A/N: Earlier Ike was coming for where I live as a category 4. My prayers go out to all in Texas! Be brave! I hope all is well for you!

Chapter 2

"Thanks for the ride Ang." I climbed out of her little corolla and slung my book bag over my shoulder.

"No problem Bella, anytime. So same time tomorrow?" I shrugged. "If you're offering. You don't know how embarrassing it is to have your dad drop you off for school in the police cruiser."

She giggled. "Yeah, it's a good thing too."

I thanked her once again and headed across the lawn and to the house. I grabbed the key from under the flowerpot and walked into the warm house. It was March and the air still had a bite to it.

I decided that I would take a shower to wash off the school day. I headed upstairs but stopped to see that there was a message on the counter.

Billy and Jake are coming to dinner tonight. Plan on pulling out the salmon we caught last weekend.

-Charlie

That was cool. I went out in the garage and pulled out the frozen fish so they could thaw. I slipped them in a bowl of water and sat them out. Knowing how much Jake ate I pulled out a lot. There would be extra, but Jake and Billy could take some home.

Running upstairs I quickly pulled threw my book bag on my bed and headed toward the shower. If we didn't have company coming I would just throw my hair up in a ponytail and put on some old sweats. But since Billy and Jake were coming over I had to look half way decent.

I pulled the towel closer to me and ran to the room careful not to get caught in a draft. I slipped on an oversized t-shirt and the door slammed downstairs.

"Bella?" Charlie's voice called from downstairs.

"I'm here dad. I just got out of the shower. Let me get ready and then I'll start dinner." I brushed the knots out of my hair.

"Oh, and honey. Jake's friend Edward is coming with him." I dropped my hairbrush. Edward Masen? As in Jake's best friend Edward?

I started hyperventilating but then got a hold of my self. "Calm down Bella."

I took a deep breath and sat on the floor in front of my mirror. I preceded to blow dry my hair. Edward Masen in my house. Wow. I'd had a thing for Edward since I got here, when I saw him climbing out of his old truck. From what I'd heard around school he wasn't only the hottest guy in school, he was top of his class. Even with scholarships it wasn't enough for him to go to college. His parents weren't exactly "wealthy".

I hadn't exactly met him other than he would smile at me in the hallway or chuckle to himself when I would trip. I wasn't exactly what you would call popular. He probably didn't even know I existed.

I ran a brush through my now dry hair (parting it to the right) and was glad that I was having a good hair day. I pulled on some shorts and headed downstairs to cook. I flipped through the many salmon recipes I had collected since living with Charlie and decided on Baked Salmon.

"Hey Dad, what time are Billy and them coming?" I pulled out the now thawed fish and grabbed the milk, eggs, and seasoning.

"Um, I think around 6:30." I looked at the clock that gave me 30 minutes.

I proceeded to prepare the salmon and slipped the fish in the oven. I cooked stuffing to go with it along with some corn. I ran upstairs while the food cooked and ransacked my closet to find something to wear. I settled for a blue v-neck baby doll top with some tight khaki pants.

I ran into the bathroom and applied the little bit of makeup I had. This included foundation, brown eye shadow, mascara, and some lip-gloss. The timer rang and I headed downstairs. I pulled the glass pan out of the oven and sat it on top. I stirred the corn and stuffing.

The doorbell rang. "I'm coming." I walked to the door and looked through the peephole I saw Jake and Edward.

I opened the door. "Billy! Jake!" I grinned and then looked at Edward. I felt my cheeks warm. "You must be Edward." Yeah, I figured it was best to act like I didn't know him. I'm sure he would take that better than, "Hey! I'm Bella and completely infatuated with you."

"It smells so good Bella, as always." Billy complimented my cooking and rolled behind me.

"Why thank you Billy. It's not quite ready so you three can join Charlie in the living room." I nodded toward the kitchen.

"Sure." He winked at me and rolled into the living room.

Jake and Edward followed after him and I couldn't help but notice Edward's frequent glances in my direction. I headed off toward the kitchen to get the table set. I grabbed the plates and the silverware out of the cupboard and turned around to face Edward.

I gasped and he chuckled. "Want some help? I'm not much into sports."

I blushed. "Um, sure." I handed him the plates and silverware. "You can set the table."

I turned back around to add the final ingredients to my special sauce while stirring it. It was a family recipe. Grandma Swan's old recipe to be exact. I felt a presence behind me and I jumped. "Mm smells good." Edward sniffed the air.

I blushed yet again. "Can I taste?" he asked. I pulled up the spoon and held it up to his mouth. He put his lips on the spoon and his eyes lit up. "Mmm, it taste better than it smells. What's in it?"

I shook my head. "Sorry, can't tell you. It never leaves the family."

He chuckled. "Very well, that can always be arranged."

I chuckled nervously. "Um, er, can you grab some pot holders? They're in the drawer there."

