Authors Note- Happy Tuesday!

Disclaimer- S. Meyer owns all things Twilight.

BPOV

We drove back over to my house, Esme and Carlisle in the living room with my parents watching a Lifetime movie. My father was drinking a beer, along with Carlisle. When they heard us, they stood from their spot and headed to the kitchen to greet us.

A cake was on the table. It was a perfectly shaped rectangle cake with chocolate frosting layered over it. In straight, non-sloppy, blue lettering was ' Happy Birthday Edward & Bella '. We were told to take our seat across from eachother and Carlisle lit twenty candles, we both got one for good luck. Alice hit the lights and they started singing the Birthday song.

When it was time to blow out the candles, I made a simple wish.

I blew at the same time Edward did and leaned back as they clapped. Alice turned the lights back on and my mother grabbed a knife to cut the cake. Edward and I didn't eat now because we had already eaten only a little while ago. Emmett gobbled down a huge chunk and when everyone finished eating their cake, Esme said that it was time for us to open our presents. Alice handed us our presents first, a huge smile on her face.

I ripped the bright pink wrapping paper, rolling my eyes at her pick of paper. It was a square box, unusually shaped. When the paper was completely off, I saw it was a silver chest. She encouraged me to open it and I saw that it was filled with a whole mess of make-up.

" It's not a way of telling you that you are ugly, but you need more then just that silver eye shadow."

With a smile I reached over to embrace her in a big hug, whispering my thanks in her ear. She squeezed me back and hugged Edward briefly. She had gotten him a few movies and CD's that he had been wanting, along with a Mudvayne band t-shirt.

Emmett shoved a present in my direction, and I knew what it was. He liked to get me eccentric gifts, he happened to be the one to get me knee high converse. It was a smaller gift, and I opened up the green paper. There was a smaller white box, I opened it up and saw a bracelet, in rainbow colored wires it was twisted into a bracelet, there was a letter ' I ' charm on it, for my name.

" Oh, this is so cool, Em."

I fastened it around my wrist and gave him a tight hug. After their presents were open, they had to leave because they were meeting Jasper and Rosalie. I was a little bit dissapointed, but I had to get over it.. Edward and I thanked them for the dinner and gifts and let them go.

From Esme and Carlisle I had recieved a two hundred dollar visa gift card.

Edward got a four hundred dollar visa gift card from his parents.

From both of my parents I recieved an iTunes card, a wireless card for my old laptop, more canvas, paints and paint brushes, a few books, leather bound journals for my music and a few clothing articles.

Edward got many different randoms from my parents.

When it came to the gifts that Edward and I got eachother, our parents left us to ourselfs. Carlisle and Esme headed home and my parents went upstairs. I could see that Edward was still a little upset over what happened at dinner. I tossed my gift on the table and told him to open it as I cleaned up the dishes from the cake.

I heard the ripping of the wrapping paper and the small gasp of disbelief.

" W-Wh-Where did you find this?" he spluttered

" In that old shop we found downtown, it was buried beneath all of the other records."

" This must of cost alot of money. Signature and everything."

" Price doesn't matter." I stated, drying the dishes and putting them in the cabinet neatly.

When I turned around I hadn't seen he was behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist tightly. I stayed rooted, not hugging him back. He wretched away from me, turning his back.

" I always hurt you. I always find a twisted way to do it and end up hurting you, over and over again. It always happens and I can't stop myself, and I don't want it to happen. I've always wanted you to be happy, and I promised I wouldn't hurt you, but I only did it again."

Edward picked up his gift, it was definately bigger then mine.

" I need to make up for it somehow, and this is how I thought to do it."

Slowly I ripped off the blue sparkly paper, seeing a plain white cardboard box underneath the wrapping. I opened it up and my jaw completely dropped down to the floor in shock. I couldn't believe he'd done this.

" This is too much."

" Bella, you got me a signed Debussy record. This is nothing compared."

Inside was a brand new Mac PC, It was silver and had the white apple smack in the middle of the latop. This damn thing ran for over a thousand dollars because of how nice it supposedly runs.

