Hi guys! I know it's been so long since the last time! Almost two months! I had promised you an early update but an unexpected trip abroad along with a house renovation put the writting back! :(

Now that the things had slowed down a bit I'm gonna take this seriously! So enough with my mumbling! Enjoy the chapter and see you at the end!

Chapter 21

BPOV

I woke up by the annoying sound of my alarm clock hammering in my head. I tried to get up but my body didn't want to cooperate. I opened my eyes slowly only to shut them close again the moment I looked at the light outside of my window. They hurt like hell. God, what had happened last night?

I walked to the shower stumbling on different things that were spread all over my bedroom floor. I let the water running until it was warm enough. I dared to get a look of myself at the mirror. My hair was like bird's nests, but the worst part were my eyes. They were red with dark shadows around them. I stepped into the shower welcoming the hot water running down my body.

Despite my spilling headache and my crappy appearance I realised that I was feeling surprisingly good. My good mood continued while I was getting dressed and did my hair. I was feeling light like a feather like I could even dance around my room -me dancing- that was a miracle plain and simple. My relationship with dancing had ended at the age of eight after my first ballet lesson.

It was quite an irony that Emma doesn't share the shame genes as me in that field as far as I'm aware she's just a pretty little ballerina.

I found Emma sitting in front of the telly eating her Count Chocula Cereals watching SpongeBob and without giving it much though I grabbed a bowl with cereals and a cup of steaming coffee and accompanied my little sister on the couch. Not five minutes later I was spread all over the couch and laughing in hysterics.

Emma was looking at me with one eyebrow raised and almost lost under her golden bangs; she had an expression that reminded me a lot of Renee.

"What?" I asked, tears running down my cheeks completely ruining my make up, but I couldn't care less.

"I thought you turned eighteen yesterday!" she said as a matter of fact.

That very moment mum entered the living room and after taking in the situation her expression changed from thoughtful to astonished.

"What's wrong with her?" she asked Emma like I wasn't even there. They were acting like I was the child and they were the adults.

"I think she couldn't handle the shock of being an adult." Emma responded shaking her head, eyeing me carefully.

"Oh come on, I'm just having fun watching Nicktoons. Show me some love and understanding!" I said in a dramatic tone, while fixing my make up and heading to the front door.

"Ah, I'm driving to school today!" I announced cheerfully and grabbed my car keys. It's been so long since the last time I'd driven my baby because there was always someone to come pick me up.

"Are you sure you're feeling alright sweetie?" mum asked me worried.

"Yeah sure, I'm feeling great!" and with that I opened the door and walked to the front porch, enjoying the cold, cleansing wind that hug my face and played with my heavy locks.

All the way to school I was observing the forest around me after a really long time because even when I was with Adrian I was so focused on him that I was only looking without really seeing. Autumn had come and stayed for good now.

The forest around town was dressed in bright red and orange colours along with the rich green ones. Maybe, after all I could have some fun on my alone time here in Forks, until I meet up with Adrian again.

I was standing in front of my locker putting my books in order and checking my timetable when I felt someone's presence behind me.

I turned around to be met by Mike Newton's smiley face. He was standing really close to me giving me a silly smile and trying to be seductive and charming. He failed it big time.

"Good morning Isabella." he said slowly, not charming at all.

"It's Bella. What do you want Mike?" I asked bluntly.

"I was just wandering if you wanted to hang out with me tonight, to come to my place watch a movie or something?" was he kidding me? He couldn't be serious, right?

"Mike, I'm with Adrian, remember? Adrian, who you used to hang out with?" I asked dumbfounded.

"Oh come on Adrian doesn't have to know, right? What he doesn't know doesn't hurt him. We can have some fun if you want." He winked.

The bloody bastard just winked stupidly at me. He had come closer and rested both his hands on my locker trapping me between his body and the locker behind me.

"Mike back off, let me go!" I pushed him, but he didn't move instead he came even closer, his face only inches away from mine. I was suffocating here and my breathing became faster.

"Mm feisty, I like it. Are you like this in bed, too? You have to show me." he whispered to my ear.

