Disclaimer: Twilight character names belong to Stephanie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended. Plagiarism is theft. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without express written authorization. Thank you.

Chapter 2

The large man in front of me raised his eyebrows expectantly. I could only assume I he had asked a question and I'd missed it.

"Um, what?" My voice cracked slightly as I tried to make it sound a bit more masculine. I cleared my throat, hoping he would assume that was the problem.

"I wondered what room you're assigned so I can help you find it easier."

"Oh, yeah. I'm assigned to room 518."

"Okay, I'll take you up there." He took a step towards Aunt Vickie. "Let me take those from you, little lady," he said with a leering smile on his face.

Aunt Vickie giggled giving him the handle to the suitcase. I rolled my eyes and followed the two of them to the elevators. She started flirting with him, touching his arm and giggling as he talked. I'd have to remind her that my situation was precarious enough without having to worry about her trying to get with my professors. Typically Aunt Vickie was an open book. I don't know if she preferred honesty, or was simply to flighty to come up with, and remember, lies. Either way, she'd out my secret if she spent too much time with this guy.

When the elevator opened, we were led down a wide corridor, modern looking despite the age of the buildings façade. Each maroon doorway was adorned with golden letters announcing the room number. We stopped halfway down the long hallway in front of the door labeled '518'. The big guy gave two short raps on the door before trying the handle. All the rooms had locks on them, but either my roommate hadn't arrived, or he hadn't chosen to lock the door when he left because the door swung open easily.

The room wasn't very big. Immediately to the side of the door was another door which led to a private bathroom. Down a short hallway from the main entrance was the main room. Twin beds were located on either side of the room, and two desks were side-by-side against the far wall. The small walk-in closet appeared to be on the other side of the small hallway from the bathroom.

It appeared my roommate had indeed checked in already as half the room was already set-up. The bed covered with a comforter of blue and green and a couple of pillows, the desk was covered with books, paper and pens, while a few football posters hung on the wall above the bed and a couple of pictures lined the bed frame shelf.

I set my box down on the empty bed, taking in what would be my home for the next school year. The big guy parked my rolling bag next to the bed.

"Alright, I'll leave you to it," he said, clapping his large hands together. "If you have any questions, or need any help, I'll be in the building all day, so come and find me." He reached over for my Aunt's hand, shaking it warmly and winking before turning to leave.

"Well, he sure seemed friendly," she gushed, "and so handsome, too."

This reminded me. "Aunt Vickie, no. You can't go trying to get into the pants of any of the professors here. You'll blow my cover."

"But…"

"No! I can't have you risking my future on a meaningless fling! Please? I'm begging you to just leave him alone."

"Fine," she huffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder as though what I asked was a huge inconvenience to her. "I guess it would have been bothersome anyway, I mean, it takes an hour to drive out here."

I rolled my eyes, pushing her towards the door. "Come on; let's go get the rest of my stuff from the car."

Two more trips between the car and my dorm room were necessary to bring in all my bags and boxes. I began unpacking my clothes, hanging or stacking them in the closet. Two small dressers were on either side of the closet, so I was able to store my socks and boxers in it. I saw no sign of my school uniforms and made a note to check on them tomorrow if they still hadn't arrived.

With my clothes put away, I moved to unpacking my computer, printer and books. Aunt Vickie was setting up my bed with the dark blue bed set I'd purchased. The desk had a couple shelves beside it, so I set up my school books, along with the luxury reading books I'd brought. I set the printer up on the lowest shelf beside the desk, fortunately, the printer was wireless and had already been set up to work with the laptop. I could only imagine what would have happened if I needed to somehow connect the printer. Actually, I know what would have happened; I would have never used the printer and found some other way to print off my assignments.

I put the laptop on the desk, and silently hoped I could find someone later to help me connect to the school wireless internet system. By the time I'd finished with the desk, Aunt Vickie had finished with my bed and was setting up the few personal items I'd brought; a picture of my parents, a picture of her and an old family picture from when I was small. She had already attached my reading lamp to the headboard and had started to bread down the boxes so we could store them, and the suitcases, under the bed.

Admittedly, my side of the room was rather plain compared to my roommates'. I didn't bring anything to cover up the plain, taupe-colored wall, and my sheets matched my comforter in color, giving the bed a dark monotone appearance. But for now, it would have to do, after all, boys don't care about decorations; the color aesthetics of a room are insignificant to them.

I took my toiletries to the bathroom, putting my hair products in the on the shelf in the shower and my shaving kit in the cabinet under the sink. While everything of my roommates' was clean and organized now, I secretly hoped it would remain as such. I didn't relish the idea of spending the next school year with a messy teenage boy.

