He laughed. "You look so tense...what's wrong?" He asked me as we walked to Biology.

"It's just cold." I said lamely. The real reason was that he seemed oblivious to the eyes on us as we walked through the hallway.

"True." He agreed easily. "You'll get used to it. I wonder…."

"What is it, Edward?" My heart pounded hard against my ribs as I said his name.

"Why did you come here? Out of all places, you pick the rainiest and probably coldest place in Washington."

"My mother got a better job offer here."

"I see. Don't worry," he skipped in front of me and faced me, still walking backwards. "I'll help you get used to it." He winked.

I gawked for a second before gaining composure. Then I laughed to hide my flattery. "Thanks."

"Yup." He opened the door for me.

People were chatting, about what I wasn't sure. Edward sat at a lab table at the very back and gestured with his hand for me to join him. I walked shyly towards him; ignoring the eyes I could feel burning me.

"It's okay," He whispered when I was in earshot. "You're new, that's all."

"When will it wear off?" I muttered.

He chuckled at my expression. "Well," he stared in a very formal voice. "Considering how interesting you seem to be to everyone, maybe about a month."

I groaned. The girl who was sitting at the table across the aisle stared at me with wide eyes. Then she quickly turned to whisper to the girl next to her. They both looked at me, then Edward, and then whispered again.

This time, Edward groaned. "That girl with the pale blonde hair is Lauren. We used to date. She's being a little….complicated."

I didn't answer. Instead, I looked the front of the room. "Where's the teacher?"

"Mr. Banner? He's coming. We're watching a movie about ants. It'll take the whole class period and more than half of the next."

"Cool. Do we need to take notes?"

"No need. I have a friend who takes Biology with Mr. Banner a period before us. He gave me the notes." Edward reached into his backpack and pulled out a pile of papers. "See? No problem."

I laughed. "Nice." Then my curiosity bubbled up. "Why don't you date?" I blurted out stupidly.

His eyebrows shot up. "I do," he said. "I just haven't found the girl I want yet."

"Oh. Jessica said─"

"Oh, then it's definitely not true. Don't believe a word she says. About anyone. It's mostly exaggerated crap. I dated Lauren, but only for about a month. I didn't realize how…stuck up she was. I like the down to earth girls, you know?"

"Yeah, I know exactly what you mean." I said sarcastically.

He grinned. "Brunettes always looked more down to earth to me."

"Are you hitting on me?"

"No." His grin widened. "Just telling you how I feel. You could do the same, you know."

Before I could say anything else, a man's voice ordered the class silent. A short man came walking in, pushing a TV on a cart with him. His hair was a shock of red, despite his old appearance. He wore a green suit with a red power tie.

"Today, as you all know," He began. "We're watching a movie about the life of a very important and interesting species." He smiled. "I hope you guys enjoy it like I do every year. For the sake of just watching a good old fashion movie, we don't have to take notes. Just concentrate on the movie, okay? Take notes if you want, because there will be a small quiz soon."

"Well." Edward said sullenly. "That's ten dollars wasted."

"You paid him?" I giggled.

"The guy's an ass. Nothing is free in his world."

I laughed at his face. It was pouty in a cute way.

Mr. Banner started the movie. Then he walked towards the switch and killed the lights.

Edward and I both jumped. A feeling of heat passed through me, and I was instantly aware that he was next to me.

"Wow," I breathed.

He didn't answer. He sat all the way up, his green eyes narrowed.

"Hey, you're Bella, right? I'm Eric, remember?" A nasally voice said from beside me.

I turned my head slightly toward the voice. And stifled a gasp.

His face was inches from mine, smiling. I could see the many zits covering his face and neck from the light of the TV. I could also see how yellow his teeth were.

"Yes, I remember you…Eric."

He beamed as I said his name. I felt Edward relax and laugh quietly.

"How are you?"

"Umm," I backed away from him to make some distance. I backed up too much, and I was between Edward's legs, pressing on his chest. That same heat coursed through me, and I shot forward, barely smacking into Eric. "I'm okay. You?"

Edward was silent again. Could he feel it too?

"I'm cool. How do you like Forks?"

"It's okay. Just a little cold."

"Oh yeah. Edward, you okay, dude?" Eric was looking over my head at Edward.

"I'm fine." His voice was strained.

"You look kind of wound up." Eric noted.

"Dude, I'm fine. Quit being an annoying ass."

Eric's face went blank, and then he looked back down to me. "Strung up, isn't he?" He smiled. Then his smile faded just as quickly. "So, I know this is kind of soon and stuff, but wanna go out? On a date? At the movies?"

"Huh? I mean…"

"She can't. She told me she has to help out the new house." Edward poked me in the back.

"Yeah. Sorry, I wasn't paying attention to your question."

"Oh, okay. No problem. Maybe another time. So…"

Eric went on to ask tell me about every detail of his life, including the time he had to get surgery for an itchy anus. I had to pretend to listen for that one, or I'd most definitely hurl.

By the time the period was over, I was pretty sure I knew him his whole life.

"What class next?" Edward asked when Eric left.

"Gym."

"Oh. I have Spanish III. I'll walk you there."

"Okay."

We left the room and he led me out the door, into the misty rain.

"Gym is building four. Sorry. I should have saved you. Eric can be such a kid sometimes."

"You're right. You should have saved me. He doesn't have many secrets does he?"

"No, not really." Edward grinned. "So, tell me something."

"What?"

"Did you feel a little…warm in Biology?"

"No." I answered too quickly.

"Oh. It was really hot, despite the lights being off. It was weird."

"Maybe you're going through menopause."
He snorted. "Yeah, that must be it." We stopped in front of the building four door. "Here you are."
"Thanks." I said and turned my back to him.

"Bella?"

"Yes?" I turned around and his face was inches from mine, his eyes burning.

Then he kissed me. And I kissed him back. I felt the warmth spread throughout my whole body, and even though my exposed skin was slowly being saturated by the cold mist, I didn't care. I was warm.

I was a little embarrassed when he was the one to pull back. But he was smiling, his eyes soft. He leaned in to peck my lips, and then he pulled away and walked off.

I stood there, not sure what the hell just happened. Then I turned around and went in the door to endure gym.