Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday. Friday. The days went by slower than ever. Edward hadn't really spoken to me since Monday, except a nod here, or a 'hello' there. My excitement showed through, and I found myself being the center of a lot strange stares at school. No one had ever seen Bella Swan so…alive. I held my head a little higher, and always had a smile on my face. Even Charlie noticed. When he came home Monday night, he noticed my behavior, but didn't push the matter. I suppose he didn't want to spoil whatever it was he thought I was giddy about.

Now it was Friday, and the ringing bell brought me out of my day dream. Seventh hour was over, which meant the weekend had finally arrived. I still didn't know how I was to get in touch with Edward for Sunday; I hope he wasn't having second thoughts.

Right as I was about to hop into my truck, I heard that musical voice.

"Bella?"

I turned around toward him. "Oh, hey!" There goes my blush.

"I was going to ask what exactly you had in mind for Sunday."

I had this all figured out, "Well, I was thinking about heading to Hoh Rainforest at the Olympic National Park. There is the really nice trail, and the hike is worth it, it leads to one of the most gorgeous places around here." Please be interested.

"Yeah, that sounds very nice. So, would you like me to pick you up at your house?" My jaw dropped; he wanted to pick me up? In his car, HIS car.

"Umm, uh, yeah. Yeah, that's fine. I live one mile down Fern Hill Drive on the left. You'll see my truck in the driveway." I'm' going to have to find a way to get Charlie out of the house.

He gave me that striking smile, "I'll see you Sunday around 9:00?"

"Oh, yes, that's perfect!"

He nodded his head and walked to his car.

I watched as he got into his car and drove away. He left me higher than ever, I was so ecstatic; I could barely calm myself. That fluttering feeling came back, and I drove home slowly, trying to enjoy every drop of joy he gave me.

That night I told Charlie I had plans with someone on Sunday. He was so excited, he didn't even ask who it was with. Good- I can hide the fact that it was a boy for a little longer.

Saturday I started getting nervous. I hope I didn't make a fool out of myself. I figured he's already seen me fall and drop things, what worse could I do? The place I had picked out was amazing. I wanted to take him to the 'One Square Inch of Silence' in the Hoh Rainforest. It was my favorite place in Washington. The trail was only 3 miles, I hope he didn't mind. He seemed to be in good shape.

Later that night I talked Charlie into going fishing, I mentioned how low on fish we were. He was easy, he agreed almost immediately.

Saturday night I prepared myself for the following morning. I picked out a comfortable pair of jeans and a plain navy blue t-shirt that fitted my body. I pulled out my nicest rain jacket just in case we stumbled upon rain- which was almost a given.

I barely slept that night, but the sleep I did get was enough. As I woke up Sunday morning, my heart almost leaped out of my chest. Today was it. It was 7:40 A.M., I had an hour and 20 minutes to get ready.

It didn't take long to get ready and eat breakfast. Charlie must have left real early this morning, he left me a note:

Bells,

Be careful. I'm so glad you're getting out of this house.

Love,

Dad

It was now 8:50. Ten more minutes and Edward would be here. You know when you get butterflies in your stomach- well I had must have had eagles or something, because my anxiety was fuming.

8:52- 53- 54- 55- 56- breathe – 57- 58- 59. Oh god, keep it together. Was I this out of practice with spending time with people?

9:00- He was pulling in. Very punctual.

OK Bella, just act normal, don't screw this up.

He knocked on the door, and I slowly walked over. I opened the door, and found Edward standing there looking as godly as ever. I can do this.

"Good morning Bella."

"Hey, good morning to you as well." Oh, it was a good morning…now.

"Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, let me get my coat." I walked inside and the biggest smile appeared on my face. Today was going to be great.

I walked over to the Volvo sitting in my driveway- definitely out of place. I opened the door and sank comfortably into the seat. God- this car was nice. I inhaled the scent…it was a mixture of the outdoors and new car. Very serene.

He looked over at me curiously, "Where to?"

"Get on the 101 and follow it till we reach Upper Hoh Road. There's a place to park for the trail."

He shook his head and pulled out of my driveway. I noticed how skilled of a driver he was. The radio was already playing, and I immediately knew the music. I wasn't sure what kind of music Edward would listen to, but this suited him- it was soft piano music.

"Is this Niels Gade?" His mouth formed a brilliant smile, and he looked over at me like I had just cured cancer.

"You know this composer?" Oh- I was impressing him, nice.

"Well, I took a music appreciation class last year, that's all."

"You must have paid attention. Not just anybody can hear a piano and know the composer."

I was turning red. "Oh. I mean, I'm not a connoisseur or anything. I just remember this piece."

He just smiled and kept driving. The rest of the 30 minute drive went by fast. We made small talk about school and I mentioned something about how I thought blue candy canes were gross. He seemed to think that was funny.

We finally arrived at the trail; the rain hadn't showed itself yet, so that was nice.

