I am so so so so so sorry for such a long wait for you all. My 6 year old brother decided that the keyboard for my computer would be put to better use if he chopped the connecting wire so I had to wait to get a new one.

But anyway, here chapter 3 of THAT girl

Chapter 3

"Today," began Mr. Wilds, "we shall begin a new project."

It was Monday, the start of the second week since I had started attending this new shool. By now I've come to see Jessica as a potential friend, Lauren as a potential enemy, Ben as a potential beau for Angela, Mike as a known annoyance, Tyler as Mike's almost lovable siamese twin, and Edward Masen as a complete mystery.

" To start this project, you will each need to find a partner," continued Mr. Wilds. "The pairs must be boy and girl groupings but I will grant you the liberty to chose who you want to work with. Please go find someone now and move into the desk near them."

I knew there were at least 20 regular students everyday. The division between boys and girls was perfectly equal, fortunately. Angela and Ben were partners naturallly. They have become close in the last week. Friday, he even accompanied Angela home, which was completely on the other side of town. Since I usually go home with Angela, I had to tag along as well.

I sawMike and Tyler both steadily coming closer to my desk and I grimaced inwardly. But Mike was snatched up unexpectedly by none other than Jessica Stanley. Tyler saw his chance and went for it, increasing his speed a little in triumph when suddenly an enthusiastic Lauren dragged him away.

I spent so much time paying attention to who else was pairing up together that I forgot that I needed a partner of my own. I quickly stood up and made a quick scan of the classroom. My eyes intercepted two amazing green ones. He didn't have a partner either and for some reason it made me giddy to know he hadn't chosen some other girl.

I gathered my things and walked over to his desk.

"Hi," I said, suddenly shy. "Do you mind if I were your partner for the project?" I asked Edward, timidly and very terrified of rejection.

Instead he responded with another magnificent smile and said, "It's perfectly fine with me."

I sat down at the desk next to him and awaited instructions from Mr. Wilds.

"Now that I have all of you paired up, I need to record all of the teams," he began. "When I call your name you must tell me your partner's name. John, who is your partner?

"Mary," replied John.

"Partick?"

"Emily"

"Benjamin?"

"Angela"

The names went on like that for a short time.

"Edward?"

"Bella"

My head impulsively snapped up at the mention of my name. Then I realized why name was being called and I blushed my embarassment.

"Mike?"

"Jessica"

That concluded the list or pairings. Mr. Wilds cleared his throat by way of getting the class' attention.

"For this assignment you will working with the same partner for three weeks. You must interview them extensively and at the conclusion of three weeks you will each turn in a piece of writing about that person. It could be a biography of their life, a story of what they are like as an individual, a certain event that has happened to them , or something else as long as we learn a significant amount of information about that person that we may not have known before."

It was almost as if Mr. Wilds was answering my earlier thoughts about Edward's mysterious ways when he thought of this project. Suddenly school became interesting when I knew that the subject I would be learning about was the boy sitting next to me. I feel so giddy and nervous at the same time. What if, once I figure out who Edward Masen is, I will learn he is the opposite of what I thought? What if he wouldn't like me once he learns more about me?

"For know," continued Mr. Wilds, interrupting my now disturbing thoughts, "I simply want you to introduce yourselves, although many of you are well aquainted with your project companions. Then I want you each to tell the other what your plans for the futrue are. Whether it be an occupation or where you plan to live later in life.

Edward and I turned to face each other, as did 9 other pairs.

"Well we already know each other's names, so I guess we should go on to the second part," I said, blushing a little at how obvious my statement was in actuality.

Edward didn't seem to mind the apparent comment, and asked," Would you like to go first, or would you rather I?"

"You may go if you like, I'm not entirely sure what I want to do in life so mine may take longer."

"Well, I will probably finish all my schooling and go to a fine college like my father wishes me to do, but I would rather enjoy possibly going to fight in the war. If not, I'm sure to be employed as a doctor or something simmilar in that field."

"It would be great for you to be able to do what you want and go fight for your country, but I understand why your father would rather you do something less dangerous. If you died, even for your country, many people would miss you. I would miss you."

I stared at him in horror with my mouth hanging open. I didn't mean to say that and let him know that I was already so attached to him. Now he would think me extremely permissive and rude.

But he just smiled beautifully, probably amused at my expression, and said very seriously, " I would miss you if I died as well, even knowing so little about you. But, unless if a draft is formed, I will not be going to fight, so you don't have to worry about my death ."

I blushed at his compliment, but was once again troubled at the thought of there being a draft.

"Bella?" came a puzzled voice from next to me.

"Hmm?" I asked.

"Um, I had asked what you planned on doing in your future. Were you thinking about it?" Edward asked, still puzzled.

It dawned on me that I had just zoned out (A/N: did they use that expression in 1918?) whild Edward was asking me something.

After my face had flushed thoroughly, developing an embarassment inside me greater than any other, I said, sounding oh so brilliant, "Um... yes, i was thinking about that. I didn't come up with much though. Maybe I'll be a teacher." That was the first thing that popped into my head.

"Well that would be nice. You seem very smart"

Before I could say anything to that remark, Mr Wilds began with, "Now, this was the first stage in starting your interviewing. Tonight I would like you to think of at least 5 unique questions for your partner to answer tomorrow."

With that, school ended. Angela and I made our way home. Ben couldn't escort Angela (and me, of course) because he was starting a job at his neighbor's factory.

During the bus ride home, Angela mostly talked about what she and Ben discussed about their futures. I didn't say much, but Angela didn't seem to mind. She was jsut as happy doing the talking for now.

Dinner was quiet as any other day. I told my parents about the interviewing assignment and they were interested in it, as they are in most things I do in school, being their only child.

Before I wnet to sleep, fowever, I had a quick talk with God, which I seldom do. I prayed (rather selfishly, I guess) for the draft in the war to never come.

And then once again, I dreamt of Edward Maesn.

I hope to have the next chapter up soon. Read and review!

-Antoinette