A/N: I had the worst writer's block in the history of all writer's blocks. But I pulled through and got a chapter written. But guess what, I'm starting a new story, or at least trying very hard to come up with one heehee ;) Some one PMed me one day and told me that my writing skills need to improve, but in a nice way, haha. And that's another reason why this chapter took so long to be completed. I really wanted it to be better than it was originally. I also wanna go see Half-Blood Prince. If anyone saw it already, tell me if it's good, but don't spoil it for me, thanks (:

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

Chapter 13:

Feelings Are Mutual

We rushed Edward into our dorm room and I scurried quickly to the kitchen to get him a pack of ice for his eye, which was rapidly swelling and becoming black and blue.

"Ugh, the nerve of that man!" Alice huffed as she entered the room.

"Sit him down on the couch, guys." I told Emmett and Jasper. I went to Edward's side and sat beside him. "Tell me where it hurts."

"Everywhere." He coughed out. Gently as I could, I placed the ice pack on his eye. It was large enough to cover the whole left side of his face and he winced in pain when the coldness made contact to his skin.

"Sorry!" I whined out.

"It's okay. It's that good kind of pain." He smiled. "If anyone's sorry, it's me. It my fault, you didn't get your perfect birthday, you either Alice." Edward pouted as he held the ice pack to his black eye.

"Hey, don't put yourself down for that. It was fun while it lasted." Alice tried to reassure him. "Plus, you took a hard hit for Bella; I wish someone gave me a present like that."

"Alice!"

"Whaaaaaat?" she said innocently.

"She's right though, thank you." I whispered to Edward.

"Anytime." He grinned back. It made me happy to see him smile even in the position he was in. I still couldn't believe what happened. I was just thankful to have him for reasons like that. However, seeing him hurt made my heart ache. I knew very well that he was a strong guy, inside and out. But I couldn't help but feel guilty for what had happened. I had to pay him back, or at least thank him in a way that's big enough for him to accept.

"Let's watch a movie and have a little party." Emmett suggested.

"Great idea, these outfits have to be worth wearing for something." Rosalie giggled.

"I think I'll pass on that one." Edward lifted his arm up as he spoke.

"Aw, c'mon Eddie! We gotta celebrate and tear the roof of this motha fu-"

"Emmett!" I scolded him.

"I'm in no condition to "bring the house down", Emmett, sorry." Edward said making air quotes.

"I guess we'll move it to our dorm, right Jasper? Well then, ladies shall we." He extended his arm out towards Rose as Jasper did the same for Alice.

"What gentlemen." Alice giggled.

"You comin' birthday girl?" Rosalie asked me before they headed out the door.

"Uh, I'll be there in a few."

"Fine, but we're starting with or without you, just a warning." Emmett said and Alice slapped him across the chest.

"Okay." I laughed and they closed the door behind them, leaving me and Edward alone in the room.

"Why don't you go?" He asked.

"I will, I just want to relax a little before they get me doing god knows what."

"Good idea."

"And I just wanted to stay with you for a while..." I looked at him nervously as that cute crooked grin appeared on his face. "…in your time of pain." I smiled. Good save, Swan! The voice in my head shouted.

"Thank you, but it's your birthday, and I don't want you to miss the party over at Emmett's." He said sadly.

"Nah, all the fun's right here!" I laughed as I switched on the iHome and "Flightless Bird, American Mouth" by Iron & Wine started playing. "Oh, well…" I shrugged. "Not exactly what I was aiming for." We laughed together at my reaction.

He turned towards me and inched his way closer until he whispered into my ear, "Dance with me, Bella." He rose from the couch and held out his hand for me. I placed my hand in his and he pulled me up. I didn't even know what to do; I just froze in place from all the nervousness. He took a hold of my other hand and gently, he placed my hands around his neck and put his hands around my waist. He pulled me closer to him and I rested my head on his chest. I felt him breathing and I closed my eyes and listened to the beating of his heart as we swayed to the music. I looked up at him and he had his eyes closed.

"Edward…" I spoke softly.

"Hmmm."

"Are you still in pain?" I picked up my head and looked at his black eye.

"Not anymore." He gazed back down at my face. He raised his hand up to my face and brushed a strand of my hair away. "You look beautiful tonight, Bella."

He told me I look beautiful? Someone pinch me, I must be imagining all of this! My cheeks felt flushed and changed to a deep shade of pink. I lowered my head down so he couldn't see that I was blushing. Say something you idiot!

"T-thanks." I stumbled nervously on my reply. Suddenly, he gently took hold of my chin and lifted my head up slowly, keeping his eyes on mine. His face was about an inch away from mine, and I was holding my breath.

