Hey guys. Sorry for the wait, I genuinely thought I had uploaded this already but apparently it hadn't taken. Opps! To make up for it I'm hoping to get chapter five up definitely by next week though.

Oh, and get ready to meet Edward!

Enjoy!

CHAPTER FOUR

Bella

Gingerly touching the bruise on my nose I was relieved the dark colouring had lightened slightly, it no longer being so sensitive to touch. For someone who seemed to attract danger as much as I did, I surprisingly didn't bruise as much as someone would think.

Dinner with Billy and his son hadn't been as awkward as I had expected. Jacob had seemingly laid off the strange looks and seemed more resigned than anything; I hadn't asked why.

Glancing out the window I shook my head when I caught sight of the heavy rain hitting against my bedroom window. It seemed yesterday's sun was too much to ask for two days in a row. I was still struggling to adapt to the contrasting weather, what with Phoenix being nothing but sun day in day out. It was going to get some getting used to.

Deciding against wearing my hair up I brushed it in front of my shoulders before making my way down the stairs. Charlie was already at work and thankfully I had the opportunity to take my truck out for a spin for the first time.

It drove rusty, it was loud but overall like Billy had said it got me from point A to point B.

"Bella!"

Pulling my hood up over my head I looked around only to see Ben jogging over with a grin.

"Hey," I smiled as I shut the truck door.

Ben grinned. "You want to meet up for lunch again today?"

I breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that my lack of conversation skills hadn't put them off spending time with me, even if it was just sitting down in the canteen. I was still centre of attention as it was; I didn't want to make it worse by sitting alone and as a result being a laughing stock.

"Yea," I nodded.

Morning lessons went surprisingly quickly, the teachers unfortunately seeing it as a good thing to make me stand in front of the class and introduce myself. Why they thought it was a good thing I will never know. Not when it only served to embarrass me further, making me more nervous than I was to begin with.

Walking into the canteen I hurriedly made my way over to where Ben was sat, Mike, Jessica, Angela also already eating along with another brunette who I hadn't been introduced to yet. I started to smile in a friendly manner until I received the same reaction I had with Jessica.

I sighed, sitting down. "Hey guys."

"Hey Bella," Mike spoke cheerfully. "You still up for First Beach?"

I shrugged. "I guess, Charlie said I could go."

"Who's Charlie?" Jessica asked snidely.

"My father,"

She stared at me. "You call your dad by his first name?" I nodded. "Why?"

"I don't know, I just do" I frowned.

Thankfully, she left it at that and ended up in a deep conversation with Lauren about make-up or something similar. It didn't interest me enough for me to even attempt to include myself in their conversation.

I wasn't that desperate for friends.

Realising that I hadn't actually brought myself any lunch I reluctantly made my way over to wear the food was being served, hoping absently that it wasn't as bad as my previous school. They had thought dry chicken, plain pizza and some sort of mystery soup was what students were after.

It wasn't.

Taking in what Forks High had to offer, I stared at the salad bar and fruit trays along with the large selection of food. It was strange to compare the difference between this school and my previous one, especially since the student count was a hell of a lot lower at Forks.

It wasn't until I felt someone's gaze on me that I felt myself stiffen, though unlike most I decided to try my best to ignore it rather than look to see where it was coming from. It was intense, probably from Mike since his leering hadn't lessoned up in the slightest.

Reaching for an apple I jumped when I felt someone stop behind me, a pale yet distinctively male hand reaching for it as well causing me to start.

Was his presence meant to cause my body to hum?

Flushing, I snatched my hand back before stepping backwards only to feel my back press against what felt like a solid chest. Gasping, mortified by my careless actions I quickly shifted out of the way with a muttered apology.

"That's quite alright."

I shivered, fucking shivered at the erotically light but masculine voice which sounded like pure honey and velvet. I had never heard anything like it.

"Urm…" I mumbled, my eyes still focused on my feet as I watched myself shift uneasily. If I was reacting this way just from his voice alone then I did not want to find out if I looked up that I was physically attracted to him as well.

Hell, I hadn't even had my first kiss yet since the boys in Phoenix just hadn't held caught my attention. Don't get me wrong, they were attractive to look at but the opposite sex had never appealed to me like it did most girls my age who had already lost their virginity or at least had some sexual experience under their belts.

Me? I was practically a nun.

"Here," his delicious voice interrupted my thoughts.

Glancing up slightly I saw him holding out the bright red apple. I couldn't help but notice just how long his fingers were.

"Thanks," I mumbled, carefully taking it from him.

