A/N: I know what you're thinking - didn't I already post this story? And the answer is yes and no. I've changed it once again (for the better) and this time the whole thing is done. I plan on posting each month separately. Which means it should be about 12 or so posts.

This is an original story which I tried to change the names of the characters into Twilight ones so if the descriptions don't match, let me know and I'll correct them. I also left some of the originals in place. I just like it better that way. I hope this version isn't too confusing.

The usual disclaimer: Twilight is Stephenie Meyers, all else is mine.

._.

Ch 1 September – First Meeting

Isabella Swan was a sophomore at Arizona State University in Phoenix. She had chestnut hair and a pale complexion, though over the summer her favorite recreational sport was bike riding. Her best friend and neighbor since they were thirteen was Angela Weber. That was the age Isabella's mom started dating again and the house always had a strange man in it. As Isabella grew, creepy guys were a staple in her home and she began to equate the accidental touches from these men as assaults to her person. This led to physical contact with any male into a taboo. At first Isabella was in an all-girls university, but since no one she knew went there she transferred and was lucky enough to share a dorm room with Angela.

They were watching the end credits for a chick flick when she asked, "Did you ever have that feeling of lightning striking when you met someone? Do you think it's true that this person could be the one?"

"Nah. The whole zap life change at the face of a stranger— kind of ridiculous," the other responded.

"Yeah. If such a thing did exist, I would probably run."

"Thinking about Robert?"

"Well ..."

"It's too bad I didn't get to meet the jerk. I would have kicked his butt. Using you like that to win over Jessica," Angela said. "What an A-hole."

"I felt really dumb. I'm so glad he doesn't go to this school. If I had to see his face every day, it would be awful." Isabella resolved, "I should've listened to my stomach. The moment that weird feeling started—"

"You mean the butterflies?"

"Huh?"

"The fluttering around feeling like butterflies when someone gets too close?" her friend interpreted.

"Yeah. It meant trouble."

"It meant you liked him."

"Which meant, I'm in trouble!"

Angela just laughed. She didn't understand it was more than just butterflies. Isabella's heart would race and she would feel as if bugs were crawling along her skin. A panic attack was a better name for it, but she was very good at hiding it. She would casually move aside or would pull away from them. It protected her from heartbreak, but also left her lonely. When Robert, an old classmate from elementary, entered her life, she wanted to be like the other college girls. She ignored the panic and let him get close. Unfortunately, he was using her to make someone else jealous.

Angela changed the subject. "Hey, remember that 'Youngest To Do' program we watched the other day? It talked about this young business genius named Edward Masen?"

"Yeah what about it?"

"Well the buzz in the Business and Finance department is he's coming here, to ASU," she stated.

"To teach? That would be weird. Didn't it say he was nineteen?"

"It would be a nice change from the aging faculty. You think he's cute?" Angela imagined. The other shrugged. "I'm going to jump into the shower before starting my homework." Angela headed to the bathroom.

"Wait, I need to use the toilet," Isabella called.

"Too late." The door slammed. "Use the one in the hall," she yelled from behind the door. Isabella left her dorm and entered the community restroom. Once she'd finished, she headed back to her dorm room. But then did an about-face, she stepped back in the bathroom leaving the door wide opened assessing her hair.

At the same moment, a new student was getting an impromptu tour of the girls' dorms. Edward Masen, the business prodigy, bore a stunning resemblance oddly enough to Robert. They both had a flawless complexion, almost bronze hair worn short and carefully tousled with dark green eyes and a pointed nose, which rounded at the tip. At five foot eleven inches tall it seemed the combination couldn't possibly be duplicated coincidentally. He came to ASU to get his official degree in business with a minor in psychology. At the moment, he was the CEO of an investment company, which was started by his deceased father. He figured, since he needed to run a business, he might as well prove to the big shot competition that he knew what he was doing. The resident advisor (RA), Tyler, took Edward to the female dormitory first, so he could visit his girlfriend, Lauren. Several girls peeked out of their rooms to discover why there were boys' voices in the corridor. Edward couldn't help looking around glancing through doorways. There are so many pretty girls. I'll never get any school work done, he thought.

Just then he glanced into the restroom spotting the back of a girl in a black spaghetti strap tank top and short shorts. She was bent over pulling her shoulder length hair over her face. Through the reflection he met one deep brown eye and then he looked away. Isabella quickly hid behind the door.