"Bella, where's your-" I backed away from Edward from the startle but he still had an arm around my waist.

"Oh." Emmett said with amusement at our position.

"We interrupted something, didn't we?" Rose asked.

"What do you need?" I asked, trying to make my irritation unnoticeable.

"Your camera, but we'll get it later. C'mon Emmett."

"Remember, use protection." He said as he was pulled out by Rosalie. The door was shut and the song we were dancing to had ended. It grew very quiet very quick. I was being suffocated by the awkward silence, so I said something to end it.

"W-we should probably go over and join them."

"You go ahead, I'm gonna stay in here and sleep."

"Sure?"

"Yeah, I've got a huge headache." He sighed as he plopped down on his bed.

"You want me to stay and-"

"No, you go ahead, it's your birthday." He insisted.

"Okay, well goodnight."

"'Night." He said while shutting of the lamp. I took off my heels, put on my slippers, and grabbed my camera before heading over to Emmett's room. I could hear the music blasting from inside.

"YAY, BELLLAA'S HERE!" Alice sprung towards me and

"Alice, are you drunk?!"

"NO!" she spat at me and then laughed uncontrollably in my face, the stench of alcohol leaving her breathe.

"Ugh, Alice, you are!" I sat her down on the couch and stormed over to Emmett.

"Hey there!" Emmett exclaimed, him also being much drunk as Alice.

"Don't you 'hey there', me. How could you give her beer? Are you crazy?!" I shouted into his face.

"Chillax, Bella, it was champagne. This is a celebration!" He threw his arms around my neck and pulled me over to the kitchen to get a glass for me.

"Oh, no thank you. I'd like to be the mature, responsible one here." I refused.

"C'mon, a sip won't hurt. Let's make a toast!" He grabbed a glass of bubbly and pulled me over to the lounge area.

He handed me the champagne. "How'd you even bring alcoholic drinks into school?"

"Heh, let's uh save that for another time shall we…err, JASPER!" As Jasper lowered the volume of the music, Emmett cleared his throat loudly.

"HEY, PUT HE MUSIC BA-" Alice screamed out but Rosalie clamped her hand over her mouth to shut her up.

"Thanks sweet cheeks." Emmett winked at Rose and I rolled my eyes. "Before I was rudely interrupted, I would like to propose a toast to the birthday girls: Bella and Alice. Ladies, this is to you." He raised his glass into the air and so did everyone else. Then everyone took a sip. However, Alice was the only one to gulp it down as if it were a shot. After that, I settled with a can of Coke and had a slice of pizza. We took a few pictures and then Rosalie came over to me, and brought up Edward.

"He's resting back at our room, but he's probably starving. I should go bring him some food before Emmett devours it all." I laughed as I left her and went to the kitchen to the pizza boxes. There where only three slices left which were still warm, so I quickly took two and went over to my room. I brought my fist up to the door, but hesitated before knocking. Should I knock first or just go in. I mean it is my room, too. But what if he's not clothed or maybe he's in the shower or something…

I turned the doorknob slowly and pushed the door open. The room was dark and there was a small light beaming from his charging cell phone. I stepped in, walking on my tippy-toes. The door then slammed from behind me with a loud BOOM.

"Shhhhit!" I swore under my breath.

"Bella?"

"Yeah, it's me."

"What's up?" he switched on the light and sat up in his bed while rubbing his eyes.

"I figured you'd be hungry." I walked over and sat beside him.

"Oh, thanks." He ruffled his hair around messily before accepting the plate. Without hesitation he brought a slice up to his mouth and took a huge bite out of it.

"I guess I was right." I laughed at the already half eaten slice.

"Heh, yeah." He chuckled while wiping the corners of his mouth with the sleeve of his shirt.

"Can I get you something to drink?"

"A coke's good." He answered with his mouth full.

"Here you go." I handed him the can and sat back down on the bed. "Sorry if I woke you up just then."

"I was actually awake. I couldn't sleep; too much on my mind." He looked deeply into my eyes.

"Like what?"

"Uh, you know, stuff…" He quickly shifted his gaze down onto his plate.

"Oh."

"You want some of this?" He pointed to his second slice.

"Um…" I shrugged.

"Yes, you do." He smiled.

"I'll have the crust."

"That's the best part!" He pouted jokingly. I ripped part of the crust off, but ended up with all of it.

"Oops!" I laughed.

"Hey!"

"Haha, here." I broke apart of it and fed it to him. "Happy now? The baby got his crust."

"Eh." He stuck out his tongue childishly.

