"It's a surprise Bella…" He smiled deviously. I bit my lip and continued to follow him down the stairs. I followed him towards the back door, making sure to tip-toe in case anyone heard us.

Edward slowly opened the door, careful about the creak of the door.

A gust of wind brushed over me, causing me to shiver. We both ran out to the oval, still hand in hand. He led me to the bottom of the oval where the swings and slides were.

I gasped when I saw a picnic blanket and a Pokemon backpack. Edward knelt down on the blanket and opened the backpack. He pulled out a bag of marshmallows and a flashlight. He switched the flashlight and put in underneath his face.

"Mwahahah!" he laughed evilly. I couldn't find it in me to tell him that he looked way cuter then he did scary. So I just smiled. "I pinched these from the kitchen before you came…" He laughed as he opened the bag. He couldn't open the bag with made me laugh. Suddenly the bag burst all over the blanket. We both gasped before scavenging as many as we could, and put them all on our laps.

"So are we telling scary stories with this flashlight?" I said as I picked it up.

"You mean Mrs. Ancaster stories?" He laughed. "Not yet. I want to do something first."

He jumped up and walked over to a tree. He picked up a sharp stick from the ground and started engraving something into the bark.

Once he had finished he turned to me and let out a triumphant smile. I looked at where he had been engraving something and saw a love heart with our initials inside it. A goofy grin spread across my face along with a deep blush. It touched me more then he realized. He laughed and walked back to the picnic blanket.

I sat down and not even the sharp stick I sat on ruined my brilliant mood. We talked and ate our marshmallows for awhile, time flying by quickly. I soon ran out of marshmallows though which caused me to frown. "Would you like a marshmallow Mrs. Masen?" Edward beamed. Mrs. Masen. I happily took the marshmallow and put it in my mouth. This picnic just kept getting better and better…

I looked at my watch and realized it was half two in the morning.

"I think we should go now Edward…" I glumly said. I had too much of a good time to go back to bed but I knew that if I didn't go then, I would fall asleep there and then.

I looked over towards Edward who was lying down asleep. I laughed lightly, not wanting to wake him up. He looked too adorable. The light snore making me chuckle a bit. I wondered how I was going to get him inside. I would have to wake him…I thought to myself.

"Edward…" I whispered, giving him a gentle nudge. "Edward." I said louder that time. Then I had an idea. I walked over to the backpack and pulled out a drink bottle that he brought. I opened the lid and poured it all over his sweet head. He screamed, luckily not loud enough for the people inside to hear. "Bella!" He shouted with an angry look on his face. He sat up and hugged his knees with a pout.

"Aw, I'm sorry Edward, but you weren't waking up!" I batted my eyelashes like I had learnt from time with Alice. He sighed and gave a small smile. I flashed him a bright smile and sat next to him. "I'm going to get you back for that though…" He laughed, wrapping one of his arms around me.

"How about a truce if I give you something?" I smiled. I really wanted to give him something for all he had done for me. And just because it was him…

He looked at me suspiciously. "Okay…"

I lifted my hand and took of a simple but sentimental bracelet. "It's a friendship bracelet. The colours mean friendship, loyalty and love. My mother gave it to me when we went to the Markets before she got sick."

"Bella, I can't take this. Keep it."

"No! I want you to have it."

"But Your Mom gave it to you…"

"And now I'm giving it to you. Keep it! It'll make you think of me when we're not together..."

He looked at it for a few moments and then gave me his wrist. I fastened the bracelet around his wrist and smiled because of how perfectly suited it looked on him. He smiled at it and gave me a quick kiss on the top of my head. He was five inches taller than me so my head was in the perfect position for him.

"I'll keep it forever Bella."

We packed everything away and walked back to the building. Edward walked me back to my room and gave me another quick peck on my cheek. I blushed and crept back into my room. That same goofy grin came back over my face as I sunk into my bed, not bothering to get changed. That night, I dreamt of Edward. Of His beautiful green eyes, his perfectly soft tousled hair, the way sparks went through my body at a slight touch of his skin. I didn't ever want to wake up.

Weeks and months past, and Edward and I grew inevitably closer. It was soon his eleventh birthday and we all got taken to the local Pizzeria. I was really happy with the present I had bought him, it was a new baseball bat, He told me he loved baseball so I saved up and thought it would be perfect.