"Where to?" He asked.

"Right up there is where the trail starts. It's about 3 miles to the end." He smiled and we began to walk.

We hiked silently, and every now and then I'd catch him looking around like he was smelling something. I didn't smell anything but forest, so I figured he enjoyed the smell.

We passed a sign that told us we weren't far off. I was getting excited, I loved this place. I've never brought anyone else here, so this was a big deal.

Just then I saw a break in the forest and I knew we had arrived.

"This is it. It's called 'One Square Inch of Silence'. It's one of the most silent places in the country."

"Wow Bella. This place is amazing." Yes it was.

"I'm glad you like it." He looked at me, his face was kind. I started to melt, and quickly pulled myself together.

"Do you come here often?"

"Maybe once a month; to think about stuff. I'm a very simple person."

"I wouldn't say simple." He corrected.

"Oh. I mean, I'm not hard to please..er, you know what I mean!" He laughed it off, and my blush betrayed me for the 98th time today.

So I reversed it, "What about you Edward? You make teenage angst look like a breeze." Please take that as a joke!

He didn't look at me, "I know. I'm adjusting to this place. It's hard to explain."

"Well, I can listen if you care to exaggerate." He still wasn't looking at me. He seemed upset, or hurt. Maybe he was having family issues.

"I really don't know if you could understand." What? Did he think I was stupid? What was it that he couldn't explain to me. I didn't push the subject.

"OK, well, tell me about yourself. What's your favorite color, favorite food? I mean, I can understand that." I hope he caught the hint of sarcasm.

He told me brown was his favorite color- which was weird. I didn't tell him that though. He said he didn't have a favorite food, but if he had to pick, he enjoyed deer. He didn't say deer meat, but I took it that's what he meant.

We talked for an hour about our favorite things. I asked him about his family and he told me about how he was adopted by his parents Carlisle and Esme Cullen when he was four. He didn't embellish on his family any further.

I told him all about me. He seemed interested in my life, or he was good at pretending.

The minutes turned into hours, and we eventually became silent. I was gazing out into the forest and I felt his gaze on my face. I turned to look at him and he kept looking at me.

He finally broke the silence, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah." I smiled.

"What made you want to bring me here? Why aren't you like everyone else? I'm used to being avoided, but you seem to have no guard toward me." Umm…was this a trick question?

"Uh, I guess, I just wanted to know you. Neither of us had friends, I figured we could get to know each other." I was honest.

"Why did you want to know me?" He was digging for something. What?...I had no idea.

"Because I found you to be like no one else. You were quiet, and intelligent. You exude mystery, and I guess a part of me wanted to know what you were about."

"I see." He replied.

He was still looking at me, and I felt my mouth slightly open. His gaze made my heart tremble.

Just then I realized what this feeling was; this feeling I have never experienced. Was it love? Could I be falling for this almost stranger? Oh god.

He broke the silence again, "You know, you're a pretty interesting person yourself." I am?

"Thank you." I blushed bad.

We fell silent again, and I saw his gaze slowly fall down toward my lips, then my neck, and further toward my chest. Was he checking me out? I wasn't sure. I didn't mind; he had been nothing more than a gentleman to me.

Out of nowhere he began to move closer to me. I felt his presence and inhaled his scent.

"Have you ever been here with anyone else?" He whispered.

I took a ragged breath, "No." He was so close. His head leaned toward mine, I could feel his breath on my hair. I trembled, and I heard him quietly laugh. Did he think his teasing was funny, my hormones were fixing to explode.

I kept staring forward, and he didn't move from his proximity. My breathing grew more ragged. His hand came up and brushed though my hair. He was touching me.

He spoke, "Is this uncomfortable for you?"

I somehow found my voice, "No."

Just then his hand came down from my hair and slightly ran across my cheek. He was cold, but so was the temperature.

I trembled again.

Suddenly a loud noise rung out, and I jumped out of my daze. It was just a falling branch, but it ruined the moment. Edward backed away and sat where he previously was.

"Are you ready?" He asked.

"Yeah." I had to get out of here before I combusted.

The drive back was awkward, we didn't speak unless he was asking if I was comfortable.

I didn't know what was happening, but I wanted more. I wanted his hands on me again, all over me. I guess this was all the built up teenage sexual frustration coming out. He touching me was a milestone in whatever relationship we were developing. I hope he wasn't regretting this; I could see pain in his face. I decided that he was hiding something, someone hurt him. His expression was one of want in the forest. As if he was longing to touch someone, but he was torn.

Whatever Edward Cullen was hiding, I knew wouldn't be easy to figure out. He was possibly more of a mystery to me than before.

He pulled into my driveway and I told him I had a nice time. He assured me he had a great time and we parted.

I walked into my room and plopped on my bed. My mind drifted and I soon fell asleep.

The last thought I had before my sleep took over…

Who was this guy?