Author's Note: Sorry about the wait but I had no internet! Don't blame me! But... I figured if I gave a few quick updates and then maybe waited a while, you might review, asking for more. Wasn't it enough that I gave you three chapters in one day? That I posted them in less than OneHour altogether? I like this story and I wish that you guys would tell me if you do or not. I don't want to waste my time on it if no one is going to read it. The only way to let me know for sure is if you leave a review at the end of the story. No one even left a guess as to who Bella's ex was or... is? I don't know how to word it! Whatever - some more details of Bella's past will unravel in this chapter so I hope you guys like it! If not, lie to me in a review and tell me you liked it anyways! I'm desperate! Almost a 100hits but only 3Reviews?! You guys can do better than that! Can't you?

Disclaimer: I own nothing. All are human.

Explanations

I took a deep breath as I prepared to tell them what had happened. I don't know why I was telling my story to two complete strangers but, for some reason, I felt safe around them. I had only met Alice, Edward's girlfriend, a few minutes ago but I already knew that she was a good person. Maybe the reason Edward had gotten rid of Mike (Muwahahaha - Who guessed it?) was so he wouldn't seem like too much of a jerk. Or maybe he was actually a really good guy. Whatever the case may be, I needed to thank him.

My books were on the floor near the door and Alice had me in her arms on the other side of my bed. She was cradling me, comforting me. Edward was slowly making his way to us, making sure not to startle us. I couldn't stand the wait anymore. I needed to have him close to me.

"Edward," I whispered. He hurried to my side and knelt beside me.

"Yes?" he whispered back, putting a displaced hair behind my ear. I looked up at him through my lashes.

"Thank you." I mumbled. He simply nodded before planting a soft kiss on my forehead. I thought I saw a short, unspoken conversation between Alice and Edward. I had no idea why he had just done that but I wasn't complaining. But why hadn't Alice said anything to him about kissing another woman? Even if it was just on the forehead.

"You're welcome, Bella." I pulled away from Alice and pulled Edward into a vice grip hug. I think he could tell that I was slightly shaking. He held onto me and, if I wasn't mistaken, buried his nose in my hair. I held on for a long time but I heard no complaints. I never wanted to let go.

"I suppose I should explain," I said as I pulled away from him. I suppressed a groan at the loss of his warmth and sat back on the floor. I didn't know how long this was going to take but I was prepared to tell everything. I didn't know why but I was really prepared to give every detail. So I launched into my story.

"When I moved back from Phoenix in the second grade, Mike was the first person to talk to me. He was really nice and sweet and let me sit with him at lunch. I was glad to have at least one friend. A few days later, Angela moved to Forks from Michigan and we became fast friends. Having friends in Elementary school was like a big deal back then, don't you guys remember?" I paused as they nodded. So they were following along, that was good. "Well, Mike and I stayed friends all through elementary school and when Jessica, another friend, asked if I was actually interested in him, I told her no. She was happy and went for it with him. I was glad for them. I had known them both for a long time and thought that they would make a good couple."

Alice scooted closer to me and put her arms around me. I didn't miss the fact that Edward scooted closer, too. I just continued with my story.

"Well, they dated all through Junior High and I thought that they would make it last. Unfortunately, I was getting unwanted attention from other boys at school and Mike didn't like it. He broke up with Jessica and started telling everyone that we were dating." I didn't miss how Edward made fists with both hands when I said this. "I didn't want to go out with any of the other boys so I went along with Mike's story. However, along the way, I somehow started to develop feelings for Mike - and he knew it. I did love Mike - like a brother. But he thought that I was in love with him. I didn't know how to tell him otherwise. I really did care for him but I didn't want to mislead him any further." I noticed how Edward seemed like he was keeping something to himself when I told them that I had loved Mike. I didn't know what was going on with them but I needed to get this off of my chest before I lost the courage to do so.

"Bella, if you don't want to tell us what happened, you don't have to. I don't want to make you uncomfortable," Alice whispered. I just shook my head before continuing.

"Well, it was the night of Senior Prom and I was going with Mike. What I didn't know was that he had told all of his friends that we had been sleeping together for some time. Angela had found out from her boyfriend, Ben - another close friend - and had told me that day. Mike was planning on making good on his stories that night. I wasn't ready and I wasn't in love with him. I didn't want to take that step and then regret it in the morning." I took a deep breath before continuing with my story - I was getting to the part of the story that would make today's events make sense. "I met Mike at the hotel where they were having the prom and we danced for a while but he wanted to go upstairs. I followed them since we were going in a group and I figured that I would be ok. I didn't think that we would be left alone. Unfortunately, Mike had other plans. Somehow, we were left alone in a room." I had to stop here. I didn't think that I could tell them. I hadn't been raped but it was cutting it pretty close.

"Bella." I heard Edward's velvet voice cut through the silence. My head snapped up in his direction. "Like Alice said, you don't have to tell us if you don't want to. We really don't want to make you uncomfortable." I could see in his eyes that he wanted to know but he didn't want to know. He wanted to know what had happened but didn't think that he should know. If he didn't, then Mike would have a chance at living past the age of 19. For some reason, the idea of Edward standing up for me made me a little tingly on the inside.

"No, I understand that you guys don't want me to hurt myself but I want this out in the open. If we're all going to be friends, then I want this out in the open." I saw as Alice and Edward nodded. But, I didn't miss the way Edward had grimaced at the way I said I wanted to be friends. Maybe he didn't even want to associate with me.

"Go ahead when you're ready, Bella," Alice prompted as she ran her fingers up and down my back. I hadn't missed that Edward was now right beside me and was moving a hand to sit on my leg.

