Disclaimer: As much as we'd like to claim these characters, nothing Twilight-related belongs to us.

A/N: Sorry this is later than we would have liked--we had it done last night, but fanfiction wasn't lettiung us update. :(

HEY GUESS WHAT?! The 'rents finally made a decision about Twilight... :) So, I'll be seeing you all at midnight on the 21st? :D They waited until JUST NOW to tell me. Hahaha. One week before the premiere. They had me sweating.

Just one note: Please let us know how you feel about lemons. Our original plan was to write one, but due to some complications, AKA my nosy parents (who are probably reading this, but I asked them not to read it so they can't say anything to me) have looked up mine and Ben's FF and decided to read it, and then proceed to tell my grandparents about it. Thus, it'd be more than slightly awkward if they were to see a lemon on here. Anywho. Here's the chapter. :)

Ben's A/N: There's not much to say except that A) While the Author's Notes of this chapter are long, they are slightly important, and B) ENJOY!

Turning Eighteen
By cALLIEfornia BENches

Chapter 4: Surprise, Surprise.

Time could not possibly go any slower.

My head was slumped into my hand as I watched the clock tick slowly, so slowly, while my chemistry teacher droned on in his way-too monotone voice about Stoichiometry—about as entertaining as watching the paint dry. Or watching the grass grow. Or watching a flower bloom. Or making up analogies that explained how boring it was. The end of the period couldn't come soon enough.

Only one more minute, I thought to myself as the second hand took a leisurely stroll around the clock.

I started cleaning up my desk. The less time I had to spend gathering all my things together after class, the sooner I could see Isa again. I subtly and quietly stacked my notes and text book before sliding them into my backpack. I dropped my pencil in my bag, too, before I zipped it up and pulled the strap over my shoulder. I glanced at the clock again.

Fifty-five seconds. My head dropped forward onto my desk, creating a small thud. This period was never going to end. I was never going to get to see Isa. I was stuck in this hell hole, and I was being punished for my extremely amazing first date with her.

The past week, ever since our date exactly seven days ago, I hadn't been able to get her out of my head. If I saw a flower, I saw Isa. If there happened to be any mention about beaches, a poster of Isa would tack itself onto a wall of my mind. It was like my entire being craved her presence. All the time. And I oddly didn't mind. I wasn't sure where our last date had left us, though. I mean, I hadn't technically asked her to be my girlfriend, so I don't think we were at that level quiet yet, but I was definitely ready to take it to that next step. I wanted to ask her out again and I wanted to get that kiss, damn it. I thought about those pouty lips as much I was anxious to get out of this class.

My brows furrowed in determination.

Even though I wasn't sure where we stood, I had taken it upon myself to walk her to every class and call her at least once a day. Clingy? Maybe. Desperate? Probably. But she didn't seem to mind, and I wasn't going to stop. In fact, she always smiled whenever we were together; I could have sworn that the sun had parted from those cloudy Seattle skies each and every time. As for our public displays of our relationship, I kept it to a minimum. Of course, I would have loved to parade around the halls carrying her like a groom would carry his bride, but I wasn't sure how she would feel about it. In fact, she would probably scream at me. And then proceed to slap me.

She really was magnificent.

I really wanted to ask her on another date tonight. But I was terrified she would say no. What if she was getting sick of me? She probably had plans already. I shouldn't have waited so long to ask her.

That was stupid, Masen. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

I moved to smack my hand against my forehead, but the bell cut me off. Wow. Time flies when I'm thinking of Isa, I thought to myself, a spring automatically incorporating itself into my step. I probably looked like an idiot, a stupid grin on my face as I all but sprinted down to Isa's classroom. When I got there, she was waiting for me outside her classroom door, her focus deeply focused upon a book in her hand.

She looked up and smiled when she saw me. "I thought you weren't going to come," she said. "I was just about to leave."

"Sorry," I apologized as I tried to catch my breath. "I got distracted in chem."

