A/N: Shorter chapter. Thanks to Soph for being a great last minute beta (L) Oh, and some reviews might be nice. I am a review whore.

Chapter 2.

Bella.

I still had that spring in my step when I waltzed in the front door of my house. I beamed at Charlie, my dad, who was sprawled out on the couch watching some sports panel show.

"You look…happy" he said, as if it were a rarity to see me smile. Actually, it probably was.

"I am happy" I leaned forward and planted a small kiss on his cheek.

"Are you feeling okay, honey?"

I laughed at him and walked through the hallway and into my small room. It was cozy. The walls were a light shade of green and my giant, soft bed took up most of the free space. The covers were a deep black and thrown over the mattress lazily. My room was messy; much like the whole house. Without an adult female present, the place was out of control. My mother, Renee, had left us when I was almost two years old. I don't, still to this day, remember her at all, and Charlie refused to keep pictures of her in the house. Sometimes I found myself wondering what she looked like, what hobbies she had, even what type of clothing she wore. But there was no point in dwelling on the past. Charlie, on the other hand, would sit and brood over what happened fifteen years ago, as much as he tried to hide it from me. It was obvious she hurt him badly when she took off; and each time I bring her up, Charlie's eyes glaze over and he says the same thing he always does: 'She couldn't handle the responsibility'; yeah, the responsibility being a bouncing baby Bella. I couldn't help but feel guilty and responsible for mum's leaving.

I pushed aside a large pile of clothes and underwear to get to my bed. I flopped down on it with a huge smile on my face. Edward Masen was the reason for that smile. Apart from the fact he was unbelievably gorgeous and funny and smart and…I had to take a breath. Apart from all of that, he was a downright kind person who I enjoyed sitting with in Lit. For the first time in my life, I did not soak in a word that Mrs. Kiren had said the whole class. Edward and I had passed notes, which I had in my bag. I grabbed them out and flattened them against my leg, soaking in Edward's neat script.

You like literature?

Below that was my untidy, small print.

I thrive for it. :)

He had laughed and scribbled back quickly.

How have I never noticed you before? You're great.

I had to hide my blushing cheeks behind my long locks.

I could ask the same thing.

He hesitated, and his first reply had been scribbled out so much the paper had torn. I tried hard to read what it said, but there was no use.

I enjoy keeping to myself. I'm not the most liked person in this school.

I didn't see how that was a problem.

I'm not either

He looked at me like he was actually in shock. His dark eyebrows were almost connected to his hairline and his green eyes were wide.

Who could possibly have anything against you?

I snorted.

The bitch patrol. Football guy you beat up, well, thanks to you.

I couldn't help but add that last part.

Bitch patrol?

I sighed and explained what had happened in the girl's bathroom that day. Edward replied after running his hands through his hair in frustration.

Singing? You sing?

I shouldn't have mentioned that. Luckily, the end bell sounded and I left the room as quickly as I could.

"Goodbye, Edward!" I had called over my shoulder, escaping the topic of my love for singing and music. I hoped tomorrow he wouldn't bring it up.

I threw the notes in my bag and waltzed downstairs to prepare dinner for Charlie. Another duty I had taken on as the only female living in the household along with washing, shopping, ironing and the occasional tidying of the house. But much to my surprise, Charlie was standing by the microwave with a knife and fork in one hand and a can of beer in the other.

"What's this?" I asked with a slight smile. Charlie took a sip of his beer and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"I thought I would cook for once, since you're in such a good mood."

I felt overcome by happiness and pleasure at Charlie's unexpected good deed. It was then I picked up on the smell of low-grade steak and mushy peas rotating in the microwave.

"TV dinners." I said with a frown. Charlie laughed.

"Well, it's no royal banquet."

"I agree" I said, sticking up my nose at him regally. He snorted into his beer and pulled the meals out to the dining table.

"Bon appetite" I muttered sarcastically. Charlie looked at me with a pained expression. I'd hurt his feelings.

I was so stupid sometimes. Stupid Bella. Stupid, stupid, stupid…

"It's better than cooking, thanks dad" I assured him, taking my seat at the table and digging into the tough, stringy steak and bitter peas.

After dinner, I cleared the table, washed the few dishes that were used and went to say goodnight to Charlie. We had a late dinner; it was almost ten o'clock.

"It's nice to see that smile, Bells" he said to me as I walked upstairs, still in a good mood.

