Regrets, Dancing, and Something New

EPOV

The next day I woke up feeling strange. I sat up and my dreams came rushing in. I was in a meadow with Bella and we both said 'I love you.' I smiled but there was also this indescribable feeling in the pit of stomach. I closed my eyes and tried to remember the dream more clearly.

"It's best that were not friends, I'm dangerous," that line exactly seemed to stand out the most of all. But when I told her I loved her, it seemed real, and it contained the perfection of her wind-chime voice. I got up reluctantly out of bed, knowing that I wanted to talk with Bella. So I got dressed for school and walked downstairs where I was stopped by Eddie.

"And where do you think you're going son?" He said firmly.

"School…" What's up with Eddie?

"Don't you think you should stay home and get some rest?" he said. Oh yeah, the accident yesterday. How did I forget about it?

"Dad that's absurd I slept for 15 hours yesterday. I'm pretty sure I don't need rest. Besides I have a test today and I don't want to go make it up later," I said.

"Alrighty but if you feel light headed or dizzy come home." I nodded and Eddie let me continue my morning routine.

"I guess I'll go to work if you don't need me son." He said shrugging into his jacket.

"See you later," I said as ate my toast.

After he left, I went to school and parked in my usual spot a little earlier than usual. I waited in my truck as more and more students came in. I saw the silver car come in then and park three spots down from me.

I saw Bella get out of the driver's seat and close the door. She stayed back with Alice and Jasper I think. They seemed to be pushing her into doing something. I smiled at her siblings.

I got out of my truck and walked into school where everyone started to ask me questions about yesterday. I was frustrated with the same questions. 'Are you okay' or 'how'd you save Isabella.'

I kept my word to her though; I wasn't going to say anything about her saving me. Finally when lunch came around I was nervous at seeing Bella.

I walked in with Mike and glanced at her table. She seemed in deep thought.

"Is he alright?" Mike thought about me.

I focused on the lunch line but I had lost my appetite, so I just grabbed the usual bottle of orange juice.

"Aren't you hungry Eddie?" Jessica said. I rolled my eyes.

"Jessica I'm alright, and please don't call me Eddie, that's my dad." I walked to the table and sat drinking my orange juice and staring at Bella. When the bell rang for Biology I left first, I wanted to think of all the questions I had for her.

But she didn't speak to me. The rest of the week went by the same way. I was the center of attention and Bella and I never crossed words, merely just to say a "Hello."

Every time someone asked me about the accident, I would explain how I saved her but no one seemed to have seen her. It made me realize that I was the only one who was always aware of Bella. No one else watched her the way I did. How pitiful.

No matter how many times I explained that Bella was the one that needed saving, I never saw any one going up to her and ask, "Are you alright?"

Just like the first day of class, Bella sat as far from me as the table would allow. She ignored me and every once in a while her small hand would turn into a fist. She wished she hadn't pulled me from the path of Tyler's van. It was the only conclusion I had come too. So I observed her. Each day her eyes would become perceptibly darker and when her eyes were the lightest, her cheeks had a hint of rose.

Jessica though, seemed pleased with the obvious coolness between Bella and me. She thought that after I saved Bella, Bella might have warmed up to me and be more than friends. Jessica was excited though, each day she would annoy me before Biology started talking about something unimportant.

One night, Mike called and asked if he could ask Jessica to the dance that was going to be held in two weeks.

"Are you sure you don't mind, I mean I thought you were going to ask her?" Mike persisted though.

"No it's alright, I'm not going," I didn't mind the dancing much, it's just that dances weren't my thing.

"It's going to be fun! Think of all the chicks and their dresses!" Ew, the only person I was interested in was Bella.

"Have fun!" I said enthusiastically before I hung up on him.

The next day I noticed that Mike wasn't his usual self and that he was silent. I was nervous about that, maybe Jessica had turned him down, and I was the last person he would tell. My fears worsened when Mike and Jessica sat faraway from each other. Was Mike rejected?

In Biology, Jessica sat on the corner of my desk and as usual I was only aware to Bella by the intense electricity running through each other.

"So Mike asked me to the dance…" Jessica trailed off. I felt a wave of guilt come over me.

"That's awesome," I said my voice enthusiastic. She frowned, obviously not liking my response.

"Well I told him I had to think about it," It was about me.

"Why would you tell him that?" I asked already knowing the answer.

"Because I was wondering if maybe you would go with me."

I paused for a moment, hating more the guilt that came through me. But I saw, from the corner of my eye, Bella's head tilt reflexively in my direction.

"Jessica, tell Mike yes," I said.

"Did you already get asked?"Jessica's eyes flickered in Bella's direction.

"No, I'm not going to the dance at all."

