Okiday! sorry it took so long to update! i've been kinda busy lately, PLUS i HAD to get Breaking Dawn...i finished it in a day but...hmmm..?

Again, the lovely Stephenie Meyer owns all of this...

I sat quietly in my truck, listening to the rain splatter against the hood, trying to remember what I had eaten for lunch the day before. The last few days had gone by in a blur of boredom, worry and admittedly, disappointment. Bella had not returned to class since that strange incident and I wondered how much that had to do with me. My body was feeling better, at least. The gashes on my arms were healing quickly and I was grateful that I was now able to drive myself to school; Anthony's handicap jokes were starting to get old.

I waited for the rain to slow, startled by the thunderous roar the truck let out when I turned the ignition. The drive to school was not long, but campus parking was brutal so I always tried to give myself an extra fifteen minutes to find a place to park. I turned into my usual parking lot near the gym, sighing in aggravation at the long procession of cars seemingly waiting to exit and circle back around. I remained patient as they all began to creep forward.

Before I could touch my foot to the gas pedal, a sleek, silver Volvo pulled out in front of me, cutting me off. Immediately the cars behind me went into a frenzy of honking. I paused a moment, giving whoever this idiot was a chance to move, before I joined in. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a ghostly pale figure emerge, as the sounding of horns suddenly stopped. My heart jumped at the recognition of Bella's elfin sister, Alice, seemingly dancing her way towards the shining, silver car, followed by the rest of their siblings. I waited for my breathing to slow as my mind processed the idea that Bella was no less than five feet in front of me.

"Hey Edward!" I nearly leapt through the windshield, startled by the sudden knock at my window.

"Oh, hi Angela." I mumbled, rolling the window down.

"This parking lot is always so full! I knew I should have gotten up earlier." She pouted.

"Yeah, I was thinking that too. Sorry if I'm blocking your way, but someone just pulled out in front of me."

"Oh, its ok, I was hoping I ran into you today, anyway."

"Err…what is it?" I asked, worriedly. The look on her face told me whatever it was couldn't be good for me.

"Well…I was just wondering if you were going to that Frat party on Saturday. I was thinking maybe we could umm…go together or something…not like a date, you know…just…like, as friends or something." She stammered, lowering her eyes.

I felt bad having to say no. It wasn't that she wasn't a nice girl or anything, but I really just wasn't interested in getting involved in a situation that I knew would bring me nothing but embarrassment. I could still vividly recall the looks on people's faces and the mud on mine, when I'd let Mike talk me into attending the last frat party. Even now, I couldn't figure out how in the world I had tripped and landed face-down in a fresh puddle of mud. I only knew that I would never again put myself in a situation where anything like that could happen; which basically meant I would be staying indoors for a while.

"I'm sorry, Ange', but I'm gonna have to pass. I'm going to Seattle that weekend." I responded, quickly fabricating plans. Her face dropped slightly.

"Oh…ok then! Maybe next time…you know there's always the Spring Formal! See ya later!" She said excitedly, turning to run back to her car.

"Yeah…see ya." I responded, whipping my head around in time to see the Cullen's car speeding out of the parking lot.

"Perfect!" I groaned, easing my foot on the gas.

"Just perfect."


"Now, the mystery lies in the basic linking of the chromosomes. If we can decipher the force that pulls this section, to…"

I sighed heavily as I closed my eyes and pressed my cheek firmly against the cool top of the lab table, while Mr. Johnson rambled on about chromosome linkage. I couldn't fathom how this subject matter would help me in the future, so I successfully tuned him out.

My mind was on Bella; wondering if she was going to come to class today and hoping things would be different. I could still remember the look in her cold eyes that day; like there was something deep inside her that she equally wanted to restrain yet let loose. I had stayed up almost every night since, trying to understand what I could have done that would merit such a reaction from her, but continued to come up empty handed. It seemed the only way I would ever know was if I had the chance to speak to her again, which didn't seem likely. I lifted my head slowly, sighing to myself as I reached for my worn, navy blue book bag. I promptly snatched my hand back as I noticed the chair next to me was now occupied. I had been so caught up in my daydreaming that I hadn't heard her come in. She sat there now, her posture identical to that of the first day; eyes forward, back erect, white fingers gripping the table's edge.

My mind raced, trying desperately to come up with something to say. Hadn't I just been thinking of things to ask her? It was strange how her presence stunned my mind, making it almost impossible to have one clear thought.

"Hey!" I finally managed.