She laughed lightly as she started towards our only class together. I quickly fell into step beside her. "What'd you get distracted with? All the chemical equations?" she asked.

I smiled and leaned down a bit so I was whispering in her ear. "No, silly girl," I said quietly. "I was distracted by thoughts of you." She blushed, but quickly composed herself to seem as though it didn't affect her. I laughed.

As we walked, I resisted the urge to reach down and grab her little hand in mine. Both her right and my left hand were free, and I knew she could feel the electricity that was surging between them. But I left it alone. At times, however, our arms would graze, and my breath would hitch.

We were drawing closer to the classroom, now, so I slowed my steps and stopped before we got there. She kept walking at first, but turned around and came back to where I was when she noticed I wasn't there. I wanted to be able to talk to her before class started, but I wasn't sure how to start. I just decided to go for it.

"You want to do something tonight?" I asked her.

She narrowed her eyes at me jokingly. "You wouldn't happen to mean like a date, would you?"

"Maybe?" I rubbed the back of my neck nervously. Please don't say no.

She thought for a moment before she frowned and bit her lip. "I'm sorry, Masen. I've got plans tonight." My ego and self-esteem plummeted to the floor below me.

"Right, no, that's fine," I said, trying to cover up for how stupid I sounded. Of course she wouldn't want to go. I mean, why would a girl like her want to go with me? "I mean, I should have asked you earlier," I said, gesturing randomly with my hands so they weren't forced to sit awkwardly at my sides. "I was, uhm, just wondering, you know, just because you, uh, mentioned wanting to go out again and I, uh, was just, you know. I mean it's cool. I get it. No problem. Maybe some other time? It's your decision, I mean…"

I felt like a part of me was being ripped in two. I felt a weird tightening in my chest, but I managed a forced smile and hurried into the classroom, despite her calls after me. I knew she was right at my heels, but as soon as I sat down the bell rang and she didn't get a chance to talk. For that, I was thankful. I'd rather she didn't try to explain it. I would have just preferred she left it alone.

But, of course, she couldn't. Not two minutes after class had started, a piece of paper was being forced onto my side of the desk. I pushed it back, not wanting to read it. But she simply took it

Masen, it read, Please understand. I do want to go out with you. I just can't tonight, okay?

I didn't believe her, but I grabbed out my pen and scribbled a little note anyway. No, I told you, its fine. Don't worry about it. I even managed to put place a small heart at the end to divert how I really felt. I pushed the note back her way and watched her reaction out of the corner of my eye. She read over it and frowned before glancing towards me. No matter how badly I wanted to, I wouldn't let my eyes stray over to her. I had to focus.

Pulling my notebook out, I started jotting notes from Mr. Lucas's lecture.

Not a word more was said between us during the class. And as soon as the bell rang, I was out of there faster than I thought possible. I had to get out of there.

I got to my car and, before anyone else had even stepped outside the school doors, taken off, gunning the car to sixty. I didn't want to think about her right now. But my brain wasn't having it. It had decided that she was always going to be there. Like an annoying Chihuahua in the back of my mind. It wouldn't quit its yapping long enough for me to have a clear thought, but at the end of the day it didn't matter because it was still adorable and I wouldn't be able to imagine what it'd be like without the lovable little thing.

When I arrived home, I immediately stomped up to my room.

"Masen!" my mom called after me. "Masen, what's wrong?"

"Everything," I spat. "I want to go home." And with that, I slammed my door shut and locked it. I wasn't going to leave my room for the rest of the night. I refused. No matter how much my mom begged, no matter what she promised me. The only reason I was going to get out of this bed was to pack my bags to head back to California.

After a while, I realized just how stupid my mood swing was. It was embarrassing to understand that I took this whole situation to an extreme. I just needed to calm down; it had been a long day.

I had to tell myself that the relationship was nothing to get worked over; there wasn't much to get worked over about. I shouldn't have gotten carried away with false expectations and standards before I realized the whole thing beforehand.

