Disclaimer: All Twilight Charaters are owned by Stephenie Meyer.

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"How do you like Forks so far?" asked Mike.

"I like it," I shrugged.

"Well, don't sound too enthused," Lauren said sarcastically.

"Yeah, Bella, if you don't like it here you can just say it, you know," said Jessica, agreeing with her.

"I meant it… I like it here. " I tried to sound more convincing, but I knew no matter what I said they wouldn't believe me.

Jessica just rolled her eyes and muttered, "Whatever."

For the rest of lunch I didn't utter a word and just kept to myself. I only nodded and smiled every time Mike addressed me, but for most of the time, I just kept to myself. This was how lunch had progressed over the last couple of weeks I had been at school.

The topic of me had ended quickly and they had moved on to what they thought were much more interesting topics, such as parties or the latest couples that had broken up throughout school. I didn't mind in the slightest. They could talk about whatever they wanted as long as it wasn't about me.

Angela and I hadn't grown any closer since the first day of school. I guess you could blame that on me . Every time she would ask me to do something after school I always made up some sort of excuse about how I had too much homework or that Charlie didn't want me going out that night. She didn't press me for more information about it. After a couple of days though she got the message that I didn't want to do anything.

It wasn't anything personal; I just figured I was saving her the trouble. I was boring. There was nothing for me to talk about and I felt so awkward around people. I would just rather avoid it all together and stay in my room.

I know it's not healthy to avoid people. I had gotten the same lecture from my therapist back in Chicago countless times, about how I shouldn't shut myself in all the time.

I didn't care. I didn't want to be around people. It was just easier this way.

Mike asked me once to a party and a mental image of me standing in a corner while a bunch of drunken idiots making fools of themselves, flashed through my head, and was enough to make me cringe. There was no way that I was going to be able to stand the public humiliation.

"Are you always this boring?" said Lauren.

I shrugged, not sure what to say. God, I was really hating sitting at this table.

Every time Lauren or Jessica made a comment, I just wanted to crawl on the floor and die or just leap across the table and rip out their hair. Unfortunately, I was leaning more towards the crawling on the floor and dying most of the time.

Way to have a backbone, Bella.

"It's alright Bella, I don't go to many parties either," said Angela.

"Yeah, but you do go to some!" Lauren pointed out. "Bella here, it sounds like all she does is stay in her room all day and do homework."

"I know really!" agreed Jessica.

I wanted to defend myself and tell her she was wrong, but I couldn't because honestly that's exactly what I did and I wasn't a good enough liar to come up with anything that would seem believable.

I take back my statement about liking it here. I hate it.

"Leave her alone," said Tyler, Who moved the subject on to a fight he had heard happened last period.

I knew Angela and Tyler were just being nice, but I kind of felt like I was being treated like I was special. I was a little kid that needed to be looked after. It was nice to do it once and in a while, but it was quickly becoming a trend. Jessica and Lauren would hassle me and then Angela or Tyler would jump in telling them to back off. I wanted to tell them to stop it, but every time I opened my mouth it felt dry and my brain would freeze. All I could do was sit there and take it, and just hope that eventually it would stop.

I am pathetic.

I went home hating myself once again for my inability to speak up.

The next day I met up with Angela at her locker. It was a way to avoid Mike, who still seemed to be following me everywhere. It seemed that while everyone else had gotten bored of me, he insisted that he walk me to every class. I didn't understand him whatsoever. He always had a bright smile on his face and was always crowding me. No matter what I did he didn't seem to go away. It was really starting to creep me out.

Angela snapped open her locker and smiled at me. "Hey, how was History?"

"Okay." When she was done getting her books she slammed her locker.

Once again she began talking about Ben.

"I have physics with him and all we do is pass notes to each other," she went on with a big, goofy smile on her face. "He's really nice and I always catch him looking at me when he thinks I'm not looking. I mean I want to tell him I like him, but I'm afraid that maybe I am looking too much into it, you know?"

"It doesn't sound like it to me," I replied honestly. I had never had any personal experience with liking anyone or anyone liking me back. My only advice came from books and TV.

