Six. 6. Seis.

The number of ways Edward thought about telling Bella.

As Bella laid there, in a deep sleep, in Edward's arms, he began to actually think about telling her how he really feels.

It really shouldn't have been that hard for him, he'd been an honor roll student his whole life, and always seeming to do exceptional in English.

But for once, he was at a loss for words. He sat there, pondering as to what to do. He finally came to the decision and to take the chicken's way out, and to write a note.

Edward carefully unwrapped his arms, as to not disturb Bella, and slowly got off his bed, and made his way over to the desk in a secluded corner of his room. He quietly took out a pencil, and some sheets of paper.

Bella,

I just want to keep this short and simple.

I've liked you for quite some time now.

He quickly scratched that out, crumpled the paper, and threw it into the waste basket on the side of the desk.

Hey Bells,

There's someone who's liked you for-

He didn't even finish this one, shaking his head. It sounded too stalker-ish. He crumpled this one as he did the other.

S'up Bella, - and he stopped right there.

He almost cringed.

Edward didn't have to write anything to know that that was lame – even for him. His forth and fifth efforts consisted poetry, but Edward hated poetry. He couldn't stand it, and it always made him wonder why poets couldn't just say things straight up? The wordplay was sometimes so deep to him – but was it necessary?

Not right.

Edward ran his fingers through his messy bronze hair as he wrote his sad excuse at a sixth effort. It's always a sad thing when someone gives you sympathy, but when it came from your self…it was sad, and pathetic.

Terribly sad.

Bella,

I really like you. Do you like me back?

Circle yes or no.

He let out a frustrated sigh, and tore that piece up to shreds before putting in the waste basket. It was so immature, terribly grade-school like. Edward moved to the couch, and collapsed on it, sighing again. He really wanted to get this off his chest, before it seemed to eat him alive.

Six times he tried.

It was hopeless.

Five. 5. Cinco.

The sentence made of four simple words sent her mind whirling, almost bouncing off her skull's walls.

Edward's in love with you.

Alice, Rosalie, Jasper, and Emmett had shocked her with this statement, and what made it even scarier was that it was that it seemed to be true – almost tangible if it was touchable. There was no threat, but still…Bella was stunned.

She was mute as they told her, her mouth hanging slight open in shock.

They told her everything, from when Edward first began to show interest starting freshman year, to now.

"Edward…loves me?" she questioned, looking into each of her friends' eyes, looking for a sign that this was some sick joke. She saw no such thing. They all nodded their heads, confirming that it was, indeed, the truth. Edward was probably going to murder them for telling her, but it had to be done sometime or another. She shook her head. No…He couldn't be…"Seriously? But he can't love me…"

"But he does, Bells," Emmett replied, slightly frustrated that Bella wasn't accepting it. "…so deal with it. You can do one of either two things. Give him a chance to let him love you, or break his heart. Which one would you prefer?" Emmett said, with a slight hint of joking-ness in his voice.

Bella just couldn't digest it, but then she questioned herself. Why had she been so jumpy, so angry, and so prone to snap at anyone whenever Edward had a date?

"Can you see them going out?"

Alice look confused, they had just been discussing some up-and-coming celebrities. "Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart?"

"No, Edward and Tanya! Stop brining it up!"

She was keeping everyone's interest at heart.

Yes. She was convinced that's what she was doing – looking out for the greater good because that's how she was. Looking out for everyone's interests before her own, right?

Alice and Rosalie had hinted at it before, and Bella had almost hoped it was true. She almost believed it, as she walked away from her house, over to the Cullen's, and walking right in. She was almost hurt at the sight in front of her.

Edward lip-locking with Tanya.

And there had been the truth. And Bella didn't let it bother her. It was fine with her.

It was totally fine that they had started a relationship, but two weeks later, when things had ended, Bella felt that a great weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She wasn't sure why, but it felt great. Tanya had been the worst person to Bella ever since they met.

Bella would have loved that if for one minute, she had been as brave and bold as Rosalie. Maybe if she was, she would have tripped the little witch, making her fall on her face, or pelting her with those hard pool balls as Tanya confronted Bella one day.

Where had this feeling or animosity come from?

She didn't have time to analyze the cause, and she came to a startling discovery. She didn't even have to analyze anything, because deep down, she knew the root of the cause.

Bella sighed, "Where is he?"

"In his room," Jasper replied, pointing upwards to the third floor of the Cullen house.

Before anyone else could say anything, she was gone. "…wow, that was fast…" Emmett said.

Bella practically skipped two stairs at a time. She was at his door in record time, and began to bang on it, probably louder than necessary. "Edward, its Bella!"

"Come in," he answered. Bella opened the door, and found Edward lounging on his couch casually. "Hey, what brings you to our neck of the woods?" He says, as he picks up the remote to pause the CD that was currently playing.

"Funny you should ask that…" Bella felt the blush beginning to creep up into her cheeks. She looked him straight in the eye. "Edward, I know we're best friends. Actually, really close. I mean, you have always been there for me, when I fell down the stairs in Phoenix, to when my mom died, so I'll be grateful for all those times, but I have a question I want you to answer honestly,"

Edward suddenly looked confused, "What are you getting at?"

"I won't get mad, I swear, but I want you to answer this question, and no one else," she quietly said, and looked down to her Converse. She took in a quick, deep breath, before looking up into his deep, emerald green eyes, the eyes she had come to love so much because they were always filled with such a sweet and innocence glint all the time.

"…Edward, do you love me?"

Hehe, I know I'm evil for leaving it there, but the answer will come in number 4, and I just didn't feel like typing it now (:

And I'm sorry about the long wait, our computer crashed, and my dad's laptop is for office use only, so I couldn't really do much until we got it fixed. But I will try to update again this weekend, but most likely not sooner. I've been super busy with homework, volleyball, basketball, and other things, and mid-terms are coming up quickly.

So, I'm sorry.

And also, I don't mean to sound needy, but I really do love your reviews, and if you don't review, I'll tell Edward you hate Volvos. (Hmm, I know I read that threat on here somewhere, but I can't remember where, if you know, let me know (: )

-Bella.