Edward Cullen was not one for reading. Nor was he really one for book shopping, but this was an exception. Or so he was telling himself.

"Sir, do you need any help?" A sharp-looking old lady glared up at a very baffled 17-year-old student, scratching his chocolate hair.

"Um, yeah, well… I have this report due tomorrow on-"

The old lady clicked her tongue as she examined her nails in boredom, obviously not interested. "Ask the new employee. I have something else to do." Edward glared at her retreating form. Alice had warned him of this bookstore, but it was the only one open on Sundays.

He turned back towards the rickety shelves. After going through A Walk to Remember and Pride and Prejudice, he snarled in disgust.

"Hard to find a book not centered on romance these days, huh?"

A pretty young girl, about his age, was busy stacking book on the top shelf. She smiled at him and hastily pushed back an escaped strand of oak-colored hair. Edward sighed in relief.

"Yes. I think that it's kind of strange actually."

The girl laughed, almost upsetting the heavy-looking stack in her arms. "Strange? Why?"

Edward frowned and pretended to fix the buttons on his perfectly white long sleeved shirt. "They all seem so fake and predictable. It's almost boring to read now."

She shrugged and shoved three books into an empty space in the wall. "Yeah, that's true. But what people really want now is the happy ending, not the predictability. Sure, you can kind of tell that a certain girl will end up with a certain boy, but your job is to follow their path to happiness, not guess what the next event will be." Her dark eyebrows furrowed as she processed what she had just said. "Do you get it?"

"Sure. But, hey, listen, I have to do a book report today-"

"-that's do tomorrow?" Her wide eyes twinkled in recognition.

Edward smiled at her. "Yes, and I need a book."

This seemed to excite the girl and she immediately whipped her head towards the shelves. "Any any book?" Her long pale fingers reminded Edward of his own as she skimmed gracefully past the historical books.

"Anything to get an A. Nothing too hard though." He caught something before it smashed into his chest. The girl was beaming at him, her pearly teeth almost sparkling in triumph.

"Romeo and Juliet?" He wanted to tack on a "are you kidding me" but he just clenched his teeth. This was what he got for asking a girl to pick a book for him.

"Shakespeare is a wonderful author. Kind of hard to read if you don't have any experience, but there are a whole lot of reading guides online if it's really hard for you." Her smile faltered for a second and her lips turned down. "I could always recommend a Nicholas Spark book. They're very easy…"

"No no, I think that this is fine. Thank you, by the way." The sunny smile reappeared again and Edward almost smiled in relief. It was disheartening to see her frown, like trying to cover up the sun. "Edward Cullen."

"Bella! Bella Swan! Nice to meet you!" Her head bobbled viciously in a fierce nod. It seemed like she had never met someone before and was eager for a friend. The head bobbling upset her balance though and her legs gave way. Edward could only gape as ten books tumbled after her in a mini avalanche. Bella Swan. Such a graceful name for such a clumsy girl, Edward thought with a half grimace.

"Ooo, no no, I'm ok! Really, oo, ouch." Bella crawled out from her burial and rubbed her thigh bitterly. She smiled back up at him again like the sun coming back up. "I can help you check out if you want. It's over there." She pointed to the front and Edward grabbed her extended hand.

"Ask for help if you really need it," he chuckled. Bella grinned happily and nodded again. Edward watched her carefully to make sure that she didn't fall again.

She turned back towards the books on the ground and Edward paused to make sure that she wouldn't need help. He didn't move until she had gingerly place all of the books back in their appropriate spots. She was very thin looking, but not sickly, like some of the anorexic students at his high school. Her skin was snow white like his and her hair the same shade. Her wardrobe was plain and simple: jeans, a red fitted tee with the usual employee badge clipped to the front.

"See? No harm, no fowl. Just don't tell my manager about this 'cuz I think that he just wants an excuse to fire me."

She absently walked with him to the cashier, her hands twisting the air with every idea that would pop into her head. It constantly amused Edward and he didn't mind her company. Even though her comments would seem silly and lighthearted to the untrained ear, Edward could hear an underlying message in everything she believed in, whether trivial or life-moving.

"Well, I hope you don't get too lost with it. I sure was when I first read it at a freshman, but I'm sure that you'll be ok with it." She waved happily as he returned her smile. It felt contagious. "If you need any help, I'll always be here."

"Um, ok Bella. See you soon!"

Edward chuckled to himself as he walked towards his house, something twisting in his stomach. For some reason, part of him wanted to turn around and go back to the book store and talk with Bella again. The other part of him was confused.

"Maybe… maybe romance novels aren't that bad after all," he whispered to himself as he absentmindedly touched the paper bag that bounced at his leg with each step.

He went back two days later.

Bella was there like she had said, bent over The Notebook. She had on a pink, lacy shirt, a black choker and blue jeans. Her eyebrows were drawn together in an almost pout looking expression. Edward wondered if she always looked like that when she read.

"Hi Bella," he called out almost shyly. To be honest, he didn't really need anything this time. He just…wanted to check up on her.

"Edward!" She leaped up from her seat and ran over to where he stood hesitantly at the door. She grabbed his hands and pulled him inside before he could protest. "Did you like it? Did you?" Bella pushed him into the seat across from her, her eyes waiting and expectant.

Edward was not one for lies. "It was, actually, very intriguing. The plot was suspenseful."

"And cool," Bella giggled. "I've never heard of more star-crossed lovers. Imagine the grief that Romeo went through, finding the love of his life cold and dead."

Edward snorted. "That was very stupid of him."

Bella's eyes flashed in fire. "What would you have done?"

What was he to say? Edward closed his eyes. That night that he had paid for that book, he had not gone to sleep, vouching to study and fully comprehend what he was reading. Romeo, in his mind, was a fool. A fool for loving. A fool for Juliet. A fool that stabbed himself for no good reason. But…

"I would've sliced my throat," he whispered. That was it. Was love really that moving, that powerful, that fools were willing to die over the thought of losing their loved one?

"Bingo!" Bella chirped, her smile brightening the room. "What is this world existing on, but love and the almost unquenchable thirst for it? Isn't that book touching?"

Edward examined her face for a moment, the way her face would light up every time she would stumble over a new insight. No wonder she was so fascinating to him.

He would hide it, though.

"Yes, very, but I have to go now." He was almost regretful when her face dropped into a horrified mask.

"Now now? But you just got here! Can't, can't you… eh…"

Edward laughed and touched her shoulder. To his surprise, a rose-colored blush was thrown across her cheeks. Bella winced and pulled away.

"Sorry sorry! I, um, sorry. You can go now!"

Oh god, I'm so sleepy. I think that I'm gonna die. I'll finish tomorrow and go to sleep now. I'll post the rest hopefully by tomorrow!

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