I still don't own it, but I love to play.

I would like to thank my beta, sjdavis84, for all her amazing help.

Chapter 7

EPOV

I was eager to see Bella today. My every thought seems to be consumed by images of her and her beautiful smile. I was happy to see her get to the school at the same time as I did.

As I got out of my car, I looked up to see her making her way over to me. Just then, Mike Newton decided to use that as an opportunity to ask her out. I could tell by the look on her face that she was not happy by this turn of events.

It was taking every ounce of my self control to not go over there and ring his scrawny neck. I just about had enough of Newton's disgusting thoughts towards my Bella.

I thought it was best to wait by my car and let her handle it. Of course, if he did get out of hand, I had no trouble at all with stepping in and dealing with him myself.

Of course, I had nothing to worry about. Bella handled him like a pro.

I listened to her try to turn him down gently. She really is too sweet for her own good. But what that moron said to her next, was not only uncalled for, but was really rude. He just really pissed me off. Who does that little mental twit thinks he is by calling my mate a whore, just because we chatted together in Biology?

The anger that flared up in her eyes the second he claimed she would be a whore for hanging out with me was amazing to see. On one hand, I wanted to cause him a world of pain, but on the other, I wanted to stay here and watch her hand him his ass.

Newton's jealousy would have normally made me laugh. I just couldn't get past him insulting her, because he isn't getting his way.

I watched Bella for her reaction and was surprised the amount of anger in her eyes. She was not going to let this slip. She railed into him ,and it was such a stunning sight. She admitted to him that she likes me. She even called him out on his jealousy. My mate is incredible!

Man, watching Bella with her fiery temper was something else. If I thought she was beautiful before, she was a goddess when she was irate.

She insinuated that he hadn't grown all the necessary body parts, as well as informing him that she likes me. Now, that just made my day.

Then, as if she was dismissing the family dog, she brushed past him and walked over to me. Okay. I have to say it. That was hot!

We chatted while we walked towards the school. I was amazed at how completely unaware she was to just how many of the guys are interested in her. Bella doesn't see herself clearly. When I told her about them, she did look a little panicked.

Just when I thought she couldn't get any more perfect, she went on to tell me how she held some old-fashioned values and was actually ridiculed for them back in Arizona.

It really did seem like my mate was made specifically for me. She is the embodiment of every dream I have ever had and every wish I have ever made.

I loved knowing that she was innocent and knew that she was waiting for her "soul-mate". Bella seemed very much in tune with herself and knows exactly what she wants.

I was eager to talk to her further about this, but the warning bell rang. I quickly asked if she would like to join me at lunch and she agreed. Now, if time would only speed up enough so I could see Bella sooner.

BPOV

When the bell rang letting us out for lunch, I tried my best to not let anyone see how eager I was to get to the cafeteria. It took everything in me to not run. It definitely isn't the lunch menu that would get me all jumpy.

I walked through the double doors and saw that Edward was already seated alone at a table in the far right corner, away from his siblings.

Due to a sudden case of nerves and the heinous odor wafting around the cafeteria, I opted to just buy myself a bottle of water. I figured it would be wise to not get sick while talking to Edward.

I turned around after paying the cafeteria lady to see Edward motioning me over to him. I walked over , trying to maintain my composure.

I smiled at him as I approached. "Hi, Edward. How has your day been so far?"

"Hello,Bella. My day has been too slow, but it has suddenly improved just now," he said to me, giving me that sexy crooked grin.

I sat down across from him and took a sip of my water, trying to hide the blush I could feel creeping up my face. Nuts! My glow-in-the-dark face will always give me away.

"Umm.., Bella, is that the only thing you are going to have for your lunch?" Edward asked, gesturing to my bottle of water .

"Yup, in case you didn't notice, the so called food that they serve here is not fit for human consumption. The stench it's producing is enough to eradicate the entire population of Forks." I smiled at him. The look on his face was priceless. Suddenly, he burst out laughing. He shook his head, drawing my attention to his unruly copper locks. Yup. That is one gorgeous head of sex hair!

"Well, considering the accuracy in your description, I guess I can't blame you for wanting to preserve your life," he teased me. There was just something really hot about him when he's playful. I really like it.

"So, Bella, I hope you haven't had anymore trouble with Newton, since you turned him down?"

I giggled. "No, actually, he kept giving me these looks during English. He's obviously angry. Frankly, I don't care. He had no right to attack my character just because I wouldn't go out with him. All he managed to do was prove to me that my decision was the right one."

"I know this may come off as cruel, but I think it was good for him. It may have been a learning experience for him to actually hear 'no' for once in his life," Edward told me .

"Oh, don't even say it. If the girls in the school are foolish enough to throw themselves at someone like him, then they deserve what they get. He has no clue how to treat a girl with respect and dignity. I'll bet you that instead of holding a door open for a girl, he probably slams her head in it." I finished my rant while glaring at the offender. Newton really was on my last nerve. Wow! That only took twenty four hours.

"Ah, Bella, I find your sense of humor quite charming," he said winking at me. "I wouldn't worry too much about Newton. He'll crawl in a corner somewhere and lick his wounds. He'll get over it."

"As long as he does it as far away from me as possible, I'm happy." I looked at Edward. He was staring at me intently. There was something in his eyes that I couldn't quite name. Whatever it was was enough to make my heart skip a beat.

"Bella, I was thinking about something that you had said earlier. You had mentioned something about waiting for your "soul-mate". I was just wondering. Have you ever had a boyfriend?"

Edward leaned back in his chair and watched me closely. I debated on how much to tell him. He didn't seem like the type who would criticize me, so I decided to tell him the whole truth.

I took a sip of water in an attempt to buy a few seconds of time, trying to think of how to word my answer. Although I was only seventeen, I was fully aware of the fact that I sometimes did act like a much older person.

"Honestly, I have never had a boyfriend. But, to be completely honest with you, I have never met anyone that held my interest before as well." I looked up at him, wondering what he was thinking about. He had a gleam in his eye. I wonder what that was about.

The way Edward looks at me sometimes makes me get all melty. I may have never met anyone in Arizona that caught my interest, but there is one in Forks that certainly has. He just happens to be sitting across from me right now. I don't want to think too far ahead. But I certainly hope I'm not the only one feeling this intense pull.