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Age 16

Bella

"Who's that boy waving at you?" Charlie asked, trying to sound casual but failing.

I looked out of the window and, to my horror, I saw Mike Newton standing outside, waving his arms around madly as though he was waiting for someone to save him. Ever since last year, he was really starting to get on my nerves. Jess, Lauren and the entire cheerleading team were all hoping Mike would ask them out but funnily enough, he ignored all of them and settled to annoy me.

"It's a guy from school," I muttered, keeping my head down and hoping that he would just go away.

Charlie looked at me thoughtfully and said, "Maybe you should go ask him what he wants – maybe he wants to talk to you about something?"

I glared at him. It wasn't normal for Charlie to encourage this sort of things, especially since I had a boyfriend. "About what?" I challenged, raising my eyebrows.

Charlie shifted uncomfortably. "I don't know. School? Just…look," he swallowed a large portion of lasagne. "He's been waiting for you for ages. Just ask him what he wants."

I looked at him in horror. "Dad," I said as calmly as I could. "I have a pretty good idea what he might be asking, and I'm pretty sure I'll be saying no."

Charlie sighed and stood up. "There's this thing you have to understand, Bella. You know I hate seeing you miserable but you see, Edward – Edward's in Forks and this long term thing you have with him, it's not healthy, Bella," he finally said. Ah, so that's what you were troubled about. The 'long term thing' I apparently have with Edward. "You think of him too much – I see it in your eyes and I hate to break it to you, Bella, but Edward's not going to be in the same direction as you when you're older. You might be going to a different university, and maybe..."

I felt myself shaking in anger. What the hell was Charlie talking about? Did he want me to break up with Edward? "And your point is?" I asked, cutting across his monologue.

Charlie looked down at me sternly. "You gotta look at the facts and face reality, okay? No more Edward this Edward that. He's a wonderful boy and I have nothing against him but I'm just going to say that it's not gonna work out."

"Dad," I spat out, "Please. Edward and I are fine. We know what we're doing."

"I just want to save you from heartbreak," Charlie retorted, his face a beet red.

I left the room and opened the door. I couldn't believe that I would ever choose to talk to Mike Newton over my dad but he was getting on my nerves and I needed some fresh air anyway.

I put a pleasant smile on my face as I saw Mike walking toward me. "Hey, Mike. What's up?"

Mike looked uncomfortable as he shuffled his feet on the doormat. "I'm just wondering if you would like to go to dinner with me or something this weekend."

I stared at him. "W-what?"

Mike was blushing so red he would put a tomato to shame, but I didn't care. He was...asking me out? What the hell? Didn't he know I was dating someone?

"I...I have a boyfriend," I said, emphasizing 'boyfriend' so that he could not possibly miss it this time.

Mike shrugged. "Just thought that you wanted to try something real, not some imaginary boyfriend you made up..."

Oh. My. Gosh. He was really pushing me to the limit now.

"For your information," I said hotly, "Edward does exist. He lives in Forks and you know how far that is from here. He came last summer and the summer before that. What the hell don't you understand? And just so you know, Jess and Lauren will be more than happy to go out with you. Why don't you ask them?"

"Lauren is interested in me?" he asked me, surprised, and I almost burst out laughing.

"The whole bloody school is interested in you!" I exclaimed as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "How blind are you not to notice?"

"I thought everyone liked my teammates. I always hang out with them so I guess, whenever I think they're looking at me, they're looking at them."

My bad mood came back. So what was he doing here now? "Well you can bugger off now," I said, trying hard not to be rude. "I just gave you a thousand options. You can leave now."

Mike nodded. "Yeah...yeah I think I will. Thanks, Bella!"

He looked at me, smiling like a dumb fool and I forced a smile back. As soon as he left, I slammed the front door shut. Way to go, Bella. Just keep your mood in check.

"So, what did he want?" Charlie asked, trying to act casual.

I huffed in annoyance. "He wanted to take me out for dinner."

"Oh," he replied, returning to the dinner table to finish his lasagne. "Did you say yes?"

