A/N: Hey guys! I hope you are all doing well. :) So, this chapter is a bit shorter, but I feel as though you will enjoy it! I'm always grateful for the kind words and support that you all show towards my story! It means a lot to me. As always, leave a review and let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight :(

EPOV

I groaned in frustration as I tossed in my bed, yet again, and tried falling asleep. It's been two hours and I still haven't dozed off. I couldn't go to sleep. My mind was swimming with too many thoughts.

For some reason, I couldn't stop thinking of Bella. She had been so different tonight. She was in a more playful, happy mood. I've never seen her that way. I wondered why she always hid that side of herself. If she didn't hide it so often, she would definitely be easier to be friends with.

And she looked… beautiful. So beautiful. When she waltzed out of Alice's bathroom in that outfit, I couldn't stop myself from ogling her. Bella had always been known to wear oversized clothes. I have never seen her in tight clothes, but I was sure glad I did. The sweater hugged all her curves in all the right places, and seeing her cleavage made my cock grow hard. I was acting like a typical teenage boy, but I couldn't stop myself. She looked simply ravishing.

I wanted to know more of her. She was such a kind, caring person. Yet, she was also very mysterious. What was she hiding under those baggy clothes and that painful frown? I intended to find out, because someone as beautiful as Bella should never have to experience any form of pain. She was a mystery, and this was one mystery I just had to solve.

"Good morning," I chirped as I entered the kitchen before school, grazing my Mom's cheek with a kiss. I watched as she smiled brightly, her eyes shining with bliss. She was always the most upset when I was distant or in a bad mood. She tried many times to talk to me about it, but I always shut her out. It always made me feel like shit, but I just didn't know what to fucking say to her.

"You seem to be in a good mood." I didn't want to tell her the reason behind my good mood was because I had been plotting to become closer to Bella. So, I just replied "yup."

"That's good, honey. I got to run, I'll see you after school. Love you!" She hugged me quickly before throwing her empty yogurt container into the garbage and waltzing out the door after grabbing her expensive-ass purse. I remember Dad was cringing for about two days after he had bought it for her.

"You ready?" Alice bounced down the stairs. I nodded as I grabbed a banana for myself and an apple for Alice. I led the way to my Volvo and sped towards the school after we were both buckled in.

"What's with you today?" Alice observed, staring at my face in concentration.

I rolled my eyes. "What? A guy can't be in a good mood?"

"Well, it's certainly refreshing since you've been in a funk for a while now. What got you all happy again?"

I frowned in annoyance. "Nothing."

"You know I'm gonna end up finding out anyway, so you might as well tell me now and get it over with," Alice warned before taking a bite of her apple.

"It's really nothing, Alice."

"Maybe you're finally getting over-"

"Ugh, Alice!" I interrupted. She knew I fucking hated hearing her name. "Can we please not get into that right now? You just said that I'm in a good mood. Let's not ruin it."

"Yeah, sure," she muttered, and then turned up the volume on the radio, indicating the conversation was over. I felt bad for my outburst, but my anger was never under control when I thought of her.

The rest of the ride was spent in silence, besides my radio playing music from Alice's phone through the Bluetooth. She was obsessing over Sam Smith lately. I pulled into the spot next to Jasper's car, watching as Alice all but ran out of the car and into his waiting arms. I smiled at their happiness.

"What's up, bro?" Jasper asked as I got out of the car.

"Not much. How was the fancy dinner last night?" Jasper and Rosalie's Dad was an extremely successful business man. He was kind of like a mini Donald Trump – always investing his money in new projects such as hotels and country clubs. Jasper and Rosalie were always forced into banquets and galas and fancy dinners, much to Rosalie's enjoyment and Jasper's distaste. Rosalie loved getting dolled up and living in the princess world, while Jasper would rather chill at home and watch TV. I didn't fucking blame him.

"It was alright. My back still fucking hurts from keeping my posture upright."

I chuckled. "It must suck to be you."

"You're telling me. As much as I love my family, I can't wait to go to college far away and get the fuck away from all these pretentious events."

"I hear ya, man," I agreed.

"Baby, who are you waving to?" Jasper asked as he and I looked around the parking lot after noticing Alice waving her hand in the air excitedly.

"Bella, she just pulled in!" Alice was smiling in the direction behind me. I turned my head and noticed Bella getting out of her rusty old truck and waving shyly at Alice with a small smile toying on her lips. She wore baggy clothes again, yet she didn't look as miserable as usual. I was glad to see that. I felt a smile grow onto my face without being able to control it.

The first few periods passed by quickly, and I was feeling excited as I headed towards the cafeteria for lunch. I was thinking of ways to get closer to Bella and help her while I sat through my earlier classes, and I decided I would at least sit with her at lunch today. I would try to strike up some conversations and get her to at least like me a little more.

I headed in line and grabbed a ham and cheese sandwich, along with some fries and mixed fruit. I paid the cashier and scanned the cafeteria, searching for Bella. It didn't take long to find her, she was the only person in the whole fucking room sitting alone. She was writing in that same notebook, her forehead creased in concentration. My heart broke a little to see her by herself. She was always alone.

Well, that was going to change.

I took a deep breath and walked slowly towards her table. I felt nervous, which was unusual for me. It was just that Bella could be so intimidating because she always seemed miserable and uninterested in others.

