After all of your reviews, I got inspired and managed to get an update out. Unfortunately I couldn't respond to any of your reviews. I think it's a problem with FFN.

SM owns it all, I just play with it.

I hope you enjoy.

Out of the Shadows

Chapter 9: Crown of Love

BPOV

"Izzy?" Edward was looking at me. The confusion was evident in his eyes.

"Hey, Dad. It's good to see you too but I need a couple of minutes to talk to Edward."

"Bella, I don't get why you're even here. I thought you were working until tomorrow. And why are you here with the Cullens? Don't you hate the kids?" My Dad's confusion was completely understandable.

I had spent my high school days moaning about this family. How beautiful they were. How privileged they were? He had a very low opinion of Emmett, Edward and Alice based on my adolescent dissatisfaction. Back then I couldn't distinguish my envy from my self-loathing.

"Dad, it's a really long story. I'm actually working for Edward so I really need to find him right now." He took hold of my arm. I gently put my hand over his. "I'll fill you in on all the details tomorrow, okay?"

As I turned away from my Dad, I realized that I had lost sight of Edward. I scanned the room with no luck. Walking towards the stairs, Alice appeared before me. "Izzy, what's going on? I just saw Edward storm out of here. Also is there some reason why you know the Police Chief already?"

"Alice, I have a lot to talk with you about but it has to wait. I really have to find Edward. Which way did he go?" The panic was starting to rise up my throat.

I had no clue what Edward was thinking right now. Two months ago, I didn't care what Edward Cullen thought about me but right at this moment, his opinion was the only one that mattered. Maybe it was his fame, his beauty, his body but in a short amount of time I'd fallen.

"Uh, I saw him going upstairs." Alice looked confused as well. "Please make it right, whatever it is, Izzy."

"I'm going to try my best, Alice." I gave her a weak smile as I started to ascend the stairs. By the time I hit the first landing, I was taking my heels off. I was never a fashionista so the shoes with the stiletto heels were killing me. I needed my feet to be on firm ground when I found Edward.

When I hit the third floor landing, the door to his room was open. I cautiously walked to it and knocked.

"What?" barked Edward. My heart fell slightly because I knew this was not going to be easy.

"It's Izzy. Can I come in?"

"Don't you mean Bella." The hurt was in his voice. I had betrayed him and he didn't know why.

I was seriously doubting my own reasons for keeping my true identity a secret. How many years had I spent wishing that someone would see past my exterior to get to know the real me. I did the same thing to Edward, Emmett, Alice, and even Jasper and Rosalie. I was judging them on the superficial, not the people who they were. Why couldn't I remember the good about them instead of the presumed slights against me. They didn't know me, and I didn't know them all those years ago.

I slowly opened the door. He was sitting on the bed with his head in his hands. His long elegant fingers were strangling a fist full of hair. I'd seen this before.

One month left of this hellhole of a school. I couldn't wait to get out of here. Thanks to my grades, I had managed a scholarship to a college in California. It was far enough away from Forks but still close enough to visit my Dad or vice versa.

I'd forgotten my book in Biology so I was going back to get it. We had a big test coming up, and I didn't want to let my grades slip. When I got to the door of Biology it was closed. I could hear Mr. Banner talking to someone. I took a quick look to see Edward Cullen slumped in a chair. I decided to wait until they were finished.

"Edward, if you don't get at least a B on this test, and a passing grade on the final lab, I can't pass you. Without this credit, you won't be able to graduate in a month." There was silence. "Let me know if you want any extra help. I can arrange a tutor. Let me know."

I could hear books being packed up, and then Mr. Banner came out of the room. "Ms. Swan." He nodded at me as he left.

I quietly stepped into the room, and went straight to my usual desk. There was my textbook with my notes on the test inside. Thank God. I didn't want to have to completely redo them.

As I turned to go, I took a good look at Edward. He was slumped over his knees with his head in his hands. His hands were so tightly woven into his gorgeous bronze hair that he seemed to be pulling out by the roots. His back muscles were tense, and I could tell his breathing was shallow.

I'd never seen him this way before. He was always so confident, to the point of being cocky. Seeing him like that did something to me. Normally I would have said that he was getting what he deserved. He should have spent more time on his studies than his extra-curricular activities, on and off the field. The hatred I'd felt for him didn't rear its ugly head. I felt sorry for him. Edward Cullen, of all people, was getting my sympathy. He didn't deserved not to graduate with his class.

I took the notes out of my book and went to give them to him. "Take my notes." I said as I held them out to him.

He looked up at me. His green eyes were wide and glistening. He hadn't been crying but the emotion was just waiting to come out. "Why?"

"They're just notes but they should help you study for the exam. I know you've missed a lot lately because of sports. Just take them." I'd practically yelled the last sentence.

