… Someone call the ambulance quick—I think I'm going to faint due to excess vitamin Happiness in my system!!! I actually broke the 4-reviews curse! OMGOMGOMGOMG. Thanks so much to LovieHiggins for first breaking the curse, then Starskysea for blessing me with your much read-after-and-after-by-me comment. I now realise how wrong I am to dislike fanfiction . net --IT ROCKS. And all of you lovely, wonderful and marvelous darlings too! I shall update with much motivation and vigilance, and I hope that you darlings would continue being the very nice people you are, and review me. Please know that every time you review, I get happier. Ain't it just fantastic being able to bring happiness to someone else :D

Oh, and I've decided not to leave that crucial part out. Edward shall still lust for Bella's blood. But she would somehow turn the tables and make it to her advantage. So, sit back and enjoy the show!

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Disclaimer: Twilight's not mine. New Moon ain't mine.

Chapter Three

Edward walked past Jessica's table slowly and skillfully put on a nonchalant expression on his face. He tuned out everybody else's thoughts and concentrated on Jessica's and the new girl's mind.

Yes, the new girl, Isabella Swan. Edward grinned at how he had to unravel her. It was such a long time since Edward had another chance to test out his superb flirting skills. Rosalie had dared him to date every single girl in Forks High and Edward had accepted it with much determination and enthusiasm. To him, every girl was a mystery. It brought him immense satisfaction whenever he was done with one. He felt like he was the ultimate man—give him any female and she'd be all over him within a week! But once done with any girl, he disposes her with such skill that instead of hating him with all her life, she is actually willing to wait for him, foolishly thinking that he will one day return to her. Jessica was the one girl who Edward considered a worthy match. He really did have to hand it to her when she played hard to get. Her mind was screaming 'Get me!' but her body language said otherwise. Yes, that girl was tricky. But nothing fazes Edward the Great. Slowly and surely, he won her over and as an award for Jessica for challenging his skill, he stayed with her for one whole month.

The challenge to date every single girl in Forks High was long over, ending when he broke up with Jessica. But now, this Isabella—no, Bella, she preferred Bella—intrudes into the school for no rhyme or reason. He yawned at how easy she was to unravel—happy, friendly, and cheerful; a typical cheerleader-type. Still, it would bring him much joy to finally have another so-called 'experiment' to work on. His life was just beginning to become boring and mundane. Smiling at every girl suggestively? Who ever knew that even smiling could turn into such a chore?

Edward Cullen. He was the man! I'd never ever forget him, not ever in my entire life. The familiar thought-voice of Jessica reached him and he shuddered slightly at her soppiness. Will she get over him already? Oh right, nobody ever gets over him. While smirking smugly to himself, he shifted his focus to the spot beside Jessica, the spot where Bella's thoughts were supposed to be exposed, the spot where Edward finds a flaw in his gift.

Nothing.

Not a whisper of thought-voice at all. Edward frowned, and shifted his focus back to Jessica. Yes, her annoyingly soppy thoughts still could be heard. But where were Bella's thoughts? Edward possessed and had mastered the skill of eavesdropping on thoughts long enough to know that it was impossible for the human mind to be completely devoid of all thoughts. There must be something in that vast and endless mind of hers; there must be.

At this point of time, Edward's dead and non-existent pulse raced. This had never happened before. No! Edward screamed at himself. He refused to believe that this small and petite girl had outwitted him even before they officially meet each other. Edward took a deep breath, and calmed himself down before he went into a frenzy of insecurity. He looked at Bella, willing her thoughts to suddenly blast loud and clear into his own mind. He heard her sigh, so he knew his sense of hearing was still as acute as ever. She turned unexpectedly and threw Edward off for a moment. He recovered quickly, smiling encouragingly back at her. This girl, Bella, seemed to be thinking for a moment before turning her head back.

Wrong! Two things were completely and utterly wrong. Number one: Why didn't he anticipate her looking at him? Edward never gets caught off guard! Number two: What was Bella thinking when she turned her head back? And why didn't she return his smile? Up to date, not a single human girl has shown any hints of resisting him. Why is this girl breaking all the rules suddenly?

Edward's golden eyes followed Bella as she walked out of the cafeteria. His cheerleader image of Bella broke into a million pieces as he told himself steely that when he said nothing fazes Edward the Great, he meant it.

Bella sighed for a third time as she doodled endlessly in her notebook. It seemed like such a long time since she left the cafeteria. She lifted her head and looked at the clock. She sighed yet again upon realizing that only a mere one minute has passed since the last time she looked at the clock. Having absolutely nothing else to do, she allowed herself to think of home back in Phoenix, something which she had tried to get off her mind.

She wondered how Renee and Phil are coping now. Would Renee still miss her if she was enjoying Phil's presence to the fullest? What about Andrea? Does she already have a new best friend? Bella felt a lump in her throat as her mind started filling with all the horrible possibilities of how life in Phoenix had moved on without her. But no, she would not cry. She swallowed the lump with some effort and then forced a smile onto her face. Yes, she was happy in Forks. And even she wasn't, she will be.

"What are doing here with a retarded smile on your face like that?" A voice asked, jerking Bella away from all the negativities. Bella, obviously flustered, blushed deeply as she looked up to see who the voice belonged to. It was the guy who she bumped into earlier. What was his name again? … Mike! Yes, it was Mike. Bella laughed, hoping it would help ease the awkwardness. "Hello, Mike. Are you in my Biology lesson?" Mike sat down beside Bella and replied, "Yeah. It's sad though, how I can't sit beside you." Surprised, Bella asked, "But why? Isn't it free seating in Forks High?" Mike nodded and explained, "It's different for Biology. Mr. Cleft doesn't like it when we change our seats everyday and so, allocated fixed seating arrangements. You would most likely be sitting next to Cullen since that's the only vacant spot."

