Sorry for the fact I haven't updated in forever! I was unfortunately involved in a car accident a few weeks ago, and a broken ankle and a week in a coma later, here I am! Still standing though, just about. So I have a week or so left in hospital, so I will try and update again soon. (:

This chapter is dedicated to my 8 favourite people in the world at this moment. No, not the cullens. My wonderful reviewers, of course; adzmesina, Love is a strange thing, edwardishot97, vb-queen-19, forevacullens, ., natda132 and dusk3ttex01. I loved every single one of them! They brightened my day. (:

We sat in an awkward silence for a few minutes, the both of us quietly eating our own meals and consumed in our thoughts. I wonder what she's thinking about.

"So how about we play 20 questions? You know, so we get to know each other better," Bella asked suddenly.

"I don't really know how to play." I confessed.

"Oh it's simple. You just ask each other questions about themselves, which we have to answer honestly, and no passing." She explained quickly, whilst smiling encouragingly at me. How could anyone turn down this girl?

"Okay then, I'll give anything a go. What's your full name?" I thought I would start with something easy and hopefully she'll appreciate my efforts and go easy on me. I didn't want to have to explain anything about past relationships or so on.

"Isabella Marie Swan" Bella answered almost automatically, however her face cringed slightly in an adorable way at her own words.

"What's wrong with that?" I asked, shocked. I happened to think it was a beautiful name. Just like her.

"Nuh-uh Mister," Bella teased, "it's my turn to ask the question."

"Okay, shoot."

"Is that your natural hair colour?"

"No, I go to the salon twice a week." I muttered sarcastically, but then sighed when I wondered if she would take my answer literally, like many girls I had encountered over the years had. They didn't possess the brain capacity to understand the wonders of sarcasm; however the amused look on Bella's face told me that she did. "Yes, it's natural. My question. Why did you ask? – do you like it?"

"That's two questions. You haven't really got the hang of this game, have you?" Bella accused teasingly before sighing, "But the answer is yes. Very much so."

"My turn, and remember no passing. Okay?" She continued, looking rather fearful that I would refuse. How on Earth could I refuse this girl anything? She wants it, it's hers.

"Sure." I answered encouragingly. I wanted her to feel comfortable enough around me to know that she could ask me anything. I mean, how bad can it be?

"What was your friend talking about when he said about ninth grade?" She asked quietly, obviously hoping not to upset me.

"This cannot be happening…"

"Please." She whispered, looking me in the eyes and pouting slightly. How anyone can say no to that face is beyond me.

"Now, that's not fair! No pouting, it's against the rules."

"And not answering a question is against the rules of this game. So confess!"

"Where did you learn to pout like that anyway?"

"Why? Did it work?"

"Almost."

"My friend Alice, she kind of invented that look. She's a master at it. That's how she gets out of her speeding tickets. Did you know she's had 117 to date, and has never paid a single one. Do I need to pull out the big guns?"

"No, fine. It was just that Emmett's always been a practical joker, so one day in school, he comes up to me and sprays water on my pants to make it look like I've peed myself." I couldn't help but cringe as I was telling this story. It was just so embarrassing. "And when I got angry with him, he started acting all guilty and apologising, so being the kind hearted guy that I am, forgave him and he said he'd get me new pants, so I went to the changing rooms and took the pants off, only for him to steal them when my back was turned, meaning I had to run around campus in my boxer shorts. Easily the most embarrassing thing. Ever."

When I had finished my story, Bella was shaking with laughter. Her face was lit up into a grin and her melodic chuckling was energizing. Suddenly I didn't mind telling that story as much.

"Okay, enough laughing at me. So tell me, what's a girl like you doing in a diner like that?" I cringed at the cheesiness of that question.

She sighed quietly before starting. "It's my friends' diner. Her and her creep of a husband run it and they asked me to help out. I don't mind because my other job doesn't pay all that great, and well, I need the money for my flat and if I save up enough money before September, I'm going to enrol in University studying English Literature, hopefully. It's always been a passion of mine, I would have started last semester with all my friends from high school but I had to work for a year or so to get enough for necessities like food and water. But a girl can dream, right? Sorry, I'm rambling now…" There was a long pause and I could tell that she was thinking of her next question. "My turn." She blushed. This would be interesting. Whatever it is has got her all embarrassed. "What did you mean by 'a girl like you'?"

Honesty seemed the best way to go with this answer.

