Thanks for reviewing I-Am-A-KLuTZ, greeneyes. becky, lilcheekyelaine, crawfish4, jmstephsnon, wat. did. i. do. , deedee cullen, jasper. obsession, and J'AdoreEdwardCullen2195.

So basically everyone who guessed who the 'mystery' person was, you got it right. Most of you guessed Jessica, Alex, and/or Mike. All of them show up, just at different times, as you'll soon see.

This chapter you read—it's just a filler, so not much activity happens here. But I promise; it will get better! Bella's being a 'little' crazy, and she's just trying to block everyone out, which is why she was trying to switch dorms. I know that's extreme, which is why I never planned on doing it in the first place (: I think I've answered everyone's questions now. So on with the chapter:

Previously:

I was about to leave the shop when I heard someone calling my name.

I turned around and found the last person who was on my mind, waving madly at me.

"Bella! Bella! Over here!"

I turned and found Jessica, waving at me.

I smiled and walked over, sitting down opposite her. A few feet from the Cullen/Hale table. No doubt in perfect hearing shot.

"So what's up?" I asked.

"Oh, you know… just the usual. Clouds, birds, the sky…"

I started laughing. Her happy mood was contagious.

"So how are your classes?" She asked.

"Stressful. Too much homework. I didn't know University was this hard."

She agreed, nodding. "You'll get used to it, though."

"I hope so."

Then, someone covered my eyes with their hands.

"Guess who?" The voice asked.

I recognized that voice instantly. "Alex."

"Dang. You got me."

I laughed.

"Honey," Jessica whined. "With all the attention you're giving Bella, I'm under the impression you like her more than me." She joked.

He laughed, and leaned in towards her, and I looked away, subtly giving them some privacy.

When they started making out, I cleared my throat, feeling quite awkward.

They pulled apart.

"Sorry." They both mumbled.

"You know what? I think I'm just going to go…" I trailed off.

"No, it's okay." Alex said.

I sighed. "I just feel like a third wheel."

They both laughed.

"We don't mind." Jessica said. "Besides, we have some stuff to talk about." She winked at me.

I didn't have the slightest idea of what she was talking about. Apparently, neither did Alex.

I lifted my hand and ran it through my hair, trying to tame it.

"Hey, Bella?"

"Yeah?" I asked Alex.

"Did you rob those clothes just now?" He asked, amused.

"Um, no." I said slowly. "Why?"

"They still have the tags on them."

I looked under my arm, and it was—the tag.

I flushed and pulled them off.

"It was a gift I got last night."

"What occasion?"

"My birth—oops." I shouldn't have said that. But too late—the damage was already done.

"It was your birthday yesterday?!?!" She asked, rather loudly.

I noticed the Cullens and Hales looking at us again, no doubt listening to our conversation.

I sighed.

Didn't they have anything better to do?

"Actually, my birthday isn't for another few weeks. Thanks for shouting it to the whole world." I added dryly. She just snickered. "So two of my friends flew in from the other side of the country and celebrated it with me early. He took me to their hotel, and him and his girlfriend threw a surprise birthday party for me. And this dress was a gift. Same with this necklace, and—" I dug into my purse, looking for my digital photo frame, showing them, "—this."

"Wow." Alex said.

"Aww. That's so sweet! I wish I had friends like that." Jessica gushed. "Can I meet them?"

I sighed and frowned. "They already left." I could feel the undeniable sadness in my voice.

"What's wrong?" Jessica asked, concerned.

I took a deep breath. Nothing's wrong. I just miss them… a lot."

She came over to my side and gave me a hug.

"Aw, Bella, it's okay."

Alex came over to my other side. I tried keeping my emotions in check, and failed miserably.

"You love him." Jessica stated.

I didn't look up at her. I already knew the answer.

"Yes, I do."

Then I heard a chair fall back and saw Edward angrily storm out.

