Hi guys :) Thanks again for reading/Alerting/Favouriting! And special thanks to unlovedAngel.x for reviewing every chapter ^.^

I'm taking on the British law for this Fic … i.e. the legal age for drinking/clubbing etc is now 18 =P … it just helps with the plot =]

Now, on with the chapter!!

Chapter 6:

Standing at the front of the classroom, with all eyes on us, I felt extremely self conscious. Sadly, my history with presentations was hazardous. In fact, there'd been many a time when just the word 'presentation' would make me literally convulse. And as I'd stand there at the centre of everyone's attention, I'd feel my throat begin to close, slowly suffocating me, my stomach would start to churn and my face and neck would turn so red, that my fellow classmates would suffer blindness from the intensity of it.

Ok, so that was a mild exaggeration of the truth, but it did go something like that. And what made this one ten times worse was, my partner just so happened to be Edward Cullen.

I suddenly became very aware that my hands were starting to shake, and the paper I held so tightly between my fingers started to vibrate. I clutched it harder, placing my hands behind my back until it was time for me to speak. Edward was first up, and for a brief moment I forgot all about my nerves. I can't tell you how amazing it was to hear his voice speak out into a room full of silence. It was like music to my ears, and it took every ounce of mental strength and concentration I had, to pay attention.

He was such a natural at public speaking, I could tell as soon as he'd stood up. He had a certain presence about him. And once he'd taken to the front and cleared his throat, everyone's eyes were on him. The girls with their mouths half hanging open. And even the teacher seemed somehow mesmerized by him. Unless of course he found what we'd researched so damn fascinating. Either one seemed plausible.

The absence of his voice then told me it was my turn, and I bravely took a quick peek to my left to see Edward smiling at me encouragingly. Feeling slightly more reassured, I swallowed hard and began…

In the end, following my pre-presentation-nerves, I found it wasn't all that bad. Some may even say I'd been handed a goldmine being paired with Edward. Especially considering the majority of my classmates consisted of superficial female's, which meant on the most part they couldn't care less about what I was saying, as they were far too consumed with the guy standing beside me. And if I'm honest, I couldn't blame them, if I was in the audience watching, staring at Edward would be so much more appealing than my feeble speech about Psychology and the Media.

I breathed a sigh of relief as we wrapped it up. So it hadn't gone as bad as I'd predicted. But that was mostly thanks to Edward. To say I'd been fairly useless this past hour was probably an understatement. And by the time I'd walked back to my seat and slumped into the chair, I wasn't sure what to think.

On the one hand, I'd conclude that it may prove more helpful in future, if we didn't work together. Working with Edward accompanied with the necessity to be productive seemed virtually impossible where I was concerned. But on the other hand, he'd proved to be a welcome distraction. And anything that deterred my fellow classmates from paying attention to me was an added bonus in my book.

"Well, that was certainly an experience".

"Yeah, you're telling me!" I said as we walked down the corridor; my body still recovering from the stress of it all. "I hate presentations" I added with a shudder.

"Really!? Well you couldn't tell. You were a total pro up there" he praised me, much to my surprise. I looked across at him and smiled awkwardly, my first thought being that he'd noticed that I was a shaky, drivelling idiot, and he was once again mocking me, but the genuine smile on his face told me he wasn't. "Thanks...

…So were you ... actually you were amazing up there. You should be a public speaker or something".

He laughed back at that, before changing the subject. "So do you have another lesson now, or…?"

"No, I have a free period. How about you?" This was probably one of the first times we actually had a normal conversation.

"Double music".

I must have given him a funny look because he tilted his eyebrow at me, smirking, "What?"

"Oh, nothing. I just didn't realise you played" I said cautiously as he held the door open for me as we entered the school 'courtyard'. Such a gentleman.

"Yeah. Piano. I have done all my life".

"Wow" I said, a little taken aback. It wasn't that I thought Edward wouldn't have the capability to play an instrument, but on first impressions, one would assume to place him with a sports team rather than playing a musical instrument. "No offence but I'd never pictured you behind a piano before" I told him innocently, my eyes not failing to take note of his hair blowing in the wind.

