A/N: This chapter is dedicated to mytwilightmenxXx because about 6 months ago I recieved a review telling me that this (what you are about to read) would be a good idea. I thought it was a brilliant idea, so here we go. The beginning of the end =]

Chapter 15

The first day I saw Edward Cullen was my first day of school.

The first thought I had about him was, "There is no way anyone should look that good."

The second thought was, "Oh, looks like he already has a girlfriend" because there was one girl who was all over him. That girl was Jessica.

My first week at Forks High School took forever. I had no classes with the most breathtaking boy I had ever seen, and people seemed either too interested in me or not interested at all. No one seemed genuine.

But once that first week was over, Rosalie Hale introduced herself to me.

At first I thought she was going to be among the group who was just going to talk to me because I was new and then never speak to me again. Why you ask? Because she is Rosalie Hale. She is probably the most beautiful girl in the world, so why would she want to talk to me? And there is also the part where her boyfriend is Edward Cullen's best friend. But she is in my biology class, so who knows?

When Rosalie came to talk to me, I was sitting with this girl Lauren, who seemed fairly genuine in her "friend" intentions, but she was gushing about the weekend she spent with Edward.

I was trying not to show how disappointed I was, and how curious I was because it seemed like just last week Edward was dating Jessica…and now Lauren?

Lauren looked up and her mouth dropped open.

"Hey Lauren, you mind if I sit there really quick? I want to talk to Bella."

Lauren scooted over silently and Rosalie sat where Lauren had just been.

"Hey Bella," Rose said smiling, "I'm Rosalie, you can call me Rose though."

"Hi," I said, confused.

"So do you know Jacob Black?"

"Yes…" I said, dragging the "s" out, wondering where Rose was taking this.

"Well, he was talking about you when I saw him the other day with his dad."

"Oh yeah?" Now I was interested. Jacob was cute, and funny, but I wasn't really interested in him that way.

"Yep, he told his dad that when he saw you at Forks High School as he was walking from the grocery store, he ran into a pole and dropped all of his groceries."

I burst out laughing, "Jacob would do something like that!"

Rose and everyone at the table laughed too, either they were laughing at me or they were laughing at Rose's story.

"Just thought I would tell you that story because it cracked me up when I heard him telling his dad," Rose stood up, "I'll see you in bio Bella." With that, she walked back over to her table with the rest of the beautiful people.

Tyler took Rose's spot, and thinking he was being smooth decided to talk about football and some of the things that are said in the locker room.

It was actually quite funny.

Once the bell rang I made my way to biology.

"Okay, we are going to do a lab, pick a partner," Mr. Banner said.

Rosalie turned around and motioned to me.

"You want to be partners?"

"Sure," I said, picking up my stuff and sitting next to her.

The rest of the hour we talked about me. I didn't really like the conversation at first, but once it got going Rose kept asking questions and I kept answering.

I told her all about Arizona, all about mom and Phil, and all about what had happened with Braxton.

When the bell rang, and school was over, Rose asked me if I wanted to come to a party she was having.

Of course I said yes. I liked Rose, and she was the first one who had really been told the whole Braxton story. I was actually surprised with how easily I told her. My whole freshman year is not something that I can easily talk about, and I only tell people I truly trust, so who knows? Maybe this is a good sign.

Friday finally came, and I was ready for the party, excited to see Edward, hoping he and I might have a chance to talk.

But I had heard about all of the girls, and I wasn't really into the idea of him being with so many other girls, but I couldn't explain my feelings towards him. And even though I had never said even one word to him, I was excited.

When the bell rang I was walking to lunch and I saw Edward leaning against the cafeteria wall looking just like a Roman statue.

Our eyes met.

He waved.

I waved back, shocked that he even acknowledged me.

And then Rose whispered something to him, making him look sick.

Dang it. I blew it.

Now I was dreading going to the party, seeing him there, and, worse than being rejected, being ignored.

When the bell rang indicating that school was over, I raced to my car, ready to be home.

As I was crossing the parking lot I heard brakes squealing and I looked up, knowing my death was coming.

My books dropped from my hands and my hands slammed on the hood of his car.

We just looked at each other for a short moment, both of us digesting what had just happened.

Edward Cullen almost killed me.

Great.

He stepped out of the car, looking very concerned, but who knows, maybe he was just pretending?

"Are you okay?" He asked, his voice calm and smooth.

I let out a breath and said, "Yeah. Yeah, I think I'm fine."

I then thought about what had just happened, and for some stupid reason, I thought it was funny.

I could feel the smile appearing on my face, and then I could hear the laugh escaping from my mouth.

Edward looked disgusted, but I was still laughing.

The look of disgust disappeared from his face and he looked relieved.

