Disclaimer: All rights go to Stephenie Meyer!

Note: OK, this is all human. Full summary: Bella's life was picture-perfect - she has everything a girl could want. A new student comes to Forks High and Bella finds herself falling in love with the mysterious Edward Cullen, a boy that has nothing to lose, despite the fact that none of her friends want her to be with him and that she already has a boyfriend. But things are not always as they seem - especially when time is your enemy. ALL HUMAN even though Edward will seem to have some 'vampire-like symptoms' he is NOT a vampire - vampires don't exist in this story!

BPOV

Jacob and I were best friends before we started dating. That was two years ago - now we're more and I couldn't be happier. I had grown up with Jake and knew him like I knew myself. We told each other everything and had a strong, open relationship.

Unfortunately, I only have two classes with him - third period math and seventh period literature - so after lunch, we parted our separate ways, me off to biology and Jake heading to world history.

I was a little bit early (as usual) so I sat down and waited for the everyone to arrive. After a little while, most of the students filed in, chattering away, and class began. We had been working on some notes for several minutes before the door opened and the most beautiful person I'd ever seen walked in, even surpassing Jacob's looks.

His face was flawless and perfect and his tousled bronze-colored hair shone in the bright light of the room, but what made my breath hitch in my throat was the boy's eyes. They were deep green - exactly like emeralds - sparkling with life and…an underlying tone of sadness?

"Sorry I'm late," he said, handing the teacher a pass. "Ah, Mr. Cullen. That's alright - just take a seat by Miss Swan," Mr. Raleigh instructed. I nearly stopped breathing. It would be just my look for me to cause some sort of accident and not only injure myself but the new student, too.

He sat down next to me. I figured it wouldn't hurt to try and be friendly.

"Hi. I'm Bella Swan," I introduced myself.

"I'm Edward," he replied. He looked at me at the same moment that I looked at him. We stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like ten years until he finally tore away. As Edward did so, I saw a flash of pain in not only his eyes but his expression, too. I wondered what could be causing him so much hurt, but I also wondered why I cared so much about a stranger that I just met a few minutes ago.

"We, um, have a paper due in two weeks," I said lamely, trying to change the subject. "Do you think we could meet sometime to work on it?"

"I guess so," he shrugged. Yes, Edward's evasiveness was a little rude, but I didn't think he was acting that way out of meanness. No - this was something else.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"I'm…I'm fine." I didn't press him, not wanting to seem nosy.

We spent the rest of the period in almost silence - the only other time we spoke was setting up a study date. My mind kept straying back to the hurt and sadness on Edward's face even though he hadn't showed any other sign of pain since. What would a guy like him have to worry about?

The bell rang suddenly, and I jumped a little bit in my seat. I looked up to see Edward jumping out of his own and half-running out of the classroom. My mouth was slightly hanging open. Did I smell bad or something? Had I offended him in someway? Whatever it was, I could tell that this was going to be a long year.

"OK. The Red Cross is having their annual blood drive tomorrow and I thought that you should all know your blood types. I expect to see each and every one of you there unless you have a legitimate reason not to go." Mr. Varner (AN: I can't remember the guy's name and I'm too lazy to go look it up) took his little tool and pricked Mike's finger. Blood oozed out of the wound, and I almost immediately felt nauseous.

"Umm, can I be excused please? I don't do well with blood…" I blinked to keep away the darkness fuzzing on the edge of my vision, but I began to feel myself fall as the blackness took over.

"She's waking up," I heard someone say. I opened my eyes groggily and slowly sat up, finding myself lying on a cot in a little room…the nurse's office?

"Sorry," I apologized to my rescuer. Edward Cullen was sitting next to the cot.

"It's fine. I would stay longer, Bella, but I have to go to English." He rose to leave, about to go as abruptly as he had come.

"Oh, OK. I'd say see you tomorrow, but I'm obviously not attending the blood drive," I said, attempting at a feeble joke.

He nodded uncomfortably. "I'll, um, see you Monday, then." And with that, Edward quickly left. Again, he'd acted as if I was a leper or something. He couldn't have hated me too much, though, because he had caught me and taken me to the nurse - I apparently hadn't hit the floor because I felt no pain, just a little dizziness.

I didn't understand Edward - not one bit, but that made me only more curious about him. What was wrong with me?

"Bella! Are you alright?" Jake asked me, concerned. He'd rushed into the room to see if I had made it out alive.

"I'm fine. Edward brought me here."

"Edward?"

"You know - he's new here," I explained.

"Oh. Him." Jacob's expression turned stony. Now I was even more confused than before.

"What do you mean?"

"Haven't you seen how…distant he acts? He's a freak, Bella. Trust me. Don't hang around him, OK?"

"Well, that'll be kind of hard considering that we're biology partners," I said sarcastically. I looked up at Jake's face and wished that I hadn't spoken.

"He's your partner?" Jacob exclaimed, outraged. "I'll handle this. I can ask Mr. Varner for a switch -"

"Hold on. You don't even know Edward, Jake!"

"I know that he's weird."

"Jake…are you…jealous?" I would've felt self-conscious asking him that except for the fact that the clues all line up.

"N…no," he said unconvincingly.

I laughed. "Don't worry, Jacob. I'll always be your girl. He's just my partner - not even my friend, OK? There's nothing to get upset over."

"I know. I just don't want you to get hurt - that's all."

"Thanks. But I'm sure Edward's fine. Really. And don't go around calling people you barely know freaks. It's not a good reputation to get," I fake scolded.

"Yes ma'm. I'll try to behave better from now on," Jacob joked back. "Come on. It's cold outside." He led me to his Rabbit and we talked and smiled, but I still couldn't help but think about Edward Cullen. Why was he so distant? He was the type of guy who could have a million girls drooling over him - any other boy's dream. I just didn't get it, and I had a sinking feeling that I wouldn't anytime soon.

The next day was Saturday - the day of the Red Cross blood drive. I, of course, didn't attend but instead decided to go to the…mall. I badly needed some new sneakers even though I hated America's favorite shopping center.

I entered the women's department, immediately being hit by a wave of strong, smelly perfume. Trying to hold my breath, I made it over to the shoes. I looked at all the numerous displays, hoping to make the trip as quick as possible, when I saw a familiar bronze head next to a dark-haired girl. I froze and looked again.

They came closer to where I was standing until we were only about five feet apart. He looked up and our eyes, once again, met - mine filled with surprise, his filled with horror.

"Edward? I thought you were going to the blood drive."