CHAPTER 14 – CHANGE CAN BE GOOD

Leona Lewis - Happy

My feet run out of ground
I gotta find my place
I wanna hear my sound
Don't care about all the pain in front of me
Cause I'm just trying to be happy, yeah

A/N: I apologise for all the mistakes on the last chapter. I was half asleep when writing – a mistake I won't be making again. I've gone back and edited it and as much as I love the phrase 'food friend' – I had to change that too. It was 'good friend'. Also Tanya was never there – it was Lauren. I apologise again.

Keep forgetting to add a disclaimer so here goes…

None of these characters belong to me – I'm just the director and right now I say…ACTION!

The rest of lunch had been…

Well I wasn't really sure how to describe what it was. All I knew is that I had given up trying to please everyone because I couldn't trust myself. I would just let it all happen and hope for the best.

Surprisingly, Angela and Ben had stuck with me and tried to engage me in different conversations. Although what was even more astonishing is the fact that, Eric and Mike had joined us which didn't exactly fair well with Jessica who'd stuck by Lauren and Tyler.

In some sense, I did wish my craziness would have scared Mike off because his hesitant thoughts were trying to give him the courage to ask me on a date this weekend.

And it was because of this, I was practically racing to Biology.

Only a few more strides…

He finally sized himself up and he placed his hand onto my elbow as he parted his lips to ask me, "Uh Bella…?"

I pretended that I had not heard his question as I exhaled in relief. "Oh, good, we're here" then quickly, raced to the safe haven of the Biology classroom.

I'd been so distracted that I hadn't paid attention to the strong scent that it had taken me by shock to catch Edward Cullen sitting on my table. I seriously had the worst luck.

Or the best?

Where did that come from?

He found my eyes like before. An unexpected fascination etched on his expression as he gazed at me with wonder? Speculation?

Although it was harder to get a reading from vampires – I could make out nothing evil from him. There was no out of control bloodlust that I should worry about but also as I stared straight into his bright gold eyes, I could only identify the unvoiced questions that perplexed him.

Knowing that he was probably trying to read me again, I made a quick check to see if my shield was still barricading him from me and thankfully it was.

"Where were you yesterday?" Mr. Banner voice broke through my daze and I turned to my right in order to face my teacher.

I replayed his words before replying, "Oh! I'm sorry, I wasn't feeling well". I was certainly not feeling well now either and had considered going home but I knew I couldn't afford to keep running away, especially if I intended to make Forks my home. So I had stayed.

"As long as you're better now" he smiled and walked to his desk, "Well you are going to have to do yesterday's work as homework" he sounded apologetic.

I nodded because I really didn't mind at this point. "That's fine"

"Go on. Take a seat" he ordered while looking down at the lesson plan on his desk. "Work is on the board" he added with his head still bowed.

I almost questioned his orders – almost asked Mr. Banner to move me but wasn't a coward. I'd come this far and I couldn't help but admit to myself that I was intrigued by this sudden pull I felt towards the infamous Edward Cullen.

Breathing in, I walked towards him and saw him panic slightly then search around the room – probably for a seat that I could take. When finding none, he remained poised and pushed his books to the side to make room for me which I gave a small smile to.

Cautiously, I slipped into the chair next to him hoping that he wouldn't notice my uncontrollably trembling as I kept a fair amount of distance between us. I could not risk him getting too close.

He didn't say anything about this though I knew he noticed. Maybe he was thankful.

He still didn't say anything as I unpacked my bag and set my equipment on the table. Nor did he say anything as I began to doodle on the inside cover of my notebook.

He just didn't say anything.

Maybe this could work. I'd ignore him and he would ignore me.

My dream was short-lived as heard his first words to me, "Hello". The simple one-worded greeting was enough to make my stomach churn as I heard the velvety richness of his tone.

For a moment I wanted to pretend that I didn't hear him but that wouldn't only create more questions and truth be told I wanted to hear him speak again. I was ignoring the fact that this was dangerous territory that I was walking on.

Still feeling guarded, I hesitantly lifted my head to look at him, "Hello", I repeated him which seemed to be amusing as a small smile graced his lips.

I found that I liked when he smiled.

"You're Bella Marie" it wasn't phrased a question but I still nodded in reply. "You're famous here" he chuckled.

