After cleaning the mashed potatoes out of my hair best that I could, Edward and I walked in silence to our Biology class.

After he had very formally introduced himself, despite the fact that I, along with everyone in school already knew he who he was, I really didn't know what else to say to him. Honestly, I was still a bit dazed from his stupid perfect smile that he turned on me. All I could manage was a few directional comments. I wanted to continue staring at his beautiful face and body, but mostly kept my eyes on his feet. They would have to suffice.

I sat down alone at my usual table as Edward spoke to the teacher. It was only after he started walking toward me that I realized that my table held the only seat available. Which was great because we were having such a riveting conversation.

Ha.

He sat down next to me and I could feel the tension coming off him. I really had to struggle to avoid looking at him. It was like a current of energy was pulsing between us. A few times I tried to peek at him on the sly only to see that he was leaning as far away from me as possible with a grimace marring his features. Maybe he had finally realized that I was a fucking loser? The thought hurt, more than it usually did. He had barely been here for a day and already my reputation preceded me. I spent most of the class this way. In the last few minutes of class, swearing that this would be the last time, I risked another glance at him.

And he was staring right at me.

His piercing golden eyes were boring into me as if the secret to the universe was nestled in my skull. I couldn't fathom why else he could possibly be staring at me so intently, when just a moment ago he seemed repulsed by my presence. Maybe I still had mashed potatoes in my hair. I couldn't hold his gaze for more than a few seconds so I eventually dropped my head and really tried to concentrated on mitosis or whatever nonsense the teacher was going on about. It was then I remembered why I so badly needed to get to the store. My stomach twisted. Shit, the lasagna. I began planning ways of leaving school and making it to the store in time to get home to cook everything. I started making a mental grocery list when a little slip of paper was scooted toward me.

I was at once both thrilled and scared. I'd never gotten a note before.

Ok not totally true, once I got a note from Jessica Stanley, but I didn't think it counted since it was only a crudely drawn photo of yours truly in a straight jacket with bugs all over my body. At least, that's what I think it was. She's not a particularly stellar artist.

As I opened the note, I hoped that I was not about to have a repeat performance.

My mother would like to bring you her famous lasagna dish as a thank you for helping her out at the store. Will you be home shortly after school?

Even his handwriting was beautiful. Mine looked like I was trying to write with a broken hand, which was partially the case, as it had been previously broken. I couldn't believe this family. It was as if they had come to Forks just to save me from the shitty things that had happened in my life. I mean, I hadn't really helped Esme at the store and now she was going 50's housewife on me. Thinking of her made me think of my dream from the other night, and my heart sank. I needed to keep her away from my house, but I also wasn't sure how to say no to this gesture. It's not like I had a ton of practice with rejecting random acts of kindness. I thought about it for a moment and scrawled a message back to him.

It's not necessary. My father and I have gluten allergies. Tell your mother I said thank you anyway.

I passed it back to Edward and was rewarded with a small chuckle. Whatever that meant. I didn't have much time to contemplate, as Mr. Banner had called on me to answer a question. He was the only teacher who ever called on me. Asshole.

"Isabella, can you tell me what stage of mitosis this slide shows?"

The entire class turned around to look at me. I studied the slide and then looked at Mr. Banner. He knew I wouldn't answer the question. I never do, even though I knew the answer. I just looked down at my book.

"Anaphase."

I whipped my head around to look back at Edward who was glaring at Mr. Banner. He had said it loud and clear but with an edge that made me a little scared. Looking back to Mr. Banner, I saw that he was also unsettled by Edward. The moment in the classroom stretched on until everyone jumped as the bell rang. I quickly began gathering my things to leave, to the store or to class, I hadn't decided. I just had to get away from this distractingly beautiful and weird boy.

"Isabella, wait. I…well…"

I closed my eyes and turned toward him. Maybe if I was not directly looking at him I could form a coherent sentence. I took a deep breath.

"What, Edward?"

Silence stretched on for a moment.

"Nothing."

And then without further pretense, I heard his chair scrap the floor and felt the wind as he walked past me and out the door. He was gone.