I used the two on the counter to pick up the pan full of salmon. I placed it on the table and poured my sauce in a bowl. Edward placed the potholders in various places and helped me carry the corn and stuffing.

I grabbed some glasses from the cabinet and one slipped from my grip. "Crap!" I figured it would smash into a million pieces. Edward's hand shot out and caught it in mid air.

"No sweat." He flashed me a dazzling crooked grin. He picked me up by the waist and placed me lightly on the ground taking my place. My skin tingled. "I'll grab the glasses and you can rinse them out."

He handed me the glasses one by one and I rinsed them out under the sink turning to place them on the center isle. When I was done rinsing them I leaned against the center isle.

He walked up to me and got very close. He bent down so his lips were just centimeters above my ear. "Shall we get the ice?"

He reached behind me and grabbed a glass walking over to the freezer to get some ice. I walked next to him to get the drinks out of the fridge. He watched me. It made me mad that he wasn't playing fair. He had to know what he was doing to me.

I grabbed a coke and some tea out of the fridge, squeezing through the space between the counter and Edward instead of walking around. He tensed up and then relaxed. I helped him carry the cups over to the table. He took three and I took two.

I thought about how we would sit. Charlie sat at the head of the table while I sat to his left and Billy sat to his right. Jake usually sat next to me, which put Edward next to Billy. I sounded like one of those freshmen girls who worried about the seating arrangement when her and her friends went on a guy girl "outing". I was officially pathetic.

"So, are we ready?" Edward pulled me out of my daze.

"Um yeah. I'll go get the rest." I walked in the living room and caught sight of Jake in the corner sulking while Billy and Charlie intensely watched the TV.

"Dinnertime boys!" Jake jumped up and the units followed after him.

I chuckled and walked back into the kitchen. And ran into Edward's hard chest. "Um, hello." I coughed out.

He blushed. "Sorry, I thought you saw me. I was wondering where you were sitting?"

I tried not to show the excited look on my face. "Um, to Charlie's left."

He nodded and took the seat next to me. When Jake entered he glanced toward where Edward sat and rolled his eyes. I pulled a chair out so Billy could roll up to the table. Charlie sat at the head and I sat next to him. Charlie eyed Edward and glanced at Billy. He nodded and Charlie smiled.

"So Jake, what plans do you two have tonight?" Charlie asked Jake.

"Um, I was actually thinking about renting a movie what do you think Edward?" He asked Edward. When I didn't hear his answer I looked toward him and our eyes connected.

"Edward?" I turned to face him and he had on a priceless expression.

"Yes?" His eyes smoldered into mine.

"Are you going to answer Jake's question?" I tried to stifle a giggle by coughing.

"Yeah, sounds good. We should invite Bella." He turned to face Jake.

"Huh?" Jake seemed a little annoyed.

Billy cut in. "Yes, Bella you should go hang out with the boys. You might even want to invite a friend."

Great, Billy was going to guilt Jake into inviting me. "Oh, no the guys don't want me around. Besides I have homework."

Edward chuckled. "Nonsense Bella, besides its Friday. You can do your homework tomorrow." He paused. "I'll even help you with it."

Charlie coughed. (Which meant yeah right.) "Yes, I think Bella should invite a friend."

I shrugged. "Who do you suggest Father?" I only used the father word when I was annoyed with him.

He laughed. "I don't know Bella, what about Jessica?"

I shook my head. "No, she's out with Mike."

Edward laughed. "It's okay Bella, I'm sure Jake has plenty of people in his little black book."

I looked at everyone's plates then back at the food. "Okay, well let's dig in."

I waited for the guys to grab what they wanted then took my own portion, which was a third of Edward and Jake's food. I bit into my food and tasted that I had outdone myself. When we finished dinner Charlie said he and the boys would clean up so I ran upstairs to grab my purse and cell phone.

I stuffed my phone in my pocket and sat on my bed. I shouldn't go. Jake was already in one of his moods. I threw my purse on the floor and flopped down on my bed. I really didn't want Jake and Edward to fight. As much as I wanted to go hang out with the guys, I wasn't invited by Jake. One thing I knew is that it's horrible to be unwanted where you are.

There was a soft knock on my door. "Come in." I didn't move from my position and I heard my door open. I figured it was Jake so I sat up.

Edward grinned at me. "Ready?"

I shook my head. "I'm not really up for a movie tonight."

His expression fell. "What? Why not?" He crossed the room and sat down next to me. "Is it because of Jake?"

I nodded. "Yeah, it's okay though. I really do have homework."

He placed a finger over my lips to quiet me and chills ran up and down my spine. "I want you there. Jake is just being Jake. As soon as we pop in a movie he'll be his old self. I should know. I am his best friend."

I smiled. "I don't want to impose."

He chuckled. "Nonsense."

