Thank you for all my new readers, and your support it really really means a lot! Here's the third chapter, Enjoy.

CHAPTER THREE

The next day was better; and worse.

Nobody asked me about my billionaire Lord of a grandfather, not that I'd have much to tell them if they did. I didn't run into the three cheerleaders again, and I didn't stumble into anymore classes; for which I was very thankful for. I was, however, not left alone by a certain bronze haired boy.

I turned the corner as I headed towards my Biology class and the moment I lifted my head and met his gaze, a slow smile spread across his beautiful face. We were in the same Biology class. Obviously, my rejection last had done nothing to deter him; and a small part of me was thankful for that. He nodded towards me, and when I blushed and nodded back, his smile grew more pronounced. I didn't want to be roped into another conversation with his friends, who were all stood around him, chatting animatedly; so I ducked my head again and rushed inside the class to take my seat, ignoring the fact I was early.

Before I had taken my notebook from my bag, I heard the seat next to me being pulled out. This was my first Biology class of the term, so I still didn't know who my partner would be. I looked up and saw him for the first time.

It was the same boy who had asked about my grandfather the day before. Mike, was it? I could hardly believe my luck. Someone up in the heavens really did have it for me; making my life their own personal gag reel. Mike just grinned and sat down on the stool next to me with a comfortable thud. I just rolled my eyes and sighed as I turned back to face the board at the front of class. I was about to start doodling to myself look busy and avoided conversation as I waited for class to begin, when I heard his voice.

'Move, Newton. This is my seat this year.'

'The hell it is, man! I've already been assigned this seat, sit somewhere else,' he jutted his chin towards the other side of the room.

'No, you sit somewhere else. This is my seat this year,' there was unmistakable power in Edward's voice as he stared Mike straight in his eyes.

'Dude, what's your game?' Mike replied, in a smaller voice this time.

They looked at each other meaningfully for a minute, and it was obvious they were both thinking of some private joke between them, as a smile appeared on their faces, first on Mike, then reluctantly on Edward's, as he tried to hide it.

'Scram, Mike.'

Mike got up from his seat then, and dragged his feet over to another table, mockingly.

Edward neatly pulled out his notebook and sat on the stool. He searched his bag again for something before turning to me, as if he'd only just seen me there, flashing a smile.

'Hey.'

'Hi...?' My greeting came out as a question. He chuckled and continued to search in his bag, and curiosity got the better of me, 'What was that?'

'What was what?' he asked, without looking up from his search.

'Sending Mike away... Why do you want to sit here?'

'Oh,' he finally finished and dropped his bag, and turned to face me with a serious look on his perfect face, 'Well, the acoustics are much better on this side of the room, and I get less glare from the sunlight on the smart board; not to mention being out of the way of the draft,' he paused, 'Of course, it had nothing to do with sitting with you.'

I was stunned for a moment, speechless. I forced myself to recover though and rolled my eyes, feigning indifference at his remark. I heard him laugh beside me, and reached his hand over, opening his hand as I noticed he was holding something in it.

'I think this is yours.'

Inside his hand lay a tiny diamond earring which hung from an ornate silver ball, decoratively carved with antique swirls and patterns. I immediately recognised my grandmother's earring which normal hung from my own ear. I gasped and my hand flew to my ear, realising for the first time that it was empty.

'Oh my gosh, I didn't even notice it had fallen! Thank you so much, where did you find it?' I asked as I took it from his hand and stuck it through my ear once again.

'It was in the corner of the elevator. I figured it fell when you dropped your keys.'

'Thank goodness I've not lost it, they were my Grandmother's.'

'Are they pretty pricey then?'

'Is that all you American's think about; Money?' I shot back at him, a little harsher than I wanted to.

'No, I didn't mean that. I just meant they must be priceless to you, especially if they're antiques,' he looked shocked and hurt that I'd think he was shallow.

I replied with a calmer voice this time, 'Well, they could have cost 50 pence and I still couldn't bear to lose them.'

There was silence between us for a while then, as the teacher stepped in class and began explaining the New Year's targets and topics. I was so thankful that he'd forgotten that he had a new student and never asked me to introduce myself. We were given a practical task to do, and were sent off to complete it for the rest of the class. Edward immediately turned to face me and said, 'You ready, partner?'

I groaned and pushed the sample slices and the microscope towards him. He laughed, but took them, fixing the first slide in.

'So, you have a nice evening last night?' He glanced at me through his lashes, and smiled.

