Thank you for the response last chapter :) A lot of you said it was the best yet! It was good to hear - I hope you like this one, too :)

"Oh, my god."

I stared at the paper in my trembling hands, quivering with excitement, nerves, fear – I didn't know. I'd been accepted. I'd actually been accepted into Oxford University in England. It wasn't a lie I'd have to tell Charlie; I wouldn't have to pretend with false happiness that I'd got in – I actually had!

Although I had no intention of actually going to study there, I still couldn't shake off this overwhelming knowledge that they'd liked my application enough to accept me. It was so popular, one of the best, and I'd got in. I felt so proud of myself, that I'd actually accomplished this.

"Bella?" Edward called from the doorway. I looked up from the letter in my hands and let my eyes wander out of the kitchen to his waiting figure. "I knocked… you didn't answer," he said slowly, his face a mixture of confusion and curiosity. I waved the piece of paper in my hand, rushing over to him and doing a little jump that resembled Alice.

"Look!" I exclaimed, thrusting it further into his face.

"Oh, Bella!" Edward's face lit up with pride and joy, pulling me in for a hug. He squeezed me tightly against him. "You did it!"

"Did you? Did you get in?"

Edward nodded with a shrug. "But I've been doing high school for years, Bella. Not to mention I can't forget anything. This is huge for you." He paused and made eye contact with me. As always, I almost forgot to breathe. "We could go, you know. For a year or two, we could actually go and study there...?"

My brow furrowed. "Don't even go there, Edward. Yes, I'm pleased I got in. No, I don't want to go. But it makes my lie easier, at least." I grinned, still revelling in holding the piece of paper in my hand. "Besides, I can go again another time. Maybe in a hundred years?" I winked.

Obviously, I'd be a vampire if I ever did get to go there in the future so it wouldn't really be my brain, but it'd be a good experience… then. Not now, not when there was still so much distance between Edward and me.

"I love you so much," Edward breathed, pressing his lips to my forehead. "Can I cook you a celebratory dinner?" He winked at me, spinning me around and almost pushing me into the kitchen. "I do believe you loved my cooking last week."

I tried to smile, suddenly remembering the argument with Jacob. I still hadn't spoken to him; harsh words the only thing my memory conjured when I thought of him.

"I do love your cooking," I agreed in a mumble, trying to wind Edward up. I was too happy to succumb to the misery that Jacob had poured onto my life.

"Excellent. What shall it be?" He opened the fridge and peered inside. From the other side of the door, I could here his snickers. "I could cook you… lettuce?" He held up the browning lettuce. "Or perhaps a cheese sandwich?" He held up a slab of cheese that was tightly wrapped in Clingfilm. "Or maybe even a bowl of cereal?"

"Alright, I get it. There's nothing in. I need to go shopping," I snapped playfully, pushing the door closed and pressing myself against him. My mind had been on other things for a while. I'd completely forgotten to go shopping this past week, and Charlie hadn't even noticed.

"My house?" Edward grinned wickedly. "Bring Charlie the leftovers?"

"Sounds like a plan."

I scribbled Charlie a note, telling him where I was. I hoped the promise of a dinner would soften the blow a little as I signed the bottom and rushed outside to Edward.

I could tell that time was passing. If not because the graduation loomed incredibly close by, it was the slowly changing seasons. Although Forks was shaded by the clouds and all types of seasons resembled winter, I could sense the sun behind the low hanging clouds and the way that summer was so close. I wondered whether I'd be able to witness many other summers; I'd only be able to do it in secret. This image, however, only planted another image, a more appealing image, of Edward and I together on a deserted beach in the sun, glistening equally.

"Bella, did you hear anything I just said?"

I turned my head to look at Edward; his face was plastered with an amused expression.

"Sorry, what?"

"I said that with graduation approaching, I was thinking that we could arrange something? Would you like to go with me? Also, Alice has been mentioning a party which, well, I can understand you not wanting to-"

"Just answer me one thing."

Edward's eyes narrowed at my interruption. A smirk pierced my face, lighting me up. I loved it when I made Edward suspicious; I had a hold over him with his ignorance that nobody else had. I was the exception to his rule.

"Okay…?"

"Does Alice have any hold over you? Do you have some kind of surprise planned for me? A secret you didn't want to tell me – or anyone else?"

Looking confused, Edward slowly shook his head.

"Is it important?"

I sighed, relieved. "I just need to know I can refuse with you on my side! If I refuse and then Alice blackmails you, you fold like a broken camping chair. Don't even try to deny it, Edward Cullen."

Edward smirked, knowledge flooding through him and reliving him of his worried and curious state. "Wouldn't dream of it." He grinned widely, pulling onto the driveway. "Prepare yourself."

Rushing round to open my door, Edward smiled mischievously as he kept his gaze locked on me. Just then, Alice appeared, smiling broadly. Carlisle was directly behind her, grinning just as proudly. I felt a surge of honour; the look on Carlisle's face was so fatherly, it made my heart ache. On some level, it gave me some kind of comfort. Although Charlie couldn't always be with me, I'd always have a father in Carlisle.

"You did it!" Alice squealed, running over to wrap her arms tightly around me. She swung me up in the air and I kicked wildly, screeching at her to put me back on the floor. It was so weird to be picked up by someone so much smaller than me.

"Well done, Bella." Carlisle greeted as we made our way inside.

"Did you, like, pull lots of strings?" I asked Carlisle.

"Hardly any. I simply mentioned my son and his girlfriend were applying and they were very good students." Charlie shrugged and I wondered whether that was all.

"Bella." Alice tugged on my arm, pulling me over to the sofa. "Now, to celebrate, I'm gonna mix your graduation party in with your leaving par-"

"There isn't going to be a leaving party or a graduation party."

"But you've g-"

"Not a chance. Who is there to say goodbye to?"

"You've got lots of f-"

"Alice, I'm the crazy girl."

"If I threw you a-"

"No party, Alice."

"Bu-"

"Not a chance. Not now, not later. Don't even think about manipulating Edward into dazzling me into a state of submission, okay? No."

"Bella, this is a really important human experience. Edward, you should be encouraging this! Her only chance at a re-"

"I said no, Alice!" I snapped, moving over to Edward. I could already see the temptation in his features, slowly getting ready to convince me.

"Bella," Edward said slowly, his voice bordering on persuasive.

"Don't," I breathed, standing on my tip toes and pressing a kiss on his lips. "Remember whose side you're on." I rubbed my hands down Edward's chest, gripping his shirt at random intervals, hoping to portray my frustration. I sighed heavily into his chest, letting the warmth of the breath soak through the fabric.

Edward's eyes closed for a moment in frustration – or lust? – before turning back onto Alice.

"Nope. What Bella wants Bella gets."

"God, you're like a love sick puppy!" Alice chastised.

"I do have a different idea, though…" I said quietly.

"Oh?"

I noticed that Carlisle still hadn't removed himself from the room, watching the argument like one would watch a tennis match, moving his head from side to side. When the light hit his face in a certain way, I would say that Carlisle was almost amused at the banter.

"I… well; I don't want Charlie to know about England, yet. And I don't want him to know that you knew before him – that'd be awful for him." They all nodded in agreement. "So, instead of a party, maybe a dinner? Just a casual thing… where Edward and I could tell the rest of the family about England."

Alice's face seemed to brighten just a little bit. She obviously would rather this dinner than nothing at all. Carlisle nodded for more.

"I know how good you are at pretending. Edward and I could tell you, Esme and Charlie, and you could pretend it's all new, get upset, but agree to it."

"I think that sounds reasonable," Carlisle said with a smile.

"Just Charlie?"

"Just Charlie."

"Not much of a party, Bella…"

"It isn't supposed to be. Now, as much as I love you, it's Carlisle and Esme's permission I need. And then Edward can cook for me like he promised." I grinned cheekily at Edward, flashing him my best smile and winking.

