I do not own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

CH. 12: Back to School (BPOV)

I woke up in the morning with a better attitude. It was reasonable to suspect that Edward stayed away last night due to how strong the smell of my blood was for him. Plus, I had already thought about the possibility he might not remember me. So I was upset with things that were out of my control and possibly his.

Charlie knocked on my door as I sat up in bed.

"I'm up," I called and he opened the door and poked his head in.

"Just checking. I was going to make myself a fried egg and some toast, would you like some?" He asked.

"Sounds great. If you leave me some money I can go food shopping later." I stood up and stretched. Charlie turned to leave and paused.

"Why is your window open, aren't you cold?" he questioned. My head snapped to the window that was open about an inch. Someone had opened it last night.

"Um, it was a bit stuffy," I answered, I turned back but Charlie was gone.

I went over to the window and tried to close it. It went down easily, I tried opening it and it went up smoothly. He was here last night after all. I started to smile only to frown again. Why did he wait until I was asleep? I swear that if I find out he knows everything and just didn't come to me for some obtuse reason, I wasn't going to stop from ramming his stupid shinny Volvo this time.

I got to school early and I stepped out glancing around for any sign of the Volvo. When I didn't see one I glanced at the sky. Overcast. So maybe they just weren't here yet, or maybe he had a different car. I did a quick scan for the jeep, BMW, even the Porsche. Nothing,

With a sigh I continued to the office, where I tried to listen to Ms. Cope patiently as she gave me the spiel about being new. From there I took a seat in English towards the back. This time I missed only about a week since school started, so it wasn't going to be hard to catch up.

I watched the clock though, instead of pay attention to class. Before I knew it class was over. Someone was standing in front of me looking like they were waiting for a response.

"I'm sorry, Eric, what is it?' I asked. He looked confused and pleased at the same time.

"You know my name," he looked excited. Shoot, apparently I just slipped up.

"Um. Didn't you just tell me your name?" I hoped to confuse him, he looked bewildered and I changed the subject fast.

"Can you show me where I can find my next class?' I showed him my schedule to distract him even though I knew where it was already.

"Government, sure. Follow me." Eric became animated again as he led me across the campus. He asked me just about the same questions as before. I answered him back, careful not make any more mistakes.

At lunch I followed Jessica as she bubbly showed me the way to the cafeteria. It felt like it was more of an act to get herself noticed this time than to actually help me. I nodded politely as she ratted off the who's who and the what's what. We sat at her table with the others, my eyes darted all over the cafeteria. My eyes finally found their table, the three of them were sitting there, Alice…Jasper and….I let out a breath… Edward. He looked as handsome as ever. I stared at him willing him to look up at me. He seemed to be softly talking to the others. I bit my lip slightly. So Emmett and Rose were the ones not here. I wonder, why?

"Bella, are you paying attention to what I'm saying?" Jessica huffed. Edward's eyes shot over to mine. I felt my cheeks blush but I didn't glance away, neither did he. In fact, he smiled crookedly at me, I felt myself smile back at him. I felt reassured he remembered.

"Bella, don't waste your time with Edward Cullen," Jessica elbowed me. I broke my eye connection with Edward.

"Why?' I glanced at her.

"He doesn't date." She said bitterly. I vaguely remembered wondering before that she must have been rejected by him. I had to wonder what he said to her. Before I could ask someone interrupted us.

"Bella is that you?" I looked up to see Alice nearly bouncing at my elbow, something was different about her. She was giving me a look trying to communicate something with me. "I think we met at summer camp a couple of years ago." She hinted.

"Umm, Alice, right?" she nodded animatedly. "Sorry, it took me a minute, you didn't have really long hair then?" I asked. I finally realized her hair was pulled back in an elaborate braid instead of her pixie cut.

"Yes, I believe we were bunkmates. It has been awhile. How have you been?" she was still smiling, ignoring the others' stares.

"Good and you?" I smiled back relieved that she came to me, so I didn't have to figure out how to approach them.

"I have been great. I didn't know that Isabella was you, but once I saw you, I knew I knew you, you know." She practically sang.

"Um…yes," I glanced behind her; Edward and Jasper were shaking their heads with amused smiles on their faces.

"I have to introduce you to my Jazz and Edward. Come on," She grabbed my bag and pulled on my hand until I stood up.