'It was grand, thank you. I spent the night cleaning out all the shampoo that had leaked in the bottom of my suitcase.' I grimaced at the memory. It had most definitely ruined at least 3 of my tops.

'Ouch, well I'm sure had some better offers, didn't you?' He winked at me mischievously.

I decided to play along with him, 'Not really. A guy asked if I'd like to go to dinner with him... But I'd only met him that day, and I'm pretty sure he followed me to my dorm. I didn't get very good vibes from him,' I played with my hair, idly.

He didn't pause, and raised an eyebrow, 'I see... I think he sounds like a helpful guy. Was he not helpful to you?'

I smiled and softened a little, 'Yes, he was very helpful throughout the day. He helped me find my keys, and gathered my things when I crashed into him.'

He laughed then, 'There you go! He sounds like a great guy! I think you were a little too hard on him. Besides, it would have been better than cleaning out shampoo.'

I remembered the night before as I defiantly turned down his dinner offer. It was going against every female hormone in my body as I said no to the perfect figure of a man that millions of girls dream of. It wasn't often that as asked out; scrap that, I was never asked out. Maybe it was because the boys in London had seen me grow up, but they never even showed slightest interest. Which I was grateful for. It made it easier for me to keep a distance; to stop myself getting too attached to anyone. I definitely couldn't afford to grow too close; not in the condition I was in. This thought reminded me why I had said no to Edward and my smile faded. I couldn't and wouldn't let myself get too close to him; even if it was for the wrong reasons. I turned my face from Edward and sighed sadly, 'Yeah it probably would have been.'

He raised his head and cocked it to the side, trying to read my expression. He opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by the teacher. We didn't get chance to talk again for the rest of the class.

Spanish and English flew by and before long it was time for lunch. After studying my map last night, I had memorised a route from my last class to the canteen and managed to get there in one piece. I wasn't hungry though, and settled with just an apple.

I was rolling it around in my palms while I waited in the queue to pay, idly staring off into the distance.

'That's not very nutritional for a lunch.'

I jumped at his voice, and spun round to see him standing behind me. I looked down and saw that he had a salad box in his hands, waiting to pay like me.

'It's one of my five a day, Doctor,' I stressed the last word.

'Yes, but not nearly enough to get you through the rest of the day. You'll waste away,' he replied, faking the voice of a concerned parent. He reminded me of my parents.

'I think I'll survive.' I turned my back to him then.

'You know, I could offer you a much better dinner - nutrition wise, I mean. I know a great place. It would make up for your terrible lunch,' he leaned forward to speak closer to my ear and his breath tickled the back of my neck, causing me to shiver. I'm sure he didn't miss that.

It took me a second to be able to answer him, but I willed with everything I had in me to regain composure. I couldn't let somebody have this kind of power of me, I wouldn't let him.

'Have you not given up yet?' I put as much power into my voice as possible.

'Of course not, Miss. Swan. I'm not a quitter,' His breath still tickled my neck. He definitely knew what it did to me, 'You should probably remember that.'

Remember what? I couldn't remember what he'd said before. Suddenly the lady at the till shouted 'Next!' indicating that it was my turn to pay.

I numbly stepped forward and reached my hand into my pocket to fish out the dollar to pay for my apple. Edward's hand flashed before me and handed a 20 to the lady.

'For the apple and my salad. Keep the change.'

He stepped around me and stood on the other side, out of the queue, a smile playing on his perfect lips. He looked at me for a moment before asking, 'Are you coming to sit down?'

I had to pull myself together. This boy was pulling apart every gate and wall I'd built around myself for the past 2 years, after only knowing him for 24 hours. A scary thought rushed through my mind as I had a vision of him finding out my secret and my whole world crashing down around me as he'd realize his mistake; but it would have already been too late for me. My barriers would have been pulled down, and there'd be no way I could bring them back up alone.

Edward watched me as my mind fluttered with panic and I took a deep breath trying to steady myself. My head started swimming, and I must have swayed because he reached out his arm and grabbed mine to keep me from falling.

'Whoa, are you okay?' his voice was thick with concern.

'It's. It's just my... blood pressure..' I tried to deliver my well practised lie, but somehow failed as I tried to regain my balance. Edward pulled me securely to the edge of the cafeteria, where the fire door was propped open, letting a cool breeze in. It immediately helped to clear my head and I took another deep breath.

'You should definitely eat something now,' he said softly, but with definite certainty.

'No, really I'm fine, it happens all the time.'

