Chapter 3: Uh-Oh, Soulio

I'm so happy people love this story so much! Please keep reviewing and telling me your thoughts on this story or ideas that you want me to include!

When I got home from school I headed straight for my room, pulling out my laptop that I got for my sixteenth birthday with my own money. It was my present to me since mom just got me a cake with candles, and a visa that allowed me to spend a hundred dollars on anything I wanted. I wasn't complaining since my mom did get me something for my birthday.

I quickly looked up how to fix my truck in the search engine. I found out how to fix it, plus all the parts to fix it. I ordered the parts, seeing that they were going to come in three days. Once that was done, I went back downstairs to do the chores around the house before I started on making dinner. I decided we were having lasagna with veggies as a side dish.

Once it was made, I stuck it in the oven. I sat down at the table with my homework and did all that. I had some free time left on my hands since I was waiting on Charlie and dinner. I thought about Edward and his family. I wondered if they would let me in their life or if they were just going to continue to ignore me. Then my thoughts went solely on Edward. Was he going to stay? Was he going to become my friend? I knew I wasn't in love with him yet, but I did like him. His soul seemed kind enough once I got through the layers of self-loathing and self-hatred. I was hoping we could at least be friends if he talks to me.

I knew we wouldn't be more than friends, even if his red string is attached to mine. I was just too plain for someone like him to notice me. Maybe I could introduce myself tomorrow since I didn't get the chance to today.

The front door slammed shut, letting me know Charlie was home. A quick look at the oven told me the lasagna was almost done too. I got the plates and silverware out and set them on the table just as the oven beeped.

Charlie and I had a nice dinner, with some small talk about our days. After dinner was done, he headed off to the living room and turned the sports channel on. I cleaned up the dishes, put away the leftovers, and headed back upstairs to check my emails to mom before I went to bed. I was hoping tomorrow would be a better day and I could make friends with Edward.

My annoying alarm clock woke me up and I started my morning routine of lying there for a few minutes, getting up to go to the bathroom and then getting dressed in jeans and a t-shirt with a jacket.

I was excited to get to school to see Edward and become friends with him. I pulled my red truck into the parking lot ten minutes before school started. I glanced around the lot to see if the Cullens were here. I didn't see the Volvo or any other fancy car that they might have driven. I shrugged my shoulders and headed inside, not really thrilled that it was raining today.

I went through my day ignoring Mike, trying to be nice to Jessica, and talking to Angela till lunch rolled around. I looked around the lunch room till I saw the Cullen table with only four Cullens sitting there.

I was confused. Where was Edward? I glanced at each face and each soul, seeing that their souls really didn't changed other than Alice seemed more frustrated than yesterday. Alice caught my eye and waved at me, a slightly apologetic look in her golden eyes. I waved back, still confused on why she was apologizing and why Edward wasn't here. I kept my hopes up though, thinking he was going to be in Biology with me.

But once Biology started there was still no Edward. I went home, feeling disappointed that I didn't see Edward today. I hoped I would see him tomorrow.

He never showed though. He actually never showed up for the rest of the week, nor the week after that.

I was frustrated and angry by then. I was also hurt and confused. Did I do something wrong that upset him? I couldn't think I did anything, heck I hadn't even said one word to the stinking idiot. That was what made me angry. He left for some crazy reason I bet too and he probably blamed me for it also.

During the time that he was missing, I finally fixed my truck to go to 100mph and it was toned down to a purr instead of the mighty roar it had.

When I woke up on the morning of Monday on the third week that Edward was gone, I did my morning routine and got dressed in warm clothes. Charlie wasn't there in the morning so I ate a quick breakfast. I pulled into the parking lot, expecting no Edward again and not looking forward to the school day at all. So imagine my surprise when I see a shiny silver Volvo parked where it was when I first laid eyes on it instead of the bright red BMW that I had gotten accustomed to over the past two weeks.

I glanced over at the Cullens to see there were five of them now. Edward was back. Alice looked over to me and waved like she normally does now in the mornings. I waved back, suddenly looking forward to today now that Edward was back.

My morning went by quick, but as soon as I stepped outside after my second block I groaned.

