Disclaimer: I still own nothing.

Chapter 2

BPOV

I went home fighting back the angry tears, and when I got home I made myself busy enough to forget about the events of that day. I had too many emails from my mother, with each one becoming more and more frantic.

My mother was erratic and forgetful, but she was also a worrier. Since she found out that my time was running out, and there was little that could be done, she tried to keep close to me, even if it meant staying home, instead of on the road with Phil. For a while, we would go on the road together, but traveling took its toll on me.

Carefully answering my mother many questions without causing her any more worries was always difficult, but it was better for her to believe that I was doing well.

Edward Cullen was absent the week following, I couldn't prove it, but I subconsciously and maybe narcissistically, thought it was because of me. During that week, Mike started taking on the traits of an overly-friendly Golden retriever. Each day I walked into the Biology room I became more and more confident in Edward's absence.

That was a quiet one weekend with Charlie. That was one of the nicest things about Charlie, we were both content with the quiet. He never vocalized worries, so I didn't have the responsibility of comforting him like I did with my mother.

That Monday started like any other, and by the time lunch came around I again grabbed a beverage, not entirely feeling up to eating solid food. But out of the corner of my eye, I saw 5 Cullens, instead of the 4 I was getting used to. I froze, drink in hand, thankfully not spilling anything, If it weren't for Mike and Jessica, who knows how long I found I would have been frozen like that. I immediately looked down and felt my face and ears get hot.

Jessica pulled on my arm.

"What's with Bella?" Mike asked Jessica.

Jessica shrugged her shoulders and started walking to the table with me following behind her.

Twice Mike asked how I was feeling, internally cringing each time, I knew he didn't know I was sick, but I couldn't help worrying about people starting to question me. Each time, I dismissed him. I thought about skipping Biology, but each time the thought came up, I felt ridiculous. I shouldn't have to avoid Edward when I did nothing wrong. After a while, my eyes wandered to the Cullen table, and I saw them laughing. I lifted my head a little more.

"Bella, what are you looking at?' Jessica intruded, following my eyeline.

At that precise moment, his eyes met mine.

I dropped my head, immediately curtaining my face with my hair.

"Edward Cullen is staring at you," Jessica giggled.

"He doesn't look angry does he?" I couldn't help asking.

"No. Should he be?" She sounded as confused as I felt.

"I don't think he likes me," I confided. I started to feel faint. I needed to relax, worrying about some random student wasn't helping me.

"The Cullens don't like anybody...well, they don't notice anybody enough to like them. But he's still staring at you."

"Stop looking at him," I hissed.

She laughed, but looked away. My hands were pretty much always cold, but they felt even colder at this moment.

Mike interrupted us with plans of his snowball fight after school. For the rest of lunch, I kept my head down and remained silent, willing the faint feeling to fade.

After lunch I felt so nauseous, that I wasn't sure I would make it Biology. I felt even worse at the thought of barfing in front of everyone, or even running to the bathroom. Mike walked with me to Biology, even though I wanted to have a calm moment by myself.

Once in Biology, I felt relief that my desk was empty. I started idly doodling, and felt when the chair next to me moved.

"Hello," said a quiet, musical voice.

I looked up, and felt my hands go even colder. He was looking at me with a slight smile that didn't reach his cautious eyes.

"My name is Edward Cullen. I didn't have a chance to introduce myself last week. You must be Bella Swan."

My mind was spinning, and the floor felt a little unsteady. I wasn't sure if I had made up the last time we met.

"H-how do you know my name?" I stammered.

He laughed a soft, enchanting laugh.

"Oh, I think everyone knows your name. The whole town's been waiting for you to arrive."

I grimaced at that thought. I don't think my hands could get colder than they were.

"No, I meant why did you call me Bella?" I persisted.

He seemed confused, "Do you prefer Isabella?"

"No, I like Bella. But I think Charlie- I mean my dad- must call me Isabella behind my back. That what everyone here seems to know me as," I tried to explain, feeling incredibly stupid.

"Oh," he let it drop. I looked away.

Thankfully, Mr Banner started class at that moment.

When we started the lab, which I'd done back in Phoenix, I felt no more calm.

"Ladies first, partner?" Edward asked with a crooked smile so beautiful that I could only stare. "Or I could start, if you wish," He added, the smile fading, probably wondering if I was mentally competent.

"No, I'll go ahead." I said, flushing.

I was showing off, just a little, but like I said I'd already done this lab. I looked at the slide briefly. I was confident when I said, "Prophase."

"Do you mind if I look?" he asked as I began to remove the slide. His hand caught mine, to stop me, as he asked.

I noticed a small electrical current that passed when our hands met.

"Sorry, I guess I need to stop wearing wool," I chuckled lightly, while internally screaming and scolding myself for saying that. I don't even wear wool, what was wrong with me?

He looked at me with such confusion that I wanted the floor to open me up and swallow me whole.