A/N: hey everyone! I hope all is well :) I seriously am so happy to be back! Review and let me know how you feel about this chapter! It's a big chapter in the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own twilight!

EPOV

This was bad. Very bad.

I was lying in bed next to Bella, laughing with her at that fucking Sharknado movie on Netflix. Seriously, so many scenarios could happen in this world for people to make movies about, did these idiots really think a Sharknado was one of those scenarios that would be a box office hit? I shook my head in disappointment towards society.

That wasn't what was bad, though. What was bad was that I was on my second boner of the day, and it was all Bella's fault.

Being so close to her did things to me that did not happen when we were just partners for a project. Now that we're good friends, it's a whole new ball game.

I'm so much more physically and emotionally attracted to her than I really thought I'd ever be. Watching her blush when she was embarrassed, or seeing her eyes twinkle when she laughed at something stupid I'd say did wonders to me.

Alice wasn't helping either by putting makeup on her, even though Bella is just as beautiful without it. However, the makeup enhanced her features, giving her more of a mature, womanly glow. I had a feeling Alice's intentions weren't stemming from sheer boredom. Alice is my twin sister, and I swear to God, twin telepathy is definitely a thing. I could read her like a book, and vice versa. She knew I was lonely. She was trying to set me up with Bella.

I wondered if Alice could read me enough to know that I was way ahead of her. I was already way more than interested in Bella, but how to approach the situation? Bella is so much… more than other girls. I cannot simply treat her with the same boring, everyday romance story. She deserved so much more than that. Was I able to provide her with that? Was I good enough for her? I have no fucking idea.

"Edward, did you hear me?" Her voice shook me out of my thoughts.

"Sorry, what were you saying?"

"I think your friends are here. I'm pretty sure I heard Emmett yelling something about 'owning Alice in pool'."

I smiled. "Yes, then you're right. Emmett and Alice play pool every time everyone is over. They're both very good and make for an interesting competition. Would you like to go down and watch?"

"Um, sure," she mumbled quietly.

"We don't have to, if you don't-"

She cut me off by placing her little hand over my mouth. I resisted the urge to kiss it. I'm turning into a fucking girl.

"No, I would love to."

We headed into the basement to see Emmett and Alice completely in the zone, both staring intently at the table, planning their next move.

"Bella, hey! I knew that was your truck outside," Rosalie called from the couch, waving Bella over.

Bella smiled sheepishly and made her way over to Rosalie, stubbing her toe on the bottom of the couch in the process.

Jasper gazed knowingly across the room before nodding his head for me to go stand next to him. I sighed deep in my chest. Shit. He knew already.

"So, I thought you handed in that project yesterday?" He snickered.

"We did. She's here to just hangout."

"Are you sure? Because that look in your eye says otherwise," he mused. I cursed him in my head. He could always sense how people are feeling.

"Look, Jazz. I'm just as confused by this as you are, and-"

"Confused? No. I'm not confused."

"You aren't?"

"Of course not, this makes way too much sense. I completely see how easy it would be for you to grow feelings for her. She's perfect for you, Edward."

"How could you know that?"

He rolled his eyes. "It isn't rocket science. I've noticed you've been moping around lately, but not ever since you've been paired with Bella. I may not know her very well, but I know her enough to see that she's different. Special. I can tell you've been looking for something like that. Well, now what you've been looking for is right in front of your damn eyes. Act now, man, before it's too late." Damn, he is wise.

I wasn't confused by his words, though. I knew I had to act soon. Not to sound cocky, because I could really care less, but I was popular at school. If I hung around Bella, she would be noticed much more by our peers. If I showed an interest in her, other guys would, too. What if another guy beat me to asking her out? I couldn't let that happen. I'm not sure if I was able to see her with another guy. It would crush me.

I peered over to see her laughing at something Rosalie had said, the smile not only shown with her mouth, but also with her eyes. She was breathtaking.

I knew in that moment, I would have to definitely act soon. I had to form a plan to tell her how I felt. I could feel my palms sweating just thinking of it.

Fuck.

"Okay, I just need some more pillows," Emmett called from the floor.

After having a pool tournament between all six of us, and Emmett winning, he declared a giant sleepover. Of course everyone was all for it, given how much fun we were having. We had decided to gather as many pillows and blankets as we could and pile them onto the floor in the basement for a "campout."

I was truly shocked when Bella said she was on board with the sleepover. Not that I thought she was boring - actually, quite the opposite - but I did not think she was comfortable enough with everyone to sleep here. But, after assuring me that she was having a great time, and didn't need to be home until late afternoon tomorrow, I was more than thrilled.

