Twilight (Edward's POV)

Biology

After a week or so I brought the matter of Bella to Carlisle's attention. I couldn't keep it cooped up forever and I needed to know how to handle her at school. I had hunted as soon as I arrived at our Victorian styled home. I didn't even give Esme a chance to ask me how my day was when I left. The day had drained me of all strength I had in procrastinating a hunting trip.

"You said you couldn't hear her thoughts?" Carlisle interviewed.

"I'm telling you all I could hear was myself breathing and the clatter of the cafeteria! It's SO irritating. I couldn't even hear her in biology and I was sitting right next to her!" I was extremely agitated at this point. Nothing was adding up. Not even Carlisle could figure out the reason for the unusual deafness. He did however, have a reason behind her mind-boggling bouquet. I had been thirsty beyond comprehension and that didn't help my situation, but everyone in my family had apparently found someone who smelled as appealing to them as Bella had to me. After that had gotten sorted out, I began to describe to Jasper and Emmett the overwhelming protection I felt for her. It was as if I would stand in front of a train to keep her unharmed.

"I don't know what to tell you..." admitted Emmett, "It sounds like how I am for Rosalie. I'm willing to do anything for her only in your case, you feel that way with a weak little human." He laughed a little under his breath.

"Try talking to her Edward," consoled my mother, "You're no longer thirsty so it should be significantly easier to handle her scent. You never know honey, she could be the one."

I couldn't help but laugh at that last comment. "The one" didn't exist for a vampire. Not unless I found another vampire who I found attractive. Besides, I couldn't put any human in that sort of danger. The Volturi would have a field day! But, I guess talking to her couldn't hurt anything. After all she wasn't any different from the rest of the human population. Other than the fact that I couldn't read her mind.

I returned to school and I was eager for 6th period. I had already planned out what I was going to say to her. How I was going to strike up a conversation. I had dreadfully bad anxiety though. I was afraid of rejection. I was terrified Bella would shove me away, call me a villain, a monster. Despite the anticipation, lunch came faster than the average day. Or so it seemed. Like normal, I sauntered into the lunch room with the others, rerunning the conversation I was going to have with her next period. I had asked Alice to look into the future and tell her how it would play out, but she refused to tell me. She said it was part of life, not to know what is coming next. Emmett and Jasper tried to distract me from the upcoming event by making casual conversation about the snow. Earlier Alice had lobbed a snow ball at the back of my head, starting a mini snowball fight between us and a few other students who decided to join in on the fun. I had dropped a large amount of slush on Emmett's head, which he now shook out onto Alice and Rose. 

I heard a voice across the lunch room, "Bella, what are you staring at?"

I looked up to meet her eyes, and she quickly dropped her glance. I, on the other hand continued to watch her. Her figure was stunning and the way she hid behind her hair to cover up the blush that was developing was adorable. Part of me liked the fact that I couldn't hear her thoughts. I enjoyed the surprise of not knowing what she would do or say. It was as if I was being a human again. Her friends were murmuring about me studying her features, but I couldn't look away. Everything about her made my non beating heart feel like it was fluttering. My daydream was interrupted by the rude droning of the bell for 6th period. "Here we go Edward," I thought to myself. 

I strided into the lab and I suddenly felt my entire body lock up. I was filled with pure terror of dismissal. It was as if I were to be rejected by her, I wouldn't know what to do with myself anymore. She was already seated at our work station doodling on a piece of paper. There was a microscope and slides on our table already. I walked cautiously over to my chair and sat down. She was still focused on the little pattern she'd created. I figured that if I didn't start a conversation now, that'd I'd never do it. So, I spoke.