"Bella Mella!" Edward shouted from the head off the table. My face grew hot with embarrassment at his decision of rhyming words with my name. I smiled as I walked over to take a seat next to him. "Happy Birthday!" I grinned, giving him a huge hug.

"Thanks Bella, now, do I get a birthday kiss?" He winked. I rolled my eyes and planted a kiss on his soft cheek. "Thank you." He smiled. "That's the best birthday present so far!" I giggled and handed him my present. "Wow Bella, thanks! You shouldn't have!" He obviously didn't mean it as he ripped off the paper and took a swing with the bat, showing me an impressive trick: flicking it up in the air, tapping the end and flicking it back over. I just gawked. If I did something like that, I would have not only broken the windows, but my hand and possibly the noses of people standing within a meters radius.

"Oh, and I have a present for you, Bella." He said reaching into his pocket.

"But it's your birthday not mine!" The truth was I had always hated people giving me gifts.

"Oh come on, Bella! Stop being such a baby…" He pulled out a small love heart charm covered in crystals. "I thought it could be like a friendship necklace like the bracelet you gave me…" He held up his wrist to show me the little threaded bracelet which held no comparison to this necklace charm he was giving me. His was far too special.

"Edward… It's fine; I didn't want you to get me anything for the bracelet! It was a truce bargain, remember?"

He took my hand and pulled me off the chair and took me outside the pizzeria.

"Please Bella, It would mean so much to me if you have it…" He looked up at me from under his dark lashes and pouted his bottom lip. "It can be your birthday present as well if that makes it any better… and I'll get to see it everyday because I'm never letting go off you."

I sighed with defeat at his sweet words and lifted up my brown hair up so he could fasten it onto my necklace chain. With him this close, I could smell his distinct scent. I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was he smelt like, but it drove me crazy. He turned round to face me with a bright smile as he looked at it.

"Thank you Bella." He looked so happy that my mood went from being sulky to just pure happiness. He had always had this affect on me.

I gave him a tight hug and he returned it, wrapping his hands around my shoulders and my head. We stood there for awhile, just content in each others arms.

The door of the pizzeria swung open and Mrs. Ancaster looked at us both.

"There you both are! We were looking for you! Come on in the Pizza's ready."

We pulled out of our position and looked at each other for a moment before we turned towards the door.

"I love you Bella."

"I love you too Eddie-kins…" I giggled. He put his arm around my shoulder and after a few steps he rubbed his knuckles in my hair. "Noogie!" He yelled before letting go and running to take a seat at the table. I laughed and ran in after him.

The Pizzeria was filled with laughter and chatter as the night continued. Every so often I would just sit and stare at Edward. Whenever he caught me looking at me he'd smile and I'd turn red and turn away.

I'll get to see it everyday because I'm never letting go off you. Those words kept swimming through my head over and over again. It just made me so happy that he felt the same why as I did. I knew I'd never be able to live without him. People said I was silly and that nobody finds their perfect person when their ten, but I couldn't help but feel proud that I had.

"She has a temperature and I'm guessing it's just a mild case of the flu. So I suggest that she just stays in bed for a few days, drinks plenty of water and eats healthy. She can also take this medicine which I've prescribed… And you'll be better in no time Bella!" The unbelievably handsome doctor said warmly as he signed a few sheets.

"Thank you Carlisle, oh, I Mean Dr. Cullen…" Mrs. Ancaster was outrageous! She was flirting like a crazy lady on my Doctor! He smiled politely back.

"No problem Mrs. Ancaster, Bella will be better very shortly. Here's the medicine." He picked up his briefcase and turned for the door when Mrs. Ancaster quickly stopped him.

"Maria! Please… So Carlisle would you like a cup of tea before you leave?" She batted her eyelashes at him.

"Uh… Sure... that would be great." He said rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Goody!" she squealed and dragged him downstairs. Once they left and were safely down the stairs. There was a gentle tap on my door.

"Enter if you want to be deadly ill…" I groaned in my raspy voice.

Edward opened the door slightly and put his head in and chuckled lightly.

"Does that mean no hello kiss?"

"Not unless you want to have a sore throat, disgusting sounding medicine and having Mrs. Ancaster flirt with the doctor right in front of your death bed…"

He came closer and gave me a kiss on my cheek. "If it lets me kiss you then I don't care…" My cheeks went pink and I smiled before having a loud coughing fit.

