Warning: This is a fluff chapter, it's more of a filler, I had to have them interacting and laying more of a foundation for the looooove.....

Also tomorrow Chapter 12 will be up - Exciting one Alice and Bella to shopping trip with a certain someone tagging along, the truth might finally come out - but from who? drama drama drama!!!!

Chapter 11: Interests and explanations

Bella:

When I woke the next day I felt light. I looked at the cloudy sky from my bed and still smiled bitterly at it, but not as bitterly as before. I had something to look forward to today. I had made up my mind, I was going to talk to Edward Cullen alone again today..this time without being medically treated by his father, and maybe ask about the accident and his miraculous save...if I could fit it in without looking crazy.

I heard a car honk. I went to the window to see the infamous Cullen, shiny, silver volvo, with two beautiful statues getting out and walking to the door....

"Hi Bella!" Alice said happily, she hugged me when I answered the door, "We've come to give you a ride to school."

Slightly taken back by Alice's forwardness I couldn't help but let out a smile. I would have to remember that that's just the way she was, "Alice, I have a truck you know? I can drive myself."

"Yes but what fun would that be? Plus you bumped your head yesterday, and I know you're going to say that Carlisle cleared you to drive, but just humor me, I can't bear it if you got hurt again." She ranted as she closed the door around the other statue who had yet said nothing.

I picked up my school things and cleared my throat and then flashed my eyes towards him. Taking it as an invitation he said "Good morning Bella." He flashed his brilliant smile and I swear my heart skipped another beat. I would have to get myself a check up in the near future, doing it that often can't be good for you. And if I was going to be around Edward it was bound to happen a lot. His hair was in it's unkempt style like yesterday and he had a pale blue polo on with grey pea coat. He looked right out of a Abercrombie add. Now that I had calmed down a bit I took them both in, him and Alice together looked like they could be all the models in the magazines. She had a very nice white buttoned jacket and dark, expensive, skinny jeans on with ballet flats, compared to my basic jeans with holes in them and my favourite brown sweater. I looked like a charity case compared to them, but I didn't let myself get to discouraged on clothes, as long as I was comfortable I didn't care.

I smiled politely, and of course my cheeks flushed, "Good Morning Edward." I started to follow Alice out the door as Edward held it open for us, I held back with him to lock it. "Really, you guys didn't have to go through any trouble." I whispered hoping Alice wouldn't hear.

He chuckled and said "Bella, please, it's my...our pleasure."

I blushed more as he opened the door to the car. I got in the front seat and tried not to think of the looks I would get from all the kids at school. "So where's the rest of your family today?"

"Oh they took Emmett's jeep today." Alice chimed.

"Oh, really, guys, listen, I don't want them to be put out by this, this is so unnecessary." I stammered.

I saw Alice and Edward share a brief look. I wonder what I'm missing about this... Edward replied to me though, "Bella, please, it's no trouble at all."

Alice's voice rang in and cut him off, "We just want to hang out with our new friend. What better way than making sure you're stuck with us until we decide to drive you home?" she put a reassuring hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

We drove the rest of the way in silence. I just didn't know what to say, this was all so new, and the Cullens were xtremely intimidating. We parked at the school and Alice hopped out of the back seat, I went for my door handle and before I knew it Edward was already opening it. Last I checked (and I found myself completely aware of his presence and location) he was beside me in turning off the car and now he was opening the door. He is lightning fast! I reminded myself. I shyly got out of the car and thanked him. Alice hooked her arm through mine and steered me towards the school.

"What are you smiling at?" I asked her.

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing." She smiled sweetly.

I knew she wasn't telling me something but I decided to let it go. It couldn't be a bad thing, I mean Alice and I were friends now right?

We got to my first period class and she pecked me on the cheek. "Bye Bella, I'll see you later!"

"Sure Alice." I smiled back as she danced away.

I turned to Edward, we were alone in the hallway now. This was as good of time as any and before I knew it the words were out of my mouth.."So..I meant to ask you yesterday...how'd you do it? You came out of no where and you stopped the van with your bare hands."

Edward cleared his throat this time, he looked like he was going to say something, looked like he wanted to say something...I waited...nothing came until he gave me one last meaningful look and then took off to his class muttering something about an adrenaline rush...

