Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Full Summary: Bella moves to Forks to live with her dad after trying to get away from her past which seemed to be everywhere back in Phoenix. Along the way of trying to heal herself and putting a show for everyone in the town, she does not expect to make friends... much less meet a captivating green-eyed boy that just so happens to be her new friend's best friend. Maybe he can help her. Or maybe her past will catch up to her and make her run like she did in the past. Or maybe, just maybe... she'll fall in love.

Rated: M for language and adult themes... and possible lemons ;)

Including this Chapter, there are 7 Chapters left! The end is nearing, mwahahahaha!

A/N: SHOUT OUT TO jaspersgal1861! Here's the next chapter! Enjoy :) I'd like to tell you right now that this is one of my favorite chapters in the story. I have like three favorite chapters and one already passed but... yeah. So here we go!

Chapter 25:

I scribbled down the last of my notes, rushing as I realized that everyone was already packing their things. A little over two and a half weeks had passed since Edward had driven me to Port Angeles and he'd promised to keep me safe. And in those two weeks, I had managed to form a loose friendship with some of the guys on the football team.

It couldn't be helped since they had made an unannounced decision to sit with us at lunch. Edward made sure that I always sat between him and Emmett, always taking precaution with me. It was sweet even though I didn't say anything but smile at him.

We got closer- Edward and I. And there were times when I got the feeling that Edward did like me just like Tate had told me. My thoughts got the better of me and before I knew what was happening, I was squashing those thoughts down. It didn't seem possible for Edward to like me.

He was perfect.

Quarterback of the football team, piano player, caring, sweet, considerate, shy, and he could act like a tough guy as well. It didn't fool me and I think he knew it. There were times, of course, when he would lose his temper. But he wouldn't let it get that far. He was a straight A student and oddly, he was single.

He hadn't ever had a girlfriend. Or so Jazz and Em told me. They had cornered me one day, telling me that they wanted to know what was up between me and Edward. And I had told them nothing. They then assured me that I had nothing to worry about because he hadn't ever had a girlfriend and that they were rooting for me. And then they left, leaving me gaping.

Rose and Ali were no better. Their mischievious glances only made me nervous and their whispers made me paranoid. They were plotting. What? I didn't know. But I wasn't stupid. I knew that it had to do with me and Edward. I just had to figure out what...

"Good job, Miss Swan." Mr. Varner's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

I looked down, startled to see a paper on top of my folder by my notebook. It was the last test that I'd taken. A test that Esme had helped me study for, showing me how to work around problems and remember the formulas for the Pre-Calc test worth half of my grade.

A+...

My eyes widened as I flipped through the three page test, looking through it all and skimming over the comments that Mr. Varner had made on the margins.

"Is this a prank?" I asked hesitantly, looking up at him unsurely.

He chuckled and shook his head at me. "I only hand out the grades my students earn. And you have earned that grade, Miss Swan."

I want to hug him, I thought as a smile erupted on my face. I restrained my arms and held the paper tightly in my hands.

"Thank you, Mr. Varner. Thanks so much," I said, exhaling to contain myself. I quickly put away my things before carefully putting away the test.

He only smiled and left to go to his desk. I quickly left the class room before rushing over to the cafeteria. I was late to lunch.

"Hey, Bells," Jazz called, seeing me run in and nearly trip over my feet. "You're a bit late. Don't you want to get food?" he asked me, raising an eyebrow questioningly.

"No. That's not important," I said waving him away as I shoved my backpack onto the table and pulled my test out of my folder carefully.

"What did you say?" Emmett cried in outrage. "Since when is food not important?!"

"Since I got an A plus on my Pre-Calc test!" I said, shoving my test forward for him to see. He shut his mouth, still in obvious disagreement but wisely choosing not to pursue the matter. He knew how much I'd busted my ass working for this.

"Congratulations!" Alice exclaimed hugging me tightly with Rosalie quickly behind her.

"What's going on?" Edward asked, arriving to the table.

I turned, shoving my test at him and rocking back on the balls of my feet excitedly.

"I got an A plus! That's half of my grade. Up! It went up, Edward!" I said, unable to control my smile.

"Congrats, Bella," he grinned at me, setting his tray of food down and turning to pull me into a hug. "I'm glad your hard work paid off for you."