Cullen. Bella racked her brain, trying to remember where she had heard that name before. Mike prompted, "Cullen. Edward Cullen?" Bella froze. Jessica's ex? The God of Forks High? Pretending to appear calm, she asked Mike, "What's Ed—I mean, Cullen, like? Nice?" Mike's face darkened and he answered bitterly, "Nice? Oh yes, he's the picture of perfect goodness to all females species. Boys are all envious how he gets girls easily. Do you know that there is not one girl in this school that hasn't been preyed by him before?" Looking at Bella's confused face, he went on, "Girls to Edward, is like toys to a toddler. You play with one when you're bored. And when you're done, you just throw them away and go in search for another one." Bella's face was now one of anger.

Toys?! Does he even realise how much the girls truly love him? And all he does is to play with their feelings?! How Bella hated boys like Edward. She'd been cheated by one like him before, and she knew how painful it was. She stopped dead in her tracks of thoughts. Jessica didn't seemed pained when Bella asked about Edward. She spoke again, after a long time. "The girls don't hate him?" Mike rolled his eyes, "Oh no. Hating Edward's the last thing they'll do. They all adore him so much they don't realise how Edward's actually playing with them. In fact, they're grateful." Bella frowned and Mike continued, "Yes, grateful because Edward made them so happy. Honestly, I think that every one of these girls would die for him if needed."

By now, more and more people had begun streaming into the classroom, including females whose minds had been poisoned by Edward. Mike pointed Bella to her rightful seat and she moved slowly towards the seat. Edward would soon sit beside her and start intoxicating her, she had no doubt. Then, she quickened her pace as she made up her mind to ignore Edward totally. She slowed down again, what about playing along with him? Beat him at his own game? Bella grunted in frustration as she sat down, at a loss of what to do.

One thing Bella was sure of: She would not become a puppet of Love. Not when Edward was the puppeteer.

Edward strolled casually into the classroom and stopped with a start when he saw Bella sitting beside his seat. He walked slowly to his seat and as he sat down, he felt Bella stiffen beside him. He smirked to himself, assuring himself that it wouldn't be a feat if he already had an obvious effect on her. As Edward took a deep breath, ready to attack Bella with full force, he too, stiffened. At that moment, all hell broke loose for Edward. Internal war raged on within him and he felt like he could die a second time.

Bella's scent was pouring off her body, tempting Edward cruelly. He clutched his chair tightly, finger mark etching into metal. He stopped all flow of air, but it wasn't of much help. In his memory, the devilish scent was still seducing him. Go on, Edward. Eat me. Suck me dry. I'm waiting, Edward. Come to me. Bella peered at him from underneath her lashes. Why had such an innocent look of concern become so sensual to him? Edward forced his head to turn away. He could cry now, Bella had just destroyed Edward completely and entirely. What made her so powerful? Edward cursed Bella with all his being. How come such a simple girl possessed the ability to cripple Edward so badly? He wanted to run away from this evil girl, to escape from her clutches. His dignity wouldn't allow him to. Why must he admit defeat to this mere human? He can kill her, and the twenty other witnesses in a matter of seconds. So what was stopping him?

His love for Carlisle. Edward didn't want to break what Carlisle had painfully built. He could almost see the look of anguish on Carlisle's face if he drank Bella. He could feel Esme hugging him and comforting him like a little child, saying that it was okay over and over again. But it wasn't okay! Why? What had he done to deserve all these?

"Mr. Cleft? Edward's old illness is acting up again. May we please bring him home?" Alice's voice floated into Edward's head from somewhere, but he didn't care and couldn't care. He was too numb. "Oh yes, he does look somewhat uncomfortable. Take him home and make sure he gets lots of rest. Are you okay, Edward?"

No. He wasn't. He wanted to die.

Alice tugged at his sleeve but he couldn't move. He was afraid that once he did, vampire instincts would kick in and everything would be over. A sigh was heard, and then Emmett's strong arms lifted Edward off the chair. Alice worked quickly, wrenching Edward's fingers from the chair. It was a sad sight, seeing Edward so useless. Alice thanked Mr Cleft and the Cullen family left the classroom quickly. Once they were clear of human eyes, Emmett raced to the car park, where Rosalie had jumped into Edward's Volvo, ready to speed off any minute. Emmett placed Edward carefully on the backseat, together with Alice. He patted the rear of the car gently and Rosalie stepped on the accelerator. Jasper and Emmett would have to take Rosalie's car home.

Edward lay in Alice's lap as she stroked his hair lovingly. "Oh, Edward, I'm so sorry I didn't warn you. I thought you were able to handle it. I'm so so sorry, Eddie." Rosalie glanced at the mirror worriedly, but kept her mouth shut. In this guilty and terrifying silence, they drove all the way home.

Bella stared at where Edward was sitting a few minutes ago. What just happened? Everything went by like a blur and before she knew it, Edward was gone. She felt an unreasonable surge of anger rising within her. Was it a look of hatred that Edward was giving her? All he did was plop down beside her and went completely rigid. She pretended not to care, but he was so quiet, Bella glanced at him out of curiosity. To her horror, his eyes were a murderous black, shooting Bella sharpened daggers from his eyes. He looked as if Bella was his enemy from long ago, ready to pounce on her and devour her whole. What did she do to deserve this lousy treatment from him?

Slowly, Bella turned her head back to the whiteboard. If this was how Edward was going to play his game, Bella shall fulfill him.

She shall hate him right back.