Friggin' mid terms.

Edward's sob story time.

Disclaimer: I never remember; I don't own Twilight.

The trailer—Edward's home, I had to stop thinking of it as some foreign, skeptical thing, even if I did not mean to—loomed in front of me from where I was still sitting in Edward's car.

I knew it was only fair; Edward had met Charlie when he picked me up Thursday night for our date… but I just did not feel ready for this. If I had known I would be meeting Edward's family I maybe would have dressed up a bit more and, generally, I would have had more time to psyche myself up. The worry that I would not be approved of was consuming me.

"Bella?" Edward's anxious voice matched his anxious eyes as my head quickly turned to him. My eyes widened fractionally at the thought of what I was putting him through. I plastered on a smile and moved my hand to the door handle.

"Let's go," I said, only mildly shaky.

Edward was still apprehensive as he joined me in the front of his car. Taking my hand, he led me up the pale green steps to his front door, which was also green. I realized I hadn't taken in too much detail the first time I was here, save for the ever-beautiful garden. I had been standing on his doorstep before and I hadn't even noticed the swinging canopy bench to the left of the door.

Opening the front door with one hand and holding onto my hand tightly with the other, Edward walked into his home with me in tow.

Although it was getting darker outside, my eyes still had to adjust to the dimness of the room. There was one small lamp on in the corner and the glow from a television keeping it from being completely pitch black.

"Edward? You're home early, I thought you'd be out later with Bella."

I could see a woman maybe in her late thirties sitting on the dark green patterned couch with her legs curled under her.

Even though I was standing behind him—effectively blocking the view of me from the woman—I was still able to catch the soft smile Edward was directing to her. He went over and kissed her cheek. I could see the love he held for her in his actions.

"Mom, I thought I would introduce the two of you—"

"It's about time," she—apparently Edward's mother—said playfully, effectively cutting Edward off. She looked past Edward and her eyes seemed to light up as she realized I was standing there. Standing up quickly and nudging past Edward in a comical way, Edward's mother came to stand in front of me.

I was now getting a better view of her and I could see the similarities between her and her son. She had the same colour bronze hair, only maybe a tad lighter, and the same piercing green eyes. In a nutshell, she was beautiful.

I didn't have time to feel self-conscious or to worry because she was quickly pulling me into a hug. "It's so nice to meet you, Bella. Edward's told me such wonderful things about you." As she pulled away to look at me, I snuck a peek at Edward to see him looking anywhere but at the two of us and he was even blushing from what I could see, though the lighting could have been tricking me. "I'm Elizabeth, obviously Edward's mother."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs.—"

"Elizabeth, dear, please call me Elizabeth." I nodded in agreement.

Elizabeth led me to the couch she was previously sitting on, turning off the television as well as we sat down. "So, Bella, I hear you just moved here not too long ago; must be a big change from… where did you say, Edward? Arizona?" she asked innocently.

Edward let a deep exhale out of his nose and narrowed his eyes at Elizabeth and mumbled something that sounded like a yes. I had the idea that Elizabeth knew exactly what she was doing and it only amused me. I smiled at their playful relationship. My mind was also whirling with the fact that Edward had come home and talked about me to Elizabeth and it made me smile like the fool I am.

I soon remembered that Elizabeth asked me a question. "Mm, yes, it is a complete difference. But I think I'm starting to get used to it. I'm liking it here more and more." My eyes subconsciously darted over to Edward for a second, where he was still hovering by the door, watching his mother like a hawk.

Elizabeth gave me a dazzling smile, not too different from Edward's. "Forks really is a wonderful town, such a contrast to Chicago."

"Chicago?" I inquired. Was she just picking a random city as an example?

"Yes, we moved here from Chicago two years ago and I just knew Forks would be a great place for Edward and I," Elizabeth smiled warmly at her son but it soon turned almost wistful. She was able to bring herself out of it. "But look at me, talking about us; tell me more about yourself."

I found myself smiling as I opened my mouth—to talk about what, I wasn't sure, there wasn't much to say—but Edward beat me to it.

