Set shortly after Prom night. Junior year is comming to a close, what will happen now that all the excitement has stopped, and summer vacation is on the way?In my dream, two people were having an intense conversation in a meadow in the woods. One of these people was just your average girl. The other person was fantastically beautiful, sparkly, and a vampire. They were discussing the difficulties inherent in the facts that A) they were falling in love with each other while B) the vampire was particularly attracted to the scent of her blood, and was having a difficult time restraining himself from killing her immediately. For what is essentially a transcript of my dream, please see Chapter 13 ("Confessions") of the book.

Outtakes

(Notes: this scene was clipped from Chapter 11 "Complications." It bugged me to remove it, but I couldn't put my finger on why that was, so I let it go. When it was too late to put it back, I finally realized what was bothering me. Though I refer to Bella's clumsiness in gym several times, I never really show it in action. This was the one time that Edward was "watching," and thus the natural place to showcase that clumsiness. Ha ha—and now my explanation is almost longer than the outtake!!)

Badminton

I walked into the gym, lightheaded, wobbly. I drifted to the locker room, changing in a trancelike state, only vaguely aware that there were other people surrounding me. Reality didn't fully set in until I was handed a racquet. It wasn't heavy, yet it felt very unsafe in my hand. I could see a few of the other kids in class eyeing me furtively. Coach Clapp ordered us to pair up into teams. Mercifully, some vestiges of Mike's chivalry still survived; he came to stand beside me. "Do you want to be a team?" he asked cheerfully. "Thanks, Mike—you don't have to do this, you know." I grimaced. "Don't worry, I'll keep out of your way," he grinned. Sometimes it was so easy to be fond of Mike. It didn't go smoothly. I tried to stay clear of Mike so that he could keep the birdie in play, but Coach Clapp came by and ordered him to remain on his side of the court so I could participate. He stayed, watching, to enforce his words. With a sigh, I stepped into a more central place on the court, holding my racquet upright, if still gingerly. The girl on the other team sneered maliciously as she served the birdie—I must have injured her during the basketball section—lobbing it just a few feet past the net, directly toward me. I sprung gracelessly forward, aiming my swing in the direction of the little rubber pest, but I forgot to take the net into account. My racquet bounced back from the net with surprising strength, popping out of my hand, and glancing off my forehead before whacking Mike in the shoulder as he rushed forward to get the birdie I had completely missed. Coach Clapp coughed, or muffled a laugh. "Sorry, Newton," he mumbled, ambling away so we could return to our former, less dangerous, positions. "Are you okay?" Mike asked, massaging his shoulder, just as I was rubbing my forehead. "Yeah, are you?" I asked meekly, retrieving my weapon. "I think I'll make it." He swung his arm in a circle, making sure he still had full range of motion. "I'll just stay back here." I walked to the back corner of the court, holding my racket carefully behind my back.

Outtakes

(Notes: You'll recognize portions of this chapter—small bits survived and were combined with what is now Chapter 20 "Impatience." This chapter slowed down the pace of the "hunt" part of the story, but I feel like I cut out a lot of Alice's personality when I sacrificed it.)

Shopping with Alice

The car was sleek, black and powerful; its windows were tinted limo black. The engine purred like a great cat as we sped through the deep night. Jasper drove one handed, carelessly it seemed, but the muscular car flew forward with perfect precision. Alice sat with me on the black leather back seat. Somehow, during the long night, my head had ended up against her granite neck, her cool arms enfolding me, her cheek pressed against the top of my head. The front of her thin cotton shirt was cold, damp with my tears. Now and then, if my breathing grew uneven, she would murmur soothingly; in her fast, high voice, the encouragements sounded like singing. To keep myself calm, I focused on the touch of her cold skin; it felt like a physical connection to Edward. Both of them had assured me—when I realized, panic stricken, all my things were still in the truck—that leaving it behind was necessary, something to do with the scent. They told me not to worry about clothes or money. I tried to trust them, making an effort to ignore how uncomfortable I was in Rosalie's ill-fitting outfit. It was a trivial thing to mind. On the smooth highways, Jasper never drove the brawny car below a hundred and twenty miles per hour. He seemed utterly unaware of speed limits, but we never saw a patrol car. The only breaks in the monotony of the drive were the two stops we made for fuel. I noticed idly that Jasper went inside to pay cash both times. Dawn began to break when we were somewhere in northern California. I watched with dry, stinging eyes as the gray light streaked across the cloudless sky. I was exhausted, but sleep had eluded me, my mind too full of disturbing images to relax into unconsciousness. Charlie's broken expression—Edward's brutal snarl, teeth bared—the keen-eyed stare of the tracker—Laurent's bleak expression—the dead look in Edward's eyes after he kissed me the last time; like still slides they flashed in front of my eyes, my feelings alternating between terror and despair. In Sacramento, Alice wanted Jasper to stop, to get food for me. But I shook my head tiredly, and directed him to keep driving in a hollow voice. A few hours later, in a suburb outside L.A., Alice spoke softly to him again, and he exited the freeway to the sound of my feeble protests. A large mall was visible from the freeway, and he made his way there, pulling into the parking garage, down into the underground level to park. "Stay with the car," she instructed Jasper. "Are you sure?" he sounded apprehensive. "I don't see anyone here," she said. He nodded, consenting. Alice took my hand and pulled me from the car. She held on to my hand, keeping me close by her side as we walked from the dark garage. She skirted the edge of the garage, keeping in the shadow. I noticed how her skin seemed to glow in the sunlight that reflected off the sidewalk. The mall was crowded, many groups of shoppers passed, some of them turning their heads to watch us go by. We walked under a bridge that crossed from the upper level of the parking garage into the second story of a department store, always keeping out of the direct sunlight.

Once we were inside, under the fluorescent lights of the store, Alice looked less remarkable—merely a chalky pale girl with alert, but shadowed eyes and spiky black hair. The circles under my eyes, I was sure, were more evident than hers. We still caught the attention of anyone who glanced our way. I wondered what they thought they were seeing. The delicate, dancing Alice, with her striking angel's face, dressed in thin, pale fabrics that didn't quite downplay her pallor enough, holding hands with me, obviously leading, as I shambled tiredly along in my awkwardly fitted but expensive clothes, my dull hair twisted into knots down my back. Alice led me unerringly to the food court. "What do you want to eat?" The smell of the greasy fast foods turned my stomach. But Alice's eyes were not open to persuasion. I asked unenthusiastically for a turkey sub. "Can I go to the bathroom?" I asked as we headed for the line. "Okay," and she changed direction, never letting go of my hand. "I can go alone." The commonplace atmosphere of the generic mall made me feel the most normal I had since our disastrous game last night. "Sorry, Bella, but Edward's going to read my mind when he gets here, and if he sees that I let you out of my sight for a minute…" she trailed off, unwilling to contemplate the dire consequences. She at least waited outside the stall in the crowded bathroom. I washed my face as well as my hands, ignoring the startled looks of the women around me. I tried to comb my fingers through my hair, but quickly gave up. Alice took my hand again at the door, and we walked slowly back to the food line. I was dragging, but she didn't seem impatient with me. She watched me eat, slowly at first and then faster as my appetite returned. I drained the

soda she brought me so quickly that she left me for a moment—never taking her eyes off me, though—to get another. "It's definitely more convenient, the food you eat," she commented as I finished, "but it doesn't seem like much fun." "Hunting is more exciting, I imagine." "You have no idea." She flashed a wide mouthful of glittering teeth, and several people's heads turned in our direction. After throwing our trash away, she led me down the wide corridors of the mall, her eyes lighting now and then on something she wanted, hauling me along with her at each stop. She paused for a moment at an expensive boutique to buy three pairs of sunglasses, two women's and one men's. I noticed the clerk look at her with a new expression when she handed him an unfamiliar clear credit card with gold lines across it. She found an accessories shop where she picked up a hairbrush and rubber bands. But she didn't really get down to business until she towed me into the sort of store I never frequented, because the price for a pair of socks would be out of my league. "You're about a size two." It was a statement, not a question. She used me as a pack mule, loading me down with a staggering amount of clothing. Now and then I would see her reach for a size extra-small as she picked something out for herself. The clothes she selected for herself were all in weightless materials, but long sleeved or floor length, designed to cover as much of her skin as possible. A wide brimmed, black straw hat crowned the mountain of clothes. The salesgirl had a similar reaction to the unusual credit card, becoming more servile, and calling Alice 'miss.' The name she said was unfamiliar, though. Once we were out in the mall again, our arms loaded down with bags, of which she carried the lion's share, I asked about that. "What did she call you?" "That credit card says Rachel Lee. We're going to be very careful not to leave any kind of trail for the tracker. Let's go get you changed." I thought about that as she led me back to the restrooms, pushing me into the handicapped stall so I would have room to move. I heard her rummaging in the bags, finally hanging a light blue cotton dress over the door for me. I gratefully tugged off Rosalie's too long, too tight jeans, yanked off the blouse that bagged on me in all the wrong places, and flung them back over the door to her. She surprised me by pushing a pair of soft leather sandals under the door—when did she get those? The dress fit amazingly well, the expensive cut apparent in the way it flowed around me. As I left the stall I noticed that she was stuffing Rosalie's clothes into the trashcan. "Keep your sneakers," she said. I put them on top of one of the bags. We headed back to the garage. Alice got fewer looks this time; she was so covered in bags that her skin was barely visible. Jasper was waiting. He slid out of the car at our approach—the trunk was open. As he reached for my bags first, he gave Alice a sardonic look. "I knew I should have gone," he muttered. "Yes," she agreed, "they would have loved you in the women's bathroom." He didn't answer. Alice dug quickly through her bags before putting them in the trunk. She handed Jasper a pair of sunglasses, putting one pair on herself. She handed me the third pair, and the hairbrush. And she pulled out a long sleeved shirt of thin, transparent black, pulling it on over her t-shirt, leaving it open. Finally, she added the straw hat. On her, the makeshift costume looked like it belonged on a runway. She grabbed one more handful of clothes and, rolling them up in a ball, she opened the back door and made a pillow on the seat. "You need to sleep now," she ordered firmly. I crawled obediently onto the seat, laying my head down at once, curling onto my side. I was halfway asleep as the car purred to life. "You shouldn't have gotten me all those things," I mumbled. "Don't worry about it, Bella. Sleep." Her voice was restful. "Thank you," I breathed, and slipped into an uneasy slumber. It was the soreness from sleeping in a cramped position that woke me. I was still exhausted, but suddenly jittery as I remembered where I was. I sat up to see the Valley of the Sun laid out in front of me; the wide, flat expanse of tiled roofs, palm trees, freeways, smog and swimming pools, embraced by the short, rocky ridges that we called mountains. I was surprised to feel no sense of relief, only a nagging homesickness for the dripping skies and green enclosures of the place that meant Edward to me. I shook my head, trying to push back the edge of despair that threatened to overwhelm me. Jasper and Alice were talking; aware, I'm sure, that I was conscious again, but they gave no sign. Their quick, soft voices, one low, one high, wove musically around me. I determined that they were discussing where to stay. "Bella," Alice addressed me casually, as if I were already part of the conversation, "which

way to the airport?" "Stay on the I-10," I said automatically. "We'll pass right by it." I thought for a moment, my brain still foggy with sleep. "Are we flying somewhere?" I asked. "No, but it's better to be close, just in case." She flipped out her cell phone and apparently called information. She spoke more slowly than usual, asking for hotels near the airport, agreeing to a suggestion, then pausing while she was connected. She made reservations for a week under the name of Christian Bower, rattling off a credit card number without looking at one. I heard her repeating directions back for the operator's sake; I'm sure she didn't need help with her memory. The sight of the phone had reminded me of my responsibilities. "Alice," I said as she finished. "I need to call my dad." My voice was sober. She handed me the phone. It was late afternoon; I was hoping he was at work. But he answered on the first ring. I cringed, picturing his anxious face by the phone. "Dad?" I said hesitantly. "Bella! Where are you, honey?" Strong relief filled his voice. "I'm on the road." No need to let him know I'd made a three-day drive over night. "Bella, you have to turn around." "I need to go home." "Honey, let's talk about this. You don't need to leave just because of some boy." He was being very careful, I could tell. "Dad, give me a week. I need to think things through, and then I'll decide if I'm coming back. This has nothing to do with you, okay?" My voice trembled slightly, "I love you, Daddy. Whatever I decide, I'll see you soon. I promise." "Okay, Bella." His voice was resigned. "Call me when you get to Phoenix." "I'll call you from home, Dad. Bye." "Bye, Bells." He hesitated before hanging up. At least I was on good terms with Charlie again, I thought as I handed the phone back to Alice. She was watching me carefully, perhaps waiting for another emotional breakdown. But I was just too tired. The familiar city flew past my dark window. The traffic was light. We made our way quickly through downtown and then looped around the north side of Sky Harbor International, turning south into Tempe. Just on the other side of the dry Salt River bed, a mile or so from the airport, Jasper exited on Alice's command. She directed him easily through the surface streets to the entrance of the airport Hilton. I had been thinking Motel 6, but I was sure they would brush off any money concerns. They appeared to have an endless reserve. We pulled into the valet parking under the shade of a long ramada, and two bellhops moved quickly to the side of the impressive automobile. Jasper and Alice stepped out, looking very much like movie stars in their dark glasses. I stepped out awkwardly, stiff from the long hours in the car, feeling homely. Jasper opened the truck, and the obsequious staff quickly unloaded our shopping bags onto a brass cart. They were too well trained to offer any surprised looks at our lack of real luggage. The car had been very cool inside its dark interior; stepping out into the Phoenix afternoon, even in the shade, was like sticking my head into an oven set to broil. For the first time that day, I felt at home. Jasper strode confidently through the empty lobby. Alice kept carefully by my side, the bellhops following us eagerly with our things. Jasper approached the desk with his unconsciously regal air. "Bower," was all he said to the professional-looking receptionist. She quickly processed his information, with only the tiniest of glances toward the golden-haired idol in front of her betraying her smooth proficiency. We were quickly led to our large suite. I knew the two bedrooms were merely for convention's sake. The bellhops unloaded our bags efficiently as I sat weakly on the sofa and Alice danced off to examine the other rooms. Jasper shook hands with them as they left, and the look they exchanged on their way out the door was more than satisfied; it was elated. Then we were alone. Jasper went to the windows, shutting both layers of curtains securely. Alice appeared and dropped a room service menu in my lap. "Order something," she instructed. "I'm fine," I said dully. She gave me a dark look, and snatched the menu back. Grumbling something about Edward, she picked up the phone. "Alice, really," I started, but her look silenced me. I put my head down on the arm of the sofa and closed my eyes.