"Well, we were laying on the bed... making out..." I mumbled that last bit for fear of what Edward might do, "and Mike had slid my dress up my leg without me noticing it. I didn't really pay any attention until I noticed his hand on my bare thigh." I stifled a shudder at the memory because I didn't want Alice to tell me to stop. I didn't know when I would ever be this open about this ever again. "I pushed his hand away and he slapped me, telling me that he had been with me for four years without getting any action and it was time I paid up. I tried to fight him off but was doing poorly. If Angela hadn't've walked in, I don't know what would have happened..." Thank goodness for uncanny timing and good friends. I was eternally grateful to and for Angela. If she hadn't've had an unexpected visit from her Aunt Scarlett (Yes, that's what I call it sometimes. I also may refer to it as 'Trip to Japan' thanks to a friend of mine in the 8th grade - J.S.Y.K. for further bits in the story.) "I broke up with Mike right then and ran out of the room with Angela on my heels."

I felt a pair of strong arms around me and at first I thought it was Alice. The surprise was that it was from the other side. Edward was hugging me - in front of his girlfriend. This was awkward. But, for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to care. Edward was hugging me and I could care less. I suppose it would have sounded a bit more impressive I knew his last name...

I don't know how long I let Edward hold me before Alice joined in. I could faintly hear one of them (I swear it was Edward) mumbling that they were sorry. It wasn't their fault. They hadn't been there. What could they have done even if they had been?

"And then, today, when he showed up, I had no idea of why he was here. That was, until, he was yelling at me that now he couldn't even show his face to his friends anymore - and it was all my fault! That's what we were fighting about. He was calling me a tease and I was trying to deny it. I am most definitely not a tease and I didn't like that he was accusing me. At one point, he pushed me onto the bed and tore my shirt open in one movement. That's when I screamed. He threw his hand over my mouth and was trying to get his pants unbuttoned without letting go of my mouth. That's when you guys came in." I looked over to Edward and saw his face. It was pretty undescribable. He looked like he was in pain but in shock and confused at the same time.

"Bella, I'm so sorry. If I hadn't've dropped the stupid key..." Alice muttered. How could she be blaming herself? If she hadn't've shown up, Edward may not've been able to get in my room at all.

"Alice, don't blame yourself. If you hadn't've shown up, do you think Edward would have even been able to get in our room?" I saw the realization hit her as this sunk in. Maybe she hadn't thought this through.

"I would've gotten in one way or another, Bella. There's always the possibility of breaking down the door," Edward mused, trying to lighten the mood. I let out a small chuckle.

"True, but would you have really wanted to pay the school for the damages?" He started to say something but the look on Alice's face made him stop. What was I missing?

"Bella, do you want me to go ahead and get that bookcase out of my car and bring it up for you?" Why the sudden subject change? I stood and let Edward help me up (when he had my hand in his, I didn't want to let go) and turned to help Alice but she was already by my side. That was one quick pixie.

"Sure, that would be great. Thanks, Edward." He gave me that amazingly crooked smile again before unlocking the door and darting into the hallway. This left Alice and me alone. Lovely. (A/N: I was going to stop it right here but I figured you want a bit more of the story... Don't you love me?)

"So, Alice... How long have you known Edward?" Best to start off with something simple.

"Oh, we've known each other pretty much since we were born. We grew up together, took baths together before we were toddlers; we did everything together." She smiled and I couldn't help but wonder what I was missing. "So how did you meet him?"

"I got here and put up some stuff and then decided to go book shopping with the little extra money I had. I was in Barnes and Noble and saw him in the next aisle over. He came over and introduced himself and we left, drank some coffee, and then he showed me where to get a good bookcase. He was really helpful." There was no need to tell her everything. She just needed to know the basics.

"That sounds like the Edward I know."

"What sounds like the Edward you know?" I turned to see Edward at the doorway, covered in a light shimmer of sweat, with my new bookcase beside him. Had he really carried it up two flights of stairs and all way to my dorm - room?

"Always helping a pretty girl. Let me guess, he paid for some of your books? And probably your bookcase, too?" I guess my blush gave her an answer. I swear I heard her mutter something that sounded an awful lot like 'Show-off'. Maybe I was just hearing things.

"So, where would you like it? In the corner or something?" I was snapped out of my trance by a voice that sounded a bit like music.

"Sure. Where ever it looks best." I needed time to think. Edward was dating Alice. Alice was my room-mate. Edward was used to treating girls nicely. Wait - Alice had said that he helped 'Pretty Girls'. If that was true, why had he even talked to me? I was far from pretty.

"Ok," he said before picking it up and moving it again. I could see the muscles flex underneath his shirt and I had to admit that I was impressed. I had to stop myself before Alice caught me looking though. It might make a bad impression if I was caught ogling at her boyfriend.

I just had to make sure that when I went to sleep that I didn't dream about Edward. There was no telling what I would say in my sleep and I didn't want her to get the wrong impression of me. Maybe I could just make sure that she was asleep before I was.

This was going to be a long four years...

Additional Author's Note: This chapter was kind of short but there was a lot of information given. It told of why Mike was there and why Bella has such a hard time letting most people in, her good friends set aside. You'll have to keep reading to find out who she chose to let in and who she keeps close to her heart... Muwhahahahaha - don't you all love me? Now - Review like the good little monkeys I know you are! I have no idea where I got calling you guys monkeys... lol Review or I shall send Emmett to hurt you all! Wait - that could make you happy... Nevermind about Emmett! Review!