CHAPTER 8

At lunch I was talking with a girl named Amy who sat at our table. I guess I hadn't really noticed who else was around me these days. Shows how nice I am huh? Jess was being normal again, suddenly she leaned over and whispered in my ear:

"He's staring at you again." She giggled a little then moved away. My God! What was it with that boy! Although I couldn't help it, my heart sped up. That's it, I thought. This time I'm gonna stare at him. Slamming my bottle of water down on the table, I snapped my head around to stare back at him. What I saw there was not nice, and it made me quickly turn way and look back at Amy who was saying something that I didn't hear.

His eyes were black, and piercing. Like the darkness of night, except maybe even blacker. They were fierce and full of anger. If looks could kill. Shakily, I took another sip of water, I was dreading Biology.

Luckily he didn't show up in class. I let out a sigh of relief when I walked in and saw that my table was empty. There was however, a note folded on top of the table in my spot. Hmmm, very interesting. All of a sudden I felt someone looking at me. Turning my head to where Mike was I saw him quickly look foreword to the blackboard. I held down a laugh, that boy was so inconspicuous…not. Mr. Banner was starting class, I opened the note under the table, wondering what proclamation of love he could have written me now.

Bella,

Hey, thanks for agreeing to go out with me tomorrow. I wasn't sure if you

Would. I'm planning something really special. Talk to you in gym.

-Mike

Nice. Real nice. Fortunately we were placed on separate teams in Dodgeball, and I only managed to get hit in the head about fifteen times. A new record! I didn't really feel like talking with Mike afterwards either. It wasn't that I didn't like him. I did. Just as a friend though, and tomorrow's date would be kept friendly. I'd make sure of it. Changing quickly I ran out of the locker room before anyone else was done. I stopped short when I saw Edward.

"Um, hi." I mumbled not sure weather or not It was the right thing to say.

"You need a ride home." He stated simply.

"Oh. Uh…you know it's fine, I'll just walk home." I started past him, but he blocked my way.

"I won't let you walk home." His voice was calm and fierce at the same time. I looked up into his eyes, now a whiskey color.

"It's not your decision to make."

"But it is my concern if you get hurt, and I know that I could of stopped it. Look, it's no trouble, I'll drive you home."

"Edward, you've done enough for me already."

"Really?" He looked at my head, obviously noticing the red mark from where I was hit. "Maybe not enough."

"Hey. I'll walk home OK." I said, getting agitated at him. "Besides I wouldn't want to be in the car with someone who looks like they want to bite my head off."

He smirked. "Do I really?"

"Yeah." He sighed and raked a hand through his hair. Then looked at me with wide, beautiful eyes.

"I'd just really feel better if you'd let me take you home."

"That'd make one of us." I grumbled. "Fine." I said more loudly. "If it will shut you up. But this really has to be the last time."

"Maybe." He said as he walked past me.

When we pulled into my driveway five minutes later, Edward cut the engine. I started to get out, but Edward stopped me.

"Bella wait." He paused. "I need to talk to you."

"Ok." I replied slowly. "What about?"

"Mike." I groaned. God, don't tell me that I'm going to have guys fighting over me now. Didn't I have enough problems?

"Edward he's no concern of yours." I replied sternly.

"I don't trust him-"

"And me also." I cut in. "Who said you could run my life anyway?"

"I'm trying to help you!" he snapped

"You want to help! Stay out of my business!" He didn't answer, just looked at me frustrated. "I'm sorry." I said quietly. "Look, I don't know why you hate me-"

"Excuse me!" I looked aghast at him

"Oh, don't pretend! Like I haven't noticed the way you looked like you wanted to fry me to smithereens today at lunch!" Edwards grip tightened on the steering wheel so that his knuckles showed.

"Bella, you will never understand. You don't know the torture you put me through."

"What the hell are you talking about?" I demanded.

"I can't tell you…yet." I started to protest, then stopped. He did say 'yet'.

"Ok. Fine."

We sat in silence for a moment.

"Are you going to the Sadie Hawkins dance?" he finally asked.

"No. I'm…Uh, going to be out of town that day."

"Really?" He seemed interested.

"Yes, now thank you for the ride Mr. Cullen, even though it was an unwilling one. I'll see you tomorrow." He nodded.

"Goodnight Miss. Swan. Have a pleasant evening."

"And you also." I replied stepping out of the car.