This was a fun chapter to write. This story is going to be mostly from Bella, but every now and then you'll get a glimpse into Edward's head. I hope you like it. Let me know what you think xx

Thirteen.

I glanced at the clock, willing the hands to tick by faster.

It was my last class of the year, and it was more of a formality since most of our finals were already done.

The professor looked up at the clock, seemingly restless for the end of the school year too, and sighed back at the class.

"Okay everyone, I'm calling it. Get out of here and enjoy your summer."

Relief washed over the class as people gathered their things and spilled out the doorway.

I stuck in my earbuds and walked with purpose through the quad, eager to get to the apartment my buddy Jasper and I'd just moved into.

It was Jasper's aunt's place not too far from campus. Emmett and I had discussed finding an apartment together at the end of the school year, but both of us had been too lazy and unorganised to actually look for anything. When Jasper's place came up, I checked in with Em who told me to go for it. He said he had a friend who was looking for a roommate, too, and it made more sense for us to split up than try to find a place ourselves.

I was bummed to not live with Emmett, but I was also kind of relieved. I'd been banging his little sister behind his back for the past eight months, and living together was sure to put a spanner in that.

I had my suspicions that he had some idea of what was going on, but I wasn't certain to what extent he actually knew, and I sure as shit wasn't about to ask him. We were smoking cigarettes off a balcony at a party a couple moths ago, when Emmett nodded to a cute redhead who'd been flirting with me earlier. She backed off when I gently told her I was with someone, but still she'd tried to catch my eye a couple times.

"She seems like she's into you," Emmett said, taking a drag from his cigarette.

I glanced over, already knowing who he was talking about. "She's cool," I said casually.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Dude, when are you going to give this girl up?"

"What girl?" I asked, my voice even.

"The girl you've been sneaking off to see these past few months. Don't think no one's noticed the way you grin like a fuckin' schoolgirl whenever your phone lights up."

So he'd clocked that, huh. "Whatever, man. You're reading into it." I brought the cigarette to my lips and took a slow purposeful drag, looking out at the twinkling skyline.

"What, is she married or something?" He pressed.

"Em, no. It's no one." Lie. It felt shitty not being honest with him, but Bella had asked me not to say anything, and Bella called all the shots here. If she asked me to shave my eyebrows off and mail them to her, I would.

Emmett looked at me with a mixture of amusement and suspicion. He clicked his tongue and dropped his head, shaking it in disbelief. I'd never kept anything from him, and I could understand why he was perplexed by my secrecy.

"You know, Bella's been seeing someone," he said suddenly. My eyes shot to his and my heart stammered in my chest. He studied me, and his eyes softened infinitesimally. "She won't bring him to the house. Won't even tell us his name."

I stared, unsure how to respond. "Oh, yeah?" Was all I could manage.

Emmett regarded me, eyes still holding a hint of amusement and something that looked a little bit like pity. "Yeah," he repeated. With a small smile and shake of his head, Emmett brought his beer to his lips and flicked his cigarette over the edge of the balcony. "I'm gonna grab another beer," he said, turning to leave me with my thoughts.

I sucked down the rest of my cigarette and continued to look out at the city lights, Bella dancing through my mind. Bella was always on my mind.

Bella who used the cling to Emmett like a fuckin' spider monkey as a kid, following him around with wide eyed desperation to be part of whatever we were doing. After their mom passed away, I remember my mom telling me to look out for Emmett and Bella; that what they were going through was probably going to be the most difficult thing they'd ever experience. I took her words seriously, unable to imagine losing my own mom.

So, when Bella hovered around when me and Em played soccer in the backyard, I kicked the ball to her and didn't make fun of her for kicking like a girl. When Bella joined us in the den, I tossed a remote to her to play Zelda. When she screamed bloody murder with snot running down her face wearing her dad's oversized band tee at Bruce Springsteen's concert, I lifted her onto my shoulders so she could get a better view. By the time she got older and started begging Emmett to tag along to parties with us, I didn't even blink. I was just so used to her presence.

I'd never considered Bella as a woman. To me, she was kind of always going to be the scruffy kid I'd started to see as a little sister.

I couldn't even pinpoint when it happened, but it was like one day she woke up and she was an adult. When I started college, I saw Bella less frequently, but each time I did, I noticed the way she'd grown into her features. Her deep brown eyes were framed with dark lashes and her cheekbones gently curved high on her face. Her neck stretched into a graceful swoop, and hair tumbled in thick waves down her back.

Then, there was her body. She'd been a skinny kid, all elbows and knees and feet too big for her frame. But then I didn't see her for an entire summer and when I returned, she'd grown a few inches and her body had filled out. Her legs were long and athletic, and her breasts swelled into just the right size to fit perfectly into my hands.

I hadn't meant to kiss her that first time. But sitting in that car surrounded by her scent, my hands seemed to move of their own accord. Then her pillowy lips were on mine, and I was undone.

