(Twilight theme by Stephanie Meyer)

8am repeat

The student body calmed down a lot in the last 72 hours. Back to who is dating who, tests and random daydreaming. I managed to think less and less about Bella Swan. I saw her walking through the halls during passing periods, she would wave to me or say hi, but I never returned the wave. I didn't want to encourage a friendship with this girl. She is really shy, but for some reason she likes me and Alice. Strange girl.

Mike Newton has been trying to convince her to ask him to the school dance in two weeks. She seems like she is getting annoyed, but he isn't giving up, along with his two friends. Mike actually thinks that he will get Bella Swan to sleep with him by prom. I have seen a lot of crazy things, but people for the most part are easy to read; even the silent Isabella Swan. I don't see that happening.

At lunch Bella's table was still packed, but there were enough seats for everyone now. Even little Alice was at the table. Jasper was shaking his head when she motioned for him to join. It is the first time in decades that one of us had actually sat with humans at lunch. I tried not to listen into their conversation, but it is difficult.

"Bella, we are all going to the beach this weekend. Are you down to go?" Erik asked.

"No, I actually have hella stuff to do this weekend. We just moved in remember?"

"Hella?" Alice laughed at her.

"Yeah, hella." She smiled. "Nor Cal term."

"Did you need some help?" Erik was getting desperate.

"No, I have my brother. I wouldn't want you to miss your beach trip. Thanks for the offer."

"Oh, okay . . ."

"So Bella, why the mid semester move? I mean California must be better than dull old Forks." Jessica asked

"Forks isn't that bad. It is really quiet and you can actually see stars at night."

I noticed she didn't answer the question, but Jessica wasn't interested in her answers just the attention.

"You will get over it after you live here for a while."

"I hope not. I am only here until college."

"So what are the boys like in California?"

"They are the same as boys anywhere. When I lived in Los Angeles they had better tans and use more product than the boys I knew in San Francisco."

"Do you have a MySpace? I was looking for you but I couldn't find you." The stalker Mike asked.

"No, I don't have any networking sites."

"How do you keep in touch with your friends?" Jessica said in disbelief

"We write letters. You know, snail mail."

"Why?" A few people asked at the same time.

The horrified looks on their faces made me laugh. Bella laughed as well. I 'finished' eating and left the cafeteria. Emmett and Rose went to make out in front of their lockers. Even after 71 years of marriage they still had the libido of a teenage couple. Jasper went to his next class and waited for the bell to ring.

I took a walk to my car. When you have a half hour to kill it is the best place to be. At least there is music. On my windshield there was an envelope. It was a deep purple square sitting under my left wiper. I picked it up and pulled out a disk with some intricate cover art. It was a spirit board with my name spelled out. Inside the jacket a note was written in a small neat script.

Alice told me you have been in a musical rut. So I made this for you based on our short interaction. Cheer Up Emo Kid.

Your friend,

Bella

I popped the disc in and she even printed up the lyrics inside the jacket for me. I read along with the songs and one verse stuck out in particular.

You're all I see
Sink into me
Sharpen your teeth
sink into me
(Sink into me)
Sink in, sink in

This girl had no idea how much she was asking for it. I got through four more tracks before I heard the bell ring in the distance and pulled myself out of my day dream state. I haven't had anyone make me anything outside my family. I think I accidentally made a friend.

I walked at a normal human pace and took my seat in Biology. I pulled the props out of my bag and set them in front of me. The biology teacher barely noticed what I did in class. I could zone out the whole period and he would just let me be. I aced every test and pop quiz he threw at me and that was good enough for him. Alice walked in and sat behind me instead of next to me. I flashed her a WTF look and she pointed to the door. Bella glided in. I wanted to bang my head on the desk. That pixie was going to push me and she didn't realize how difficult this was going to be for me. [ Sharpen your teeth, sink into me] The lyric played in my head over and over.

The teacher pointed to the seat next to me and she sat down.

"Hello Friend."

"Hey Bella, thanks for the CD."

"You're welcome, don't be stingy now, I am expecting one from you. We can get to know one another this way since you seem to be allergic to me in public."

The lecture started and her attention was fixed on the teacher.

I knew you would like the CD. Don't worry you won't hurt her. Trust me. Alice thought from behind me.

She took really detailed notes in her tiny script that looked more like she typed it than free hand wrote it. She hid her face behind a curtain of her thick hair. Mike Newton was glaring at me. I wonder if she knew how crazy she is driving him wanting to be my friend. Or how crazy she was driving me for that matter. [Sink in to me]

"Ms. Swan, what can you tell us about metaphase?"

"Metaphase is a stage of mitosis in the eukaryotic cell cycle in which condensed chromosomes, carrying genetic information, align in the middle of the cell before being separated into each of the two daughter cells."

The teacher was actually hoping she would have no answer or the wrong answer.

"Very good Ms. Swan; Mr. Newton what did Ms. Swan just tell us?"

"Uh, uh . . ."

He was fumbling through his book looking for the answer and the whole class erupted into laughter. I looked over at Bella and she just went on writing and ignored the antics around her.

She seems like a real book worm huh? Alice thought

I looked up at the ceiling then back to the desk letting Alice know in our subtle way that I agreed. Sitting next to her was the most exquisite torture.

What does she think about you? I listened and still heard nothing. I wrote on my notes.

I can't hear her . . .

What?! That is great! Oh, and frustrating. Would you mind if I asked her out for a shopping date? I can find out more info for you.

What makes you think I want more info?

Edward, it's me. I know you well enough to know you are too stubborn to give up on a puzzle. Especially this cute puzzle.

I shook my head and pinched between my eyes.

Please do not talk to Jasper and Emmett about this. I will never live it down.

