Carlisle could not figure the kid out. Any other normal teen-ager would be ecstatic to get such a fine piece of machinery but his son didn't even want to look at the thing. It had been a struggle to get Edward to pick a car out at the Volvo dealership. The kid had actually wanted to get an old, used, Volvo sedan, but that's when Carlisle had put his foot down. He'd ended up taking matters into his own hands and choosing a fully loaded c70 sports convertible in black. The kid hadn't said a word when the keys were placed in his hand. Carlisle had to wonder what Edward's life had been like before coming to Forks?

The boy was unusually quite for a teen, other times he was almost frightened. Before they had left the car dealership, Carlisle had casually placed a hand on Edward's shoulder but had been shocked by the teen's alarmed expression as Edward quickly pulled away. It wasn't until days later that Carlisle started to pay attention to all the red flags that Edward had been displaying.

Carlisle shut the garage door and went back into the house. Supper had been an awkward experience with Edward keeping his eyes trained on his plate the entire meal and only answering questions with a minimum of words. As soon as the meal was over, the teen went straight into the kitchen and began to do the dishes, ignoring Esme's refusal of help. It didn't go unnoticed how meticulous the kid was at cleaning the kitchen and mopping the floor. It was obviously not the first time he had cleaned. The kitchen was sanitary enough to do surgery in, Carlisle thought with a shake of his head.

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The next morning Edward stood in the garage and stared at the new car. The car felt like a burden that he didn't have a choice to reject. It would take him years to repay this debt and he hated being indebted to anyone. He knew that he would get some inheritance from James but he also knew he wouldn't get any of that money until he was twenty five. It had shocked him when he had found out from the attorney that James had left him anything at all. It didn't seem like that mother-fucker had ever cared about anyone but himself.

Even so, he'd have to get a job after school to start making payments to Carlisle. He didn't care what Carlisle said about this being a birthday gift. Fuck that, no one in their right mind would ever give something like this away without wanting something pretty fucking big in return.

He sat down in the black leather seat, running his hands along the stainless steel dashboard and taking in the smell of the new car. He had to admit, this car was beyond sick! Shit, Jake would flip over this ride. He carefully backed out of the five car garage, being extremely cautious to stay clear of Carlisle's red Porsche. He drove the car slowly down the long gravel driveway but as soon as he hit the highway he let loose. Even in the rain, the car handled the curves with an impressive control. His adrenaline was pumping through his veins by the time he neared the school. But felt a sudden let down when he neared the high school.

He felt very self-conscious as he pulled into the parking lot of Forks High. As soon as he slowed down he noticed the gawking stares from everyone around. He pulled into a spot right next to an old beat up red truck. He ignored the people as they started to crowd around his car to check it out.

"Nice car," he heard from several people as he walked away as quickly as possible. He didn't think he would ever get used to so many people taking such an interest in him all at once.

It wasn't until lunch time, when he was sitting on an empty staircase in the back of the school, that he had run into Bella again. He'd thought about her quite often since yesterday. There was just something about her that he found to be captivating. She was standing with a petite girl with black short hair and drinking down a diet coke when she happened to catch him looking at her. Without hesitation she beckoned her friend to join her as they both came over to talk with him.

"Hey, Manhattan," she said with a smile.

He smirked at the name, "Hello, Bella."

Bella just about melted upon hearing that sexy deep voice saying her name. His eyes were so beautiful too. They stared at each other for a moment before Alice interrupted.

"And just in case you're interested, I'm Alice," Alice stepped forward with a giggle.

Oh shit, Bella was so flustered she forgot to introduce her best friend!

Edward smiled at Bella's chagrined look. He turned his gaze to the pixy-like girl.

"Nice to meet you, Alice," he could see that she was thoroughly checking him out and it made him uncomfortable.

"So, you're the hot new guy that everyone's been talking about," Alice said as she scrutinized Edward closely. "You're definitely as cute as they say you are. The "blond bitches" are taking bets on who gets to run their fingers through your hair first."

Edward immediately looked down as he felt his face heat up. He felt a moment of gratitude when he heard Bella whisper out, "Alice, shut the hell up!"

"It's true though," Alice whispered back. "He should know."

