Hey guys. yes, i am updating. hey, am i doing much better than my last one. i do try to get a chp up at least once every week. it's not like the last one where it would be months before i could update again, so yes. i won't be giving up on this story because i will so excited for you guys to read the end to see who bella picks.

anyways, nothing left to say, but please enjoy.

Chapter XXX

(Epov)

When my sister got home later Saturday night, we talked about Bella and this time, she didn't bark orders at me and snap at me like she did on the trip. It was the longest and deepest conversation I ever had with anyone, my sister included. I found it hard to open up like I did. I told her how I was really feeling and how I was really starting to feel like I really do care about Bella. I told Alice how I thought about what she said to me and how she said I wanted something I couldn't have. I told her it might have been true once upon time, but I think it was starting to change. Then she pointed something out to me

Bella was the only female friend I had that I didn't date or isn't dating my friend, well not technically. I didn't realize it until she said it, but she was right. I never had a friend who was a girl who I was just friends with because I didn't want to date her anymore or because I had to deal with her because of who she was dating. Bella was my only true friend who was a girl.

So I made a decision.

That decision was that I was going to stop. I was going to stop trying to get in the way of Bella and Jasper and stop trying to pull her away from him. I was going to stop and I was going to stop for good.

When Monday came, I was going to apologize to Bella. However, I never got the chance to because unfortunately, it was one of the days I didn't see her all day.

I didn't see her until lunch. When I was walking to the cafeteria, I saw her at the door. I stopped her before she walked in. I think it was something that needed to be just between us. I didn't want everyone else in the group to hear; especially not Tanya. I don't need anything from her right now.

Tanya; that was something I needed to fix. We had a few weeks left and if I wanted her to be my prom queen to my prom king, I needed to make things better with us. That was what I cared about. It will be a best ending after a little bit of rocky year. However, that wouldn't happen if she was pissed at all the time. But one thing at a time.

I grabbed Bella before she walked through the door. I know she didn't like it, but it was the only way I could stop her. She turned to me. "Hey." I said with a small smile as I removed my hand from her arm.

"Hi." She said softly.

"I'm sorry." We both said at the same thing. I figured I should go first. It seem like I was more wrong than she was in the whole thing. But she beat me. She gave a chuckle. "I'll go first. I'm sorry I snapped at you. I shouldn't have." she said.

I sighed. "I'm sorry I interrupted you. I had no right. If your cousin didn't, I shouldn't have thought it was my job to do so."

"Um…do you know why you did it? I mean, I know what you told me, but is there any other reason why you got so mad at me like you did?" she asked. That was great question that needed a great answer. I knew the answer, but I wasn't going to tell her.

I gave a short sigh. "I talked to Alice when she got home. She reminded me that I don't have any female friends. I mean, Alice is my friend, but she's my sister. And I guess Rosalie and I are friendly, but she's connected to me in more than one way so I kind of have no choice with her." I explained.

"What about Tanya?" she asked.

I chuckled. "Girlfriend, doesn't count." I said, shaking my head. She laughed back. "Anyways you're the only one who wasn't connected to me before and who I can honestly call my friend without feeling like I'm forced when I do. I guess I didn't know how to handle it. I never had much practice before. Alice can pretty much handle herself in any situation. But you…" I stopped and shook my head again. I shook it this time because I wasn't really sure where I was going.

"I get it, you were looking after me. Everyone feels they need to look after me. Do I really look that fragile?" she asked.

"You didn't until we saw you crying last week." I explained.

She gave a hard sigh. "Then I guess it's more my fault. And it's not like you were wrong. People were and still are talking about it." she told me.

I didn't think I would be. I didn't want to be. It was something I made up so I wouldn't look like I was jealous, which after talking to Alice, I realized I was. But I was going to make sure that only Alice knew that. "Do you need me to handle someone for you?" I asked.

She laughed, though I don't think I showed a sign of joking. "Thanks; but Rosalie and Jasper already said they would. Besides, I don't think I need it. People just want something to talk about and it just so happens to be me at the moment. It will blow over and then they will be talking about something else."

