Twilight ~ Alice's Pov ~ Chapters 1-29

See what Alice saw during the beginning of Edward and Bella's relationship...relive Twilight through her future-seeing eyes. The title is pretty self-explanatory. Twilight Alice's POV is Twilight and Mignight Sun, except written in Alice's prespective. She is such a loveable, bubbly character, that I thought we deserved to know what she observed and thought in Twilight. DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters, storyline and some lines from Twilight/Midnight Sun, they all belong to Stephenie Meyer. I own nothing, except my own words. Read. Comment. Enjoy!

Preface

I know things. I see things. Things that might happen, things that are coming. But it's very subjective. The future isn't set in stone. Things change...

Part 1

This was the time of the day that I knew my family and I wanted to sleep. It was the start of another day to attend high school. We were sitting in the cafeteria, like every other day, staring at the cracks in each wall. I was to busy to be concentrating on everyone and their future. My mind was only thinking about one thing in particular. There were about several hundred people in the room but I was vaguely aware of them. I

knew from my visions that a new girl with a slender body and brown hair was starting her first day at school here in Forks and I was also aware that she was the Chiefs daughter. I suppose it is exciting to have a new girl but I didn’t know how she would react to us. Probably just like everyone else. I was sitting down with my family, my mind focused on one thing. I knew Edward could hear what I was thinking but I was pretty sure he was trying hard to give me and my thoughts as much privacy as he can but I know it’s difficult. I appreciate his attempts though. We were all looking in different directions, all wrapped up in our own thoughts. My two brothers, my sister and my destiny looked like everyone had something on there minds; Rosalie was of course probably thinking about herself because she was smiling to herself once she saw a reflection of herself through the glass wall beside us. Emmett was most probably thinking about the arm-wrestling match he lost to Jasper last night. I, of course already new Jasper was going to win but I didn’t want to spoil everyone’s fun by watching Emmett sulk over losing the match. Emmett was sitting with his forearms on the table and he was flexing his biceps, I’m guessing he was marveling at his muscles and thinking about new ways to win against Jasper in their wrestling battles. Edward looked bored. He’s probably trying to get out of everyone’s mind and stop hearing their ‘voices’ but I doubt he can help that. Edward is an interesting character, he’s very insecure and in a lot of ways I feel sorry for him. I believe he is missing something in life but I’m waiting for the day until he discovers what it is. That was when my attention was brought back to Jasper. I could tell he was suffering. Jasper is the newest person to our family and living our ‘vegetarian” lifestyle so I knew it was hard for him, especially at school with so many sweet-blooded humans around. I knew I needed to make sure he was okay but I knew I couldn’t ask him directly so I had to ask Edward mentally. Edward and I actually were good at having conversations in our mind.

Edward. I called his name in my head knowing he would’ve heard me. Edward didn’t turn his head my way but I knew he had heard me and was waiting for me to continue what I wanted to ask him.

How is he holding up? Edward’s attention remained on the lines of the plaster but I knew he was aware that I was asking about Jasper. Edward didn’t answer me but I saw a small frown set into his lips and now I was becoming worried. I didn’t want Jasper to suffer. Is there any danger? I couldn’t help it, I had to ask and also I tried concentrate on the future. I searched my mind and tried to catch glimpses that would make that frown appear on his face but I couldn’t find anything, it was just a blur.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Edward turn his head turn slowly to the left, as if he were looking at the brick wall, he sighed then rotated his head to right, looking back at the cracks in the ceiling. I knew Edward shaking his head, answering my earlier questions. I relaxed slightly, thankful that Edward could read minds and that he was helping me with Jasper.

Let me know if it gets to bad. If it was becoming too hard for Jasper, I would find a way to make it abit easier for him. I saw Edwards eyes look up to the ceiling then back down to the table so I knew he was nodding ‘yes’.

Thank you for doing this. I knew he wouldn’t answer me, especially because I knew how much Edward disliked hearing Jasper’s thoughts and struggles. Its just the truth is, I never want Jasper to struggle and go through pain. Especially when it comes to innocent people and their mouth-watering blood, but I knew they couldn’t help that. So when I see Jasper suffering, I just wish I could simply take away that pain. He means more to me than anything. Jasper is my everything; my past, my present, my future, my destiny.

Part 2

Jasper is the newest member to our family and our ‘lifestyle’. I know it’s not right the best idea to experiment like this and let him suffer but he had to try and learn to control himself. It has been two weeks since our last hunting trip, it isn’t that much of a difficult period of time for us but sometimes it does become uncomfortable and an annoyance. It would just remind us how hungry we are, if a human was standing in a close proximity and if the wind blew their scent towards us. Jasper was very dangerous to all the humans right now. Just a moment ago, a small girl paused infront of our table to chat with friends who were passing by. She has short, sandy coloured hair which she was tossing around and running her finger through. Her scent was blown our way and I knew Jasper would be disturbed by it. I was used to the different human scents and how a small dry ache in the throat would occur and the slight tightening of muscles and just a fine coat of venom flooding my mouth but I was all very used to this and it was easy to ignore. For Jasper it wasn’t quite that easy. Suddenly I had vision but it was only glimpses. Jasper was deciding too get up from his seat next to me and going to stand behind the sand-coloured hair girl and lean down letting his lips and teeth touching the arch of her throat and biting down slowly to feel the hot flow of

her blood flooding his blood and finally feeling the pleasure of it. I felt someone kick Jasper’s chair and automatically knew it was Edward who did so. He must’ve read Jaspers thoughts and knew he had to do something to prevent what he was thinking from actually happening. For that I was so grateful towards Edward. I saw Jasper look into Edward’s eyes and then back down to the table. I knew he felt ashamed for what he was thinking and planning on doing. “Sorry,” Jasper said, I knew he was apologizing to Edward for what was going on in his head a moment ago. Edward just shrugged. I knew from my vision that Jasper wasn’t actually planning on hurting the girl but I knew he was only deciding it; maybe fantasizing about it would be a better choice of words. I had to make sure he knew I understood this but also he had to know that he couldn’t give into his weaknesses. “You weren’t going to do anything,” I said to him trying to sooth and relax him, “I could see that.” I was going through my mind for suggestions to ease Jasper suffering. I could only come up with telling him about the girl. “It helps a little if you think about them as people,” I suggested this and spoke with a volume to low for human ears to understand. “Her name is Whitney. She has a baby sister that she adores. Her mother invited Esme to that garden party, do you remember?” I said, hoping to bring him some comfort. “I know who she is,” Jasper replied to me in snappy tone. He then turned away to stare at one of the small windows. Obviously he didn’t want to have this convocation. I guess my suggestion had the opposite effect of what I was hoping. He would have to hunt tonight. I knew we shouldn’t be taking risks like this, trying to test his strength and let him endure this but I just wanted to make it easier for him so in future he would gain more control. I guess that wasn’t best idea. I sighed silently, knowing my intentions backfired. I was also aware Jasper didn’t want to head anymore of my encouragement. I knew he just needed his space and I needed to get away from the table so I could have some space myself. I stood silently and picked up my tray of food. It was just a prop though; we still had to put on a human charade. And I walked away from the table to leave Jasper alone, I knew he wanted this. The relationship between Jasper and I are very different compared too Rosalie and Emmett’s flamboyant and flagrant relationship. Jasper and I were so attuned to each other;

we knew each others moods as well as our own. It is as if we can read each others mind, I believe we are connected with each other on another level.

Part 3

As I walked away to dump my tray full of uneaten food in the bin, I could hear Edward talking to Emmett about the new girl that appeared in my vision I had earlier today. “Jessica Stanley is giving the new Swan girl all the dirty laundry on the Cullen clan,” I heard Edward murmur to Emmett. I could also hear Emmett as he chuckled under his breath. Emmett must’ve replied to Edward mentally because Edward replied, “Rather unimaginative actually. Just the barest hint of scandal. Not an ounce of horror. I’m a little disappointed.” Of course he would be disappointed for not being seen as a horror to the new girl; the boys seemed to be amused by human’s reactions towards us. Of course Emmett would be so curious to see the new girl’s reaction, I too, was also curious to see what she thought of us pale-skinned beauties. I’m guessing she would think we were extraordinarily gorgeous, that’s what all human think when they see us through their sight. From the expression on Edward’s face, I knew he’s concentrating on reading the new girls mind. Edward was, you could say, the look out for our family. To see peoples reactions and if anyone is suspicious that we are not what they think. It’s for the protection of our family and secret. It is our responsibility to hide out true identities. No one ever, rarely guesses right, we would always relocate to a different location and start a new life there before any of those humans could convince themselves that we are infact vampires. After I dumped my untouched tray in the bin, I walked to the exit, as I looked back I noticed Edward was looking very irritated. He was staring intensely at the new girl, he looked almost angry. I didn’t know if it was reaction to something she was thinking or something else. I could hear Jessica Stanley talking to the new girl about my family. Filling her in on all the information and gossip in regards to the Cullens. As I walked out I heard Jessica say, “That’s Edward and Emmett Cullen, and Rosalie and Jasper Hale. The one who left was Alice Cullen; they all live together with Dr Cullen and his wife.” I could hear the bitterness in her voice. I don’t know what’s wrong with her and what she has against my family and me, but I’m guessing it has something to do with being rich and beautiful. So my guess is that she is jealous. If only they knew half of what we experience, through the life of a vampire. I still wish to be human. To grow old with the one I love, to experience what its like to be a mother and

watch as your kids grow. To see your kids experience their life of parenthood. I would love to have a human life like that. I love Jasper with all my heart and I’m so grateful that I have found my other half, but I always wonder what it would be like to be in a relationship as two humans. I don’t remember anything from my human life so that’s a lost world to me; I don’t even recall ever being a human. Sometimes I wish I could just have those memories to last me through the centuries I’m going to be alive for. I know I wouldn’t have been able to survive this lifetime without Jasper; I have always and will always need him. With thinking about all of this, I get a better understanding of Rosalie and what she’s goes through. She is one the most maternal female out of all us, maybe even out of all the female vampires that exist. Rosalie has always wanted a baby, even when she was a human. Each time I think about what my human life could be like, I get a better knowledge of why Rosalie comes across as bitter and feisty. She longs to have a human life. I found my way to sit on a bench outside of the cafeteria. Just enough so I can have some time to think and also enough distance between jasper and I, so I can give him some much needed space. I could still hear the people in the cafeteria talking, even when they are whispering; I still have a clear clarity of exactly what they are saying in their conversation. To vampire ears, low human voices still sound like shouting. I could distinguish the new girl’s voice. She asked Jessica, “Who is the boy with the reddish brown hair?” She was obviously asking about Edward. Since he was the only single one out of the Cullen’s, girls really took a shine to him and that’s including female vampires, but he never expressed the slightest interest. Edward doesn’t see himself clearly at all. When I look at my brother, I see such talent and uniqueness. He has always been such a gentleman. He outshines so many of us, but he doesn’t believe it. He is an amazing musician, when he plays the piano it’s so peaceful, you feel like your dreaming. With being a vampire, we don’t sleep, at all. Therefore we don’t get to dream but when Edward is playing, it feels just as good as dreaming. Any woman would be so special to be with Edward, it’s a shame he doesn’t know himself what he looks for in women. As I was thinking of other women, the new girl crept back up into my thoughts. I was still very curious to what my vision could mean. I heard Jessica reply to the new girls question about Edward, “That’s Edward. He’s gorgeous of course, but don’t waste your time. He doesn’t date. Apparently none of the girls are good-looking enough for him.” I couldn’t help but giggle. I remember the time Jessica showed interest to Edward and the way he just seemed so disturbed when he rejected her. I felt sort of sorry for Jessica at the time but it was actually quite funny. When her face fell, I could sense Emmett must’ve been cracking up with laughter in his head because the expression that Edward has on his face was priceless.

Part 4

“Shall we?” As I was sitting on the bench, deep in thought, I heard Rosalie rise up out of her chair and ask to the rest of the family to exit the cafeteria and arrive to our next classes. As Emmett stood, I heard him ask Edward, “So is the new one afraid of us yet?” He was talking about the new girl, he sounded like wanted her to be afraid but his tone sounded only slightly interested. I didn’t hear Edward answer, so I assume he either nodded or shrugged in answer to Emmett’s question. I heard my family rise out of their chairs and then I saw them walking out of the cafeteria and headed into the direction, to where I was sitting. Rosalie Was twirling her hair through her fingers, Emmett was admiring his muscles again, Edward was staring at the ground but his expression on his face looked frustrated. Jasper was staring intensely at me with an expression on his face that showed an ashamed and apologetic look on his face. I smiled slightly at him, trying to reassure him that I’m not mad and I don’t blame him for snapping at me, I’m trying to make him realise that I understand. I rose from the bench I was sitting at and ran into Jasper’s arms, knowing it was my favourite and most peaceful place to be in the world. I just stood there staring into Jasper’s eyes, as he did into mine. When the bell for class time rang, I hugged Jasper tighter to my body for a moment then I sighed and pulled away. I didn’t feel like sitting through class, I just wanted to spend quality time with Jasper. Class times were probably the most boring times during the school days. Especially because I’m not with Jasper during these hours. Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper were pretending to be seniors at Forks High School. Edward and I were playing younger roles, as juniors in high school. As my family walked to their classes, I started to wander in the direction of my next classroom. I really wasn’t in the mood to actually attend class but I thought better of it and walked in the class and sat in my assigned seat, which was positioned near the window. I decided to tune out everyone in my class and listen to what’s happening and what some people are deciding to do that interesting in the future. Although I’m so attuned into watching my visions and of course thinking about my never ending love for Jasper, I couldn’t stop thinking about the new girl. I’m guessing it has something to do with my vision of her i had earlier today but it was fuzzy so I didn’t get a good enough look at it, to actually know what was happening. I got the sense from the new girl, that she wasn’t like most human girls, I only saw a quick peek of her in the cafeteria but it was enough time for my sight to fully observe her. She has near waist length, mahogany coloured hair, with thick curls. Her face is heart-shaped and chocolate brown eyes. As I was observing her, I noticed her boring choice of clothes, button-up t-shirt and denim jeans.