"Get of me asshole!" I said and brought my knee up to his balls kicking him hard.

He fell to his knees cursing and touching his pained spot. Before he could have a chance to recover Edward appeared out of thin air and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and threw him on the opposite wall.

Mike was looking at him terrified unable to do anything. Get that now asshole!

"If I ever see you near her again I'll cut your balls of and feed them to the dogs. Come closer to her one more time and say goodbye to your little Mike. Am I clear?" hissed Edward.

His voice had been harsh and dominant and had created gause bumps to my skin. I shivered slightly at the sight of his gleaming eyes. Mike must have shit his pants because he couldn't find the words to answer something that pissed Edward even more.

"Am I clear?" he yelled at Mike's face.

"Crystal!" Mike whispered, eyes closed and with a terrified expression on his pale face.

"Good. Now go!" Edward left him and made a step away from him. Mike stumbled and fell to the floor but he stood up quickly and ran to the opposite direction really lost.

"Are you alright?" Edward asked me stocking my shoulder soothingly, his voice changing from harsh to really soft and sweet.

"Yeah, I'm fine thanks." I said out of breath. I was still shocked, because of what had just happened.

First of all Mike was hitting on me only a moment ago. What the hell? Mike used to be Adrian's friend! Or that's what I thought.

And then there was Edward defending me and scaring the shit out of Mike the asshole. It'll took me a while to get used to a good helping Edward as my friend. I was really thankful of him being here on my side today.

"What's going on here? Edward what happened?" questioned a really anxious Alice whom I hadn't noticed coming. Before any of us could answer the first warning bell rang.

"Nothing I'll explain later. Let's go we'll be late." I mattered to her, because a lot of students had gathered whispering to each other and eyeing me and Edward.

Before she could answer I grabbed her by the hand, nodded to Edward and we walked to our first class.

As soon as I sat on my chair I received a text message.

Meet me after school, to the playground? –E

Huh, that was strange, but I was really curious to find out what was that about.

Sure. –B

I put my phone in my bag and the lesson started. I tried really hard to concentrate on the book in front of me but my mind was replaying the scene on the hall again and again causing me a headache. And I thought my day had started brilliantly. I had to expect something would spoil my good mood.

Alice was gawking at me dumbfounded when I managed to explain to her what had happened this morning, before going to third class, what had happened this morning. Yeah it was unbelievable. I know.

Thankfully the rest of the day passed without any shocking events. I had a really great time during lunch when Ben started telling us some really silly jokes. I found myself laughing until I had tears in my eyes. Got it felt so good. I had almost forgotten about the incident with Mike and I felt more optimistic by the hour.

I was on my way to the playground wondering, what was the reason Edward wanted us to meet up in the old playground.

Maybe it was becoming our place after all.

I was sitting on the same swing I had on Saturday afternoon waiting for Edward to come. It was a cold windy afternoon, but it wasn't raining and there were some patches of blue sky through the travelling clouds. I heard a car approaching and I turned to look at this direction and saw the familiar Edward's silver Volvo parking near my blue Mini.

Edward got off the car and grabbed something off the passenger seat. As he closed the door and walked to me I couldn't believe in my own eyes. I was sitting in the swing petrified from the shock.

"Edward what's that?" I only whispered.

"This is my present for your birthday." He answered with a stunning smile spreading all over his face. No fucking way! Was he kidding me?

Edward was now standing in front of me, smiling shyly. I realised he was waiting for me to say something.

"Is…is this for me?" I asked like an idiot! I still couldn't believe it though. He was holding a puppy! Yes a really cute, really tiny puppy!

"Of course! Don't you like him?" he asked with his expression changing from happy and expectant to really worried. He'd misunderstood me and thought I didn't like it, but in reality I was just trying to get round and find the words to thank him. It was a dream coming true.

"No! I mean yes! I love it, I just…I oh God, it's so difficult to believe it, it's beautiful!" I said still unable to move or do anything. I was just smiling widely, looking at the cute puppy in Edward's arms. My cute puppy!

"He is beautiful I agree. And he's all yours!" he told me proudly.

"Oh he's a boy! My dog! Edward thank you so much, it's the best gift ever!" I exclaimed taking the little dog in my own hands. He was so small and so soft and looked so fragile that I was afraid to touch him.

"I just remembered that you always wanted a dog and Renee always said that you were very young to take such a responsibility and I thought that now that you're technically an adult, a little puppy wouldn't be a big problem." He confessed giving me one of his Edward Cullen famous dazzling smiles.

He seemed really proud of himself for making me so happy.

"You remembered that when I was a child I was dreaming about having that dog especially, didn't you?" I've always complained about wanting a King Charles Spaniel. And here he was looking at me with his glistering sad eyes, waiting for me to take him in and show him some love. And all these thanks to Edward.

"Yeah you had a huge addiction to that Disney movie and pictures of Lady were scattered all around your room. How could I ever forget about it?" he said teasingly.

"Oh you're right!" I knew what he meant with that. When I was about eight, I was in love with that Disney movie "The Lady and the Tramp". I was forcing them all to sit with me and see those cute little dogs again and again.

"Yeah, you're the one to blame, you and Alice." I said while punching him playfully on the arm.

"What? Why? Oh damn I remembered, Alice insisted on buying you that movie for Christmas. Oh God, we caused all these mess right?" he said dramatically.

"Yeah, you'd brought me that movie along with a stuffed Lady. You created my addiction with Disney dogs." I giggled.

Wait? What? Did I just giggle? Damn!

"Oh right, I'd completely forgotten about that! I think it was ten years or so ago." He said and a warm smile lit his face.

"Yeah, I was like eight or something. I still have it, you know." I confessed blushing like crazy.

"What? The movie?" he asked.

"No, I mean yes that too, but I was referring to the stuffed Lady!" it was true I had kept it all these years, and it was the only toy that I refused to give to my little sister, I just couldn't do it.

"Yeah now you'll have Shakespeare to keep you company." Edward said stroking his tiny head.

But wait a minute!

"I beg your pardon! Shakespeare? Did I hear correct?" No, that couldn't be right, right?

"Um yeah…the dog name's Shakespeare…" he trailed off looking down at his feet looking really stressed.

"You named my dog Shakespeare? Why? Why did you do that to my cute doggie?" I teased him playfully. I wasn't mad at all I just wanted to tease him so badly.

"Hey! It's your dog we're talking about of course I named him after the great bard! You're not mad, are you?" he questioned giving me his best puppy dog eyes.

"No, I'm not mad. I love this dog and I love Shakespeare so I think I like the connection. I think you chose well. Really Edward I don't know how to thank you, it's a great gift, the best I had in ages, no ever!" I said honestly, stroking Shakespeare's little head.

"I'm glad you like it, I just thought that he'll be an excellent destruction that'll keep you busy enough and away from depression. He'll keep you company so you won't feel lonely now that Adrian's away. Maybe Shakespeare keeps tears away, too.

He's really playful I think you'll be just fine." He explained avoiding to look me in the eyes. I appreciated his honesty.

"I wish you're right. Thank you so much Edward. Really you're a great friend and I'm sorry again for yest.-" I started bubbling, but he put one finger on my lips shushing me.

"Bella stop, don't worry I understand. We all make mistakes, but real friends know how to forgive right? Now forget about it, take that cutie and let's go, it's getting late and really cold." He said with a crocked smile plastered on his handsome face.

He was right about that, the sun was down and the sky was turning a dark blue. I was so engrossed to our talk that I didn't even notice. The wind was freezing now, so I wrapped the blue blanket tightly around Shakespeare.

"Yeah, you're right, we must go and Charlie will be freaking out by now." I said while walking back to my car holding Shakespeare on my arms. Edward chuckled to that.

"Do you want me to come with you? Do you think you'll have problems with your parents, I mean with the dog and everything?" he asked worried again.

"Oh no thank you, I think I can handle it alright." I reassured him.

