A/N: OK. So it seems I lost a few fans with this story. I honestly, don't care. This is fiction after all, and it's my fiction. I know this Edward is hard to swallow, but the backlash I received truly was unnecessary. Nonetheless, I continue with my story.

As I mentioned in my other story, things have been hectic for me in real life. I thought I would have an update when I got back from vacation, but the only thing that happened was some time in the hospital. So of course, this all just gave me some huge writer's block. I'm back though and I hope you like.

Also, I realized I made a booboo in my last chapter. In Edward's POV, I wrote that he was with Tanya and Jessica; I meant to write Tanya and Lauren. I've corrected that now. Sorry for the confusion! Here's more of Edward and the beginning of the back story.

As always, Twilight and all characters belong to Ms. Meyer. I own some hospital bills…

Chapter 4 – Lady with a Spinning Head

EPOV

Things were going horribly wrong for me. First, I lost Bella and then I didn't get the chief of staff position. My father came down shortly after his board meeting to hand me the bad news personally.

I was sitting in my office after my mother left thinking of what I could do to fix things with Bella. She was my life and I totally ruined it for both of us. What the hell was I thinking being with those two girls? I didn't even like them or care about them in any way. This went beyond a moment of weakness, too.

I shook my head at the thoughts just as my father walked in.

"Edward…" he started.

"Dad, give me the good news," I said giving him my best smile.

He looked down to the floor, his face changing. He was nervous about something.

"Edward, you didn't get the promotion."

I stared at him with shock written all over my face. "But…you said… I don't understand…" I shook my head in disbelief.

"Yes, I know what I said, but when I went in to that meeting I realized you weren't ready for the job yet."

"What?!" I yelled. "What do you mean? What did you tell the board?" My father betrayed me. I couldn't believe it.

He sighed. "I told them the truth. You weren't ready for the responsibility. You are great at what you do, but you are still too young. You're only twenty-eight. A few more years under your belt will be good for you. You've only been chief resident for just under six months."

"That shouldn't matter…" he raised his hand to stop me.

"It does matter. The only reason you were even made chief resident was due to the fact that you threw yourself into your work because of what happened between you and Bella. The board felt bad for you and thought they could help with the promotion. In reality, you still have haven't really proven that you're capable of such a huge step. And besides," he paused, "you could use a little humility in your life."

Gut punch, just what I needed. I wondered if he was talking about the job or my relationship with Bella. I still couldn't believe my own father sold me out. He couldn't even back me up in my promotion, or lack thereof, now. But then again, I couldn't blame him either.

"I'm sorry…" I waved his apology off.

"No need to apologize. I see where I stand with you. You had every right to let them know. I know you're still punishing me for what I did to Bella. I deserve it," I stated flatly.

"Well, you still have a lot of learning and growing to do. I know your mother told you about our situation. It wasn't my proudest moment but I learned. You will, too." He reached out for a handshake.

"Thanks, dad." I shook his hand. "Have fun with mom tonight."

"If I were you, I would go back to the beginning and see where along the way you messed up. You took Bella for granted, but that didn't start with your indiscretions. Think about it. You might find the answers that you need to get everything set right again."

Go back to the beginning. I have loved Bella from the moment I saw her…

1994 – Senior Year of High School

It was the first day of school and I was sitting in my Volvo waiting for classes to start. I had arrived early so I could scope out the girls for this year. I had also heard we would be getting a new transfer student, the chief of police's daughter. Nobody had seen her since she showed up in our little town; hopefully, I'll get a glimpse of her before everyone else did.

The other students began to trickle into the school parking lot. I recognized everyone from the previous years, but saw no one new. Maybe she chickened out. Classes were starting in ten minutes so I got out of my car and joined the throngs of students. I spotted my sister, my twin, Alice, making out with Jasper. Those two were attached at the lips, hips and anywhere else they could get their hands on.

"Hey Eddie!" How I fucking hated that name. I turned to the voice and saw Jessica bounding towards me. "Eddie! I missed you!" she screeched, hugging me tightly. I pulled her arms from me.

"Hey Jess."

She pouted at me. "What's the matter? You haven't called in weeks. I thought after… you know…you would have tried to keep in touch."

"Uh, yeah, sorry. I was just busy." I had to lie to the girl. She gave me great head, but I couldn't stand to be around her otherwise. She couldn't hold a conversation to save her life and I would just rather keep her mouth occupied with something else.

Before she could say anything else, a red truck came sputtering into the parking lot. Geez, that couldn't be good for the environment.

"Oh! She's here! Bella's here!" I looked at Jessica.

"Wait, you know her?"

"Yes. My father is on the force, remember?" I nodded. "So we went over to her house when she moved in to help her feel at home. She's cute, nothing like me though, but definitely has potential." I rolled my eyes. Jessica was cute, in that fake, California way. "I'm going to say hi, want to come with?" Finish the sentence, damn it.

"No. It's okay. I'm going to head to class. I'll catch you later."

Honestly, any girl that could stand being friends with Jessica was not worth my time. Well, maybe she could be put on rotation, but it was hard keeping up with the girls now.