"Esme and I will be happy to do it," Carlisle assured. "I'll let her know when she comes home."

Edward took my hand in his. We walked past Alice, a smouldering expression on her face so hateful I thought she'd explode from the intensity, and we walked into the kitchen.

Much like last time, Edward placed me on the kitchen counter next to the sink where he talked me through the whole contents of the fridge. He put on funny voices as he announced what possibilities were available, giving the simplest of dishes fancy names because, apparently, even the blandest of foods would taste incredible when cooked by Edward. I scowled, telling him he should work in advertising.

Once deciding on spaghetti Bolognese, Edward cooked thoroughly, giving a running commentary on what he was doing. Half way through, I threw a mushroom at him, although it missed his head by inches as he dodged it, throwing one back gently to hit me squarely on the forehead. I told him, once I was a vampire, there'd be no escaping me. We grinned mercilessly.

When dinner had been cooked and eaten, Edward plated the rest up for Charlie and covered it over with another dish.

"He'll be pleased," I said, eyeing up the large dish in my hand as Edward drove me to the grocery store.

I'd asked Edward to come shopping with me, thinking of that abysmally empty fridge back at home. If I didn't go today, I'd only have to go after school.

As Edward pushed the shopping cart round, I couldn't help but grin at the image; he looked so domestic, what with the cooking and the shopping. I wondered when the last time he'd ever done something remotely like this or whether I was the cause. I didn't mind – it was amusing to watch him grimace at the salad aisle and turn his nose up at the frozen section.

"These are good!" I exclaimed, placing my favourite biscuits into the cart.

"I'll take your word for it."

Coming round the corner, I saw Angela in front of me, juggling the pile of items she was cradling, shooting awkward, apologetic smiles at the people she bumped into.

I smiled at her, going over to try and take some of the things off of her. She told me how busy she was; getting some groceries for her mother that she didn't think would warrant a shopping cart, the long list of graduation invites that were left to be done at home and how Ben refused to help because of how many she had to write.

I thought about, how after graduation, I wouldn't see Angela again. After all of the kindness and assistance that she showed me, her generous actions when she offered her help and her congratulations on my recovery, I would be saying goodbye to her imminently. The thought, however diluted it was compared to the loss of Charlie and Jacob, would still be painful.

"I could help? I don't have much else to do." I gave Edward a look, hoping for his support. As always, his twinkling eyes showed me nothing but. "Besides finishing the shopping…"

"I'll finish that, if you want me to."

"It just needs putting away."

"Don't worry," Angela said, trying to refuse. "Honestly, I don't want to be any trouble."

"It won't. Edward can put it away. Here." I reached into my bag, pulling my house key from the rest of them. "I'll help Angela. I'll see you later?"

Edward grinned widely. "Call me when you want picking up."

I pressed my lips to his; inhaling his intoxicating scent with the deepest inhalation I could manage. As he pushed the cart out of view, I smiled to myself at the surrealism of a domesticated Edward.

"Have I ruined your day?" Angela asked awkwardly as I took some of the items out of her hand.

"Not at all; we were only grocery shopping. It wouldn't hurt him to help." I grinned and Angela rolled her eyes in knowing.

"Tell me about it. Ben drives his mother mad!"

Angela had practically finished her shopping so we made out way to the check out, arms filled with items. We were on the check out next to Edward's, so I kept throwing him glances and smiling at him as much as I could without being ignorant to Angela.

I helped pack the bags and load them into the truck of Angela's car where she drove home, chatting mindlessly about the radio station she had on.

"I just can't believe how much I have to do. Ben's adamant he won't help me, no matter how much he loves me." She rolled her eyes, pulling onto the driveway of her house.

I helped unload the car, bringing the bags and placing them on the kitchen table. Angela placed away the majority of the stuff as quickly as she could and then got me a drink.

"I can't believe you're actually going to help me. Are you sure?" she said, a last warning before I couldn't back away.

"It's fine."

She opened her bedroom door and I saw the stacks of envelopes.