I dreamed of Edward that night; it was nothing sexual or romantic, just his laugh, his smile, his hair and his green eyes lighting up whenever I cracked a joke. I had known the guy a day and I was already obsessed with him. I acknowledged that my fascination and caring for him might one day develop into something more, but right now I was just over the moon to have met somebody I could relate to so well in merely one lunch period and literature class. He made going to school not something I worried about. He made my life not seem so bleak. And he definitely gave me a reason to smile like an idiot.

Edward.

My mum woke me up again.

"Fuck."

"Language, Edward" she said in a weary voice. I opened my eyes and noticed straight away she hadn't slept a wink. She had darker bags than I, and her hair was a mess, like she had been pulling at it in frustration for days on end.

"Sorry" I said, sitting up in my warm bed. I was sweating. I missed Forks weather. Would it hurt to ask for some rain around here? A little chilly breeze? Some decent fucking weather for a change?

"It's okay" she said blankly. This wasn't one of her good days.

My mum was troubled. She was hurting and she was abusing her body. I couldn't do anything to help her, since I was doing the same thing myself, and I had no idea how to handle my own problems. It seemed worse for her, though. I could smell the goddamn alcohol on her breath.

I hated not knowing whether a day was going to be good or bad for mum. She tried her best to hide her bad days, but today was different. She looked at me with anger as well as her usual worry. I wondered why she wasn't putting up her mental brick wall to keep me in the dark about her depression and alcohol dependence.

"Get out of bed, and get ready for school. You're walking today" she informed me in a bored voice, like she would rather not have a son to take care of.

I knew not to take her attitude to heart. She was struggling with dad's death, just like I was, just like my uncles and grandparents were. We all had our own ways of grieving, as much as I hated to see her like this. It was simply her way.

Mum stumbled out of my room and I heard her slam her bedroom door.

"Fuck" I muttered again, raking my hands through my hair that was damp from sweat. It was as if I had two mothers, and the one who actually loved me had gone out for the morning.

I tried not to think about anything depressing as I showered and got dressed. I did it all as quickly as I could, wanting to leave for school as soon as possible.

And there was only one reason for that. Bella Swan. I had spent every day at school silently watching people and judging them, thinking negative thoughts as I sat underneath the tree reading or listening to music during lunch periods. I would always sit up the back of my classes and glare at the backs of their heads.

But yesterday something fucking magical happened. After saving Bella from that asshole, I thought she was nothing more than another ungrateful cow. But she wasn't at all. She was serious yet hilarious, delicate yet snarky and most of all, she was beautiful. She reminded me a lot of what my mum used to be like, but fiercer and more beautiful. To me, anyway. Her hair smelled like strawberries and I just wanted to eat it, or some shit.

I was a weird guy.

I shook my head and walked out of the door, taking a muesli bar and juice box with me. A childish breakfast, but breakfast nonetheless. I had taken up the bad habit of skipping most meals lately, since I had no desire to eat. But now I did. There was a strange something inside of me that urged me to eat, sleep properly and lay back on the drugs and alcohol. I guessed it was linked to the new hope I had in my life, thanks to Bella.

I couldn't wait to see her by her locker at school, and when I finally saw her, a huge smile burst out on my face. It was fucking stupid and goofy of me, but I couldn't help myself. This girl did things to me.

"Why hello, miss" I said, pretending to tip my hat to her. She giggled and it was possibly the nicest sound I had ever heard. I smiled and stood in front of her in silence. I wanted to hug her, just out of instinct, but I refrained. I wouldn't hug her yet. I didn't want to scare her into thinking I was in love with her or something.

"We have Lit after lunch again" she said with a grin; her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"That reminds me" I said thoughtfully, "You still have to tell me about the singing business."

She blushed deeply and I sniggered. She was cute.

"Lunch" she assured me as the bell rang for first period.

"Tree?"

"Tree."

She walked off with a pile of books held in her thin, pale arms and left me to head to Calculus - a great class to have first fucking period.

**

After hours upon hours of pointless bullshit in classes, I was more than relieved to see Bella walking up to me during lunch as I sat; propped up against the hard stump of the tree that was now our place.

"Reading, today?" she asked, sitting down with her tray of pizza. I had chosen a burger and fries. Very healthy.

"Yeah" I muttered, slipping the book of poems I had been immersed in behind my back.

"What is it?" she asked, tilting her head so she could get a better view. I sighed, waiting for her to laugh.

