"You're…Isabella Swan, right?" His eyes peered down to my chest.

"Yeah, just call me Bella. Who are you?" My voice came out sharper than intended.

"I'm Mike Newton." The baby face blond smiled hugely, and then his eyes slid down again.

"Nice to meet you, Mike." I said, walking away. What a creep. I slipped quickly into the girls' locker room.

When I was dressed down, I came out and sat on the bleachers. Everyone else was at the very top of bleachers, chatting and playing around. I noticed Jessica, but I ignored her. Mike sat next to me. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just tired." I said, wishing he would leave. I was pretty sure he was staring at my chest. "Where's the couch?" Funny how this school allowed the absence of teachers so leniently.

Mike laughed. "He won't be here for a while. He says he'll be right back to check up on some things. But those 'things' is a cheeseburger and large shake." He laughed again. "The guy's a fat ass."

I didn't know what to say.

"Hey─there's a dance going on in a few weeks…I was wondering if you wanted to get to know me more, and then go with me."

I gaped at him. "Sorry, I don't dance."

"You don't have to dance. Just hang out with me."

"Actually, can I get back to you on that one?" What was the deal with me and Edward? My mind was set, though. I rejected Mike the minute he looked at my breast. I doubted he knew what color my eyes were.

"Sure."

He talked to me while I pretended to listen. I would look at the clock, and when it seems as if an hour passed, it was only five minutes.

It took me a while to notice that he had gone silent. "What's your favorite color?" he asked, trying to make small talk.

"Um…green. Like emerald." I laughed internally at myself as I found out why green was my favorite color.

"Wow. You're really different. Most girls like pink, purple, or red." Was he some kind of expert?

"And?"

He backtracked quickly. "Just saying. Green is a good color."

"I know it is."

"So…made up your mind yet?"
Before I had a chance to tell him to piss off, the bell rang. I looked at the clock in amazement. It was time to go.

I got up quickly without answering and went into the locker room to change. Behind me I could hear Mike sigh in defeat. I smiled.

I was one of the last to leave; it was me and that girl Edward said who's name was Lauren.

I was about to leave when she said something. "Huh?" I turned my head.

"I said 'bitch'." She said in a menacing voice.

"Excuse me? I don't even know you." I spun my whole body around.

"Oh, shut up. You and I both know what you're trying to do here. You know, me and Edward still have a chance."

"I'm not trying to take him from you." For some reason, I felt apathetic. She wasn't worth the breath I was using on her.

"Yes, you are! Just leave him alone!" She screamed.

"I'm out of here." Mr. Mason had no clue how much he lied to me when he said "nice" people attended this school. I walked out as she babbled.

"Pathetic." I muttered as I came outside. The rain was holding off, but it felt colder than before.

"What's pathetic?" Edward asked. I didn't notice he was waiting by the door.

"Lauren," I spit. "Had a little talk with me. About you."

"Aw, I'm so sorry. She's confused."

"Yeah, well if she doesn't control herself, I will."

"Temper, temper." He cautioned.

"Sorry."

"You need a ride home? Who gave you a ride here?"

"My dad. But sure, I'd like a ride. He's going to be like two hours late anyway."

Edward chuckled as I followed him into the parking lot. He led to me to a black car with silver designs on the hood. I didn't know much about cars, but I knew it was a mustang, at least.

"What kind of car is this?"

"It's a Shelby GT500 Coupe." He smiled at me. "I just got it last year."

"Wow. Living the good life?" I asked.

"My dad sells houses. He's really good at it." He opened the door for me then went around and took his own. He started it up and sped off. "This car has amazing horse power. You wouldn't believe it."

"Oh really?" I said absentmindedly. I was busy thinking of what was going on with me and him.

"Sorry about the kiss," he said, reading my mind. "I should have asked you first."

"It's okay. I'm not mad."

He clicked his tongue but otherwise said nothing.

"So, what are we?" I asked. I couldn't take it anymore.

"Hmm…" he murmured. "I'd like it if you were with me. But you don't have to."

"I'll get back to you on that." I said in a teasing voice. Trying to lighten the mood.

It worked. "Okay." He laughed. "Wait, where do you live?" He was cruising around the small neighborhood.

"Take a right at the end of the road." I instructed. He did. He parked right in front of my house.

"How did you know which house?" I asked.

"Bella," he said in an exasperated voice. I liked the way he said it. "This is a small town. Everyone who lives here knows where everyone else lives. This is the only house that has new people on this block."

"Oh." I frowned. "I see. Well thanks for the ride."

"No problem. You want me to pick you up tomorrow morning?"

"No, you don't have to."

"Okay. Call me if you change your mind."

I reached into my back pocket and pulled out my cell phone. "Okay, what's your number─?"

"I already put it in your phone." He winked.

"When?" I was perplexed.

He laughed. "During Biology. You had it on the desk."

"Oh." I laughed with him. "Slick, aren't you?"

He grinned mockingly. "See you around, Bella."

"Bye." My voice dragged. I didn't want to leave. I got out the car and closed the door. He drove off.

I went onto the porch and noticed the car wasn't in the driveway. I tried the door. It was open. "Mom? Charlie?" I called.

"Hey, Bells! Your mom's out. But hey," Charlie called from the living room. I came in to see him sitting on a box next to a boy. "You guys should remember each other." He gestured to the boy.

His hair was long and black and silky. It covered his red-brown face, which held a pair of dark eyes that were set so deep that a shadow hung over them. I knew he was tall by the way he sat, maybe 6'5 or more. He wore a pair of grease-stained jeans with a black T-shirt. His smile was infectious; the teeth ultra-white compared to his dark, smooth skin.

"I'm Jacob. Jacob Black." He said in a husky voice.