I'd like to once again thank you all for the awesome reviews, though some of you are making me nervous in your confidence over this being a rad story… very nervous. We can only hope!

Disclaimer: I never remember to add this. But… I don't own Twilight.

It took the better part of the weekend to regain the amount of sleep I lost from the sleepover at Alice's and, sadly, that's about all I did on Saturday and Sunday; sleep. I wasn't really complaining, though; who doesn't like sleep?

Monday was an awkward affair. Not with the Cullens and Hales—no, we were still getting along fine, though my confidence that Rosalie was warming up to me after our sleepover shriveled but the wall was slowly de-thawing—but sitting for an entire period next to Edward was excruciating… maybe not so extreme, but close.

I was being my stubborn self. We didn't even greet each other. I refused to look at him-though I was failing at that on countless occurrences-to give in to his little mind games or whatever it was he did that he thought was so hilarious on Friday. Edward remained cool and calm throughout those sixty minutes, which only irritated me further. At least he was until near the end of class when Mike approached me.

After having a weekend to cool off, I basically forgave Mike. Basically. He was just lucky no one believed his stupid lie. But I didn't expect him to be approaching me anytime soon; I didn't forgive him that much.

"Hey, Bella," he said as he stood in front of mine and Edward's lab table.

"He—" He continued before I could say hi… or tell him to buzz off.

"Will you go out with me this Friday?" He asked quickly. My jaw slackened and from my left I could see Edward tense in his seat. What was his problem? ... what was both of their problems? Forks has an unusual effect on boys, it seems.

"Uh…" I stammered. Edward's head titled in my direction almost unnoticeably. Was he waiting for my answer? "Sorry, Mike, I… can't."

"Oh… I see," Mike scrutinized my expression. "Is it… are you seeing someone?" His eyes shifted over to Edward. I think both Edward and I caught it.

"No!" I said quickly and loudly. I cleared my throat self-consciously. "I mean, I just can't. I'm… going to Seattle." Gosh, I was never a good liar. "But maybe you should ask Jessica? I know she really likes you." I added in a hushed tone. After Jessica realized I wasn't a threat she began talking to me again and it was completely obvious that she wanted Mike. So I did what anyone would do in my position: suggest someone else in hopes of getting an annoying, clingy Mike off my back.

"Yeah, okay," Mike said, putting no commitment into his words. I sighed; at least I tried.

Edward, who I knew had heard the entire conversation, now had a curious look on his face, his brow furrowed. I rolled my eyes, the nosy jerk.

On Tuesday Edward wasn't there. I spent almost the entire lunch period watching his table or the doors, thinking he would just come in late. I hated that I didn't hate him. I didn't have much of a reason to anymore. So he ticked me off the first day I met him… but he didn't try doing it again… maybe he has a multiple personality disorder, I mused. The plain truth was that I didn't want to hate him. He was too fascinating, too mysterious, and ultimately too gorgeous for me to hate. I hated that.

Alice noticed my gaze kept flickering over to the table he had occupied last lunch period. I wasn't being too conspicuous about it.

"Bella quit it. You're going to pull an eyeball." Ewe. "It's normal for him to miss a day of school every few days. And no, I don't know why," she added. She already knew me too well. I was whining in my head, though, about why she couldn't investigate further but she had no motive to do such a thing.

Looks like it'll have to be up to me to solve the puzzle that is Edward Masen.

Wednesday morning brought me nothing but frustration. I hopped into my truck to drive to school, which was routine by now, only to find… it wouldn't start.

"No, no, no… please don't do this to me," I begged. I tried again and again but the engine just wouldn't turn over. "Damn it!" I growled as I got out of the truck and slammed the door shut. I stomped back into the house to call Alice but a quick peek at the kitchen clock told me it would be useless; all four of them would've already left already. They liked to loiter out in front of the school before going to class so they would leave early. My only choice was to walk, which meant I was going to be late.

I stepped back outside and my spirits only plummeted further. It was bitterly cold for only being September; it had only just turned autumn a couple of days ago.

Pulling my pea coat tighter around my body in a vain hope of maintaining some body heat, I started on my trek to school… on foot.

By the time I reached the building, I felt like a frozen fish stick. I just shouldn't have bothered going, it's not like I was in the best of moods now. At least it hadn't rained, though.

A vehicle pulling into the school parking lot stopped me from entering the school. A had no idea what sort of car it was… but it was old. Definitely not as old as mine but it was well used and rusting. My jaw dropped when I saw who was in the driver's seat.

Edward parked the car in a spot a few spaces over but he wasn't alerted to my presence. And I seemed to be glued to the pavement. He simply sat in the car for a moment as he rested his head on the headrest. Edward closed his eyes and I could tell from where I was standing that he had let out a big gust of air, like a heavy sigh. He rubbed his face slowly. As he took his hand away, Edward finally noticed me standing there, watching him… like the creeper I was turning into.

My eyes widened and I was snapped out of my trance. I quickly walked away, not giving him a chance to approach me to ask why I was watching him or why I was even standing in the parking lot… after all, the bell had rung so there was no one else outside. The curious side of me wondered what was wrong, though...

The bigger side of me just wanted to get the hell out of the cold. That side won.

At lunch, I remembered to ask the group if they could give me a ride home today since I wasn't sure who drove them all today.

"Actually, Bella... Rose and I are going shopping after school if you want to come with," Alice smiled.

My face dropped. "But you just went on Friday…" Emmett snorted from across the table.

"Amateur," he muttered under his breath while Jasper grinned from the other side of Alice.

"So?" Alice asked in confusion. Man, I realized she liked to shop—I experienced it first hand—but I hadn't realized that she was all but addicted.

I sighed. "I'd rather not, Alice, sorry. I really don't think I have the energy for that today." I shivered just at the thought.