"I don't know... I just get so nervous when I think about telling him." She shook her head. "I wish he would just come out and say if he actually likes me or not."

"Maybe you should write one of those notes that says 'check yes if you like me and no if you don't'," I joked.

She wrinkled her nose. "That is so corny."

My anxiety rose slightly. Stupid, of course that was corny. Why would you say something like that? What are you, five?

I once again pushed back the panic and tried to look calm. "I don't know, seriously you are asking the wrong per-"

My heart stopped as my eyes focused on the figure standing at the end of the hall. I had last seen him a couple of weeks ago and even from a distance I knew my memory didn't do him justice. It was him. The guy that had been standing at the foot of my porch asking me if I could see him. I could see him all right . I could point him out in the middle of a crowded room, because my eyes found him immediately. I felt my cheeks flush as I looked at him. So he does go to this school? I had wondered ever since I saw him if he went to Forks High School . Since I had never seen him in school before today I had assumed he didn't. Why did he seemed frustrated?

"Bella?" said Angela, waving her hand in front of my face.

"Huh?" I snapped out of it, looking at her.

"Are you alright? You zoned out there for a moment."

"Yeah, sorry." I looked to see if he was still there out of the corner of my eyes , but of course he was gone.

"Well, I'm going to head to class. See you at lunch?"

I nodded as she disappeared into the classroom .

During class I could not concentrate. I kept thinking about him. I had never been attracted to someone before. I mean, I did have a few crushes on boys at my old school, but I never really thought twice about it. I thought there was no chance of them liking me back , so why even bother? I wasn't even sure why I was wasting my time thinking of him. A couple of weeks ago he had just stood in front of me staring at me like I was some sort of freak. I was slightly annoyed with Jake that he had interrupted whatever the boy was going to say. It had been bugging me ever since.

It probably wasn't as interesting as I was making it out to be.

Then I remembered that he was scowling at me when I saw him in the hallway. Did that mean that he was mad at me? But what could he possibly be mad at me for?

Why was I even wasting my time thinking about this? It's not like I would ever talk to him again. Someone that good looking had better things to do than to talk to someone like me.

Just forget it, Bella.

Once again at lunch the topic of discussion was a party that Mike had heard about. Jessica and Lauren were beaming with excitement, while Tyler seemed indifferent. I heard him make a comment about how he didn't trust the guy. I think his name was James? I wasn't paying much attention because I honestly didn't care.

"-he's suppose to be real rich and his parents are going on some vacation that weekend." , said Lauren.

I internally rolled my eyes. Why am I sitting here again?

Oh, I know, because I'm an idiot.

I was sitting next to Angela this time around, who had her nose buried in a book. She wasn't paying attention either. She had told me earlier that she only sat with Jessica because she didn't want to sit by herself. I could understand that. I hated sitting by myself at my old school. It was like having "loser" stamped on your forehead for the world to see.

I looked around the cafeteria, seeing all the various people talking amongst their groups of friends. It was your typical high school. There were your jocks, goths, geeks and outcasts; I sipped on my coke and I scanned the cafeteria until my eyes rested on the bronze haired- boy sitting at the table across from ours. I nearly choked on my drink when I saw him. He was there with that same frustrated look.

"You okay?" asked Angela.

I nodded, coughing, "Yeah, just swallowed too fast." I looked back at the table and saw that he was still glaring at me. Maybe he really was angry at me?

I wonder if Angela knows who he is.

Just ask her! I mentally screamed at myself.

I tapped on her arm lightly to get her attention. "Hey."

"Hmm?" She lifted her head from her book.

"Do you see that guy over there?" I moved my head in his direction, trying to be as discrete as possible. I knew I wasn't doing a very good job; it would have been impossible considering he was staring right at me.

She looked over to where I had gestured. "Who am I looking for exactly?" She leaned in and whispered, so no one else at our table could hear.

"That guy that keeps staring at me, he's at the table right in front of us."

She looked ahead and craned her neck in a not so subtle way. She came back down and whispered, "Are you talking about Emmett?"

