I am so sorry it has taken so long to get this chapter up. I thought when I was jobless for the summer I would have plenty of time to write and update weekly, but my parents had other plans for me. I felt bad so I attempted to give everyone a little look into Bella's mind at the end. Some of it may be confusing, I know, but she will open up in the chapters to come. Thanks for sticking with me!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot!

Friendly

How the hell was I going to get through to this girl if she seems to be terrified to even be sitting next to me? Now I would be awed to be in my presence if I was a chick, but not fearful like Bella is acting. She is just sitting there staring at the table, hiding behind her hair. I guess I would have to try to show her that I am just a normal guy, even though everyone knows I am much more than that.

"Hey Bella, guess we are partners for the rest of the year," I said with a friendly smile.

She peeked out from under her hair a bit, "I guess so," and hid again.

Ugh! I have never met a girl more infuriating, more shy, more everything! God dammit, I don't even make sense anymore. One second she is cold towards me, the next she's so incredibly shy it's almost painful. I need some common ground. Something that will force us to have to communicate.

Mr. Banner stood up in the front of the class, "Alright guys, settle down. Today we are going to be looking at the phases of Mitosis, so to give you both a chance to learn and get to know your partners a bit more, if you don't know them that well already, I am going to give a little mini lab."

What are the chances my prayers would be answered that quickly! Thank you God! Mr. Banner gave us further instruction on what we would be doing as he passed out the boxes of slides and microscopes. The slides were numbered out of order, so our job was just to put them back in the correct order. Piece of cake. Bella was now doodling in the corner of her notebook, while still not making eye contact with me.

I took the liberty of getting the lab all set up, but when it came to looking at the first slide I decided to take the gentleman's approach.

"Lady's first, partner," I said as Bella looked up and I slid the scope over to her.

"Really?" she looked a bit stunned. "I mean, sure, yeah. Thanks."

Bella looked into the scope and after about thirty seconds she announced the slide to be Anaphase.

"Mind if I take a look?"

"Sure, go ahead," Bella said while staring out the window past my head.

I took one look in the scope, part of me wishing that she was wrong, but dammit, she was right. "It's Anaphase." I sighed.

"Like I said," she mummered under her breath. I chuckled a bit.

It went back and forth like that for the rest of the lab, each of us checking the other's identification. We were correct the first time, but I guess the competition between us was taking hold a bit. Finally we were done with our lab. Lucky for me we finished faster than all the other groups, so we were granted a bit of free time to chat, if I can get her to talk that is. Bella was back to doodling in her notebook and avoiding eye contact with me like the plague. What to talk to her about to get her to talk back? Weather? Yeah right! Sports? That'd be funny. Books? Tried it.

I was at a loss. Edward Cullen was never at a loss when it came to talking to girls, so this was unusual. I had to think of something. Think Edward, think What do I know about Bella? She's extremely shy for some unknown reason. She likes reading. She was always known as Isabella, but clearly she prefers Bella. She moved here from somewhere in ninth grade. Eureka! I'll ask her about that because I will be able to relate because I was not always a Forks Spartan either.

"So Bella?" I started to catch her attention.

"Huh?" she looked up slowly. "Did we forget something with the lab?"

"No we didn't. I was just wondering where you moved from. I mean, I moved from Chicago, and I was just curious. You don't have to answer if you don't want." Wow, I was panicking a little. I have never had so much trouble communicating with a girl before.

"Phoenix, Arizona," she quickly turned her head back down. What the hell is wrong with this girl? I am positive I am not glaring so why is she so afraid to look me in the eyes? She wasn't at lunch. Bella Swan just gets weirder by the second.

"Did you like it there?"

This time she looked up and positioned herself to actually talk to me with a sigh. I seemed to be getting somewhere, though she would still not look me in the eye. She would make eye contact for a split second then look away. It got a little annoying, but I would bare with her for the sake of the bet. I had to show that I was actually a normal down-to-earth guy. I had to make her believe that I was actually into her. Being friendly was the first step.

"I really did like it there," she said sadly and got a far off look on her face. "The sun was always out, none of this stupid rain, that's for sure. It was beautiful in its own way even if it was technically desert."

"Sounds like you really liked it there, which begs the question, why did you move?" I figured the only way she talked to me was by answering a question, so I would just drill her with them until conversation flowed easily. Phoenix seemed to be a topic to keep her talking.

"Um, well, I was holding my mom back from the life she wanted to have. I was a burden to her and Phil, my step-dad. He plays baseball, so he moves around a lot, and I didn't want to so I sent myself here instead of holding my mother back with me." Bella finished and for some weird reason I felt as if she wasn't giving me the whole story. It seemed as if her story was more to convince herself of something than to just inform me of her motives for moving from sunny Arizona to dreary Forks.

"That was very selfless of you," I offered her with a crooked smile.

