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Huge thank you to my betas: mesmerizeme and Rachie81 for helping me with this chapter.

I guess people really lost interest in this story, but I love it too much and it's great some still read it. So...Thank you for those that are sticking around. And if I missed anyone in my review replies sorry.

I've failed to reply, but I promise to get back to them and answer everyone. I've had some problems in RL.

Chapter 34: Fighting

EPOV

Spring came faster than I thought. I was counting down the months, and soon I'd count down the weeks, then days till my change.

The first month of the new year earned us more stares, especially upon Bella. People didn't believe us when we explained that the ring on her finger was indeed an engagement ring. As it sank in, it got better and worse at the same time. Some were jealous and had horrible comments for us, while some – Angela and Ben – were supportive.

"There's a storm later. Do you want to join us?" Emmett asked me at lunch, on a late March day. I knew he was talking about baseball, and he knew I liked to play with them.

"Probably not. I want to study for History class. We have a test on Monday."

"You do know it's only Wednesday, right?" he mocked me.

"Not all of us are geniuses," I grumbled.

"I'm not a genius. I just have a photographic memory." He winked.

I gritted my teeth, and focused on my Biology papers. There was a pop quiz coming.

"You're not joining us," Alice whined, putting her tray on the table as she took a seat next to Bella, opposite me.

I glanced at her, frowning. She tapped her head and I rolled my eyes, refocusing on my Biology notes.

"It's not difficult, stop fussing. I'll help you, I promised," Bella whispered.

"Why aren't you joining us?" Alice insisted.

"You know the answer. I want to study."

She sighed and dropped it.

"It's not that I don't want to, Alice," I groaned. "You know that I like baseball."

She shot me a blinding smile and leaned over the table, hugging me. "Sorry, I guess I'm too insistent sometimes." She sat back in her chair.

"You think?" I raised an eyebrow, amused. She huffed.

When Biology finally came, I realized that I didn't remember much from my notes. The quiz was easy though, and with everything I knew, and Bella's help, I managed to finish it with lighting speed.

"Are you going to play with them?" I whispered, as the teacher walked between rows, making sure those that were working on their quizzes weren't cheating.

"Probably not. I'd rather stay with you and finish some homework."

I grinned and took her hand, linking our fingers. "Good. That means more free time at night."

"You're such a teenager sometimes." She shook her head, giggling.

"Me? Never!" I said in mock irritation.

"You two, keep quiet if you finished," the teacher told us.

I bit my lip to keep from chuckling. Bella nudged my leg, narrowing her eyes at me.

When we finally left school, we went to my house. I went to change my clothes and wash my hands as Bella heated up my food. We had fallen in this pattern since the second semester started. It felt like we were doing this for years, not mere months.

Returning to the kitchen, I found Bella next to the counter with an envelope in her hands.

"What's that?" I whispered, stopping behind her and slipping my arms around her waist.

"You tell me." Her tone was clipped.

"Hey. I didn't do anything."

"I thought you didn't want to go to college," she retorted, whirling around in my arms.

"I don't." I frowned at the envelope. What is that? "A college…? What the hell?"

"You don't remember writing a letter like this?" she scoffed.

"Bella, I swear to you, I never did it."

I took the envelope from her and looked at it, nearly dropping it. "Holy crow!" Oxford, England, United Kingdom. Europe. What the fuck? I'd never applied. I opened it hastily and skimmed over its contents. It was a freaking acceptance letter.

"No fucking way!"

"You act as if you didn't know-"

"Bella! For the last time. I didn't apply to anything. All I want to do next year is…restrain from becoming a mass murderer." I shot her a weak smile. "I promise I didn't send this."

"Then who, pray tell did it? Must have been Ginger," she said sarcastically, still not believing me. I was too shocked to argue with her.

We dropped the subject as I grabbed my plate. I didn't tell my parents about the mysterious letter.

The middle of April brought another mystery letter – this time from Dartmouth. Those stupid letters were coming from Ivy League colleges.

I decided to tell my parents at dinner. Mom had just sat in her chair after putting food in our plates. I cleared my throat. Dad looked at me curiously.

"I…there's something weird happening," I mumbled.

"Is there something wrong?" he asked worried.

"A while ago…I got this letter…from a college. Today, I got another one…" My voice wavered with every word when I saw a smile forming on his lips, and growing. "What have you done, Dad?"

