Disclaimer: All about twilight belong to SM. All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author.

Comfort Girl

Chapter One

Edward was bored. Reading papers about college courses and scholarships was the last on his list for that Sunday afternoon. His head was still heavy due to Emmet's party the night before, the last party before his senior year in school.

"One more year," he thought and pushed all those papers down on the floor. He lazily put his hands behind his head and started humming a melody that suited his mood. It was soft, and dark and short but he just couldn't get it out of his head. He was sure of one thing though... No one in school could imagine their star athlete singing a lullaby.

Edward Cullen had the air of a rock star and almost everybody treated him as one. Almost everybody... His first day as a senior was filled with new classes, meetings with the team, catching up with pals, checking new girls, avoiding old girlfriends. Nothing was close to interesting till his biology lab. There, at the second station, was the mystery that held Edward's secret attention during most of his junior year. Bella Swan.

Edward found out that Bella went to "his" school a few days after the winter break. One of the teachers went on early labor and all students had to fill their hours with a free choice course. English Literature was the only class that suited Edward's practice hours. He only had one problem with that. At least four girls in there had or were trying to have some good time with him, he didn't.

When he first entered the class he had scanned the place really carefully. Some of them shoved those sitting beside them towards other sits. Others motioned for him to take the seats next to them. None of the boys had a vacant seat available for him. His decision was fast. Without loosing his cool posture, he walked with confidence and sat next to a girl he had never met before. Their interaction was brief and he was totally unaffected by her presence...At first.

The girl looked ordinary and quiet. She just said "Hi, I'm Bella," and he introduced himself with a simple "Edward". She never bothered him and he enjoyed the silence off that little brunette who was acting like each day was the same and never tried to get associated with him.

As the weeks went by Edward had never given much thought to that girl. Bella Swan was quiet, good student, friendly and that was all. Everything changed the one and only day she was absent. It was the day Lauren had decided to sit next to Edward due to a problem with her contacts. Second row was not her choice usually, since the class was not her favorite one, but the hottest senior made everything look tolerable. A few seconds later she was almost licking his ear, pretending to ask him something on Romeo and Juliet. Edward was not in the mood and a comment on how much he disliked fake eye color on chicks killed her own for good.

When the next day he found Bella in her usual spot, always focused on her books the only thing that came in his head was "Thank God she is here". And that was Bella. No distraction, no unnecessary talking, no drooling over him, no strange looks. She was not popular but not an outcast. No sexy or provocative but neither old fashioned or consequential. Bella talked and listened, did her homework, participated in class and she was active in various extra projects, like the school paper, tutoring juniors, volunteering and others. The thing was... She was doing everything smoothly, without seeking attention or help.

Edward kept stealing glances towards the girl. Cause something was different on her after that day. She had minimum contact with her classmates outside school. No sleepovers, parties, movies. Not that she was not invited. People wanted Bella around. She was ok with boys and the girls were friendly, but she always looked indifferent about those things and usually declined offers due to all kinds of commitments she had. She was not making anything a big deal.

Edward was bored. Seeing Bella in Biology was like a sign. There was a mystery around her. What did she do when she was not in school? He had seen her often driving her car during the weekend going out of town, or returning in late afternoon hours. Are there any friends around? Was her father against her going out? She didn't look depressed or afraid of something.

Without much more thought he just took the seat next to her.

After the casual "Hey Bella" and "Hello Edward" they sat there, side by side, like it was natural.

Edward liked that feeling. Comfort.

The only thing that made a difference was a very unusual bracelet around her wrist. A handmade wooden piece, accurately sculptured, with a small charm hugging from it. A tiny golden snowflake. He found it to be weird but for some reason the jewel looked...important.

A/N: I hope someone reads this. If you have time please send some words.