" Thank you, so much. I-I don't know what to say except for thank you."

" Thats good enough. Hell, I don't deserve a thank you."

I took a seat at the table, my elbow propped up and my head resting in my hand.

" Why were you so upset that somene showed an interest in me?" I asked bluntly.

He froze for a moment before speaking shakily " I'm protective when it comes to people who are important to me."

" Edward, some day I will want to settle down, get married and have children. But I don't want you getting all bitter when someone actually wants that with me. And I am not saying it about that guy, just in general. And some day, you will want the same, and I won't be like that."

" You were bitter when it came to Tanya!" he accused.

I sighed " I am not going to get into it about her with you. But, Edward, Tanya wasn't who she was trying to play herself as. I'm very protecive of you, too. When the right women comes along for you, then I will rest assure that you will be loved, which is all that I want. I want you to be happy with the right women. Not just one who tries to make herself something that you will want." my voice was slightly raised, but I wasn't yelling at him.

I want you to be happy with me. I thought silently.

He let out something between a growl and a sigh.

" I think we should just be friends like how we have been for eighteen years, and...stop being jealous."

I started backing away towards the stairs as I said the last part, knowing it would get a rise out of him. Edward launched for me, locking his arms around my waist and swinging me around. I yelped and he set me down, only for me to loose my balance on the heels, breaking one and falling backwards.

Trying to not hit the floor, I grabbed the hem of Edward's shirt, and he bent over, but grabbed the banister and I fell.

" Jackass! You made me break my heel!" I screeched.

He took my hand and pulled me up. I slipped my heels off, shoving the broken left one in his direction.

" You, mister, are buying me a new shoe. May it be even then."

He scoffed and I walked infront of him to walk up the stairs. When I reached my bedroom, Edward was close behind. I tossed my shoe on the floor, grabbing for the one Edward was awkwardly holding.

" If you'll excuse me a moment."

I went to the bathroom and stripped my clothes off. When I took off the wrap for my tattoo, I looked at it in the mirror. It was was a beautiful work of art, and I would carry it on my body forever now. With a sigh I changed into a tanktop and a pair of flannel pants. I brushed my teeth and scrubbed my face, throwing my hair in a high pony tail before going back into my bedroom. I tossed my clothes in the hamper quickly and went to the bed. Edward stare blankly at the window, he looked upset, sad.

Hesitantly I sat next to him on the bed, touching his wrist gently.

" What's wrong?"

He shook his head " Just thinking about the huge mistake I made on this exact day...around this time."

I tapped his jaw, turning his face towards mine.

" We all make mistakes, and it's okay Edward. You'll move on. It was just another chapter in your life."

He turned around, wrapping his arms around me and literally squeezing me to death. I stayed perfectly still until he released his choke hold on my body. I scooted back on my bed and picked up a book that was laying a stray on my end table.

He went home that night, and I knew everything was alright with us.

October 31st

Halloween

Tuesday

Today it had been a half day of school due to the holiday. I sat outside, leaning against Edward's car as he repeatedly asked me the same question over and over.

" You are dressing up. Seriously?"

" For the last time, yes, I am dressing up!"

" But...Why?"

" Alice is going to Newton's, and she said even though we aren't going, I have to dress up this year. So I am going as a pirate."

He spluttered out a laugh " Full outfit huh?"

I glared at him, turning on my heel towards my house. He let out another laugh behind me and I flipped him the bird before darting into my house with a angry scowl on my face. My mother, who was cooking in the kitchen, chuckled at me.

" What did the boy do now."

" Nothing. He was just teasing me about dressing up. I-"

Beep.

My phone beeped, signalling a text. She smirked and motioned for me to answer it.

" Sorry."

She shook her head and smiled " When will I get to meet him?"

" He's just a friend mom. Really." I said as I whipped my phone out. I clicked 'read message' and saw that it was from Luke. We had been texting for awhile, getting to know one another. We had met up a few times downtown to the diner.