Truthfully I just resisted the urge to tell him not to worry, but for some reason the thought of rejecting something from him didn't sit well with me. Why I had no idea, but I was too flustered to even think about paying that thought more attention.

As soon as I had it in my hand I managed to strangle out some sort of "goodbye" before I quickly headed back to my table. Sitting down I shifted in my seat when I took note that the whole canteen were staring at me.

Subtly I brushed my mouth, "do I have something on my face?"

Lauren was the one to surprisingly to answer me, well kind of. "Did Edward Cullen just walk up to you and talk?" she demanded.

"Huh?" Who's Edward Cullen, the boy with the honey sweet voice? Because if so then hello Edward…

"The Cullen's," Jessica rolled her eyes as she flicked her hair over her shoulder. "They sit over there," she pointed to a table in the far corner.

I fought back a gasp when I caught sight of them.

I had never been the type to be jealous or envy the looks of another woman, and while I knew I wasn't exactly gorgeous, being more on the plain and average side, one look at the blonde and spiky haired girls sitting at the table would cause any girl to begin to question her looks.

"…there all together, like together together…" zoning back into the conversation I realised Jessica was still talking. "The blonde girl, that's Rosaline and the big dark haired guy Emmett, there like a thing. I'm not even sure that's legal-"

"Jess, there not actually related" Angela cut in.

"Yea, but they live together, it's weird" Jessica frowned. "And the little dark haired girl, Alice, she's really weird. And she's with Jasper, the one who looks like he's in pain. Urm…Doctor Cullen, like their foster dad is like a match maker-"

"Maybe he'll adopt me," Angela thankfully lightened the mood as I tried to take everything in.

How was it possible for a whole family to look so…perfect?

"Does he work at Forks hospital?" I couldn't help but ask.

Angela nodded. "Yea," she smiled. "He's dreamy isn't he? Talk about having a sugar daddy" she giggled causing me to grin.

"I don't know, I didn't see him since I was passed out at the time" I gestured to the still slightly busted nose.

They were still talking when I continued to admire the whole family, trying my best to be subtle. Even though I wasn't really interested in muscle men, because it was clear there was nothing boyish about Emmett, but it was hard not to admire his large set form. It was no wonder he managed to get the attention of the gorgeous blonde walking possessively by his side.

I didn't blame her.

As for Jessica's comment about Alice being weird I found myself frowning. Did the fact the girl just seemed to be appreciate life mean that she should be referred to as 'weird'? It just didn't sit well with me for some reason.

It wasn't until I felt all the air leave my lungs in one gust that I seemed to catch everyone's attention, but mine was firmly on the unnaturally but ethically looking pale boy who seemed to be the only one of them sitting without a perfect match.

"Who's that?" I asked Jessica since she seemed to know the most about the unnaturally perfect family.

"That's Edward Cullen, he's totally gorgeous, obviously" she bit her lip. "But apparently here nobody's good enough for him" she muttered. "Like I care…so…yea…seriously like, don't wait your time."

She'd been rejected. It was obvious and I didn't know quite what to think about that. Why was I feeling, was that relief, that he had rejected her? It wasn't like I had any chance. Blokes who looked as good as that, as if they belonged on the front of a GQ magazine, wanted girls with experience and more beauty than I had.

I wasn't even going to get my hopes up.

Jessica soon caught my attention again. "So, what did he say to you?" she brought my attention back to her previous question.

"Edward?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes. "Yes, of course Edward. He doesn't talk to anyone other than his family, and yet I…I mean we …watch him make his way straight over to you. So, what gives?"

I started at her. "He said 'that's quite alright' and 'here'" I told her honestly.

Rolling my eyes at the look of relief settling on her features I couldn't help but think whether she was really that petty just because she herself got rejected it meant if someone did catch Edward's eyes her jealously would quickly turn to pure hatred.

One look at her confirmed to me that she was indeed that petty.

Rolling my eyes I stared at the red apple in my hands, having completely forgotten that it was there in the first place. Staring at it I bit my lip, trying desperately to ignore the eyes burning into the back of my head as I lifted the red fruit to my lips and took a generous bite.

It was just as delicious as I expected it to be.

~~( )~~

"I was wondering…did you have a-a-a date…"

I shifted nervously when I caught the end of Ben's question as we entered the Biology room, not having expected to be hit on so quickly, especially by a boy who I had the slight feeling Angela was interested in. I wasn't the type to steal a girl's guy, and while they weren't dating it was clear she was too shy to ask him out and he was utterly oblivious.

"What's up Arizona, huh? How you liking the rain, girl?"