I couldn't get a read on her, but by the following day I'd made up my mind that I would pursue Bella if she'd let me. I'd driven to see her with the intention to court her, but she shocked me with her desire to keep things casual. It stung when she told me she just wanted to have 'fun,' and I felt a pang in my chest when she made it clear that she didn't want anyone to know about us. I'd been conflicted the entire week before her birthday, unsure if I could keep this from Em and not sure I wanted to. But when I saw her that night, eyes dark and skirt teasing what was beneath, I couldn't keep my hands away.

I'd tried to keep some distance between us, knowing that my feelings were changing fast and I was losing grip on myself, but when Bella gave me the option to go back to the way things were, I couldn't do it. I'd had a taste, and I couldn't stop now.

Because being with Bella was as natural to me as breathing. She was a soft breeze on a summer night, the brightest star in the sky, and the sun that kept my universe in orbit. I melted into her touch and wanted to bottle up her velvety laugh. I found myself enraptured with her every thought, in awe of her easy way of seeing the world. As a kid she had moments that she was unsure or timid, but now she was so confident and true to herself. She had an aura that seemed to seep from her pores and infect everyone around her with a sense of calm.

I'd come to understand Bella in a whole new light, and although all I wanted was for her to be mine—really mine—she wasn't ready for it. But I'd take whatever she would give me.

I broke out of my thoughts as I pushed the key into the door of my apartment. It was still pretty bare and reeked college bachelor pad energy, but it was getting there.

I texted Emmett and told him to come round early for some beers. Jasper and I were having a housewarming party, and in a couple of hours the place would be crawling with people.

I stripped out of my clothes and jumped in the shower, ignoring Emmett's message when I got out and skipping straight to the one from Bella.

The girls and I are driving down now. See you soon x

I smiled and sent a kiss emoji.

You wearing something sexy? I teased juvenilely.

You'll just have to wait and see ;)

A second message came a moment later.

What're you wearing?

I thought about the way her face would flame if I sent her a photo right now while she sat in the car with her friends.

Nothing.

Don't tease.

I'm not. Fresh out of the shower.

She sent a tongue emoji and I tossed my phone onto the bed, trying not to get worked up before Emmett came over.

—

When Bella and her friends arrived, the apartment was already crammed with people. Like a magnet, my eyes pulled toward the door the second she walked in.

She was wearing a tiny black skirt that revealed her toned legs, a slinky red top that teased at her supple breasts, and tall knee high boots. The moment she caught my eyes a wicked grin flashed across her face. She was trying to kill me.

Emmett found her and pulled her into a hug before mussing Alice's hair, earning a jab in the ribs. He yelped and I flinched sympathetically. Alice was small but mighty, and I knew firsthand just how precise those jabs could be.

Jasper came up beside me and whistled. "Damn, that's Emmett's little sister?"

I stiffened and tried to keep my features in an even expression. I remained silent and watched the girls mingle.

Alice was the first to venture over to me. "Nice digs, Cullen," she sang.

"Thanks kid," I smiled, pulling her into a hug.

"Who's you friend?" She asked, eyes flicking to Jasper.

"Howdy little lady. The name's Jasper," he drawled in an exaggerated accent. Jasper's family were from Tennessee, but he'd moved to California when he was six, so the accent was entirely for show. When he got drunk enough he did try to start line dancing, though, so I guess some things just couldn't be beaten out of him.

Alice rolled her eyes but otherwise relented when Jasper took her hand and planted a kiss on it. I knew what Jasper was like when he set his sights on someone, and Alice was about to be in for a treat. Truthfully, I was just happy he was distracted by her so he wouldn't try anything with Bella. Yeah, that'd be a hard one to explain.

I left Alice and Jasper to their flirting and wandered over the greet Bella and Emily.

"Hey," I smiled. "Glad you guys made it."

My fingers twitched with the desire to touch Bella, but I'd grown used to suppressing my urges around her.

"This place is awesome," Emily said, smacking her gum and looking around. "Congrats, Cullen."

"Thanks. We got pretty lucky." I waited the appropriate amount of time to look at Bella, then back to Emily. "You guys want a drink?"

Emily nodded and the two of them followed me to the fridge, thanking me as I passed them two bottles. Emily wandered over to Alice, leaving Bella hovering against the kitchen sink looking at me with a lazy smile on her face. I leaned in next to her.

"So what do you think of the new place?" I asked.

She bobbed her head. "It's cool. Very bachelor-paddy."

I clicked my tongue. "Hey, we just got here. We're working on it," I chided, although I had the same thoughts.

"Which one's your room?" She was teasing, an evil glint in her eye. I'd already told her all the things I wanted to do to her in that room, but we both knew we couldn't act on it right now.

"End of the hall," I responded casually, jerking my chin over my shoulder.

"Hmmm," she hummed.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see a girl I recognised but couldn't remember where I'd seen her. "Hey, you," she smiled brightly.

I fumbled for her name, and settled simply on a vague, "Hey."

She laughed and shook her head. "Victoria. We met at Ben's party?"

The redhead from a few months ago. "Oh yeah, hey. How you been?"

"Good, good. So happy to finally be done with class."

