Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns these wonderful characters, I just like playing with them.

Soul Mates

Chapter 1

BPOV

Why oh why did I sign up for this lecture, oh yeah, Alice. As I walked into the auditorium I could see that short little pixie bouncing in her seat waving franticly trying to get my attention. I waved back so she'd at least stop waving madly, but nothing could control the bouncing.

This lecture was in my opinion, hokey, but when Alice pulls out the puppy dog eyes and the pout, who could say no? At least I managed to get something out of the deal. One whole week of NO, and I mean NO shopping. It was a hard bargain for her to agree to, but I stuck to my guns.

Alice, my college roommate loved to shop. Every time she and I had free time together she was dragging me to the mall for more shopping. Alice had no limits on what she could spend, thanks to her very wealthy family, and she certainly didn't mind spending it on me.

I on the other hand, needed every penny I had from student loans and scholarships to pay for college and living expenses. I had no family fortune to fall back on, heck I didn't even have family, well none that I could count on.

My very flaky mom was now living with her new boyfriend in Florida. I was lucky to get a phone call on my birthday much less any thing else, not that I would accept it anyway. She was very self absorbed and I sometimes think she wishes I was never born.

My father, the most stable person in my life and the one and only person I could ever count on died last year in a car accident. Some stupid drunk driver ran a red light.

I pushed that painful memory out of my head as I sat next to the now vibrating Alice in the second row.

"Alice, why are we all the way in the front?" I whispered.

"I wanted to make sure I could see and hear everything" she replied rolling her eyes as if it should have been obvious.

She had been looking forward to this lecture for the last 6 weeks. It was titled "Soul Mates, finding our way back to wholeness." and was given by some expert in the field of modern mythology. I never did catch the name of the speaker.

Soon the lights dimmed and the buzz of people talking amongst themselves slowly quieted down as the head of the English department, Dr. Harper got up to speak. He stepped up to the podium and begin speaking to the few hundred people that came. I was quite impressed with the turn out being it was a Friday afternoon. I would have expected more students beginning the weekend partying as soon as their last class was finished.

Dr. Harper was an excellent speaker. I loved the few classes I've had with him since beginning college here at Washington State. I was a junior now majoring in English lit.

I wanted to write and or teach someday.

He got up to introduce a woman named simply Naomi, no last name, just Naomi.

She got up to the podium and began speaking. She was very well poised and immediately captured the attention of the entire audience, especially the males.

She was stunning. I couldn't help but feel very plain and mousy as soon as I saw her. But what most captured my attention was her speaking.

She had a slight British accent and her manner of speaking was very formal and proper.

I always paid attention to the way people spoke. It told much more about a person than they way they looked or dressed.

I always judged people by the way they spoke, not what they looked like or dressed in. I guess that's why as a junior in college, I have never had a serious relationship.

A guy could be good looking in every sense of the word, but as soon as he opened his mouth and spoke, I knew immediately if he was worth continuing a conversation with, much less anything else. Oh I had been on a few dates, but never more than 2 with the same guy. I just couldn't bring myself to continue a relationship with someone I just wasn't attracted to.

Naomi was finished with the usual thank you for inviting me and began right into the meat of the lecture. Alice was unnaturally still beside me, completely entranced, her eyes glued to the podium, and her notebook and pen poised to begin taking notes.

"Legend has it that originally we were androgynous, masculine and feminine, combined. We got split off eons ago into male and female and have been trying to put ourselves back together ever since! A soul mate is generally thought of as someone with whom we have a very deep soul connection, and have lived many lives together. So how do you know when you meet them? Well, everything we've ever experienced in every lifetime is recorded in our aura as feelings. When you meet someone you have a close connection with, you will feel a sense of familiarity, a 'knowing'. This is because you have felt this person before and are familiar with their energy. So what happens once you find your soul mate? Bliss? Melding? Oh noooo! Quite the opposite! The joy of soul mate is that you are traveling through the universal continuum together for the purpose of becoming whole and experiencing all the different aspects of yourselves. So, when you meet, your soul mate will automatically possess the most finely honed ability ever, for pushing your buttons, so you get to experience any parts of yourself that are not whole, and heal them. This is of course, the most wonderful, precious and treasured gift, though not necessarily easy to live with. In some very rare instances it is even possible to experience physical pain or illness if you are separated from your other half even for a short time. You will learn and heal more about yourself than you thought possible. And you will want to strangle them one minute and worship them the next! It is the strength of the love that will make you stay, even though it might be uncomfortable.

