Disclaimer : I do not own Twilight

BPOV

I heard the sound of a car horn, looked out of the window to find Edward leaning against his shiny Volvo, seeming anxious. He saw me standing and smiled that crooked smirk I love. Although my nightmares were still keeping me up, I had dreamt of Edward last night, of him holding me, of his luscious lips on mine, of his warm hands caressing my face…

I hurried downstairs, glad my parents had already left for work. The cold outside lost its effect once Edward walked up to me and held me in a tight embrace.

I stared up into his dazzling green eyes.

"Good morning my sweet Bella," he whispered before leaning in and brushing his lips against mine. If he wanted the kiss to be quick, sweet and tender, I sure didn't. Because the moment his lips touched mine, I felt passion, need, lust. Unfortunately we needed oxygen at some point.

As a true gentleman, Edward opened the passenger's seat door for me and soon we drove off to school.

"Where are the girls?" I asked him, feeling the anxiety inside my chest welling up. A new feeling overwhelmed me as well though, the need to push my fear away and trust Edward.

"Rose and Alice got a ride with my dad. They wanted to give us some privacy," he smirked.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

"I'm worried," I admitted.

"About?"

"People at school; how they will react."

"I don't care how they react actually. I just want to be with you Bella."

I was right to be worried. At school everyone was staring at us. Most of the girls were giving me angry looks. Edward and I were walking hand in hand towards our calculus class when I saw Tanya heading our way. She looked at our entwined hands and made a choking sound.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she asked me, coming really close with fierce eyes.

"Hi Tanya," Edward adressed her, "This is Bella, my girlfriend."

He squeezed my hand trying to make me feel more comfortable. No chance I would get comfortable though, with Tanya leaning in even closer.

"Let go of his hand, bitch."

My immediate instinct was to back away and I tried to let go of Edward's hand. He obviously had other plans, holding my hand even tighter and pulling me behind his back. I love the way he tried to protect me.

Stop shaking Bella, you sissy.

"What's your problem Tanya?" Edward growled.

"Edward, that girl can't satisfy you," Tanya yelled, making sure the entire hallway heard everything she said. "She's a sophomore without experience."

She looked away from me to him. Her eyes changed into longing eyes, hungry eyes as she moved her slim body and huge boobs to his body.

"I know what you want in bed Edward," she purred, "I know your every need."

Goosebumps took over my entire body and I watched both of them in disgust.

And then just there and then, she tried to kiss him. Thank God he moved away quickly, leaving her standing there open mouthed.

"Tanya, I broke up with you five months ago." Edward talked more loudly as well, "I don't want you anymore. Besides, you never satisfied me. Holding Bella's hand is even more satisfying than having sex with you."

Emmett was standing next to us suddenly, startling me with his booming voice.

"Hey, what's wrong guys? The entire hallway is staring at you. Calm down."

Emmett pulled Tanya away from us, in reaction she ran away angry.

I was still hiding behind Edward, still shaking when Emmett came up to me.

"Hi Bella, I'm Emmett."

I relaxed once I felt Edward caress my hand.

"Hello Emmett."

My voice was still cracked.

"I bet Edward talked about me a lot?" Emmett asked smiling.

I nodded and smiled. He seemed friendly enough to me.

During calculus, Tanya had disappeared. Thank God.

"Did you mean what you said to Tanya?" I whispered to Edward.

He nodded. "You are much more satisfying than Tanya ever could be. Actually I'm glad you don't want to have sex with me."

"Oh."

"I don't mean it in a bad way," he explained. "Holding your hand or touching you is so satisfying. Kissing you is over the top. I would lose myself making love to you. Trust me. I can't handle that momentarily. You are way too attractive to me."

I couldn't stop smiling.

"Did you plan something on Saturday for your birthday?"

Did he just ask me about my birthday?

"How did you know?"

"Rosalie, Alice…" he mentioned.

Ask him Bella. Maybe he'll agree.

"Actually, my mother asked me to invite your dad, Rosalie, Alice and you over for lunch at my place. But I understand if you're not into such a thing."

"Your mother knows about us?"

Edward seemed surprised, probably thinking my parents were overprotective and the reason I was that distant to boys.

"I told my parents yesterday. They were happy for me. My mother thinks you're a nice boy."

"She's right," he smirked.

"Show off," I whispered and punched him in the ribs in the most loving way I could.

"So what do you think? Do you want to join us for lunch?" I asked again.

"Alice is back in Boston then, but I guess the rest of us can come. I have one condition though."

"Shoot."

"I'll come to lunch if you'll have dinner with me on Saturday night," he explained "I convinced my dad and Rose to go and see a movie. We'll have the house to ourselves. I can make you dinner and we can enjoy an evening together."

Panic entered my system and filled my head once again. What a dramatic day!

"I don't know Edward. You know how I feel about being alone with you."

"It's just an evening like every evening Bella, a bit more romantic though, I hope. Are you afraid to lose control Isabella Swan?"

"No, I'm afraid you'll lose control and want more."

I looked at him for an instant but then quickly looked away.

"I won't Bella," he kissed my hand. "I will never force you to do something you don't want to. I just want to spend an evening holding you in my arms and kissing you. I promise I'll be a good boy. Try to trust me ok?"

I nodded.

"Do we have a deal Bella?"

"We have a deal", I whispered.

EPOV

Emmett congratulated me at lunch time.

"Well done buddy, a sophomore! Tell me," he shoved me, "I bet she's a tiger in bed."