"Oh, well, see ya then." She turned and ran towards the red truck and I headed to my first class.

I walked in to my Spanish class and found a seat towards the back. I didn't pay much attention to the lecture, but I did hear this Bella's name thrown around by a few people. I could hear Mike talking about her to Eric.

"I caught a glimpse of her, definitely a hottie." Mike thought anything with two legs and a twat was hot.

My next three classes were pretty much the same. Boring lectures, lots of talk of the new girl. She couldn't be that intriguing, but she was the shiny new toy in this small town.

Lunch came around and I saw at my usual table with Alice and Jasper. My older brother, Emmett, and his girlfriend, Rosalie, graduated the year before, bringing our group down to just the three of us. Every so often, the fling of the day would join, but usually for about two minutes before we ended up in the janitor's closet or some other discrete location.

"So, the new girl is in my English class," Alice announced. "She is so adorable. I think you'll really like her, Edward."

I rolled my eyes. "Doubt it. She hangs out with Jessica," I said playing with my food.

"You don't even know her and, besides, it doesn't seem she likes Jessica that much. From what she told me, she was forced on her and she only agreed to hang out with her to make her father happy."

"Your use of pronouns confused me there, Alice."

"Oh, sorry. Bella was basically forced to hang out with Jessica to make Bella's father happy." I shrugged.

"And this concerns me how?"

"Come on!" she whined. "Edward, she seemed really nice and I could really use a new friend now that Rose is gone."

"So make friends with her. Why do you need my approval?" I asked testily.

Alice huffed. "You're impossible. It's a good thing she's not sitting with us."

My head shot up. "You invited her to sit with us?"

She nodded. "She's sitting with Jessica though. She promised this morning and felt bad, but she said perhaps tomorrow, so please be on your best behavior."

I groaned. "Whatever, Alice."

"She's over there now at Jessica's table, but you can't really see her. Her back is to us."

I turned around anyway. I saw a cascade of brown locks. I noticed Jessica say something and Bella turned to face me. She blushed and quickly turned back to her table. I had to admit she was cute from what I saw.

"Jasper, you've been awfully quiet. What do you think of this Bella chick?" I asked hoping to get a male perspective.

He shrugged. "No one is like my Alice, but she is definitely a looker." That earned him a kiss from Alice. "She seems smart too. I had her in history. She had mentioned something about being in honors classes back home."

Smart and pretty. Maybe Alice was right, but she was still hanging out with Jessica and the rest of those fools.

"Well, I guess we'll find out soon enough."

The bell rang signaling the end of lunch period. I made it to Biology earlier than expected. The rest of the seats filled up and lucky for me, no one sat next to me. I'll be my own lab partner. I preferred it that way anyway. Five minutes after class began, the door swung opened.

"Sorry, I'm late. I was lost."

"It's okay, just take a seat," Mr. Banner directed. She looked around and made her way to the only available seat, the one next to mine. Her face turned a pale shade of pink as she saw me. She put her head down and brushed her hair forward, no doubt to shield her from me.

I could smell her though. She smelled fantastic, I could eat her up. I leaned over to her to get a better sense of her. Strawberries. Fucking delicious.

"Okay class. These will be your seats for the remainder of the year, which means the person next to you will be your lab partner for the rest of the year. I'm giving you five minutes to introduce yourselves to each other. Go!"

I turned to face Bella.

"Ummm…hi. I'm Edward Cullen," I said offering my hand.

She took it, barely looking at me. "I know who you are. I'm Isabella Swan."

"So, I've heard. You go by Bella, right?" She nodded in response.

There was silence for a couple of minutes. She never chanced a glance at me once.

"Yeah, so how do you like Forks so far?" I inquired trying to break the ice.

"It's wet," she replied. "Listen," she continued, finally looking at me, "you don't have to be nice to me or anything. I know the type of guy that you are and you don't have to pretend with me. I know I'm not your type, so we'll just leave it as us being lab partners and nothing else. I don't want to ruin anything for you with the other girls."

I was completely dumbstruck. My mouth gaped open as I started at this confusing woman in front of me. What the hell is she talking about?

Before I could ask, Mr. Banner called us back to attention. I figured I would ask her what she meant at the end of class, but as soon as the bell rang, she shot up and out the door.

I totally didn't understand what happened. I barely said two sentences to the girl and she was already telling me how I was. No doubt, someone, probably Jessica, the gossip queen herself, told Bella a few things, but what would make her think she wasn't my type. Admittedly, I didn't have a real type. I usually just went after the easiest girls, who just happened to be the hottest girls. This is totally bizarre.

The rest of my day passed in a daze. All I could think about was Bella, Bella Swan and her wonderful scent. I wanted more of it. I had to remind Alice to be sure she invited Bella to sit with us at lunch tomorrow. I could also get to the bottom of what she meant by her statements.

I went to bed that night dreaming of Bella and her strawberry scent.

A/N: So there you have it, the beginning of the back story. What do you think? You know the drill…. Review!

There will be more back story… a lot more… next up. Bella….