I am soooooooo sorry! I never meant to be out this long, I promise I will try my hardest to not be out that long again. It's just, i'm really busy with band, and trying to keep my grades up, and trying to get enough sleep so that I can make it through the next day...it's just...UGH! Sorry!

Well, here's the latest installment...hope you like!(:

Ok, so I'm tired of putting disclaimers at the beginning of every chapter...so here it is for the remainder of my story!

Disclaimer: I DO...not own Twilight and the characters within it...sadly...*sigh*...

Chapter 6

Bella's POV

16 years old

"He he...ha ha..."

Snickers could be heard from either side of me and hot breath was being blown my way from their whispers. I sighed. Another jacked up day in the life of Isabella freakin' Marie Swan. What's worse is that Isabella has to embark on one of the most terrifying adventures in her very short life. She's very nervous, and isn't sure about how he, or herself for that matter, will take the news, but she's hoping that-

Wait, why am I thinking in third person?

...

That just shows you how weird I am...

I shook my head, looking at the intruders of my sleep. Alice and Rose. Why am I not surprised? I glared, and sat up, entangling the sheets more about my body.

"Why, pray tell, are you laughing at me while I am sleeping?" I asked, my voice thick with sleep.

"Well," Alice started, but couldn't finish because she'd broken into another fit of laughter. I huffed and crossed my arms over my chest defiantly.

She cleared her throat. "You are aware that you...talk in your sleep, right?"

"No shit, Sherlock. Why does that matter?" I inquired, not in the mood for their playfulness.

"Well, I see someone's not much of a morning person." Rose muttered while checking her nails.

I rolled my eyes. Today was not starting off well, thanks to Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dum.

"What is it? Why did you wake me up at-" I turned my head toward my digital clock that resided on my bedside table. "6:45 in the morning? We're not even going to school today, and you choose to wake me up at 6:45. Oh, God why?" I groaned, throwing my head back against my headboard.

"You have to get beautified for your 'talk' today." Alice exclaimed, clapping her hands together excitedly. Leave it to Alice to get happy about the art of "beautifying".

"So, that means get off your ass and get in the shower." Rose instructed, pointing her index finger toward my bathroom.

I mumbled incoherent things as I got up, internally cursing them for waking me up this early. I mean, really, who does this? My sisters, that's who.

As I stripped out of my pajamas, I studied my reflection in the mirror. I was still pale-faced, brown hair, brown eyed Bella. Your average american teenager. Maybe a makeover would do me good. Wait what? I've been spending way too much time with Alice and Rose.

Shaking my head, I stepped into the shower, hoping the hot water would get me out of this crazy state of mind. As I was washing my hair, I heard more laughter, but the manly kind. No, there weren't men in my room, I was sure of it, so I wrote it off as me just being delusional. I finished up, and stepped out with my towel securely wrapped around me. Even if they were my sisters, I wasn't comfortable with being stared at.

I opened the door, only to find that I wasn't being delusional, and there were, in fact, men in my room. Emmett and Jasper, to be exact.

"How's 'riding the Disco Stick' coming for ya, Bells?" Emmett wailed, clutching his sides laughing.

What? What could he possibly be-

NO! I did NOT dream about Edward's "disco stick"...I just couldn't have...could I?

"Oh. My. God. NO!" I roared, stomping my foot against the carpet.

"YES!" Emmett boomed, crouching down on the floor, trying to catch his breath.

I looked at the faces around the room. Alice and Rose's were ones of sheer amusement, Emmett...well he was just being Emmett, and Jasper, oh bless his soul, his face showed nothing but confusion.

"Jazz, something wrong?" I asked, switching my weight from one foot to another, impatiently awaiting his answer; I wanted to get dressed and out of my nudity.

"I just...don't...understand." He admitted sheepishly.

"Understand what, Jazzy?" Alice asked from her spot perched beside Jasper on my couch.

"What is Edward's 'disco stick'?" He inquired, casting his eyes downward. It must've been my eyes playing tricks on me, but I could've sworn I saw him blush.

At this, the room grew silent. Even Emmett stopped his rambunctious laughter. Jasper lifted his head at the sudden silence, only to find that all our gazes were fixated on him.

"I'm missing something major here, aren't I?" He asked, rubbing his neck in a nervous manner.

We all just kept silent, waiting for him to see the obvious.

"OH!" He exclaimed after what felt like an eternity. "It's Edward's d-" Thankfully, Alice clapped her hand over his mouth before he could utter that wretched word.

"Our parents are still here, you know." She warned.

He nodded, and she released his mouth.

"I feel slow." He murmured after a while.

"Dude, I thought I was the dumb one." Emmett blurted out from his place on the floor.

"You are." Jasper muttered picking up one of my pillows on my bed and throwing it Emmett's head.

"Am not!" He replied throwing the pillow back.

"Are too!" Jasper argued, repeating his earlier action.

"Am n-" He started, but was interrupted by Rose.

"Shut up and stop acting like 5 year olds."

"Yeah." Alice agreed.

"Sorry." They muttered at the same time. I shook my head. Boys.