"Well did you picture me in front of it?" he teased, his eyes twinkling as he ran his fingers through his locks. And I could have sworn he did that on purpose. My guess is, he'd caught me staring.

I forced an exaggerated smile back, trying my best to focus on something irrelevant, but no amount of mental strength could deter my bodily functions, and I quickly grew hot under the collar.

I opted for undoing my top button. Hoping it wasn't too obvious as I did so, and revelled internally as the cool air glided down my neck. "Well, I think you'll find music's in that building over there" I pointed to the square building on the opposite side of the car park.

"Yeah, thanks," he said as he turned in front to face me, bringing my feet to a halt. "So I guess I'll see you at lunch then".

It wasn't so much a question, more of a statement really. And I was rather pleased about that. "Yeah… I guess you will".

"Alright, cool! I'll catch you later then!" he gave me a nod before turning and walking away. I watched him as he strode across the car park. I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing and intrigue as he disappeared through the glass doors. I couldn't picture the cocky Edward Cullen sat at a piano, with his fingers like feathers over the keys. One thing was for sure, he was certainly full of surprises.

…………………………….

I was sat on the grass beside the canteen, luckily it wasn't overly cold today; there was just a slight chill in the air, but one that came almost unnoticed. I was thankful we wouldn't have to remain prisoners of the school today due to the hardship of the weather, so I made the most of it and grabbed our usual lunch time spot, waiting for Alice.

I'd spent the last 5 minutes playing nervously with the zip on my jacket, running it up and down and twiddling it between my fingers, and when I wasn't doing that, I was (subtly) craning my neck over towards the music building. For no reason in particular of course. And it most certainly wasn't because I was trying to locate a certain Edward Cullen. I mean sure, he'd said he would see me at lunch, but he was probably just being polite. Besides, I bet he'll become far too consumed by his sheet music, that he'll run right into lunch.

I turned back to see Alice and Jasper taking their seats in front of me.

"Hey guys!" I smiled at them both. "Good morning?"

"Yeah totally. I skipped first period, so, so far it's been pretty great" Jasper grinned at me proudly.

I couldn't help but laugh at him, before I turned Alice, who, as of yet, I hadn't even received a single hello from. Rude much!

She had that look again. Like I should've known what she was thinking. Apparently Alice thinks I'm a mind reader these days.

"What?" I asked unawares.

She huffed in annoyance, "I can't believe we've been sat here for longer than 5 seconds and you still haven't told me anything about your morning with Edward!" she rambled on in a moan, it was amazing how such a little thing could talk so fast without having to pause for a single breath. Quite a talent really.

"Erm, Alice?" Jasper placed a loving hand to her back. "I'm not sure if I should be concerned, but you seem awfully fixated on the new guy. Or is that just my imagination" he smiled at her through his sarcasm.

"Jaaaass" she rolled her eyes, her head shaking a little, "Of course you shouldn't be concerned. I love you, remember" she smiled at him lovingly, touching a hand to his cheek. And it was at times like this, these little loving interactions they shared with each other, that made me long for a boy friend of my own. "I just happen to think he's a decent guy. And, as it turns out, I happen to have a totally awesome, by the way, decent best friend…" she leant forward and touched my hand, "who just so happens to be single..."

"Don't! Even go there Alice!" I abruptly silenced her.

"Oh Bella, come on! He's single, smart, attractive…" she went on.

"Excuse me, but how do you know he's single?"

"Oh please, isn't it obvious? If he was dating someone, he would've mentioned her already" she flashed me a stupid look.

"Not necessarily" I brushed it off, starting to dig through my bag as a distraction.

"But it bothers you?" her eyes lit up as if she'd just received a cheque in the mail.