But where exactly were we? I needed to talk to her about that, as it was eating up inside of me. With hope of an answer, preferably positive, I wouldn't be acting like such a drama queen.

I wanted to curl up in my bed and sleep until I knew it was all over. But it would never be over. This stupid, beautiful girl wouldn't leave my mind. And I hated her for it.

No you don't, a voice in my head argued.

I knew I didn't. But it made me feel fractionally better thinking it.

I changed into some sweats and turned on some angry music before I curled up under the covers of my bed, letting them swallow me whole. I shouldn't have been so stupid. Of course she was busy. A girl like that probably had weeks of dates already set up. I was just one in a million. There was absolutely no way she would want to have anything to do with me. I was stupid to ever think so.

So stupid.

I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping for some shut-eye. Maybe when I was unconscious I could deal with it all.

Before I knew it, I had fallen into a deep sleep. I don't know how long I had been asleep when I started dreaming. I dreamt an angel was speaking to me. Softly, as though I was fragile.

"Masen," the angel said. "Masen, you need to open your eyes."

"My eyes are open," I responded as I looked up at her. Her skin was almost as pale as her white dress, but her eyes and hair were a sharp contrast against the two. She was glowing, her halo a smooth contrast against the brightness. I was in awe.

The angel giggled, and it was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. I'm sure my eyes glazed over as she said my name again.

All the sudden, there was an earthquake. I was being shaken. I darted upright in my bed, now awake.

"Good morning, sunshine," someone said from the edge of my bed.

No. It couldn't be.

My head whipped around so fast I wouldn't have been surprised if I got whiplash. But there she was, in all her beautiful glory. There was Isa, sitting on the side of my bed, hovering over where I had just been laying.

Oh, I thought, There had been no earthquake. She just wanted to wake me up.

She looked more than amazing. She was in a royal blue top and a pair of dark jeans, and her hair was straightened down over her shoulders. I wanted to run my fingers through it.

"What're you doing here?" I asked, stunned.

"We're going out," she said. "We're going to a club."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Why?" Why did she enjoy playing with me like this? I was getting a slight headache simply thinking about all the mixed signals she was presenting before me.

She shrugged. "I don't know. Why not?"

"No," I said, shaking my head. "Not why as in why are we going to the club, but why as in why are you here? I thought you didn't want to go out tonight. I thought you had plans. I thought you didn't want to go on anymore dates with me." I was rambling, and I knew it, but I was angry that she had just left me hanging like that. "What happened to being busy?" Maybe it was the drowsiness that hadn't yet left me or maybe it was my voice, but I sounded like a very whiny child.

She laughed. "Silly boy. I made plans tonight, yes. Plans to surprise you. Why else do you think I was being so vague?" I felt the inside butterflies tickle my stomach and, though I wanted to breathe out this sigh of relief; I still wanted to ask her something later. For now, I would play the happiness card to appease both of us.

I looked down at my sheets. "Because you didn't want to hurt my feelings in saying that you didn't ever want to be seen in public with me again?" I guessed.

"You think I would tell you I had the best date of my life, and then proceed by telling you that I didn't ever want to go out with you again?" Her head shook adamantly. "And you call me absurd. Who's the crazy one now?" I knotted my fingers together. I didn't want her to see how she had affected me. "Go get changed," she said, tearing apart my hands and intertwining one with my own, giving it a short squeeze. "We're leaving in ten."

And with that, she left my room. I couldn't even imagine what my parents were doing to her downstairs. My mom was probably attacking her with anything feminine. She loved it when there were other girls in the house; she always complained about the testosterone level in the house. My dad, on the other hand, was probably being relatively normal. There was a game on tonight, so I doubted he cared about anything but that at the moment. The world could have ended and he wouldn't have cared, other than the fact that he wouldn't be able to see the end of the game.

