BPOV

I cannot believe Alice just said that and judging by how far Edward's jaw is hanging open, neither can he. I blush instantly, of course. I mean I knew I was attracted to Edward, but love? I think it was still a little early for such a strong word. We haven't even been on a real date yet! The others have now started laughing and Edward finally connects his bottom jaw with the top one. Alice and Jasper are on the top bleacher and Rosalie and Emmett are on the bleacher right in front of them. I quickly sit down next to Rosalie and Edward surprises me by going to sit by Jasper.

I knew it didn't mean anything. He probably just wanted to talk to Jasper or something, but that didn't stop the hurt from spreading through me. Nobody else even seemed to notice it, so I tried to mask my emotions and pay attention to the conversation.

"We should go request some songs," Alice said.

"What we should do is get everybody dancing," Rosalie added, a smirk forming on her lips.

"Please don't embarrass yourselves. I'm associated with you girls you know," Jasper said, trying to hide his smile.

"Are you trying to say we're not good dancers?" Alice asked, gasping.

"Of course not," Jasper laughed, "But you may look a little strange being the only ones dancing."

"We'll take Bella of course and maybe grab a few other girls on the way." Rosalie said, almost like he was stupid.

"I'm not going down there!" I objected.

"Don't be difficult, Bella," Alice said, scolding me as if I was a child.

"Don't be difficult, Bella," I said, mimicking Alice. Emmett, Jasper, and Rosalie started laughing, while Edward seemed lost in his own thoughts, and Alice just stared at me for a minute.

"You'll pay for that comment," Alice said, scaring me a little bit.

"Just think of it as payback for your comment a moment ago."

"Deal."

Rosalie then grabbed Alice's hand, but before she could start heading down the stairs, Alice grabbed me, pulling me along with them. As we walked everyone stared at us, some giving us sideways glances, while others stared openly. Rosalie and Alice would both randomly grab girls to join us on our way to the DJ. Lauren and Jessica tried to slip into the group, but Rosalie wasn't having it.

"What do you think you're doing?" Rose asked, staring Lauren down.

"Going with you guys," Lauren said, totally oblivious to Rose's glare.

"No you're not. Ho, sit your ass down you weren't invited." I had to turn my head to hide my smile. Rosalie always made me laugh with the way she dealt with people. You would know if Rosalie didn't like you.

Lauren quickly grabbed Jessica and they scampered back to wherever they were sitting. Lauren probably wanted to feed more lies into Jessica, who was both naïve and very trusting.

By the time we made it to the DJ we had gathered up a respectable group of girls and everyone in the stadium was staring at us in wonder.

Once we gave him a few songs we wanted him to play, we turned around and began walking towards the 50-yard line. It felt as if I were an animal in a zoo, everyone waiting for me to do something interesting. It was why I never liked to be the center of attention. I wasn't interesting and I couldn't handle everyone's stares searing into me.

By the time we made it onto the center of the field, the DJ was blaring our first song choice, Party in the USA. When we began dancing, in a big group, everyone else got the idea and began to drift off the bleachers.

I could see Lauren and Jessica from where I was standing. They were sitting in an isolated part of the bleachers; Lauren was glaring at the mob of people that had congregated in the middle of the field. Lauren appeared to be yelling at Jessica, as she looked wistfully down at the crowd of people. She wanted to come down here and Lauren wouldn't let her. She was imprisoned by one friend and unable to make anymore.

I was pulled out of my observation by someone sliding their hands around my waist. I began to panic.

"Let's sneak off," he whispered in my ear. I relaxed when I realized it was Edward and grabbed his hand letting him lead me off the field.

Just as we made it to the edge we heard Jasper's voice, "Where do you think you two going?" Edward turned around and put his fingers to his lips, telling him to be quiet. Jasper laughed and nodded and Edward and I continued onward.

"We were only there for 15 minutes, why are we leaving so soon?"

"I'm sorry. If you want to go back we can," he said, glancing down at me. He began to go back the other way.

"No it's fine." What kind of girl wouldn't want to be alone with him? "I just wondered what had you in such a hurry to get out of there."

"I ran into someone I didn't exactly want to hang out with," he explained.

"Oh." I didn't know what to say. If he wanted to elaborate, he would.

He didn't.

We walked in a comfortable silence.

"Bella?"

"Hmm?"

"Look at the sunset." I looked up and gasped. The sky was an array of orange, red, and yellow, hints of the earlier blue sky peaking through. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. So magnificent it took your breath away, it was one of the small things that you appreciate in life. The wind blew lightly through the trees and it truly was picture perfect, if just for a moment.

"It's beautiful," I whispered, suddenly afraid to speak too loud.

"I know," he replied, his voice just as quiet as mine. When I turned back he was staring at me, as if I was the sunset. He quickly turned and looked the other way, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"Bella, I know," he started.

"You know…?" I prompted, after my patience was worn out.

"I know we haven't known each other for very long and we haven't even gone on a real date yet, but I feel this connection with you. It sounds really corny and cliché, but it's true."

"I know. I feel it too."

"Really?" Edward said, sounding a little disbelieving. What I couldn't believe was that he doubted it? I was surprised that everyone in a 10 mile radius didn't know that I was after Edward Cullen.

"Really," I smiled.

We had made it all the way down to my dorm on our walk and we were now standing in front of the door, Edward shifting from foot to foot.

"Do you care….Would it be wrong….Can I…" Edward sighed. Today he seemed to have problems spitting out whatever he wanted to say. It might be the first (and last) time I saw him so flustered.

"Shut-up, Edward, Just shut-up." He looked at me, not sure how to take that. He looked half confused, half hurt. He took it as a good sign when I smiled at him and leaned in closer to me.

"What if I don't want to?" he whispered.

"Too bad," I said, pressing my lips to his.

I don't know where the new courage came from if it was the sunset or the man I was kissing but I didn't care. I was kissing the guy every girl in school wanted and I loved it. It was the sweetest kiss I had ever had, though it didn't last long. He pulled away with the brightest smile and a sparkle in his eyes.

"Goodnight, beautiful!" he said so quietly I barely heard him.

"Goodnight, Edward" I replied and with that he started walking backwards down the hall toward the door. I gave him a smile and small wave before I slipped into my room to go to bed.