'Bella,' he crouched down slightly, to meet my level and looked into my eyes intently. I could feel my insides start to skip again. My head started to swim again.

'It's worrying if this happens all the time. Let me take you back to your dorm at least, if you're not going to eat.'

I couldn't tear away from his gaze. I could see through his emerald eyes and deep within. His stare made me think that he could see through me too. It took me 20 seconds to realize my vision was getting worse, and I had to leave him.

'I cant – I have to go, let me go,' I pushed his grip from my shoulders and pulled away. I turned to walk out the fire door but his voice was right behind me. God, this boy really doesn't give up.

'Bella! Bella, wait – just wait a second!' he grabbed my elbow and spun me around with enough force to stop me in my tracks and face him.

'What's going on? What's wrong?' his eyes roamed my face as his brow knit together furiously in concern. He really wasn't making this easy for me, if only he knew why I was acting this way. Why I couldn't let him get in too deep.

'What are you doing, Edward?' I said with as much strength as I could muster.

'I'm trying to make sure you're not going to pass out when you're alone!' he said loudly, exasperated.

'No! I mean what are you doing with me? Why won't you quit?!' I shouted back, 'Edward, all I am is a shiny new toy for you to play with! I promise, you'll get bored sooner than you think!'

He paused for a second before answering, 'If you really want me to quit, Bella then just say it and I'll leave you alone.'

The sadness in his voice made me catch my breath and traitor tears threatened to spill out. I took a few breathes to steady myself, not once leaving his intense gaze. He still had hold of my arm and his grip tightened slightly when he noticed my watery eyes.

'I can't,' I whispered. His face relaxed minutely in relief. 'But I can't get involved; with anyone; especially not you.' I could barely hear my own voice.

Confusion swept across his face once again, 'Why?' He changed his stance and lightly took hold of my other arm as he now stood directly in front of me. His eyes were getting too much for me to bear, as he said in the softest voice, 'what are you hiding, Bella?'

I was shocked; I knew this boy could see straight through me. I started to panic and get breathless again as realization hit me that my barriers hadn't been enough, somebody had seen through them. He knew I had a secret.

'Please, don't do this,' I pleaded with him.

He stayed silent as he continued to read my expression, and I took that chance to slip my arms away from his grip. I backed up and tested my balance. He stepped back to give me some room, his eyes never leaving mine. After I proved to myself I could walk, and risked another look at his face.

His eyes were still locked on me, as the emerald green was a tiny bit duller in his serious concentration. I couldn't say anything else to him, without spilling everything I worked so hard to keep to myself. I didn't understand this power he had over me, it didn't make sense. I opened my mouth to at least say goodbye, but nothing came out. I turned and left.

I sat on my bed, trying to understand what had happened today. Edward Cullen was doing something to my insides, and I wasn't sure whether I understood it; whether I liked it or whether it was even safe for me.

Rosalie came in a few hours after, gushing about a dozen roses that Emmett had delivered for her. It was some sort of anniversary for them, but I didn't listen enough to find out what. She left after a little while and I thought she'd gone out for dinner when the dorm was too silent.

I lay back on the bed and tried to sort through everything. I must have fallen asleep at some point because a light knock at the door made my eyes fly open. I looked over at the clock which said 8:32.

I rose from bed, thinking Rose had forgotten her. It almost knocked all the breath out of me when I saw who was standing on the other side.

I had never paid attention to what he wore before. I had been too preoccupied with his face. I looked now, and saw he wore dark skinny jeans, but not the type that left nothing to the imagination. They were comfortably baggy in the right places, which looked perfect on his long legs. My eyes roamed up to his white polo shirt which had his baseball team's name printed across his heart. His hair was as unruly as ever, and it looked slightly damp. He stood with his shoulder leaned against the door frame and he had at least 5 pizza boxes in his hand with various tubs and boxes sitting on top. I finally looked into his eyes questioningly.

A smile which was fast becoming my favourite played across his lips, 'I thought if you won't go out for food with me, then food with me will go to you.'

I let out a long sigh, and rolled my head back to stare at the ceiling. I thought of the cruel games the gods loved to play with me. This was definitely a new one for them.

'I might as well please you, almighty,' I mumbled.

'What? Are you actually agreeing?' Edward's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

I looked back at him; he looked like a little boy who'd been given a hundred Christmas presents early.

'Well, that pizza will get cold if I stand here and argue with you, won't it?'

His smile finally broke through and I swear it lit up the whole room.

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