Before I knew what he was doing he scooped me up bridal style. I beat my hands against his chest. "What are you doing? Put me down."

He laughed… loud. "Hey, I'm just practicing. You know I want that recipe."

I giggled and blushed. "I need my purse though."

Edward leaned down and I grabbed my purse. "Anything else Madame?" His eyes bore into mine.

I shook my head no my eyes never leaving his. He walked out the door and down the stairs with me in his arms. We reached the bottom floor and Charlie looked up. "Ahem."

I broke from my trance and Edward placed me on the floor blushing. "Um, I had to resort to force. Sorry." He didn't move away from me though.

"Are you two coming?" Jake emerged from around the corner still a little annoyed.

"Yes, jeez what crawled up your butt and died?" Edward chuckled and led the way to the door.

"So, dad I'll be back later to pick you up?" Jake asked Billy.

"No, don't worry about it. I'll take him home." Charlie piped in. "Oh, and Bella."

I turned to look at him my arm brushing against Edward's. I sweat a jolt of electricity shot thorough me. "Yes dad?"

He smiled. "Have fun."

I filed out the door behind Edward and Jake. "So, Jake who are you going to invite?" I asked him.

"I don't know. Probably Leah." He walked toward the rabbit and I followed him. "Just ride with Edward. I'll go pick her up and then meet you at the La Push movie store."

I sighed and headed toward Edward's old truck. Edward chuckled. "Your chariot awaits." He opened the door for me and I climbed in. He quickly ran over to the other side of truck and expertly slid in.

We spent the whole way to La Push chatting about different things. He would ask me questions and I would answer. We pulled up in the rental parking lot. "So Bella, do I have a boyfriend to fight off?"

I shook my head. "Nope, but why would you have to fight him off?"

He scooted closer to me and his hand caressed my face. I leaned into his hand to savor his touch. "Because it I wanted to kiss you, he might get mad." He leaned closer to me and our lips were millimeters from touching when there was a loud beep.

I jumped and Edward groaned. "We're coming!" He hopped out and ran over to my side of the truck letting me out of the truck.

I followed him inside the store. "Okay Bella, pick out a movie. Not a chick flick." He laughed. "Not that I wouldn't watch on with you if you really wanted to. We don't want to push Jake any farther." He shot a glance in Jake's direction. "Now, let me have a friend to friend chat with my best buddy."

He stalked off toward Jake and said something to him. They stepped outside and I saw that a pretty Native girl was shooting nervous glances out the window.

I walked up toward her. "You must be Leah."

She smiled. "Yeah, you must be Bella."

I nodded. "Yeah, okay well Edward said to pick out a movie."

I walked around browsing though the movie titles till I found the movie 21. I heard it was pretty good. Leah agreed and we waited for Jake and Edward to come in from their "chat".

Finally they entered the store laughing and talking. They were the perfect best friends. Edward pranced up to me and grinned. "So, what movie are we watching tonight?"

I handed him the box and he read the back. "It sounds good." He turned to Jake. "Is it good with you?"

He shrugged. "I'm fine with whatever." He grabbed the box and went to the check out to rent it.

Edward whisked me out the door and grabbed my hand twirling me around. I of course tripped. He chuckled. "Oh, Bella. We're going to have to teach you how to dance."

I raised an eyebrow. "Um, why?"

"Because when we go to the prom I want to be able to dance with you." He stated it like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I choked on my spit. "Wait, I've only known your for a couple of days and we're already going to prom together?"

He nodded. "Well, unless you don't want to."

I grinned. "No, I'd like that I guess. I wasn't planning on going. I can't dance."

He chuckled and backed out of the parking lot heading toward Jake's house. "No problem, I'll teach you."

We pulled up to the darkened house and he hopped out walking around the truck to once again help me out. My foot was caught on the stray seatbelt and I fell into his arms.

He chuckled. "Well Bella, if you wanted to kiss me… all you had to do was ask."

I was about to protest against his cocky comment when his lips met mine. It was the single most passionate experience of my life. He pulled back to breathe.

"Wow." He whispered against my lips.

"Wow." I whispered back.

Headlights swooped toward us and we made out way toward the door. Edward opened the door and I followed after him. He sat on the over stuffed couch pulling me down with him. A few minutes later Jake and Leah walked in the room. Leah plopped down on the love seat and Jake popped in the DVD.

It wasn't long before Jake and Leah were out cold. I was very wrapped up in the movie when Edward wrapped his arms around me and I snuggled into his chest. I shivered and he got up real quick and came back with a blanket. He threw it over me and I snuggled back against his chest.

For that moment, it didn't matter that we were practically strangers. It felt natural.

A/N: Jeez, this was a really long chapter. Anyway I hope you like it. Jake was just a little jealous because Bella took right to Edward. Of course she's going to take to him… they're a match made in heaven.

Review!

Kayla