So, I was feeling generous becuase of all the great reviews, and I need a break from my studies. So, here it is. It's short but...still. It's a new chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight. I do own the characters and plot you do not recognize.

I was not happy as I drove to school the next morning. As a matter of fact, I was pretty close to fuming. I did not want to make a friendship with Edward Cullen. He pissed me off. I slammed my door shut with more force than necessary as I stepped into the school parking lot, and nearly had a heart attack as i can face to face with none other than Edward himself.

"Holy crow!" I exclaimed, glaring at him and clutching a hand over my heart. He chuckled.

"Good morning to you too," he said softly. Why did his voice have to sound so amazing? Why?

I raised an eyebrow. "I thought you weren't talking to me."

He studied my face for a moment. "Merlin wants us to be friends," he stated simply. "So, let's start over shall we? Hi, I'm Edward Cullen."

I narrowed my eyes at the hand he offered. I turned my gaze back to his eyes. Liquid gold. I hesitantly placed my hand in his and gasped ever so softly at the feeling of electricity. He must have felt it to, for he tensed. Although his face was calm, with a hint of a smirk.

"Bella Swan," I said finally.

"Welcome to Forks, Bella," he said, giving my hand a gentle squeeze before letting go and stuffing his hand in his pocket.

"Thanks," I said, swinging my book-bag onto my back.

"So," he said quietly. "How are things going with the whole Ector thing?" He nodded to a teacher as we made our way to the buildings.

I stared at him. He was being so...natural about this. Wasn't it he who told me that it would be better if we weren't friends? "Um, well, things are going nowhere. we don't have any leads. He's keeping quiet. For now."

He walked me to my locker, keeping with the small talk here and there, and then to my first class. He left me with a 'see you later'. I stared after him. What had made him change his mind like that? I thought he was the stubborn type. My face must have given away to my emotions becuase Jessica kept pestering to me what was wrong. I finally snapped at her at lunch. It almost made me laugh when she turned to Angela, and the girl replied with a "Well, you deserved it."

I sighed. I couldn't take it anymore. It was bugging the living crap out of me. I pushed away from the table with a loud scraping noise from the chair, and stormed over the Cullen table. They had been laughing, but when they saw me, their smiles disappeared. I only had eyes for Edward though.

"Can I talk to you?" I hissed. HIs eyebrows furrowed, but he stood from his chair and followed me out of the cafeteria, but not before I heard s few lines from the other Cullens.

"She looks pissed." It was Emmet, I could tell by the laughter.

"She is," came Jasper's reply.

Edward followed me to a small, deserted hallway by the bathrooms.

"What is your problem?" I rounded on him, though I kept my voice low. "Are you bipolar or something? Wasn't it you who said we shouldn't be friends, and wasn't it you who had been avoiding any contact or conversation with me at all? I don't understand. Why the change?"

Edward's face was unreadable. He folded his arms and leaned against the wall. "I told you," he said. "Merlin suggested we should be friends. And Carlisle agreed. if they think it's a good idea, then maybe it is. I don't like it, but they think it's best. Hello, Alice."

I hadn't even noticed her arrive. Which started me. I should have. Great, that's what I get for letting my emotions get too much control. She looked from me to Edward, then back to me.

"Is everything all right?" she asked. "I had a vision of you two fighting."

Vision? Oh. Must be her 'special way of seeing things'.

"We're fine, Alice," said Edward. "Oh, I don't think you two were properly introduced. Bella, this is my sister, Alice. Alice, this is Bella."

She gave me a smile that made her eyes sparkle. "It's really nice to finally meet you, Bella," she said with such sincerity, it took me back. "You're right, Edward. She does smell good. Floral, kind of."

The bell rang signaling the end of lunch. Alice grabbed my hand. Not surprising me much, her cold, marble hand was soft. "We must go shopping, together," she said with eagerness. "It would be fun, I promise."

I couldn't find my voice, so I nodded. She smiled at me one more time before leaving it to just me and Edward. "So," he said. "friends?"

I was still watching Alice, a bit confused. I actually, really liked her. I turned back to Edward. His eyes were soft, and I was captivated. it took me a moment to bring my voice back. "Yeah," I said quietly. "friends."

He winked and he too, left. I closed me eyes, and leaned against the wall for support. Biology was going to be torture. I hadn't taken two steps back into the cafeteria to grab my stuff before Jessica ambushed me. Angela followed behind and handed me my book-bag.

"What was that?" Jessica asked. "The whole cafeteria was watching you! What did you and Edward Cullen talk about?"

"Nothing," I said. "Just, Biology stuff."

Jessica raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? So that's why you stormed over there, giving him a death glare! You looked like you wanted to kill him. What did he do?"

I took a deep breath to keep myself calm. "Nothing, Jess. Just drop it, all right?" I pushed past her, and heard her snort of disapproval. I was really starting to like Jessica less and less.

And I was so not prepared for what greeted me at home that afternoon. Edward, Carlisle and Alice were sitting in the living room with Charlie and Merlin. How did they get here so fast?

"Bella!" Alice leaped gracefully from her seat to kiss my cheek. She took my hand and sat me down next to her. "I can't believe you're actually a princess! Please tell me I can visit you someday? The shopping must be amazing-"

"Alice," Edward scolded, his arms folded across his chest.

Merlin, however chuckled. "Oh, my dear," he said to the spiky-haired vampire. "We shall love you in Camelot."

Alice beamed at him, and I couldn't help the small smile playing at my lips.

"Lord Merlin," Charlie said, leaning forward in his chair. "I do believe there are matter to discuss."

"Ah, yes," said the old wizard. "Down to business as they say."

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