"I took matters in my own hands, son. You are going to marry Bella and you don't want to go to college! How will you support your family? We'll help you, you know that. But son-"

"Dad! Stop f… interfering!" I shouted, catching myself in time before I said a bad word in front of Mom.

"What colleges? What is he talking about, Ed?"

Holy crap. He did this behind Mom's back. He was in trouble. I had her on my side.

"I applied for him at a few colleges. He has very good grades."

She freaking smiled. "About time you took an initiative. Very good. Now, you just have to choose, honey," she told me.

Apparently, she was on his side. Just my fucking luck.

"Mom, Dad…I am not going to college. I thought I made myself clear," I insisted.

"Nonsense," Dad said vehemently. "This autumn, you'll be freshman in college."

"What about Bella? We're getting married!" I snapped, slamming my fork on the plate, making a chunk of fish fly to the floor. Ginger will have a feast.

"Don't raise your voice at me!" Dad yelled, turning red.

"Then stop making me do things I don't want to! Why did you apply in my name! Do you know that I fought with Bella because of your stupid letters?" I yelled back.

"That's it, isn't it? She doesn't want you to go to college?" he asked.

"We'll both go. In a few years," I explained. Not like you'd understand what we're doing once we leave town. I wanted to add, but refrained.

"How will you provide? How will you live? Off the back of the Cullens?"

I planted my hands on the edge of the table and pushed my chair back, scarping the legs against the tile.

"We just want to be together. Alone. For one year or so. Is it so fucking bad?" I yelled.

"Mind your language and tone," he warned me. "And I have the same question. What are you going to do this rebellious year? How will you live?"

"ARGH!" I stormed out of the kitchen, up the stairs and slammed the door of my room behind me. "It's not like you can fucking understand!" I grumbled, kicking my backpack.

I sat on the edge of the bed, putting my head in my hands. I had no idea what to tell them. "I don't need to go to college. I'll be busy lusting for blood," I said to myself. Yeah, that sounds great.

"Who needs college when you're a vampire?"

"You see…I can't go to college because…I'll be a vampire. Yeah, no joking."

I laughed, falling on my back on the bed. For the first time, I wanted more than ever to tell them the truth. I wanted them to understand why I wouldn't go to college and that I'd have literally forever for college.

I wished one of the Cullens was around, but they all were hunting, along with Bella. I needed to talk to someone – someone that understood me.

I shot up, knowing just the right person. I grabbed my phone and car keys then rushed downstairs. Just as I reached the front door, Mom called my name. I turned around and went to the kitchen, looking down, embarrassed from my outburst.

"Where are you going?" she asked softly.

"Out. I'll be back before ten." It was brusque, but I was still upset.

"We're going to talk about this when you come back so don't stay out too late," she said. "Your father is really upset."

"I'll be back around nine, okay?" I asked. She nodded. With the corner of my eye, I saw Ginger eating my piece of fish and smiled, letting myself out of the house.

The drive to La Push was refreshing. I parked close to the First Beach and went near a driftwood, sitting down and looking at the ocean. I put the phone to my ear after dialing the number.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Lee," I whispered.

"Edward! What…what is it?" she asked confused. I hadn't called her Lee since we broke up.

"Uhh, can you…come down to the First Beach? Our spot?"

"I'll be right there."

I hung up and lay on the sand, looking up at the first stars. It had been so easy to keep the secret. Why was it so hard, suddenly?

Every time I thought of June, I started panicking. I didn't want to make my parents think something bad had happened to me, because that's what they'll know. Carlisle told me that we'd have to lie to them – tell them we had an accident either on the honeymoon or on the way to Alaska. I wanted them to know I was still alive. I wanted to visit them when I was strong enough to be around humans again. I wanted them to know that vampires weren't really a myth.

Leah's head appeared above mine. She looked worried.

"Lay here," I said, patting the spot next to me.

"What's wrong, Edward?"

I sighed, turning my head to look at her. "Is it hard to keep the secret?"

"What secret?"

"About what you are, about vampires…about myths that aren't myths." I shrugged, searching her black eyes.

"Sometimes….it's overwhelming. I can't wait to go to college in the fall. I'll be away from this place."