"What is Robert doing here?" she whispered to herself. After a moment she carefully stepped out, checking to see if he was still out there, noticing girls out in the hall. It occurred to her something was going on, but she just quickly headed for her room. Edward turned around at that moment and saw a female figure retreating away and exited through a door.

Tyler took Edward to the male dormitory building next to find his dorm room. He received a more expensive single. He unpacked his things and wished he had his assistant to get him organized. He called up Mr. Jay, his personal assistant in Chicago, to hire someone to help ease the transition into college life. Mr. Jay made some calls and set up interviews with college students for the next day.

Edward interviewed several students, one of which was Isabella. Once she saw him, her cheeks instantly reddened, because of his resemblance to her ex. It dawned on her it must've been him the other day and not Robert. Since he failed to show any recognition of her, she took a few deep breaths to calm down. Edward found her very efficient with all her extracurricular qualifications. She seemed like an overall pleasing person and there was something else. He instantly hired her.

Isabella helped him find his classes and showed him all the short cuts to get to any building he needed quickly, but she never spoke to him on a social level. She always wore a baseball cap and her chestnut hair in a ponytail. A bit embarrassed about the incident she hoped he would never recognize her.

After a week of this, he decided to break the ice. Using her first name he began, "So Bella, you seem really wound up, all business-like. You should really loosen up. I like to know a little about my employees. Tell me about yourself."

Her face paled as she felt a moment of dread. The last thing she wanted was for him to realize he knew more than he should about her undergarments. "Uh, what do you want to know?"

He didn't understand what was wrong, so he decided maybe she would be more comfortable if he shared too. "Tell you what, I'll go first. You could call me Edward. No more of that 'Mr. Masen' business and I'm originally from Chicago. I'm getting a business degree, although I'm not sure which, specifically. I have no siblings and I like the color purple, the actual color not the movie."

She smiled at the joke. "I know who you are. I once saw you on TV. Why are you taking business, when you should really be teaching it?"

"I'm just trying to make my knowledge of business official. I don't want people thinking I'm coasting on my father's dime. Besides, there are other things I could learn. This university offers lots of different subjects I'm interested in. Psychology for example, it fascinates me."

"Well you already know I'm a Liberal Arts major. I basically want to taste a bit of everything." She looked down for a second and then said, "Could you please, call me Isabella? I hate it when people call me Bella."

"Okay Isabella." He gave her his million watt smile and her middle gave an involuntary flutter.

Just then his cell phone rang. It was Mr. Jay reminding him about the Benefit Dinner planned here to show the clients Edward was still on top of things at his company. He snapped his phone shut and looked at her.

"Isabella I need a favor," he said. "There is a Benefit Dinner I need to attend and I want to bring a date." She froze for a moment, but he didn't notice. "There was this girl I saw once, I want to ask. What kinds of things impress girls here?"

"Oh, I don't think you'll have a problem impressing girls." She smiled shyly lowering her eyes. "I guess flowers or chocolates. Just stick to the classics."

"The classics …" he pondered. "Good idea. Do you know where I could get a suit?"

._.

Edward walked quietly up the stairwell to the mystery girl's dorm building reaching up to the correct floor. He held a small bouquet of half a dozen flowers, each a different color and style. He gently pulled open the door, peering in to see if any students were in the hall. It was already late in the evening. People were expected to keep quiet at this hour. He reached to the door he saw the girl enter and knocked upon it.

"Who's there?" a young voice asked. Edward put the flowers behind his back. He cleared his throat and said his name.

The door opened to a honey highlighted brunette with light brown eyes. "Hi. Could I help you with something?" Angela asked.

"Um, I'm looking for someone. Is there a girl with brown straight hair and dark brown eyes sharing this room with you?"

She nodded. "Bells!" she called behind her, "Get over here. There's a cute guy here for you." She turned back to Edward. "I'm Angela by the way."

"Nice to meet you." Isabella walked into view and his jaw dropped along with the flowers. "Uh—"

"You know I hate being called—" She spotted the floral deposit behind him. "What's … going on?

"I came here to find … but it couldn't be—" His eyes glanced down her body then up again and he smiled. "It's you. I saw you that first day. You were wearing—"

"Hey!" she interrupted. Her heart raced as color rose in her cheeks. One arm crossed over her chest holding her bicep to squeeze herself in a subconscious covering up. "Angela, can you excuse us?" Angela went into the room while Isabella stepped farther out and spoke to him in a whisper. "I thought you didn't remember."

