2

I stared at Bella for a moment before I slid onto the stool next to her. She had her iPod on so loud I could hear the music coming from them. Hinder was an interesting choice of music to listen to while she doodled on the front of her notebook. Then she looked up at me and just stared. Her eyes were indeed dark. They reminded me of dark milk chocolate. As beautiful as they were, and they were beautiful, they were also lifeless. She had the eyes of a person twice her age. While I knew I should look away, I couldn't break my eyes away from hers.

"I'm Edward Masen," I said. She pulled one of her ear buds out of her ear.

"Did you say something?" she asked dryly. Even though her voice lacked emotion, it was still beautiful, sensual, and dripping with sex.

"I said I'm Edward Masen," I repeated.

"Good to know," she muttered, putting her ear bud back into her ear.

"You're Bella Cullen," I said. She rolled her eyes and pulled her iPod off and dropped it in her bag.

"Congratulations," she said. "The mindless morons here have informed you of who I am. Now you know to leave me the fuck alone."

"Miss Cullen, language like that is not acceptable in my classroom," scolded our teacher as he walked past our table toward the front of the classroom. He set his stuff on his desk and turned and looked back at all of us. "Welcome back to school, kids. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Mr. Banner and this is biology…"

I tuned him out as he started the same spiel that all my morning teachers had. From the corner of my eye I saw Bella pull her iPod back out and went back to her doodle. I sat there and watched Bella throughout the entire lesson. She never looked up from her notebook. She just sat there ignoring the world around her.

Once the bell rang, she stood up and grabbed her stuff. She walked past me without even a glance to me or anyone else for that matter. I watched as everyone just stepped out of her way like they were worried that she would suddenly go crazy and start snapping people's necks. I gathered my stuff and followed her out into the hall. In fact I followed her all the way down to the gym. It would seem that Bella and I had another class together.

She walked in and sat on the bleachers on the opposite side from where everyone else was sitting. She was sitting with her knees pulled up in front of her like she was either trying to disappear or getting ready to spring to her feet and fight. From my place in the doorway, I could see her eyes on me. I smiled at her but she just stared at me completely emotionless.

"Hey, Edward," giggled Lauren, looping her arm in with mine. I swear I saw Bella's eyes narrowed before she looked away.

"Hey," I mumbled, pulling my arm free and looking away from Bella.

"Come sit with me," said Lauren, pulling on my arm.

I barely managed not to roll my eyes as I followed her over to the bleachers and took the seat next to her. I suppose it was better than sitting completely alone. I chanced a look back over at Bella. She was tapping her foot to the beat of whatever song was blaring through her iPod. The gym teacher came in and looked around at all of us.

"Cullen, get over here," he ordered. Bella just sat there staring at him with a bored look on her face. "Now."

Bella stood up and grabbed her stuff . She stomped her feet loudly as she climbed off the bleachers and came over and sat down on the other side of the bleachers. She sat with her back leaning up against the wall behind her and her knees bent up in front of her again.

"I'm Coach Clapp. This year we will be focusing on several different types of sports. We will study everything from badminton to volleyball and everything in between. Now…."

I tuned him out as I rolled my eyes. I detested gym. It wasn't that I wasn't any good at sports but I simply hated them. I wasn't a team player and planned on keeping it like that. Sports were just one more way that you make friends. Making friends as an army brat was a bad thing so you learn pretty quickly not to. Anyway, the only sport I could halfway stand was boxing. My father had been teaching me to box since I was ten years old. It was our thing that we did together.

The bell rang and I looked up to see Bella scramble to her feet and book it out of the gym. I grabbed my stuff and headed out into the hallway with Lauren following me like a lost puppy looking for someone to take her home. I would certainly not be that person.

"So what are you doing now?" asked Lauren.

"Well, I figured since school was over that I would go home," I said.

"Oh, right," giggled Lauren. What was with this girl and giggling? "You could come over to my house. I mean, you know, if you want to."

"Um, no thanks," I said. "I still have a lot of unpacking to do."

"Oh, right, of course you do," said Lauren, clearly disappointed as we stopped at my locker. Bella came rushing by and pushed her into me. Lauren blushed as she snapped around. "Watch it, freak."

"Fuck off , whore," snapped Bella, without turning around. I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing.

"Fucking bitch," muttered Lauren, turning back to me. "Well, I guess I'll see you later."

"Yeah," I said, turning to my locker as Lauren walked away.

I shoved my books into my locker and made my way down to the office. I was told that Esme would be at least another ten minutes so I headed outside to wait by the car. I paused for a moment when I saw Bella kneeling next to a shiny, black motorcycle. I went over so that I was standing behind her.

"Nice bike," I said. She jumped and looked up at me with wide eyes. Fearful eyes. "Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."

"You didn't," she muttered, looking back at her bike. She pulled her helmet off the back and straddled the bike.

