Disclaimer: I don’t own anything. It all belongs to Stephenie Meyer.

Chapter Five

Bella’s POV

With my new truck I went to school on Monday morning feeling a little lighter. It wasn’t as stared at nearly as much as Charlie’s car was, which was a good thing-although it’s unfamiliarity to the parking lot did cause a few people to turn and look. I headed into the school, glad that I no longer started the day with a blush on my cheeks.

In class, I found that Edward wasn’t there yet, which was good, because then I would be able to calm my nerves so that I wouldn’t automatically be irritated with his presence as I had taken to being.

A few other students in the class came in, Edward following them from behind. I rolled my eyes at the fact that he, unlike me, never once bumped, banged, or fell into anything or anyone. Did he have to be so irritatingly perfect?

Edward sat down next to me, and he ignored me as he did so, busying himself with getting his things out for class so that he was ready when it started. “Hello Edward,” I said, “how was your weekend?”

Edward paused as he put his book on his desk and looked at me suspiciously. “Bella,” said Edward, “are you alright?”

“I’m perfectly fine,” I say, “why do you ask?”

“Because,” said Edward, “you’re being civil.”

“Oh that,” I said, shrugging my shoulders, “well, I got your note over the weekend, and I decided that since we had some classes together, we should try and get along-you know, to make it easier on the teachers and such.”

“The letter?” said Edward looking confused.

“Yes,” I said, “the note that was left in my binder. I found it on Friday.”

“Oh, ah, right,” said Edward, although he still didn’t seem to actually know what it was that I was talking about, which was strange considering that he was the one who had left the letter for me to find. He must have just forgotten about it over the weekend. It would have been an easy thing to do.

“So,” I said, attempting to make conversation, “how was your weekend?”

“Fine,” said Edward, “I spent the weekend camping with my family.”

“I’m sorry,” I said with sarcasm.

“Sorry?” said Edward. “Oh, I get it. You’re not a big fan of camping.”

“Not terribly,” I said, “I’m a bit accident prone, and nature and I don’t mix well because of it. If I ever went camping, I’d end up falling for something.”

Edward looked amused at the idea. “If you came camping with me, I’m certain I could cure you of your dislike,” he said.

I shook my head and rolled my eyes. “Ever the self-assured one, aren’t you?” I said.

“No, I-it was just a statement,” said Edward, “because it would be fun if you went with me, that’s all.”

“Hmmm,” I said, although somehow I wasn’t so certain, mostly because I didn’t know Edward all that well.

“What of your weekend Bella?” asked Edward. “What did you do?”

“I spent some time with my father,” I answered, “and some family friends out on the reservation-do you know Jacob and Billy Black?”

“No,” said Edward, “I can’t say I do.”

“Oh,” I said, “well, we had breakfast with them on Saturday.”

“That must have been nice,” said Edward, “whose Jacob?”

“Jacob’s Billy’s son,” I said, “I’ve known him since we were kids.”

“Oh,” said Edward, “and how old is this Jacob kid now?”

“Sixteen,” I said, “why?”

“Just wondering,” said Edward.

Strange-I didn’t see why Edward would be curious about Jacob. He was acting awfully strange this morning, first when I mentioned the thing about the note, and then now with the questions about Jacob.

“Hey,” said Edward just then, “would you like a ride home with me?”

“Uh, no thanks,” I said.

“What, why?” said Edward. “I thought it would be nice for you to not have to ride home in a cop car.”

“Charlie-that is, my Dad, took care of that,” I said.

“How’d he do that?” said Edward.

“He got me a truck,” I said.

“A truck?” said Edward.

“Yes, a truck.”

“What kind?” asked Edward.

“A Chevy pickup,” I answered.

“They make good trucks,” said Edward, “I’m not a particular fan of trucks, but they make a good one. It should be safe-what year is it?”

“1940,” I told him. It would figure Edward Cullen would be a car guy. After all, I had seen him driving that shiny Volvo of his.

“1940?” said Edward, looking shocked at the year of the car. “1940-that can’t possibly be holding together well.”