I groaned and grabbed my dinner, heading upstairs to finish it off in my room. There was no way in hell I was going to be in the same room as Charlie anymore. He was just being ridiculous and unreasonable.

"Obviously not," I called out before I shut my door.

I looked out at the darkening sky and suddenly wished I had another sibling to talk to, or maybe just a close friend. But, who would be at home this early on Friday night? Leah had basketball practise, Emily had to babysit her neighbour's daughter, and Angela, hang on...Angela!

I leaped off my chair and dialled her number, praying silently that she would pick up.

"Bella?" Angela's voice answered in alarm. "Are you okay?"

I laughed. "I can't call you unless it's an emergency?"

"No," she replied slowly, "But you never have called before. Is there an emergency?"

"Nah," I said, lying down on my bed. "Just needed someone to talk to."

Angela giggled and said, "Is this something to do with Edward?"

I had no idea how Angela knew these things even though she was extremely perceptive, just like Alice. She could tell how I was feeling and what the cause of it was as well. Amazing. I was grateful to have such an awesome friend in this soulless city.

"Kind of. I just...I guess I'm just missing him. Is this weird?"

"It's normal," she reassured me. "I would go insane if I couldn't see Ben for a whole year, too."

"It really sucks and you know Mike? He's relentless," I complained. "He was waiting outside for me all afternoon today and Charlie forced me to go see what he wanted. He asked me out! Can you believe that?"

Angela snorted. "Really? Well, did you tell him straight that you had a boyfriend?"

I laughed. "Problem is, I don't think Mike minds sharing, you know. He's an idiot."

"Just watch out okay?" she cautioned. "Just ignore him and that should be fine."

That was exactly what I did until a few months later, when the school term was just about to draw to a close. I arrived at school a little earlier than I should have. As I walked into the cafeteria, I saw Mike, Lauren and a few of his teammates smoking in the corner of the room.

"Hey, Bella!" he called out. "Wanna join us?"

Lauren had a blank look on her face and my gaze dropped to the bottle of whiskey she had in her hand. She was drunk and school hadn't even started. What were they doing here so early in the morning? They were the kind of people you expected to turn up in the middle of the class.

"I-I need to go," I stuttered. I didn't want to get in trouble. The guys were laughing loudly and I was scared someone would come in and report us. If Charlie turned up...I shook my head. I didn't even want to think about it. He would surely kill me.

Mike stood up and swaggered towards me. "Hang on," he drawled with a stupid grin on his face. "Don't go. We would…really…enjoy… it very… much if you hung out with… us."

He grabbed my hand and yanked me forward. I gasped as I inhaled his breath. Lauren wasn't the only one drinking after all. Oh God...didn't they know what could happen to people when they were lit out of their minds? Suddenly, I felt a cold, prickling fear creeping up my spine and I realized with horror that I was cornered.

"So, Bella?" Mike said, his smile turning into a sneer. "You refused to go out with me, huh?"

"Get...get away from me!" I tried to sound menacing but it came out like a squeak. I was frightened, and it was obvious from their anticipating looks that they knew. Crap, where the hell was my pepper spray when I really needed it? It was probably still under my pillow.

"Oh, I don't think so, Bella," he said. His teammates were laughing and Lauren was lying with her eyes closed on the floor, obviously too drunk to stand up.

Mike's face was so close to mine and before my brain could predict his motive, his mouth swooped down, capturing my lips in a kiss of brute force, all sloppy and wet. He thrust his tongue roughly into my mouth and his fingers reached behind me and twisted themselves into my hair, forcing my head back. I wanted to gag as his tongue dove forcefully into my mouth. I whimpered, scared, but Mike seemed to get the wrong idea and pressed his heated body into mine, my back meeting the wall with a thud.

Oh. No. This wasn't going to end well and I knew it. Didn't Mike know who my father was? What would happen if Charlie or one of the teachers walked in right now? We were all going to be so screwed.

"Mike," I tried to say. "Get off me! Charlie's my father, remember?"