I was thankful for Mike's distraction as he pushed inside, his coat and hat soaked which made me question whether he had only just gotten in. Didn't classes start in the morning for everyone? I knew my days were always full.

"Better get used to it girl…" he shrugged off his coat. I stepped away to avoid getting smacked in the face.

Walking away when the two started bickering, I once again felt the same intense gaze burning into the side of my head. Already having an idea who it wasn't it didn't take me more than a second to locate Edward Cullen sitting on his own, his strangely golden eyes watching my every move intently.

"Ah!" I jumped, startled when all of a sudden the teacher was in my face. "Sorry about that, seems Tyler's actually made an appearance today, Bella" Mr Banner rolled his eyes as the class sniggered. "You can take the empty seat next to Edward," he gestured to the only seat available now Tyler had taken where I had sat yesterday.

Ben shot me a sheepish look.

Awkwardly walking over I gingerly pulled the stool out before taking a seat, keeping my gaze trained on the deep black desk in front of me and not the abnormally handsome boy who couldn't seem to stop staring at me.

It wasn't until Banner started to hand out blank worksheets that I heard a familiar honey coated voice next to me, again surprised that he was even talking to me. Guys who looked like that did not belong with girls who looked like me, it just didn't match up.

"Hello," he smiled and I'd be lying if I said it didn't affect me in any way, because it did, too much. "I'm sorry I didn't get to introduce myself earlier, I'm Edward Cullen, and you're Bella."

Was he still talking to me? And damn if him saying my name like that didn't sound like a soft caress. I shivered.

"Yes," was all I managed with a deep flush on my cheeks. What was he doing to me?

Relieved for the sudden distraction of Mr Banner giving us the lesson plan, separating and labelling the stages of mitosis for…an onion? I fought back a sigh, already having done the exact same exercise in Phoenix.

"And the first partner to get it right, will win, the golden onion" he spoke with a grin. I jumped when the class seemed to find this amazing as they hooted and whooped. I kept quiet.

The next thing I knew the microscope, which was thankfully better than the ones my previous school supplied, was being gently pushed in my direction. I glanced up, trying to resist the urge to reach out and run my fingertips down his flawless skin.

"Ladies first,"

His voice seemed strained all of a sudden, my teeth chewing on my bottom lip. I jumped slightly when I heard a slight rumble next to me, glancing at Edward to see if he had also heard it only to shift uncomfortably with a flush when I caught sight of his intense gaze.

Not knowing how to react I simply reached for the machine, letting my fingers run over the model before I sighed and turned my attention back towards him. If for some reason he was attempting to talk to me, the least I could do was return the favour, even if I sounded like a bumbling mess.

"You were gone…yesterday…I didn't see you" I chewed my bottom lip. I was curious, did the whole family just come and go as they please? How was that even allowed?

"Yea…" he diverted his eyes. "I was out of town for a couple of days, personal reasons," which I knew was code for mind my own business.

I didn't comment, choosing instead to look into the microscope. I wasn't surprised to know the answer as soon as I caught sight of the image through the powerful lens.

"Prophase," I pushed it over to him.

"Do you mind if I…uh…look"?" he question, hesitantly reaching for it.

Fighting the urge not to roll my eyes I shrugged. I would have been offended if I didn't hear how the majority of the class was already struggling with the first sample, one of which should have been one of the easiest to tell apart from the others.

"It's prophase," he took a second glance before moving to write it down.

I nodded, rolling my eyes this time. "Like I said,"

It was clear he hadn't expected me to be right, but for some reason unknown to me the fact I was seemed to please him in some way. Was he just relieved he didn't have a complete airhead for a partner or was it something…more? It was hard to tell with him.

The wide smile he sent me, however, I was not expecting. And I certainly hadn't expected my reaction to it, my cheeks reddening and a full body shiver causing me to fight the urge to hum in delight.

What was wrong with me? Or rather, why was he making me react like I was?

And did he have to keep smiling at me like that? If I thought he was handsome before, it was nothing compared to how he looked when his eyes sparkled and his full lips curved into a smile.

Jesus…

"So…are you enjoying the rain?"

I stared at him, not being able to help the light laugh which fell from my lips. What I didn't get was how his smile seemed to widen if that made sense.

"What?" he grinned.

"You're asking me about the weather?" I shook my head, not quite believing that the conversation had taken such a turn. Don't get me wrong, I liked that he was attempting to make conversation since there was nothing more awkward than having a partner who didn't say a word, but still…the weather?

"Yea, I guess I am." If anything he seemed just as taken aback by his question.