“It’s holding together perfectly fine,” I said.

“How would you know?” said Edward. “Do you know a thing about trucks?”

“Not particularly,” I admitted, “but my Dad bought it off of Jacob and his Dad, and they know about cars so it has to be holding together fine. Charlie-that is, my Dad, wouldn’t have bought it if he didn’t know the truck was safe.”

“But it’s from 1940,” said Edward, “it’s got to be a rust bucket.”

“The truck’s not a rust bucket,” I said, “its holding together fine, thank you very much. It’s red and it works.”

“Well, if it’s red and it works…” said Edward.

“It does,” I said.

“Crash rating?” said Edward.

“I don’t know,” I said.

“You should know the crash rating,” said Edward.

“It’s from the 1940’s,” I said, “I don’t think they have a crash rating for them. Besides, it’s bigger than your tiny Volvo anyway, and probably would be the one to walk away from a crash if something happened.”

“I’ve never seen a girl get so defensive over her car,” said Edward.

“I’ve never seen a guy be so annoyed with a girl’s car,” I said, “honestly, it’s none of your business. Can’t you leave it alone?”

“I’m just looking out for my fellow student’s well being,” insisted Edward.

“You’re being absolutely irritating,” I said.

“I just want to make sure you’re not driving a rust bucket that will end up falling apart on you,” said Edward.

“I don’t see why,” I said, “it’s none of your business.”

Edward put his hand on my desk, leaning over. “Maybe you should still ride home with me,” said Edward, “just to be safe-“

“My truck,” I said, “is perfectly safe. I like my truck, and I will drive home in my truck, thank you very much.”

“Fine,” snapped Edward.

“Fine,” I snapped in return.

Edward’s POV

What was her father thinking, getting her a truck that probably was only going to last a few more years? It could fall apart at any moment, with her in it. It wasn’t the brightest of purchases a father could get for his teenage daughter. After all, hadn’t Bella herself admitted to me that she was accident prone?

As I walked through the halls to the cafeteria, someone smacked my head, and I turned, about to say something sharp, but found that it was Emmett. “Emmett,” I said, “What are you doing-trying to give me a heart attack?”

“Not at all,” said Emmett, “I was just trying to scare you. What’s with that scowl on your face? You look like you could kill someone?”

“I could,” I said, “and it happens to be the person that just smacked me on the head.”

Emmett let out a laugh.

“Sure,” he said, “Seriously, why so glum?”

“Bella Swan,” I replied.

“Bella Swan?” Emmett rolled his eyes. “You’re still annoyed that the girl won’t like you? Are you positive you don’t have a crush on her like every other male in this school?”

“I’m positive,” I said, “and I’m not annoyed that she won’t like me. I’m annoyed that she won’t drive a safe car.”

“So you don’t like her romantically, but you’re worried about her safety?” said Emmett.

“I’m not worried about her safety,” I said, “I just don’t like the truck that she’s driving. It’s from the 1940’s and could fall apart at any minute.”

Jasper found us just then. “What’s going on guys?” said Jasper. “Why aren’t you in the cafeteria yet?”

“We’re trying to figure out Edwards feelings for Bella,” said Emmett.

“I don’t have feelings for her,” I insisted, “I merely want her to like me-and for her to drive a car that’s not going to fall apart while she’s driving it.”

“Hmmm,” said Jasper, “he’s worried about her safety and he wants her to like him, yet he doesn’t like her?”

“Apparently,” said Emmett, “he’s explained it to me several times and I still don’t get it.”

At this point Rosalie and Alice had now found us. “What are you all standing around here for?” asked Alice. “Aren’t we eating lunch today, or are we skipping?”

“I vote for skipping, if it hasn’t been thought of,” Said Rosalie, “I’ve got a horrid test next period and I really don’t want to take it.”

“I vote for skipping, too,” I said, “however, that’s not what we’re talking about. I’m trying to convince these to imbeciles that I have no romantic feelings for Bella Swan, and that it’s completely natural for me to want her to be safe especially since she’s stuck driving a truck from the 1940’s that could fall apart at any minute.”

