Thanks for the alerts, guys, I feel special. I know there's no action in these first couple of chapters, but I promise it'll get better. The next chapter should be interesting. Once again, reviews are nice. Extremely important note: Let me know of any inconsistencies you find so I can fix them. Everyone makes mistakes and so do I, but these are ones I can take care of. ;)

XO PianoAddict246

"You seem really out of it these days, Bells. You all right?" Mike's voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"I'm sorry, Mike, I just…I have a lot on my mind, I guess." I gave him a half-assed smile.

"Wanna talk about it?"

He was so sweet. He was always looking out for me like this and I appreciated his effort. But I wasn't so sure I wanted him to know my thoughts every time something didn't go according to my expectations. "No, it's okay. Thanks, though."

He shrugged and walked beside me towards our first class. The air felt thick and humid, signaling the approach of a storm. Which wasn't unusual for Forks anyway. I was pretty positive that there were four days of the year when the sun would decide shine in this town.

Six class periods later, as I sat in Composition, I counted down the minutes to the end of class. I was dreading Biology. Every day this week, I'd arrived to Bio early; Edward was earlier. I had hoped that the initial shock of his arrival back to Forks had worn off, but each time I stepped into my last class of the day the image of my old friend made my heart skip. I just couldn't believe he was back. Everything back then had…ended so horribly and unexpectedly. Why would he and Esme come back?

Every day this week, I had hoped he might remember me, maybe speak to me if he didn't, at the very least. Each class period he remained silent. Even Mr. Banner seemed to pick up that he wasn't much of a talker and never asked him any questions. I had only heard him speak those four words when he first walked in and, though I wasn't sure why, I longed to hear him speak again.

The bell rang and everyone jumped, books in arms and bags on shoulders, and rushed to leave. Everyone except me. Briefly, I wondered how long I could keep trying to avoid Biology. Not long, I decided, and made my way to my last class.

I gave Mike a smile on the way to my seat but it quickly faded when I caught sight of Edward in the back of the room. I sighed, and suddenly I felt almost angry. Why wouldn't he even say hi? I figured he might try and be courteous. Or something. Well. Maybe if I ignore him and make it somewhat obvious that I'm not happy he'll feel what I'm feeling. At least I'd feel better.

Ignoring him proved to be harder than I had thought; I was so aware of his presence. Still, I followed through with my plan and deliberately shifted my chair away from him enough so it was obvious I didn't want to be there; moved my hair so it would hide the left side of my face; didn't even look at him. I was proud of myself. But class went by so slowly.

I woke up, head in hand on the desk, with minutes left of class. I began to gather my stuff when I heard him speak.

"Is that the boyfriend?"

I turned to face him, all my plans for pissing him off forgotten. "What?"

He sighed in exasperation, probably wondering if I was mentally disabled. "The blond one up front, your boyfriend?" he said slowly.

I bit my lip before answering. "Yeah, Mike's my boyfriend."

He didn't respond, just looked straight ahead to the front of the room. After a minute of silence, I sighed, deciding I should introduce myself.

"By the way, I'm—"

The expression on his face then stopped me; it was angry, pained, and not the way I pictured our official meeting would start off. "I know who you are."

With that, the bell signaled the end of the day and he was gone before I could blink.

My first thought gave me a little hope: he'd remembered me. The thoughts afterward killed that little hope: he was also apparently very angry that he did.

The drive home felt long, and I let my thoughts drift to earlier in Biology. What was his problem? I hadn't done a thing to him. Actually, he hadn't spoken to me all week and I hadn't tried to communicate with him. He recognized me, sure, but why would the first words he spoke to me in five years be "Is that the boyfriend." My hands tightened on the steering wheel until the knuckles were white. What the hell went wrong with him? I didn't deserve this kind of treatment from anyone, especially someone who doesn't talk to me.

I pulled into my driveway, thankful Charlie wasn't home, and slammed the car door shut. God, what was with that question? He had always acted strange when he was embarrassed about something, but I was positive that was not embarrassment that darkened his green eyes today. Those usually bright green eyes. I felt my frustration begin to subside as I thought of his perfect eyes set in that handsome face. Focus, Bella.

Right, I was upset. The frustration came back and by the time I reached my room I felt like screaming. After a little growl into my pillow I sat cross-legged on my bedspread, fuming. Still, I couldn't help but feel the smallest inkling of desperation to get him to talk to me. In a calmer manner, of course.

"Bella? You home?"

Oh, crap, I haven't made dinner. "Yeah, Ch-Dad!" I called down. I would have to think about this later. For now, Charlie couldn't know about Edward because that meant Esme was back too and I wasn't sure he could handle that right now. With a sigh, I stood up and went downstairs.

"Hey, Bella." Charlie was hanging his gun belt up. He looked at me with concern. "Something wrong?"

I shook my head. "No, just tired. I'll go and start dinner."

