It had been a mouth since Mr. Banner's death. The school had already replaced him with a new biology teacher, Mr. Hyde. Being back into Mr. Banner's classroom had given Bella an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach, and that feeling worsened whenever she saw Angela was not in school. The night Angela had called her, she spent half an hour trying to calm her down, and since then she has been acting differently.

Of course, Bella and Jessica tried to speak to her whenever she did come to school, but she would just avoid talking about it and told them she was fine and they both decided they didn't want to pressure her to talk about something she didn't want too, so they decided to give Angela some space and waited until she was ready to talk about what happened.

On the first Wednesday of March, Angela decided to come to school and as usual she was quiet and kept to herself. Jessica was still confused as to why she was acting strange and Bella felt bad for not telling her the truth, but on the other hand it wasn't Bella's place to tell Jessica something even Angela was not comfortable talking about.

At Lunch time, Bella sat at her usual table which was considered the cool kids table which was weird for her since she was the farthest thing from being cool. Across the table from her, she saw Jessica giggling from all kisses Mike was giving her on her cheek. They both looked so happy together and Bella was happy that they were finally dating. Bella was also happy neither Mike, nor Eric held any resentment toward her for turning them both down for the spring dance and prom.

Everyone seemed to have a date to these dances, and it would be a lie if Bella said she didn't feel a little bit jealous. Turning her attention to the Cullen table, she saw only four of them and Edward sitting at another table by himself. He raised one hand and motioned with his index finger for her to join him.

She contemplated for a second before going over to him.

"Come sit with me today." he said, smiling.

Bella sat down, watching him with caution. Since Edward had asked to drive her to Seattle, he was at least starting to be tolerable, and they started to occasionally speak.

"Well, this is new," Bella said.

He shrugged. "I decided a long time ago that since I'm going to hell, I might as well do it thoroughly."

She stared at him, not understanding what he meant. He smiled like he knew he was confusing her.

"Your friends are pissed at me for stealing you."

"They'll be alright." She could practically feel them staring at her.

"I may keep you to myself, though," he teased, and winked.

She gulped.

"Are you worried?"

"No. I'm just surprised I mean…what brought all this on?"

"I already told you. I'm tired of staying away from you, so I'm giving up." He was smiling, but his eyes were serious.

"What do you mean?" Bella asked confused.

"I mean, I'm going to start doing what I want now, and whatever happens, happens."

She looked at him confused again, and he smiled that beautiful crooked smile.

"Okay, so does that mean we're friends now?"

"We can try. I guess," he said, but then his voice turned serious, "but I'm warning you, I'm not a very good friend for you."

"I think I can decide for myself who's a good friend for me." she replied.

He huffed out a laugh. "You're the most persistent person I know. If you were smart, you would stay away from me."

"Like I said, I decide who I'm friends with. And I really don't appreciate you questioning my intellect," she retorted.

"I apologize," he said sincerely.

"So, as long as I'm not being smart, we can be friends?"

He nodded his head. "That's about right."

Bella looked down at her intertwined fingers, unsure of what to do next. Suddenly, she looked back up to Edward, and just got right to the point.

"What exactly are you, Edward?"

His jaw tightened, but he still put effort to not show any discomfort.

"Why don't you tell me what you think I am."

She sighed, irritated. She had been debating last month between him being an alien, or some type of cyborg, but she was too embarrassed to actually say it.

"It's too embarrassing," she said shyly.

"Come on, it can't be that bad."

"Trust me, it is."

There was an awkward silence between them until Edward spoke up.

"So…" he said, changing the subject, "are we still on for Seattle this Saturday?"

"Yeah. We're still going. Still surprised you would want to take me though."

"Well, I told you I don't think you should be going to Seattle all by yourself especially with what happened with Mr. Banner, and…" He stopped suddenly, looking nervous and biting his bottom lip.

"What?" Bella asked.

He took in a breath and spoke. "I really just wanted to spend time with you. I like being around you."

Bella was speechless. She felt her cheeks get hot, and warmth in the pit of her stomach. She liked this side of Edward. The Edward that was kind and made the affections she held for him grow stronger. When he was honest with her in this way, it made her really happy.

