Faster update! Kind of, anyway. So in this chapter we still don't get to figure out what is behind some of Esme's bad behavior. Although Bella doesn't deserve it, Esme does have a bit of a reason. You'll figure it out soon enough, next chapter probably…just tell me what you think of this one!

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BPOV

Forks High School didn't look nearly as bad as I remembered it. Physically, it was all the same. Weathered brick, unpaved parking lot, trees everywhere…just how it used to be. But I was more confident now, much more so than I was in my youth. Circumstances have changed me, and I know I'm not that outcast that I was in high school. I'm a different person. Edward looks uneasy as he parks the car, and I don't blame him. The last time he was here, he was different too. But it wasn't exactly in a good way.

The old Edward wasn't half the man my Edward was. He had been self-centered and stuck up and unbearably popular. I remember the parade of cheerleaders that used to follow him around, and the ones he had dated through our four years of high school. As far as I knew, none of Edward's old high school friends knew who he had ended up marrying. And I hadn't really had any high school friends to speak of, so people would be surprised to see the two of us together.

It had taken me a long time to get ready. After much deliberation, I had worn a plain black dress, a pair of embellished sandals, and my typical headscarf. Wigs were expensive. Well, at least quality ones were. And even with the money from Carlisle and Esme, we didn't really have enough money for things that were not totally necessary. So I was wearing a head scarf, and everyone would know. Since the diagnosis, I haven't given my physical appearance much thought. I know I've lost my hair, a lot of weight, and some of my youth, but I never realized how skinny I had really gotten. It was a little scary, but there was nothing I could do about it. My doctor was confident that the chemo would do its job within the next couple of months though, so maybe I could get back to my normal self eventually.

"Are you ready to go in?" Edward's soft voice broke my train of thought, and I swallowed nervously before nodding my head. Edward gripped tightly to my hand as we walked inside, and I instantly clung to him even tighter. In high school, I had been a loner. In high school, Edward hadn't wanted me. As if he sensed my despair, Edward softly kissed my temple. "I'm right here, love. I'm not going anywhere." He promised, and I let myself relax just a little bit. The reunion was being held in the old gym, and there were tables and a bar set up. Edward and I were quiet as we found our table, and unfortunately it was filled with Edward's old teammates; the guys he had played football with for all four of his high school years.

Instantly, I felt myself clam up as they all exchanged hello's and introduced each other to their wives. It wasn't a big surprise to me that Tyler Crowley had ended up marrying that bitch Lauren Mallory, and Mike Newton had gotten stuck with Jessica Stanley. They just stared at me, confused, when Edward said that we were married. And Lauren was the first one to speak.

"You look so skinny." She said wistfully, looking me up and down. "I'm jealous."

And then a new conversation started up, and I was forgotten. But I couldn't believe what Lauren had said. It wasn't rude or mean…it was just unbelievable. What kind of woman would think looking like this felt good? I was so skinny that I could practically feel my bones sticking out of my skin, and my entire body felt tight, with my skin stretched over my bones.

I just leaned into Edward and focused on the meal that was seat out in front of me as everyone else ate and talked happily. They talked about their high school memories, and I wasn't surprised to discover that none of them even remembered me. I didn't eat my meal- I wasn't even hungry. I just watched as Edward's eye lit up as he and Tyler and Mike talked about their football days and all the fun they had together in high school. Part of that fun had been ignoring me. I didn't like Edward like this. I hated to see him reliving the past, especially when the past was so painful to me. I hadn't expected to be a big part of the conversation, but Edward, my own husband, barely spoke to me. It hurt.

Eventually, Lauren and Jessica said they were going to wander over to the bar and asked me if I wanted to come along with them. Even though I wasn't supposed to drink, I grudgingly got up and pecked Edward on the lips before walking off with Lauren and Jessica. I just didn't want to hear about Edward and high school any more than I already had.

"So, Bella…when did you catch the eye of Edward Cullen?" Lauren asked, taking a sip of the martini she had just ordered.

I spluttered slightly mid-sip, surprised that she had just brought it up out of the blue. "Um, right before my freshmen year of college." I said shortly, taking another drink of my soda. "We both moved to Chicago, and that's when we got together." I explained.

Jessica nodded, looking me up and down. "Do you have kids? What do you do? Where do you live?" She fired off the three questions in quick succession, and I blinked rapidly as I tried to digest what she was asking me.

"Yeah, uh, we have two kids. I stay at home and Edward is in advertising…we still live in Chicago." I said, and those pieces of information seemed to satisfy Jessica. She and Lauren started talking about other people we had gone to high school with, and I just focused on my soda. I didn't want to be here. At first, I had thought that this could be a type of closure for me, a way to forget high school for good. But instead, it was bringing back even more painful memories. I had kept myself so secluded and alone that I had hardly known how to act around others. It had been utterly pathetic, and it was no wonder kids had made fun of me and that I didn't have any friends. I had basically brought that all on myself.

After what felt like hours but was really only several minutes passed, someone placed their hand on the small of my back. I turned around, startled, and came face to face with Edward. "Are you ready to go?" He asked me, his voice slightly pinched. His eyes were dark, and I reached up and touched his face with concern.

"Are you alright?" I asked, but Lauren cut me off, flitting over to Edward's side.

"Aw, are you guys going to leave so soon?" She asked, taking a large drink. "You're only been here for an hour or so." Lauren pouted, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. She didn't care about me, it was just the Edward Cullen effect.

"No, we really have to get going." Edward said with a tight smile, and then without another word he took my hand and walked me over to the coat check. After the woman at the desk handed us or coats, Edward helped me put mine on before quickly tugging on his own coat.

We walked out to the car, and I observed Edward out of the corner of my eye. "Are you alright?" I asked again, noticing how tightly his jaw was clenched and how angry he looked. He shook his head, not speaking, and yanked the car door open. I got in without another word, and buckled my seat belt before Edward got into the drivers side. Then we just sat there, parked in the parking lot.

"I'm sorry that I was ever like that." Edward said, his voice hollow. He looked at me, and his green eyes were still full of anger. "They had…absolutely no respect for anyone." He muttered, and then leaned across the center console and kissed me hard on the lips. "I love you so goddamn much, even though you're too good for me."

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There we have it. The Esme issue hasn't been resolved, but we're getting there, don't worry. Review, and I will try and update as soon as possible.

Xoxo- Melodyella aka Mellie