He was very gentlemenly, opening doors for me when we went out and being respectful, but he was also very fun. I knew that my parents wanted to meet him, I was still wary about them meeting him though. We hadn't kissed or anything yet, but he was alot of fun to be around.

So, what are you doing tonight?

I smiled and typed an answer.

Edward and I are handing out candy.

Luke knows how great Edward and I are as friends, but he doesn't know my feelings. Mostly because they are masked around him. I don't feel any need to tell Luke about my feelings towards Edward, it really is not a way to start out a relationship in my opinion.

Oh, Okay

My smile faltered.

Everything alright?

His reply was there in less then a minute.

Yeah. I just really wanted to see you tonight. Got all my classes done for today.

I smiled at how cute he acted sometimes.

If you want you can hang out with Edward and I. I bet it's cool with him.

....

Really? Sounds cool. Will you finally let me meet your parents?

I sighed. I had been putting that off.

Sure. Come around four. I'll meet you outside my house. Dressed and all.

We stopped texting after a few minutes. He was going to finish up his homework from his English class. I had found out that he was twenty, his Birthday being June 1st, and he is a sophmore at the community college downtown. He wanted to become an editor, and he seemed very passionate on the subject.

He has a younger sister who is fourteen named Jane, I met her once but she is very shy. Then he has an older brother named James who lives in California with his wife, Victoria, and three kids, working as a Paralegal. And another brother, who is twelve years old named Jonah. Their last name is Hemmings.

His father, Demetri, owns an aquarium downtown, and his mother, Nancy, is a stay at home mom with her younger kids. He doesn't have any uncles, aunts or cousins because his parents are both only an only child, and he has a grandmother on his fathers side and none on the other because they had died a year before Jonah was born.

When he was younger he used to play the violin, but quit in highschool when he became involved in basketball. He plays at the college and I've been to a few of the games.

I really had alot in common with him when it came to movie genre's, games and music. We had a Halo battle at his house once and I totally owned him. That night he almost kissed me, but I turned my face so his lips landed on my cheek. I liked him, but I loved Edward, and he was constantly in my head when I was with Luke.

At three fifteen I went to my closet to slip on Skull Pirate costume. It's a black mini dress with a long blouson sleeve peasant top an a skull print double lace-up bodice with decorative bows and an attached white petticoat. The trim is burgundy and it's completed with a burgundy bow. I rolled on some fishnet stockings and grabbed my black boots from the closet. I zipped them up and they clung to my calf perfectly. I curled my hair and used moose to give it a little volume.

After a swip of cherry lip balm, a brush of mascara and a streak of eye-liner, I was all ready to go.I grabbed a black hoodie to walk downstairs in so I wouldn't give my parents a heart attack. I bounced downstairs with my curled hair and walked into the kitchen.

Warning: Make sure to make noise when coming into a room so you don't catch your parents making-out against the counter.

I would have to write that on my arm because that seems to be happening often now. Did they think because I am eighteen that it's right to just go for it in the kitchen. It's a public area in the house, I mean seriously.

" Mom! Dad! Ew!" I exclaimed, covering my eyes.

I heard a smack and cringed.

" Clear." my mother said as I heard her resume chopping vegetables for Chicken Soup.

" So...Um, Luke wants to meet you so he's coming over and he is handing out candy with Edward and I."

My father glared at me " Go change, Isabella."

" Dad!" I whined like a five year old.

" Let he be Charlie, Edward will look out for her."

He grumbled, standing up " I better talk to that boy."

I rolled my eyes " Trust Edward. And most of all, trust me. He's just a friend."

The clock said four o' clock so I darted outside before he decided to ring the doorbell. I sat outside for about five minutes before his blue Porsche came into sight and he stepped out, wearing a polo and a pair of jeans. We embraced in a small hug before I led him inside.

" Don't let my father intimidate you, he tries to be scary. And my mom is a little..."

" Crazy." he finished with a laugh " Aren't all mothers."

I shrugged and opened up the front door, leading him through nervously. He reached for my hand and squeezed it, I smiled and led him to the kitchen. My father, of course, was cleaning out his gun whilst my mother chopped.