"Wow Bella, you really are sick!" He took a step back and laughed.

I stuck out my tongue and let out a chesty cough again.

"Regretting that kiss yet?" I asked.

"Never!" He chuckled softly.

I smiled and started to feel a bit drowsy.

"Edward I'm feeling a bit tired. I'll talk to you later yeah?"

I didn't hear his response because I fell into a heavy sleep due to the medicine Dr. Cullen had given to me earlier.

I woke up in serious need of a new box of tissues. I rolled out of bed and crawled to the door. I grabbed the handle and pulled my way up the door. I saw from my reflection in the mirror that I had a bright red nose that could only compete with Rudolph the reindeer. I opened the door and stumbled out, catching my foot on the door. I grumbled to myself about my feet and walked over to the stair case. My eyes were barely open and I couldn't see my footing so I tripped on the stairs and slid down on my stomach. Once I reached the bottom of the stairs, I whimpered about the pain of my head and then got back up on my feet. "Ugh."

I walked over to find the storage cupboard full with everything but tissues. Maybe Mrs. Ancaster has some in her office… I thought to myself. I closed the cupboard and walked over to her office, growing more tired as I walked. I finally reached the door and noticed it was only three quarters shut. I peeked in to see if anyone was in there.

And there was. There were five people in there. And I could feel my stomach churn with fear.

"So Alice, Edward, These are your new foster parents, Carlisle and Esme Cullen." Mrs. Ancaster said in a more cheery then usual voice. Suddenly it felt like my pulse was in my head. My breathing hitched and my heart hammered. Everything felt like it was crumbling but I had to remain quiet and strong. I needed to know more before things got out of hand and they couldn't refuse their adoption.

I leant in closer to the gap in the door, trying to hear more.

"So we'll just get you both to sign some papers and then you two can pack your bags." Edward and Alice nodded. They both looked slightly glum.

"Hey Bella!" Someone from behind me shouted, scaring me half to death. I fell forward into the room in shock, receiving angry, confused and upset looks from everyone in the room. I turned back to glare at whoever scared me. Great, that Jack kid… typical of him…

"Can we help you Bella?" Mrs. Ancaster said, obviously fuming.

"Yeah, um, actually, I need some tissues…"

The Lady with soft caramel hair started rummaging through her handbag. She walked over towards me with a smile. "Here you go Sweetie…" she said as she handed me a packet of tissues.

"Oh, thanks…" I smiled before hopping up to me feet. Damn her and her organization…I looked at the tissue and took a deep blow to show my enthusiasm for her tissues. "Well! Now that we've got that sorted... thank you, greatly appreciated!" My face was deep scarlet as I looked at them all. My gaze stopped at Edward. His eyes looked apologetic and I just couldn't take it anymore. I quickly left the room and ran upstairs to my room as fast as I could. My legs felt as if they were disconnected to my body. I reached my room and slammed the door shut. I slid down the door and felt tears prickling my eyes. I wasn't sure what to do. I could throw a complete tantrum and refuse to let them leave, or I could just pretend as if I'm perfectly fine with the situation at hand and take it as it is. I wanted to throw a tantrum with everything I had in me but I knew that if I started I'd probably start bawling my eyes out and need more tissues for my runny nose. I lifted myself up from the ground and threw myself onto my bed. It wasn't long before there was a faint tap and the door. I ignored it and continued to rock myself back and fourth on my bed. The door opened slowly and Alice crept in and sat on the end of my bed.

"Bella I'm so sorry…"

"W-When are you l-leaving?" I sobbed, cutting straight to the chase.

Alice let out a sigh. "Once we've finished packing…Oh Bella!" Alice started crying with me. She wrapped her little arms around me tightly. We sat there for half an hour, just crying into each other's grips. She soon pulled away to look me in the eyes.

"Bella promise you won't forget me?" She wiped her eyes but her bottom lip was still quivering. I gave a light laugh through my tears.

"Alice, how is it possible for anyone to forget you?"

She smiled brightly and gave me a quick tight hug. "You're the greatest friend I've ever had Bella! I'm going to miss you so much!"

"I love you too Alice …" now my lips were quivering.

We embraced for another quick moment.

"I think I should go talk to Edward…" I thought suddenly, my throat feeling thick.

