A/N: Many thanks to all of you who have found this story and seem to be enjoying it so far!

Chapter 4

Of all the places she could have suggested, Edward was amused to see that she'd decided they should meet at a bookstore. It seemed a little ironic, since the thing they were actually beginning to bond over was reading, and yet here he was ready to point out every other thing that they didn't have in common. Still, he appreciated the fact that he'd feel comfortable here.

"I'm glad you came." She mentioned immediately when he found her sitting alone in the little coffee shop at the back. "You want anything?" He shook his head and sat down across from her, noticing right away how nervous she seemed. He hated that his behavior from earlier today was probably the cause, but he kept reminding himself that this was for the best. Whether he told her everything now or let her discover the truth from someone else later the result would be the same. Because he liked Bella, he didn't want there to be any cause for future misunderstandings. She deserved the truth even if it would be difficult for him to admit what he'd come here to say.

Hoping to collect his thoughts before jumping into the issues he needed to discuss, he took a second and looked around at their surroundings. This was type of place you'd see on television or in a movie, but the type of place a kid from Forks could only dream about. It was a huge two level space that was open in the middle allowing you to see the top floor from down below. The coffee shop they were seated in was at the back and allowed for a good view of the rest of the place, which was filled with colorful bookshelves and comfortable looking furniture. On the walls all manner of art was on display, making for a funky, eclectic atmosphere. And though Edward had declined her offer when he'd arrived, his mouth was actually watering thanks to all of the delicious smells around them.

"This place is pretty awesome." He commented, not knowing exactly how else to start.

What had been shaping up as the best day he'd had in a very long time had fallen into a downward spiral based solely on his inability to accept that a girl like Bella would want to have any association with a guy like him, if she knew just how poor his family was. Now it was time to make her aware of everything she didn't know and see where that might leave them. As a result, Edward was feeling about two inches tall. He knew it would be best to get this over with-thank Bella for being so kind and leave it at that, but he selfishly wanted just a few more minutes to pretend that it didn't really matter.

"I come here when I want to relax. They've got really great coffee and it's quiet...good place to think, you know."

He could definitely see her point, and that made this even more difficult. As much as he'd like to he shouldn't avoid his purpose any longer. Bella was still being so nice to him, still acting as if he hadn't taken a complete one-eighty in the personality department this afternoon and he couldn't take it anymore. He didn't want to take up more of her time than he should and he didn't want to ruin a place she liked so much with memories of anything awkward or unpleasant.

"So I should start by saying I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you and know asking to meet like this out of the blue was maybe a little weird."
He could see that she was starting to relax a little, obviously pleased that he was willing to finally address the real reason for them being here. It encouraged him to keep talking even though he was scared to death of admitting what he'd come to say. He didn't want to mess things up for Alice and he didn't want to lose the privilege of talking to this wonderful girl. Still, being honest was the most important thing.
"I just sort of freaked out a little when you mentioned the whole Habitat thing. I don't know if Alice has said anything, or if maybe you'd figured out after seeing our place last night, but my parents have had it kind of rough recently."

He paused allowing her to absorb what he was trying to say, hoping that the lump in his throat could maybe go away while he waited. He was well aware of how upsetting it was whenever he had to really think about what all they'd been through, especially when he had to think about how people tended to react when they'd learn of their problems, but he didn't want to seem weak right now. Bella deserved her explanation and he wanted to be honest without making her feel sorry for them. That in mind, he proceeded to go through the quickest but most thorough recap he could manage of the events that had lead to his family moving here.

"I know you probably didn't mean anything, and I mean I was the one to ask in the first place, but I guess I'm just really sensitive about the whole situation. People tend to be either really rude about it all, or they go the other way and act all nice like we need some sort of pity..."

"Edward," Bella had politely interrupted. He figured that she'd been wondering what he would want to talk about when she'd suggested they meet here, and that there would be a few questions; plus he still wasn't sure he was making enough sense for her to really understand, but something in her tone made him pause and allow her time to speak.
"You don't have to explain anything." The kindness in her voice was unmistakable and Edward appreciated that, but he also feared what was coming next. He didn't need or want her sympathy. Hadn't he just finished explaining...