He bent down to pick up the arrangement. "These are for you," he offered.

She shook her head. "I don't want them." She pushed them gently away.

"But I want to ask you to the Benefit. You're the girl I saw …" His eyes dropped to her body again.

"Stop! Stop looking at me that way." The imaginary bugs were crawling all over her. "There were plenty of girls out admiring you that day. Why don't you ask them?" She slammed the door. He also heard her yell, "And find another girl to be your guide."

"What?" His face contorted. His voice dropped. "But I hired you."

._.

Every morning Edward woke early and placed one of the flowers from his bouquet on Isabella's door knob, so when the door opened it would drop to get the two girls' attention. First one rose, then a tulip, a lily, an iris, and each time Isabella picked up the flower and tossed it unceremoniously into the trash. Angela was the one who discovered the daffodil. She liked that one and wouldn't let her roommate destroy it. "If you don't want it, I'm putting it by my bed in a cup."

"It's from Edward. I know it. He just doesn't get it. Tomorrow I'll catch him and set him straight."

The next morning she got up at 5:00am waiting for the telltale sounds of someone leaving the plant. She heard footsteps approach around six and she peeked through the peep hole and spotted Edward. Her heart was thumping. She pulled the door open before he escaped. "Oh!"

"You have to stop," she whispered loudly. "I don't want any —" she saw the daisy on the floor. That one was her favorite. She picked it up and offered it back to him. "Flowers."

"It's for you, an apology. I didn't mean to embarrass you. I'm really sorry." He kept his eyes on hers. "I'm not sure why I didn't figure it out earlier, but now that I did, I'm glad it's you. You're kind and you're smart. I'm comfortable, because you're already like a friend."

"Friend? I was an employee and this could be considered sexual harassment."

"Well then you're fired. Now will you go out with me?"

She gave a quiet laugh. "I already quit and no."

"Why not?"

"I don't date," she mumbled.

"You don't? What, are you not allowed? Is your mom and pop really strict?" he joked.

She smiled and shook her head. "No, nothing like that."

He smiled and his hand came up to touch her face. "You have a nice smile." She flinched away and both their faces fell. "I repulse you," he concluded.

The butterflies in her stomach were fluttering like crazy. "It's not like that. It's just my ex—"

"I thought you don't date?" His eyes narrowed.

"I don't. I made one exception and he used me."

"Ah, so you've sworn off men." He called out to the Heavens, "Thanks, whatever-your-name-is."

Two different doors opened in the hallway. "Shh!"

"Can you please keep it down? There are people still asleep!"

"Sorry," Isabella responded. "Edward you need to leave." She shut the door. Her hand still held the flower and she smelled its sweet scent with a smile.

._.

At lunchtime Isabella waited on line in the cafeteria. Her hair held the daisy Edward had given her.

"So you haven't sworn off men," he called out walking over to her.

She adjusted the flower a little. "I just happen to love daisies." Her cheeks pinked.

"Interesting, so I have a chance?"

"No." Her pulse quickened at the thought of him touching her again. "You look like him." His brows furrowed in question. "Robert. My ex."

"How so?"

"Your hair, your face, your body."

He clutched his arms around his chest in mock embarrassment. "Hey! Now who's ogling whom?"

She laughed.

He unclenched. "In all honesty, I just miss you. We don't have to date, just hang out."

"You mean like friends?"

He hesitated. "Yeah …"

"No touching?" she asked.

"No touching."

._.

The next day he spotted her in the cafeteria with her head down taking a nap. He brought her a latte and set it down.

"Isabella, wake up," he urged. He stepped around the chair and leaned over her. Her scent seemed enticing. He whispered in her ear what his mother used to use to wake him when he was a child, "Wakie, wakie. Rise and shine."

She jerked awake. He quickly flinched back.

"Are you okay?" he chuckled, "I brought you some wake up juice." He pointed at the insulated cup.

"Thanks." She took a sip. "How did you know how I liked it?"

"I didn't. I just got two the way I usually drink it and hoped for the best. Why are you so tired anyway?"

"Late night studying."

The next morning he waited for her outside with an extra café latte in hand. She saw him and smiled. "You read my mind!"

"What are friends for?" he smiled back. She took the coffee and began sipping it as he walked her to her first class. "I'll see you at lunch?"

"Okay."

