I do not own The Twilight Saga and its characters!

In this story, the odds are stacked against Edward and Bella. They must prove to each other and to themselves that their love is real and true by fighting for it.

This story is based on the lyrics of the famous song "Love Story."

Remember: This chapter is still in the past.

Enjoy!

LOVE STORY: CHAPTER 3

I am blindly looking around this huge place for a chair or couch to sit on and rest my sore feet. I am at the ballroom where the anniversary celebration is being hosted. The dining room is far behind me and I can't really believe that there is not a single sitting place in this part of the massive venue. My feet are bleeding – figuratively, of course.

Why did Alice have to buy these death shoes? This is really killing me.

Actually, this whole party is killing me. It's everything I imagined it to be – there were all these bright lights that almost blinded me; everybody was dressed smartly with the women in ball gowns and the men in tuxes – and it is absolutely terrifying. I can't wait for this to end. The dinner – which, I must say, is unexpectedly good considering it just came from a small town – is finished and everyone is just mingling around or dancing. Alice has mysteriously disappeared and I am all alone. Mingling and dancing are not really my forte, so I am trying to find an escape – and a place to rest these bloody feet.

I saw an opening through the crowd and made my way out. I noticed glass sliding doors just up ahead and made my way over there. I pushed them aside and stepped out. I saw myself at a relatively small balcony overlooking the front gardens of the place. There was no one else around. It was quiet and the ambiance here outside is very serene and peaceful. The sweet summer air is all around me and I feel very comfortable. I even forgot about my aching toes. This balcony is like a haven for the likes of me – the very much needed escape haven. I closed my eyes and let myself enjoy this solitary peace.

But just then, I hear the doors quietly being opened and shut again. I turned around quickly only to find myself looking straight at the most beautiful green-emerald-jade-colored eyes that I have ever seen. It was startling in its shade and I was lost in the depth they held. They are gentlest and yet the most intense eyes that has ever looked upon me. They seem to be communicating unsaid words. My brain and my breathing have stopped their functions and I feel like I am falling deep down over the edge.

The mysterious stranger suddenly cleared his throat and I looked away from his mesmerizing eyes. He stood still while I surveyed the rest of him. He had the most handsome and the most gorgeous face I have ever seen. His hair is as messy as it can be and he had this rare shade of bronze color that was just perfect. I could see through the layers of his clothes that he has a very masculine shape; very toned and sexy. I felt myself unconsciously blushing as I thought of that. He is also very tall – maybe over six feet – that he towered over my petite figure. He is wearing a classic black tux with a white undershirt that just looks so handsome in him.

Oh my god. Stop staring, you idiot!

"Hello. I'm very sorry that I startled you. I didn't expect anyone would be here," the gorgeous stranger said apologetically. His voice has a sexy ring to it and it is like made of velvet – very smooth and soft. The sound of it made my knees weak and my brain addled. I couldn't seem to find my voice.

"Miss, are you okay?" he inquired, worry in his voice.

"Yes, sorry. I guess I was just a little bit startled," I answered as I got my bearings back and my erratic breathing to normal.

"Yeah, I'm sure that was all it is," he replied with a sexy smirk in his perfectly sculpted lips. That smirk made me sure that he knew exactly what happened, or what is still happening to me and what was going through my brain the whole time. It made me blush of course.

I have such a stupid, traitor body.

"I'm Edward Cullen by the way," he extended his arm in my direction. I tentatively grasped it. As soon as our skin touched, I felt a strange – yet not at all displeasing – electric pulse going through my hand and up to my arm. I think he felt it too since his hand tensed around mine and he held it tighter for a second more. We both quickly let go.

"Bella Swan," I managed to breathe out.

"It's nice to finally meet you, Bella, the daughter of the chief of police, right?" he asked.

"Yes. How did you know?"

"Everybody knows the chief has a daughter and you're the only Swans in town. It's not a very hard connection to make," he answered smartly. Of course he would probably know. I felt so stupid asking; not the first impression I really want to give.

"Of course, I should've known," I mumbled almost incoherently, speaking more to myself rather than to my audience. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?" He said as he frowned at me, as if trying to decipher my thoughts.

"I don't know, reflex action, I guess," I answered his question so truthfully that I was surprised at myself. I didn't mean for that to come out. I usually don't talk like that.

He started walking towards the metal railing of the balcony. Once he got there, he leaned his back across it and faced me once again. His expression told me that he was thinking very hard about something; as if he was analyzing something of very importance. The direction of his look also told me that I am probably the one he was analyzing.

"Yeah, okay. So, what are you doing out here Ms. Swan? The party of the year is currently happening inside and you choose to stay out here and miss it? Would you care to enlighten me?" he said with a small smile. I am clearly and without a doubt enamored by him. Even the way he talks, he nails me.

Is he flirting with me?

"I could ask you the very same thing, Mr. Cullen," I answered teasingly.

Am I seriously flirting back?

"Come on now, Ms. Swan. I asked a decent question. Would you please humor me?" his voice dipped lower; it turned sexier.

Who could resist this beautiful boy? I could already feel my armored barriers slowly melting with each sexy smirk he threw in my direction. This man can crumble the heavily-built walls of a person with a single steaming smile.

