Chapter 5

We all piled into the Volvo for school. I set a mild pace while driving, actually following the speed limit; I was dreading day this more than I thought I would. I truly wished to feign a stomach ache and go home. Being undead was such a hindrance in a situation like this

Emmett and Rosalie walked off toward the building as soon as we got out. Alice and Jasper stood and waited while I took my time cutting the engine, sliding my key out, getting my books, and finally locking the doors. I was dragging out all of my actions as much as I could.

"Edward! Come on! I'm not getting any younger over here," Alice tried to threaten me.

Jasper laughed at that, clear and smooth. "Yeah, but your not getting older either. Come on Alice, you know that line doesn't apply." He continued to laugh at her.

"Jasper, it's just a figure of speech." She huffed. "And you and I both know he's being ridiculously slow right now. I've already seen it, today will be fine. I don't know why he is being like this."

"Who's slow?" I asked them from the front of the building. They were so immersed; they hadn't noticed I beat them to the doors. All I heard was an exasperated sigh from them both as they caught up and we walked in.

The day progressed without a hitch. I kept tabs on Bella Swan through other's eyes; avoiding hallways she was using and walking the long way to each building. Keeping a safe distance was key; I had to try my best.

Right before lunch, I met my family outside in the snow. It seemed to me that most of the school was there. People were running all over, packing snow, throwing it, screaming.

It was chaotic, but fun. I think needed some fun right now.

Even better, I knew who to slam first. I packed a big handful of the white powder and eyeballed my target. Her back was to me.

Perfect.

As I wound up for the throw, my eyes caught sight of Bella Swan walking towards the cafeteria. She was practically running to get out of the maze of airborne snowballs around her. She held her binder like a shield as she made her way indoors.

My stomach dropped. Biology was next period and I had to face her then. How was I going to do it?

I didn't get a chance to think of an answer. Snowy mush slapped into my head, running down the side of my face and onto my shoulder.

I spun to see Rosalie smirking. Emmett and Jasper were hysterical.

"She got you good man!" They were cracking up. I ran towards them both as I heaved my snowball into Rosalie's hair. She shrieked, glaring as the wet mess exploded onto her perfectly-quaffed locks.

By the end of it, all of five of us were dripping wet and cheerfully distracted as we entered the lunchroom. A few minutes in, were all still laughing and cleaning ourselves off at the table, when I heard Jessica Stanley's nasal voice.

"Bella, who are you starting at?"

My head whipped up at the sound of her name. Our eyes met for the briefest moment. I tried to look pleasant. I tried again to read her. Again there was silence. It was so frustrating.

"Edward Cullen is staring at you," Jessica's voice again assaulted my ears as she spoke to Bella.

Bella did not look up, instead her head was turned aside, but I could hear her words clearly.

"He doesn't look angry, does he?" her voice was small.

I wasn't too shocked by her strange question; the last time she looked at me, I did look angry. Truthfully, I must have terrified her. If she only knew how close she came to death at my hands that day. If she only knew what I was and what I wanted from her, she would be most definitely terrified, she would hate me. She would run and never look back. I made myself sick.

Lunch soon passed, and still wished I had a stomach ache. Sighing, I made my way out of the cafeteria to class.

I walked slowly into the room. The room I never thought I would return to just a couple days ago. Her scent filled all of the open space. I held my breath immediately. It was not nearly as bad when I did that, when I was prepared for it.

Bella was already sitting in her seat. She was doodling on her book, her head lowered. I moved the chair next to her, making sure to scrape it across the floor, so she was aware of me.

She did not look up; in fact, she seemed to concentrate even more on the swirls of the pen as it moved across her book.

I would have to say something. I couldn't ignore her and I had to make up for my appalling behavior the other day. I opened my mouth, trying hard not to inhale too much of the luscious air around her.

"Hello." I said softly.

That worked.

Bella's head snapped up at the sound as she looked incredulously at me, but remained silent.

I smiled warmly as I introduced myself. To make it easier on her I added, "You must be

Bella Swan."

Bella just looked wide-eyed at me, making no attempt to respond. I was just about to consider that she may never talk to me…ever…when she finally spoke.

