AN: I own nothing… I can't believe I'm at 250 reviews :) you have no idea how happy that makes me

~20~

EPOV- 17th Birthday!

"Hey Eddie?" Alice called from my room as I stepped out of the bathroom and back into my room. "Have you ever published any of your poems?"

I looked at her, my hair still wet and dripping from my shower. Jasper and Rose would be here any moment and then we would all load up into the cars and head off to dinner. Alice was reclined in my chair with her feet on my desk, holding up a notebook as she asked the question.

"No Alice, I haven't ever published anything. Please don't call me Eddie." I said throwing my dirty clothes in the hamper as I picked up my shoes to put them on. Alice still had her nose in my notebook, a part of me wanted to tell her to put it down and not to read my poems, but I also didn't want to be rude.

Alice POV-

These poems are amazing. I thought to myself as I turned the page to read another. Just the emotions that Edward's able to put into words astound me. I hear the shower turn off as I keep reading. The title of the next one catches my eye, All That's Jazz ~ E. Cullen, 8-16-10, I smile as I settle down more and read it, when I was through reading it I couldn't believe what I just read and had to reread it just to make sure. He likes Jasper! I almost squealed with delight when I realized this, I had noticed Jasper watching Edward and now I knew they were both fascinated with each other.

Quickly I started to think of a plan on how to make sure they sit next to each other at dinner. I swiftly turn the page when I hear Edward exit the bathroom, making his way to his room.

"Hey Eddie?" I ask as he comes in. "Have you ever published any of your poems?" I said looking at him. He was wearing a dark pair of jeans and a long sleeve forest green shirt that made his eyes pop; I knew he would look good in the color.

"No Alice, I haven't ever published anything. Please don't call me Eddie." He said turning his back to me. Gosh what was with this guy and not liking nicknames?

I took the time to look at the poem on the current page as Edward put on his shoes. This one looked like it wasn't finished, and still it didn't have a title.

~E. Cullen, 8-18-10

At night the blistering winter wind blows

While the rains collide with my window,

Making a pitter patter sound.

The lightning's lighting up the sky,

And the thunders rolling by,

Asking their endless questions,

Ones like why…

I have no answers to their questions,

The truth is still a mystery.

Why would the stars shine bright

And look down on me in my misery?

Why a stranger with eyes like the ocean,

Golden locks going every which way?

Why the nightmares,

And sudden thoughts?

Why am I still plagued

From that mistake…

The poem was intriguing and I made a side note to ask Edward about it later seeing as mom just yelled that Jasper and Rose are here and it's time to head off to the restaurant.

EPOV-

Alice flew down the stairs like a tornado when Esme told us that Jasper and Rose had arrived. She quickly collided with a hug to Rose and then turned her attention towards Jasper. I couldn't tear my eyes from him as I looked at him, he wore a blue shirt that hugged him just enough that I could make out his muscles. I tried not to stare as I made my way down the stairs and joined the others.

"Happy birthday Edward." Rose said giving me a gentle hug in greetings.

"Happy birthday, Thank you for the invite tonight Edward, it was nice of you to include us." Jasper said after Rose released me.

I smiled all of a sudden shy and at a loss for words.

"Um, yeah… Thanks, for, um, coming." I stuttered out hoping that I didn't sound like a complete fool.

"Ok kids lets load them up. Carlisle is going to meet us there." Esme said as we headed to the garage.

"I call shot gun!" Alice yells, pushing us out of the way so she can get to the car first.

"Mom, can I take Rose in my new car? We're not all going to fit in one." Emmett asked as he started to pull Rose towards a different car. The garage was big; it almost seemed ridiculous to have a garage that could fit 6 or 7 cars. Though I guess once you add up that they had a total of 5 cars it made sense none of them wanted to park outside with the rainy weather.

"Sure, just drive safe." She said as she got into the driver's side of her Nissan Altima. I quickly go in the back and was happy to see that Jasper and I were sitting next to each other.

"Emmett just got a 2009 Nissan 370Z, he's been using the family Jeep for a few years and now he's all excited to have his own car." Esme explained as we headed out into the rain.

"I'll be getting a Mustang GT in Red for Christmas." Alice said turning so she could look at me.

The drive wasn't long and we were soon piling out of the cars and running inside. Carlisle was just driving up as we stepped into the dry warm restaurant.

"Hello Mrs. Cullen welcome to The Old Spaghetti Factory, how many in your party?" The hostess said greeting us.

"Hello Lauren we have reservations at 6:00 for seven." Esme replied. We were quickly shown to a table and handed menus. Lauren told us that our server would be Eric and he'll be right out, but that she would get our drink orders and bring them out to us. "Make sure to take lots of pictures." Esme was saying to Rose as we sat down.I was sitting next to Carlisle and was surprised when Jasper was claiming the seat next to me.

"Can I sit here?" He quietly asked me. Not trusting my voice I just nodded yes and giving him what I hope was a friendly smile. About five minutes later Esme and Carlisle excuse themselves saying that they'll be right back, leaving Emmett, Rose, Alice, Jasper and I alone at the table.

"Hey everyone." A guy said when he spotted us and he started to make his way over towards us. "Ready for the big game next week Emmett? Who's this?" He suddenly asks when he notices me.

"This is my step brother, Edward." Emmett smiles. "Yeah we are stoked for the game." Emmett went on to say not noticing that the strangers attention wasn't on him anymore. The stranger smiled at me, his eyes traveling up and down my body and he sticks out his hand for me to shake. I don't know why but I didn't want to touch him. Slowly I took a deep calming breath and shook his hand, not wanting to seem rude to Emmett's friend.

"It's very nice to meet you." He says as his eyes darkened and a smile freezes on his lips. "My name is Mike."