"You've seem to be the topic of conversation a lot since your change." I pointed out. I wondered if it really was a result of it; kinda like talking about the "new kid", expect this "new kid" was not new at all, but someone's who's been here for a long time.

"Yeah…" she said then sighed. "It will be fine. Like I said, people want something to talk about and my change is clearly the most recent." She said. "At least I get a breather when I go home." she said with a smile. When she did, I could tell that all of us were wrong. She wasn't weak or fragile. She might be stronger than anyone gives her credit for. She was human and when her feelings are hurt, she shows it.

Now this topic was old.

This was the perfect time for a subject change. "Speaking of home; I didn't see your truck outside when I pulled in this morning." I said.

She chuckled. "You are very observant. It wasn't there because I didn't drive it this morning. Jacob dropped me off before he left to go back to school." She explained.

"And he left you here, without any source of transportation?" I asked. It didn't seem like that made much sense.

"Kind of. I told him I wanted him to take me because I didn't want to come home and he's gone. But looking back on it, I could see how it doesn't seem like such a great decision." She said with a chuckle as she starched her head. "But Rosalie is taking me home today." She went on.

I think that made even less sense that her cousin bringing her to school. Why would she get a ride with her friend when…"I can give you a ride." I said like it was a more obvious choice. I mean it should be. "I mean, I'm going there anyways." I reminded her.

She looked at me like she was shocked. "Really? You're still coming over?" she asked.

Why would she ask? "Yeah. Why wouldn't I?"

"I thought you would be too upset with me." she said shyly; it was as if she was embarrassed that she thought that.

"I have a test next in Bio Monday and need your help." I told her.

"Oh. Right. How did I not know that?" she asked, probably thinking she didn't see it on my schedule she had a copy of.

"He just told us about it." I told her, letting her know she shouldn't feel bad. No one knew about it until two periods ago.

"Okay. Anyways, it's fine. I kind of don't want to wait until your practice is over. Rosa can take me." she said. Now it was my turn to be surprised. I was surprised because I thought she knew. I would think Jasper told her already, or at least Rosalie would have.

"We don't have practice this week." I told her.

She tilted her head to the side "Really?"

I shook my head. "Football season is over. We don't have practice until the week before the game." I explained.

"Well, it will save time and gas."

"When you think about, we're helping the planet." I said jokingly.

She laughed. "You're right. Okay I'll meet you at my locker. Now can we go to lunch; I'm starving." She said.

I laughed back before pushing the door open. "After you." I said.

"Thank you." She said before walking through the door. I followed her in the room and to the line.

XXX

The rest of the week went by smoothly. It seem like everything fell into place after I said what I did to Bella. The track team may be shaping up to look good; I can't be sure because we have to have try outs again soon. Tanya and I were even doing better. Nothing too much to say about that.

But school was still school and I was still not sure how I was doing. My grades were getting better, but I know one test could crush all of that and I could be right where I started.

By now it was Wednesday and we should be getting the tests we took this past Monday our test back. I sat at my desk, twittering my thumbs in anticipation as my teacher passed them out. I studied with Bella for three days and a little by myself on over the weekend. I studied, but I wasn't sure if I got the right answers.

I was nervous because it would be the first test of my track season. Even though I passed last semester with all B's, my dad still stood by what he said. Meaning, I had to continue getting good grades to run track and field. I guess he believes I would slack off again if he didn't reinforce it. If I didn't pass this test, I don't think I would be running the first meet.

I wondered if anyone else was this nervous. I looked around. Some people were, but most people weren't. I don't see how they could be so relaxed. Maybe because they had nothing to lose if they fail and figure they just need to do better on the next one. Lucky for them, but that wasn't me.

Then I looked at my lab partner. Jasper was leaning back in his chair next to me. He was reading some book. He didn't look like he understood anything he was reading through. How the hell could he be reading some dumb book that he probably doesn't even understand when a major test was being handed back? It annoyed me how everyone was so calm about this. What the hell was he even reading anyways? "Dude, what the hell is that?" I asked.

