All characters belong to Stephenie Meyer
Author's note—Yes, Bella has already talked to Jacob. That's why she is staying away from Edward. She is trying to be smart, as he calls it. She knows what he is.
I awoke with a feeling of dread. The weather outside seemed to match my mood perfectly—foggy and dark. By the time I got around and made my way downstairs Charlie was already gone. I ate a simple bowl of cereal for breakfast. I had decided earlier in the morning that I was not going to try to approach Edward in any way. Maybe it was the coward's way out, but if I simply ignored him I was sure he would get the hint. He was a smart guy after all.
With my plan set I pulled on my winter jacket and braced myself for the cold. I was surprised to find the fog a lot thicker than I originally thought. Carefully, I made my way towards my truck and jumped in. My engine roared to life as I turned the key and I cautiously drove to school.
I pulled into the parking lot with mere minutes to spare. The fog had forced me to drive twice as slowly as I usually did. I slammed my door shut and turned to run towards my first class, but froze as I looked up to find two piercing topaz eyes staring in my direction. My breath hitched as I took in the still form of Edward Cullen leaning against his Volvo look intently at me with an expression I couldn't readily identify.
I swallowed hard as I tried to look away, but there was something about his gaze that had me trapped. I could hear the warning bell ringing in the distance but I couldn't seem to make my feet move. I watched as he pushed himself off his car and gracefully walked towards me. When he was only a few feet away he stopped. His eyes looked concerned, as they seemed to search mine—for what I did not know.
"How are you feeling?" He asked in a low voice.
"I'm fine." I managed to say after a moment of hesitation.
He nodded his head in acknowledgement. "You made it home all right then?"
"Yes."
"Good." He sounded almost relieved. Had he been worried about me? Why on earth would he be concerned with me?
As the late bell rang he finally released me from his gaze and I swiftly looked away so that I would not be trapped again.
"I made you late. May I walk you to class?"
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I wanted to say yes, but thought better of it. The last think I needed was to send him mixed signals. If I wanted him to leave me alone then I had to leave him alone.
I shook my head. "No thanks, I know my way." I allowed my hair to fall around me as a curtain so that I couldn't see his face. I turned and slowly walked to class, unsure if he was following me or not. I was already late; there was no need to rush anymore.
The rest of the morning pasted uneventfully. I mostly kept to myself. I was miserable, there was no other word for it. My eyes, more out of habit than anything else, landed on his table at lunch as I entered the lunch line. I was early and found only his sister Alice and brother Emmett sitting there. Part of me was relieved, the other part almost disappointed that I didn't get to see him again. I turned my head sharply away from his table. I was angry with myself for being so selfish. I couldn't have it both ways. I needed to stop pinning for him. He didn't exist. He was not, nor would he ever be apart of my world. The sooner I accepted that the sooner I could move on and stop feeling so bad.
I wasn't all that hungry and bought only a small orange juice. Jessica was at the table with Mike waiting for me as I left the lunch line. I took my seat next to Jessica but didn't feel like talking. I kept my eyes trained on the table in front of me hoping everyone around me would get the hint that I did not want to talk. It was a vain hope.
"So Bella, what happened last night?" Jessica asked in an overly eager hushed tone so only I could hear her.
"Nothing." I responded evenly hoping she would drop it.
"What were you doing with Edward Cullen?" She asked suspiciously.
"Nothing." I sighed.
"Why was he with you then? I saw you get out of his car." She accused.
She was fishing, and I could tell she was not going to stop until she got some information from me. "I got lost looking for the bookstore. He saw me and gave me a ride." Okay, so it wasn't the whole truth but it was close enough.
"Why didn't you want to have dinner with him?"
"I never said I didn't, and I wasn't hungry. There was no need." I was starting to get annoyed.
"He's staring at you again."
I shot my head up out of instinct and true to her word Edward Cullen sat at his usual table with his eyes trained on me. I quickly looked away so as not to get caught in his stare again.
"You told me to tell him that you had to leave. That implies that you didn't want to have dinner with him." She accused not accepting my flimsy explanation. "I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to be with him. He's unbelievably gorgeous." She mused more to herself than to me.
"It's not that I didn't want to have dinner with him." I explained quickly sounding a little sharper than I intended.
"What is it then?" She sounded utterly confused. As if I was insane to ever turn down a Greek God such as Edward.
I cursed myself for not just letting it go. For some reason it bothered me to allow her to think I didn't want to be with him. Nothing was further from the truth. I wanted to be with him, to get to know him, to spend all my time with him. I just couldn't.
