Chapter 13

The months since the party whizzed by, and suddenly May was upon us.

It was Graduation time.

"Bella?" I asked, walking into her room.

"Hey," she said, turning to face me from her full length mirror.

"You look good," I said, smiling, wrapping my arms around her waist and kissing that soft spot on her neck.

She laughed, "How could anyone look good in one of these," she said, pulling at the sides of her white graduation gown, "or one of these," she tossed her tassel from one side of her cap to the other, practicing for the ceremony.

I spun Bella around in my arms so she was now facing me, "I think you look great, especially in white," I said, kissing her forehead.

She pushed at my chest, breaking away from my hold, "Stop, I am being serious. I can tell you hate yours just as much as I do because you aren't wearing it."

She gave me the look I loved, the one eyebrow raised up.

I reached for her.

"No," she said, skirting out of reach, "I will not touch you until you are wearing yours," she looked defiant.

"But Bella," I purred, knowing I was putting her over the edge, "I just want one more ki-"

She cut me off, "Okay, I lied, this," she said, pushing me towards her door, "will be the last time I will touch you until you have your cap and gown on." She slammed her door shut and I heard the lock click into place.

"Isabella Swan," I pounded the door playfully, watching her shadow move farther and farther away from the crack between the wood and the carpet.

"Nope, I am not letting you in," I heard her say, "guess I will just have to see you at the ceremony."

I sighed. There was no swaying her. And I had left my cap and gown at my house.

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

"Fine," I said walking down the stairs, "See you there Beautiful,"

I felt my cell phone vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw I had a new text message from her, "See you at the ceremony Handsome".

I couldn't help but smile.

I walked out to my car and drove to my house, eager to get to the school so I could see Bella again.

When I walked into my room I saw my mom had set out my black gown and my black cap.

I sighed, pulling the gown over my slacks and polo shirt. I looked around for the object that had been on my mind since I had first seen it while walking down the street in Port Angeles.

I saw it and smiled, imagining its place on the one I loved.

I pocketed it and grabbed my cap, running out to my car so I could drive to the football stadium for Graduation.

I parked next to Rosalie and Emmett, who had just pulled in right before me.

"Hey guys," I said, stepping out of my car, "Lookin' good Emmett," I joked.

"Shut the hell up, at least I am too big for my," he did air quotes, "'gown'."

"Ooo, burn!" I laughed.

Rosalie smiled and threaded her fingers through Emmett's, she nodded behind me.

I turned and saw Bella, standing like an angel in all white, wearing her huge gown, her cap hanging at her side.

"Edward," she said smiling mischievously.

"Bella," I smiled back, trying not to look too blown away.

"What?" She said, making her way towards me, her right hand sliding into mine and her left wrapping around my arm.

"Oh nothing," I said nonchalantly, "I was just thinking about how beautiful you look. Even in a parachute of a gown."

"Hey!" She punched me in the arm, "Jerk," Bella tried to pout, but I knew it wasn't working because her hand was still entwined with mine.

"Boys and girls!!" Mrs. Banner, the graduation coordinator yelled with a loudspeaker, "Line up in alphabetical order!"

Bella squeezed my hand, and walked towards the end of the line that was starting to form.

I wrung my hands together and dropped them to my sides. My left hand brushed the slight bulge in my pants pocket.

I took a deep breath and looked behind me, making eye contact with Bella.

I winked.

She smiled.

"Okay guys, five minutes until you walk down the track," Mrs. Banner said over her reading glasses which were focused on her clipboard.

Suddenly I heard our class song start playing over the loud speakers, "No Such Thing" by John Mayer.

Welcome to the real world…

Mrs. Banner waved her arms like she was one of those people on the air strip guiding an airplane in to the port.

The line started moving forward.

After what seemed like forever I finally reached the chairs that were set up in front of the stage.

We all sat in alphabetical order.

Once the whole class was seated Mr. Brown, the principal, stood up and walked to the podium.

"Good afternoon family, friends, and students."

Cheering erupted.

He laughed and continued, "I have thought and thought about what I ought to say about this class…"

My mind drifted off, thinking about what was about to come: my life, hopefully with Bella, going to college, kids maybe, a nice house, a dog.

It dawned on me how insignificant my problems in the past really were.

I was almost disgusted about how I've acted and been thought of, and if I could, I would go back in time and change everything I wanted, as long as it meant that Bella and I would be in this same place right here right now, same feelings everything. If I were to lose that, I wouldn't change anything about my life, because she means the world to me.

Suddenly there was clapping.

I snapped out of my trance and saw Mr. Brown walking back from the podium, the microphone in tow. We were going to be given our diplomas soon.

The buzz in the student crowd quieted, and I knew everyone was just as nervous as me.

I turned and my eyes locked with Bella's, who was sitting across the aisle and a few rows back.

She smiled and looked away.

