Chapter 6:

Edward's Point of View

I now believe that Trigonometry is the best class ever. Never before had I been so excited to get into that classroom. Sure, before I got to see Bella, but I was just wanting something I couldn't have…and that sucks.

Now, she wasn't mine…but I was there, in her life, and that was way more than I could ever ask for. It was amazing, brilliant, outstanding…

The bell rang, echoing through my ears. The teacher started yelling out last minute instructions while everyone began packing up.

I glanced in Bella's direction out of habit. Uncharacteristically, Bella was already pushing her bag up onto her shoulders, and then was out of the room.

Okay then…

I guess that was my hope of talking to her this period flying out the door. Sighing, I tucked my final book into my bag and shuffled out of the room with everyone else. I admit I was disappointed; it just proved how much I unconsciously hoped.

She probably had something- or someone important to see this lunch.

But the first thing I saw once out the door was Bella leaning against the wall opposite the classroom door. I was…confused. Bella smiled and came and walked in line with me.

"Hey Edward," Bella said casually.

I grinned slightly, "Hi," Scratching the back of my head I tried to think of something else to say, not wanting to leave it at just 'hi', which was lame. "Um, what's up?" Well that was just…brilliant.

She shrugged, "Nothing in particular".

I nodded, facing forward and trying not to stare at her so much. Something I notice about walking with Bella, I was in the middle of the hallway, not by the wall, and people seemed to be moving around us. Wow, so much better than getting shoved.

And people were staring, actually paying attention to us. I tried not to stick too much on the 'us' part of my thoughts, those words weren't good to hope for.

"A-are you sure you want to be walking with me?" I couldn't help but ask, eyeing a certain Lauren who was eyeing us like we were on a cat walk or something as she was the judging panel.

It was so mind blowing to think that Bella- Bella! – would want anything to do with me, she just kept shocking me over and over.

When I looked back to Bella she looked almost…mad. "What are you talking about?"

Her eyes were piercing, and I stumbled over my words. "I-I just mean- you know, that I'm not…not. People are staring."

"Let them stare, I don't care. You shouldn't care either, its human nature to stare; everyone is interested in everyone else's lives."

"That's true I guess." I stopped in front of my locker, and Bella stopped with me. I was feeling very self-conscious as I put in the combination to open my locker. I wracked my brain trying to remember if there was anything that shouldn't be seen in there.

I'm sure I took my gym clothes home…

I cracked open my locker door, hoping Bella didn't notice I was being weird by peeking inside before I let it creak open fully.

Yes! No gym clothes!

"So, tell me about you. I feel like we always end up talking about me. I want to know you."

'I want to know you'. Oh thank you what ever Powers that Be that are up there.

I tried my hardest to subdue my grin. She wanted to get to know me! Oh, happy day…

"What do you want to know, exactly?" I asked, amused, while stacking my books up better in my locker.

Bella exaggerated thinking, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm…let's see…" Bella glanced at the closest folder to her in my locker. I followed her gaze. My face dropped…oh no… Bella looked extremely curious, and stared at me questioningly. "You write your own music?"

I laughed nervously, already feeling embarrassed. I tried to look innocent, making my eyes wide and wearing a polite smile. "Not really," I closed the locker door and leaned against it.

"Not really?"

"Well…I mean, yes, but they aren't anything worth looking at."

"I'm sure they're great, better than I could ever do." I raised my eyebrows, where was she going with this? "Can I see them?" She pressed.

Of course, I laughed, "Nope".

Bella's eyebrows furrowed, but her eyes were amused. "That's mean-"

"Hey guys!" Bella and I both turned at the sound of Gracie's breathless voice. She was smiling wide, glancing between the two of us. I smiled politely and Bella said a small, 'hi'. "What are you guys talking about?"

I glanced at Bella, re-adjusting my bag. I don't know about Bella, but it kind of killed the conversation when Gracie so impolitely butted in. Truly, Gracie's a sweet girl, brilliant as anything…but she was…uncomfortably intense sometimes.

"Oh, um" Bella looked at me for a second before smiling at Gracie. I guess she was feeling the same way right now. "I was just trying to persuade Edward into letting me see the music he's written."

"Really?" Gracie looked overly interested. "I didn't realise you two were on…such…bonding…terms." There was almost a…suspicious edge to her tone.

Bella and I locked eyes again, and then turned back to Gracie, embarrassed- both of us. "Yeah…new found friends!" Bella answered, patting my shoulder blade lightly. The contact made my muscles tighten for a moment, and I let out a breath.

Would I ever get used to this? God, I hoped so…

Gracie sniffed, eyeing us speculatively. "I see…"

This was just too awkward. Bella had her lips pressed together, eyes downcast, rocking on her heels. My lips twitched into a smile, and I tried not to chuckle at the pure weirdness of the moment.

I decided to break the still quiet. "You know what? We better get going before-"

"Bella!" Mike Newton sauntered over, making our triangle of people into a square. "Hey, are you going to the cafeteria, or what?"