"Now, you have to get out so we can get ready." Alice pointed out impatiently. Her saying that brought me back to the realization that I was only in a towel. Embarrassed, I slid behind the bathroom door to conceal myself. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alice roll her eyes.

Jasper and Emmett both got up and headed for the door all the while shoving each other like a couple of kids. Alice and Rose just stood there shaking their heads.

As soon as the door shut, they turned and stalked toward me; predator and prey.

Let the torture begin.

.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.

After many hours...OK, maybe I'm exaggerating...after about an hour, I had on, what Rose and Alice deemed to be the "perfect outfit", which consisted of a not-so-dressy blue top, (I don't know why they always dress me up in blue, something about Edward liking to see me in it...blah, blah...) some very tight-fitted jeans, black heel-less boots (thank God..I didn't feel like tripping today), and a black beanie to top it off. I actually approved this outfit. It had style and grace. I waited for them to get dressed, and then we were off into Rose's vehicle.

I'd known we weren't going to school, but I didn't know in particular where we were going, so imagine my surprise when we pulled up at a carnival. My inner child squealed, pleased to know that it would be able to run free; after my talk with Edward of course. I huffed. My talk with Edward. I was not in any way ready to speak to him, but the inevitable could not be prolonged, and this was the perfect time to do it; why not seize the moment, eh?

I stepped out of the car, slowly, trying to put this off longer, and when I was fully out, I sucked in whatever confidence was left in me, which wasn't much, and stomped off to where my sisters and their boyfriends had assembled.

"Hiya, Bells." Emmett grinned menacingly at me, standing with his arm around Rose. "How's the-"

"Don't. Even." I warned, glaring in his direction. He clamped his mouth shut, and hid behind Rosalie. Good, he needs to be frightened.

"Morning, Bells." Jasper calmly greeted me from his place beside Alice.

"Hey Jazz." I replied, growing wary at what I was about to discuss.

"Hello, Bella." I heard a velvety voice utter.

After taking a much needed deep breath to calm myself down, I slowly spun around to face him. I plastered a nervous smile on my face, and greeted him back.

"Hello, Edward." I mumbled, looking down.

It seemed like we were both stunned, because we stood in silence for what seemed like an eternity. Someone behind us cleared their throat.

"So, we'll just leave you two to your own devices, uh, yeah, bye." Alice muttered.

And with that, they flitted away hurriedly.

Thanks for the help guys. I thought.

"You look beautiful." Edward admitted, looking at me with those impenetrable emerald eyes. Oh how I'd missed those eyes.

"Thanks." I blushed. I was scared as hell, and yet he'd made me blush.

We might be able to accomplish something.

"Look-" I started, but stopped because he'd grabbed my hand and was pulling me toward the nearest bench.

I was stunned for a moment, but shook it off.

"You were saying." He implored, giving me his full attention.

"Ok, so, where do we start?" I asked, totally baffled as to how to do this.

"Well, you already know how I feel about you, do you return those feelings?" He inquired, unleashing the full power of his eyes on me.

I sighed. "Edward, I-" I started, but couldn't finish.

"You?" He repeated, waiting patiently for me to go on.

"I love you." I stated, playing with my hands that were resting in my lap.

He exhaled a big huff of air, and waited.

"But I don't know if I can love you." I lamented.

What? That made no sense you idiot!

His expression turned into one of sadness, and I longed to take the sorrow from his eyes. It made my stomach churn to know that I'd been the one to put it there, but somehow I couldn't bring myself to willingly be with him, at least not now, I was far too hurt.

"Edward-"

"Tell me why." He insisted, looking me straight in the eyes, while mine were looking everywhere but his.

"Why what?" I asked, confused.

"Why you can't love me."

I gulped. How do I explain how I feel? How can I make him understand the hurt that he'd caused me? That's just the thing...he wouldn't understand. He wouldn't understand how I stayed up crying night after night, wishing that whore out of existence. He wouldn't understand that it took a piece of my heart everytime I saw them together. So what's the point?

The point, I reminded myself. Is to get him to understand.

"You...don't understand." I finally admitted.

"Then help me to understand." He pleaded, scooting a little closer to me on the bench. I didn't move away for once; we were making progress.

I sighed. "Edward, every night that we weren't talking, I stayed up crying relentlessly, hoping you would come climbing through my window, hold me and tell everything was gonna be alright. Everyday that I would see you and Tanya walk down the halls at school, my heart would sink deeper into my chest, knowing that you wanted to be with her and not me. I felt ugly, unwanted, and useless, and I know you didn't know I was going through any of this, but I was, and I just don't wanna get hurt." Tears were streaming down my face, and I swiftly stuck my hand under my eye to swipe them away.

He was quiet for awhile. Pondering, I'd guessed. Then, swiftly, he grabbed my hands and placed them in his lap, playing with my fingers. I didn't object because I'd missed his touch.

"Bella," He began. "I only agreed to being with Tanya because I thought you and Jacob were together."

"What?" I blurted out. "Of all the ridiculous-"

"Bella, what do you expect when I waltz around the corner, on the day I was finally gonna tell you that I loved you, and see you and him hugged up against a locker?"

"It wasn't even-"

"Answer the question." He insisted, still playing with my fingers.

I thought about what he'd said, and I fully understood where he was coming from, but still...

"I guess I understand what you mean, but I do recall a day where I was trying to explain it to you, and you all but told me to fuck off." I exlplained, remembering that day clearly.

"Yeah, sorry about that. I was a little pissed that you were judging me." He replied, staring at our joined hands.

"It's ok." I answered, staring at our hands as well; the warmth was amazing.

It was quiet for awhile, I guess we both were caught up in our own thoughts.

"So where do we stand now?" He asked, suddenly.

I sighed. "I honestly don't know if I can trust you, Edward."

He sighed as well. "Give me a chance, Bella, please?"

"I...don't...know." I concluded. Was it really worth me getting hurt?

"What do I need to do? I'll do anything, you should know. I won't stop until you become mine, Bella. I love you, so much." He hung his head, and then, it all came gushing out of him.

"Everyday, that's how much I'd think of you, everyday. Even when I was with Tanya, like I said, I was only with her because I thought you were with Jacob. I've loved you all along, Bella. I know that you don't wanna get hurt, hell, we all don't wanna get hurt, but sometimes Bells, you have to put your heart out on the line, you have to take that risk in order to be happy. And I promise, no I swear to you that I will never ever hurt you Bella. You mean way too much to me, and I couldn't live with myself if I put you through any more pain." He started sniffling, and it just about broke my heart to hear him speak so sincerely.

"Bella, you don't know how much you mean to me. Even when we were younger, I knew there was something more there. I didn't just like you, I longed for your presence. Back then, I really didn't know what I was feeling, but now I do. I know that everytime I see your smile, it puts a smile on my face, and every time I hear your voice my heart rate quickens. Even when you're near me, my palms get clammy and I get nervous. Bella, I love you so much, and I just wish you could see that." He said while tears trailed down his cheek.

"Oh, Edward," I muttered and reached my hand to his cheek to wipe them away.

I removed my hands from his, and placed them behind his neck to pull him in for a hug.

He was serious, he really did love me and not that slut. He did want to be with me, or else he wouldn't be crying. My heart swelled to know that he did, in fact, love me the way that I loved him. Maybe I should give this a try, it could work. No, it would work.

I leaned back, and found that he'd stopped crying, and there were only two little tears still in the corners of his eyes, and the trails of his tears on his cheek. I leaned up and kissed them away, hoping that that was alright.

"Edward," I started, hesitantly, not really sure what I was about to get myself into. "I love you."

And that seemed to confirm where we stood. He leaned down, and pressed his lips to mine in a way I never thought possible. There was so much love behind that kiss; I never wanted it to end.

But, soon, my lungs began to scream in protest, and I cursed them for needing air. I pulled back, only to lay my forehead against his.

"Thank you, Bella." He lilted, with a huge smile on his face.

"For what?" I asked, generally curious as to what he could be talking about.

"For loving me." He stated simply. And though it wasn't much, my heart lurched.

.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.

"Finally." Emmett rejoiced, as we told our friends about what our little chat had done for us.

We were all at the boys' house, in their living room, eating up all of their snacks. Emmett was seated in the chair with Rose perched on his lap, Alice and Jasper were both lying on the floor next to each other, and Edward and I were sitting on the couch, snuggled up to each other.

"Emmett!" Rose hissed as she slapped him on the back of his head.

"Ow! What?" He cried, rubbing the spot she'd hit.

She just shook her head.

"Congrats, I'm happy for you guys, and I'm also happy that I don't have to deal with Edward and his moping anymore." Jasper proclaimed, picking up some candy for both him and Alice.

"Hey! I did not mope!" Edward protested, stopping mid chew, and also showing me all the contents that he held within his mouth when he spoke.

"Yeah Edward, you did." Emmett chimed in.

"No, I didn't." Edward grumbled, but only loud enough for me to hear. I chuckled at them and their banters.

Suddenly, Alice gasped.

"Al, what's up?" I asked worriedly.

"Nothing. This just means we get to have a triple date night!" She exclaimed, clapping her hands together.

Oh no. We just added more fuel to the energizer bunny.

We all just shook our heads. Alice will be Alice.

"So, Bells, are you finally gonna ride the Disco Stick?" Emmett blurted out.

As soon as those words left his mouth, I blushed crimson. Everyone else though, except Edward, burst into loud guffaws.

"What's the Disco Stick?" Edward asked, confusion winning as his dominent feature on his face.

"Don't worry Edward, I was the same way this morning." Jasper reassured him, which only made everyone laugh harder, and my blush to deepen.

"Yeah, but what it is?" Edward persisted.

"It's your-" Emmett started, but thankfully Rose clamped a hand over his mouth. God bless her.

I glared at Rosalie and Alice.

"You know...this is all your guys' fault."

Sooooo I hope I made it up to you guys (and I admit, this wasn't my best chapter...)...Again, sorry for being away for so long, but then again, If I had more reviews maybe the updates would come faster...Just a suggestion.

Anywho, REVIEW PLEASE!

See ya next chapter!(:

~TTP