This concept is shared amongst many different myths and legends all over world and in many different time periods .Like the biblical story virtually all the ancient myths reference creation as involving the split of polarities from an original state of unity; The Chinese story of Pan-Ku, separating the unity of yin and yang principles; The Egyptian Atum myth where the air God Shu separates Geb and Nut from their initial love embrace; The Sumerian story of creation and the uncoupling of the god An and goddess Ki from their commingled state; The Akaddian story of Marduck splitting the goddess Tiamat; The New Zealand Maori story of creation and separation of Rangi and Pappa. Aristophanes in the Symposium references how the Greek God Zeus cut the souls of humankind in half. "Man's original body having been cut in two, each half yearned for the half that had been severed...Love is simply the name of for the desire and pursuit of the whole. Plato in the Symposium: "The original human nature was not as they are now, but originally three in number; there was man, woman, and the union of the two."

Alice was scribbling furiously already covering several pages in her notebook.

I was glad Alice insisted on this lecture, although I would never admit it, if I liked it too much I may have to give back my shopping free week and nothing was worth that!

Naomi continued for a few more minutes, I at this point was lost in thought, wondering if there was any truth to this, is there really someone out there that was my other half? I didn't feel like I was broken, but I always did have this part of me that didn't feel complete. I usually just shrugged it off as not having a "normal" childhood but now, Naomi got me wondering if it was something more.

As Naomi finished the room erupted in applause as Dr. Harper again took the podium to thank everyone for coming.

I looked at Alice and she was still furiously writing, her brow wrinkled in concentration with her tongue between her teeth and lips.

I laughed and told her, "Alice, you're going to give yourself premature wrinkles if you keep that up."

She wrote a few more lines, sighed and closed her notebook.

"Okay, all done! Wasn't that fabulous? Oh my goodness, do you think our soul mates could be in this very room right now?", as she scanned the now departing audience.

"I seriously doubt it Alice. Do you truly believe that there is just that one special someone out there waiting for you to come along?" I asked her.

She looked at me with the most serious look on her face, "OK Bella, if you don't believe that there is that one special person that will make you whole, then don't spoil it for me! I just know he's out there. I just need to find him, and I'm certain I will, you'll see!", she threw her notebook and pen in her designer bag, picked it up and threw it over her tiny shoulder.

"OK, I'm hungry, lets eat. Let's head to the mall, I'd love some…."

"Oh no you don't!", I interrupted.

"Remember, no shopping for me for a whole week" I reminded her.

She tried the puppy dog eyes and the pouty lips saying "but Bella, all I want is to go to the food court, I swear!" as she held up her right hand in solemn promise, with her left hand behind her back (probably with her fingers crossed).

"Nope, no way, not happening", I said as I stood my ground firmly.

"How about pizza instead?", I asked.

She just stood there with those pleading eyes, but knowing I wasn't about to cave, she compromised, "OK then, no mall, but can we at least go to that new pizza place near the shopping center with the really great bookstore?".

She had me and she knew it.

The bookstore was my one and only weakness when it came to shopping.

I could spend hours there. I loved the smell of the books along with the smell of the coffee in the little shop at the front of the store. Oftentimes when Alice was on one of her shopping sprees I would seek out the bookstore in the mall and just tell her to continue on and pick me up when she was finished.

We headed out for pizza, laughing and talking about nothing really in general, just having some good old fashioned girl time.

After pizza, Alice just happened to notice that the shoe store had a big "new arrival" sign in the window and her eyes got big as saucers chanting "please, please, please, please" as she bounced in place.

"Go ahead, Alice, I'll be in the book store, come find me when you're done", I laughed.

That girl has at least 100 pairs of shoes, why she feels the need for more, I'll never understand.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, you're the best!" she squealed as she reached up to kiss my cheek before running off. "I won't be long, I promise!" she called out over her shoulder, already half way there.

Goodness, I hope those sales people are well rested I thought as I walked towards the bookstore.