"Why not?" She demanded.

"I'm going to Seattle that Saturday," it now seemed like the perfect time to go. "You should go and say Yes to Mike though to keep him from waiting any longer—it's rude."

"Yeah," she mumbled before going to sit next to Mike. I closed my eyes and willed the guilt out of my system. I opened my eyes and stared at Bella who was staring at me curiously. Mr. Banner started talking and I couldn't stop staring at her. Her golden eyes were burning into my eyes.

"Ms. Cullen?" Mr. Banner asked a question about plants or something.

"The Krebs Cycle," Bella said as she unwillingly turned her attention to the board. When the bell rang, I started to gather to my books as usual.

"Edward?" Bella said softly.

I paused and looked up at her curiously. "Yes?"

She looked down, "Never mind." I let my anger get the better of me though.

"I knew it," I said. She looked back up at me.

"Knew what?"

"You should have just let the van crush me so you could save your regret." She flinched, alarmed by my tone.

"You think I regret saving you?" She whispered at me so no one could hear.

"Yes." I said at a loss for better words.

"You know nothing Edward." She gathered her books and she looked genuinely hurt. I followed her, feeling guilty again.

"Bella!" I shouted at her. She turned around and faced me angry, students around us stared. She walked up to me and grabbed my sleeve while taking me outside where no one could hear us.

"What do you want Edward?" She demanded.

"I'm sorry, I was just mad, and you hadn't talked to me in a while and I just assumed that you felt regret. " I said.

Her anger softened, "Listen Edward, I don't regret saving your life, I really don't. But it's best if we're not friends." She was serious but I didn't believe her.

"What do you mean by that?"

"It's best if we're not friends, I'm dangerous." I remembered that line from the first dream I had of her.

"Maybe I don't want what's best for me." I said. Her lips twitched fighting a smile.

"I don't think you mean that." She turned and started to leave again.

I let her go, "No I really do mean it, as long as I'm with you," I whispered to myself.

She paused swiftly before she continued walking. Did she hear me?

I turned and went in the other direction to gym. Once inside I changed quickly and went in late to class. Mike and Jessica asked me questions but I just insisted that I went to the nurse for some pain medication. Mike and Jessica had returned to their normal selves when Jessica finally accepted Mike's invitation.

I was lost, why wouldn't she want to be friends? She said she's "dangerous," but what does that mean exactly. On the way to the parking lot after gym, Angela, timidly came up to me.

"Edward?" Angela looked embarrassed. "Why did I bother asking him anyway? He's not going to take me to the dance." Ah I see what she wanted.

"Yes Angela?"

"I was…well I wanted to… Do you want to go to the dance with me?" She sputtered out.

I suppressed in a smile, "Sorry Angela, but I won't be in town that Saturday, I'm going to Seattle."

She frowned, "Oh well, okay." She turned around quickly and left towards the school. Was this going to continue?

I got in my truck and turned to come out the parking lot but there was a silver car there. It was Bella, and she was blocking my path. A hard nock on my window made me turn around where Lauren was. I rolled my window down.

"Yes Lauren?" I said crisp

"Will you go the dance with me Eddie?" She said leaning in the window trying to look sexy, but it was actually pretty disgusting. This can't be happening to me!

"No, I won't be in town that weekend," I said.

"I knew that," She said licking her lips.

"Then why did you bother?"

"Maybe you were just letting them down because maybe you were looking for someone more wild to go with," She said winking.

"No Lauren, now please leave." I rolled my window up and looked behind me. I swear I could see Bella laughing. Then her siblings came down and got in. She turned and left while I got out miffed. Lauren is gross.

The next day at school was better, the dance questions stopped when I made it clear that I wouldn't be going. During lunch out of habit I looked at the Cullen table but only counted four of them. Where was Bella? I grabbed a bottle of orange juice, suddenly feeling very depressed. How do I have such intense feelings for someone who doesn't even want to be friends?

I sat in my table and was considering leaving when Mike caught my attention.

"Isabella Cullen is staring at you." I raised an eyebrow, she's here? I followed Mike's gaze and look at the very end of the cafeteria. Bella was sitting by herself. She motioned with her finger to come.

"Does she mean you?" Mike asked. Of course, she doesn't like you I shook my head.

I got up without answering and brought my bottle of orange juice to the table. I sat in front of her and smiled.

"Well this is new," I commented. She smiled.

"Yes it is," she said

I drank some juice and started the conversation.

"I thought you didn't want to be friends?" I questioned.

"I said it would be best if we weren't friends, not that I didn't want to be," she tilted her head to the side.

"I'm lost," I admitted.

She got the cap of juice and started to spin it quickly between her fingers.