Honestly, I am a shopping fanatic. Anything associated with clothes and makeup, I am basically obsessed with. I love to give makeovers and dress up people. In my family, I’m in charge of dressing the whole family. I tend to choose designer brand clothes and I believe you should never wear any item of clothing twice. Most vampires love blood the most in life, the scent of blood is delicious but my passion in life is Jasper and fashion. I was actually fantasizing about giving this new girl a makeover, a much needed one actually, but I knew if I went up to her and started talking about the makeover I wish to give her, I knew this human would most likely not react well. I basically don’t communicate much to my fellow classmates at school, but that is usually because we are seen scary and intimidated to them. I know it’s dangerous for humans to be in such a close proximity to us but I still wish I could have a best friend to do everything with, well more like my life size Barbie doll. Rosalie is much like a best friend but I still see her as my sister in most cases. Rosalie thought doesn’t need so much of my help because she actually has pretty good taste and in most cases her fashion sense is beautiful, I’ve taught her well over the years. When I think of the new girl and her fashion, I just want to desperately go up to her and show her my talent for fashion. Her choice of clothes today wasn’t very exciting, she looked pretty though so imagine what she would look like when I got my hands on her. In that way she reminded me off Edward. He never minds what he wears, as long as he looks decent but over the years, well since I’ve joined the family, he and the rest learnt to just let me dress them and everything will be alright. I seem to have a way of getting what I want, especially when its something I really want to do and passionate about it. As I was thinking of the new girl and Edward, I suddenly froze and came across a vision.......

Part 5

It was Edward in his junior biology class, he was sitting in the middle of the room, the furthest row back and suddenly he stood up and sprang at the new girl, sucking the blood from her neck, while the room full of the humans were screaming around in chaos when they noticed what happen, and then the vision changed. Edward snapped the neck of all the people in the classroom, not giving them enough time to realize what he was actually doing, he’d ended the lives of innocents within five seconds. It was too fast for the new girl to notice what Edward had done but her brown eyes were wide with fear and her body was frozen in place as he turned around and lunged for her throat. Again the vision changed. Edward spoke to the new girl, he introduced himself and asked if he could walk her to her next class and of course she agreed but as they were walking beside each other, Edward led her in the wrong direction, a spur of the forest reached out

like a finger to touch the back corner of the parking lot. Edward would say he had forgotten a book in his car then he would suck her blood until she was completely dry. For the fourth time the vision changed. As the new girl would drive home from school to an empty house, where her father Chief Swan would be at work, Edward would follow her and drink her blood in her own home, he would act fast not even giving her time to scream but the screaming wouldn’t help because the Chief’s house did not have neighbours surrounding it. This was not the end of the visions; throughout the hour I kept seeing multiple visions of different ways for Edward to kill this innocent new girl. Honestly, I was scared for this girl’s life; I don’t know what has possessed Edward to plan such things as horrid as this situation, it goes against everything that out father, Carlisle has taught us through this life. I was completely deep in thought, trying to reason with myself and come up with conclusions as to why Edward would be deciding such things, suddenly the bell rang and my mind was absolutely thinking about Jasper. How was he going? Was his alright during his class with humans in the room? Was he thinking about me? I searched again for his future, he has made small choices like killing humans in sight, going home to be away from the human’s mouth-watering scent and going hunting so he could satisfy his thirst but he thought he would wait for the rest of us to go with him. It has been approximately two weeks since our family has hunted, so we were all dealing with our thirst but it was just that Jasper hadn’t learnt how to deal with it as much as the rest of us have. I saw Edward walk out of the classroom and head into the car park. I had no idea what he was doing; he was just sitting in his car turning the knobs on his stereo around. As I looked out of the window to get a better look at him I saw that his expression looked a mix of emotions; ashamed, angry and pained were the emotions visible on his face. As I was watching Edward, I came across another vision. Edward would go into the school office and talk to Mrs Cope about trying to change his schedule and switching his sixth period biology class to any other subject that was available. Just then I saw Edward exit from his car and walk towards the office. I knew Mrs Cope wouldn’t be able to help because from my vision, I saw that she was hesitating about giving Edward what he asked for so I knew his plan was going to fail, however he wasn’t aware of this knowledge. As I was thinking, I saw the new girl enter in the office as well holding a piece of paper in her heads. Suddenly I had another vision of Edward and the new girl, except it didn’t involve twenty other humans; it only involved the new girl and Ms Cope. I saw in the vision, Edward has his hand on the counter and then he reached across the desk and slam Mrs Cope’s head into it with enough force that would kill her then and there. Then he turned around and jumped towards the new girl and drains her body completely.

The family and I were already sitting in Edward’s Volvo when this vision occurred and we were waiting for him to exit out the office. I was frozen in place. Throughout the day I have seen in my visions ways that Edward would kill the new girl and after watching it in my mind, I was scared for her life. I didn’t want her to be hurt, and especially not dead. I felt protective over her and I didn’t understand the feeling I had towards the new girl. It would be a first for me to feel like that about a human I barely knew. Yet because I’ve witnessed her in all of my visions today, it felt like I already knew her. How odd. I could sense Jasper feeling my mood and my expression towards the vision I had but I didn’t know how to answer him. He was truly worried about me but I really needed to speak with Edward, to know what had happened today. As I turned my head to look out the window, I saw Edward rush out of the office in a hurry. He was walking at vampire speed, almost to fast for humans to actually notice but there weren’t many witnessed because most of the humans had already cleared out of the parking lot. Edward looked angry and in agony. As he approached the car, he slid into the driver’s seat without saying a word but as he closed the door, he was gasping for air, it was as if he wasn’t breathing before. But why? I was extremely worried and I had to know.

Part 6

“Edward?” I asked, panic and alarm clear in my voice. I was sure Jasper could feel my emotions. I looked at Edward and he just shook his head at me. What was that suppose to mean, I needed him to talk so I could find out what happened. “What the hell happened to you?” Emmett asked, well demanded Edward. Emmett was annoyed because Jasper didn’t feel like having a wrestling rematch. Edward didn’t answer; instead he threw the car in reverse and sped out of the parking lot. He swung the car out of the parking spot and accelerated, driving at forty kilometres before he was even on the road. Once he was driving on the rode, he hit the car to seventy before he made the corner. I was sitting back on seat, wondering what could be his problem. Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper, all turned to stare at me with confused and questioning expressions on their faces. What was I suppose to say? I was just as confused as they were. I just shrugged in return to their stare. I could see what had passed, only what was coming when the person decided. I had to concentrate to see what was going to happen now. I looked ahead for Edward and I saw that he was planning on leaving, to escape Forks for a while. I didn’t want him to leave; I would miss him too much. What brought him to come to the conclusion of leaving us for a while?

“You’re leaving?” I whispered. I couldn’t find my voice; I didn’t want him to leave. I saw the others heads turn in my direction, wondering what I was talking about. “Am I?” Edward hissed through his teeth. His anger surprised me. Just then I had another vision. “Oh” was all I could say. It was the new girl, dead. I saw Edward’s eyes glowing crimson from the fresh blood. “Oh” I said aloud again. The picture in my vision grew more specific. I saw Edward in the inside of Chief Swan’s house, I saw the girl in a small kitchen which has yellow cupboards. The girls back was to Edward, he was stalking her through the shadows... looking hungry as he walked closer toward her. “Stop!” Edward groaned, I knew he was having the difficulties watching this, as I was. “Sorry.” I whispered my eyes wide and scared for the girl’s life. Again the vision changed, except it was Edward in a car. He was driving in an empty highway at night, the tress on the roadside was coated with snow, but they were just flashing by as Edward was driving at almost two hundred miles per hour. As for what I just saw I knew he his mind what made up and he was going to leave but I didn’t know how long for. “I’ll miss you” I told Edward the truth, “No matter how short a time you’re gone.” I didn’t know how long his trip would be but I knew I would miss him all the time we were apart. I saw Emmett and Rosalie exchange an apprehensive look at each other. I knew they didn’t know what Edward and I were talking about but they were smart enough to know something was up and they should be worried. As I looked out the window, I saw that we were almost to the turn off onto the long drive that led to our home. I knew Edward has already made up his mind and he wasn’t going to change it so I thought he should at least inform Carlisle about his plans. “Drop us here” I instructed Edward, knowing he would listen to me, “You should tell Carlisle yourself.” Edward just nodded and the car squealed to a sudden stop. Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper exited out of the car in silence. I know I would have to explain it to then once Edward was gone. Before I got out of the car, I turned and touched Edwards shoulder. “You will do the right thing.” I wasn’t talking about the visions; I was warning and ordering him to do the right thing, it wasn’t a request.

“She’s Charlie Swan’s only family. It would kill him, too” he had just gotten his daughter back to him and I knew it would kill him to be apart from her. “Yes,” Edward replied back, he voice sounded agreeing but his face said otherwise. I knew he wasn’t agreeing with me. I slid out of the Volvo and joined the others. I could feel my facial expression showing anxiety. I didn’t want out secret to be revealed but more importantly, I didn’t want anyone to cause any harm to the new girl; especially my brother. The others and I ran towards the forest at vampire speed, we were out of sight as we melted into the forest, when I heard Edward turn the car around and accelerate back towards town. As I was running with the others on the way to my house, I kept getting mixed images, only catching quick glimpses of Edward and what he is deciding to do next. My visions right now were flashing from dark to bright like a strobe light. I caught one visions Edward going to the Chief’s house, where the new girl would be home by herself, and Edward would attack when her attention was otherwise occupied. He’d kill her so fast she wouldn’t even notice, let alone scream for help. I could see that he would suck her body completely dry from her blood. I knew humans blood was so delicious, when I am thirsty I imagine drinking it like I would with animal blood but I knew I would never give into the temptation. That’s why I was so confused. Even though we all longed for human blood and its delicious taste, why would Edward go out of his way to drink this girl’s blood? We are in a close enough distance to all humans at school, where we could simply reach out and suck their bodies dry, but we never did. So why was this girl any different? Why was it causing Edward so much pain? I knew I would get an answer but not yet, since Edward has decided to leave. I had another visions and this one calmed me in a way and I knew it wasn’t Jasper’s that was doing it; it was what I saw in the vision. Edward going to see Carlisle at the hospital and tell him that he was leaving. I saw that Carlisle was going to let him go and tell Edward to take the Mercedes because it had a full take of gas. For the reason of my emotions; I was calmer because I knew Carlisle was going to support Edward’s decision. If it was the wrong thing to do, Carlisle would’ve said so. I also felt worried and a bit panicked, I didn’t know when Edward would be coming back or if he was coming back, because he didn’t know himself yet. I knew he would be leaving town soon but already I miss him and want him back. I knew Esme won’t be happy; she can’t stand it when her family is ever split up. She was a true mother. As soon as the house came into the view from the forest, my feet and mind wanted to keep running. I wanted to think and figure out everything that has happened today. I actually wanted to do the one thing that always calmed me, shopping.

As everyone stopped running, Jasper turned around and accessed my mood and facial expression. He knew me even better than himself because he said, “Alice, there is plenty of time to go shopping later.” He said this with a smile that made him look adorable. He must’ve noticed that I was worrying. “There is no reason for you to be worried; everything will be fine, once we work it out.” I knew he was trying to soothe me and he was just as curious and confused as the others. “Now Alice, why don’t you explain to us what happened and why Edward left? As we were driving, his emotions were out of control, they were a strong mix of agony, hate, pain, fear and the strongest of all was his bloodlust.” As jasper said this, Rosalie and Emmett turned to face me. I then had a vision of every one of them asking the questions they wanted to know, as to what happened today. I sighed quietly to myself, knowing all these questions would of course be aimed at me to answer. I was hoping by my visions and the information I knew would be enough to answer their questions but I knew they wouldn’t. We would just have to find out by Edward himself but I didn’t know that would be. I was very much hoping that time would come son. I, myself has own questions to ask Edward, especially about what I was seeing in the visions today. “Let’s get inside and ill explain everything I know. I’m sure Carlisle is well informed about what happened but I think we should have this discussion inside with Esme.” I told them as we walked through the door of our home. Esme was upstairs singing to herself and working on a new decorating project. As we walked through the door, she danced down the stairs and came to greet her children. She would still always think of us as her children. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the expressions on our faces; she knew there was something wrong. “Oh no, what wrong? Where is your brother?” she asked, with worry strong in her voice. “He has gone away for a while. I guess he just needs some space, I don’t know where he has decided to go. I saw in my vision that he has explained everything to Carlisle already, and Carlisle has supported his decision.” “Is your brother okay?” Esme asked, heartbroken and extremely concerned for Edward. “He was acting so weird in the car.” Of course Emmett would say something like that. “What the hell happened to him?” Rosalie asked, she and Edward haven’t always gotten along but she always cared for her family. “What did you see in your visions?” Jasper asked me, looking at me straight in the eyes with his hand on the tops of my shoulders.

