AN: 'When I'm With You - Faber Drive.' I surprised myself with this one, seeing as i highly disliked the band when they first made their appearance. But i thought this fit what Bella was thinking...and i have like, 30 more seconds to post this so i quickly chose this.

Has anyone else noticed that Bella's chapters always start off with huge paragraphs of nothing? I have…how strange. But here she is! Chapter 13 just like i promised! :) And on a Saturday, no less, which means i have the rest of the weekend to start 14...i may just have it posted before wednesday, the day i leave for QUEBEC (someone thought it was in NY or France.. it's not.. it's in Canada, haha)! Exciting!

DISCLAIMER: i never remember but you guys know i'm not secretly Stephenie Meyer. I'm just not.

BPOV

Over the following two months, things quickly fell into a comfortable routine. Everyday the four of us would go to tutoring, attend session upon session where we would talk about our feelings and how we can better improve our lives, and venture out into the real world every Saturday to the mall, museums, the park, et cetera; all the while stealing every chance I got to spend time with Edward. But after Edward got busted those weeks ago for staying in my room over night I put my foot down on that…however much I wanted him to stay. There was no way I was going to let him get kicked out; I needed him here. Life at the Center seemed to brighten (if that was possible at that depressing place) when Edward arrived.

We came to an agreement that we would not speak about the incident at the dance. At least I did. Edward didn't like that I wouldn't tell anyone about what Mike tried to do to me and I can't quite understand either. I assumed it was my instinct for being the better person; it could really be annoying sometimes. This was one of those times. I had avoided Mike like the plague everyday and I was lucky enough to never run into him. In class I sat as far away from him as I could while Edward would send him glares the entire time; in any other circumstance, I would have found it amusing.

Edward and I seemed content on where our relationship stood with one another. Of course we couldn't have anything remotely serious in the place but we certainly had some secretive make out sessions in the best place in the building, the piano room.

The day for my release from the Center was quickly looming nearer. This was another topic we didn't talk about but I knew we were going to have to. Not just with Edward but with Alice as well. I would be leaving my best friend in a matter of weeks. The only thing that was making me feel better was the fact that she had officially found the love of her life. Though the night of the dance was a disastrous one for myself, for Alice it was magical. Not my words. The two had become even closer if that was at all possible and I was seriously waiting for Jasper to propose any day now. I could only hope that Alice would be close to where I lived when we were both out of here.

Edward was another story. I was certain by now that I was starting to, if not already, fall in love with him, which scared me to no end. Before, when we weren't even together, I had been saddened at the thought of leaving him behind here…but now that we were together? It wasn't even thinkable. Who knows, we were going off to college soon, maybe we'd get into the same one? That would be a miracle in itself.

I was now having no doubt that I would be released soon. Deciding to completely let go of the drugs really wasn't as bad of an experience as I thought it would be. I had been bordering sickly thin before but now I was back to my healthy, normal weight again. I think I was finally over cocaine.

"Hey," Edward poked me in my side, "you seem awfully quiet, what's up?"

"Just thinking," I shrugged and turned back to the work we were currently doing in class.

Edward sighed dramatically, "How I wish I could hear your thoughts."

I smirked, "Keep dreaming."

Edward grinned and turned his attention back to Mrs. Williams at the front of the classroom. I continued to look at Edward. Would I be able to see his bronze head of hair, his emerald eyes, his pronounced jaw line, his unbelievably soft lips again when we were both out of here? …I needed to stop thinking these things or I would implode. He caught me staring at him but he didn't look away and neither did I as I ignored the fact that I was a deep shade of red at that moment.

Alice, Jasper and especially Edward had noticed I had gotten quieter the past few days. I was silently sulking in depressing thoughts. But it was all for them.

"Ah, how I love Fridays," Alice sang as she skipped towards the cafeteria that evening while I gracelessly followed behind her. I couldn't agree with her more, though; Lame Movie Night had improved tenfold since Edward and I could comfortably sit close to one another without feeling completely awkward.

"Hello," Edward greeted me with my favourite crooked smile of his. I was a sucker for it.

"Hi," I replied not so elegantly.

One quick kiss later we were seated in the back of the cafeteria. We had had the epiphany that if we sit close to the back of the room where the staff can't see us we can sit closer to each other. It seemed so obvious after we thought of it.

I was actually beginning to get interested in the movie when I felt the presence of eyes on me. I turned to the left to look past Edward and saw Mike Newton. I involuntarily shivered as his cold eyes bore into mine. What had happened to the innocent, annoying puppy dog Mike?

Edward felt my shudder.

