AN:

As usual, I don't own Twilight or any other part of it. You guys know the drill.

I just wanted to say thanks for the people that are following this story. You guys are awesome! Sorry that I didn't post this sooner, RL has gotten a little in the way. A root canal for me and then a sick little boy (not my husband…though he does act like a little boy when he's sick).

Growing as friends – Part 1

BPOV

I left Edward in the parking lot with a small wave as I passed by. I don't know why I felt drawn to him. I had this unexplainable need to talk to him, to hear his voice, to just be near him. I felt a magnetic pull to him. I've never felt that before, even with Alec.

I saw him talking to Emmett after our introductory class. I assumed he was getting the same pitch that I received from Rosalie. I took a chance. I told her I would love to join. As I was getting my gear bag, Edward and Emmett came to the front. Somehow, Edward and I spoke at the same time twice. It was quite amusing to me. I'm sure Rosalie and Emmett thought we were both a little crazy. Then Emmett handed a bag to Edward. At that moment, I would be able to see him on a regular basis. I may have been dancing like a school girl on crack to boy band music, in my head of course.

Then we walked out together. I didn't purposefully walk out when he did, it just happened. He held the door for me and we were going to the same parking lot. So that's totally not stalking. Then he said my name suited me. Suited me as in what my name means in Italian? If so, was he flirting? I tried looking up at him through my lashes and giving him a coy smile. I decided at that point that I need to work on my flirting skills. I seem to be a little rusty.

The rest of the weekend I prodded Alice for ways to step up my game without actually mentioning I would be using the skills. I didn't need to deal with her jumping to conclusions and trying to marry me off already. One step at a time, I only spoke to him for a few minutes. There was no need to count the preverbal chickens. So I stealthily asked about how she met Jasper and how she flirted with him.

See, I'm a total ninja! A mind ninja!

She told me all I needed to know. The key was to have confidence in myself. I decided that acting was my best option. Other things she mentioned were body language and being fun and playful. Light touches to his arm, playful smacks to his shoulder.

Maybe I should write this down.

I pulled into the parking spot outside the studio on Monday for the noon class. I worked it out with my boss that I could take a few extra minutes on my hour lunch break a few times a week. Since I was going to work out, she thought it was an excellent idea. Working as an accountant for a nutritional facility evidently had its perks.

As I stepped to the trunk to retrieve my bad, I saw Edward walking up. I stood there mouth agape and he walked. It felt like time slowed down and he was doing one of those slow walks like they have in movies. I don't know how long I stood there in awe at this beautiful man. I perhaps looked like I had head trauma. That's how I imagined myself looking anyway.

"Need some help with your bag?"

"What…um…no, that's ok. I got it really." I stumbled over my words.

Way to show confidence.

"Ok, well let me know if you do." He looked a little crestfallen as we started walking up to the building. Maybe I should have let him carry my bag. But it's not that heavy and I only look like I need help because I can't piece together a coherent sentence.

"Ok."

"So, are you excited about our first real class?" He seemed to bounce right back. Good thing, I didn't want things to be awkward.

"Yeah, I really am. A little nervous I will fall and crack my skull, but…."

"I'm sure you'll do just fine." He said with a playful smirk. He held the door open for me as we made our way inside. As we walked to the front, I noticed that only Emmett and Rosalie were here. Seems odd…

"Hi guys!" Emmett bellowed as he sat on the mat stretching. From looking at him you would think football player, but he was sitting on the mat in a full front split stretch.

He must be able to kick really high!

"You guys are the only ones for this class. The younger students are at school and we are still building our adult classes. But don't worry, I won't take it easy on you." He laughed and stood up. Edward and I just chuckled and gave each other a look as if to say, 'oh my god, he's going to kill us'.

We lined up on the stars on the floor. It felt really weird being the only people in here. Rosalie was behind the counter, doing paperwork and making calls, while Emmett was our sole instructor for this class. We still did everything that the bigger classes did. But we had more one on one help. It was nice that Emmett took the time to guide each of us as we tried new moves and techniques. I found that I actually preferred this small intimate class, especially because I could actually speak to Edward and we were of course partners for each activity.

"You want her to hold the target and you want me to kick it?"

"Yes." Emmett deadpanned.

"Are you sure about this? What if I…I don't know…hurt her?"