I stood there stunned before I finally got my head back and went into my class. Touchy subject..I thought, both him and Alice dodged the question, I would drop it for now, but they had to tell me sooner or later.

Edward:

Alice and I picked up Bella for school. She graciously opened the door and let us into the main entrance of her home. She looked amazing, her hair was cascading in soft waves down her shoulders, her big chocolate eyes so inquisitive, even this early in the morning, her jeans that were worn out in all the right places... She smelt even better than she looked. Freesia, lemon and honey.

I laughed silently as she looked so shocked when I kept opening the doors for her...really was chivalry dead to the humans of this decade? When we got to the school I had reacted so fast, too fast, to her opening her car door, I used my speed without thinking and grabbed it for her. I hoped she didn't notice, she didn't say anything if she did, and I was grateful, I didn't want to lie to her...

When we stopped at her class my mind was racing. I didn't know what to do or say to her. What was with me? I'm never at a loss for words. Especially around humans. I had been playing the part for so long now that interaction came easy, even if they had the tendency to steer clear of us. But Bella didn't. She didn't seem to mind being around Alice and I. Her instincts should tell her to run, hide, scream for help but she bravely faces danger with an air of composure. I was about to tell her that I admired her bravery when I caught myself..Admire her bravery? What the hell is that? I thought to myself. I could hear my family thinking of tips in my head...I heard Alice's above the others to 'keep it simple'. Simple? Simple....the next thing I knew I was walking away.

IDIOT! YOU BLEW IT! I was practically shouting in my head. Then I heard Alice send me a thought "Don't worry Ed, you didn't blow anything." I began to breath a little easier.

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The bell rang for lunch, I was immediately out of my seat and on my way to the cafeteria. I had spent all morning brooding over my failed attempt at a normal conversation with Bella. She just made me nervous for some reason that had nothing to do with my thirst for her blood. There were some very strong feelings beginning to grow...feelings I didn't understand yet, feelings that made me feel more human, feelings that I thought I would never feel again.

I gathered a bunch of food and sat down at a certain lunch table, specifically secluded and away from the family's. I positioned myself so i could get her attention when she walked in. Alice, the angel that she was informed the others of my decision to 'eat' alone with Bella. I hoped she had seen it going well and that's why she was letting me go through with it...or was she using this moment for some payback for me hurting her? I started to panic, this is not a good idea, what was I thinking? She's going to notice me not eat and figure me out and be terrified, we'll have to move again and I will never be able to see her again. If my heart could break it would have at the thought of never seeing those big brown eye's, her porcelain skin, her brown locks of hair, her gentle frame...

Woah Edward! You're emotions are out of control, you're driving me crazy over here! I heard Jasper think as he sent a wave of calm over me...It will be Okay, you'll be pleasantly surprised with how much you both will enjoy this, Alice thought.

I started to breath normally again. I thanked the heavens for Jasper's ability. He was gifted as well, he had the ability to manipulate emotions. The downside to his power was that he also absorbs the feelings around him, so if someone is exceptionally giddy or excited he could break out in an excited squeal of laughter that does not suit a man of his 6 foot something build.

Once again I smelled her before I saw her. She brought a fresh breeze in with her as she opened the door. I stood up and smiled at her. She seemed to be searching for something...or someone, her eyes combed the cafeteria, my family's table and she looked down dejectedly. No...there's no way...she wasn't looking for me? "Bella?" I heard my voice ask before I realized what was happening. SHe looked up and her face brightened, the light danced in her eyes and her reaction mimicked my reaction.

I pointed to the table. She caught on quick and made her way over. "Hello Bella." I started to relax, just seeing her smiling face calmed me down.

"Hi." She sat down.

I sat down. She looked at the table and my tray full of food. "I bought you lunch." I said.

She stared at the tray and looked up, "You...bought...me...lunch..." she said it slow, like she was trying to understand something, I waited for her to continue, she looked back down at the tray, "You expect me to eat all of that!?" she asked incredulously.

Whew. I thought I had offended her, easy mistake to make, "No, no, I just wasn't sure what you liked...so I bought one of everything." She started to blush and I couldn't stifle my little laugh. "Please, take as much or as little as you like."