I laughed and hugged him back tightly, wrapping my arms around his waist.

For the rest of the day I was sure I would remain in high spirits. I was on a high that nothing could take me down. My grades had taken a while to maintain at a point that I liked them. I had managed to keep the grade point average above 3.2 and had kept it there.

"What's got you so happy, Bella?" Lyle asked me and I turned in Edward's arms, showing him the big green A plus on the front of my test.

"I could just..." I trailed off, bouncing excitedly as I finished my sentence in my head. Kiss someone. I blushed as I looked up at Edward and he smiled back down at me, completely unaware of what I was thinking.

"Could just what?" Tommy asked me.

"Eat something. I'm hungry," I covered, clearing my throat. They raised their eyebrows at me, knowing that I was lying.

And I didn't blame them. My ability to lie hadn't improved at all.

"I'll come with you," Alice grinned at me before pulling me away from Edward's arms. I smiled at her, trying to hide the disappointed feeling of being away from him.

She smiled up at me. And the look in her eyes told me that she knew what I was already thinking. I scowled at her, not caring if I wasn't hiding my disappointment and she giggled up at me.

"Its not funny," I huffed as we got in line for food.

"It is with the way you're glaring at me," she giggled and I huffed, grabbing a tray and loading it with an apple, orange juice, a slice of pizza, and a small pack of ranch.

Alice bought me my lunch despite my protests and then led me back to the table.

"Its not funny," I scowled at her.

"I know," she said simply and smiled innocently up at me.

"Well, don't do it again." I told her as we arrived at our table. I took my seat between Edward and Emmett and watched as Alice quickly went to Rose's side, whispering something to her. And that was how I was reminded that they were still plotting away.

My mood dimmed a bit as I watched them and my nerves got the best of my as I sipped at my orange juice, having lost my appetite.

"Not hungry?" Jazz asked me and I scowled at him, shrugging without meeting his curious gaze.

"Are you going to finish that?" Fabian asked, eyeing my untouched pizza.

"No. Take it," I said with a shrug. He looked at me in disbelief before grabbing the pizza off of my tray.

"Bella, you should eat." Edward nudged my shoulder.

"I'm not hungry," I said, looking down at my tray.

"Are you feeling alright?" he asked me, turning to look at me in concern.

"Fine," I huffed, trying to hide my blush as I stared intently at my apple.

He fell silent, at a loss for words probably.

"At least eat your apple, Bells." Emmett told me and I looked up, narrowing my eyes at him when I saw him smirking over at me. I didn't have to ask him to know that he knew what Alice and Rose were plotting away. I glanced over in Jasper's direction, seeing him smirking into his bottle of water.

"I'm not hungry." I muttered irritably as I stood up, grabbing my backpack and pulling it over my shoulder. With the other hand, I grabbed my tray and headed out of the cafeteria without another word.

Walking to my locker, I shoved my books and things inside, carefully putting my test inside before shutting it.

"What's wrong?"

I jumped, startled at the sound of Edward's voice.

Turning, I saw him leaning against the lockers to the side of mine. Shutting my locker closed and turning to him, I opened my mouth to ward him off but stopped when I turned to look him in the eye. That was my mistake.

Because once I locked gazes with him, I was lost in the beautiful verdant pools. It wasn't long before I found myself staring up at him with no words in my mouth.

"Bella." He said, raising an eyebrow at me and bringing me to the present. "What's wrong?" he repeated, looking down at me intently.

I bit my lip and bowed me head. What could I tell him? That his siblings and our friends were plotting for a way to get us together?

Yeah. Right.

"I just... I've got a lot on my mind," I shrugged, averting my eyes from his.

"Bella," he scolded me quietly. I looked up, startled to see him closer than he was before. In fact, if I didn't love him like I did, I would probably be irritated or uncomfortable with how close he was to me. Close being defined as him looming over me, grabbing one of my hands in one of his as he looked down at me.

"It's just me. I... honestly, its just me being a bit paranoid." I sighed, leaning my head forward to rest on his chest. He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me closer. It was a new close proximity. A proximity that wasn't for friends. But I didn't mind it.

"Is it about Rose and Ali's plan to get us together?" he asked me quietly. I stiffened in his arms, not wanting to look up at him.