Aunt Vickie was sitting on my bed, staring at her hands as they twined themselves together over and over.

"Hey," I said, nudging her foot with mine. She looked up at me, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. "You know it'll be okay. It's only one school year, then it's over."

"I know," she croaked. She cleared her throat, before standing up and wrapping her arms around me in a tight hug. "I know you can do this, and I understand your reasons..."

"But?"

"But I wish we could find another way." I sighed and she squeezed me a little before releasing me from the hug. "Okay, enough of that, I'm sure it isn't a very 'manly' move to be hugging your aunt," she said chuckling while wiping away a few escaped tears.

"Thank you for understanding and supporting me through this." I rubbed her arm soothingly.

While I loved my Aunt dearly, I suddenly needed her to go. I found it too difficult to remain in character with her and slipping would simply lead to disaster. Fortunately, she seemed to sense the direction of my thoughts.

"Okay, kiddo. I'm going to head out. I want you to e-mail and call me whenever you can, alright?" I nodded. "You know, there are very few people in the world who I think could actually pull this off. You're one of them. I'm sure the next year won't always be easy, but I have faith in you."

I hugged her again tightly, soaking in the last little bit of Bella Swan I'd be seeing for a while. I kissed her cheek while giving her an extra squeeze. "Love you."

"You, too. Be good, sweet girl," she whispered before returning my kiss and breaking the hug.

I walked Aunt Vickie to her car. After staring the old SUV she rolled down her window. "Don't hesitate to call if you need anything, sweetheart. Oh, and try to have some fun. You are a senior, after all." She grinned and waved as she pulled out of the parking spot.

I stood for a while watching her drive away. Strange how only now did this whole thing seem real. I'd been preparing for the last month and a half, but as Aunt Vickie drove away, the last vestiges of my duel personality dissolved with her. Surreal, I guess, would be the appropriate term.

I don't know how long I stood there lost in my own thoughts, but when I was suddenly brought back to the present I decided I'd probably spent enough time standing like an idiot staring into space.

Slowly, I made my way back to my dorm room. I figured it would probably be a good idea to look over the contents of the maroon folder the Physics professor had given me at check-in.

I got in the elevator with another arriving student and his parents. The guy appeared to be my age, he stood a few inches taller than me and had sandy blonde hair. As I entered the elevator, he looked at me with embarrassment in his baby blue eyes. I didn't understand the look until the doors had closed.

"Oh, my baby boy! I'm just going to miss you so much," the boy's mother cried. She had her arms wrapped tightly around the boys arm and was shaking with her tears.

"Dear, we go through this every year. Must we do it again?" the man asked in annoyance. The contrast between him and boy's mother was almost laughable.

I glanced at my fellow student again the embarrassment still clear on his face before slightly rolling his eyes. I smirked in reply looking back towards the elevator doors as they opened.

I was surprised when they followed me down the hall, the mother continuing her rants about her 'poor baby boy'. Fortunately I was able to get into my room and close the door securely before laughter overtook me. Perhaps it was because my own parents had never doted on me like his, but I found the whole display to border on ridiculous.

The maroon school folder was tucked with my school books on the desk shelf so I retrieved it before flopping down on my bed. I'd only been here for a couple hours and I was already exhausted. I kicked my shoes noisily to the floor, wiggling my toes and reveling in the relative freedom of escaping their leather prison.

Opening the folder I decided first to look for my class schedule. I still had another free day before classes began, but I wanted to get an idea of what was in store. I looked over the list: AP English, Math, AP Physics, Chemistry, Gym, Advanced Drama…nothing out of the ordinary.

When Esme and I had developed Isaac's back story we decided to keep his life as close to my own as possible. This was primarily due to the long-term improvisation of the role. Essentially it would be easier for me to remember the details of Isaac's life if it closely mirrored my own. For this reason I was enrolled in the Advanced Drama course. I was actually excited to take the class as I'd never taken a drama course through school before; with Esme as my personal coach I'd had no reason to.

The next sheet I pulled from the folder was a thick glossy one with the picture of a red haired woman on it. After reading the first paragraph I realized this was the introduction to my mentor, Dr. Ammelia Lawrence.

The teacher mentor program at Bard Creek Academy was supposedly one of the paramount opportunities provided to the students. The unique set-up of each professor personally mentoring 20 students through their school experience was successful, coveted, and duplicated by other private schools. According to my introduction sheet, Dr. Lawrence was the drama teacher. The irony was not lost on me and I snorted, pleased I was alone for the embarrassing noise.

