"Edward, I—," I started to say.

"I'm sorry, Bella," he whispered sadly. "Truly, deeply, sincerely sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen. I thought you would've moved on like I told you to… I thought leaving you would protect you, but I was wrong. I hurt you badly, Bella. I'm sorry. Hate me, scream at me, do whatever you want to me—I deserve it. But, Bella! Hanging out with a werewolf?! A young werewolf?! You do know that Jacob Black's"—he sneered his name—"a werewolf, right?"

"Yes, Edward, I—"

He was horrified. "You knew?! Bella, if you knew, why do you insist on hanging out with him?! You promised me that you would try to be safe. How could you do this to me? I know I broke my promise, but that doesn't mean you should!" He shook his head at me.

"Edward, why do you care?" I snapped, and then I immediately regretted it, for he looked hurt.

"I'm…sorry. Like I said, Bella, I never meant for any of this to happen. It was…too much. Surely, you heard me say something like that to Charlie?"

I nodded. I was caught like I predicted.

"So…will you forgive me? Or if I have to earn you forgiveness, I will do anything. Even kill myself." He wasn't lying; I could tell. But he always was good at lying.

I glared at him. "Kill yourself?! Don't be an idiot, Edward. There are people that care a lot about you!"

He gazed into my eyes. "Like who?"

I averted his gaze. "Like—like—like, Alice! Carlisle! Esme! Everyone else! And…"

He leaned towards me. What surprised me was that…I didn't cringe.

"And who else, Bella?" he whispered. I could feel his sweet breathe fanning my face.

"M—" Suddenly, the door busted open; it was Alice.

She looked at how Edward was leaning towards me. I quickly moved away. Alice smiled apologetically, although I saw smugness in her smile.

"Sorry for interrupting," she said, and then looked at me. "Someone wants to talk to you, Bella."

"Who?" I inquired. I thought not a lot of people know the Cullens' house phone number.

"I don't know. But I think it's Charlie." She shrugged.

Edward raised an eyebrow. "You think it's Charlie?" he asked.

"It sounds like him."

"You mean you're not sure?"

"I…don't know, Edward. I know it's Charlie, but…I feel like it's someone else." She shook her head. "Here, Bella." In a second, she was in front of me.

"Um, thanks, Alice." I took the phone from her and pressed it to my ear. "Hello?"

It was silent for a moment, and then I heard a click.

"That was weird," I commented. "He hung up."

"That wasn't Charlie, Alice," Edward growled.

Alice rolled her eyes. "I got that, Edward. Maybe I was wrong."

"How could you be wrong?" I asked incredulous.

She shrugged again. "I don't know." Then she smiled. "I appreciate your high thoughts about me, Bella!"

I rolled my eyes at her.

"Well…I'll leave you two lovebirds alone." She grinned, and then was gone.

"Sorry," Edward suddenly said.

"For what?"

"For being too close to you…literally," he added.

"It's fine, Edward." I actually thought he was going to kiss me, but he doesn't love me anymore…

"Can I ask you something, Bella?"

"Um…sure."

"Why do you always cringe when people…touch you?" he spoke slowly.

I stopped breathing.

"I—I'm sorry for asking, Bella. I didn't mean to pry. Forgive me for my nosiness." He looked down, ashamed for what he said.

"Edward," I called. He looked up. "Stop saying sorry. You're not doing anything wrong. I'll tell you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am very sure, Edward. But wait a minute. I thought you already heard it from Carlisle's mind?" I asked confused. Why doesn't he know?

He sighed in frustration. "Carlisle's been blocking me. Apparently, he wanted me to hear it from you, not that I minded. I want to hear everything from you since I haven't had the chance of speaking to you during Alice's crazy shopping."

I laughed softly. "She can go overboard." I took a deep breath. "It's sort of tragic, though, Edward… I'll tell you anyway. I—"

"Bella!" Alice called.

I groaned. Why does she have to interrupt at the wrong time?

"Yes, Alice?!" I shouted even though I didn't have to.

"Your daddy's here!"

I laughed at Alice's wording.

"Bye, Edward."

"Bye, Bella." He was about to hug me, but I moved away.

"I…can't hug you, Edward. I…can't.," I whispered. Tears were threatening to come out. I wanted—no, needed—to hug Edward, but…I just can't.

"Why?" he whispered, his voice breaking. "Why, Bella? I…" He would be sobbing by now. Does he still love me?

"I'm—"

"Bella! Your dad is waiting!" Alice shouted, being impatient.

"Bye, Edward," I said again, and went out the door.

I ran down the stairs—without tripping—and went out the door with a "Bye, Alice."

I saw Charlie's cruiser, and got in it.