"Not for the right reasons" I sighed wearily and he looked almost sympathetic which was only drawing me in further. Instead of turning back to my own world like I should, I gave my full attention to him as my fingers acted on their own accord and dropped the pencil. "And you're Edward Cullen" he too nodded in confirmation so I added a friendly, "Nice to meet you"

His gaze burned into mine and the pull that I'd felt only seem to grow stronger as he whispered, "You too".

I should turn away – do my work and forget about him.

That was what I did.

I picked up my pen once more and looked at the board but he broke through me again as I heard him speak once more.

"Y-" but when looking towards him, he paused and stared at me while I remained blank. Silence befell on us as we locked eyes and there was an unknown feeling playing about within me.

Finally he spoke again, "I hope Jessica and Lauren aren't being too…" he paused again not sure how to finish the sentence which humoured me. He then settled on "intimidating".

"They're…" I too, paused briefly before adding, "…harmless". I sent him a small smile which he returned as if he understood the private joke. Not able to help myself, I commented on their obsession when adding, "Very infatuated by you though," my tone though nonchalant, however my thoughts were not.

He released a low groan, dropping his head for a brief second before looking back up at me and his lips lifted into a crooked smile and I noted how he was careful to not flash his teeth before confessing, "The feelings are definitely one sided"

Why did that please me?

Ducking my head, I hoped he didn't catch the heat that rose to my now flushed cheeks as embarrassment washed through me and my thoughts were clouded.

"Um..." he spoke again and I knew he wanted to capture my attention again. Instead of ignoring him like I should, I fought through the fog filling my mind and looked back up at him in curiosity, "I heard about what you said" his eyes were cast downwards onto the table appearing to be almost sheepish.

Was he referring to today's lunch? Or yesterday's?

Finally he lifted his head in order to meet my inquisitive eyes, "What you said to Lauren" he clarified and the blush was inevitable now, quick to warm my cheeks as the mortification returned and it was now my turn to stare at the table, wanting to avoid his eyes.

I don't know why I was astonished by his words - news in small towns spread like wildfire but I was embarrassed because he probably thought I was the new girl with a creepy obsession over him – feeling the need to defend his honour.

"Thank you" the sincerity in his tone took me by surprise which was why I was now gaping at him.

It was not an act. I could feel it to the very core of my being as I looked into the earnestness in the warmth of his golden irises. The spark ignited once again as we stared at each other – both trying to read the other and even though I could easily tap into his thoughts, I wouldn't.

Stop!

I was crossing the line and should go back to being invisible.

This – whatever this was – could not happen!

He was being like this because he didn't know what I was. Once he found out – he'd become greedy and want more from me.

Shaking my head, I tried to clear my erratic thoughts, running my trembling fingers through my tresses before muttering, "We better get started on the work"

He cocked his head to the side still searching for something in my eyes. I could tell because every time he tried, a small crease would form on his forehead as he tried to concentrate and my shield could detect if a power was being enforced.

Mama used to call me an open book and as I looked into the intensity of his gaze, I worried he could easily read me. This was why I ripped my eyes away from him and focused on the words on the board: STAGES OF MITOSIS. SLIDES ON YOUR TABLE.

Looking down, I realised that the slides were piled on the table.

Why hadn't I seen them before?

I knew the answer to that as it was right across from me but I couldn't bring myself to confess that.

"Ladies first?" Edward spoke pushing the worn out microscope towards me.

When I didn't say anything, he began to pull it towards him, "Or I could start if you wish?", his smug expression reminded me of Jasper in World History. Were all vampires so sure of themselves?

"No, I'm fine" I answered and pulled it back towards me before placing the first slide labelled A, into place then bending down to look through the lens, "Shortened molecules are condense and significance of chromosomes coiling and the nucleus is no longer visible" I countered before looking back up to meet his widened eyes and his lips were parted slightly. Feeling a bit smug myself, I smirked as I finalised my answer," Stage two, Prophase."

He composed himself and narrowed his eyes when asking, "Mind if I check?"

His question was almost insulting – that he'd think that I would be wrong but when I hitched an eyebrow at him in question, he simply mirrored me so I sighed and pushed it towards him using my index finger.

