Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. Tears.

Chapter 21

Bella's POV

I felt all the color drain from my face at the mention of Edward's name. Then my eyes immediately welled with tears for reasons I couldn't explain. Demetri's eyes widened at this and he hastily brushed the tears that escaped.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you cry." He apologized earnestly.

"It's okay," I sighed. "But how do you know about Edward?"

"You said his name in your sleep." Demetri replied. Everyone was quiet as Felix drove along the road.

I hesitated. I didn't want to relive my past by telling the story but I knew I couldn't hide my past from these people who had welcomed me into their exclusive life so completely. I sighed once more and began to explain.

"Edward was my middle school bully. I used to be overweight and I had pretty bad acne. Let's just say I was not very attractive. On my 14th birthday, Edward cut and stabbed me as, and I quote, "A birthday present." Hannah and Chala gasped and the boys made noises of anger and shock. I rolled up my shorts to reveal the scar on my thigh and pointed out the faint, raised scar on my arm. They all looked at them and their expressions ranged from outrage to shock to sadness.

"I decided I couldn't take it anymore; the name calling, stalking, and abuse," I continued to explain quietly. "I moved to Jacksonville, Florida to live with my mom and her husband. They welcomed me with open arms and got me a nutritionist, physical trainer, dermatologist, hair stylist, and bought me a whole new wardrobe. I lost weight and my skin cleared up. I made friends and I was pretty happy. Then on my 15th birthday I walked in on my mom and step dad having sex in the kitchen. So I decided to enroll in LDV and move here to give them some space. Now I'm here with my amazing boyfriend and his awesome family." I was smiling through fresh tears.

Demetri hugged me fiercely and I allowed myself a moment to release the pent up tears onto his shoulder.

"I will never let anything like that happen to you again." He vowed.

"Yeah, nobody else will ever hurt you as long as we have anything to say about it." Felix promised solemnly from the driver's seat.

"Damn right." Alec said with venom in his voice. Hannah and Chala murmured in agreement.

Demetri rubbed soothing circles on my back and I dozed off peacefully.

A short while later we arrived at the fair. We went up to the gate and the gatekeeper asked for our tickets or ticket money.

"Volturi." Hannah said. The gatekeeper smiled and ushered us through immediately. I was again amazed at how their last name could get us so many unheard of privileges.

The day was amazing. We rode rides as many times as we wanted and we got free snacks and drinks throughout the day. The guys shot baskets at the basketball stand to win us prizes. Felix was the best but they were all really good. People crowded around to watch. Felix won Hannah 3 Teddy Bears and a custom designed basketball and Alec and Demetri won Chala and I big stuffed bears. By the time we left, the sun was setting and we were all exhausted yet smiling from ear to ear. It had been such a fun and stress free day. I couldn't believe I was actually dating Demetri Volturi and spending time with his family. It seemed too good to be true.

"Where have you been?" Tori demanded when I finally returned to my dorm building with my teddy bear and suitcase that I had borrowed from Chala that held my mall purchases.

"And why did Demetri Volturi drive you here? We heard a car and looked out and saw you getting out of his car." Zoey asked.

I smiled sheepishly and blushed. "I've been hanging out with the Royal Five and Demetri drove me over after I got my things from their building."

"You were in their cars? In their building?" Tori asked, her eyes wide.

I nodded.

"Are you and Demetri…?" Zoey questioned, letting the question drift because she knew I knew what she was asking. I felt my face grow warm and I bit my lip.

"Oh my gosh!" they both screamed in unison.

"Have you kissed him yet?" Tori asked excitedly. I nodded with a small smile.

Zoey fell back onto her bed with a shriek and Tori couldn't stop jumping up and down.

"You are so damn lucky!" Tori sighed.