I will burn this note right after class. I have gym with her next so I will ask her then. Don't tell Rosalie or she will be upset.

The bell rang and I bolted from my seat. I was out of the classroom and seated in history. I took a deep breath and only the normal human scents were in the air. It was painful, but not as painful as sitting next to her was. Emmett sat next to me. "I need to drink again soon. I just had gym and they made us partner up. Lauren M. almost donated."

"Yeah, we will go soon. I might just kill the new girl and crush all the adolescent hearts around here."

"She does smell nice. I have her in calculus. It was like sitting next to a strawberry farm."

"Did she talk to you?"

"No, she doesn't talk to anyone other than monosyllabic answers to questions."

"I can't hear her . . ."

"Damn, and I was just starting to settle in."

"We don't have to move just because I can't hear her."

"Try telling that to Rose." She already hates this girl and if she finds out she could be dangerous she will jump at the chance to leave . . .

I laughed at the thought of Rosalie actually having competition and the whole class looked up.

OMG he is human after all. I have never even seen him smile. He is so much cuter when he is happy. I wonder what made Cullen come out of his shell. He and Emmett have the same irresistible laugh.

Well, at least they aren't thinking about her anymore. Finally the bell rang and it signaled the end of the longest school day. Emmett was rambling on about a wrestling match for tonight when I smelled her.

She walked past us and had her nose buried in her journal. We approached our cars and there was a black Eclipse parked next to my Volvo. Bella ran towards in it and jumped into the arms of the owner.

"You brought my baby! I missed her. Oh, and of course you too."

"Hey Sis, you get settled in all right?"

"Yeah, I didn't set fire to the house or anything. Proud?"

"Ecstatic! Want to drive her home?"

"Yes!"

He tossed her the keys and I saw the mischievous pixie approach. Her brother turned around and stared at Alice in an odd fashion. Jasper and Rosalie looked eager to leave. Rose began drumming her fingers against the roof of the Volvo.

"Alice, this is my big brother Quinn."

"Nice to meet you Alice." He said still staring at her.

Jasper was getting more and more impatient.

"These are the rest of the Cullens." He gave Bella a look that we couldn't see and extended his hand.

"Quinn"

We introduced ourselves one by one.

Quinn is a big guy and you can see the family resemblance. He had messy chocolate brown hair with the same deep purple eyes Bella has. He is as tall as Emmett and definitely as ripped. They had the same pale complexion too. All the teenage girls in the vicinity were having impure thoughts about this guy. Even Rosalie; I looked over at her amused and she gave me this dagger stare.

"So, Bella mentioned that your family is like ours in a way."

"What do you mean?"

"Well we look related, but we were adopted. You all have very similar characteristics. You all share a beautiful amber eye color. I thought Bella and I had it good."

"Thanks, but it is just a freaky coincidence." Alice said this as she took Jasper's hand.

"We should get going if you want to have your big grand opening this weekend." Bella said suddenly.

"Yes, you should all make sure to come by. We just bought the vacant store on Hallow."

"What kind of store are you opening?"

"A bookstore. Bella and I realized the closest book store was in Port Angeles and decided to add a cappuccino machine and pool table and hopefully it will be a hit."

"You two are going to run it? No parent involvement?"

Bella looked sad, but she managed to pull the corners of her mouth up.

"Long story, maybe another time Alice." She was rushing off.

"So we expect to see all of you this weekend. First game of pool is on me ok?" Quinn said as he dropped into the passenger side.

"Well they sure are interesting . . ." Jasper said through his teeth.

"And perceptive . . ." Rose added.

"Jasper, I like her. Be nice." Alice scolded.

"I don't see what the big fuss is about. She is just another human girl." Rosalie said failing in her attempts to sound non-chalant. "Can we please go home now?"

"Yeah we spent too much unnecessary time here as it is!" Jasper said.

We piled into my car and drove home. Once there I bounded up the stairs to my room. I listened to the CD she made me on a loop. I could hear Alice's smug thoughts whenever she would pass my room.

Each track stuck in my head. I know 90% of songs are about love, but these choices were oddly fitting. Not that I am in love with her. I am not even sure if I like this girl. It is an odd infatuation. Was I actually going to encourage this friendship and make her a disc? Something to tell her who I was . . . that thought made my decision for me. This girl was a little too perceptive as it was I was not going to leave her any breadcrumbs into my world.

Edward!

"No Alice. Drop it!"

Hmpff she is being really nice the least you can do is be polite back.

I sighed and jumped out my window. I ran towards my meadow; it was a clearing which was a perfect circle cut out in the middle of the Forks wilderness. The ground cover was soft and it was always peaceful. I found it 70 years ago when we first came to Forks. I was surprised that it was untouched when we returned. I stepped into the clearing and was surprised by a now familiar scent, freesias and strawberries.

I scanned my meadow and followed the mouthwatering aroma to the dead center. She was nowhere to be seen. I decided to go for a walk around Forks. Of course I ended up on her street. The house was dark for the most part, but I saw a faint light coming from inside. Candles not often in this day and age do you see a house lit by candlelight unless it is for romantic purposes. I listened closely for any thoughts, but there was nothing. As I got closer to the house I smelled her intoxicating scent. Then out of nowhere a severe case of paranoia fell over me. I felt like people were watching me. I had to get away from the house in a hurry.

3am . . . I could read or I could make a CD …

I jumped back through my window and there was a blank CD and supplies to make a jacket for it.

"Thanks Alice"

I got to work and perfected it before school. I wrapped it in a red wrapper and placed it in my jacket pocket.

(A/N: Thanks for adding this story to your alerts and favorites list. I appreciate the reviews as well! Let me know if you want to see anything added!)