inspected more of the flowers. I had already told her what had happened in English and she had grinned widely.

I picked up the card to see the same familiar handwriting and my heart leapt in my chest.

Favourite flowers for my favourite girl who 'petaled' into my heart

Still Yours,

Edward

I chuckled at his pun and sank down on my bed clutching the card in my hand. He had remembered. He had remembered my favourite flowers which I must have told him months ago. And these flowers must have cost a fortune. I couldn't believe that Edward had gone to such lengths just to get me to talk to him. "They're from Edward" I said to a dumbstruck Alice.

She sat down next to me still in awe "Wow, he's outdone himself this time". I nodded dumbly.

She smiled and laughed "I didn't think my brother had a romantic side to him, but I have to say, I'm impressed. This is amazing"

Again, I nodded, a million thoughts whirling through my head. Edward's actions had me speechless. I couldn't deny that my heart fluttered in my chest when I thought of him and his strong attempts to win back my affection.

"So...." Alice trailed off "Are you going to talk to him?"

"How can I not?" I smiled.

It turns out that resisting the charm of Edward Cullen is a lot easier said than done.

Ah ha! Wow long chapter. I think this is my longest yet! Anyway I love this chapter just because it was a lot of fun to write. There is one more chapter and then the epilogue and then the story is finished! We're almost at the end folks! Anyway, I would love it if you reviewed because I would really like to know what you think! Thank you for reading and don't forget to REVIEW!