"Ow! Alice, my fucking head actually kind of hurts," Emmett's boisterous grunt shook me from my thoughts.

"Kids, dinner!" Mom's voice rang from upstairs. Emmett literally sprinted up the stairs, while the rest of us followed, giggling at his antics.

Mom really outdid herself. She was ecstatic when hearing that everyone was spending the night. She loved having everyone and caring for them. She prepared a huge dinner of cheeseburgers, hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, fruit salad and pasta salad.

"Help yourselves to whatever you'd like, there's coke, sprite, milk and orange juice in the fridge," she sang while everyone loaded their plates. The food smelled delicious and I felt my stomach rumble in agreement.

"Mrs. C, if I wasn't with Rosalie, I swear I would marry you," Emmett bellowed, causing Dad to react by throwing a noodle at his face.

"Ow!"

"Even though you won't be eighteen until next month, so that's completely illegal, thank you anyway, dear," Mom laughed.

Emmett's eyes widened with sheer happiness. "You know my birthday?"

Mom rolled her eyes. "Of course I do, you're like a second son to me. All of you are like children to me. I love having you guys. Even you, Bella. Even though you've just entered our lives, you're a great addition already." Bella blushed and thanked her in a shy whisper.

We talked about random topics while we ate, everyone enjoying each other's company.

"What do you guys want to do now?" Rosalie asked as we were about to head back into the basement.

"Movie night!" Alice cheered, earning a high five from an approving Emmett.

"But, first, we have to get into our pajamas and whatnot, so this is a real slumber party. Boys, go up into Edward's room and change, and talk amongst yourselves when you finish. Rosalie, Bella, come with me to my room. Edward, give them pajamas and I will give you girls some. Move out!" Alice commanded and yanked Rosalie and Bella by their arms, pulling them upstairs.

"Well, I guess we have to go upstairs and change," Jasper chuckled.

I lead the way to my room, disappointed when I tried sneaking a glance into Alice's room to find the door shut. My twin telepathy told me Alice was planning something.

"Dude, are you and Bella, like, a thing?" Emmett asked with an amused glint in his eyes.

"No, Em, they're not, but he wants to be," Jasper teased, wiggling his eyebrows. I shut them both up by throwing basketball shorts and Tshirts their way.

"Wait, you like Bella? This is great!" Emmett was basically shouting. I practically ran across the room before I slapped my hand over his mouth.

"What?" His muffled voice was appalled.

"She might hear you! Yes, I like her, okay? But you can't make it obvious. I have to figure out a way to tell her on my own."

"Alright, sheesh, I won't tell her. But seriously, bro, this is great. I already love Bella. Especially after I played her in pool and she had no idea what she was doing. I will never get over how she almost drove the stick into the wall," he laughed at the memory, causing me to smile. Watching Bella try to play sports was definitely entertaining. She fumbled around the table the entire time, failing miserably and blushing throughout the length of every game she played.

We changed and headed back downstairs into the basement, watching a football game and talking amongst ourselves while we waited for the girls.

"We're back," Alice's voice rang throughout the room. We turned our heads and I literally almost groaned in sexual frustration.

Bella was wearing a very tight long-sleeved dark blue shirt with a V-neck, exposing her cleavage. She wore light gray cotton shorts, showing off her beautiful, creamy legs. Her hair was thrown up into a cute ponytail on top her head, the ends curled lightly. However, it wasn't just her cleavage or legs that had me sent into a whirlwind of feelings. It was her expression, too. She looked so happy. Confident, almost. Her eyes shined with bliss, her smile completely radiant. It was simply impossible to look away.

She approached me with a wary expression, looking down at her outfit to make sure nothing was wrong.

No, Bella, nothing is wrong with you. You're absolutely perfect. Perfectly perfect.

I snapped into reality and smiled gently. "Bella, you're beautiful."

She blushed bashfully and looked down at her feet, her lips twitching into a timid smile.

"Bella, get your ass over here for movie time!" Rosalie ordered.

Bella snuggled in between Alice and me, sharing a big blanket with me.

We spent the night eating popcorn and Twinkies, drinking beer that Emmett brought, and watching movies from a saga about a young girl who falls for a vampire and is thrown into his immortal world. I scoffed when Alice and Rosalie suggested it, but the movies were not as bad as I had assumed they were.

Bella refused the beer, and I had to remember that she probably has never had alcohol. Not trying to make her uncomfortable, I only drank one myself. Everybody else was casually sipping, too caught up in the movies to get drunk.

Everyone was asleep by the time 2:30 AM came around. I, however, was wide awake.

