Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Twilight characters, however much I'd like to own Edward…mm mmm. Unfortunately all these characters belong to Stephanie Meyer not me.

Genre: Angst/Romance. I'll try and tone down the angst but we'll see how it pans out...
Rating: M for reasons that the later chapters will unfold.

I decided against going into school the next day. I had tossed and turned all night trying to get the image of Edward's disgusted face out of my head, so I hadn't slept at all. I was no use to anyone in that state and I couldn't be on full watch-out-for-cheerleader alert if I wasn't with it.

I figured that Edward would also get the hint that our study session was off if I wasn't in school. As much as I hated to ditch out on work, my emotions couldn't take another hacking. And I knew that Edward relished the idea of cutting me down to size. Funny that despite all this, I still felt a pang of sadness at the fact that he wasn't going to be sitting on the sofa next to me today.

I called the school to tell them I would be absent, the sweet receptionist seemed concerned but didn't press for parent confirmation. Lucky seeing as Charlie was never really around. He knew something had gone down yesterday as I didn't leave my room or respond to him when he yelled up about dinner being on the table. I was surprised that he'd cooked as I normally did that but I was still too on edge to face anyone. I felt sorry for Charlie, no one wanted an emotionally-disturbed child and I was probably one of the worst you could get. He did the right thing by steering clear, he had work as an excuse but I knew he saw it as relief from me.

I ventured downstairs and spent the rest of the day catching up on homework, preparing dinner for Charlie and generally trying to distract myself from the worry of missing school. Though I absolutely hated school and everything I have to cope with there, I hated it more when I missed work and allowed my own issues to get on top of me and affect my education. Once I'd graduated I was going to go to a top university away from the cliques of school and start a fresh. Maybe I would find friends and lead a proper life…maybe one day.

As I journeyed up to my room, I realised I'd gotten behind on the laundry. I didn't have many clothes but I was so behind that all I was left with was this flowery dress my mom had bought me in an attempt to make me fit in with my peers. Yeah, good try Mom.

I put it on so I could wash everything else and as I walked to my door I saw my reflection in the mirror. It was a nice dress, I looked somewhat like a normal teenager. But I sighed when I remembered that I was far from normal and no clothes could change what was on the inside.

Just as I reached the bottom of the stairs with the pile of laundry, the doorbell rang. Immediately everything in my arms fell to the floor. I groaned at the mess and glanced at the clock. It was only 5pm, Charlie doesn't normally get home until 6 and whenever he forgot his keys he'd go round the back to find the hidden key. I hadn't been living here this long so I had no idea who Charlie's friends were or if they were good people or if they also knew where the hidden key was!

The doorbell rang again twice. Well, whoever this was they weren't giving up easily. I thought I may as well try and get rid of them for fear of them finding their own way in.

I cautiously opened the door, only to be surprised at the face looking back at me. It was Edward.

My immediate reaction was to slam the door shut. So I did. I don't know why I did it but it was just too much. I hadn't mentally prepared myself for his arrival, I thought he would have gotten the idea that I wasn't up for human interaction today.

The doorbell rang again. I wondered if I could just leave it and walk upstairs, maybe he would go away…

Damn, I couldn't leave it. I'd already embarrassed myself but ignoring him would just make things worse. I reached for the door again and slowly opened it fully. Edward was once again doing his casual lean on the door frame, except without the common smirk I had gotten used to. In fact his face was somewhat strained and he seemed impatient. I don't know how long it was until he finally uncrossed his arms and sighed in frustration.

"Really Bella? You slam the door in my face then stand there and look as if you don't see me? Invite me in." He stated. Very simply and very aggressively. It took me aback, he seemed annoyed and I had no idea why. His attitude shocked me out of my reverie, so much so that suddenly I found my voice.

"Ordering an invitation still counts as forcing yourself on someone." I said outright. Oh my god, where had that come from? My eyes went wide as I covered my mouth with my hand in shock. Edward seemed just as shocked and stood a little straighter. The side of his mouth twitched as he leaned forward a little.

"My, my. So this is where you hide your backbone, ey? Under pretty dresses." My hand dropped from my mouth as I looked down at my attire, processing his comment. Was that a compliment hidden in his insult? He saw me register it and after a short time, soon backtracked. "Jesus, I said your dress was pretty, not you. Now grow up and let me in."

My face fell. I hadn't even had the chance to think that maybe he was saying I was pretty, I would never let myself think that. But I was still shocked at how easy he found it to utter these brutal words. After the day I had yesterday, I couldn't deal with another confrontation. I sighed as I stepped aside and waved my hand to let him in. I saw him hesitate then pick up his bag before marching in.

He dropped his stuff to the floor and turned around to face me, eying me up. I closed the door warily and moved to fetch my books from my bag. I wasn't expecting his arrival so I fumbled for a while getting the things that I needed. When I moved to the sofa he was still staring at me, with a confused look on his face. As I set up my stuff on the table he spoke again.

"How do you do that?" He blurted out and it was my turn to look confused. He continued, "How do you hold it all in?"

