Hello everyone did you miss me? Sorry for the delay but I'm still here and the new chapter is ready, as you can see! So I have already told you it's a crutial one and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it! ;)

Chapter 28

Finally was the last period on a Friday afternoon, when I decided to skip Biology class. Alice was out of town for the weekend and that meant that I had lost my biggest distraction. I had been mostly spaced out and totally in a haze for the last two weeks or so but, today I couldn't concentrate on anything. So here I was sitting in one of the benches on the parking lot, trying to deal with everything and firstly with own self.

Edward and I hadn't had a real conversation in two weeks and that only made me angrier with him, because he was avoiding me without a reason. Yes I was the responsible one, who had made that not so smart decision to keep my distance from him, but I couldn't expect it from him to do the same! What had I ever done to him?

Yes I was been irrational and yes that's why I'd been so angry with myself and what was inside of that stupid head of mine. What's wrong with me? Why was I so mad at Edward? He did do something wrong. Yes he did have sex with his best friend's girlfriend and that was beyond from inexcusable, but he's my friend I should not be so harsh on him. I really can't understand myself. Ugh! This is so frustrating.

I buried my face to my hands trying to think clearly for the first time in two weeks, when I felt someone sitting beside me. I turned my head just to tell that someone to go away, because the last thing I wanted right now was to be near any human being, but when I looked up I saw the last person I expected.

"Seriously now?! What do you want, James? I don't really have the strength to play your games right now. So, please leave me alone!" I spat out at him and looked the other way, hopping that he would listen and for the first time do as I say.

"Yeah, I can see that. And that's why I am here!" he pointed at himself and smiled proudly. He must be joking right? Or did he go mad? Did I go mad and hallucinate? Why in the word would I need the help of my least favourite person in the world? He was after all the person that turned my first years in school into a nightmare.

"Oh! Really and how could you help me James? For the record I am just fine, besides shouldn't you be in class?" I asked ironically. Hypocrite! I was skipping class too. Shut up I have every right to do so! My inner monologue form earlier continued. Great I was talking to myself now!

"Ah! You know me! I was a little bit perky in classroom and Mr. Biology isn't very patient with me anymore. So here I am." he said taking out a cigarette and lighting it up. "And for the record, he didn't sleep with her." said exhaling the smoke out.

Abruptly and subconsciously I felt myself stiffening and I couldn't help but starring at him wide-eyed. He immediately caught my reaction and let out a small ironical laugh. "And now you are trying to convince me that you are absolutely fine?" how dare he?

"You don't know a thing about me, so now please do me a favour and spare me of your presence." I could always stand up and leave but I'd been sitting here first. So I preferred to ignore him instead.

He didn't push me though. We stayed there in silence for a couple of minutes. I wasn't looking at him, pretending he didn't exist but his voice was ringing loud and clear inside my head. He didn't sleep with her. Was that right? And why did he tell me that? I didn't care. Or did I?

"And fyi I don't care whom he slept with or not!" I said abruptly, before I could stop myself. "What I did know is that what's happening to me is none of your business so now SHOO!" I was losing my grip second by second.

"What I do know is that you broke up with Adrian." I immediately turn my head to look at him. "Don't you look at me like that honey, he is my friend too, you know. Back to what I was saying now, you sooo do care darling, it's all over your face!" he commented raising his eyebrow at me.

"Okay, so you know my relationship status, that doesn't mean you know how I feel about it and all the reasons that led me there." I was about to get up and leave, but he stopped me before I could do so.

"No, hear me out. I've known Edward my whole life and believe me I haven't seen him like that never before." he said looking me in the eyes like he was trying to make me see his point but I couldn't.

"Like what?" I was trying hardly to understand what he was saying.

"I mean the way he is with you now. He has changed and everyone else has seen it except you. And the most ironical thing of all is that you where the one that changed him!" he pointed out.

"Of course, I have seen it too. Do you think you are the only one knowing him his whole life? That's what bothers me most! That I'd come to believe that, the arrogant, egomaniac person he used to be, didn't exist anymore. But from what I'd witnessed these past few days he's just the same person he'd always been." I was finally letting out all my anger and frustration but it didn't occur to me that James was the wrong person to do it! That moment I couldn't care less. My voice was raising and raising with every word I was saying but at the same time I was feeling more relieved.