"You know who my Dad is, right?" That gave him even more reason to pause. He had no idea why she would bring something like that up at a time like this, but once his silence confirmed that he was aware she continued and Edward could hardly believe his ears.

"Charles Swan IV, mayor of Phoenix, Arizona, son of Governor Swan, grandson of the late Senator Swan, and all around pain in my ass. Every single person in this city, and most of the state for that matter, knows who he is and therefore they think they know me."

He sat and listened to her describe growing up in such a high-profile family and how people often judged her based on what they thought they knew. She spoke of childhood friends being nothing more than spoil kids of other affluent families that were introduced to her through arranged play dates, and how as she'd gotten older and wiser she'd notice how they had absolutely nothing in common.

"They just wanted to be able to say they'd been to the mayor's house and that they'd met my family. No one cared what I was interested in, or what I wanted to talk about, they just wanted some association with me for the prestige they imagined would go along with it."

After she'd given him a few more details she looked right at him to make sure he was paying attention and he noticed her sit up a little bit straighter.

"Edward, I know that there is no way for me to compare my situation to yours that won't sound stupid, but what I'm trying to say is that I get it. Nobody wants to be judged by circumstances that are out of your control. We can't chose the life that we are born into or what we have to deal with as a result. And please believe me when I say that while I do have sympathy for anyone in your situation I would never judge you, or Alice, or your parents for that matter, because of it. What you're dealing with...with people and their opinions, I do know what that's like, probably more than you'd ever guess. It's just from the other end of the spectrum so to speak."

The cynical side of him wanted to say something scathing such as, 'Spoken like a true politian. Must run in the family,' but Edward couldn't deny that he was floored by what she'd just said. In his heart he'd heard real emotion and real pain as she spoke about being taken advantage of because of who her parents were and he actually felt like maybe she did understand, at least a little bit. No one looked at her as just another teenager. Instead all they saw was money and position. She was right, her problems were from the other end of the spectrum, but they weren't all that different. Edward couldn't count the number of times he'd felt people look his way and see nothing more than that poor Cullen kid, assuming that he was different based on nothing more than his parents' lack of money.

They were both silent for a moment wondering what else to say now that so much was out in the open.

"You don't get along with your dad so much?" Edward eventually broke the silence by wondering about the one thing she'd mentioned that didn't seem to make obvious sense to him.

"Don't agree with him all the time is more like it." Bella chuckled a bit at what he'd actually chosen to question her about.

"How about you? Alice talks about your parents like they get on really well."

"No, she's right. My folks are great. It's just been hard recently. They want more for us, and we don't want to ask for anything and that makes it a little awkward at times."

Bella nodded like she really did understand and Edward finally smiled for the first time since biology. He decided that she deserved a little more credit than he'd initially been willing to grant her. He'd known all along that she was pleasant and kind, but based on the type of people he'd come across since having to deal with his family's declining financial status he'd been too quick to assume that she'd be just like the rest of them once she learned the truth. If an average person was happy to judge and make accusations as to why you have so little than what else should he expect from someone who'd been born into such privilege. Bella had surprised him though, and it gave him the courage to tell her more.

They found themselves sitting and chatting for the better part of an hour, while Edward explained in more detail how things had gone from bad to worse leading up to his parents' decision to relocate here. He touched on how everyone was trying to pitch in, taking part-time or summer jobs when they could and how his brother had been delaying his start in college. He mentioned that the public library was their only source for internet access, and while his father had a prepaid phone so that there would be a number to put on applications and other documents, it was strictly used for emergencies and incoming calls, in order to save the minutes. He wanted her to understand just how bad it really was, but he also wanted her to see that they were finding ways to make it work. They were struggling for sure, but they were surviving.

Bella listened and asked questions but just as she'd promised she never let on that his family's situation was anything she'd hold against him. Instead she expressed admiration for his parent's ingenuity and perseverance, and the fact that his family seemed so eager to work together and take care of one another.