"I'll take that." I took the grease-filled plate and brought it over to the kitchen, then went back to Edward's side. "So what were you doing here all alone…in the dark…on the bed." I eyed him suspiciously.

"You've got a sick mind."

"Ha, I was only joking!" I sniggered.

"Like I said before, I was thinking."

"I know, but what about?" I insisted on him telling me.

"You really want to know?"

"Yes." We stared at each other for what seemed like hours.

"Too bad, what goes on in here stays in here." He said while poking at his forehead.

"Aw, c'mon Edward!" I shot him a puppy dog stare.

"I was thinking about a girl."

Then that awkward silence came back, but ten times more uncomfortable.

"Hmmm, I wonder why. This brings me back to my assumption from before!" I joked.

"Oh, Bella…" He sighed.

"What?"

"You know, I still need to give you your present." He said, changing the subject.

A wide smile crept upon my face. "You got me a gift?"

"Of course I did."

"What is it?" I asked.

"You'll know when you open it." He laughed.

"But-"

"No buts. If I tell you, it'll ruin the whole surprise."

"Can I at least get a hint?"

"Nope." He smiled.

"When will I get it?"

"Are you done, yet?" He laughed.

"Sorry." I looked down. He got up from his bed from the other side and walked over to his drawers. He opened the second one and pulled out a blue gift box that had ribbon tied around it and a bow at the top.

"Happy birthday Bella." I looked up and he was standing in front of me with the small box extended out to me.

EPOV!

Man, I hope she likes it. I went through so much to get this for her. If only it were ready on time. Then I wouldn't have been late for tonight, and we didn't have to miss out on everything. Will she like it; will she think it means too much? I really wish this makes up for everything…

My many thoughts rushed around in my mind, making me more nervous for this moment of truth. She slowly took the gift from my hands and held it close to her for a few seconds before opening it. Then she started removing the ribbon.

This is it…

She lifted the top off and was in total awe of what was in front of her. I could tell because she stopped breathing.

"Bella."

She was still staring motionlessly.

"Bella?"

"Hm?" She jerked her head up at me and even though her lips were in a small pout, she was smiling with her eyes. (A/N: I watch too much Top Model. That's all Tyra says, haha!)

BPOV!!

"Are you okay?" His voice brought me back to realization.

"This is…beautiful." I couldn't take my eyes off of what was in the box; of what was now mine to have, forever. In my hands was a silver heart-shaped locket that had a tiny silver key, both on a silver chain. The locket had a heart in the middle with what looked like flowers around it and other eye-catching patterns. (A/N: Sounds weird, but I'm not much good at describing nice things so there's a link for the photo on my page :D) "Where'd you get it?" I rubbed my thumb on its design then squeezed it tightly in my hand.

"There's this antique store in town and when saw it, I immediately thought of you, and thought you'd like it." He smiled.

"I do, I love it."

"Here, I'll put it on for you." He offered. I handed him the locket and stood up. As I gathered my hair up into a ponytail, he slipped it on around my neck and hooked it together. I let my hair fall back into place then hopped over to the mirror to see how it looked around my neck.

"It's perfect." I touched the locket again.

"It suits you well." He smiled. I smiled, too. He sat back down on his bed.

"I need to get out of this dress already." I scurried to my drawers and got out pajamas for the night. I went into the bathroom to change and when I got out, Edward was listening to his iPod, sipping his Coke. "That's much better." I murmured to myself as I threw the dress onto my bed.

"I'm so worn-out." I yawned while stretching.

"You say something?" He asked while pulling the ear bud out of his ear.

"I said I was tired."

"Oh." He carried on with his music.

"Goodnight." I said, sure that he didn't take notice of it. As I started to turn down my bed, Edward began humming. I ignored it since it was soft and I could barely hear it, but then it grew louder, and more annoying. I turned around and he had his eyes closed and his head was bent and swaying to the music. "Edward, can you please stop?" I asked politely.

He didn't hear me.

"Edward?" I grew more and more frustrated as his humming grew louder. And to top it all off, he started drumming with his hands against his knees. "Edward!" I grabbed my pillow, marched over to his bedside, and thumped him in his head with it.

"What the- what was that for?" He asked in a surprised manner.

"You were getting annoying!"

"Oh, so you hit me in the head with a pillow?"

"I wouldn't have if you had just answered me. I called your name several times." I crossed my arms.

"Okay, I won't hum again."

"Thank you." I sighed and returned back to my bed, getting under the covers and closing my eyes.