She turned very slowly, her wide eyes filled with some emotion I couldn't describe; indifference, maybe. She nodded once but did not speak, and turned again to face the front. Normally, this sort of response wouldn't bother me. I didn't talk to girls much, but when I did, I was used to getting the quick brush-off or the blank stare; nothing I couldn't get over. Bella's reaction however, sent a thin shot of pain through my body. I really wanted to believe I was so intrigued by her because of the circumstances of our meeting, but the ache of her rejections made me aware that it was something more. This was a feeling I would not get used to.

"Ok class, we're going to stop here today. I know it's early but try no to cry about it." Mr. Johnson joked. Any day, before today, I would have been ecstatic to be out of this hell hole sooner. My luck of course, was such that the one day I actually wanted to stay, he sends us home early. I sluggishly gathered my things, hoping she would talk to me.

"Hey Edward, so wasn't that like, the most boring thing you've ever heard?" Jessica chirped, appearing out of nowhere. Lately, my mind just wasn't as present as it had once been.

"Hey Jess', yeah it was pretty dull. I thought he would never shut up." I responded, stacking my notebooks together.

"Seriously! I'm psyched he let us go early, though." She said, her eyes darting quickly to Bella, who had not moved, back to me.

"So, umm…are you going to that frat party on Saturday? If so, I was wondering if you wanted to…you know…come with me." She blushed.

I paused momentarily, bewildered by the fact that I'd been asked out more today than almost my entire life. Out of nervous habit, I bent my head and rubbed the back of my neck, hating the wave of guilt that swept over me. From the corner of my eye, I saw Bella slightly tilt her head in my direction.

"Umm…I'm sorry Jess but, Mike was planning on asking you." I said quietly. Though I only thought of her as a friend, I didn't like hurting her feelings. I had learned lately that rejection wasn't the easiest pill to swallow.

"Ugh…he already did, but I sort of wanted to go with you."

"Well, you should go ahead and tell him yes. I'm not going." I responded flatly while tossing my book into the bag. I hoped it would be a hint that I wasn't in the mood for further discussion.

"Why not, have you already asked someone?" she demanded, her eyes flashing rapidly to Bella and back.

"No, I haven't. I have to go to Seattle."

"Come on Edward! Can't you go some other time?" she whined.

"No Jess, I can't. Besides, you don't wanna hurt Mike's feelings, do you?" she responded with a look that screamed YES but I pretended not to see it.

"Fine! Must you always be so noble?" she grimaced, and turned towards the door. I chuckled lightly to myself as I pushed back my chair and stood, turning slowly to make an attempt to say goodbye to Bella. She was staring at me curiously; as if she wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words. I stared back, glad that the expression she held was not one of hate. Her eyes seemed to penetrate my flesh and clutch my heart, causing it to sputter erratically. I wanted to look away but the very idea was unbearable despite the fact that my lungs were minutes away from collapsing.

"I'm sorry if I'm being rude, but it's really much better this way, Edward." the smoothness of her tone sent cool shivers down my spine. There was no question of me speaking, I was lucky to draw in an ounce of breath.

"It's better if we're not friends." She read the question in my eyes. I felt my face contort at her words. Who was such an idiotic arrangement better for? I stared in confusion as she rose gracefully from the chair, her eyes still locked in mine. Her movements were slow and deliberate as she glided towards me, never breaking our gaze.

"Trust me, it's for the best." She breathed into my ear, her pale, icy arm brushing against mine, making my lungs convulse. I could not stop my heart as it rejoiced at her closeness. I wanted to grab her and hold her to me, the way she had that day on the asphalt, but something told me this would be a bad move. She sighed and swiftly left the room, her cool sweet breath lingering at my throat. I sank back into my chair, snatching in as much air as possible. I tried to ignore the few lingering students who stared in disbelief. I didn't know if it was because she had spoken to me or if it was my reaction, frankly, I really didn't care. There was only one thing on my mind at this moment.

She had spoken to me.


"I still can't believe Angela and Jessica asked you out." Anthony stated, shaking his head in disbelief as we made our way to the campus cafeteria. We had discussed this the night before, the entire night before, and he still wasn't able to come to grips with it. Hell, neither was I, for that matter.

"Must you put so much emphasis on the "you" part?" I responded.

"Sorry man, I didn't mean it like that. It's just that I was planning on asking Angela. This sucks!" he whined, shaking his head.

"You can still ask her. I'm going to ask Jessica again, though I'm a little in shock myself. Who knew Eddie here would be our stiffest competition." Mike joked.

"Wait, I thought you weren't going, Anthony." I wondered, as we entered the crowded lunch hall. The campus wasn't that large, but it seemed as if almost every student was crammed into the small room, doing more socializing than eating.

