Hello again. I found myself writing the next chapter sooner than I expected. It is a little shorter, but I expect to post the next one sometime today. So please don't worry. Then again, I don't think anyone's exactly chomping at the bit for these chapters. Either way. Chapter 5 estimated arrival time: sometime today. Don't really know when. AS ALWAYS: I own none of these characters. Thank you for reading my story, I have many ideas and plans for this baby XD, I really really hope you like it. Give me reviews so I know if I totally suck or not. Thank you lovelies! ENJOY

Chapter 4: Coming Clean

I came back to my house with both Edward and Mary Alice trailing behind me, they had promised they would help me with my chores. However, I suspected that they really just didn't want to leave me alone for too long. I searched the market place after Mary Alice paid for the beets, and I still couldn't find it anywhere. I believe Edward picked up what had happened pretty quickly, but didn't say anything and just helped us look. Words couldn't describe what that meant to me.

Mary Alice's offer still stood, she would help my mother and I survive this week. However, I was still agonizing over what to tell my mother. She would severely punish me for being so irresponsible. That money wasn't only for food. Part of it was to be used for rent for us to stay in this wretched, small apartment. Now that money was gone, and we were going to be behind on paying rent. I conveniently forgot to tell Mary about that part, but I didn't want to say anything to her, she was helping enough.

I decided to give up trying to hide my financial problems from Edward, I couldn't stop him from picking up the obvious, including my clothes, where I lived, the gossip of the town. However, I wouldn't talk of it, I would still try to keep my dignity in some way or another. So that's why I gave up and let him enter our home. The home that had been ours ever since my father's house became too much of a burden to pay for.

"Home sweet home," was all I could say as I opened the door to let them inside.

"Isabella, I am so sorry we couldn't find your purse, I'll help you break the news to your mother," Mary Alice soothed, and I, once again, was found speechless at my dear friend's generosity.

"Thank you so much, Mary Alice," I said, my voice breaking for the second time that day.

"Well, it is certainly unfortunate, but surely your mother will understand, it could happen to anybody," Edward said, a hint of confusion evident in his voice. I realized he didn't understand the problem with the rent, and so he was confused as to how I could be so distraught at telling my mother.

"You're right, of course, it's just my mother has always had the tendency to over react, and I just don't want her to worry too much," came yet another lie from my lips. I began to feel guilty how each lie was less difficult to tell than the last. I was becoming good at it, and I wasn't proud of myself anymore. I was ashamed. Suddenly, I felt sick to be in his presence, I didn't like lying to him at all. "Edward, you don't have to stay, I'm sure your parents are wondering where you are, you probably have more important things to do than agonize over a purse," I tried to chuckle lightly, though it came out edgy and forced.

He looked confused again, with a twinge of hurt touching his eyes, he looked over to Mary Alice and then back to me, "Mary Alice, would you mind if I spoke to Isabella for a moment," he asked out of the blue. Uh-oh was my only thought.

She looked between us and after a simple and soft, "Of course," she left the room. Edward's eyes never left mine, and I was stunned by the intensity of the moment.

"I have a feeling something is very wrong, Bella," his eyes held nothing but worry, and his voice was soft and caring, "Please tell me, Bella, maybe I could help,"

"No, I don't think so, Edward," I looked down guiltily, he only wanted to help and here I was refusing him, "I'm sorry."

"Why do you seem so distant all of a sudden," his voice turned a fraction harder, "I know we only met yesterday, Bella, but I thought we were close, closest I've ever been with someone, that's for sure," I was surprised by this, and I was forced to look up and meet his gaze, he seemed genuine.

"I like to think we are too, Edward, it's just that this isn't something I'm comfortable sharing with someone like-," I stopped, realizing what I almost said, but I wasn't quick enough, he caught on easily enough.

"Someone like me? I don't understand, what's different about me," he asked, his voice sounded both frustrated and hurt.

"Edward it's not you, trust me. It's me, it's your mother-," I stopped, realizing what I said a second too late again.

"What does it have to do with my mother, I don't understand,"

"Edward, look around, would you," I asked sarcastically, "I haven't been to your new house here in Chicago, but I'm positive it is like this but only five times larger with more levels above us,"

He looked taken back, "Is this about me being rich," he asked confounded, he didn't seem positive he had heard me correctly.

I was suddenly feeling very foolish, "Well, yes, I'm sorry, but if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm poor," There. Out in the open. No denying it now.

"Why are you so upset by this, Bella," He walked forward, coming closer to me. "What is wrong, why are you pushing me away," suddenly he grabbed my hands and looked pleadingly into my eyes. I was dumbfounded by his sudden intensity.

"Because, I used to be like you. I used to have the five story house with maids and a new dress to wear everyday" I said simply, "I used to have a chance with you, but you came too late," I found myself suddenly implying my feelings for him, and I wished the ground would come up and eat me, taking me to hell where I could focus on other types of burning other than his burning eyes that refused to break connection with mine. As soon as the blush began to fade away I continued, "My father left for the war, and we couldn't keep up with taxes and bills, we had to leave the house and sell my best dresses for food. I've been shunned, Edward. You on the other hand are the catch of the county, and you're ruining your reputation by even talking to me," I finished, trying my best to give him some type of clue as to what he's gotten himself into. Part of me wanted him to catch on and run for the hills, another part of me wanted him to stay and tell me it didn't matter.

"What was in that purse, Bella," he asked, determined.

"This month's rent, as well as the money for food this week," I confessed, I looked down unable to look into his eyes. I didn't want pity or charity. I just wanted to forget every moment of this terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.

"I can help," He said simply, as I knew he would. I began to shake my head, and he grabbed my shoulders, startling me into looking back up at him. "No, really Bella, I won't give you money, I promise. I have no money to give. My parents may be rich, but my wallet is empty," he almost seemed giddy by that fact, which confused me. "But, I really can help, I can help you do your chores for one, and I can do manual labor, I can do any favors you need from me, I can cook meals, and I can just be here for support" he was smiling by the end of this. He surprised me.

"You don't have to, Edward. Really, why would you want to," I found myself asking.

"Because, you're a friend in need, and I want to help," the word friend shocked me, he was acting intense, passionate, and in many ways more than a friend. However, I was immensely pleased by his concern and apparent desire to help me. I found myself nodding to his proposal before my mind even made a decision. He smiled ear to ear and hugged me. I hugged him back, mystified as to how we had gotten here.

I heard Mary Alice walk back into the room, and as we broke apart, we turned to see her smiling with a mischievous glint in her eye. Like always.

"I called meals, Eddie," she said playfully, and I found myself giggling. I saw his face turn very serious and his eyes turned into slits. There was a brief moment where I worried if he was sincerely angry.

"No one calls me Eddie," was all he said, making Mary Alice and I laugh even harder.