Mike suddenly jumped back like I had electric-shocked him. "Fuck!" he said, hitting his head hard with the heel of his palm. "Shit, Bella. You better not say a word about this or I'll ruin your good girl reputation for good."

I stared at him in shock. What was he after? I didn't know Mike could be so… cruel, so vulgar to me. I had never done anything wrong and just a few months ago, I had thought of him as a happy jock that went after any girl he could get. He had been nice to me even when he, reluctantly, accepted that I wasn't interested in him.

I didn't bother answering him. He wasn't going to have the last word this time. I had tolerated him long enough and it was time Charlie knew what was happening. I fumbled with my phone and dialed his number.

"Dad?" I asked, trying to conceal the panic in my voice.

"Bella, honey?" he answered immediately. "What's wrong?"

"I…" I didn't know how to put this. Charlie was at work and I really couldn't deal with spending the day at school. It was the last day and half the students didn't come anyway. "I need to talk to you about something. Is it okay if I come see you now?"

"Sure," Charlie said, his voice concerned. "Are you okay? Are you hurt or anything?"

"No, not really," I admitted. Not physically, at least.

Charlie was a cop and the police station was located right in the city, just a few minutes from where we live. It was now I could fully appreciate the convenience even though I hated the loud honking noise cars made in the early mornings.

I knocked twice on his door which had 'Chief Charlie Swan' printed on the frosted glass.

"Come in." My father's alert tone came through the door.

I opened the door and shut it loudly behind me. "Dad," I said, biting my lip. "I-I don't know how to say this but…"

"Bella!" he said, getting out of his seat at once and pulling me into a tight hug. He peered at me closely, checking to see if there were any visible wounds. "Are you okay? What happened? I thought you were at school."

I nodded. "I was, but Mike and his friends were there already."

The color in Charlie's face drained and he gulped. "That Newton boy. He's been arrested twice since he started hanging out with that Lauren girl. Her record is horrible–drugs, drinking…" He shook his head and begged me with his eyes. "Please, Bella. Please tell me they didn't do anything to harm my baby girl."

I shook my head. "I was in the cafeteria and Mike started to act strangely. He was drunk and I was too stupid to call for someone. And…" I closed my eyes and remembered the feel of his chapped lips colliding roughly with mine, his tongue thrusting in my mouth, almost making me gag. "He kissed me, Dad. He grabbed me and it felt awful when he pressed his body into mine. I just…I just felt so disgusted."

I started to sob into my father's chest. Part of the pain in my chest was relieved as I let out what had happened just minutes ago. I knew I would never forget this, even though I wanted to so badly.

Charlie embraced me for a few minutes before speaking. "I'm going to go talk to the principal. It's time he should know what's going on among the student body, but I'll take you home first. Just relax and forget about everything."

I wiped my tears away and gulped. "I can't forget what just happened, Dad. I feel so revolted with myself and I–"

"Just think about the holidays in front of you, Bella," Charlie said softly. "You were right about that Newton kid and I'm not going to force you into anything anymore. You're a smart girl, Bells. You always know how to deal with things. Just think about going to Forks and seeing the friends you miss most again."

…

I opened the windshield and let the air whip gently across my face. There was a knot of excitement bubbling inside me – I was finally going home; the place where I really belong. The trees were so green from all the rain and, for once, I really didn't care if it did. I haven't seen the rain for a long time now.

Angela and Ben were sitting next to me. They were playing cards and I could see that Angela was winning by far.

"Cards aren't like chess, huh?" I nudged Ben in the ribs.

"Ow, Bells!" he said, making a face. "Yeah, chess is so much more exciting than this."

Angela rolled her eyes. "You only think so because you suck at cards."

"Are you three sharing a room?" Charlie asked from the front.

I blushed crimson and looked down. My heart skipped a beat as I thought about Edward. Would he still feel the same way? I haven't spoken to him in such a long time. He didn't call, nor write back [any of the letters I'd written him].

"Probably," Angela answered, saving me from lying. Well said, Angela. Well said. "But Alice might want some sleepovers so we'll be here and there, I guess."