"I've already done some," Angela said, pointing to a very small pile in comparison to the rest of the unfinished ones.

"Wow." I looked around the room as Angela apologised over and over again with her eyes.

We sat on the floor, her mothers address book propped up between us as we scribbled down the addresses of numerous family friends and relatives onto the envelopes.

"I can't believe we're graduating, you know?" she said after a couple of minutes of silence.

"It's a scary thought," I agreed. Of course, after graduation, I'd finally be able to start living the life I'd chosen. As much as it was scary, it was oddly exciting, too.

I grinned unconsciously; happiness controlling my features like it was a puppeteer. I looked down at the envelopes, writing more addresses out to try and hide my grin, but all I could think of was Edward and I together, forever. Only then, there would be school to keep us apart, or meaningless chores – I could hunt with him; we'd never be apart.

"You seem happy," Angela observed. I looked up to see her watching me, a grin on her own face. I tried to shrug it off. "No, no, it's good to see." She paused for a moment, and I got the impression she was worried whether she should say what she wanted to. "You've been through a lot. You deserve to be happy."

Angela's words touched me. It was obvious how nice a person she was, always so ready to help or smile, be a friend to someone who needed it. As most looked at me crazily, fearing me as if depression were a disease they could catch, Angela had been there to make sure I was okay.

"I am happy." I nodded, biting my lip. "I… if I tell you something, can you promise not to tell?"

Angela nodded, slightly warily but I was certain of her honesty.

"Charlie doesn't know yet, that's all and I… I just…" I paused, a smile breaking out of my face. Maybe now was the chance to tell her, so explanations wouldn't be forced out of me during my hasty goodbye. "Edward and I have both been accepted into Oxford University."

Mouth agape, eyes wide, Angela said, "Oxford? As in, England?"

"Yeah," I said breathily. "We're going."

"Oh! Congratulations!" She jumped up to hug me, knocking some of the envelopes into a scattered array beside us. "Well Done!"

"It's not just the university. I'm just excited about going with Edward, away from everything that's happened." I wanted her to understand, to have an insight into how I felt. It seemed she was someone who could relate in her own terms, whereas Jacob had already flipped out and Charlie would be broken at the idea.

"I understand," she said, nodding her hand. Her grin remained, unfaltering. "It must be so exciting. Will you live together?"

"Probably." I shrugged, thinking how our living arrangements would fit into our lie. "What about you and Ben?"

"Washington. I got my dorm assignment the other day. Furthest from campus, typically." She rolled her eyes. "Ben's is closer. I might get him to swap with me, payback for leaving you to help me with this lot."

I looked at the pile that was slowly decreasing. My hand was beginning to ache.

"We'll be so far apart," Angela said quietly. "It's hours away, England. And Charlie doesn't know yet?"

I grimaced. "Not yet. Neither do Edward's parents." I paused, my stomach dropping. I thought of the shock that would come for Charlie. "They don't even know we applied."

Angela's mouth dropped again before she quickly returned back to normal. I don't think she knew what to say.

"I'm dreading telling him." I closed my eyes, the weight falling back onto my shoulders. This bipolar affect it was having on me was unreal.

"Couldn't you… warn him? Let him know it's at least a possibility?" she suggested.

"Edward said that… but he'd try and convince me to stay or be unhappy for the rest of our time together. The shock will be best."

I tried not to notice the arrogance in my voice. As I tried to assure myself that what I was doing was correct, I thought of Edward telling me he was leaving; "a clean break." How wrong he was, but how right he thought he was. Was that the same here? Was I deluding myself and ignoring Charlie's best interests?

But there was the bigger picture… the vampirism that I was condemning myself to. I hoped, I prayed, that I was right.

"Well, it'll all work out. You can visit, right?" Angela smiled and continued to write her envelopes.

If only I could…

"We need to stay in touch," I said, keeping my eyes fixed on the envelopes. I wrote several more addresses out.

"Of course. I'll miss you. Will you email?"