A knock on the door woke me. I jumped up so quickly I slid right off the sofa onto the floor and cracked my forehead against the coffee table. "Ow," I said, dazed, rubbing at my head. I heard Jasper laugh once, and looked up to see him covering his mouth, trying to choke down the rest of his amusement. Alice got the door, pressing her lips together firmly, the corners of her mouth twitching. I blushed and scrambled back onto the sofa, holding my head in my hands. It was my food; the smell of red meat, cheese, garlic and potatoes swirled enticingly around me. Alice carried the tray as deftly as if she'd been waitressing for years, and set in on the table at my knees. "You need protein," She explained, lifting the silver dome to reveal a large steak and a decorative potato sculpture. "Edward won't be happy with you if your blood smells anemic when he gets here." I was almost sure she was joking. Now that I could smell the food I was hungry again. I ate quickly, feeling my energy returning as the sugars hit my bloodstream. Alice and Jasper ignored me, watching the news and talking so swiftly and quietly that I couldn't understand a word. A second knock sounded on the door. I jumped to my feet, narrowly avoiding another accident with the half empty tray on the coffee table. "Bella, you need to calm down," Jasper said, as Alice answered the door. A member of the housekeeping staff gave her a small bag with the Hilton logo on it and left quietly. Alice brought it over and handed it to me. I opened it to find a toothbrush, toothpaste, and all the other critical things I'd left in the back of my truck. Tears sprung up in my eyes. "You're so kind to me." I looked at Alice and then at Jasper, overwhelmed. I had noticed that Jasper was usually the most careful to keep his distance from me, so it surprised me when he came to my side and put his hand on my shoulder. "You're part of the coven now," he teased, smiling warmly. I felt a heavy lassitude suddenly seeping through my body; my eyelids were somehow too heavy to hold up. "Very subtle, Jasper," I heard Alice say in a wry tone. Her cool, slim arms slipped under my knees and behind my back. She lifted me, but I was asleep before she got me to the bed. It was very early when I awoke. I had slept well, dreamlessly, and I was more alert than I usually was upon waking. It was dark, but there were bluish flashes of light coming from under the door. I reached beside the bed, trying to find a lamp on the bedside table. A light came on over my head, I gasped, and Alice was there, kneeling beside me on the bed, her hand on the lamp that was foolishly mounted over the headboard. "Sorry," she said as I slumped back on the pillow in relief. "Jasper's right," she continued, "You do need to relax." "Well don't tell him that," I grumbled. "If he tries to relax me any more I'll be in a coma." She giggled. "You noticed, eh?" "If he'd hit me over the head with a frying pan it would have been less obvious." "You needed to sleep." She shrugged, still smiling. "And now I need a shower, ick!" I realized I was still in the light blue dress, which was nowhere near as wrinkled as it had a right to be. My mouth tasted fuzzy. "I think you're going to have a bruise on your forehead," she mentioned as I headed to the bathroom. After I had cleaned up, I felt much better. I put on the clothes Alice laid out for me on the bed, a hunter green shirt that appeared to be made of silk, and tan linen shorts. I felt guilty that my new things were so much nicer than any of the clothes I'd left behind. It was nice to finally do something with my hair; the hotel shampoos were a good quality brand and my hair came out shiny again. I took my time blow-drying it into perfect straightness. I had a feeling we wouldn't be doing much today. Close inspection in the mirror revealed a darkening shadow on my brow. Fabulous. When I finally emerged, light was peaking around the edges of the thick curtains. Alice and Jasper were sitting on the sofa, staring patiently at the nearly muted TV. There was a new tray of food on the table. "Eat," Alice said, pointing at it firmly. I sat obediently on the floor, and ate without noticing the food. I didn't like the expression on either of their faces. They were too still. They watched the TV without ever looking away, even though commercials were playing. I pushed the tray away, my stomach abruptly uneasy. Alice looked down now, eyeing the still full tray with a displeased look. "What's wrong, Alice?" I asked meekly. "Nothing's wrong." She looked me with wide, honest eyes that I didn't buy for a second. "Well, what do we do now?" "We wait for Carlisle to call." "And should he have called by now?" I could see that I was near the mark. Alice's eyes flitted from mine to the phone on top of her leather bag and back. "What does that mean?" my voice quavered, and I fought to control it, "That he hasn't

called yet?" "It just means that they don't have anything to tell us yet." But her voice was too even, and the air was suddenly harder to breathe. "Bella," Jasper said in a suspiciously soothing voice, "you have nothing to worry about. You are completely safe here." "Do you think that's what I'm worried about?" I asked in disbelief. "What else is there?" He was also surprised. He might feel the tenor of my emotions, but he couldn't read the reasons behind them. "You heard what Laurent said," my voice was low, but they could hear me easily, of course. "He said James was lethal. What if something goes wrong, and they get separated? If something happens to any of them, Carlisle, Emmett…Edward…" I gulped. "If that wild female hurts Carol or Esme…" my voice had grown higher, a note of hysteria beginning to rise in it. "How could I live with myself when it's my fault? None of you should be risking yourselves for me—" "Bella, Bella, stop," he interrupted me, his words flowing quickly. "You're worrying about all the wrong things, Bella. Trust me on this—none of us are in jeopardy. You are under too much strain as it is, don't add to it with wholly unnecessary worries. Listen to me—" for I had looked away, "Our family is strong. Our only fear is losing you." "But why should you—" Alice interrupted this time, touching my cheek with her cold fingers. "It's been almost a century that Edward's been alone. Now he's found you, and our family is whole. Do you think any of us want to look into his eyes for the next hundred years if he loses you?" My guilt slowly subsided as I looked into her dark eyes. But, even as the calm spread over me, I knew I couldn't trust my feelings with Jasper present.

Outtakes

(Notes: this piece was cut from the original epilogue. Though I briefly explained Emmett's back story in Chapter 14 "Mind over Matter," I really miss not having it detailed in his own words.)

Emmett and the Bear

I was surprised to find a strange kinship growing between myself and Emmett, especially since he had once been the most frightening to me of them all. It had to do with how we had both been chosen to join the family; we'd both been loved—and loved in return—while we were human, though very briefly for him. Only Emmett remembered—he alone really understood the miracle that Edward remained to me. We spoke of it for the first time one evening as the three of us lounged on the light sofas of the front room, Emmett quietly regaling me with memories that were better than fairytales, while Edward concentrated on the food network—he'd decided he needed to learn to cook, to my disbelief, and it was rough going without the proper sense of taste and smell. After all, there was something that didn't come naturally to him. His perfect brow furrowed as the celebrity chef flavored yet another dish according to taste. I repressed a smile. "He was finished playing with me then, and I knew I was about to die," Emmett remembered softly, winding up the tale of his human years with the story of the bear. Edward paid us no attention; he'd heard it before. "I couldn't move, and my consciousness was slipping away, when I heard what I thought was another bear, and a fight-over which would get my carcass, I supposed. Suddenly it felt like I was flying. I figured I'd died, but I tried to open my eyes anyway. And then I saw her—" his face was incredulous at the memory; I empathized entirely, "—and I knew I was dead. I didn't even mind the pain—I fought to keep my eyelids open, I didn't want to miss one second of the angel's face. I was delirious, of course, wondering why we hadn't gotten to heaven yet, thinking it must be farther away than I'd expected. I kept waiting for her to take flight. And then she brought me to God." He laughed his deep, booming laugh. I could easily comprehend anyone making that assumption. "I thought what happened next was my judgment. I'd had a little too much fun in my twenty human years, so I wasn't surprised by the fires of hell." He laughed again, though I shivered; Edward's arm tightened around me unconsciously. "What surprised me was that the angel didn't leave. I couldn't understand how something so beautiful would be allowed to stay in hell with me—but I was grateful. Every time God came by to check on me, I was afraid he would take her away, but he never did. I started to think maybe those preachers who talked about a merciful God might have been right after all. And then the pain went away…and they explained things to me.

"They were surprised at how little disturbed I was over the vampire issue. But if Carlisle and Rosalie, my angel, were vampires, how bad could it be?" I nodded, concurring completely, as he continued. "I had a bit more trouble with the rules…" He chuckled. "You had your hands full with me at first, didn't you?" Emmett's playful nudge to Edward's shoulder set us both rocking. Edward snorted without looking away from the TV. "So you see, Hell's not so bad if you get to keep an angel with you," he assured at me mischievously. "When he ever gets around to accepting the inevitable, you'll do fine." Edward's fist moved so swiftly that I didn't see what knocked Emmett sprawling over the back of the couch. Edward's eyes never left the screen. "Edward!" I scolded, horrified. "Don't worry about it, Bella." Emmett was unruffled, back in his seat. "I know where to find him." He looked over me towards Edward's profile. "You'll have to put her down sometime," he threatened. Edward merely snarled in response without looking up. "Boys!" Esme's reproving voice called sharply down the stairs.

Outtakes

(Notes: This section is self-gratification at its very worst. I was just having a blast being all pink-ribbons-and-bows girly with the prom thing. Enter at your own risk.)

Extended Prom Remix

"When are you going to tell me what's going on, Alice?" "You'll see, be patient," she ordered, grinning deviously. We were in my truck, but she was driving. Three more weeks and I'd be out of the walking cast, and then I was going to very firmly put my good foot down about the chauffeuring business. I liked driving. It was late May, and somehow the land around Forks was finding ways to be even more green than usual. It was beautiful, of course, and I was growing somewhat reconciled with the forest, mostly on account of my spending so much more time there than usual. We weren't quite friends yet, nature and I, but we were getting closer. The sky was gray, but that was welcome, too. It was a pearly gray, not grim at all, not raining, and almost warm enough for me. The clouds were thick and safe, the kind of clouds that had become pleasant to me, because of the freedom they guaranteed. But despite these agreeable surroundings, I was feeling edgy. Partially because of Alice's strange behavior. She had absolutely insisted on a girl's day out this Saturday morning, driving me up to Port Angeles in order for us to get manicures and pedicures, refusing to let me have the modest shade of pink I wanted, ordering the manicurist instead to paint me up with a dark shimmering red—even going so far as to insist I get the toenails of my casted foot painted. Then she took me go shoe shopping, though I could only try on half of each pair. Against my strenuous protests, she bought me a pair of the most impractical, overpriced stiletto heels—dangerous looking things, held on only by thick satin ribbons that crossed over my foot and tied in a wide bow behind my ankle. They were a deep, hyacinth blue, and in vain I tried to explain that I had nothing I could wear them with. Even with my closet embarrassingly full of the clothes she'd bought me in L.A.—most of them still too light to wear yet in Forks—I was positive that I had nothing in that shade. And even if I'd had that exact shade hiding somewhere in my wardrobe, my clothes weren't really suited to stiletto heels. I wasn't suited to stiletto heels—I could barely walk safely in socks. But my unassailable logic was wasted on her. She wouldn't even argue back. "Well, they're not Biviano's, but they'll have to do," she muttered bafflingly, and then would speak no more as she unleashed her credit card on the awe-struck employees. She got me lunch at a fast food drive through window, telling me I had to eat in the car, but refusing to explain the hurry. Moreover, on the way home I had to remind her several times that my truck was simply not capable of performing like a sports car, even with Rosalie's modifications, and to please give the poor thing a break. Usually, Alice was my preferred chauffeur. She didn't seem bothered by driving a mere twenty or thirty miles over the speed limit, the way some people just couldn't bear to do. But Alice's obvious secret agenda was only half the problem, of course. I was also pathetically anxious because I hadn't seen Edward's face in almost six hours and that had to be a record for the last two months. Charlie had been difficult, but not impossibly so. He was reconciled to Edward's constant presence when he returned home, finding nothing to complain about as we sat over our homework at the kitchen table—he even seemed to enjoy Edward's company as they

shouted together at the games on ESPN. But he'd lost nothing of his original sternness as he grimly held the door for Edward at precisely ten o'clock each weeknight. Of course, Charlie was completely unaware of Edward's ability to return his car home and be back through my window in less than ten minutes. He was much more agreeable toward Alice, sometimes embarrassingly so. Obviously, until I had my bulky cast traded in for something more manageable, I was in need of a woman's help. Alice was an angel, a sister; every night and every morning she appeared to help me through my daily routines. Charlie was enormously grateful to be relieved of the horror of a nearly adult daughter who needed help showering—that kind of thing was far beyond his comfort zone, and mine, too, for that matter. But it was with more than gratitude that Charlie took to calling her "Angel" as a nickname, and watched her with bemused eyes as she danced smilingly through the little house, brightening it. No human could fail to be affected by her astounding beauty and grace, and when she glided through the door each night with an affectionate, "See you tomorrow, Charlie," she left him stunned. "Alice, are we going home now?" I asked now, both of us understanding I meant the white house on the river. "Yes." She grinned, knowing me well. "But Edward's not there." I frowned. "Where is he?" "He had some errands to run." "Errands?" I repeated blankly. "Alice," my tone turned wheedling, "please tell me what's going on." She shook her head, still grinning tightly. "I'm having too much fun," she explained. When we got back to the house, Alice took me straight upstairs, to her bedroom-sized bathroom. I was surprised to find Rosalie there, waiting with a celestial smile, standing behind I low, pink chair. A mind-boggling array of tools and products covered the long counter. "Sit," Alice commanded. I considered her carefully for a minute, and then, deciding she was prepared to use force if necessary, I limped to the chair and sat down with what dignity I could manage. Rosalie immediately began brushing through my hair. "I don't suppose you will tell me what this is about?" I asked her. "You can torture me," she murmured, absorbed with my hair, "but I'll never talk." Rosalie held my head in the sink while Alice scrubbed through my hair with a shampoo that smelled like mint and grapefruit. Alice toweled through the wet tangles furiously, then sprayed almost an entire bottle of something else—this one smelled like cucumbers—on the damp masses and toweled me again. They combed through the mess quickly then; whatever the cucumber stuff was, it made the tangles behave. I might want to borrow some of that. Then they each took a blow dryer and went to work. As minutes ticked by, and they kept discovering new sections of dripping strands, their faces started to become a little worried. I smiled gleefully. Some things even vampires couldn't speed up. "She's got an awful lot of hair," Rosalie commented in an anxious voice. "Jasper!" Alice called clearly, though not loudly, "Find me another blow dryer!" Jasper came to their rescue, somehow coming up with two more blow dryers, which he pointed at my head, deeply amused, while they continued to work with their own. "Jasper…" I began hopefully. "Sorry, Bella. I'm not allowed to say anything." He escaped gratefully when finally it was all dry—and poufy. My hair stood out three inches from my head. "What have you done to me?" I asked in horror. But they ignored me, pulling out a box of hot rollers. I tried to convince them that my hair didn't curl, but they ignored me, daubing something that was an unhealthy yellow in color through each lock before winding it around a hot curler. "Did you find shoes?" Rosalie asked intensely while they worked, as if the answer was of vital importance. "Yes—they're perfect," Alice purred with satisfaction. I watched Rosalie in the mirror, nodding as if a great weight had been taken off her mind. "Your hair looks nice," I noticed. Not that it wasn't always ideal—but she had it pulled up this afternoon, creating a crown of soft golden curls atop her perfect head. "Thank you." She smiled. They'd started on the second set of curlers now. "What do you think about make-up?" Alice asked. "It's a pain," I offered. They ignored me. "She doesn't need much—her skin is better bare," Rosalie mused. "Lipstick, though," Alice decided. "And mascara and eyeliner," Rosalie added, "just a little."

