A/N

I hope that no one hates me for that chapter because of the mention of slaves. As previously stated I did my research contrary to a review. I did not mean to offend anyone, I hope no one was.

This chapter will be about Isabella and Edward forming their relationship. He didn't officially ask her out, he just asked her to the ball. Hope you enjoy this!

I walked Isabella back inside and to her room. My heart was fluttering and I was beyond excited, there was no way I could sleep now.

"Sleep well Isabella."

"You as well Edward." I just stood there staring at her again. I decided that since I brushed her cheek outside I could do it again as well.

I lifted my hand up and gently rubbed the palm of my hand from her ear to her jaw down to cup her neck. She shivered slightly.

"I shall see you in the morning." I gave her the biggest smile I could

"Alright." She seemed to not be able to find her words, I hoped it was because of me. I turned and walked to my bedroom.

"Edward?" I turned to look at her

"Would you come in here for a moment?" I was stunned. I just nodded and walked to her room, she shut the door behind me.

"May I ask you something now?"

"Of course you may."

"Have you heard about all those people getting sick in Kansas?"

"I have. It is unfortunate."

"It has been spreading. What..." She cut off. "What if it comes here?"

"No. Isabella you have no need for worrying yourself over that. It will be alright. It will end before it reaches us." Even though I sounded confident...I wasn't. I was worried about that as well. This sickness has been spreading quickly through states and engulfing more and more. It was something I feared, but I couldn't let Isabella know that.

"Perhaps you are right. I suppose it was foolish of me to assume the worst."

"Not foolish, just worrisome. Was that all you needed me for?"

"I suppose."

"Then I suggest you make yourself ready for sleep, we do have to attend school in the morning." I didn't want to leave her. Especially not now that I knew she was scared. But I had to or she would never sleep.

"You're right, see you in the morning Edward." I stood and walked to the door, before I closed it I had to speak to her again.

"Oh, and Isabella?" She looked towards me allowing me to speak. "For the record, I'm here if you need me. I do not wish to leave you alone right now but it wouldn't be appropriate if I stayed much longer. Nonetheless, I am still here if you need to speak with me again."

"Thank you very much Edward. That means a lot to me." I gave her another smile and went to my room.

I couldn't possibly tell her I shared the same fears, deep down I really wanted to talk about it. But I couldn't speak a word. I had to remain strong, for her.

The next morning I woke to find Isabella standing over me.

"Are you alright?" I shot up straight up and looked around the room to make sure there was nothing here.

"Yes, your mother sent me to wake you. Good morning!" She smiled broadly

"Good morning. What time is it?"

"It is only five thirty. Your mother said to wash up, get dressed and come downstairs for breakfast."

As I looked her over, she was already dressed beautifully. She looks magnificent in her dresses.

"Do you wake this late every morning?" Late? I didn't think this was late at all. She must be just like my mother, the second the clock hits four thirty you are up.

"Most of the time, yes." I said scratching my head. I sat the rest of the way up and she giggled then left the room.

What was that about? I looked down and noticed I was not wearing a shirt. I knew I slept without one but the majority of the time when my mother wakes me I pull the sheets to my neck. I didn't even think about my being shirtless when Isabella was just here. I blushed a little at the thought of her seeing me.

"Too late now." I whispered to myself

"Too late for what?" My mother walked in my room gathering clothes for the wash that day. I jumped in the bed and covered myself. She just rolled her eyes.

I knew it didn't much matter about my chest being bare, I just didn't feel right having it exposed in front of my mother. It felt wrong to me, rude and impolite.

After my wash, I put my clothes on and started down the stairs. My mother and Father were talking to Isabella again.

"Oh Edward, your mother, Isabella, and I thought it might be nice for you to see her to her house after the day at school, see if her mother has came home. If not she will need a new change of clothes. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Certainly. I would be honored to escort you Isabella."

"That is very kind of you. I would enjoy your company."

We all sat and ate our morning meal and had small conversations. After thirty or so minutes it was time to start to school.

"Be safe!" My mother yelled to me as we walked out the door.

"Always!" I yelled back. I looked towards Isabella and she was smiling

"What is it?"

"Your mother, she is a lot like mine. Worries about you a lot doesn't she?"

"Most of the time. It seems pointless to me but I just accept it. I know she means no harm."

"That is very kind of you."

"Thank you. I try my hardest to give her what she wants. She doesn't ask a lot of me, but when she does I be sure to do what she says."

"Your family is very kind, very welcoming. I cannot thank you enough for allowing me a place to stay at your home. Not a lot of people would do that now."

"True. But we try to see the best in everyone. If we focused on everyone's flaws, we could never be happy. What is the point in only watching the flaws and avoiding the good things? How else could we learn from others?"

"You have very interesting points of view Edward."

We continued walking to school and arrived after a few more short conversations.

"May I ask you to meet here after school?"

"Certainly."

"Wait in this spot?"

"I shall."

"I hope you have a wonderful day Isabella. I cannot wait until I get to see you once again."

With that spoken I turned and walked to my first class. I was surprised to see Isabella at my side once again.

"Where are you going?"

"To class."

I was shocked to discover we had our first class together. How could I have not noticed her before? I couldn't miss her when I saw her walking down the street across from the market.

"Could you ever forgive me for not noticing we had a class together before?"

"I could."

"You are not angry with me?"

"Of course not. But I will say, I noticed you in this class. I was to embarrassed to admit it in the market."

"You should have let me know. I am ashamed I did not realize sooner."

"Please don't be. I didn't tell you so you wouldn't be ashamed for not knowing. I am actually not in the least bit surprised you didn't know me, I sit in the very back of every class I attend."

"You should not hide yourself. You are far too beautiful to be hidden." She blushed that beautiful shade of red. I reached and touched my hand to her cheek once again.

The day passed rather quickly and it just so happens that Isabella and I have three out of six classes together. I was happy about that.

"Ready to go home?" I asked her. I really didn't want her to leave me but she did need to be with her mother.

"Yes, thank you." She took my arm after I extended it to her.

We arrived at her home and there was still no sign that anyone had been there.

"I don't understand. Where could she be?"

"Let us go inside and gather more clothing. You can join us again tonight. We would all enjoy that very much."

She nodded sadly and asked me to wait for her again and returned with another bag set for two days instead of one.

"I will leave her a note on the table so she will know I am safe, just in case she comes home."

She left a note for her and we started back towards my home now.

"I'm very sorry that she was not there. Perhaps she had just stepped out when we appeared. Maybe she will read the letter and not worry about you any longer. She will know you are safe and you told her you would return tomorrow."

"You may be right." I sure hoped I was.

My mother was on the porch when we got back, she was knitting.

"Hello Isabella, I assume your mother was not home today?"

"No mam she wasn't."

"I am sorry to hear that. I am sure she is fine and will return to get you soon dear." Isabella just smiled. I could tell she was really upset by her mother not being home or found.

"It will be alright Isabella. Do not worry." She smiled halfheartedly and nodded.

I knew this would be a long night for her. I felt so awful. I couldn't imagine what she happened to be going through at this moment. When it was eight o'clock I decided to start sleep early tonight. That is when Isabella knocked on my door and stood in front of me crying.

A/N

So I decided to update twice today, everyone that likes this story should thank anitasmiles for that. It was her review that got both of these. Otherwise you wouldn't have gotten an update at all until tomorrow. That goes to prove, the more reviews you give me the more and sooner I update. That being said PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!