I nodded, trying to give her a hint that I wasn't interested. She didn't take it, and instead leaned against the bench beside me. I glanced at Bella and caught a look of amusement on her face as she silently slipped away into the crowd. I wanted to stop her, but didn't.

I gritted my teeth as Victoria chatted my ear off about school and her upcoming plans for the summer. I tired to remove myself, but she was persistent. When her voice got low and she touched her hand to my arm, I gently shook her off and told her, again, that I was with someone.

"Damn," she sighed. "Well, you can't blame me. Give me a call when you're available." She wasn't rude about it, just direct. I nodded, knowing I wouldn't be calling.

The apartment was buzzing with chatter and excitement. People were drunk and goofing off, but it never got too rowdy. I noticed that Alice and Jasper seemed to be getting cozy and shook my head to myself, biting back a smile. Good luck with that, bro. Alice was spunky and cute, but I knew she had high standards that demanded attention, and Jasper was just... Jasper. He lived his life without emergency and never took anything too seriously.

I worked the room, light with the knowledge that undergrad was behind me and I didn't need to think about school for another three months. Bella and I moved expertly around each other, occasionally crossing paths and exchanging knowing smiles. When she sat beside me listening to Rhys relay a story, she stroked my pinky with hers, our hands hidden between our bodies.

In the early hours of the morning, I got up for another beer and perched myself on the kitchen island looking out at the room. Emily appeared beside me and leaned back on her arm lazily.

"You love her," she said simply. I turned with a start, unsure what I'd heard. She looked up at me with an almost bored expression, but her eyes betrayed a softness.

"Come again?"

"It's okay, Edward," she sighed. "I know."

Butterflies settled in my stomach as I stared down at her. I didn't know that Bella had told anyone about us, and my mind began whirring with questions.

"She doesn't really talk about you two. But we know what's going on," she continued. "At first it was a total shock. But it kind of makes sense."

I could only nod dumbly, listening, hoping for more.

"She's going to New York, you know," she said.

I did know. Bella had applied to some prestigious culinary program on the East Coast, and come August, she'd be living in the big city. I was happy for her, but I was torn up inside at the thought of her being so far away. I'd even looked into grad programs in New York, but from the way she talked about her new big adventure, I got the sense she didn't plan on having anyone from her old life with her.

Bella was a paradox. She was intensely loyal in her love for her friends and family, but she was also fiercely independent. It was like she wanted to crawl inside the skin of her friends at the same time as pushing them away, always keeping people at a safe distance. I'd noticed it over the years with her various flings and casual dating, but it'd never been as obvious as it was when I was the fling. We had moments of such intense intimacy when I thought I'd broken through, then like a light flicked on she'd go back to goofing off and treating me like I was just her brother's best friend. It was what I loved about us, that we could be so comfortable and natural around each other, but it also terrified me knowing she was able to make the switch so quickly.

I nodded and picked at the label on my beer.

"She just needs to do this in her own time, Edward," Emily said softly. "You know how she is."

"I do," was all I said.

We settled into silence, but I grew restless with what had just transpired between us and got up to re-join the party.

When the room had finally cleared at around two a.m., Emmett was ready to call it and told Bella, Alice and Emily that a cab was on its way to take them back to his place.

"I'm gonna pee," Bella announced, glancing up at me.

"Okay, we'll wait outside," Emily said, pulling Alice to the front door. I got the feeling this was for my benefit.

Emmett slapped me on the back. "Later bro, thanks for tonight." He turned and followed the girls out.

As soon as the door closed behind them I walked down the hallway, stalking Bella's footsteps. Instead of turning to the bathroom, she continued to the end of the hall and opened the door to my bedroom. I followed and locked the door behind me with a soft click.

Her mouth was on mine in and instant.

"You look so good tonight," she moaned against my mouth.

My hands ran under the back of her skirt and planted themselves on her ass.

"I'm the one who should be saying that to you. I was thinking about what was under this skirt all night."

She smiled against my mouth and rubbed her hands under the back of my shirt. We made out hastily, rough and hot.

When she pulled back, I wasn't ready to let her leave and continued to run my finger under the lacy underwear at her hip.

"You wanna hang out next weekend?"

She made a face. "Can't. Prom." Of course. For as popular as Bella was, she seemed to have a particularly strong aversion to the idea of school dances. She'd said it made her feel embarrassed at the idea of dressing up and having her picture taken, but Alice and Emily had forced her into attending.

"After prom?" I pressed.

"Mike's invited us to his family's lake house. We're leaving the morning after," she said. This was news to me.

Bella must've sensed my disappointment because her eyes softened and she pushed up onto her toes to press a kiss into my cheek. With an evil glint in her eye, she stepped back and slowly shimmied her lacy thong down her legs and over her boots. She tossed it onto my bed and smiled wickedly.

"I'll drive to Seattle when I get back from Mike's," she stated. I couldn't help the grin that formed on my face and nodded, pulling her in for one last kiss.

With that, Bella turned and left the room, leaving me with her still warm panties and a heaviness in my chest that threatened to suffocate me.

What do we think of EPOV? Love reading your thoughts xx