Special thanks to MsWDarcy for her amazing beta-ship. If I could give you your very own Edward I would. Thank you for putting up with me!

Disclaimer: adult content and violence. You have been warned.

Stephenie Meyer owns all characters, names, my life, etc. I just like to mess with them, and make Mike a total creeper—he he he. So, everything else is mine—ElspethGordie.

Chapter Four: Contact

I'm in love.

Completely in love, with the sun. I've seen the sun maybe seven times in the last two months. It even rained on the 4th of July. I can't think of anything I want more than to continue to sit on my dad's front porch soaking in some well needed vitamin D.

A car honked. Stupid Monday. Stupid school. I glumly picked up my old backpack off the stoop, and headed to Emmett's car in the street. He didn't even pull into the driveway. Well, I guess he feels comfortable with me.

I opened the passenger door, and hopped in. Emmett was busting a move (and I used the term "move" loosely) in the driver's seat. He had Lady GaGa's "Just Dance" blaring from the speakers. I really need to invest in a camera.

He turned the music down, and beamed at me.

"Wow, you're morning person?" I snickered.

"What is there not to love? The sun is shining, my new best bud is here." I blushed. He pulled away from the curb and chuckled. "See, that's awesome. I can never get Alice or Rose to turn all red. With you I don't even have to try!"

I rolled my eyes. "Careful, you don't know if I have an arsenal of water balloons in this bag of mine." His smile widened to show a dimple, and began tapping on the steering wheel in time with the music.

"Aww Bellarina, you wouldn't do that. Then I'd have to throw you in a pool." My smile diminished, but he didn't notice, so I laughed it off. He thought he'd got me, and I wasn't going to push it otherwise. He rattled on about the water balloon fight yesterday, how Alice and Edward sneak attacked after Jasper tackled him.

Minutes later we arrived at SierraValley High School, the proud home of the Flamebirds. Yep, the school board sure knew how to pick 'em.

It was a huge school, with four main buildings and several smaller ones on the campus. I couldn't see any clear identification on the buildings.

Great. I was going to get lost.

We parked next to a silver Volvo and a red convertible. They were nicer than any cars I had ever seen in the Forks High parking lot, but here they were just part of the norm. Over half of the cars were drool worthy, and I know crap about cars.

Emmett walked me into school. Close enough to guide, me but far enough away that he wouldn't accidentally bump into me. Perceptive.

I hadn't thought about the ramifications of school. Touching, bumping, jostling, pushing. It would be everywhere. I began to panic. I needed to find my way around, and quick, because I was not—I repeat not—going to have an episode at school.

The halls were blessedly clear, and Emmett led me to the office. A lovely woman with a volunteer name tag, Judy Cope, greeted us.

I smiled, hoping to make a good first impression. "Hi. I'm Isabella Swan. I'm new."

She nodded. "Of course dear. I have everything ready right here." She handed me some papers. One was my class schedule, and the other was a map of the school. Goody.

I indicated my thanks and turned to leave. "One more thing dear. Mr. Banner, the vice principal, wants to meet with you first." And this day had started out so promising. My anxiety level went from a 3 to a 7 in under a second. I did not want to be alone with a strange man. I looked up nervously at Emmett who was flirting with one of the office assistants.

"I'll wait for you here Bells, and walk you to your first class." He flashed a smile at Ms. Cope and winked. "I'm sure Ms. Cope won't mind writing me a late pass."

I looked at Ms. Cope, pleading with my eyes. Emmett would help me if I lost it. With a longsuffering sigh, she nodded, and then led me to Mr. Banner's office.

Alice had said something about him the other day… but I couldn't quite remember. I knocked on the door, and heard a baritone voice answer. "Come in." He snorted.

I remembered. Alice said that he snorted. Check. And looked up girl's skirts.

I was so glad I didn't wear a skirt. I was simply dressed in my pink chucks, dark skinny jeans, and an elbow length ribbed pink and green shirt. I even left the hoodie at home, in honor of my first day.

He indicated to the chair. "Please sit Isabella."

"Just Bella." I sat.

I nervously looked around at his impersonal office as he perused my body. I think I'm going to vomit. I should have brought the hoodie.

"I want to officially welcome you to Sierra Valley High School. I've seen your transcripts, and have high hopes that you'll fit in well to our rigorous academic honors program." At least he sounds official.

He snorted again. Kinda.

I nodded. I've always had impeccable grades.

"I've already spoken with your teachers. You may have to do some make up work to catch up with the classes. Don't hesitate to come to them or me, if you have any problems or questions that we can address. I would love to help you out in anyway."

Oh, yeah. As soon as I'm out of here I'm gonna vomit.