I swallowed, Mr. Brown getting to the C's.

"Amy Carlson…Daniel Crawford…Tyler Crowley…Edward Cullen."

I stood up, and walked to the stage, up the four steps, and across the black panels.

When I reached Mr. Brown he shook my hand and handed me a frame, my diploma safely between glass and wood.

"I am proud of you Edward," He said, glancing to Bella, "Good luck with the rest of your life. I know you will be successful and happy."

"Thank you Mr. Brown. I hope this isn't goodbye."

He smiled, "I know it won't be."

I walked across the stage and found my seat again.

After about ten more minutes Mr. Brown reached the R's. There was only one person in our class with a last name that started with an 'R' so Bella was going to be up soon.

"Isabella Swan," Mr. Brown called.

Bella stood up and I watched her walk in front of the whole stadium and up the four stairs onto the stage. She made her way to Mr. Brown who shook her hand, gave her the diploma, and said something to her, making her blush.

She said something back and walked across the stage, down the other stairs, and found her seat again.

Mr. Brown finished handing out the diplomas and walked back to the podium, "Well, class of 2008, congratulations!"

Cheering exploded again and the sky was filled with the students' caps.

I looked around, searching for Bella in the rain of caps.

I saw her standing with Charlie and Renee, Phil a few feet back.

Charlie was holding a long box, wrapped in red paper.

Renee pulled Bella into an embrace and I saw a single tear run down Renee's cheek.

When they pulled apart Charlie handed Bella the box, Bella looked surprised and I could see her say, "Dad, you really didn't have to get me anything,"

I saw Charlie hold his hand up, telling her this was the least he could do.

She accepted the gift and opened the box.

She pulled a white leather jewelry box from the red wrapping paper.

Bella opened it and her mouth dropped open.

She threw her hands around Charlie's neck and when she stepped back he pulled the necklace from the box and she turned around, lifting her hair away so he could secure the necklace around her neck.

That object in my pocket suddenly weighed two tons.

"Hey," Rosalie said, appearing at my side and wrapping her arms around my waist.

"Hey," I said back, finally looking away from the scene unfolding in front of my eyes.

"So," she sighed, "are you ready for tonight?"

"I don't know," I said honestly.

"Why do you say that?" She studied my face, probably wondering why I was second guessing myself.

"I don't know, I just see her so happy right now. I don't know if I want to jeopardize that just yet."

"Edward," her look was disapproving, "you have got to be kidding me. Do you see how she is acting right now?"

I nodded.

"Well, Genius, that is because of you."

"Yeah…" I hesitated.

"Shut up!" Rose interrupted, "Do you know what she would be like without you?" she shuddered. "If you think tonight isn't the night, then wait. But don't not do it. Unless your feelings for her completely change."

"They won't." My eyes lingered back to her happy family.

"Good. So grow a pair and do it. We all know what she is going to say." With that Rose walked back to Emmett, joining in his friendly bantering with Mike.

I felt hands wind around my waist, her face pressing into my chest, "Hi," she mumbled against my gown.

"Hi," I whispered back, my arms wrapping around her.

"It's weird thinking that this is the end of high school," Bella said, pulling away to look at the football stadium, one arms still wrapped around me.

"But it is just the beginning of the rest of our lives," I smiled, glancing at what remained of the student body, "hey," I turned her around to face me, "let me see the necklace that Charlie got you,"

I reached up and touched the sterling silver chain, and followed it down to the base, touching the three circles.

"It's called a 'Past, Present, Future Necklace', each of the circles represents one time period."

"It's beautiful, perfect for the one wearing it," my hand moved from her necklace to cup her jaw. I pulled her close to me and whispered, "I love you,"

I decided I would tease Bella, so I leaned in, our noses barely touching. I could feel her pulse speed up under my hand.

"Edward," she breathed, our foreheads now touching, "stop teasing," she smiled a shy smile, biting her lower lip.

"Bella," I laughed, slowly brushing my lips down her cheek, getting closer and closer to her lips.

I stopped millimeters away from her mouth, waiting.

She moved her head slightly, her lips brushing my own.

Bella pulled away.

"Bella," I said, trying to pull her in closer.

"I'll see you tonight Edward," She said, walking away, her hand sliding out of mine.

Oh, that sly girl. She was teasing too.

Damn it.

I just stood there, dumbstruck, watching her walk to her can of a truck and drive away.

My fingers ran through my hair, and I growled, walking back to my car.

I got in and drove home to get ready for my graduation party which was scheduled to start in less than four hours.

A/N: I tried to get a chapter out before I leave for spring break, so I decided I might as well crank this one out. If you are wondering what Bella's necklace looks like, it is called the "Past, Present, Future Necklace" and it is made by Dogeared. If you go to their website and type in it's name you can see what it looks like. R&R por favor :)

xoxo ~ greatterriblebeauty