A/N- Hii, once again thank you so much for the reviews! I'm really overwhelmed with the love for this story, and really grateful. I'm once again writing to everyone now!

So yeah, here's chapter five. It's the longest chapter so far, but there was a lot to fit in... I didn't want to cut it down at all. So, yeah, hope you all like it. I won't say anything else... just go ahead with reading it if you want!

If you do like it, please review.. it really does mean a lot.

"It don't matter to the sun
If you go or if you stay.
No, the sun is gonna rise, gonna rise,
Shine down on an another day.
There will be tomorrow,
Even if you choose to leave,
'Cause it don't matter to the sun no, no,
It matters to me.

It ain't gonna stop the world,
If you walk out that door,
This old world just keeps spinning round, spinning round,
Like it did the day before.
'Cause to them it makes no difference,
It just keeps on keeping time,
'Cause it ain't gonna stop the world no,
But it'll be the end of mine."

Fearless

Chapter Five

More days passed, and things only continued to get better and better. I knew that if I really thought about everything, and how my life was now, that I would be filled with panic that everything would suddenly go downhill again. … But I'm refusing to let myself do that. Telling the truth to Edward had really turned everything around… I now allowed myself to believe in what he had said, and as a result we were growing even closer then ever. I no longer dreaded school, because I knew I wasn't going to be ignored – I had him now. Admittedly, he was all that I had but that was okay with me. Because he was more then I ever thought that I'd have.

However, we were currently stuck at just seeing eachother for 15 minutes before first class, and for lunch and English class. It was always great, but didn't seem like enough somehow – it felt like our time was always cut short somehow, like it was meant to be more.

… And I was now on my way to change that.

It was a Saturday today, so luckily for me, Charlie wasn't at work today. I found him downstairs on the sofa watching some baseball game. He looked up when I entered the room, but didn't say anything – we hadn't really spoken much since the whole truck incident, which was another reason why I was about do this… I knew I finally had to start making things right.

It was another step towards healing… towards being better again.

I cleared my throat, causing him to jump slightly in his seat. He then turned round to look at me, and before he said anything I managed to ask him nervously - "Hey, dad – could I ask for a favour?"

He looked completely shocked, but also pleased at the same time, obviously because this was one of the first times I had actually started a conversation with him in a long time - "Uh, sure. What is it?" he asked gruffly.

I shifted on my feet, somewhat nervous to ask this question, even though I had no doubt in my mind that it was absolutely the right thing to do - "Could you take me to Billy's? I really need to talk to him."

The reservation was just like I remembered it. I hadn't seen Jacob's house, or anywhere in La Push for that matter in a couple of years - since the Summer before Jacob came to Phoenix - so I guess that deep down I expected something to be different. But no… the house was still small and red, and looked in desperate need of repair, but still had that mystical, unusual look to it – it was a place I had spent most of my summers in, and had always loved.

… And it was weird that nothing had changed.

There was no real evidence that Jacob was even gone… everything seemed the same. But despite that, there was still that empty feeling in the air there was something so special, so important missing – someone who once upon a time was the world to me.

I felt a strange mix of emotions as I stepped out of the cruiser onto the dry grass; it was almost like acceptance… a strange calmness. I had expected to feel more pain then this… I guessed that it hadn't really sunk in yet.

It was only a matter of time until it did though.

I walked up to the front door with purpose, I knew that Charlie was behind me and I was grateful for that – and because he was giving me distance, which was what I needed.

I wanted, no needed to do this by myself.

I only knocked the door once, taking a step back to calm my nerves, when Billy suddenly answered – to my surprise, his expression was the same as mine. I looked slowly down at the man I knew so well, and to my sadness I noticed that he looked like a shell of what he used to be – but I could still see life in there, through his eyes which were exactly the same as Jacob's.

"Bella," he whispered, shocked.

"Erm, hi," I replied, seeming almost shy for some bizarre reason.

He leant against the side of his wheelchair so he could see Charlie step up behind me, and in that moment recognition dawned on his face… it was clear that he knew exactly why I was here.

He looked up at me, and slowly, a small smile formed on his face, "Would you like to come in?"

I accepted the conversation, and after some friendly small talk Billy agreed to my one lone request – to see Jacob's bedroom.

I slowly made my way through the door – feeling nervous to peak in, not knowing exactly what I would see when I stepped into his room. Would it be empty, gathering cobwebs? Or would it have been changed, and possibly turned into a study or a spare room or something?