Edward made it to the cafeteria first. She joined him shortly after. He was done eating and took out his homework to staple it. The sound made her remember something.

"So, the Benefit Dinner … when is it?" she uttered without looking at him.

"It was yesterday."

"Oh, well. How was it?"

"Fine. It was just like any other business dinner, only part of it was promoting a charity. I gave them my plans on how I intend on keeping in touch with my clientele and explained how there won't be a decline in my work, though I'm doing a lot more delegating."

"Oh," she responded quietly.

His head tilted. "Didn't that answer your question?"

"Yes. I was just wondering who your date was."

He smirked. "Then why didn't you just ask that?"

She swallowed against the lump in her throat. "Who was your date?"

He paused a moment to gauge her reaction. "I didn't have one."

Her mood lightened. "Couldn't find anyone, huh?"

"No, that wasn't it. I just thought it best to go solo."

"Why?"

"Well, it occurred to me anyone I take might misinterpret my motives, because I already have my eye on somebody and she couldn't make it."

Her eyes dropped down while her heartbeat picked up the pace. She was taking controlled breaths so not to give herself away. "Edward —"

He interrupted her, "You don't think Taylor Swift is out of my league, do you?" She couldn't help but laugh.

"Hey, are you free on Friday? I'll have finished my exam and I'll be in the mood to do something fun."

"Um," he thought for a moment. "It's a possibility. What do you want to do?"

"Do you want to go bike riding?"

"Bike riding?"

"Yeah."

"No."

"What's wrong with bike riding?"

He took his time answering. "I can't ride a two-wheeler."

"What? How could that be?"

"I didn't have a normal childhood," he admitted. "I spent most of the time indoors with my dad at work."

"Then you need to let me teach you. No one should grow up not knowing how to ride a bike. As a kid, speeding on a two-wheeler was the best feeling in the world!" The look in her eyes of the thrill made him curious.

"But what if I fall?"

"You're not going to fall. Well maybe once or twice, but you'll easily get the hang of it. Piece of cake."

He began putting his homework away. "Time for class."

"Well?" she queried.

"Okay, fine," he huffed.

._.

At 10:00am Friday he nervously waited outside for Isabella. He couldn't stop pacing. His cell phone rang and it brought him to a halt. He glanced at the number.

"Mr. Jay how are things planning out?"

"Everything is going according to schedule here. Did you pick up the suit I ordered for you at the address I texted to you?"

"No, I'm taking today off. Sorry."

Mr. Jay flustered, "But Edward the clients are expecting—"

"There are other people who are familiar with the situation. Bradley and Whitlock should be there. Have them write out the plans and e-mail it to me. I'll look at it tonight," he assured. Isabella came out and walked slowly behind him, trying to listen to his conversation.

"You are the company. The clients want your ideas on this," Mr. Jay pleaded.

"I'm flattered, but I'm busy at the moment."

"It's a girl, isn't it? You promised—"

"Just tell them I'm sick or something." And he snapped his phone shut. Edward was a little miffed. Mr. Jay was his assistant and he shouldn't be telling him what to do.

He turned around unexpectedly and jumped back.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Isabella apologized. "The phone call sounded important. Do you need to go?"

"No. They could handle things without me. You got me hyped-up about riding. Come on," he said trying to add the right amount of enthusiasm. They got into his silver Volvo and she dropped a big backpack onto the back seat.

"First-aid kit?" he claimed.

"Among other things."

With Isabella navigating he drove to The Outdoor Sports Authority where they rented bikes and gear. Parked in the lot behind the store, they walked the bikes to the nearby grassy park. Edward got onto the bike and instantly lost his balance. He hit the floor and she brutally laughed.

"I'm glad you get so much pleasure from my pain!" he said while rubbing his leg.

"I'm sorry. It's just the way you fell. Did you expect it to hold you up?" He pushed the cycle aside. "Let me help you." She pulled the bike up and steadied it for him. He got on again, but kept his feet on the ground. "The trick to riding a bike is confidence. You have to believe you could, because you need to keep pedaling to keep your balance. If you're unsure and go slowly, then you'll lose your balance and fall over," she instructed. She got on her bike and showed him how to kick off and start pedaling. She rode back and held his bike seat to give him a chance to try. She steadied the bike and once he said ready she gave him a shove. He quickly put his feet on the pedals and pushed. He wobbled a bit, but kept on going. "Impressive."