I sighed loudly. Alice giggled. "Be patient, Bella. We're having fun." "Well, as long as you are," I muttered. They had all the curlers pinned tightly and uncomfortably to my head now. "Let's get her dressed." Alice's voice thrilled with anticipation. She didn't wait for me to hobble out of the bathroom under my own power. Instead she scooped me up and carried me to Rosalie and Emmett's big white room. On the bed, there was a dress. Hyacinth blue, of course. "What do you think?" Alice chirped. That was a good question. It was softly frilly, apparently meant to be worn very low and off the shoulders, with long, draping sleeves that gathered at the wrists. The sheer bodice was girdled by another, paled-flowered, hyacinth fabric, that pleated together to form a thin ruffle down the left side. The flowered material was long in the back, but open in the front over several fitted layers of soft hyacinth ruffles, lightening in shade as they reached the tea-length bottom hem. "Alice," I wailed. "I can't wear that!" "Why?" she demanded in a hard voice. "The top is completely see-though!" "This goes underneath," Rosalie held up an ominous-looking, pale blue garment. "What is that?" I asked fearfully. "It's a corset, silly," Alice said, impatient. "Now are you going to put it on, or do I have to call Jasper and ask him to hold you down while I do it?" she threatened. "You're supposed to be my friend," I accused. "Be kind Bella," she sighed, "I don't remember being human and I'm trying to have some vicarious fun here. Besides, it's for your own good." I complained and blushed a lot, but it didn't take them long to get me in the dress. I had to admit, the corset had its advantages. "Wow," I breathed, looking down. "I have cleavage." "Who would have guessed," Alice chuckled, delighted with her work. I wasn't completely sold, though. "Don't you think this dress is a little too…I don't know, fashion forward…for Forks?" I asked hesitantly. "I think the words you're looking for are haute couture," Rosalie laughed. "It's not for Forks, it's for Edward," Alice insisted. "It's exactly right." They took me back to the bathroom then, unwinding the curlers with flying fingers. To my shock, cascades of curls tumbled out. Rosalie pulled most of these up, carefully twisting them into an equine mane of ringlets that flooded in a thick line down my back. While she worked, Alice quickly painted a thin black stripe around each of my eyes, brushed on mascara, and smeared dark red lipstick carefully on my lips. Then she darted out of the room and returned promptly with the shoes. "Perfect," Rosalie breathed as Alice held them up to be admired. Alice tied the deadly shoe on expertly, and then looked at my cast with speculation in her eyes. "I guess we've done what we can," she shook her head sadly. "You don't suppose Carlisle would let us…?" she glanced at Rosalie. "I doubt it," Rosalie replied dryly. Alice sighed. They both perked their heads up then. "He's back." I knew which 'he' they meant, and I felt vigorous butterflies in my stomach. "He can wait. There's one more important thing," Alice said firmly. She lifted me again—a necessity, I was sure I couldn't walk in that shoe—and carried me to her room, where she gently stood me up in front of her wide, gilt edged, full length mirror. "There," she said. "You see?" I stared at the stranger in the mirror. She looked very tall in the high shoe, with the long, slender line of the clinging dress adding to the illusion. The décolleté bodice—where her unusually impressive bust line caught my eye again—made her neck look very long, as did the column of shining curls down her back. The hyacinth color of the fabric was perfect, bringing out the creaminess of her ivory skin, the roses in the blush on her cheeks. She was very pretty, I had to admit. "Okay, Alice." I smiled. "I see." "Don't forget it," she ordered. She picked me up again, and carried me to the top of the stairs. "Turn around and close your eyes!" she ordered down the stairs. "And stay out of my head—don't ruin it." She hesitated, walking more slowly than usual down the staircase until she could see that he had obeyed. Then she flew the rest of the way. Edward stood by the door, his back to us, very tall and dark—I'd never seen him wear black before. Alice set me upright, smoothing the drape of my dress, tweaking a curl into place, and then she left me there,

going to sit on the piano bench to watch. Rosalie followed to sit with her in the audience. "Can I look?" his voice was intense with anticipation—it made my heart throb unevenly. "Yes…now," Alice directed. He pivoted immediately, and then froze in place, his topaz eyes wide. I could feel the heat creep up my neck and stain my cheeks. He was so beautiful; I felt a flicker of the old fear, that he was just a dream, not possibly real. He was wearing a tuxedo, and he belonged on a movie screen, not next to me. I stared at him in awed disbelief. He walked slowly toward me, hesitating a foot away when he reached me. "Alice, Rosalie…thank you," he breathed without looking away from me. I heard Alice chuckle in pleasure. He stepped forward, cupping one cold hand under my jaw, and stooping to press his lips to my throat. "It is you," he murmured against my skin. He pulled away, and there were white flowers in his other hand. "Freesia," he informed me as he pinned them into my curls. "Completely redundant, as far as fragrance is concerned, of course." He leaned back, looking me over again. He smiled his heart-stopping smile. "You are absurdly beautiful." "You took my line," I kept my voice as light as I could manage. "Just when I convince myself that you're actually real, you show up looking like this and I'm afraid I'm dreaming again." He scooped me swiftly into his arms. He held me close to his face, his eyes burning as he pulled me even closer. "Watch the lipstick!" Alice commanded. He laughed rebelliously, but dropped his mouth to the hollow above my collarbone instead.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked. "Is anyone ever going to tell me what the occasion is?" He laughed again, glancing over his shoulder at his sisters. "She hasn't guessed?" "No," Alice giggled. Edward laughed delightedly. I scowled. "What am I missing?" "Don't worry, you'll figure it out soon enough," he assured me. "Put her down, Edward, so I can take a picture," Esme was coming down the stairs with a silver camera in her hands. "Pictures?" I muttered, as he set me carefully on my wobbly good foot. I was getting a bad feeling about all of this. "Will you show up on film?" I asked sarcastically. He grinned at me. Esme took several snapshots of us, till Edward laughingly insisted we would be late. "We'll see you there," Alice called as he carried me to the door. "Alice will be there? Wherever there may be?" I felt a little better. "And Jasper, and Emmett, and Rosalie." My forehead wrinkled with concentration as I tried to deduce the secret. He snickered at my expression. "Bella," Esme called after me, "Your father is on the phone." "Charlie?" Edward and I asked simultaneously. Esme brought me the phone, but he snatched it as she tried to hand it to me, holding me away effortlessly with one arm. "Hey!" I protested, but he was already talking. "Charlie? It's me. What's wrong?" He sounded worried. My face paled. But then his expression became amused-and suddenly wicked. "Give him the phone, Charlie—let me talk to him." Whatever was going on, Edward was enjoying himself a little too much for Charlie to be in any danger. I relaxed slightly. "Hello, Tyler, this is Edward Cullen," his voice was very friendly, on the surface. I knew it well enough to catch the soft edge of menace. What was Tyler doing at my house? The awful truth started to dawn on me. "I'm sorry if there's been some kind of miscommunication, but Bella is unavailable tonight." Edward's tone changed, and the threat in his voice was suddenly much more evident as he continued. "To be perfectly honest, she'll be unavailable every night, as far as anyone besides myself is concerned. No offense. And I'm sorry about your evening." He didn't sound sorry at all. And then he snapped the phone shut, a huge smirk on his face. "You're taking me to the prom!" I accused furiously. My face and neck flushed crimson with anger. I could feel the rage-induced tears starting to fill my eyes. He wasn't expecting the force of my reaction, that was clear. He pressed his lips together and his eyes darkened. "Don't be difficult, Bella." "Bella, we're all going," Alice encouraged, suddenly at my shoulder. "Why are you doing this to me?" I demanded. "It will be fun." Alice was still brightly optimistic. But Edward bent to murmur in my ear, his voice velvet and serious. "You're only human

once, Bella. Humor me." Then he turned the full force of his scorching golden eyes on me, melting my resistance with their warmth. "Fine," I pouted, unable to glare as effectively as I would have liked, "I'll go quietly. But you'll see," I warned grimly, "this is the bad luck you've been worrying about. I'll probably break my other leg. Look at this shoe! It's a death trap!" I held out my good leg as evidence. "Hmmm." He stared at my leg for a longer moment than necessary, and then looked at Alice with glowing eyes, "Again, thank you." "You'll be late to Charlie's," Esme reminded him. "All right, let's go," he swung me through the door. "Is Charlie in on this?" I asked through clenched teeth. "Of course," he grinned. I was preoccupied, so I didn't notice at first. I was only vaguely aware of a silver car, and assumed it was the Volvo. But then he stooped so low to put me in that I though he was setting me on the ground. "What's this?" I asked, surprised to find myself in an unfamiliar coupe. "Where's the Volvo?"

"The Volvo is my everyday car," he told me carefully, apprehensive that I might throw another fit. "This is a special occasion car." "What will Charlie think?" I shook my head disapprovingly as he climbed in and started the engine. It purred. "Oh, most of the population in Forks thinks that Carlisle is an avid car collector." He sped through the woods toward the highway. "And he's not?" "No, that's more my hobby. Rosalie collects cars, too, but she prefers fooling around with their innards to driving them. She did a lot of work on this one for me." I was still wondering why we were going back to Charlie's house when we pulled up in front of it. The porch light was on, though it wasn't quite dusk yet. Charlie must be waiting, probably peeking out the windows now. I started to blush, wondering if my father's first reaction to the dress would be similar to mine. Edward strolled around the car, slowly for him, to get my door—confirming my suspicions that Charlie was watching. Then, as Edward was lifting me carefully out of the little car, Charlie—very uncharacteristically—came out into the yard to greet us. My cheeks burned; Edward noticed and looked at me questioningly. But I needn't have worried. Charlie never even saw me. "Is that an Aston Martin?" he asked Edward in a reverent voice. "Yes—the Vanquish." The corners of his mouth twitched, but he controlled it. Charlie released a low whistle. "Do you want to give her a try?" Edward held up the key. Charlie's eyes finally left the car. He looked at Edward in disbelief—colored by a tiny hint of hope. "No," he said, reluctant, "What would your father say?" "Carlisle won't mind at all," Edward said truthfully, laughing. "Go ahead." He pressed the key into Charlie's willing hand. "Well, just a quick spin…" Charlie was already caressing the fender with one hand. Edward helped me hobble to the front door, scooping me up as soon as we were inside, and carrying me to the kitchen. "That worked out well," I said. "He didn't have a chance to freak out over the dress." Edward blinked. "I didn't think of that," he admitted. His eyes raked over my dress again with a critical expression. "I guess it's a good thing we didn't take the truck, classic or not." I looked unwillingly away from his face long enough to notice that the kitchen was unusually dim. There were candles on the table, lots of them, maybe twenty or thirty tall, white candles. The old table was disguised by a long, white cloth, as were two chairs. "Is this what you were working on today?" "No—this only took half a second. It was the food that took all day. I know how you find fancy restaurants overpowering, not that there are many choices that fall into that category around here, but I decided you couldn't complain about your own kitchen." He sat me in one of the white swathed chairs, and began assembling things out of the oven and fridge. I noticed there was only one place setting. "Aren't you going to feed Charlie, too? He's bound to come home eventually." "Charlie couldn't eat another bite—who do you think was my taster? I had to be sure this all was edible." He put a plate down in front of me, full of things that looked very edible. I sighed. "Are you still mad?" He pulled the other chair around the table so he could sit next to me. "No. Well, yes, but not at this very moment. I was just thinking-there it goes, the one thing I

could do better than you. This looks great." I sighed again. He chuckled. "You haven't tried it yet—be optimistic, maybe it's awful." I took a bite, paused, and then made a face. "Is it awful?" he asked, shocked. "No, it's fabulous, naturally." "That's a relief," he smiled, so beautiful. "Don't be concerned, there's still lots of things you're better at." "Name even one." He didn't answer at first, he just lightly ran his cool finger along the line of my collarbone, holding my gaze with smoldering eyes until I felt my skin burn and redden. "There's that," he murmured, touching the crimson in my cheek. "I've never seen anyone blush as well as you do." "Wonderful," I scowled. "Involuntary reactions—something I can be proud of." "You're also the bravest person I know." "Brave?" I scoffed. "You spend all your spare time in the company of vampires; that takes some nerve. And you don't hesitate to put yourself in hazardous proximity with my teeth…" I shook my head. "I knew you couldn't come up with anything." He laughed. "I'm serious, you know. But never mind. Eat." He took my fork from me, impatient, and began feeding me. The food was all perfect, of course. Charlie came home when I was almost finished. I watched his face carefully, but my luck was holding, he was too dazzled by the car to notice how I was dressed. He handed the keys back to Edward. "Thanks, Edward," he smiled dreamily. "That's some car." "You're welcome." "How did it all turn out?" Charlie looked at my empty plate. "Perfect." I sighed. "You know, Bella, you might let him practice cooking for us again sometime," he hinted. I gave Edward a dark look. "I'm sure he will, Dad." It wasn't till we were headed out that door that Charlie completely woke up. Edward had his arm around my waist, for balance and support, while I hobbled along in the unstable shoe. "Um, you look…very grown up, Bella." I could hear the beginnings of fatherly disapproval brewing. "Alice dressed me up. I didn't get much say in anything." Edward laughed so low only I could hear. "Well, if Alice…" he trailed off, somewhat mollified. "You do look pretty, Bells." He paused, a sly gleam in his eyes. "So, should I be expecting any more young men in tuxedos showing up here tonight?" I groaned and Edward snickered. How anyone could be as oblivious as Tyler, I couldn't fathom. It wasn't as if Edward and I had been exactly secretive at school. We came and left together, he half carried me to all of my classes, I sat with him and his family everyday at lunch, and he wasn't shy about kissing me in front of witnesses, either. Tyler clearly needed professional help. "I hope so," Edward grinned at my dad. "There's a refrigerator full of leftovers—tell them to help themselves." "I don't think so—those are mine," Charlie muttered. "Take names for me, Charlie," the trace of menace in his voice was probably only audible to me. "Oh, enough!" I ordered. Thankfully, we finally made it into the car and away.

