A/N: This is an installment in my Hyde Series. If you haven't read the first one, head on over to Shakespearean Influences. That one is rated M for a reason though.

I do not own Twilight, I just play with the characters.

BELLA

I never thought that I would be one of those girls. But high school was supposed to be my chance. It was my chance to break out of my role as the clumsy entertainment of my classmates. It was my chance for finding a decent guy. It was my chance to change what I didn't like about my life. I moved in with my dad in time to start my sophomore year there. It was the perfect opportunity. And, I had Jake with me.

Jake. Even though he was a year behind me, I would pick him up for school and take him home afterwards everyday. We had been friends forever. We talked about anything and everything. He was always there for me. I was always there for him. We were practically inseparable. Through the painful parade of boys just trying to get into my pants, Jake defended my honor. He had a crush on me then. I knew it. Jake didn't know that I knew that, but I did. Anyone could tell really. There was an endless line of girls, most of them rather popular, which were dying to have him try and get into their pants. But he only had eyes for me it seemed. Truth be told, at one point I fancied myself in love with him. I guess he just didn't like me enough, because he never made a move.

One day, not very far into the school year, I met him. It was on the day that we finalized our lab partner selections for the rest of the year. Mike had been hinting fairly strongly about us being lab partners. I sat down in my usual seat and started to doodle in my notebook. Someone sat in the seat next to me. I thought it was Mike, so I just kept doodling. The person sitting next to me cleared his throat. I looked up and saw the most brilliant green eyes that I had ever seen in my entire life. We talked through the entire class. His name was Edward. He had just moved to Forks from Alaska with his family. He was adopted. The list goes on and on. He asked a lot of questions about me too. I told Jake all about it on the way to his house. He seemed a little irritated, but mostly fine.

I will never forget when Edward asked me out on our first date. I was floored. He had been flirting with me, but I didn't think he would actually ask me on a date. There were so many, much prettier, girls were throwing themselves at him. Then, one day in biology, he took my hand in both of his and looked me in the eyes. I think I stopped breathing because after he asked me the question, I blacked out for a second. Of course I ended up saying yes when I became coherent. I mean, look at him. I was so very lucky that a guy like Edward would be interested in a girl like me.

Since Jake was my best friend…okay, only friend really…he was shanghaied into date preparation. He was very patient as I tried every possible outfit combination that was available to me. He was not, however, helpful. He would always say that I looked beautiful. Whatever, he just had to deal with the fact that I ignored him. I finally settled on my outfit choice a mere hour before Edward picked me up. Fortunately, Jake also left before Edward got to my house too.

That date was magical. It came straight from a fairytale. Edward was the perfect gentleman. We went to this fancy Italian restaurant in Port Angeles. I was so enamored with how gorgeous my date was that I barely got irritated when both the hostess and our waitress tried to hit on him. Edward never even looked at them, let alone encourage their outrageous behavior. I tore my eyes away from him only long enough to glance at the menu and order the first thing that I saw, mushroom ravioli. Our conversation was comfortable and never lagged.

The only questionable part of the whole evening was when a few guys, who had obviously been drinking like fish, tried to hit on me when we left the restaurant. Edward opened my car door for me. Once I was safely inside, he shut the door. I don't know what he said, but those guys backed off. On our way to my house, I tried to distract Edward from his dwelling on the incident. By the time we were standing in front of my door, we were both laughing. I looked in his eyes as we grew quiet. He looked very serious. Then, Edward slowly leaned forward and brushed his lips against mine. Unexpectedly, I threw my arms around his neck and really kissed him. I could feel his smile as he kissed me back. After that, I floated on a cloud to my room and called the only person I could think of, Jake.

The date was all that I could think or talk about. I did feel badly for making Jake sit through all that. The pattern was set then. Jake would help me get ready and then discuss the date until the next one. After about a month, Edward asked me to be his girlfriend, officially. I was excited, to say the very least. Everything was amazing in my life. I had this great best friend and gorgeous, attentive boyfriend. There was less time to spend with Jake, but he was supportive.

Suddenly, Edward told me that I shouldn't talk to Jake anymore. He claimed that Jake was in love with me and I was being cruel. I told Edward that he was mistaken. Jake had never made a move on me. In fact, he had kept the boys at school at bay before I met Edward. We argued about it one day at his house. I went to go down the stairs to leave. Edward came up behind me so quickly and quietly that he startled me on the top stair. Since I was as clumsy as the day is long, I slipped. Edward grabbed my left arm to keep me from falling down the stairs. In his anger about Jake, Edward gripped my arm too tightly. Of course, I bruised. Edward was so contrite. Jake noticed the bruise me and asked me about it. I told him the truth…mostly. Okay, I left out the part that we had been arguing about him. That would have made Edward look bad, and he already felt bad enough. I was so lucky to have a boyfriend like Edward.

Soon after that, Edward found out the truth of his birth parents. His mother had left him with his abusive father. Child services had been notified. Edward's adopted parents, Carlisle and Esme, didn't know the truth, but they suspected. They took in Edward at age 6 and cared for him. Edward was having trouble dealing with his past. He needed me. So, of course, I dropped everything to be there for him. Jake was suspicious, but did not complain as I started spending all of my time with my hurting boyfriend. Sometimes Edward would lash out verbally, and physically. I mean, who wouldn't? At first, he was immediately repentant. But as time wore on, he just became more and more angry. He was afraid that I would leave him because of his past. I assured him that I was his. In fact, I would have to tell him that a lot. To prove it, I spent every waking moment with him. Slowly, very slowly, he balanced out. I think he made peace with his ghosts. By that time, it was habit that I stayed at his house, or he stayed at mine, so much.

One night, Jake called after Edward had gone home. Poor Jake, he though Edward was abusing me. I tried to tell Jake that wasn't the case. Edward loved me and I loved Edward. Jake said that I deserved better that Edward. He didn't realize how lucky I was that a guy like Edward wanted to be with a girl like me. We talked for awhile, but Jake just wouldn't listen to what I was saying.

The next day, Edward borrowed my phone to text his father. That battery in his phone had died on the way to school. He stumbled upon my call history and noticed the call from Jake. Well, of course Edward got upset. Edward thought that Jake was trying to take me away from him. I tried to explain in the classroom, but Edward stormed out into the hallway. I followed him and told was just checking up on me like the good friend that he was. Suddenly, Edward spun around and grabbed my arms. It was terrifying. I started to cry while I tried to explain. Edward shook me to emphasize what he was saying. He made several good points. Then he reminded me how lucky I was to have someone like him as my boyfriend and I was his. I already knew that. Then, Jake came out of nowhere and punched Edward on the nose. Edward went to the nurse's office.

I tried to follow after him, but Jake stopped me. He told me that I deserved better in life. Poor Jake just couldn't understand about what Edward had been going through. Edward needed me. I was sorry to leave Jake behind, but it had to be done. I needed to take care of my boyfriend.

Now we are all going to the same college. Edward and I are engaged. He tells me everyday how lucky I am to be his, only his. I already knew that from the first day we met, though. I see Jake on campus from time to time. We never talk anymore. He always looks so sad when he sees me. But I have Edward. He is all that I will ever need. He loves me. I belong with him. Sure, sometimes he lashes out, but we are together and that is all that matters. Being together means we go through the good times and bad side by side. He needs me even more through the rough patches. I just need to be with Edward to be fine. He takes care of me, even though I am painfully clumsy and sometimes don't understand what he is doing. I mean, I'm just so lucky to be with Edward. Aren't I?