Technically I should have expected what there was… I knew there was no way Billy would have changed Jacob's room so soon after everything, so why was I so stunned to see it the exact same way it had always been?

Everything… literally everything down to the pictures on his bedside table was still in the same way… the way Jacob liked it. It was also spotlessly clean which I liked – it was really nice that Billy did that. It was as if he really did want to hold on to the memory of his sixteen-year-old son for as long as he could.

I slowly took a couple of steps into the room, finding myself unable to move any faster as the memories hit me like a wrecking ball. I slowly sat on the edge on the bed, nervous of messing it up somehow, and then reached across for the picture on the nightstand.

The tears spilled over as I looked at a fifteen year old Jacob and me, happy as we stood with arms around each other's shoulders on La Push beach. I didn't openly sob, as I looked at our smiling faces… no, I actually smiled myself as I allowed myself to think about the good times… and remember them instead of only thinking of the bad times.

My smile grew wider despite the bluriness of my vision caused through my tears. I slowly pulled my locker out from under my shirt, and opened it up, looking at the all too familiar picture of a smiling Jacob which was glued in. I sighed softly, wishing that I could see that smile one more time, and then whispered - "I miss you, Jake."

I spent more time in Jacob's room, waiting until my tears had stopped naturally falling, before making my way back to the kitchen where I knew Billy and Charlie were.

They both looked up as I entered, and something in my expression must have shocked them, due to their surprised expressions. I ignored the looks, and turned my attention to Billy, cutting straight to the point - "Why did you give me Jacob's truck?" I asked, my voice surprisingly weak.

"So it can be used… no use in having it sitting out here rotting away," Billy answered, before realising that I was hinting at more then that with my question - "plus, I know that Jacob would have wanted you to have it… and I do too."

His words surprised me, but I still wasn't completely sold - "It's too nice of you though… after what I did…"

He cut me off, "I don't blame you, Bella… no one blames you for what happened," he insisted, his dark eyes wide. I saw Charlie nod too out of my peripheral vision, as Billy continued talking - "It was an accident… a tragedy… but it wasn't your fault."

I blinked a couple of times, reassured by that last comment… I was now becoming close to believing it myself. "You really mean that?" I asked, stunned.

"Of course… look, Bella, I would be lying if I said I didn't blame you at one point – I've blamed almost everyone. Mainly myself for actually letting him go to Phoenix… but it was no one's fault. I've realised that we can't go on with blaming people – it won't change anything, and it won't help us with moving on." He insisted.

His words sunk in immediately – to me, his acceptance… his forgiveness was the most important of all. Jacob was the closest person in the world to him… and to know that he truly didn't blame me at all, meant more to me then words could describe.

And so, without saying anything, I leant down and hugged him, whispering two simple words - "Thank you."

Over Billy's shoulder I saw Charlie smiling at me, his face a mixture of emotions.

The most obvious one was staggering… it was relief.

"He takes a step back; He's under attack,
But he knows that no one can touch him now.
He seems so at ease, a strange inner peace,
Is all that he's feeling somehow.

He thinks of his mother, he thinks of his bride-to-be,
He thinks of his father, his two younger brothers,
Gathered around the wide-screen TV.

He looks to the left, he looks to the right,
And there in a golden ray of light, is his open man,
Just like he planned, the whole world is his tonight.

He's got all kinds of time, he's got all kinds of time,
All kinds of time, he's got all kinds of time,
All kinds of time."

Monday eventually arrived, and for the first time in a while I actually found myself waking up with a wide smile on my face – I felt happy, optimistic, hopeful… and I knew it was all because of the last couple of days. It had been a long painful year, but it felt like the last couple of weeks had just flown by… I knew it was because I was on my way… I was recovering. And it was amazing… I was finally realising what I had missed out on for so long. I got ready and drove my truck into school, never letting the smile slip from my face – I was aware of Charlie watching me from the window, and hoped that he was happy with the turn of events.

The smile was mostly on my face because I was excited to get to school – to see Edward again. Unfortunately, I somehow ended up late in today, so didn't have a chance to meet him by the lockers before class – ironic isn't it? Everyday that I had to walk, I always made it on time, but now that I had a car… I end up late. Instead of letting that fact bother me though, I just went looking for him at lunch, and smiled widely when I spotted him in the cafeteria, sitting in his usual spot with everyone. Unfortunately, I couldn't see his face, as I was approaching him from behind, so to stop that, I shyly wrapped my arms around his neck. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him smile – something that reassured me.