I was browsing in the classics, I seriously needed to replace my copy of Wuthering Heights, my copy having been read so many times, the binding was separating and the cover was cracked. I quickly found a copy and found a nice comfy chair to read. Alice was going to be awhile, I might as well make myself comfortable.

After about 30 minutes I felt the need to find the ladies room, I knew it was near the rear of the store, near the music section so I started walking that direction, completely immersed in my book. I've read it dozens of times, if not more, but I always seem to lose myself in this book.

As I was walking I suddenly found my self on the floor.

"Oh good job Bella, you should know better than to read and walk at the same time" I chuckled to myself, thank goodness no one was watching.

As I started to get up a long hand was offered in front of me. I followed the hand up with my eyes and was suddenly met with the most gorgeous pair of green eyes twinkling in amusement down at me.

My mouth agape I just stared.

Then the most velvety voice asked, "Are you all right?" I just sat there trying to clear my head.

"I don't bite you know." he said, still offering his hand to help me up.

I took it with as much grace as I could muster under the circumstances and allowed him to help me to my feet.

As soon as our hands met I felt a jolt. Something inside me stirred and my heart was pounding in my chest.

As soon as I was up and steady I released his hand and said "Th-thanks, I guess I should watch where I'm walking" as I tried to hurry to my original destination, blushing furiously.

He just chuckled his green eyes sparkling. He really was very nice looking, his bronze hair tousled like he frequently runs his hands through it. He was wearing jeans and a fitted t-shirt, he seemed well built but not overly muscular. I didn't like muscle heads much, it seems the more muscles they have, the more brain cells they tend to lose. I made it to the ladies room breathing heavily and my heart still pounding in my chest. I took a few minutes to compose myself, splashed some water on my face and finally remembered the reason for the trip to the bathroom in the first place.

As I washed up again after using the restroom I realized I must have dropped my book when I fell.

Well damn, I thought, that was the last copy on the shelf. I'll have to go find where I dropped it.

I exited the bathroom and quickly glanced around, good the coast was clear.

I headed back to the music section and started scanning the floor where I fell. Nothing. Hmm I wonder if an employee picked it up, I thought.

I headed over to the information desk in the center of the store where a friendly girl I recognized was working, "Hey Angela, did any one find a copy of Wuthering Heights on the floor? I must have dropped it earlier." I said, hoping she wouldn't ask for the details on why I would be dropping books.

"Tripped again huh Bella?" she playfully asked with a friendly smile, apparently my balance problems had not gone unnoticed.

"Yep, you know me Angela" I quipped as she looked around the desk.

"No one has brought it to me yet, why don't you get another copy off of the shelf?" she suggested.

"No it was the last on there, do you have any more in the back perhaps?" I asked.

"hmm, let me check the computer." She typed a few keys on the computer before replying " Nope not a one left, in fact the last copy was just purchased a few minutes ago. I guess someone found it and purchased it for themselves" she said with a apologetic smile.

"We should have more copies in a few days. Apparently one of the high schools in the area will be using it as assigned reading so we have a fairly large shipment due early next week." she offered.

"That will be great, Angela, can you save me a copy?" I asked, trying not to sound too disappointed, after all I was getting into the book before I dropped it.

I guess my old battered copy will do for a few more days.

I wonder how much longer Alice will be? I headed over to the coffee shop to wait it out in there, I strangely wasn't interested in another book, my mind was pre-occupied with a pair of the most beautiful green eyes. I just wanted to sit and sulk a while. I can't believe I managed to meet the most beautiful man I had ever seen while sitting on my tush in the middle of a bookstore. I must have looked like a total spaz.

I sat down with a large latte at a table near the door so I could see when Alice made it back. I was lost in my thoughts about bronze hair and green eyes when the chair across from me was drawn out from the table.

I looked up and those beautiful green eyes were looking down at me, twinkling as he smiled.

"Is this seat taken?" he asked as he placed 2 small bags on the table.

"As a matter of fact it isn't" I replied, amazed at my own bravery as I smiled back at him.

Who could look in the face of that Adonis and not smile back?

He sat down very gracefully and said, "You must have been really enjoying that book earlier. Do you often read and walk at the same time?"

"I really shouldn't I'm not the most graceful person as it is. I usually manage to trip over nothing even when I'm watching where I'm going." I blushed. Oh great Bella, scare him off early why don't you, I thought to myself.

