A/N: Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! You've all been so kind with favoriting and alerting this little diddy! And thank you for the reviews! It's so nice to hear your thoughts!

With that - enjoy the next chapter!

- LFAFL -

Ch.2

The following morning I awake to a god-awful noise. A cacophony of something that sounds like boxes thumping against the floor, kitchenware rattling down the stairs, a fire alarm and a high-pitched shrilling voice squealing, is the only way to describe it. I begrudgingly open my eyes, only to be met with a sight of PINK everywhere. Apparently, I have now gotten a roommate. And what a roommate – she doesn't stand still very long, but when she does I get the impression of a petite, dark haired, pink-dressed whirlwind. After rubbing the sleep from my eyes and clearing my throat, I get her attention.

"Hi, I'm Rebecca, but you can call me Beck – everybody else does. What's your name?" she asks.

"Bella" I answer, still somewhat groggy from the abrupt wake-up.

"We are gonna be sooooo great friends, I can feel it!" she exclaims – she reminds me a bit of Alice. Same chipper demeanor, positive attitude and fast movements. She seems nice enough, but maybe a little exhausting… I don't do well with chipper and fast all the time – one of the main reasons that Alice and I never became great friends (aside from the obvious, she had the man I wanted). But with Beck, I don't have to feel jealous, so that's speaks in her favor.

After climbing out of bed and pulling together my bathroom kit, a change of clothes and a towel, I bid her welcome before disappearing down the hall to the bathroom. I stand under the spray of luke-warm water, trying to wake myself up and getting ready to face the day. My thoughts immediately turn towards Edward. His sparkling eyes have haunted my dreams tonight, and since my late night epiphany, I have decided to not repeat my mistakes – I will try to let myself believe that this gorgeous creature actually could have a romantic interest in little 'ole me. I know that this will require quite a lot of courage on my part – having to put myself out there and taking a risk. But on the other hand – Jasper is far away now. He writes me letters and e-mails, but he still thinks of me as his BFF, not a love interest. I didn't dare take the risk with him, and that landed me absolutely nowhere. Last I heard he was stationed on a flight school, since he joined the air-force, and wants to be a pilot. Talk about opportunities wasted.

Edward gives me the same kind of butterflies in my stomach as Jasper does, and I feel warm and happy when I think of him – and he is right here! Not thousands of miles away. Plus, he seemed disappointed when I only offered a platonic relationship yesterday. This could certainly be worth exploring. And it doesn't hurt that he is completely beautiful, charming, a gentleman and un-promiscuous.

Finishing up in the shower, brushing my teeth and combing my hair, I contemplate sending Edward a text, asking if we can meet up for lunch again. After I've dressed I reach a decision. I will casually text him and ask about his plans for the day, and see how he responds. I just hope that I didn't turn him completely off yesterday! But if I have, I'll just have to live with that and enjoy having a friend on campus. When I reach my room again, it looks more or less like the tooth fairy, Cinderella and a bottle of Pepto-Bismol has thrown up in here. Apparently, Beck is very girly. I mean VERY girly – like, my total opposite. I stand in the doorway with my mouth hanging open and my eyes about to pop out, while I try to regain my bearings.

"Beck," I call out, "Where are you?"

"Over here," a voice answers behind the wall of moving boxes in front of the other bed, "I am just about finished with emptying my boxes". Her head pops out over the mountain of clothes heaped up on the bed.

"So, how should we do this," I ask, somewhat worried that my only sanctuary is being destroyed by the attack of the pink aliens happening here, "I mean dividing the space and stuff – I have a futon and a small coffee table, and a mini-fridge – it's all at my Dad's house in Forks, but I could bring it down this weekend, if you'd like."

"Sounds great," Beck replies, "I haven't brought any furniture – I'm from Minnesota, so I thought it would be cheaper to check Craigslist for furniture, but if you have some, I could skip that – I've brought an area rug and some throw pillows and a bean bag though." She points towards a pink monstrosity in the corner – Oh well, I'm sure it's comfortable.

I locate my phone and send Edward a text – luckily we exchanged numbers yesterday after the somewhat awkward exchange outside the cafeteria.