"Is that what you're upset about? You don't like their plan?" he asked me and I huffed, wrapping my arms around his waist and burying my face into his chest.

"Bella, tell me. That's all I want to know. Would you like for us to be together?" he asked me and I reluctantly pulled away to look up at him.

I stared at him for a long moment. And as I stared up at him, he stared down at me.

It was only until I nodded my answer that he pulled me closer to him, if that was even possible, and lowered his head. His eyes stayed locked on mine until I nodded my consent. And as our lips touched for the first time, I let my eyes close.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

He chuckled as he tangled his fingers in my hair, deepening the kiss. I gasped for air and pulled away, retreating a bit. I blushed as I looked up at him, startled when my eyes immediately locked onto his lips.

"Bella," he whispered and my eyes darted up, immediately meeting up with his, "would you be my girlfriend? The love of my life and my soulmate?"

I bit my lip, smiling up at him.

"That's a bit much to ask, don't you think?" I whispered, eyeing him teasingly.

"I don't think so," he grinned down at me, looking unrepentant.

"And why's that?" I asked him, raising an eyebrow up at him.

"Because I love you." He said simply. I looked up at him, searching for anything that would tell me that he was lying to me. Any shred of insincerity. But there was none. And he let me look at him, showing me that he had nothing to fear or hide.

"I think I can handle it," I said finally.

"Being my girlfriend, the love of my life, and soulmate?" he asked for confirmation. I smiled and nodded. "Why?" he asked me then.

"Because I love you too." I said and smiled up at him when he stared down at me, piercing me with his gaze.

He grinned crookedly at me, leaning down to press his forehead to mine.

"Would it be too much for me to ask of the same thing?" I asked him shyly and he grinned at me, chuckling as he shook his head.

"I would be honored," he murmured and I giggled, smiling as he pressed his lips to mine in a simply, sweet kiss. The sound of the bell ringing had us pulling apart.

"Can I walk you to class, love?" he asked me, bowing like a gentleman. I beamed up at him, blushing at the endearment.

"Of course you can." I said and he chuckled as he grabbed my hand in his, pulling me along and away from the growing crowd of students that filled the halls to get to their classes.

I sighed as I watched Edward throw the ball across the field. Everyone immediately raced towards Tommy, quickly figuring out that he would be the one to catch it. I sat next to Rose and Ali, watching as the guys practiced with Coach yelling expletives from the side.

We hadn't told anyone, Edward telling me that we should surprise them and act normal otherwise. I understood why he wanted to do it. There was hardly a time when anyone could surprise Alice.

And all of their constant plotting had gotten on my nerves.

I watched as Tommy missed the ball and winced as the guys tackled him down, not realizing until the very last moment that he hadn't caught the ball. They all got off of him and I leaned forward, frowning when I saw him still lying on the ground. He sat up before falling back down.

"None of them can really catch his throws," Rose told me something we all knew already. I only nodded.

"Well, the exception being you. You can handle anything that Edward can dish out," Alice said, looking smug. I wasn't sure if we were talking about football anymore.

"Right," I muttered before yawning and lying down on the bench.

The grey clouds covered the sky, hiding the blue scenery and the bright sun. There was hardly a day when we saw the sun. Thankfully, a building had been built around the football field making it seem like a dome to protect it from the weather.

And it worked.

It was no secret that the funding had come from the Cullens. Carlisle argued that he didn't want anyone slipping on the soggy field and getting injuries that could have been prevented. The thing about the dome was that on the top, it was transperent.

"Bella, they're calling you." Rose nudged me. I rubbed the sleepiness out of my eyes, realizing that I had been dozing off.

I sat up and looked towards the field where the team and Coach were standing together. Lyle and Fabian were helping Tommy stand, not trusting him to stand by himself.

Glancing back Alice and Rose one last time, I stood up and walked over to the field, jumping over the fence that kept the fans off of the field. I huffed when I tripped and looked up, seeing Edward standing off tensely to the side. I smiled, realizing that he was holding himself back from coming over to check if I was alright.

He seemed to relax with my smile, my silent message of reassurance that I was alright settling him down a bit.

"I'm ready to put my pride aside, Swan. We all are." Coach cleared his throat when I finally got to them.

"You're not good at football, Bella. You're great." Fabian told me, looking sincere and startling me a bit.

