I AM SO SORRY! I must be the worst updater in the history of fan fiction. I'm really trying, but this year has been so stressful! Anyways, I know it's short, but enjoy! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! It really makes me sad when twenty people put a story on "Story Alert," but only three care enough to write reviews. THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL REVIEWERS!

Apprehension overcame me as I examined the white freesia, twirling its delicate stem between my fingertips. It was such a cliché, really, giving a girl a flower. I'd thought I was being so original just a few hours ago, what with the symbolism of purity and fragility – not to mention the connection it had to Bella's mouthwatering scent. But now…

"What will I do if she hates it?" I murmured, keeping my eyes on the delicate petals.

"Edward." Alice rolled her eyes in exasperation. "You spent at least an hour picking out that flower at the florist's. And let me tell you, convincing him to open up at six in the morning to sell one freesia was not easy. You are not backing out of this."

"But just look, Alice!" I turned, gesturing to the freesia. "Some of the petals are deformed. And the white just makes it look washed out. And – and this leaf here is smaller than all the other ones."

She stared at me blankly. "You have got to be kidding me."

"It's asymmetrical," I growled.

"EDWARD. She does not care if the freesia is asymmetrical. Relax. You're just nervous." She patted my shoulder and gave me a reassuring smile.

"Alright." I took a deep breath. "I suppose we should head for school, then."

She nodded. "Now, keep that flower safe." I tucked it into the inside of my jacket, taking care not to crush it against my chest.

Throughout the day, I found my hand inadvertently drifting to the fragile blossom nestled along my ribs. My nerves only stretched thinner as the hours passed, and by Biology, I was feeling decidedly pessimistic about giving Bella the flower.

I arrived a few minutes early and set my books down on the lab table. As I sat down, I noticed a white index card peeking out from the pages of my textbook. Frowning, I pulled it out and held it to the light. On it were scrawled the words, "Don't you dare back out now."

I chuckled and shook my head as I folded it back up, muttering, "Alice." But my fingers drifted to the freesia and curled around it stem. Surely it couldn't be that bad of an idea… and even if it was, Bella didn't have to know that it had been my doing. Before I could change my mind again, I yanked it out and placed it at Bella's spot.

Not a minute later, Bella entered the room in a rush, her hair falling in waves to her shoulders and a rather harried, frantic expression on her face. She stopped short at the desk, then glanced around with a hint of a smile on her face.

She slid into her chair and carefully lifted the freesia, as if it were made of porcelain.

Is this actually for me? It's so beautiful… who would be sweet enough to do this?

Her gaze rested on me for just a moment. Not quite sure whether I should admit I was the culprit, I merely smiled. That delicious cerise once again tinted her cheeks as she shyly turned away.

I saw Mike perk up and grin excitedly as she inadvertently looked his way. Bella smiled faintly at him, then grimaced.

Oh, I hope it isn't Mike! He knows that Jessica likes him.

I froze. I hadn't even considered the possibility that someone else would be credited with the flower. What if she thought Tyler had given it to her, or Eric? It was a potential disaster.

Visions of Bella walking down the aisle to Tyler raced through my head, followed by a sequence of scenes in which Bella and Tyler had children, grew old together, and held hands as they rocked in a swing on the front porch.

A light tap on my shoulder interrupted this nightmarish mental picture.

"Do – do you know if somebody meant to put this freesia here?" Bella motioned to the flower. "It smells incredible." She lifted it to her nose and inhaled, closing her eyes and breathing out deeply.

To confess or not to confess?

She looked up expectantly.

"I couldn't say for sure," I said, glancing at her sideways, "But if it was for you, then whoever left it will probably leave something else tomorrow, don't you think?"

"I guess so," she said doubtfully. "But are you sure it's not a mistake or something?"

"Oh, I don't think it's a mistake," I said with a smirk.

Bella's face melted slightly.

That crooked grin… Oh, I wish it could be Edward! That's not even a possibility, though. I won't even get my hopes up. I'll just assume it's someone else.

Bella could be so ridiculous sometimes. As if it weren't her glowing face I saw under my eyelids, as if it weren't her voice in my ear that I heard at night.

She would know soon enough how beautiful she was, though. I could feel an irrepressible smile inching up my face as I planned out the rest of my courtship of Bella.