He looked at me. He showed me the cover. "It's 'Beauty and the Beast'. I got it from that French festival last week. It's in French."

"Is that why you look totally fucking confused?" I joked.

He chuckled. "Exactly why."

I was right, he didn't understand it. That brought me to my next question. "Why the hell are you reading it then?" I asked.

He gave a shrug. "I wanted to see if there was anything in here I can at least kind of understand. There's not." he said, placing the book on top of the desk.

"Why the hell did you get something you can't even understand?" I asked, still very confused.

"I didn't get it for me." he answered. "I got it for Bella."

"You got her a gift?" I asked. He nodded. "Why?" I asked. I didn't even give Alice or Tanya a gift unless it was important, not for any random reason. I had to say it was kind of impressive.

"I went to the festival to get her something since she couldn't go with me. And since she's taking a third year of French class and I gave her nickname after the female main character, I thought she would appreciate it." he explained. He means she didn't even ask for it? He did it on his own? I didn't even give Esme a gift on my own. He must really like her to do and get something for her without being asked.

"I'm sure she will." I pushed out. Before, I would have told him not to give it to her or that she would hate something she couldn't understand or anything else I could think of. But to be honest, she probably would appreciate the effort. She might even try to read the whole thing without a translator, like a normal person. "Even if no one understands it." I said with a mumble.

"There's translation on the sides." He said. "But's the thought that counts, right?" I nodded. like I said, she would appreciate the effort. "So how do you think you did on the test?" he asked, changing the subject.

I gave a hard sigh. "Hopefully good. My dad's still on the whole 'pass to play' thing." I answered.

He gave a chuckle. "Parents. They don't understand." He said.

"Yeah." I said. Finally someone understood what I was going through. Though I was trying hard and it was paying off, I still thinks it's unfair that I needed to pass to do something I love doing. "How did you do?" I asked. He looked at me like he was about to answer. He didn't have to because the teacher placed our papers on the desk face down.

I flipped my paper over and to look at the grade on the page. Eighty-five percent. That was a B. that was pretty good.

He flipped his own paper over and looked at his grade. "Uh. I did better than I thought I would." He answered.

He thought he would do badly on a test? That was a first. The way I was about my skills on the field, he was the same way about his grades. He thought he was the best. "How did you do?" I felt the need to ask again.

He smiled. "Look for yourself." He answered as he pushed the paper to me.

I flipped it over and looked at the front page. I was confused. "A sixty –eight?" I asked. That was way worse than his normal scoring. He didn't just think he was the best, he was the best. He was one of the smartest guys on the team. How the hell did he score lower than me on a test? And why was he happy about that? "I don't get it. How did the hell did I do better than you?" I asked as I handed him the paper back.

He shifted his eyes to the teacher. When it was clear he wasn't looking at us, Jasper looked back at me. "Truth is the test was one of the easiest damn ones he gave." He said. Really; because I thought it was one of the harder one. Funny how much we don't think alike.

But hearing him saying that and seeing the grade he got anyways, I could only come up with one thing. "You failed on purpose?" I asked.

He smiled. "Like I said, it was an easy test so it wasn't hard to guess the wrong answers."

"I get that; what I don't get is why you did it in the first place." I told him.

His smiled dropped and he sighed. "Bella." Was all he said.

"What about her?" I asked, not getting what he meant or what she had to do with a class she wasn't in; at least not in the period with us.

"Okay, I'm going to tell you something. Last week at the party, we kinda…hung out in my room." I didn't have to ask to know what he meant. I'm glad I left when I did. The last thing I needed was to see her walk out of his room. I had to remind myself I was letting her go. I gave a nod so he could continue. "Well, the following Monday, I asked her to that French festival. We couldn't go because I had the track things and she was busy all week and she was busy with you." He said.

"She's helping me with my work." I told him. It wasn't like everyone didn't know already. As soon as Bella changed, Alice couldn't wait to tell everyone that the smartest girl in school was helping me with my work. I don't know why and I didn't ask. I thought it would be best if I didn't because I would probably get an answer I wouldn't understand or would like.

