DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING BUT THE PLOT.

Chapter 4: Re- emerging Sentiments

BELLA CULLEN

I walked away from the biology classroom with a smug expression on my face. Edward's expression was priceless after our little exchange. I have never done that in my hundred years of existing and I didn't know what came over me— I felt this unexplainable draw towards him and it wasn't just because of his blood anymore. His reaction admittedly surprised me. If I had done that to any other male, they would have swooped down on me in a heartbeat. Out of all the human boys in this high school, Edward Masen had the most control over himself.

When we were sitting beside each other in class, his seemingly lack of interest in me ridiculously frustrated me. From previous experiences, others who had such close propinquity with me would have just stared. I got a lot of attention from the boys here, more than I wanted in fact… but I was never as pigheaded as Rose to desire more attention.

But with Edward, the case was different. He had successfully moved and talked around me nonchalantly, normally even during biology class and I irrationally and inexplicably wanted him to pay more attention to me. I didn't care about what the other boys felt towards me, I never really had. My subconscious was directing my entire being to Edward.

When I put my lips beside his neck, it surprisingly didn't bother me. The smell was as delectable as ever, true. But wanting the feel of his skin on mine was more drawing than his blood so I concluded that physically, I was attracted to him.

I shook my head wanting to rid my mind with all these perturbing foolish thoughts. This was unacceptable. I needed to get a grip on myself. Lusting after a human was not helpful, all the more ludicrous.

Wait, wait, wait. Lust? I was attracted to him somehow, on that I was positive… but lusting after him? Ugh. I shuddered. No, I needed to control myself from these suddenly re-emerging human emotions.

My mind was still pre-occupied as I arrived at my government class. The teacher was already starting the discussion. He didn't seem to notice my late entrance as he was too absorbed in reading from the textbook.

I sat down on my usual seat beside Jasper and tried to focus. I couldn't really. My mind was busy recalling the depths of Edward's striking emerald eyes, the way his hands went through his amazingly bronze silken locks… no! Focus Bella!

I felt Jasper stir uncomfortably beside me. He was picking up on my emotions. I opened the door to his mind and instantly received the confused echo of his thoughts.

Bella?

Yes?

You're acting… no, feeling differently.

I sighed. I guess I couldn't keep this from Jasper. I couldn't lie to him— in a mental conversation it was always too easy to spot if a person was lying. And It would be difficult with him analyzing each emotion that went through me. I decided to play the innocence card first though.

Pardon?

He turned his head slightly and observed my face… which I kept relatively calm.

Since lunch, you've been giving of emotions that you don't normally feel.

What do you mean?

I saw him narrow his eyes at me suspiciously. I widened my eyes innocently.

A while ago, you were giving off a small amount of lust, a huge amount of longing and a considerable amount of confusion. At lunch, you felt a great deal of jealousy and anger.

I slightly bowed my head and stared at my notebook. I couldn't bring myself to look at Jasper's questioning gaze.

You don't need to be embarrassed Bella. And I would appreciate it greatly if you would enlighten me. What's going on?

I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. My family would know about this sooner or later so why not tell them now? But they don't need to know. A small voice reasoned with me. Yes, I reasoned back, but they deserve to know.

Bella, I feel your indecision. If you're worried that I'm going to tell the others, I won't if you don't want me to.

I bit my lip and started to twirl my pen with my fingers. Alright. Later. But please don't tell them… I don't think I want them to know yet.

You do know that there is a great possibility that Alice already knows whatever's going on with you, right?

Darn! I mentally slapped myself. I completely forgot about Alice. Would my earlier actions register in one of her visions? I sighed. I would know soon enough.

Yes… but hopefully she will keep it to herself first.

Jasper nodded as I severed our mental connection. The whole conversation lasted for less than a minute. Thoughts were more quickly delivered than words that were said verbally.

As government ended, Jasper and I walked out of the classroom in silence. The minute we were out the door though, Jasper's head tilted to my direction. Three, two…

"So Bella, what's happening to you?"

I glanced at him as he shifted his gaze away from my face. "Honestly, I have no idea. All these emotions… they're all so foreign to me. I've never felt so… human." I shuddered at the last word.

"You don't know why you're feeling this way?"

"I know why... I'm just not sure if I like feeling so much."

Jasper chuckled at my side. "It's a good change to feel new emotions, you know. Don't take them as a curse or something."

I started to laugh lightly with him. But I stopped abruptly as something, or someone caught my eye up ahead. Edward was leaning casually against the lockers talking to Mike Newton. I felt my stomach do a belly flop as his hand made its way through his hair again, causing some of his silken bronze locks to fall down and frame his brow. His gaze was directed downwards, as if he was embarrassed.