"No it doesn't bother me. In fact I couldn't care less if he was single, dating, married or gay for that matter! It's not going to happen" I looked her straight in the eye, and kept on as she opened her mouth to interrupt. "And do you want to know why it's not going to happen?" I was on a roll with this one. "He's cocky" I continued down the list, counting my fingers, "he teases me, he has his head shoved so far up his butt, I bet he could read the label on his underwear, if he wears any that is" I rolled my eyes, and Jasper almost choked on his juice. "Not to mention he asks far too many questions! And ok, on the extremely rare occasion when he can actually be a half decent human being, he ruins it 5 minutes later with some smart-ass comment" I grit my teeth.

"Er, Bella?" But I was far too wrapped up in my verbal diarrhoea to even pay attention to Alice as she gave me the Time Out signal with her hands.

"Alice no! For the last time, even just the thought of me and Edward Cullen getting together is laughable, so can we please just drop it!?" my eyes were wide open through my determination, there was no way Alice was winning this argument, and I felt somehow accomplished having vented my frustrations.

"Actually, I was just going to tell you that Edwards standing behind you" she took a big breath before her shoulders fell.

"Oh" I muttered to myself.

I noticed then as he silently took a seat beside me.

He'd heard every word I'd said. I was sure of it. I should've guessed someday my irrational babbling outbursts would get me into trouble. Silly Bella! No chocolate for you tonight! But how very dare he listen in on my private conversations between me and my best friend! If you think about it, it was all his fault really!

It was so much easier to make him the bad guy in this. After all, he shouldn't have been eavesdropping! And it's not like I'd lied. He really did ask far too many questions!

I finally plucked up the courage and braved a glance at his face, but he just grinned back in amusement as he grabbed his lunch from the depths of his bag.

"You know in my defence, I'm an inquisitive guy, and most girls find that appealing" he told me. "But apparently you're not like most girls" his eyebrows rose as he mused for a brief second. "As for the underpants comment, that was harsh man" he pulled a face, trying to look gutted, before he dove into his sandwich with one almighty bite.

I could tell he was only teasing again, and as his sneaky eyes caught mine in a cheeky side-ways glance, I couldn't help but grin back.

Following my slight mishap from earlier on, we were all getting on rather well. The only unfortunate thing was the topic of discussion, which of course surrounded yours truly.

I did however try my best to look focused and enthused. Anything to block out the fact that not 15 minutes ago I had made a complete and total fool of myself. I was beginning to find myself trapped in a routine of self-humiliation. If it wasn't my lack of co-ordination that was tripping me up or causing me to drop things, it was my mouth that was getting me into trouble.

"What about camping?" Alice's suggestion then had me stunned. We were discussing birthday options; well, they were, I was just there because I had to be.

"Camping!?" I scrunched up my face, as all heads turned to face me, "since when have you ever wanted to go camping Alice? You know camping involves sleeping outside. No hair dryers, no straighteners, peeing in a portaloo, stuff like that" I informed her, trying to block out the fact that everyone was looking at me, as I focused my vision solely on Alice.

"Yeah, I know" she shrugged uncaringly.

"Ok, who are you and what have you done with Alice?"

"Look I know it's bizarre. And if you must know, my original idea involved us all going to the beach" she looked away awkwardly. "That was until Jasper reminded me it's November next week, so probably not the best idea".

I laughed a little shaking my head.

"Look, I know how much you hate celebrating your birthday. But, you're 18! We have to do something!"

"Yeah, I agree" Jasper spoke up. "I mean, the obvious choice would've been to hit the town, but, not all of us are legal yet" he gave his girlfriend a pat on the back, to which her eyes shifted guiltily. "And besides, it'd be an excuse to get out of forks for a day or two. It's a get-out-of-forks-free-card!" he said, looking rather pleased with himself.

"Exactly!" Grinned a delighted Alice. "So what do you say Bella?"

Preview: Bella gets more than she expected when she takes a quiet trip to the cinema… receiving an insight into the mind of the young twentieth Century male. Meanwhile, she continues to struggle with her emotions, as her feelings for Edward continue to grow.

A/N. Camping with Edward Cullen – imagine the possibilities! ^.^

Thanks again for reading :) How'm I doing? =] Please leave me comments and I shall send you cookies of some kind =D … spirit cookies that is, they're the best kind ;)