"Hi," I grinned, resting my head on his shoulder, happier now that I was beside him.

He lifted his hands up so they were gently running along my forearms, which were still wrapped around his neck, "Mm, you're in a good mood today," he commented cheerfully.

"I sure am," I nodded, kissing his cheek quickly, before releasing my grip and taking the spare seat next to him. I then reached out and placed my hand on top of his, "Thank you again," I whispered, so only he could hear.

He smiled sweetly, "You're welcome, but what was this thank you for?"

I shrugged, as I pulled my apple out of my bag, "Just for… for all the things you said the other day," I told him quietly.

He laughed softly, flipping his hand around so he could thread his fingers through mine, "Silly Bella, you don't have to thank me for that."

I smiled and squeezed his hand, as we continued into further light, happy conversation, paying little attention to anything or anyone else around us. We only spoke to eachother, it wasn't to be rude to anyone… but it was more like the outside world didn't exist – and was more like it was just us in this room.

That thought suddenly reminded me of something I had planned to do today - "Can I do something?" I asked him nervously, as I reached into my bag again.

"That depends," he grinned, "… What is it?"

I hesitantly pulled my camera out of my bag, and fiddled with it, "Could I… take a picture… of us?" I asked him. It was a plan I had come up with on Saturday after seeing Jacob's bedroom. I decided that I wanted a picture of Edward and me for my nightstand – I thought it was only fair to have a picture of us alongside the picture of Jacob and me.

He clearly didn't expect me to ask this, "Oh yeah, sure," he replied, surprised. "Can I keep my glasses on though?" He asked somewhat shyly.

"Of course," I told him gently. I understood exactly why he wouldn't want them off… there was far too many people in here, and he was understandably shy about his eyes. I knew that I wouldn't dare ask him to take them off here anyway. Granted I had of course seen his eyes… but that was when it was just us two on the bench - it was a completely different scenario.

I shifted my seat so that I was pressed against Edward's side, and turned the camera on, before stretching my arm out to take a turn around picture of us. I playfully told Edward to 'say cheese', and then smiled widely myself, before pressing the button, taking the picture.

I turned it around to look at what the picture looked like, but frowned when I realised that I hadn't taken it at the right angle – it was only Edward in the picture, and half of my face. I told Edward what was wrong, and prepared to try again, when Alice gently interrupted us -

"I could take the picture if you want?" she suggested, a small smile on her face.

I looked up then and noticed that everyone at the table was watching us, their expressions kind. Well, except for Rosalie that is, but I once again tried my best to ignore her, and pretend she wasn't there.

I turned back to Alice and noticed how she was sitting directly opposite us, and would be able to take a good picture from there. "Okay… thanks," I smiled, as I handed her the camera, "It's the round silver button at the top."

"Got it," she grinned, as she lifted the camera up in front of her, "smile!"

As we posed for the picture, I noticed that Edward had grown quiet – and I was about to ask if he was okay, when his arm reached out and wrapped around my waist gently, holding me to him.

My smile grew even wider at that… I knew that he was okay.

The flash went off, signalling that the picture was taken. Alice examined the picture and then grinned smugly, before handing it back to me.

The picture was up on the screen, and once I saw it – I knew that this was it. It was just right, the angle, the look of happiness on both of our faces… it was beautiful. "Thank you, that's perfect!" I told Alice gratefully.

I would print this out as soon as I got home, and put it in its rightful place – it wasn't going to be a replacement for the picture of Jacob and me, nothing would ever replace that. No, instead this picture would be there to show the future… my life now, with the man who was quickly becoming the most important person to me… ever.

Edward's arm was still around my waist, and as far as I knew he had no intention of moving it, as his fingers continued to make gentle patterns along my sides. He seemed deep in thought, and I was just about to ask what he was thinking about when he spoke softly -

"I wish I could see it," he murmured sadly.

Instantly, guilt flooded me – I should have realised that this would upset him. "It's okay, it's just a picture," I told him gently.

He nodded, "I know… but being able to see it would mean that I could see you… that's what I really want," he whispered gently.

What does someone say to that? I knew I could have said that I was sorry… but what good would have that done? I wasn't magical… I couldn't change anything no matter how much I wished I could. Sadly, this is the way life is…

Although, I did love the fact that he wanted to properly see me… I wished more then anything that he could, but again realised that this wasn't possible.

So instead of that I leant up and gently kissed his cheek, before nuzzling against the side of his neck and resting my head there. "It's okay, don't be sad," I told him soothingly.

