Thanks always to Nati for pre-reading!

Prologue:
On the List

BPOV

I walked to the cafeteria with my backpack and my violin slung across my shoulder. Students filled the hallways making it difficult to maneuver, but six years in these halls gave me the upper hand as I pushed my way through tiny middle schoolers.

Reaching the already crowded lunch room, I set my bags down at the table closest to the vending machine. A quick glance around the large room confirmed that none of my friends were in the cafeteria yet. I contemplated going to see if Alice or even Kate were still in carline, but I decided to go just go ahead and get some work done.

I settled in at my table, hoping maybe Alice would come soon. I figured she was probably off somewhere with her twin brother, Emmett. I grinned at the mischief that those too could be up to.

I flipped my history book open and turned to grab my headphones from my bag.

"Hello." A cool voice met my ears and I turned around to see Jasper Hale and Edward Cullen setting their bags down across from me.

"Hi," I said, as they sat down. I felt uncomfortable and somewhat out of place.

"What are you working on?" Edward said, reaching for my book and turning it to face him.

"Um nothing really. I was kind of just getting started." I shrugged.

Edward nodded before reaching into his backpack to pull out his iPad. I pulled my book back to me and started flipping through the pages, but Edward turned his iPad towards me.

"This is the car that I want to one day own." Edward pointed to his lock screen. It was a photo of a Land Rover. Sleek, sporty and expensive. My eyes darted from Edward to the screen.

Edward was interested in cars. I wasn't sure why this paticular bit of information was interesting to me or why he even mentioned it to me. He had seemed to me to just be the nerdy kind of guy who read textbooks all the time. I mean that's kind of what the rumors were. But when I looked at him, I didn't see the typical nerd.

I wasn't exactly sure what I saw.

"That's nice." I said, unsure of what I was supposed to say. I chewed on the end of pencil as I studied Edward's features. I took in his causal hair that was streaked with red highlights visible even in the harsh lights of the cafeteria.

"Yeah it is nice." Edward exhaled, before closing his case and returning his iPad to his bag. "Actually, do you know what I really want right now? I really want Starbucks." Edward met my eyes. "Like I need caffeine, but I don't have a car so I can't go anywhere. And assuming that you're in late stay, you don't have a car either."

Edward looked at me for confirmation and I nodded.

"Oh well, I guess I could always get a Pepsi." Edward sighed before turning around to look at the machine, longing clear in his posture. He looked hopeful that somehow a bottle would magically come from the machine.

"I'll pay you a dollar to get me a Pepsi." Edward said, turning back to me and folding his hands neatly on top of one another. His gaze was the epitome of cool, calm and calculating. At least, that's what I assumed was going on behind his emerald eyes.

"Seriously? The machine is right there." I pointed to emphasize the twelve or so feet behind us to the machine. "It's like what...twelve feet away?"

"And that is precisely twelve feet too far," Edward said.

I stared bewildered at the boy in front of me with his neat polo sweater, his white polo shirt peaking from underneath.

Edward rolled his eyes. "Oh c'mon, it's not like I'm asking you to do free labour."

Then Edward tried a different tactic and leaned on his elbows, leaning closer towards me. "Look, this is a win-win situation for everyone. You get a dollar and I get my Pepsi."

Edward smiled like he was an angel.

I rolled my eyes and then fized my gaze pointedly on my book. He could get his own damn Pepsi.

Edward threw his hands up in the air.

"Ugh. Why is it so hard to find good people these days?" Edward exclaimed.

Yep, that was me. Uncharitable Bella Swan.

Edward slid from the table and I watched him march to the vending machine. "Are you happy now?" He turned to send a dark glare my way.

I couldn't help but laugh as he paid for his Pepsi and waited for the machine to dispense his drink. He crossed his arms and tapped his foot impatiently.

"Remind me to put you on the murder list," Edward said, returning to his seat.

"Oh c'mon, you know you love me." I joked even though I barely knew him.

He sat down, rolling his eyes before turning to Jasper who was busy ignoring our banter and working on his Calculus homework. I'd almost forgotten he was sitting there, I'd been so focused on Edward.

"She's on the list," Edward informed him. Jasper looked up. He laughed as Edward did the universal hand gesture for execution across his neck.

Clearly, that made it official.

"Feeling the love," I said, chuckling. What a strange character.

Edward shook his head feigning disgust at my behavior, but I noticed he couldn't keep the smirk off his face when he glanced back up at me through his thick eyelashes.

Oh yes...I was definitely on the list.

Hello there! This is the beginning of an adventure with Edward, Jasper and Bella. I think they make quite the trio.

Please let me know what you think so far...

-marie