"Are you a big fan of Emily Bronte? Or are you reading for a class assignment?" he asked.

"Oh no, I enjoy reading the classics, my copy is worn out so I decided to pick up a new one while my roommate is shoe shopping, that could take a while." I laughed. You have no idea how long I thought to myself.

"Unfortunately, that was the last copy in the store and I must have dropped it when I fell. I guess I'll just have to wait until a new shipment comes in next week." I added.

"Well I'm glad to say I'll be saving you another trip to the bookstore" he laughed, emphasizing the trip as he pushed one of the small bags towards me.

I just looked at the bag he had now placed in front of me. I must have look confused because he said "don't worry it won't bite either" he laughed.

I looked inside and sure enough, there was the copy of Wuthering Heights I dropped.

"Oh no, I can't let you buy me this" I complained. "You don't even know me."

"Ok then, fair enough, I buy you this book, then, I get to know you. My name is Edward Cullen, pleased to meet you." he stuck out his had as if to shake my hand.

"Bella Swan, please to meet you as well" I replied as I reached to shake his hand. But instead of a friendly handshake I was expecting, he took my hand gently, brought it to his lips and kissed it softly.

His lips were as warm and soft as they looked. My breathing immediately stopped, my heart was hammering in my chest and my cheeks immediately flushed. That jolt I felt earlier returned and that something stirred with in me again. He released my hand and sat back in his chair.

It took me a minute to regain my thoughts.

I shook my head and said "So what brings you to the bookstore, if I may ask?"

"Yes, you certainly may ask, I came for music. My roommate managed to scratch my only copy of Debussy and I needed to replace it." he stated. as he held up the other bag he had on the table.

"You like Debussy?" I asked with obvious surprise.

"Yes I do as a matter of fact, I am a music major, therefore I enjoy many types of music, although I generally despise country, hence the scratched copy of Debussy in my dorm room." he stated,

"Apparently my roommate didn't appreciate me replacing his Hank Williams Jr. CD with Kidd Rock" he laughed.

God I loved the sound of his laugh!

"What type of music do you like?" he pressed.

"Many types also." I admitted.

"Although Claire de Lune is one of my favorites" I continued.

I immediately focused in on his speaking, I'm surprised it took me this long, that's usually the first thing I noticed but it was just easy to talk to him.

"Claire de Lune?" he asked with raised eyebrows.

"Yes it was my dad's favorite", I stated with a touch of sadness as I looked down at my hands trying not to tear up.

After a few moments of silence he asked gently "was?" as he placed his hand on my chin to raise it up to look at him.

I took a deep breath to steady myself but soon lost myself in those green eyes again.

I shook my head and answered softly, "Yes, he was killed in a car accident last year", this was something I generally avoided talking about but somehow felt better just telling him.

"I'm sorry" he stated simply, still looking into my eyes. The sincerity of that statement was obvious, he wasn't just saying it. He truly meant it.

"Thanks, it's been hard but I'm making it", replied.

Just then Alice with her impeccable timing as always came running into the store.

"Bella, Bella, Bella, ooooh you're never gonna guess what I found!" she squealed as she ran over to our table with at least 3 bags of goodness knows how many pairs of new shoes in her arms.

Edward released my chin and sat back in his chair as Alice came to a stop at our table.

"Well it looks like you found something better than I did" she stated with a wink.

"Hi I'm Alice, Bella's roommate and you are…?" she asked with her hand out stretched for a shake.

"Hello, I'm Edward, nice to meet you Alice." he said as he shook her hand.

I flushed at both Alice's statement and at noticing he shook her hand instead of kissing as he did mine.

Alice deposited her bags on the table and said, "Stay right there, I'll be right back."

She dashed over to the counter to order coffee for herself.

"Oh no, Alice is having caffeine, I may never sleep again." I groaned.

"Is she always this perky?" Edward asked.

"Oh no, it gets worse when she has caffeine." His eyes widened at that.

"Well I really must be going" he said, "I am actually running late, I promised my roommate I would be back in time to go to a party with him later."

Alice returned to the table with her coffee just in time to hear "party". "OOOH a party, tonight, where?" she asked, visibly bouncing.