Bella nodded and looked to be lost in thought over something. I figured I would give her a little space now because maybe she was on the verge of an epiphany in which she sees that I am not such a bad guy and we should become friends. I amuse myself with these thoughts. Weirdo is probably just thinking of how perfect I am.

Finally she spoke, "Edward, I am going to ask again, why?"

"Why what?"

"Why do you keep trying to talk to me? Why now?"

"I don't know," I smiled and launched into my award winning line. "There is just something about you that interests me. It draws me in and I want to get to know you more."

"That's a little creepy, not going to lie," she murmured, probably hoping I wouldn't hear it, but hell I have awesome hearing. I am like a freaking vampire or something. "I don't trust you."

I felt my jaw practically hit the table. Where did that come from? There was something seriously wrong with this girl. My stunned feelings must have showed on my face because she continued, "I won't trust you until I feel I can, sorry."

"I am sorry Bella if I gave you the wrong impression, but I just wanted to be friends."

"I know, but I am the way I am for a reason," she looked down as if she was beating herself up. "I can try being your friend, but I am a really awful friend. You won't want to be friends with me for long. I am essentially a waste of your time."

Holy shit, that is the most she has ever said to me, and holy shit, she is screwed up. What is this with the awful friend thing? I didn't think she even had friends to begin with so how the hell could she know that she is a shitty person to be friends with. Waste of time? Well, yes, but I need to spend time with her to win the bet so I don't care about that. She is the way she is for a reason? Once again, I don't get it!

"I would like to take the risk if you don't mind being friends with an ass like me," I gave her the crooked smile to seal the deal. No girl can resist my damn crooked smile, and although Bella is odd she is still a girl. Her blush confirmed my suspicions that she was susceptible to my charm.

"I, um, okay," she stuttered and looked me directly in the eyes. I felt my breath hitch as usually hidden sunlight hit Bella's face at a different angle than it had been this whole time. Hot damn, with the sun hitting her like that she looks almost beautiful. Her skin was flawless with no blemishes or blemish scars to be seen. Her eyes shocked me once more and had me swimming in melted chocolate. Her hair shone and I could see highlights of red that were usually hidden in the darkness. It seemed as if Bella herself was as hidden as the beauty I had never noticed before. Bella was not plain, she was stunning.

"I, ah, cool," I stuttered, still taken aback by her beauty.

"You okay Edward?"

I laughed, "Yeah, I am fine. I just remembered something I have to take care of after school today."

Bella nodded and went back to doodling in her Bio notebook, so much for our little conversation. I was still in a daze as I thought about Bella's hidden beauty. Well, on the bright side she said that she would try being friends with me, so I guess that is a start. Attempting to be friends is a good start actually. A damn good start when it comes to an antisocial chick like Bella Swan. All I have to do now is gain her trust fully and move in for the kill a.k.a. Prom. I'll have this bet won easily, I mean I am already technically friends with the girl and it is only day one.

The bell rang and I took my sweet time packing up my belongings because Bella always seemed to take forever to pack her bag back up. I knew it would be taking her even longer today, considering the fact that she has to wrestle with a busted backpack. Maybe I would play the sweet friend card and give her a new backpack, storing that idea for later.

Bella and I had not talked since her actually deciding to be my friend or try to at least, so now was my chance to talk some more. The classroom was empty aside from Mr. Banner, Bella and myself, perfect for my next plan.

"Hey Bella, a few of my other friends are getting together after school today to just hang out, do some homework, kind of like a little study group. Would you be interested in coming?"

Bella looked up from her backpack to look me in the eyes, I guess to maybe check if I was lying or something. After a few seconds and her lip being thoroughly bitten she nodded.

"Awesome! So my house is kind of hard to find and..."

She interrupted me, "Will I be welcome?"

"It's my house, of course you're welcome. You are my friend after all!"

"I mean, will your other friends be okay with me coming?"

"They are probably some of the nicest people you will meet, and if they aren't freaking nice, I'll kick all their asses!"

She nodded once more, probably more to herself than to me.

"You can just follow me back to my house in your truck if that's fine with you. I mean, if you'd like a ride I can take you, but I was more thinking in ease to you, so that you can just bounce if you feel uncomfortable. Not that you will, but my friends can be a little overwhelming. I am just going to stop talking now."

I was doing that stupid rambling, nervous thing again. That never happens to me anymore when I talk to girls, so what the hell is it when I talk to Bella?

"I will just follow you, if that's good," she said quietly.

"It's fine, so I guess I will see you later then or we are going to be seriously late for seventh period!" I said with a laugh.

"Thank you Edward," she gave me a gentle smile before running off with her busted backpack in her arms.

I walked out of the classroom and as soon as I made it into the hall the late bell rang. Great, now I was going to get a tardy in Physics. I decided since I was already going to be in trouble I was just going to take my sweet time getting to class. The teacher was a total dumbass, and I felt that because of her inadequacy I should be able to sneak in after she gives the daily worksheet out. She always gives these gay worksheets so that she doesn't have to teach. She never takes role until the end of class also, so I am in the clear!

