I almost believed the novelty of Edward and my relationship had already worn off by the time Biology had passed. Both the glances and the whispered comments of our classmates had diminished. But when I was about to enter the Gym locker room to change into my uniform our relationship was once again the main point of talk.

"Did you guys see Edward and the new girl together at lunch today?" Jessica Stanley whispered so loudly that even human ears would not have trouble picking up her voice. "They act so strange."

Lauren Mallory, the girl with long silvery blond hair and green eyes, answered in the same false whisper. "I heard they're engaged. Can you believe it?"

"You are kidding, right?" Jessica shouted, she was no longer concerned with any pretenses. "Edward Cullen? Engaged?"

"Engaged?" Another voice asked. "Seriously?"

Lauren Mallory sounded satisfied by the reaction she got from her news. "Yeah. I didn't see it myself but Ashley Dowling said that the new girl is wearing a diamond ring on her left ring finger. So…"

"I bet Ash is lying." Jessica Stanley sounded too hopeful in my opinion. "There is no way Edward Cullen asked her to marry him."

"Why not?" asked Angela.

"I mean he is gorgeous."

Angela did not grace her comment with an answer. All I could hear was the shuffling of their clothes.

"And he doesn't date." Jessica added.

"Not that again, Jess." Angela sighed. "Isn't it obvious?"

"What is?"

"Mind you I am just speculating, I do not know more than you do, but I think Bella and Edward have been dating for quite some time, right?"

"Hm."

"I think when the Cullens first moved to Forks and you tried to ask him out he was already in a relationship with Bella."

"You think they had a long distance relationship for so long?" Lauren snorted. "I bet he got her knocked up like yesterday and now she is leeching off of him. That's why they are engaged."

"Guys, don't you think it's a bit invasive to talk about Bella and Edward like this?" Angela interjected, her timid voice filled with empathy. "I mean, it's their personal life."

Lauren scoffed. "Oh, come on, Angela. It's not like we're spreading lies or anything. It's just harmless gossip. Some speculation. You just did some yourself."

"I just can't believe she snagged Edward Cullen." Katie Marshall said.

"Right?" Jessica concurred with her. "He is like so hot. Why isn't he dating one of us?"

"Bella is pretty too." Angela defended me and I could not help but smile at her sweetness. "And if you had truly looked at them when they were together you would have seen the familiarity between them. All of us should respect their connection. They obviously love each other."

"Love?" Lauren laughed. "Angela, you need to get your head out of those books. They are obviously not good for you."

I could hear the hurt in Angela's voice even though she snapped back at Lauren. "Well, maybe you should take up reading. Perhaps then you'd get a boy like Edward. The entire time I was talking to Bella and him during lunch today, we were discussing books. And he had an opinion on every single one of them." I could hear her shut her locker before leaving. "See you in class."

If I had a choice I would have waited outside the locker room until the other girls had finished their discussion but I could hear a human near the gym building and I did not want to be seen. With an unnecessary breath to calm my nerves I opened the door and entered. I tried to keep my emotions hidded. I would not show them the irritation at their obvious desire for my husband. Not my sadness at the fact that I had to hide the true depths of Edward and my relationship. Nor the annoyance at their immature and shallow thoughts.

I could see Jessica and Lauren exchanging sly glances.

"Speaking of the new girl," Jessica turned to me with a smile that sent a shiver down my back, "care to settle some rumors for us?"

I carefully raised an eyebrow, I would not give away that I had heard their gossip. "Rumors? What kind of rumors?"

Lauren leaned in, her voice dripping with faux innocence. "We heard that you and Edward are engaged. Is that true?"

"Yes." I smiled.

An array of emotions flickered over their faces. Shock. Anger. Disgust. Disapproval.

"How?" Katie Marshall asked.

"Do you mean, why he asked me to marry him?"

"Mh- hm."

"Well, from what he told me it was desperation that forced his hand." I chuckled. "Dr. Cullen had just accepted the position at Forks Community Hospital and he had told Edward and his siblings about it. Edward did not take it well but no argument stuck. Dr. Cullen would not change his decision. Edwards thought that they would not separate us if we were engaged so he got down on his knees, told me that he could not leave behind a love that he knew was his perfect match and asked me for my hand in marriage. Obviously it didn't quite work out the way we wanted it to."

"So, you guys are like engaged, but not really?" Jessica asked me, her nose wrinkled.

I narrowed my eyes. "We are most certainly engaged."

"But there is no wedding currently being planned?" Katie Marshall asked for clarification.

"We talked about a wedding after we finished highschool. But no, there is no acute planning." I admitted grudgingly.

The girls seemed satisfied with my response and I turned to hide my body from their eyes as I changed my shirt. Fortunately the uniform was huge, thus hiding my body. Apparently it was an unflattering cut to Jessica and Lauren. Both of them were rolling up their shorts until it just covered an inch of their upper thighs.

Jessica Stanley, always the eager one, leaned in with a grin. "So, what's Edward Cullen like? He's always so... mysterious."

I could not prevent the smile that lit up my face as I thought of him. "He's kind and gentle, very protective and loving, and loyal." I added the last thought purely for their benefit. "We understand each other like no one else ever has and will."

"I bet she's lying." Lauren accused me.

My eyes widened as I looked at her. "What did you say?"

"You heard me." She pushed her chin forward. "I mean, yeah, Edward Cullen is hot. But she just wants to make us jealous with all that gushing. I bet he is a total prick."

I shook my head at her. "You know nothing, Lauren."

"So, what's the most romantic thing Edward Cullen has ever done for you?" Jessica asked eagerly.

I thought for a second as I tied my shoes and then smiled. "Well, I was having trouble going to sleep and Edward was getting worried. He is an excellent pianist so he wrote me my own lullaby. And whenever I would have trouble sleeping he would humm it to me until I had dozed off."

Katie Marshall giggled. "That's so sweet."

"Yes, it was." I smiled at her.

Edward had been waiting for me in the gymnasium and I stepped into his ready embrace, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "You did great, love," he told me and kissed my forehead. We stood there, soaking up each other's presence and scent, until Coach Clapp began his lesson.

Later, as we strolled to his car Edward informed me that Carlisle had already contacted the wolves for us. "We are meeting them at 12 pm near the border."

"You will have to show me the course of the border anyway."

"Right." He said, nodding. "Forgive me for my oversight. I should have done so already. I am sorry, love."

I stroked his hand. "There is nothing to forgive, Edward. You had other thoughts in your head. And you have always been with me. There was no risk of me crossing the line with you there to warn me, no?"

"No. You are right." He admitted. "Besides, the stench is so revolting I am certain you would have kept away even without warning."

"What do they smell like?" I asked curiously.

"Hm. I would say it smells like a wet dog." He wrinkled his nose as he tried to describe it to me. "It's not very pleasant."

I giggled at his expression. "Well, I'll smell it later." I shrugged.

"A experience I wish I could spare you from." He winked at me.

"It can't be that bad, can it?" I asked, disbelieve coloring my voice.

"I will let you be the judge of that, love."