Alice and Rosalie both blinked at me, clearly confused.

Finally, I said, “Alice, did you leave a note for Bella in my handwriting, trying to make up with her?”

“Well,” said Alice, “someone had to do something. You were failing miserably. But you know, since you don’t have feelings for Bella, despite the fact that you want her to be safe, and you want her to like you…”

“Not romantically,” I said, “and I just want her car to be safe.”

“The car that she drives,” said Alice.

“Yes,” I said.

“But you don’t like her,” said Alice.

“No,” I said, “I don’t like her.”

Rosalie and Alice exchanged glances that said that they, along with Emmett and Jasper, obviously didn’t believe a word that I had said. I shook my head.

“Can we please just go and get lunch?” I said.

“Sure,” said Rosalie

“Sounds good,” said Alice.

I let out a sigh, and then we headed to the cafeteria to eat our lunch. I made a mental note not to mention Bella Swan throughout the rest of lunch so as to safe my mental health. However, before we went to our seat, I grabbed Rosalie aside to talk to her.

“Hey Edward, what’s going on?” she said. “You’ve got this mad-man look about you.”

“Yes, well, I might end up going mad because of this Bella Swan thing,” I said, “listen, Rose; can you do me a favor?”

Rosalie rolled her eyes. “I’m not talking to her for you, Edward,” she said, “if you want someone to play matchmaker for you, ask Alice. That’s more her forte anyway.”

“I know, I know,” I said, “and I’m not asking you to talk to her. Just-I have something for you to do if you’re planning on skipping class.”

“And what, pray tell, is that?” asked Rosalie.

“There’s a red, 1940 Chevy truck in the parking lot,” I told her, “its Bella’s. Can you do me a favor and check it, you know, just to make sure it’s safe? I mean, it’s pretty old and I just don’t want anything to happen with her in it…”

Rosalie looked at me suspiciously. “Why?” she said.

“Look, it really doesn’t matter, does it?” I said. “Or at least, does it if I offer to pay you?”

“Right,” said Rosalie, “how much?”

“Two hundred,” I said.

“Deal,” said Rosalie.

“So if anyone asks-“

“I have absolutely no idea why Edward wanted me to check Bella Swan’s truck,” Rosalie replied.

“Thanks Rose,” I said.

Rosalie rolled her eyes and then the two of us headed into the cafeteria and took our seats at our usual table with the others, who had already made it there before us. I was glad Rosalie was doing this. It would put me more at ease, knowing that the possibly unreliable truck would be checked by someone that I trusted who knew almost as much about cars as I did, if not more.

Bella’s POV

I sat with Jessica, Angela and the rest of my group of friends. I had just detailed to the girls what had passed between Edward and I in English class.

“Really Bella,” said Angela, “I don’t understand why you’re so upset about this. He just wanted to make sure that your truck was safe.”

“Yes,” said Jessica, “it actually sounds kind of sweet.”

“He was insulting my truck,” I said, “he had no right to. That car is older than that stupid shiny Volvo of his. He should be showing it some respect, if anything.” Jessica and Angela both exchanged looks.

“Bella,” said Angela, “did you ever consider that you’re making too big of a deal about this?”

“I like my truck,” I said simply, “I do not like annoying rich guys that insult my truck.”

“Uh huh,” said Jessica, “we get that.”

“I don’t know why he was so worried about the truck holding together in the first place,” I said, “it isn’t as if he’s ever going to be in my truck.”

“Bella, obviously that’s not why he was worrying,” said Angela.

“Then why was he getting so upset over my truck?” I said.

“I don’t think he was upset over your truck,” said Angela.

“You don’t?” I said.

“Not at all,” said Jessica.

“Then what was he upset about?” I asked.

“I think he’s upset at the possibility of you getting hurt in the truck,” Jessica answered.

I looked at her like she was completely crazy. “You have got to be kidding,” I said.