"Well…I could use a study break. I'm sure one night of debauchery isn't going to taint my perfect GPA." Anthony gloated.

"Here we go." Mike sighed, grabbing a bright red tray from the counter.

"What? If you two stoutly gentlemen devoted as much time to your studies as you do to…well…I'm not exactly sure what it is that you do, but whatever it is, I'm sure it can be pushed aside for studying." He lectured, stopping to purchase an iced tea from the vending machine.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. We'll see if all that studying taught you how to land a date." Mike joked, elbowing me lightly in the ribs.

"Shut up and find us somewhere to sit!" Anthony grimaced. It was always funny to listen to those two go back and forth. I was surprised at how short this "ribbing" session had been. They could go on for hours one-upping each other. I grabbed a burger and fries from the grilling station, and scanned the room for seats.

"Err...Bella Cullen is staring at you." Mike whispered.

I scanned the room impatiently, trying to locate her face. My heart dove forward, almost taking the burger and myself with it, once I found her. She was sitting at a small table, alone, in the center of the room; her beauty permeating the entire atmosphere. I watched as students nearby tried, and failed, not to look at her. There were really no words to describe the way her silky, brown hair flowed weightlessly around her angelic face. Her perfect lips upturned in to that beautiful, crooked smile. I watched dumbfounded, as she held up one slender, white finger and beckoned for me to come. My mind hesitated, but my heart seemed to leap forward with every bend of that finger. Common sense told me I should be afraid, but who can listen to reason in the face of such beauty.

"Is she calling you?" Mike breathed, with the slightest hint of jealousy. I frowned at the repeated used of emphasis. Was I really so much of a loser that no one could take interest in me? Sure, Bella Cullen was a little far-fetched, but was every other female out of my league too?

"Hurry up and get over there man!" Anthony whispered, nudging me in the back. I kept my eyes on her smiling face as my heart led the way. I wanted to walk more quickly, but I knew with me luck, that would land me face-first on the mint-green tiled floors. I held my head down and tried not to concentrate on the whispering students around me.

"Uhh…hi." I said, placing my food on the table but not sitting down. Apparently my brain was having trouble functioning.

"Hello! Please, have a sit." She sang, her melodic voice reeking havoc on the pace of my heart. Be cool, I told myself, not wanting to look like a complete idiot. I was careful to pull out the chair and sit slowly. She seemed to notice, and giggled softly.

"So…" I trailed off. It was hard to concentrate while looking into her face.

"So…what's this all about?" I mumbled, dropping my eyes to the table. She remained quiet and I raised my eyes to hers, trying to see what she was thinking. Big mistake! My mind yelled as soon as I had done this. Her warm, topaz eyes were smoldering under the thick hood of lashes. I heard my breath, this time, coming in quick gasps. She looked away then, the smile still on her lips. I followed her gaze and saw her brothers and sisters sitting in a booth in the far corner of the room. They were all glaring at us, with the exception of Jasper, who bopped his head to a tune only he could hear. A chill slithered down my spine as I held their gaze momentarily then cowered away.

"I've decided since I'll be damned anyway, I might as well do it thoroughly." She smiled.

"Umm…what?" I asked, caught up in the tone of her voice.

"I thought I would have you for lunch." She crooned softly as she hesitantly leaned towards me. My only response was to stare at her blankly. I could barely understand what she had just said. Not that she hadn't spoken clearly, but this close, her face was dazzling and any attempt I made at thought simply fizzled quickly and died. Trying to look at her and have a coherent conversation was pointless.

"Err…come again." I stated, quickly looking away from her face. She laughed again, this time a little more audibly. I watched the faces of the students around me. Most of them appeared to be shocked that anyone was this close to her. The fact that no one ever seemed to interact with the Cullens had not escape my attention.

"I said…I'm tired of trying to stay away from you. From now on, I'll do whatever I feel and let the chips fall where they may." She gestured. I shook my head, trying to grasp what she was saying, knowing there was no possible way that she could mean it.

"Is that why you weren't in class…because of me?" I asked quietly, stuffing a fry in my mouth, trying not to glance at her face. It didn't work. The crooked smile had disappeared. Her full lips were drawn into a tight line as her eyes gazed somewhere in the distance. I watched several emotions play across her face before the smile settled back on her lips.

"That is neither here nor there." She finally responded. I was completely confused. I was still trying to wrap myself around what she had said a few moments ago. I couldn't understand how not even two weeks ago, she seemed to be ready to rip me to shreds and now she was saying that she was tired of staying away from me. I felt my brow knit together, as I rubbed the back of my neck absently.

