Chapter 3

BPOV-1995 Age 13

There was no doubt in my mind. I was grinning like a complete and utter lunatic. Edward was going to question my mental stability any second now. That would be bad. I urged myself to tone down the Cheshire Cat grin. It was futile.

Since moving to Forks last year, the Cullen's had become an integral part of my life. Alice was the best friend anyone could ask for. She instructed me on the proper way to administer hairspray and had my back when Jessica Stanley, the class bitch, decided to turn her evil juju in my direction. Emmett, on the other hand, was always good for a laugh. Currently, we were in the midst of an unspoken and long running competition to see who could insert the most Fresh Prince of Bel-air theme song lyrics into casual conversation. Let's just say I was smoking him.

As much as I loved Alice and Emmett, Edward fascinated me.

He was talented. I'll admit to lurking near the Edward's music room when I was supposed to be comparing nail polish colors with Alice. The melodies that wafted towards my ears never ceased to amaze me. He could skillfully dabble with Mozart and just as easily switch to Coldplay. Most impressive, however, was his capacity to make my heart race from the pure passion and conviction with which he played his baby grand.

Best of all, he was smart with just the perfect mixture of shy reserve and bold wit. While Jacob and Emmett loved to seek out cheap laughs, Edward would bid his time waiting for a clever pun or play on words. I was desperate for his attention, which he granted with a soft smirk and nervous hair tug. My obsession ran so deep that I bribed Lauren Malory with New Kids on the Block tickets just to switch seats with me in history. Sitting next to Edward everyday for the entire semester was worth missing out on the musical styling of Donnie Wahlberg.

Edward and I were friends. We talked about music together. We laughed, we cried, we got into trouble. But I wanted him to love me. I wanted him to hold on to me and never let go.

And now he was sitting on my kitchen counter staring at me, his Chuck Taylors lightly tapping against the bottom cabinet. We were alone and this was new. We had never hung out just the two of us. Jacob was always with us when we weren't at the Cullen's house. Alice and Emmett were never too far behind either.

"So…you're a regular Julia Childs, I see," Edward chuckled as I smeared Crisco on a pizza pan. I smirked in respond.

"Don't knock the grease and butter. It makes everything taste devine," I laughed.

"What can I do to help?" He asked, hopping down from the counter. I gestured to the bubbling sauce on the stove. "Stir that, please." Our shoulders were almost touch as he picked up the wooden spoon and tended to the stove.

"Bella, I…um…just wanted to say that being here right now is unreal." I looked over at him and the cutest blushed crossed his face. My crazy grin grew exponentially larger. "It's just that, I really like you. Like in the slightly creepy, hiding behind corners to inconspicuously catch just as you're about to epically fail at opening your bike lock kind of way." A startled chuckle escaped my mouth moments before Edward ran his hands roughly across his face in embarrassment.

"And I don't think I could have made myself seem like more of doofus if I tried," he said, his hands still covering his face.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed his wrists, tugging his hands away from his face. I gazed into his emerald green eyes and smiled. "Edward, we both know you're creepy, no need to hide it. What do you think Emmett and I talk about when you're not around?"

Edward cracked a hesitant smile. "That's a lie. You guys only talked in nonsensical sitcom lyrics."

I stared at him for a moment before bursting out into laughter. "What are you talking about? Emmett is all about Chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool while talking about your stalker tendencies."

Edward shook his head trying to hide his laughter. I hadn't realized how close we were until Edward's lips were on mine. It was unexpected, but pure bliss. His lips were soft, demanding, and clearly inexperienced. He pulled away a moment later and chuckled self-consciously, avoiding my eyes.

"Um, sorry…I don't know how that happened," he said.

"Well, Edward, when a boy likes a girl, certain inexplicable feelings may arise…." Edward chuckled and his lips found mine again. I felt his grin against my lips. It mirrored my own.

EPOV 2000—Age 18

Jacob leaned against his rusted out VW Rabbit holding a bottle of bourbon in his hand. Apparently I was the designated driver tonight because Emmett was two sheets to the wind. He was currently singing "We are the Champions" at the top of his lungs. We had not won anything, nor were any of us currently playing a sport.

"So, how's Claire?" I asked. Claire was Jake's latest girlfriend. She was vapid and insipid, which was not a far cry from the laundry list of other girls Jake brought around. Not to mention she was downright hideous.

"Eh, we broke up. What can I say, you can't tie this wolf down," he said with a chuckle. "No real lost, she wasn't much to look at, if you know what I'm saying. No Bella, that's for sure."

I snorted at that. There was no comparing Bella to anyone, let alone one of the girls Jake dragged around here. "Not even close," I muttered.

"What are you two talking about over here?" Warm hands snaked around my waist and the sweetest lips graced my cheek. I felt an involuntary smile grace my lips. She hugged me closer and I pulled at her arms urging her to fall into my welcoming arms. I could smell the gin on her breath and I sighed. No doubt Emmett's doing. I could just make out the chorus of "We are the Champions" ringing from the far end of the beach.

"We're talking about you of course," Jake said. He averted his gaze and took a long drag from his bottle.

"Well that must be boring," she said. Bella turned to me. "I came over here to inform you that your brother is completely out of control."

I rolled my eyes and glanced towards the opposite end of the beach. "And that supposed to mean…"

Bella's light-hearted giggle permeated the ocean air. "That means it's your job, as his devoted little brother, to go reign him in before I see naked ass-cheeks streaking across the beach."

I chuckled. "Do I have a say in this?"

"Not even a little bit." Bella grabbed my coat and kissed me hard, her tongue caressing mine. I grabbed her lower lip and tugged, savoring the taste of gin and mint and Bella.

"Fine. You're mighty persuasive," I laughed. "Keep Jake company. He's being depressing." I place one quick peck on her lips before jogging off after my obnoxious brother. I glanced back to see Bella with her arm around Jake and a light smile on her face. She tugged the bourbon bottle out of his hand and hid it behind her back. Jake couldn't help but chuckle at the determined look on her face, nor could I. "I love you, baby!" I shouted back.

She glanced towards me. Her voice carried down the beach, "Forever, sweetheart."