If I was unsure earlier, now it's official. Mr. Banner is a perv.

I stuttered. "Uh, thanks. I'm sure that everything will be fine." I rose to leave, and he stood up as well.

He held the door open for me, allowing me to leave first. I shook my head, and smiled, trying not to hyperventilate. No way was he going to follow me out staring at my ass the whole time. If he was behind me I wouldn't be able to see him. And I was going to keep him in my sights at all times. You never know what he might do. I know—I'm the trusting type.

I followed Mr. Banner back into the main office. Emmett was waiting. The office aid must have had work to do because he looked bored. He glanced up and shot me a questioning look. I must have appeared apprehensive.

I was.

I faked a smile. Nothing that I couldn't handle. Right.

Still, I scurried over to Emmett's side, giving Banner a wide berth. No wandering hands would come near me. We said our good byes and headed off to class.

I carefully read my schedule. AP English, AP Calc, Government, Spanish, Lunch, Med-Bio, PE. Oh Joy—PE, I need to get out of that soon. That will sooo not work.

Emmett grabbed my schedule out of my hands, careful not to touch me. He gave out a whoop of glee. "Yes! We have Government and Spanish together."

He showed me where my locker was, and I got the combination on the third try. I dropped off the extra notebook I had with me, took a deep breath, and instructed Emmett to lead on.

I arrived to AP Lit a few minutes late. I grabbed an empty seat in the back. I had no desire to draw more than the necessary attention—thank God that the teacher, whose name I'd already forgotten, didn't make me introduce myself. That must be a small town thing.

I had read almost everything on the reading list. The only remotely interesting new material was Troilus and Criseyde by Chaucer. I read the Canterbury Tales last year, but this story was unfamiliar to me. The class was in the midst of Milton's Paradise Lost. I perused the copy the teacher gave me, refreshing the story and the poetry in my mind.

The class took a pop quiz. I would have aced that crap.

A dark curly hair girl introduced herself as Angela and offered to copy her notes from the last three weeks. I eagerly agreed. She was sweet, and it would be nice to have an ally in class.

She offered to walk me to AP calc; she had pre-calculus in the same building. I dawdled in the classroom until the hallways were clear. Angela took me down the hall and outside to get to building four.

Angela walked quietly beside me, not interrupting my thoughts. I liked her. She was unpretentious. She didn't have anything to say, so she didn't fill up the space with empty words. She smiled kindly at everyone we passed, and said hello to a few. It was a big enough school that I didn't get many looks. Ah, anonymity is a beautiful thing.

We walked past a group of guys loitering between classes. I cautiously kept them in my vision. One of them yelled out to us. "Hey Ang, gotten over Ben so soon? Already moved on?" The whole group snickered. Angela glared; I flinched. A boy toward the back crossed his arms and scowled at his friends.

Angela's eyes shot daggers at them, as she pushed past. At the last moment, as if she had struggled up the courage Angela turned around and yelled back. "Go screw yourself, Mike."

I smiled, holding in a laugh. She's got some backbone, can't be the nice girl all the time.

"Nice." I congratulated her. "What was that all about?"

Her face clouded, "Oh you know, stupid boys. They're not worth my time anyway." I nodded. I completely agreed.

"Did you go out with that Mike kid, or the one he was harassing you about?" We trudged forward, and I waited for an answer. "Sorry, it's none of my business anyway."

She shook her head. "I don't mind. They just make me so mad! I broke it off with Ben, because he couldn't stand up to those jerks. He was so sweet with me, but those douche bags are a bad influence. He was involved in some stuff that I just couldn't deal with."

I smiled sadly with her. I knew what stupid boys were like. "Let me know if I can do anything." Hmm… maybe Emmett would help.

She smiled, and hurried me into building four. We had taken longer than I expected to get to class, but a great thing about having such a big campus was that you had more time between classes.

I reached AP calc with no problem. I spoke briefly with the teacher and received a textbook. I got to sit in the back again.

I recognized one of the other students as he walked in. Angela's ex sat two seats in front of me. I gave the back of his head the death glare for Angela, just for good measure.

The class breezed by, I took voracious notes. I may be a whiz in English, but this class made me wonder why the heck I had decided to take AP Calc, especially three weeks into the material. I would have to study my ass off in order to catch up with the class.

The trek from calc to government forced my anxiety up another level. A cold sweat had broken out on my palms, and I was beginning to feel nauseous again. As soon as I reached the class I grabbed a desk in the back and asked to use the pass.

I hurried down the hall hoping to find a bathroom soon. And I prayed for the day when I wouldn't have to see my breakfast for a second time. I would stop eating breakfast altogether if I wasn't so darn hungry in the morning.

