Chapter One

Senior year, baby. The last year in high school, when everyone turns eighteen and finally gets to go their own way. Well, you can only go your own way so much when you're from such a small town like me.

I started my senior year almost three months ago. It's cold and dreary year round in Forks, Washington, but it makes winter that much more unbearable. We're lucky to get a day above freezing in the gorgeous month of November. It's hard not to get the winter blues when it's constantly cold and snowing.

"Mr. Banner, may I be excused?"

He looked slightly annoyed but nodded and handed me the hall pass anyway. I calmly walked to the door and ran to the bathroom once I was out of sight. I ran into the first open stall I saw just in time, because the puke was coming and it wasn't taking any prisoners.

"Woah! Is that you, Bella? Are you okay?" I heard Angela ask.

Once I was sure that I was done, I walked out of the stall and rinsed my mouth in the sink.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I think I caught that flu bug that's been going around, though. This throwing up has been ridiculous the past couple of weeks."

My dark-haired best friend looked at me skeptically and opened and closed her mouth a few times before shaking her head.

"How sure are you it's just a flu, Bella?" she questioned.

I quirked an eyebrow and wiped my mouth with one of the cheap paper towels before throwing it away. Angela opened the door, waiting for me to follow.

"You know I wouldn't even mention it if I didn't think it was a real possibility. You're my best friend, Bella, and I just don't want you to be in denial."

"Denial? What exactly do you think I'd be in denial about?" I asked a little too harshly.

Her concerned expression changed to one of mild annoyance.

"I think you could be pregnant."

I stopped and gaped at her. I had the feeling that's what she was suggesting, but actually hearing it was a totally different story. After a couple more seconds of silence, the laughter started. I doubled over and laughed until tears were streaming down my cheeks. Angela just looked at me like I had lost my mind.

"Ignore her. She's just stressed about midterms coming up," Angela said to a random student walking by. He shrugged and continued on his way.

"See? That's what this all is. It's just stress related with midterms coming up," I agreed.

"Isabella Marie Swan, stop acting like this couldn't be a big deal. You may think you're invincible or some shit but you are human and mistakes happen. Maybe you missed a dose and maybe the condom broke. There's endless possibilities but the fact is that there's always a chance of you getting knocked up," she said breathlessly.

"I can't be pregnant, Angela. I just can't. I'm going to go the University of Washington and get my English degree. I'm going to become a teacher, or a journalist, or maybe even an editor or publicist. But 'mom' is nowhere in that equation."

She shook her head and stopped at my classroom.

"When you finally decide to get a test, just make sure it's not from the store in this town. You know how people like to talk," she said before walking back to her own classroom.

I walked in and ignored the pointed look Mr. Banner gave me. I had only been gone for ten minutes.

Even though I put on a brave face in front of Angela, I was terrified that she could be right. Edward and I have always been careful when it comes to our sex life, but there's still the small chance of every contraception failing.

"Don't forget that you have your research essay due at the end of next week. I'm not giving anymore extensions. You guys are seniors and you'll be graduating in six months. Get it together. You may leave."

I grabbed my books as quickly as possible so I could get to my locker and meet Edward. The two of us are going to Seattle, which would be a more ideal place to buy a test.

"Hey, Bella! Wait up," I heard an annoyingly familiar voice say.

Putting in the combination to my locker, I tried to ignore Mike but the guy did not know how to take a hint.

"Hey, Bella. I'm throwing a party this weekend and you know you're more than welcome to come. We'll have plenty of booze."

I shook my head as soon as he said my name. It was the same conversation every couple of weeks. Ever since the school year started, Mike decided he was going to party as much as possible. So, there was a party at his house every other Friday, when his parents went out for date night. He'd invite me to a party where everyone would get stupid drunk and make choices they'd regret later. Although, I couldn't judge anyone on poor decision making at the moment.

"Mike, why do you keep trying? You know my answer is going to be 'no' every time. I'm trying to focus on my schoolwork so I can get the hell out of this town."

He looked slightly hurt but quickly went back to his overly chipper attitude.

"It's cool. But I'm going to invite you until you finally say yes."

I rolled my eyes and slammed my locker when Jessica showed up.

"Mikey, shouldn't we get going? We've got to get ready for the party tonight," she stated while pointedly ignoring me.