"That's really nice of you, but not necessary Edward. What is so damn funny?"

I laughed one more time, she was very cute when she was angry. "It's just, I find you fascinating." I stopped. Too big of word. Too big of word. Fascinating is a very strong word. She noticed too because her heart sped up.

"F-f-fascinating? Me?" she asked.

Amazing, wonderful, delightful, inventive, surprising...any of those would match this girl. "Yes, fascinating, like I said the other day, I can read people very well. But you are different, I have a hard time understanding you."

"Right, but fascinating? Really? Come on." She thought I was joking.

"Bella," I sighed, I really did like saying her name, "fascinating because you never want attention drawn on yourself where every other teenage girl here strives for it, you never want people to make you feel special because you fear it's putting them out to do it, and you blush in the most flattering way I have ever seen." As if on queue her cheeks flushed a rosie tint.

"Well I should put "blush well" as a skill on my resume." she joked.

"Yes," I laughed, "you should!" This was getting easier and easier. "Please eat something though, how will you go all day without something in your stomach?"

"Thank you though, you know, for what you said." She blushed some more and looked down. I had the strongest urge to put my hand on her cheek.

And again it was there! I had my hand on Bella Swan's cheek and I let it glide down to her jaw line before realizing and pulling it away. I could practically feel the electricity flow through us. She didn't flinch though at my icy touch and I was so grateful. "I'll tell you that Anytime Bella. Now please eat something." She picked up an apple and began peeling off the sticker.

"Aren't you going to eat?" she asked. Ah I knew it was coming.

"I had a big breakfast." I replied. She looked at me sternly.

"If I am eating off this giant tray of food, you are too Edward Cullen."

My name rolled off her tongue like she had been saying it for years. I really liked the sound of it when she said it as well. I found myself thinking that I would do anything for her, just to make her happy, just so she would say my name again...even eat some of this food. I picked up a piece of pizza and took a bite. Disgusting stuff! I hid my grimace as I thought about throwing it up later.

I could hear my family thinking about how disgusting it was that I was actually swallowing, how cute it was that we were getting along, how happy I looked. They were right on all three accounts. I couldn't think of a time in my life when I had been more happy than right now swallowing this disgusting grease soaked meal and sharing small talk with this beautiful creature before me.

I asked about her life before Forks and her home life with Chief Swan. She shared a lot with me, almost as much as she had with Alice. Obviously not the part that made her cry, but everything else. I bombarded her with questions, I wanted to know her, everything about her. I also didn't want her to have a chance to ask me questions. I would have to lie. I didn't want to lie to my Bella. My Bella? Woah, slow down. I had to tell myself, obviously I didn't listen the more she told me the more I wanted to call her my Bella, the more I wanted her to be My Bella, mine to protect and take care of. It was in this moment of realization that I decided: even if she didn't want me the way I wanted her, even if she never wanted to speak to me again and hated my guts, I would always be there, in the shadows, watching over her to keep her safe from harm.

She won't hate you Edward. She could never hate you. My decision had sparked a vision for Alice who was no doubt listening to our conversation, making sure it went perfectly. Oddly, she blocked the vision from me. I began to wonder why that was when the bell rang to end lunch.

"May I walk you to your classes Bella?" I asked as I offered her my arm.

She blushed again and jumped up, a little too fast as she tripped on the chair, I whipped around and caught her gently bring her back to a standing position. "Thanks, yes, please!"

I could have sworn I felt my dead heart beat to her answer.

As we walked down towards our biology class with a huge grin on my face she turned to me and smiled, then said "you're going to tell me right? What really happened with the accident." she whispered. I stopped.

"No one will believe you." I told her.

"I wasn't going to tell anyone. I just...I just need to know...it was amazing...so amazing that I feel like you're going to disappear on me." She grabbed my hand, the electricity jumped between the touch again, she had to of felt it because she looked down to examine our hands.

I put my hand under her chin to make her look at me. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm here. For as long as you want me to be." I whispered.

She smiled and her heart beat wildly again, her eyes danced, it was a beautiful sight. "You're not going to tell me are you?"

"No, probably not. Are you going to drop it?"

"Not likely." she replied as she let go of my hand and led the way into our class room.

Somewhere in the school I heard Alice cheer.