"Do you know what I think? That in the end all of this was just a show so he could get what he wanted. Because if he had changed indeed, he wouldn't have been avoiding me for no reason! And first of all he wouldn't have done what he did with...you know who!" I stopped to take a breath and think clearly. Finally I had let out all the things that had been burden me for a while now.

"Oh please! Edward wouldn't avoid you if it wasn't for a reason and you know that. I don't know why he acts the way he does and I don't dare to ask him, because black eyes don't suit me. And if you ask me, he isn't the only one acting wired here." He said pointing at me.

"All right I've been avoiding him too, but for personal reasons, not because I was mad at him, that he...you know...he..." okay that was getting on my nerves, what the hell's wrong with me?

"Ugh, don't you ever listen? He didn't! He was just there for a friend in need, because her stupid boyfriend is an asshole who can't see what's in front of his eyes." he exclaimed with frustration.

"Well explain to me then!" I said trying to understand what had happened and because he really got my attention this time.

"That's another story. But let me tell you this and put it on that pretty head of yours. Edward cares about you, a lot, he is very protective of you and has always been."

"Yeah, right always." I let out a bitter, humourless laugh. That I couldn't believe, because I remembered. I remember clearly how he used to be my friend and that one day he just decided that I wasn't good enough for his public status. Back then he'd been avoiding me too, and now he's doing it again. And as much I hated to admit it, it hurt.

"You really are that blind, aren't you? Edward has always been protective of you, even when you were little. He just stopped hanging out with you, yes sometimes he'd been an asshole, but even then he was looking out for you subconsciously. He did it instinctively. Don't you remember that time when that stupid Embry fell on you in the parking lot causing you to break your arm? And then he just walked away!" I vaguely remembered that day. Edward and James were nearby waiting for Emmett and I was running to get to them before they left, because Ian was on detention and I needed a ride home.

"From the look on your face I assume you do remember. And do you remember that Edward ran instantly to help you?" he continued taking me five years back at the same parking lot we were sitting. Yes he was right I did remember that now. But...

"Where are you getting with this?" yeah, Edward was the one who got to me and helped me to the infirmary, because he was close to the scene. "He didn't come with me to the hospital, Emmett did." I pointed out.

"Yes, because Edward went to find Embry to tell him how much of a jerk he was and next time to watch where he went, because you could had hit your head instead of your hand. And the least he could do was to apologize to you unless he wanted to be the one at the hospital. If I remember correctly he did apologize." the only thing I could do was looking at him like an idiot.

"Don't you look at me like that, deep down you know that he has feelings for you and I can see that you have for him. So, stop being that stubborn egoistic mule and go talk to him." I opened my mouth to answer to that but he cut me off. "Just take that from me, the person who made your life a living nightmare like you said." He added, getting up and winking at me.

"Okay, I should leave. I have some things to make right for myself too."

I hadn't much time to think about all those things James had told me or even answer to that. He had made me more upset than I was before but the battle that was going on inside me was interrupted by the last bell of the day. Soon that place would be full of students and maybe Edward too. I wasn't in the mod for talking to anyone so I decided that a ride with my car was a good way to put my thoughts in order.

At first, I thought to go to La Bush, but I didn't want to see Jake and tell him what had happened. So, I just drove around Forks until I reached my favourite spot into the woods. I turned the engine off and closed my eyes. It was so peaceful here. My head was so full and I needed my peace and quiet to make some decisions.

Had I been that wrong about Edward? Nuh, he had really been a jerk sometime but who wasn't? We all have gone through that rough period of early adolescence. You cannot control your emotions and anger and you have no clue about how to act round people that are different than you. And I was really different back then. We have grown up together but we were kids.

Things are really different when all the hormones and physical attraction gets in the way. When embarrassment and peer pressure is the greatest fear of a teenager. That's when everyone and everything changes. I didn't know if I could forget and forgive or if anything of what James had told me was right, but what I did know, was that I had to grow up and stop acting like the stubborn mule James had accused me of being.

I took a deep cleansing breath and turned the car on. The time had passed without realising it and it was dark outside. I turn my car to the opposed direction and straight to the Cullen's house. I parked my car next to Edward's and waited for a few minutes to calm myself down. I ran all the way to the front porch and hit the doorbell determined.

EPOV

Tap tap tap.