Bella quickly changed the subject since she could see how uncomfortable this made Edward, "So, what sort of things do you like to do?"

Edward looked up to see that Bella had moved up a step closer to him. His stomach twisted when he looked into her beautiful deep brown eyes. Her sexy little figure didn't escape his notice either.

It took him a moment to get back on track, "Um, piano's cool."

"What sort of music do you like to play?" Bella asked, as she watched his face become more animated.

"Mostly classical … you know, Debussy, Vivaldi. I like to write my own stuff too."

"I'd kill to be able to play Clare de Lune on the piano," Bella declared with a fair amount of jealousy, "I took two years of lessons from this ancient old lady that smelled like pickles and I can barely play Yankee Doodle."

Edward chuckled, "Hey, don't knock mister Doodle."

"Maybe you just need a better teacher?" Alice declared with a sly grin towards Bella, "Maybe someone younger with more fresh ideas on how to teach the rhythmically challenged? Someone who doesn't smell like pickles but more like…" She leaned in closer to Edward, "spearmint." She ignored Bella's hiss to stop, "Maybe Edward might be kind enough to take you on as a challenge?"

Bella wanted to kick her friend.

Edward frowned, he'd spent nearly twenty hours each week teaching piano to help pay for the school he went to in New York. Of course he hadn't been able to keep a damn penny for himself, but still, the experience had been good for him. Besides, it would be nice to have a chance to get to know Bella better.

"Do you want lessons?" he asked, surprised at how anxious he was for her to say yes.

Bella's breath caught as the sun peeked out and caught Edward's beautiful green eyes. Did she want piano lessons from the most gorgeous guy she'd ever met? To be able to sit next to him every week and smell his delicious scent? Hells yes, she wanted lessons!

"Um, sure," Bella mumbled, feeling her heart race again at the thought of Edward coming over to her house. Maybe she could get Charlie to move the piano into her bedroom? "I mean, only if you want to teach me?"

Edward shrugged, "Sure, I've taught a lot of people how to play."

Bella's face lit up, "Um, okay then. Oh, how much do you charge?" Not that it mattered, she'd rob her college fund if it meant getting lessons from this hotty.

Edward shrugged, "I don't know. I mean the prices of lessons here have got to be much less then in New York. Uh, how much did you pay the pickle lady?"

The girls both giggled. Bella almost hyperventilated when she saw his handsome face light up with a dazzling wide smile. Damn but he was beautiful!

"Um, uh," Bella couldn't remember the question.

"The cost, Bella," Alice whispered, laughing at how besotted Bella was acting.

"Oh, yeah, my dad paid twenty-five a lesson." Bella sank down on the step she was standing on and rubbed her sweaty hands on her jeans.

Edward raised his eyebrows at the price. Shit, he used to get paid a hundred twenty five dollars a lesson back in New York. If this was the going rate, it would take him ten years to pay back the Cullen's.

However, he would have taken any amount of money if it meant getting to know Bella better. There was definitely something special about her.

"Okay, that sounds fair," Edward stated, "when should we start?"

Bella suddenly thought she was the luckiest girls in the whole world.

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Edward pulled into the driveway of his new home. He suddenly felt an overwhelming sadness for the life his mom could have had, had she had the help of his birth father, Carlisle. The first time he'd seen this house last week, he'd been so angry at Carlisle that he had to stuff his clenched fists into his pockets or risk hitting the man. All those fucked up years at the mercy of that mother-fucker James, when his own father could have supported them just fine. He'd never needed to live in any expensive high rise in Manhattan and he sure as shit never asked for, nor received, any extras in life that he didn't pay for himself. He tried not let the idea of Carlisle giving him away to James upset him, but not even a brand new car could heal wounds that ran so deep.

He went straight into his bedroom, not bothering to say anything to Esme when he heard her yell "hi" from the kitchen. It wasn't that he didn't like her, it was just that she made him so uncomfortable when she hovered around him. She invaded his space and it made him nervous to be so close to anyone. He knew it was weird to be so jumpy but there was nothing for it.

He slipped his Ipod into the docking station, marveling once again at the beauty of the stereo that was in his bedroom. It was such a treat to be able to listen to whatever he wanted to, whenever he wanted. Clare De Lune filled the room with melodic harmony, bringing about a deep desire to see Bella again. They had set a date for the first piano lesson for Saturday afternoon but it felt like too long of a wait.

