Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

Chapter 3: Conversations

Edward Cullen was gone for the rest of the week.

It was depressing, really, how much I thought about him since that day in Biology. Not only was I anxious to see him, but I was also feeling guilty and worried.

Obviously, he left because of me. Or more specifically, because of my scent. He shouldn't have had to.

If I hadn't come to Forks at all, nothing would've changed. He wouldn't have had to leave his family.

But I've also accepted the fact that there wasn't much I could do about it now. I would just have to wait. Wait for him to come back. If he came back. Which is where the worry kicks in. All my thoughts, these past few days, have revolved around him.

Which leads us to now. Monday, on my second week of school.

I've kind of fallen into a routine here. Wake up an hour before school starts, shower, get ready, eat breakfast, and get to school. At school, I go to my first five classes, walk to lunch with Jessica, look at the Cullen table, feel my stomach drop in disappointment, and eat lunch with my new group of friends before going to my last two classes. Then, after school, I go home, finish homework, cook dinner for Charlie, then waste an hour of time trying to keep my thoughts off a certain someone before going to bed.. and dreaming about that same, certain someone.

So, things are going pretty good. Even though I haven't even managed to keep Edward out of my new routine. Which, I have to admit, is pretty pathetic.

That would also explain why I reacted the way I did today at lunch, when I looked at the Cullens' lunch table. Instead of feeling my stomach drop in disappointment, I felt surprised and a smile come on to my face. That smile didn't last very long, when I realized I'd have to sit next to him, in Biology. That thought made me nervous to no end.

How was he going to react? Would he glare? Would he act normal? Would he.. bite me? The suspense was killing me all through lunch. In fact I felt so nervous I only had a bottle of lemonade. I almost decided to skip Biology and go to the nurse.

But instead I mustered up all the confidence and courage I had and walked straight to my- no, our lab table. I waited anxiously for what was sure to be only a minute, but felt like hours, for him to sit down.

And what he did next shocked the heck out of me.

"Hello. My name is Edward Cullen. I'm sorry I didn't get to introduce my self last week."

I was so surprised, I didn't even feel the usual annoyance at what he said next.

"You must be Bella Swan."

"Um.. how do you know my name?" Immediately after I spoke I wanted to smack myself. He was a mindreader, idiot! He had obviously heard others think of me as Bella, not Isabella.

"Well, I think everyone knows who you are." He said with an amused smile.

"Oh, sorry. Umm.. it's nice to meet you, Edward." Saying his name felt weird. In fact, I think it was the first time I had said it out loud.

"You too." And then he turned back to the board and clenched his fists tightly under the table.

Oh, crap. Maybe I shouldn't have come to class. He was obviously having trouble with my scent. I felt a pang of guilt. I was putting him in pain.

I scooted my chair over some, hoping that even the slightest room between us might help.

Just as I was starting to think we wouldn't talk for the rest of the bell, Mr. Banner gave a us a lab.

I recognized that lab right away; I had already done it back in Phoenix.

Edward turned back to me, "Ladies first, partner." He said handing me the first slide to slip into the microscope.

"Thank you." I looked at the slide and simultaneously said, "Prophase," along with my 'mental internet'.

"May I look?" I was a little offended he didn't trust my judgement, but I guess I couldn't blame him; I might have asked to look, too, if I was in his position.

"Sure."

"Prophase," He repeated.

"Like I said," I teased.

He just gave me a crooked smile, that made me slightly breathless, before pulling out the next slide and saying, "Anaphase."

"Can I look?" I asked giving him another teasing smile.

As he handed me the slide, his fingers touched mine and I pulled them back in shock. Not because they were cold, but for an instant when we touched, I felt a shock, like an electric current. But it wasn't painful, it was actually.. kind of pleasant.

"Sorry," he murmered as he, too, pulled his hand away. Did he feel it, too?, I wondered but, unfortunately, got no answer back.

Hoping to lighten the mood I said, "Darn." When I discovered he was right. It was anaphase.

"Just like I said," he replied. This time, he was the one with the teasing smile.

Pleased, I smiled back, blushing of course. He seemed really nice, which only fueled my crush further. Not sure if it was a good or a bad thing, I tried not to glance at him once we finished the lab. I didn't want him to catch me staring.

Mr. Banner approached our table a few minutes after we finished, "So Edward, didn't you think Isabella should have gotten a chance at the microscope?"

"Bella," He corrected automatically, "Actually, she identified 3 of the 5."

Mr. Banner turned to me and started asking me about my advance placement class back in Phoenix, before he said, "Well, I guess it's good you two are partners." He muttered something else I couldn't catch as he walked away.

I turned to Edward, "Thank you".

"No problem." He said, with a crooked smile. It made my heart beat faster than it should and brought a slight blush to my cheeks. And then I got caught in his eyes and noticed something different. His eyes were gold. Not black, like they were last week.

And then I remembered what I learned last week. The Cullens had gold eyes because they drank animal blood, not human blood. He must have fed while he was gone. It might explain why he's been able to talk to me today.

I was so lost in my thoughts (and his beauty), that I didn't realize Edward was speaking to me until he asked, "Bella? Are you okay?"