"So can you help us?" Frank asked me and I glanced over at my friends. Emmett, Jasper, and Edward were standing among the team but were completely silent.

"Can I think about it?" I asked them and they nodded.

"How much time do you want?" Coach asked me and I shrugged.

"Enough time to talk with my friends. They've been supporting me for a long while now." I told him, glancing over at my two best friends and boyfriend. Not that anyone knew that last part besides the two of us.

"You can talk now," Tommy told me and nodded over to Em, Jazz, and Edward. I blushed but nodded, following the guys when Jasper motioned for us to walk off to the side a bit.

"What do you think?" I asked them, trying not to glance over at Edward too much.

"We're behind you, whatever decision you make." Emmett told me with a shrug. I grinned up at him before turning to look over at Edward and Jazz.

"We're not going to tell you what to do, Bella." Jasper told me honestly and I smiled at him. I knew that it might be a bit troublesome for Edward to probably handle me getting back on the team.

From the very beginning, he'd told me that he didn't like to see me get hurt so he promised to protect me.

Em and Jazz seemed to notice that Edward hadn't said anything and turned to look at him questioningly.

"Ed, what's up?" Emmett looked at him curiously.

Edward shook his head, looking off to the side and refusing to meet their eyes. Or mine.

"Can I talk to Edward alone?" I asked Em and Jazz. "I'll be catching his throws most of the time if not all the time." I explained even though I knew that that wasn't the reason that we would be talking.

Em and Jazz nodded, turning to walk away. I smiled at them before bitting my lip and turning to Edward, ignoring the intent stares that were on us from the rest of the team and Coach. Not to mention my two scheming girlfriends on the bleachers.

"This wasn't really expected," I said with a sigh.

He huffed and took off his helmet angrily, dropping his helmet on the field. He ran his hands through his hair in frustration, looking away from me in clear agreement.

"I don't think that its the fact that you'd be back on the team that makes me..." he said with a sigh. "Bella, I can't just stand by and watch guys tackle you down or chase after you with the same intent."

"I know," I nodded and tugged on his jersey, trying to get him to look me in the eyes.

"And its not that I don't want you on the team, Bella. I do-" he began, looking down at me with pleading eyes. I simply smiled.

"I know," I repeated again. "I wish I could kiss you right now."

He turned to look down at me, grinning widely before turning to look away with a sigh.

"Then there's that. How are we going to tell Coach?" he asked me pensively. His eyes widened as his thoughts jumped somewhere else. It was so hard trying to keep up with him. It seemed that my boyfriend was bipolar. "Not that I wouldn't want to be with you. God! That's not what I meant at all, Bella. I just don't want this to come in between us. I love football but I love you more."

I blushed and ran my hand through my hair, nodding.

"I love you too." I told him and he relaxed. "And I know what you meant. I didn't think that you meant something else."

He nodded, looking relieved.

"We need to tell Charlie too," I told him and he frowned a bit.

"Do I have to go to your house or something? He won't shoot me, right?" he asked me, looking nervous. I giggled and shook my head at him.

"Hey! Are you guys done flirting or what?" Emmett called over to us and I blushed, glaring at him.

"Shut it, Em!" I shouted and he laughed loudly, happy to have me blushing. I bit my lip and turned over to face Edward once again. "Look, I trust you on and off the field. Can you trust me?"

He looked down at me, staying silent as he contemplated my words and all that this meant for us. I leaned down to grab his helmet from the mud and cleaned it off before handing it back to him.

"I trust you. Its them I don't trust. They're going to try and hurt you," he told me and I sighed.

"Let me worry about them," I told him and he chuckled, shaking his head to himself.

"I trust you," he repeated finally and I beamed up at him.

He nodded to himself before gesturing for us to go back. I smiled and we walked back over to the team.

"So?" one of the defensive linemen, Vince, asked me impatiently.

"When's practice?" I asked, rubbing my hands together to try and get some warmth. I smiled as they all seemed to sag with relief at my light hearted question.

"Thank you, Bella. You won't regret it," Coach assured me, smiling widely.

A/N: Right, right. So they're together on and off the field. I feel like I knocked that out of the park. But then that's the wrong sport haha! I'll see you guys next week :D

- Eli