I looked down at my pen hitting rhythmically at the blank page of my notebook. I've been doing this really often the past couple of weeks instead of keeping up with what the teacher was saying.

I couldn't keep my mind concentrated. I looked constantly out of the window spaced out. Maybe I found snowflakes more interested than Biology and Maths and History… god I need to put myself together unless I want to go to community college.

What was wrong with me?

I knew what was wrong with me. What had been wrong all along since the day I met her.

Bella.

We hadn't talked in two weeks. Apart from small talk we've shared over lunch there was nothing more. I knew I've screwed things up but she was the one thinking so low of me. How could she believe that I've slept with Victoria? Did she have me for such a person? Apparently yes she did.

She hadn't even stopped to listen to what I had to say and boom she jumped to conclusions!

The most annoying part was that Alice had accidentally slipped yesterday night and told me that Bella had broken up with Adrian the night she kicked me out. And I had to find out two weeks later. Great! Just fucking great!

The last bell of the day finally rang. I was free to go home and rote there for the rest of the weekend. The rest of the family had flown all the way to Boston due to a conference dad had to attend. And of course it was an awesome opportunity for Alice to visit Jasper. So I was home alone and left to my misery.

As I was going to my car my eye caught the strangest and most unfamiliar scene ever. Bella was sitting on a bench next to…James!

What on earth was happening here? Had she replaced me with him? Or was she trying to catch my attention by hanging out with my 'best' friend?

Huh one more thing to torture my mind about for the rest of the hell-weekend. I got into my car and put on the most depressing CD I've found there. I know I was a sucker, I didn't even try to make me feel better.

I didn't know if a minute or hours had passed since the time I arrived home. I had gone straight to my room lied down on my bed and starring at the ceiling listening to music.

Judging from the sky outside, which had turned red, it was close to sunset. Gee I had to do something, anything to pass the time.

Right on cue my doorbell rung! That intrigued me because I didn't expect anyone. I rushed down the stairs and opened the door.

Right in front of me was standing my torment. Bella.

She looked bewildered fidgeting like crazy. She had a small blush spreading on her cheeks. Her nose was also pink because of the cold and on her brown locks were snowflakes. She was irresistible.

"Hey!" she said giving me a small hesitant smile.

"Hey.." nice here we go again.

"Alice told me you would be home alone this weekend and I thought to come by keep you a little company. If it's okay with you." She realized that she was rumbling out of embarrassment and she stopped blushing more if it was possible.

"Oh sure, thanks." I was so surprised and excited that she had actually come all by herself to talk to me that I forgot all about the cold and snow and I'd been standing there leaning at the door smiling foolishly.

"Um can I come in? It's freezing out here." She asked shyly.

"Right yes of course! Sorry!" god what an idiot am I!

I made us some fresh coffee before we went upstairs to my room. Bella was sitting on the armchair by the window looking down at her mug silently. What a nice scene was that. I always thought of her being here in my room with me but not just like she was now. She wasn't the funny carefree Bella I needed. This Bella reminded me that we weren't quite on good terms lately.

"Soo I saw you with James today." It was the first thing that came to mind and I just blurred it out.

Her head snapped up and her eyes pierced mine.

"Yeah we had a nice long talk. I never thought that he could be a nice guy." She said defensively shrugging her shoulders.

"So what now? You are best buddies?" I tried to seem funny and like I didn't care but even I could hear the sarcasm in my voice.

"Um no but even if we were what would be the problem Edward?" she asked looking at me sternly. Edward? Did she just use my full name? I felt like I was being chastised by my mum!

"Nothing! There's no problem at all Isabella!" I huffed crossing my arms over my chest defensively. I haven't used her full name since...ever! I knew that she hated it and that it could drive her crazy. And so it did.

"What's the matter Edward? You are the one avoiding me those last couple of weeks and now you have the nerve to judge with whom I hung out with?" she told me angrily raising her voice. She had put the mug down and she had come to face me.

We were standing face to face both of our hands crossed defensively, our eyes throwing daggers at each other.

"Me? I'm the one avoiding you? Are you nuts?" now I was the one that saw red. That girl had some nerve. "I came to your place that night to talk to you and to explain, after have being kicked out of that same house the night before! And you? What did you do? You were as cold as ice." The words were rushing out of my mouth letting out all the frustration and disappointment from the last weeks.