"Uh-umm yeah..? I mean, yes. Yes, I'm fine. Sorry, what were you saying?." I stammered and finished with a sheepish smile. I was embarrassed to be caught so off guard.

"Well, if it's not too bold of me to ask, why did you move to Forks?"

I was surprised yet again, no one had asked me that out right before.

"Well, my mom got remarried."

"And you don't like the guy." He sounded sure of himself.

"No, that's not it, at all. Phil's a nice guy, maybe a little too young, but he's nice." I paused for a second, seeing his confused look. I guess, with being a mindreader, he wasn't used to being wrong.

"It's just, Phil is a baseball player so he travels around a lot. So I moved up here so that my mom could stay with him, instead of staying home with me, back in Phoenix."

"Oh, but.. you're not happy here." He looked kind of awed, like he wouldn't expect someone to do that.

"I'm not unhappy, I just don't really like the cold and the wet." Which is why this morning when my 'mental internet' told me it was snowing today, I grumbled the whole time I was getting ready.

Suddenly, I found myself opening up a little bit. "I'm happy that I got a chance to start new here, though."

"Did you not like it in Phoenix?"

"No, I loved Phoenix. I love the sun, though it doesn't look like I do," I joked weakly, hoping to stay away from that subject. Thankfully, Mr. Banner started his lesson again, and the conversation ended.

I had almost said too much. What would he think if he found out about how I was treated in Phoenix or if he found out about my power? He'd probably think I was a freak. Though, I had a little hope that he might accept me, even with my ability; he is a vampire after all.

Stop, I told myself. Why would he even be interested in you, anyways? He's gorgeous and he's a vampire. The only interest a vampire has in a human is blood. And he doesn't even drink human blood!

He was just being polite. A bit curious, even. Who isn't curious about a new student?

The ringing of the bell signaled the end of class and, hopefully, a stop to my painful thoughts.

xXx

That night at dinner, I asked Charlie about the Cullens.

"Um, Dad?"

"Yes, Bella?"

"Do you know.." I hesitated, "the Cullens?"

"Yeah, what about them?" He asked, now curious.

"Well, they seem a little... I don't know, they just don't seem to fit in well at school." I had a lot of trouble trying to describe them.

"People in this town," he muttered. "Dr. Cullen is a brilliant surgeon who could probably work in any hospital in the world, make ten times the salary he gets here," he continued, getting louder. "We're lucky to have him - lucky that his wife wanted to live in a small town. He's an asset to the community, and all of those kids are well behaved and polite. I had my doubts, when they first moved in, with all those adopted teenagers. I thought we might have some problems with them. But they're all very mature - I haven't had one speck of trouble from any of them. That's more than I can say for the children of some folks who have lived in this town for generations. And they stick together the way a family should - camping trips every other weekend… Just because they're newcomers, people have to talk."

I had never heard Charlie speak so strongly about something. It was also the longest thing he had ever said.

I struggled to compliment them, without trying to sound too interested. "Well, they seem very nice and they're all very nice looking."

"You should see the doctor," He laughed, "It's a good thing he's happily married. A lot of nurses have a hard time concentrating on their work with him around."

After that we stayed silent with a few small comments here and there and then I watched some TV with him before going to bed, happy with how our relationship was growing, little by little.

xXx

The next morning I woke up wondering what the weather would be like.

Looking out the window confirmed what my ability had already let me know. There was a layer of snow still on the trees and the ground, and the rain from yesterday had frozen on the streets.

I groaned, there was no way I wasn't going to slip and fall on my way to the car.

I was right. And I ended up with what was sure to become a bruise on my butt.

I carefully and slowly got out of my car once I parked and made sure to hold onto to it when I went around to the back. What I saw surprised me. Charlie had put snow chains on my truck, which would explain how easy it was to drive this morning. I felt tears prick my eyes at the unexpected, yet thoughtful action from Charlie.

Suddenly, I heard a loud screeching coming from behind me.

I snapped my head around and saw two things.

Edward Cullen's face stood out at me in the crowd of students. He was standing four cars down from me, staring at me in horror.

And a dark blue van was spinning across the ice headed straight for me.

AN: Oh my gosh! What's gunna happen? Oh, as if you don't know! :P

Don't worry Bella will be okay. That part won't change. I promise :).

Anyways, I'm so happy my writer's block is finally gone! If you haven't reread the first few chapters, go do it now! It'll help you remember what has happened so far and I've edited them some, so they flow a little better. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'll be starting the next one later tonight or tomorrow during the day. So it should be up soon!

silver drip: I completely agree. That's why I changed it, :). If you haven't read my new updated chapters, please do so and let me know what you think. I love constructive criticism, so I really appreciate your review. Thanks for reading & reviewing!

Kyameron: Thanks for the support! Your review definitely made me feel better. I hope you enjoy my revised and new chapters!

Dreamer208: That's actually part of what I have planned. You'll see (probably in the next chapter). So don't forget to check for my next update. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

I wish I could answer all of your reviews! I appreciate them so much! You guys gave me 100! It makes my day :) Let's keep it up!

-Loren