Meeting

"Bella!!!" Alice sang.

"Ugh. What is it, Alice?" I wanted to stay in bed and sleep. I was fairly comfortable and warm until Alice pulled the covers off me. "C'mon, Bella! Today's the day!" she said in her sing-song voice.

"What do you mean 'today's the day'? And how did you get into my house anyway?" Alice is my best friend and I love her to death, but sometimes, she can get a wee bit annoying. "Don't tell me you don't remember. Today is the first day of senior year! And Charlie let me in by the way. I'm so excited! I heard about these new people that moved here about a week ago. They're going to our school. C'mon, Bella! Wake up! I have to do your make-up and pick out your outfit! You're gonna look BEA-UTIFUL!"

Alice and I got to school and there were still about twenty minutes left before school would start. We met up with Rosalie, or Rose, at the front of the school. The three of us started talking about random things we did over the summer. It was finally time to go to homeroom, and unfortunately, I didn't have homeroom with either Rose or Alice. I walked into the classroom and took a seat in one of the many desks. My homeroom was in one of the various science classrooms. The desks seated two people. Other students started filing in, and fortunately, no one sat next to me.

As soon as the bell rang, a boy walked into the classroom. He was the most gorgeous boy I had ever laid eyes on. His hair was an unusual shade of bronze and it was sticking out in different directions—like he never combed it, but it suited him. His body was muscular, but not overly muscular like a body builder. He was perfect in every way. All the girls were fawning over him as he looked for a seat. I realized that the only empty seat left in the classroom was next to me. As he walked toward me, I noticed that his eyes were a dazzling green—an emerald green. I could get lost in those eyes forever. The teacher came in and I noticed that my jaw was hanging open. I blushed and tried not to look at the boy for the rest of homeroom. After the teacher, Ms. Carter, finished calling role, everyone began to talk. I glanced at the boy sitting next to me and found that he was staring at me. He realized that I was looking at him and gave me a crooked smile. It was completely breathtaking. I blushed…again, and he chuckled. "My name's Edward Cullen," he introduced himself and stuck out a hand for me to shake.

"Isabella Swan, but I prefer Bella," I replied as I took his hand in mine and shook it. As soon as my skin made contact with his, a shock ran through my body. It was like electricity—it ran through my veins and gave me a warm feeling. I looked up at Edward and his facial expression showed that he felt it, too. He quickly let go of my hand and apologized. "What classes do you have?" he asked suddenly trying to forget what just happened. We compared schedules and found out that we had lunch and biology together. For the rest of homeroom, we talked about our summers and our families. I learned a lot about Edward, but we had to go our separate ways after homeroom was over.

My first few classes went by pretty quickly, but I couldn't seem to get Edward out of my head. I couldn't wait until lunch. I would get to see Alice and Rose…and Edward.

Lunch finally came around and I walked swiftly to the cafeteria. I looked around the cafeteria and spotted a head blond hair and a head of short spiky black hair. I made my way through the crowd. Just when I was about to reach my two best friends, I tripped over something. I closed my eyes and waited for the impact with the floor, but it never came. I felt two strong arms wrap around my waist. I opened my eyes, and turned around to look at the face of my rescuer. It was Edward. I felt the heat rush up to my cheeks and he gave me a small chuckle and a radiant smile. He let go of my waist once he was sure that I could stand without his help. I felt cold without his arm around me. I heard giggles come from behind me. I would recognize those giggles anywhere—Lauren and Jessica. I found out what I tripped over—Lauren's foot. "Bella, Bella, Bella. When will you ever learn how to walk properly without tripping over something?" Lauren said mockingly. With that, she turned around and walked away with her little sidekick, Jessica, following her.

"Are you alright, Bella?" Edward asked concerned.

"I'm fine. Thanks for catching me," I answered and once again, I felt the heat rush up to my cheeks.

"Bella! Are you okay? I saw you trip, and then I saw Lauren and Jessica! What happened? What did you trip over?"

"Alice. Calm down. I'm fine. Edward caught me."

"Edward?"

"Yes, Edward. Edward…Alice and Rosalie. Alice and Rosalie…Edward." I introduced them.

"Alice. Rosalie. Nice to meet you," Edward greeted politely. Rose nodded with a smile on her face and Alice was jumping up and down excitedly with a mischievous grin on her face.

Lunch was interesting. I met Emmet and Jasper also. They were Edward's brothers. Emmet was basically a big teddy bear—he looked scary on the outside, but at heart, he was one of the sweetest guys ever—he was the perfect guy for Rose. And as for Jasper…he's very calm—the exact opposite of Alice, but I can tell that they like each other a lot.

Edward and I walked to biology together and we sat down at the same desk. All of the girls in the class glared at me as I walked past them. Some of them even tried to flirt with Edward before the class started. Of course, being the gentleman that he is, Edward ignored them politely and tried to talk to me. "So…Bella. Are you doing anything Friday night?"