With Edward's prompting, wanting to know more about her as well, Bella conversely described her dislike for the way people seemed so hung up on completely unnecessary luxuries these days. He learned that while she had a cell phone she never used it accept when she was required to check in with her mother. The truck she drove was her sweet sixteen present from her dad-a compromise over his insistence that it be new and safe and her mother's original choice of something ridiculous and convertible.

"They were going to buy me a car one way or another, so it was easier to beg for something practical than to leave them up to their own devices and wind up with something that would just make people roll there eyes and gawk at me even more than they already do."

He actually laughed when she continued by gesturing to her overall appearance, and informed him that her current state was enough to make people roll their eyes and grumble.
"What do you mean? You look...normal enough." He had to be careful not to say anything more descriptive thanks to his overwhelming sense of relief. He was so pleased by how accepting she was and how eager she seemed to talk things over with him that he could easily see himself telling her just how wonderful he thought she was.

"Exactly! But jeans and sandals and concert T's don't go with afternoon luncheons and state dinner parties. Sometimes I feel like I live at freakin Downton Abbey, having to change for dinner all the time. I just want to sit on the couch and eat a sandwich or some cereal occasionally, not entertain a bunch of stuffy old people."

"Hey, I like Downton Abbey." Edward was laughing at both her rant, and his own surprisingly defensive tone.

"You like Downton Abbey?" Now he laughed at her shocked expression.

"Basic TV." He shrugged. "With only five channels you get stuck watching what's on. It's actually pretty good if you give it a chance."

That led them into more discussion about their preferences for many other things, until Bella decided that it was finally time to show Edward around her favorite bookshop. He was happy to wait while she went up to the counter, presumably to pay for the coffee she'd had while they were talking, but when she returned with two more steaming cups, Edward felt the need to protest. At the risk of embarrassing himself he'd just described in detail all that he'd had to learn to do without over the past year, and the fact that he couldn't afford much of anything, let alone the type of things most people would take for granted. As happy as he'd been with her overall acceptance, it was disappointing that somehow she still felt like it wouldn't irritate him if she were to try and spend money on him.

"Bella, really. I don't need..."

"I know, I know. Please don't be mad. It's just that friends shouldn't let friends drink the best cappuccino in Phoenix alone; so I seriously need you to be that friend that keeps people from assuming that I've developed an unhealthy caffeine addiction. My mom will put me in rehab and my dad will have to make a statement and next thing you know I'll fall into a deep depression that no manner of..."

"Alright, alright." Edward laughed and finally took the offered cup from Bella's outstretched hand. "Just please don't make a habit out of this." Bella nodded happily before hearing his actual reasoning, "I mean nobody likes a drama queen."
Edward got shoved playfully for his teasing comment and Bella was struggling to hide her laughter as she finally enticed him to follow her up the spiral staircase in the corner.

They had already mutually agreed by then that they both had their fair share of problems and issues to deal with, but they'd also determined that they could still be friends. Edward had promised that he'd let her know from now on if a comment or a situation made him uncomfortable rather than becoming unnecessarily upset. He wanted her to speak freely without fear that she'd inadvertently offend him. And likewise, Bella had insisted that he not think of her as being in a different category just because of her name. She was tired of people putting her up on a pedestal or tip-toeing around like they'd be in trouble if they didn't act a certain way. She just wanted to be a normal teenager and have a few friends who really understood that. She'd always hoped that Alice would fit that description, and as a bonus she was now certain that Edward would.

"So are we still on for painting Saturday? I think Alice would probably be upset if you bailed on her because of me." Edward was reading the spine of yet another book that Bella had just handed over before checking out the cover flap. They'd finished their drinks, which Bella had correctly named the best in Phoenix, and had already been through science fiction, mystery, and were now looking over the classics. As it turned out, his new friend was a fantastic tour guide and he'd easily lost all track of time up to now. The reason he'd finally asked the question that had been on the tip of his tongue since they'd finally decided that friends could work, was because it was getting late and he still had an errand to run before going home. He needed his cover story for why he was out so long this afternoon and if he was going to accomplish that he'd have to be on his way soon; even if he did find the alternative of staying here with Bella so much more appealing.

