He was standing in his small, cramped office next to the only window which was slightly opened as he liked to keep it. Soon, the bell would ring and announce the end of a new school day, but his day wasn't over yet. Sighing, he went back to his neat desk and examined the file of Isabella Marie Swan, the newly transferred student. He tried to concentrate, fighting the onset of the migraine he was due to have because of the long, boring staff meeting he had to endure earlier that day.

His endeavor was soon disturbed by the unfortunately familiar thoughts of a certain student. Hope Mr.C… happy to see me… won't believe… say… new girl. Soon enough, he heard a knock and asked Jessica to come in. She was all smiling, rather too sweetly and he was sure she was up to no good. He found his job rather challenging in those moments.

"Hi, Mr. Cullen! I'm so happy to see you!" started Jessica, walking towards his desk and taking the seat in front of him.

"Miss Stanley, I don't think I was expecting you today, especially during classes. I assume–"

"Oh, I just got a pass from Mr. Varner. And you weren't expecting me. But I just wanted to talk to you about the new girl."

"Isabella Swan?"

"Yes, Bella. I know you have a meeting with her now and I just wanted to give you some scoop I gathered."

Mr. Cullen was watching Jessica closely. She looked expectantly at him, waiting for him to urge her on. He wasn't sure what was her endgame, but coming to him and relaying some sort of information meant she wanted to put the new student in a difficult position. Come on, Mr. C. I know you want to hear it! No one can resist a little gossip. Even her thoughts were loud enough now to hear the clearly.

"Carry on, Miss Stanley," he said leaning back in his chair.

"Please call me Jessica as I've asked you so many times." He almost puffed, like that was going to ever happen, but he manage to control himself just in time and maintain a serious look. Luckily, Jessica continued, "I tried to observe her these days, you know, watching her in classes and at lunch," – not only me, but also other people– "and she's integrating well."

Mr. Cullen furrowed his brows. "Well, she's new and it's only been about a week. I don't think no one's expect–"

"I know. But she's a loner. She doesn't talk to people, she doesn't try to introduce herself."

He disliked when he was interrupted, especially by this girl, but he was intrigued by what she was going to say next. Still, he had to ask, "I take it she wasn't nice enough with you."

Jessica smiled, and responded "No, she was nice enough. I had to go to her first, but I'm sure we'll be friendly." Especially if she does what I say. "But I'm worried for her. And that's why I came to you." She looked with big eyes at Mr. Cullen.

"Miss Stanley, I can say that I'm happy you're expressing such noble sentiments, especially after your past transgressions." She flinched slightly. "So, what exactly are your concerns?"

You're gonna love this, Mr. C. Jessica took a very affected look and tone. "I think she might be depressed."

A rather surprising development, but he wasn't sure how much truth lay behind this affirmation. "Oh, do you now? And this is comes only from your keen observation skills?"

She made a grimace upon hearing that. "I also talked to a girl from her former high school. It was difficult to track, but what's difficult to me?" she laughed. "She had very few friends there and she wasn't involved in any school activities. Her leaving was a bit of unexpected, but there are some rumors flying around."

He could feel that this was the part she was eager to get it, so he tried to cut her. "Miss Stanley, you of all people know what I believe about rumors and how much credit I give them."

She continued like she didn't hear him. "They say she was involved with a teacher there and that's why she left. And for every rumor, there is a grain of truth." Let's see how you react to that.

He started massaging his temples again as his migraine was coming in force. Why did he had to choose this job? He thought he could guide students to great colleges and careers, but he didn't think he actually had to sort through such petty moments. He said to Jessica, "Let me get this straight. You think she's depressed because her boyfriend–"

"Teacher."

"– broke up with her and it was so unbearable she decided to move a thousand miles. And her depression makes her unsocial."

"Precisely. I know you would understand, Mr.C." He glared at her. "Oops, Mr. Cullen," she corrected herself with a hint of a smile. I bet he'll have an interesting conversation now with that loser.

He kept staring at this unbelievable girl who could probably come with lies even bigger than this one, but he was distracted by a knock on the door and a sweet faint smile that made him thirsty. This was definitely a bad day.

Jessica got up from her chair and said "Oh, I think Miss Swan is here. Got to go!" My work is done here.

He also got up and motioned her to the door. "Thank you for your concerns, Miss Stanley. I'll take them into consideration." The smell was growing stronger to his confusion. When the door opened, the sweet smell washed over him and he closed his fists strongly. It was the new girl's and it had an intensity he hadn't encountered before, so strong he had to stay still. Finally, he murmured a goodbye to Jessica and waited for Miss Swan to come in.