"Hold on," She let me go so I could pick up my tray. "Thank you, Jessica, for showing me around." She looked a bit baffled at what was going on and just nodded.

Alice linked her arm through mine and pulled me into the direction of the table. I felt myself start to trip and she grabbed the tray from me to keep it from falling.

"Slow down," I hissed. She gave me an apologetic smile and slowed her pace.

"We have so much catching up to do. We should meet after school to discuss it all." Alice hinted before coming to a stop at the table. I understood immediately that we might be overheard.

"Bella, this is my Jasper and my brother, Edward." Alice introduced with a flourish as she dropped my tray on the table next to Edward's.

"Pleasure," Jasper tilted his head with a small smile on his face.

"Bella," Edward's velvety voice made my heart flutter. He reached out for my hand as if to shake it. Sparks wrapped around our hands when I placed mine in his. Instead of shaking it he brought my hand to his lips and kissed it softly and my cheeks turned pink.
We were still staring at one another and Edward still hadn't let go of my hand when Jasper cleared his throat. Edward looked reluctant as he let go of my hand.

"Have a seat, Bella," Alice looked at the chair next to Edward then back at me. I hesitated only briefly. Edward had to be in control or he wouldn't have kissed my hand, plus his eyes are a warm gold color. He pulled out the chair and I sat down next to him.

"Alice, what happens if this gets back to Charlie? He's not going to believe I went to camp." I whispered to her.

"So tell him it was held at a college campus, you took a literature class and I took an art class. We stayed on the same dorm floor and you only knew my first name before." She answered with a tiny shrug. It sounded good, I just hoped I could pull it off.

"So we're going shopping this weekend?" Alice grinned at me. Even though it sounded like a question, I knew she was really making a statement.

"I do need some stuff. I left in kind of a hurry. Plus, I did promise you, or I least I think I did." I was mildly surprised and pleased when Edward laced his fingers with mine under the table. I wondered if she would mind if I insisted Edward came too. I didn't feel like being apart from him for very long, so soon. Edward squeezed my hand and gave me a wink. Alice seemed indifferent about it.

"Where are Em and Rose," I asked softly. I watched Alice's mood darken in a split second. It was actually a little startling to see her look like that.

"We can't get into that right now. We can talk about it after school," Edward told me not looking too happy either, apparently I hit a sensitive area. He gave Alice a pointed look. Jasper must have spread some calm to them because after a moment their expressions relaxed.

"It might have to wait later than that, I have to go food shopping after school. Charlie has nothing in the house." I frowned. My curiosity was working over time trying to figure things out.

"Esme is going to do that for you while we are here. That way you should be able to come over." Alice told me. That was very nice of her considering that vampires don't care for the smell of human food.

"Is that all you're eating," Edward was scowling at my tray. I bit my lip sheepishly.

"I wasn't very hungry," I told him, my stomach had been in knots for the past two weeks.

"Here," Alice took the brownie off Jasper's tray and dropped it on mine. "What? It isn't like he's going to eat it." Alice returned Edward's dirty look. I sighed and glanced behind me to make sure no one was looking before taking the burger off of Edward's tray. I took a fairly big bite out of it.

"Happy," I asked after I swallowed. Edward sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

"I just don't want you to get sick, love." He told me softly. I rolled my eyes. I would never admit that I missed even his overprotectiveness. I had missed him that much.

"So what kind of theme would you like for your birthday this year," Alice changed the subject. She was smiling again.

"No, I'm not doing a party again," I shook my head fast. Alice narrowed her eyes at me and I shifted uncomfortably.

"Don't be difficult, Bella," she pouted.

"I'm not the one being difficult. You had it your way last time, once was more than enough." I answered not willing to back down this time.

"That won't happen again." Alice insisted.

"I'm not saying it will." I argued back. With my track recorded it just sounded like a bad idea all around.

"You know what, fine," Alice huffed and got up from the table in hurry. Jasper sighed and stood up.

"Jasper, I didn't mean…" I felt bad if I implied he might attack me again.

"I know you didn't. Don't worry about Alice, you did nothing wrong." He exchanged a glance with Edward before following Alice out.

"Is she really that upset?" I asked Edward.

"Alice will be fine. She sometimes takes it personal when people question her visions." Edward picked up my apple and started playing with it in his hands.

