A/N No lemons in this one but a lot of forward progress. I hope you all love it, sorry it took a little longer to get it up. This was the hardest chapter so far for me to write. Did everyone observe Earth Hour? I did, we need to do something to save this planet, I want to have paper to print wonderful books like Twilight on when my grandchildren are my age. Please review and share my story with your friends. Love you all *Autumn*

Things I own: 3 totes filled with Christmas decorations, a ring that spins and has yes and no printed on it to answer your questions, a book about home life in the colonial days and black high heels with zipper teeth on them. Things I am not lucky enough to own: Twilight and anything related. Mrs. Stephanie Meyer has those rights.

Choose wisely ch 4

BPOV

I struggled sleeping. I went back and forth between emotions. Feeling guilty, feeling like I am somehow emotionally cheating on Jacob, feeling like this is all probably just fantasy and will definitely fade, then feeling like there is no way in hell a something this strong towards some one you have barely interacted with could ever fade.

I finally fell asleep somewhere in all the worrying and tossing. When I woke up, it was because my cell phone was ringing. I looked at the clock, 8:07. Damn it! What happened? Oh yeah I was so tired I kept hitting the snooze button. I answered my phone; it was Jake, of course. He knew I always texted him to have a good day so when I didn't this morning he figured I overslept. It is nice having someone know you so well. See, Edward doesn't know me, Jacob does, and I love Jacob. I am sure if I keep telling myself how much I love Jacob and how he is so perfect for me I will forget about Edward all together.

No time for a shower, I run to the bathroom and cut my normal morning routine down to all of four minutes. I run a brush through my hair and brushed my teeth, definitely not taking the recommended two minutes. Back in my room I chose a pair of very light jeans and a plain white t-shirt over a long sleeved grey thermal shirt. Not the cutest outfit but functional.

I left the house with not enough time to get to school; all I could hope is that there wouldn't be any accidents or flat tires on my way there.

Somehow I got lucky, I made it in time to school and after practically running to Home Ec. I had 30 seconds to put on some mascara and whatever peppermint scented lip balm I had in my backpack.

When Alice saw me doing my morning make up routine she starred in amazement. It was as if she had never seen another girl apply cosmetics. "Oh sorry if I'm gawking, your just so naturally beautiful, I can't believe that's all the make-up you wear" she said with a very sweet demeanor. "Well thanks…um, how was your night?" Asking others how they are or how anything about them went is a good way to make friends, this was included in the lecture Renee, my mom, gave me before I moved here.

"It was good; my brother Edward is acting a little weird. Oh you haven't met him yet, but I was hoping you would sit with us at lunch again today and you can meet him then." Was her response to my making friends 101 question.

"Well actually I have met him, he is my lab partner in Bio", ok so should I fish for more information about him? I could probably lead the conversation in a completely natural way and learn so much about him, but that would just feed the wild animal. I decide to just wait and see what she offers about him.

"Really? His lab partner? Wait he takes AP Bio, so you have AP Bio, sorry I'm processing out loud, and all of this means your drop dead gorgeous without the assistance of makeup and you're smart." She babbled on, drawing conclusions about me. "So when you met him, was he nice to you?"

"Yes, he was very civil" I replied. She noted my choice of word, civil, and raised one eye briefly before dropping it and replacing her facial expression with one of knowledge and understanding.

"I thought he was very nice, and obviously he is very smart." I offered her " I am happy that I have a lab partner who matches my experience and knowledge in the subject" I was grasping for straws here, trying to get her to say something about anything since she had this almost gleeful look on her face after realizing whatever she realized.

When she didn't say anything else I turned my attention back to the teacher, who was going over basic instructions for using the sewing machines. I had a quick thought about my favorite bowling style shirt that ripped down the seam on the side and how I would hopefully learn how to fix it. After quite a few minutes Alice turned to me and asked me if I would sit with them again at lunch. I told her sure; I mean where else would I sit, by myself? I knew that putting myself in such close proximity to Edward for another hour a day would only make this worse but I agreed anyways. I don't know why exactly. If it was because I was afraid that if I denied it would look suspicious to others, or even to me, or I suppose I could be testing myself. No matter what I was torturing myself.

The first four classes went by fast, and better than yesterday. In all of the classes I actually got into the curriculum, and even in Home Ec. I wasn't completely bored. The thought of learning the things that most moms typically teach at least some of to their daughters was a little exciting. The thought of cooking at school and learning new recipes was awesome too. At least I wouldn't fail all of this class.

When lunch came around my insides were all in knots. I felt so nervous and also so excited. I caught myself wondering what he would be wearing, or if he would even talk to me. Then I wondered if we would walk together from lunch to our class. If we didn't walk together, Alice and eventually everyone else would wonder why not.

