*Another short chapter with more fluff. I promise though, the next chapter will be lengthy and exciting. I've just been a little short on time and it's difficult to make the story move from one point to the other without including some of this fluff. Anyway, I hope my readers are excited to see what happens next. Thanks for reading!

P.S. Thanks Santababy and all of my reviewers so far.

Chapter 5

I went home after the crash. I didn't want to because I might get to see Edward in Biology but it was a relief that I wouldn't have to hear any of the mindless chatter. I hated the lime light, even more when it involved high school kids.

At home, I went through the scene in my head again and again all afternoon. The more I thought about it the clearer it became. If I stripped away the sheer terror I felt when I saw those hands, all that was left was Edward. Edward and his stone grasp around me, holding me. I don't know why he "saved" me but it didn't matter, all I could think of was his embrace, his proximity, his scent. All of it was overwhelming and intoxicating me.

Then I ran through the scene again. He had been leaning as far away as the space allowed and never looked at me once. I knew he looked desperate to leave. I was intoxicated, clearly.

~*~

I was eager to get to school, and I knew exactly why. This was bad, Edward was far out of my league and even if he wasn't, I couldn't permit myself to get close to someone. Ugh this was horrible. I was dragging my feet now.

I got to school and there was still some commotion over what happened yesterday. My day had gotten exponentially worse. Then I saw the silver Volvo, sad to say but my day brightened significantly.

The day went by slower than I could have imagined. It's like the clocks were doing it just to prolong my agony, the slow ticks were mocking me. 89 minutes and 12 seconds to go. Come on, come on. 73 minutes and 49 seconds to go. 54 minutes 2 seconds. 32 minutes and 41 seconds. 28 minutes. I was going mad, I started to count each second 1324 to go. Finally, just 12 seconds.

"Bella, could you stay after class? It wont interfere too much with your lunch, I promise."

What? Seriously? Now?

"But I have to... Ok"

"Great."

Everyone else filed out the door, I thought I might die if Mr. Varner took more than one minute.

"Don't look so grave Bella, you aren't in trouble." He said with a light tone. "I just wanted to talk to you about school, this class in particular."

"Of course, what is it?"

"Well I feel that you look distracted and even bored in my class sometimes." He said slowly, carefully choosing his words.

"Really, well I suppose I may be a little distracted. Short attention span I guess."

"It isn't that Bella, you score exceptionally well. I think that you may be bored with the material because you know it already. Were you in an advanced class in your previous school?"

"Yes actually."

"Well maybe we can move you up, I want a bright mind like yours to be challenged, not bored. What do you think?"

"Maybe you could come up with a program for me, like an independent study program."

"That's a great idea! Now that you mention it, I have a few other students that may benefit from something like that."

"Great, glad I could help, help you help me I mean." I smiled and turned to leave.

"Do you know Edward Cullen?"

I froze.

"I do." I said cautiously.

"I think he would be the perfect study partner for you, he is also a very bright young man."

"Sounds good. I'm starving though. I'll see you tomorrow Mr. Varner."

"Oh, of course. Sorry to have kept you."

I walked to the lunchroom slowly, pacing myself. When I arrived it was very difficult to walk straight ahead and not look at them. As I sat I allowed myself a glance in their direction. Alice was smiling at me, the rest of them were looking down. Strange, but not unwelcome. I couldn't focus on any conversation so I let the other part of my brain handle the talking. Finally the bell rang.

Butterflies invaded my stomach and thrashed recklessly about when I saw him. There was an annoying thumping but I ignored it. I sat next to him eagerly. It hurt to look at him, his perfection was unreal.

"Hello." I said, maybe too quietly for him to hear.

"Hello Bella. How are you feeling today?" He sounded strained, why couldn't we have a normal conversation?

"Very well, I think I owe that all to you though. I never did get a chance to thank you."

"There is no need, believe me."

"Of course there is. You saved my life, please accept my sincerest gratitude."

He straightened up and ran a hand through his messy hair. Then his dark eyes burned into mine.

"Bella, this may be hard for you to understand but do your best to stay away from me. I am...not good for you...for your health." He quickly amended. "What I mean to say is that I am not safe for you to be around."

His eyes were piercing. I realized I hadn't actually ever seen them before, they were making things difficult. I was having trouble breathing. Compose yourself, please.

"So your saying that you're dangerous?"

He saw the humor in my eyes.

"Yes." He said in a grave tone. "I am. More than you can begin to imagine."

A small voice in my head told me that he meant it.

"I think..." But I couldn't think of what to say. My head was swirling. The face, those eyes, the scent, and the contradicting words in that velvet voice.

After a moment he became frustrated.

"Please tell me what you think, its absolutely maddening not knowing."

This took me aback. I didn't get a chance to regain my composure when the teacher started speaking. He let out an irritated sigh.

The lecture droned on for what seemed like forever. I didn't mind it so much though, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

The class came to a close and there was an interruption in the flow of the students leaving the room. Alice was standing near the doorway.

"Edward. Will you be coming tonight?"

Edward seemed puzzled.

"I'm going to go to Port Angeles, alone." He emphasized. But of course, you know that."

"Oh, right." She smiled and skipped away more gracefully than a dancer.

The exchange seemed odd to me. But I knew where Edward would be tonight and I knew he would be alone. Now I just needed to decide whether or not I would be brave enough to go there.

I was going. Not to meet up with him, I promised myself, only to learn more about him. After all, there were more unanswered questions than ever. So I would observe and then make up the rest as I went.