Edward was walking from his silver Volvo to the cafeteria building when he caught sight of Rosalie Hale stepping out of her car and slinging her bag over shoulder.

Rosalie had been friends with Alice since freshman year and of course she had caught Edward's eye the minute he'd seen her. She was strikingly stunning. But she was dull. Yes, she was smart on her own way but her interests were the same interests as every other girl and that bored him to death.

But Bella…Bella was different.

She loved reading, just like Edward did. And she could talk about her favorite books until the cows came home, as Edward had discovered two thanksgivings ago when she had done nothing but speak about The Choice by Nicholas Sparks. She'd spoken with such passion that Edward knew he could listen to her talk forever.

Rosalie glanced up and threw him a friendly smile, which Edward politely returned but Rosalie soon shifted from looking at Edward to across the parking lot where he followed her gaze and there she was.

Bella.

Walking with Alice towards Rosalie, laughing at something Alice leaned over and whispered in her ear.

He couldn't help it, he smiled with her. Seeing her happy made him happy.

There was something even familiar about her today but Edward just couldn't put his finger on it.

The day dragged in as usual, Edward wasn't teaching Bella's class today. Tuesday was the one day without her.

He tried to convince himself that he wasn't as upset as he was but as the day went on, the disappointment drowned him.

As he left the biology lab for the day there were only a few students walking gradually through the hallways. Some gave him a pleasant hello to him as they walked past which Edward was happy to return. He still wasn't getting used to being called 'Mr Cullen.'

He stopped dead in his tracks when he spotted Bella at the front door talking to Mike Newton.

Edward almost snarled when he saw it was Newton. In just two days Edward had determined that Mike Newton was the ultimate slime-ball of Forks High School. And the sight of him being within 10 inches of his Bella made Edward feel physically sick.

Stop it Edward, she's not yours! The voice in his head scolded him.

Edward could see a slight anger in Mike's eyes and he immediately started walking towards them, fearing for Bella's safety.

"Really Bella it's okay. I understand." Mike said, replying to whatever Bella had said, he forced a sly smile on his face but the angry resentment still lingered in his eyes.

When Mike walked off, he could see Bella let out a sigh of relief.

"Everything okay?" He asked her, concern ringing in his voice.

Bella looked up, shocked at hearing his voice coming out of nowhere. She smiled at him out of habit. She couldn't help herself and her smile made Edward's heart warm.

"Yeah, yeah everything's fine. Mike just put me in an awkward situation, that's all." Bella replied earning a confused look from Edward in return.

"He asked me out."

"Oh."

"And I declined."

"Oh. Well. That is awkward." Edward said, trying to disguise his joyful relief.

Bella laughed nervously, "Yeah."

"So what excuse did you give him?" Edward asked, coming across as casual as possible.

Bella looked down, and her face flushed scarlet and she tugged her bottom lip between her teeth in embarrassment.

"I told him, I liked someone else." She replied, although her tone made it sound like she'd just admitted to murder.

Edward's heart sunk.

Who is it? Do I know him? Does he go here?

His thoughts were in overdrive.

"Oh, well that's good. It's nice to know you've found someone you like. You deserve happiness Bells." As much as he hated himself for saying, he was speaking the truth.

Edward just wished that it was him she was thinking about.

Bella was taken aback by his words. And she regretted her own.

"Thanks but he doesn't like me back. He can't."

She shook her head at the realisation that again she had said too much.

"Anyway I have to go. See you later Ed- Mr Cullen."

She practically ran out the door leaving a surprised Edward behind her.

He frowned at her calling him Mr Cullen. It just didn't fit right with him.

But his mood lifted slightly and eyes near popped out of their sockets when he finally realised what had seemed so familiar about her earlier.

She was still wearing his jacket.