He bent down and picked up my books, handing them to me.

"Thanks," I said, taking them.

"Yeah, I am really so sorry about that." He said, running a hand through his gorgeous hair.

"It's okay, really, "I paused and touched his arm. Since when did I have the guts to touch him? "Just promise that next time you decide to peel out of the school parking lot, I'm not around."

I walked away, not waiting for his answer, but when I looked over my shoulder to smile at him, he was staring at me, dumbstruck. Or at least I was hoping he was dumbstruck.

When I got home my cell phone rang, "Hello?" I said answering it, seeing Jacob Black appear on the caller ID.

"Hey, Bella?"

"Hi Jacob, what's up?"

"I was just wondering if you were doing anything tonight…"

"Well, yeah, actually I am going to this party, but you can come if you want. I don't really know anyone there…"

"Really?"

"Yeah, it would be fun."

"Okay, yeah. Where is it?"

"Rosalie Hale's house."

"Oh. Okay… Do you want to meet there?"

"Well, I don't know where she lives…"

"Do you want me to drive?"

I sighed silently, "Yeah, that would be fantastic," my fear of getting lost was suddenly gone.

"Okay cool. What time do you want me to pick you up?"

"Um, how about 8ish?"

"Okay, cool. See you around 8 Bella."

"See ya Jacob."

From the time when I hung up from Jacob to the time he picked me up, I spent those few hours pining over what I should wear. I wanted to impress Edward, but I didn't want it to seem like I was trying too hard. I wanted to look current, but I didn't want to not be me. So, what's a girl to do?

I tried on countless outfits, and by 7:50 I had my choices narrowed down to three.

I had my light jeans with a light purple tank, I had short yellow pastel sundress, and I had a simple black dress with black leggings.

I put the black dress and leggings on, and looked in my full length mirror. The black was dramatic against my pale skin, but I didn't really like the outfit all that much.

I was in the process of pulling my leggings off when dad knocked on my door and said, "Bella? Jacob is here."

Shoot!

I looked at my clock. 7:57.

Jacob was early.

Guess I was stuck with wearing my black dress and leggings.

I put on a silver chain with a silver feather hanging from it, and I put on my favorite worn pair of flip-flops.

I grabbed my cell phone and ran downstairs where I saw Jacob sitting comfortably with dad, talking about baseball.

"Ready?" I asked, playing with a loose strand of hair.

"Yep," Jacob stood, "wow Bells, you look good."

"Thanks Jake," I said walking to the door, "See ya later tonight dad!"

After about 10 minutes of driving we pulled into the driveway of Rosalie's house.

"This is where Rosalie lives?" I asked, my mouth hanging open, gaping at the property.

"Yeah," Jacob said, putting the truck into park, "her family is loaded."

I got out of Jacob's truck and looked at the rows of cars lining the house.

I spotted the familiar silver Volvo and I felt my heart speed up. He's here.

I took a deep breath and smoothed my dress, "Ready?" I asked, walking up to the front door, feeling the thump of the bass deep in my stomach.

"Ready."

Jacob opened the door for me and I walked in. The house was fairly dark, but the lights from the DJ's stand were flashing, making it possible to see. I glanced around, seeing a few familiar faces, but not one that was interesting me.

"Bella?" Jacob said, touching my back.

"Yeah?"

"I wonder how many people are already too far gone,"

I laughed, not that what he said was funny, but I was just as curious as he was.

"Me too," I whispered back.

"I'll go get us something to drink," he said starting off to the kitchen.

I nodded and looked around at the sea of drunken bodies filling the hallway.

A flash of familiar bronze hair caught my eye, but just as I was about to look to the stairs Jacob reappeared, two red plastic cups in hand.

"Thanks," I said, taking a sip.

Suddenly I spotted him.

He was looking at me. I was looking back.

I smiled slowly, and I could feel my eyebrow rising. What did he want?

"You Could Be Happy" by Snow Patrol came on.

"You want to dance?"

Jacob.

"Sure," I sighed.

He led me to the dance floor in the living room and took my cup, placing it on the mantle. His hands rested on my waist and we swayed slowly together. He tried to be funny, so I just laughed, my mind on someone else.

His phone rang and he answered it, he made the conversation short and sweet.

"Dad needs the truck, so I have to leave. Do you want me to take you home? Or come back and get you?"

"No, it's okay, I'll find someone to give me a ride. Thanks Jake."

"Okay, I guess I'll see you later then?"

"Yeah."

"Bye Bella." He walked to the door and disappeared onto the front porch.

I sighed, scanning the room for Edward but I couldn't see him, so I decided to explore the house.

I found the back door and walked onto the back porch. I saw a huge oak tree with a rope swing hanging from one of it's massive branches.