"What's wrong?" he whispered as he followed my gaze. His eyes immediately turned to slits. I could feel his entire body stiffen.

"Don't do anything, Edward, please," I pleaded. I did not need Edward getting in trouble for a third time.

He relaxed slightly and pulled me closer to his side. I smiled at his protective instinct. What would I have done if Edward hadn't come to the Center?

As soon as the movie ended I had to usher Edward out of the cafeteria before he could do anything rash. He had been doing okay these past weeks when it came to Mike because he seemed to also be avoiding me but now he seemed to be back to his creepy self. And I think Edward really wanted to go for a round two with him at this point.

Jasper noticed my distress and could tell Edward was causing it. After a few choice whispered words in Edward's ear, he seemed to calm down. I'm not sure what he told him but it always astounded me how Jasper was able to do that to a person.

"I'm sorry," Edward whispered to me.

I smiled, "It's okay. I actually liked your protectiveness. But I don't want you getting in trouble again."

"I'll try," he said in mock annoyance. He grinned then gave me a chaste kiss.

"Hey—" Edward was once again pulling me out of my thoughts. He had been doing that a lot lately which I was thankful for. "Come on," he urged, dragging me up off the couch.

I sighed in protest. Today was just one of those days where I didn't even want to pretend I was mildly happy. Just leave me to my melancholy thoughts.

"Please," Edward breathed, once again dazzling me for the millionth time.

I let him guide me up to the familiar corridor, which led to the piano room.

I grinned, "If you wanted to make out you could've just asked," I said cheekily.

Edward chuckled and gave me a passionate kiss, then continued his beeline towards the piano.

"Sit," he said in a rather excited tone. I had become used to hearing Edward play the piano. At first he had been quite self-conscious but after I frequently requested he play for me he got over it and happily obliged whenever I asked for him to play.

The room filled with the opening of a song I hadn't heard in a while. My lullaby. I had all but memorized this tune by now, all the way up until it cut off; Edward hadn't been able to finish it just yet.

As I leaned my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes to let the music fill me I immediately noticed it. The song continued. A grin spread on my face but I remained silent until the song was over to speak. The part I hadn't heard before moved me more than the beginning. It was filled with love and immense amounts of passion and hope. It was able to brighten my mood just like Edward could. Then the melody stopped.

"You finished it!" I stated the obvious, breaking the silence.

"Did you like it?" Edward asked anxiously.

"I loved it. Thank you so much, Edward," I said quietly. I could feel the traitor tears coming. "It means a lot…" I trailed off as a tear ran down my cheek.

Edward's brow furrowed as he lifted his hand to brush the water away. "Why are you crying?"

"Edward, have you not realized that I will be leaving soon? In no more than two weeks! I don't want to leave now, how sad is that?" I mumbled.

"You have to. I certainly don't want you to but you've beaten this. You need to get back to the real world, to your family…and friends," Edward added sadly.

I didn't mention how I basically had no friends at my school. I was the black sheep of the school, so to speak. I could easily be spotted in the sea of tanned students with my pale skin. We lived in Phoenix, for pity sake. Shouldn't I automatically be gifted with beautiful, tan skin? Apparently I didn't get the memo. And while everyone strutted around in his or her designer clothing and stylish haircuts I stuck out like a sore thumb with my bland clothing and boring hairstyle. If only Alice had gone to my school, then I would have had at least one friend…and maybe I would've been a bit more fashionable with her help.

"I'm going to miss you…" I whispered. Edward's eyes seemed to darken with what I could only presume was sadness.

"Let's not think about that right now. Let's focus on the days we have left together," he said, "but I'm going to miss you too…" he breathed as he leaned in to softly kiss me.

AN: So…I'm pretty sure I made them seventeen…but I have decided to make them seniors and soon to be college freshmen's so it can work better with my story. At least I think it does. At this point I'm just winging it again. It's worked pretty well so far.

Sorry for the embarrassing shortness of it…I tried to make it longer but it wouldn't work. At least it's over 1,500. I would never post a chapter that short. And for the record, nothing is going to happen with Mike again as far as I know but you never know. Maybe he could still be comic relief in his own freaky way? Who knows?

Again, I didn't know what to write for this chapter. Yes, I skipped ahead quite a bit. I thought it'd be better that way. Right now, I'm thinking five more chapters. I've got it mapped out too, which helps. How does that sound? Though, I'm not promising that they'll be lengthy. Review, please? (Seriously you guys, thanks so much so far for all the reviews…when I began I never dreamed I'd make it to over 200! But I did, thanks to you supportive people! All together, 'Awww.')