BPOV

I was trying my best to ignore the boy sitting two rows over from me, but my eyes kept drifting back toward him. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. Why was I so attracted to this guy, when he was so obviously not my type?

I mean, look at him. He's wearing an outfit meant for some upper-class executive. He's even got a tie clip on, for crying out loud! I can't imagine why he would bother to dress up this much for class, especially when the teenagers around us looked like they'd hardly bothered to roll out of bed in order to be here.

Saturday mornings weren't my ideal time for a class, but I figured that it was better for my brain if I didn't spend all day in bed like a sloth. I know my dad was happier with me up and out of the house, but then Charlie was always gone doing stuff with his friend Billy, so he wasn't really around anyway.

This would be our fourth class, and I'd been hanging on every word coming out of Edward's mouth. I couldn't help my fascination with him, but I didn't have to like it, either. He was probably the world's largest tool, at least in my book. I would never understand how people could be led so blindly to believe the things he preached about on his stupid radio show.

The weirdest thing is, I don't remember him being like this in high school. Sure, he'd been somewhat involved in group activities and I knew he came from a religious family, but I don't remember him being so intense about it.

I slumped down in my seat and waited for class to get over so I could get the hell out of here. I'd promised Jacob I would come to watch his band practice, and I was going to be cutting it close. They were practicing some new stuff or the upcoming battle of the bands hosted by Action for Animals up in Seattle, and he wanted my input.

The vegan/straight-edge hardcore scene was gaining fast in Seattle, and I was really excited about it. My friends and I all tried really hard to spread the vegan lifestyle whenever and wherever we could. Animals were meant to be respected, not eaten, and I wanted to do my part in trying to banish animal cruelty in my lifetime.

I shifted in my seat, looking at the back of Edward's head while he listened intently to the teacher. I wondered what he was thinking.

Wait, I knew what he was thinking. He was probably planning the stupid barbecue for his stupid Christian Club. Ugh. I'll just bet there would be nothing but huge slabs of dead meat, dripping in red sauce. Fat assholes living in holier-than-thou ignorance with their precious beliefs and their stupid oil-guzzling SUVs would be lined up around the block to pay homage to His Highness, the King of All Douches.

I really hated Christian Republicans. They were everything that was wrong with our society, and I didn't care how hot Edward was; he was still one of them.

I went back to scribbling on my notebook, trying to kill time. The teacher was lecturing on the Constitution and I was bored out of my mind, wondering when he was going to give up the good fight and let us go for the day.

"So, we need to work in pairs," he said, his voice penetrating my daze. I groaned, along with everybody else in the class.

"Don't worry, I'll count of by two's so nobody has to go through the torture of picking a partner," he replied, a big smile on his face.

I rolled my eyes and counted off as he pointed to me. Every other person was put together and finally, we were separated for our assignment. Oh, and guess who my partner was?

You guessed it. King Douche Jockey himself. Edward Freakin' Cullen.

I cleared my throat and prepared for a frontal attack, wondering if he was going to bust on me now or later. Everyone like him did eventually. One minute we'd be doing homework and the next, he'd be making some snide comment about how I should eat more meat. Or he would just make some joke at my expense about vegans being a waste of space.

I watched as he gathered his stuff and crossed the room to sit in the vacant desk next to mine. He looked about as happy as I did to be working together. My shoulders stiffened when I caught him staring at my messenger bag, obviously trying to read the pins that were covering most of its surface area.

I coughed discreetly to get his attention, and his eyes met mine. I gulped, trying to push back the sudden attack of nerves. His golden eyes were catching the fluorescent lights in such a way that it made them gleam. The highlights in his hair were brought to life. Why was it that fluorescent lights made everyone except Edward Cullen look like shit?

Life just wasn't fair sometimes.

I smiled at him weakly before trying to speak. "So, um, what is it we're supposed to be doing again?" I asked, trying to be civil.

Edward gave me a look that suggested he was trying really hard not to roll his eyes. "We're supposed to be going through the Bill of Rights, giving an example for each one," he replied in his velvety smooth voice. I shivered against my will.

"Umm... examples of what?" I asked, kicking myself as soon as I said it. Great, I look like a complete idiot now!

This time Edward didn't bother to hold back the eye-rolling. I felt the embarrassed flush right to the tips of my hair. "Why even show up for class if you're not going to pay any attention?" he asked.

My eyes narrowed as I tried to think of a suitably witty retort. What a pompous asshole! Unfortunately, the chance for a crushingly witty response had passed; I watched it sail away sadly. I would have to get my head in the game if I was going to hold my own with this guy.

"Just save the lecture and tell me what the assignment is. I'm not going to flake on you, I've just been distracted today," I said in an aggressive tone.

His eyebrows shot up, seemingly surprised at my abrasiveness. "Okay, fine. We're giving examples of cases in which people could use each one of the Bill of Rights to defend themselves. Does that make sense, or should I call the teacher over to explain it to you better?" he said with a derisive smirk on his face.

Oh, fuck you, buddy! I yelled in my head. He was treating me like I was an idiot, and I just couldn't let that pass. I was an intelligent girl, and I was especially interested in politics. I wanted to run so many circles around him that he'd be too dizzy to be such a punk.

"Fine. I think I can handle that," I said huffily.

"Great. Shall we begin, then?" he replied, a look of boredom crossing his face.

"Let's," I said.

For the rest of class, we debated hotly over each of the rights.

Edward didn't like it when I took issue with the second amendment example he came up with. He'd suggested a case where a man owned a gun and used it to scare birds off his land. I snorted, and his eyes narrowed as he looked up from writing it down on the worksheet.

"Excuse me? What's your problem now?" he asked.

"That guy is obviously a tool. He's shooting at birds!" I replied, my cheeks getting hot as I warmed to my rant.

"He's 'a tool?' How eloquent you are," he said in a softly disapproving voice. I winced, completely aware that everyone I knew thought I had a horrible mouth on me.

"Whatever. Just because you're Mr. Radio Republican doesn't mean you're perfect," I sneered.

Edward looked taken aback by my rude reply, and we spent the remainder of the assignment in tense silence, only giving terse replies when completely necessary. My body language said it all: I had my arms crossed tightly across my chest, my legs shifted as far away from him as possible. I didn't look at him, and he didn't look at me.

Who knows why I couldn't control my instant dislike? All I knew was that this guy got my hackles up, and I wanted nothing more than to rip his clothes to shreds. Wait! Rip him to shreds, not his clothes! Ugh. I am a fucking idiot.

I shoved my Freudian slip into the back of my mind so I could focus on hating him and everything he stood for.

Thankfully, the teacher was ready for class to end and I stood up quickly and gracelessly, shoving things back into my bag. I wanted to get away from Edward and all my unwilling fascination with him before I made a complete fool out of myself.