He nuzzled his nose into my hair, and I felt him smile. "I'm not," he whispered gently, his voice happier again – his arm tightened around my waist.

I relaxed against him, and looked up to see everyone once again had smiles on their faces – Emmett and Jasper were being discreet though and were looking down at their food. Rosalie once again was the exception as she continued to glare – something that unnerved me. I knew that I would have to find out what her problem with me was… because as far as I saw it, she had no reason to be this way with me.

Like I expected Alice, was still staring at us, shamelessly. Her smile was blinding as she spoke - "Bella, when you print that out could you print out an extra copy?" she asked softly; "It would be for Esme – I know she would love to see it."

"Of course," I replied instantly, "I'll do it tonight."

She smiled sweetly, and then turned to Jasper and started talking to him – I smiled as I watched them together, it was clear that they already thought so much of eachother… the way that they looked at eachother was indescribable… it was adoration, or maybe even love.

I wondered if that was the way I looked at Edward - actually, scrap that question… I knew that I did… I absolutely adored him after all. No, what I really wondered was whether other people could actually see for themselves just how much he meant to me just through the way I looked at him…?

My answer was yes, they probably could.

Was it possible so soon though…?

As that thought came to me, it was in that exact moment that I felt Edward gently kiss the top of my head, as he whispered a soft and sweet, "Thank you," into my ear. His breath was gentle, yet it still gave me Goosebumps and it left me confused as to what I should say next.

And in answer to my next question… no, it wasn't too soon.

It wasn't too soon at all.

Towards the end of lunch I excused myself so I could go to the bathroom – I hated missing my time with Edward, but in this case, it was quite literally a necessity to do so. Once I was done, I left the cubicle, and headed towards the sinks, determined to quickly get back to sit with Edward before lunch was over.

Only, as I walked up to the sinks, two other girls entered the room.

I knew exactly who these girls were… and they were not the sort that I wanted to talk to. I quickly washed and dried my hands, and turned to head out of the room as quickly as I could – but as I turned I came face to face with the meanest of the girls, aka the bitch of the school.

Lauren Mallory.

"Sorry," I mumbled, as I tried to walk past her.

Only as I tried to do so, she grabbed my elbow, stopping me mid-step, "Whoa, not so fast there, Bella." She sneered in her nasally voice.

I fought back the urge to roll my eyes.

"Yeah, in a hurry or something?" Lauren's friend, Tanya giggled beside her.

"Not exactly," I mumbled, crossing my arms in annoyance, wondering what on earth they were going to say next.

"Sure didn't look like it," Lauren retorted, "Oh! I get it… you wanted to get back to Edward didn't you?"

I didn't say anything.

Tanya took a step towards me, anger clear in her plastic complexion, "It's pathetic isn't it? The way you cling on to him… I bet he's sick of you."

Ouch.

"He's not… we're friends, that's all," I told them, knowing deep down that it was a lie… because we were so much more then that.

"Friends, huh? It doesn't look like it," Lauren grumbled, as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. "We saw the way you clung on to him earlier, it was so… desperate."

I was determined to keep calm… to not let them bother me, but for some reason that word just sent me over the edge. "Desperate? You're calling me that? Are you stupid or something?" I screamed at them both.

Clearly, saying that was a mistake; because the next thing I knew, Tanya stepped forward and shoved me backwards so hard that I stumbled and fell to the ground, landing hard on the grey tiles.

"How dare you call me stupid," she sneered as she stood, towering over me.

I tried to lift myself back up, but only got pushed back down – I tried to fight them but it was no use… I was outnumbered.

"What is your problem? I've done nothing to either of you," I asked them.

"Oh, but you have," Lauren laughed maliciously.

Tanya took another step forward, her high heels clicking against the tiles. "Edward, is supposed to be mine," she told me angrily, "he was going to be mine, and he is going be mine – I will NOT let you stand in the way."

I didn't know what to say – I just remained on the dirty floor silent, completely shocked that any of this was happening.

They both looked at eachother with smug satisfied grins on their faces and to my relief, turned to walk away. However, just before they exited the door, Tanya turned back to me one more time, a hateful glare on her face –

"Consider this a warning," she told me, before she left, slamming the door behind her.

Once I knew they were definitely gone, I lifted myself up, wincing at the pain my elbow caused. I knew that a lot of people would have been terrified after that… but I honestly didn't care. If it was a week or so ago, I would have probably thought that all of this wasn't worth the effort… and that maybe it was better to just stay in the shadows, and have people like this ignore me.