I shook my head no. I knew who Emmett was. He was a big guy that sat with his girlfriend Rosalie. I had a class with him first period; he sat in the corner and was always snoring and drooling on his desk. A couple of days ago Mr. Henderson had had enough of him sleeping and took a large, thick text book and slammed it into Emmett's desk. He had done it so hard that the desk's corner literally snapped right off. Emmett just sat up and rubbed his eyes, telling Mr. Henderson he was a douche bag before putting his head back down and falling right back to sleep. The teacher just stood there stunned, staring at the broken desk, as his face turned beet red with embarrassment.

"The guy with the reddish brown hair," I whispered. "He's right next to Emmett."

She looked around once more and then looked back at me, frowning. "I don't see anyone staring at you, Bella."

I looked over to see if he disappeared, but he was still there. How could she not see him?

"Who's staring at Bella?" asked Jessica, butting in.

"Someone is staring at her?" Mike began frantically searching the cafeteria. "Who is it?"

"No one," I mumbled.

"I heard what you guys said. Come on Bella, who is your secret admirer?" Jessica nudged my shoulder, with a big smile across her face.

Mike frowned.

"It's no one really, just forget it." I shook my head, mentally begging her to leave it alone. Please just drop it.

"Is it Emmett?" She craned her neck, looking over at his table. "Is that who you like? I heard you say his name."

I saw Mike wrinkle his nose. "Don't tell me you're into those kind of guys?"

Why was I sitting with these people? Emmett seemed to have overheard his name and glanced back at us. I sank down in my seat putting my head down.

"Rose is giving you the death glare," snickered Lauren.

Great. Just great. Shoot me now!

I glanced up and then wished I hadn't because she definitely was giving me the death glare. I took this chance to get in a quick glace to see if he was still there, but just like all the other times, he had once again disappeared.

After that, school seemed to drag on. I kept thinking back to the guy sitting at the lunch table. How could Angela not see him? He was right there sitting right there.

When the final bell rang, snapping me out of my thoughts,. I gathered my things and headed quickly to the parking lot. As I walked to my truck I pulled out my Ipod and scrolled through the songs. With music playing I won't be able to think.

I looked up on occasion, making sure not to trip or fall. When I couldn't find anything that was worth listening to I pulled out my ear plugs and shoved my Ipod into my pocket. I was going to have to buy some new music when I got home.

When I looked up at my truck, I stopped dead in my tracks as my eyes widened.

Standing there, leaning against my car, was him. He had on his dark t-shirt and faded jeans. He wasn't scowling this time and was looking off somewhere and looked like a model standing next to my truck. His hands were in his pockets as he leaned up against it.

I had to stop myself from staring and told my feet to keep moving. If he turned and saw me staring at him I would look like even more of an idiot.

When I was about two feet in front of him he slowly turned his head toward me. His eyes met mine and I was once again taken aback by their emerald color. Can someone really look this perfect?

"Hello?" I managed to choke out. My heart was pounding in my ears. I tried to tell myself to calm down and act normal. I had always tried this when I talked to people and it never really worked. This time was no different. My palms were sweaty and I fidgeted with my car keys in my hands. I must look so awkward right now. Why can't I act normal?

He, on the other hand, didn't look in the slightest bit nervous. He looked calm and collected which made him look even more perfect. He lifted himself off my truck and took a step forward, scowling at me once again. "You really can see me, can't you?"

Was he going to start this again? I decided to humor him and answer... again. "Yes, I can see you."

He paused for a moment and looked like he was thinking something over. "Are you some sort of psychic?"

What?

"Excuse me?"

"Are you a psychic?" he repeated in a serious tone. He was staring down at me, as if he were trying to force me to answer. Was this some sort of weird joke?

"Um, no..."

"Do you see other ghosts?"

Ghosts? "Is this some sort of joke?" It had to be a joke.

His brow furrowed. "Then why can you see me?"

"Why do you keep saying that?"

Was this a trick question? I just gaped at him wondering where the hell this was all going. This had to be a trick or something. At my old school I was occasionally he butt of other people's jokes. Was this guy trying to do the same thing to me? It wouldn't surprise me, after all; he was good looking. It was always the people that had good looks that you had to watch out for. They picked on anyone that they thought was lower than them, just to make themselves feel better.