"I just don't like these kinds of gatherings where you're expected to socialize and just be out there. To be honest, I just don't really feel comfortable being around a lot of people. I feel very vulnerable and out of my comfort zone. I prefer being alone," I answered as truthfully as I can. All the while, his eyes never left mine, as if he is really absorbing everything of what I am saying.

"Hmm… I understand. I feel like that sometimes. A person just needs some time to himself or herself. A little silence can be really helpful," he said in reply. He looked into the depths of my eyes. "Would you stay out here with me, Bella? I would really appreciate your company and I think, if you would give me a chance, you would also appreciate mine."

I just couldn't resist. Of course I said yes.

We talked straight into the evening. It is as if time was at a standstill and everything is just between the two of us. He's really easy to talk to, I realize. I feel as if I don't have to keep the walls around my being totally up. I could just be myself and he'd understand. He won't judge me. I feel as if I could tell him my biggest secrets and he would hide them all for me. He made me feel very important. He made me feel as if I had a place with him.

Nearing the end of the night, the atmosphere around us is just very relaxed and somewhat sleepy. I could still here the band playing inside. And I am still hyperaware of the amazing creature beside me. Through the course of the night, we found ourselves slipping closer to each other more and more – until we found ourselves seated in one of the outdoor leather couches side-by-side. He slowly, casually took one of my hands with one of his. He started drawing numerous small patterns in the palm of it. It feels very warm and just right. As if on instinct, I slowly put my head on his shoulder. I saw him smile from my peripheral vision so I figured I'd stay like that. We stayed in that position for longer than just a few minutes, just enjoying the feel of each other.

I was startled when he stood up so suddenly, pulling me with him.

"I just had this crazy idea. Let's dance," he said enthusiastically.

What?

"What? I thought I told you I can't – and won't dance," I replied a little icily. My perfect night was disturbed.

"Come on, please. This is a ball. Balls include dancing. We still have music. Please, Bella? I really want this," he pleaded, unleashing the full force of his eyes on me.

Resist. Resist. Resist.

"Okay, fine. But you have to forgive me if I damaged a few – or all – of your toes," I was teasing.

What happened to resisting? Ugh. Oh, well.

In answer, he smiled serenely, put his hands on either side of my waist and stated to twirl us around. I put my hands around his neck and rested my head on his hard and sculpted chest. He lowered his head so that I could feel him breathing against the skin of my exposed neck. I could directly smell his manly, sexy scent.

We weren't dancing with tune to the band's music but we were dancing to the beat of our own. We are dancing to the beat of our hearts. We are dancing in rhyme with the newly-found life inside of us. We are dancing with the tune of our unsaid words; to our unsaid feelings – but which were clearly felt between the both of us.

We danced for another few, just savoring the way we held each other; how our arms are wrapped around our futures.

At some point, he raised his head just partially so that he could stare straight into the depths of my eyes. His mouth is just mere centimeters from my own. I could feel his hot breath.

Ever so slowly, he leaned down and brushed his perfectly sculpted lips against mine. I felt a white-hot dart of excitement pass through my body. He pulled back again so suddenly – as if he was burned – and stared at my face intently. It is as if he is asking for my permission.

In answer to his non-verbal question, I stood at the very tips of my toes and pressed my lips once again to his. In response, his hand came to the back of head – pushing me closer to him and pressing our lips harder together.

All the while, my brain could only process one thing:

Gahhhhh-mmmmmm… uhhhhmmmmm.

Not much, I guess.

All too soon, Edward pulled away and looked at me. He had on a smile as huge as the largest sea vessel ever made – whatever that is. His face is all lighted up like a small boy at Christmas. He looked so happy that I couldn't help being all happy and shining too. We just looked at each other the whole time – no speaking but a lot of holding and hugging and touching. It is like we are in our own personal heaven where all is peaceful and just perfect.

Edward is the first person I have ever kissed in my life. He is also the very first person to have learned to break through all of my barriers. He's the very first to know me as the real me, without the borders and walls. And he's the first person to make me feel completely whole; completely happy. He is also the first to break the silence.

"You have to know that I've been thinking of doing that the whole time I was with you," he said quite embarrassingly.

"Really?" I gasped as if I couldn't believe that a guy is actually saying that he wanted to kiss me – which I probably really couldn't.

He just laughed at me.

"You should look at your face right now. You'd get a really good kick out of your expression," he teased.

And of course, I blushed – heavily.

"I just couldn't believe it," I explained. "Somebody wants to kiss me. Somebody actuallykissed me."

"Yeah, and you're actually good, too. I swear I forgot my name," he teased me some more.

"Now you're just being mean," I pouted. Not surprisingly, I earned a laugh from him – again.

"No. It is the best kiss I have ever had. I promise," he smiled so tenderly down at me that I was easily placated.

"It was the first I ever had," I say quietly. His smile widened.

"I'm glad," he replied. He pulled me into his strong arms once again; my face against his chest. "And may I just say that you are so cute when you pout."

I decide to ignore that last bit of teasing from him. I am too happy to let my mood be ruined. I closed my eyes and let myself relax into his arms. So I felt rather than saw him place his lips near my ear.

"Before I forget, I wanted to tell you that you look so deliciously and absolutely beautiful tonight." He whispered so lowly.

His words sent a thrilling sensation down my spine and a blush through my cheeks. His warm breath almost made my knees give away. Every word that came out of his mouth just now is like a caress.

He really knows how to charm a girl.

"You promise?" I breathed back to him.

"I promise."

So I believed him.