"You're reading Byron?" she asked in surprise. I knew she was about to laugh.

"She walks in beauty, like the night, of cloudless climes and starry skies" she chirped, smiling at me warmly.

"You know him?"

"He was better than Shakespeare" she announced, taking a large bite out of her cheesy pizza. I gazed at her in awe. We had a lot in common.

"You have…" I pointed to her chest, where a spot of tomato sauce lay on her white blouse. She laughed and tried to rub it off, but it only smudged more.

"Here" I offered her my sweatshirt. She smiled in thanks and threw it over her ruined blouse.

"I have no coordination" she explained, taking another bite of her pizza, but more gingerly this time. I couldn't help but laugh at her. Of course she was a fucking klutz. It was clear by the way she walked, like she was due to fall over her own feet any moment.

"Really? I couldn't tell" I joked. She punched my arm and sculled her lemonade. I watched her slosh it down her neck and frown, wiping it with the sleeve of my sweatshirt I had supplied her. Thanks, Bella I thought to myself with a smirk.

"Hey, Swan! I was reading a book today, and thought of you. The Ugly Duckling?" called out a familiar voice. Bella's face went red immediately and I turned my head to see that whore Samantha laughing hysterically with a group of her skanky friends.

"The only friend you can make is Masen, and hell, that's not much of an achievement!" she called out again. I was hoping Bella would suddenly storm over and beat the shit out of her. It seemed like something she would do, with that temper of hers.

I was surprised when Bella stood up and walked off with her tray.

"Bella, wait!" I called out, standing up with my book and tray in hand.

"Oooh, go chase after your girlfriend, Masen!"

"Shut the fuck up, you dirty tramp" I snarled as I approached the group of girls, "You weren't bad mouthing me when I had my dick inside of you outside the gym."

She looked like I'd slapped her dirty, ugly face. She stammered and turned red. I had embarrassed her. Good. The bitch deserved it.

I couldn't find Bella in the cafeteria, at her locker or in the halls connecting the two. I had considered calling out into the girl's bathroom, but thought better of it. I would see her in Lit.

She was already at the table up the back of class when I walked in with my pen and notepad. She was looking down at her hands like they were the most interesting thing she had ever looked at. I sat down noisily beside her, hoping she would snap that beautiful head up and begin to talk. But she didn't.

"You never told me what you promised" I said, clearing my throat. She turned her head to me. Her face was half obstructed by her long hair, but I could see her eyes were red and her skin blotchy. She'd been crying.

I'd kill that dog Samantha.

"Please?"

She whipped her hair out of her face and almost glared at me.

"Why are you so interested?" her voice was harsh and hard, unlike the softness I was used to hearing.

"I don't know" I shrugged, "It's been a while since I've had a friend."

Her hard look morphed into a smile, but I still sensed she wasn't going to budge.

"It was just something I used to do, until I got a nice taste of reality" she said bitterly. I wondered what that might mean, but decided not to press the matter. She would tell me one day, and I would tell her things in return. I looked at her face and was suddenly struck by the sadness emanating from her. I had never really noticed it before, not to such an extent.

"I think you would be an amazing singer" I offered quietly as the teacher prattled on about Edgar Allen Poe. Usually, I would be paying full attention. But today Bella was more important.

She snorted through her tears and turned her head away from me, scribbling absentmindedly on her notepad.

"It doesn't matter anyway."

I was learning new things about Bella every second I spent with her, and I was finding myself strangely wanting to be closer to her, to know everything about her. She was the most fascinating girl I had ever spoken to.

I wanted her to be strong, like my mother couldn't be. I wanted her to inspire hope and most of all; I wanted to hear her sing.

"Will you sing for me, some time?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"I can't."

She was obviously too afraid to sing, especially to a near stranger like me.

"Please, Bella. I want to hear it" I begged. She sighed and lay her head down on the cool table, breathing heavily.

"I won't" she said stubbornly.

"At least come to my house after school." I found it hard to stop myself from inviting her over. I wanted to show her that I was sad too. I wanted her to know she wasn't alone.

My mother would help her see that. Just one look at her and she would know.

"Alright" she agreed, turning her head on the table to look into my eyes. Hers were watery from the tears, but they were still fucking gorgeous.

It was then I knew I had changed. I was no longer as negative and cynical as I believed myself to be. I was a happier, healthier, reformed Edward Masen; all because of the girl sitting next to me. And it hadn't even taken forty eight hours.