"Are we still getting our beach house?" I asked Charlie. He would know which one I meant. There was a certain beach house in La Push I loved so much because of the beachfront French doors.

Charlie chuckled. "Yes, honey. I wouldn't dare break your heart by renting the exact same beach house a few doors down, would I?"

Ben snorted and I slapped him on his arm. "Shut up," I mumbled. "You don't understand."

"Okay, kids. We're here," my dad suddenly announced as the car came to a halt in front of the beach.

I bit my lip and realized as I stepped onto the wonderfully familiar soft sand that my legs were shaking–not from the chilly wind, but from the anticipation of meeting Edward again. Would he still think the same of me since we last met? Was it possible that he was seeing someone else and didn't want to break it to me over the phone? I wondered cynically.

"I know what you're thinking, Bella," Angela said, observing my tense face with a knowing look. "That boy can't get enough of you and I know it."

My whole body felt weak as Ben rang the doorbell of the Cullens' beach house. I let out several deep breaths and bounced slightly on the balls of my feet. God, Bella. You're not about to face the firing squad, you know. You're just about to face a group of teenagers your age.

The door swung opened quickly and it was Emmett who answered. "Oh!" he guffawed as my eyes met his. "You're all finally here! Come on in."

Emmett pulled me into a bear hug, which almost crushed my lungs, and all the air going out of me with a whoosh. "Em, need I remind you? I. Need. Oxygen," I said as he dropped me unexpectedly onto the floor. "What was that for, anyway?"

"You look like someone who's about to die, Bella," he said bluntly and a cry of mirth erupted from my throat. The way he said it sounded like he was actually concerned about me, which I knew would probably never happen. All Emmett ever did was make fun of people anyway.

"Where are the others?" I said, looking around.

Emmett shifted uncomfortably. "Outside. I was just in here to get some food to share with the others."

I snorted. "Yeah, like you can ever live a second without your beloved donuts."

"Hey!" Em said indignantly. "Don't make fun of my donuts."

"Okay," I said exasperatedly. "So, can we go meet the others now?"

Em stood up and rolled his eyes. "You're just anxious to see Edward. And don't worry – he is too. He was about to shit his pants when Carlisle told him you were coming."

I think he actually wanted to cheer me up a little, but all he did manage to do was make me more nervous. What was going on?

"Man, we get it," Ben butted in. "Can we get going now or do you want to hold us prisoners here?"

Em grumbled and unlocked the front door, letting us out. The first thing I saw when I got out was a group of shirtless guys playing football on the sand. I could also see Alice and a group of her friends in the water splashing around. I walked faster towards the beach, my heart pumping hard and fast, like it was about to break out of my chest. I could now see Edward clearly. His chest was more toned than the last time I had seen him and he was obviously much taller now, maybe over six foot.

I was so close to him, and yet so far. I didn't know what to say and instead of doing anything to capture his attention, I settled for a nice spot a few meters from him, watching him in awe, taking him in.

"Eddie!" Emmett boomed, running towards him and catching the football with ease. "Look who's here!"

Edward stopped tackling Jasper and turned to look at him. "What? Who? I swear to God, if you're talking about Tanya, I'm going to shove a stick up your–"

"Man, lighten up," Emmett said, panting as he came to a stop in front of him. "It's Bella."

I watched as Edward stood up and turned towards me. I felt like it was happening in slow motion. My legs refused to move and I sat sitting on the sand like an idiot.

"Bella?" he said softly. "Is that really you?"

"Y-yes," I stuttered out like a fool. Real smooth, Bells. Way to go.

"Oh, Bella!" Edward cried as he rushed towards me, picking me up and hugging me tightly. "You have no idea how much I missed you when you were gone. I felt so empty and lonely, like I'd never feel happy again," he said breathlessly. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, looking at my bare feet. They weren't that interesting, but I guess I could trim a nail or two before Alice decides on a makeover party and turns them pink or something.

"We'll be back later, Em," Edward said, and I could feel his anxious gaze on my reddening face. "Tell the others for me, okay?"