Edward had also bought all the necessary things for Shakespeare including dog food, toys, a leash and a basket. He'd also wear to Shakespeare his new blue collar with his name and my address on it. He'd thought about everything and I was really grateful.

All the way back home, I was thinking about my parents reactions to the dog. I haven't brought up the issue for years and now I was bring my all new puppy home.

I opened the front door with one hand holding Shakespeare with the other. Emma turned to face me and her eyes almost fell out of their sockets, I couldn't blame her.

"Mum? I'm home." I said and walked to the kitchen.

"Mum, are you in here?" I found her preparing dinner and when she lifted her head and saw me she just stayed there staring.

"Bella, what's this dog doing here?" she asked recovering from the initial shock.

"Yeah, I wanted to talk to you about that. This dog is Edward's birthday present for me, so practically he's mine now. I can keep it right? Look at him, he's adorable. Please!" I said with a pleading voice and giving her my best sad face. Mum let out a heavy sight and called.

"Charlie, can you come down for a minute?"

"Food's ready? Good I'm starving!" Dab hurried down the stairs. He stopped dead on his tracks the moment he caught a glimpse of Shakespeare.

"What's that? The dog's not edible, is it?" asked in disgust.

"Charlie, of course not!" chastised mum trying not to laugh.

"So what's this dog doing in my house?" asked dad confused.

"Shakespeare, my dog, is Edward's gift to me." I explained again, starting to get more and more nervous.

"Right, he could have brought you a whole collection of Shakespeare's masterpieces instead of a dog!" dad commented raising an eyebrow.

"I have all Shakespeare's books so it would be a useless gift, but this puppy is the best, don't you agree? Look at him, he's just irresistible! Plus I'm an adult; I can take the responsibility for a puppy!" I responded before they could say anything.

"Alright, fine by me as long as it doesn't leave his shit on my loveseat! You'll take him out for a walk and everything, kiddo. I'm staying out of shit and pee things!" said dad shrugging his shoulders.

"Charlie, for the love of God!" mum exclaimed raising both her eyebrows.

"Fine, you can keep the dog as long as you'll be responsible for him. And your dad's right, keep him away from the furniture! Understood?" mum instructed looking me sternly.

"No prob! Thank you so much!" I exclaimed. I was so happy, so excited, that I had at last my own dog!

"Yeah, yeah don't worry. I'll be here to take care of it. I'm the responsible one in this house." Emma, who I hadn't noticed entering the room came to me and took the puppy from my hands stroking him gently and talking to him sweetly.

She didn't pay any attention to us and she just exited the room gracefully with my dog in her arms. Something was wrong with that kid.

Too mature for her age!

We'd all remained there shocked watching at the direction she'd disappeared.

It was late the same night and I was lying on my bed petting Shakespeare with one hand and reading Romeo and Juliet with the other. Maybe Edward was right I had a thing for Shakespeare. After a while I couldn't concentrate on Romeo's epic words though, something was bothering me.

This day was far from eventful and apart from that Adrian had called today and I didn't tell him about the dog. I didn't know why. Deep inside I knew he wouldn't like the fact that Edward has known me better than him.

What was wrong with me? Why was I messing things up?

I closed the book and put it on my nightstand, I wanted to slap myself for being such a coward. As I was lying on my bed looking at the sealing I decided that tomorrow I was going to say everything to Adrian, about the dog and about me and Edward being so close.

But it was a good idea to keep the incident with Mike a secret because I wanted to tell him that in person.

I turned on my left side hugging an already asleep Shakespeare borrowing some strength of his presence and deciding to try and make the next day even better than today and then the next day and the next day…

So that was it! Wasn't Edward adorable? Did anyone of you saw Breaking dawn? I did and I fell in love with Edward even more! If that's possible ;)

Oh I've read a brilliant book lately, it's called 'Juliet' by Ann Fortie and it's one of those books that you cannot put down until you've finished it! For those who like reading romantic stories and have a thing for all time classic Romeo and Juliet I strongly recomended!

I've already written the half of next chapter so it will be post soon!

Until next time!

Have a nice month! xoxo