"Hey, Bells," he greeted.

"Hi, Dad." My voice broke. Curse my stupid voice!

"What's wrong?" His eyebrows furrowed in concern.

"Nothing. Just…I want to go home."

The drive back home was silent…

-x-

I stayed home on Sunday.

Alice kept calling but I ignored the calls. I was avoiding them. But they didn't deserve it. I just didn't want to see Edward. I would see him in school, especially gym. If I became closer with Edward, I will have a need to hug him, kiss him. I didn't want to hurt him by not hugging him. But…why does he want to hug me? Are we even…friends?

Charlie thought it was rude for me to avoid them but after awhile he didn't press onto it.

So here I was, lying down on my bed, almost evening.

I cooked Charlie something, and left it in the fridge. I listened to Carlisle and ate something for my health.

And before I knew it, I was asleep.

"I won't hurt you," he whispered menacingly. "That is, if you behave."

I struggled against his strong grip. He didn't even move an inch. This guy…was very strong.

"Please, don't h-hurt me," I whimpered. He brought his face closer to mine; I could feel his breath on me.

"Don't worry, sweetheart— this will be very fun. For me," he added, and then he laughed a dark chuckle…

I woke up screaming.

I was sweating and gasping. I took a couple of deep breaths to calm myself down. Just a dream, I chanted in my mind, just a dream, just a dream…

Whoosh…

I felt a cold wind pass by me. I noticed the window was open. I thought I left it closed.

I got off the bed, walked towards the window, and shut it. I heard Charlie's distant snoring. How could he have not heard me scream? Maybe he worked really hard at the station.

Then I started crying. Every night I always get nightmares of what happened to me. I never even saw how the person looked like. He sounded handsome, though. He was very strong.

I looked at the clock near my desk. Crap! It was six forty-five. I grabbed my bag of toiletries and walked fast towards the bathroom. I showered fast and did all of the necessities.

I put on a dark blue t-shirt and some jeans. I shoved my tennis shoes on my feet, and ran down the stairs. I went in the kitchen.

"Dad, why didn't you—?" I stopped. There was a note. I read it.

It said:

Bella,

I had to go to the station early. There were a lot of cases that I needed to work on. I hope you didn't oversleep. There are some fruits in the fridge. Drive safely to school.

Dad

P.S.

Stop avoiding them. They really helped you.

I sighed.

I grabbed an apple from the fridge, and walked outside. I put my apple in my mouth, and then started to look for my truck. My apple fell from my mouth.

Silver…shiny…Volvo…

"Here you go!" Alice sang in front of my face, holding out my apple.

"Ahh!" I shouted, jumping up slightly.

She took advantage of my open mouth and shoved the apple in it.

"Alice!" I mumbled, but it sound like gibberish.

She grabbed my hand and I tried to pry my hand from her strong grip. She reluctantly let go.

She sighed, "Let's go." I followed her to the Volvo. "Front seat, back seat?"

"B-back seat." I didn't want to be near Edward.

She nodded.

I went inside and sat down. Edward was there in the driver's seat. Alice was there seated comfortably in shotgun.

"Hello, Bella," Edward's velvety voice greeted.

"Hi," I mumbled. I didn't want to be here, let alone with two gorgeous people.

We drove in silence. Edward was speeding as always while Alice was shopping online in her phone. I was just staring out the window, finishing my apple. When I was done, I threw it out the window.

Do I still love Edward? I care about him a lot. He still dazzles me. He makes me smile when he smiles. Edward, Edward, Edward… Ed—

"Bella, we're here," Alice announced, breaking my reverie.

Edward opened the door for me. I tried to hide the smile that was threatening on my mouth. He's still the wonderful gentleman.

"Thanks." I got out of the car.

"You're welcome." He smiled at me.

I looked at Alice and Edward. There was an awkward silence.

"So…I'll see you around?" I said, but it was sort of like a question.

"Yeah, Bella," Alice said softly. "Can I ask you a favor, though?"

"Uh…sure, I guess."

"Can you come and sit with us?" Her face looked pleading. I looked at Edward; he looked like he wanted me to sit with them, too.

"I don't know, Alice. I can't just ditch Angela," I said.

"You can bring her," she suggested. She must really want me there.

"Okay. I'll ask. Bye." I quickly walked away from them.

Avoiding the Cullens—my best friend and my gorgeous ex-boyfriend—is really hard. I guess I won't do it anymore.

-x-

I was in my Spanish class, listening to the teaching drone on and on.

"The Españoles fought against the Americans in the spring of 1898—hence the name Spanish-American War. The war was also known as 'El Desastre' in Spain, which means 'The Disaster.' It also helped give…"

This was so boring. So I just decided to doodle on my notebook since I already know this stuff and there weren't any notes to copy. While I was doodling, I heard gossiping.

