I settled into my chair and shrugged out of my coat, draping it over the back and grinning at the group of guys around me.

"Hey," I smiled, reaching for Brian's soda. "How are you guys? I haven't seen you in ages."

Brian rolled his eyes. "You saw us Tuesday, Bella. At Small Group?"

I shrugged and laughed. "A lot can happen in two days."

Sam snorted into his soda. "To us?"

I grinned. I loved my freshman engineering guys. They were such sweethearts and so completely socially illiterate. They were like puppies, though, completely eager to please.

"So what are we talking about?" demanded Rosalie, dropping into a seat across from me.

"Nothing yet," Mitch grinned at Rosalie shyly. He had a huge crush on her that he'd confided in me about but didn't have the courage to say anything to her. I reached over and poked him in the side. He grinned down at me sheepishly.

My face flushed slightly when my crush, Edward, sat in a chair next to Rosalie. She beamed up at him and Mitch stiffened slightly. Edward was the crush of just about every girl in our little group. He had big green eyes that focused on you when you were talking as though you were the most important person in the world and bronze hair that seemed to always be just a step or two away from perfect. He had an easy smile and was incredibly easy to talk to, even for the girls who were still ridiculously shy around older guys. If any of us had a shot at him, it was definitely Rosalie.

Rosalie. The living Barbie doll. She had long thick blond hair and big blue eyes and legs up to her neck. She was tall and trim and just almost disgusting in her flawlessness. As her roommate, I'd seen her at her worst and it was a relief to know that she started out the day rumpled and wrinkled and irritated, just like everyone else.

We fell into an easy conversation, laughing and teasing as we dug into our calzones. I was hungry enough I managed to finish mine in one sitting rather than saving half for later like I usually did. I shifted in my seat when I was done and leaned against Mitch. He was about 18 inches taller but three years younger and I felt like he was a little brother. Really, all the engineering guys were like little brothers.

"Has anyone seen that new horror movie that just came out?" asked Sam, chewing on a straw. "I hear it's really good."

"The one that takes place in New York?" asked Edward, taking a pull of his soda.

Sam nodded. "Is there another one out?"

He laughed. "Just checking. I haven't seen it but I've been wanting to."

I perked up at that. Rosalie hated scary movies and I loved them. "I've been wanting to see that, too. We should get a group and go."

The guys all perked up now. An outing with girls and potentially food was hugely interesting to them. Sam leaned forward. "I'm up for it."

The others voiced their interest. Rosalie shifted in her seat uncertainly. I could see the detestation of horror movies warring with her desire to hang out with Edward in a different capacity.

"What are we up for?" asked Angela, pushing me over and putting one butt cheek on the seat.

I laughed. "We're getting a group together to see the new horror movie that just opened. You wanna come?"

"Definitely."

By the time we all headed home, we had all four guys and four girls in. it looked to be a pretty fun evening and I promised to email the times to everyone that night so we could settle on a show.

I was beyond excited about the potential of a group outing with Edward Cullen. He was so adorable and friendly and just everything every girl wanted to take home with her. Rosalie, Jessica and Angela were practically squealing as we drove home and I didn't do much to hide my own glee.

"So what do we know about him?" demanded Rose as we made our way up the front walk. "What does he like to do?"

I shrugged as I pulled my coat off and hung it up on the coat rack by the door. "Nothing. I've known him and hung out with him at parties for three years now, ever since transferring, but I've never had any one on one with him to feel like I could comfortably ask him anything."

Angela nodded. "Yeah, I've known him the whole four years and he's kind of private. Friendly for sure, and GOD so good looking it makes me want to cry a little, but I know just about jack squat."

We settled on the couches in our living room and looked at each other expectantly.

"Well, I'm just going to get this out there," said Jessica. "If he decides he likes any of you better than me, you have my blessing."

I grinned. "Thanks, that's so generous of you."

She rolled her eyes. "Well, I doubt I have any real chance with him anyway, I just want you to know I won't be supremely bitter when he elopes with Rosalie after the movie next week."

Angela and I snickered at that and Rosalie frowned. "We wouldn't elope. I plan on having a very beautiful, tasteful, elaborate wedding with him. Probably in a castle in Ireland or something."

"Oh god," I groaned standing up and heading for my room. "I've got class at 8 tomorrow. I'll see you later."

I heard a chorus of goodbyes as I headed down the hall to my room. It was cold, like it would be in February in Lubbock, so I pulled on flannel pajamas. I froze when I saw an Instant Message window open on my desktop, panicking a little as though perhaps the person had seen me. I leaned forward and saw it was from Edward.

"Oh shit," I muttered, immediately pulling on some pajamas that were much more attractive. As I was settling in front of the computer, I remembered I didn't have a webcam.

Don't forget the movie times.

I grinned. Yeah, like I'd forget that. I quickly looked them up, then sent them to him and the boys, who were, of course, still up playing video games. Freshman boys. I closed out of the windows and was about to change back into the warm pjs when the computer bonged at me.

Still up?

I froze, staring at the window. Edward. I sat back down slowly.

Yeah, for a little while. You?

Just heading to bed. G'night Bella.

I did a little happy dance in my chair.

Night Edward.

He put up an away message and I followed suit, dancing around my cold room as I changed into the flannels again. I was definitely looking forward to next week.

***

Tali: This is almost completely true...check the bottom for the details that are straight up real. ;-)