I hopped out of bed and grabbed a pair of jeans and a green long-sleeved polo that my mom said brought out my eyes, throwing them on before rushing downstairs. Sure enough, Isa and my mom were sitting on the couch reading a magazine while my dad was staring at the television.

"Let's go," I said. She looked up and smiled.

"Now, Masen, why haven't you brought her around here before? She's stunning," my mom said.

I smiled at Isa, not even bothering to look at my mom when I answered. "I know," I said. My mother and Isa shared a quick embrace before she came over and I took her hand. "Ready to go?" I asked her.

"Bye Mr. Edwards," she said with a small wave.

His hand raised, but he didn't take his eyes from the screen. I chuckled and tugged on her hand. She smiled one last smile at my mom before we headed out to her car.

"So, which club are we going to?"

"The only 16-18-year-old club there is. 131. Its downtown," she told me. "I've never personally been there, but I've been told it's a great club and it's got good music."

I nodded as I looked out the window at the passing Evergreens. The ride was short and quiet, the exact opposite of how it was when we stepped out of the car. The line was insane, and everyone was talking over each other and the booming music from the inside. I pulled Isa closer to my side and wrapped an arm around her waist as I noticed all the males looking at her. I shot a glare to each of them. My protectiveness shadowed any nervousness to touch her the way I was doing.

The line was quicker than I thought. At all the clubs I had seen on TV, they had to wait in line because there wasn't enough room. The line here was simply to check ID and put a stamp on your hand. Apparently they hadn't reached capacity yet.

As soon as we got inside, the atmosphere was somewhat raunchy. The strobe lights were flashing brightly in every which direction, being the only source of light in the whole place. I wasn't sure how I would fair in this kind of place, but I would at least try for Isa. The place slightly smelled of bated sweat with a tinge of hard liquor, probably from teenagers who decided to get drunk before coming.

The place looked very sketchy.

Every which way I glanced, I was met with girls who had put on too heavy of make up and were winking incessantly at me, hoping for my attention. I could already tell there was going to be trouble if I didn't do something soon.

"Wanna dance?" she asked me. I merely nodded in reply.

She grabbed my hand and led me out toward the dance floor, and I felt like my body heat had gone up at least ten degrees. It was sweaty and a little gross. But it looked like I was the only one that felt that way. Everyone else was grinding hard against their partner as the different rap songs played from the speakers.

I wondered if Isa would be dancing like that with me, I thought idly.

My question was quickly answered, though, as Isa used the hand she was holding to pull me so my chest was against her back. And with that, she started grinding.

And it was the best. Feeling. Ever.

I was pretty sure I groaned out loud and my eyes rolled to the back of my head, but if Isa heard me she didn't let on. She simply grabbed both of my hands and put them on her hips as she slowly moved back and forth against me. I couldn't help but start moving with her. It just felt way too damn good.

It took every ounce of self-control that I had in my body not to just completely ravish her right there. Mini Masen didn't waste any time alerting her of my state of mind, either. But I couldn't get myself to care enough to stop.

Her hands left mine on her hips and she brought them up and back around my neck, pulling my head closer to hers. I nuzzled my face into her neck as I decided to let my hands explore a little, depending on what she would allow me to do. Slowly, I dragged them down across her jean-clad thighs.

So far, so good.

I moved them inwards the slightest bit before I brought them all the way back up to her hips, respectfully avoiding what I thought to be relatively inappropriate for a second date. I drew my hands up and brought them over her stomach, encasing her into a tight embrace.

Our movements were synchronized, and, might I say, much more feral and raunchy than I would have ever believed for a second date. But I didn't mind; this was heaven, even through the horrible stench around me and the flirtatious girls around me.

I occasionally felt an unfamiliar hand slide across my muscled and sweaty back, and slightly cringed, knowing it was some girls who were a little too eager. And possibly drunk. I returned all my focus to Isa.