"Well, Bells, if you're tired, I can fend for myself, you know." He gave me his crinkly-eyed smile, which made me laugh a little.

"I'm not sure what you'd do if I wasn't here to cook for you, dear Dad," I said as I walked into the kitchen, "you still seem to think the four main food groups are fish, fish, steak, and more fish."

He laughed his booming laugh. "Well, if you don't mind, I'll start the game. Bulls against Knicks tonight."

"Go, go, I don't understand this sports-talk."

As I cooked the fish (against my previous joking of it earlier), my thoughts drifted back to Edward. I would have to speak to him tomorrow and get to the bottom of his little tirade today.

Charlie didn't even look up when I handed him his dinner. "You wanna sit and watch the game, Bells?"

"Nah, I think I'm just gonna go finish my book and go to sleep. I'm pretty tired. Good night, Dad."

"Night, Bells."

As I lay in bed that night, I tried to come up with things I would say to Edward when I saw him the next day, but every time I thought his name his face would appear behind my eyes and distract me. At one point I was distracted until I fell asleep, dreaming of jade green eyes.

Friday morning and I was ready. I would just stride over to our table, sit in my seat, face him, and ask him what his problem was. I could do this.

"So do you think you might want to?"

I blinked and stared at Mike. "Want to what?"

He smiled, and the action made his eyes squint a little, a gesture I'd once found adorable. Once, Bella? It still is adorable. I wondered if it was my imagination, but wasn't that the smile that made my heart race?

"Come over after school," he said patiently, "We're having family over and I'm sure they'd love to meet you."

"Oh," I responded dumbly. "Um, I don't think so, Mike. See, my dad and I were planning on…going to La Push to visit some family friends," I lied. Since when did I lie to Mike? He didn't deserve it. It's just today. Just a little white lie.

The door to Biology Honors was just ahead. I took a deep breath and mentally prepared myself; I already practiced what I would say in Composition.

I almost audibly sighed when my eyes traveled to the back of the classroom; it seemed every time I saw him it was unreal. After a brief hesitation I strode to my seat and sat. Okay, you can do this. But when I turned in his direction, my words fell short and my heart stopped. Why was I reacting in this way? The Bella that enjoyed tormenting me sighed dramatically. He's gorgeous, stupid. The white long-sleeved shirt hugging his seemingly relaxed form gave his usually pale complexion a healthy glow and contrasted with his untidy bronze hair amazingly. The sleeves were pushed up to his elbows to reveal strong-looking forearms. But he's like my brother, I thought. After another glance, however, I gave in. He's undeniably gorgeous.

"See something you like?"

Oh God, he'd caught me staring. Duh, you were being kind of obvious. I felt a familiar blush creep into my face and I turned back to face the front. I heard his chuckle and was suddenly pissed. "Why did you talk to me like that yesterday?" I hissed, making sure not to look directly at him, knowing my resolve would shatter if I saw his eyes.

When he didn't answer right away, I couldn't help myself and turned. He looked…uncomfortable; that was the only way to describe it. "I…I wasn't in the best of moods. I'm sorry you had to see it." He didn't look away from my eyes as he said this. The open stare felt like he was trying to find something that wasn't quite there.

"So," I whispered after a pause, pretending to listen to Mr. Banner, "you know me."

He sighed beside me. "Of course I remember you, Bella."

"Then why didn't you talk to me at all the entire time you've been here?" I asked, still a little frustrated.

"Ms. Swan, do you have something to share with the class?"

I looked up quickly and found the class staring back at me. "No, sir," I said quietly, "sorry about that."

"Then I suggest you leave Mr. Cullen alone and focus up here, please."

When he turned back around, I heard Edward snicker. I glared at him for a moment before turning a new page in my notebook.

So, answer my question.

I slid the notebook to him. He looked at it for a moment began to write. He passed it back and briefly felt a little flare of jealousy at his surprisingly improved calligraphy.

At first, I wasn't sure if you'd remember me. Then I figured you did and didn't want to talk to me. It seemed you'd moved on and I wouldn't interfere.

I scoffed. So what was the boyfriend question for?

He smiled as he answered. Just curious.

Sure, sure. Out of my curiosity, where did you go? He'd understand my question.

California.

I looked at him again and smiled. You don't look very tan.

I'm a vampire.

Oh right, I'd forgotten. How's the undead treating you? He smiled at my comment.

Can you get away after school?

My breath hitched. I glanced at Edward, then quickly at Mike, so innocent and good. Well, I'd already told Mike I was busy. He wouldn't miss me if he thought I was with my dad, but could I betray his trust?

Yeah. Apparently I could.

Shouldn't you ask your boyfriend over there first?

I sneered at him and he smirked. Mike doesn't run my life. Besides, I told him I was busy.

Are you?

Now I am.

He smiled smugly as he scribbled something quickly. Meet me by the library.