A small smile crept onto her lips. "I feel the same way, Edward. When you're not being a jerk that is." She giggled which brought a smile to Edwards face, showing off his pearly white teeth.

She spoke again. "Can you do something for me?"

"Yeah, what is it?" he asked curiously.

"Promise me you will warn me beforehand the next time you decide to ignore me for my own good. Just so I can be prepared."

"I promise."

"Thank you."

"Can I ask for one favor in return?" he asked.

"Just one."

He picked up the apple from his tray, and tossed it back and forth between his hands.

"Tell me one of your theories about what you think I am."

"Except that one."

"You didn't specify what I could ask though."

"It's not like you haven't broken promises yourself," she reminded him.

"Please, Bella. I promise I won't laugh," he begged.

She sighed, and gave in. "Fine. I've considered you being an extraterrestrial."

"Nope. That's not it."

"What about an android? I'm I getting warmer?"

"Not even close."

"Damn it," she cursed.

"I also haven't been bitten by any radioactive spiders, or weak against kryptonite, or any other superhero stuff."

She rolled her eyes. "I'm going to find out one way or the other."

"I really wish you wouldn't try." His voice was serious again.

"Why?"

He placed the apple back on the tray. "Because, what if I'm not the hero? What if I'm the bad guy?"

His eyes showed a hint of fear in them. Suddenly everything he was saying made sense. Edward was saying he was dangerous. She stared at him, wondering why she wasn't afraid of him. If anything, he fascinated her whenever she was with him. She wanted to know everything about him.

"No," she said, shaking her head. "You're not the bad guy."

"You're wrong," he whispered with sadness in his voice. Bella felt sympathy for the boy sitting across from her.

"Listen, Edward. I know I don't know you that well, but I can tell you're not this terrible person you claim to be. You jumped in front of a speeding van and saved me. I don't think a bad person would do that. I can see what you're trying to put off, but I can see it's just to keep people away from you. It's a mask, but you don't have to ever hide from me."

When she was finished, Edward stared at her completely perplexed. It wasn't until Bella looked down at the table she noticed her right hand on top of Edward's left. She quickly moved her hand away, cheeks flushed from embarrassment. The silence made them notice the cafeteria was half empty, and Bella stood up.

"I should get going." She tried to act natural, but her quavering voice failed her. He continued to stare at her, not saying anything which made the situation awkward.

The first bell sent her hurrying out the cafeteria door; with a last glance confirming that he hadn't stop staring at her.

Bella headed home after school, planning out the beach trip at La Push with some kids from school this Friday, and her trip to Seattle with Edward the day after. Charlie was working late again, so he told her there was no need to cook dinner since he would pick something up on the way home.

Since Mr. Banners murder, she worried about her dad's safety. She didn't know who or what had killed her teacher, but she didn't want her dad anywhere near it.

As she was pouring herself a class of juice, her phone rang. The caller ID showed it was Angela calling.

"Angela?" Bella answered.

"Bella, how are you doing?" Her voice calm, but it still held a hint of nervousness.

"I'm good. How are you doing? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything is fine. Can you…come over to my house?"

This took Bella off guard. She hadn't been over Angela's house in a while, and she was happy that maybe Angela was finally ready to talk about what was going on with her.

"Yeah, I'll be over there as soon as I can. Is Jessica coming too?"

"Actually, I just wanted to talk to you if that's okay."

"Oh, okay. I'll see you when I get there."

With that, Bella hung up the phone and immediately went to her truck. Angela didn't live far, so it didn't take long to reach her house. Bella pulled up to a single story house with brown bricks, and a white picket fence around it. She got out of her truck and walked up to the front door ringing the doorbell, and Angela's mother opened the door. Angela's mother had brown skin, brown eyes, short black hair, and a heavy figure.

"Bella, dear, it's so wonderful to see you again." Angela's mom greeted warmly, hugging her.

"It's good to see you too, Mrs. Weber. How are Mr. Weber and the twins?"

"That husband of my mine is busy as usual, and the twins are over a friend's house. Oh, and Angela is in her room by the way."