He just stared up at me. I had to go or I was going to break down too. I left the notes on the desk next to him. I walked out of the room, and never spoke to Edward Cullen again that school year.

"Edward," I crouched down beside the bed. "I'm sorry. I should have told you the truth when I met with Rose and Alice but I just couldn't. I didn't realize how hard this would be, and I never thought that we would end up back in Forks together." I tried to put my hand on his arm.

He jumped from the bed like I was electrocuting him. I stood up, and watched him stalk around his room. His muscles were tense, and he was mumbling to himself. He stopped, looking me directly in the eyes.

"Bella Swan, as in mousy brown hair, overweight, bookworm Bella Swan?" I just nodded. I was afraid to talk. I didn't know what to say because I was too scared to lose him.

"Why did you hide yourself from me?" His eyebrows knit together. The green of his eyes was intense. I had to look away. Turning towards the window, I tried to catch my breath.

"I had so many stupid preconceived notions about you from high school that I just didn't want to bring them up. I hated you and your family and friends in high school. I was the butt of every joke, and the book mouse who was always over looked." The anger I'd been feeling for years just wouldn't come back to me. My voice was small and my shoulders were slumped.

I waited for him to say something, anything, but he didn't. "I reinvented myself when I moved to California, mind and body. I didn't want to be that Bella Swan anymore. I figured I'd changed enough that you wouldn't know the truth."

He was clenching and releasing his fists. "But why hide?"

"I'm not exactly sure why I hid it but I did. The more I got to know you the harder it was to think about you finding out the truth. I didn't know what you would think." He was quiet. I paused and took another breath. "I just wanted Edward and Izzy to continue, and keep Bella in a closet, like I'd done all through high school."

"Bella, that was fucking high school. I don't understand how you can hold on to such petty shit for so long. People change because you sure as hell have." The anger and frustration was in every word.

"You were not the butt of every joke because you kept to the shadows. No one knew you enough to make fun of you. Angela was the only person I saw you with, and she was very protective."

"But what about me being a charity case, or the time with your car?" The bitter memories were started to invade my mind.

"What time with my car?"

"I'd bumped into your car door with my car and left a mark. You called me a 'waste of space'." He didn't even remember the bad times that involved me. I was even more invisible than I thought I was.

"Christ, Izzy. If I had a dollar for every time I lost my cool with someone during high school I'd have been a millionaire before graduation." He shook his head. "To hell with all the high school shit. We are who we are now. I'm not about to go back and apologize for every slight from then." He sat on the bed with his back to me.

Silence filled the room. The only noise was from the party down below. When he spoke next his voice was quiet. "What hurts the most is the fact that you've been lying to me. I don't know how much of Izzy is Bella and vice versa. I don't trust easily but I trusted you."

Trusted, as in past tense. I could feel the connection between us being pulled thin. I couldn't lose him. I'd only just realized what an incredible man he is, and how much I want to be in his life.

"Edward, is there a way we can work this out? I know I fucked up but we can't just leave it here like this." I was starting to tremble. I wasn't cold but I feared his reaction. Then the worst happened.

"Izzy..I mean, Bella, I think it's best if we end our professional relationship here. I can't have you working of me if I can't trust you." He got up from the bed and walked towards the bathroom. "I'll get Alice to contact you tomorrow. Good bye." He went into the other room and closed the door.

I stood there for a moment to steady myself. The tears were flowing from my eyes now. I stumbled towards the door, across the landing and into my room. I packed everything up in my bag. Then I sent a quick text to Dad.

I'm coming home tonight. See you there.

On the landing the car keys were waiting for me with a note. 'Take the car. Alice will look after it tomorrow.'

I made my way down the stairs and out the door as quick as I could. I heard Alice's voice over the noise but I kept moving. There was no way I was stopping to talk to anyone.

When I got outside I didn't slow down. I ran down the steps towards where the BMW was parked. I slipped and fell only once. As I threw my bags into the car, I saw Alice and Jasper coming out of the house. I started the car and shifted into gear as quick as possible.

I don't remember the drive home but I made in one piece. My phone kept beeping at me during the drive. The tears were still flowing so there was no way I was checking them while I drove.

By the time I stumbled into the house, there were 5 texts from Alice, 1 from Dad, and even one from Esme. I didn't read any of them. I stripped off my shoes and went to my room.

Thankfully Dad hadn't changed anything yet so I just collapsed on the bed and cried. The tears flowed for a long time. I heard Dad come home. He came up the stairs to check on me. I pretended to sleep because I just didn't want to talk.

It felt like high school again but this time I knew the stakes were higher.

Did you like it or not? Please let me know what you think. Next will be EPOV. Have a good weekend!