"How do I stop?" he yelled as he turned his head to look at her. Suddenly he was on the ground.

"Never mind." She was laughing again. This time he laughed too.

After a few more tries and several cuts and scrapes later, they were both riding side by side.

"The real thrill is going downhill, but I doubt you have enough control for that. We'll just have to do this again another time. Are you hungry? It must be lunch time by now." They rode back to the store and returned the bikes.

"Is there a place to eat out here?"

"Picnic," she stated.

"Excuse me?"

"I brought sandwiches and drinks for a picnic." She started walking back to the park and he followed. She stopped by a tree and took a flat sheet out of her backpack. They laid it out and sat. She gave him a few sandwiches and juice boxes. She took one sandwich and took out a novel from her bag.

"Mmm PB and J, my favorite," he joked.

She pursed her lips. "It's the only thing I had that would keep without ice."

"No, it's fine. I really do like peanut butter and jelly. Thanks." He leaned back against the tree. She pointed at the book.

"Do you mind? I didn't know what to bring you."

"It's fine. I could glance around this oasis in Phoenix. What are you reading?"

"Tartuffe for English class."

"We are covering that in my literature class too. Who do you have, Johnson?" She nodded. "Do you mind if I read a little beside you?"

"Ah..." She looked at him warily. It sounded like an innocent question. "No, I guess we could share." She opened to where her bookmark held her place and he leaned over. He caught a glimpse at her exposed neck as he peered down at the book. He had already read past this chapter. He took a deep breath absorbing her aroma. His eyes closed as he slowly exhaled.

The close proximity was beginning to unnerve her. She turned to him and stared, "What are you doing?"

He recovered quickly. "Being patient. I already read past this part."

"Oh. We could finish eating and just go home to read."

"No, continue reading. I'll just wait."

"I don't want you to be bored staring at nothing."

"I'm not staring at nothing. There is plenty to see." He leaned back again and looked up into the tree. She leaned back also peering upward. He turned his head and gazed at her profile.

"Honestly, I'm not clear what you find so fascinating," she claimed.

He looked up before speaking. "That's because you're not looking where I am."

She shifted closer trying to find his point of view then turned to him. "What are you looking at?"

He turned to face her. "Something really beautiful."

She swallowed hard. "I think we should head back."

._.

At night Isabella called Edward while he was going the through his e-mails.

"Hey, I'm not interrupting you on a date, am I?"

He was surprised by the question. "Date? No. I was just doing some work. What's up?"

"Well, I need to see this documentary for my theater class and Angela won't come with me. Everyone else in class saw it already and I really don't feel comfortable going to the movies alone. Could you go with me?"

"A movie? That sounds like a date."

"It's an assignment," she corrected.

He smiled to himself. "Sure. What's the name of the movie?"

"First Woman. It's all about Eve. You know like Adam and Eve. We'll meet at the movies, so it's not a date," she insisted.

"All right, it's not a date. Is tomorrow night okay?"

"Yeah."

._.

Isabella was changing to go to the movies, when Angela came in to retouch her make-up.

"I'm going out to dinner with Eric," she stated.

"Why am I not surprised?"

"So what are you planning on doing tonight?"

"I'm going to the movies. I found someone willing to see First Woman with me."

"Oh yeah, who?"

"Edward Masen."

"Edward? Well, you've been spending a lot of time with him."

Isabella became defensive. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, nothing. Does he know you're going to see that boring movie?"

"Yes."

"When is he picking you up?"

"He is not. We are meeting there."

._.

Edward was already waiting at the movie theater when Isabella arrived. "What was the name of the movie again? I can't seem to find it."

She walked up to the ticket booth, worried. "Two for First Woman."

"That's not playing anymore," the ticket agent said. "Is there something else you would like to see?" She gazed at Edward. He asked the ticket agent if First Woman could be found elsewhere. "Not likely since it has been gone for more than a week."

"You know so we don't waste the trip we could stay and see what's playing now," she suggested.

"Phantom's Revenge is about to begin," the agent chimed in.

"Do you like scary movies?" she asked.

"I love them, but are you sure?" he questioned.

"I'm willing to stay, but if it gets too scary, could we leave?" she anxiously asked.

"Of course, I don't want you to have nightmares."