"Uh, yeah, nice to meet you Mike." I said as I try to pull my hand away from him. Unfortunately, he's holding too tight as he pulls me closer gently and pulls out a pen from his pocket. I watch in silent fear as he clicks it and proceeds to write his number on my skin.

"Call me, beautiful." Thankfully with that he let go of my hand after that and left.

"Dude just ignore Mike, he's harmless." Emmett said.

"Edward, are you ok?" Jasper asks. "You're very pale." He gently places his hand on my knee causing my stomach to flip flop.

"Yeah I'm um fine, just..." I wasn't sure of the right word to use and stopped mid-sentence. Although I did relax into Jasper's touch.

"Just put off my Mike?" Jasper finishes for me sounding almost sad. "Don't worry; there are only a few gay men in this town." He adds removing his hand.

Just as I am about to say something Esme and Carlisle return.

"Have we all decided?" Dad asks as he sits back down.

I just nod as I wet my napkin in water and proceed to rub off the ink that the creep Mike left. If any gay man in this town is going to mark me, it's going to be Jasper.

Jasper notices me scrubbing the number off and frowns but I catch his eye and just shake my head muttering almost under my breath. "If it was your number I'd get a tattoo."

He tenses for just a moment and I think he might have caught it but if he does he doesn't give me an indication one way or the other.

Our server Eric showed up soon after that and took our orders.

Soon we all had our entrees and were digging into our dinner. Conversation stayed casual as Carlisle filled Esme in on his day and Rose, Emmett and Alice were having a discussion about cars. Jasper and I were the only ones not talking at the table and I suddenly became nervous wondering if I should be saying anything to him, if so, what?

"So Edward, when will you be joining us at Forks High?" Rose asked turning her attention to me.

"I won't be." I said suddenly aware that Jaspers eyes were now on me. "I graduated this past spring."

"How, you're 17, right?" She asked confused.

"I was able to graduate a year early, and since my birthday is in August right after school starts I was able to start school at 4 and turn 5 few weeks after the beginning of school. If I didn't graduate a year early I would have been 17 when I graduated, since this would have been my senior year." I explained.

"Edwards being modest," Alice piped in. "He graduated with top grades and Universities and begging him to go to their school now."

"Wow that's amazing, so have you decided what you'll do now?" Jasper asked giving me a smile.

"I um, I'm not sure. I might take a few online courses from the community college." I stammered out not liking all the attention I was now receiving. "But I don't know."

"Edward, the decision is yours. There's no rush on making a decision now. Let's all go back to the house and have some cake and icecream." Carlisle said as he paid for dinner.

As we stepped outside, there right at the entrance was a brand-new car.

"It's for you Edward." Carlisle said handing me keys. I had taken my driver's test and received my license a few weeks back.

"It's a 2011 Volvo 540 R." Emmett said, as if I was supposed to understand his car talk. I looked at it, four door, dark metallic blue, leather seats inside, a 5 speed. This car was tricked out.

"Thank you" I said unsure of myself as I received the keys from Carlisle.

"This is from mom and dad. You still have to open our presents that are back at home." Alice said.

My heart was pounding as I got into my car and followed Emmett home. The stereo was amazing and I loved the feel of the leather shifter as I drove. We got home in record time and I parked my car in one of the empty spaces between Emmett's Nissan and the family Jeep. Em, Rose and I were sprawled across the living room furniture when Esme and Carlisle pulled into the drive way. Jasper and Alice came in just as the garage door was closing, they were followed by Carlisle and Esme and each one of them now held presents.

Everyone takes a seat and I smile when Jasper claims a seat to my right. Alice bounces over to me and starts to hand me gifts.

"This is from Emmett." Alice says as she hands me a bag.

Inside is a leather-bound notebook with nice writing pens.

"Its for your poems." Em says when I don't say anything.

"Thanks." I am barely able to say as I feel like I'll start to cry. The realization that Phil and Elizabeth didn't just hurt me but that they took away my chance at a childhood came crashing down on me.

"This one is from me." Alice says as she starts to bounce up and down with excitement as I grab the box from her.

Opening it I find a digital camera with a card.

The card reads

For making happy memories

-A

"Alice its perfect, thanks." I say as i pull her into a hug.

"Here's Rose's gift to you." Alice handed me the second to the last gift. "It goes with mine."

Wondering what Rose could have gotten me I tore open the paper wrapping. Inside was a photo album, all done up in black and blue. With white lettering reading Happy times. I turned the first page surprised to see pictures already inside. There was one of Alice, Em, and I sitting and watching the movie, next was one of Jasper and I playing chess next to it was almost the same except this time we're laughing both of us had our heads tossed back and I can almost hear his bell like laugh.

"And Jaspers." Alice said handing me the last one once I had looked through the photos.

Slowly I started to open it smiling when I pulled out a Zune player much like the one Emmett owns.

"I already opened it and loaded your favorite songs onto it, I hope you like it." Jasper says. "There's a playlist for you, Esme helped me with your favorite song.

"Thank you Jasper." I say a true smile on my face as I look at him. "I love it."

AN: Thanks for reading if you have any questions please ask them and I will do my best to answer :)

The above poem is again written by me.

Credit for "If it was your number I'd get a tattoo." Must go to arianawhitlock, who helped me out with the scene with Mike.

Answer to a question:

His age and school… Those born in August have the option of starting school as 4 turning 5 or 5 turning 6… They are either some of the youngest or oldest or their class. Edward started 4 turning 5 so he was one of the youngest in his class, if Edward didn't skip a grade this year would be his senior year. He would have been 16 turning 17 then graduated and few months later turn 18. I hope that cleared up some of the questions I've been asked. (This is all according to United States public schools. K & 1-12 grades.)