Apologies for the wait! Forgive me?

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns all.

Bella's POV

I was curious all day, waiting to see how Edward would act when we were in Biology together. He had seemed friendly earlier, and I was hoping that whatever mood he was in would last. Maybe I would get to talk to him. But, then again, after hearing about the incident that had occurred, I didn't want to push him either.

Rose was at least halfway courteous at lunch. Apparently, our newfound happiness for Alice had bonded us, if only slightly. I noticed that Edward wasn't in the cafeteria, and that Jasper kept sneaking glances at Alice and vice versa. It was adorable to watch their interest in one another.

I was nervous when I walked into Biology. Edward was sitting in his seat, staring blankly ahead, his fingers tapping the desk in a rhythm. I put my things on the table and sat down in my seat. I glanced over at him discreetly, and his face was pained.

Intrigued, I glanced away. My brain began trying to find an answer to his expression. It seemed like he didn't want company, so that could easily be the answer. I wondered idly if his condition would get worse if I tried to talk to him. I opened my mouth slowly, my eyes trained on his reaction.

His hands curled tightly into fists, and his jaw clenched slightly. I closed my mouth, and he relaxed a little bit. Huh. That's weird.

I hadn't meant to actually speak, but the words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. "Hi. I'm Bella."

He slowly turned to face me, almost dreading the movement, it seemed. His eyes pierced mine for a moment. He seemed to be trying to tell me something. "Edward," he said in a tight voice before looking back toward the front. I left it at that, because he was clearly uncomfortable.

I was momentarily disappointed when I realized that Edward's good mood hadn't lasted as I had hoped. But at least I had gotten his name out of him. He seemed to relax a little over the course of the class. I felt his eyes on me more than once but firmly kept my attention on the teacher, determined to not make him uncomfortable around me. When class ended, he still bolted, but it didn't seem as hurried.

I went to study hall and sat next to Alice, who looked like she was about to have a heart attack. "Jasper is in study hall with us!" she hissed, nodding her head to a table where Jasper was sitting. He threw me a small smile, then looked back at his books.

"Alice, please, don't completely flip out, okay?" I asked, teasing.

Her huge grin disappeared, and her mouth dropped open. "Edward," she breathed. I turned around to see Jasper and Edward sitting at the same table, talking quietly amongst themselves.

"Oh my God," I whispered, turning around quickly.

"So did you two talk today?" she asked, bouncing up and down in her seat.

"Uhm, nah, not really," I answered distractedly, trying to calm down. I didn't need Edward thinking that I was obsessed with him.

"What does 'not really' mean?" Her eyes narrowed at me.

"I introduced myself."

"And?" She grinned widely.

"He looked at me like I'd stabbed him, and then he muttered his name." My voice was slightly acidic.

Her expression fell. "Aw, Bella, it'll be okay. He's just weird. Maybe he's told Jasper what happened, and I can get that out of him soon."

I shrugged. "Really, Alice, it's not a big deal. I'm sure there have been plenty of girls that have pined for him, and they didn't get the story. I don't need to be the exception." Alice and I glanced back at the table that Jasper and Edward were sitting at. Edward had his hands over his eyes, and his shoulders were hunched. Jasper's face was full of sympathy, but his posture told me otherwise. In fact, it almost seemed like they were arguing about something.

Alice sighed, glancing at Edward and Jasper once more. "Whatever you say, Bella. Whatever you say," she muttered.

Yeah, it's short, I know. But Edward's POV is always longer. Review? Por favor?

- J.C.