I exhaled loudly. "It's…" I trailed off. How to explain? Well Jessica, you see Edward and his family happen to be a bunch of blood sucking vampires. But don't be afraid they only drink animal blood. They are still dangerous, so for the sake of all the people around me, including myself, I have chosen to keep my distance. I scoffed to myself, like that would go over well.
"It's what?" She asked still waiting, eagerly, for my explanation.
"Complicated."
She frowned. She opened her mouth to say something else, but luckily Mike saved me. He grabbed her attention needing advice about something.
I didn't waste anytime. I got up and left my table swiftly, discarding my unopened drink in the trash on my way out the door. I would be early for class, but I didn't mind. Anything was better than sitting in the cafeteria getting grilled by Jessica.
I sat down in my usual seat for Biology, deciding to get a jump-start on my math homework. I didn't pay any attention to the room as it filled until I heard the distinct sound of the stool scrapping against the floor beside me. My body stiffened slightly, but I did not look up. I continued my homework as if I had heard nothing.
"Bella?" I heard his velvety voice call moments later.
My hand halted on the page.
"Yes?" I did not look up.
"Is everything all right?"
"Yes."
He was silent for a few minutes and I thought he was done. I chanced a glance in his direction and noticed how troubled his eyes looked. He was frowning.
"I can't help think that I have done something to upset you. I am truly sorry if I did." He sounded so sincere, it just added to my guilt.
"It's not you." I answered softly. After all he hadn't done anything wrong. He couldn't help what he was. My shoulders slumped and I looked away.
"What is it then?" He pressed gently.
"I've decided to take your advice and be smart."
He was quiet for a short moment and I was afraid he hadn't heard me. I looked back up to see him staring at me with ambivalent eyes. "Oh. I see." He answered simply.
"Sorry."
"Don't be." He responded without hesitation. He smiled my favorite crooked smile, but it did not seem to reach his eyes. "I'm glad you finally came to your senses."
I smiled weakly in return. Before we could say anything else Mr. Banner started class. I turned away from him relieved I had finally told him, but at the same time gripped by despair at finally severing all my ties to him.
As Mr. Banner droned on I crossed my arms on the table in front of me and laid my head down. I already knew the material, it's not like I really needed to pay attention.
"Bella? Edward? Could I speak to you both for a minute?" Mr. Banner called right after the bell rang ending class.
I frowned and placed my bag back onto the floor. Edward was already at his desk waiting when I got there.
"I have a special project for you two." He began. Great, like I need more homework.
"You two seem to be in need of a challenge. I have the perfect solution." He concluded smugly. "There is a trip planned for the elementary school children to visit a bog in the next few weeks. I want you two to work together creating a booklet of information and activities for the trip. You will also accompany them. You will have to give up a Saturday to do so, but it will be well worth it."
Before I could protest Edward jumped in.
"Mr. Banner. I don't really think that is such a good idea. Bella and I are challenged plenty in your class. We do not need extra work to keep busy."
Mr. Banner pursed his lips. "I think otherwise."
"Mr. Banner please," I pleaded. "I'm not so good with children."
"I find that hard to believe Miss Swan."
"Is there something else we could do? Perhaps we could each write our own research reports. I'm sure Miss Swan has a very busy schedule, as do I. It would be impossible to find time to get together." Edward said trying to persuade him to reconsider.
A look of determination crossed Mr. Banners face. His jaw tensed. "I have made my decision. If you and Miss Swan plan to pass my class you will find a way to work it out. I will need your booklet no later than next Friday so that it can be reproduced in time." And with that he was gone.
I stood stunned in front of his desk as I heard the bell ring signally I was late for yet another class today. Here I was trying to avoid Edward, and I was being forced to work with him. It just wasn't fair!
"Don't worry Bella. I'll put the booklet together and have it ready in time. It will be sufficient enough to ensure we both receive a passing grade."
I turned to look at Edward. He looked just as annoyed and upset as I felt.
"No. It's okay." I grumbled. "It's my project too. We should probably set something up so we can get together and work on it." There was no way I could allow him to do it all.
"Are you sure? I don't mind. It's really no bother at all." He assured me.
"Yeah, I'm sure." I bit my bottom lip nervously. "So, um, when do you want to do this?"
"Do you have plans after school today?"
"No."
"We could meet in the library after class and plan if you like?"
The library. It seemed the most logical, and the most public. "Okay." I agreed. "I'll see you there after class."
He smiled my favorite smile, causing my breath to hitch.
"I'll be there." He promised before he turned and walked gracefully towards the door.
Author's note--When I was in high school this actually happened to me. My teacher thought a few of his students, including me, were bored and forced us to work on a special project exactly like the one I am having Bella and Edward do. Luckily, it turned out to be fun for all of us.