We stood there and I explained everything. I started with the Chief’s daughter starting her first day at Forks High School today. Edward’s frustrated behaviour today in the cafeteria, the visions I was having of him killing the new girl in his biology class. The way he wasn’t breathing when he slid into his car at the end of the day. His reactions to the visions I was having of the new girl’s death in the car. His quick departure as the others and I were running in the forest. I was very confused and worried for my brother and the innocent new girl. Esme looked heartbroken; she couldn’t bear to lose any of her family. Rosalie looked annoyed and Emmett looked like nothing has happen; I’ve always admired Emmett’s attitude, he is easy, going and care-free but that’s the way he expresses his emotions. Jasper was sensing everybody’s moods in the room and he also looked very thirsty. I knew in the car, from him feeling Edwards’s bloodlust towards the girl, that it would make Jasper’s mouth water so I suggested for us to go hunt. I promised Esme that I would keep an eye out for Edward’s future and when I came across new information I would let her and the rest know immediately. I knew she wouldn’t be calm until Edward returned but we all tried to soothe each other anyway, of course with Jasper’s talents, he helped our emotions stay under control. It was going to be a long week…

Part 7

The next day wasn’t any easier. We attended school everyday and sat in our seats at our usual table that was located in the corner of the cafeteria. I couldn’t help but notice when the new girl walked in the cafeteria for lunch that her eyes would wander in the direction of where we were seated. As she spotted our table, the expression on her face looked disappointed and anxious as too what she saw. No doubt, she was curious about Edward and his whereabouts. It has been six days and six long nights, since Edward had left. The last I saw, from my visions, he was staying with the Denali coven. The five vampires that lived there, were also ‘vegetarians’ like us. I saw Edward lying against the soft snow bank in the Denali wilderness. He was looking up at the clear darkness of the sky, which was shinning with blue and yellow twinkling stars. He looked deep in thought. We hadn’t spoken to him since he left; Carlisle convinced us it was the best way for him and for us to let him have some space. I knew, from what I saw in my visions of Edward, that he was still feeling the same as he was six days ago, also I saw Tanya that was a part of the Denali coven wasn’t making anything better for him. She was one of those female vampires that were interested in him but of course, he doesn’t in the slightest feel the same way. As I was on the computer, looking at the latest fashion and designer clothes, I suddenly came across a vision of Edward. He was looking at the stars but he rose to his feet and ran

so fast through the starlit snowfield, leaving no footprints behind. He decided to come home! I got up from the computer to the lounge where everyone was sitting, I ran into Jasper’s arms with one of the happiest smiles on my face. He could tell I was happy, judging from my mood and the huge smile I had on my face. The rest of the family looked up at me curiously. “Everyone, guess what? Edward! He has decided to come home; he should be here in about an hour!” I was jumping up and down, clapping my hands. Esme’s eyes lit up, she was just as happy as I was. She needed Edward to be back for our family to be whole again. Carlisle looked happy, proud of his son for coming home. Emmett looked excited; he just wanted to wrestle Edward, since they haven’t had a match in a week. Rosalie looked relieved that nothing has happened to him but that’s all her face showed and Jasper was smiling and hugging me. He was happy because he knew I was feeling happy and that’s all he ever wants. As we were all waiting anxiously for Edward to return home, we heard the front door open and I ran the fastest I’ve ever ran to the front door and into Edward’s arms, telling him how much I’ve missed him. “Oh my goodness, thank god you’re finally home. You don’t know how much I’ve missed you. You must promise me that you won’t disappear again.” Esme was the next to greet him, with a tight hug. “I promise mum, and I’m sorry I left all of a sudden without saying goodbye. I’ve missed you too, all of you.” The look on Edward’s face looked better than last week but he had a determined look on his face. Tomorrow wasn’t going to be easy for him. “It’s not, that’s why I ask for all of your help,” He said aloud, after hearing what my thoughts said. “Of course man, we will, It’s good to have you back.” Emmett had said, loving that fact that there is someone else to wrestle with. He never won many matches when changeling Edward to a fight, although Edward is a talented fighter, he is very fast and has the advantages of reading what action the opponent would take next. “Son, I’m glad to have you back. Did your trip do any good or is everything much the same.” Carlisle said this, hoping everything was fine with Edward. “I don’t know, I will have to see tomorrow and how I cope.” Edward said to Carlisle. I knew Edward would need help from the sound of his voice; I would be there for him, every single step if I have too. “Thankyou.” Edward said in reply to my thoughts. We all moved to the dining room, of course we didn’t eat in there but we used it to have family discussions. As we all starting asking

question, he told his story and explained why I had visions of him killing the new girl. He answered our questions openly and went into much detail for us to get a better understanding of what he was feeling. I was just so happy that he was finally home, where he belonged. When he told of the girl’s unique silence, we all gasped in shock. “How could that be?” Esme gasped in shock. “Hmm, very interesting. I wonder...” Carlisle was speculating aloud to himself. “Whoa,” Emmett was amused. Jasper seemed confused and Rosalie just glared. I’m guessing she was jealous because Edward could hear her mind. “I don’t know,” Edward said irritation thick in his voice. Maybe that would explain his irritated behaviour in the cafeteria last week. As I thought this, Edward slightly turned his head in my direction and nodded. I knew she was different from other human’s but what is the reason for her special silence?

Part 8

As we entered the cafeteria, I checked in the future to see if anything was going to happen. I saw nothing was going to happen so I relaxed a little. I just saw glimpses of the new girl and Edward in their biology lesson. “It’s going to be okay,” I said that sounded like I was inhaling a deep breathe while I was talking. I was trying to assure everyone. Jasper has his hand lightly under my elbow, guiding me forward while I was checking what was going to happen. We were standing in a close group as we walked into the rundown lunchroom. Rosalie and Emmett were leading the way; Rosalie looked wary but irritated and Emmett looked ridiculously like a bodyguard. I stifled a giggle, at Emmett and how protective we must’ve looked. We were just being cautious, making sure my brother didn’t lose control when he smelt her scent but I guess if he knew he couldn’t handle it, he would’ve done the smart thing, and stayed home. “Of course it is.” Edward grumbled. He sounded irritated; probably in reaction to our protective behaviour. This was a pretty playful morning, it started snowing during the night and of course Emmett and Jasper when they saw ran out and started bombarding Edward with fistfuls of snow but Edward has had a lot on his mind so when they knew he wouldn’t respond, they started throwing them at each other. Rosalie and I just watched and spoke about the latest fashion and her car; Rose didn’t want to get snow in her hair and I didn’t feel like playing. I was seeing in my vision that the new girl hasn’t arrived at for lunch yet and saw the direction she would come through the cafeteria in. I thought I better let Edward know of this knowledge. “She’s not here yet, but the way she’s going to come in…she won’t be downwind if we sit in

our regular spot.” “Of course we’ll sit in out regular spot. Stop it, Alice. You’re getting on my nerves. I’ll be absolutely fine.” Yes, he was very much irritated with our behaviour and my look out. I was only doing it to ensure everything will be fine. As Jasper helped me into my seat, I blinked my eyes returning from the future to present. He was right, from what I saw everything was going to be fine. “Hmm,” I said sounding surprise that he sounded confident in his voice, but his face told me that he his nerves were stretched tight like piano wires; tensed to sing at the lightest pressure. “I think you’re right.” “Of course I am.” He looked very alert; he kept scanning the long cafeteria; every sound, sight and movement. “Anything new?” Jasper asked Edward. “Nothing. She…must not have said anything.” He sounded confused, as if he wasn’t sure himself. This was weird because normally, he is the mind reader; usually he knew the information before it was even said by someone. I raised my eyebrow at this, as if to ask him why he didn’t sound sure. The other must’ve picked up on his uncertainty too because they all had an eyebrow raised too as his comment. “Maybe you’re not as scary as you think you are,” Emmett said chuckling at his joke. “I bet I could have frightened her better than that.” Trust Emmett to crack a joke at any moment, whether it was a right or wrong time to do so. Edward rolled his eyes at him, obviously Edward was thinking similar to what my thoughts were. “Wonder why…?” Emmett was obviously questioning the girl’s silence. “We’ve been over that. I don’t know.” There was the frustration again. I had a vision come to me, the girl was about to walk in the cafeteria with Jessica Stanley and Mike Newton. “She’s coming in,” I saw Edward’s body go rigid in his seat when I told him this. “Try to look human.” We had to look as natural as we could, so she wouldn’t be suspicious. “Human, you say?” Emmett asked, with a cheeky grin on his face. Of course I already knew what he was going to do. He held up his right fist and he was holding a snowball then squeezed it into a lumpy block of ice. He had his eyes on Jasper, but from his earlier decision, I knew he would throw it at me. When he threw the chunk of ice at me, I simply flicked it away with a casual fluttering of my fingers. The ice rebounded across the length

of the cafeteria, too fast for human’s eyes to notice but it shattered with a sharp crack against the brick wall. Of course with our strength, the brick cracked too. The humans sitting in that corner of the room heard and noticed the pile of broken ice on the floor and the crack in the wall. They turned to see the direction it came from but they never suspected us, since we were on the other end of the room. “Very human, Emmett,” Rosalie said scathingly. “Why don’t you punch through the wall while you’re at it?” “It would look more impressive if you did it, baby.” Emmett said this with a huge grin set on his face. I turned to look at Edward, he had a grin fixed on his face but I knew it was a fake one. He looked like he was trying to pay attention and be apart of Emmett and Rosalie’s banter. My eyes looked in the direction of where the girl was standing, in the lunch line with some classmates, she looked shocked and self-conscious. She had a faint pink colour on her cheeks and she was looking at the ground, seeming to be deep in thought. I heard Edward suck in short, shallow breaths. As I accessed the girl again she was still standing in the lunch line with Jessica Stanley and Mike Newton. I heard Mike Newton ask repeatedly what was wrong with the new girl. She didn’t seem aware of people around her, until Mike had asked about her and look like he shook her out of her reverie. “Nothing,” I heard her respond to their question, in her quiet voice. “I’ll just get a soda today.” That didn’t sound very appetizing but it also didn’t sound enough to have for lunch, obviously a soda wouldn’t fill her up. I looked in her direction; she was staring at floor; the faint pink that was in her cheeks earlier, slowly fading from her face. When I looked at Edward, his had a pained looking smile on his face. I heard Emmett laugh and saw that he also noticed Edwards’s expression, but found it humorous. I observed how Edward rearranged his expression; putting on a casual and effortless face. I heard Jessica question about the girl’s appetite. “Aren’t you hungry?” “Actually, I feel a little sick” She answered in an even lower tone. If she was feeling sick, shouldn’t she be eating something more nutritious; maybe something with sugary to get her energy boosted. Hmm, I don’t know; vampire meals are so much easier to contain, it’s basically whatever animal you come across in the hunting distance. I sensed that Edward was listening in on their conversation in the lunch line. He had a worried look on his face, like he was concerned. One that I’ve never seen him have in reaction towards a human. I’m guessing he was keeping tabs on Jessica and Mike’s thoughts, since he couldn’t listen in the girl’s head.

I noticed once Mike, Jessica and the girl left the lunch line, they sat with Jessica’s usual companions and were seated at one of the first tables in the cafeteria. Not downwind, like I promised Edward. I just then had a vision that the girl would look at our table. I elbowed Edward, to warn him about what was going to happen in the next couple of seconds. She’s going to look soon, act human. As I said this, he put a grin upon his face but I heard his teeth clench together behind his lips. “Ease up Edward,” Emmett said, “Honestly. So you kill one human. That’s hardly the end of the world.” He said this in his joking and care-free attitude. “You would know,” Edward snapped back. I couldn’t believe Emmett would think its okay to just kill this poor innocent. It would kill Edward if he did so, and it would hurt me too. I couldn’t understand the need to keep this girl safe. Emmett laughed at Edward tone in his voice. “You’ve got to learn to get over things. Like I do. Eternity is a long time to wallow in guilt.” Of course Emmett could make a joke out of something as big as Edward ending this innocent girl’s life. Emmett needed a taste of his own medicine but words wouldn’t do the job. Just then, without any of them expecting it, I threw a handful of ice that I’ve been hiding, directly into Emmett surprised faced. He blinked surprised and shocked, then gave an anticipating grin in my direction. “You asked for it.” He grinned evilly as he leaned across the table and shook his hair that as covered with ice flakes. The snow in his thick hair, which was melting due to the room temperature, showered me with snow that was half liquid, half ice chunks. “Ew!” Rose complained, as she and I recoiled from the ice dripping in Emmett’s hair. I burst into laughter and the rest of the family joined in. In my head I showed Edward how I orchestrated this perfect moment. I was also aware that the girl would be watching us laugh, play and looking, human and happy. I couldn’t help it, I kept laughing as I was remember what just happened a couple of seconds ago. I picked up my tray and help it up as a shield, just in case he decided to shake the remains from his hair. I looked at Edward and noticed him looking at the girl with an intense stare. When the girl realised Edward returned her penetrating gaze, she quickly looked down and let her hair fall over her face, as if she was hiding behind her hair, she must’ve been embarrassed. Again, Edward has his frustrated expression on his face. It must be hard for him to not hear her mind. “Edward Cullen is staring at you,” I heard Jessica murmur to the new girl.

“He doesn’t look angry, does he?” The girl asked in a low voice. Ah, she noticed Edwards’s behaviour towards her last week. “No,” Jessica had a confused look on her face as too why the girl would ask her this question. “Should he be?” She was checking Edwards’s expression but he didn’t pay any attention to Jessica, he was still staring intently at the girl. “I don’t think he likes me,” She whispered, while laying her head on her arm, as if she was exhausted or sick. “The Cullen’s don’t like anybody,” she said trying to reassure the girl. “Well, they don’t notice anybody enough to like them.” That wasn’t true, we noticed the humans more than they think we do. We actually are very award of the humans, and their different scents. We just didn’t associate with them much for their own safety. “But he’s still staring at you.” Jessica said. It was true; Edward was still staring at the girl. I wonder what he is seeing as he is looking at her. “Stop looking at him,” the girl whispered anxiously. She was probably embarrassed to return Edward’s stare. She lifted her head, only to look at Jessica and check if she stopped staring at Edward. Jessica giggled but did what she asked, well demanded.

Part 9 During the rest of the lunch hour, the girl didn’t look away from her table, but her body would slightly shift in our direction, her chin would begin to turn in the direction her body was facing but the she would take a deep breath and turn her attention somewhere else. I think she was deliberately trying not to share eye contact with Edward, the way they did earlier. She seems like an incredibly shy girl. And the gazes they share seem intense. I saw in a vision Mike walking outside excited for the snow fight he was going to start but when he walks outside, all the snow would’ve melted into water and rain pouring down. I chuckled inwardly; I was getting different glimpse of Mike and his targets for the snow fight but did he not realise by now that it’s raining outside? The patter of raindrops on the roof must be too low for human ears. Imagine if Jasper and Emmett participated in Mike’s snowball fight; the humans would need to be hospitalized. When the lunch bell rang, we stayed in our seats as the humans walked to their next classes. I noticed Edward looking at the human’s and observing their footsteps. Neither one of us didn’t make a move to leave; we were all curious to see what Edward would do next. I saw in one vision Edward running out of class because the girls blood was too strong for him but then I saw another vision of him sitting next to her in biology and them talking to each other. The second one seemed more definite.

