This is the part of the story where it becomes a little AU-ish. But only a little. Also, I don't know if the truck incident was before school or after school. Forgive me if I got it wrong. I don't own the Twilight series (though I wish I did), so I can't look back and check.

the perfect man

Chapter 6 - don't look back

--

Dear Bella,

How are you? I'm doing okay, I guess. Life around here has been kind of dull without you, but I suppose I'll live. How is Forks? Dreary, boring, and miserable?

Just kidding. But, um, well, I talked to Jackson. I was sitting in the park on our bench and he just walked up to me, sat down, and started talking to me like we're the best of friends or something. He's strange. He asked about you, and how you are doing…but I told him if he really wanted to know, he could write you a letter himself.

So if you get one from him in the next few days…don't be surprised. You have been warned.

Some really weird people moved into your old house. A married couple, I believe. They have lawn gnomes, and a fountain in your front yard. Although technically, it's their front yard now. But to me, it will always be your house.

Write me back, Bella Swan. I miss you.

And one more important question; have you met The Perfect Man yet?

Love,

Natalie.

--

I smiled as I read Natalie's letter while sitting in my new truck (well, new to me. It's pretty old.) in the school parking lot. I was risking being late for homeroom, but that was okay. I didn't care much.

Folding the letter back up and shoving it in my back pocket - also where I had stashed The List, I got out of my truck and sighed as I slipped a little on the icy ground. Grabbing onto the tailgate to steady myself, I took a deep breath. If only walking wasn't something that I had to work at, so I didn't kill myself. Pathetic. And it only got worse when I had moved to Forks.

Maybe it was because I was so tired. I had stayed up late last night studying for the Calculus test I had today. Fun. With that sudden thought, I wondered if I had even remembered to bring my book back to school. Still standing beside my truck, I searched through my backpack to make sure.

Suddenly, I felt strange. Like someone was staring at me. Looking behind me, I noticed that I was right. Someone wasstaring at me.

Edward Cullen.

I looked away quickly, only to look back again. His eyes were that strange color of gold that just had to be fake. No one could accomplish such a rare color, could they?

I felt hypnotized, and I couldn't look away. His expression was thoughtful and serious, and he looked slightly tense. Of course, this reminded me of when we were in class, sitting next to each other, when he was tense and looking like he wanted to be anywhere else in the world, and me, feeling nervous and anxious and confused. I didn't know what it was about me that made him so angry or tense, but I wanted to find out.

I heard a beeping noise. It sounded like a horn was honking. I tore my eyes away from Edward's and sharply turned my head, my eyes widening when I saw the huge white van heading straight towards me…

In a flash, I was being pulled towards a strong, freezing cold body and I heard the crunch of metal and the screeching of tires.

Someone had stopped the van. Looking up (I was on the ground now, how did I get there?), I saw Edward, my savior. Then I noticed the van, right in front of me, and his hand, and then dent in the van…

How did he do that? He obviously had to have some sort of super-human strength. I felt disoriented and shocked, like I could pass out at any moment. I heard the sirens on the ambulance getting closer by the second. Great.

There was something strange going on with Edward Cullen (and his whole family). And I was going to find out.

Protective and heroic isn't on the list.

--

Dear Natalie,

Everything is going…just fine here. Well, sort of. Not really.

There was the incident where I almost got hit by a van but got saved at the last second by some guy in my class. Exciting, huh? I didn't expect it to happen, either. Oh, you need to add heroic and protective to The List, by the way.

I haven't got anything from Jackson yet, but I'll be on the look-out. Is he still angry with me? Tell him I'm sorry. Or wait, you know what? I'll just wait for that letter to come. If he sent one at all.

Lawn gnomes? They sure do sound weird. I'm sure you would get along great with them, Natalie. Haha, just kidding!

And I'm not sure if I've met The Perfect Man yet…it's a working progress. I'm doing an investigation, if you will.

I'll give you updates!

Love,

Bella.

--

Hot. Check.

Sensitive. Not sure. He did save my life, after all.

Manly. Check. He's sure not girly.

Athletic. Check. I've seen his arms. They are not small.

Smells-good. Check, most definitely. That's a little embarrassing to admit, but he smells really good.

Smart. Check. He gets hundreds on all his tests. Trust me, I've seen them.

Good personality. Hmm. Check? I mean, we're not exactly what you would call…best friends.

Romantic. I'll look into this one.

Interesting. Check. Very interesting.

Strong. Check. More like super-strong.

Sweet. This is like romantic, sort of. I have a feeling that he is, though.

Affectionate. No comment. Not yet.

Talented. He put a dent in a van with one HAND. Check.

Has good hygiene. Check. I can only guess so.

Spontaneous. Check.

Gentle. Check. It's like he's scared he's going to break me.

Considerate. Check. Again, HE SAVED MY LIFE.

Good-kisser. I really don't know yet.

Protective and heroic. Check, and check. Yes.

That's at least fifteen out of…twenty-one. That's three more than Jackson, and I don't even know Edward Cullen that well.

Is it really possible that I have found The Perfect Man?

--

Dear Isabella,

Um…how are you? I'm doing fine. How is the weather there?

…okay, I'm cutting to the chase. I'm sorry. I was completely out of line when I yelled at you, at your mother's wedding, in front of everyone. You didn't deserve that. But I really do believe that you are a cynic. And I mean that in the best way possible.

But maybe you were right. You're in Washington now and maybe I long-distance relationship wouldn't have worked between us…but that doesn't mean we couldn't have tried.

It's not your fault that you didn't want to get involved in a relationship and risk hurting us both. But isn't that what life is about, is risks? I just hope you don't have this strange, cynical view of life for the rest of your days, Isabella Swan. It might get in the way of everything you love.

Love,

Jackson.

--

Forgive me if the part with Edward and the van isn't like the book, I haven't read Twilight in awhile. I wish I owned the book, but I don't have money to buy it myself.

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