Bella gave her a small smile and headed toward Angela's room. Angela's father worked as a pastor which kept him busy with church most of the time, and she had two fourteen year old twin brothers, Isaac and Joshua, who would be starting high school next year . Both of Angela's parents are Mexican and were both born in the states.

Upon entering Angela's room, Bella saw her on the computer at her desk looking something up, and books where speared across her bed.

"Hey, Angela," Bella called.

It took a few seconds before Angela turned her attention to her.

"Hey, Bella, sorry about the mess I've been kind of busy." She got up from her seat and picked up the books across her bed.

Bella waved it off. "It's no worries. You wanted to talk to me about something?"

"Yeah. I did," she confirmed nodding her head.

They both sat down on the bed once Angela was done cleaning it off.

Angela spoke up first. "First off, I want to say that I'm sorry. I know I been acting different since Mr. Banner died, but I've been going through some things." She sounded so guilty which made Bella put a comforting arm around her.

"Angela, it's okay. No one is mad at you, were all just worried about you that's all."

"I know, and I'm sorry for worrying everyone, but things have been different."

Bella removed her arm from around her. "Different like how?"

"You remember the night Mr. Banner died, and I told you about how I been having weird feelings, and then the night I called you."

Bella remembered, but she still didn't understand what any of those things meant.

"I've been doing some research…" Angela pointed to the books from her bed, "and I think…I think maybe I may be…psychic or something."

The room fell silent. Bella look at her completely shocked at what she was hearing.

"Whoa, wait a minute. You think you're psychic? How do you know for sure?" Bella asked confused.

"It's like…whenever I picture something in my head, that thing happens sometimes. Sometimes I even dream this stuff, plus I already told you got a bad feeling when I thought letter B and number ten, and it turned out to be Mr. Banner's license plate. I'm not crazy Bella!" Angela was getting upset.

"Angela, calm down I'm not saying you're crazy. This is just really a lot to take in."

"So you believe me?"

"Of course I do. You and Jessica are my best friends and I know neither one of you would lie about something like this."

"Thanks, Bella," Angela said hugging her.

"So, when are you going to tell your parents and Jessica about this?

"I'll tell her this Friday at the beach, and I don't know about telling my folks. I feel terrible for not telling them, but I'm scared they will all think I'm crazy or something. I mean it took me a while to tell you."

"No one's going to think you're crazy. I know they are all going to be understanding."

"I honestly hope so."

"Tell you what. How about we call up Jessica, and have a girl's day with just the three of us."

Angela smiled happily. "Yeah, I could really use that right now."

Before Bella could walk out the door, Angela called her back.

"You're going to Seattle with Edward right?" Angela asked.

"Yeah, why do you ask?" Bella replied.

"Listen, Bella, I'm new to this psychic thing and I'm not always correct, but just promise you will be careful around him. I get a bad feeling from him, too."

"Ange-"

Angela cut her off "Just promise me, Bella, please."

Bella could tell she was being serious, and she didn't want to have her friend worrying about her.

"I promise I will be careful."

Bella wondered what worried her more. Angela's warning about Edward, or the fact that she would not keep her promise.

It's was the last class of the school day the next day which was gym; Bella's least favorite class. Coach Clapp had made the guys play basketball while the girls played a five on five game of volleyball. Luckily she only had to play one round which her team won surprisingly since her athletic skills sucked.

She was in the middle of her thoughts thinking about the girls' only day she had with Jessica and Angela yesterday when suddenly someone yelled her name.

She turned to see a basketball flying fast toward her, and before she could even move, she was struck hard on the forehead. It felt like someone had punched her. Something like this would happen to her. This made her hatred for P.E grow even bigger.

There were people calling her name, but her head was hurting was badly to even pay attention, and she felt like she was on the verge of tears. The hit from the ball had left a small lump on her forehead. She felt someone help her up to her feet, but her balance was a little wobbly.

The coach ordered Mike to escort her to the nurse's office which he did without question. He wrapped Bella's left arm around his shoulder and helped her walk across campus.

"You're going to be fine, Bella," Mike assured her.

She tried to speak, but a groan came out.

"Bella?" a voice called from the distance.

Her day could not get any worse. Of all the people to find her, it had to be him.