"I wasn't trying to refute her visions," I grumbled.

"I know, so does Jasper. Deep down Alice knows that too, she's just oversensitive about it." He glanced around the cafeteria before turning back to me. "Her human life was rougher than we thought." He looked hesitant as if he might have said too much.

"She didn't go to the …." I trialed off when he started to shake his head before I could finish.

"Well, that's good," I sighed in relief. He started to grin crookedly.

"Although, apparently you two are more alike than you know." He snickered.

"Why does that sound like an insult?" I scowled.

"It's not, love. But I will let Alice tell you about it." He smiled more apologetically. He glanced at the clock. "Would you like to get to class early?"

"Okay," I stood and reached for my tray, but Edward was already carrying it.

I followed him out of the cafeteria and we started for Biology.

"Why did you wait until I was asleep last night to come?" I asked shifted my backpack on my back. The hallway was deserted so I thought it was safe to talk.

"It wasn't intentional. I wanted to come earlier, but I had to wait. But once I could come I didn't want to wake you. You looked so tired." His eyes looked sad that he disappointed me.

"Are you coming tonight?" I asked hopefully. I looked down afraid that he might say no.

I felt his finger lift my chin so he could look in my eyes. "We'll see." I frowned not happy with his answer.

"Please? I sleep better when you're there." I felt guilty in admitting. He glanced around before pulling me into the empty Biology room.

His lips descended on mine hungrily and desperately. His hands pulled me into him firmly, I melted into his firm muscular body. My breath caught as his hands ghosted down my body to rest on my butt. He never had grabbed me there before. Then again he has never kissed me like this at school either.

"Breathe, Bella," Edward chuckled against my lips.

"No fair, dazzling me," I pouted. "Why won't you promise me?" I took half a step back out of his hands.

"Things are complicated right now and we have to be careful?" he was cryptic again. I was getting tired of no one explaining.

"So tell me." I crossed my arms in front of me.

"Not here, later," Edward ran his hand through his hair and pulled on it.

"Promise or are you just trying to shut me up." I huffed. He did have a history of trying to protect me from the truth.

"I swear to you I will answer all your questions, honestly, later." His golden eyes implored me. "Trust me, love. There is no other place I'd rather be tonight than in your bed holding you in my arms making up for lost time. Have I mentioned how beautiful you look in that blue top?" Edward's voice was husky and his eyes flickered down and gazed for a long moment before striding across the room to his desk just as Mr. Banner entered.

Did Edward just check out my breasts? I glanced at him and he gave me a sly smile and a wink. I blushed a deep red before handing Mr. Banner my slip as the class started to filter in.

I took my seat beside Edward and barely settled in before someone practically sat on top of my pen.

"Newton, can we help you?' Edward sounded irritated. Mike ignored him and looked at me with a big smile.

"Hi, I'm Mike Newton. You're, Bella Swan, right?" I fought not to roll my eyes.

"Yes, hi Mike," I just nodded my head.
"Since you're new here. How about I take you out this weekend to show you the sights?" Mike grinned widely at me. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat and glanced at Edward.

"Sorry, Mike, Edward has already offered and I said yes," I shrugged. Mike's smile fell and he shot Edward a nasty look. After one look at Edward's face he nearly fell off the table.

"Mr. Newton, if you're done making a fool of yourself in front of the new girl, can you take your seat, so we can start class?" Mr. Banner asked. Some of the others started snickering as Mike's face turned red as he slid off the table and headed for his seat.

There was more snickering and I could see Edward beside me chuckling. I glanced up and saw that Mike had bright pink streak against the seat of his pants. Confused I glanced down and saw an uncapped pink highlighter on the edge where Mike just was. The funny thing was I didn't own one. I glanced at Edward, whose eyes were twinkling with mischief.

"Edward," I reprimanded. He gave me an innocent smile, but his lips kept twitching.

I fought my giggles as I tried to focus on Mr. Banner.

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Edward met me outside of the gym after last class and walked me to the truck. I watched his face for a response, but his face remained neutral. I figured it would be best to wait until we got to the house before talking about Jacob.

"Alice is going to ride with you for appearance sake." Edward informed in a low voice.

