QUICKIE: I'm BACK! Miss me? It's amazing I even got this chapter finished. I've not been able to focus on this for more than a few minutes at at time. Not only did I have major writers block for this chapter, I skipped ahead in the story to write a pivotal chapter, because I got so excited. And I can't wait until it's time to post it, I think it may shock/surprise some of you. And thanks to the people that voted on my poll! The majority of you seem to like that I switch POV's so I'll stick to that. Also, thanks again to Jade, Dilani, and Skye, who sent me the Twilight PDF files. You rock!

-Alice's POV-

She jumped back into the shadows when she saw me. I could tell that she wasn't expecting me, or anyone for that matter, to be here.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startled you." I said.

"Oh no, it's okay. I just wasn't expecting anyone else to be out this far."

"I think your the first one to discover my meadow." I said with a smile.

"Your meadow? Oh, I'm sorry for intruding..I'll just go..." She said as she started to turn around.

"I didn't say I wouldn't share." I said as I scooted over on the log and patted the spot next to me."I promise I won't bite..."

She slowly made her way over to me and sat down, taking her book bag off and setting it at her feet.

"I come here when I need to get away, or think, but it's nice to have some company."

"Thanks. I was actually looking for a place to sit down and have lunch when I saw this clearing."

"This place is perfect for a picnic, especially on a nice day like today. What brings you out this far?" I asked.

"Uh...just needed to blow off some steam so I took a walk, and I wasn't really paying attention to how long I had been walking. Then I realized I was hungry." She said as she rummaged through her book bag. "Um...I have half a sandwich if you want...?"

"No, thank you...I already ate. But that's nice of you to offer."

Silence fell upon us as she unpacked her things. First she grabbed her already folded up blanket and sat on it. I didn't even think about the log since it didn't bother me. But I guess it was too rough and pokey for her soft human butt. I couldn't take the silence anymore, so I just said the first thing that came to my mind.

"I'm Alice. Alice Cullen."

"Bella Swan." She said as she stuck her hand out for a handshake.

I panicked for half a second, but realized she had to find this out sometime anyway...

"It's nice to meet you, Bella." I said as I stuck my hand out to meet hers.

As her warm fingers wrapped around my cold hand, I heard her quick intake of breath that wouldn't have been inaudible to human ears. I wouldn't be surprised if I had done the same thing, her soft, warm hands felt so good on my cold skin.

"How are you so cold in such nice weather like this?" She asked as she released my hand and busied herself with getting her good out again.

"Poor blood circulation, I guess." More like none.

Trying to keep my cool with Bella was harder than I thought it would be.

-Bella's POV-

Her hand was as cold as ice, but as soft as a baby's skin would be. I loved the sensation it gave me, but I didn't want to hold onto her hand too long. A beat went by and I just said the first thing that I could think of.

"How are you so cold in such nice weather like this?" I asked as I reluctantly let go of her hand.

"Poor blood circulation, I guess." She said. It seemed to be a personal thing with her by the expression on her face. For all I knew, it could be some sort of condition she has, and I could have just embarrassed her. Great, good job Swan...

Never the less, I couldn't even believe how brave I was being right now. I'm glad that she stopped me from leaving, because this may be my only chance to talk to her alone. But it helped that I had my food to distract me a little. I got out half of my sandwich from a Ziplock bag, and started eating it. I didn't really like eating in front of her, but I was starving, so I tried to hurry.

"So you recently moved here. How do you like Forks?" She asked politely.

"Well, I used to live here when my parents were still together, and I didn't like it much then. But now...Forks is actually growing on me." Mostly because of you...

"Well I hope you grow to really like it here, I certainly did. We moved here a few years ago from Alaska. I loved it there." She said.

"How come you moved here if you liked it there so much?" I said as I popped the last piece of sandwich in my mouth.

"My foster father, Carlisle, got offered a job here. He passed through here once, and always wanted to come back..."