"Bella, it's getting late; I should drive you home," Edward said, sending me a meaningful look.

"Oh, um, yeah okay." I stood up, as did Elizabeth. "It was great to meet you—Elizabeth," I said, remembering quickly that she wanted to be called by her first name.

"You too, Bella. I hope to see you again soon." I nodded, giving my reassurance. I enjoyed her company.

"I'll be back soon, mom," Edward murmured as we walked back to Edward's car. He started it without a word and began to drive out of the trailer park. I took the initiative to talk.

"Your mom is really nice," I commented, stealing fleeting glances at Edward to see if I got a reaction out of him.

The corner of his mouth that I could see turned up fractionally. "Yeah, she is…" he said absently.

"Edward, talk to me. What's on your mind?" I asked, nervous for the answer.

He opened his mouth once, twice before finally speaking, perhaps picking his words. "Bella, you may have wondered why my father wasn't there."

"It crossed my mind briefly…" I answered.

"He died two years ago," he said bluntly, his eyes glued to the road.

I couldn't help the gasp that escaped. "I'm sorry…" I said with as much conviction as I could muster. Edward nodded mutely. By then, thanks to Edward's insane driving, we were pulling up to my house.

I did not know what to do then. Tonight seemed like the night Edward wanted to get things off of his chest—maybe the only night he would want to—and I wanted desperately for him to open up to me. Turning to Edward, I asked, "Do you want to come inside for a bit?" I was thankful that Charlie was on his finish trip for the weekend.

We were inside in a matter of seconds and we migrated to the living room couch.

He slumped down heavily, like he was carrying five hundred pounds on his back and I sat cautiously beside him, ready to hear whatever he decided to tell me.

"My parents… they were madly in love, it was so obvious. When my father just… collapsed one day without any warning, it killed my mother inside. It has been hard for her to cope. She can't even leave the trailer park," he finished, rubbing a hand over his tired face.

"What? Why?" I asked, shocked.

"She gets panic attacks when she would try to leave. I don't know, maybe she has agoraphobia, but…" he trailed off.

My mouth was agape. "So she just stays at home everyday… by herself?"

"She spends time with a neighbour a few trailers over, they are good friends, and she likes to garden." I remembered the garden in front of their home and smiled. "She really liked meeting you tonight, meeting a new face. She likes you a lot." Edward's smile this time was genuinely happy and of course I blushed.

"I like her too," I said honestly. We were quiet again for a minute until I asked hesitantly, "Is that why you have to work two jobs?"

Edward looked to his lap as he spoke. "We weren't exactly well off to begin with—they had me at a young age—but by the time everything was taken care of with my father… we didn't have much left."

I didn't know what to say or do. I did the only thing I could think of. I leaned my head on his shoulder as I wrapped my arms around his waist. Edward hugged me to him.

"Thank you," he said quietly.

I wanted to say, 'no, thank you for opening up to me,' but I didn't. I just kissed his neck and hugged him tighter.

"Whoa…"

"I know."

"And so he works two jobs to support himself and his mother? …Whoa…" Alice breathed again… and then turned back to a shelf of jeans, but with a more solemn expression. I had more or less filled her in on what was going on with Edward. At first I wasn't sure if I should tell her anything but once Alice realizes something's up she gets to the bottom of it.

"Yeah, but I mean, he's okay… his mother's a different story, however," I mumbled the last part mostly to myself. I couldn't help but to keep thinking about Elizabeth and her situation, losing her soul mate so suddenly…

"Bella, I can tell you're bored senseless, want to go to the food court now?" Alice asked, bringing me back to the present.

"Yeah sure," I said.

I hadn't spent time with Alice in a few days and missed her company so I was spending the day with her… at the mall. Not my ideal place of choice but whatever; at least she was letting me eat. I asked if Rosalie had wanted to join us but I can't say I was sad when she turned the offer down.

"So," Alice said, popping a French fry into her mouth, "you and Edward are really an item now, eh?" She knew we were; I knew she knew. She just wanted me to say it.