Jasper sighed again. "I know and I'm glad you got your grades up because I don't think we would have gotten as far as we did without you, but I'm going to be honest with you, I'm fucking jealous of you, man." He said. He gave a light chuckle. He made it seem like he was joking, but something told he wasn't as light hearted about it as he made it seem.

"Me?" I asked. He nodded. "Why the hell are you jealous of me?" I asked. I mean, I knew all the reasons why someone would want to be jealous of me. But Jasper was almost just as good as me at football. I would honestly say better than me at track. And we all know where we both stood where it came to Bella. What the hell did he have to be jealous for?

"Come on, dude. You've been to her house way more times than I have. You get to hang out with her every week. You even met her family before me." he said, all in a slightly bitter tone. The way he said all that in a row like that made me think he was right. I was doing all that. It was all for school, but still. She was even ahead of everybody with my family. The first time we went on our trip, that was the first Rosalie, Jasper or Emmett has met my mother and father. Bella, on the other hand, met my mother before then because she was over my house. I see his point. I would be jealous too and it's definitely a good change of pace for our roles to be reversed when it came to the matter.

"Yeah, but all that is for my schoolwork." I told him.

"I know that. And like I said, I'm happy for you for getting your grades up with her help. But it wasn't the first time we couldn't hang out because she was helping you or I was doing something with the team. So I thought if I told her I needed some extra help, I could use that as an excuse."

"Excuse for what?" I asked

He rolled his eyes. "Do you really need me to spell it out for you?" he asked. He kind of did. I wasn't sure what he really meant.

But I acted like I did. I shook my head. "Guess not. So let me get this straight; you purposely failed a test so just so you hang out with Bella?" I asked.

He chuckled. "Damn, when you put it like that, you make me sound fucking desperate." He joked. He said it, but I won't say I wasn't thinking it. I mean, who the hell does something like that? He could pass easily and he fails just to hang out with someone he sees on a daily bases anyways. It was a little on the "look at me, pay attention to me" side. "But yeah, basically." He said.

"She's going to know you failed on purpose." I told him, reminding him that she knew how smart he was. If she didn't, she knew how smart his sister was so she could guess.

He gave a shrug. "Maybe, but like I said, it's just an excuse." He said.

"Is hanging out with her really that damn important to you that you fail a test and mess up your grade?" I asked.

He laughed. "You sound like my damn father." He joked. I realized I did. I did sound like a father. I use to just care about me. Since when the hell did I care if he fails the class or not? "Besides, it's only one test. It would fuck up my GPA. And to answer your question, yeah it is. It seems like we never get to hang out alone. We're either at school or surrounded by a hundred other people at a party. It's never just her and me. I like hanging out with her and I thought it would be good if it was just me and her for once." He answered.

"You really like her."

He chuckled. "I guess I do." He answered. What? What was he talking about? It wasn't until he answered when I realized I said that out loud when I thought I said in my head. I hope that was the first and only time I did that. I don't think anyone needs to know what the hell goes on in my head sometimes.

The bell ending class ended. "When are you giving her the book?" I asked. If I was being honest, I didn't really give a damn about the answer. I just saw it on the top of his stack of books and notebooks as we gathered our things. and since we were talking about her anyways – so much for the topic change…

He looked at it as if he also just remembered it was there. He gave a shrug. "I don't know; probably today. Hey, do you think I should even give it to her? I mean, does giving her a present for no reason seems weird, right?" he asked. I wanted to laugh at how he kept coming to be for advice about Bella. I'm sure he would stop if he knew I was telling him to keep him away from her and not to make them closer.

Well, I was; as in, not anymore. "I don't know. Whatever you think is best." I answered half-heartedly.

"Uh…." He gave a face full of thought. "Maybe I will give it to her next week." He answered. I grabbed my things and we walked out the room.

