1909- Eight Years Old

Bella's POV

"Eddie!"

"Hello Bella."

"I didn't know you were coming over today."

"My momma said she was coming over for tea. She let me come too because daddy's away."

My best friends were my brother Jasper, who was a year older than me and our neighbour Edward. Edward and I shared a birthday and had been best friends since birth. He was so different from the other boys I'd see playing in the park. He loved music and reading just like me, whereas the other boys loved to play in the mud despite being told off by their mommy's. We'd spend cold, wet day's together, reading or playing music. Edward and I play the piano and Jasper plays the guitar. On sunny days, we'd sit this beautiful old oak tree, talking about everything and anything. I didn't have any friends as I was home schooled with Jasper and Edward. We didn't need anyone else though, we liked being with each other. Jasper and I were really close as he took his job of being my big brother very seriously and Edward, being my bestest friend, seemed to want to protect me from others as well. I thought they should stop trying to protect me from others and protect me from myself instead. I don't know how many times I have injured myself because I lost count after 3,241. Edward and Jasper were always there to make me feel better though.

"Bella do you want to go to the tree together?"

"Yeah. I'll go and get Jasper?"

He looked at his dirty boots, blushing slightly.

"Can we go alone? I want to talk to you."

"Okay. Come on then."

I pulled him by the hand, out the back door. Like normal, I tripped over my feet but felt two small arms wrap around me, holding me up.

"Thanks Eddie."

"No problem Bella. Are you alright?"

"Yes. Thank you for saving me. Mother would kill me if I got my dress dirty."

"It's what best friends do."

We carefully made our way to the tree, before climbing the branches and hiding in the leaves. When I was in the trees I lost my clumsiness so spent most of the day in the trees when I could.

"What did you want to tell me Eddie?"

"I was talking to my mother earlier this week after I saw her kiss my father. I asked her why I only ever saw her kissing my father and she told me you only kiss the person you love. I wondered why she kissed me then and she told me it was because she loved me too. I asked her who I should kiss first and she said to make it someone special."

He looked down again, swinging his legs. After hearing what he'd said I realised that I wanted my first kiss to be with someone special- I wanted it to be Edward.

"I was wondering if you'd be my first kiss."

I was shocked and shocking an eight year old was difficult, especially when I am that eight year old. Edward wanted to kiss me.

"Okay."

"You don't have to if you don't want to Bella. It's alright if you don't."

"Edward. I don't mind. As long as you don't tell anyone, not even Jasper. I want this to be our little secret."

"I can do that. So… How do we do this?"

"I don't know."

His head leaned towards mine as I leaned towards him.

"Stop when you want to."

"Okay."

At first his lips lightly moved over mine until he pressed them against mine. It felt amazing and new feelings ran through me, and I liked it. I liked it a lot. He went to move away but when I pressed my lips to his, his stubby fingers wrapped around my waist. As he pulled me closer my hands went to his dishevelled hair. I'd never seen or felt anything like this before and if either of our parents knew they'd lock us in our rooms for the rest of our lives, as boys and girls weren't supposed to act like this. I didn't care though as it felt so right being with Edward. We pressed our lips to the others once more before pulling back. Edward had his eyes closed as he leaned his forehead to mine, his warm breath fanning across my face.

"Was it supposed to feel like that?"

"I don't know. I liked it though."

"I did too."

His lips pressed to mine again, pulling me right up next to him.

"We should do this again sometime. It feels right being with you Edward. I love you."

"I love you too Bella."

We sat in the tree the rest of the day, kissing each other a lot. We were young and didn't really know what it meant but for as long as I could remember when being with Edward, these feelings would make themselves known. Kissing Edward, even at the age of eight told me I loved him like my parents loved each other. I felt complete.