I knew then that he was talking about my silent nature, but surely this was no surprise to him. Why he was questioning it all now, I had no idea. Yet he continued.

"I can't figure out what triggers you. You're silent, indifferent and reclusive. But sometimes something triggers you to let it out…I've heard it." He edged round the sofa and sat next to me. I was really confused now and extremely uncomfortable with how this one-sided conversation was going.

"Science triggers you. So something you're passionate about. And touching…that clearly triggers you. Everything comes out then. Can't calm you down once someone goes there." He laughed. It was a cold and pointed laugh at my human glitch. Immediately I turned my face down in shame but I couldn't stop the word coming from my mouth.

"Nice." I whispered. What was wrong with me today? Did my brain suddenly forget that I didn't like to speak, let along about something so personal?

"Oh, another word! Well isn't it my lucky day? This is very interesting…so scientific." He moved closer to me, so close that I could smell his cologne. My breath hitched. He wasn't letting this go and I had no idea why. "So there's another trigger I'm missing. You don't have any friends; you don't talk to anyone in school; you don't even raise your hand in class even though I know you know the answers. Yet I've heard you blurt things out…but only when there's no one else around."

I turned to look at him just when a look of recognition crossed over his face. What had he just figured out? This was too much, he was too close. He needed to leave but I couldn't say it. I jumped up and moved to the door, looking down at my feet.

I didn't hear anything for a long while and I refused to look at him through this awkward interaction. He seemed to find this amusing and he showed the familiar interest that the cheerleader showed yesterday. It wasn't until there was a shadow cast over my feet that I realised he had moved close to me again. What was his deal?

"It's me." Edward declared and pushed the open door closed with a simple nudge. But he hadn't gone out, he was still there standing over me. The fierceness in his voice and the proximity of his body radiated through me and I shivered. I continued to look down, frozen on the spot and genuinely scared of what was to come. What was him? What did he mean?

"You speak to me. You've questioned me. You've scolded me." His breath washed over my forehead and his last few words sent electrical vibes through me once more. "So clearly you don't hold back completely from me. And yet…10 seconds Bella. 10 seconds we were sat there on the sofa with my knee pressed to yours. We were touching and you didn't react with a pathetic panic attack. Oh Bella, do you know what this means?"

At that moment I looked up at him. The reality of how close he was suddenly became clear as his eyes bore into mine. What was going on? Had we really been touching on the sofa? Where was my panic attack then? He must be lying.

But no sooner had I been able to register these questions racing through my head, that one of his hands went next to my head to rest on the wall behind me. He was getting even closer, if that was even possible. My eyes suddenly snapped to my arm. He had gently touched my wrist with his hand. My heart rate sped up once more and I seemed to stop breathing. That was the usual reaction, I knew he had been lying. But as I went to move my arm away, his thumb started to move. He circled my wrist for a second before moving his hand up my arm.

Everything moved in slow motion. Even though I could feel and hear my heart slamming through my chest and my breath becoming non-existent, I couldn't move. That instinct and that urge to run away and shout to never touch me again wasn't there. For some reason, my brain stopped functioning. I even moved my eyes to look at Edward. That was a mistake.

They shone with intrigue, dazzling me with their beauty. He was starring right back at me with a look full of seriousness. His hand had reached my shoulder and started to move down my back until he stopped at the small of my back. This position was a little strange as he had to stretch to reach behind me. No sooner had I though this that he suddenly pulled my body closer. The gap that was happily separating us was no more as my chest crashed into his. I had to grasp a hold of his arms to stop myself from falling over.

I gasped as reality hit me. He was touching me and I was definitely touching him. I was overwhelmed with emotions. Was I cured? Did this mean I was normal again? Crazy thoughts surrounded me, when all at once Edward lowered his head to my ear.

"I'm your trigger. Only me." He whispered. But as soon as the words were out of his mouth he was gone. In a blur he picked up his bag and opened the door as I stood frozen to the wall, struggling to stay upright. He turned slowly and smirked. "See you on Tuesday Bella, we have a lot of catching up to do."

The door closed and I collapsed to the floor. I tried to process what had just happened but it was all too confusing. He was right though. I have spoken to him numerous times. Not like a normal person but I have. And sometimes I do have the urge to say what I'm feeling and let it out when he's around, but never in public. And now I could touch him without panicking? Why him and what does it mean?

Obviously I knew the minute I questioned it. He had something over me, I actually wanted to be different around him. I actually cared what he thought of me. When he touched me, I don't think I had ever felt so alive. He confused me, he frustrated me but now…now he excited me. I was scared about what had just occurred and I was nervous about what could occur next time.

I just hoped beyond hope that when he said 'catching up' he meant our Science project.

A/N: Ahhh sorry! I totally forgot to upload this chapter, I'd written most of it a while ago but have been completely overwhelmed with my degree. Anyway, here it is and finished. It is a little shorter than I would have hoped but I plan to write more today (of course you can't trust anything I say, can you?). I hope you like this though, things will start to heat up even more soon so if you think it's worth it...keep reading and reviewing!