Bella walked into the cafeteria on Edward's arm. A few people watched, not very used to seeing Bella normal again since Edward had left. While walking to their table, Edward began to growl quietly, so only Bella and the other vampire, Alice, could hear.
"Edward?" she whispered quietly.
Edward scowled and slowly stalked over to their table, where Alice, Jessica, Angela, Ben, Mike, and now Hannah, sat. Alice gave Edward a look that said "sorry-to-hear-about-the-new-girl-but-please-control-yourself." Edward just sat there and scowled while Mike introduced Hannah to everyone.
"Everyone, this is Hannah. Hannah, this is Angela, Ben, Alice, Edward, Bella, and Jessica."
Bella put on a smile and, indicating herself and Edward, she said "We've already met."
"Well, I haven't met her yet." Sticking out her hand, Alice commented on Hannah's shoes. "They're amazing. I just saw them in my new catalog and ordered them."
"Wait," Bella scoffed, "there's a shoe that someone has that Alice doesn't have yet?" Edward chuckled for the first time today, but then sharply took in a breath of air, choked, and then settled back into his somber silence.
Alice stuck her tongue out at the two and smiled at Hannah. "I can see that we're going to be great friends." At this, Edward's eyes went huge and he stared at Alice with a deep sense of loathing. Alice just settled back into her seat and watched Mike try to impress Hannah, all the while having Jessica glare daggers at the two.
***
The bell rang shrilly, and Hannah got up, along with the rest of the table. She quietly walked over to Bella and questioned, "Could I talk to you for a moment?"
She noticed Bella's eyes sliding over to look at Edward. She saw him give the slightest nod, and was surprised at Bella being able to see it, since the nod was so subtle. Yeah, Hannah was used to it, but it was from her experiences in the past. Just how long had these two been together? It was something that Hannah didn't want to think about.
The two started walking together when Bella inquired, "So, what did you want to talk about?"
Hannah looked at the ground and whispered, "I get the feeling that Edward doesn't like me very much."
Bella looked at Hannah with intensity and replied, "No. He's that way with everyone."
Hannah lifted her eyebrows so high that she was afraid they would reach her hairline. Bella laughed and said, "Well, not everyone…but don't take any offence from it. I-I believe it's because he doesn't want to see Mike happy."
Hannah gave her a questioning look before Bella went on. "You see, Edward has this kind of…sixth sense…where he can tell if someone likes someone else. He can tell that Mike really likes you. And because Edward has some sort of grudge against Mike, he would hate to see him end up happy."
Hannah giggled and replied, "Well, he has nothing to worry about. I'm not very much interested in Mike. I've kind of got my eye on someone else."
***
Once Hannah left Bella with that last uncomfortable statement, Bella walked into Biology and sat next to Edward, immediately taking his hand. While Mr. Banner talked about DNA replication, Edward and Bella quietly conversed.
"Nice thinking, coming up with that Mike story so quick."
Bella just smiled and squeezed his hand.
"And I'm terribly sorry about how I behaved at lunch. It was inexcusable. You must understand how much pain breathing causes me now."
After hearing that, Bella just laughed out loud, but did it with just a tinge of a sad smile.
"Edward, Bella. Something you'd like to share with the class?"
"No, Mr. Banner." Bella blushed and stared down at the table.
"What's so funny?" Edward inquired, an agonized look on his face. Bella just kept staring at the table.
"Ugh. Please tell me what is in that incredible mind of yours, or I believe I will go mad."
She hesitated, but finally said, "Well…that sounds about pretty much the same thing you said to me when we first met, about your behavior being inexcusable…Are-"
She broke off and took a deep breath. "Are you sure I'm what you want?"
Edward just stared at her with disbelief. She started getting scared when he hadn't moved for a whole minute. She quietly coughed, and he finally blinked and moved his hands to take hers under the lab table. "Bella, love. How many times must I tell you? I love you and only you. Nothing could ever change that."
Bella looked up at him and blushed slightly before nodding and turning her attention to Mr. Banner.
***
Hannah walked out of school with many confused thoughts going through her head. Was Bella telling the truth? Does Mike really like me? How do I get Edward? She sighed and looked around for her Volvo, and noticed Edward watching her intensely while Bella and Alice chatted next to him. She somehow felt like he knew what she was thinking, and she caught herself speeding up to get to her Volvo. She then realized she had to pass them on her way to her driver side door. She slowly got up the courage to walk past them. When she did, she felt Alice's eyes follow her and she quickly looked at her.
Alice smiled and waved at Hannah, which gave her new confidence. No matter if Edward had ill-will towards her. From what she knew, Alice was a great person with an even greater fashion sense. It would only be a matter of time before Edward liked her even more than Alice did.