A/n: This one is from Mike's point of view. His apology.

Disclaimer: I do not own the Twilight series or the characters. I can only wish.

Breathe in. Breathe out. I could do this. Apologies were never my strong suit, but this one was necessary. I had to apologize to her. Why didn't I see it before? Why did I have to be such an impatient jackass?

I knew how I felt about her. I knew that she was still hurting over what that bastard Cullen put her through. But I still pursued her relentlessly. I acted like the biggest jackass in the world.

I'm not sure what made me finally see it, the fact that it was so very wrong of me to pursue her like I did. Maybe it was just that I was growing up and getting wiser. I know I'm not the brightest, but I always get the point eventually. And this point definitely made itself known more recently.

I cursed my stupidity and myself, as I got ready for school. I should have seen it sooner. But no, I was just focused on finally having her be mine. Gees, am I selfish enough?

It wasn't the apology that I found difficult, not this time. No, it was the fear in losing her even as a friend. For all I knew she was just tolerating my presence.

I decided to catch her after school and ask her to grab a coffee with me, as friends. She agreed after looking at me confused, and we dropped her truck off at home so we'd only need to worry about one car. The café in Forks had a tiny area for parking, after all. The inside was full, so we grabbed our coffees and went to sit in the park instead, and it took a few minutes of awkward silence before I began.

"I need to apologize Bella."

She looked at me confused, "Why? What did you do?"

"I've been pursuing you rather insistently after Edward left you. Even before then, I tried."

Hurt flashed across her eyes before she looked down, "You're sorry for that? Do you regret wanting me? If that's the case then…" she trailed off.

It was then that I realized that Edward had hurt her far worse than anyone could even begin to comprehend. I rushed to reassure her, "No! No! Bella, I don't regret wanting you. The only regret I have is that I was such a jackass to you. In pursuing you relentlessly, I have been acting like a total jerk, and that's not okay. So I am apologizing."

She let out a breath, "Oh."

"I'm sorry Bella. I should have seen it, should have been more patient and understanding. I should have had the decency to give you time in the first place. I would like to be your friend, if you would allow it. I want to be there for you. Let me help you."

She looked at me warily, "What's in it for you?"

I got up to kneel in front of her on the grass, "You're friendship. That's all. No strings attached. No dates. Just friendship."

She smiled and suddenly hugged me, "Thanks Mike. That sounds good. I forgive you."

On the outside I merely smiled. On the inside, I was whooping for joy. She didn't send me away. She forgave me. One day I would pursue her again, but not until I knew that she was ready to move on.