Obviously, Edward got Bella's attention already. Let's see if she does something instead.

Chapter 1

I don't meet Edward's eyes again for the rest of the day. That doesn't mean he doesn't get my attention.

As I guessed, by the end of the school term, he is surrounded by people. Jessica Stanley seems very interested in little Cullen. I smile, seeing the poorly concealed look of disgust on his face, from my spot in the parking lot.

I jump, with my keys falling from my hands, when a figure steps up next to me. It's James, my bestie. I find it weird that he's here. He's never with me since he has soccer practice every day after school. Before he joined the team, we spent all our evenings together. This no longer bothers me, of course. I've learned to be without him.

He picks up my keys and instead of giving them to me, he opens my truck door and puts them in the ignition. Then he turns and I feel his expectant look on my face.

"Bella, I'm having a party at my house on Friday, do you want to go?"

Now I understand. James never leaves me out of his plans. After all, I'm like a magnet for people. Almost like Edward is now. I think of him as a little shiny object in the middle of a coal mine.

I smile at my friend without taking my eyes off the new guy.

"You know I don't like parties, James" I murmur. It's true. The atmosphere forces you to be surrounded by people. Normally that doesn't bother me because that's how my days at school are, but when it is about parties, by the end of the night everyone is either high or drunk. That has never pleased me.

James pays no attention to what I say, instead he directs his gaze to my spotlight. He laughs maliciously.

"Do you like the new one?" he asks, with a hint of teasing in his voice, although there is also something else in there that I don't understand. I don't let that upset me.

I also know that I am being very obvious, and I have never been a fan of lying. So, I'm telling him the truth.

"Yes."

James looks at me. He is surprised. I never like anyone.

I feel a little weird after admitting that, but I don't care. It's true. The new one is cute. He has nice bronze hair that flutters all over his face. He is tall, he must be a foot taller than me. And from what I see, he's shy too. Terribly shy. I can see him even from my position, but he can't see me. Jessica is still all over him and I want to go over and tell her a few things about personal space, but I don't.

"If I invite him to my house…" James asks, testing the ground. He doesn't look at me when he does. He puts his hands in the pockets of his linen green jacket. His blond hair is too long and it's tied up in a messy ponytail "and he goes, will you go?"

I narrow my eyes, for the first time giving him my full attention.

"Leave him alone, James," I mumbled, jaded. I turn around and get into my truck, ready to go home. "If I wanted to talk to him, I would. I do not need your help."

James rolls his eyes.

"Oh, come on. It can't be that bad. It's a party, for God's sake. I was going to tell him anyway. It's not every day that Jessica Stanley is after someone."

He knows that his comment bothers me and he still says it. It is true. Jessica is horrible, but selective. It makes me angry that she paid attention to Edward and I don't understand the reason for that feeling. I haven't even spoken to him. I'm acting like a possessive freak and suddenly I feel tired.

"Don't bother him" I warn. I start my truck and speed out of there, seeing in the rearview mirror that James has his hands behind his head and is laughing. I let out a snort. He's an immature piece of shit, but I love him.

When I get home, mom is waiting for me like every day. I go upstairs to my room and put my backpack on the chair in front of my desk. I change my clothes and go downstairs. I know that Renee likes to spend time with me, so we often eat together. Then, at 9 o'clock, she takes her car and drives to the city hospital. She likes the night shift. She is an excellent and passionate nurse.

I'm not very talkative, but she is. She quickly tells me how she did the night before; an amusing story about the adolescence of Mr. Hillenburgh, who had spent the last few nights hospitalized. It is a sad story, the poor man is evicted, but even so he continues to take things with humor. Sometimes I wish I could see death the way he does.

"How was your day, love?" Renee asks after a moment of silence "Something new? How's Jamie doing?"

I smile when I think about telling her about the new guy. I don't know Edward but somehow I know my mother would love him. She would love anyone I brought into the house, even if they had three eyes. Renee loves anything that can make me happy. That is why I have so much confidence in her.

I pause a bit and finally answer.

"James is fine; the first game of the season is in three weeks and he's training really hard after school." I roll my eyes inwardly, thinking that he wants to get drunk despite his sports responsibilities. I don't mention it. Instead, I continue. "And yes, there's something new. I met a guy today; well I didn't talk to him but I don't know. He seemed nice. He just transferred from Phoenix." Well, at least that's what I'd heard.

The emotion isn't very obvious in my voice, but my mother, perceptive as she is, picks it up in an instant.

She opens her eyes, which are now waiting for information. It's unusual for her that I mention other people than James, Alice, the Hales, and occasionally other friends. And, even when I do, it's just vague stuff. Nothing ever interests me enough to comment on it.

"Oh yeah?" I know Renee is practically vibrating in her chair, but she holds back. She knows that if he pushes me too hard, I won't say anything to her. "And who is this boy? What's his name?"

"Edward Cullen," I answer.

She doesn't seem too surprised by the name. I guess that she already knew about Cullen's moving. It's a small town we live in, so the news are noticed very often. Renee, especially, is part of that select group of ladies who know every move of the humble people of Forks.

"Dr. Cullen's son, I presume."

I weigh her response and remember. She had already told me about the transfer of the new doctor to the hospital. With his help, the staff would be less overwhelmed. A highly regarded surgeon in Phoenix, Renee had said last week.

"I guess," I second, taking another bite of my pasta.

I don't ask for information, but Renee, as she is, doesn't hesitate to give it to me.

"You should talk to him," she says, her thoughtful gaze on the wall. "If he's like Dr. Cullen, it is sure as hell he's a good guy. Awww. I cannot believe it. It's the first time you've talked to me about a boy, my God, I'm so excited…" She rambles.

I smile and look back at my plate. Yes. Maybe I'll talk to him.