I scurried around the corner, narrowly missing a pack of nerds traveling together, probably for safety. Thankfully a girl's room appeared in front of me, and I pushed past the line for the stall that had just opened. I heard several unflattering comments as I locked the stall, and emptied my stomach.

I wiped my mouth, and exited the stall. The girls I had left in line sneered at me. I glared back.

I cleaned up, and headed back to class. Class was just beginning as I walked in, and Emmett waved from the desk next to mine.

Government and Spanish flew by, especially when Emmett made what I can only term "lewd" comments in Spanish, in Spanish. I thought I was going pee myself when he told Senorita Hall that "Yes, he liked to lick his ice cream. But 'el gato' tastes better."

She didn't even blink twice, replying that 'el gato' is very stringy, and no one should try it unless they had no other alternatives. The fact that she was oblivious to his joke, and was completely serious about eating cats, had the class rolling on the floor, and her in utter confusion.

The bell rang for lunch. Everyone was still holding their sides, and several students even clapped Emmett on the back.

We walked to lunch, Emmett ever aware of my tension. He acted as a barrier, walking beside me but keeping anyone from bumping into me.

"So Bella-bean. Surviving?" I grunted. "Aw. School sucks. But it can't be that bad."

"It's not bad. It's just school." He nodded in agreement. "I met someone in my English class who's nice. Her name's Angela—she just went through a break-up."

He looked over his shoulder at me. "I heard about that, Angela and Ben right?"

"I think so. Anyway, on our way to second a group of his friends harassed her in the courtyard." He frowned. "I told her we'd maybe have a bit of secret fun with them?"

His eyes lit up. "Whatever it is. Count. Me. In." I had him hooked.

"Now, I've played a few good pranks in my time, but I have a feeling you may be the king. So if you help me out, I'll help you get Jasper, Alice, and Edward back for their water balloon attack."

He turned around, his grin bigger than I had ever seen it. He looked like he could hug me. "You are my new hero." I giggled. Pranks were a part of before… I really hope that the 'before-Bella' still exists. All I can do is try.

We reached the cafeteria, and got in line for what I hoped was not mystery-meat. I grabbed a sandwich, salad, fruit cup, and a chocolate cupcake. What can I say? I was hungry, empty stomach and all. I paid for my food and looked around. Emmett indicated to a table to the right. We passed Angela, and some of her friends on the way. I waved.

Spotting the table we were headed towards, I saw him. Edward's green eyes instantly connected with mine.

I had missed those eyes; they haunted me in my dreams.

I sat down shyly, breaking contact but then uncontrollably seeking them again, only to find him occupied. A pretty brunette had plopped down into his lap. She had the shortest skirt on I'd ever seen, and a tattered shirt-like top. She looked like a trollop.

"Eddie! You didn't call me back this weekend! I thought we were going to do something on Saturday." He rolled his eyes, aggravated, and pushed her off his lap.

"Jessica. Not now." He looked angry. "We've talked about this." She pouted and leaned over giving him an ample view of cleavage. There is no way that those are real.

I tried to avert my eyes. It was awkward enough that I'd been staring. Staring into his eyes. Plus I'd meant what I said to Alice—No boys. Who cares if stupid bimbos sit in his lap and paw at him?

Edward ignored Jessica's pout, and pointedly began a conversation with another boy at our table. She finally got the message and wandered off.

Crap. I had no idea who we were sitting with; I'd been so consumed with Edward.

I put on my best smile, and introduced myself. "Hey, I'm Bella."

Everyone looked at me, as if they didn't notice the addition to the table until I spoke. Other than Emmett and Edward, there was a lanky blond who looked too emo to fit in with this crowd. Next to him sat a tall, leggy, blond who narrowed her eyes at me.

Emmett introduced them. "Bells, this is Jasper and Rosalie Hale." I smiled and nodded, placing faces to the names I'd already heard.

Jasper smiled at me, but didn't say anything. Emos aren't that talkative.

Rosalie crossed her arms, leaning toward me from across the table. "So Bella. Where are you from?" Let the interrogation begin.

I raised an eyebrow at her, not letting her intimidate me. "Washington." Emmett looked back and forth between the two of us, seeming unsure whether he should interfere.

"How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"What year are you?"

"Senior."

Suddenly I had an image of Rosalie sprouting goat horns, holding a giant staff, standing in front of bridge and yelling. "What is your favorite color?!" I snickered to myself. I need to stop watching Monty Python marathons.

"What are you doing here?" I knew this question would pop up sooner than later. Fortunately, I already had a response, ready and rehearsed.

"My mom got a new boyfriend. He moved in. It was awkward. I decided it was about time to spend some quality time with the absentee father." I kept eye contact, and cocked my head. "Any more questions?" She smirked and went back to her sugar-free non-fat yogurt. I guess I passed inspection.