There was no guessing that she didn't feel my current state of being. It was pressed right up against her back. But who cared? Not I. And I doubted she did, either.

I don't know what made me do it—maybe it was the music, or maybe it was the heat—but nevertheless, I decided to take it one step further. I turned my face into her neck and gently pressed my lips against the skin there. I heard her sigh as she moved her head so I had better access. I took this as a sign to continue. I continued my assault against her neck before slowly moving up towards her ear.

There, I took her lobe into my mouth and nibbled on it slightly. The tiniest of noises escaped her mouth, only encouraging me further. I kissed the soft skin underneath her ear and trailed my hands back down her thighs again as I made my way down to the top of her collar bone.

Her hands moved around behind her and were resting on my abdomen, waiting to trail down. Oh, how I wanted her to move those hands just the slightest bit downward. She hadn't even moved them a centimeter south and I was already groaning. I was sure she could hear it—I wanted her to hear it.

But just as she started moving them down farther, we were interrupted. A Mexican man in an old wife-beater and goatee, who was clearly not between the ages of sixteen and eighteen took the spot in front of Isa and wrapped his arms around her, completely disengaging me from her. I was furious. So furious that even Mini Masen went back into hiding so I could kick this guy's ass properly.

No one steals her away from me. No one.

Immediately, she glanced back at me with a worried look on her face.

I stomped up to the guy and tore her from his grasp. He started yelling at me, but I wasn't listening.

"Are you okay?" I asked her.

Her eyes were still worried, even though she nodded. I looked up at the guy, who was now not a foot from my face, yelling at me in a mixture of Spanish and English.

To put it nicely, he was asking me to let her choose who she wanted to dance with. I took a glance at Isa who was clinging to my shirt. Even still, he tried to grab her hand away from me.

So I decked him.

It hurt, but it was so worth it. He fell to the ground, a hand over his nose, cussing in Spanish. I grabbed Isa and yanked her out of the club and back to the car before the bouncers kicked us—or more specifically me—out for starting a fight. I didn't want to spend the night in jail. I just wanted to get Isa home safely.

So much for actually liking the club.

As soon as we got in the car, I pinched the bridge of my nose. I wanted to go back in and kill that guy for treating her like that. It was so unbelievably disrespectful.

"Masen?" she said timidly.

"What," I snapped. After realizing who I was talking to, I simmered down a little. But only minimally.

She flinched back slightly at my tone. "Are you mad at me?"

I sighed. "I'm sorry," I said. "No, I'm not mad at you at all. But that guy was such a sleaze. I wanted to hurt him. So badly. It was all I could do to just walk away after punching him. He never should have touched you like that."

She reached a hand out and touched my shoulder. "Its fine, Masen. I'm—"

"No, Isa, it's not fine. He can't go around treating women like that. It disgusts me."

She waited. "Can I finish what I was saying?" I sighed again, but nodded. "I'm fine. I'm not hurt. He was hardly touching me at all. At least...," she paused and lowered her voice so much so that I almost didn't hear her, "Not compared to what you and I were doing."

This time I was the silent one for a moment. "But that's different," I defended. "I didn't steal you away from someone you were already dancing with, and I'm pretty sure it was a consensual for both parties, not just one."

She didn't start the car. We just sat in the parking spot for a few more moments with the silence stretching between us. "So it's only nine," she said. "I don't really want to go home yet. I can stay out until one. What do you want to do?"

I took a deep breath, letting all my angry thoughts and feelings go on the exhale. "Wanna go to a movie?"

"Okay."

With that, she started the car and drove to the theater. Not a word was spoken the entire ride there. I was afraid that, if I did, I would start getting angry again. And I didn't want to do that to her.

Isa and I drove a ways until we found an open movie theater. We climbed out of the car, along with the silence obediently trailing behind us, and bought our tickets.

Our moods cleared as we decided to watch a romantic comedy to cool our nerves. But even before we entered the movie theater, I saw through the corner of my eye while I was buying refreshments that Isa had decided to let her hair down; I was mesmerized.