"Here it comes. That awful word - college," I grumbled. "Wait!" My eyes widened. "You're nineteen!"

"Yeah. Why?"

"See? Perfectly normal not to go to college after you finish high school!"

"Oh, you're fighting with your parents again?" she deduced.

"Dad went and applied in my name for a few Ivy League schools. Surprise of all surprises…I'm accepted."

"You don't want to go," she murmured, shifting closer.

"Of course not! Well, maybe…in a few years. Not now, anyway."

"Of course." She smiled, taking my hand. "You're busy becoming a cold one."

"Leah," I groaned.

She giggled. "I don't know how much colder you can get, though. You're already freezing."

"You're too hot," I mumbled.

"Thank you," she said, laughing.

"Shut up!" I nudged her shoulder.

We sat in silence for a few minutes. My left hand was sweating. She was too freaking warm.

"I want to tell…"

"You have to keep the secret."

We talked at the same time. She just placated my thought.

Leah shot up then leaned over me, her hair tickling my neck. "You can't give away the secret! Not when their leaders are watching you. Edward, don't be stupid."

I looked away. "It's so…hard sometimes," I mumbled.

"You have two more months, not even that. Don't do anything stupid in the meanwhile."

I propped myself on my elbow, bringing our faces inches apart. I'd never seen her looking so serious.

"Promise me, Edward."

"Okay, okay."

"No, don't do this. Look at me and promise me, Edward." She took my face in her hands. "Please."

I looked in her eyes and sighed in defeat. "I won't tell them. It was a stupid, errant thought that gave me…hope. I want to keep contact…I don't want to hurt them! I don't want them to think I'm dead when I'll be alive!" I babbled.

"It's for the best. Surely, you know that," she whispered, leaned down and putting her head on my shoulder, letting her weight drape on the left side of my body.

I let myself doze off, thinking of the upcoming talk with my parents. I was pulled out of a weird dream where I was telling my parents why my eyes were red by vibrations near my hip. There was something heavy on my chest and I was really sweating.

I realized my phone was ringing and the heavy thing was Leah. She shifted and snuggled better. I snatched my phone from my pocket, and looked surprised at the sun that was rising from the ocean. What is going on here?

"Hello?" I answered groggily.

"You're alive!" Bella shouted in my ear.

"What? Why wouldn't I be?" I wondered.

Leah moaned, turning over and falling face first in the sand. She shouted and sat up, spitting sand. I chuckled.

"Who's there with you?" Bella asked.

I ignored her question. "Is it morning?" I asked her, rubbing my eyes.

"Yes, it is. I'm here with your parents. They called me, worried when you didn't make it back by midnight. They thought you were with me."

"Oh, I fell asleep," I said, mostly to myself.

Leah rolled her neck making it pop. "Ouch." Her hand shot up to the nape of her neck. I snickered, but regretted it when I moved in a sitting position. Every muscle in my body ached.

"Edward, where are you, love?"

"The beach," I mumbled, rubbing my lower back. Who thought the sand could be hard?

"That explains why Alice didn't see you. Here, your mom wants to talk to you."

Before I could say no, I heard Mom's worried voice in my ear. "Edward! You have no idea how worried I was! You said nine and it's seven in the morning!"

"Mooom. I lost track of time, sorry."

"Sorry? I thought you… I thought I lost you!" she cried. "After our fight, I was certain you left."

"Where would I go?" I asked, glaring at the sun. How could I fall asleep? "Look, I'll be home shortly, okay?"

"Okay, we're going to talk."

"Yes, Mom. Tell Bella I'll be there soon."

We hung up and I flopped on my back, groaning. "We fell asleep."

"No kidding?" Leah mocked me. "I have fifty missed calls from Mom, Seth and Jake."

"I'm sure I have some too," I mumbled. I looked at my phone. "Yep. Fifty five." I grinned. "Mom, Dad, Bella, Alice, Rose…holy shit! I know how to worry everyone."

She giggled and grabbed my elbow raising me up. "Let's get you home."

"Hey! Be careful. Don't break my arm," I protested, rubbing my elbow.

She rolled her eyes and dragged me to my car. "Drive me home."

"Why, of course! When you ask so nicely…"

"It was a demand," she said, snatching the door open and slamming it behind her.

I got behind the wheel, bringing sand with me. It would be a pain in the ass to clean it. "Be careful with her."

