Chapter 2

Getting to Know Each other

Okay sorry for the obscenely long wait…wasn't intentional. Anyway, here we go. Thanks!

I couldn't help but stare at him. He was beyond gorgeous. There was just something about him that made me smile. There wasn't anything I could do about it. I wondered what his name was, what he was doing here, why someone that pretty was in the hospital…those were only some of the questions running through my mind, the others were, well, less than appropriate. I blushed just thinking about them. A rough cough brought me out of my stupor.

"Um Bella it's really not polite to stare." Oh my God, my Dad did not just say that out loud. I couldn't help the wicked blush that made its way to my cheeks. I looked down and started tracing the pattern of the ugly comforter with the tip of my finger.

"Thanks Dad." I mumbled so low he probably couldn't hear me. He could be ridiculous and completely unobservant sometimes.

Charley had gotten up from the recliner and made his way over to the boy in the bed. He held out his hand. "Hi, I'm Charley."

I waited in anticipation to learn the boy's name. Just then he took my Dad's hand, "Pleasure to meet you Charley, I'm Edward." Edward. Nice. I like that name. It's not one that you hear very often.

"Nice to meet you too, Edward. This is my daughter, Bella." I had to look up, I couldn't put it off, and I slowly lifted my head only to meet those stunning eyes again. I smiled. What else could I do? Before I could embarrass myself again with all the unnecessary staring I was saved when a nurse walked into the room.

"Mr. Swan?" she asked. Charley looked at her. "I'm sorry but visiting hours are over. They start again tomorrow at 12." Charley nodded. He turned away from Edward and made his way back to me.

"Well, I guess this is goodnight Bells. I'll be back first thing tomorrow to pick you up."

"Sure thing Dad. Thanks for being here."

"Anytime. Although, I would appreciate it if we could keep hospital visits to fewer than five this year." He chuckled. Yea, so funny. With that he picked up his jacket and turned to leave. "Nice to meet you Edward, probably see you tomorrow as well."

Edward replied, "See you tomorrow." With that Charley left. I probably should have been getting some sleep but for some reason I was more awake then I ever thought possible. There was an awkward silence in the room and I had no idea how long we had been sitting there alone together. Thankfully he was the first one to break the silence. "So…your name is Bella." Well that's a start I guess.

"Yea" Good one Bella. "I mean, yes. Really it's Isabella but I go by Bella. Char- I mean my Dad started calling me Bella when I was really young, and I guess it just never went away." I stopped talking. I just realized I was rambling. He probably thinks I'm a moron.

"It's pretty." Oh man, did he just say that? Ugh, here comes that familiar blush again. "So why are you in here?" Hmmm, should I explain my clumsiness? Or just stick to the basics? Well, considering the former makes me look like a fool, I decided to go with the latter.

"Well, I kind of slipped on some black ice, and hit my head really hard on the pavement. Dr. Cullen said that I had a minor concussion but nothing too serious." There, that wasn't so foolish. "What about you?"

"I just had surgery on my knee. I was supposed to get it before we moved here but we had to leave sooner than expected." He moved his hand down to his knee and gently rubbed the bandage. He looked sad. "I tore my meniscus running, so now I can't run for a whole year. I don't know what I'm going to do. I love running, it's my escape." I just sat there listening to him explain. I didn't know why he was telling me all of this, I mean we just met. I guess he was feeling just as comfortable with me as I was with him.

"I'm so sorry. That really stinks. If it makes you feel any better this is my fifth concussion in three years, and every single one of them I got because I fell. That happens to me a lot. I'm ridiculously clumsy." Well there goes not looking foolish. Oh well, I wanted to tell him. I don't know why, I just did. He laughed.

"Thanks for making me laugh. I've been pretty low ever since this happened to me. Then with the move and everything, I thought I was going to have such a hard time adjusting to the move. We used to live in LA but my Dad got a job offer here in Forks. He was so excited, he grew up here. My parents couldn't resist." Now I get it, his dad must me Dr. Cullen. I could see the resemblance, unbelievably beauty. Yup they're related.

"Do you miss it? LA I mean." I couldn't help but be interested in him and he was so easy to talk to.

"Honestly, I thought I was going to miss it a lot more. I miss the constant sunshine, but there is something comforting about not having to wait in traffic and walking down a street that only has one stop-light." I laughed.

"Well when you put it that way."

"Have you lived here your whole life?" he asked.

"No, I moved here a couple years ago from Arizona. My Mom remarried and her new husband has to travel a lot and she wanted to start going with him so I moved here to Forks to stay with Charley. I think it was the best thing I could've done. I have no idea how he survived without me all those years. He can't cook for anything." Edward smiled. Wow he is gorgeous. I want to make him smile constantly just so I can look at him. "Are you going to go to Forks High?"

"Yea, I'm a senior. You?"

"Yup, I'm also a senior." Did his smile just widen?

"Well at least I'll know someone who can show me around." He winked at me as he said this. And my heart fluttered. What is it with this guy?

"True. Forks isn't that big though, so I think you will be fine." I saw his smile falter just the slightest. Oh man, I hope I didn't hurt his feelings, I didn't mean that I wouldn't show him around if he wanted me to. Crap, fix this Bella. "But I will be sure to find you if you get lost." Okay not the best save but at least his smile is back.

"Thanks, I would like that." Just then, he yawned. I looked at the clock; wow its 12:00am already. Time just flew by.

"Well Edward, it's been great talking to you but it is definitely time to go to sleep." I was kind of hoping he would ask me another question so that I could talk to him more.

"Yea, I guess you're right." He switched the light off and I heard him sigh. I turned over to my side so that I was facing the window and I pulled the blanket closer to my face.

"Goodnight Edward."

"Goodnight Bella, sweet dreams." And sweet dreams I would definitely be having.