I cleared my throat as I approached the table. She whipped her head up in surprise and closed her notebook quickly, causing a loud smacking noise to hit my ears.

"Hi, Bella, I was wondering if I could sit with you today?" I asked, using my most polite face.

I watched her eyes narrow in confusion, but nonetheless, she shook her head 'yes' and motioned for me to sit with her. I chose the chair directly across from hers. I didn't want to freak her out.

"How are you today?" I asked nonchalantly as I picked at my sandwich.

"I'm okay," her small voice was just above a whisper. I almost had to ask her to repeat herself.

"Why don't you have any food?"

She looked down and fiddled her thumbs, biting her lip softly. Her lips looked so fucking soft. "I'm not hungry."

"You sure?" I pressed. She nodded in reply.

I racked my brain for something to talk about. The silence was a tad awkward, and I was not going to be able to figure Bella out or gain her trust if I couldn't even talk to her.

"I think your girlfriend is mad," I heard her say quietly. I tilted my head to the side and gave her a confused look. What was she talking about?

Bella noticed my confusion and pointed behind me. "Tanya is giving me the death glare."

I turned my head slowly and groaned as I saw Tanya saunter over towards us, her hips shaking with force. Her eyes screamed rage.

"Edward, what are you doing?" She whined while standing between Bella and me, placing her hands on her hips for dramatic emphasis. I stole a glance towards Bella and saw her cheeks were bright red, a scared expression written on her face.

"I'm eating lunch, Tanya, what about you?" I asked sarcastically as I bit into my sandwich and smiled at her, but my smile was nowhere near polite or happy.

"You must have heard me wrong. I'm asking why you are sitting here with her." She pointed at Bella with a look of disgust on her face. I felt my anger rise. How dare she be so rude and disrespectful towards someone so innocent and fragile?

"Because she's my friend, is there a problem with that?" I countered. It felt wrong speaking to Tanya this way- I was raised to never disrespect a woman. But, then again, it felt fucking right speaking to Tanya this way.

She flipped her fake blond hair and rolled her eyes. "Actually, yeah, there is a problem with that. I really don't like it when you choose to hang out with other girls, especially ones like that," she said as she waved in Bella's direction.

Whatever anger I was previously feeling, was very escalated now. I looked at Bella and saw her looking down into her lap with the most defeated, sad expression on her face.

I turned back to Tanya. "Tanya, what the fuck is wrong with you? First of all, you and I are not dating and never were, so there is absolutely no reason for you to even remotely have the idea that you have the right to tell me who I can and cannot spend time with. Also, what do you mean 'ones like that'? Bella is way more kind, intelligent, and real than you can only wish to be. You think you're better than her because you have fake blond hair, fake nails, and a fake tan? Bella has something called natural beauty, inside and out. So, yeah, I would much rather spend time with her over you any day of the week. Now, please, go away."

Tanya grumbled and stomped her feet before flipping Bella and I off and sauntering away, tossing her hair dramatically. I sighed under my breath and instantly felt scared for Bella's reaction. Would she think I was rude? Or a hero for defending her?

I looked over at her and saw tears welling in her big, brown eyes. She looked like a scared kitten.

"Bella, I'm so sorry for her behavior. Are you okay?"

She nodded, the movement causing the tears to fall from her eyes onto the table. I fought the urge to wipe her tears away; she should never have to cry. "Yeah, I'm just… overwhelmed, I guess."

"Well, you don't have to feel sad about what Tanya said, she's just a jealous bitch."

She giggled softly and wiped her tears. "No, that's not why I'm crying. I don't care what she thinks of me."

"Then what is it?"

"Nobody has ever stood up for me before," her voice was just above a whisper.

I felt a pang in my heart. How could I have been so oblivious to this? Bella has gone to school with me for years and I am now just noticing how unfairly she is treated.

Then, it hit me. That's why Bella is always so miserable and alone. Everybody bullied her. Why, though? It's not like she was involved in those typical cliques that get picked on in the movies. She wasn't weird or anything. She was just quiet.

"Do people always treat you like that?"

She blushed and fiddled her thumbs again. "Not all the time, but it does happen. Thank you for sticking up for me, it means a lot."

I grabbed her hand from across the table and felt a spark of electricity. I ignored it and looked into her eyes when she looked up. I needed her to listen to me.

"Bella, from now on, please come to me if anybody is being rude or disrespectful to you. I will help you handle it, okay?" I pressed.

She gasped slightly and shook her head, letting go of my hand. My palms felt so cold and empty after losing her gentle touch. That's fucking weird.

"I can't ask you to do that, Edward. Really, I've been getting by on my own my whole life. I'll be okay."

"But that's the problem. You shouldn't be 'getting by' by allowing people to treat you this way. If you don't stand up for yourself, I will. You don't deserve to have to deal with anybody's shit. Please, allow me to help you out. Honestly, you're such a sweet person and I can't stand to see people walk all over you." I looked deeply into her eyes, so she would know I was being truthful and serious.

She blushed again, something that was truly beautiful, and smiled sadly.

"I don't want to be anybody's burden," she whispered.

"You're not a burden, you're my friend. And friends don't let friends get treated that way. Okay?"

She sighed in defeat and nodded, her long, dark hair bouncing around her small face.