A/N - hey all! Sorry I've been a bit slow in responding to reviews - I'm going to reply today, I promise! I treasure each and every one. :)

Happy Halloween! What are y'all dressing up as? I'm being a French Maid/Minnie Mouse... ;)

Chapter Nine: Confession

We became penpals.

In the last week and a half of camp, we wrote notes to each other all throughout class, enough to draw Esme's attention. "Love notes?" she questioned as I failed to catch Edward's perfect shot, a triangle fold that would have landed directly into my lap if I hadn't tried to catch it, inadvertently batting it away so that it skittered across the floor. I shook my head, crimson as Jasper took mercy on me and kicked it back over to where I sat, away from Emmett's eager and curious fingers.

They couldn't be called notes, really. They were letters. I couldn't remember feeling happier than when he came over to me at breakfast and handed me a folded piece of loose leaf, a silly bow and "delivery for a Miss Bella Swan." It had been no small thing to keep it away from Alice's prying eyes.

Bella,

Since we're friends and all, why not be penpals? Running isn't much of a talkative activity for you, and I don't really see you much outside of class, so tell me about yourself!

What makes you tick?

What is the saddest song you know?

What is your favorite candy?

And 20 random facts about yourself.

I'll tell you a little about me in return, I guess. You know how I feel about playing piano, but here are some things I don't often tell people:

I am somewhat of a romantic – I like happy endings

I ski, surf, and snowboard

I wish I talked to girls more

I eat my oreos in three parts – cookie, cream, cookie

I like to make pictures out of M and Ms

I wish I was better at drawing – I used to be really good, but I stopped a while ago

I am the captain of my school's cross country team

And of course, the essential getting-to-know you question: my favorite color is dark blue.

Anyway, Esme's looking this way, so I better pretend that I'm taking notes. I look forward to seeing your answers!

Best,

Edward

I smiled on my perch near the fountain, happy that I was his confidante. Because, I reasoned, you don't just share information like this with people you don't care about. I was much more expressive on paper, shy as I was around boys – particularly the ones I liked.

Alice and Rosalie railed at me as I missed socializing at quad time each evening, preferring instead to sit in my windowsill to pen a response to his most recent letter. I needed to make him see that there was more to me than just the nice, quiet girl. And then, maybe, he'd fall in love with me.

All too soon, it was the night before the last dance. Alice – Rosalie, Jasper, and Emmett, too – were all pestering me to do something about my crush, which had taken on monumental proportions with all the discussion it received. With everyone else in camp already paired up or declared a loner, my infamous infatuation with Edward was the only gossip left.

"Just ask him to the dance!" Alice said in exasperation. "He isn't going to say no – he's a nice guy, and he likes you."

"Don't be silly," I muttered. "I'd never work up the nerve. Besides, when would I possibly tell him? We don't hang out, and there are always people around."

"Pffft." Alice and I looked up at Rosalie, who was leafing through an issue of Cosmo. Except for the fact that neither of us had made the noise, there was no indication that she was even following our conversation. She put down the magazine with a huff. "Obviously, you tell him at that stupid running thing you do."

Alice threw her arms around Rosalie's neck. "Rose, you're a genius."

"Uh-uh," I shook my head. "I am not coherent in the morning. Besides, if he says no, that's an entire day ruined."

"Just do it," Alice admonished. "You'll always wonder if you don't."

I had never really agreed with the saying "it is better to regret what you did than to regret what you didn't do." And yet, I somehow found myself staring at my ceiling at five am, perfectly lucid, and terrified out of my mind.

To calm myself from what I was about to do, I went down to the bathroom to wash up, going over the words in my mind. As soon as I stepped out onto the empty quad, though, I had to run right back inside to throw up. I couldn't believe that I was so anxious as to vomit – over a stupid boy! But he wasn't a stupid boy…he was brilliant, kind, sexy…

I stepped out the door a second time, and I was still early. There was no one on the quad, but the sun was just beginning to peek over the tree tops, lighting up the fog and the dew into a sparkling golden mist. It was gorgeous. The magic started to fade when all the regulars appeared, and there was still no sign of Edward.

Alice gave me a questioning look when she saw my blank face. We started running, and I moved sluggishly, staying in the back of the pack so that her frustration with the pace outstripped her curiosity, and she flew by me.

He didn't show up.

The sleep loss, the anxiety, the vomiting…all for nothing.

Feeling angry and exhausted, I stumbled back to my room to change out of my sweaty clothes. Spotting his letters to me, I was struck by inspiration.

Dear Edward, I wrote

I can't believe that it's the last day of camp. It's ridiculous. I'm going to miss everyone so much. I feel like I've really changed over the past three weeks, and I'm so glad I came, even though my dad practically had to force me here.

In answer to your last questions:

My favorite fruit is strawberries

The meaning of life is 42 (duh)

The best name for a goldfish is Oliver or Penelope

My favorite weather is summer thunderstorms

The most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to me…no, I'm not going to tell you that one.

Anyway, I have a confession to make. You know how you asked me why I didn't Blammo you? When I said I didn't know, I lied. It was because I like you. I know it's pretty pointless to tell you this now, and I know you still like Tanya, so the only reason I'm saying anything is because I think you deserve to know what a wonderful guy you are, and even though she turned you down, there are a billion other girls who would be lucky to have you.

Questions for you:

What is your favorite star formation?

Coke or Pepsi?

What is love? (Do NOT say Baby Don't Hurt Me)

If you had a million dollars, what would you buy?

What's the theme song of your life?

I better head to breakfast…

Cheers,

Bella.

There. I bit my lip as I reread it, scrutinizing each line. That was the right tone – light, but sincere. In my mind, it really was too late to tell him all of this, but Alice said I would always regret not knowing.

As I stood in the breakfast line, staring at my feet with pink cheeks, I sincerely hoped she was right.

He was over by the cereal, so I walked over and slid my note onto his tray.

"Hey Edward," I said quietly. "This is for you."