Chapter 2: Here and now

BPOV

A voice behind me suddenly brought me back to reality.

"Bella, why is Edward Cullen staring at you?" Jessica was in most of my classes and had taken it upon herself to become my new best friend. "I'm not sure," I replied, "he barely spoke to me in Biology yesterday. I don't think he likes me."

"Well, he's definitely staring."

I followed her to the table where her other friends were already seated. That was the plus of my new BFF status with Jess; she had a lot of friends, so she introduced me to all of them. It was certainly easier than trying to make friends on my own- I had always been pretty shy.

When we sat down, they were all discussing their plans for the following weekend. The blonde boy, Mike- who Jessica obviously had a thing for- was trying to rally the troops for a trip down to First Beach. I hadn't been there since I was little and used to visit my dad here every summer.

"Sounds like fun Mike! I'm definitely in!" Jessica said emphatically.

"Me too!" squealed Lauren from the other end of the table.

"What about you, Bella?" asked Mike. Suddenly I felt everyone's eyes on me- even the ones across the room that I had been watching just a moment ago.

"Um, yeah. Okay. Sounds like fun."

And so it went for the rest of the lunch period. Everyone planning and discussing what we should bring, who would ride with whom, and so on. And the entire time, I could not tear my eyes away from Edward, sitting at the other end of the cafeteria. Sitting there with his brothers and sisters, looking painfully, heartbreakingly beautiful.

"Bella? Bella! Now you'restaring at him!" Jessica stated, drawing my attention back to my own table. "What is with you today?"

"Sorry Jess. I guess I was just wondering what I did to upset him, that's all."

EPOV

Edward, you're going to scare her away if you're not careful!

"Thanks, Alice. I'll do my best."

Anytime. But seriously- she's going to be my best friend, Edward. I will never forgive you if you screw this up!

My other sister and brothers watched Alice's silent exchange with me with questions in their eyes, but I am sure they knew exactly what we were talking about.

Being able to read minds was usually a burden. I tried to give my family their privacy, but I could never really turn off the voices. Alice also had a gift- she could see the future, although her visions were subjective. Every time a decision was made, she could see the outcome. She had had a vision of her and Bella arm in arm, the best of friends. She was holding on to it like a lifeline, and quite frankly, so was I. If Alice and Bella would be close, that would surely bode well for me.

I still had not come up with a plan of action. Apparently, I would need to start speaking to her, because my silent staring and stalker-like behavior was not going to help at all.

Seriously Edward, - it was Jasper this time- your emotions right now are all over the place. Your making my head spin! Try and bring it down a level, okay? Do you need my help?

Jasper's talent could be very useful, but I didn't want him manipulating my emotions right now. "No thanks, Jasper. I think I can control myself."

Looking back across the room at Bella, I took a few deep breaths to calm myself. "Sorry guys, I think I'm just going to head to biology now-"

"NO! Edward, you have to wait until after Bella leaves!"

"Alice, I know you mean well, but-"

"No!" she interrupted again. "You need to let her go first- trust me. You will thank me for this later!"

BPOV

As I walked out of the cafeteria headed for Biology, I noticed Edward rising from his table. I wondered to myself, walking away, if he would speak to me today. For some strange reason, his presence was stirring an emotion in me that I didn't understand or recognize.

Apparently, I was about to get my wish.

"Bella- excuses me, hi," he said, running to catch up with me.

"Hi."

"I wanted to apologize for my behavior yesterday," he smiled crookedly, "I wasn't quite myself, and I'm very sorry if I was rude."

"You weren't rude at all." Just confusing, I thought to myself. "Walk with me to class?"

"Yes," he replied.

EPOV

Walking with her, talking with her like this- I was surer than ever that Isabel had returned to me.

"Where are you from, originally?" she asked curiously.

"Chicago-", I replied cautiously, gauging her reaction. "That is where Carlisle found me. He knew my parents, and when they died, well, I had no place else to go."

"So, Carlisle adopted you?"

"Yes, he and Seem have been my parents for a long while now."

She looked at me curiously. It was infuriating- I could not hear her thoughts. This was a first for me, and it had thrown me yesterday when I realized that her mind was silent. It only made me want her more. Unable to wait for a response, I asked her, "What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Clearly startled by my forward behavior, she replied, "Nothing- I just can't figure you out. Yesterday you were all weird and brooding, and today you're like an open book? I just don't get it. I'm not complaining- it's just kind of strange."

" I am sorry, Bella." I told her honestly. "You just seem to have this effect on me- I cannot explain it."

We had arrived at our destination, and she gently placed her books on the table. Lacing her fingers together nervously she mumbled, "I thought it was just me." I don't think she intended me to hear, but my sensitive ears missed nothing. "So, tell me about Chicago- do you remember much about it?" she asked, carefully changing the subject.

"Yes and no. I was very young when I left the city." I wasn't sure where this conversation was going, and I didn't want to give away to many details too soon.

"Well," she started, "what was your favorite place in the city?"

"That's easy- the city zoo. There was a beautiful park that we used to visit. We would sit on a bench near the water fountain and feed pigeons. Sometimes it seems like it was just yesterday." I always felt wistful thinking of those times with my mother.

She looked confused- maybe even a little bewildered. "Did you say water fountain?"

"Yes," I replied, not sure why she was asking.

"Was there a mermaid in the middle of the fountain?" she asked hesitantly.

"Yes, I believe so. Bella, have you been there?" I asked. Was there a chance she remembered that fateful day over 90 years ago?

"No, not that I remember. But I think I've been dreaming about it."