The Twilight Soundtrack:

1. "Why Does it Always Rain on Me?" — Travis2. "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" [video edit] — My Chemical Romance3. "Creep" [radio edit] — Radiohead4. "In My Place" — Coldplay5. "By Myself" — Linkin Park6. "Dreaming" — OMD7. "Please Forgive Me" — David Gray8. "Here With Me" — Dido9. "With You" [reanimation remix] — Linkin Park10. "Time is Running Out" — Muse11. "Dreams" — The Cranberries

12. "Tremble for My Beloved" — Collective Soul13. "Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel)" — Billy Joel

 

After Twilight

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of it's characters. I do however, own this story and would appreciate to keep it that way ;)

I could feel his breath on my neck and I rested my forehead against his shirt, waiting for him to move out of the statue like state he was in. I felt two sharp points on my neck that nearly made me jump, but for once I was able to control myself enough not to move.

But then there was that buzzing noise…

Like bee humming nearby in the meadow they were standing in.

The sunlight so rarely shining made his skin look like glittering diamonds that would stop hearts and cause car crashes from distracted drivers all around.

But I didn’t have time to pay attention…

And the buzzing was growing louder.

“Edward?” I asked, blinking and sitting up.

I was suddenly aware of myself on my bed and in my room… right where I had been before I went to sleep.

Bitterly I rubbed my eyes and shut off the buzzing alarm clock with more force then I meant, knocking it off the bedside table. Reaching down I intended to pick it up, only managing to hit my head on the table as well and stumble out of bed, wincing at the pain that was surprisingly not on my forehead but on my neck.

Like in the dream…

I shook my head, muttering under my breath about how if I hit my head enough times from being a klutz I might eventually hit the part in my head that causes it.

“How about you get to school first before hurting yourself, Bella…” a rather amused voice asked from the window.

I didn’t have to turn around to know it was Edward. It was a daily routine now… I woke up, tried not to hurt or injure myself, and Edward would show up at my window looking as perfect as ever with his beautiful smile and molten golden eyes.

Turning around and smiling, everything always seemed well after Edward came over.

My smile dropped as I looked over at who was at my window.

It wasn’t Edward…

Although he looked around the same age, if not a year older…

His hair was a dark blood red that was tied back in a ponytail behind his head, his eyes were pitch black and empty… but with a fierce look as though he were at a mix of taunting

her and hating her. His build was indeed wider then Edward’s but was poised like a cat ready to strike.

Smoothly and with astonishing grace he stood up and started over towards me, his dark eyes narrowing at me like a cat stalking its mouse.

He moved to reach out at me and I was suddenly aware of how close he was.

I did the only thing my brain could comprehend…

I screamed and tried to hit him, shutting my eyes and turning my head away I waited for him to hit me back.

“Bella? Bella!”

I knew that voice…

Opening my eyes again I blinked and my eyes met those gorgeous honey colored eyes which were full of confusion and worry.

“Huh? Edward? When’d you get here?” I asked, dumbstruck to what had happened. My hand outstretched hand, meant to hit the stranger that had been in front of me moments before was now firmly held in Edward’s cold hands.

Edward continued to look at me, and I could already tell that he was thinking that I had probably finally gone completely insane.

I felt myself leave the ground and into his strong arms as he picked me up and placed me securely back on the bed. Before I could blink I had the covers drawn back up around me and the clock safely perched on my nightstand.

“You’re staying home today.” He said firmly, proving me right, that he thought I had finally snapped.

I rubbed my head, wondering if probably the bump on my head had done more then given me a bruise.

“What happened?” Edward finally asked, sitting down next to me on the bed, looking overly worried.

“I guess I was still half asleep… I thought you were someone else and I guess I panicked.” I said slowly, rubbing my forehead still.

His eyes looked at me skeptically.

And it was true, I never panicked… my boyfriend and his family were all vampires (although safely had gone off blood from humans) and I was never scared around them for those reasons. I had been cornered in an alley by four guys who would have done more then just steal my money and had been worried but was trying to figure out how to fight them all before even really considering screaming.

“You just hit your head a bit hard.” He said, and so smoothly I hardly even noticed him until I felt his cold touch, he gently ran his fingers around the forming bruise on my forehead.

“I always hit my head a bit hard… I think I’m just going insane…” I muttered, sighing against his cool touch.

Edward smiled, obviously resisting the urge to say something obvious.

“What did you dream about?” He asked softly, already starting his daily inquisition on the smallest things about her life.

I felt my face heat up and his face remained expressionless but I could have sworn I saw the corners of his lips twitch in a small smile. “Well I talk in my sleep and you’re always around listening, so why don’t you guess?” I asked him, folding my arms in an attempt to look defensive.

“Strangely enough you didn’t say anything.” Edward said, and I could have sworn I heard a disappointed note in his voice.

“Don’t worry; I’m sure the ‘Bella Dream Show’ will be back on later tonight.” I muttered sarcastically.

He laughed… that wonderful, musical laugh that I love.

“Aren’t you going to be late for school?” I asked. I knew I sounded disappointed, even though I had tried to hide it in my voice, it was still there.

He motioned towards the window which was brighter then usual which could only mean that it was the rare case of sunlight in Forks, Washington.

I sighed “And are you going to question me all day?” I asked, looking at him.

Edward grinned, showing his perfect and straight, however deadly, teeth. “Of course not. I intend for you to have breakfast and to get ready while I call Charlie.” He said simply.

I shook my head “And I thought I was the one going insane… if you call Charlie won’t he be a bit surprised that you’re over here?” I asked blankly.

“Bella, you go and get ready and I will take care of Charlie.” Edward said simply, standing up and starting from the room, much to my disappointment.

But I nodded and stood, waiting for him to shut the door behind him before grabbing a change of clothes and a brush and heading to the bathroom, turning on the water and getting undressed, looking at the growing dark shadow on my forehead and I frowned.

It had been a few months since prom and school had started again. Over the summer though Charlie was a lot more used to having Edward come over pretty much every day and then having the both of us leave soon after.

I am really close to Edward’s family now; going over there was a lot more fun, although Rosalie was still a bit distant from me, I have grown fond of the rest of his family. Although still really felt the odd one out when I was so easily reminded of how perfect they were… which was basically… any time they walked and I was stumbling behind.

Lucky for me though Charlie had forgiven me easily over what had happened a while ago when I had been hunted… although I’m still not sure if Edward forgives me yet, he is still acting too overprotective for my taste. I was surprised he had let me go off to the bathroom by myself.

After taking a shower and straightening my hair to perfection… or however close I would make it… I got changed and started downstairs, instantly greeted by a rather pleasing smell of bacon and eggs.

I sighed sadly, looking over at Edward who was beside me “The one thing I thought I could do better then you.” I said sadly, looking at the perfect breakfast on the table.

Edward grinned “Well you haven’t tasted it yet, it might be horrible.” He said, trying to comfort me as he sat down next to the chair with the meal in front of it and I took that chair.

I took a bite out of the bacon and made a face.

He blinked “That bad?” He asked.

“No, it’s perfect…” I muttered, eating the rest of the bacon and staring at the plate.

What was wrong with me? Did that bump on the head really cause that illusion? Or was I still half asleep… that boy… there was no way that I made him up… he’s not a character in any book I’ve ever read, he’s not from school or any part of my imagination and I’ve never seen anyone like him… but his body reeked of power and something else… possession… and hatred… the same hatred I remember Edward looking at me with last year in our first Biology class together.

I chanced a glance over at Edward and that only proved me right in my assumption he was staring at me worriedly.

“I’m not going insane, I swear.” I said, putting up my hands in defense as I stood up with the empty place and fork and brought it over to the sink.

“What were you thinking?” He asked.

I debated on telling him what I had seen and risking him whisking me off to the nearest asylum. Unfortunately although he couldn’t read my mind he could sure read the faltering look on my face.

“Bella…” he said softly, his tone worried and I wondered if he’d ever be able not to worry about me for more then a few minutes.

Before I could even think to blink he had his arms around me gently, but breaking his grip was like trying to break steel. “Are you sure you’re okay?” He asked.

I made yet another mistake as I turned around and looked at his gorgeous eyes. “I-I’m fine…” I managed to say.

“What were you thinking about?” Edward asked again.

Damn those stupid eyes of his, I really needed to buy him sunglasses or something…

“This morning…” I muttered, glad at least it wasn’t a lie.

“What about this morning?” He asked, already placing me into a chair before I realized he had picked me up.

I shook my head “It’s nothing… I was just dreaming and I’m sorry I almost hit you.” I said quickly, before he could make eye-contact with me again.

Edward blinked, not buying my story completely but dropping the subject until a later time, thankfully.

“Charlie said he’ll be back around noon to check up on you and make sure you’re okay.” He added, and I was glad for the change in subject, at least until he added the last part.

“I am going to be leaving soon but I will be back later, alright?” He asked, worry laced in his tone.

I sighed, nodding my head and knowing that it was probably best I shouldn’t argue with him. He probably didn’t want to leave any more then she wanted him to, so it must be important to him that he leaves, and it’ll only be for a few hours.

“Try not to…” He trailed off, trying to think of an appropriate word that would describe all the mayhem I might be able to get into.

I smiled lightly “I’ll try to stay intact while you’re away.” I said, nodding my head

Edward smiled lightly and leaned close to me, gently kissing my cheek and making my heart stutter and pound frantically.

And then he was gone.

I sighed and sat back down on the couch, wondering if there was anything worthwhile doing today.

I sighed and sat back down on the couch, wondering if there was anything worthwhile doing today.

After trying to concentrate on a book and then going to the computer with it’s minute-long loading pages and finally cleaning up my room, brushing my hair, organizing my things over three hours had passed. Lucky for me though, Charlie had come over early.

“Well you have a pretty bad bump on your head.” He said, noticing the bruise about an inch over my left eyebrow.

“Yeah… I kinda… fell over… this morning.” I muttered, although pretty much guessed Charlie had been told the whole story already.

“It’s a good thing Edward had come over to pick you up and noticed something or you would have been in trouble.” He said, nodding.

I sighed, at least happy to know the alibi Edward had made as to why he was here so early in the morning.

“Yeah… me too.” I added, nodding my head.

Charlie still looked at me worriedly “You should get some more sleep, Bells… you’re still not looking that well. I’ll be back home later, if you’re not feeling well don’t use the stove.” He said, already putting his jacket back on.

“Okay, will do, dad.”

“Well… if you’re okay… then I guess I’ll go.” Charlie added, nodding.

“Thanks dad.” I added with a small grin and I stood, walking into the other room. Charlie and I were the same, we both were horrible at goodbyes and giving thanks or talking… overall.

Walking over I grabbed my jacket off the hanger “I’m gonna go for a short walk, nowhere too far.” I added, looking over at Charlie who was about to ask where I was going.

“Okay, Bells, just be careful, okay?” He said before walking out the door.

I waited until I heard the car pull away and I tugged my jacket on, slipping on two sandals which were inappropriate for the cold fall weather but I was only going to be out for a bit.

I headed outside after making sure there was a spare key in my pocket and the door was locked behind me. Starting down the driveway I started through the forest I had gone through once before and dreamt about as well.

After being here for so long I had grown used to Forks… I mean… it wasn’t so bad once you got past the rainy, dreary, and cold part of it… There were pretty good plus sides to it… and I mean besides being with Edward. The forest was beautiful, and the school was nice enough; I have friends there… it’s all great.

I looked around tentatively; sighing deeply when I realized I had ran out of path a long time ago. “Why does this always seem to happen to me?” I groaned aloud, running a hand through my hair in frustration as I looked around, hoping to find a sign of the path anywhere.

No such luck.

Groaning inwardly I sighed and sat down on a moss-covered log and tried to think. Perhaps if I just walked backwards for a few minutes I’d find the pathway? But then I could just end up getting more lost then before… or maybe the ground is wet enough so that I would have left footprints?

The one time I was glad for the squishy green stuff on the ground, I could just follow my own footsteps back.

A low… feral growl ripped through the air, cutting the peaceful silence and sending birds and other small animals flying and speeding away from the source.

I nearly jumped out of my skin but my body didn’t want to react as I stood stock still, unable to move or even breathe. Somehow the one part of my brain that still seemed functional knew that growl was both human and inhuman.

“Don’t go into the woods alone”’ Edward’s words echoed in my head.

“Why?”

“I’m not always the most dangerous thing out there. Let’s leave it at that.”

The words echoed in my head, I remembered them clearly… well of course I remembered them clearly now when I was already deep in the forest and facing something with a growl like an animal’s roar.

I looked around, trying to figure out where the growl had come from, but it was nearly impossible.