Edward encased my hand in his gently and took me towards the woods.

"What's wrong, Bella?" Edward asked, tilting my head up to meet his with a finger. "Why aren't you talking to me?"

"Why haven't you answered my calls or my letters? I just thought…" I trailed off, at a loss of what to say. "I didn't know what happened to you. I thought you might've got a new girlfriend and didn't want to tell me over the phone or…"

"Bella," Edward said, gritting his teeth. "I love you. I always did and I always will. Did you remember what I said to you just before I left?"

"Always and forever," I spoke out faintly. "But I don't understand. Why didn't you talk to me? I was so lonely and – "

Edward met my eyes with a pained expression. "I felt so insecure," he admitted quietly. "You're such a smart, wonderful girl in a big city and there must be guys bowing down at your feet. I'm just this guy from a little town, after all. You'll never know if there are other choices."

Anger bubbled up inside me, replacing confusion. "So that's what had been bothering you, is it?" I asked tersely. "How could you think that? After all the times we were together, you'd think that I would go off with some random guy who doesn't even know the world I belong to?"

"I'm sorry, Bella," he said, looking down at our entwined fingers. "I'm sorry I let my imagination get the best of me."

"I'm sorry, too," I whispered. "I'm sorry I couldn't trust you even though my brain told me that you were the one."

Edward leaned down to kiss me, but just before his lips handed on mine, a horrible memory flashed through my mind, making me feel like someone had just tipped a bucket full of icy water on my head. I gasped and turned away, feeling weak in the stomach as my head swirled.

"Bella!" Edward gapped at me, his arms supporting my weak frame. "What's wrong? Are you feeling sick?"

I shook my head and bit my lip. "Edward, there's something I need to tell you…"

"What is it?" he demanded. "Did someone hurt you? Who was it?"

I felt tears in my eyes as I recounted the events a few days ago. "There's this guy, Mike. He's in my class and he's been pestering me for a while now, asking me out and stuff. I was early for the last day of school and I found that he was there, drunk."

Edward's grip on me tightened, his eyes urging me to continue. "What happened?"

My body shook and I began to sob. "He kissed me, Edward. His hands were all over my body and he pressed himself against me and I felt so disgusted – I didn't sleep for a couple of nights because I could remember his touch and how his mouth covered mine."

Edward looked at me with regret and anger burning in his eyes. "That fucking bastard. I'm going to fucking killhim!" he said harshly. His hands let go on my body and they were clenched into fists at his side. "How did Charlie take this, Bella?"

I looked at the ground. "Charlie went to the school and Mike had to be taken into custody because he's been a nuisance in the city for quite some time now."

Edward laughed out loud. "Good. That's fucking great, because when I get there, I'm going to rip his miserable head off."

"No!" I almost yelled. "Don't think that. Mike's a weirdo and you'll get hurt."

He suppressed a growl as he pulled my hands back into his again. Shit, I thought. He had seen the purple and green bruises around my wrists and there was no way Edward was going to contain his anger this time.

However, his hard expression softened and he whispered, "Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me. "

"It's okay, Edward," I said earnestly. "You weren't there because you live so far away from me. And…"

I bit my lip as tears started to form in my eyes. "It…it just sucks sometimes, you know?" I let out finally. "It really does. I hate that I'm there and you're here and we only get to see each other once a year. I mean, it really isn't fair, right?"

Edward placed a soft kiss along my wrist before saying, "I know, baby, but you have to know that even if you were halfway across the country, your heart is still connected to mine."

"Um, Bella?" Edward asked through gritted teeth. Damn, the dark mood was back. "Is he the reason why you avoided my touch? Because if my touch reminds you of his…I swear one of these days I'll –"

I stared at him in shock. What did I do to make Edward think like that? Because your dumb mind decided to bring back a little memory when he was about to kiss you, smartass, I reminded myself. "I'm so sorry," I said quickly, placing my hand on his face, guiding his eyes to meet mine. "I just…I just suddenly had a flash in my mind but it's okay. Really."