I felt like a fucking stalker, but I couldn't keep my eyes off Bella while she slept. She looked so peaceful next to me. The moonlight cast a glow on her face, making her features sparkle. I found myself lightly stroking her cheek, relishing in the softness of her skin.

She began to stir and her eyelids fluttered a few times before she opened them. I swiftly took my hand off her face before she noticed.

"Hmm, Edward? What time is it?"

"It's about 2:30. You can go back asleep."

"Why are you up?" She mumbled tiredly, but still worried.

"I'm not sure," I lied.

"Okay, well, I'm going to go upstairs and get a drink. Do you want anything?" She offered. She was actually trying to serve me in my own home.

"Nonsense, Bella. I'll get you a drink," I started getting up, but she followed anyway.

"I'll come with you."

We sat at the dining room table, looking out the window as we sipped our waters. The silence was comfortable. Everything was comfortable with Bella.

She slowly got up and headed closer to the window, looking up at the sky.

"It's a beautiful night," her small voice lightly danced off the walls. I smiled and joined her at the window.

"Yes, it is."

"Look how pretty the moon is, Edward! It's so hard to see the moon with the weather this town always has. Can we go outside and look at it, please?" She begged, even though she didn't need to. I would give her whatever she wanted.

I'm so in over my head.

I nodded and followed her into the backyard after swiftly grabbing some sweatshirts and sweatpants for us to go outside in. She used the blanket she had wrapped around her body and spread it out on the grass, pulling my hand down with her.

We lied on the blanket next to each other and looked up at the clear sky, a rare sight in Forks. The stars were everywhere, and they were beautiful.

"Oh, look, Edward! There's O' Ryan's Belt, and the Big Dipper!" She sang sweetly.

"You must really love stars, Bella."

"I do. My Mom and I always used to look at the stars from the tree outside my window whenever we had the chance. She showed me as many constellations that she could find. It always amazed me, ya know? The fact that we can literally see things that aren't even on this planet. It was one of my favorite things to do with my Mom." The heartbroken tone of her voice pained me. I hated seeing her upset. I wish I could take her to her Mom, so she could be happy.

"I'm sorry, Bella. She sounded like a great woman. I bet she's so proud of the person you've grown up to be."

"I hope so."

I looked over at her in disbelief. "How could she not be? You're easily the best person I've ever met. So kind, down to earth, caring. I mean it when I say you don't see yourself clearly, Bella."

She shook her head sadly. "There's more to me than you think, Edward."

"Like what?" I challenged. This girl will be the death of me. How could she not see how amazing she was? I ran my hands through my hair in frustration.

"Nothing, forget it," she whispered, gazing back up at the nighttime sky.

"You know you can tell me anything, Bella," I assured gently. She nodded slowly in understanding, keeping her eyes on the stars, but didn't say anything else.

"I feel like a part of you is always hiding from me. Sometimes, you're this free spirit whom I can talk to for hours and hours. Other times, you have this wall surrounding yourself, and it's hard as fuck to tear it down. Please, just help me figure you out."

"What if I don't want to be figured out?"

"Bella, all I'm doing is trying to help you."

"But, why? Can't you just be happy enough to see the 'free spirit part of me'," she used air quotes. "Or is that not enough?"

How was I supposed to explain myself to her? It wasn't enough, because I wanted all of her. As selfish as that sounds, it's true. I wanted to know why she built the wall up, what she is hiding. I wanted – no, needed – to understand everything about her.

"I, well… ugh, shit," I sighed.

Surprising Bella and myself, I grabbed her face gently in my hands and leaned in. She gasped lightly as she realized what I was doing. I didn't know how to tell her how I felt, so I thought I'd show her.

I carefully pressed my lips against hers. At first, she didn't kiss me back, but I didn't fucking care at that moment. Just feeling her soft, pouty lips against mine was more than enough to make me happy. My heart was racing in my chest when she finally kissed me back. Our lips molded together, causing my palms to sweat. I had kissed girls before, but never like this. Never with this much passion and meaning. My insides were on fire, burning with a sensation so strong that I was appalled.

She suddenly pulled away quickly, staring at me with fearful, depressed eyes. I mentally cursed myself.

"Edward, I… no. I have to go," she blurted before quickly getting up and all but running inside, most likely to gather her things.

I didn't have the strength to run after her. She regretted kissing me. I never thought a rejection would hurt this bad. It was almost hard to breathe.

Was there another guy? Did she just simply not see me in that way? My heart was breaking and I felt like punching something. I couldn't help but feel as though I had just ruined every chance I possibly had with her.