I walked over and sat on it, swinging slowly and humming to the music.

"Hey," a velvet voice said from behind me.

I jumped and heard a yelp escape from my mouth, "Oh, you sacred me," I said as I faced Edward Cullen.

He leaned against the big oak, "I really am sorry about this afternoon…I was uh, eager to leave school."

I giggled like a little school girl. "It is okay, it's not every day that you almost get hit by an Aston Martin."

He smiled, "I really should have been more careful,"

"And I really should have looked both ways," I countered, "don't worry, I won't tell anyone." I grinned.

We didn't say anything for a while, and in our silence, I heard "Don't Trust Me" by 3OH!3 start to wind down.

"So, who was that?"

"Who was who?" I looked at Edward, questioningly.

"The guy who was with you,"

"Oh, Jacob? Jacob Black? My dad and his dad are best friends, and when I used to come up here Jacob and I would hang out."

"Oh," he answered, "so, are you two, you know," he paused, "an item?"

She laughed, "No, we are just friends. He is really the only person I knew when I first moved here."

We were quiet for a bit, but then one of my all time favorite songs, "Beautiful, Beautiful" by Francesca Battistelli started playing.

I gasped, jumping out of the swing and twirled around, "I love this song!"

I looked at him, and he started walking over to me.

I felt the butterflies in my stomach go bonkers as he wrapped his arms around my waist and my arms rested on his shoulders.

We danced slowly to the song.

He started to pull back, and I was thinking maybe I did something wrong, but instead he started to lean in, as if he was going to kiss me.

Suddenly all of my memories from Braxton came flooding back, and just as Edward's lips were about to meet mine I turned away, his lips caressing my cheek.

I pulled back and said, "I-I'm sorry," expecting him to be angry with me, "I'm sorry," I said again.

I touched my cheek with a shaky hand and then took off running.

I didn't know where I was going to go, seeing as I didn't have a ride back home, but I ran to the end of Rosalie's driveway and stood by the side of the road thinking about what I had just done.

I wanted to break down and cry. I was humiliated and I was angry with myself for still thinking about damn Braxton so much still.

I called dad on my cell phone and started walking back towards Forks.

"Hello?"

"Hey daddy."

"Bells? What's the matter?"

"Jacob had to bail, can you pick me up?"

"Where are you?"

"I just left Rosalie's. I am walking down the highway now."

"Okay, I am on my way, see you in a bit."

"See ya."

I walked in silence replaying my nightmare of a past over and over in my head.

When I got home I crashed, the instant my head hit the pillow, lights went out.

I was startled awake by the buzzing of my cell phone.

11:48 a.m.

I flipped open my phone and read the screen, not believing what I was reading…

Edward Cullen had a three way last night!

Thanks Jessica.

I felt the blood drain out of my face and I the dark tunnel appeared.

This was like Braxton all over again. But not…

I stayed in my bedroom for the weekend, becoming the hermit I was at heart.

Monday rolled around instantly and I drove to school, late, so I wouldn't run into the bastard.

As I pulled into one of the parking spots I saw a familiar glint of the stupid shiny Volvo.

I groaned and slung my book bag over my shoulder, pulling my hood over my head, and making a beeline to first hour.

I walked down the sidewalk, doing my best not to acknowledge him.

"Hey," he said, falling into step with me.

"Oh, hi…" Go to hell.

"Sorry I startled you," He smiled.

"It's fine."

"Is everything okay?" I said nothing, trying to push past him. "Bella? Is everything okay?"

I could feel the tears welling up. "No."

"Bella," he reached for my arm, but I flinched away. How dare he? "Bella, what's wrong?"

I could feel my façade breaking. I turned away from him, but he came to stand in front of me once again. "Bella, tell me what is going on, I want to know what made you this way,"

I looked him right in the eye. "How dare you?"

"Wh-what?" He stammered. What a good actor. Pretending not to know.

"I said, 'how dare you?'"

"Bella, I have no idea what you are talking about,"

"Don't pretend that you are innocent. Do you really want me to tell you what it was that pissed me off?"

"Yes! Because I have no idea what you are talking about!"

"I am talking about the party on Friday."
"The party? About me trying to kiss you, I am sorry, I didn't mean to pressure you in any way…"

What? He was thinking I was talking about the kiss? Or almost kiss? I wasn't!

"I am not talking about the kiss. I am talking about what you did after that."

He looked as if I had just shot him in the knee cap. "Exactly."

"I-I-I…"

"I thought that maybe I could trust you, but really, I can't trust anyone. Anyone." With that, I turned and left him standing in the parking lot, in the soaking rain.

I felt alive. I felt defiant. But I also felt a little guilty.