There was a faint rustle of leaves and I stood up, ready to try and run… although I doubted I would get anywhere before I tripped and fell flat on my face. So typical for me to embarrass myself as I was about to die by doing a face-plant into the dirt and moss…

I heard another rustle, this one closer and I backed up, away from the noise. Ironically enough many things happened all at once…

I had tripped over the log I had been sitting on moments before, making myself fall over onto my back and propped up onto my elbows. Halfway through losing my balance and bending backward a sharp pain had sliced over my cheek, very thin yet long. The pain was followed by a reverberating thud against the tree nearest to me. There were more rustling of leaves then total, deadly, silence.

After what seemed like hours but was probably only a second, I managed to stand back up without tripping over the log again and looked around. My cheek stung lightly, feeling like a paper cut that had met soap.

Looking over at the tree I saw a knife… not a Swiss army knife you can get at the dollar store, but a real knife, complete with a bronze and engraved with patterns and symbols on the hilt and a jagged blade that had obviously been thrown into more then one tree… or anything else… It took me a few seconds to realize that it was stuck into the tree right where my head had been before I tripped.

Taking a deep breath I put a hand over my fast beating heart as I stood up and wrapped my hand around the hilt of the knife; placing my foot on the bark of the tree and both hands on the hilt I managed to pull out the knife, sending myself staggering backwards into the tree behind me.

Holding the knife firmly in my hand and making sure it was well away from my body I looked around again, hoping to find something… but I didn’t know what it was.

The wind blew my dark brown hair around my face and I brushed it back irritably.

I could soon smell the horrible sickening smell of rust, or salt, and my hand was wet with the red liquid from my face. Instantly I felt faint and had to lean against the tree, breathing heavily and trying not to think of the horrible smell, the sickening touch, the sticky feeling of it on my fingers.

My whole body was shaking and I felt like I was going to be sick, closing my eyes tightly I tried to breathe deeply through my mouth, gathering air into my lungs and letting it out slowly. Air swirled around me again, making me sigh as the breeze felt nice on my skin which was probably coated in a fine sheen of sweat.

I knew it wasn’t safe to stay and that I had to hurry up and move before whatever it was that seemed to dislike me, came back, and most likely he or she… or it… wouldn’t like that I had survived.

Opening my eyes and breathing deeply and slowly once again I started back down the trail of where my footprints lead. I didn’t dare wipe the blood from my cheek, only knowing I’d probably smear it and snap my control which was hanging by a thread.

All at once I felt my body collide against into a tree, a horrible sickening crunching sound almost assured me I was dead by my unknown attacker, but I didn’t feel anything but a bruising and aching feeling on my back from being rammed into the tree so hard.

I looked around blankly, trying to take in everything but my brain only processing a few bits of information at once. There were two hands on each side of my lower head and upper neck, both hands were so stiff and rigid and strong they were crunching into the wood of the tree, making two deep hand marks that were sending splinters of wood onto the ground.

There was a body in front of me, very close and breathing heavily yet as rigid as his hands were.

Two eyes looked up into mine; both of them were a pitch black and full of a raw pain… and a hunger… a need… so much like a predator I almost thought they belonged to an animal.

I noticed the wonderful scent of him before I could process his face which was hardly half a foot from mine and struggling to pull back yet moving closer so smoothly I hardly noticed it.

“Edward…” I said softly, my voice dry and weak and sounding so soft I wasn’t sure if I had said it aloud or not.

The sound of his name seemed to give him a bit of strength and he managed to stop moving closer to her… not that it mattered; he was hardly less then four inches from my face.

“Bella… run… now…” He growled, each word looking like it cost him great difficulty to say.

Even as he said it his head was moving closer and his lips soon found mine, stopping all thought forming in my head. He trailed his kisses over to the side of my face and swiftly licked away the blood from the wound on my face, nearly stopping my heart… if it hadn’t done that before. With a strangled cry and gasp he forced himself away from her, breathing heavily and his hands burrowing deeper into the wood. “I said GO.” He yelled, shutting his eyes tightly and fighting every urge and instinct he had.

It took me a few seconds to realize what he had said and I started to duck down from between his arms, like you’d see so many times in the movies… but it didn’t work out so well. I fell over onto my side and fell a bit onto him although he didn’t budge at all. I stood completely still… debating on weather to run or not. On one hand, if I let this happen… I could become like Edward… but that was horribly selfish… I couldn’t do that… he would never trust me or himself again…

“I told you to run!” Edward yelled, leaning his head against the tree and holding it

I stumbled and tripped over five times as I ran, although managed to keep myself from falling too heavily or scratching myself up too badly. It only seemed like a matter of seconds that I ran through the forest and was back along the path and I could clearly see houses in view.

For some reason I felt calm as I walked back to the house, calmly walking inside and calmly sitting down. I closed my eyes, trying hard to stay calm while I processed everything that had happened…

I had gone for a walk… and then something happened with a knife and my cheek was cut… the wind must have blown the scent of my blood around, but Edward must have been nearby to begin with… it would have taken a while for the scent to even reach HIS nose and for him to come all the way to me without being able to control himself.

My fingers gently traced along the cut on my cheek which, miraculously, had felt like it was starting to heal, and lucky for me, wouldn’t scar. I stood up and walked into the bathroom, securely shutting the door before turning on the light. As usual I was pale, but even worse now and my skin looked pretty close to the same tone as Edward’s own now.

A faint line, hardly bigger then a papercut, was placed on my cheek. It was faint now and there was still a light smear of blood on the side of my cheek, but other then that it was hardly noticeable and about the length of a pinky finger.

Grabbing a washcloth I wiped off the remaining blood and though I washed my face to make sure no hint of blood was left, the feeling of Edward’s mouth on my cheek still lingered.

I had never seen him so out of his control… he had taken my blood before… when he had no other choice… and he had pulled away even though it cost him great strain. But back in the forest, he was fighting with every ounce of his strength, we were outside so my scent wasn’t as heavy, and his eyes earlier that day hadn’t been so dark. Unlike in the dancing room… my blood had been all over the place and the room was rather small… but then again he was probably more worried then anything else…

“I thought it was supposed to get easier?” I asked helplessly as I looked at myself.

Holding up my hand there was a faint line across the back of my palm, a scar that would never heal. I could see my hands were shaking as well and I felt like I needed to lie down for a bit, although I knew I wouldn’t be able to get any decent sleep. “I’m sorry… Edward…” I whispered quietly, almost half expecting him to respond.

Now I was dreading school tomorrow… would he even be there? He probably wouldn’t show up tomorrow and maybe even the next day. If he showed up tomorrow… surely he’d

be furious with me… who wouldn’t? He had told me to run, and I was stupid enough to think to stay and make him change me.

Silently I left the bathroom and I heard Charlie’s car pull into the driveway. Quickly, I started up the stairs as he walked in, I’d rather not show him my scratched up hands and my extra-pale skin.

“Bells?” He asked, looking over at the stairs.

“Hi dad, welcome back, I just got back and I’m gonna take a shower and get some sleep, I’m kinda tired.” I said quickly, too quickly, and my voice was shaky and uneven. I could tell Charlie was debating on weather asking what was wrong or not and I seized the opportunity to continue upstairs and walk into my bathroom easily.

I leaned against the door of the bathroom, sighing heavily and sinking down along it. My mind was buzzing with so many questions, yet I couldn’t concentrate on any of them to really figure out why I was so… anxious? Worried?

I slipped into the shower and stayed in there even after the hot water started to run out. After coming to my senses I finally climbed out, got changed into my pajamas and started back into my room, sitting down on the bed, but feeling too numb to really notice my actions.

It was a long time that I just stared around at my room, every once and a while trying to get a book and actually get into reading, or maybe playing my CD player, both soft and then so loud my ears hurt, yet none of it seemed to clear my head.

Finally it was at least a reasonable time to sleep, but still fairly early as I saw it was only eight o’clock. “Edward?” I asked, knowing he wouldn’t be there and I felt stupid, talking to myself.

Even so… I switched the blankets and pillows around so I slept closer to the window, just in case Edward came back. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep, I felt tired, yet full of adrenaline. I sighed and turned my head towards the window, looking outside and waiting for the one who was most dangerous to me then anyone else on the planet to return.

Not really what I expected... I wanted a scene with Edward hunting, but I couldn't really imagine so much what he would be like, not to mention why he would be close enough for Bella to 'happen' apon him.

But I hope you all like this.

Disclaimer: The book 'Twilight' is owned by Stephenie Meyer... not little 'ol me

Even so… I switched the blankets and pillows around so I slept closer to the window, just in case Edward came back. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep, I felt tired, yet full of adrenaline. I sighed and turned my head towards the window, looking outside and waiting for the one who was most dangerous to me then anyone else on the planet to return.

After a few very long hours I heard my alarm go off and realized I must had fallen asleep after all. Reaching my hand over I attempted to turn off the alarm, only to find thin air. Blinking dazedly I looked up and remembered that I had slept next to the window.

After turning off my alarm clock and getting dressed and ready, strangely without any incident besides almost tripping out of the shower stall. After drying my hair impeccably straight and actually making my bed I was ready to look outside the window, something I had been avoiding for a while.

Just as I thought, there was no silver Volvo waiting for me today, just my truck and Charlie’s car in the driveway. I sighed softly and grabbed my jacket, putting it on and heading outside and into my car…

I had noticed something in the rearview mirror that I hadn’t noticed in my bathroom. The mark… right where the knife had cut me… was completely gone, no trace of anything that had ever been there.

Blinking and looking at my cheek in wonderment my mind wandered back to the knife. It was old and rather beautiful, a hunter’s knife, one that you would get as a custom-made gift and would never leave behind. Whoever it was, most likely I wouldn’t be so lucky next time, and whoever had thrown the knife, would not settle for that I hadn’t been killed.

It was amazing how I ended up sitting down in my first period class without even noticing how I got there. It was Mike that had called me back from my daze as he walked over and sat down at the table in front of ours. “You look really upset, Bella…” He said, his concern, I knew, was still more then a bit friendly.

“I didn’t get much sleep last night…” I muttered, sighing and rubbing my eyes to break out of my stupor and keep it that way.

“Cullen isn’t here today…” Mike noted, glancing at the empty chair beside me.

I didn’t even bother to glare at Mike this time “Yeah, I don’t think he’s feeling that well today…” I muttered softly, unable to keep the sadness out of my voice.

And my luck just couldn’t get any better could it? Mike noticed my tone as well.

“Did you two have a fight or something?” He asked, keeping his tone concerned but I could have sworn I heard him with a bit of hopefulness in his voice as well.

“Sorta…” I muttered; it was either that or have him talking to me about taking me to the nurse. Maybe Mike would grow a brain and know to back off from the topic after all.

But I was saved from the possibility of Mike becoming even happier at the thought and starting to take that to his advantage… the teacher had come in and started to write directions up on the board, still a review from last year, and my mind was free to wander… not a good thing…

I had gym next period… and oh joy for me, Edward was in one of the two classes that shared the gym at the time, so he was able to see how really klutzy I was… although it wasn’t so bad anymore… at least… I hadn’t hurt anyone so far, just myself once ore twice. I could remember the first time we had class and we had to run track, after the second lap my shoe became untied and I fell right on my face. I remembered only getting a scratch but ever since then Edward always watched me carefully and was nearby when we ran.

I felt my heart rate start to accelerate when once again my thoughts strayed back to why Edward wasn’t at school… but I don’t think I would be able to face him after what happened… I felt like I had betrayed him… It felt like I had been shutting him away, rejecting him…

Is that what he thought then? That I had betrayed him? I had abandoned him…

Without noticing my heart rate had continued to climb and the teacher had stopped talking. Mike had turned towards me and looked alarmed “Bella? Bella are you alright? You’re really pale…” He said, worried.

I shook my head and put a hand to my forehead, feeling that I was clammy. “I… think I need to lie down…” I muttered.

Mike nodded his head and walked over towards the teacher; I didn’t even pay attention but was pretty sure that he was asking if he could take me to the nurse’s office. In truth I wasn’t feeling that bad, but I needed to calm down, and there was no point in stressing on my own problems when I can’t pay attention in class. “It’s okay; I can go by myself…” I added, standing up and swaying a bit on my unsteady feet.

“Alright then Isabella, if you think that’s best…” The teacher said simply, a small smile on the old woman’s lips and I packed my stuff away before starting out the door.

I hardly got a few feet past the door, still staring at my feet, and I rammed head-long into someone. I winced and fell onto the ground, rubbing my head and looking up to apologize to the person I had rammed into. A hand reached down and effortlessly picked me back up to my feet by grabbing my arm. “Are you okay? Sorry for bumping into you…” A male voice said; a faint trace of amusement in his tone.

I blinked and looked up at him, my eyes widened in horror and shock. I recognized the blood red hair tied in a ponytail and spilled a bit onto his shoulder… his pitch black eyes that gleamed with a sort of possession and his whole body which screamed power. Without saying anything I gathered my stuff from the ground and ran down the hallway.

I could have sworn I heard him laughing and speaking softly “You have something of mine… I want it back…” He had said softly…

I didn’t stop running until I ended up tripping over myself and breathing heavily as I looked around anxiously, as though expecting him to still be standing there. At least I know it’s not my imagination now… it was real… he was real…

I winced and rubbed my cheek that had started to sting a bit before starting out from the school. I don’t think I could take it, I was too anxious to even try and pay attention in class either.

Sighing I was glad now that I had packed my stuff at least. I unlocked my car and tossed my bag into the back before closing the door and climbing into the front. Lucky for me now my car didn’t have a roar, just a nice purr as I pulled out of the school parking lot and started back home.

I debated on weather trying to see if Edward was home… but I doubted it. After what happened he either wouldn’t answer or he would be out hunting to make sure it didn’t happen next time he saw her.

My mind wandered off, trying to think of what to say or do when Edward returned… or debating on going to the door and seeing if he was home or not. I ended up not paying attention and wasn’t thinking about the black car driving onto the road from a turn in front of me. I thought they would wait for me to pass but my luck has once against failed me for the day.

My attention snapped up as the car started in front of me; instinctively I slammed on the breaks and turned away from the car. I expected to hear a horn blaring, swearing, steel being crushed or glass breaking. Instead I felt a light bump and blinked, looking around to find the car’s front bumper lightly touching mine, it probably didn’t even scratch the paint.

Blinking and trying to gather my scrambled thoughts I backed up onto the side of the road before getting out and seeing if there was any damage. Shockingly there wasn’t any damage at all. I looked over at the car which pulled in front of me and the driver got out.