Hey – what are you doing today? –B

Nothing – just got some more cluster mates, so total chaos ensues. –E

Here too. My roommate just arrived. Would you like to eat lunch again? –B

YES! Please – when and where? –E

How about we meet in front of the cafeteria at 1? –B

Sure, that's a date! –E

It is? I think to myself. Well, I guess it is – I did ask him out for lunch. And he seemed very enthusiastic in his response. This might work out perfectly after all!

Beck and I use the rest of the morning organizing our things as best we can, since we haven't got any furniture yet. Charlie will be pleased to see me already – I'll drive home tomorrow to pick up my stuff. I bet he isn't expecting to see me before Thanksgiving!

My poor old red truck died last year, but Mom and Phil gave me a new one for graduation. A black Ford F150, the Harley Davidson edition – it's my pride and joy. Turns out, Phil had arranged for some of his signing fee with the Cardinals to be set aside for my college tuition, but since I earned a full scholarship, the money weren't needed, and they thought it should come to good use. I was so happy that I cried, when they surprised me with it on graduation morning. When I came out in the driveway, there it was with a red bow on it and everything.

At ten to one, I leave and start walking towards the cafeteria. Butterflies are beginning to stir in my stomach again at the thought of seeing Edward in a little while, and by what this could lead to. Nearing the doors, I spot the now familiar sight of his copper-penny hair glinting in the sun. From this distance, it looks a little like he's pacing back and forth. Hmm, someone's eager, it seems. It's a strange feeling; that the one you like seems to like you too. It's empowering and exhilarating and filled with promises. I feel like I'm floating on air, as I come closer and closer to the entrance – especially when I see his gorgeous face lighting up in a bright smile when he sees me. I can't help but smile back. Broad, toothy and happy, I feel the corners of my mouth turn up and my cheeks pinking. I must look like a fool the way I'm grinning. I almost run the last couple of steps, and he takes a few steps towards me as well. When we finally meet, we just stand there, staring into each other's eyes and smiling. It seems a little awkward, because I want so much to hug him but I don't dare, so my hands are just flopping uselessly around my hips. But his smile, that glorious, happy, crooked smile, with a perfect dimple in his cheek, leaves me warm all over – I feel it all the way down in my toes and the butterflies go CRAZY inside me.

"Hi." I breathe out, cheeks splitting.

"Hi yourself" He replies huskily. His hand reaches out and tucks a stray hair from my ponytail behind my ear. I swoon at his sweet gesture, and catch his hand with my own on the way down. I look down a little shy – he's got great hands. They are big, but with long, slender, elegant fingers; pianist's hands. He looks down as well, watching my petite hand in his large one. It looks and feels so right. He takes it a step further; intertwining his fingers with mine, and brings them to his mouth to leave a small kiss on my knuckles. I look up at the gesture, and see his eyes alight with happiness and a mischievous twinkle. I notice that his irises are specked with gold. They are a light jade color – it looks almost unnatural, but oh so happy right now.

"What made you change your mind?" He asks, "I mean this is a date, right?" His ears are pinking slightly, like he's unsure of my intentions and a little embarrassed to ask.

"It is, and I just had an epiphany, is all." I reply. "I don't want to miss out on something that could be beautiful, just to play it safe."

He smiles at me so adoringly at that answer, as if I just made his world a better place. It's so surreal – all of a sudden things are going really fast, and I become dizzy at the speed my world is moving on its axis. I met Edward only yesterday and it already feels like we are declaring ourselves! I start to hyperventilate, and sit down on the edge of an elevated flowerbed by the entrance. He follows me, still holding my hand tightly, however, now he looks worried and anxious.

"Bella, Sweetie, what's wrong? Are you all right?"

"I'm fine – I just need a second. I felt a little dizzy there for a spell."

"Breathe through your nose, and exhale slowly – you're a little pale."