There was snow on the ground and that meant more chances of me falling. I hated the snow even more than the rain.

See, I'm a very clumsy person and when it snows, that means there is ice and when I'm on ice, there is no chance for me to stay on my feet.

Mike glanced over to me. He was still following me around, not getting the memo that I was not interested. "Don't like snow?" he asked, his soul coming up with a few ideas on how to 'warm me up' so to speak. "No," I almost growled. I squealed when a snowball came flying out of nowhere and hit Mike right in the face.

Needless to say I used my notebook as a shield and hightailed it to my next class. I was greatly relieved when the snow was melting by lunch time. I sat down at the normal table with Jessica and Angela, having only a soda for lunch. I glanced at the Cullen table, seeing that Edward was still here.

I felt elated for an odd reason that he was back, but I brushed it off. I stared at them, seeing how they were obviously enjoying the snow day. I smiled at the sight of them playing around with the snow before turning back to my own table.

Half way through lunch I glance back again just as Edward glanced up at me. I quickly turned away, hoping he wasn't angry with me anymore. Jessica giggle, "Edward Cullen is staring at you Bella."

"Why is he staring at plain Bella, when he could be staring at beautiful me? I don't understand why he is looking at her with those adoring eyes," Jessica's soul practically yelled out. I felt relief that he wasn't looking at me in anger, but I was embarrassed that there was adoration in his eyes.

"He's still staring Bella," Jessica mentioned again. I almost sighed, but I turned around, catching his eyes with mine. I stared at him for a moment as I felt peace well up in me. I suddenly had the urge to smile at him and wave and I did just that. He seemed completely shocked by what I did and I giggled, turning back around to talk to Angela before I had to go to Biology.

I sat down in my biology seat, pulling out a sketch pad that I had been using. I started to let my mind wander, giving my hand free will on what to draw. A chair being pulled back next to me snapped me out of my thoughts and I blushed bright red when I realized that I had started to draw Edward. I slammed the book closed, hoping no one saw it and I glanced up to see Edward sitting down next to me with a more relaxed posture, though his soul was still in debate on what to do. I stared at his soul, suddenly noticing that it had golden-green apple eyes instead of the full golden eyes that Edward physically had.

I was pondering on the thought that the green might be what his human eyes looked like when a soft musical voice broke through my thoughts, "Hello."

I glanced down to see his eyes were staring at me, much lighter than what they had been when I first saw him. He extended his hand like he did the first day, flashing me a smile. "I'm Edward Cullen. I didn't get to introduce myself last week. You must be Bella Swan," he said. I could tell his soul wanted to feel my hand against his, but it also was expecting me to leave him alone. I glanced back at his hand, ignoring his soul at the moment.

"You are not going to suddenly glare at me and get angry again like the last time we did this, are you?" I just had to open my big stupid mouth, didn't I? I watched as he looked surprise and a bit hurt while his soul looked completely crestfallen.

He started to pull away his hand, looking a bit more hurt as he started to turn to the front of the class, effectively ending our discussion. I quickly grabbed his hand and went on an impulse as I kissed the palm of his hand in apology.

I felt sparks radiate from his hand to mine and to my lips. "It's nice to meet you Edward, but how did you know my name was Bella?" I asked as I gave him back his hand. He looked completely stunned, both him and his soul. His soul started to blush and look away while Edward schooled his features into a calm mask, but I could see the subtly movement of his thumb stroking the spot where I kissed him.

"Um, everyone knows who you are in this town," he smoothly replied. It seems he wasn't getting what I was asking.

"I meant, how you knew to call me Bella instead of Isabella," I clarified for him. He blinked, clearly taken off guard by that question. "Oh, um, Alice told me to call you Bella instead of Isabella since you prefer that name," he was clearly lying to me because his soul looked very uncomfortable with the conversation. He looked thankful as Mr. Banner called attention to the class.

We had a microscope lab with our partners as we identified the phases of mitosis of an onion root. We got the microscope set up and I was the first one to look. "Prophase," I said, pulling back to write it down. "Mind if I look?" I glanced above him to see he was honestly curious if I was right. I shrugged pushing the microscope to him. Our hands brushed each other, causing electricity to spark between us. I pretty much expected it so I didn't jump or anything like before. I just smiled at him and let him sate his curiosity. His soul was practically wondering on why I wasn't screaming that he was cold.