His blood red hair pulled into a ponytail fell from over his shoulder onto his back as he turned his black eyes over at me with a faint amusement. “They teach you in driving school to pay attention to the road.” He said softly, his voice soft and musical, holding the same dazzling ability that Edward’s had, but I knew well enough now so it didn’t effect me… at least not like Edward’s did.

Although my heart was ramming against my ribs so hard I thought it would burst, and it didn’t help that he was probably able to hear it. Slowly I backed up against the door of my car, my hand on the handle and ready to bolt inside. There was no way he was human… I was sure enough of that. But if he wasn’t human… and he was a vampire like the Cullens… then there was no chance I would be able to get into the car before he could do… whatever he was going to do. I doubt the car would even make me safe from such a dangerous person.

“Why are you stalking me?” I demanded; my throat dry and my voice weak even though it was supposed to be demanding.

He smiled and started towards me like a predator stalking its prey. “I already told you… you have something of mine and I want it back.” He said simply, as though the conversation were as light as talking about the weather.

“I-I don’t know what you mean…” I muttered licking my lips in hopes to try and bring some moisture back to my mouth… it didn’t work.

“Come now, you must know what I mean…” He said softly, another step.

“Who are you?” I asked, swallowing and happy that my voice was at least sturdier then it had been before.

“My name? Call me Julian…” He said, grinning lightly and walking forward again.

I winced as he stuck out his hand, expecting there to be some sort of boom, or crash, or pain or something. But lo behold he was just holding out his hand to shake my own hand… which was currently shaking on its own. I held it out to him anyways and shook his hand cautiously, knowing full well that he could kill me any split second he wanted to right now.

“I’m Bella…” I said, rather surprised to find my voice somewhat calm this time.

He smiled “I know… after all… everyone knows everyone else here in Forks.” He said, nodding his head before shrugging.

“Then where are you from?” I asked, still shaking and not trusting him at all, those eyes full of humor and possession as well as something that looked close to hunger.

I blinked, shaking my head and climbing back into my own car. I had the feeling as though I had just been thrown off a cliff and somehow survived without a scratch. There was a horrible burning pain on the side of my head and I closed my eyes for a few seconds, rubbing my head sorely.

I moved back onto the road, making sure to pay attention this time as I passed the turn.

Although this time… there was a loud screech, a horn blaring, and loud popping noises as well as glass shattering and steel smashing.

I felt my head ram against something and a sharp pain across my forehead… but it all felt numb… like I was feeling it but everything was happening too fast for my brain to process what was going on or the pain.

Then everything went black…

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It was a while before the blackness started to fade and I could feel myself again.

I took a deep slow breath, debating on weather to open my eyes or not, I focused on trying to figure out what was going on without opening them. My hands felt bandaged up, taped

up and laying on a thin and rather uncomfortable blanket. I was lying down on a bed and it was stiff and uncomfortable, a bandage around my head and a splitting headache. The bed had me in a somewhat upright position, so I was lying down at a bit of an angle.

Reality hit me and it made me feel stupid that I didn’t know where this was at first. “Ow…” I muttered softly, wincing and biting my lip when that hurt as well.

Finally I opened my eyes and looked around; I was back in the same white room as before, back when I had almost been hit by Tyler’s car and when I had almost been killed by the tracker.

Moving a bit I was pleased to find that sitting up a bit more didn’t hurt me. I shivered and tried hard not to look down at my arms, already knowing needles were probably embedded into them.

“Bells!”

I blinked and turned, wincing and then biting my tongue again as all of that seemed to hurt at once. “Ch- Dad?” I asked, blinking and looking over at him. He was almost paler then I was and let out a sigh when he heard me respond.

“What happened?” I asked, my voice was weak and I could hardly hear it myself, but Charlie seemed to hear me as he sat down in the chair next to the bed.

“Thank goodness you’re alright… they said you had gone to the nurse’s office and no one had even thought you were missing at all. By the time someone saw it you had been unconscious for almost an hour and had lost a lot of blood. The person in the other car had apparently run away from the scene and the car itself was stolen. Luckily your wounds weren’t that serious and you were taken to the hospital quickly.” Charlie said very quickly.

Come to think of it, that was probably the longest thing he’s ever said to me all at once.

“But… what happened… I mean… there wasn’t.” My head hurt and I felt confused, my mind finding it nearly impossible to digest everything.

“You were driving and the person who was in the black car came out of a turn without looking and you both crashed.” Charlie said simply.

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“You were driving and the person who was in the black car came out of a turn without looking and you both crashed.” Charlie said simply.

I just stared… I couldn’t do anything else but stare at him…

How had that happened?

I had remembered missing the car, talking to that guy…

That guy… Julian…

He wanted something…

Or some things…

I quickly found my voice and hoped it was at least somewhat audible “I wasn’t feeling good and I decided to go home, I guess I must have passed out or something.” I muttered softly, rubbing my head and surprised to hear my own voice.

Before Charlie could say anything I quickly asked “What’s the damage?”

“Not that bad, the front paint was scratched off and the bumper hanging off. Bella I can’t believe how irresponsible you were… that accident could have been so much worse…” Charlie said, anguish etched deep into his voice along with worry and concern. It hadn’t been that long ago that I had nearly been killed by ‘falling out of a window’ after all.

“I’m sorry, Dad… I’ll get the truck fixed up with my own money… I really don’t know what happened though; I have no memory of hitting a car.” I said softly, my voice becoming weaker and I felt drowsiness starting to overcome my senses…

“You’re not going to be driving for some time.” Charlie added sternly before standing up, obviously sensing my sudden wave of lethargy. “You should be able to come home later today or tomorrow… you’re lucky though, your arm is sprained but not badly… You have a bunch of bruises and cuts, but nothing too bad.” Charlie said, nodding.

“I’ll need a cast?” I asked, trying to sound horrified but it came out dazed.

Charlie just smiled “No, you won’t need a cast, but you’ll have to wear a brace on your arm, or a lighter cast.” He said, walking over towards the door and opening it, halfway out of the room already. “You get some rest, Bells; I’ll be back later when you’re awake.” He said, slipping out the door.

I could have sworn I saw two dark, dark, eyes staring at me from the hallway behind Charlie, but I was too tired to really care.

If that wasn’t weird enough… as my eyes started to close I felt someone watching me, leaning close to me. As my eyes closed I felt two lips brush my cheek, so light I doubt I was supposed to feel it, but I felt hyperaware of anything at the moment.

“Ed…ward?” I whispered brokenly, trying to open my eyes, but there was too much fog.

I felt the figure back away… and I swore I could have heard a soft menacing growl.

But once again, all was black.

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I blinked and opened my eyes again, only to wince and close them soon after. Since when was the light so blinding?

Opening my eyes again I glanced over at the familiar curtains and sheets and pillow… and more importantly the comfortable mattress beneath me.

Looking around it felt like I had come back from a vacation… or a very long dream… Everything to me was fuzzy and felt like a dream.

One look at myself in the mirror over at the other side of the room told me different.

My arm was in a light cast, holding it firmly in place and making it unable for me to move my wrist, yet not as bulky as a cast. It was on a sling wrapped around my shoulder.

Surprisingly enough the bruises on my face had started to heal a bit, and only a few still healing scars remained on my face and arms. The only thing that hurt was my cheek… it stung horribly like a papercut that had touched a lemon, or alcohol. I wanted to touch it,

figure out why the unmarred part of my face was stinging so badly, but I didn’t trust myself to move at the moment.

Tentatively I moved and brought my un-injured arm above the blankets, gently resting my shockingly cold fingers on my smooth cheek, inspecting it for anything, something that would be logical to the pain that was feeling worse now.

I couldn’t find anything but just decided to ignore it; the pain was fading already anyways. I sighed and took a deep breath, registering everything before trying to figure out what to do, or what time it was. I glanced out the window and saw that not only was it day, and probably pretty early in the day, but it was actually sunny.

While looking at the window I blinked, seeing a glint of red. Moving gingerly I found that there wasn’t any pain really in moving my legs or my un-injured arm, just a few kinks from not moving in so long.

I blinked and my eyes widened, looking at the scene like it was a murder.

There on my windowsill had been a beautiful rose, all thorns removed carefully and looking so perfect.

Or it had been.

The lush red petals had been ripped off, leaving only a few in the middle that had been cut up, the petals were scattered and what looked like… stabbed. The stem of the rose was sliced up, but not all the way through.

It was cut up… stabbed with a… dagger…

I half stumbled out of bed and darted over towards my drawer, yanking it open and leafing through the papers, broken colored and lead pencils, a few discarded CD’s and headphones.

It was… gone…

The dagger was gone… that means whoever had tried to kill me had come into my room while I was sleeping and was able to take the dagger without alarming anyone.

But why hadn’t they just killed her then? Whoever it was obviously wanted her dead, so what was the point?

I remembered Julian’s words… somehow I already knew it was his knife…

But that didn’t explain the rose… why would he cut up a rose and leave it at the windowsill?

Edward…

“Edward…” I said aloud, surprised to hear my own voice, it sounded foreign and strange to my ears. But one thing was for certain… I was almost certain that it was Edward who had left the rose for her… he was the one, after all, which had a habit of watching her sleep.

… And Julian was the one to tear and stab at the flower to shreds.

But what did that mean?

Well… I knew what it meant… but my mind refused to process it… I now knew that the lips I had felt on my cheek weren’t Edward’s… they were Julian’s…

I shook my head and quickly started through the drawers, with some difficulty and grumbling I was actually able to put a shirt on without knocking anything over or hurting myself. I tugged on a pair of jeans and brushed my hair which was worse then ever, I wanted to take a shower but I wasn’t sure if the cast was waterproof or not.

I started downstairs and I could tell Charlie had gone off to work… so what was it then? Wednesday? Thursday? Wow… even after being in a hospital and being unconscious for the most of a few days the week went by very slowly.

My eyes strayed towards the calendar, the kind when you rip off a sheet for every day and they had a cute picture or a phrase or something on it. My heart sunk and I realized it was Friday. How could I have been sleeping for that long? Charlie said the injuries weren’t that serious.

My eyes moved over to the clock on the microwave and luckily it was 2:30, which meant that the Cullens would be home soon, or at least all the ones in high school… mainly Edward or Alice.

I felt goose bumps rise on my arms and the hair stand on my neck… my pulse was racing and I glanced around, suddenly feeling like I was being watched… and it was not nearly as scary as people made it seem in the movies…

I glanced over at the front door… locked.

The back door… locked.

And I didn’t have to check the windows; they were always locked and closed because of the rain.

I forced myself to breathe deeply before aimlessly walking from the kitchen only to return when my stomach growled loudly. I laughed quietly to myself… the noise strangely loud in the empty house.

What was I getting upset for? There was no one in the house! No one could have gotten in…

Unless… of course…

No… I didn’t dare finish that thought; it would have me quivering against the corner at the thought of him being in the house.

Trying to occupy my mind I grabbed a few things from the refrigerator and made myself a quick lunch. It occupied my mind for only a few minutes, and then the full force of someone watching me returned as I slowly continued to eat, my eyes darting around the room, alert for any sign of movement.

I felt relieved when I was done eating, that meant I could wash the dishes, and keep my hands, and hopefully my mind, busy.

The doorbell rang and, already tenser then a spring, I jumped and dropped the glass onto the ground, and winced when a shatter soon followed. Reacting quickly I started over towards the door and sighed heavily, my heart starting to slow down when I saw the familiar pixie-like girl looking through the window at me, looking startled and worried and I was certain she had heard the glass shatter and probably my erratic heartbeat as well.

“Alice…” I said, a long sigh of relief as I opened the door and she hugged me, starting inside.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to scare you,” She said, walking into the kitchen with me and looking down at the glass on the ground. “I’ll clean it up.” She said, smiling and already bending down to clear the glass into a pile.

“Alice you don’t have to! Really, it was just me being clumsy… even worse now because of my arm…” I said, walking over and grabbing the broom and helping her sweep the glass onto a pile which I quickly helped dump into the trash.

“Are you okay, Bella? You look really pale…” Alice said, looking up at me, her eyes laced with worry.

I felt a shiver run down my spine and part of me was ready to tell Alice everything, the man stalking her, the rose that was torn up, everything. I even opened my mouth to tell her, but what I heard come out was “I’m fine, you just really spooked me.”

Why didn’t I tell her?

Although that was simple enough to answer… the same reason that kept me from running and trying to find Edward to help her…

Whoever Julian was, he was powerful… he reeked of power… so far from what I could tell… he had stopped time, talked with me, got me to go back into the car and the same place and crashed it all over again… I was scared for myself, yes, but even more scared for Edward and Alice and their family. If Julian wanted me… then Edward would protect me… but that would end up causing a fight…

“How’s Edward? Is he okay? Has he been at school at all? Has he said anything about what happened?” I asked, firing off questions to even startle Alice.

“Edward’s been… quiet. He’s been staying in his room and has only gone out to feed. He hasn’t talked to anyone, not even Jasper when he tried to coax him out of the room. I think he’s watching that tape again… which frightens me…” Alice said softly, looking away from my eyes.

I was about to ask what tape but I figured it out easily… the tape that had been recorded by James when he was trying to kill me… I shivered at the thought of Edward watching that tape… the rage boiling in his eyes… or even worse, the deadly calm and sad look he got.

“I have to see him.” I said softly, I glanced at the clock and saw that it would be at least another hour and a half before Charlie came back home. I darted over towards the notepad on the refrigerator and jotted down that I was going with Alice and I’d be back soon, although hopefully Charlie wouldn’t have to see that.

Alice smiled as she watched me run around “That’s what I was hoping you would say… C’mon… I’m sure Edward’s waiting for you.” She said, nodding and starting out the door as I started out after her, very much aware of the two black obsidian eyes staring at me from the window behind me as I started out the door and locked it securely behind me.

♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥-♥

I was knocking on the door lightly with my fist, no answer…

I hit it harder “Edward! Edward its Bella… please open the door…” I said, staring at the door and my heart in my throat, squeezing painfully.

“Stay away from me, Bella!” I heard Edward’s voice snap at me, not calm and soft, but loud and furious… not at me… but at himself.