"'Cause this is thriller, thriller night, and no one's gonna save you from the beast about strike. You know its thriller, thriller night. You're fighting for your life inside a killer, thriller tonight!" Edward sang out loud. (A/N: Review for Edward belting out Thriller! Haha. R.I.P Michael Jackson =/)

"Are you kidding me?!!?" I jumped out of bed and threw my pillow at him again.

"What!!" He ripped the headphones off and slammed his iPod on his table.

"I'm. Trying. To. Sleep. And. You. Won't. Keep. Quiet!" I hit him a total of nine times; once for every word spoken, and by the time I was done, his hair was ruffled in every direction and he had his arms up shielding him from more unexpected hits.

"Are you finished?"

"Are you!?" I asked out of breath.

"What did I even do?!"

"UGHHH!" I hit him one more time out of frustration.

"Whoa! Don't go starting any pillow fights now." He said.

"Why." I hit him again.

"Bella, I said don't star-" I smacked the pillow in his face before he could finish his sentence. He sighed then arose from his bed. He was still in his dress clothes, but had his blouse open with his white wife beater underneath, and his sleeves were rolled up to his forearms.

"You really don't wanna do that." He stared down at me with the sexiest smirk I've ever seen.

Yes, I think Edward Cullen is sexy! I shouted in my mind."Afraid you might lose, huh, Cullen?" I teased.

"Don't go there. I hold the title of the pillow fighting champion."

"Oh, is that so?" I hit him again.

"Bella, I wouldn't if I were you. I'll leave you begging for mercy."

"You're all talk, and no action Eddie." I smirked.

"You really shouldn't have said that." He stepped closer to me with that same look that made my knees go week. (A/N: Oh gosh, now I'm quoting from the movie, but I just couldn't resist!! lmao xD) Next thing I know, he's got my pillow in his possession and I'm looking like a deer caught in headlights.

"Give me -" I tried reaching for the pillow, but he held it behind his back, but that didn't stop me. I ran from him and jumped onto his bed and grabbed his pillow, then wacked him in the head with it.

"Ha!" I jumped off the bed and scurried to the kitchen. But I was soon trapped, there was nowhere else for me to go, because in front of me were the wall and the fridge, and behind me was the enemy.

"I think you've got nowhere to go, Swan." He smirked.

"Think again." I threw the pillow at him to distract him while I hopped over the counter, then making a dash for the bathroom. I pushed the door open and was about to get in, but he was took quick. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me out.

"No!" I laughed. Next think I knew I was six feet up from the ground because he hauled me over his shoulder. I kicked and fidgeted until he dropped to his knees and we were lying on the floor, him being the one on top.

"Hate to say I told you so." He chuckled.

"You're cheating!"

"No I'm not."

"Yes!"

"How?" He scoffed.

"No manhandling!"

"What! There're no rules in pillow fighting." He laughed.

"Well there should be." I smiled, but when I realized how we were, sprawled on the floor on top of each other, the smile went away and I began to blush intensely. I looked back up at him and he was staring at me, but it wasn't a blank stare, or a mean stare. There was something deeper behind it, as if he was trying to read me or figure out what was going through my mind. His eyes were gorgeous, and I couldn't look away; I didn't want to, anyways. I suddenly felt this strange sensation, almost an urge to do something I've never done before. Without thinking I placed my hand upon his cheek and pressed my lips on his. It felt so right, me kissing him. It was warm and sweet, and I felt a spark of something special, but I quickly pulled away.

"Bella?" He had a concerned look on his face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." I crawled away from under him until I was backed up against the wall. He quickly shuffled to his feet and walked over to me, kneeling by my side.

"Bella, what's wrong?"

"I shouldn't have done that." I looked down, tears filling in my eyes. Why am I crying? I kept asking myself repeatedly, but I knew very well why I had salty droplets of water streaming down my pink cheeks. I'm in love with Edward Cullen. I love being with him, I love spending every waking moment with him. But I can't love him. He's my roommate; my best friend and it would make things different between us. Maybe for the worst and I couldn't possible take that chance and risk it all.

"I just couldn't help it. You were right there, and I wanted to. But I shouldn't have. You probably didn't want me to. Ugh, I'm such an -" Edward had pulled me toward him, kissing me as we got closer.

A/N: I know I shouldn't have left it as a cliffhanger but something told me to, because there will be more next chapter. Again, sorry for the over-extended update, it's summer, and things come up, like surprise trips to places, and I don't have a laptop to take with me everywhere I go, but that will be changing soon! Review and tell me if you like, hated, or found something you disliked or loved in this chapter. GOOD reviews equal a happy me, and a happy me equals a new chapter!

Much Love,

XOXO