"Please tell me what you're thinking." She stated, seeming aggravated that she had to ask.

"Well…honestly, I'm trying to figure you out. I mean, who are you...what are you?" I responded quietly, my eyes focused on the burger in front of me.

"I really wish you wouldn't try." She sighed, leaning back into the seat and placing her folded hands on the table. I stared at them, as she lightly rubbed circles across the back of one.

"Why not, it's not like you're gonna tell me anything." I quipped.

"I tell you what you need to know." She responded, her warm eyes piercing into mine. There was a darkness behind them that frightened me however, it wasn't enough to turn me away form her exquisite face.

"It's cool. I'm a smart guy, I'll figure it out. Want one?" I mused, offering her a fry before popping it into my mouth.

"I'm not hungry…for the moment." she chuckled, apparently at a joke I didn't get. I couldn't take my eyes of her face, her lips, her chin, her nose. Everything about her was perfect. I was sure there was no chance in hell I could end up with someone like her. I felt my face fall slightly.

"Is everything ok? What are you thinking now?" she asked again.

"Oh umm, still trying to figure you out, I guess." I lied quickly. She didn't need to know about my wallowing in self-pity.

"Have you come up with anything?" She asked, resigned.

"Not really." I mumbled, keeping my eyes on her hands.

"You're a bad liar," she giggled, "you can tell me. I won't bite." She cooed, but a flash in her eyes told me that might not be true.

"It's nothing, really."

"Please, won't you tell me?" her velvety voice disrupted the signals in my brain. I made the mistake of looking up into her eyes and became even more dumbstruck. Those topaz pools, which now seemed to have darkened ever so slightly, were blazing under the thick fan of lashes. My heart raced erratically in my chest as I struggled to form an articulate phrase.

"Huh?" I finally managed, trying to blink myself out of the stupor.

"Tell me." She purred softly.

"Umm…daughter of an Amazon queen…lasso of truth...maybe some radioactive spiders…" I stammered.

"Ha! You're not very creative, are you?" She teased. I shook my head swiftly, gaining back a slight amount of brain power.

"Yeah, well, I'll get it right eventually." I warned her, biting into the cold hamburger.

"You really should just let it go."

"Why should I?" I asked, aggravated.

"Because…what if I'm not some super-hero? What if I'm the bad girl?" she smiled playfully, but her eyes were hard. I stared into them, remembering her dark scowl that first day in Biology, suddenly aware of the danger she'd hinted at.

"You're dangerous?" I asked, not wanting to believe it, but knowing its possibility. Her only response was to nod her head once.

"I see."

"Do you really?" she quizzed, her eyes flashing quickly.

"Maybe…you aren't bad though. I don't believe that." I said, wondering if that were true.

"You're wrong." She almost growled, her eyes darkening before me. Staring into them, it was hard to doubt her words, but my heart refused to believe that she could be dangerous. How could someone who had saved my life be dangerous? Even if it were true, I never felt danger when I was around her; just a yearning to be closer to her, like we were now.

"So…does this make us friends?" I changed the subject and watched as she tried to keep her lips from turning up into a smile.

"Friends?"

"Or not…whatever." I mumbled, the heat rising to my face.

"Perhaps we could try, although if you're smart, you'd leave me alone."

"Well, you were the one who invited me over here." I pointed out.

"True, but had you been smarter, you would have ignored me." She smiled. I grimaced at the absurdity of her words. Who in this world could ignore her?

"So, I guess as long as I'm being dumb, we'll be friends?" I surmised.

"I guess…" she trailed off, turning to her siblings with narrowed eyes.

"Sorry to be rude, but I really must be going now." she said, her head still turned. My heart sank at the news.

"Seriously, this is getting old." I whispered with my chin in my chest. I lifted by head at the sound of her laughter. I don't think it was something you got used to. It sounded like sunrise.

"Until we meet again." She smiled, already out of her seat. I watched as she sauntered away, her movements both swift and agile.

"Yeah…sure." I sighed, staring at the remainder of my food. I didn't look up, but I could feel every eye in the room, ogling in my direction. My lips slowly spread into a huge smile as I thought of what had just happened.

"I'm the man!" I murmured to myself as a tossed in another fry.

yay! another one done! i hope u guys liked this...i hope it makes sense, lol. i always write these piece by piece and have to go and fill it in. i'm almost done with the next section so check back for an update soon...thanx for all the reviews...!

oh and read "paper airplanes" by hugs4dreamers...its one of my fav's!