"I'd say so," I replied vaguely. I was pretty positive Edward didn't go around to anyone telling them his story willy-nilly so that must have meant he saw something special in me. For some reason… which then had me guilty for Alice finding out, once again.

"I knew you two would be together," Alice beamed a full-watt smile in my direction.

"What? How could you have possibly known that?" Stupid question.

"It was completely obvious," Alice chirped.

"Yeah, to you maybe," I muttered.

"It was only a matter of time." Alice eyes suddenly got wide. "Now we can go on triple dates!" she squealed.

My lip twitched. I sighed, "Whatever you say, Alice." There would be no fighting her. I'd be going whether I wanted to or not, that is if Edward wanted to, though I doubted even his power when it came to Alice.

"All right, food break over; back to shopping!" Alice danced over to the trash bin to empty her tray and then returned to me where I was slowly finishing my fries, trying to prolong the inevitable.

It didn't last and before I could finish chewing my last fry we were in yet another store.

Edward picked me up for school again on Monday and I was really hoping this would turn into a daily thing. Of course, my truck still wasn't fixed… but when I had my personal Adonis showing up on my doorstep in the morning, greeting me with a heart wrenching crooked smile and a kiss, to drive me to school, I found myself not really caring if the thing ever did get fixed.

Alice met us as soon as we were both out of the car when we reached the school parking lot and the first thing she did was latch onto Edward's torso.

Edward was positively shocked and didn't know what to do so he hesitantly patted her spiky head.

"I'm so sorry," Alice said, staring him in the eye.

Edward looked to me for an answer and I grimaced. "Er, sorry… I sort of told her your… well yeah."

"S'fine, Bella," Edward replied, I think trying to subtly shake off the sprite still attached to him. I carefully gauged his reaction and he did seem okay with Alice knowing which had me sighing in relief.

"Tryin' to steal Jasper's girl, Masen?" Emmett chuckled as he approached with Jasper and Rosalie.

"Eh…" Edward stumbled. Alice abruptly let go of Edward and skipped over to Jasper without a word, wrapping her arm around his. That girl just confuses me sometimes.

The two couples headed into the school, leaving Edward and I standing beside his car still.

No words were spoken. He kissed me sweetly on the lips before taking my hand. As we walked to the building, the students' stares didn't go unnoticed by me. Was it that major that Edward and I were now going out? Well, to me it obviously was but everyone else seemed to be flabbergasted. Mike Newton looked like he was on the verge of crying which just weirded me out.

"What is with everyone?" I murmured to Edward to which he replied with a simple shrug.

I did not want to leave him for first class but Edward met me at the end of every period and walked me to every class. When the bell for lunch rang I was excited for the full hour I'd have with him.

We sat down at Alice, Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper's table and as I ate my lunch I reveled in the way that Edward seemed to instantly fit in and how we all, as a group just… fit. It was how it was supposed to be.

Yeah, it's abruptly ended… I know. It's late and I haven't started my homework. So there you go. I'll try my best to update again soon, I really will. Luckily, mid terms are over. Hallelujah much? Though I have no idea what the next chapter is about yet… I really only had up to chapter five planned…

This is where I jack a concept from a movie. I'll say which one later if I steal the part in it that I… want to steal in an upcoming chapter (see, I have stuff that I want to happen in my head I just don't know when or in what order). Just a small detail was taken from it for this chapter. Aren't I mysterious? If you know the movie already… you're totally cool. Hint: one of the people in the movie is from the PC/Mac commercials. Those commercials own life. And if you don't know what those are... look it up on youtube somehow...

So how's everyone lovin' the Twilight soundtrack? (I know it's old news but deal with it). I've been listening to Bella's lullaby on repeat. As well as Mutemath's Spotlight. I'm so happy they're on the soundtrack, they are cool cats. The Iron & Wine song is beautiful as well. And then there's Rob. Ah, Spunk, how I love you. I think the song is great but for some reason I giggle at random spots when I listen to it... it's something that I can't control and am working on. What's everyone's favourites? I'd love to get some opinions.