Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight or its characters. I own the plot of this, though.

Author's note: Sorry for the delay. Busy weekend. Hope you like this chapter! :) It's more of a getting-to-know-you chapter. Reviews please. :D :D

--xx--

Chapter 3

I watched him intently from the other side of the coffee shop as he bought the latte he offered to treat me to. He caught me gazing at him and gave me a shy smile. With two cups of coffee in hand, he sat on the couch opposite me and set down our beverages on the small wooden table.

"So," he started as he took a sip of his beverage. "What do you want to know?
"Well, let's see," I said as I went through my mental list of questions for him. "Tell me more about your family."
"My family," he smiled. "They're amazing. My sister, Alice, she's a gymnast who's practically in love with shopping. She has a boyfriend, Jasper – the family loves him. He's an equestrian and he's the only one who could put up with my sister's shopping habits."
"Very much similar to the book's description," I mused. I found it quite cute how much he loves his family.
"Yes," he agreed. "Emmett's a skilled archer. He's into body-building, too. His girlfriend, Rosalie, is a ramp model. They're perfect together, physically and psychologically. My father, Carlisle, is a doctor. My mother's name is Esme. She's an interior designer who doubles as a house wife since she's mostly at home. Everyone in the family fancies fast cars – even my siblings' lovers."
"Woah. How much more Twilight-y can you get?"
"Is it that alike?"

I nodded and he chuckled. His laughs were so adorable and contagious that I just had to join in. We laughed for God knows how long until we couldn't breathe. We smiled at each other before continuing our conversation.

"Now," he said. "It's your turn. Tell me about you."
"Me?" I asked, slightly surprised. "There's nothing interesting about my life. You wouldn't want to hear about it."
"I highly doubt that," he smiled. "Go ahead. I told you about myself, now you go."
"Okay. Well, I live alone right now."
"Why?" he interrupted.
"I'll be studying here this coming school year. I scored a scholarship at a university. My parents, who're back home, sent me here. We're quite well off so they bought me a condominium nearby."
"I see. Tell me more about your family," he said, repeating the words I used.
"My parents manage a biggish business back home. I'm an only child and they'd rather I be independent so they sent me here instead of letting me study at a top university in my home country."
"What's it like?" he asked. "I mean, being an only child and being away from home."
"Being an only child is okay, I suppose. I mean, I get all the attention. It gets lonely sometimes, but friends suffice. Being away from home is depressing. I've only moved two weeks ago and I don't know anyone. I miss my friends and my home and the malls there and all that. I suppose I'd have to get used to this. It's for my future anyway.
"You're right," he nodded, looking as though he was in deep thought. Suddenly, he beamed at me. "I'll be your friend."

I grinned back at him. I can't believe it. Edward Cullen just offered to be my friend. Now to devise a plan to get him to be more than that – I'm kidding of course (though jokes are half-meant). I'm just too glad to have a friend.

"And as your friend," he continued. "I'd want you to be happy, and I think finding more friends would make you happy."
"Thanks," I smiled. "How do we do that?"
"Well, would you want to meet my family?" he inquired.
"Really?" I said as my smile widened. "I'd be honored!"

"Do you have a ride?" he asked as we stood up and headed for the mall's parking lot.
"Not yet. I'm supposed to pick out a car this week. I don't know what to get, though."
"We can help you with that."
"Thanks. I appreciate it."
"Here's my car," he grinned proudly as he gestured to his auto, which was, lo and behold, a silver Volvo.