Disclaimer: Okay, you should know it by now.


EPOV

I stared at the blackboard pretending to pay attention to the lesson. This was only my second-class just 10 minutes into the lesson and I already feel like strangling the teacher. I don't know if I can take any more of this imbecile's lesson. Especially, when he hasn't taught us anything correctly yet.

I closed my eyes trying to focus on something else other than the chatter of voices inside and outside my mind. I was nervous yet excited about talking to Bella again today. Yesterday didn't go as well as I hoped, she didn't seem very willing to talk. I couldn't read her mind and that annoyed me to no end yet it also holds my fascination – something that doesn't happen that often – and I was determined to figure out how she functions.

Our conversation from yesterday conveyed nothing to me that I didn't already know. Only that she was cautious of me, as I had expected. I must have really scared her but that's understandable. I hadn't meant to frighten her but I couldn't really control my anger on that first day. I was focusing on trying not to kill her and I have to say that it takes priority above not scaring her.

She's lucky that she's not a soulless-undead vampire right now. She should be glad that she's not a monster like me. I grimaced. More than of century of being the undead and I still can't accept this. I look at the blackboard trying to distract myself from my thoughts. I took one look at the equation on the board before raising my hand to correct the teacher. I needed something to do.

"Yes Mr. Cullen?"

"Sorry to interrupt sir but the square root of 961 to the power of 30 is not 65."

"I'm sorry Mr. Cullen but you must be mistaken."

Stupid kid. Thinks he knows everything but he's wron…damn. He's right. Stupid calculator. See if I ever buy Dollar-mart products again. They have just lost a very valuable customer.

I smirked. He doesn't even know how to use a calculator. I got up from my seat before everyone else just as the bell rung.

Whew, saved by the bell. Note: buy calculators from Staples from now on.

The rest of the day passed by slower than usual as if to torture me. The only highlight of my day would be to find out more about Bella during Biology. I sat down at my family and my usual table during lunch not bothering to get any food. I have no patience to stand in line today.

"Hey Edward. How has your day been?" Alice asked as she sat down next to me.

"Tediously boring." I answered.

What about next period?

"I'm going to be fine Alice."

Okay, just checking.

I sighed. The rest of the family was here now and curious about our private conversation.

"We'll talk about this later okay?"

"So are you going to share you 'private' conversation with us?" Emmett asked.

"No." I growled.

"Geez, rude much."

I decided to ignore Emmett and search the cafeteria for Bella. Maybe it'll give me a hint to unlocking her mind. As I gazed at her she looked up to stare back at me. Her soft brown eyes seem looked into my soul – if I had one - and past it. There was something about her that captured me at that point. I felt myself staring at her even though I knew my family was watching me. It wasn't until I looked properly that I realized that she wasn't there anymore.

I looked for her but she didn't seem to be in the cafeteria any longer. I headed to Biology, sure that that was where she was. I stopped breathing as soon as I entered the class. I don't want to take any chances.

"Hi." I managed to say.

I could hear her heart beat faster. I could see the blush forming on her cheeks though she didn't look up when she responded.

"Hey."

I paused. What can I say?

"Why are you always doodling when I get here?"

I asked as a conversation starter. I really wasn't interested but her answer caught me by surprise.

" It helps to calm me when I'm angry."

Angry? Was my first impression that bad? Enough to make her angry?

"Are you angry at me?"

She paused her doodling and turned to face me.

"Does it look like I'm mad at you?"

I studied her face carefully. She was half glaring at me with slightly narrowed eyes and her voice was bitter, hard.

"Yes."

"Well your wrong." She huffed.

"Am I? How can you be sure?"

"You don't even know me." Was her only answer.

"How can you be so sure," I repeated. " I know you live with Charlie, you used to live in Arizona, you hate the cold and the wet and your angry with me. Tell me, what else don't I know about you?"

I was hoping she would answer. It would hopefully give me the insight I needed.

"It's…complicated."

"I think I can keep up."

"Well…my mom got married…to a younger man. He plays baseball for a living."

I understood now. Why she was here in Forks.

"And you don't like him do you? So your mom sent you here to stay with Charlie."

She glared up at me defiantly.

"No. I sent myself here and, Phil is just fine. A little young maybe but just fine."

"I don't understand." And it was true. I was confused. Why would she send herself here to rainy Forks when she clearly preferred sunny Arizona?

She sighed. "As a baseball player, Phil travels a lot. Since I hadn't graduated out of high school yet, my mom decided that moving around all the time wouldn't be good for me so she stayed with me while Phil traveled. But she missed him when he was gone and it made her unhappy. So I decided to send myself to Charlie here in Forks."

"Oh."