I felt Jasper stop walking beside me and I knew that he would promptly pick up the sudden change in my emotions and figure out the reason why, but before I could tear my gaze away from Edward, his bright green eyes met mine. My mind became clouded again, all reasoning gone. But then, Jasper's soft laugh forced me back to veracity.

"What?" I looked at Jasper, annoyed as I tore my gaze away from Edward.

"Understanding has suddenly dawned on me." He said as he continued to laugh lightly and walked towards his locker which was, coincidentally, five lockers away from Edward's.

I leaned against the row of lockers as I looked back at Edward. He was alone now, putting some of his books inside locker. "And what, may I ask, is this brilliant insight that recently found it's way into your mind?"

"The reason for your sudden re-emerging humanity." He smiled in amusement as he closed his locker and faced me. A smirk was visible on his lips.

"Oh really?" my eyes narrowed infinitesimally. "What may that be?"

Jasper's eyes flashed to Edward's direction then back to me. I turned to look at Edward— he was slowly walking towards us now… well, to the door that was located behind us, more accurately but still. His gaze was averted from us so he didn't see us looking at him, but I could see that his eyes were deep in thought.

I faced Jasper with weary eyes. A knowing smile replaced his earlier smirk. I shifted uncomfortably under his watchful eyes.

"We should head back to the car. The others will be wondering where we are." I said in a quiet tone, not meeting his gaze.

I turned abruptly and hit something solid. The books in my arms fell down as I staggered back in surprise.

I heard a soft murmur of apology as we swooped down to retrieve my books. The wind caused by our collision warned me that it was Edward I had bumped into. Great, Jasper was here to witness my humiliation. My hands met his and a spark of something caused us both to drop the book back down again. I got it quickly and stood up, only to meet his gaze.

An awkward silence passed as we stood there facing each other. I smiled an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, I wasn't looking at where I was going."

He looked away and I could see the uneasiness in his eyes. He spoke in a quiet tone. "Same here."

I frowned. This was getting more awkward by the minute. I bit my lip before I spoke again. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

He nodded, still not meeting my gaze.

"Goodbye Edward." I turned slowly, unwillingly and noticed that Jasper was already waiting outside. I sighed. I didn't want to leave yet.

Suddenly his warm hands grasped my cold ones. I felt my stomach jump. "Bella?" his voice was unsure.

I turned to face him and our eyes were locked. Instantly my mind shut down and all I could see were those pools of green. I felt my body move on its own accord, instinctively drawing near him until there was only an inch of space between us.

"Yes?" I heard myself whisper, slightly breathless.

I heard his pulse quicken as he closed the space between us. He shook his head distractedly and his gaze fell on our hands. Somehow, mine found a way to entwine our fingers together. Seeing this, he abruptly let his hand fall. If I was still human, I would have been blushing furiously now.

"I… Nothing. Never mind." A faint smile appeared on his lips as he spoke in a quiet voice.

I was deadly aware on how we were pressed together now, our faces only a feet away. I could feel his heart pounding erratically against his chest. Then swiftly, to my utter dislike, he stepped away from me.

"I'll see you tomorrow." He whispered in the same quiet tone.

My shoulders slumped as he walked outside, my brow furrowing with disappointment. I closed my eyes and struggled to breathe evenly again. As I stepped outside and headed towards my beloved car, the cold rush of the wind calmed me and slightly cleared my mind but it still didn't take away the ridiculous feeling of disappointment. Why was I even disappointed? What had I been expecting?

I huffed angrily as I got into the car, earning looks from my siblings. I opened my mind and their thoughts came pouring in.

What's got her so frustrated? Rosalie said.

Man, Bella looks so upset and mad over something… wonder what it is. Emmett's curiosity evaded my mind.

Looks like your not the only one who's confused, Bella. Jasper's calm voice echoed in my head. What did he mean?

I was about to ask him when Alice's voice chirped in.

My lips are sealed. But they will know eventually… you won't be able to hide this from us, you know.

My head turned to Alice's direction. Her lips were upturned in a smug smile. My eyes were wide, warning her not to speak a single word about her vision to our family. She rolled her eyes at me.

I've seen what will happen… remember that vision I kept from you? This isn't just some stupid crush Bella. You will fall in love with Edward eventually.

I sighed. The future wasn't carved in stone and a single, small decision would change the course of everything. But Alice was always accurate and I knew better than to bet against her… but there was a part of me that was hoping that this time, her vision was wrong.

A/N: Two chapters up in one day... I'm so proud.:)

Yes people… Bella can not only read thoughts, she is telepathic as well. Her mind reading isn't the same as Edward's though. She has to open a person's mind for her to read their thoughts and she has to grant access to her mind before she can receive their thoughts.:) So, what do you think about this chapter? Hope you liked it. Read and review.:) Also, read "The Desicion to Live" my other twilight fanfic.:)