I sit for a minute, closing my eyes and letting the warmth of his hand and the soothing way he is rubbing my back calm me. I start talking with my eyes closed, "I'm just overwhelmed, that's all. In the span of a week, my whole life has turned upside down. My best friend in the whole world left and joined the air force, I moved out from my childhood home, started college, have to live with a stranger, and met a wonderful guy that I seem to fall head over heels for. It's a lot to take in, you know?" I open my eyes with a start at the realization of what I just said. I told him that I am falling for him! I jerk my head towards him, anxious of his reaction to this revelation. He just smiles at me! This silly little smirk, barely lifting the corner of his mouth! But his eyes tell another story – they are positively glowing, belying the cocky smirk. He softens his look and gets a serious expression on his face. "You aren't alone, Bella. I'm falling fast as well." A tender expression lights up his features, as he continues to watch me. "You are NOT alone." With that, he kisses the back of my hand again, and I sense his soft lips linger there, while he holds me captive in his gaze.

After a minute or so, he moves to get up from his perch in front of me, and I follow. The magic of the moment is broken, but the warmth of his gaze still lingers between us. He keeps my hand in his while he asks me what the plan is for the day. I grin a little to myself as I ask him if he wants to go on a ride with me.

"Of course, where are we going?"

"Well, my roommate and I are in need of some furniture, and I left mine at my father's house until I knew what she would be bringing. We agreed to use what I have instead of buying something, and I thought we could go pick it up and have some lunch on the way. I you'd like?"

"Aha, you just want to abuse my manly strength, huh? I knew there had to be a hidden agenda to a beautiful woman asking me out for lunch." He answers, mischief lighting up his features.

"Sure, whatever else could I use a big strong man like you for?" I retort, grinning happily.

I guide him towards my dorm parking lot and click the remote door lock for the Ford, causing the blinkers to twinkle.

"Jesus, this is what you drive?" He looks surprised and delighted.

"Yes, it's my graduation present from my Mom and stepdad. It's my baby. I call him Fred."

We climb in the cab of the truck which means that he has to let go of my hand. I feel the loss of his warmth immediately and wish we could have held on a little longer. I wasn't ready to let go yet. Fortunately, he grabs my hand again as soon as he sits down in the leather seat. I start up Fred and we are on our way to Forks. Seattle traffic isn't too bad at lunchtime on a Thursday, so the drive is easy and we find ourselves on the highway in no time. I've decided to take the ferry across instead of the long way around. It means that we can have lunch on board and enjoy the view of the sound. We buy sandwiches and sodas in a small deli on the way to the ferry, and soon we sit on a bench on the open deck, huddled together, shoulder, thighs and knees touching, while eating and sharing easy conversation.

I learn a lot about Edward on this trip. He is from Chicago, has an older brother named Emmett who plays football for the Bears and who is engaged to a girl named Rosalie. His father is a doctor, his mother an interior decorator. He's never lived anywhere else, but has travelled all over the world, especially Italy. His dad is British, his mom a proud descendant of Irish immigrants, thus the red hair, fair complexion and green eyes. He's a straight A student, he enjoys music a lot – like passionately much. He wants to minor in music theory. He plays the guitar and the piano. He is a renaissance man in the truest way – enjoys arts; visual and music, literature, science and politics. He plays a little baseball, but just for fun. He strikes me as a man that rests within himself, even if he doesn't see it that way. I could very easily fall in love with him.

I also share a bit of my own background; that I am an only child by divorced parents. That my best friend is a guy, Jasper, who left to join the air force (I don't share that I love him and miss him so much that it feels like a part of me is missing), that I am quiet and don't make friends easily, that I don't drink and party, but prefer the tranquility of a library or the beach. I share that I enjoy bond fires and stargazing, Shakespeare and hiking in the forest.

He holds my hand the whole way to Forks, and he never stops watching me when I talk. His eyes hang onto my lips, like he's afraid to lose a single word I say. When he speaks, he looks out the window, like he's apprehensive of what he will see if he looks at me. He doesn't have to be – I'm smitten already, and could never tire of listening to him describing the people he loves, places he's been to and things he enjoys. I could sit in this cab forever, just listening to him and looking at him. He is beautiful, inside and out.

- LFAFL-

A/N: Review, if you'd like. I love to hear your thoughts!