Chapter 1 A Long Way From Home

Here's an excerpt from the first chapter:

Just act natural. You don't need visual proof that he had you at 'hello'.

"I don't snore, but I tend talk in my sleep and sleep walk sometimes. Nothing some ear plugs and a little rope can't take care of, though."

"A roommate I get to tie up, I like this arrangement," he toyed instantly, and I felt my cheeks turn red in all-traitor fashion.

Bella, zero. Edward, one.

"Har, Har," I mocked, then turned back around to continue with my unpacking.

"You play?" I heard him ask, instantly knowing that he was referring to my guitar case in the corner of the room.

"No, I just thought I'd lug it across the country to use as decoration." I was proud of my sarcasm and mentally patted myself on the back.

Good girl, much better.

Though he was beyond gorgeous, I also knew and realized he was probably used to women falling over his every word, and I wasn't about to fit that stereotype for him. Besides, guys like Edward didn't take notice in girls like me. Girls like me were assumed to not shower, shave, or practice regular hygiene habits, period. All of which were completely false beliefs. Truth be told, I was obsessed with smooth skin and shaved and daily, almost obsessively.

"Mind if I go at it?" he asked, catching me off guard.

I rarely let anyone touch my Jane.

Yes, I named my guitar. It was my baby, my pride and joy, the only thing that had stayed consistent in my life for the past few years.

"I guess, just be careful. I don't have any spare strings with me," I warned him then walked over to the case to take her out for him.

Her cherry wood looked nice in his tan hands with his long fingers strumming the strings almost erotically - or was that just me? Shit, he was doing very bad things to me already, and it hadn't even been five minutes yet.

I was shocked that he actually knew how to play—and well. When he was done, I nodded my head approvingly then gestured for him to hand my baby back to me.

"Let's hear what you've got, Bella."

"Maybe later. I want to get settled first so my mind is clear of chaos."

He laughed at my statement and fell back onto what I was assuming he'd claimed as his bed. The one in the center of the room, with mine to the right of his against the window.

"Wow, I can't wait to hear all the deep thoughts we'll be getting from you. Let me guess you're a vegan too, or at least a vegetarian?"

I frowned wishing I wasn't so obvious, but some things came with the territory, unfortunately.

Instantly, a wicked grin crept across my face, as my wit quickly took over, once again doing me proud.

"There's only one kind of meat I allow in my mouth, Edward, and it doesn't come cooked or on a plate," I warned then turned around with a smirk, knowing I'd just shocked him royally.

He obviously wasn't expecting to hear such dirty things from this hippie's mouth.

Bella's best friend, Jane:

Theme song for It's Real Life: