Well, it's Wednesday!

Thanks always to my beta booklover484 for her hard work and to my pre-reader nati! You guys keep me together!

Enjoy :)

Chapter 19:

The Rise and Fall

BPOV

The light streaming in from the window woke me up in the morning; the sun's rays hit me squarely in the face.

Weird. The window isn't usually on that side.

I blinked and looked over at the sleeping figure next to me, realizing where I was. My chest grew warm and I smiled as I felt the arm he had wrapped around me pull me tighter against him. I snuggled into Edward's side, more than content to stay in his arms. Even though I wasn't completely free from my Benadryl induced stupor and was still a bit sluggish I knew I didn't want to fight him any longer. I wasn't even sure I could anymore. Not now. Half of me still wanted to run, but Edward had cared for me in a way that no one else ever had. I'd been betrayed, heart broken and crushed, and while I'd thought Edward had needed fixing I didn't realize I needed him as much as he needed me.

Edward began stirring, turning his seraphic face towards me and opening his evergreen eyes.

"Good morning, beautiful," Edward hummed.

"Good morning, handsome," I giggled, high on cloud nine.

Edward lifted his hand, drifting his fingertips to my check. His caress was feather light, but still left a tingling trail in its wake.

"I wouldn't mind waking up like this every morning." Edward murmured, his voice almost reverent. The look he was giving me made me feel like I suddenly had a giant lump in my throat. I could hardly breathe let alone think, but I knew we needed to talk. Especially after last night.

"Edward, I don't want to do this."

Edward's face fell and his hand dropped from my face, like I'd burned him.

"No, no." I pulled his hand back to my cheek. "I mean, I don't want to fight this anymore. I don't want to run from you anymore." I breathed. "I— I swallowed, the lump still there. "I don't think I can."

Edward grinned, blinding me. "You're not going to fight it anymore? Us?" Edward looked at me searching my eyes for the truth to determine if I was certain.

I nodded.

"But what about getting caught?" Edward murmured.

I hesitated, thinking about the major repercussions I'd have to face if we did get caught. Memories from the soccer team flashed before my eyes, but I suppressed them. Edward was not Jake. I trusted him and I knew that he was worth it. I also knew I needed to tell Edward the whole story concerning Jake, but that could wait.

"I don't care, we'll be careful."

"Thank you." Edward pressed his lips to mine in a kiss that was so innocent, but at the same time held more meaning than any other kiss I've experienced. It was as if he was searing a vow into my lips: that I was his and he was mine.

For some reason, I was worried that the Monday following the start of our secret relationship was going to be different; that everyone would know that we were breaking all the rules. Every time someone said my name at practice, I was afraid that they were going to call me out. But even with all the fear, it was worth it. He was worth it. I would gladly date him in secret than wait to the end of the season to be with him. We'd both suffered enough. Rules be damned.

Despite my qualms, everything ran the same as always. Edward and I acted as if we were just old friends, making sure that we never lingered around each other for too long and exchanging only fleeting glances when we were certain no one was looking. After a month, we had our interactions on the field down to a science.

When we weren't on the field, Edward was extremely affectionate, allowing me to see a side of him that only I was privy to. We spent almost every spare moment together. Most of the time spent in my room while Angela wasn't there. I smiled thinking about a few nights ago. Edward had coordinated with Angela to surprise me by setting up fake candles around the room. I was so glad I had started taking the pill before I'd started college, so we didn't even have to bother with condoms as we were always hot for each other, and any thing that got in the way of that was most definitely not welcome.

I still couldn't believe that it had already been a month. The time was just flying by. I couldn't fight the smile on my face as I moved through the training room, setting up equipment for the team.

"How was your day?" A pair of arms wound their way around my waist, making me jump in the middle of my daydream.

"Edward! What in the world are you doing?" I whispered, glancing at the door frantically. "Anyone could walk in!"

"Relax. We'll hear anyone coming. I promise. Right now, I really want to be buried deep inside my superhot girlfriend." Edward whispered in my ear.

I gasped, my whole body heating up at his words. He placed a kiss at my neck, raising goose bumps.