They took their seats in the middle of the row and the lights dimmed. For about twenty minutes there were nonstop screams and flinches from the audience. Isabella couldn't take it anymore. She just turned toward Edward and kept her eyes closed. Her pulse went so fast from the horrific movie; the closeness to him had no added affect. A bit uncomfortable with the weight on his shoulder, he put his arm around her. That's when he caught her scent again. He just stared at her under his arm. He couldn't hold on to his urges any longer. He lifted her chin and went for a kiss. She instantly pulled away. Her face was contorted with disgust. She got up and mumbled "excuse me's" to the other occupants of the row. Sniffs between her words implied she was crying.

"Isabella," he whispered before following her out. He spotted her sitting on a bench. Tears were rolling down her face.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he kept repeating. He knelt down in front of her to see her face. It was staring straight ahead and was expressionless. "I know we are following a hands-off friendship policy. I don't know what came over me." Isabella just shook her head, got up, and walked out the exit without looking back. He stood and paced back and forth, rubbing his hand to his forehead. "I'm so dumb," he cursed himself.

._.

That week Edward gave Isabella her space, but it didn't appear she was even around. He suspected she had barricaded herself in her bedroom. He called her number, but Angela answered.

"Hey, this is Edward Masen. I was wondering if Isabella is okay? I haven't seen her around."

"She hadn't spoken or even left the room since she came home from the movies. I don't understand what's wrong with her. I couldn't even get her to go to the doctor. Was the movie so bad?"

"We ended up watching something else, but I may have ... Is it possible you could allow me to talk to her?" he reluctantly asked.

"I just told you she's not speaking. What did you?"

"Just tell her I'm sorry."

"Maybe you should tell her in person," Angela suggested.

._.

On Friday Edward knocked on Isabella's door and Angela answered.

"How is she?"

"Still silent. At the moment she's in the bathroom. I need to get to class." She turned to the door and knocked. "Bells, I need to go, but Edward is here. Should I make him leave?"

Isabella opened the door slowly, her clothes completely drenched in water. "No."

"Isabella?"

"I'm fine," she assured her friend. "Go to class."

Angela nodded and walked into the outer corridor. She gave Edward a stern look. "You better keep your hands to yourself." Then she left.

There was a puddle forming on the floor. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah. I needed to do the laundry and take a shower. This is what my messed up brain came up with." Isabella began to shiver.

"Oh." He grabbed the towel that was hanging and extended it to wrap around her.

"No, no!" She pulled away. "I could do it myself." She took the towel from him and wrapped her shivering body. "I can't stand to be touched. It makes me uncomfortable."

"What? You mean if anyone touches you?"

"No, just males."

"Oh."

"That's why I don't date. My heart, my stomach, all my insides go haywire."

"That does sound uncomfortable. Is there a reason or were you always like that?" He tried to be understanding, but his curiosity was stronger.

"When I was thirteen my parents split up. My mom started dating again and the men that came around—"

"Oh." He stopped her. "Enough said. I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring up bad memories. It's just, I really like you."

Her stomach knotted up and she began to massage it. "This goes against my better judgment."

"What does?"

"I kind of like you back."

"You do?" He smiled and it seemed like his eyes lit up, but then dimmed. "But this 'no contact' thing ..."

"Well, it's not like I don't ever want to be touched, it's more like I need to prepare," she explained.

"Right. I'm not going to wait forever, am I?"

Isabella lifted her hand to touch his, but her insides balled up and she dropped her limb. "I'll work on it."

"While you do that, how about you and me go to the carnival tomorrow? There's one being set up by the canyon."

She took a deep breath. "Okay."

About an hour later, Angela came back and saw Isabella sitting on the couch, lost in thought. She smiled at her approach.

"You better?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"So what happened?"

"We talked it out. He likes me."

"Do you like him?"

"Yeah we have a date planned out, but …"

"But what?"

"Well the last time we were alone he kissed me."

"Is that what happened? What do you expect? You were on a date."

"No, we weren't."

"Yes you were. Both of you are unattached and were together alone in the dark movie theater. And, you obviously like each other. It was a date whether you admit it or not." Isabella pouted. "Guys expect things and Edward won't be any different."

"What does that mean?"

"It means, whatever is going on with you, is going to complicate things. Keep it simple. If you can't get over your problem, don't string him along. It could end up hurting both of you."

Isabella nodded. "When did you get so deep?"

"Hey, I have my moments."

A/N: So what do you think? Better? Worse? I left the old story up for comparison. It is titled "The important Touch." I like this title better.