I scowled softly under my breath, Alice had left but I was sure she could probably hear the both of us, along with everyone else in the house. “Edward if you don’t open the door I’ll- I’ll…” I looked around, trying to find a good enough threat before sighing.

“Please… Edward…” I finished softly, my tone begging.

“I… Didn’t protect you…” Edward said quietly… so softly I had to press my ear against the door to hear it.

“You can’t protect me all the time… it was my fault… but… if you don’t come out and start protecting me soon; I doubt it’ll get much better.” I said, half jokingly.

I heard the door lock click and I quickly opened the door and before I could wrap my arms around him he was nearly smothering me against himself. I could hear a faint whispering and it took me a few seconds to realize he was whispering my name again and again and again…

“I should have had more control over myself, but I did not and I could have killed you, Bella. I stayed in my room… I fed a lot more then I should have done, so I wouldn’t hurt you… I hardly noticed the time pass by… but then I heard Carlisle talking to Esme about you being in a car accident… I was almost afraid to go to you…” He said quietly, his voice strained and filled with so much despair it almost made me cry

I hardly even noticed that he had closed the door and pulled me onto his lap and onto the sofa in his room as he cradled me close, his grip like iron but soft, as though he were afraid to break her.

“But you did… you left me the rose that was on my windowsill.” I said softly, leaning against him and feeling at peace now.

“Was?” Edward repeated, rather confused.

“It was… torn up…” I admitted quietly, looking away from him. I couldn’t lie to him… no matter how hard I tried… I couldn’t…

“Torn up?” Edward asked again, at a cross between shock and anger.

I shook my head “I’ll get to that… let me start at the beginning…” I said, taking a deep breath and starting where to begin.

“Well… it started… I guess… when I woke up and hit my head…”

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2768309/4/

AN: I’ve been waiting for someone to attempt this sort of story, but have grown tired of waiting and decided to do it myself. I’ve done something similar when I wrote Prisoner of Azkaban from Remus Lupin’s PoV (which you can find here at f f. net). Now I’m going to try it again with Twilight and Edward Cullen.

Stephenie Meyer has a note on her website in the FAQ section that she wrote the first chapter of Twilight from Edward’s perspective and plans on sharing it with us either at the end of the paperback in June or on her website. That being the case, when I set out to write a series of missing moments from Edward’s perspective, I specifically avoided Bella’s first day. There is no way I would be able to compare my work with hers. Thus, I begin my dive into Edward’s view with his return to Forks and his first day back at school keeping in mind all that he has been through. I hope you enjoy my take on this amazing book.

Many thanks to Imogen for the beta. You’re a life saver!

Nothing belongs to me. It’s all Ms. Meyer’s. And yes, I realize I’m using some exact lines from the book. That’s what happens when you write from an alternate PoV.

CHAPTER ONE

Do you suppose he’ll actually go with us today?

Carlisle threatened him if he didn’t. The humans will grow suspicious. Besides, if he misses too many days he could get expelled.

Then maybe he shouldn’t go. I would think that not having to spend another day in a classroom would be worth risking expulsion.

Rosalie, you know that wouldn’t help matters.

I don’t think it would do Edward, or any of us, much harm never to have to sit through another dull lecture about the ramifications of World War II on international politics.

Maybe we could convince Esme to say we are home schooled the next time we move.

I wish there wasn’t a law requiring us to be in school. I hate pretending to be this young.

If Edward gets expelled then I’m dropping out. I’ve already got five diplomas.

Maybe he shouldn’t go back. I’ve never seen him so worked up over a human. What if he can’t resist?

I’ve hunted with him every day this week. If he can’t resist after that, then that’s his problem.

You mean our problem. If he can’t resist…then…

Similar conversations have been going on for nearly a week now, driving me to the brink of my own sanity. It’s unfathomable to me that my family doubts my ability to resist the human girl’s blood. I’ve always been one of the strongest in the family. It has been years since I drank from a human. And to think that I naively imagined I was almost as competent as Carlisle in his self-control, as if I was growing immune to the scent of human blood. That idea was soundly crushed with the arrival of Isabella Swan.

It’s maddening, embarrassing even to consider how one insignificant little girl could alter my life by simply walking into a room and sitting next to me. It was as if the Devil himself had set a trap for me, and the dark haired child with the deliciously potent blood was the bait. I had called on every ounce of my strength to keep from taking what I so desperately desired from her right there in that classroom full of unsuspecting children. I’m lucky…she is lucky that I haven’t tasted human blood in so long that I could only just manage to get away from her.

And yet the damage was done. My family now knows she affects me in ways no mortal ever has. They know I can break, that my self-control isn’t as perfect as I profess it to be. Worst of all, they doubt my ability to protect this family from human suspicion by keeping my thirst for her blood in check. Their privacy and security are at risk by my very actions.

So, is he coming or not?

I haven’t seen him this morning. I know he was out last night.

He’s been out every night this week.

I can’t take this anymore. I have to move on. I cannot allow such a common human to stand in the way of the existence we have built here in Forks. Nor can I continue to let my family believe that I would put them at risk by my behavior. I’m stronger than this. I can withstand temptation.

It wouldn’t be so difficult if I could only hear her mind. If I had any idea what thoughts were going through that head, I might be able to better persuade the beast within me to let her

go. If her thoughts were as sweet and innocent as I assumed them to be, it would be much easier to convince my own mind that she wasn’t to be touched. As it is, I can’t read her at all. She is like a blank to me, which is dangerous to consider. My eyes tell me she is human, but without the aid of her childlike mind, all I can focus on is the scent of her blood.

This is something my family doesn’t know about. They know I crave her blood, for that was something I thought they needed to be aware of. But I haven’t told anyone, not even Carlisle that I can’t hear the girl’s mind. I can’t explain why, which both worries and frightens me. It surprised me to no end when I looked at her and found a void. Until I can manage to get past whatever barrier blocks her mind from me, I don’t intend for my family to know about the issue.

I take a deep breath and let it out very slowly in a rather mortal attempt to calm my troubled nerves. To have any hope of lasting through the day, I will have to stay focused and composed. This girl is not going to ruffle me. I won’t let her.

We’re going to be late. I say let’s go.

Since when are you in such a hurry to get to school?

Since I have a test this morning and I really hate being rushed.

I rolled my eyes at their bickering and decided to put an end to the speculation of the morning. I took the steps two at a time, offering what I hoped was a bright and encumbered smile when I came to a stop next to them. “Yes, I’m going.”

Rosalie smirked at me. “Chancing fate then, are you? Or are you just anxious to see if she really is as delicious as you had imagined?”

“I didn’t imagine it,” I bit out. “And I would appreciate it if you didn’t goad me about the situation.”

Her eyes went wide. “Pardon me.” She turned to Emmett and said, “You know, I always thought that hunting made Edward less irritable to be around. Although, given the amount he’s consumed this last week, maybe he is suffering from indigestion.”

“Rosalie,” Carlisle’s voice sounded from the far side of the room. “That’s enough.”

With a loud thud, Jasper jumped to the foot of the stairs. He smiled eagerly around at all of us. “Alice says it’s going to snow sometime today. We’d better bundle up.”

Emmett’s eyes darted to mine and we both broke out in an infectious chuckle. “Snow,” he said slowly, his brows rising up.

“Are you challenging me?” I grinned.

“What’s the current score?” he asked.

“I think Edward’s up by three points,” Alice answered for me, lightly making her way down the steps.

“I’ll be up by four this afternoon,” I said, slipping into my coat.

Emmett laughed. “You wish.”

Snow fights, especially wet ones, were always looked forward to, and today was no exception. Emmett and I had been keeping a tally of our battles for years now. The actual score was outrageous, but we usually kept track of who was ahead and just went from there. Snow was a distraction we could easily afford. I loved messing in the cold, wet mush as it was one of the few things on this Earth that actually felt cold in my hands. We all did

well in the winter and could tolerate it much better than any human. It was nice to have something else to expect other than the impending and possibly dangerous meeting with Miss Swan.

Feeling a bit lighter than I had just moment’s ago, I climbed into my car, along with the other younger members of my family, and sped off towards the school. Jasper and Emmett were making plans for their attack while Rosalie listened on with a warning in her eyes, making it plainly clear she wanted no part of the sport, or more specifically, the possibility of getting wet. Alice only laughed at them all and refused to tell whom she suspected would win this particular challenge.

We arrived at school just before classes were to start, which meant we all had to hurry in order to not be counted tardy. It also meant that I wasn’t given a chance to see Isabella. Instead, I was forced to resort to letting my mind drift over the meaningless teenage conversations until I could find her. Well, not her, but at least I could find who was talking to her…or focusing on her.

Mike’s underdeveloped mind was easily found. A week ago I had scoffed at his lust for this girl whom he hardly knew. I remember laughing at lunch with my brothers and sisters about how all the teenage boys had all taken notice of the ‘fresh meat’ in the school. Looking back on the comment, I found it amazingly ironic that I had labeled her as such.

I spent the rest of the morning listening on the mind of that tiny girl with all the fuzzy hair. Jessica. I’d never really noticed her before, but it seemed she had formed a friendship with Bella, and her mind was simple enough that I hardly even struggled to hear her. To my disappointment, I hadn’t learned very much about Bella other than she hated the cold and preferred to be called Bella instead of her full name. Not much to go on, but at least it was a start.

On my way to the lunchroom, I was pummeled by half a dozen snowballs. As much as I wanted to have the chance to actually look at the girl who had set my existence upside down, my pride wouldn’t allow me to retreat from my brothers without a fight. I picked up a chunk of wet snow with my bare hands and gave as good as I got. Before long, our efforts left us all completely covered. Knowing it would cost me points, but not really caring, I let Emmett win this round and headed for indoors, brushing off some remnants of snow from my shoulders and shaking out my wet hair.

Alice and Rosalie were already sitting at our usual table with a few trays of food when I arrived in the cafeteria. I plopped down next to Rosalie who grimaced and leaned away from me. “Don’t even think about getting me wet,” she warned.

“How about me?” Emmett said from over her shoulder. A drop of water fell from his onto her blouse.

“Emmett,” she scolded, brushing at the spot. “I just bought this.”

He leaned in close to her. A little too close for a normal teenage boy and his girlfriend. “And it looks lovely on you.” Their eyes met and I had to force myself away from the intimate thoughts that passed between them.

I turned my focus to Jasper, who was taking a seat next to Alice, only to find him giving her a similar look. It was a subtle reminder once more that I was the odd man out in our family.

“All right, cut it out. All of you,” I said quietly. “You’ll draw attention.”

“Speaking of attention,” Jasper said, “She’s looking at you.”

“Who?” But it was silly to ask because I knew exactly who he meant.

My eyes flashed over to her table to find her staring directly at me. Immediately her eyes darted down to look at the table, a curtain of hair blocking me from seeing her face. The

girl with her, Jessica, leaned in to tell her I was still watching. I could hear her plain and simple thoughts so clearly it was ridiculous. It’s almost an insult to have to resort to such means, but I needed to know what Isabella wass thinking.

Oh, his eyes. He’s so cute. I wish he would look at me like that.

Angry? No, he looks…interested. Bella is so lucky!

Like you? I don’t think he likes anyone outside of his family.

Okay. I’ll stop looking. But, oh Bella, if he were looking at me like he’s looking at you…oh wow.

It was like listing in to one side of an adolescent phone conversation. I have to remind myself from time to time that nearly everyone in the building is adolescent, but it doesn’t mean I have to enjoy the low level of their thoughts. It frustrated me that the one mind I was desperate to read is the only one I couldn’t access.

“What is she thinking?” Jasper asked.

“Why do you want to know?” I reply, not wanting to give away the fact that I haven’t a clue what is going on in her mind.

“Morbid curiosity,” he says with a grin. “After the way you described your last meeting, she’s got to be confused.”

Alice leaned forward. “Not to mention that you haven’t been here for a week. She’s probably scared of you.”

I pull my eyes away from the girl and frown over at Alice. “She should be afraid of me, but I…don’t want her to be.”

“Why not?” Jasper asked.

“Because it isn’t my intention to frighten her or anyone else in the town. If we’re going to stay here for another few years, I don’t want the humans to be afraid of us.”

“Good point,” Jasper said.

“But you’re still going to class?” asked Alice.

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Well look at her.” She pointed over to where Bella was still hiding behind her hair. “It looks to me like she wants to avoid you at all costs. What is she thinking about anyway?”

I glanced back over at her, knowing there would still be a blank but hoping beyond hope that I could pick up on one of the other’s minds to find what she was thinking. To my disappointment, everyone was discussing the snow. Everyone except Bella. I called on the earlier conversation for my information.

“She thinks I’m angry at her. That I…don’t like her.”

Jasper laughed out loud at this. “Quite the contrary, huh?”

I ignored him. “And she doesn’t want to be part of the snowball fight that they are planning for after school.”

That bit of information did the trick and the topic of Bella Swan’s thoughts was instantly abandoned. “Who is planning a snowball fight?” Emmett asked.

“The blond. Mike. In the parking lot.”

Emmett’s smile was wicked as his thoughts of covering the human boy with snow filled his thoughts. “Are you up to showing them how it’s done?” he asked.

“Anytime,” I replied, grateful for the change in topic. “But, we will have to go easy on them.”

I made sure the conversation stayed on the weather and avoided discussing the human any further, knowing it would be all too soon that I would be face to face with her. Side by side. Trapped once more in a classroom.

I would get through it. I wasn’t about to let her control my life. She was insignificant…and she was going to stay that way.

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2800923/1/

If I build a wall a hundred feet tall ... would that keep you in ...

The beautiful boy was crying. Even his tears were beautiful in their glistening fall down his angel's face. He said the girl's name, quiet but steady.

"Bella. Bella, please don't cry." He plead with her, to please, Bella, stop, he couldn't take any more. He didn't know how much longer he could resist her. The salty scent of her furious tears was driving Edward insane.

The girl wore her paint proudly, she'd done this before. She could hurt him like she hurt Charlie, and her mother.

"I'm s-sorry, Edward. I can't allow you to torture yourself." The lovely girl's words tore her own heart apart. No longer did her eyes portray love, they were horribly dead. Gone was the radiant fire that lit them from within. The fire that kept the boy from taking himself away from her, the fire that he loved.