"So you're sure that me being close, me touching you, won't remind you of him?" he asked carefully.

I smiled softly at him. "Yes, I'm sure. He pushed me against a wall, Edward, and dug his hands into my scalp. I was so frightened, but I'm glad it's all over now. At least I wasn't physically hurt or anything. I would never ever mistake your touch for his."

"He bruised you, though," he said harshly.

I sighed and pulled him closer to me, feeling the way he relaxed at my touch. I stood of the tip of my toes and kissed him gently on the lips. "See?"

"God, Bella," Edward murmured roughly, against my lips. "I've missed you so, so much. You have no idea just how much."

"I've missed you, too," I said breathlessly. "Kiss me, Edward. Please…"

Edward wrapped his large hands into my hair softly and lifted me off my feet, crashing his mouth onto mine. Our tongues dancing together was nothing like the way Mike's did. This wasn't forced; it was gentle and sweet and it felt amazing.

…

I waded into the water for the first time in so many years. God, I've missed this place, this beach. Just everything. I dove into the sparkling water, letting myself soak in the seawater, which I hadn't touched in such a long time. It was tranquil and quiet here and I turned onto my back, my eyes squinting into the sun.

"Water bomb!" Emmett yelled, disrupting the peace.

"Em!" I complained. "What the hell was that?"

Alice laughed a tinkling laugh. "I think that was just Em being Em."

I glared at his goofy grin. "Well," I started. "I guess we could now have that water fight Edward promised me now."

Emmett looked at me in horror and I smiled at him. Water fighting was the sport I was best at and he knew it. I had managed to get him completely soaked last summer even though my foot was still in plaster.

Rose winked at me. "Sure, why not? That was fun last time we did it."

I laughed as I remembered what had happened last time. Even though I had to go back to the hospital to change my cast with a very annoyed father, it was completely worth it because I'd had the time of my life.

"Fine," Em grumbled, waddling towards the shore with Edward and putting on his dry shirt. "But Alice and Jazz, and Edward are on my team."

My excitement increased at his declaration. Sure, Emmett's team would have more people but Rose and I were pros at this. We could win this. All of us put on a dry t-shirt and carefully walked into the pool, carrying the water pistols I had hidden deep in my luggage.

"Ready?" Emmett shouted from the far end of the beach. "Go!"

I hitched my shirt up a little so that it wouldn't get wet and drag me down. Dodging the thin squirts of water was easy for me as I maneuvered quickly between them. Alice's shirt was already soaked which meant that she was out of the game. I turned around as I felt a small wet spot in the middle of my back and I realized it was Edward.

"You!" I gasped and he grinned at me crookedly. God, that smile was really not helping. Suddenly my hand felt weak and I felt my heart pump a little faster.

"Yeah, me," he said, looking like a cat who got the cream.

I couldn't wait to wipe that smile off his face and I suddenly found the chance as I saw Rose sneaking up behind him. "Look behind you," I said, poking my tongue out at him.

Edward turned around and Rose and I squirted water at him until he was completely soaked.

Only Em was still in the game now. Jazz had accidently slipped on the shifting sand below us and got a head full. I looked at Rose, whose shirt was as dry as mine, and I grinned. We were so going to win.

I held Rose's hand as we stumbled slowly towards him. The smile on Em's face was gone, and it was replaced with resignation.

"Okay, okay!" he called out, putting up his hands. "You guys win. Whatever."

I gave Rose a high five as we all swam towards the shore.

"Oh!" Emmett suddenly squealed like a little girl and ran towards the dry sand.

Edward raised an eyebrow. "What the fuck, Em?"

"Sand!" he called out excitedly. "We could build sandcastles."

Jazz laughed. "Are you kidding me? How old are we? Six?"

I stared at the sand and I could suddenly remember the summer that changed everything with crystal clear detail. Edward and I were five and we had been searching for the rock with the red and green polka dots. According to the book Edward had read, it apparently had some sort of magical powers. I wasn't in the mood for finding a stupid rock and I ended up discovering a sandcastle someone had constructed.