He took a good look at her and he noticed her alabaster skin, quite uncommon for humans. She was looking with one brow raised at him, waiting in the door frame. He said, "Come in, Miss Swan," and went to his desk to pick up her file and then remained close to the window, so the fresh breeze would come over him.

"I'm Edward Cullen, your school counselor."

Bella strode towards him, outstretching her hand for a shake, while saying "Bella Swan." He shook it anxiously, hoping she wouldn't remark on the iciness of his palm.

She furrowed her brows, but didn't comment upon it and she took the seat previously occupied by Jessica. He wasn't sure how he should start, so he started shuffling with her file.

Bored by waiting, Bella said, "If you're sick we can talk another time."

"Sick?"

"Yes. You are extremely cold and your face looks like you're sitting next to a pile of garbage," she responded without looking at him, but rather at her knees.

Perceptive, he thought. Staying close to the window made him feel more in control, but he wasn't sure he should push his luck by sitting down at the desk, so close to the girl. An accident would probably make his family uncomfortable. "I think I can manage to talk."

"Do you have liver problems?" she asked looking at him this time.

"Well, it's smelling rather too sweetly for me," he said with a shrug.

"Sorry. My shampoo probably..."

"Nothing to be sorry about. My problem, not yours." He continued to read her file. "I see you moved from Phoenix? Any particular reason?"

"I wanted to spend some time with my dad. My parents separated a long time ago."

"It says here. Other problems at your last school?"

He glanced over the file and saw her watching him attentively. Finally, she responded "No other problems." Her way of responding made him feel that there was something she kept hidden, but decided to continue.

"Is your schedule good? Do you need any changes?"

"Can I swap classes, so I don't have Jessica Stanley in any of them?"

He smiled, almost chuckling. Very few people would like to be Jessica's classmates. "I'm afraid it's too small of a school to arrange such changes."

She sighed. "At least, I tried."

"I see you got pretty good grades. You are even in AP Biology. Fancy to be a physician?" He was quite interested on the subjects she liked, as he enjoyed giving career path advice.

She grimaced. "I wish. Unfortunately, I faint whenever I see and smell blood. But biology is a fun as a subject."

"Too bad. I would have introduced you to my father who is a physician and would have loved to give you advice. Have you thought about college?"

"Not yet. I also enjoy literature, so maybe something related to that."

He put the file aside. "And how do you find Forks until now? Made any friends? Joined a club?"

She seemed slightly confused by the change of subject. "It's fine. I talked to some people."

He was rather puzzled by the girl in front of him. "I find it odd that you have moved so suddenly from Phoenix. It doesn't seem like a well-thought decision. Rather a spur of the moment one." Bella said nothing, so he continued. "I might be a bit concerned about your integration here."

"Why?"

He closed his eyes and took a big breath which proved to be a mistake as he also got a handful of Bella's smell. He felt the pain in his throat growing stronger. They were all alone, what would be the harm… But his rational side knew he must resist.

"Mr. Cullen? Are you feeling okay?" her voice was slightly panicked.

He opened his eyes and waved his hand is dismissal. But her eyes were wider now and he had no idea why.

She said in a slow tone, "I think you should go to your dad. Your eyes are darker now."

If he had any color to drain, that would probably be the moment it happened. He tried to recompose himself and he said confidently, "Oh, I think it's just the light." He turned slightly as to watch outside and continued, "About your other question, Bella, I think it's important that you socialize properly with your peers. You want to go to college, and this is an important aspect. You should find a club and join it. There are several options: varsity teams, a photography club, a debate club and a book club. The last will be ideal for you if you say you like literature." He felt slightly better and decided to face her. "And I think it will also be good for you to come here once a week and discuss your progress. Let's say, for about a month" He was sure that was necessary, but he really wanted to see her again and talk to her, maybe found out what happened in Phoenix.

She pouted a little, probably not wanting guidance sessions, but in the end she just said, "Fine, but I work 3 times a week, so this thing shouldn't overlap."

Feeling cheerful, Edward replied, "I'm sure we can work something out."

They sat in silence for a few moments and finally, Bella asked, "Is there anything else or may I go now?"

"You can go, Bella. See you next week."

He walked her towards the door as it was the polite thing to do. She stopped close to the door frame and turned to him, making Edward feeling intoxicated by her close smell, and said "It was nice meeting you, Mr. Cullen." And she left, before he even found time to respond.

While packing his things, Edward reflected on their conversation and finally, one thing struck him as very odd: not once did he pick a fragment of thought from her. It was a total silence, something he hadn't experienced before as he always managed to hear at least something. The conversation with his family tonight was bound to be very interesting.

A/N: I hope you found this chapter interesting. There will be more interactions between Bella and Edward, some outside school of course. I also tried to spell check more, as I've noticed some mistakes in the previous chapters (which I corrected). Enjoy!