The conversation switch completely as we walked to our next class. We were talking the track try-outs we had to help coach with last and this week. He gave a laugh at a joke I made about one of the runners. He was responding when we heard someone call my name.

"Edward." I heard my girlfriend behind us.

Jasper rolled his eyes at her voice. "I'll catch you later." He said. I nodded before walking ahead of me. Ever since he's been hanging out with Bella, he makes it a point to stay away from Tanya whenever possible. He says it was because nothing good ever comes from being around Tanya. I wouldn't disagree with him, considering what she has been doing to Bella and him. Then again, was I really any different than her?

I turned to Tanya. She had a booklet in her hands and that was all. I wondered where her books were. Kate was probably carrying them or something. "Yes?" I said as she got close.

She gave a huge smile. "I found what I want."

"For what, babe?" I asked.

She gave my shoulder a shove. "For next week, silly." She said. I gave her a confused looked. Now she was talking about next week? What the hell was happing next week and why did she and Jasper keep bringing that up? When she saw my face, her smile turned into a pissed off frown. "Don't tell me you don't know." she demanded. I gave a shrug. "Damn it, Edward, I can't believe you forgot." She gave a whine. I tried hard not to be annoyed, but I don't know if I succeed. And I was more annoyed because I wish she would just tell me. "February 14th?" she said like that should ring a bell. I guess it kinda did. Was there something specific about that day? "Valentine's Day?" she concluded.

Oh, now I understand why Jasper was talking about giving Bella the book then. I looked at the booklet and saw it was something from a jewelry store and now I understand why she has it. "Right. I knew that." I lied.

She smiled again, clearly believing it. "Anyways, I found what I wanted so you don't stress yourself the day before." she said, full of excitement.

"Okay, baby, what is it?" I asked. This should be interesting. Whenever a damn gift giving holiday – Christmas, her birthday, Valentine's Day, the anniversary of when we started dating – she has to pick the most expensive thing she can find.

She opened the booklet to the page she wanted and showed me. She pointed at a bracelet on the page. The bracelet was gold with different size hearts all over it. It was marked at the "Valentine's Day Special". "It's twenty-four carat gold and the hearts are filled with diamonds. It's perfect and I can totally see myself with it. Please, Edward, it would my favorite thing in the whole world." She said.

When I decided to back off Bella, I also decided to work on my relationship rather than worrying about the status of someone else's. It was what was best, right? No need to stress over something that didn't involve me when I already had a handful to deal with in Tanya.

"What baby wants, baby gets, right?" I said with a smile.

She gave a happy squeal before grabbing me and kissing me on the lips I didn't pull away like I usually would. "When do I get it?" she asked when she finally pulled back.

I would have told her whenever the hell I get it, but I was trying to be a better boyfriend. "Can't tell you. I have to keep something a secret." I told her.

"Aw, Edward Cullen, such the romantic." She said with a smile as she wrapped her arms neck. She gave me another kiss. This one was just a peck, which made it not as long as the first one. "Fine, I will leave it alone for now." She pulled me into a hug. Be a better boyfriend, I reminded myself and made myself hug her around the waist.

While we were in our embraced, people were walking by and looking at us. I try to act as if it didn't bother me, but better boyfriend or not, I still had a problem with her being all over me in front of people. Then someone else passed us. "Hey Edward." Bella said as she passed us.

I pulled away from Tanya. "Hey, Bella." I replied.

Tanya looked over her shoulder. She rolled her eyes at what she saw. "Speaking of alone. We were just talking about Valentine's Day, Bella, which is how I'm assuming you would be spending another one, alone. I mean, it makes sense because who wants to spend a holiday all about love, affection and intimacy with someone like, well…you." She said with a smirk.

I was going to pull Tanya away from Bella, but Bella gave the same smirk back. "You're right, Tanya, I will be alone. However, it's not for the reason you think. I chose not to celebrate a holiday that was once beautiful that has been glorified by the card, flower, and chocolate companies so that guys are force to buy their girlfriends something shiny to distract them from any wrong doing. I mean, it's not difficult when their attention span is no longer than a few minutes, you know, kind of like…your." Bella replied. Right, I forget she can stand up for herself against my girlfriend now.