"I'm known him all my life, Jess. He's my best friend." I said, trying to maintain a normal voice.

"Oh, sweetie. It's time to move on. Forget him. Thinking about him will only make it worse." She explained.

I then understood what she meant and started laughing.

"Bella?" She asked.

"No, Jess." I chuckled. "I love him, but not in that sense. He's more like the brother-type figure to me. Besides, if I did have romantic feelings for him, I would've told him long ago."

Then she understood. "Oh. Sorry I jumped to conclusions."

"That okay. My other FRIENDS," I spat the word rather loudly, making Alice and Rosalie flinch, "didn't even give me a chance to explain."

I glanced at the Cullen/Hale table and saw them all looking guilty.

Why the sudden mood swings?

"I still don't get it." Alex confessed.

Me and Jessica looked at each other for a second, before bursting out laughing.

Boys, I thought.

"Come on, Bella." Jessica said once we were all done eating. She pulled me up on my feet. "Let's go back to campus."

"Sure. You coming, Alex?" I asked.

He nodded. "I have to go to basketball practise."

Then we heard Emmett and Jasper curse rather loudly, before running out of the restaurant, after Alex.

Me and Jessica chuckled, while walking to the door.

Then I heard the door opposite us jingle open. I turned my head to look at the person, simply out of curiosity.

And in came… Mike Newton! Who was looking as handsome as ever.

I swore and ducked behind Jessica.

"Hide me." I whispered.

Jessica giggled and gave me her sunhat and oversized sunglasses to cover me with.

We started walking away when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Bella."

It wasn't a question.

"Mike." I said curtly before walking.

"Bella!" He called after me.

I didn't know how he could recognize me with a hat and sunglasses covering half of my face.

"Yes, Mike?" Unwillingly, I turned to face him.

"I was uh… wondering if you wanted to join me for coffee or something… sometime soon?"

Jeez, was this guy ever going to give up? It's been three whole months since I saw him, and he's still under the impression I like him.

"I—" Jessica cut me off.

"She'd be delighted to." She giggled.

"But I—"

"We'll worry about your 'stuff' later, Bella." She said a little too quickly.

Oh, joy. She was trying to set me up!

Think fast Bella. Your life may depend on it!

"I… uh… have big tests to study for." Smooth.

Jessica knew I was lying. She glared at me, and I glared right back.

Mike was oblivious to our little exchange.

"So…?" he asked.

"She'd be delighted to." Jessica replied before I could even open my mouth.

I sighed in defeat. "Sure."

Did I ever mention how huge his grin was? Well now, I'm pretty sure it couldn't be missed by even a mile away!

Ugh, desperate much.

"Great. Bella, can I have your number? You didn't call me last time?"

How thick is this guy?

"I…uh…lost it."

Truth was, right when we got home, Rosalie and Alice snatched his card from me, and burnt it to aches.

"Well Bella, can I have your number?"

Jessica did that favour for me. She took Mike's phone and punched in my number.

All the while, I simply glared at her.

"Thanks, Bella. I'll be sure to keep in touch." He winked.

Okay, gross.

He mistook my grimace for a smile. "How about next Sunday?"

"I—sure." I sighed. There was no way getting out of it. Why not just give up now?

"Great. I'll pick you up at eight."

"Yeah," I agreed half-heartedly.

"Oh. My. God, Bella," Jessica sighed for the millionth time now.

We were walking back to campus now, and Jessica just couldn't stop talking about that vile Mike Newton.

"And oh my God, did you see his eyes?" She asked. I simply nodded, drowning her out. "There were the most perfect blue eyes I've ever seen. And that smile…" She sighed.

"Uh, Jess?" I asked, bringing her out of her reverie.

"Yeah, Bella?"

"You know you have a boyfriend?"

"Of course I do!" She slapped my arm with mock outrage. "Who do you take me for?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm just saying. The way you were eyeing that boy up and down…"

"Well, he is a fine piece of eye candy." She grinned sheepishly.