I looked up and saw her standing by the Volvo with Jasper. They seemed to be having a silent conversation between them. I wonder if Edward and I will be able to be like that someday. She turned and walked to the truck as I unlocked the door.

"I'll see you at the house." Edward winked and walked over to the Volvo.

I climbed in and tossed my bag behind the seat.

I started the truck and couldn't help but smirk when a few kids jumped at the roar. Alice's lips twitched as she tried not too laugh.

"I never thought I would miss that horrid sound." She played with her hands on her lap.

"Alice, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings earlier." I started to apologize but she held up a hand to stop me.

"I know you didn't. I guess I can't blame you for being hesitant after the last time. I didn't see the outcome of that one and it ended badly." She sighed and looked out at the passing trees.

"Look, maybe we can still do something for my birthday as long as it doesn't involve presents and cake." I suggested.

"You're the only one I know that doesn't like presents," she smiled in amusement. I was happy, because she seemed willing to compromise.

"Why did Edward say we were a lot like as humans?" I asked since he told me to. She scowled and shook her head.

"It's funny you know, I once was in the dark about my human life. I sometimes wish I could go back to that." Her eyes grew sad and a bit vacant.

"Was your life that bad? Edward said you avoided the asylum this time." I bit my lip not sure if asking was a good thing after all.

"No, I didn't go there. Came very close, though. I knew that when my parents sent me and they basically wrote me off at the same time, but I was never sure why. My father and others hated my visions and treated me as a freak. They would ignore my visions and when they still happened they blamed me as if I cursed them." Her eyes were black and she shook her head. She looked like she could cry if she could.

"That is terrible. It's not your fault they didn't listen to you." I whispered. She gave me a sad smile.

"My father wanted my mother out of the picture so he could marry someone else. My mother was the only one that believed my visions and tried to keep me out of the asylum. I saw if I tried to prevent my mother from dying my father would try to kill me off too.

But still I had to try and save her. Jasper was around at the time watching me from the shadows. I knew he would step in to stop me if he was around. So I sent him after Edward to make sure he was changed too." My brow furrowed. Did Edward not want to be changed?

"What I didn't see was that it was James my father had hired. He showed up with Victoria to kill my mother and, since I wouldn't leave her side, me." Alice continued on. "Luckily the others returned just in time or else…." She left the rest unfinished, but it was obvious where it was going.

"So you're saying you just walked right into James' trap." Realizing that is why Edward said we were alike.

"Yup, good news is that he and Victoria are gone for good." she popped the 'p'. "Jasper was so mad though, that I put myself in danger like that. Plus, how I had sent him away to do it." I shook my head then gripped the steering wheel.

"Are you telling me Edward didn't want to be changed?" My voice was strained. Tears threatened my eyes and I blinked them away. Alice's eyes widen and she looked remorseful.

"I didn't say that. I saw that there might be a possibility that he would refuse to be. He made no definite decisions not to be. Jasper didn't have to convince him that hard to be either. I didn't mean to upset you, it was mainly my own worry not too lose any family members that made me do it. Edward, besides Jasper, has always been the most accepting of my ability. Any chance was too small." Alice explained in a rush.

I nodded absent mindlessly trying to process the information in my mind.

"Bella," Alice hollered a bit louder. I felt the wheel pull sharply to the right out of my hands and the truck stopped sharply.

A/N:

Why is Edward keeping a slight distance at school from Bella? He's trying protect her reputation. He thought it would look bad if they were suddenly together too soon. Why he didn't show up last night will come up next chapter.

Yes, Alice is going to be touchy about her visions. It's a result of her now knowing her past. Same as Jasper having better control. Or Edward being less gentlemanly. All result of changes they made this time around.

Thank You All For the Reviews

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Preview Alert

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Preview:

"I have to be getting home. I promised Charlie I would cook." She told me as I placed her on her feet outside my door.

"I want to show you a surprise first. Close your eyes." I ordered. Bella bit her lip and looked slightly annoyed.

"Edward, I hate…" I cut her off in my excitement.

"You hate surprises, I know. Just close your eyes, beautiful, please" I tried dazzling her and she blinked a few times before closing her eyes. I opened the door and pulled her in.

I stood her where I wanted her and stepped beside her so I can watch her expression.

"Open them," I tried to hide my excitement. She bit her lip as she slowly opened them and looked around.