Tanya's smile turned into a glare. "Bitch." She snapped.

"Child." Bella replied before turning and walking away from us.

Tanya gave a groan. "Damn, I really fucking hate her." she said. I wondered if she was saying that because she was no longer her little punching bag. Probably not; if I remember correctly, she hated her before, but I don't know if it was this much.

I moved my hand to hers and grabbed it. "Come on, I'll walk you to class." I told her before we started walking in the direction of her class, which was in the opposite of mine. That means I might be late today.

"Why are you holding my hand?" she asked as we walked. I looked down and remembered I didn't let go. I also knew the reason she was asking. But I wasn't going to let her know I knew.

"What do you mean?" I asked her as I still didn't let go.

"I mean, I usually have to glue our hands together for this to happen." She pointed out. That means she has noticed how I am when it comes to that stuff. And yet, she still tries to make me "one of those boyfriends". That didn't make sense. What is it with girls and trying to change the person they're dating. The way I see it, you know how the person was the way they are before you started dating them, why should they change after the fact? I'm sure it made sense to girls. It was too bad that Tanya never had much success.

I gave a shrug. "I know how much you love stuff like this so I was trying to be a better boyfriend and give you what you want." I told her. "But if you don't want me to…" I said, trying to slip my hand out of her grip. Before I could completely get it out, she tightened her grip.

"Never said that. By the way, I love the boyfriend you were, but change is nice. You are the best boyfriend ever." She said before reaching up to kiss my cheek. "I can't believe you're getting me that bracelet. I can't wait to wear it to school and show it off."

"Are you sure you should do that?" I asked.

"Duh, Edward. I can't wait to see the jealous look on everyone's faces. Especially that 'Bella'." She gave a disgusted groan, as if the mire sound of Bella's name made Tanya gag. "I mean who changes their name like that. And those clothes…"

"Tanya, I've seen you wear much worst things." I pointed out.

"Yeah, but on me, it looks hot. On her, she looks just awful. Gosh, she's such an attention slut. But when I walk in the school with bracelet, everyone's attention will be where it should be; on me." she said with a smile. She gave a small excited sound. "I'm so excited. We're definitely going out Tuesday so I can get it the day before."

Okay, I think I was officially annoyed with this "be a better boyfriend" thing I was trying to do. "Whatever you want." I sighed, rolling my eyes. Luckily, she didn't see the eye roll and she was to fucking caught up in herself to notice my tone.

"And that's why I love you." She said before kissing my cheek again. This time, I didn't hesitant to lean away so she didn't have her lips there for too long. We finally got to her class. It was time for her to let my hand go. I tried to pull it out of her grip without her noticing. It's just too bad she did. She tightened her grip again before placing both of her hands on my arms. "I'm really glad I'm dating you." She said with a smile.

"Really?" I said confused. That was the nicest thing she has ever said to…well…anyone. I think that was the first nice thing I ever heard her said.

She nodded. "Of course. It gives girls another reason to be jealous of me." she said. When she did, I realized something. She reached up and kissed me on the lips. "See you after class." She said before walking into her classroom.

While I was walking back in the direction of my class, what she said kept replaying in my head. When she said, it made everything so clear. I don't know why I didn't see it because she kissed me and her tried to hold my hand while we're at school for the same reason I didn't. She wanted people to see. She wanted people to know who we were dating. It was because she was doing it, dating me, for the same reason I was.

It was because I made her look good. I don't think I know how I feel about that.

welcome to the bottom of the page.

on a quick side note, i have decided to redo APL and AM. even anyoen wants to read it, it will be on the wattpad, but i won't post it until the summer. but i would love some ideas of what to do with the story and the characters. i changed the name of everyone in the story as well as the setting. if you want to know, i will pm you; but if a lot of people want to know it, i will put it on the AN of the next chp.

anyways. nothing else to really say, but of course, thx for all the love and reviews and support. i love you all so much.

Luv & Rockets