He was brief when checking the lens and gave his answer in, "Prophase"

"Like I said" after I said this, he looked up at me with the same smug smile as before.

He changed the slides again and swiftly glanced at it before saying, "This one's Metaphase"

It shouldn't be like this – I should be scared. I should be disregarding him and keeping our worlds apart but it wasn't like that. I couldn't find it in myself to simply ignore him or be fearful of what he was capable of because a part of me knew that he wasn't like that.

I almost felt safe around him.

I wasn't scared.

"Mind if I check?", deciding to play along with his game as I forced the unnecessary tremors away from my voice. He stared up at me before chuckling lowly to himself and I hitched an eyebrow as he shrugged and pushed it back to me.

"So you are from New York?" he inquired.

I nodded in reply, "Yes I am" I answered feeling guiltier than I had when I'd lied to Angela.

Why did it hurt more to lie to him?

Ignoring him, I moved back down to look at the slide but he captured my attention once more, "Why did you move to Forks?"

I stretched up and looked him in the eye before teasing him, "Almost sounds like you don't want me here"

"That's not it" I hitched an eyebrow at his choice of words and he shook his head, "I mean – I was simply wondering why you would move to a small town" his answer was rushed as he tried to justify his previous error. "Very different to the city life you're used to, I presume" he rambled through his explanation.

"It is different" I admitted, "But a good different"

Forcing my eyes away from him, I looked back down to check but he interrupted me by asking, "See the spindled fibres?"

"Yes" sounding almost aggravated which was because his tone was almost degrading. I sat up and approved of his previous answer, "Metaphase"

"Like I said" he mimicked me.

Rolling my eyes at him, I changed the slides this time and started my analysis, "Splits in the centromere and the sister chromatids are separated…"

"Anaphase?" he guessed and to tell the truth, I was annoyed with the fact that he was right. I wish I could wipe away that smug tone.

Instead of saying anything in reply, I just pushed it back, "Your turn"

His slender fingers moved around gracefully and almost cautiously as he switched the slide then held the microscope lightly and I knew he was trying to not expose himself by crushing the object in his hands. It took me years to control my strength but even more to control my speed. "Telophase. You wanna check?" he pulled me away from my thoughts.

I renounced an exhale, allowing my taut muscles to relax as I yielded to the truth. "No" I whispered and his eyes widened with my following words, "I trust you"

A/N: Thank you to all my reviewers. Hope you enjoyed seeing their relationship transpire.

Valentine Rain – I will be including a Cullen POV soon so you can peak into their thoughts about Bella.

Twilight Rocker –Thank you for reviewing and for your flattering comment. Cullen POV is coming up soon.

.142 – Thanks for the love to Vampire Diaries. Are you a Team Damon/Team Stefan? Can't exactly pin point when Edward and Bella will start a relationship but I can tell you it will happen without Jacob's interference.

Pongu – I'm such a big Austen fan and love Pride and Prejudice so thank you for mentioning this. Never really realized it until you put it into perspective. Thank you for the love you have for this fanfic – was nervous at first but my brother coaxed me into actually posting it so here we are. Glad the chapter was also educational.

Joda-Eragonsson – I mean good friend but when I realized my mistake I've started using the phrase – 'food friend'. Glad you're enjoying and thank you for reviewing.

booksxforxlife – Thanks for reviewing and for liking Guardian. Awesome support

Fee-Sha14 – Thank you for reading this and loving this. Thank you for your review and I hope you stick around.

Awesome story! It's amazing! Keep up the good work!(:

InLoveJA - Mistake with Tanya – meant Lauren so sorry about that. I like the phrase 'food friend'. Fixed all the other mistakes too. Thanks for still hanging around.

Kelly-Starfly – Thank you for your support by revieweing. hope you enjoyed this chappie.

Gracegoddess – Will include a Cullen POV. thank you for reading and reviewing.

sujari6 – I wish I had that kind of restraint. I'm too impulsive, if it had been me, I would have sent a left hook. Anyway thanks for reviewing and reading.

Jaxolelady – Was definitely Lauren. Sorry for the mix up – that's what I get for writing when I was half-asleep. Thank you for reviewing.

Once again THANK YOU ALL for reviewing. More coming soon.