"Do you think Bella and Edward will get back together?" my classmate Tina Newman whispered to her boyfriend Conrad Jones.

"Tine, you know better than to ask those kinds of questions," Conrad warned. He was a good boyfriend. Tina was one of the "mean girls." At least that's what some people call them. They like to ruin peoples' lives. She wasn't like that to me, because I never even spoke to her. Then Conrad came into her life, and she became a little nicer. She likes to ask me for help when she doesn't know a thing and I help her. You could say I was on her good side.

"I know, but I just want to see if they are going to be back together," she said.

He sighed exasperatedly, "Maybe. I mean, if you had seen the way Edward was looking at her during lunch last week, you could see the love in his eyes."

I bit my lip. Love in his eyes?

She giggled quietly. "You're so romantic. But as for me, I think they are going to get back together. They would make the cutest couple ever," she gushed.

I blushed, but I was grinning like I was a crazy person.

The bell rang. I quickly gathered my stuff and went out the door.

I walked through the crowded hallways, bumping into people. I saw Angela. I ran towards her.

"Angela!" I shouted.

She looked over at me.

"Hi, Bella," she greeted, as I came in front of her. I saw Ben Cheney, her boyfriend, next to her smiling.

"Hey, Angela, Ben," I greeted. "Did you rehabilitate well, Ben?" He had a really high fever.

He smiled. "Yeah. How are you Bella?"

"Doing good."

I saw Angela observing me.

"You got answers from them, huh?" she asked.

I nodded. Not all of the answers, I thought.

We walked together to the cafeteria. Angela and Ben were talking about some assignment. I let my mind wander off, not wanting to eavesdrop.

Then I remembered something.

"Angela," I called.

She looked away from Ben. "Yes, Bella?"

"Um…Alice and…Edward were thinking we"—I didn't want to put 'me'—"should sit with them. Ben can come, too."

She pursed her lips. "Hmm… I don't know, Bella. I mean, I don't really know them. And they kind of…scare me." She laughed a nervous laugh.

I giggled, which surprised her. "No, they're not like that. They're really nice. Please?"

"Sure, Bella." Then she turned to Ben. "You want to sit with Alice and Edward?"

"Cullen?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Uh…okay." His voice sounded casual, but also nervous for some reason; maybe he's scared of them, too. I don't get it.

We all got food, and headed towards Alice and Edward. Alice was smiling really wide at while Edward was smiling and shaking his head. His head suddenly snapped towards me, and he smiled. I smiled a little, and then I ducked my head, hiding my blush. Why does he do this to me?

"Hi, guys," I said as we arrived at their table. "Surely, you know Angela and Ben?"

Alice and Edward nodded, smiling kindly at them.

"Hi, guys!" Alice greeted happily. "It's nice to know more people!"

"Hello, Angela, Ben," Edward greeted kindly. "Thank you for joining us."

Angela smiled shyly. "You're welcome." Alice patted the spot next to her for Angela to sit, making Ben sit next to her. They both looked really nervous. Or should I say scared?

That left me between Alice and Edward. Great.

I sat down, and began eating the sandwich on my tray.

Alice began talking excitedly with Angela and Ben. Edward was silent, pretending to eat his sandwich.

"Is that any good?" he asked disgustedly. "I've never had tuna," he added quickly for Angela and Ben.

I smiled. "It's all right."

He smiled his perfect crooked grin.

And…I blushed.

Alice, Angela, and Ben were staring at us now, but I paid them no mind.

"For the record, Bella," Edward suddenly murmured, "we are friends." He grinned at me.

I couldn't help but grin back. "Okay. Friends. Let's put a shake on it, partner," I joked. I held out my hand.

He laughed, and shook my hand. I felt a shock of electricity, making me quickly withdraw my hand from his. He must have felt it, too, for he was staring at his hand.

When Edward smiled at me, I can't stifle the smile coming out from my face.

When he looked pained, I felt pained.

I feel a connection towards him—a very strong connection. This is total déjà vu.

I saw Edward playing with his food, with a smile on his beautiful face. His eyes looked at me for a second, and then his smiled became bigger.

I smiled, too.

Conclusion: I am still—and will always be—in love with Edward Cullen.

-x-

Whoo! Done! I've been editing this freaking chapter a lot of times! I finally finished it. I hope you find this chapter interesting, because I don't really feel it. I guess that's what authors feel. Remember, if you have any questions, just ask me. Oh, and thanks for your awesome reviews! I don't really have the time to reply back, though.

I'm terribly, terribly sorry that this chapter might not be long!

One word: Review!

Monica-san…who else?