"No. Why do you ask?"

"Well…you see…I….uh…" I had never seen him so flustered and nervous before. Whenever we talked, I was the one that always made a fool out of myself. "I…uh…Iwaswonderingifyouwouldliketogooutwithme." He spoke so fast. I barely understood him. "Ummm…could you repeat that, Edward? I didn't quite catch that."

"I was wondering if you—"

"Good afternoon class," Edward was cut off by Mr. Banner, our biology teacher. The class flew by quickly and I would catch Edward starring at me. The bell finally rang. My next class was gym. Oh joy. Edward was kind enough to walk me to gym, though. I was about to go inside, when I remembered that he tried to ask me something at the beginning of biology. "Edward?"

"Yes, Bella?"

"What were you trying to ask me in biology?"

"Oh. Ummm…well…I…"

"Just say it, Edward." He took a deep breath and looked me straight in the eyes. His eyes were filled with an emotion I couldn't recognize. It was a mix of nervousness and…love? "Bella, will you go out with me Friday night?" Did Edward Cullen just ask me out? I just met him today. I wasn't even pretty. He could've asked other girls. They were drooling at his feet. "I know I only met you today, but I feel like I've known you for a long time. It's okay, Bella. I understand if you don't want to go out with me. I guess I was too straightforward, wasn't I? I'm sorry, Bella." Edward began apologizing profusely, but I cut him off. "Edward."

"Yeah, Bella?"

"I would love to go out with you," I answered with a smile. I could feel my cheeks burn up. "Really?! You'll go out with me Friday? Really?!"

"Yes, Edward. I already said that." The bell rang telling us that we had one minute to get to class. "You have made me the happiest man on earth, Bella!" And with that, Edward pulled me into a hug, kissed me on the cheek, and left running to his next class.

I was in a daze the entire time during gym. I couldn't stop thinking about how I was going on a date with Edward Cullen. I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see who it was, and it was none other than Mike Newton himself. I think that was his name. He introduced himself to me in one of my classes before lunch. He reminded me of a golden retriever. "Hey, Bella," he greeted with a smile.

"Hi, Mike," I answered trying to keep my tone polite.

"Are you busy Friday night? Because if you aren't, we could go to my house and…you know…" he trailed off suggestively.

"Thanks for offering, but I'm busy Friday night." The bell rang and I escaped from the conversation with Mike. I decided to wait for Edward at the front of the school. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Mike walking towards me. The guy won't leave well enough alone. "Bella. About Friday. Since your busy that night, maybe we could do it some other night. Like maybe Saturday night?"

"Sorry, Mike. I have plans Saturday night, too."

"Oh. What about Sunday night?"

"Um…I'm doing something Sunday night."

"Monday night?" This guy just couldn't take a hint. "It's a school night," I said through my teeth.

"What about that Friday then?"

"I'm busy next Friday, too."

"Bella will be unavailable every night as far as anyone besides myself is concerned," a menacing velvet voice said behind me. I would recognize that voice anywhere. I felt an arm wrap around my waist protectively. I looked up and saw that it was Edward, of course. His face was strained, and anger and annoyance were clear in his eyes. "Oh," Mike said, "Well, I guess I'll see you around." And with that, he took off in the opposite direction towards the parking lot.

"Thanks for saving me," I thanked him. As soon as Edward heard my voice, his face softened. "You're welcome. C'mon. Alice and Rose have been looking everywhere for you." He led me back into the school to where Alice and Rose were.

"Where have you been?"

"Sorry, Alice. Mike Newton can't take a hint."

"Oh. That explains it. Anyway, c'mon, Bella. I have to drop you off at home. Bye, Rose! Bye, Emmet! Bye, Edward! Bye, Jasper!" And with that, she walked away towards her car. "Well, that's my cue to leave. Bye, Rose! Bye, Emmet! See ya, Jasper! Bye, Edward! Thanks for saving me from Mike," I whispered. I gave Edward a peck on the cheek and walked away.

Once I got into Alice's car, she bombarded me with questions about Edward and me. I told her all about how he asked me on a date and what happened with Mike. She dropped me off at my house and told me that she'd be here again early in the morning to make me look beautiful for Edward.

I started making dinner—steak and mashed potatoes—while worrying about what Alice had planned for tomorrow. Charlie came home a few minutes after I finished cooking dinner—perfect timing. "That smells great, Bella," he complimented.

"Thanks, Char—Dad." After eating dinner in comfortable silence, Charlie went to the family room and watched some TV, and I went upstairs to my room to think about the day. The day was better than I expected. I met the most amazing person—Edward Cullen. He was perfect, and I couldn't imagine my life without him. And the best part was that I—plain, old, boring Bella Swan—was going out with Edward Cullen on a date this Friday! This has been the best first day of school ever.