"I suppose I should read you my letter now, then…," I said, trailing off a bit before I started reading.
At times, I like to think that I have got Miss Isabella Marie Swan figured out completely. However, in truth, as open as a person she appears to be with her feelings and thoughts, she is difficult for me to read.
She cares so much about other people and their wellbeing that it seems as though she has no apprehension left for herself. She is fearless when it comes to her comfort or prosperity and entirely concerned when it comes to somebody else's. And then, she still hasn't disregarded herself at all because she always manages to be in complete order in life when you are on the outside trying to look in.
Merely a girl of seventeen years, and she is already a very wise and honest woman. She appreciates everything, even if it is the thing she dislikes most in this world. She lives in Chicago, where it is snowy and rainy and doesn't complain about her impartiality to the cold.
She is the kind of person I admire. All of her traits, from her frequent blushing and clumsiness and her quick mind and kind nature towards others make Bella one of a kind and very special. There is no other like her.
"It's not as long as yours, or as good I think, but…, " I couldn't think of what else to say because my eyes met Bella's at that moment and my thoughts scattered around inside my brain. I had kept my eyes on my letter the entire time I was reciting it as to avoid doing exactly that. Yet, it still happens.
I truly hope that she can't see through me and read all the emotions I am feeling, laid bare and vulnerable on my heart.
I've met many beautiful girls in the past. My father, with the noblest of intentions, was often trying to find somebody to make me happy in life last year, with me only sixteen.
But all of those girls were only beautiful on the outside. They were jumbled and simpler on the inside.
They weren't like my Bella. Not at all.
Not my Bella, though. But maybe…. All things considered, she does seem to return at least a fragment of my regard. Or more even.
"Edward?" I heard suddenly. "Edward, did you hear me?" The voice was Bella's and it sounded worried.
"Yes," I said, as my surroundings came back into focus and I realized I was sitting in class.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't hear what you said. I was, um, thinking." About you. I did not say that last part, but I did think it.
"Well, I just said that in your letter, you've made me sound so extraordinary. Most of the nice things you've said about me seem to be about another girl," she said. It made me slightly sad to know that she thinks so little of herself. If only she could see herself through my eyes.
"I don't know any other girls named Bella Swan, and I most certainly don't know of any other girl I would be describing the same way as I would describe you," I responded, looking into her beautiful brown eyes.
She started blushing a beautiful red color.
Everything about Bella was beautiful.
"Edward? You remember how Mr. Wilds gave us the choice to either recite our letters in front of the class or just deliver a written copy to him?"
"Yes, I remember him saying that before," I said, unsure why she was saying this now.
"Would you be terribly offended if I chose not to recite it, but rather just gave the written copy? I get dreadfully nervous in front of people."
"I wouldn't mind in the least. However, would you mind if I did read mine for the class. They should know how great of a person you are," I told her, smiling.
She blushed again, "I'm really not a great person," she said, her extreme modesty coming forward once again.
"It's all right to be great. You shouldn't get embarrassed. I really do think you're great. I'm not embarrassed to mention it to you." At least, not very much.
"I'm not embarrassed really, I just don't think it's very accurate. But if you really do think so…I guess saying over and over that I am won't do much to change you mind then?"
"No, I don't think it will," I replied.
She sighed. "Okay, I suppose you can read you letter, and I will try not to be embarrassed."
"Thank you Bella," I said, with a smile on my face. I smile often around this marvelous girl. She makes me feel different. And happy. Things I am only just learning I could feel about a girl.
Class went on much as usual, as did lunch and soon school ended for the day. Time passes extremely fast when Bella and I talk. At the very least, it does for me. I cannot be sure if it is the same for Bella. I can hope though.
I drove Bella back home after school and we talked about various topics on the way towards her house.
At one point Bella, suddenly looks very lost in thought.
Eventually she asks me, "How do you know I do not like the cold weather in Chicago?"
"What?" I ask, a tad confused.
"Earlier, when you read your letter, you mentioned in it that I live in Chicago without complaint never minding the dreadfully cold climate."
"Oh, that. It was apparent to me, your aversion to coldness," I offered as an explanation.
"But…you also said I was difficult for you to read. And yet you noticed that. Angela is the only person to ever notice, or speak upon, that fact about me. The reason for that however, is that I have known her my whole life and practically told her that. But, I hardly know you but you seem to be able to decipher my every thought."
"You have no idea how hard you are to read."
"Then how did you know?"
"I guess I just notice a lot more things about you than I thought."
"Possibly," she said, letting that topic simply float away.
By this time, we had arrived at her home.
I hopped out of the buggy and then helped her down and walked her to her door.
On our way up their walk, Bella said, "Thank you Edward. So so much. It's nice having somebody new to be with on the trip home. And lately, with Angela so enamored with Ben, I like being able to talk with you."
We had practically reached her door by now.
"If you'd like, I could drive you to school tomorrow as well?" I said it more as a question, uncertainty dripping from every single word.
She smiled instantly, however and said, "Really? Do you promise?"
"I promise," I said, smiling back automatically.
"Okay. Good night, Edward. I'll see you tomorrow, then."
"Good night, Bella."
Then she went inside her house, closing the door softly behind herself.
I floated back to my buggy and somehow I arrived at my house. However, the entire trip home my thoughts were on Isabella and how much in love with her I was.
A/N: Edward's POV if you didn't catch that. I really hope I did him justice. Review please and tell me what you think.