Naturally, Edward Cullen returned after that first week. I took a deep breath before stepping into the Bio classroom. He turned to me, an eerie smile on his face.

"Hello," he said. "I'm Edward Cullen. You must be Bella."

"That's me," I said. "Nice to meet you."

And that was all that was said until we were finished with our lab. I'd finished my write-up, and had pulled out my copy of Wuthering Heights.

"So, you came from Arizona?" Edward asked. "Must be a huge change."

"It is," I replied, not taking my eyes off my book.

"Why did you move?" he asked. "Especially if you don't like it here?"

"I wanted my mom to be happy with my stepdad," I said, looking up at him. I frowned. "Did you get contacts?"

"No," he said, looking confused.

"Because they're gold now," I said. "And they were black on Tuesday."

He blinked. "Uh, fluorescent lighting."

I just nodded, not believing him, and looked down at my book again.

"I take it you don't like your stepdad?" he said.

"No, but Phil plays baseball and travels a lot," I explained. "Mom wasn't happy staying at home with me. Plus Dad wanted to see me more," I said. "So here I am."

"I see," he said. "You must be very selfless."

I shrugged. "It's easy to be selfless for someone you love."

"You're an interesting girl, Bella," he said. "Very mysterious."

"Not really," I said. "My mom says I'm an open book."

That's what Harry liked about me. It was so easy to see that I didn't want his money, just him.

"On the contrary, I find you very hard to read," he said, a bit of frustration leaking into his voice. "And I'm pretty good at reading people."

I shrugged. "Maybe you aren't as good as you think."

"Maybe." Edward laughed.

The bell rang, and I shoved my book back in my backpack.

"Hey, Bella," Mike said. "Let's get going to P.E.!"

"See you later, Edward," I said, giving him a tiny wave. I looked to Mike. "He's more friendly today."

"Maybe because he realizes how lucky he is to be sitting next to you," Mike offered eagerly.

"I think he's a bit intrusive," I said. "It was clear I wanted to read, right?"

"Right as rain," Mike agreed. "Cullen's like that to everyone. At least he didn't act like you stabbed him with a pencil this time."

"Thank God," I said. "What are we doing in P.E.?"

"Volleyball."

I groaned.

The next morning, it was snowing. Heavily. I grabbed a Killer Rabbit t-shirt, a cardigan, and a flannel to layer under my rain jacket, and wore my motorcycle boots. They had better grip than my mud-splattered sneakers.

Dad had left early for the day, but I saw that the truck had snow chains applied. I felt a warm tear of gratitude slip down my cheek. I got in and drove over to the high school. I was half an hour early, so I stayed in my car, listening to my iPod, and I opened my wallet to the photo of him that I hid among other papers.

Why can't I hate you? I wondered. You're a super villain now. Yet I can't. Neither can Peter.

I sighed, and put it away. I'd never really seen snow like this- the drops were much smaller than I expected. I stepped out, and was walking towards the back of the car when I looked up and saw Tyler Crowley's truck heading right for me. I didn't even have time to cry out, or think anything when I fell to the ground, hitting my head. I looked up to see Edward Cullen by my side.

I saw him remove his hand from the car, leaving a dent the size and shape of his hand in it. He muttered a string of curses as I sat up, pressing a hand to my head, and I switched off my iPod.

"Are you okay?" Edward asked.

"I'm fine," I answered. "I think. My head hurts."

"I'll bet," he said.

I could hear police and ambulance sirens.

"Bella? Where's Bella?" I heard Dad shout.

"I'm here!" I cried, terrified. Edward helped me to my feet as the ambulance people got Tyler out of his car. I waved to Dad. The rescue people came over and got me into a neck brace, and took me into the back of the ambulance. Edward got to ride up front.

Once Dr. Cullen determined that I did not have a concussion, he told Edward to escort me out. Edward pulled me aside.

"Please keep this a secret, what you saw," he said.

"I deserve some answers," I retorted. "If I'm gonna be keeping your secrets."

"The story is that I was standing right next to you," he continued, ignoring what I'd said. "And I pulled you to safety."

"Why lie?" I hissed. "When you could be the Spider-Man of Forks?"

"I'm not a vigilante," Edward hissed. "Not anymore."

"I'll keep your secret, but I want answers," I demanded.

"Fine," he said. "In due time, Bella. In due time."

He then took me out to the waiting room. Jessica was there, and she leapt to her feet, embracing me.

"I'm so glad you're okay!" she sobbed. "You must've been so scared!"

"I was," I admitted. "But I'm fine!"

"Thank God," Dad said. "Come on, I'll take you home. You deserve a day off."

"Thanks, Dad," I said with a smile. "Could we swing by the Lodge?"

He grinned. "Of course, Bells."

"Hey Bells, I forgot to grab the mail," Dad said as he parked the car next to my truck, which someone had helpfully retrieved. "Could you go get it?"

"Of course," I said. I jogged up to the mailbox. Three bills, a coupon magazine and-

I blanched. It was marked envelope from the Ravencroft Institute.

"Everything okay, Bells?" Dad asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"It's nothing," I lied, hiding the envelope in my jacket. "Just some of the coupons have shockingly good deals."

"I'll have to take a look then," Dad said. I handed him the bills and coupon magazine when we were inside, and I ran up the stairs, and locked the door behind me, dreading opening that envelope.