"How do you know my name?" she asked, sounding rather confused.

After explaining (to her great discomfort it seemed) that the whole town was waiting for her to arrive, Mr. Banner started class. On the syllabus today: Phases of Mitosis.

Wonderful.

I had done this lab a half dozen times. Faking interest over the course of so many years was painful. Today, though, I took comfort in the fact that I could work with Bella and try to gain some insight into her thoughts.

"Ladies first, partner?" I smiled extra wide.

For the second time today, Bella didn't speak. Actually, her jaw went slack and her eyes glazed over. My smile faltered as I turned to start without her. "Or I could start, if you wish."

All the sudden, she came to life, a bit embarrassed at her slow response. Her cheeks flushed a very bright pink. My breathing hitched when I thought of what was turning them that color. I swallowed hard, a mix of venom and empty air as I fought my instincts. She was clueless as to what she was doing to me.

I could so easily take her right now. I wanted to…so badly. My fists tightened slightly.

No! Stop it!

That wasn't me. That was just the monster. And I would contain it. Again I shifted away slightly, body tense. Not breathing, again. In my head, I visualized Carlisle and my family. I fought against myself…for them.

She seemed not to notice my reaction as she expertly handled the microscope for the first slide, and identified it as prophase. She was confident, actually almost a bit cocky as she moved to view slide two. Without thinking, I lightly grabbed her hand to stop her. The heat of her shocked me.

No. Not shocked. It was more than that.

It practically burned where my fingers grazed hers. It was an amazing sensation. I was so unused to being close to, let alone touching, a human. It quickly awakened my burning thirst again.

She looked almost as surprised as I felt. Or maybe that was fear? It was so hard to tell without her thoughts to guide me.

I pulled away instantly and glanced at my fingers, half expecting to see charred skin from the contact. I would absolutely have to avoid touching her from now on. What was I thinking?

Silently, I went back to verify slide one, finding the same result as she did. We went on like that, back and forth, not touching, for the remainder of the lab. We finished early, so we sat. I looked at her, my head slightly askew, trying to get any hint of her annoyingly silent thoughts.

She looked at me. "Did you get contacts?" Her brow furrowed as she studied me.

"No." My voice was light, but my thoughts were reeling. How did she notice the change in my eyes? I had barely met her before today. She was much too observant for my comfort. Attempting to distract her from me, I asked all about her. Why she moved, her mother and stepfather. She seemed overwhelmingly sad about living in Forks. I couldn't quite grasp why she would exile herself here for her mother's sake. Humans were usually much more selfish than that. I could tell she was uncomfortable, but her reactions and responses were fascinating me.

"Am I annoying you?" I was slightly amused at her scowl.

"Not exactly. I'm more annoyed at myself. My face is so easy to read-my mother always calls me her open book." She frowned.

I practically choked.

"On the contrary, I find you very difficult to read." If she only knew how frustrated I was by her she wouldn't say such things.

Class ended soon after that. It stuck me that it did not seem to last nearly as long as the last time. It went well for the most part, although it seemed to take all of my willpower not to slaughter her when she blushed, or when our fingers touched and I felt her warmth. I shook my head bitterly at the thought of it.

It was the end of the day, and I waited by my car. I leaned against it as I watched the children filtering out. My eyes instantly recognized Bella as she walked to her car. She got into a bulky red pickup. Not what I expected.

Then again, Bella Swan was nothing I expected.

For some reason, I had to watch her. Now that I had spoken to her and not killed her, I saw slightly past her tempting scent. She was interesting. It was hard to look away, so I didn't. I watched as she fired up the beast of a truck she drove. I watched as she unzipped her sweater and lowered the hood covering her head, and as she bent into the dashboard heaters, running her fingers through her thick, damp hair.

I watched as she looked up directly into my eyes.

Instantly, I dropped my gaze. At that, she quickly reversed the truck, almost hitting an innocent Toyota in the process. She pulled away and passed me, looking straight ahead.

I couldn't help it, I laughed; Bella Swan was truly entertaining.