"What happened? Is she hurt?" His voice was closer now, and he sounded worried.

Mike sounded irritated with him. "She got hit in the head with a basketball."

"Bella, are you okay?" He was in front of her now.

She looked at Edward with an irritated expression "Edward, I got hit by a basketball, my head is pounding, and I have a lump on my forehead. So, no, I'm not okay," she groaned.

She removed her arm from around Mike and sat down on the edge of the sidewalk placing her face in her hands. Her massive headache made her feel like she wanted to throw up.

"I was just taking her to the nurse," Mike explained.

"Mike, how about you go back to class and I take Bella to the nurse."

"No," Mike protested. "If Bella is not comfortable with it, then I'm not leaving her."

Edward sighed irritably, and knelt down to Bella's level.

"Bella, can I please take you to the nurse?" Edward asked.

It was a couple of seconds before Bella lifted her head from her hands and turned to Mike.

"Mike, it's okay. You can go back to class."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, but thank you for helping me out."

Mike nodded his head and headed back to gym. Edward then gently scooped her up into his arms, as if she was as light as a pillow. He just supported her with his arms, and it surprised her how unbothered he was. She was shocked he decided to carry her, but she had to admit it felt nice being in Edwards arms. She closed her eyes and placed her head against his chest, taking in his wonderful scent.

Suddenly, it felt warm and she knew that they were inside.

"Oh my goodness," she heard an older woman gasp.

Bella opened her eyes. She was in the office, and Edward was striding past the front counter toward the nurse's door. Ms. Cope, the redheaded front office receptionist, ran ahead of him to hold it open. The grandmotherly nurse looked up from a novel, astonished, as Edward swung her into the room and placed her gently on the crackly paper that covered the brown vinyl mattress on the one cot. Then he moved to stand against the wall as far across the narrow room as possible.

"She got hit with a basketball in gym" he explained.

The nurse nodded. "Just lay down, dear. I'll go get you an ice pack and some water."

Bella obeyed, hand over her lump. The nurse left without noticing Edward was still there.

"You gave me quite a scare there," he admitted. He sounded like he was confessing some type of weakness.

Bella closed her eyes. "I hope Mike isn't mad at me."

"He fucking hates me. All your friends hate me to be honest," he said matter of fact.

"It's because you're a jerk to me sometimes," she said.

She heard a low laugh come from Edward.

"How did you even see me anyway, Edward?"

"I was ditching, but I decided to listen to a CD in my car for a few minutes." His normal response surprised her.

Just then the door opened and Bella opened her eyes to the nurse with an ice pack in her hand and a glass of water in the other.

"Here you go, sweetie." She laid the pack on Bella's forehead and handed her the water. "I can give you some aspirin to help with the headache."

"Okay, thank you." Bella said, after drinking a little of her water.

Bella was instructed by the nurse to lie down for remainder of the period since school was already about to over in a few minutes. She tried to get Edward to go back to class, but he used his charm to convince her to let him stay.

The boy from Bella's gym class who hit her in the forehead came through the door apologizing like he was giving a speech. As mad as Bella wanted to be at the boy, she knew it was an honest mistake and it wasn't on purpose, so she forgave him.

When the final bell rang, Bella got up from the mattress with the ice pack still placed on her lump which the nurse let her keep. The aspirin had helped a little, but she still had a minor headache. The lump was also going down a little. When Edward and Bella left the nurses office, they saw the other students leaving the building and Mike waiting in the front office.

"Are you feeling better?" Mike asked.

"Yeah, I'm good. I'm just glad it wasn't worse."

Mike nodded. "Hey, I meant to ask you, are you still going to the beach tomorrow?"

Bella took a glance at Edward who was leaning against the counter texting on his phone.

"Of course I'm still going."

"Good, we're meeting at my dad's store after school. Just the ones invited." Mike's body language made it clear that Edward was not welcome.

"I'll be there, Mike," Bella promised.

He nodded and walked out of the door. Edward then came up beside her.

"Well, isn't he just charming," Edward said trying to surpass a laugh.

