Disclaimer- The characters belong to Stephenie Meyer, not me.

A/N- Here's something to lighten up the mood of the story since the last chapter was so dark.

BPOV

In the morning, the Cullens, Jasper and Edward came over to wake us up with coffee and bagels. I brushed my teeth and hair and went downstairs to meet them in my pajamas. Today was my actual birthday.

"Good morning!" Carlisle said.

"Hi," I said, jumping over the last step. I gave him a big hug.

"Happy birthday, Bella," he said, kissing me.

Edward was in the kitchen helping Alice and Jasper unload the bagels, laughing and chatting with Charlie. "Good morning, everyone," I said.

"Happy birthday, Bella!" Alice said.

"We got you something," Jasper said. He had a muffin on a plate, with a little birthday candle on it. "Here," he lit it up. "Happy birthday. Make a wish."

"Okay," I said. That I finally get my act together this year, I thought. I closed my eyes to concentrate on it, and then blew it out. Everyone clapped.

I ate part of the bagel, scraping out the inside when no one was looking. The crust would take more calories to digest than the inside and everyone was watching me from the night before.

Alice and I took Edward and Jasper on a tour of Forks. The high school was mostly deserted. "See, there's not that much to Forks."

"See what I grew up in?" Alice asked.

"Totally," Edward said. "You poor baby."

"Hey!" she cried, turning around in her seat.

"That's where we were forced to run laps in gym class everyday," I said, pointing at the track.

"Ugh, I hated that," Alice said, giggling. She almost hit a mailbox.

"Careful with my car," Jasper cried. "I just got it back!"

"Sorry!" Alice cried. "Well, we didn't run laps everyday, but we did and entire six week period where the gym teacher had us doing that. If she got bored and didn't plan a very good lesson, that's what we did."

"She had a death wish," I muttered. "I hated her. I laughed when she had to get a knee replacement surgery."

"That's terrible," Edward laughed. "But, I understand it."

"Let's get out and see if we can get inside!" Alice cried, parking the car.

She dashed out of the car towards the school before anyone could protest. Jasper followed. "Okay, I might as well," I said, getting the door handle.

Edward got out with me. We got out in the rain and ran up to the entrance to the gym. It was- of course- locked, but we were under an overhang protected from the rain. "Crap," Alice muttered. "Too bad. Let's try another door." She and Jasper ran off around the corner.

"Do you want to try another door?" Edward asked.

"No, not really," I said. "I hated high school. Don't wanna go back inside."

"The only thing that made high school bearable was Rosalie and Emmett."

"They sound like really good friends."

"Why did you hate high school so much?" he asked.

"My Mom had just died," I said. "I had this stupid crush on this guy… and, well… I don't want to get into it."

"Tell me about him," Edward offered, running his hands over that spot where my neck and shoulder connected.

"He was an idiot," I said, shrugging. "He knew I was crazy about him, but he lead me on. I look back, and I see how badly he treated me."

"Weren't you popular?"

"No," I said, turning to see him. "Why would you think I was popular?"

"Because you look like you would have blended in with the popular crowd," he said, shrugging. His hands rested on my shoulders. "Everybody says that you were good at everything."

"I was very introverted. I didn't get kissed for the first time until my freshman year of college," I said, shrugging.

"Was it any good?" he asked.

"No," I said. "I was drunk at a party. So was he. He tasted like beer and potato chips. I don't think I tasted much better because I had been puking off and on from the hard liquor all night."

He pushed a few locks of my hair out of my face in the light breeze.

I could smell him. He smelled liked shaving gel and aftershave and Dove soap. He gently- but firmly- pressed me against the wall.

My brain buzzed, my heart began to pound in my ears and I held my breath.

"Life isn't what you plan it to be, is it?" he asked. I shook my head. He was incredibly close to me- I felt him press himself against me, surprisingly, our bodies fit together. His breath smelled fresh, still, like the toothpaste he had just brushed with. I closed my eyes- and I felt his warm lips against my mouth. My hands shook at the very feeling of him being so close to me and snaked their way up his back. His hands cupped my face and held it there as he pulled away.

I sighed. "Edward."

"Now, you can say you were kissed in high school," he said, flashing that sexy crooked half-grin.

I was in a daze on the way home to Seattle, sitting next to Edward with Dizzy in my lap, our hands intertwined. All my fears of being alone and in "just friends"ville with Edward had melted away. This had been the perfect birthday weekend ever. I blushed when I caught him smiling at me.

Alice had to make sure all my things were packed before we left I was so spaced out. That kiss from Edward was so dizzying, I wondered if I'd ever be able to kiss him again without completely losing my faculties.

I felt close to Edward, even though it had only been a kiss. I hardly heard the conversation between the other occupants of the car.

That afternoon, we got back, and he and Jasper came upstairs with us to our apartment. "I wish you'd stay," I said to Edward as I unpacked.

"I wish I could, too," he said. "I have a three-day shift starting tomorrow morning."

"Another one!?" I cried. "But Edward-"

"I know, but it's the life of an intern," he said. "I've gotta go, Bella. Good night."

After Jasper left, I did laundry with Alice, and we watched some Sunday night TV. "He kissed me!" I cried happily, when we were alone in our living room, sorting out laundry. It was like I had never been kissed before and was sharing the news with my best girlfriend. "This morning!"

"When!?" Alice cried.

"By the gym," I said. "We kissed!"

"Oh, good, Bella!" Alice cried. "So, we didn't scare him away with all our yapping this weekend?"

"No, he's got a three day shift at the hospital tomorrow," I said. "He's probably at home, resting up for it."

"You know, piano players are good with their fingers," Alice said, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Alice!" I giggled. We were like two girls in junior high. It felt good.

"Can you see yourself with him, Bella?" Alice asked. "I can. I'd like to see you with him. Really."

I nodded. "I can."

"Hey, you got through two whole days without a Xanax!"

"You're right!" I cried. She high-fived me.

"That's awesome! Total win!"

"I even ate, too!"

I went to bed feeling pretty secure and happy. This was the best birthday I had had since Renée died.