Quickly snapping myself out of my trance, I vowed to try and be civil throughout the date. I didn't even know what kind of relationship we were heading, let alone how I should react. I bought the drinks and escorted her in, telling myself to try and not stare at her the whole film.

We weren't even halfway through watching the movie when I lost focus once again and stole a glance at the girl seating next to me, smiling each and every time goofily to know that she hadn't run off, and that she wasn't some dream I had managed to conjure up with. I had literally no idea what the movie was about, or who the main character was, but I still pretended to pay attention once in a while when I noticed that Isa was adjusting her seat, or perhaps having the opportunity to look at me; I didn't want it to seem like I was obsessing over her.

I had kept my hands to myself throughout the whole time so far in the theater, though there were moments when my fingers begged to graze the side of her arm nearest to me, and maybe even hold her hand under the seat. Could I get away with it?

I continued to constantly doubt myself and my abilities, like I always infamously did. Throughout the movie, I was coming up schemes to try and get myself to touch her and show her the affection I had. I decided I was going to try it out before the movie ended.

Now or never, Masen.

But just as I was about to perform the ultimate task of smoothly putting my arm over her shoulder, a giggle behind me sounded above the music, followed by a masculine humming. More giggling. I turned around in slight irritation at the thwarting of my mission, only to see two kids, about our age, fiercely locked in what appeared to be a pretzel-like position, groping each other, and attacking the other's face with their lips.

I grunted in displeasure, removed the arm that was swaying mid-air above Isa (who was incredibly immersed within her movie), and crossed my arms over my chest. I wanted so badly to be in the same situation as the teenagers above me were in, only having Isa be the one intertwined with me.

With each passing second, I noticed that all around me, there were various couples seemly unfocused upon the movie, but rather in each other. And as I counted the mounting examples of make-out sessions occurring in the theater, the more irritated and ambitious I became.

I was stuck in a nasty dilemma; I wanted Isa so much. Most likely more than any of these fellow hormone-driven teenagers could understand. My affection toward her was something past "teenage." There might be a presence of a physical need, but underneath that, I felt so much more spiritually attached to this girl. I might have met her only a few weeks ago, but our relationship, though unlabeled and highly confusing, was already beyond words and normal. In my opinion, I had jumped from confrontation all the way to familiar.

Maybe she wouldn't even notice. Maybe I could put my arm over her shoulder just like in those movies, and she could coincidentally fall into my arms, and stay there. Maybe we would fit like a puzzle.

My thoughts, like always, were at a million miles an hour, always zooming here and there in my head. I really wanted to make a move, but I was too afraid of rejection. Just like last time. I wanted to respect her boundaries. And I felt like staring at her with glazed eyes, and not even bothering to focus on the movie was enough stepping over such borders for the night.

No, I would keep my troublesome hands to myself.

But at that instant, Isa shifted in her seat, and I quickly diverted my gaze to the large screen and held my breath. Was it a false alarm? Did she see me? I hope I didn't seem like a perverted boy who always stares...

This was like a courting dance. If I made one wrong move, and error, a slip of the routine, I would be done for; embarrassed and denied, the only place to go was under a rock. The electricity between us was palpable, and I could feel her heat envelop me. I was so nervous of every move I made, afraid she would recoil and reject me once again.

But to my surprise, the next move did not belong to me.

Without any warning, I felt a small, warm and tender hand grasp mine, intertwining our fingers together. I could feel my head swooning with joy; I was definitely seeing stars. My breath hitched into my throat as I felt a head, ever so slowly, almost from a dream, prop itself on my shoulders.

Boy, does she smell fantastic.

I was so glad she chose to act upon it this time. Because I didn't know how much longer I could control those excited fingers of mine.

We were so close.