I went through the day in a numb, coma like state, until I had to leave Forks for Port Angeles so I could go speak at Port Angeles House for Women.

I was actually excited for this. It was nice to be able to talk about my experience, and it was nice to know that I was not alone. I also was starting to become friends with the other women who would come regularly.

"Hi Glenda," I said, walking into the waiting room.

"Bella Swan. How are you today? You look fantastic as always, even with dripping wet hair."

I couldn't help but laugh. Glenda was like my grandmother. "Thanks Glenda, but I think you are the only one with that opinion."

"No, you are wrong. You are a stunning ray of sunshine in a dark place like this."

"Thank you," I said, smiling and taking off my coat.

I walked into the room where there was a circle of chairs, about half of the chairs filled.

I sat down, and started talking to Lindsay, a 19 year old girl from Montana who had been picked up by a trucker, and was raped over and over again at the age of 14. She was my hero. I don't know how anyone could live through something like that and turn out to be such a genuine person like her.

"Bella?"

I turned in my seat to face Karen, who was holding a phone. .

"Hmm?"

"Glenda wants to talk to you..."

"Okay…."I walked over to Karen and took the phone she was holding out for me, "Hello?"

"Bella?" Glenda whispered.

"Yeah?"

"There is a boy out here. He says he wants to talk to you." My stomach both dropped in dread and flip-flopped in joy.

"I'll be right out." I said, hanging up the phone.

Walking out of the room with everyone sitting in the circle, I said, "Yes Glenda?"

I could feel the blood draining out of my face.

Glenda pointed to the person I had extreme mixed feelings about. I really really liked him, but I also really really hated him.

"What do you want?" I asked, standing in place.

"I, I uh, want to talk," he stood up and motioned to the door.

I looked at Glenda, who nodded and gave Edward the evil eye. I wanted to smile but I was too sick to do anything other than stare straight ahead.

The instant it shut I asked, "How did you find me?"

"Uh, Rosalie told me," Rosalie?, "but she only told me after I beat it out of her," he smiled, but then it instantly disappeared.

"Bella," He reached for me.

"Don't. Touch. Me." I said, flinching away.

"I…I am sorry."

What? He's sorry? Oh, this has got to be good. He continued.

"Bella, I came here to tell you that I am sorry. Truly sorry. I am sorry about trying to kiss you. I…didn't want to pressure you into anything you didn't want to do, and I shouldn't have assumed what I did. I am also extremely sorry about what happened once you left. My pride was hurt. I had just been rejected by the only girl I have every really wanted a relationship with, so I did what I thought might count as revenge towards you. I had a little too much to drink, and that is no excuse, believe me, and I needed an ego boost."

My vision started to blur. I could feel my face becoming hot and the salty tears were stinging my eyes.

"What I did was unacceptable, but I do want you to know I did not sleep with those two girls. I did fool around with them, but I did not sleep with either one of them. I also want you to know that the moment I laid eyes on you I stopped sleeping with other girls, when they asked me to do something, I did not, because I want you."

I whispered, "But I can't trust you…" the tears were flowing freely now.

"Bella. Oh Bella," his voice started to shake, "I am filled with guilt for losing your trust, but I promise you right now, I will make it up to you."

Again, I whispered, "That's what he said…"

"Shit, Bella…Oh my god…I…I…I had no idea..."

"You weren't supposed to," I laughed humorlessly, "I guess you were bound to find out some time or another," I sniffed and wiped my eyes with my sleeve.

He sat down on the grass silently.

We sat in silence for what seemed like hours.

Finally Edward decided to speak, "Bella, I would…I would never."

I put a hand on his forearm, "I know," I smiled, trying to hide the pain, "I know."

I sat there for a while, not saying anything, trying to decide if I should tell him my story or not. I decided to go for it.

"Can I trust you?" I asked, looking him in the eye.

He nodded.

I played with the grass I was sitting on and said, "Can I tell you my story?" I looked back at him.

"Bella…I," He started.

I interrupted him, "Do you want the full version or the abridged version?"

I smiled, then reached out and started tracing my finger over his veins on his hand.

"How about this? How about I start telling you the entire story and if you decide part way through, I will change to the abridged version." I decided he could tell me when enough was enough.

"Okay," he said uncertainly.

"I was fourteen, a freshman at my old school in Arizona."

A/N: So, I would have finished the story here, writing the entire story in Bella's POV, but I figured why should I end it now? I would have had to skip certain spots, and not elaborate as much as I would want to, so there will be one more chaper which will also cover the wedding :) Thank you so much to all of the readers, and I am trying to decide if I want to write a sequel or not...if you think I should, please tell me what you think I should put in it.

xoxo ~ greatterriblebeauty