"A Ducati Monster 695 is a nice model," I said.

"I know," said Bella. "Don't you have a cheerleader to fondle?"

"No," I smiled. "I'm not really into cheerleaders."

"Pity for them," she muttered. "You'll be the only boy in this school that they don't get to fuck."

"Sounds like I am the lucky one then," I smirked.

"Edward, are you ready?" asked Esme. I turned and saw her standing next to her car.

"Just a sec," I said.

I turned back to Bella. She had her helmet on. She jump started her bike and took off without another word to me. I went over to the car and climbed into the passenger seat while Esme climbed into the driver's seat.

"Who was that girl?" asked Esme, pulling on her seat belt.

"Bella Cullen," I said, buckling my own seatbelt.

"Oh," said Esme. "I've heard about her already."

"What did you hear?" I asked.

"Just that she's trouble," frowned Esme.

"That's what I heard," I muttered.

"Anyway, how was your first day?" asked Esme, pulling out of the parking lot.

"Fine, I guess," I said. "It's just like any other new school we've been to."

"Let me guess," chuckled Esme. "Everyone stared at you like you had a neon sign over your head."

"Pretty much," I laughed. "You should talk to your teachers about being so boring. They all gave the same lecture. Did you just print them off a copy of the same speech to memorize?"

"Oh my god, how did you know that?" teased Esme, pulling into the parking space of our apartment. "Now, my secret is out."

"I'm just saying they need to be more creative," I chuckled, climbing out of the car. "I mean, how many times do I have to hear that I am to raise my hand before I speak?"

"You need a few more times, smartass," smirked Esme.

"Whatever," I laughed.

I spent the rest of the afternoon unpacking the last of my stuff. Once I had everything where I wanted it, I broke down my boxes and shoved them into the back of my closest. We learned a long time ago to keep our boxes. You never know when you are going to have to move in a matter of days. I went over and started my laptop. I chuckled inwardly when I saw the email from my parents.

To: Edward Masen

Subject: First day of school

From: Elizabeth Masen

Edward,

We would have called but with the time difference we weren't if you would be sleeping or not. How was your first day at a new school? As bad as they usually are? I hope not. Meet anyone new? A new girl perhaps? Don't grumble, I was just asking. It's my right as your mother to want you to be happy.

Your father says hi. He's working so hard trying to get this base in shape. It's been quite the headache for him but I'm sure he will figure it out. He always does. He misses you and Esme, though. He's been worried about the two of you being so far away and on your own. I have too. Is everything going ok? You know you are always welcome to join us in Italy. I miss you, Edward.

I had better go. I'm having lunch with the Admiral's wife, who reminds me of Mrs. Jeffers from Florida. I'm not very excited but at least she speaks English. Please let me know how you are doing, Edward. I love you.

Mom

To: Elizabeth Masen

Subject: Re: First day of school

From: Edward Masen

Mom,

School was…the same as usual. Boring and even more boring. I met a few people at lunch but I don't think we are going to be friends. They seem to enjoy gossiping way too much. Two of them are girls but they reminded me of Mrs. Jeffers' poodle. Yeah, that bad.

Tell Dad I said hi and to stop worrying. I'm sure he's about rubbed all the hair off his head already. Esme and I are fine. I can tell she loves her new job. This will be good for her. She deserves this position. We'll be fine, Mom, but I'll keep Italy in mind, ok?

I had better go help her with dinner. Love you, Mom.

Edward

I sent the email and closed my laptop. I went out to the kitchen and found Esme standing in front of the stove. She had the radio on and was dancing while she cook.

"How much will you pay me if I don't tell everyone you like to dance while you cook?" I teased.

"Nothing," she smirked, looking over at me. "I'll just show them the pictures of you naked in the bathtub when you were a baby."

"You would too," I scoffed.

"Of course I would," she laughed. "That's what big sisters are for."

"What's for dinner?" I asked.

"Chicken stir fry," she said, smiling at me.

"That sound good," I smiled back. I pulled some plates from the cabinet and set the table. "I got an email from Mom."

"I did too," said Esme. "They seem to be ok."

"Yeah," I said. Esme brought the pan over and filled our plates. She set the pan on the stove and sat down across from me. "So how was your first day?"

"Busy," she smiled. "So much to do but I really love it, Edward."

"That's good," I said, trying to smile back.

"You know, I've been thinking," said Esme as we ate. "Maybe we should try to find you a gym or something to train in."

"That would be cool," I said, shrugging my shoulders.

"Ok, I'll start looking for one tomorrow," smiled Esme.

I just nodded my head and finished eating. I washed my dishes and went back into my room. I spent the rest of the night reading. Eventually my eyes started closing on their own so I changed into my pajamas, brushed my teeth, and climbed into bed. I thought about Bella as I drifted off to sleep.