Suddenly Edward's amber eyes grew dark, and Bella could feel cold, pain, hurt, searing from those glowing black orbs. They were beautiful, in the twisted way that only the young girl knew. Somehow those eyes always made sense to her.

"You won't go. I'm not going to allow it, and I think you know that." The boy was breathing in Bella's face within seconds. Her icy facade faltered considerably as she breathed in the amazing scent of his breath.

"And - and how do you .. know I won't?" she questioned. Edward glowered. Something small and faint shimmered in his eyes, far away, like the beam of a train in a long tunnel. The train advanced, slowly at first, then increasing speed, till finally she would be hit -

She was in his arms then, the cold enveloping her. The boy breathed in, long and deep, as though it were his last fleeting breath. Her scent was astounding.

“Bella … my Isabella …” He closed his eyes, the light shade of lavender of his eyelids shimmering in the light from the flickering bulb in the girl’s bedroom ceiling. He seemed consumed then, taken up in his world of dark and light, of want and need. Bella pulled her face from his chest, and took a moment to gather her thoughts before looking up into Edward’s glorious face. Then something hit her like that distant train.

“Edward, are you crying?”

Edward was pulled from his reverie. “Of course not, I-” The boy stopped short. One slender hand left the girl’s back and touched its owner’s face. There was moisture there.

“I suppose I am … “ Shock laced his voice. Then he seemed to relax. “Do you remember what I told you once? The humanness is starting to come back to me. But this is very strange, all the same.”

The girl stood stock still, gazing at the shimmering tear-trails on his face.

“It - doesn’t matter, does it?” he asked her, his face full of concern.

Bella gave no answer. Instead., she buried her face in his chest once again, breathing in his scent and just being grateful that he was hers. She’d never try to hurt him again. She’d stay.

If I was sincere .. and whispered my fears ... would you still be here ...

I woke up slowly at first. Turning over, feeling quite disorientated. My hair felt funny- stiff and knotted. My eyelashes seemed to have some sort of thick glue clinging to them. Then I remembered; prom. I had been mercilessly decorated, clothed and sent off to a dance twelve hours earlier. Wait, twelve hours? What time was it? I lifted my head suddenly, searching for my alarm clock.

“Quarter past one, darling.”

And then he was next to me. I lay down on my back and watched the ceiling. Every night I fell asleep beside him, and every morning (or afternoon) he waited patiently for me to wake up. Despite this constant routine, butterflies raced back and forth inside of me every time he crawled beneath the blankets and draped his strong, cool arms around me. Edward was getting better at recognizing my human needs. Spending excessive amounts of time at my house with Charlie and I had begun to pay off. He rested his head on my shoulder and let me shake off the sleep.

I sighed heavily, not feeling very rested. Edward lifted his head and used his elbow to prop himself up beside me. I turned to look up at him and smiled faintly. He slowly ran his long cold fingers along my jaw line before leaning down towards me. Before his lips touched mine I could feel the light buzz of electricity under my skin. I closed my eyes in time to feel his icy lips press gently against mine. It was just a quick and soft peck, but it sent my brain into melt-down mode none the less.

“Where’s Charlie?” I asked, after he had pulled away from me slowly. I was becoming progressively more aware of what was going on around me.

“Fishing.”

I should have guessed. My heart skipped a beat and sight panic braced my body.

“Did he say who he was going with?” I silently pleaded that he had gone off with a buddy from work or by himself- anyone but Billy. Jacob’s warning lingered in my mind.

“He left a note. It didn’t say who- if anyone- he was going with.” Edward knew what I was worrying for. Even if he couldn’t always tell what I was thinking- he had, no doubt listened in on Jacob’s conversation with me last night. His voice was smooth and calming.

“Please don’t worry Bella. You know I’ve always taken care of things. Nobody is going to take you from me. Even if Charlie believes that old man’s ghost stories, you know there’s nothing he can do to keep me from seeing you. I’ll always find a way.” His light eyes locked on mine and he added fiercely, “Always.”

I did know. And having been assured, I felt relaxed enough to sink back down into my pillows next to him. I wondered faintly what we were going to do today. It was, after all, a very vacant Saturday.

“Maybe I’ll shower. You know, take care of that human part of me.” I glanced over to Edward and smiled.

He groaned in disapproval, wrapped his arms tightly around my body and buried his face into my neck. I laughed jubilantly, and squirmed beneath his iron tight grasp. Not because I thought I had any chance of escaping his clutches, but because I liked to humor him. After several seconds of very obvious failure to free myself, I lay still.

“You know, I’m going to have to get up eventually. Why not let me go now? That way you can have a clean and a fresh Bella to cuddle.”

Edward shook his head in objection, but said nothing. I knew how to settle this. Using the hand that wasn’t pinned to my body, I ran my fingers through his soft hair. He looked up at me hopefully. I smiled at his boyish tendencies. Leaning over, I kissed him sweetly on the mouth. He unfurled his arms and brought one hand to rest powerfully on my cheek. It was frigid in contrast to my flushed face. As I pulled away from him, he ran his hand down my cheekbone and held me securely beneath the jaw. He moved his lips to follow mine and gently pulled me back towards him. I was surprised at his willingness to comply. I let him kiss me. It was strange for him to be the one pressing for more. When we came apart I kept my eyes closed longer than necessary, trying to regain the partial consciousness that I had lost in affect to Edwards contact.

“You m’dear are free to go.” His voice was permissive. Like a king granting freedom to a subject.

“Gee, thanks a lot.” I spoke sarcastically, as if I didn’t enjoy every aspect of being his.

I brushed wet my hair quickly. It was too late in the day to be bothering with a hair dryer. It was a lazy sort of day anyhow. Sweatpants, an oversized t-shirt and wet unkempt hair suited me just fine. Even in the bathroom where steam from my hot shower fogged the mirrors and the scent of soap and shampoo lingered, I could smell whatever it was Edward had prepared for me. I rolled my eyes at his developing perfection for cooking. I put my brush back in the cabinet and went to find lunch.

I had been in the shower for just over thirty minutes and still, Edward had no doubt managed to ‘throw together’ a meal far better anything I’ve ever made. I wandered into the kitchen to find him standing by the stove, in completely different clothes than he had been earlier.

I sat at the bar where he had already laid out a place setting for me.

“I hate when you leave without telling me. You know that don’t you?” I put my elbow on the table and rested my head on my hand. He glanced across the kitchen and smiled at me devilishly before returning to whatever it was he was making. I watched him float busily around the kitchen. He had become as familiar with it as I had, these past few weeks- as my father seemed to prefer Edwards perfected meals over mine. So far I couldn’t recognize what he was cooking, but I knew better than to ask. He liked to surprise.

After a few moments Edward covered the pot in finality and turned towards me.

“And now we wait.”

“Long?” I whined exaggeratedly at him, my stomach beginning to ache for sustenance.

“No, not long.” He whined back at me. I opened my mouth in astonishment, faking offence at his mimic. I crossed my arms and swiveled the rotating bar stool, turning my back on

him. He laughed darkly. No sooner had he done so I found his arms gently around my middle, his chin resting on my shoulder.

“Aw... Bella I’m sorry. I promise to never again mock your eagerness to eat.” His voice was animated, willing to play along with my little façade.

“Humph.” I pouted in reply. Edward hummed a small chuckle in response.

Turning his face towards mine he kissed my jaw softly and repeatedly. Damn. The boy was beating me at my own game. I swiveled my chair to face him. He looked at me in bemused surprise. I peered up at him curiously.

“What?” he asked; his face now equally as intrigued as mine.

“I don’t understand.”

“What’s to understand? I simply adore you. Personally I find this theory quite basic and rather easy to comprehend…” His voice trailed, suggesting my intelligence lay far beneath his. I took a second to scowl at him. He sure was feeling like a tease this morning. I quickly refocused on my point.

“Not that. I mean… don’t I tempt you any more?”

It didn’t make sense. He was typically so cautious, so hesitant in showing such affection. I must have come across as concerned- worried even. Edward smiled down at me in assurance, putting one hand on the side of my neck and letting his fingers run into my hair. He looked at me as if everything were perfectly simple.

“Well of course you till tempt me. I’m just learning to give in a little differently”

Author's Note: Just quickly, I wanted to thank Fluffster and BetaMichelle for, as you can guess, being my betas. I encourage everyone who hasn't already to go check out our Twilight community, twilightfans, over at livejoural and give the Plot Bunny List a read for ideas. Enjoy and please review!

This was what I wanted. Undeniably. In fact, I didn’t think there was anything I wanted more.

Truthfully, I was going to miss a few of the perks of mortality. The necessity of eating, for instance. Going outside in the sunshine without glittering like fairydust. The ability to blend into a crowd. And of course, I couldn't begin to explain to my parents what happened to their little girl.

But when I thought of who I was doing this for, despite his protests that he liked my humanness, it made all my doubts disappear. You can't fight destiny.

I could make out the vampire’s extraordinary eyes from across the dark room, looking me up and down. I stood my ground, staring at him defiantly, daring him to deny my request.

He rose slowly from his seat, pacing away from me.

"Will you do it?" I asked quietly, but firmly. He paused, resting his pale hand on the black leather armchair.

"That depends," he answered at the same volume. He met my eyes and his voice grew louder. "Are you serious about this?" I nodded slowly. "You’re sure this is what you desire?" I nodded again. He sat and rubbed his forehead wearily, although I knew he wasn’t tired in the slightest.

"Believe it or not, I find myself at a crossroads, Bella," he said in his deep, pleasing voice. I cocked my head, prompting him to go on.

He watched me carefully. "On the one hand, you certainly look and smell delectable. I’m sure I would enjoy you." He sniffed the air. "No, no doubt about that. On the other hand, I have been a lucky guest in the Cullen home for a month now, and it would be a poor way to repay them, don’t you think? Not to mention what your Edward will do to me when he discovers it was I that fed off you." He smiled weakly.

"You mean, if Edward discovers it was you," I corrected. I had no intention of telling my boyfriend about any of this.

"When," he restated, lowering his voice. "He would smell it in an instant."

"Then you run."

"And the Cullens? It was almost human of them to take me into their home and teach me their way of life. Especially with you walking around here so often." I sensed a trace of aggression in his tone, as if I came around the Cullen home merely to tempt him.For the first time since I’d approached him with my request, I stepped toward him.

"Was this life ever meant for you anyway? You’re a hunter. Could you ever be content to live on animals?" I spat the word in disgust. And Edward said I couldn’t act.

I took a few more daring steps, until I was kneeling next to the armchair. He stared at his knees, pondering my words. His finders gripped the arms of the chair, making indents in the leather. I was getting to him already. I decided to push it a little further.

"You know what I want. You know what you want. Why deny it?" I whispered urgently in his ear. He made no move to escape. He was listening. "It’s natural. We’d be doing each other a favour."

And then I unleashed my deadliest weapon - myself. I reached around behind my head and swept my hair back so the right side of my neck was exposed. Then I leaned in toward him and turned my head so my flesh was inches from his face. I caught his expression, looking out of the corner of my eye.

He didn’t bother to avoid me. His eyes, now pure black, stared hungrily at my throat. His nostrils flared, trying to capture more of my scent. I smiled. I knew I had him.

"And Edward?" he asked in a strangled voice, not taking his eyes off my throat. I flinched at the mention of my boyfriend’s name. I’d been trying to keep the projected image of his pained face out of my head throughout this conversation. My reaction didn’t go unnoticed. "What will he think when he finds you cold?"

I’d thought long about that, more than I was willing to let myself. Just picturing his pained expression caused pangs in my chest. The last thing I wanted to do was hurt him. But I'd come this far, so close to acheiving my goal. Once he got over his initial disappointment in me, he would realize that I did this for us.

"He’ll deal with it," I replied softly. "He’ll understand." Edward knew it was coming, anyway, no matter how much he refused to believe Alice. He had to be somewhat prepared for this.

"How do you know he can’t hear us?" he asked, his voice slightly more controlled, although anxious. I could tell he was on the last leg of his argument. "He could be on his way here right now."

"Edward thinks I’m safe at home. He has no reason to believe I’m here." That, I wasn’t sure of. He didn’t trust his house guest, so there was a chance he was listening in right now. But I couldn’t say that. "The Cullens won’t be home for hours." The thunder chimed in effectively.

I turned my head back to face him and stared as he deliberated. Finally, he rose, jaw clenched.

"Alright," he said, finally meeting my gaze. "I’ll do it."

I smiled, pleased with my victory, and stood, stepping as close to him as necessary. We were surprisingly close to the same height. He decided to take this slowly, to enjoy as much of me as possible before indulging. His patience was certainly admirable.

He ran a cold fingertip along my exposed throat, then leaned in to smell my neck once more. Sighing with pleasure, he circled me, running his fingers through my hair, then coming to a stop in front of me again. Carefully, he brushed my cheek with the back of his hand.

His cool touch reminded me of Edward and made me feel worse. If it was Edward’s face I was staring into, the prospect of pain wouldn’t seem so terrible. Not to mention my incredible guilt from betraying him, sneaking around behind his back. He’d rip this man to shreds if he were to see him touching me this way.

I shivered as he dragged the tip of his tongue from the base of my throat to my chin. I felt like I was being marinated.

"You know, I’m curious, Bella," he murmured in my ear, smoothing my hair with his palm. "Of all the vampires you know, why trust me?"

"Convenience," I stated simply, fixating my glare on the wall behind him. Actually, he was more or less my last option. Edward refused again and again, and he would massacre the other Cullens if they so much as pinched me. This made more sense than leaving Forks to find another vampire.

My simple answer was good enough for him. He chuckled and pressed his cool cheek against my warm one.

"So young...so willing to give up her life for one of eternal darkness. Reminds me of when I was young, really," he mused. If he didn't do this now, I knew I was going to back out.

"Laurent, just do it," I snapped, pulling my head back to meet his eyes. They flashed ruby once before darkening again. His handsome face widened in a smile and he growled with pleasure. He exposed his teeth and lowered his head. I squeezed my eyes shut.

The bite itself was nothing. I waited, feeling the strength leave my body slowly. When I was limp in his arms, Laurent laid me down in the armchair and quietly left the room, no doubt to prepare himself to leave Forks forever.

And yet, as the fire intensified and overtook my body, I smiled, pleased that my life was finally beginning.