Heartbeat pounding away {sequel to 'I.U.F'}

{14}

"Edward, I'm fine, seriously." Ella insisted on Monday morning inside the gym. She had her graduation gown on and her hat in hand.

He had her face cupped in his hands he looked at her eyes to see any change, but no, they were still their perfect green color.

Ella took his hands with hers and slowly took them off of her face.

"I'm fine, I swear." She assured him and kissed him. His body relaxed under the kiss.

"Sorry," He said when they pulled away. "I just... I never should've..."

Ella rolled her eyes, not in annoyance but more in 'Are we going through this again' kind of way.

"Edward, mi amor, I. Am. Okay. I am still the same Ella, nothing has changed." (Mi amor= my love)

He sighed as he caressed her cheek.

"When are you leaving to England?" He asked he finally letting it go and hugged her. He wanted to enjoy every available second he could with her because she was going to be gone for another two or three months.

"Wednesday, there's a show on Friday and the rest of the weekend." She rested her head on his chest.

"Okay now, take your seats, oh, Ms. Swan." Ms. White said, the Principal.

Bella wasn't too far away with Angela and Ben, Jacob was running late... ha, sorry funny thought that crossed my mind.

Bella turned to the Principal as did Ella.

"Eleanor Swan, sorry." Ms. White said sheepishly.

Edward pecked her lips before leaving her to join the C's.

"Ms. Swan, you're up there with us since you're valedictorian."

Ella nodded and followed her. When she stepped up the stairs the gym erupted in 'whoo's' and other cheers, Ella smiled meekly at them and waved. Her hair was fading since the video of Misery Business and now looked like from the video for Crush, Crush, Crush.

She took her seat next to the Assistant Principal. Parents and friends were allowed in now. She waved at some people in town and saw as some pointed her and awed.

"Oh, my, God, it's really her!" Teenagers squealed. "It's Ella from R.A.G!"

"ELLA!" She heard Jimmy's voice. She looked up and they stood out so much from the crowd. Their sunglasses, tattoos and tallness, well Jimmy's made them stand out. He waved at her and she returned it.

Some knew who they were and went up to them and asked for autographs. Brian looked at her with a look of relief. She blew him a kiss to assure him she was all right.

Once everyone was settled down the door opened and the wolves came in. Ella stifled a laugh as they tried to get seats and ended up standing at the back. Ella looked at Bella and grinned. Bella smiled warmly, she glowed every time she saw Jacob.

Ella's eyes landed on Edward and her tensed body relaxed when she looked into his eyes.

"And now, our valedictorian will say a few words." Ms. White said as she gestured to Ella.

[What? Shit, when did she start?] Ella blinked and stopped looking at Edward. She got up with her index cards.

Edward helped her all night on the speech. Carlisle also helped. They said to keep it simple and she did.

"Transition will always happen in our lives: when we go from Elementary to Middle School and from Middle School to High School. But the biggest transition is the one we do from our Juvenile to Adult. We have big responsibilities and most of us are leaving this town we've known either most or all of our lives. So in corny words we're leaving the nest and making our own. Some of us will be become doctors, lawyers... rocks stars." She giggled and gestured towards herself and some laughed. "Moving on is part of life and its scary and nerve wrecking, most of my life... I was in a dark place and didn't know what I was going to do. Coming here changed my life for the better; I've had the good and with the good come the bad, but the point is to overcome the bad and focus on the good... Congratulations to us all."