"Oh!" Alice grabbed my wrist quickly and pulled me back on the bed. "I don't think he's… ready to say goodbyes yet. He'll come to you Bella."

I felt a bit hurt by that but knew he wouldn't leave without saying goodbye. Alice got off the bed and pulled out her suitcase from underneath her bed and stared at it for awhile. She then opened her wardrobe and started placing some of her beautiful clothes inside. I watched, wanting so desperately to rip all of her clothes out of her suitcase so she could stay with me longer, just packing but I knew I had already made a big enough fool of myself enough today.

She finally finished and stood it upright. She sat down with me on my bed again. We both just sat there in silence, looking at her suitcase for awhile.

"Bella… I'm going to be crying every night until the day I die, I swear!"

I frowned at her. "Don't be silly! You have to always stay happy for me! Promise?"

She looked up at me from beneath her lashes and quickly turned her frown into a bright smile. "That's better."

Mrs. Ancaster came to the door and stuck her head inside. "Ready Alice?" She smiled.

Alice turned to me as she stood up and nodded.

"But- But! But he's a doctor! He was just supposed to take my temperature! Not my friends!" I shouted.

"Isabella… Hush now… You should be happy for your friends! Stay here please, I don't want you to make a scene downstairs too!" She hissed.

"No! But, But – I have to say goodbye to Edward!" I cried.

"He's already in the car, waiting for Alice, Bella. Have a bit of dignity and just wait here. I'll come and talk to you later."

I stood frozen. He didn't want to say goodbye to me. He just left. Like that. I collapsed back onto my bed I could feel my heart pounding heavier than ever before. I felt like I was being suffocated. I wanted so much to shut my eyes to stop the tears from spilling over but they were refused to shut. I saw their lips moving but I couldn't hear anything. I saw Alice crying and being pushed out of the room by Mrs. Ancaster. Then the first thing I heard was the door slamming shut behind them. I jumped back at the impact of the door. The world started to feel like it was collapsing around me. Like I had built up my castle only to watch as it crumbles in front of me now.

I rested my head on my pillow down and just let the tears soak through my pillow. Every time I thought they had dried out, another round of tears burst through.

Months went past and I tried to behave as I usually would, and I hoped with all my might that nobody could see through my façade. Instead of playing with friends like the rest of the kids here, I spent my days reading. I had found a new love of Classic English Literature and found solace in books where I could forget my life and be transported through to another time. I always got asked the usual "Are you okay?" or "Want to go for a walk?" But faked a bright smile and shook my head. Making excuses such as I had homework to do or I hurt my ankle. Apparently the injury related excuses were move believable so I started using them more frequently.

A few years passed and people started to not even bother anymore which suited me perfectly. No need for small talk. Only eight more years left here and counting.

8 years later -bpov

It was my Eighteenth birthday and I was out celebrating with two of the people I had come the slightest bit close to over time. There was Angela, a girl I had befriended when I moved to High School. She was one of the nicest people I had met their and I loved hanging out with her. There was also Jessica. Jessica was a bit different to Angela… more loud and opinionated I guess you could say.

"Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!

Happy birthday dear Bella!

Happy Birthday to you!"

They sang to my embarrassment. I felt my cheeks burn bright red as people at the restaurant looked over at our table in shock. People must have thought they were drunk. Which they were but they insisted they weren't.

I covered my face with my hand and banged it on the table. "Geez guys, do you have to embarrass me like that?!" I said looking up at them from the table. They were giggling hysterically over nothing, causing more heads to turn around.

"Don't be so SHILLY Bella Mella!" Jessica laughed, swatting my arm.

"Bella Mella! I like it!" Angela laughed. "Bella Mella! Bella Mella!"

Angela never usually got drunk but when she did it usually quite funny. But there was something about the way she said 'Bella Mella' that sounded familiar.

I looked away from the two girls in front of me, singing 'Bella Mella' repeatedly. I glanced over to the entrance and saw a tall man with tousled bronze hair. He looked over at Angela and Jessica for a quick moment and my heart suddenly skipped a beat. His dazzling green eyes took me back to a ten year old Bella, so naïve and trusting. He looked to the girl standing with, shook his head and walked out. Of course he has a girlfriend… it's just you that separates herself away from the world… I thought to myself.But it was when I felt a cold brush of wind that I realized I had been chasing after him. I looked around the car park but couldn't see him anywhere. I sighed and felt another piece of the heart I was slowly mending, fall apart.