Well that was rude. I stared evenly at Mike, who was going to barge in next? Jessica, Lauren, Tyler, Katie, the Janitor?

"Oh hey Mike," Bella said, somewhat reluctantly. "I'm just talking to Gracie and Edward. I'll be there soon."

Mike appraised Gracie for the first time and I swear, Gracie was in some sort of trance. She was just staring at him, wide eyed and pink faced. Looks like her attention was off Bella and I for a little while, unfortunately, I knew Mike was…protective…of Bella. Not good.

He turned to me; I saw the challenge and defiance in his gaze as he took me in- probably seeing me for the first time. There was tension in the air, I could feel it. I met his gaze evenly. He must have been at least 3 inches shorter than me…

"Edward, Gracie, this is Mike." Bella continued, crossing her arms over chest, looking like she didn't want to be doing these introductions.

"…Hi," Gracie drawled, almost in wonder. Mike looked at her again, smiling a little before turning back to me. I kept my mouth shut; I'd never liked Mike Newton. Everything about him put me on edge, I didn't trust him.

He held out his hand, smiling more politely…fake. "Nice to meet you," I took his outstretched hand, shaking briefly, but returning the same level of force in the hold.

"You too,"

Mike grinned a little; he seemed amused by this all. That's what over confidence does, makes you think you're all when actually you just look like a jerk.

He put all his attention back on Bella, turning his back to Gracie. She didn't mind, she just stared at the back of his head.

"So Bella, you sure you're coming this Saturday?"

Bella glanced at me from the corner of her eye, "Ah, yeah. I promised didn't I? Especially, since I couldn't go to that new diner with you yesterday."

Diner? Bella was with me yesterday…She blew Mike off for me yesterday? I watched the exchange with new found interest.

"Yeah, that was a shame. But at least you get to come to the beach this weekend. It will be great. It's no fun with out you."

Ugh, typical Mike, flirt, flirt and more flirt. Admittedly, part of me was jealous that he was outgoing enough to be that…free with the girls, so to speak.

Bella laughed, but there was an edge to it. She turned to me, enthusiastically, trying to keep me in the conversation. I admired her attempts. "Have you ever been to First Beach, Edward?"

It sounded vaguely familiar. "Is that in La Push?"

"Yeah," Mike answered, bored, clearly not happy with the turn of direction of conversation.

"Can't say that I have then".

Bella smiled wide, looking excited. "You should come with us this weekend then! It'll be fun."

My heart thumped. Bella was inviting me to go with her. She wanted me there.

I smiled wide, glancing at Mike. His face hardened and he glared at me with more ferocity then before. It didn't bug me, like I said, he was protective of Bella. But he wasn't her boy friend, and it was her that had invited me.

"Yes, you should come along." Mike added for Bella's benefit.

Not wanting to seem too eager I shrugged and told them, "I'll think about it."

"Alright, well, Bella? Are you coming?"

Bella looked between the two of us, before stopping on Mike. "Ah, yeah, in a second. I just need to say bye to Edward, I'll meet you in the cafeteria in two minutes- Promise," Mike seized me up once more, before nodding and walking away.

I watched as he got farther away. Gracie started walking in the same direction, with out so much as a good bye.

"Ouch, I'm sorry about Mike. He has…a bad habit of coming across…hostile."

Why was she apologizing for Mike? That's just Bella, just part of the reason I admire her so much…so caring.

"It's okay, really. I'm used to getting shunned." I said lightly.

Bella frowned and muttered, "No one should be used to being shunned. Anyway, I won't shun you. Please, please, please come this Saturday. I really do want you to come."

I bit my lip, fighting the urge to yell 'YES!'. "If you want me there…" I trailed off, inviting her to agree.

"I do, really. Eleven AM, Saturday. We're meeting at the Newton's sporting good's store."

"Got it, I'll be there."

"Good, I'll see you later." Bella started off down the hall, but stopped and turned back around. "And eventually, I'm going to hear some of those songs." She smiled big once more, turned on her heal and went in the direction of the cafeteria.

Woah, that girl…

I opened my locker back up as fast as I could, stuffing the combination up twice. When I finally got it open I snatched the folder labelled, 'My Music', and roughly pushed it down into my bag.

I think I may have to burry it…

--

Sorry, again, Mike Newton is not a nice guy in this Fic, I actually don't mind Mike, he adds normalcy to the books, and…I think he's amusing, he's nice. But for this, he has to be stuck up to fit with the story. Everyone takes the piss out of Mike, me included, SORRY Mike! He's just too…easy to manipulate into the bad guy, you know?

Wow, male hormones, huh? It's quite amusing.

-gets out Ukulele, takes deep breath-

"HAKUNA MATATA! WHAT A WONDERFUL PHRASE! HAKUNA MATATA! AIN'T NO PASSING CRAZE! IT MEANS NO WORRIES, FOR THE REST OF YOUR DAYS. IT'S OUR PROBLEM FREE, PHILOSOPHY! HAKUNA MATATA!"

oh yeah, you loved that, huh?-

-Holds out hat- Review?

What's sad is that I actually have that on my IPod… (: