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Chapter 3 - Chemistry

There's always that little bit of anticipation when starting a new school year. At least for me. I get along with most everyone, and I love seeing what people decide to wear for the first day and which classes I'll share with friends.

This year, my excitement has reached epic proportions because Edward will be there. I find myself wanting to look especially good for him and spend a little extra time on my hair and makeup.

After zipping my knee-high boots over my skinny jeans, I grab my backpack, head to the kitchen for some Pop Tarts (Mom and Dad have already left, so I'm on my own) and then out to Big Red. She starts up with a grumble, and I pat her dash lovingly. "Come on, old girl. It's gonna be a great year."

I honk my horn, and my brother finally emerges through the front door, his hulky frame belying the fact that we're twins. He totalled his car over the summer and is saving up for another one, so he climbs into my truck for a ride. "About time, ass-face."

"Shut it, dick-breath."

"Oooo, good one," I reply, shifting into reverse. "I need to use that on Tyler when he inevitably starts asking me out again."

"Full of yourself much?"

"Nah. I just know he has it bad for me because I don't fall for his smooth talk and douchey pick-up lines."

Emmett snorts. "It's gonna be a great year, sis."

"My thoughts exactly."


Disappointment sets in after not seeing Edward for the entire morning, even though I'm happy about having Angela in my first two classes and Emmett in third period English. At lunch, I finally spot him. Edward comes through the propped open double doors and stops, looking around uncertainly and clutching a blue vinyl lunch bag. His russet hair is in complete disarray, and he looks sinfully good in a black v-neck sweater and dark jeans.

I don't think he would ever approach me on his own, so I tell Jessica and Angela I'll be right back and walk right up to him. I want him to feel comfortable, and he looks anything but.

"Hi, Edward."

His green gaze flickers to my face and then settles on what I assume is my left shoulder, the dimple in his left cheek making a brief appearance. "Hello, Bella."

"Do you want to come sit with me?"

"Yes."

I smile. "Okay. I'm right over here." Leading him to our table, I see Jessica stop mid-chew as she notices us. She gathers her things and stands as we approach.

"Really, Jess?"

"I forgot I told Mike I'd sit with him. Have a good lunch, guys."

"Right," I mutter after she's gone, taking my seat again across from Angela. If Jessica's going to be like that, good riddance.

Edward sits down right next to me and doesn't say a word. He begins unpacking his lunch methodically, long fingers lining everything up from largest item to smallest before carefully unwrapping his sandwich. He bows his head and closes his eyes, his lips moving for a moment before he utters a quiet, "amen."

Angela and I share a smile and resume eating as Edward picks up one half of his sandwich and takes a big bite. She and I talk about our teachers and whether or not we think we'll do well in our classes. Edward doesn't chime in, and neither of us expects him to.

"How's your first day going?" I ask him quietly once he's hoovered his sandwich.

"Um. Good." He shrugs. "I guess. No one's really talked to me except a guy I know from the rink and a girl named Jane."

"Ugh. Steer clear of her."

"Why?" he asks innocently.

"She's trouble."

"Oh." He nods, looking at the Pepsi can in his hand. "Okay. I will. I don't want any trouble."

The inflection in his voice, like he's genuinely scared, breaks my heart. I lean toward him a little. "Hey, it's okay. She's just… probably not the kind of person you should hang around with."

"Can I hang around with you?" His bright eyes meet mine and hold for a moment, and I'm so shocked I don't answer right away. "Never mind," he whispers and looks down at his food again.

"No! I mean, yes! Of course you can hang out with me." I sigh and throw a help me look at Angela. "I mean, I want you to hang out with me if you want to. And Angela too. Right, Ang?"

"Right." She nods even though he's not looking at her. "And my boyfriend, Ben, will usually be sitting with us too. He's really nice, although I guess I'm a little biased." Her smile widens but then falls a bit. "He has the flu, so he couldn't start today, but hopefully he'll be better soon and you can meet him."

Edward utters a quiet, "Okay."

He seems painfully shy around anyone other than me. He's warmed up to me a lot since I first started talking to him at the rink. I don't think the shyness is only caused by the Asperger's, though. I've met one other person with the condition, and he wasn't really shy. Just kind of awkward.

Edward's definitely socially awkward, but he's so sweet. Not to mention gorgeous and gentlemanly and smart. I let out a quiet sigh as I turn back to my lunch, again just happy to be near him.

As we clean up from lunch, I ask Edward which class he has next, and my heart flutters in my chest when he says honors chemistry.

"With Mr. Spalding?"

Edward pulls his schedule out of his back pocket and unfolds it to confirm. "Yes."

I beam at him as he carefully refolds the schedule and slips it back into his pocket. "Great! I'm in that class too. Do you want to walk with me?"

A shy smile graces his lips. "Yes."


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