Jessica and Angela stumbled out of the bar after me. "Bella? What's wrong? I promise I won't call you Bella Mella again!" Angela said as she walked up to me.

"No, I just needed some air. Are you ready to go home now? You're starting to wobble a bit…" I laughed half-heartedly.

I drove Angela and Jessica back to their houses. I reached the adoption centre with a sigh. This is why I couldn't drink with them… I'd be put on every duty possible if I had even taken a whiff of some.

I slumped back up to my room and fell into a deep sleep. I dreamt of Edward again that night. It was starting to become less frequent over time but the surprise encounter wasn't going to help matters.

EPOV

You'd think that after eight years, I'd get over her… But I was apparently very horribly mistaken. I saw her everywhere; well at least I thought I did. Whenever I 'saw' her I tried my best to get away.

Tonight was no different…

"So where are we going Eddie-kins?" Tanya asked as we drove in my car to a restaurant I had planned to take her. I didn't actually feel remotely attracted her but my family seemed to think otherwise. She was pretty, but nothing special… So as a party pleaser, I agreed to take her out for dinner.

"Don't' call me Eddie-Kins…" I said firmly. My Bella used to call me that to tease me and I wouldn't have her wreck that memory for me.

"Well fine Mr. Grumpy pants…" she said, folding her arms tightly on her chest. I sighed heavily, I didn't want to be rude but this girl was already annoying the crap out of me.

"Look, Tanya, I'm sorry… We're going to that new restaurant, La Macias."

She started clapping her hands as if she was a fricken seal. I internally groaned. Hopefully tonight wasn't going to drag on too long…

I parked the car swiftly and jumped out the car. I walked around to Tanya's side of the car and opened the door for her. Carlisle and Esme had always taught me to have good manners and be respectful. So this didn't seem out of the blue for me but apparently it was for Tanya who jumped onto me and pulled my neck in for a huge kiss. I pulled away quickly and began to almost run inside the restaurant.

"Hi, table for two under Cullen?" I asked the hostess.

"Are you flirting with her Cullen?!" Tanya screeched behind me.

I turned around in shock to see Tanya with her arms crossed and tapping her foot.

"I just asked about our reservation! How is that flirting?" I laughed in amazement.

"Edward Cullen, Don't you dare try and be a smart ass…" She was glaring at me now. Bloody Glaring…

"Geez Tanya! Calm down!" This lady had serious problems… I turned back to the hostess. "Sorry about that, table under-"

"You better not be apologizing for me!"

I swung my head around to look at her when I heard something which brought back memories I really didn't want to deal with on top of this crazy lady…

"Bella Mella! Bella Mella! Bella Mella!" I heard some girls singing. I looked over at where I was hearing the voices and saw it was just some two totally pissed girls. I sighed and looked back at Tanya who was apparently having a cozy chat with the hostess now. Talk about Bi-Polar… I thought to myself.

"Come on Tanya; let's go somewhere else for dinner…" I muttered as I pushed her outside and towards my car.

"But I like it here! The hostess was a real Darling!" She laughed.

I just sat her down in the car and walked quickly to the driver's side of the car. I turned the ignition and drove out quickly. I really didn't want to wallow over Bella tonight. I just couldn't take it again and again. I wasn't a strong enough man for her to continue breaking my heart with visions of her wherever I went. But as I looked in my Rear-view mirror, I saw my vision standing outside the restaurant looking puzzled. I pinched the bridge of my nose and tried to focus on the road.

Tanya had been complaining the whole way to the next restaurant. Getting sick of it, I swerved a few cars to do an illegal U-turn.

A few minutes later I was parked outside of her house.

She got out of the car smiling mischievously, expecting me to get out with her. Instead I shut her door, and pulled down the window.

"Hope you have a great dinner Tanya…" I smiled.

Her chin dropped and I drove quickly away.

That was enough Tanya for one night. I pulled up in front of my house, and parked in the garage. I sat there for a few minutes, playing with the strings of the bracelet Bella had given me eight years ago. I had never taken it off. It may sound disgusting but it meant too much to me to let it out of my sight. I smiled and jumped out of the car.

I entered the house ready for another night of being the fifth wheel. Everyone had moved on; except me.