"Do you think that can be arranged?" Edward continued.

"In your daydreams, loverboy," I whispered. "There's no way."

"Aw, please?" Edward pleaded.

"No," I hissed, moving away before Edward convinced me to acquiesce.

Edward pouted as I stood a foot away from him, taking a deep breath to clear my mind.

"You know that's way too risky, Edward," I sighed. "I don't even see how you could possibly think that us having—" I lowered my voice, worriedly. "- sex in here could be a good idea," I huffed. "I like my job, thanks."

"I know, it was stupid." Edward agreed, moving closer but I stepped away from him, still wary.

"Don't worry. I'm not going to try anything." Edward gazed at me, trying to look innocent.

I raised a single eyebrow, calling his bluff.

"Okay, so I might try to kiss you, but that's it. Scout's honor. I'll wait for the rest later tonight."

I sighed, giving in as he stepped forward to pull me into his arms.

"Bella," he breathed.

I looked up and Edward lifted my chin with his fingertips and brought my lips to his. I let out a moan as he brought his hands to cup either side of my face.

"What the hell—"

I stumbled away from Edward, shocked by the voice at the entrance to the training room.

Face furious, and hands clenched stood none other than Jake.

"Jake?" I started. "What are you doing here?"

"Does my dad know that you're fucking the team captain?" Jake spat, ignoring my question.

I blanched feeling like he'd just slapped me in the face.

"Hey!" Edward took a step towards Jake, standing between me and the threat. "You don't speak to her like that," Edward growled.

"I can speak to her anyway I want to because you know what? I've known her way longer than you have." Jacob turned his attention back to me and sneered, "I should've known the last time I saw you guys, I didn't realized you had a real fetish for dating team players that are off limits."

"Jake. Stop." I panicked. This was not the way that I wanted Edward to find out.

Edward turned to look at me, his brows furrowed.

"Bella? What's he talking about?"

"Nothing." I forced, praying that Jacob would just drop it.

"She didn't tell you, huh? Well, she dated me while she trained for the soccer team. In secret you know. But I wasn't the only one. One day, I walked into the training room to find her getting ready to give James a hand job. She thought I wouldn't see what she was up to, but I knew exactly what was happening behind my back," Jake laughed.

"For the hundredth time, Jake. He had a pulled hip flexor. I was not giving James a hand job. Nothing. Fucking. Happened."

"And to top it all off. When the Board questioned whether she had a relationship with me, she denied everything. She told me that she would stand up for us, that she didn't care about the rules. Instead she accused me of coming onto her." Jacob spat. "So, you see. Your girlfriend here is a liar and a cheater."

The room was utterly quiet.

Edward searched my eyes, pleading that Jacob's words weren't true. This was such a mess that I couldn't keep the tears that welled up in my eyes from spilling over.

"Bella?" Edward's voice broke.

I had denied our relationship that much was true.

Edward's face crumbled, before he replaced it with disgust.

"Wait, no…Edward the only reason I did was—"

"Just forget it, don't bother coming over tonight," Edward growled, turning away from and pushing past Jacob.

"No," I breathed.

I turned to find a pleased looking Jake.

"You bastard." I screeched. "I only lied because you went to the board and accused me of sexual misconduct with James! I almost got expelled and now…now…you had no right!" I yelled, tears spilling down my face.

I moved to make my way out of the training room, I needed to find Edward.

Jake took a step forward and I glared at him. "We are not friends anymore. Don't you ever talk to me again," I hissed.

"Bella," Jacob grabbed my arm.

I didn't think, my fist flew hitting Jake in the jaw. "I swear if you ever try to talk to me ever again I will do much worse than punch you," I snarled as I pushed past him.

I stumbled outside and looked around frantically, but Edward was already gone.

I sat on the sidewalk and cried as I felt like my world was collapsing because the man I loved had just walked away from me.

Hellohello!

Jacob is kind of annoying isn't he? Always getting in the way…

What did you guys think as we start to see more of Bella's past? Did Bella do the right thing? Let me know by leaving a review!

Update will be next Wednesday!

ttfn,

marie