“I think its okay,” I said, hesitant; I was caught between the two visions. “Your mind is set. I think you’ll make it through the hour.” Of course I knew how quickly a mind could change within a matter of seconds. “Why push it, Edward?” Jasper asked him. I detected a hint off smugness from Jasper’s voice. He must feel the satisfaction that he isn’t the weak one of us right now. “Go home. Take it slow,” Jasper knew better than most of us what its like to feel bloodlust majority of the time. “What’s the big deal?” Emmett disagreed with Jasper request. “Either he will or won’t kill her. Might as well get it over with, either way.” Ugh, I wanted to throw another chunk of ice at his head right now. “I don’t want to move yet,” Rose complained. “I don’t want to start over. We’re almost out of high school, Emmett. Finally.” Of course she was thinking about herself and what she wants. But in truth, none of us wanted to relocate. We just got everything settled perfectly in Forks. It rains majority of the time in Forks so we don’t have to worry about the sunlight; we live a close to normal, human life here. I suddenly got a vision of Edward in his biology class. Looking intently into the girls eyes and talking to her, in a way we don’t usually talk to with our fellow classmates. This vision felt more secure then the glimpses I’ve been having. It’s like Edward based his decision on him wanting to go to class. “No, Rose, I think it really will be okay,” I said this to reassure Rose that Edward won’t be doing anything that will reveal our secret. “It’s… firming up. I’m ninety-three percent sure that nothing bad will happen if he goes to class.” I looked at Edward with questioning eyes, wondering in my thoughts what made him change his mind. “Go to class,” Edward ordered, pushing away from the table. He turned and strode away from us without looking back. We all looked at each other. I was worrying; for my brother and for the girl. Jasper looked disappointed, Emmett was smiling in approval; nothing ever worried him. Irritation on Rosalie’s face was the clearest of all. “I guess we will find out what happened after,” With saying that, trying to assure them, I got up from my seat as did the others. I wished them a good class and told them I will keep an eye out for Edward and what happens in class. With one quick peck on Jasper’s lips, I walked to my next class. As I entered my class I knew I would spend this lessons listening in on Edward’s biology class and searching for his and the girl’s future. I closed my eyes and tried to concentrate about what was going to happen in the next hours. I suddenly saw Edward and the girl in my visions; he was walking into his biology class and saw the girl already in her seat. Her face was down and she was staring at the folder that she was drawing random loops on. She didn’t acknowledge Edward at first, so he made the first move and introduced himself, and then I kept getting faint glimpses. I wanted to see

the outcome so I swiftly walked to the science building and listened in…..

Part 10 “Hello,” Edward introduced himself in a quiet comfortable voice for hum. She looked up at him with startled eyes. Her checks began to flush but she said nothing. Of course she would be in daze after Edward has just spoken to her. “My name is Edward Cullen,” he said in a polite tone. “I didn’t have a chance to introduce myself last week. You must be Bella Swan.” “How do you know my name?” She demanded. She looked confused and her voice shook just a little. Edward laughed gently, careful not to flash his teeth. He wouldn’t want to scare her with our razor sharp teeth. “Oh, I think everyone knows your name. The whole town’s been waiting for you to arrive.” She frowned as Edward said this. She has been the talk of the town. “No,” she said. “I meant, why did you call me Bella?” “Do your prefer Isabella?” Now Edward was the confused one. “No, I like Bella, but I think Charlie – I mean my dad – must call me Isabella behind my back. That’s what everyone seems to know me as.” Her expression was of embarrassment and confusion. As she said this her skin darkened pinker. She was right; the town has been waiting for her arrival. “Oh,” Edward replies lamely and quickly looked away from her face. He seemed at loss for words; which is a first for Edward. Edward looked like he was out of air to breathe. He suddenly leaned as far away from her in his seat and twisted his head out the aisle. He then sucked in one quick inhale of air, breathing through his mouth alone. After he did this, I could see the pain in his face; he then gritted his teeth together and composed himself. “Get started,” Mr Banner commanded the class. “Ladies first, partner?” Edward offered her; he was always a gentleman. She was staring down at the table but when Edward spoke she looked up at him and her face went blank with her eyes wide. She didn’t speak; to stunned to answer. “Or, I could start, if you wish,” Edward said quietly.

“No, I’ll go first,” she said as the blood from her face returned. Edward was staring at the equipment on the table, he took another quick breath through his breathe but winced as he did so. “Prophase,” she said after her quick examination. “Do you mind if I look?” as he reached out to stop her hand from removing the slide, the heat from her body temperature and the coolness of his skin touched. She yanked her hand out from under his hand, shocked from the contact. “I’m sorry,” Edward muttered through his clenched teeth. He examined the slide through the microscope, only to find that she was correct. “Prophase,” Edward said in approval. As Edward changed the slide, he glanced through the eyepiece and said, “Anaphase.” As he wrote it on the second like on the lab sheet. “May I?” she asked to examine the slide. Edward looked up surprised at her while she was waiting expectantly, one hand stretched toward the microscope. Edward was smiling at her hopeful expression. As she looked through the eyepiece her eager face faded and the corners of her mouth turned down. “Slide three” she asked, still looking at the microscope, as she held out her hand for the next slide. Edward dropped the slide into her hand, careful not to let his skin touch her. “Interphase,” she answered nonchalantly. Then pushed the microscope towards Edward. He did a brief check; she was correct again. During there task, they only spoke one word at a time and never sharing eye contact between them. Edward turned to face, as if to get a better look at her face. Her eyes met his and they were staring back at one another, not speaking. “Did you get contacts?” she asked abruptly. How odd of a question to ask someone. “No,” Edward replied confused. I noticed a very faint smile playing around the edges of his lips. “Oh, I thought there was something different about your eyes.” She mumbled. Wow, that was the first time a human has ever observed our eye colour change, usually they don’t come close enough to notice. Yes, she’s very observant; too observant. Edward just shrugged his shoulders in reply and looked away from her to glare straight ahead of him. She looked down and noticed that his hands were balled up into fists. Mr Banner then approached their lab table and checked their answers intently.

“So, Edward,” he said, still looking at the sheet, “didn’t you think Isabella should get a chance with the microscope?” “Bella,” Edward corrected him automatically. “Actually, she identified three of the five.” Mr Banner looked at Bella, with a clear sceptical expression on his face. “Have you done this lab?” Edward turned to Bella, engrossed, as she smiled sheepishly and looking slightly embarrassed. “Not with onion root.” She answered him. “Whitefish blastula?” Mr Banner asked, searching for more answers. “Yeah.” Mr Banner was surprised. He looked at Bella thoughtfully and asked, “Were you in an advanced placement program in Phoenix?” “Yes.” She answered simply. So, she was advanced then. Mr Banner pursed his lips. “Well, it’s good you two are lab partners then.” He turned away from them and mumbled, “So the other kids can get a chance to learn something for themselves.” I doubt her human ears could’ve heard that. As she was looking down at her folder and doodling again, Edward said trying to make small talk, “It’s too bad about the snow, isn’t it?” She stared at him with obvious doubt clear in her eyes. “Not really,” she replied. Edward seemed surprised by this answer. It usually didn’t take much to surprise Edward, yet she seemed to continue too do so. “You don’t like the wet,” he guessed. This was new to him; he’s never had to guess. “Or the wet.” She said honestly. “Forks must be a difficult place for you to live,” he mused. “You have no idea,” she said in a low, dark voice. “Why did you come here, then?” he demanded. His town sounded too accusatory for a casual conversation. “It’s…complicated.” she responded as she blinked her wide eyes and not saying anything further.

“I think I can keep up,” He insisted. She was staring at her hands then suddenly looked up into his dark gold eyes. She blurted out her answer quickly, as if she didn’t think about it. “My mother got remarried.” Sadness was clear in her brown eyes as she spoke and the middle of her eyebrows puckered. “That doesn’t sound so complex,” he spoke gently. “When did that happen?” he asked with a sympathetic look on his face. “Last September,” she exhaled heavily. Her voice sounded sad. “And you don’t like him,” Edward guessed, wanting to know more information about her. His voice was kind. He’s never spoken to anyone like that before; he sounded like he truly cared. “No, Phil is fine.” There was a small smile playing around the corners of her lips. “Too young, maybe, but nice enough.” Edward looked a tad puzzled as she said that. “Why didn’t you stay with them?” he asked, curious. “Phil travels a lot. He plays ball for a living,” she seemed amused, as she half-smiled. Edward smiled in return. “Have I heard of him?” “Probably not. He doesn’t play well. Strictly minor league. He moves around a lot.” She still had a smile on her lips. “And your mother sent you here so that she could travel with him,” he said, making assumptions. Her expression turned stubborn and her chin jutted out. “No, she did not send me here. I sent myself.” Her voice had a hard edge to it. His assumption had annoyed her. Edward’s expression looked lost. “I don’t understand,” Edward admitted, frustrated again. She sighed and stared into his eyes for a period of time. “She stayed with me at first, but she missed him. It made her unhappy…so I decided it was time to spend some quality time with Charlie.” Her voiced sounded forlorn as she spoke each word. “And now you’re unhappy,” Edward murmured. “And?” she said, as if her happiness didn’t mean anything. Edward continued to stare into her eyes, like he was uncovering her secrets. “That doesn’t seem fair,” he shrugged, but his eyes were looking intensely into hers.

She laughed in response without humour. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you? Life isn’t fair.” “I believe I have heard that somewhere before,” he answered dryly. She continued to stare into his eyes, looking confused. Her eyes flickered away them looked back into his eyes. “So that’s all,” she said, as he was still staring intensely at her. She said had a little V between her eyebrows. His eyes turned appraising. “You put on a good show. But I’d be willing to be that you’re suffering more than you let anyone see.” She grimaced at him; her eyes narrowed and her mouth twisting into a lopsided pout. Then she looked away from him. “Am I wrong?” she flinched slightly when he asked her this but ignored him otherwise. A smile rose on his face. “I didn’t think so.” He knew his assumption was correct. “Why does it matter to you?” she asked in an irritated voice, looking at the teacher. “That’s a very good question.” He admitted, talking more to himself then to answer her. She sighed and was scowling towards the blackboard. She was irritated that he didn’t answer her question. “Am I annoying you?” he asked, seeming extremely amused. She looked at Edward quickly and seemed to be trapped by his stare. “Not exactly. I’m more annoyed at myself. My face is so easy to read – my mother calls me her open book.” She frowned as she finished. He stared at her in amazement then said, “On the contrary, I find you very difficult to read.” He meant what he said. “You must be a good reader then,” she started making her own assumption. “Usually,” he agreed. Edward smiled widely at her, exposing his perfect set of razor sharp, ultra white teeth behind his lips. Just then Mr Banner called the class’s attention. The moment Edward allowed himself to take another breaths, Bella tossed her thick hair and her scent was exposed to him. He was pained now; he was leaning far from the girl and gripping the desk with unmistakable tension. As the bell rang, Edward fled from the room swiftly while Bella stared after him in amazement.

Part 11 Oh my goodness! None of us have ever had a conversation with a human like that at school. It was as if Edward wanted to know her; the way he spoke to her, the way he looked at her. He seemed strongly interested. When he asked about her mother and stepfather, and she sounded upset, Edward sounded like he cared for her and her feelings. That is a first. I’m so confused. Firstly, he wanted to kill her and drink her sweet blood, and then from what I witnessed, he seemed generally sincere towards her. Only at the very end, when he allowed taking a deep breathe, her scent swirled around him and I caught a quick glimpse of him sucking her dry from her blood, like I had the first day. Edward hasn’t made up his mind as too what he wants and what his next actions will be. From all the glimpses I’ve been having, I felt as if I was getting to know her better. She was a selfless creature. Very observant. Not like the other humans; I was definitely right when I said she was different from her kind. I noticed that she was very pretty; her face wasn’t quite symmetrical. Her narrow chin was slightly out of balance with her wide cheekbones. Big, chocolate brown eyes and ivory skin tone. The lightness of her skin, the darkness of her brunette hair and the pink colour of her cheeks brought out the contrast of her appearance. Although, I couldn’t say the same of her fashion sense. Oh, how I wish I could give her one of my makeovers! From the way Forks High have been staring at her since she arrived—especially the hormonal teenage boys with their mouths hanging open—I knew everyone noticed her, which only made her shy away from the people. The people treated her like a flashy new toy. I would’ve thought she’d love the attention; girls usually do but not this girl. When we came to Forks, we were the latest gossip of the town; the extraordinarily, pale-skinned beauties. Our story was that we were Carlisle and Esme’s foster children, Edward and Emmett are my brothers, and Rosalie and Jasper are the Hale twins. We moved down from Alaska two years ago. When Forks found out that Jasper and I, and Emmett and Rosalie, were couples that lived together; of course that caused a stir. Most of the teenagers—girls especially— weren’t fond of us. I know it’s because of jealousy; we were exquisitely beautiful to humans but also outcasts. With our sharp vampire sight and the way Edward stares so intensely at her, I’m positive he noticed her prettiness as well. What interest did Edward have towards the girl? Is it her unique silence? His longing to uncover her secrets by staring into the depths of her chocolate brown eyes. Was it her intelligence and maturity for a teenage girl? She was advanced and didn’t seem seventeen years old; she’s an old soul, if you must call it. Maybe it was her selflessness? The way she puts people before herself, leaving her feelings and priorities at the bottom of the list. It’s obviously not her fashion sense that caught his interest. It was wrong for Edward to care about the details of this human girl’s life and about what she thought. Human thoughts weren’t significant, unless to protect the family from their suspicion. But this girl was special. Very different from every human I’ve seen. One thing I noticed; she didn’t shy away from Edward, the way she does with everyone else at Forks.

