Disclaimer: All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.

In Six Months I Lost My Mind But Found My Heart

Chapter Three: Evening Dinner

January 8th

5 Months 3 Weeks & 6 Days Left

Bella's POV

I was at the point of thinking my day couldn't get worse when I realised I would have to introduce my father to Edward and Alice. I have no worries about Alice but I have a funny feeling my father isn't going to take too kindly to Edward.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I sighed up for this exchange program. The school said that all I had to do was host some students for three months then they would host me for three months. Considering they only live three hours away I managed to convince Charlie, my father, that it could be a great opportunity.

Until I met him.

Edward Anthony Masen Cullen

His first impression when he arrived was one of distaste. All he had done was step out of the car and already he looked horrified at where he was going to be staying for the next three months. That got me a little riled up but his sister Alice was very nice and kind, showing no sign of loathsome for me or my home.

When they stepped out of the car I immediately felt out of my depth. He was...well...unbelievably beautiful, I know guys don't like to be described like that but that's exactly what he is, beautiful. Unfortunately his personality isn't as pretty as his looks. Alice was very pretty aswell and from their attire I could see they were definitely well off.

Money is not an issue for me or Charlie, we get by just fine. But seeing them made me think that their combined wardrobes are probably worth more than my entire house and belongings put together.

I've never had an issue with rich or wealthy people, what's there to have an issue with? They're lucky and have money but it's not everything. The only people I do have a problem with are the ones that are rich and think they are better than everyone else. And I just happen to be hosting one of them.

If Alice wasn't here to keep Edward in line I think he would have took off before getting out of the car. But why would he sign up to come on this exchange if he was just going to be rude the entire time?

At school he was showing off and that annoyed me. I don't want the attention for myself, no thank you; I like to stay away from the limelight. It just seemed as though he was trying to pick a fight. The girls were clearly impressed with him and his perfect crooked smile, his auburn hair that was in casual disarray but looked great, and his well toned physique but their boyfriends were not happy.

There are bound to be a few punches throw because of him. It didn't help that he showed off in P.E. either. All that showed them was that he's the new guy with looks that could kill, endless amounts of money, a brain to go with that pretty face, and he's great at sports. It's like he's challenging them.

I managed to get them both home in one piece which was good. Alice spoke to me the entire way home whereas Edward just moped behind us. I'm so grateful she's here; she seems like a really friendly and kind person, a complete contrast to her brother. I wonder if they're really related since they're so different. Their matching perfect looks tell me otherwise. They were just exceeding lucky in the gene pool.

Once we were home that was another issue. What was I meant to do with them? Charlie was going to be home at six thirty and I usually have dinner ready at six forty so at six o'clock I'm going to have to start preparing dinner. That meant that I had to find something for the three of us to do for the next hour.

I managed to fill in ten minutes showing them where they would be staying and giving them a brief tour. As the house isn't that big it took about three minutes to show them every room. Edward disappeared to his room after that and Alice and I headed down stairs.

"Don't take his attitude personal. He likes being alone." She told me as I busied myself in the kitchen.

"If he likes being alone why did he sign up for this exchange?"

"He didn't sign himself up. I signed him up." She was smiling and started shaking her head. "He keeps to himself and is very reserved. It's like he lives in his own bubble. So much is expected of him and he hates it but will never admit it. I thought him coming on this exchange would help break out of the bubble he lives in but at the moment it's just pushed him in further. I know my brother is not the kindest person but he does have a sweet side to him, you just have to stick around long enough to see it. Hopefully you will get to know the real Edward."

"So he doesn't want to be here?" Alice shook her head and took a seat at the table.

"No. If he had it his way we would be back at home right now. I would probably be out with friends and he would be cooped away in his room listening to music or in the drawing room playing the piano. Edward is old fashioned. You'll learn that quickly about him. His life has been planned since birth and this exchange was a part of that plan. To him this a useless experience because he has nothing to gain from it. It's not going to change the course of his life therefore he doesn't see the point. Just give him time though, I'm sure he'll come round."

"How much time because my father gets home in about forty minutes and I don't think him and Edward are going to be a great match." She smirked and stood up to help me prepare dinner. For some reason I didn't expect her to be hands on in the kitchen.

"Edward will be nothing but polite to your father. When we were younger we were taught how to be polite and act appropriate. Edward aced it and knows what he's doing. Do you really think he could be anything but gentlemanly?"

"From first opinions of him I would say he could probably do some work on how to be polite. Or at least how to mask his true feelings, especially if they are of distaste."

"I'll tell him."

"There's no need." Both of us whirled round to see Edward standing in the doorframe. He had a coy smile on his face and didn't look angry that we were talking about him. "I came to see if you wanted any help."