She shrugged. "It's fine. I'll make sure to buy you an outfit, don't worry," she stated as I frowned. "Rose and I had already planned it so we got the boys to drive separately to school. Emmett can drive you home, right Em?" I looked at him hopefully.

"Not a problem, Bells." I grinned at his nickname for me.

I applauded myself at the end of lunch for not looking over at his table… that much. I was worried what he was thinking about me but I realized that was such a vain thing to think. He probably just thought you were weird and is over it by now. Man up!

With a sigh, I walked into Biology ready to face Edward's onslaught of questions but they didn't come. Like Monday, he doesn't acknowledge me so I don't acknowledge him. I feel elated at this, thinking that we could just stick to ignoring each other and everything would be fine and dandy.

Boy, was I wrong.

What else is knew?

I didn't count on us having to do a lab. As in Edward and I having to do a lab together. The microscopes were passed out along with the slides we would have to label and then… we sat. The awkwardness was back tenfold. Along with something else. Something new.

I looked out of the corner of my eye to see Edward sitting slightly closer to me today and there felt like there was an electrical current running between us. It didn't feel bad, either.

Edward cleared his throat and my eyes snapped up to meet his. "Ladies first?" he asked as he slid the microscope over to my side of the table. I was just getting a good look at him then. His green eyes seemed duller and there were dark, purple bags underneath them. He looked like he hadn't gotten a wink of sleep.

I was about to protest because I'm stubborn like that when Edward let out a huge yawn. His hand swiftly covered his mouth in politeness. "Sorry," he murmured, looking anywhere but at me.

My resolve died and I decided to not put up a fight. I went ahead and started the lab. "Prophase."

We finished before any other pair in the classroom, leaving us to sit in silence once again. I couldn't contain my—what I realized was—concern for very long, though.

"Hey, are you all right?" I asked tentatively.

"I'm fine," he replied curtly. He was tense again.

"You don't seem—"

"I said I'm fine," he said firmly. "I just didn't get a lot of sleep last night." He looked me in the eyes when he said it. I shuddered under his intense stare and knew that my cheeks were now a shade darker… His eyes really are beautiful…

Edward cleared his throat again nervously. "Are you liking it so far in Forks?" He was unsubtly changing the subject and I almost said something about it but decided against it and let him have his way.

"Yes and no," I answered shortly.

"What don't you like about it?" He looked like he was actually curious about me.

"The rain. Though, it's not raining today but the cold is even worse."

"Why would it be worse?"

"Because that means it'll be too cold to rain. And that means snow," I spit the last word out. Edward looked almost amused.

"Where did you say you moved from?" he asked.

"I didn't but I previously lived in Phoenix," I didn't try to hide the longing in my voice. I was missing Arizona more than ever.

"That is a big change," he stated the obvious. I simply nodded in agreement. He paused and seemed to think for a moment, "Well if you dislike the rain and cold so severely then why did you move here?" His eyebrows were furrowed again, no doubt trying to figure out my way of thinking.

I let out an exasperated sigh. Should I tell him? Why was he so interested? "My mom got remarried," I finally said.

A look of… understanding appeared on his face as he nodded. "Ah."

I squinted my eyes at him. He didn't understand and yet he thought he had it all figured out. "It's more… complicated than that," I fumed.

"What's there to be confused about? You don't like your mother's new husband and so you moved here," he said confidently.

"That's not it at all," I half-sneered. "I don't mind Phil. I just wanted to give them some privacy so I moved to Forks." He actually had the audacity to look shocked. "Don't act so surprised," I muttered.

"I'll admit I'm surprised by the level of your… maturity. Moving here for your mother's benefit is a very selfless thing to do," Edward explained.

"Yeah, well, I'm known to act that way from time to time," I said in a tone probably not so mature.

It was silent again. I didn't think it was fair that he got to ask questions about me while I didn't, and so… "What about you? I heard you moved here two years ago?" That didn't come out right! My cheeks flamed red.

For one second, Edward smirked, as if to say, you were asking about me? But only for a second. He then stiffened and his face took on a solemn look. He turned to the front of the classroom without another word, though there was nothing going on up there.

I immediately felt guilty for whatever I did wrong. "Edward… I'm sorry," I murmured. "I shouldn't have asked." Shouldn't I have? What exactly was I apologizing for?

"It's fine, Bella," he said so quietly I almost didn't catch it.

I stared at him a little longer; he was tense again and I was scolding myself mentally for it being my fault he was currently the way he was. I was saved from having to spend anymore time sitting in discomfort with Edward when the bell rang.

Before I could even close my notebook, Edward was out the door.

Sighing, I gathered my things glumly. I had obviously messed up. I was just starting to like him, too, and then I had to go and say something to make him probably hate me.

I stood up to leave only to fall flat on my face. "Ow," I groaned as I looked around to see the offending object that had tripped me up—though it wasn't unheard of for me to trip on air. My clumsiness is a deadly trait.

A book. Huh. That was a new one. A Biology textbook specifically. I was about to chuck the angering thing away when I noticed the front cover was open.

At the top left corner written very neatly was the name Edward Masen.

I. Have. My. Reasons. Trust me. It's leading up to the part in chapter four that I have been waiting to write. It's probably not even that exciting but I can't wait. It involves Emmett, so… heh.

Yeah, it's very much like Twilight so far but that's what I've been going for. So there. Also, it pains me not to have Edward's Volvo in the story… as much as it probably pains Edward himself. But, for my story… he has to have a shitty car. It would definitely be out of place, based on his situation, teh.

Remember to vote at the Twilight Awards! Not necessarily for my story because I think there are some stories in my category that deserve it more, but vote nonetheless! And review! Because it makes me happy : ) Thanks.