I hadn't gotten any further in the folder when I heard the door to the dorm room open. I hadn't locked the door, but figured the intruder was probably my new roommate so I rolled over to the get myself off the bed.

When I'd gotten into the upright position I was met with the greenest eyes I'd ever seen on a living person. I was mesmerized for a moment before realizing just how close we'd come to stand as I had gotten up.

"Whoa," I said, taking a step back.

The guy grinned as he stuck a hand out towards me. "Hey. I'm guessing you're Isaac, right?"

"Yeah." I extended my own hand to his, feeling his large one engulfing my own. He gripped firmly and gave a customary two pumps before releasing. I was surprised at how large he seemed to me. He stood at least a head taller than me and had broad shoulders attached to long, thick arms. I realized we hadn't been standing close at first, his size in the small space of the hallway just made it appear that way.

"It's nice to meet you. Look's like we'll be bunking together."

"So it would seem." I stuck my thumbs into my pocket to keep from fidgeting. I hadn't gotten far enough into my packet to see anything about my roommate and I found myself somewhat disconcerted at my lack of preparation.

"I didn't recognize your name, and I don't recall seeing you around before. This your first year at Bard Creek?"

"Yeah."

"Cool." He started walking back towards the walk-in closet. Only then did I notice that he was all wet. His dark colored hair was slicked back messily, and his grey t-shirt was covered in dark grey spots that clung to his frame. "So where did you go to school before?" he called out as he entered the closet. As soon as he was out of sight I lunged for the maroon folder hoping to find his information sheet, so I at least would know what to call him.

"Um, I attended Wilson in New York." I heard him rummaging through drawers as I frantically flipped through the stack of papers.

"Wow. Impressive," his closet-muted voice said. "I've heard good things about them." His voice got louder at the end and I turned my attention back towards him. What I saw made me stop dead in my tracks and forget everything I was doing.

Oh. Dear. God.

My roommate had come back in the room wearing only a pair of athletic shorts. He'd removed the wet t-shirt, as well as his shoes and socks. In my time in the theater I'd seen men without shirts on. However, something about this guy made my throat close up and my hands shake. His skin was pale and smooth, and the muscles of his stomach and chest were well defined. I found myself wanting stare at his body, an action that would most assuredly cause me humiliation. As it was, my slight hesitation was embarrassing enough and I quickly dropped my eyes back to the folder in my hands.

Caught up in trying to avoid looking back at my roommates body I had forgotten what we had been talking about.

"Um…yeah…" I hesitated not sure what to say in a conversation I'd forgotten. So I decided to redirect. "I'm sorry. I haven't gotten far enough in here to find out your name."

He chuckled. "Don't apologize, I should have introduced myself properly. I'm Edward Masen."

I looked back at him, actively keeping my eyes at his face and not allowing them to wander. "Edward. Good to know."

He ran his long fingered hand through his wet locks. "So, Isaac, you into sports at all?"

"Yeah…" I drawled out. "Not so much. I'm a great supporter, but I'm a terrible player. I tend to be uncoordinated at the best of times. You get me on a field and I become a hazard to anyone in a 10 foot radius."

Edward chuckled again. "Well, thanks for the warning."

"Well, just pray you don't have gym class with me. If you do, I recommend getting extra health insurance. You might need it. Ironically, you get me to do the same stuff as you would on a field, but instead on a stage, and I can pull it off flawlessly. For some reason passing understanding, God decided not to give me natural talent, only stage, or pretend talent. Go figure," I babbled.

He smirked and shook his head. "'Kay, I'm going to take a quick shower. Some of the guys had a pick-up football game. When I'm done, since you're new, I'll take you around and introduce you to some people. Sound good?"

"Sounds like a plan. Thanks, man." I nodded. As soon as he turned around my eyes roamed his back. The muscles were just as well defined as the front and I bit my lip.

When the door to the bathroom closed I fell backwards onto my bed and started beating my hand against my forehead.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

This became my self deprecating mantra. How was I going to put up with a whole school year if I couldn't even handle my first encounter with the gorgeous guy with whom I'd be rooming?

Honestly, I didn't really know what was wrong with me. I'd never reacted this way before to anyone. But then, I have been feeling more anxiety today, and therefore, more aware of any little change or difference. I'm sure it wasn't abnormal of me to observe a fine male specimen; I just noticed it more today because of my already frazzled nerves. I'm sure this was a perfectly logical explanation for my behavior, or lack thereof.

The sound of the shower turning on pulled me from my mini rant. Unbidden, the image of Edward's body standing under the shower floated to my hormone addled brain. I sighed, pressing the heel of my hands into my eyes.

This year just got more difficult.

AN: You all are super cool! Yeah...that's all I got...