When he flashed her, his sharp vampire teeth, she did not even cringe away from him in the slightest. I would’ve thought after the first time they met, she would sense the danger of him. Surely she saw enough of Edward’s dark side last week to notice the danger he poses. She could not afford Edward to find her interesting. It could lead to the end of her life. I didn’t want that; it would break my heart for her life to end that way. Yet, I wanted Edward to find her fascinating. Despite the danger we may pose, I want to get to know her. Most importantly I wanted to give her a must needed makeover and new clothes. I was desperate to know what is going on in Edward’s head. I need to know what he thinks and feels about her, and if he wants to kill her. Of course her blood will be as sweet and his throat would be like a flame, but surely—after what I saw, how they stared intensely at each other—he wouldn’t hate her anymore; she wouldn’t be his personal demon. I could ask what he is feeling, but I doubt he would share his thoughts aloud. In all honesty, he hasn’t made up his mind, so he is just confused as I am. If he doesn’t know his own thoughts, then my visions will just keep shifting. Ugh, I wish he would make up his mind. I haven’t had a secure vision about him since he met her. It’s giving me a headache—not in the literal sense, since vampires can’t actually have headaches—how the visions are changing rapidly. I won’t get a clear view, unless he knows his decisions himself. From across the school, I saw Edward walking swiftly our of the science building to his Spanish, where Emmett was waiting for him at the door. Before, as I was walking towards the science building, watching the glimpses of Edward and Bella, I saw a vision of Emmett coming to ditch his class and join me but he decided to say so the next vision was Emmett in his class, looking out the window from his classroom. If I needed his help, I wouldn’t hesitate to ask him. Emmett looked at Edward warily. “Nobody died.” Edward mumbled in reply. He would’ve been in depression and his eyes would be crimson from the blood, if he killed her. I could sense in his eyes how much he was aware of this girl. I just don’t think he realise what he feels towards her. Friendship? Bloodlust? Attraction? As they entered there Spanish class, Edward replied aloud to whatever he saw in Emmett’s head. “I hadn’t realised that it was that close. I didn’t think I was going to… I didn’t see that it was that bad.” He could barely finish his sentences. His voice was full of disgust. Emmett must’ve been showing him, me walking towards the science building with a blank look on my face. “Right. Not this time.” I heard Edward say through his teeth. “Sure,” Edward said, sounding unconvincing. “Not helping, Emmett.” I sighed. I could just imagine what Emmett would be thinking right now; making one of his lame jokes or using his blow-it-off attitude. Emmett is talking through his mind and Edward is answering aloud so I’m only getting half of their conversation. I sighed in frustration. I heard Edward groan quietly, but loud enough for vampires to hear. I heard him jump out of his chair and locked his teeth together, sharply. “Esta bien, Edward?” his Spanish teacher ask him. “Me perdona,” Edward excused himself and darted to the door.

“Emmett – por favour, puedas tu ayuda a tu hermano?” she was worried about Edward, so gestured for Emmett to check on him. “Sure,” Emmett replied simply—typical Emmett to reply in English, in Spanish class—and then chased after Edward. They reached the far side of the building, where Emmett caught up with Edward and put a hand on his shoulder. Edward shoved his hand away with unnecessary force. “Sorry, Edward.” Edward was drawing in deep gasps of air, “I know.” What Emmett was thinking before was too much for Edward to handle. I wonder what he was thinking about for Edward to react like this. “Is it as bad as that?” Emmett asked curiously. “Worse, Emmett, worse.” Emmett was quiet for a moment. I suddenly got a vision of Edward attacking Bella, like I had last week but it was completely fuzzy. I don’t think it was Edward that was deciding this. “No, it would not be better if I got it over with. Go back to class, Emmett. I want to be alone.” Emmett silently, turned and walked away. I had another vision of Emmett telling their Spanish teacher that Edward was sick. With our perfect grades the teachers didn’t care. I heard Edward hope into his car and put on violent music on the stereo; probably trying to drown out peoples voices. As people were exiting out of their classes, I noticed Bella walking out of the gym and saw to my surprise, Edward getting out from his car and stood, leaning against his Volvo with his arms folded across his chest and breathing very shallowly, staring in her direction. As she was walking, Edward was again staring at her intensely but she didn’t notice. A few times she glanced up at the clouds and grimaced. She reached her car, before passing Edward. I saw that he had a disappointed expression on his face. What an odd reaction. Maybe he was more interested towards her than I thought. As she was about to reverse, she checked her mirrors and noticed Edwards stare from her. She looked surprised then turned away to reverse her Chevy but it squealed to a stop, as the back end nearly hitting a rusty Toyota Corolla. Edward was laughing, as she drove out of the car park looking straight ahead. I was soon joined by Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett and we walked towards the Volvo, wondering why Edward was laughing. “Edward?” I questioned him, raising an eyebrow. Dozens of questions running through my head, I knew he would be able to catch them all. He just shook his head at me and drove home with a smile still on his lips.

Part 12

Later that night, Edward decided to hunt again and Carlisle came with him; they hadn’t been alone together since Edward’s return from Denali. Throughout the night I kept getting more glimpses; of Edward leaving again, of the whole family relocating to a new state. Hmm, I didn’t want to leave but I would do what I could to keep Bella alive.

As I was sitting on the couch—not really paying attention to television—I was thinking of everything that happened today, and what’s going to happen. I saw a vision of Edward and Carlisle on their hunting trip, catching a scent of a small herd of deer. Other than that, my visions were blurry and shadowed. Shortly after, Carlisle came back to house from his hunt to dress for his early shift at the hospital. “Your clothes for work are laid out on your bed.” I said to him, as he walked through the door. “Where’s Edward?” I was wondering of the absence of my brother. I knew he hadn’t left Forks yet; I would’ve seen that. “Thankyou. And as for your brother, he is sitting beside the river to watch the sunrise.” Carlisle said, and then left for his shift at the hospital. Ah, I saw a quick glimpse of that before. I know this hasn’t been an easy time for him, and as much as I want to know what’s going through his head, I respected his privacy. As the sun rose behind the clouds, I got glimpses of what people would say if Edward left; Boarding school in Europe. Visiting distant relatives. Teenage runaway. Edward must’ve been deciding what people would say if he did leave Forks. Suddenly, I saw a vision of Edward leaving again. But this time it was clearer, except I couldn’t see where he was. Only the fact of him leaving. I didn’t want him to leave again; I needed to speak to him about what I was seeing. I decided to wait for him to come home so I sat on the top step of the third floor. I also knew that he was coming home change into some fresh clothes, so I laid new ones on his bed for school. As I was waiting, I saw Edward climbing up the stairs in a couple of minutes. I continued to have over-flowing visions of Edward. I only got quick peek of the girl in my visions. She was older. I saw her going to college and starting a career, but this didn’t seem secure, as if that’s not what’s going to happen for her. I only faintly saw her dressed in white, holing hands with someone. The figure was dark but then I saw the same image except the figure changed. I saw the hand Bella was holding, except the skin was sparkling. I gasped. She was marrying a vampire. Marrying one of us. A vampire. Only vampire shinning in the sunlight. Was that Edward’s hand? I couldn’t be sure, it was very faint. Something about this vision felt private, like I shouldn’t share this with Edward just yet. Luckily it was blurry; he wouldn’t understand it even if he saw it. As Edward came home, he saw me sitting on the step.

You’re leaving again. I accused, judging from what I saw. Edward sighed and nodded.

I can’t see where you’re going this time. “I don’t know where I’m going yet,” he whispered. That would explain why I can’t see where,

he hasn’t made up his mind.

I want you to stay. He just shook his head at me. Doesn’t he realise how much we’d miss him if he left?

Maybe Jazz and I could come with you? “They’ll need you all the more, if I’m not here to watch out for them. And think of Esme. Would you take half her family away in one blow?” He’s right, Esme would be heartbroken. I saw how it affected her when Edward left the last time.

You’re going to make her so sad. “I know. That’s why you have to stay,” Edward told me. It wouldn’t be the same; he didn’t see how it affected her when he left.

That’s not the same as having you here, and you know it. “Yes. But I have to do what’s right.” In this situation, he didn’t know which decision was right and wrong. There were too many right and wrong choices.

There are many right ways and many wrong ways, though, aren’t there? For a brief moment, I saw another strange vision. They were only quick glimpses of Edward and shadows around him, which I didn’t know what was behind them. I suddenly saw Edward in the sunlight of a small open meadow; his skin was glittering from the sun. There was someone else in the meadow with him but the figure was shadowed. The images flashed then disappeared again. “I didn’t catch much of that,” he told me when my vision went dark.

Me either. Your future is shifting around so much I can’t keep up with any of it. I think, though… I stopped and showed him the collection of visions I’ve had of him recently. They were all blurry though. Not clear enough to get a better understanding of what’s happening. “I think something is changing, though,” I said aloud, emphasizing on the word, think. “Your life seems to be at a crossroads.” He just didn’t know which direction to walk in. He laughed grimily and said, “You do realise that you sound like a bogus gypsy at a carnival, right?” I stuck my tongue out at him. “Today is all right, though, isn’t it? He asked his voice abruptly apprehensive.

“I don’t see you killing anyone today,” I assured him. “Thanks, Alice,” He answered, gratefully. “Go get dressed. I wont say anything – I’ll let you tell the other when you’re ready.” This wasn’t news I wanted to be the one to share. I didn’t want Esme to be upset, she was the truest mother, but I knew once Edward told them she would be devastated. I stood up and darted back down the stairs, my shoulders slightly hunched. I didn’t want him to leave. Miss you. Really.

Part 13

It was a quiet ride to school. Jasper could tell that I was upset about something, but he didn’t ask because he knew if I wanted to talk about it, I would’ve done so. Edward was looking out the window, deep in thought. Emmett and Rosalie were oblivious to my feelings and Edward’s expressions, they were having of their moments; gazing into each others eyes with wonder. As we drove into the school, I knew Edward would be looking for the girl. She hadn’t arrived at school yet but I could hear the roaring of her truck in the distance. As the other went straight to class, I stayed with Edward. He had a serious infatuation with her and the others were bored by his fixation; they didn’t understand how any human could hold interest to a vampire, no matter how delicious she smelled. The girl drove slowly into the car park, her eyes intent on the road and her hand tightly steering the wheel; she was driving carefully, as the road was slick with ice. She parked her car not far from where we were standing but didn’t notice us standing there, as she got out of her Chevy and walked to the rear of her truck, clinging to the side of her truck bed. I saw from the corner of my eye, a smile on Edward’s lips as he was staring intensely at the girl. When I looked back at the girl, she was checking her snow chains and had a strange emotional expression on her face. Suddenly, I saw a visions or Tyler Crowley taking a turn into the parking lot at an injudicious speed, which would send him skidding across a patch of ice and was going to spin across the lot and crush the girl! “NO!” I gasped aloud. This could not be happening. She could die from that van crushing her body. Her blood could spill over the concrete and the scent would be too much for us— Edward especially—and it would expose us to what we are. Instantly Edward looked at me and scanned my thoughts, wondering what happened to pull that horrified gasp through my lips. The van was going to kill her, Oh No! He knew what was going to happen, instantly.

The girl—who was standing in the exactly wrong place at the back of her truck— looked up bewildered from the sound of the screeching tires. She looked straight into Edward’s horror-struck eyes and then turned to watch the van, which was going to kill her. My vision suddenly shifted; Edward launching himself across the lot, throwing himself between the skidding van and the frozen girl. Before I saw the rest of the vision, Edward did exactly what I saw in my vision. He caught the girl around her waist and yanked her out of the path of death so fast; no human eyes could have seen him. With the girl still in his arms, they crashed into the ground and I heard her head crack against the ice. Edward froze, then the van was coming behind them; grating and squealing as it twisted around the sturdy iron body of the girl’s Chevy. The van was coming for her again. I heard Edward curse through his clenched teeth; something he never did with in the presence of a lady. And then he did something that would expose us but he took the risk to the save the girl’s life. Edward dropped her from his arms, and threw his hands out, catching the van before it could touch the girl. The force from the van hurled him back into the car parked beside her truck and the frame buckled behind his shoulders. The van shuddered and shivered against the obstacle of his arms then swayed. If he removed his head, the back tire of the van would fall and crush the girl’s legs. Edward then shoved the van so it rocked away from them. As the van fell toward them, he caught it under the frame with his right hand, while his left arm wrapped around the girl’s waist and dug her out from under the van, pulling her tight up against his side. As Edward leaned down to examine the girl, he looked extremely anxious, she had her eyes open, staring in shock. “Bella?” Edward asked urgently. “Are you all right?” “I’m fine,” she answered automatically, in a dazed voice. Edward’s expression turned into relief but he was still worried about her. He sucked in a breath through his teeth, as the girl struggled to sit up but he didn’t release her from his side. “Be careful,” he warned her. “I think you hit your head pretty hard.” As he said this, I then saw a vision of Bella going to hospital to have X-rays and treated by Carlisle. “Ow,” she said, her tone comically shocked as she felt the pain in her head. “That’s what I thought,” Edward sounded almost…giddy? “How in the…” Her voice trailed off and her eyelids fluttered. “How did you get over here so fast?” Edward’s expression turned sour. She had noticed. He started to get anxious, not

knowing what to say to protect the family. “I was standing right next to you, Bella.” She struggled to move again, this time he allowed her. He let her go then slid away from her in the small space between the vehicles. She stared at him, and he stared back with a smooth expression. She seemed confused. The scene was now surrounded by people shouting. The looked at the people, her expression still stunned, and tried to get to her feet. Edward put a hand lightly on her shoulder to refrain her from doing so. “Just stay put for now,” “But it’s cold,” she complained. A chuckle slid through his teeth. She blinked then her eyes focused on Edward’s face. “You were over there.” His chuckle stopped short. She glanced toward the south, “You were by your car.” His expression turned hard. “No, I wasn’t.” “I saw you,” she insisted. She was right and wanted him to admit it. Her chin jutted out and her expression turned stubborn. “Bella, I was standing with you, and I pulled you out of the way,” he stared deeply into her chocolate eyes and unleashed his powerful eyes on her. She set her jaw. “No.” The gold in his eyes blazed. “Please, Bella.” His voice was very intense. “Why?” she demanded, defensive. “Trust me,” he pleaded, his soft voice overwhelmed. “Will you promise to explain everything to me later?” “Fine,” he retorted, abruptly exasperated. “Fine,” she repeated, angrily. At that moment, Rosalie, Jasper and Emmett just arrived on the scene. I saw Edward wince as he saw them. I knew they would be extremely angry and tonight all hell would break loose. I saw a familiar named Brett Warner talking to Edward. He was a registered nurse at the hospital. “Hey, Edward. You okay, kid?” I heard him ask Edward. “Perfect, Brett. Nothing touched me. But I’m afraid Bella here might have a concussion. She

really hit her head hard when I yanked her out of the way…” Bella shot Edward a fierce look of betrayal as he said this. As the EMT placed Bella in a stretcher, — when they put a neck brace on her she flushed scarlet with embarrassment — I saw Edward rearranged the shape of the dent in the tan car with the back of his foot; destroying the evidence. No one was aware of what he was doing, except us. Edward shot Emmett a grateful. Ah, Emmett was speaking through his thoughts. Edward seemed more relaxed as he climbed into the front seat of the ambulance. Chief Swan arrived on the scene before Bella was into the back of the ambulance. I noticed Edward bow his head in guilt as we listened to the Chief panic about his daughter. “Bella!” He shouted. “I’m completely fine, Char—Dad.” She sighed. “There’s nothing wrong with me.” She assured him. As they loaded Bella into the back of the ambulance, I saw a vision of Edward and Carlisle talking in his office at the hospital…....