" Mom, dad. This is Luke Hemmings, my friend."

My father stood up, giving me a wicked smile. I glared at him and Luke held his hand out, my dad gripped it tightly and shook it. I saw Luke wince out of the corner of my eye.

" Nice to meet you, boy. So, are you treating my girl here right?"

Luke smiled " I think so. She really is something."

Without warning my mother ran forward to hug him. His six foot frame towered over her, since she was about an inch shorted then me. I laughed into my hand and my father snorted, rolling his eyes dramatically.

" It's so nice to meet the boy that takes up all my daughters time."

" Mom." I warned

She shushed me " You'll have to come over later for supper. Edward's parents are going to be here soon and you can meet them too."

" Maybe some other time." I said hesitantly,

" That would be great!" he exclaimed.

Before my mother really started getting into conversation, I replied.

" Okay, well Edward is probably waiting. I'll see you guys later tonight."

I dragged Luke outside with me and he laughed. " Are you embarassed?"

" A little." I admitted.

" Don't worry. They are great."

We walked over to Edward's, where he was sitting on the step with a huge ass bucket of candy, wearing a white t-shirt, his leather jacket, loose jeans and his riding boots. When he saw Luke next to me, I saw a flicker of something in his eyes. Dissapointment?

" Hey, I hope you don't mind I picked up a stray." I teased.

Edward stood, sizing Luke up. " No problem. I don't think we have officially met."

Luke held his hand out " Well, I am Luke Hemmings."

" Edward Cullen."

They were both sizing eachother up, but I had enough of that. I walked between them, stepping up the stairs and sitting down. I set the hoodie aside and set the candy bucket in my lap, looking at the variety of candies.

" See, Edward. I told you I was dressing up." I said.

His gaze turned to me and his eyes bugged out of his head. I smiled at him innocently and he said nothing. Luke was the first one to walk. He sat next to me and Edward awkwardly sat next to me and I looked on both sides of me.

" God help me." I whispered to myself.

" What was that?" Edward asked.

" Oh, nothing. Nothing at all.

" Geez, how long does it take to pick between a dark chocolate peanut butter cup or a regular peanut butter cup?" Edward asked as the confused teenager walked down the driveway. I let out a bubble of laughter.

" I don't know, but seriously, that took forever."

Just then, our fun was ruined.

Tanya and her little possy just had to be walking up the driveway. She was wearing a too tight devil costume and her friends were wearing the same outfit, just a different dress style. They really had no right to come here, infact they shouldn't be allowed. I felt Edward stiffen beside me and I decided to take the wrap for him.

I munstered up confidence and stood up, walking towards Tanya and stopping infront of her. It didn't intimidate me that she was taller and looked to be tougher.

" Didn't you know your supposed to dress up." I sneered.

" I'm here for some candy, not a fight, Swan."

" You aren't getting anything, so just get out of here."

She shoved me harshly to the side.

" Whoa, look, I don't know you, but you have no right to shove her like that." Luke stated as I steadied.

Edward stood infront of me, his frame cowering over Tanya's body.

" Look, okay. You should be embarassed to be here with all of the things you have done and said. I have never met such a improper girl such as you. Giving yourself so easily to someone is something you shouldn't be proud of, and in my book, sleeping around isn't attractive. You have done enough damage, so you can take your sorry ass away from my house, and out of my life. You are dead to me."

She scowled at him and walked forward, running a slimy finger down Luke's chest with a seductive smile on her overly made up face. He grabbed her hand and dropped it to her side with a look of discust on his face.

" I am not interested in someone like you."

As she backed away down the driveway, she had her eyes narrowed " Your both missing out. And truthfully, I feel bad for you. Have fun with the trash."

My jaw dropped and I walked towards her " Atleast I am not spoiled goods!"

Now I was slightly horrified. Of course Luke didn't know about Tanya, and I hadn't planned on saying anything because it had nothing to do with me, though some others would beg to differ. With blurry, angry eyes, I walked towards the porch.

Why did I suddenly feel so small?