"You're right, it is prophase." He smiled a crooked grin that showed off a dimple in his left cheek. I rolled my eyes at him. "Of course I'm right. Didn't your mom teach you women are always right," I teased him. He chuckled and looked at the next slide. "Anaphase," he said, reaching for the next slide.

"Mind if I look?" I mimicked him. He looked up, amusement dancing in his eyes. His soul also reflected this amusement, but it was also screaming how this was wrong, so very wrong. But the part that was screaming was just a base part, like a logical sense, rather than what the true soul and heart wants. I could see that what he really wanted was me as a whole.

That was how our lab went with each looking at slides. I identified three of the five slides with Edward checking to see if I was right. We got done earlier than the rest so we just sat there.

"So Bella, why did you come to Forks?" he asked, angling his chair towards me. I raised my eyebrow, wondering on where this question was going. I saw no true harm from him, just honest curiosity. "I moved here to spend time with Charlie and to give mom and her new husband some time together," I answered honestly. I was a bad liar and a baby could tell if I was lying. So might as well stick to the truth.

"That was nice of you. Do you like Forks then?" I shrugged, not really sure. "Mm, Forks is okay, though I'm not too thrilled with the wet. See, I'm very clumsy so me and wet just don't mix. Frozen stuff is worse. Though I'm starting to love the cold," I replied, smiling in his direction. I briefly wondered if he would pick up the underlying meaning to it and once glance up at his soul showed that he was trying not to blush as he started to think about what I just said.

I held my tongue when I notice his eyes were more golden and I wanted to point out that it looks like he got contacts.

Before our conversation could continue, Mr. Banner came over, his soul wondering if Edward did the whole lab himself.

I was a bit miffed that he didn't have that much faith in his students.

He glanced at our papers then turned to look at Edward. "Did you even let Miss Swan identify any of these, Mr. Cullen?" the teacher had the audacity to ask that. I felt anger slowly churn in my stomach and I sat straighter, ready to tell him off, but Edward beat me to it.

"Actually sir, Bella identified three of the five slides." I tilted my head up in a defiant way, to show I was just as smart. Mr. Banner looked a bit sheepish then, glancing at me. I tried hard not to glare at him. He cleared his throat, "Did you do this lab before Miss Swan?" he finally asked me.

"Yes with whitefish blastula, sir." Thankfully I kept the bite out of my words. He nodded his head and left us alone, quickly making his way to another lab.

I tried not to laugh at him, I really did, but I couldn't help a small giggle. Edward looked over at me amused. I could tell his soul was laughing too from the chuckles I could hear from it.

"So, Bella, um." I could tell he was struggling to talk to me and be nice. His soul was warring with his mind about talking to me or leaving me alone. I wanted to be friends with him and a part of me wanted to be more, but I decided I would just give a bit of friendly advice.

"Edward, if you are having difficulties with talking to me or coming up with something to talk about, then just don't. I'm not here to give you trouble, trust me." I smiled at him, before going back to doodling random things until an idea would hit me. We didn't talk for the rest of the class, but his soul did a lot of thinking as it wondered about the pros and cons of being friends.

I stayed out of his soul then, wanting him to tell me directly on what he wanted.

I headed off to gym once the bell rang without another word from Edward.

The next morning, I felt even more tired and sluggish than usual and I knew why too. I was having issues with sleeping again and I knew that it would soon turn into insomnia.

I had had this problem before, back when I was thirteen. Seeing and hearing souls are not an easy thing to handle, contrary to what some people might think. It was difficult with some people because I would see how depressed they were and I could do nothing about it. Sure I could talk to them and try to help them, but only the person with that soul could change themselves. They had to want it. Because of that, I started to have bad dreams, which then evolved into sleepless nights and I then developed insomnia. I had just gotten better at sleeping this past year, but I could see now that it was rearing its head for a come-back.

I got up and dressed in a warm grey sweater with long sleeves and it had a scoop neckline so I slipped a light blue camisole underneath it. I threw on a pair of black jeans and some warm fur boots. I was out the door within ten minutes, ipod plugged into my ear, and my focus on just staying awake.