It was a combination of little things today that had added up to why Edward was finally feeling so much better about this-why he felt that he could actually accept Bella's offer of friendship and that they could work through any differences they'd notice along the way. It was true that complaints about what car you'd be given and how much you were annoyed by your parents insistence that you look and act a certain way was miles away from the type of problems he'd been made to face, but they still had too much in common to ignore. And with the understanding that each knew far more about the other than they had previously he was pretty confident that he no longer had to be quite as self-conscious around her.

Then there were other things he'd noticed this afternoon. Like her smile, and the way her eyes were so sincere. She had a gentleness about her that couldn't be faked, but also a determination like he'd rarely seen in anyone else. He was very aware of that while he stood watching as she struggled to reach back up to the shelf above her that was just a little too high. She'd answered his question with a yes but continued to stretch and hop and fail miserably at retrieving the book she wanted next. Edward tried not to chuckle as he finally crossed his arms and leaned up against the shelf to wait and see how long it took for her to notice him standing there.

It wasn't the first time he'd caught himself admiring her this afternoon. She'd spoken passionately about the things she disliked and lovingly about things she felt worthy of pursuing. She seemed like the type that could talk herself into or out of anything if she felt strongly about it. She didn't even shy away from the fact that he'd been trying his best to make her see all the negatives of having a friend like him. She instead argued for all of the positives that he hadn't been capable of seeing, and he really liked that.

As luck would have it, it didn't take but another second or two for her to end the struggle with a huff of annoyance and accept defeat. When she turned to find him standing much closer to her than she'd expected Edward smiled at her startled expression. With her acceptance he had discovered a newfound comfort level, which in turn gave him a sense of confidence that he didn't quite understand; now, when he realized that he was probably about to start flirting with her again, he was pretty sure that he wouldn't mind if she noticed this time.

Without saying a word, he pushed away from his position leaning against the shelf and moved to stand behind her. "Which one?" he simply asked, not realizing before it had happened that his voice would sound so deep or husky.

"Bronte." She replied quietly without moving a muscle.
Edward reached up and pulled the book she'd been after from its place on the shelf and held it down in front of her. If she'd lean back just a fraction of an inch her entire body would be against him and Edward was suddenly aware that he would be perfectly okay with that.

Friends, friends, just friends...

Closing his eyes and taking a breath he tried and failed to regain his composure. He'd been hoping for playful and light and he'd somehow jumped into something he didn't even have a good word to describe. He couldn't handle it if he were to frighten her away now, after all they'd already been through today.

"I don't think I want to, but I really need to go."

"Are you sure you can't stay?" She never looked up or turned around, and he might have been dreaming but he was sure he could hear something besides basic disappointment in her voice.

"I have another errand and I need to be home for dinner tonight. It's the first evening my mom's not had to work all week." Why he was practically whispering he couldn't say, but Bella had finally turned slightly and was smilingly shyly in his direction, so why should it matter.

"I'm planning on at least two chapters tonight." Was all she said, and Edward nodded his understanding before taking a reluctant step back.

"I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Hey, Edward." She called after him as he turned to leave her. When he turned back she was hugging the book he'd retrived for her and did that thing where she tucked a bit of hair behind her ear before continuing. "Thanks for meeting me here. I was pretty scared you wouldn't come, but I'm really happy you did."

"Me too." He honestly agreed.
Standing there looking down at his feet Edward hesitated for an extra second wondering what else he could say, unfortunately everything that came to mind was better off being said at another time. So with another half-smile, he finally turned to leave and shoved his hands into his pockets as he went.

If this trend became something he could count on, one day he and Bella would finally talk about more than books and family and what sort of coffee drinks they liked. When that day arrived Edward would tell her how much he liked her smile and how pretty her eyes were. He would tell her how much he wanted to do things for her, even if it was simply reaching a book that had been placed to high up on a shelf. When that day came he wouldn't walk away with his head down and his hands in his pockets, because hopefully he would be walking somewhere with her instead. It was wishful thinking in his mind, but she had calmed so many of his fears and misconceptions that he was now willing to dream about what he'd been refusing to even consider before.

Friends...for now.