…

"Did you find it?" he asked, his excited eyes staring into mine. "You found it, didn't you? The special rock I told you about? The purple one with the red and green polka dots?"

Not the stupid rock, again, I thought. "No! Not that. Look!" I shook my head furiously and pointing towards the castle that was about my height.

Edward frowned as he stared at it. "It looks awesome, doesn't it?" I asked him eagerly. I had read in my fairytale books that these castles could have elves in them. Maybe Cinderella was inside, waiting for me to join her for afternoon tea. "Doesn't it, Edward? Doesn't it?"

Edward shrugged, clearly uninterested. "I bet I could've made a better one."

"No. No you couldn't have. You're just saying that, meanie. You could never make this in a million years," I argued, but I was too busy imaging things to be angry with him. "Do you think we can go inside? We can pretend to be the prince and princess of the castle and make everything ours! We can put our shell collection in there, Edward! The guards of the castle will keep it safe for us."

"Don't be stupid, Bella," Edward said, being mean to me again. "Sandcastles are made of sand. It's soft, dummy!"

My stomach dropped with sheer disappointment. I hated how he could never seem to share my love of fairytales. My favorite was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs but when I told Edward about it, he didn't seem to care at all. "Well…we could try, I suppose," he finally said, looking at the obvious sadness in my face.

…

"What are you thinking about?" Edward asked, pulling me close to his side, looking down at me with concerned eyes. "You seem a little quiet. Did you see me stuff Em's mouth with mud?"

I shook my head. "I was just thinking about our last summer together, when everything seemed perfect."

Edward sighed. "I know. I was thinking about that, too."

"I wanted you to be the Prince of that sandcastle I found." I giggled as I remembered. "And you told me it was stupid. You were so mean to me then, Edward."

Edward laughed and ruffled my hair gently. "Shut up. I was only five, then. How did I know anything? All my friends told me that girls were stupid and retarded and that they did nothing but stick their grimy fingers in – "

I covered my eyes and snorted. "Okay, I get it. You can stop now."

"Bella's the mannequin!" Jazz announced.

I looked at him like he was crazy. "W-what?"

Alice smiled apologetically. "They want to cover someone in sand from head to toe and you're the only one who didn't speak out."

I grumbled. "Fine, I'm the mannequin. Just don't cover my face or anything."

"You know," Rose said thoughtfully. "Sand can actually be a good thing for skin, so maybe a facial won't be too bad."

Rose and Alice burst into laughter together as they stared at my face. "Just kidding, Bella!"

I looked down at my body and could see Jazz covering my legs with a load of sand. Edward and Emmett were doing my body and arms. Alice and Rose were just sitting there giggling at the expression on my face. I had never wanted to move my legs so bad until now.

By the time the guys were done, the sun was already setting.

"O-kay!" Emmett said, wiping the sand off his hands onto his shirt. "We're done here, boys."

They all stood up and looked at me.

Jazz cleared his throat. "Well, um, dinner?"

I watched as they all got their belongings and scrambled towards Edward's beach house.

"Hey!" I called out. "What about me?"

They didn't look back and I realized this was all a joke to them. I wished Ang and Ben were here now but they wanted to go to Port Angeles and look at the shops. They would probably be back soon and I couldn't wait.

As I dusted myself clean, I knocked on the Cullens' door and Carlisle answered, smiling at me. "Hello Bella! It's nice to see you again."

"Oh, Bella!" Esme said as I stepped into the dinning room, embracing me with a warm hug. "I've missed you so much. It's so good to see you here again!"

I could see Edward standing behind her, smiling at me gently with his green eyes sparkling. "Welcome home, Bella," he said.

I was home.

Thanks to all the readers and reviewers and the guys over at PTB, especially onlybythenight1 and owlsarebirdstoo for beta'ing this :D

I also want to personally thank all those who have expressed their concerns for the Queensland flooding. Everything's back to normal now...just some more cleaning up to do!

See you in two weeks (or maybe less)

xx Rachel

Please review!