The next day, I was too sleepy to head to school, but Alice wouldn't let me ditch because my house wasn't ready. I barely functioned all day. I only half listened to Jessica's latest news (she was planning on asking Mike to the upcoming dance) and had to be nudge twice in my spanish class when the teacher had addressed me.

Edward had come back to school today and as I normally sat with the Cullens, I was nervous. By the time I'd entered the lunch room with Angela and Jessica, the Cullens were already seated. I skipped the lunch line, not having much energy to eat, and sat next to Alice.

"Hello sleepy beauty," She teased.

"Oh ha ha," I said humorlessly.

"Not hungry today?" Emmett asked, smiling.

"I could ask you the same thing." I replied. He laughed at that. Edward smirked too, I noticed. His eyes met mine briefly, and then looked away. It continued like that for the rest of the lunch period.

Biology was hard to keep track of. The teacher was babbling about something I couldn't keep track of. I was extremely aware of Edward's presence next to mine. We were strangers, forced to coexist. I knew he still didn't like me and he knew that I knew something was up. It was very uncomfortable. So I decided to do something about it. I wrote him a note.

'So we obviously got off on the wrong foot. Can we start over?'

'I agree. I think that's a good idea. Hello, I'm Edward Cullen.'

I tried to hide my smile.

'Hello, Edward, I'm Isabella Swan, but you can call me Bella.'

'What's wrong with 'Isabella'?'

'It's too formal. Makes me sound old and graceful. Those are two things I'm definitely NOT'

He grinned at that. The teacher was coming around and he quickly slipped the note away. We spent the rest of the period taking notes. Well, he took notes, I dozed off. I didn't realize the class had ended until he shook my shoulder gently.

"Bella?" He was grinning at me.

"Huh! What?" I awoke with a start.

"It's time for your next class."

I groaned. Stupid gym class.

The end of the day finally came and Alice insisted on driving, arguing that I'd probably fall asleep behind the wheel and end up in the hospital. I didn't have the energy to argue. She came home with me and the rest of the Cullens went home in the silver Volvo. When we arrived at my house, the red BMW was parked there again.

Esme came outside to greet me. She looked so excited. As she led me through the door I gasped. Everything was different, it was beautiful. The walls in the hallway had been painted the same color as the living room. The furniture we had bought had been put in place and there was a new television in front of it. The fireplace we had never used before had a roaring fire in it now and there were two squashy chairs pulled up in front of it. The kitchen had been reorganized, retiled and repainted also. It looked so lovely and cozy. It was perfect.

I was speechless, "Oh, Esme, it looks so awesome!" I had tears in my eyes. "I don't know how to thank you."

She hugged me tightly, "Don't worry about it, dear, it was my pleasure."

She and Alice soon left and I was alone at home again. This time it wasn't so depressing. I tried to do my homework but failed miserably, being too tired. I shook off my jeans and undid my ponytail as I threw myself onto my bed and drifted off to sleep.

I dreamt about Edward Cullen that night.

Edward POV

When I'd gotten back to my house in Forks, I smelled it again. Her scent. It was strong and intoxicating.

"What is she doing here?" I growled at Alice and Jasper who were downstairs. I didn't hear anyone else in the house, except for Bella Swan and her heart beat.

"Edward please calm down so we can explain." Alice played back the last two weeks worth of events in her head for me to see. Some things I didn't understand, such as my family willing to interact with a human, despite the dangers. And her being here now.

"How did this happen?" I asked, trying to control my anger.

"I don't really know," Alice began, "We felt something towards her. I can't really explain it, but it's like we connected to her somehow…" she paused for a while. "Are you going to be ok?"

"Sure." I answered. I headed up to my room and stopped dead in my tracks. She was in the guest bedroom; I could hear her heart beating loudly. After dropping my stuff off in my room, I went outside again, needing fresh air. It wasn't long before she came outside.

"Hello Bella." I said, trying hard not to scare her; she really hadn't done anything wrong.

"Hi," she responded quietly. I stepped closer to her, trying to be more casual. She seemed upset.

"So you're back?" She said coolly.

"Yes."

"Listen, Edward," she began, sighing, "I'll go."

I hadn't expected that. What was she talking about? Go where? "Excuse me?"

She crossed her arms over her chest, "no one should have to feel uncomfortable in their own home. Just give me a minute and I'll be out of your hair." she turned around.

"Bella," She turned back around to face me, unwillingly. "Please don't leave on my behalf. I apologize if I've upset you in some way." I felt bad for upsetting her. Seeing her face angry with even just a hint of sadness bothered me more than it should.

She glared at me now, "Upset me? I was under the impression that I was the one who upset you."

I was confused. What could she have consciously done to offend me?

"I need to ask you one thing though, Edward." She paused, steadying her voice, "What the hell did I do to you?"

"Excuse me?"

"I don't understand what I did to offend you." she clarified. "It must've been something terrible because you looked like you wanted to kill me that day in biology."

If you only knew, I thought to myself.

"And then you skip town and I know it had to do with me. So please, Edward, just tell me what it was that I did to you." I could tell her anger was beginning to spill over.

I was too shocked to answer. She turned back, exasperated and ready to storm back into the house.

"Wait." I finally managed. She turned back to me, glaring. "I don't hate you. My leaving had nothing to do with you. I have nothing against you, Bella. I never did." It wasn't the complete truth, but close enough. "Please don't leave. Its dark out and the roads are getting icy. You should go back to bed."

She muttered, "fine," and headed back upstairs. When she was gone, I went over our conversation in my head a few hundred times. Alice was right, there was something special about her. Some connection I felt towards her… but it was also something more than that. It didn't help that I couldn't seem to read her thoughts.

As the morning sun came up I decided that I had to fight the craving. It was easier since I'd fed recently. So that's what I'd have to do, hunt much more often. It was either that or stay away from Bella Swan. That thought sent an eerie shiver down my spine. For some inexplicable reason, I knew that I didn't want to be away from her. Not now. Maybe not ever.

Ok, so I really kind of hate this chapter, it didn't come out like I wanted it to… sorry if it's disappointing. Anywho, any constructive criticism would definitely help me out. I'm getting a lot of hits and alerts but hardly any reviews… please review! It makes me smile… like this