"Bella, what are you doing?" I looked over to see Jessica and Lauren walking by.

"Are you talking to yourself?" said Lauren. I could tell she was fighting a smile.

"No, I'm talking to-" I looked over at him and he was shaking his head.

"That wouldn't be a good idea," he said.

They looked at him and then back at me, then each other. "Bella, are you okay?" asked Jessica.

"Um, yes?" Why was she asking if I was okay?

"We saw you just standing here talking to yourself," she explained.

"I'm not talking to myself." I pointed to him. "I was talking to him." Were they in on this joke too ?

This did not help my case, because they had that look I all knew all too well. What I didn't understand was why they were looking at me that way. All I was doing was standing here talking to some guy. I wasn't talking to myself. Couldn't they see him, clear as day? He looked about six feet tall , which had to be hard to miss.

"They can't see me." He nodded toward Jessica and Lauren.

I frowned, confused.

"I told you she didn't seem all there." I heard Lauren whisper to Jessica.

I felt like I had been kicked in the stomach.

"Bella, do you need to go to the nurse? I'm sure she's still here if you're not feeling well," said Jessica.

"I feel fine," I snapped, annoyed. "Can't you see him? He's right there!" I gestured my hands toward him.

"Bella there is no one there, unless you are talking to that truck of yours... " Lauren eyed me suspiciously.

"I'm not talking to my truck!" I was surprised that I was actually raising my voice, but this was ridiculous. They can't honestly be playing a joke on me.

"What is your problem?" said Jessica. "We just came over to see if you were alright. Not for you to snap at us."

"Come on Jess, let's leave her alone with her imaginary friend," snickered Lauren. They turned on their heels and walked away, whispering to one another and glancing back at me.

My stomach twisted and I felt hurt and angry all at the same time. This had to be a joke. It just had to be. Which meant that the joke was me? .

"I told you it wasn't a good idea. They can't see me," he said, stepping closer to me.

Why can't life give me a break? Nothing ever seemed to go the way I wanted it to. I just wanted to be left alone.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly.

"Am I alright?" I snapped. "Am I alright!?" I narrowed my eyes at him.

Since Jessica and Lauren had left I focused all my anger on him. He deserved it anyway . He was part of this whole thing to . "Do you think this is funny? Did Jessica put you up to this or something? Make fun of the new girl?"

"No, that's not it at all. I came here to-"

"No, just shut up!" I shouted, flailing my arms in the air. "Just shut up! I have had enough. I don't need this right now." I walked past him and jumped into my truck.

Looking out my window, I turned to him.

He opened his mouth to say something but I cut him off. "Just leave me alone okay? No more showing up at my house or staring at me! Just stop! It's not funny. Just leave me alone!" My voice was begging. I swallowed back tears that threatened to spill over. I'm not going to cry.

I refuse to cry.

I hated this school. I hated this place, but most of all I hated myself. Why couldn't I have a backbone? Why couldn't I snap at Lauren and Jessica like I had at him? I just let them trample all over me.

"Look, I really am sorry," he sighed, running his hand through his hair. "I should have waited to talk to you until you were away from people, but I just couldn't wait any longer. I wanted to know why you can see me. I have been wandering around for three years and not one person could see me and then you come along," he rambled on. "It's very frustrating."

I was so confused. What is he talking about?

"Why do you keep saying that?" My voice was hoarse. "That I can see you? Are you seriously sticking to Jessica and Lauren's little joke after-"

"It's not a joke!" he shouted as he slammed his hands on my door in frustration.

I flinched, surprised by his outburst.

"Sorry," he muttered, "but I'm being serious when I say this." He paused for a moment.

"My name is Edward Cullen." Once again he was silent, staring at me.

"Okay?" Was I supposed to know him?

"I'm … I'm a ghost or whatever you want to call it."

I stared at him, waiting for the punch line. Any minute he would tell me this was a joke, but instead he kept staring at me with those green eyes waiting for me to respond.

I clenched my teeth in anger. There was only so much I could take.

"Bullshit," I replied and sped off.

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