I went through the line trying to decide what to eat. Nothing sounded appetizing to my butterfly filled tummy. I picked up a bag of pretzels, a cup of cut up fresh fruit containing strawberries, cantaloupe, pineapple and watermelon, and Naked juice. I walked over to the table I sat with them at yesterday. Alice, Rosalie, and a strawberry blonde haired girl sat there. I assumed the girl was Edward's Girlfriend, and she is like a model. She is stunning, tall, big eyes, and beautiful hair. I felt a little insecure and caught myself worrying that I was no competition against her. What am I thinking, I love Jacob, I really really love him, and he has been so great, so patient with me. Why am I even thinking about Edward this way?

I sat down next to Alice and it dawned on me that I was going to be the third wheel or seventh wheel if you will. I was starting to feel a little uncomfortable after the latest realization when I heard a loud ruckus coming in the doors. I looked over and saw Emmett, Jasper and Edward all running into the cafeteria, yelling and laughing. Emmett was the last one to enter, apparently it was a race. Alice and the other girls all started laughing; they knew exactly what was going on. Rose said "it looks like Emmett is buying lunch again". I guess this was a bet.

Five minutes later the boys got to the table with four trays stacked high with food. There was pizza and fries, salad and pudding, soda and water, there was even a tray just filled with packaged snacks from the vending machine.

Edward sat down next to me and Tanya scooted over next to him, allowing Emmett and Jasper to sit next to their ladies. I tried to keep my breathing steady with him sitting next to me. He looked at me, smiled and said "Good Afternoon Bella. I see you already have lunch for yourself, but I didn't want to be rude and not get you anything. Here" He handed me a sandwich and a coke zero. It was a turkey sandwich with pesto and tomato on whole wheat bread. It was the only decent item out of all the food they bought. I looked from the sandwich to his face with a very confused look. How did he know I ate very healthy? He must have guessed what I was thinking because he answered my unspoken question. "Alice told me how pretty you are… I mean how pretty she thinks you are and that she bets it is because of your diet. She saw you only eat really good food yesterday"

Well he is right, I do try to eat only good, natural healthy food, not that I don't love the occasional strawberry pop tart, but I know it is better for not only me but the environment.

"Bella, I hope I didn't come off as mean yesterday. I was having a very odd day, besides the fact that it was the first day of school. I just wanted to offer my apologies and I hope you accept them" Was he really hoping I would accept them? He could throw me off the empire state building and if he just did the smile he just did I would forgive him. I would always forgive him. I find myself even forgiving him for making me fall for him when I am in love with Jacob. UGH! No! I am not falling for Edward Cullen; I need to wash my brain out with soap since it keeps thinking all these very naughty things.

I decided to play it cool. "No problem Eddie, I understand, weird day and all" after saying this I popped a French fry from his tray into my mouth, hoping that it looked as cool as I does in the movies. Would he mind me calling him Eddie? He got that adorable, fall in love with me half crooked smile again and I knew my calling him Eddie amused him. Since he didn't immediately tell me not to, I took it as an ok thing to do. Everyone else around the table was deep in conversation about a new resale shop opening up in Port Angeles.

"Is there something I don't know about resale shops? This is twice you have brought them up Alice" I gave her a very puzzled look. I mean these people drove nice, fancy cars and often wore brand name clothes the likes of which us regular people weren't even allowed to know how much they cost.

"It's not that we can't shop wherever we want to Bella, it's that we all want to be original. By the time most clothing makes it to the resale stores, almost all other pieces of its kind had left the world of circulation. So you are almost always guaranteed to get something one of a kind. And saving so much money pleases the parents, which is always a bonus."

After Alice educated me in the finer points of thrift store shopping we went on to talk about my makeup habits. Which included her telling Rose and Tanya that I only wore mascara, "And not even black, Brown! Can you believe it, I didn't even know they made brown mascara anymore" she squealed.

It was then that all the girls looked at each other and got the most mischievous grin. They communicated through some form of telepathy for a few seconds then turned to me and all smiled simultaneously. They had something under their sleeves. I had an idea of what it was and I was about to turn them down.

Alice was apparently nominated to speak, "Bella, please listen before saying no. We would love to take you with us to the new resale shop and then go back to Rose and Tanya's house and… please listen… make you over." She started speaking faster; I guess hoping to get in more because she knew I was going to cut her off soon. "It is not that you need a makeover, it is that you are a… blank canvas of sorts… and we would have so much fun"

When she was done talking, I unwrapped the sandwich Edward got me and remembered that I was sitting next to Edward. I looked over at him, and the guys seemed to be in their own conversation, not even paying us any attention. Well Edward was paying me attention, but secretly. When I looked at him he looked at me and smiled. "Need something Isabella?" Ahh there is the retaliation for the Eddie comment, I can handle that, it is so worth it if I can call him Eddie. I shook my head and took a bite while turning my attention back to the ladies. They were still focused on me. No one had moved, no one seemed to have even taken a breath.