Part 14

I saw Edward hurry through the automatic, headed straight to Carlisle’s office.

“Carlisle,” Edward called, panic clear in his voice. Carlisle jumped to his feet as soon as his heard Edward’s anxious voice. Carlisle’s face turned bone white, alarm written all over his face, and leaned forward across his neatly organised walnut desk. “No. No, it’s not that.” Ah, Carlisle must’ve jumped to the conclusion of Edward giving into his temptation. Carlisle took a deep breathe. Of course he noted Edward still had his golden eyes in tact. “She’s hurt, though, Carlisle, probably not seriously, but—“His voice was strong with worry. “What happened?” Carlisle could hear his worry. “A stupid car accident. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I couldn’t just stand there—let it crush her—“ Carlisle looked confused. “A can skidded across the ice,” He whispered, staring at the wall behind Carlisle. “She was in the way. Alice saw it coming, but there wasn’t time to do anything but really run across the lot and shove her out the way. No one noticed…...except for her. I had to stop the van, too, but again, nobody saw that…beside her. I’m…I’m sorry Carlisle. I didn’t mean to put us

in danger.” Carlisle circled his desk and put a hand on Edwards shoulder. Edward couldn’t look him in the eyes. “She knows there’s something…wrong with me.” “That doesn’t matter. If we have to leave, we leave. What has she said?” Carlisle questioned. Edward shook his head in frustration. “Nothing yet.” Carlisle gave Edward a strange look as he said this. “She agreed to my version of events—but she’s expecting an explanation.” Carlisle frowned, pondering what Edward just said. “She hit her head—well I did that. I knocked her to the ground pretty hard. She seems fine but…I don’t think it will take much to discredit her account.” The distaste in his voice was clear. “Please. I’m so worried that I hurt her.” You could hear the worry for her strong in his voice. Carlisle’s expression brightened. He smoothed his fair hair and laughed. His expression was somewhat amused. Edward laughed with him, finding the situation humorous—he actually had turned from killer too protector—but there was an edge to his laughter. As I was brought back to the present, Rosalie was pacing up and down, cussing words—too low for humans to hear—in an unladylike manner. “Why would he do this? He is stupid and selfish. This isn’t just about him. He is endangering all of us. Exposing our secret for everyone too see. Why would he even want to save the worthless human? Aren’t we—his family—more important than that insignificant girl’s life?” she snapped. Emmett stopped her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “Rose, calm down. He couldn’t just let her die. Besides, its time he had some excitement in his life. He’s lived eighty years of nothing except hearing people’s minds. That’s not much fun.” He said with a grin. Rosalie glared at him. Jasper cringed; the intense emotions in the atmosphere wouldn’t be easy for him to handle. “Emmett.” I glared at him. His smiled disappeared as he sensed our lack of humour. “I am not moving because of Edward and his stupid actions. I swear if the girl starts talk…” she let the sentence trail off, too angry to finish her threat. “Rosalie,” I warned. “You will do nothing. She doesn’t know what we are; even if she did I would’ve seen that. I doubt she’d say anything anyways.” “She wouldn’t say anything? You’ve got to be kidding me. We’re vampires, Alice.” She cringed

at the word. “Of course she would say something. This is Forks we’re talking about, remember?” she scowled at me. “She has a point there, Alice.” Jasper spoke up, giving me an apologetic look. “Either way, she could ruin us. The danger is too risky. If she told people…” “She will need to be silenced…” Jasper finished Rosalie’s threat,”permanently.” He said with a serious face. I gasped and turned to face him, looking him dead in his eyes. “Over my dead body. You will do no such thing. I won’t allow it.” He returned my gaze, measuring my emotions. Right now I was; shocked. Horrified. Irritated. Determined. He could sense those emotions. “Do you really think Esme and Carlisle would allow that?” Emmett spoke up. “Of course not.” It was true; Carlisle and Esme would never agree to such thing. My mind was telling me, Edward wouldn’t allow anyone or thing to harm her in anyway, either. I saw a vision of Edward waiting in Carlisle’s office, while the PA X-rayed the patients. Carlisle was in the background; one look at him and she would notice the resemblance and the fact that there is something different about out family. The girl was only slightly injured. I saw Edward hold his breathe when Tyler questioned how Bella gotten out of the way. “Um…Edward pulled me out of the way.” Edward exhaled, and then his breathing accelerated. “Edward Cullen.” she said when Tyler didn’t realise who she meant. “He was standing next to me.” She didn’t sound very convincing but Tyler wouldn’t know the difference.

“Cullen? I didn’t see him…wow, it was all so fast, I guess. Is he okay?” A vampire hurt from a car accident? I chuckled at that thought. Not likely. “I think so. He’s somewhere here, but they didn’t make him use a stretcher.” She has a thoughtful look on her face but her eyes were tightening from suspicion. I doubt Tyler would notice that. “Alice, Alice? What did you see?” Jasper was lightly shaking my shoulder, which brought me out of my vision. I sighed in relief. “What did you see?” Jasper asked again. “It’s going to be alright. She’s stuck to the explanation Edward told her.” “I will not let this unimportant girl ruin me…ruin us.” Rosalie was practically screaming. Humans still wouldn’t even realise we were talking. “Rose, did you not just hear what Alice said? Everything will be fine. She’s sticking to the story, right? Well then there’s no need to worry.” Emmett hugged Rosalie, reassuring her. “Now come on, let’s get to class. Alice will keep watch. She’ll let us know if she sees

anything.” They all looked at me, and I nodded. “Alice?” Jasper asked as Rosalie and Emmett walked to their next class. I could feel Jasper’s gaze on me but I couldn’t meet his eyes. He put his index finger under my chin, and lifted my face up to look into his eyes. “It’s going to be fine Alice. Please don’t worry.” I didn’t trust my voice, so I nodded in response again. Jasper could sense my worry, he hugged me tightly—and sighed when I didn’t react—and walked to his next class. As I was on my way to my next class, I saw the girl getting wheeled away to get her head Xrayed while Edward was leaning against the wall in a dark nook just around the corner. His expression was annoyed? Maybe angry? Hmm, I wonder what caused that look, maybe something he heard. He then made his way to radiology room, and peeked at the x-ray of the girl’s head while the nurse’s back was turned. The girl was already moved backed into the ER. Edward’s face relaxed when he saw that her head was fine, he didn’t her, not really. Carlisle caught Edward there, speaking a silent conversation. They weren’t alone; the halls were full of orderlies and visitors. Carlisle stuck her x-rays to the light board while Edward just stared straight ahead.

“I think I’m going to go talk to her—before she sees you.” Edward said under his breathe. “Act natural, like nothing happened. Smooth it over.” Carlisle nodded absently at Edward requests, still looking over her x-rays. “Good idea. Hmm.” Edward looked to see what caught Carlisles interest. Carlisle laughed to himself as if he said a joke; he must’ve cracked a joke mentally. “I’m beginning to think the girl just has really bad luck. Always in the wrong place at the wrong time.” Carlisle commented in his thoughts. Whatever he said made Edward flinch. He walked away quickly, with a guilty look on his face. When he got to the ER, Tyler was mumbling apologies under his breath, while the girl was trying to escape by pretending she was asleep. Her eyes were closed but her breathing wasn’t even, and now and then her fingers would twitch impatiently.

Part 15

As I took my seat in the back of the class—obviously, not going to be paying attention to the teacher—I watched as Edward and Bella were talking in the hospital, Bella demanding to know the truth.

Edward stared at the Bella’s face—with her eyes closed—for a long moment before taking a deep breath and moving into the view. When Tyler saw him, he started to speak, but Edward put a finger to his lips; shushing him.

“Is she sleeping?” Edward murmured, of course he knew she was awake. Bella’s eyes snapped open and focused on his face. They widened momentarily, and then narrowed in a mix of anger and suspicion; anger for not telling her the truth, suspicion as too what we are. Edward smiled at her as if nothing unusual had happened this morning. “Hey, Edward,” Tyler said. “I’m really sorry—“ Edward raised one hand, cutting off Tyler’s apology. “No blood, no foul.” He said wryly. I chuckled to myself, as Edward smiled widely at his private joke. Edward sat himself at the edge of Tyler’s bed, facing Bella. “So, what’s the verdict?” Edward asked. “There’s nothing wrong with me at all, but they won’t let me go.” Her lower lip pushed out a little. “How come you aren’t strapped to a gurney like the rest of us?” She complained. Edward smiled. “It’s all about who you know, but don’t worry, I came to spring you.” Edward watched her as Carlisle walked into the room. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped in surprise. She certainly noticed the resemblance. “So, Miss Swan, how are you feeling?” Carlisle asked, with such soothing manner. “I’m fine.” She said quietly. Carlisle clipped her x-rays to the light board by the bed. “Your x-rays look good. Does you head hurt? Edward said you hit it pretty hard.” “I’m fine.” She said again with a sigh, and then glowered once at Edward. Carlisle stepped closer to her and ran his fingers gently over her scalp until he found the bump under her hair. Edward has a strange look on his face, he almost looked envious with a hint of sadness in his expression. She winced as Carlisle lightly probed her head, and I saw Edward twitch in his seat, tensing his posture. “Tender?” Carlisle asked her. Her chin jerked up a fraction. “Not really.” Ah, she didn’t like to show her weaknesses. She’s a brave creature, yet probably one of the most vulnerable. A chuckle slid out of Edward’s lips. She shot another glare in his direction. “Well, your father is in the waiting room—you can go home with him now. But come back if you feel dizzy or have trouble with your eyesight at all.” Carlisle said. “Can’t I go back to school?” She asked him, her voice anxious.

“Maybe you should take it easy today.” Carlisle suggested. Her eyes flickered to Edward. “Does he get to go to school?” “Someone has to spread the good news that we survived.” He replied, smugly. “Actually,” Carlisle corrected, “most of the school seems to be in the waiting room.” “Oh no” she moaned, covering her face with her hands. That’s right, she didn’t like attention. “Do you want to stay?” Carlisle asked, raising his eyebrows. “No, no!” She said quickly, swinging her legs over the side of the mattress and sliding down until her feet touched the floor. She stumbled forward, off-balance, into Carlisle’s arms. He caught and steadied her. Carlisle looked concerned. Edward’s expression looked jealous, as Carlisle caught her. “I’m fine.” She said, before Carlisle could comment. Her cheeks turned into a faint pink; she was embarrassed by her lack of balance. “Take some Tylenol for the pain.” He instructed. “It doesn’t hurt that bad.” She insisted. Carlisle smiled as he signed her chart. “It sounds like you were extremely lucky.” “Lucky Edward happened to be standing next to me.” She said, turning her face slightly in Edward’s direction to stare at him with hard eyes. “Oh, well, yes.” Carlisle agreed quickly, occupying himself with the papers infront of him. He looked away, to Tyler, and moved toward the other bed, checking up on his next patient. Carlisle sensed the tone in her voice, as Edward had. She didn’t pass her suspicion off as imagination like they were hoping; she’s observant, I admired that about her. Of course with vampire senses, we’re observant too. “Thanks so much.” Edward whispered, quick and quietly. Did I detect sarcasm from Edward’ words? Hmm, I wonder what Carlisle thought. Carlisle’s lips turned up abit at the corners as he turned to Tyler. Neither human had heard Edward’s response to Carlisle’s thought. “I’m afraid that you’ll have to stay with us just a little bit longer.” Carlisle said to Tyler, as Bella looked at me. Bella walked deliberately toward, not stopping until she was quite close to him; uncomfortably close in Edward’s case. Human’s never approached us that close; they were usually too intimidated too. “Can I talk to you for a minute?” she hissed under her breath. Her warm breathe brushed

his face, or her blood smelt too sweet at the moment, because Edward staggered back a step and teeth clenched. “Your father is waiting for you.” He said speaking through his teeth, his jaw clenching tighter. She glanced at Carlisle and Tyler, and then turned her attention back to Edward. “I would like to speak to you alone, if you don’t mind.” She insisted in a low voice. He glared at her then turned, and stalked out of the room. She almost had to run to keep up. As they turned the corner in a short hallway, he turned around and faced her. Would he say goodbye to her? Would this be the last moment they share together? Was this their farewell scene? My answer…no, it is not; not a goodbye, not the last moment, not a farewell scene. “What do you want?” He asked coldly. She cringed back slightly from his hostility. Her eyes were bewildered, his were cold. “You owe me an explanation.” She said in a small voice. “I saved your life—I don’t owe you anything.” He seemed to struggle keeping a harsh voice, but I doubt she’d notice the difference. She flinched back from his resentment. It wasn’t nice to watch his harsh words hurt her, he seemed to realise that as well. “You promised.” She whispered. “Bella, you hit your head, you don’t know what you’re talking about.” His tone was cutting. She was angry now and she glared defiantly at him. “There’s nothing wrong with my head.” She said, as her chin came up. “What do you want from me, Bella?” he said, making his face more unfriendly. “I want to know the truth. I want to know why I’m lying for you.” She said. She did deserve to know the truth, even though it’s against the rules. “What do you think happened?” he snapped at her. “All I know is that you weren’t anywhere near me—Tyler didn’t see you, either, so don’t tell me I hit my head too hard. That van was going to crush us both—and it didn’t, and you hands left dents in the side of it—and you left a dent in the other car, and you’re not hurt at all— and the van should have smashed my leg, but you were holding it up…” Her teeth clenched together to keep from the angry tears that were coming. Her eyes were glistening from her unshed tears. His expression was incredulous but I could tell he felt awe for her observant nature; she saw everything. However, his face was tense, defensive.