I shook my head at her, smiling. "You're unbelievable," I muttered.

She shook her head at me, smiling. "No, Bella. You're unbelievable. I mean, how many times do you get a totally gorgeous guy asking you out?" I opened my mouth to speak, but she silenced me. "Okay, don't answer that. With the looks you have, any male would worship at your feet."

I gauged at her answer. "Excuse me?" What the hell did that mean?

"Oh come on, Bella. You are so gorgeous. And don't—even for a second—try and ignore that. You really don't see yourself clearly." Then she spoke lower. "I thought this would've helped, but…" She sighed.

"You set me up?!" My voice held all the shock I could possibly muster up.

"No, Bella. I decided to cheat on my boyfriend, and go date some random stranger." She rolled her eyes. "Of course I was setting you up. You obviously lack any romantic history, and seriously need to get a move on in your love life." She sighed. "It doesn't look like Edward's going to make a move anytime soon."

Now I was confused. "What does Edward have to do with this?"

She looked up at me. "You seriously don't know?!" She asked incredulously.

"No, I don't know. Honestly, you're just like Alice, Rosalie, and Emmett. I swear. They just keep hinting things. And I don't even understand any of it." It was so aggravating.

Why couldn't anyone just tell me?

"Okay, okay, Bella. I can see your frustration. So I'll give you a hint." She paused to think. "Whatever's going on between you and Edward… it's a course you take in high school."

Now I was utterly confused. English, Math, Science, History, P.E., Media Arts, Music… Ugh, the possibilities were endless.

"What kind of a hint is that, Jess? There are two million courses you can take in high school."

"Patience is a virtue, Bella. You know, you can't build an Empire in a day."

"Yes, but we're not trying to build an Empire. We're talking about how Edward's related to all this."

She looked at me, disbelieving, and decided to give me another one of those mind-game riddles.

"You know Bella, it takes two to tango."

I was starting to think that she was making up this whole Edward thing just to get the chance to use those 'wise' words of wisdom.

"And you're not going to tell me what any of that means, either?" I asked.

She shook her head, laughing. And that was the end of that conversation.

Now we were in the elevators. At campus.

She was begging me to let her 'doll me up' for next Sunday. She wouldn't stop talking until after I reluctantly agreed to let her dress me up for my big date.

Then the doors for the elevator opened and in stepped Edward.

We both moved aside, to give Edward some room.

Jessica nudged me and pointed her head in Edward's direction, and I thought about her hint, and still couldn't pinpoint the answer to it.

Edward was looking all hot and sweaty, wearing basketball shorts and a muscle shirt. His cheeks were flushed. His whole appearance made it hard to think straight.

Why did he have to be so perfect?

Then I remembered—basketball practise. That's where he came from.

"Where's Alex?" Jessica asked.

"Changing rooms."

She nodded politely.

The elevator doors opened and she headed out.

But not before she said, "Oh, and Bella, I can't wait for your date next Sunday." She winked as she skipped away.

I sighed.

I was still trying to figure out the whole Edward-related theory Jessica had.

I was now full-out staring at Edward, with a slightly frustrated expression.

There was just something so intriguing about him, which made me want to know more about him, look into his soul, know about his whole life…

"Bella?" Edward asked.

I looked down, embarrassed that I was caught staring at him.

I could feel the blush of my cheeks. I only wondered what he would be thinking right now…

"Bella?" Edward asked again, probably wondering if I was mentally competent.

"Yes?" I looked up at him.

He seemed torn. He hesitated, before opening his mouth to speak, and then the elevators shook.

I lost my balance and toppled on top of him, as he fell onto the floor.

I groaned, trying to get up.

Just then, the lights went out.

*Grins wickedly* I bet you weren't expecting that. Now what's going to happen to them? Oh, the horror!

And the course you take in high school--is it as obvious to me, as it is to everyone else?