I could feel her every movement, up to the very breath she would take. Occasionally, she would hum to the music of the movie before us (which I neglected shortly after all this), and the vibrations would shoot through my chest, echoing in my stomach and stunning the butterflies that were fiercely fluttering about.

I didn't want this to stop.

I enjoyed and preferred this so much more than to the club. The two had completely different moods. At the club, everything was hyped in sexual tension and physical electricity. But this was so chaste and so innocent that it was fragile; I had to go about this very carefully. This small interaction of just our hands and body touching meant so much more to me than any grinding on the dance floor.

It was like we were joining together, and understanding each other on a completely different scale. It was spiritual rather than physical. And this tension was very controlled and finer than before, but still had me panting for breath.

She squeezed my hand in reassurance and giggled. I could hardly notice that there was a slight pain from when I punched the sorry bastard who had the unfortunate chance of being sleazy toward Isa; I more or less wore it like a badge of pride and honor.

We stayed in that comfortable position for the rest of the movie. I was unaware of the surrounding couples and didn't seem to notice the span of time allotted to the film. I was only aware of her and how perfectly we fit. My every corner and contour was made for her body pressed neatly against mine.

The movie ended, and, still to my utter disbelief and joy, we held hands to the car, relishing in a comfortable silence that filled the atmosphere. I opened the door for her, even though she was driving, and found my spot in the driver's passenger seat. After revving up the engine, Isa cruised out of the parking lot toward my house.

An odd sense of déjà vu plagued my thoughts of our first date last week, only our position in the car seemed reversed. I wondered if she was as nervous as I was driving her home? Was she thinking about our relationship? Where we stood?

I was so confused. Our first date, more formal than the one we were on now, was the best date of my life. I felt so sure of my actions and our relationship during that point last week, even without a real kiss. But now? The following week after the pivotal beach talk seemed very casual, and the small things she and I did or didn't do were giving me mixed signals. And this date seemed much to relaxed and unhinged with the pressures of a relationship to fully get me to understand our position on the matter.

Despite the pleasing ambiance, I needed to dissolve the silence and ask the question that had been burning into an engraving in the back of my mind the entire date.

"So...," I trailed off, not exactly sure how to start. I decided to just go with blunt. It got the point across. "What are we?" I asked.

She froze. "What?"

"What are we?" I repeated.

"Well, uhm, what do you mean?"

I sighed. I didn't know what I meant. That's why I was asking her. "I just want to know where we stand... in our relationship... or whatever this is," I said. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do or how I'm supposed to act if I don't know what we are now. Even if we aren't where I want to be, I need to know so I can work up to it."

"Where... where do you want us to be?"

"Isa, I really like you," I said in response, "There's nothing I would want more than to be able to call you my girlfriend."

"Masen," she started in the same tone used when people 'aw' at something.

"Wait," I said. "I'm not done. I'm not asking you right now." Her face fell and she looked a little irritated. "Listen, before you get angry," I said. "The reason I'm not asking you now is because I want the moment to be perfect. I want to do it the way I want to do it. I don't want to do it in the same night that I punched someone in order to defend you. I'm not proud of it, as glad as I am that it was done. I don't want that memory to be associated with the night I ask you to be my girlfriend. It means more to me than that. It's not something I take lightly."

"So...," she drawled. "So what does that mean?"

"That means I want you to think about it. I'm not expecting an answer right now, and I'm not expecting you to respond in one particular way or the other. The decision is completely up to you. I just wanted to warn you that I will be asking you to be my official girlfriend soon."

"Okay," she said simply. "I just think you should know... I really like you, too."

I mimicked the smile that was spreading across her face like wildfire. Unfortunately, as badly as I wanted this to last, we were turning into my neighborhood. It was time for the date to end.

I smiled at her. "Will you walk me to my door, Isa?" I asked jokingly, repeating her line from the week before.

She laughed and got out of the car. I grabbed her hand and together we walked to the front porch. My parents had left the light on for me, for which I was grateful. My body was filled head to toe with butterflies. I felt like every bit of me was nervous in anticipation for what could be our first kiss.