"With who?" Leah asked surprised.

"My car. Don't hurt her."

"Just drive me home, car lover." She suddenly started laughing hard. I glanced at her worried. Had she lost her mind? "You kind of love unanimated objects."

"Leah! Are you ever going to drop it?"

"It wasn't meant as an insult, I promise. It's quite funny."

"If you say one more bad word against Bella, I swear to you, I will never talk to you again, Leah," I threatened her.

"Sorry, gee. You're cranky in the morning."

I parked in front of her house. Sue shot out of the house like a bat out of hell and snatched Leah out of the car, scolding her. She shook her forefinger at me in warning and I raised my hands in defense.

"I'm really sorry, Sue. We fell asleep," I said, leaning over the console and to the open passenger door.

"We talked on the beach," Leah told her, shooting me a death glare.

"I have to go. My parents are worried," I said, closing the door. She nodded and waved me off, pushing Leah toward the house.

I felt bad that she thought we did something we didn't, but who wouldn't think of that when we both went missing last night? Holy shit. Bella is going to be upset, I realized.

Once home, I didn't even have time to twist the key to kill the engine before my door was open and Bella was hugging me. It was brief, though. She stepped back and a small snarl escaped her.

Uh-huh. Here it comes.

"You've been with her!" she shouted incredulously.

"Yeah." I went with the truth.

"You're not even denying it!"

"I won't deny it. I know what happened and I'm sorry I fell asleep." I stepped out of the car. "I had to get out of the house and talk with someone that understands me," I explained, stepping closer to Bella.

"Why didn't you call me? Or one of the Cullens?"

"You were all hunting. I didn't want to…interrupt."

She shook her head. "Okay. So you went to Leah," she hissed. "What happened next?"

"We met on the beach and talked….and somehow…we fell asleep," I mumbled, dropping my eyes.

"Somehow? Do you expect me to believe you?" Bella inquired.

"Nothing happened."

The front door opened and Mom stepped out. Bella chose to ignore that.

"Can I trust her?" Bella asked.

I hoped Mom couldn't hear us. "You can trust me, sweetheart."

"It doesn't work. You can't sweet talk your way out of this one."

"Bella, trust me. We just talked," I insisted.

"You stink. It's like you hugged her or something."

"We sort of did," I admitted.

Bella's topaz eyes flashed.

"I'm allowed to hug my friends!" I snapped.

"Not the ones that want you as more than friends!"

"I only want you! Leah's just a friend!"

She sighed loudly. "I wish I could trust her, but you can never trust a dog."

"Will you quit with the insults?" I shouted, getting really angry. Was it that difficult to talk about the other one without saying something bad?

"Are you on her side?" Bella growled.

"I'm on no one's side! I'm fucking neutral in all this mess! I'm the air between oil and water."

She opened her mouth to say something else, but I'd had it. I took the steps separating us and slammed my mouth on hers. She didn't respond immediately, but after a few seconds her fingers knotted in my hair and my back hit the side of my car. We were a frenzy, tangling our limbs, lips and moans. Something cold touched my lips and I opened them. A groan escaped me when I realized her tongue was in my mouth. I grabbed her shoulders and with her help, pressed her back to my car, switching our positions. I was getting worked up and I didn't give a shit. If she'd let me, I'd have her right there.

The kiss was like a piece of heaven. Something I'd always wanted coming true. We were really kissing.

"Edward Masen! I'm still upset!" I heard Mom screaming. Best way to kill the mood.

I separated from Bella, but not too much. I leaned my forehead on her cold one and breathed in our combined scents.

"I love you," I murmured before pressing my lips back to Bella's.

"As I love you," she replied, taking her hand from my back pocket. "Is this sand?" she wondered as we made our way to my house.

My ears turned red. "I told you we fell asleep on the beach."

"When you say beach…"

"I say exactly that. Sand under my ass, ocean to the side and moon above…or Leah." My eyes widened. "Not like that," I added quickly.

She giggled and grabbed me behind the neck, lowering my head to kiss her. "I'm sorry I acted like that. I was so worried."

"I understand. Just…save me in case they want to kill me," I whispered in her ear as we approached Mom.

"Always."

Hope everyone enjoyed this. I remember that I loved writing it - especially the scene with Leah and of course, the kiss.