"Yes I'm sure, and no you won't hurt her. Bella, hold the target just like this, and you will be fine." He had the target on his hip with his forearm braced behind in the straps as he demonstrated for me. It was a larger target and he said it would absorb the force. Leaning into the kick would also help.

"She needs to learn how to take a hit. You do too."

"Take a hit?" Edward and I both said at the same time incredulously.

"Yes, what happens if you get attacked? You need to know that you can withstand a hit and still handle yourself and get out of the situation."

"Ok. Bella, just….I'm sorry, ok?" Edward said, pleading with his eyes.

"Edward, it's fine. You will know if you kick too hard. I will be the one laying on the floor." I said jovially trying to lighten his spirits.

"Har, har. Fine." With that I readied myself and he kicked the target. I must have made a face that scared Edward because he immediately stopped.

"Oh my god, Bella! Are you alright? I'm so sorry, did I hurt you?" He was frantically asking.

"WOW. That was awesome! And it didn't hurt, don't worry so much." I said smiling. Edward just looked confused.

I felt like I was empowered at that moment. I felt something in me snapped, like a rubber band breaking. I know it was just a kick on a target, and I know he was holding back his real strength, but I took a hit and I didn't crumble and fall. I stood up and something hurt me and I leaned into it instead of cowering away. I felt my confidence flood back. I felt all the depression seep away.

"Bella, the masochist." Emmett said as he took the target from me and gave it to Edward. "Your turn, Edward. Don't hurt him, Bella." Emmett said laughing.

I took my turn and kicked the target. We were working on front kicks today, so those were easy to put force behind. But being new to this, my force wasn't very strong. I ended up almost bouncing off the target a few times. We all laughed, but I was very thankful I didn't end up on my head. We passed the target back and forth and worked on our kicks. Edward was more comfortable with me holding the target as the class went on.

"Ok guys, great class. You both did wonderful." Emmett said as we were getting ready to leave the class.

"Thanks for the lesson. I plan to come back tonight for the adult class." Edward said, and I swear I saw him glimpse at me. Maybe in an unconscious way of asking if I was going to be there as well. Of course, I had already planned on attending, after today I felt great and I wanted to keep fighting. It was a complete adrenaline rush.

"Yeah, me too actually." Edward remained looking forward, but a small smile played across his lips.

We said our goodbyes and Edward held the door for me again. So we ended up walking to our cars together again as well.

"I'm sorry if I hurt you, I was trying to hold back and not use any force." Edward looked very apologetic and sad at his confession.

"Edward, it's fine. I told you that. You didn't hurt me. No blood, no foul." I stopped just to the edge of the sidewalk and raised my arms in front of me and turned them over so he could see both sides.

"Bella, what's that from then? You're bruised, I bruised you." He said as he pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eye. I turned my arm over and saw the small dime sized bruised he was referring to.

"This?" I asked incredulously. "This teeny-tiny little mark?" I said as I examined the small spot.

"I like it. I feel so tough now." I was pretending to flex my arm muscles in front of me. We both started laughing at that. I put my hand lightly, casually, on his arm and assured him I was fine and the small bruise is nothing.

When I touched his arm, I felt a spark go between us. It was like electricity and touching him completed the circuit. I pulled my hand away and looked up as he looked down into my eyes. We stood looking at each other for just a beat, again then we just started walking again without words.

"Ok, well this is me," I said as I clicked my trunk button on my keys. We both stopped at the back of my car.

"Thanks for not killing me today," I said and we both chuckled. I was very relieved that he dropped the whole bruise issue. He really had no reason to feel bad. If I was going to do this Taekwondo thing, and do it right, I may get hurt.

We stood and talked about nothing really for a few more minutes. We just bantered and I tried to touch his arm one more time. Then I remembered that I had a job to get back to.

"Ok, well I really have to go; I have to get back to work." I said uneasily because I really didn't want to leave him.

"Oh, yeah, right. That's fine. I have to go…do something too. I'll see you tonight?" He asked with a little hope in his voice.

"Definitely."

We said our goodbye to each other and I went back to work. The afternoon absolutely dragged on as I counted the hours until I would see Edward again. I was definitely in deep here, it had only been a few days and Edward had completely absorbed into every thought I had.