Bella rolled her eyes and proceeded to the parking lot with Edward behind her. The cool breeze from outside felt good against her face, and it was probably the first time she enjoyed the weather in Forks.

"Are you going? To the beach tomorrow I mean?" She was hoping he would say yes, but it was probably unlikely.

"Which beach are you going to?" he asked.

"Down to La Push, to the first beach."

He chuckled and scratched the side of his head nervously. "Um, I don't really think I was invited. Mike made that pretty clear."

Bella rolled her eyes and sighed. "Well, I really don't care what Mike said, I'm inviting you."

They were near the parking lot now. Bella was walking toward her truck when Edward walked in front of her making her stop.

"What are you doing?" Bella asked confused.

"Let me drive you home," he insisted.

"Why? I already have a car, so it's not necessary for you to drive me."

He laughed, which confused her even more. "No, I meant let me drive you home in your truck."

"What about your car? How are you going to get home and whose going to drive your family home?"

"I was texting Alice when you were talking to Mike. She has a spare key to my car, so she's going to drive herself and the others home and come pick me up."

She thought about his offer for a second before agreeing which made him happy. She handed him her keys and entered the passenger side of the truck. She would be lying if she said half of her reason for agreeing to this was to be around him. As he pulled out of the parking lot, he pulled out a small case from his coat pocket with a CD inside and gestured toward the radio.

"Go ahead," Bella said. As soon as the music started, Bella instantly knew what it was.

"This is Clare de Lune isn't it?" Bella asked, surprised.

"Yes, it is. You know Debussy?" Edward asked just as surprised.

"Not that much. My mom played classical music around the house all the time, and this was one of my favorites."

"It's one of my favorites, too."

Suddenly, drops of rain fell against the window. Bella relaxed against her seat with her ice pack still on her forehead and listened to the music as Edward drove her home. The smooth melody made her think about her mother, and how much she missed her.

"What's your mom like if you don't mind my asking?"

She looked over to see him looking at her curiously.

"Well, she's prettier than me for one. She's kind of eccentric, but she's way braver and outgoing than I could ever be. If anything she's one of my best friends."

He stopped the car, and she realized they were in front of her house. The rain had gotten heavier which made it hard to see through the window.

"Why did your mom marry Phil?"

She was surprised he even remembered his name since she only mentioned Phil once.

"He makes her feel young and alive she would say. I swear they're like two teenagers stuck in a summer romance, but most importantly he makes her happy which is all I care about really."

"They sound like they really love each other."

Bella just shrugged her shoulders and whispered a yeah.

"Do you not approve?"

"Like I said, he makes her happy and that's all that matters."

Edward didn't press the issue any further not wanting to upset her.

She placed her ice pack in her lap. "Okay, my turn."

Edward's face was cautious. "What do you want to know?"

"The Cullens adopted you, so what happened to your real parents?"

"They died a long time ago," he said easily.

"I'm so sorry," Bella said sympathetically.

"It's okay. I don't really remember them that much. Carlisle and Esme have been my parents for a long time now."

"You love them." It wasn't a question.

"Very much, yes. I wouldn't choose anyone over them."

"You're very lucky."

He smiled. "I know I am."

After a few minutes, Edward's Bentley pulled up behind them with Alice in the driver's seat.

"I guess you should be going." She didn't want him to leave, and from his expression he didn't want too either.

"Yeah. Have fun at the beach tomorrow."

"You're not going?"

"I can't. Emmett and I are starting the weekend early. We're going hiking in Goat Rocks Wilderness, just south of Rainier, but I'll be here Saturday for Seattle.

She had remembered she heard the Cullens go camping frequently.

"Oh, well have a good time." She tried to sound enthusiastic, but he could tell she was disappointed.

"Will you do something for me this weekend?" he asked. He looked at her straight in the face and she felt like his eyes had her under a spell.

She nodded helplessly.

"Promise me you will keep yourself safe."

"I promise." She said it without a second thought. He smiled that crooked smile and suddenly he leaned forward and planted his soft lips on her cheek. He stepped into the rain and into his car with Alice. Bella stared after them as they drove away. She got out of the car quickly and entered her house locking the door behind her. It was only a few seconds before she let out a scream of happiness.