"Shut up Emmett. It's not like that at all."

"No sex?" he asked.

I shook my head.

"Wow, you must really like her."

I never had expected such a reaction of him. I thought he could only think of sex. I guess the look I gave him was one of awe and disbelief, because he started explaining.

"Two summers ago, I met this girl at football camp, Lila. She was beautiful and smart. The longing for her was extreme, but she was a virgin. And frankly, knowing we would never meet again, I did not want to take advantage of that. So we made out like hell for three weeks, but we never had sex. It was the longest I had to last without sex."

"You never saw her again?"

I felt sorry for him it hadn't worked out with that girl because he deserved a girl who loves him, who wants more than a one night stand. Every girl he met the past few years is after having sex with him, nothing more.

"No, she lived in France. However, Bella is way more attractive than Lila. It must be tough, not to have sex with her."

"It's not actually. I love being around her. And believe me, kissing her is exciting enough."

He nodded. But if he really understood, I would never know.

On Wednesday Alice and me, we went to the mall to buy a gift for Bella's birthday. Rosalie couldn't come as she had something to do. It was weird though, because lately Rosalie was preoccupied. She stayed in her room all the time, texting a lot. Maybe Alice knew more?

It took me five stores to find the perfect gift. But then I saw it, a white golden bracelet with hearts engraved in it. It cost me my entire savings, but it was worth it. The store owner convinced me to engrave my name inside. In order to do so, she needed one hour. Alice and I tried to entertain ourselves during an hour. We got ice cream and sat on a wooden bench, watching people walking by. I was going to ask Alice if she had any idea what was wrong with Rose, when Alice started moaning. I looked at the crowd and saw Jasper passing by. Alice started blushing when Jasper noticed her and walked over to us. His eyes were suspicious when he looked at me, sitting comfortably close to Alice.

"Hey Alice," he said.

He had a boyish voice but I had to admit he seemed very nice.

"Hi Jasper," she said in the sweetest voice I had ever heard from her. "This is my cousin Edward."

He relaxed immediately and I shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you man."

They started talking small talk. I think they mentioned both the weather and their homework. He took a seat next to her and looked at her in a very sweet way. He clearly liked her.

"I'm heading for this beach party right now," he mentioned, "Would you like to join me?"

"I'm not allowed to go out on school nights Jasper," she murmured.

"But sometimes big bro has to make exceptions." I looked at her and she smiled.

"You go ahead, but please be back before 11 PM, ok?"

She hugged me tight. "Thanks Edward."

She got up and I handed her a few dollars for dinner.

"Enjoy yourself."

Alice smiled at me while walking away.

When I got home, I stored the bracelet away safely before heading for Rosalie's room. I knocked and walked in. She was on the phone.

"I have to go. Sorry. Bye."

She laid down her phone and blushed real hard.

"Hey sis," I took a seat at her desk, "Everything alright?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" she asked.

"You've been avoiding me lately."

"No I haven't."

"Rose…"

"I've been busy, that's all. Homework, catching up with Bella, friends, dad, Alice…"

"Boyfriend?" I guessed.

She looked up at me and quickly looked down again, blushing.

"Boyfriend," I realized.

Wow, first Alice, now Rose. It was hard enough to take care of one of my girls, but both of them would be a fulltime job.

"Who is he?" I asked.

"You don't know him," she stated.

"How old is he?"

No answer. That's not good. My mind was racing with possible ages this guy could have.

"Rosalie," I took a seat on the bed next to her, "You know you can tell me everything right?"

"I know Edward, but this is something I need to keep for myself for a while."

"Just tell me how old he is."

"It doesn't matter Edward. We're not even a thing yet. He's just being sweet, he helped me throughout the past few months and I like him. But no one says he likes me too."

"Did he ask you out yet?"

"No," she said quickly, "Maybe... well yes, I guess he did."

"Then he likes you Rose."

The smile that lit Rosalie's face was horrible for me to look at. She obviously liked him as well. Damn it!

"Why don't we double date?" I asked her.

"No Edward," she shook her head, "If I decide to date this guy, I'll do it alone. Just me and him. I'm a big girl."

I got up from her bed, hoping we would have a more constructive talk about this some other day.

"Please be safe sis," I said leaving the room, "Teenage guys, they only have one thing in mind."

BPOV

If the girls at school had been acting jealous all week, the guys were even worse. They kept circling around me like vultures. The word had been out me and Edward were dating. And apparently we'd had sex from day one. I hated the way boys were looking at me now, undressing me with their eyes. As if, because Edward supposedly had, everyone could get inside my pants now. Even the nicer geeky boys, like Mike or Eric, were way too nice around me. I swear they were taking turns on asking me out. Thank God I had Alice and Rosalie by my side most of the times.

I was so looking forward to the weekend, being able to celebrate my birthday with Edward. I hadn't seen him a lot that week, being busy catching up school work. But Saturday would be our day. My mom was excited about lunch, going out of her mind to prepare a nice meal for the six of us.

Of course I was getting extremely nervous for my romantic dinner with Edward. But I had learned to trust him. He had promised he wouldn't hurt me. And my parents had told me I needed to take a leap of faith for once. I had been hurting too long. It was time to enjoy now. It was time to act as a teenager.

With James in the back of my mind and Edward in there as well, I went to bed Friday evening, hoping nightmares wouldn't haunt me as much as they always did.

AN: Thanks all for the many reviews and followers. I hope you like this chapter as well. I'm trying to post them as soon as possible. xxx Steph