First, I have to say I love that their relationship is progressing and Edward doesn't pull away. After all the chapters of heart wrenching despair, I don't think I can take it if she loses Edward now. I also love that he is willing to find out what is going on with her and to deal with it and not run away--it seems like he's starting to have a healing affect on her.

About the worry w/the response to the Jake thing... "I'm afraid that many of you will be like "that's it? That's why she's so depressed? Because a boy didn't like her as much as she liked him?" I don't know. I don't think that the Jake thing is just something to blow off. It feels insidious and it's a BIG deal. He strung her along and used her insecurities to cruelly manipulate her--basically isolating her and binding her to him for his own use. I see it as almost the emotional equivalent to a battered wife--isolated and abused. That may be overstating it, but it was definitely abusive. He obviously knew what he was doing was wrong--hence keeping the secret. It is obvious she didn't have a supportive relationship w/her father and was vulnerable to seeking male attention. She was so insecure and he recognized and fed that, validated those insecurities so that she didn't seek anything better outside of what he was offering. He worked within her emotional isolation and stole her "youth" from her--stole her firsts; her teenage experiences. There may have been other boys who would have asked her out, but she was closed off and shut down because of him. It was abuse. After I read it, I was hoping that Edward would get to kick Jacob's ass!

I can imagine that Jacob was a disgusting pig that coerced her to do things she was not comfortable doing...we know she is a virgen but there are a lot of other things that he could take advantage of ~ knowing she was desperate for love. Great chapter!

Honestly, I wasn't like "that's it?" That was plenty (even if there is more). Bella was in some of her most impressionable, vulnerable years when Jacob treated her like that, and without anything to contradict his behavior towards her, it was only reinforced and plummeted her self-esteem lower and lower. People can tell you "You're wonderful and any man would be lucky to have you" over and over, but if there is no evidence of this statement, if said lucky man never appears, you understandably conclude (at least subconciously) that they are lying to make you feel better. The more time that passes, the more solid this belief becomes. When Bella said no man had ever showed her attention and affection, I'm assuming you meant Charlie too (if you're going with the traditional Charlie who is uncomfortable with showing emotion). The relationship between a parent and child is crucial in how said child views themself, and even if adult Bella understands that Charlie loves her despite his lack of affection (and I'm not sure even adult Bella gets this in your story, especially since he forgets her birthday), child Bella can't make that connection as easily, if at all, especially as I'm sure she saw how other fathers interacted with their daughters. So the attention-starved girl feeling unworthy of affection was created at a young age and Jacob only made it a thousand times worse.

So, yeah...you did it perfect. Like I said, more isn't needed to make Bella's depression and low self-esteem believable. In fact, for her to not have self-esteem issues at this point would be unbelievable. (Even SM recognized that, which is why she had Bella find it hard to trust that Edward truly did love her as she loved him in New Moon - and that was even without the Jacob-style jerk you have in your story)

I love Bella's interactions with her students. I wonder how much of her own lessons she takes to heart?

 

So sweet! Loved the superfast update. Edward's kinda freaky, being so attached, but it's still perfect because they're E&B. 

Her experience with Jacob is heartbreaking, though I have to admit that for a moment I actually thought, "well at least SOMEONE was attracted to her at some point," which is a horrible thing to think, but there it is...I feel like even more of a loser than Bella does.

Great chapter! Good grief, she was manipulated and used for over 9 years with a jerk! I think that in itself defends her paranoia. Bella has self-esteem issues and Jake used her weaknesses. Trust when one is young is so much easier to give than when you is an adult.  Edward seems to pretty insightful and I hope that between the two of them that Bella can begin to find out who she really is and to feel good about it.  Love the story.  :)

of course she feels like she isn't wanted!! Jacob the Snake really did a number on her - if it was one time then fine but he wore her down over 9 F***** YEARS!!!  She kept waiting for him to finally get his head out of his ass and claim her as his own and all the time he was cruel and nasty, taking advantage of her feelings, leaving her feeling hopeless and unwanted.

The little bastard!!! Edward reacted just right, not pushing her too hard, but letting her know that he is serious about getting to know her.

Be brave little B!

No, I get it already. That's awful for her to feel that way, but I get that. Edward is good looking and She's just waiting for him to treat her the same way. Funny how She just taught a class on sereotypes. LOL.  Not EVERY good looking guy is a jerk. Great story!

I was so proud of Bella for calling Edward back.  I'm thrilled that she did it.  Also, I really like that she is able to talk to him and spend time with him.

Again, I would love to know what Edward is thinking.  He is simply amazing with her. 

I can't wait for more!

Great great update!!! Pls update soon!!! I cant wait to see what happens with edward and bella!!! I love your story!!!

Romance isn't showering each other with expensive dinners and trinkets, it's about spending quality time with each other that allows to deepen and reaffirm your connection as a couple.  It renews your love and affection for each other.  This is what I felt, the spirit of true romance in the way Bella cooked for Edward with love and how they behaved with each other.  I thought it was romantic that Edward didn't just eat and sit on his a** and watched tv while Bella cleaned the dishes.  He cleaned since she cooked.  It showed appreciation for her.  This chapter made me feel so warm inside, I could picture the whole thing in mind.  It was homey and comfy and adorable.  Love you chica, update as soon as possible.

Good chapter. Thank goodness Edward isn't easily scared away. I am getting a little tired of Bella and her crying ways. The girl needs to grow up and realize she is getting what she has always wanted. I think that she needs to forget about being embarrassed and tell Edward her situation. Honesty is always the best policy. If Edward likes her as much as I think he does, then he is going to be sympathetic to Bella's inexperience. She is a little too weak for me. I need this girl to take a deep breath, grow a pair, and go with life! Other then that, I am loving your story. Love, love, love Dr. Edward Cullen :)

Love this story, but she needs to come clean with the guy so he knows what hes dealing with. Being in a similar situation myself I find that its better for them not to be surprised when I dont do whatever