Not wanting things to get even more awkward, hell I had enough of that when Jacob came around, I decided to go easy on him.

"Urm…I don't really like the rain" I frowned. "Any cold, wet thing…I don't really…"

I didn't know what I expected his reaction to me since I knew it was a joke that I hated the rain and yet moved to Forks, but him chucking wasn't it. Holy hell, my hormones were all over the place as I fought back the urge to shift closer to him.

Again, what was going on with me today?

"What?" I smiled as he grabbed another slide and shifted it into place.

He shook his head with a crooked grin. "Nothing, uh…it's anaphase."

"You mind if I check," I just couldn't help myself. I had every faith in him that he was right, clearly he was smart, but I just couldn't resist.

"Sure," he chuckled, thankfully catching onto the joke and not thinking I was just some bitch.

I flushed when I saw it was indeed anaphase, no wonder he seemed uncomfortable when he saw I was correct the first time.

"Like I said," he neatly scripted the answer down. "So if you hate the cold and the rain so much, why did you move to the wettest place in the continental west?"

I doubt he realised how personal the question was, but I found I couldn't help myself.

"It's complicated." I doubted he wanted to hear my life story.

"I'm sure I can keep up." Oh, apparently he did.

Ok, I could do this. He asked for it. "Uh…my mum remarried and, uh…"

"So, you don't like the guy?" he asked tensely. I tilted my head to the side, curious to what was going through his head. He didn't think Phil abused me or anything did he? His anger filled eyes told me as much.

"No," I quickly put that thought out of his mind. I didn't want him to think I was an abused victim when I clearly wasn't. "Phil's really nice." And he was, about half my mother's age, but he was nice. Good for her, I thought.

He didn't say anything after that, simply reaching for the microscope causing me to wonder about his sudden change of mood. Almost as soon as I had spoken his from relaxed, I hadn't even realised how tense he was in the first place.

"It's metaphase" he made me jump. "You wanna check it?" he offered with that same crooked grin.

I shook my head. "I believe you."

After telling apart interphase, telophase and cytokinesis I was soon handed the 'golden onion' by the teacher who took the sheet with a shrug. I may have been new, but it was clear he expected nothing less from Edward and I wondered just how smart he was.

When the bell rang I was surprised when Edward followed me out, and from the looks we were receiving it was clear he didn't usually socialise with anyone other than his family. I wondered why I was the exception, was it because I was new and he was bored? It would make sense.

"Why did you move with your mother and Phil?" were we still on that?

I shrugged. "Well…Phil's a minor league baseball player, and uh, he travels a lot. My mum stayed home with me a lot, but she wasn't very happy so…I figured I'd stay with my dad for a while."

Edward remained quiet, seemingly processing what I had told him. He looked unsettled. "And now you're unhappy?"

"No."

"I'm sorry," he must have caught onto my discomfort with the whole subject. "I'm just, I'm trying to figure you out. You are very difficult for me to read." I got the feeling his last comment was some sort of private joke, his lips twitching as he looked down on me. He was tall enough that he practically towered over me.

"Hey, did you get contacts?" I realised I was leaning towards him. His previous honey gold eyes seemed to have darkened to a black. It was strange.

The next thing I knew he was making some comment about the light before he disappeared down the hall, leaving me clinging to the novelty golden onion by my locker. I couldn't help but wonder why it seemed to be a touchy subject for him, my eyes trailing after his tall form as students seemed to jump out of his way as he headed outside, jacket in hand.

Who exactly was Edward Cullen?

"So Bella," I jumped. Turning around I took a step back when all of a sudden Jessica was in my face. "I saw you got put with Edward as a partner."

"Uh, yeah, it was the only spare seat, so…"

"But he spoke to you right?"

I frowned at the question, I hadn't even realised that she was in the same classroom. Ben and Mike I had seen, but Jessica I had no idea. Was Angela in there as well? I really needed to be more observant I thought.

"Yea…"

"About what?"

It was actually a little unsettling how obsessed she seemed to be when it came to Edward. Didn't she have a crush on Mike?

"The project,"

Again, she got this relieved look on her face, as if it was any of her business. I wasn't rude enough to make a comment, but still…

"Oh, right. I need to get going, Mikes giving me a lift" she got this airy look on her features as if she hadn't just been quizzing me about another boy. "I'll see you at the field trip tomorrow."

She was gone before I had time to reply. Sighing I shoved my books in my locker before staring at the gold onion for a few minutes. Not wanting to stink out my locker with it I decided to just take it home, it having memories of the beautiful boy who seemed to have so many secrets.

It made me question what tomorrow would bring.

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