"Oh thanks but its okay."

"I insist." With that he walked over to the counter where I was about to start chopping up some vegetables. It shocked me a little how eager he was to help. Maybe he's not so bad after all.

We worked in silence to prepare dinner. The only time we spoke was when one of them asked what they wanted me to do with some of the food. Due to their help we were ahead of schedule therefore I put the oven on a lower temperature, giving it longer to cook.

By the time Charlie arrived home the table was set and the food was ready. He introduced himself to Edward and Alice then they disappeared to go and freshen up.

"How's everything going?" My dad asked as I brought the plates out.

"So far so good. Alice is nice and chatty."

"And Edward?" He eyed me suspiciously

"Is fine." I said using my brush off voice. It would be better if Charlie just didn't know of Edwards's snobbery side.

"He's a good looking young man." He was waiting for a reaction.

"Really, I haven't noticed."

"Bella." It was his warning tone. In all my seventeen years I've never broken curfew, never come home drunk, never done drugs, never been caught doing anything illegal and have never had a boyfriend. But here Charlie is thinking I'm going to get promiscuous with a guy I met less than twelve hours ago.

The conversation was cut short when they returned for dinner. We all sat down at the table and started our meal.

"So Mr Swan, if you don't mind me asking what is it that you do for a living?" Edward asked politely, trying to start a conversation rather than sitting in silence.

"I work at the police station." My father answered, uninterested with the topic choice.

"Oh how nice. Do you enjoy it?" Edward wasn't trying to sound condescending or patronising but it just came out that way. Charlie glared at him a little before answering.

"It's fine. What is it that your parents do?"

"To keep it simple because the process is exceedingly complicated, they own land and that land turns a profit every year. But among that they work for charity organisations and they have roles amongst the government. I believe at the moment our father is working to get a seat in the House of Lords. That is all I really know though."

"How much land do they own? Are we talking a couple of acres or large areas of land?"

"It's about 100,000 acres." My father dropped his fork and looked at him like he was kidding.

"One hundred thousand?"

"Yes." Edward said nodding.

"And you two are going to inherit that?" Charlie asked picking up his fork again.

"I'm not." Alice said. "Only Edward is eligible to inherit the land due to his title."

"Which is?"

"Marquees of Cambridge." My father nodded then shook his head. I think this was all too much for him to take. They live a very exclusive life, one my father and I will never be able to grasp.

"You have a lovely home." Alice said after a few minutes of silence.

"You're just trying to be polite now." She smiled and shook her head.

"I personally feel so much more comfortable here than at our home. It's cold, impersonal and too big for my liking. It also draws attention to who we are."

"You don't like that?" I asked

"No."

"What about you Edward?" Let's see if he's going to be honest.

"I rather like our home."

"And the attention?" I prompted

"Yes that too." At least he didn't lie.

Charlie kept quiet the rest of the meal but I don't think he really liked Edward much. Alice and he seemed fine together. After whilst we were cleaning up Charlie was having an animated conversation to her about god only knows what. I was washing and drying dishes with Edwards help so was out of earshot.

Just like earlier Edward retired to his room for the evening but Alice and I stayed up talking. She went through all my photo albums asking me who everyone was. Then when we had done that she went through my wardrobe, it was then that she decided that she was going to take me shopping. I was not looking forward to that outing.

Around eleven o'clock Alice decided to call it a night. I hate to say I was a little relieved; I was having trouble keeping up with her bubbly attitude and everything going at a million miles an hour. Since everyone at that point was in bed I decided I should do the same.

Sleep didn't come easy and it didn't last long. I awoke at one in the morning and tossed and turned. I could hear two people talking next door. The walls aren't thick and in the dead silence of night I could make out every word they were saying.

"You had no right to do that Alice."

"Oh and why not?"

"Just because you were not happy with how I was acting does not mean you have to tattle on me to mommy."

"Oh grow up Edward. You were being rude and impolite. Therefore I called our mother and told her to sort you out. Bella did nothing wrong but you were being rude to her anyway. Just because someone doesn't have the same status or wealth as us does not make them less worthy or haven't you realised that."

"Alice you don't understand. I don't get on well with people and it's not helped when I don't want to get to know them. This was just probable cause."

"But it worked. I called Esme, she sorted you out and I'll do it again if I think you're going to behave like that again. It's embarrassing. Now why don't you get some sleep? We have school again in the morning."

"Oh joy, state education."

"Stop being a snob Edward it's not very gentlemanly of you." His bedroom door shut and I heard Alice return to her room.

So early when he was helping out he was only doing it because his mother asked him to. No doubt he would have been punished for not helping. I guess I was wrong when I thought for a brief moment that he actually might have a decent quality about him.