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Word prompt: Congregate, propagate, instigate.

Pairing: Edward and Bella

I stood on the beach watching my best friend, since I was two, professed his love for me. I didn't feel the same about him and was furious with him for bringing this up. Mike broke up with me two days before.

"Jacob, you know I love you, but it's not the same. You're my best friend."

"You thought you loved Newton. Look what he did to you. I would be so much better for you."

"You don't get it. I did love Mike. I gave him everything I had. Jake, I can't just turn that off. I'm hurt. I leave in two days to go back to Tennessee. Alice is coming back early."

"Newton was right about one thing." His voice was so cold and he sounded like a stranger.

I rolled my eyes. "And what would that be?"

"You won't let anything get in the way of your precious law degree."

"Fuck you, Jake! I'm doing what I have always wanted. If you and Mike can't stand the idea of me being successful, then that is your own damn fault!"

I woke up trying to catch my breath. I hadn't thought about that last day on the beach in a long time. I hadn't spoken to Jake since that day. He decided to throw twenty years of friendship down the drain because I wanted my college education, and wasn't giving into him. I had always known I could never love him romantically. It just wasn't there.

I groaned and reached for my phone. My father just had to instigate this. If he hadn't told my mother I wasn't coming home for the summer, my head wouldn't be filled with the things that happened last summer.

"Hello?" Charlie's voice was thick with sleep. I had forgotten about the time difference.

"Sorry to wake you, Dad."

"Oh, Bells, it's not a problem. I love hearing from you. How did finals go?"

"They went well. Mom called me last night. Seems you told her I wasn't coming home."

"She's your mother. I thought she should know."

"No, you wanted her to get me to go see her. You don't trust that I can take care of myself; do you?"

"I just don't want you to be alone in a big city away from home." I could hear the huff in his voice.

"Nashville is not that big. Plus, I am not alone. Alice and Rose are staying this summer. I also have a job at a small law firm. I start next week."

"Are you sure this isn't about…"

"Dad, stop! This is about me. I need to do this."

"Okay, Bells. Maybe I will come out there. I have some vacation saved up."

"That sounds great dad."

I spent my day being completely lazy. Rose and Alice were out, so I stayed on the couch watching Lifetime movies all day. Around five o'clock I started getting ready for my date with Edward. And tonight I knew it was a date. He'd sent me a text a little after noon. It simply said: Can't wait for our date. –E. I couldn't help the silly grin that took over my face when I read it.

Edward picked me up promptly at seven o'clock. We went to this little restaurant thirty minutes outside of town. "I wanted to take you somewhere our friends don't congregate," he told me as we waited to be seated.

"Are you ashamed to be seen with me?" I fake pouted.

He gave me his lopsided grin. "Absolutely not. But I wanted to go somewhere we could talk and get to know each other more without interruption. After Emmett found out we were going out tonight, he started bugging me to make it a double with him and Rose. He would have found us if we stayed in Nashville."

I nodded because it made perfect sense. "I'm glad you brought me here then."

The restaurant wasn't too busy, so we weren't seated around too many people. I had to roll my eyes at the way the hostess only paid attention to Edward. I mean he was gorgeous and I understood, but it was still rude. "I don't think she noticed I was standing here the whole time." I laughed once we were alone.

"What are you talking about?" He seemed genuinely confused.

"You didn't notice the hostess practically drooling all over you?"

He shrugged. "I'm here with you."

I looked down to hide my blush with a huge smile on my face. Mike had never really given me his full undivided attention. It felt great to get it from Edward.

We sat and ordered out drinks. Edward asked me about my day and told me all about his. He spent most of his time dodging Emmett.

"So, he wouldn't leave you alone?"

"No, he seemed to think we didn't need to be by ourselves or something."

"He's your friend." I laughed.

"Not sure why sometimes. He even called my mother."

"What? Why?"

"I guess thinking she'd make me include him or something. All he did was make her nosey. She called asking me all kind of questions about you.'

"Me?" This was so new I hadn't even thought to tell my parents about Edward; especially my mother.

"My mom worries about me not dating much. I think she is worried I will never propagate. Being an only child, I am her only chance at grandchildren."

"My mom is the same way. I try to tell her I will have time for that later."

"They mean well."

"So, what did she ask you?" I was very curious to know what all he told her. Was he serious about us? Was it too soon to really be asking that?

"How we met and when. Just normal stuff. I told her it was very new and we were just getting to know each other." He reached across the table and took my hand in his. "But I feel like I've known you forever."

I smiled. "I know the feeling."

xoxxo

I know it has been forever. Life has been crazy with work and all. I used to write as therapy. I hope to get back in the game. I am going to try my best to get to work on all my fics. Please reveiw and let me know what you think. Is it too soon for Bella to jump into a relationship with Edward?