“You think I lifted the van off you?” He asked sarcastically, although questioning her sanity would only increase her suspicion. She replied with one stiff nod, jaw tight. “Nobody will believe that, you know.” He said, his voice mocking. “I’m not going to tell anybody.” She spoke each word with slow deliberation, carefully controlling her anger. You could see in her eyes that she meant it—she would keep our secret. Surprise flitted across his face before he carefully composed his expression. “Then why does it matter?” he asked, working to keep his voice severe. “It matters to me.” She said intensely. “I don’t like to lie—so there’d better be a good reason why I’m doing it.” She was asking for his trust; a trust he couldn’t share. “Can’t you just thank me and get it over with?” His voice stayed callous. “Thankyou.” She fumed silently, expectantly. “You’re not going to let it go, are you?” he asked, probably knowing the answer. “No,” “In that case…I hope you enjoy disappointed.” He couldn’t tell her the truth, even if he wanted too. Although I wanted him too. It looked like he hated lying to her, as if Edward wanted her to know the truth as well. They stood there scolding at each other in silence. She was the first to speak as she flushed pink and ground her teeth together. “Why did you even bother?” she asked frigidly. His composed mask slipped of his face. “I don’t know.” He answered, his face unexpectedly vulnerable. He stared at her intensely for a moment—the blood not yet faded from her cheeks and lines of anger still set in her face—then turned and walked away from her, as she stood there for a few minutes staring in the direction Edward walked in.

Part 16

I was snapped out of my vision, feeling extremely sympathetic towards Bella as I watched Edward walk away from her. The look on her face made me want too jump in the vision and hug her. If only Edward would look back at what he walked away from. As the vision faded, I saw another. Bella was standing frozen with her chocolate eyes wide with fear, staring at someone who was in a crouch in front of her. As the vision shifted, I saw Jasper lunge toward the girl. What is he doing? No! He can’t do that, he can’t kill her, I

forbid it. He and anyone else can’t end her life this way; kill her just for the safety of protecting our secret. It’s wrong. No, it can’t happen this way. It will not happen that way. Jasper wouldn’t, would he? Not if he knew how important this was too me. He wouldn’t understand why but he’d still respect my wishes. As the bell for lesson change rang, I ran out of the class and searched for Jasper. I spotted him from across the building and ran to him. I knew he could feel my emotions, measuring them. Outrage; at what he was planning to do. Fear; for the girl and her life. Worried; at what was going to happen and everyone’s thoughts towards Jasper’s actions. As I reached him, I stared stuttering out my sentence. “No, Jasper, you can’t. I won’t allow it. I saw…it won’t happen. It can’t happen…” I trailed off, barely able to form a proper sentence but I knew he would know what I was talking about. He pulled me into a tight hug, as I repeatedly murmured my plea into the crook of his neck. He stroked my short hair, soothing me. “Nothing will happen for now. Don’t worry, please. We will discuss our actions on the situation tonight.” He said, trying to calm me down. In the distance I could hear Rosalie cussing out her anger. Jasper heard it too and I felt his body stiffen. I looked up into his eyes, “Still angry?” I joked—lightening the mood— questioning Rosalie’s anger. He smiled slightly but it didn’t reach his eyes, and nodded. It was time for the next class and I saw Edward returning to school soon. I suppose it was the most inconspicuous way for him to behave instead of ditching like Bella, Tyler and some other students who used the accident as a reason to be absent. All afternoon Edward looked, blank? Maybe emotionless or bored would be a better choice of words? He stared at the cracks in the wall as if the colour had drained from the bricks, the trees, the sky, and the faces around him. The atmosphere looked almost coma-like. When Edward walked into his next class, I saw the conversation he had with Mr Banner.

“I’m surprise to see you in class, Edward. I heard you were involved in that awful accident this morning.” “I wasn’t hurt.” Edward said, not smiling and in an unfriendly tone. Mr Banner shifted his weight from one foot to the other, uncomfortable. “Do you have any idea how Tyler Crowley and Bella Swan are? I heard there were some injuries…” “I wouldn’t know.” Edward shrugged. Mr Banner cleared his throat. “Err, right…” He said. Edward’s cold stare causing his voice to sound abit strained. He walked quickly back to the front of the class and began his lecture.

Edward had a similar conversation with Mrs Goff in Spanish. I sighed. It wasn’t usually like Edward to be so unfriendly toward a teacher. The accident this morning must be harder then I realised on him. If there was only something I could do. I listened in on Edward and Emmett’s Spanish class. Edward was sitting there deep in thought. I saw a vision of the accident except it was the one I had earlier before Edward jumped in and saved her. Her body mangled and bleeding, the red fluid spilling, wasting on the blacktop, the scent of fresh blood pulsing through the air. I shuddered at the sight and thanked god that Edward saved her before my vision became reality. Emmett was speaking in his thoughts. I don’t know what he thought but suddenly Edward was nearly jumping out of his seat, his face full of rage. Emmett’s put a hand on Edward’s shoulder, holding him in his seat before he could stand. Emmett gripped his arm, holding him in his place. Emmett was one of the strongest vampires and he rarely used his strength but he was using it now. Edward tried calming himself but it proved to be a difficulty. As his posture relaxed a little Emmett’s hand loosened. When Edward took a deep breath, Emmett released him. As Edward looked around the room, only a few students sitting behind Emmett noticed there confrontation. They wouldn’t know what to make of it, even if they tried.

“Bite me,” Edward muttered under his breath—in response to Emmett’s thoughts—and I heard Emmett’s low chuckle. I was sitting in my seat waiting for more decisions to come my way. I suddenly saw the same vision I had earlier, with Jasper attacking the Bella except Emmett and Rosalie were there as well, and Edward was blocking there attack, protecting the girl. He was fighting for the girl, against his family. I froze. Why was he protecting the girl? Didn’t he just last week wanted to kill her, himself? Did that much change over the course of this morning? Killer to protector? Did he love her? Was he in love with her? Edward in love with Bella. Vampire in love with a human. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this earlier, it all made sense now. The fascination, protecting her, staring at her intensely. He loved her. Suddenly I had another vision; it was Bella except she had the palest of skin and her eyes were crimson. She was one of us. Bella a vampire. We had our arms wrapped around each other like we were best friends. She was going to be my best friend. The vision was solid, crystal clear but the timing I was unsure of. Should I tell Edward? Did he know he loved her? Was this something I was suppose to keep this to myself or share it with the family? What would his reaction be? I decided to keep this to myself for now. When the time is right, I’ll tell everyone. Maybe tonight if it’s necessary. What if this was the key to ensure the girl’s safety, knowing that she is Edward’s future?

I knew what everyone’s reactions would be; Carlisle would be supportive, Esme would be ecstatic, Rosalie would be irritated and disgusted, Emmett would get a kick out of it and Jasper… well I don’t really know what his reaction would be. I’m guessing he would measure the emotions then be happy with whatever my reactions would be. When the bell rang I saw Emmett and Edward walking silently out of there class and towards the class. Rosalie, Jasper and I were already waiting for them in the Volvo, not speaking. I kept seeing constant visions. They were the same as earlier. Jasper attacking the girl, taking her life away, except now it was different. Edward was there—always there blocking whichever way Jasper lunged at the girl. It scared me; Jasper was planning on killing the girl alone. He was the most experienced fighter. As I was watching, the vision was shifting, moving further and further away from the Swan’s house. Edward was cutting off Jasper earlier, before he could even come in distance of the girl. Stop that, Edward! It can’t happen this way. I won’t let it. I pleaded with him. Jasper wouldn’t touch the girl and Edward wouldn’t touch Jasper. I would make sure that neither one would happened. I can’t and won’t allow it. He didn’t answer me but I knew he was still listening in on my visions. I searched farther ahead, into the misty, unsure realm of distant possibilities. Everything I saw was shadowy and vague. The entire way home the car ride was dead silent. Everyone wrapped up in their own thoughts. Edward parked the Volvo in the garage of the house; Carlisle’s Mercedes was there, next to Emmett’s huge Jeep, Rose’s M3 and Edward’s Vanquish. We went straight to the dining room. The room was furnished with a long oval mahogany table surrounded by chair. Obviously we never used it for intended purposes; it was more of just a prop in the house. We usually used it as a conference room. Carlisle sat in his usual seat at the eastern head of the room, Esme was beside him as they held hands on top of the table. Esme’s concerned eyes were focused on Edward. Edward sat on Carlisle’s other side, as Esme reached over and put her free hand on his shoulder. Rosalie sat directly across from Carlisle, on the other end of the long table. She was glaring at Edward, never looking away. Emmett sat beside her, his expression wry. Jasper stood against the wall beside Rosalie. As I walked in, my mind still locked in a mix of visions; Jasper attacking the girl, Edward blocking him, shadowed pictures, and blurry future decisions. It was too much to handle. I took my seat next to Esme, and rubbed my forehead from all the visions. As I looked around the room, the family were separated at opposite ends. The lines were being drawn between the family. I looked up at Jasper who was leaning against the wall. He met my gaze and twitched uneasily, considering joining me but decided against it and remained where he stood. I looked away and frowned slightly. I heard someone take a deep breathe and I looked up to see Edward, who was going to break the silence.

Part 17

“I’m sorry,” Edward apologised, looking at Rose, then Jasper and then Emmett. “I didn’t mean to put any of you at risk. It was thoughtless, and I take full responsibility for my hasty actions.” “What do you mean, ‘take full responsibility’? Are you going to fix it?” Rosalie glared at Edward balefully. “Not the way you mean it,” he said, keeping his voice quiet and even. “I’m willing to leave now, if that makes things better.” “No,” Esme murmured. “No, Edward.” She couldn’t deal with losing anyone one of us, especially Edward. He didn’t have a person to share the rest of his life with like we do His life was empty that way; the missing piece to his puzzle. If only he and the family knew what Bella could do to complete that puzzle. “It’s just a few years.” Edward said, patting Esme’s hand. “Esme’s right, though” Emmett said. “You can’t go anywhere now. That would be the opposite of helpful. We have to know what people are thinking, now more than ever.” “Alice will catch anything major.” Edward disagreed. Doesn’t he understand? It’s not the same; mind reading and future telling, him staying here and him leaving. It’s just different. Carlisle shook his head. “I think Emmett is right, Edward. The girl will be more likely to talk if you disappear. It’s all of us leave, or none of us.” It was true, we were a family and we stuck together no matter what. “She won’t say anything.” Edward insisted quickly. I could see Rose was building up an explosion and the lava from her volcano was going to erupt any minute now. “You don’t know her mind,” Carlisle reminded him. “I know this much. Alice, back me up.” He looked over at me, waiting for my agreement. I met his gaze wearily. “I can’t see what will happen if we just ignore this.” I glanced at Rosalie and Jasper. I can’t see that future—not when Rose and Jasper were so decided against ignoring the incident. Visions flooded my mind, showing the girls death caused by my siblings. I was brought back to the present with a loud bang as Rose smacked her palm down on the table. “We can’t allow the human a chance to say anything. Carlisle, you must see that. Even if we decided to all disappear, it’s not safe to leave stories behind us. We live so