"You just seem out of this diner's league. That's all. It's filled with perverted old men, and young men for that matter, who are all shamelessly ogling you as you skate past, which is really wrong because I reckon he,-" I said whilst pointing to an old man sitting in an opposite booth who was staring intently at Bella. "-is old enough to be your great grandfather and he's still checking you out. But in answer to your question, you're wasted on this place. You're obviously a very smart woman, who for obvious financial reasons is being held back. You could go onto great things Bella. And now I'm sounding like some kind of clichéd motivational speaker, but honestly, you're beautiful and intelligent. I could tell that just by spending ten minutes talking to you. And those things don't usually go together. Beauty and brains, I mean. But you've got them both, effortlessly. It's refreshing to see, but if I'm being honest, I feel sort of inferior near you." I smirked at the end, hoping to make me appear nonchalant.

"And I'll give you this, you're a very skilled actor, Edward. You almost had me believing it was true for a minute there." She mumbled as she looked down at her empty milkshake glass. Her cheeks were crimson and you could tell she was embarrassed. But at the same time, honesty rung in all her words, telling me she truly believed what she was saying.

How could this be? She was a goddess, and a smart one at that. But she didn't see herself that way. Can't she see how amazing she is?

"You really don't see yourself clearly, you know." I stated intently. I locked my gaze with hers, trying to get her to believe me. But she just blushed some more and averted her eyes.

"And you obviously don't see clearly full stop. I think it's time someone paid a visit to the optometrist." She retorted sarcastically.

"Please, I have 20/20 vision." I said matter-of-factly.

"Well obviously not." She muttered wryly. I was under the impression I wasn't meant to hear that.

A few minutes and an awkward silence later, Bella jumped up out of her seat and turned to me. "I have to get back to work, my break finished five minutes ago."

"No problem."

She waved slightly as she walked away. Oh no, I thought. You're not getting away from me that easily.

I followed her silently and sat down on the middle stool of the bar.

"So where did you grow up?" I asked suddenly. She didn't know I was there, and she jumped at the sound of my voice.

"Oh, don't scare me like that!" She scolded. "Sorry, what was you saying before?"

"I asked, where did you grow up? There's something familiar about you, but I can't put my finger on it." And it was true, there was something familiar about her name in particular.

"Oh well, I was born in Forks, Washington, moved to Phoenix, Arizona when my parents divorced, I was only a few months old at the time though, and then moved back to Forks, well to La Push actually when I was seventeen, when my mum re-married and went travelling with her baseball playing hubby." Maybe that's why she sounded familiar. I was born and raised in Forks, but I would have known if I had met her before, wouldn't I?

"Why didn't you go with them? Didn't you like him or something?" I questioned.

"No, Phil was fine. A little too young perhaps, but nice enough." She smiled slightly at her last statement. She was too cute.

"So why did you move?" I pushed, I wanted to know as much about her as possible.

"Well, Renée, my mum, stayed with me at first but she was unhappy and it was obvious that she missed him, and her happiness is paramount to me. That goes for every one of my friends and family actually. I just packed all my stuff up and went to spend some quality time with Charlie and Sue." She explained, however she seemed happy with the turnout of events. There wasn't one ounce of regret in her voice.

"Charlie and Sue?"

"My dad and step-mum. I have a step-brother, Seth and a step-sister, Leah too."

"Wait… Charlie as in the police chief of Forks?" I can't believe this.

"Yeah…" She replied, suspiciously.

"He's a nice guy, I can't believe he's your dad. I grew up in Forks too, you see. My brother Emmett always used to pull pranks on innocent members of the public and used to get cautioned quite often by Charlie. He used to be on our doorstep bringing Emmett home at least once a week, to stop him from causing any more mayhem on that poor town. I went to Forks High School too; I was on the soccer team with Seth"

"Edward, as in Edward Cullen? I knew I recognised your name from somewhere too. I was at the championship game where we won 5-1. I have to say I'm impressed. Your penalty was stunning, and the other team, they couldn't have been more offside if they tried!"

Could this girl get any more perfect? She's a soccer fan. She even knows the offside rule! I've never met a girl that did, but then again, I've never met anyone quite like her.

"I know! We were robbed! So how have we not met before?" I asked.

"I haven't got the faintest idea." She mused quietly. I could tell she was asking herself the same thing.

"So this might be a bit forward, but what would you say if I was to ask you out tonight?" I said hopefully. I knew I was treading on thin ice, I wanted her to like me and now I'd just found out her dad owns a gun. I can't screw this up, or it's my life on the line.

"Are we still playing this game?" She questioned teasingly. She had one eyebrow raised slightly.

"I'm not playing anything, Bella. I honestly want to know. I would love to take you out." I answered intently.

"Well, how can I girl say no to that?" She answered jokingly with a soft, feminine voice, whilst using one of her hands to fan herself. "I get off work at five and then I'll have to change out of these rags, so how about we meet outside here at seven?" She seemed unsure about something, but I couldn't tell what that was.

"Sounds like a plan." I confirmed. She seemed to relax when I said those words. I wonder why.

