A/N: The GG reference was when Rosalie said, "There's a coffee shop around the corner from where I live that I tend to frequent every morning around 9 am. I couldn't stop a person from entering this place, nor would I ignore said person if I happened to know him or her."

It's from Season 1, Episode 5 when Max asks Lorelai out for the first time.

I just wanted to take a minute to thank everyone who has read and reviewed this story. Your continued support drives this effort of mine more than you could ever know. And a special thank you an amazing beta and writer, vjgm.

Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Twilight.

Chapter 5 - The Meet

EPOV

That's it. I officially can't feel my face anymore, and I'm pretty sure I'm now frozen to this bench. And why is every bench ever made suddenly the most uncomfortable thing to sit on after five minutes? I let myself rant, running my hand through my always messy hair.

I scowled at the view in front of me. I was positioned across from the English building in order to see everyone that came and went through the two double-door entrances, one on either side of the building.

Unable to find the girl that constantly haunted my thoughts, on any of the faculty or staff listings last night, I now decided to try my hand at stalking. My only hope was that no one would find out about this if it didn't work out. I wasn't exactly proud of myself for sinking this low, but there was really no other alternative, at least none that I could see.

I glanced down at my watch – two minutes. Two more minutes until it was time to go hear more novice piano playing and simple scales butchered by whiny freshmen. I pinched the bridge of my nose, sighing. I was cranky. I knew this, but I couldn't think of anything to do to put me in a better mood.

Eyeing the time again, my shoulders slumped. Time to run. Gazing morosely one last time up at the building in front of me, in hopes of catching sight of the one thing that eluded me, I stood up and turned to my left, only to be smacked in the chest by someone.

I saw brown hair flying as she – it was definitely a she, I immediately noted the petite build and curves, even through her heavy winter coat – fell backwards onto the cold sidewalk, hearing a muffled 'omph' on impact.

Crap.

I quickly knelt down, "I'm so sorry," the guilt evident in my voice, as I helped her sit up on the cement. "I didn't see you and…," my throat closed, my words choked off, and I let go of her arms as she swept her hair out of her face.

It was her – the girl I had been looking for!

"It's okay, it happens to me all the time," she smirked, reaching behind her for the bag she had dropped.

"It's you," I breathed, unable to grasp that she was right in front of me. My eyes missed nothing as I took in the creamy complexion of her skin, the silkiness of her hair. I wanted to plunge my hands into it and bury my face in her throat, licking the 'V' where her pulse beat erratically.

Where did that impulse come from?

Her warm, brown eyes snapped up to mine and I felt the air whooshing from my body as I lost myself in them.

"What?" she asked, her eyes searching mine, running them over my face, a beautiful blush spreading across her cheeks.

I couldn't answer, or think, I could only stare into her eyes, dumbfounded. I don't remember ever feeling dumbfounded before, and I didn't particularly enjoy the feeling.

"Bella! Are you okay?" a girl yelled from down the sidewalk, but I didn't look up. I didn't want to tear my gaze away from her.

Her face bloomed bright red. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

"I'm fine, Angela," she called back over her shoulder, breaking our connection.

Bella – her name was Bella. It repeated like a mantra in my head.

She turned back to me, "Are you okay?" she asked, concern in her eyes.

I cracked an uneven smile, "Isn't that my line?"

"I guess it is," she laughed, a quiet, musical laugh that made me instantly happy. I had made her laugh.

Eager to speak to her now that I found my voice again, I took in a deep breath and her floral scent overwhelmed me. I breathed in again, trying to focus on the task at hand. "I'm Edward."

"Bella," she said, her smile shyer now, looking at me from underneath her lashes.

"Bella, we have to go! Dr. Mason is going to be livid that we're late again," the girl from before said, interrupting now from beside us.

I glanced up. It was her friend; the one Bella was walking with last Friday. I didn't even hear her approach us.

Bella scrambled up from the sidewalk. I took a little longer to stand, allowing myself a second to get my bearings. Strange, only three minutes had passed since rising from that bench, but it felt like longer, so much longer.

"Come on, Bella," her friend, Angela, said, grabbing Bella's arm and dragging her alongside as she briskly walked toward the English building.

I felt panic swell up inside me. No! Not yet! I screamed in my head, forcing my feet to follow her.

Bella turned to look at me and stumbled, twisting herself out of Angela's grasp. I shot my arms out, catching her easily in my embrace and pulling her against me before she had a chance to fall again. That blush came back in full force as she smiled up at me.

"I guess that makes us even," she teased, stepping away from me.

"Yeah, I guess it does," my hand ran through my hair again, unable to think of anything better to say.

Should I ask her for coffee? For her number? For a last name? Which one seemed less weird? Before I could decide, her friend interrupted again.

"Bella! Get a move on," Angela demanded, turning away from us and vanishing through the double doors.

"I've got to go," Bella said, a twinge of something that sounded like regret in her voice.

"Bye," I whispered as she walked away from me, following her friend through the entrance. I stared at the spot she disappeared from, willing her to appear again.

Reality caught up to me. Damn. My class!

I turned and sprinted to the Fine Arts & Music building, replaying the last couple of minutes in my head.

Bella – such an appropriate name.

Then something Angela said registered with me. Dr. Mason – she mentioned Dr. Mason.

I allowed myself an inner smile, all the while trying to keep my face blank as I approached my classroom, preparing myself to face a room full of noisy students. I was suddenly very thankful I attended as many faculty gatherings as I did. I met Dr. Mason at last semester's Parent's Weekend faculty breakfast.

I knew exactly how to find her again.

I couldn't help the grin that burst forth across my face as I addressed my students. Apparently, I found the one thing that put me in a better mood.