"No I was not! I had just-

"Broken up! I know! And you didn't have the sense of telling me yourself! I had to accidentally found out from Alice only yesterday! I who was there for you all along from the beginning! I who hated the way he had been treated you but I kept it to myself as long as you were happy! I who I'm in love with you from the first fucking day I laid eyes on you!" there it was all out in the open now. I couldn't keep it in me longer.

I was breathing heavily standing there all numb pinching the bridge of my nose and trying to calm myself down. Bella was standing in front of me, shocked to say the least.

The moment I opened my eyes I saw determination flashing into hers, before she threw herself to me and crashing her lips to mine.

Bella was kissing me. I was so shocked at first I just stood there frozen unable to think straight or to move. But the moment I felt her tongue on by bottom lip I snapped. I closed her into a tight embrace lifting her off of her feet.

I felt her tongue exploring my mouth and the feel was exquisite. Her hands were on my hair while mine was moving slowly to her waste. My pants were becoming really uncomfortable by any minute that past.

Without breaking the kiss I led her to my bed. My lips left hers and travelled down to her soft neck. I inhaled deeply her intoxicated sweet smell and then started to suck and bite at her neck softly. I heard her moaning and I knew that all the barriers had fallen between us. Tonight it was just me and her.

Her hands found the buttons of my shirt and I was impressed by how quickly she got rid of it. I was now lying shirtless on top of her with her hands roaming my back and shoulders. I wanted her. No! I needed her. Every fiber of my body was longing for her but I had to be careful here.

She pushed me aside and came on top straddling me. Without any words she grabbed the rim of her sweater and pulled it off. She looked divine. Her hair was messy and sexy and her cheeks were flashed from arousal and passion. I took a moment to admire her standing there only in her blue bra and a very mischievous expression on her face.

Before I could move a muscle Bella had unbuckled my belt and my jeans were on the floor. That knew self-confident vixen Bella was a huge turn on I had to admit. I never expected her to be like that, not that I'm complaining.

She started stroking me on top of my boxers while biting her bottom lip. The sensation was like nothing I have ever experienced. That innocent sexiness that was radiating out of her was driving me crazy and it took most of my self control not to take her right then and there.

I sat up facing her and started kissing her again. I stroked her arms and shoulders and moved to her back slowly. I touched the clasping of her bra without opening it waiting for a reaction. When nothing came and Bella continued kissing me I fiercely unclasped it and took her bra off painfully slow. I wanted to savor every second with her.

I gently pushed her down to the bed and I was on top of her once again. I started putting light kissed on her neck and then on the sensitive skin between her breasts. When I reached her belly button and the rim of her jeans I heard her inhale sharply.

I took my chances by unbuttoning her jeans and licking the skin under her belly. Instantly her hands were on my hair tugging them softly. I knew that was her way on giving me the green light to keep going.

Soon we were both naked lying on my bed with me still on top. Her perfect legs were up around my waste pushing me forward. I was trying to keep this under control, to take it all slow but she was making it so hard. I was terrified. Terrified and ecstatic at the same time.

I broke the kiss smoothly and looked into her eyes. We didn't need the words to communicate right now. Only with on nod of her I knew what she was telling me. I knew that she was ready and she wanted it as much as I wanted it. Or maybe more.

I kept our eyes locked as I pushed myself inside of her. My breath caught, it was like being whole again. I felt her tense a little and I gave her time to adjust the feeling before I started moving slowly and smoothly.

With every thrust I could feel her nails scratching my back and her moans filling the room. It was so unique and special like it was my first time with a woman. Every other experience was banished from my mind and everything started again then and there.

Hours after Bella had drifted into a peaceful sleep, I remained there awake holding her in my arms and just looking at her. She was so beautiful, almost angelic. That Bella had nothing to do with the sex vixen she'd been only hours ago.

I replayed every moment in my head again and again, still not able to believe how things had turned out, and how easy was for our bodies, our inner instincts and souls to show us all the things we were unable to say or even admit to ourselves for the last couple of years. Words weren't needed tonight. It was only me and Bella.

And that was all that really mattered.

Alright folks that was it! Finally Edward and Bella stopped running away from each other (like sujari6 has pointed out) or better the sexual tension between them has finally exploded! Yay! And there's more to come! ;)

As always let me know what you think!

xOxO