"You guys were serious?" and then I started cracking up, absolutely busting at the seams with laughter. Somehow my laughter stopped everyone at the table from talking and all eyes were on me. I knew I was blushing, I could feel the warmth fill my cheeks which was a clear sign to me that I was no longer only pale but a slightly pinker shade of pale.

"Come on, I am not young Brittany Murphy and this is not Clueless" I guess that was all that was needed because all the girls slumped, sighed and rolled their eyes at the same time, as if choreographed. I am so glad they didn't put up a bigger fight. It was not the first time someone had tried to convince to me to allow them to make me over but after the first time and the results of said first time, I was never doing it again. All I am going to say is pony tails, neon green and orange lipstick.

Once they had moved on to other topics Edward leaned into me but did not turn his head in my direction, and whispered "Great job, not many people stand up and say no to them, I know I don't know you well but I am proud of you. By the way seeing how our class is on the other end of the school, I think we should leave a few minutes before the others, you know to make sure we get there on time."

Ok Bella, breathe, inhale… exhale…repeat. So Edward wants to walk with me to class. He wants to leave a few minutes early, and I had a feeling he didn't regularly do this, and he is proud of me. Proud of me. My brain literally doesn't know where to start. My face does though. He wasn't even finished talking when I started blushing. I tried to fiddle with my hair, doing anything I could to cover as much of my face as I could, but all I could really do was hope no one was paying too much attention to me. I looked up and around the table and everyone was busy eating or talking. Everyone except Tanya. Tanya was looking right at me and Edward, and I could tell the red in her face was not an innocent blush; her face was red with anger.

EPOV

So I did it, I stepped up and told Bella we should leave a few minutes early and walk together to class. I hope she didn't read too much into it. Hopefully she bought my excuse about it being farther away. She gave me a small smirk and a nod. Joy filled me; I was so excited just to have five minutes alone with her. I know this is wrong. I know I should spend those extra five minutes with Tanya, that I should want to spend those minutes with Tanya, but the fact is I don't. I spent most of last night thinking about this situation.

I mostly thought about Bella, about her exquisite blushing, the way she smells deliciously like strawberries, her adorable smile, her intelligence even the clothes she was wearing. I drew conclusions about the type of person I think she is. My best evaluations tell me she is a responsible person who is also conservative, smart, kind, decent, and loving. I did think about Tanya too. I thought about the type of person she is, I thought about our relationship, about how much I love her, and I thought about our future. I spent a lot of time thinking about our future or if we were even meant to have one. At this point it was easier for me to envision a future with Bella than with Tanya. I don't know why that is I just know that it is.

When Bella called me Eddie I loved it. In my life a few people have tried to call me that and I always hated it. It sent chills down my spine. When Bella called me Eddie it also sent chills, beautiful awesome life changing chills. I loved hearing her speak my name, and I loved that she put thought into trying to find a cute something that would possibly annoy me. I couldn't resist calling her Isabella in return. Somehow I knew she wouldn't like it but it would be worth it if it meant she got to call me Eddie.

After telling her I was proud of her I watched her eyes look around the table and land on Tanya. All of a sudden I was scared. I knew from Bella's expression that Tanya must have heard and seen our interaction. I sat up and took a bite of a cheeseburger. I figured if I acted completely normal, like what just occurred between me and Bella didn't just in some ways reevaluate our relationship, then maybe Tanya would move on and chalk it up to picking up on something that wasn't there. I joined in on a conversation the boys were having about the 'Ultimate Fighting Championship: Wired' show on T.V. and Tanya picked up a bag of Doritos and started eating them, listening in on Rose talking about shoes or something.

About five minutes out I kissed Tanya and motioned to Bella that we should go. Alice noticed that I was leaving earlier than usual and just had to ask about it. "Where are you and Bella going big brother?" nice Alice, add the me and Bella in there, but it's ok, you can reassure Tanya later. "I wanted to leave a little earlier cause I figured if I am walking with another person I would walk slower to class and its all the way by the parking lot so…" was my retort. "Makes sense" was all she said in return.

I held my hand out insisting that Bella walk ahead of me. When we got to the doors of the cafeteria I opened the door for her, which she clearly was not expecting me to do. The pink that filled her cheeks resembled that of the rouge made out of crushed rose petals women wore in the 20th century. It is literally the most beautiful thing I had even seen in my life. She went through the door and paused waiting for me to catch up.

