EPOV

"You're risking everything!" Rosalie was pacing, furious.

We were all in our living room, forced to listen what Rosalie had to say on subject of Annette.

How can you be so selfish? She gave me a withering look.

"What can you possibly have to do with a human? What are you trying to accomplish?" she continued.

I listened to her words silently, used to this kind of behavior from her.

"Enough," Carlisle said quietly and Rosalie stopped talking and sat down immediately.

I listened to the thoughts of the others. They were all just confused, wondering about Annette.

"We should discuss this, but not this way," Carlisle told Rosalie and then turned to look at me, "And there was something else I wanted to ask you. You were quite upset yesterday about the effect Bella Swan's scent had on you."

"Yes," I said, "but I'll be okay. I can handle it, somehow. Well, as long as she's not too close to me."

He nodded. It's a great relief to hear that. I was worrying you'll want to leave Forks.

I could hear the same relief in everyone else's thoughts.

"As I said, I don't think anything like that is necessary." I reassured him.

"Al right, son. Now, what would you like to say on what Rosalie's talking about?"

I looked at Rosalie.

…selfish idiot…

I blocked out her thoughts again, still avoiding her furious stare.

"Rose-" Emmett started but was cut off by a growl that erupted in her throat. He backed off.

Esme didn't seem pleased but her thoughts gave away that it was only because she didn't want us to argue.

While Jasper was trying to calm Rosalie, I noticed that Alice was amused by the whole situation.

Edward? Carlisle called for my attention.

"I… I don't have anything to say, really. I just talked to her. That's it. I don't see why that should be such a big deal."

I did actually, but I didn't want to give Rosalie more reasons to continue by admitting my mistake which I was aware of from the beginning.

"Alice?" Carlisle looked at her.

"I can't see anything clearly. I don't know." Her brow furrowed.

She was right. Nothing specific couldn't be seen in her visions. It was all clouded and the image seemed to change in every second.

"I don't understand. What can you talk to her about? Why would you do that, anyway? Who knows what the consequences might be?" Rosalie started again.

I was surprised she remained quiet for so long.

"Rosalie, please-" Carlisle tried to calm her again but she interrupted him.

"No, I want him to answer."

I sighed.

"Al right, I'll answer. She sits next to me in Biology- that's how I met her. That would be normal human behavior- introducing yourself to a person who sits next to you, right? We don't want to seem more different than we already do, do we? So, yes, I talked to her then and I talked to her today when I met her in the parking lot. I didn't do anything that could potentially expose us and I'm planning on reducing our future communication to minimum. Is that okay with you, Rosalie?" I finished in sarcastic tone.

"Fine," she said, still not releasing her attitude.

"There," Carlisle said, "I believe we're finished with this topic."

I nodded.

I noticed Emmett was wearing a strange expression. He was kind of smirking at me.

You're suspicious to me. Talking, you say?

"Shut up," I murmured.

"Don't get me wrong," he said.

I don't mind, whatever it is that you do with that girl. Though, I would beware of Rosalie, if I were you.

"Emmett," I sighed, rolling my eyes, "Just shut up."

….

The subject of my socializing with Annette wasn't brought up again by any of them, but I still decided to do as I said.

I wasn't planning on risking her life any more. Or ours, for that matter.

But it wasn't so easy to stay true to my decision as I thought it will be. Not when I saw her again in the hallway and especially not when I walked into Biology class again.

She was already seated and she smiled at me as I sat next to her.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi," I answered with much less enthusiasm.

My expression remained serious and I showed no intention to start a conversation.

She studied my face for a few moments. I refused to look at her.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing," I replied shortly.

Her eyes narrowed.

I pretended to be focused on what Mr. Banner was saying.

She soon gave up and looked away.

We spent the rest of the class in uncomfortable silence. At least that's how it was for me.

She must know why I'm doing this, I thought. She always does.

When the bell rang she got up first and left the classroom without another word.

Was she really so offended? Or maybe she was just pretending?

I sighed.

Why couldn't I read her mind? I thought again. So frustrating.

I successfully avoided her until the next time I had to sit beside her in Biology.

It seemed to me that it was all I was doing lately- avoiding her, thinking about her, waiting to sit next to her.

On the other hand, it made it much easier for me to deal with ridiculously appealing scent of Bella's blood. When it comes to that, it's incredibly helpful to have something else to think about.

I was the first one to enter the class. I sat down and started to stare at the door, expecting her arrival.

She was a bit late. I watched her apologize to Mr. Banner and then approach our desk. I inhaled her lovely scent as she sat but she didn't bother to even look at me.

Her face was impossible to read.

There was only one suitable word to describe her behavior: cold.

That's exactly what I was trying to accomplish, I reminded myself.

But not what I wanted, I realized.

What am I thinking? What is it that makes me want her around me so badly? So wrong. She is human. And I am not, period.

And yet…

"Annette," I said softly.

She ignored me.

"Annette," I repeated louder.

Still no response.

"Annette, please."

She did nothing to acknowledge my presence.

What can I do to make her react? I thought with a smirk.

I gently laid my hand on hers. I watched her close her eyes at my touch. Both her breathing and her heart beat quickened.

"Annette," I repeated quietly.

"Yes?" she said, finally looking at me.

I smiled, still holding her warm hand in mine. The feeling was breathtaking.

"Ignoring me?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.

"Look who's talking," she accused.

"That's exactly what I wanted to talk about. I need you to understand why I'm doing this."

"I know very well why you're doing this."

"So you're not offended?" I asked, hoping.

"Oh, I am," she answered coldly.

I sighed and then noticed a little smile fly across her face.

"You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"

She chuckled.

"It's just one of the ways to get you to give up on your stupid plan."

"One of the ways? And what are the other ways?"

"It doesn't matter, does it? The first one worked."

"And who says I gave up on my stupid plan?" I dared.

"You are talking to me, aren't you?" she smirked.

I couldn't help but smile.

I sighed as I ran a hand through my hair.

"You don't understand-"

"I do," she cut me off.

"I'm sorry but this has to stop. I just… I can't do this."

The bell rang and she stood up. "You'll give up. Soon enough."

APOV

Angela had asked me to go Jessica's place with her for the weekend but I had somehow managed to get away with an excuse that I have a lot of homework to do. That's why I spent the weekend alone and I didn't actually mind it at all.

When Monday came I was still determined to just wait for Edward to come around. I knew it was just the matter of time when he'll embrace the idea that a human and a vampire can spend time together without constant worrying what might happen. That was what I wanted. Because what was the point of being here if I don't get to be around him?

I completely ignored him in Biology again but I smirked at him when our eyes met during lunch time in cafeteria.

I just adored the stare of his golden eyes warning me to stop.

While I was eating, Angela asked me about him for the second time. It didn't seem to me that she was curious or anything, the way Jessica would be. I was under the impression that she just wanted us to talk, as friends.

"We talked a few times. Though, he seems to avoid me lately." I told her quietly, so that nobody else could hear us.

"Why is that?" she asked, confused.

"Well, you know the Cullens. They keep for themselves. He just thinks he went too far with this." I stared through the window. It was snowing outside.

"I really don't understand why they're acting that way."

"They have their reasons," I said, ending the discussion.

"What are you talking about?" Jessica joined us at our table.

"We were just saying how Mike is definitely going to ask you out soon."

Mike, who was sitting right next to us, choked on his juice.

Jessica blushed but couldn't help but smile as she hoped I was right and Mike didn't miss that.

I noticed that Angela was trying to suppress her laughter.

I smiled and then realized how comfortable I became with living here. I could hardy find anything strange about it anymore. This was my life now.

….

The next day was as snowy as the previous one. I had to admit that I didn't enjoy walking down the ice-covered roads.

When Angela and I arrived to school we saw Bella standing beside her truck.

"Let's go to her," Angela said, "You know, you two should really spend more time together. I thought you like her."

"I do," I answered.

"Then let's go," she dragged me.

"Hi," I said.

"Hi," Bella replied. She didn't seem to be in a very good mood.

"Is something wrong?" Angela asked her.

"No, I just hate the snow," she murmured.

"Yeah, it can be quite irritating," I smiled.

"Hey, girls!" I heard Jessica's voice. She was calling us from across the parking lot. "You were right! Come here, I'll tell you all about it!"

She was obviously very excited.

"Mike asked her out?" I guessed.

"So it seems," Angela said, "Are you coming?"

"No, I'll wait for you here. I'm not so eager to hear all the details."

Angela and Bella chuckled as they went to Jessica while I stayed beside Bella's truck.

I suddenly heard a high-pitched screech.

I looked up and saw a dark van spinning across the ice that covered the parking lot and it was going toward me.

I cursed. I totally forgot about that.

A/N: What do you think? Review!