Emmett chuckled and patted the back of my chair. I flinched.

Apparently Edward had been paying attention the whole time. His conversation with Jasper had dwindled off after I introduced myself. His eyes narrowed when I flinched. He looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped himself, and looked away.

Alice came bounding up to the table, almost pouncing on me. "Bella! How's your first day? Emmett told me that you had to meet Mr. Banner. Isn't he such a perv?! Do you like your classes?—" She prattled. I don't know how she breathed.

I interrupted. "Alice!"

She pushed Edward out of his chair, stole it, and gave me her full attention.

I giggled. "Fine, Heck-yes, and Okay."

"I know!" She exclaimed and began to eat some of Edward's lunch. I had no idea what she 'knew' but I went with it. Don't question Alice, it will only lead to more questions, just like Lost.

Edward pulled up another chair on Alice's other side, and stole his lunch back. He hadn't said one word to me; almost but not quite.

Unbelievable eye contact, but not one word!

Now he was avoiding my eyes, while Alice rambled on about her art class, and their new project that kept her after class. I only had to nod or mumble noncommittal sounds to keep her talking, holding the conversation.

I ate my lunch, one eye—and ear—on Alice, and the other on Edward. I was so confused. He stared intensely at me, as if he was studying me; he held my face in his hands at his house on Saturday. The first time since… since…that a guy's touch hadn't sent me into a crazy conniption.

And he still hadn't said ONE WORD. Was he mute?! No, he spoke to Jessica, the tramp, and Jasper.

I sighed, pushing my hair away from my face. Not my problem.

I devoted my entire attention to Alice for the rest of the period. I even spoke to Rosalie again, though it wasn't completely devoid of hostility. But I think that's just how she relates to others. Alice didn't bat an eye when Rosalie insulted her latest charity endeavor. She just told her to be at her house at 7 o'clock sharp to take the collection to the local shelter. Rose rolled her eyes, but nodded. My new friend is magic.

The bell signaled lunch was over and I carefully made my way to Med Bio. Emmett and Alice escorted me. I have no idea how much they know, but they're figuring something out. I didn't notice much anymore when I flinched, or skirted away from everyone. It had just become part of everyday life.

I still hadn't given my dad a hug.

But they must have noticed. They made sure that I had safe passage to class. I was grateful, but annoyed that they saw through me. I hated that I needed help in the first place.

I was victimized—but so are a lot of women. Why was I acting like a crazy-person? Maybe I was crazy, maybe I wasn't, but I didn't have time to worry about it, so I coped as best I could.

I was the last person to class. I introduced myself to Mr. Molena, ignoring his hand, and took my text book. There were only two seats left in the class. Both tables had an occupant. One was Edward, and the other was that douche bag Mike. I chose Edward.

I sat down next to Edward. He acknowledged my presence, but that was it. No, "Hi." No, "Do you need a copy of my notes?"

Nothing.

The class was interesting; we took notes on cellular anatomy, and then we began the lab. I sat at the table and Edward grabbed the supplies from the front of the room. While I waited "douche bag" Mike came up to me.

"Hey there. You're new right." Thank you, Captain Obvious. I gave him a closed lipped smile hopping to discourage him. "I'm Mike Newton. My family owns the biggest outdoors chain store in the city."

He was not discouraged.

He leaned on the lab table only a few inches from me. I scooted backwards, trying to escape. "Want to go out some time?" I tried to keep the disgust from my face—I hope I failed.

"Eh, no thanks." I avoided eye contact, hoping he'd get the picture and leave.

He didn't.

He came around to my side of the table. "Why not baby?" Full on sleaze. "I know I could show you a good time," he added suggestively. I tried not to gag.

He took a step forward, and I stumbled off my chair scrambling to get away from him. I fell into Edward. He grabbed me before I fell.

I froze.

Waiting, always waiting.

And nothing happened. Nothing at all. I looked up into his face, and found his eyes searching mine. I hadn't fainted, I hadn't relived… it. I was fine, and I was safe.

I had forgotten about Mike; he was still there, glowering at Edward, and his possible 'score'—me. Shudder.

I stood up, pushing myself away from Edward, missing the lost connection.

"No thanks Mike." I glanced up to him, trying to look forceful, and unwavering.

It didn't work—because he reached for me.

Remember how I promised myself at the beginning of the day that I was not going to have an episode? Even if I had to become an invisible loner, I would not humiliate myself by freaking out at school?

I lied.

DUN DUN DUN!

Review are better (way better) than a pervy Mr. Banner!

ps. Epov outtake coming soon!