"Thanks so much for taking me out tonight, even if I did have to deck a guy," I said with a short laugh.

She smiled. "No problem. It was great spending time with you," she said. "I really enjoyed myself."

"I'm glad."

The silence stretched out between us. I wouldn't make the first move. She had to make the move first there was no way I was going to set myself up for rejection again. I didn't know if my little heart could take it. So I would leave it up to her to move to kiss me. It was her choice, not mine. I think we both knew what I would want. I didn't want to push her.

"So...," I said, waiting for her to do something. She didn't. "I'll see you later, then?"

"Goodnight, Masen," she said, squeezing my hand once with a wink.

I went into the house and shut the door behind me, completely disappointed. I so wanted that kiss. I would have done anything for it. Anything, that is, except get rejected. The date was amazing. But I couldn't get over how unsatisfied I felt.

With a sigh, I made my way up the stairs and knocked on my parents' door to let them know I was home.

"Did you have fun, sweetie?" my mom's groggy voice asked.

"Yeah, I did, thanks."

I locked myself in my room and shut the door, sitting on the edge of my bed. I felt so lame. Just because I was afraid of getting shot down again, I couldn't do anything remotely exciting. I wonder what would have happened if I had tried for it. I wondered what she would have said. Did she kiss on the second date?

A small noise interrupted my thoughts. It came from my window. Curious, I walked over to it and opened it up. Maybe a bird had run into it or—

"Masen!" a voice whisper-yelled.

"Isa?"

"You left something down in my car. Come get it?"

I shook my head. "What is it? Can't you just give it to me Monday? That'd be a lot easier."

"No, I think you're going to want it now," she said.

I sighed. "Alright, I guess I'll be right down." When I got out to the front lawn, she was leaning with her back against the car, a puzzled expression on her face. Almost like she was debating something. "I don't see anything." I asked with a glance past her into her car. "What'd I forget?"

"This," she said softly.

And before I could comprehend what was happening, her lips were on mine. To say I was shocked would be an understatement, but I couldn't help but marvel at of how perfectly they fit against mine. It was perfect. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer to me, and I could feel her arms wrap around my neck and slip through my hair.

I felt euphoric. My entire face was tingling so bad it was almost ticklish. But I wouldn't dare laugh. So I did the only think I could do; I sacrificed my senses and just let it all out into the kiss. And in that moment I knew: everything I had gone through for her was totally with it.

This. This right here was all I needed.

A/N: IMPORTANT! We do NOT mean any offense WHATSOEVER to anyone who is, indeed, Latino or Hispanic. 131 is a real 16-18 year-old club in Seattle—and it really is full of trashy, sleazy Mexican men. It wasn't a generalization or stereotype in any way, whatsoever. It's just how it is. Sorry to anyone who was even kind of, maybe, even a little remotely offended. It was not intended that way. At all. :)

Another note: We've got good news and bad news. Bad news: we're taking all of winter break off. Good news? We're going to be doing a short mini-story of like four or five chapters while we get the first few chapters of TLiF done for the New Year. :)

Ben's A/N: Did you like it? I loved how it showed the two aspects of their growing relationship, both physical and spiritual; the spiritual having such a familiarity of the Bella and Edward we all know and love. Also, I want you guys to know that Masen and his constant doubts are a parallel to Edward and his personality of over thinking everything…

From here, it only gets better folks, and more juicy as we will finally begin to incorporate WHWHW into TE!!!! As for the winter break, the only reason we are taking a break is due to the immense stress of school, and keeping up with the demand of fanfiction lol. REVIEW, PM, and we'll give you a sneak peak at next chapter.

ALSO: This week is the last week to vote on the poll that is located at the top of our profile page for how you want the story to end. After the next posting of the new chapter, we will close it…so vote!

You won't be disappointed,

cALLIEfornia BENches