I waited by the door until I saw her pass out the worksheet. As soon as she turned her back I slipped through the open door and took my seat in the back of the room. The dumbass never even noticed! Now to send out a text to Ali, Em, Rose and Jazz that we'd be having a little study session after school today and Bella would be coming. After the text was sent I decided to take a look at the worksheet. Capacitors, nothing new to me.

About a minute later my phone buzzed in my pocket, Emmett. He had study hall with Rosalie right now, so it was no surprise to me that the text was from Rose on Emmett's phone. The bitch probably lost her's earlier to some teacher and stole his to text during study hall.

To: Eddie

From: Em

Hey Jerkward, wow you work fast! Well, Emmy told me to tell you that he is in which means I will be coming along also whether you like it or not. I lost my phone to that dick Mr. Moore so idk whether you texted me or not but whatever, I am coming!

Love Rosalie

That bitch! She is lucky Emmett is madly in love with her or so he thinks. If he wasn't I would kick her ass! I wouldn't even care that I was hitting a girl because Rose has had it coming for a long time. At least she had the decency to say "Love" at the end, better than her usual signature. Plus, I now knew Emmett and Rosalie would be going along with my plan. My phone buzzed again, Jasper.

To: Edward

From: Jasper

I am guessing Rose is coming because of Em, and seeing how the oaf is my ride I will be there.

-Jasper

Okay, so three down, and I know better than hearing back from Alice right now. She never texts during Academic classes and her whole afternoon is made up of them. I will just have to fill her in during the ride home, but at least she will have some warning before coming to the car when she reads the text after ninth period.

This plan was golden! I would include Bella in with my friends, and knowing them, even though they were hoping I would lose the bet, they were too nice of people to be rude to her. She would slowly become friends with the whole group, along with becoming closer to me. Soon after she will trust me, and maybe I may figure out some of the mystery that is Isabella Swan. By the end of it she will trust me enough to think that I would be actually interested in her enough to be going to Prom with her. It was full proof! Victory is in my sights!

Extra: Bella POV

I was struggling to pack up my stupid backpack, but I was going as fast as I could while being aware that the godlike Edward Cullen was taking his good old time beside me. I still wondered why he was being so nice to me all of a sudden, but after isolating myself for the past three years, it is nice to talk to someone other than my dad and Jacob, my only friend. Earlier at lunch I was hellbent on ignoring him, but since we are now Bio partners I have no choice in the matter. I was going to have to talk to him eventually, so maybe I would give this friend thing a shot. I had nothing to lose, so what the hell. In the end it will only be him who is disappointed once he finds out how I really am because I know how I am as a friend, thanks to Tanya.

"Hey Bella, a few of my other friends are getting together after school today to just hang out, do some homework, kind of like a little study group. Would you be interested in coming?"

I looked up to see Edward grinning at me with that stupid crooked smile. I hate yet love that smile. I hate it because it makes me blush every damned time, but I love it because he only gives that smirk to a select group of people, well at least I think he does. I released my bottom lip from between my teeth, I hadn't even noticed that I was biting it, nervous habit.

I nodded to him. I don't know why I was doing this. I don't know why he was doing this. Tanya always said no one wanted to associate with me and that's why I was better off sticking to myself, but here was this beautiful boy asking me if I wanted to hang out with him and his friends. Something felt off about the whole situation, however, I really wanted to go hang out. I was unsure if I would be welcome, but Edward assured me his friends would be really nice to me. I guess I had nothing to lose. I was going to hang out with Edward and his friends. I did take his suggestion of bringing my own car though, a necessary precaution for a loner like myself.

Edward reminded me that we were going to be late for class, so I quickly thanked him before running off to my next class, Trigonometry. Luckily I made it in the door right as the late bell rang. Mrs. Fischer allows us to sit wherever we like, for someone like me it means whatever seat is open. Today the only seat open, seeing as I was last to arrive, was right beside Alice Cullen, Edward's twin sister. I sat down beside her and she smiled at me, weird.

Alice Cullen had never once acknowledged me. Now I have never actually sat beside her before, but still the look she gave me was overly friendly. What is going on with all the popular kids today? Mrs. Fischer began the lesson and I started to take notes. I could not focus though because I had that feeling that one gets when they know someone's eyes are on them. Sure enough I looked to my side to catch Alice analyzing me. I quickly looked down at my notebook.

I heard a phone buzz to my left, so it gave me an opportunity to check and see if Alice was still looking at me. This time she had a hopeful look on her face. Alice Cullen may just be weirder than me and she has friends. Maybe that is a good sign for me hanging out with Edward! I am truly going to make an effort to not be everything Tanya said I was, so maybe I can finally have friends. I have been so alone for so long that even though the notion of friends is no big deal for most people, for me it means the world!