“I’m not,” said Jessica, “besides, Angela thinks so too.”

“Is that true, Ang?” I said.

“Yes,” said Angela.

I rolled my eyes at the two of them. Yes, they had clearly lost it. “You have got to be kidding me,” I said.

“I’m not,” said Angela, “I mean, if you think about it Bella, it makes complete sense.”

“How do you figure?” I said.

“Well, he was all upset when you didn’t like him,” said Angela, “and he went through all that trouble of apologizing to you for the stuff that he did-and now there’s the fact that he’s worried about your truck being safe enough for you to drive-it kind of sounds like he likes you.”

I looked over to Edward Cullen’s table where he was sitting with his friends. He was chatting happily with his friends. He noticed me looking at him at one point and he smiled and waved at me. I blushed, furiously, embarrassed at having been caught by Edward while I was looking at him.

I was still angry and chose not to wave at him, turning my head instead to look back at my friends.

“I think you’re both delusional,” I said.

“Yes, well, we think that you’re in denial, but we love you anyway,” said Angela, smiling at me. I shook my head at her.

My friends had to be completely crazy. Edward Cullen did not like me, and I did not at all like Edward Cullen.

Still, despite the fact that I knew this, Angela’s words haunted me all the way to P.E. Even Mike, who had the class with me, noticed after I missed my turn to hit the volleyball –of course I would have missed it anyway had I not been distracted, because I wasn’t exactly the athletic sort. Still, that time, had I been paying attention, I would have been able to hit it.

“Hey,” said Mike as he ran up to me, “are you okay? You totally had that.”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I said, “I was just thinking. I got distracted.”

“Yeah,” said Mike, “what are you thinking about that could get you so distracted?”

“Just something ridiculous that Angela said at lunch,” I said.

“What’d she say that’s got you so bothered?” said Mike.

“I er…” I said, “You know what, it’s not that big of a deal.”

“Come on,” said Mike, “you can tell me. We’re friends, aren’t we?”

I sighed. He was giving me that ridiculous puppy-dog look that made it hard to say no to. Mike occasionally talked about himself too much. However, in general he was a very good guy and I did consider him a friend. “Alright,” I said, “it’s nothing. Angela just said that she thought Edward Cullen might like me or something.”

“Oh,” said Mike, “well um…you know I’m sure he doesn’t.”

“Yeah, that’s what I tried telling Jessica and Angela,” I said, “but they don’t seem to believe me.”

“You know, it’s not a big deal if he does like you,” said Mike, “Because you know I-“

I suddenly realized where this was going. It had been evident from day one that Mike liked me, but I had tried to ignore it. “That’s nice Mike,” I said, “thanks for the talk. I’ll see you later.” The P.E. teacher had just dismissed class, and so I headed in the locker room to change, grateful for the nice save.

I changed quickly out of my P.E. uniform and into my regular clothes and headed out to the parking lot, more than glad that school was over and even gladder still that I wouldn’t have to ride home with Charlie in his cop car.

I headed to my truck, pleased to see it. It was a nice truck, no matter what Edward Cullen might say. I took a step back to observe it.

It most certainly did not look like it was about to fall apart. Edward Cullen was ridiculous.

There was something different about it though. That was when, for the first time, I noticed the letter that had been placed underneath the windshield wiper. I knew instantly who it was from-it had to be from Edward Cullen. Who else was it going to be?

I took the note from underneath the windshield wiper and read it.

Bella

It’s safe. I had someone I trust check it. See you tomorrow in class.

-Edward

I took the note and rolled it up and put it in my jacket pocket. Edward Cullen was infuriating. He had had the gall to have someone actually check my car. I was going to kill him tomorrow. Then again, maybe I would just settle for stabbing him with a pencil-again.

A/N: Okay, so there’s chapter five. I know they’re not very long chapters. I’ll try and make up for it later. I’m glad that you like it. I’ve been thinking it would be funny for Edward to pay Rosalie to check Bella’s car for a while now…

Hopefully you guys like this chapter just as much as the others. Please review. Thanks.