Only, I didn't think this anymore.

I knew Edward well… and I knew that he wouldn't be interested in someone like Tanya. He was too kind, and too considerate to be with such a horrible, hateful witch. And I knew, that being friends with him was worth this… I could take people being mean and threatening me, just so long as I didn't lose him.

And so, as far as I was concerned, this hadn't even happened. I was going to go out and enjoy the rest of the day with Edward, and not worry about anything.

So, I stood up straight, and began walking out… only as I did, I noticed someone standing by the door. Someone who I hadn't noticed was watching the entire thing until now.

… It was Rosalie, and she had a wide smile on her face.

Unlike the end of lunch, English class was perfect… I couldn't have thought of a better way for it to go if I had tried. It was an easy lesson… as we were now working on our own independent essays, Mr Greene told us all to go to the library or to just stay in the classroom and work quietly, gathering our research for what we would write.

Edward and I went for the library option of course.

Only, after a while we decided to go for a walk, knowing that Mr. Greene wouldn't bother coming to check on us… that wasn't his style after all. We ended up walking through the rain, so we could go and sit in my truck – I considered suggesting that we should go for a drive, but then realised that Edward would probably want to stay here so that Emmett wouldn't worry by the time the end of school came.

We both laughed, as we told eachother embarrassing childhood stories. Only, as the conversation gradually grew more personal I finally noticed how Edward's hand never left my own… and how he would occasionally lean over to kiss me on the cheek, or forehead, like how I would do to him. It was what we had done for a while, but it just seemed so different now.

It was so sweet, so intimate… it wasn't the way casual friends acted.

And so, I gathered up my courage, and as the conversation quietened down, I asked him the inevitable risky question - "What are we, Edward?"

He was still laughing quietly at my last story as he asked - "what do you mean?"

I was watching the rain run down the windscreen until now, but after his response I quickly turned so I could see his face – I had to see it as I asked this question.

"What are we… are we just friends? Best friends?" I asked him softly, "because I don't know about you, but the way I act… the way I feel around you… its not the way I would for just a friend."

"Me neither," he replied gently, his expression soft.

I smiled at the knowledge that he felt the same, but still had to find out the rest of the truth. "So… what now then?" I asked him quietly.

He looked down at his lap nervously, "Well… I was actually planning on asking you this later, but I guess I will now…"

He was confusing me… his words made no sense at all.

"What are you talking about?" I asked him softly, not wanting to seem rude.

As I spoke, he lifted his head up from his lap, and looked into my direction – making it seem once again like he was really seeing me. When he eventually spoke, his voice was incredibly nervous - "Bella… will you go on a date with me?"

Oh… wow.

"Yes…" – my reply was instant, no hesitation at all. I knew right away that this was the moment I had been waiting for – "Yes, I will."

"Really?" he grinned, as he lifted his hands to my face. I nodded several times, and he smiled as he felt the movement. His expression was breathtaking… it was so happy and so carefree.

It was the same as mine.

His hands then gently began tracing my face, starting at my cheeks, then my eyelids… and then my lips.

His touch became more hesitant, and more gentle… it felt amazing.

I smiled as a sudden urge came over me; "can I try something?" I asked him softly.

He nodded, and taking that as a firm acceptance, I leant forward and very shyly brushed my lips against his. He gasped in surprise, but didn't pull away… and neither did I.

His hands reached back up to cradle my face again as we kissed again – only this time it was firmer, still hesitant… but more. The feeling was incredible… I never knew that it could feel like this. Granted, I had no one to compare it to, but still… I knew that nothing, no one could ever make me feel like this.

It was right… and I now knew for certain that it was the way we were meant to be.

After a while we pulled away but still didn't loosen our grip on eachother, wanting to stay close, the way we were.

As I got my breath back, I slowly reached up and lifted his glasses off, smiling when he didn't say anything about it. Once again, I was met with beautiful emerald eyes that were so full of happiness that it was staggering.

And I now knew what I wanted to ask.

… And I knew that he would be fine with it and answer me.

"Edward?" I asked him quietly, my voice tender.

"Yeah?" he replied gently, his soft smile still in place.

I swallowed hard, and prepared myself for yet another difficult question. I decided to just come out and ask it… I knew that he would be fine with it.

And so, I softly whispered - "How did you become blind?"

So yeah, next chapter = Edward's story, more cuteness... need I say anymore?

Hope you all liked this chapter... please review if you did.

Thanks for reading... Emma.x