~2~

"Oh, so how about this?" Edward Cullen said as he held up a book in front of my face. He pointed to a line of small text and I squinted to read it. "We might be able to fit this into one of our speeches," he said.

We were seated in the library and had been for the past 3 hours. It was also our fourth trip to the library afterschool to work on our stupid debate.

"Uhh, I guess we could work it in somewhere," I said quietly staring at the line of print he was still pointing too.

"Yeah, I really think it could help us win," he said, his voice full of excitement, his smile beaming.

"Okay, if you really think so, you can use it in your speech," I said back smugly.

He laughed back at me, his warm eyes and smile beaming at me. I had been wrong about Edward Cullen. I had stereotyped him before I even got to know the real Edward. After spending four hours a day for four days, I had come to the conclusion that he was not as bad as all his other classmates. He was just simply a victim of peer pressure.

Now, that's not to say I really knew him and we had suddenly become best friends. Edward still ignored me in school when I did see him and we didn't really have any other conversations aside from those about the debate, but he was still someone I began to feel comfortable around.

"Okay," I started, "We need to decide who is going to be the first speaker and who is going to be the second."

"Well," he said in a smug tone which made me giggle and tuck a piece of hair behind my ear shyly, "I know that Emmett is going to be the first speaker and Jessica is going to be the second because Emmett is nowhere near as capable as Jessica to make sense during a public speech. So, do you want to go against Emmett or Jessica?"

"Uhh," I said looking down in shyness, "I was kind of hoping to be the first speaker because you just seem like you can provide better arguments than I can."

"And because you think I'm better at public speaking," he teased, grinning at my embarrassment.

"Yes that too," I muttered quietly, still looking down.

"Okay, that's fine, I'll be the second speaker," he said throwing his hands up and leaning back on his chair as if he had just given up on a game.

"Really?" I gasped thankfully.

He threw his head back and laughed, "Yes, I figured that was how we were going to do it anyway."

"That's what I hoped," I said in relief, looking into his emerald eyes.

He continued to smile at me when his cell phone began to go off. "Oh shit, hold on a sec," he said digging into the pocket of his blue button-down shirt.

"Hello," he asked into the phone. I looked away from him and pretended to scan some pages of one of the books we had open on our table.

"Hey Mom," he continued, "No, I'm at the library, remember I told you I had a project for school to work on…yeah, I was going to meet you there after…oh it is? I'm sorry Mom, I didn't mean to keep you waiting…yeah, okay, I'll be right there." And with that he shut his phone and sighed.

"Listen," he said turning back to me, "I'm really sorry, but I have to go."

"Okay, that's fine," I said meeting his apologetic eyes.

He nodded and began to pick up his books and bags as I turned my nose back to the book I was reading. He began to get up and walk away, when he turned around and said to me sweetly, "Can I walk you out? I don't want to leave you here all alone. It's getting pretty late."

I looked back into his eyes and felt his worry and care pour into my soul. "No, I'll be fine. I'm leaving soon anyways."

"Are you sure?" he questioned worried.

"Yeah," I said although it came out weak. I wanted more than ever to walk out to the parking lot with him, but I knew it just wasn't right. He had such a different life than me. It would be awkward.

He was just about to turn away and walk out when one of the lights on the far side of the library went out and I gasped frightened.

"That's it," he said turning around, "You're coming with me." He started stuffing my books into my bag and I reluctantly got up to walk out of the library with him.

The hallway was dark and creepy as usual as we walked down it toward the doors to the parking lot, but other than usual, I felt safe with him next to me.

"So, I'm sorry I had to leave like that," he mumbled.

"It's okay," I mumbled back reassuringly.

"Yeah, well my parents were being…annoying," he said exasperated.

I just nodded my head, looking forward toward the door.

"I bet your parents are just as annoying. Always wanting you home with them and wondering where you are," he said.

I shrugged my shoulders, "Not really. My dad works late and my mother moved out on us a few years back."

He nodded back, not really understanding, "Yeah, divorce is pretty common these days."

Silence had fallen between us as I struggled to keep up with his long strides. He was so tall and strong, while I was just a short little weak link. Suddenly, the door to the weight room opened up and I jumped back in fright as I saw my worst fear step out.

I cowered to the side of Edward, refusing to look in Tom Brewster's direction as he walked past us, glaring hard over his shoulder with fury written all over his face. I knew he was looking for me, but would he dare try with Edward so close to me.

"What's up with him?" Edward asked confused as soon as Tom was out of hearing distance.

I just shrugged my shoulders again and soon enough we made it to the parking lot where I was safe at last from the horrors of school. I was thankful for letting Edward walk me out, for if he didn't, I would be stuffed in the janitor's closet with Tom, gasping for breath and struggling to feel…

Our cars were two of the last left in the parking lot and he walked me over to my red truck.

"So, I think we got pretty far on it today," he said to me smiling.

"Yeah," I nodded, looking at my feet, admiring the mud covering my black Mary Jane's.

"So, I know tomorrow is a Friday, but do you want to work on it afterschool too? I think we can finally get all the research done," he said.

"Yeah, sounds cool. I don't really do anything on Fridays anyway," I said looking up at him, although his face was in the shadows of the setting sun and I had to squint to make out his eyes.

He laughed, "Oh Bella, you never cease to amaze me."

"What do you mean?" I questioned. I wasn't sure if he was making fun of me or not.

He chuckled, "Nothing, just that, you are very different."

I looked down in embarrassment, feeling my blush coming on. He was definitely picking on me.

"Not in a bad way," he suddenly rushed out apologetic, "I was just saying that you're very different than other girls that go here and I like that about you. You make for a very interesting debate partner." He smiled sweetly at me and I felt more blushes coming on. He had just told me he liked me! Edward Cullen liked me! I felt like flying!

But I didn't show it. "Oh, thanks," I muttered, barely audible.

"Well, I'll see you later," he said cheery, knocking me playfully on my shoulder with his fist.

I watched as he walked away and climbed into his silver Volvo. I watched as his slender hands spun the steering wheel and backed out of the parking lot. He waved at me as he drove out and I felt my insides go all tingly. And for the first time, I smiled to myself. It wasn't a smile of laughter or to try to make myself feel better. It was a genuine smile of happiness. This strange Edward Cullen, whoever he was, was making me happy. A feeling I don't think I've felt for a long time or since I could remember. I smiled to myself as I drove all the way home, thinking of how amazing Edward was and how much I wanted more than ever to count on him, as the friend I never had.

Please comment and tell me whether you like it or not! This part of the story will start to go fast so I can get to the main part of it, 5 years later.