"Hey, do you mind if I bring some friends? You can drag along Emmett and Jasper if you'd like too. I think they'll get along great."

"Sure. They'd love that."

"So what are we going to do?" She asked.

"How does this new club in town sound to you?" I replied, giving her the choice to do whatever she felt like.

"I don't really dance." She grimaced. "You know, with the whole not being able to walk across a smooth, flat surface without finding something to trip over. Plus, I always end up seriously injuring at least one innocent bystander."

"Trust me, it's all in the leading." I said, sending a wink her way.

"Fine." My angel sighed. "Are you seriously this stubborn all the time?"

"Well, what can I say? I learn from the best." I said with yet another wink. What has gotten into me? "I'll see you at seven!" I called out over my shoulder.

I then swiftly turned and started walking slowly towards the door. I didn't want to seem to eager, and definitely not clingy, but I couldn't stop myself from hoping that she would stop me before I left.

When I reached for the door however, I heard Bella cough gently, signalling for my attention.

"Your friends stuck you with the bill, I'm afraid." She murmured submissively, whilst handing me over the bill.

"Stupid, no good, rotten imbeciles." I muttered under my breath.

"That will be $34.99 please sir." She said, more assertively this time, a smirk playing on her lips when she called me 'sir'.

"Crap, I left my wallet in my baby, I… Uh… I mean my car."

Damn. You just had to let that one slip didn't you?

"Your baby?" She laughed "I thought guys just named their cars, not nickname them affectionately."

"What can I say? I love my car!" I felt the need to defend myself.

"I'm not saying anything bad against it. I actually think it's pretty adorable." She blushed, once again averting my gaze and biting down on her lower lip. I had noticed that she done this when she was nervous, and it was more of a reflex that anything. She didn't know she was consciously doing it.

"Well, thanks."

"But does she have a name?" She questioned.

"Who?" I asked stupidly.

"Your car, stupid."

My thoughts exactly.

"Well, I adore that car, so the only fitting name would have to be Isabella."

"Gee thanks! Named after a hunk of metal" She celebrated sarcastically. I couldn't help but find the smirk that played on her lips incredibly sexy.

"A very beautiful hunk of metal." I countered, yet again wearing my most innocent expression, to which she blushed. I felt a swell of pride every time her cheeks turned crimson, because I knew I was having some kind of effect on her. "And anyway. What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." I remembered her saying she was a classical literature fan.

"You do know you just quoted Juliet, right?"

"Yes. I never had much patience for Romeo."

"How can you sit here and insult Romeo! He's more of a man than you'll ever be! So anyway as you have no money, I'll get this and you can pay me back some other time."

"No way!" I exclaimed, outraged. "How about you put it on my tab?" I suggested, whilst pulling a napkin out of the holder.

I, Edward Cullen, hereby owe the great people of Newton's Diner the grand total of $34.99. Until this debt is settled, I am to hold the role of personal slave to the beautiful waitress, Isabella.

Edward Cullen.

I handed it over to Bella, waiting silently whilst she read it, her laughter ringing in my ears.

I turned to leave again, but I was yet again stopped.

I felt her hand on my forearm, her soft skin felt like heaven. Slowly she turns into me and placed her arms around my neck. After a moment of hesitation, I returned the hug with appreciation. Her body fit into mine like two pieces of a whole, we fit perfectly together. And yet again, my body was on edge and there was an electric charge running through my body. I wonder if she feels it too.

She leant closer to me. I could feel her cool breath on my cheek. "Goodbye Edward. Thank you." She whispered into my ear.

I pulled away slightly to see her face. She looked… sad. "For?"

"For taking the time to talk to me. for listening to the totally pointless things I have to say, and for treating me like a human being. Not many people do, I'm just their waitress. Beneath them, you know? And the longer you are treated one way, the easier it is to begin to feel that way too. But today, you made me feel noticed instead of invisible and you don't know how much I appreciate that." I felt saddened by her words, and I'm sure my face reflected that.

I smiled reassuringly at her and left. I didn't want to, but I knew I was going to see her in a few hours and I had to get back home.

After walking for about ten minutes, I came across the familiar driveway. I walked slowly inside, being careful not to alert anyone to my whereabouts, and took off my coat.

I saw a flash of white in my pocket, and so I went to investigate. It was a napkin, with the words 'Newton's Diner' written in red ink. I opened to napkin slowly to read the message inside.

I hope you don't intend on repaying that tab just yet, Edward. I enjoyed today.

Bella.

I smiled at her message.

Does this mean she likes me? I'm not sure.

But one thing I know for certain. I wasn't paying that bill for a long time.

I love reviews more than Edward himself. Review, pretty please?

--Blue xo