He sat down at the desk and pulled his homework from his backpack, smirking at the simple assignments he had to complete. Shit, he'd done this same work two years ago at his old school. Oh well, at least it would be easy to get good grades here in Forks.

A few hours later there was a knock at the door. He immediately stood up to answer it but before he took a step, Carlisle walked in.

Carlisle could see the teen tense up as he walked into the bedroom. He momentarily wondered if he had caught the boy doing something he shouldn't be doing by the look of fright in Edward's eyes. But it just looked as if Edward had been doing his homework? He wondered what had set the poor kid on edge.

"Everything alright, Edward?" Carlisle asked, sure now that something was wrong as the teen backed up until he bumped into the dresser.

"Uh yes, sir," Edward answered, then gestured to his homework, "I've been finished with my homework for awhile but I thought I'd just read ahead in English." He pushed the hair out of his eyes with a shaky hand as he quickly added, "Did you need me to do something for you? Did I forget to do something?" Shit, James had only ever come into his bedroom for one reason and it had never been just to chat.

Carlisle backed up a few steps until he was standing at the door. He could see how Edward's expression relaxed a bit. "No, I just came in to let you know that dinner will be ready in a few minutes." Now he knew he wasn't just imagining it, as he watched the teen let out a sigh of relief. "Is something wrong, son?"

Edward's head snapped up and he glared at the man before him. How dare he call him son. "No, everything's fine."

"It just seems as if your on edge about something," Carlisle stated, vexed at the frosty glare he'd received.

Edward shook his head, "No, sir. I'm fine."

Carlisle crossed his arms over his chest and leaned on the doorframe, "Edward, could you please call me, Carlisle or maybe even dad? Anything but, sir."

Edward looked into Carlisle's eyes. Was the man fucking serious? Call him dad after just meeting him a week ago? Yeah, right! He'd never had a real dad and at this point in his life, he sure as hell didn't need one.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't ask that of you so soon. I don't want to try to take James' place, Edward. Just call me, Carlisle," Carlisle saw the shift of anger in his son's eyes turn into one of disbelief.

"I've never called James anything but sir," Edward clarified.

Carlisle was floored by this admission. How could a man raise a son and never be called anything but "sir" by his child. His stomach twisted with the idea that Edward's childhood was anything less then perfect. It took him a moment to find his voice, "That's- well, that's hard to believe."

Edward immediately tensed up, his voice conveying a hint of panic, "I wouldn't lie to you, sir. I'll call you whatever you ask me to."

"Relax, Edward, I didn't think you were lying. I was just surprised to hear it," Carlisle clarified, upset that he was distressing the boy so much. "You just call me whatever makes you most comfortable."

"Yes, sir," Edward leaned back against the dresser, relieved that Carlisle wasn't accusing him of lying. He needed to calm down and remember that he wasn't with James. "I don't mean to be intentionally difficult, C-Carlisle. It's just so different here."

Carlisle had a sudden desire to hug his son. The teen looked so worn down. There must be so many emotions the poor kid was feeling, having just lost the only parents he had ever known, and now he was thrown into a situation where he didn't know anyone.

Carlisle stepped into the bedroom once more, knowing that his presence was disturbing the teen but wanting to get to the bottom of this distress he was causing the boy. "I don't know what I'm doing wrong, Edward. I feel as if I'm out of my element here. Esme couldn't become pregnant so you're our only shot at parenthood and we don't want to mess it up too badly. Is there something we're doing that's making you so anxious? Is there something I'm doing that's making you feel uncomfortable?"

"No," Edward replied, as he looked down at his hands. "It's just different here. You're a lot different then James."

Carlisle sighed, the realization that he'd never measure up to the great James Masen was hitting him hard. "Yeah, I'd thought as much. I'm sorry he's not here for you, Edward, but I at least hope you let me become a friend to you."

Edward snorted, "You don't understand. James wasn't-"

He was cut off when Esme yelled up the staircase, "Come and get it, boys!"

Carlisle didn't miss it when Edward breathed a sigh of relief.

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Anyone reading this???