"I'm tired of trying to stay away from you. It's been almost two months since we talked last and honestly, I want to be with friends," she admitted herself.

"Well me too." I said quickly.

"Listen Edward, I was wondering if two weeks from now, you know the day of the dance, and before you say no let me finish," she said when she saw the look in my eyes of the annoyingness. "I was wondering if you need a ride to Seattle, I'm pretty sure your truck might not make it and well maybe we can get to know each other more," she said while running a hand through her long hair to part it to the side.

"Actually, I think it's a great idea. Sure I accept," I said. An entire day with Bella, that was going to be nice.

"I think your friends are angry with me for stealing you." She said while looking over my shoulder.

"They'll survive," I shook my head at their thoughts. Jessica wanted to come and slap Bella in the face. Mike was jealous I was talking with Bella, it was all chaotic.

"I may not give you back though," she said with a wicked glint in her eyes.

I smiled crookedly and she stared at me. She looked down at her cap smiling. I looked at her again and smiled.

"What are you thinking?" I couldn't read her mind, so I might as well ask.

"Funny you should ask, I was wondering the same thing," Hmmm…how about that. I looked at her brown hair along her shoulder and her pale skin. She was beautiful.

"Well I asked you first."

She looked up and arched a perfect eyebrow.

"I was thinking about you," she said. My cheeks started to burn.

"Same," I admitted.

"What exactly about me," she asked.

"I'm trying to figure out what you are," I said.

Her jaw tightened but her smile stayed in place.

"Any luck with that?"

"Nope." I answered.

She leaned in and smiled, "Do you have any theories?"

"Yes, but I won't tell you," I smiled crookedly again. Our eyes locked and it seemed that she was searching for words.

"How about one?" She whispered while she tilted her head shockingly tempting.

"Too embarrassing." I admitted. These past two months I've been debating whether Bella qualified to be Wonder Woman.

"You ask me a question in return of an answer to my question?" She challenged.

"Alright. Bella can you warn me the next time you decide to ignore me for an extended period of time? I'd like to be prepared."

Her eyes softened and she nodded at me. "Will do. Now tell me just one theory."

Whoops, "Fine, wonder woman." I looked away at the side, blushing a deep scarlet.

She laughed, her voice the sound of bells. "It's alright Edward, in some ways I could be your Wonder Woman," she laughed. "Don't be embarrassed." She placed one of her hands that were enclosed in a glove on my wrist. Electricity ran at the touch. I faced her and she seemed to be filled with curiosity, staring at our contact.

"No it's stupid, I understand." I muttered. She stopped laughing.

"Edward, it's not stupid. I find it kind of flattering," she smiled and she looked down. I smiled back at her.

"Well I'm glad you find it so, because I meant it." She looked up then with an unreadable emotion.

"What if I wasn't the superhero? What if I was the bad guy?" So I guess that's what she means by dangerous.

"Let me tell you something love, I don't care if you are good or not, in my eyes you're Bella. Bella can be and do whatever she wants to do because she's a person." I replayed the sentence in my mind and was a little embarrassed at calling her love involuntarily.

Bella looked at me awed but her expression turned serious. "I think that you should care. I mean don't normal people usually care? If you were smart then you would avoid me." She said bringing up the subject again.

"Well then, as long as being not smart, I can be with you," I said.

"Correct," She smiled and she moved her hand away from my wrist.

"You've also made the subject of my intellect clear too," I said leaning in closely.

"Sorry, it was unintentional," she smile apologetically. She leaned in too. I almost couldn't resist closing the distance and kissing her full lips right then and there.

"Bella, remember about Biology," a small voice said to my left. Bella was mad at the disturbance. She turned and faced the girl.

"Thanks Alice, no need to remind me," she said through her teeth.

"Nice to meet you Edward. You're all Bella ever talks about." My eyebrows rose and I faced Bella.

"Gee thanks Alice, I'll make sure to ruin any plans you have with Jasper tonight, which I know what they are," while tapping her head.

Alice smiled mischievously, "I know" she said tapping her head, "I'll see you later!" She chirped before leaving back to her table.

"I'm all you ever talk about?" I questioned.

"Oh, Alice, she was exaggerating a bit," she said.

"Right, I believe you," I lied, while grinning. "So what is it about Biology?"

"Oh you'll see love. I don't like ruining surprises." She said leaning back into her chair. I looked around and saw people getting up to leave. I must've not heard the bell.

"Let's go then or we'll be late." I said standing up.

"Oh I'm not going today," she said wile spinning the cap again.

"Why not?" I tried not to let the disappointment resonate, but I couldn't help it.

She smiled, "It's healthy to ditch every once in a while."

"Well okay then. See you later." I said while leaving. I was really disappointed I wasn't going to see her in class.

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