Everyone knew that Jessica had a major crush on Mike. Well, everyone except Mike knew this. And everyone knew that Mike had a crush on me, which made Jessica automatically hate me even though we used to be best friends.

"You're right. We better go to the Res and get the beer before the guys go do whatever they do. See you around, Bella," he replied before walking away with the redhead.

I quickly walked out to Edward's silver Volvo and smiled when I saw him. He was reading a book but I couldn't read the title.

"Hey, there's my gorgeous gal," he said once he realized I walked up. He put the book in his bookbag and wrapped his arms around my waist, kissing me gently.

"Are you ready for this super amazing trip I have planned for us?" he murmured against my lips.

I blushed and nodded, grateful when he opened my door to the already warm car. I've always blushed very easily, but he had a way of bringing it out more. I knew he liked doing it on purpose.

"So, I figure we'll stop at your favorite restaurant and catch a movie. I know it's not very creative but-."

"Edward, it sounds perfect," I interrupted.

He weaved his fingers through mine and kissed the back of my hand. I turned towards the window and got lost in thought, thinking about the first time we had met.

The Cullens had moved to Forks just a couple years earlier. Dr. Cullen had taken a job at the hospital so the family followed suit. They had three children, Emmett, Edward, and Alice.

Emmett had graduated two years ago and went to the University of South Florida on a football scholarship.

Alice is only a year younger than Edward, so she's a junior at Forks High School. I get along with both of the Cullen siblings just fine.

I was in my first period class, English of Sophomore year when he walked in. It was like the breath had been knocked out of me. A couple of girls around me had gasped and immediately starting talking about the hot new guy. But I could just admire.

"There's an open seat next to Bella. She'll catch you up on what we're doing," Miss Johnson explained.

He looked around and noticed me waving, then sauntered over and took the open desk next to me.

"Hi, my name's Bella," I introduced myself shyly.

He stuck out his hand and shook mine.

"It's nice to meet you, Bella. My name's Edward. Miss Johnson said you could tell me what we're doing in class?"

I nodded and handed him my binder.

"We just finished reading Romeo and Juliet. She usually gives us a day between finishing a book and starting another so we usually just hang out. But we're going to start Hamlet tomorrow. She'll probably assign an essay when we're done."

He nodded and looked over my syllabus, eyebrows scrunched.

"I hate to admit this to such a pretty girl, but I'm really bad at the whole reading thing. Not that I don't like it, I just don't like being forced to read something."

I chuckled and took my binder back right before the bell rang.

"Well, maybe I'll be able to help you, then. It's my best class."

He looked like the cat that just caught a mouse.

"That sounds perfect, Bella. Here's my number, text me after school."

And I did. After that we started hanging out almost every day after school, working on homework together. He helped me with science classes and I helped him with English. We worked together so perfectly that no one was surprised when we started dating.

His parents were grateful for the extra help I was giving their son. Apparently, he had been doing quite poorly in his last school, and he quickly got on honor roll at Forks. So, they always treated me like another daughter when I was around.

"We're here, Bells. Earth to Bella," Edward waved his hand in front of my face.

I jumped and chuckled.

"Got a little lost in thought, I guess."

He just grinned and got out of the car, opening my door for me. Always a gentleman. We were seated and once the food came, I realized I wasn't that hungry. In fact, the mushrooms in my ravioli were starting to make me feel nauseous.

"Pardon me, Edward," I mumbled before getting up and quickly making my way to the bathroom.

For the second time that day, I threw up and took a few minutes to clean myself up. I fixed the few flyaway hairs around my face and made my way back to the table.

"Are you okay? You seem like you've been throwing up a lot lately," Edward said worriedly.

I smiled reassuringly. There was no way I could tell him my suspicions until I had concrete evidence, I didn't want him to worry unnecessarily.

"I'm fine. Once we're done can we stop by the convenience store down the road? I just want to get some tums."

"Yeah, of course. I'll get us a couple boxes and we'll head that way."

He paid and we walked the short distance to the store.

"I'm going to get tums if you want to pick out some snacks for us to sneak in," I suggested.

"It's like you read my mind."

Once I was sure he was out of sight I made my way to the feminine hygiene aisle and picked a random test, quickly going up to the desk and paying before Edward could notice. I put it in my purse and thanked the cashier before walking back to Edward.

"You almost ready? The movie is going to start soon," I told him.

He looked at his watch and nodded. He took the antacid from me and paid for everything and we went to the theater.