We began walking along the pathway toward our class room. The halls were empty bar from the occasional couple kissing.

"Edward, it doesn't really take that long to get to the Biology building and Alice confirmed that you don't leave this early so what is going on? Is this some sort of prank? A hazing of sorts for the new girl?" Genuine worry filled her face as she spoke. She actually believed I could let something hurtful or humiliating happen to her. I would have to change this ill conceived notion of me.

"No Bella, I…" should I tell her that I am in love with her? Would she think me crazy for admitting such deep feelings for her when I barely know her? If I didn't choose honesty in this moment, would I even be able to successfully lie to her? I would have to try for two reasons. I was not ready to tell her my feelings yet because I myself had not uncovered all of them, and the second reason is Tanya. All though I knew Tanya and I could not in good conscience continue our relationship, I was not going to do anything dishonest that could humiliate her without ending it first.

I realized I had gotten lost in thought and hadn't yet answered her question. We had also slowed our pace so we were barely moving. She looked at me expectantly but the expression was starting to transform to frustration.

"Bella, I don't know how to answer your question and be honest with you without hurting someone else and betraying that someone at the same time. Please let me postpone answering this question, and I promise you will receive your answer at a more fair and appropriate time." I pleaded with her. I was praying she would let this answer be sufficient and that she is not the type of person who just digs further when you don't answer their question with the answer they wanted.

My prayers were answered as she did not ask anymore about it. She did look very interested and a little confused though.

While we walked I asked her about her parents and she asked about mine. We talked about Arizona and about Forks. We got into the subject of music, which usually ignites me, but we seemed to have a very similar taste in all things art.

When we got to the class the door was already unlocked but Mr. Banner was not in the room. We walked in and sat at our table. Our table. This table is the first thing that we shared. I really hoped that it is the first of many things we would share and also the first of many firsts. Having that thought got me thinking about making love to Bella, which is a subject I try not to let my mind wander into very much. But when Bella was the one I was making love to, I had a very difficult time bringing myself back to reality. I could see how her naked body would blush just as her cheeks do, how comfortable she is with me, how her soft tendrils framed her face and decorated my pillow…

"Edward? You in there?" Oh Shit, act cool.

"Sorry Bella, I didn't sleep well last night" that was always an acceptable excuse to fellow teenagers.

"Me either, I even woke up late and didn't have sufficient time to get ready for school" she said as she obviously accepted it. I couldn't believe she was rushed to get ready, she looked magnificent, and she was positively glowing.

"Why couldn't you sleep" We said this at the same time. The same words at exactly the same time and then we started laughing. Laughing with her felt so right. It felt like this is what I was made for. Making Bella laugh was now my primary goal in life.

"Ladies first please" I insisted.

"I um… I had some pretty heavy stuff on my mind. If my boyfriend Jacob wouldn't have called I would have been late on my second day at this school"

"Oh yeah I just didn't really sleep, I am sure I got ten or 20 minutes here or there but after five in the morning I was up. I just, well I also had some 'pretty heavy stuff' on my mind."

After saying this we both drifted deep into thought. I wish I knew what she was thinking about. I wish she was thinking about the same thing as me. But I knew she was probably thinking about this Jacob, mental note: find out more about this Jacob, or maybe she was lost thinking about whatever kept her up last night. It was times like right now that I really wished I could read minds, that could be so helpful.

We continued talking about trivial things, more music, our classes, 'the others' we called them, our little nod to the awesomeness that is Lost. She told me about her Home Economics class. A rush of still images came to me. Bella in an apron, Bella cooking something that smells almost as good as her, her sewing hems or fixing tears in my clothes, Bella crying sweet tears of joy as I placed a ring on her finger.

Wow, this feeling for her has completely taken over. What am I going to do? I know one thing, I need to be fair to Tanya, I need to end things with her and I need to do it now.

"I'm sorry Bella, I need to excuse myself. I will hopefully be back before the end of class. Since it is the second day I am sure there won't be any work to do but if there is I will make it up to you. I just have something to take care of that cannot wait any longer. Again I am sorry." I stood quickly, savoring my courage. I walked towards the door, fighting the traffic of other students entering the class room. Just as I reached the door, I turned to tell her one more thing, "Oh Bella, next time I see you, I will be able to answer your question" she smiled the smile I was looking for and I didn't need courage to do what I was about to do anymore, all I needed was the memory of that smile and the love it brought about in my heart. I turned out the door and was off to break Tanya's heart.

Well what did you think? I hoped you like it and remember more reviews = more writing

Have a wonderful day!