" Bella." he called " Bella, sweetie, talk to me."

" Izzy. Iz. Bella."

Edward put his hands on my upper arms, bracing me to stand straight infront of him. I stared down at the ground, and he tipped my head up, looking at me intently.

" Calm down. Don't get worked up, everything is okay."

I took a deep breath

" I'm sorry. I'm so sorry that I freaked out like that I didn't mean to. I don't do that I was just overwhelmed." I stated, profusely apologizing for what had just taken place.

" It's fine. Don't worry about it." Edward assured me. " I'll be right back."

He dissapeared inside the house and I leaned against the railing on the porch. Tanya had upset him so he probably wanted to calm down alone. I would respect that.

Infront of me, Luke pushed off of the front door and walked towards me, grabbing both of my hands and staring into my eyes. It was almost in slow motion when he brushed a peice of hair behind my ear.

Then slowly bent down to my level, softly pressing his lips to mine. For a moment he moved his lips, and slowly his hand worked it's way to my hip, rubbing circles. My whole entire being was just rejecting this kiss.

This felt so entirely wrong.

The front door shut harshly and I looked up, realizing that Edward probably saw that and had already fled. Now I felt like a piece of scum on the bottom of a shoe.

" Luke, I think you are an amazing guy, and I didn't mean to lead you on but I feel like friends are just... Better of a solution. Right now I am not really in the position to have a romantic relationship. And kissing you didn't...feel right."

He cleared his throat " No, I'm sorry. I really like you Bella, but friends is probably better for us."

Well this didn't exactly go as planned. I sighed, giving him a smile. " Thank you for being so gracious about this."

He nodded " I think I'm going to head on home now. You might want to-" he motionted to the front door " He seemed upset."

" You really don't have to go. And about Edward, Tanya is just...a long story, maybe another time."

" I'll have dinner with your family next time, okay. Thanks for tonight though, I did have a good time besides all of this."

We hugged briefly and I went inside to go check on Edward. I found him holed up in his room with a look of sadness on his face. I kept his door ajar and walked over to him, standing infront of him. He didn't bother to look up at me so I knelt down on the floor, resting my hands on his knee's.

" What's wrong?"

" Nothing."

" Talk to me or I will crack the record I bought you."

He tugged at his hair " Is he your boyfriend now?"

I sighed " Edward, I swear sometimes you are like my kid and I am looking for another man after my divorce. He was just one guy that I was interested in, just a little bit. Did you see him kiss me?"

" Yeah."

" Well you missed the part when I pulled away and told him that it's best we be friends."

" Why?"

I laughed " It was like when Rosalie dared me to kiss Jasper sophmore year."

" That was interesting..."

" Can I ask you something?"

"What?" he replied.

" Why does it matter to you that I kissed him?"

A look of confusion spread over his face and he fiddled with his long, pale fingers " I don't know. I just started thinking about how you would start being with him all the time and forgetting about me. I always worried about that. And it makes me feel worse because I did it to you, but I know you would never do the same."

I sat next to him on the bed " Number one, okay. When I was thirteen, remember what I told you when you got stung by a bee when I was playing with Abigal, and ran back home to see what happened; Edward, you are always number one, no matter what. And I mean that. You are like more then half of my life Edward, I will always need you."

He draped his arm around my waist "You are my number one, always."

" Good. Now lets head over to my house so I can change and we can eat. It's already seven thirty so I think the kids are done."

We went back to my house and I showered and washed my face, getting rid of all the makeup that had been on my face. I changed into more comfortable clothes and put the halloween costume in the closet in the back, where all of the other ones were smashed up. I went downstairs and joined my family downstairs, Esme, Carlisle and Edward included.

Having a relationship with Luke wasn't an option because my feelings for Edward aren't fading. Infact, they are getting more stronger and more harder to deal with at this time.

I love him.

There is nothing that I can do about it.

But at this point, I can deal.

One day I will tell him.

Authors Note- Sorry about the lateness, I'd been out all day, and well, my Twitter tells you that. Follow me, link in profile to my page!