A/N: Hey everyone! I know my updates aren't as frequent anymore. I'm sorry! It's the end of school year and I have exams and a lot of homework. I've been pretty busy. Because of this, I decided to give you two shorter chapters instead of one long one. That way I can go ahead and post a chapter now and another one in a couple of days instead of one long one in another week. So let me know what you think and please review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. If I ask Stephenie Meyer for the rights to Twilight one more time, she might get a restraining order. Jk =]

Chapter 8

Edwards POV

"No," I admitted honestly, my voice barley a whisper as I tried to quench the fire burning in my throat, "You intrigue me."

Bella blushed and nervously diverted her eyes. Her eyes held a look of curiosity mixed with embarrassment and confusion but I couldn't confirm the emotions in her thoughts because it had, once again, fallen silent.

I continued to stare at her for a moment, trying to unearth her secrets but was unsuccessful. Bella noticed my gaze and her eyes flickered hesitantly toward my face and back to the table in front of her.

"Okay class, today's assignment will require groups," Mr. Banner interrupted. "But just because you're working with partners, it doesn't mean you have to socialize. Please stick to the lab and the lab only. Now I'm not talking to you Ms. Swan because we know you are painfully shy," he shot her a mocking glance, "But this serves as a warning to the rest of you. One word about "hot" Robert Pattinson or Kristen Stewart is and you'll be talking to the wall for the next two weeks."

Bella groaned softly, too softly for anyone but me to hear, and I felt a twinge of pity for her situation. I couldn't understand why. I had seen new students come and go before. It was uncommon at this school but I'd been to quite of few schools and each time it was the same story. The girl or guy entered the school as an outsider, gaining hordes of attention. Within weeks they had melded into the crowd and were no longer new. Why did I feel pity for this one person and not all the others?

I glanced at Bella's pale face; her cheeks stained red and her eyes shy and guarded, and I answered my own question. It was different with this girl. She was different. And I could relate to her. I had come to this school three years ago and I was still an outsider. Our pale complexion's almost mirrored each other's and we were both quiet and reserved. We were both different.

While Mr. Banner passed out our lab sheets, I, once again, attempted various methods of breaking through Bella's barriers. None of them worked and as I became more frustrated my attempts became more desperate. I just didn't understand how she could be keeping me out.

Careful, don't hurt yourself¸ Bella warned suddenly, startling me out of my concentrated efforts.

Just moments before she had her small heat shaped face angled away from me, buried into her arm in order to protect herself from the awkward conversation. Now she was angled toward me, a sly grin on her face. I frowned, puzzled at how my senses failed to alert me to her subtle movement. The scraping of her chair across the floor, the brushing of her arm against the desk, the strengthening of her scent, and the irregularity of her heartbeat as nervousness plagued her should have been a warning. However, I was so engrossed in trying to gain access to her thoughts that she actually startled me. That was rare. I was usually never taken off guard, at least not by movement.

Bella regarded my revelation with amusement. Her eyes were still cautious and shy but they were also alive with internal laughter. It was almost like seeing me caught off guard and seeing me fail at penetrating her thoughts was comforting to her. It probably had something to do with the fact it proved she had more power over me; that I wasn't completely intimidating.

Bella frowned slightly, just a small change in the form of her lips as they parted downward. At first I was perplexed, searching the room for any changes that could have upset her so suddenly. Then the realization hit me as I realized that Bella just heard my speculation on her thoughts and feelings. I wasn't sure if I offended her or if the truth in my words was uncomfortable, but Bella turned away once again, her mind an empty sea. The liveliness vanished and was replaced by a sense of vulnerability.

I'm sorry I apologized but Bella continued to stare at the wall opposite of me, as if I didn't exist. I wasn't sure if she was ignoring me or if she had actually blocked of my thoughts but both options seemed equally upsetting. I shifted closer to her and then froze, as the power of her scent overwhelmed me. The floral smell was mouthwatering as it engulfed me, sending fresh flames down my already burning throat. A low hiss escaped my lips as I gritted my teeth in an effort to ignore the sudden blast of pain and desire.

I was honestly amazed at how powerful her scent was and equally amazed at how I was able to unintentionally ignore it when I was completely focused on other aspects of her. Sometimes when I was listening to her speak, or trying to get into her mind, the fierce burning became a dull ache that I was used to; a pain that I could effectively ignore.

Holding my breath, I tried to think of how much pain I had already caused Bella. I thought of how much I owed it to her to protect her, to keep her alive. I thought of how I didn't want to hurt her and how if I hurt her I would never be able to discover her secrets for protecting her mind. I would never know how she got her powers. I would never be able to ask her all the questions that I wanted to ask her. I thought of the courage she had when she approached us and then embarrassment she felt when she flung me into a tree. I thought of her chocolate brown eyes, her pale skin and her beautiful smile.

In the few seconds it took the thoughts to circulate through my mind, I had already gained enough control to unclench my fists and focus back on Bella. Bella was peeking at me from behind a curtain of dark hair, her eyes worried and alarmed, which led me to believe she was listening after all.

I'm fine, I assured her and her head immediately turned away, satisfied with my response.

I sighed. What had started as an interesting conversation had turned into an awkward silence and I had no idea how I was supposed to fix it.

A/N: Well there it is! No cliffhangers this time. =] Please review and let me know what you think and I'll try to get another chapter up here as soon as possible!