That was not what I had expected. I flipped my book open as the lesson commence though I wasn't actually paying any attention to Mr. Banner. I was too busy thinking about what I was just told. A clue to the mystery that was Bella.

"Crap."

I turned to look at Bella just to see her scowling at her broken pencil.

"Here." I said as I held out mine for her.

I wouldn't have done it if it was someone else but it wasn't. Somehow, I felt like I wanted to help her - with her broken pencil.

"Thanks." She mumbled as she reached for my pencil. Our skin only touched for a few seconds yet it sent a shock right through me, an electricity if you will. She drew her hand back instantly – with my pencil in her hand – blushing. Her heart rate was increasing drastically.

"You're welcome."

"Swan! Cullen! No talking! Detention after school."

I smiled, despite getting caught by the teacher. The shock felt somewhat nice and the blush it created makes her looks so…I shook my head. Normal, she looks so normal, I repeated it over and over again like a mantra until class was over. But I couldn't hide the truth from myself. That's the problem of always being able to read my own mind, I can't ever fool myself.

I scowled at myself. No. No, no, no. I took one last glance at Bella and slowly inhaled. Immediately I stopped. Her scent was driving me mad, freesias with a hint of sweetness. It was mouthwatering.

JPOV

I tried to ignore the thirst in the back of my throat. Humans are not food. Humans are not food.

I watched as Bella walked into the classroom. Edward was looking at her today during lunch. Thinking about drinking her probably, what else could explain him being happy just staring at a girl? Edward was not usually one that's happy.

Depressed and bored was more like it. Apparantely, Bella decided to trip at that moment landing on my desk, her neck just a few inches from my mouth. I inhaled, so sweet. I could the back of my throat burning with desire for her blood. I drew back trying to get as far away from her as possible in my seat.

She blushed red before mumbling a 'sorry'. I just nodded.

"Today, everyone will be partenered up for your new assignment. Parenthood. I will be handing you an automatic baby who will record your parent skills.

I groaned. Not this again, the last time I did this I got stuck with a Edward-obsessed female who wanted me to give her his phone number. It's not like I'm ever going to have a child anyways.

"...Harp with Wilby, Jackson with Monteg, Conrad with Cavallari, Hale with Swan..."

What are the chances, I thought incredulously. This cannot be good for Edward. Me coming home smelling like Bella all the time will drive him crazy with thirst. I glanced at her. She saw me looking and blushed. I could feel my hunger flare as I saw the blood rush to her face. No, this would not be good at all, for either of us.

"Hale, Swan! Get up here!"

I walked up the aisle with Bella at my side - smelling delicious might I add - to get our baby. As we reach our seats at the back again, I turned towards Bella.

" I can do this alone if you want."

This would be the best way out. Then I wouldn't have to spend any time with her and I didn't want to let Bella have the baby. She'd probably drop it on it's head or break it leg.

"No. I can do this!" Bella responded agrily.

I could feel her annoyance,and anger at me yet with just a hint of self conciousness.

" I didn't mean to offend you. I thought it would be better not to trouble you with this assignment."

"Are you calling me incompetent? Everyone else can deal with this and so can I. I don't need any special treatment. It's not like I've never had to take care of a baby."

Fury, bitterness, confusion, hurt.

" I'm sorry. I didn't mean to anger you, forgive me." I apologized.

I calmed her down and she relaxed. She sighed beside me.

" It's alright. I just...ugh nevermind."

"No, what?" I asked.

She was still angry and confused but now also happy.

"I just miss Arizona is all." She was lying, I could hear it in her voice and her heart was beating too fast.

"Your lying."

Her eyes narrowed.

"And how would you know?"

"You're a terrible liar."

Suprisingly, she laugh.

"That's what my mom always told me. I could never get away with an extra cookie for dessert or convince her that I do practice the piano."

I managed to smile.

"I'm not surprised."

She scowled at me.

"Like your so much better than me."

She had no idea. After centuries of lying, I've pretty much perfected it. Only Edward could tell when I was lying.

"I bet I am." I challenged.

She glared up at me. Annoyance, sadness, resignation. Was she ever happy? She's just like Edward. Amost.

"Yeah? Well I bet that your just – "

"Mr. Hale! Ms. Swan! Detention after school, room 26!"

I kept my face blank as I went to get my dentention slip with Bella at my side – am I the only one noticing this pattern? – looking down at the floor.

I could hear her muttering "Stupid Cullen brothers getting me in trouble." I laughed silently. I wonder who else got her in trouble. The bell rang, and I walked to room 26 with Bella by my side. Again. I strolled into the classroom and gave my slip to the teacher.

"Jasper!"

I turned around in shock at the voice. Oh no! No! Please not him.