"If I can type after all of this." I grinned, indicating the piles of invites.

As sadness crashed around me, I thought of the internet connection that I'd rely on to stay in touch with my friends, no matter how small the list was. My mother, Charlie; how long would it be before I was in the right frame of mind to compose an email? I'd assign Edward to that task, make up some rubbish lie about my hectic social life and cramped study sessions and sign it off as if I'd written it.

We continued to chatter, and we finished off the last of the invitations. By the time we'd done, my hand was severally stiff. I helped put on the stamps, too, and sent a text message to Edward, telling him I was ready to go home.

"How's your hand?" She smiled apologetically at me again.

"Not too bad. I've had worse." I smirked. "I best get going. No doubt Edward has put the food in all the wrong cupboards." I rolled my eyes and Angela laughed.

"I need to call Ben. He'll be pleased to know they're done; I swear he's been avoiding me."

I said my goodbyes to Angela, promising to do it again sometime before I go to England, swearing her to secrecy again and telling her I'd see her at school.

Edward was waiting outside for me, pulling into the driveway just as I opened the front door. He was smiling widely and waved politely to Angela who called her pleasantries from the doorway.

"Have a good time?"

"My hand is going to drop off."

He brought my hand up, kissing my knuckles and trailing his cool fingers over each of my own, breathing life back into them. I could have sworn his hands had worked magic.

"And, god, I swear all this stressing is giving me a headache! So many things always whirling around in my head, ugh!" I exclaimed, bringing up my hands to try and massage away the tight, busy feeling in my head. Edward's cool hands removed my own, and very gently began to rub the scalp. Leaning over, he pressed his lips against my temple.

"That does crazy things to my heart," I said shyly. "It's beating too quickly."

Very slowly, Edward bent his head so his mouth came to rest on my chest. He placed a timid kiss over my beating heart, very close to my breast, before bringing his head back up. If anything, my heart beat even faster.

"You enjoy tormenting me, don't you?" I said breathy.

Edward grinned smugly. "It's somewhat entertaining. Your embarrassment is a bonus. I'm just trying to show you how much I love you."

"I like it when you show me."

"Your heart already said that."

"It spoke, did it? The amazing Edward Cullen can now talk to hearts?"

Chuckling, Edward grinned. "You should know by now, Bella, there isn't anything I couldn't do." Edward started the engine and turned to look at me as we began driving down the road.

"You know, that arrogance of yours isn't very attractive."

"Yet your heart says otherwise."

As if to prove his point, Edward's hand snaked out as he continued to drive. Lightly, he brushed his hand against my thigh, moving upwards. I turned to face him, watching as he smiled widely, eyes glistening with mischief.

"I can hear that," he said quietly. "I can hear your heart."

"Well, now we've tested your hearing," I snapped in jest, smacking away his hand, "perhaps we can move onto a different subject of conversation. I felt exposed and embarrassed when Edward could so obviously dazzle me. I couldn't control anything - hell, I couldn't even make him feel the same way.

"Like why did I hear England mentioned back at Angela's place?"

I blushed at being caught out, twisting my head to give Edward an apologetic smile. "I had to tell her. She could just, literally, sense the happiness radiating off me."

"I'm pleased you're happy."

"And she promised not to tell a word to anyone, 'cause of Charlie. And I had to tell her. She's been good to me."

"You don't have to defend yourself. It's okay."

"You aren't mad?"

"Why would I be mad? I find it very hard to get mad at you, Bella."

"I thought you'd be angry I told the secret. And you do get mad at me! When I went to see Jacob?"

"I think you misinterpreted my worry and frustration for anger. I am yet to be mad at you."

"There's a first time for everything." I grinned mischievously.

"I'm sure there is…" he agreed slowly, his lips curving into a challenging smile that begged me to wind him up. For now, I couldn't think of anything. But there was time. It was something I had been promised a lot of.

I hope you liked it! It's more of a filler, a build up for what's coming. It's needed for the following chapters :)

Please review with your thoughts.

Thank you! xx