I was barely paying attention to my surroundings when across the lot I saw Alice waving hi.

I waved back before her face went suddenly blank and her purple glow started to fluctuate. Edward was staring at her intensely before his expression became horrified. I watched the scene in bewilderment, wondering what was going on between those two. Then I heard tires screeching and I looked up to see a blue van heading my way with a terrified Tyler in the driver seat.

I stood still, completely frozen as I watched the metal death hurl itself towards me on the ice. Suddenly a solid rock tackled me to the ground, wrapping an arm around my head so it wouldn't smack against the ground. I opened my eyes a bit to see a gray jacket. Then I heard metal hitting metal as I watched the front of Tyler's van smack against the back of my truck. The van didn't seem to want to be finished with me as the back end of it swung towards my legs, intending to crush them.

I felt an arm lift my legs and brought my body closer to them, sticking their own foot out to stop the still on-coming van. The blue metal of the van stopped, but with the price of having a foot-sized dent in its side. I looked up to see that Edward was my savior, his arms holding me close to his body.

I relaxed against him, feeling that nothing was wrong with my body other than a few bruises. I could hear his soul panicking that I would find out and how he could convince me that I most likely hit my head and he was by my side the whole time. I just giggled in at his soul's ramblings. For some reason I found it amusing in this situation that he was terrified that I would find out and that there might be something wrong with me. He also had the lingering fears of the van hitting me, plus a deep seated anguish on what would have happened had he not gotten to me on time.

Edward looked down at me in surprise, wondering on if I really did hit my head and that was why I was laughing in a situation like this. I quietly whispered so only he could hear me, "Don't worry, I won't tell a single person on how you actually saved me. We both know that you were standing on the other side of the lot and nowhere near me." I rested more comfortably in his arms, enjoying every little moment I could get with him. His face hardened while his soul was panicking more. "Bella, you must have hit your head because I was standing right next to you."

I rolled my eyes at him, amazed that he was trying to pull that off. "Uh-huh, and that explains why you protected my head and a foot sized dent in the car. Edward we both have secrets that we are not willing to tell, so I suggest you shut up now before you make me more pissed off at you than I already am," I glared up at him, anger bubbling up in me because he was telling a bold-faced lie and I don't take well to being lied to. He looked taken-aback at what I said and promptly shut his jaw.

I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder, taking in his honey and apples scent. It calmed me down and I was alarmed that a man I barely knew had this effect on me. I was shocked at how fast I was starting to fall for a man I barely knew, other than what I gleaned off of from his soul. I wasn't one to pry and I didn't like peering into a person's soul to get their life story.

I heard the screaming and shouting of people from behind the cars that we were trapped in. A part of me was relieved to get out of here, while a larger part of me complained that I would have to leave the comfort of Edward's arms around me. I glanced up at his soul, seeing him contemplating on what I said. I almost groaned as he was trying to figure out on how to play this off on me being crazy.

"We can talk about this later," I whispered to him, knowing that he could hear me. I felt him nod against my head, silently agreeing with me since I was sure he didn't know what to say to me yet. I quickly grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze as I stood up, releasing his hand to face the mass of worried people. He stood up behind me, making sure he wasn't anywhere near to touching me or being close to me.

I smiled at the fretting people, my defense against everything around me. A smile could take you away from a bad situation and ease others around you, even if you are not at ease yourself.

Once the car was gone, I saw a paramedic's team waiting. I assured them that I only had a few bruises since Edward was standing next to me and pulled me out in time.

All of the Cullen's, including Edward, was shocked that I told a lie to protect him like that. Though Rosalie was more pissed off than anything, and it was centered mainly on me. Jasper was more cautious while Emmett just found this situation to be amusing. Alice was happy and content at the turn of events and was dying to talk to me.

I still had to go to the hospital to get checked out and Edward sat in the back with me. The only scary part of this situation was how much I wanted to be held by Edward again as I got nearer to the hospital.

I don't like hospitals at all.

Thank You for reading Soul Seer! Please leave a reivew with ideas, thoughts, or just helpful critisim. 3