indifferently from the rest of our kind—you know there are those who would love an excuse to point fingers. We have to be more careful then anyone else!” She had a point, but I wasn’t going to let any member from this family end Bella’s life this way. “We’ve left rumours behind us before,” Edward reminded her. “Just rumours and suspicions, Edward. Not eyewitnesses and evidence!” She shouted at him, returning the reminder. “Evidence!” Edward scoffed. From the corner of my eye, I saw Jasper nodding, his eyes hard. I continued to stare at him as Carlisle started to speak. “Rose—“Carlisle began, but was cut of by Rosalie interrupting his speech. “Let me finish, Carlisle. It doesn’t have to be any big production. The girl hit her head today. So maybe that injury turns out to be more serious than it look.” Rosalie shrugged. “Every mortal goes to sleep with the chance of never waking up. The others would expect us to clean up after ourselves. Technically, that would make it Edward’s job, but this is obviously beyond him. You know I’m capable of control. I would leave no evidence behind.” I turned my attention from Jasper to Rosalie and stared at her stunned. How could she suggest such a thing? I saw in my mind what she was planning to do; I cringed slightly at the sight. I feared for Bella’s life and surely Edward would disagree with what Rosalie suggested. “Yes, Rosalie, we all know how proficient an assassin you are,” Edward snarled at her. She hissed back at him, furious. “Edward, please,” Carlisle said, then turned to Rosalie. “Rosalie, I looked the other way in Rochester because I felt that you were owed your justice. The men you killed had wronged you monstrously. This is not the same situation. The Swan girl is an innocent.” Ah, Rosalie, seeking revenge on the ones that had done her extremely wrong. Abusing her and leaving her lying on the street, bleeding. I cringed at what I imagined. I felt sorry for her but Carlisle is right, it’s not the same situation; not even close. “It’s not personal, Carlisle.” Rosalie said through her teeth. “It’s to protect us all.” Again, this girl’s life is not going to end based on protecting our secret; it’s just not an option. Surely, the others knew that, well except for Rosalie who I knew was just going to ignore that knowledge. There was a brief silence as Carlisle thought through the situation. Carlisle nodded, and Rosalie’s eyes lit up, thinking he was siding with her. I saw what Carlisle next words were going to be. “I know you mean well, Rosalie, but…I’d like very much for our family to be worth protecting. The occasional…accident or lapse in control is a regrettable part of who we are.” This is coming from Carlisle, who has never had such a lapse himself. “To murder a blameless child in cold blood is another thing entirely. I believe the rick she presents, whether she speaks

her suspicions or not, is nothing to the greater risk. If we make exception to protect ourselves, we risk something much more important. We risk losing the essence of who we are.” I couldn’t hold my smile so I turned slightly, sneaking a grin across my mouth. I looked over to see Edward trying to control his happiness in Carlisle’s speech as well. “It’s just being responsible.” She said scowling, defending her original argument. No, Rosalie, it’s being horrible, I corrected in my head. “It’s being callous,” Carlisle corrected gently. “Every life is precious.” If anyone knew how true that was—despite everything that’s just been said—Rosalie would know. She struggled most with what we are, what we turned into. Rosalie sighed heavily—knowing Carlisle was right—and pouted her lower lip. Emmett patted her shoulder. “It’ll be fine, Rose.” He encouraged in a low voice. “The question is whether we should move on,” Carlisle continued. “No,” Rosalie moaned. “We just got settled. I don’t wan to start on my sophomore year in high school again!” It was irritating experiencing high school repeatedly. But I guess that’s what happens when you’re forever in your teenage years physically. “You could keep your age, of course.” Carlisle said, trying to reason with her. “And have to movie again that much sooner?” Rosalie countered. It was true, the older age we start out with, the earlier we have to relocate because human’s suspicions would increase as we couldn’t play the age—physically—that we claim to be. Carlisle just shrugged in response. “I like it here! There’s so little sun, we get to be almost normal.” She cringed slightly as she said the word normal. As much as we try to be normal, we aren’t. Rosalie—out of all of us— was all too well aware of that fact. “Well, we certainly don’t have to decide now. We can wait and see it becomes necessary. Edward seems certain of the Swan girl’s silence.” Rosalie snorted, disagreeing with Carlisle conclusion but sticking by his decision. As the conversation moved onto unimportant details, I sneaked a glance at Jasper, who remained unmoving during the discussion. He hadn’t used his talents during the conversation; he was holding himself above aloof from this talk. “Jasper,” Edward said, noticing his quietness. Jasper met his gaze, his face expressionless. “She won’t pay for my mistake. I won’t allow it.” I could see that Edward wouldn’t allow it, it was clear in his expression and I’m sure Jasper could feel it in his emotions. “She benefits from it, then? She should have died today, Edward. I would only set that right.” I understand that Jasper would see it that way. Before he met me, he lived in a

combat zone, relentless theatre of war. He knew only to well the consequences of flouting the rules—he seen the gruesome aftermath with his own eyes. Still, it wasn’t right for him to want to end her life the way he was planning to. “I will not allow it,” Edward said repeating himself, emphasizing each word. Jasper’s eyebrows shot up as he heard and felt Edward’s determined words. He wasn’t expecting Edward would act to stop him. I didn’t tell him what I saw in the visions when I saw Edward blocking Jasper. He shook his head once. “I won’t let Alice live in danger, even a slight danger. You don’t feel about anyone the way I feel about her, Edward, and you haven’t lived through what I’ve lived through, whether you’ve seen my memories or not. You don’t understand.” I sat there silent. Of course his only thoughts were directed at me and my safety, the way my only thoughts— besides the visions—are about him. Edward didn’t feel about anyone the way we felt about our other halves, but that didn’t mean to them what it meant to me. No one knew what I knew, what I saw. I’ve kept it hidden the whole day and I knew at one point tonight I’d have to share my knowledge with Edward and the family. “I’m not disputing that, Jasper. But I’m telling you now; I won’t allow you to hurt Isabella Swan.” Edward said, decided. They stared at each other, but not glaring— using their talents to measure the opposition; Edward reading Jasper mind, Jasper testing Edward’s determination. I knew it was time for me to speak up. “Jazz,” I said, interrupting them. He stared at Edward for a moment more, and then shifted his gaze to me. “Don’t bother telling me you can protect yourself, Alice. I already know that. I’ve still got to—“He knew me too well, but not at this moment. I could protect myself though, rather well actually; my movements were too swift for even vampires to attack. They couldn’t catch me. “That’s not what I’m going to say,” I said, interrupting his sentence. “I was going to ask for a favour.” I unblocked my mind, showing Edward what I’ve seen. When I heard Edward’s mouth fall open with an audible gasp, I knew he saw what going through my head. He stared at me shocked, while the rest of the family—besides Jasper and I—were eyeing Edward warily. I was still staring into Jasper eyes, as I said, “I know you love me. Thanks. But I would really appreciate it if you didn’t try to kill Bella. First of all, Edward’s serious and I don’t want you to fighting. Secondly, she’s my friend. At least, she’s going to be.” I replayed the vision in my head, open for Edward too witness again. Bella and I smiling, arms wrapped around each other; my pale icy arm around her warm, fragile shoulders, with her arm around my waist. It was a rock solid vision and I knew Edward noticed that as well.

“But…Alice…” Jasper gasped, shocked from my words and emotions. I noticed Edward couldn’t turn his head to see Jasper’s reaction; he was staring silently—as if he couldn’t tear himself away from the image—at the vision in my head. “I’m going to love her someday, Jazz. I’ll be very put out with you if you don’t let her be.” I warned, meaning every word. Edward was still locked in my mind, as the future shimmered as Jasper’s resolved floundered in the face of my unexpected request. “Ah,” I sighed in relief— as Jasper’s indecision had cleared a new future. “See? Bella’s not going to say anything. There’s nothing to worry about.” I knew he would do anything for me. My overprotective fool.

Part 18

I looked at Edward trying to gauge his reaction. “Alice, what…does this…?” Edward was chocking on his words, not able to form a coherent question. “I told you a change was coming. I don’t know, Edward.” As I said that, I locked my jaw to prevent from thinking about the visions I had earlier. He knows I’m hiding something from him. What do I do, what do I do? Jasper…think about Jasper. I focused my thoughts very hard on Jasper, thinking about his reactions; Jasper’s face was stunned. “What, Alice? What are you hiding?” I kept my jaw locked and my mind focused on Jasper. I heard Emmett grumble; he hated when we had these kinds of conversations. I shook my head, refusing to speak or let him see into my mind. “Is it about the girl?” He demanded. I gritted my teeth in concentration, trying not to let him in. “Is it about Bella?” As soon as he spoke her name—the walls I built came tumbling down—my vision slipped. It only lasted the tiniest portion of a second but it was long enough for Edward to witness, and react strongly too. “NO!” Edward shouted, swiftly jumping to his feet as the chair he was seated on his the floor. Did he not realise the moment he saved Bella from the van, was the moment his entire future shifted? It became crystal clear, rock solid. His dark, shadowed future became bright. When he ran across the lot to save her body from being crushed, the family’s future changed. She was forever a part in his future, in our future. “Edward!” Carlisle rose from his chair as well and placed his arm on Edward’s shoulder. Edward was barely aware of him, still staring at me and locked in my vision. I knew he would react like this; it was exactly why I tried to block it from my mind. “It’s solidifying.” I whispered. “Every minute you’re more decided. There’re really only two ways left for her. It’s one or the other, Edward.” He saw what I saw—with his own eyes, though my mind—but refused to accept it.

“No,” He said again; there was no volume to his denial. He gripped the table, bracing himself, as if his legs were hollow and he couldn’t stand. “Will somebody please let the rest of us in on the mystery?” Emmett complained. “I have to leave,” Edward whispered to me, ignoring Emmett. “Edward, we’ve already been over that.” Emmett said loudly. “That’s the best way to start the girl talking. Besides, if you take off, we won’t know for sure if she’s talking or not. You have to stay and deal with this.” Emmett was right, it was wrong and we wouldn’t know. I concentrated my thoughts on Edward’s future decisions; I didn’t see him leaving, I saw him in Forks with all of us and Bella. “I don’t see you going anywhere, Edward,” I told him. “I don’t know if you can leave anymore.” Think about it. I added silently. Think about leaving. I knew the idea of not seeing Bella again would be painful for him. I could sense that, I could see that in his face.

I’m not entirely sure of Jasper, Edward. If you leave, if he thinks she’s a danger to us… Jasper wouldn’t but he was fluctuating between possibilities. I knew he would not do something that would hurt me. We meant too much too each other, for anything to come between us. “I don’t hear that.” Edward contradicted me.

Not right this moment. Will you risk her life, leave her undefended? I knew the answer, he knew the answer. The rest of the family were staring at us, trying to discover what we were talking about. “Why are you doing this to me?” Edward groaned, his head fell into his heads. Did he not realise he was more than a protector towards Bella?

I love her, too. Or I will. It’s not the same, but I want her around for that. No, it wasn’t the same kind of love, but it was a strong one of friendship. A friendship that I’ve longed to share. She was going to be my friend. My best friend. My sister. “Love her, too?” Edward whispered, incredulously. When will he learn, when will he realise? Open your eyes, Edward. I sighed. You are so blind, Edward. Can’t you see where you’re headed? Can’t you see where you already are? It’s more inevitable than the sun rising in the east. See what I see… I tried showing him what he and Bella could be, would be, what they are together; Edward and Bella talking, looking into each other’s eyes, laying side by side, holding hands… He shook his head, horrified. “No,” He tired to shut out the visions I revealed to him. “I don’t have to follow that course. I’ll leave. I will change the future.” He said, his voice

determined. Surely he knew better than to go against me on this. “You can try,” I said, my voice sceptical. He wouldn’t be able to change what I saw, I knew that. He knows it too but refuses to acknowledge it. “Oh, come on!” Emmett bellowed, clearly lost in the conversation. “Pay attention,” Rosalie hissed at him. “Alice sees him falling for a human! How classically Edward!” She made a gagging sound. She caught on, at least, although Edward and I vaguely heard her. “What?” Emmett said, startled. Then his booming laugh echoed through the room. “Is that what’s been going on?” He laughed again. “Tough break, Edward.” Trust Emmett to find any serious situation humorous. Emmett placed his hands on Edward’s shoulder but he shook it off absently, still staring at my face. “Fall for a human?” Esme repeated in a stunned voice. “For the girl he saved today? Fall in love with her?” That was my same reaction when I figured it out. “What do you see, Alice? Exactly,” Jasper demanded. I turned toward him, staring into his eyes while Edward stared at the side of my face as I spoke. “It all depends on whether he is strong enough or not. Either he’ll kill her himself“—I turned to meet his gaze, glaring at him…warning him— “which would really irritate me, Edward, not to mention what it would do to you—“ I faced Jasper again “or she’ll be one of us someday.” I knew how much pain Edward would go through if he did kill her but I knew he would be too stubborn to accept that she will become of us. Rosalie gasped; but I didn’t acknowledge her reaction to my words, I was too busy looking into Jasper eyes. “That’s not going to happen!” Edward shouted at me. “Either one!” I ignored, pretending not to hear him. “It all depends,” I repeated for the second time. “He may be just strong enough not to kill her—but it will be close. It will take an amazing amount of control,” I mused. If anyone could do it, I knew Edward would be strong enough; especially because it’s her life, his missing piece. “More even than Carlisle has. He may be just strong enough… The only thing he’s not strong enough to do is stay away from her. That’s a lost cause.” He couldn’t be without her, I was sure of that. The room was still. No one could seem to find there voice. Edward stared at me and everyone else stared at him with five different horrified expressions on there faces. After a long moment of silence, Carlisle sighed, “Well, this…complicates things.” Tell me about it. “I’ll say,” Emmet agreed, his voice was close to laughter. He always found the joke in every situation, no matter how serious it was. “I suppose the plans remain the same, though,” Carlisle said thoughtfully. “We’ll stay and

watch. Obviously, no one will…hurt the girl.” An image I’ve seen repeatedly shifted in my head; Jasper pursuing his decision to hurt the girl. Edward stiffened, either from my vision or Jasper’s mind. “No,” Jasper said quietly. “I can’t agree to that. If Alice sees only two ways—“ “No!” Edward cried out, his voice was a combination of a shout, growl and cry of despair in response to Jasper’s decision. “No!” He repeated again. I saw that Edward was going to leave the room, walk away from the noise of all our thoughts. I could read from the expression on their faces what they were thinking; Rosalie and her self-righteous disgust, Emmett’s humour, Carlisle’s infinite patience, Esme’s joy and Jasper confidence in my confidence. Edward stalked out of the room. Esme touched his arm as he passed her but he didn’t acknowledge the gesture. He ran out of the house before he reached outside. I saw him running over and through the mountains until I saw the streetlights of Seattle on the other side of the sound, sitting alone and shut in by the rain. I knew he would be thinking about what was just said, what he just saw. I looked into Jasper’s eyes which were staring right back at me. He had a pleading look in his expression and I knew what he wanted, what he planned to do but I couldn’t be mad, he was just concerned about my safety. “Oh my,” Esme said, seated with her head in hands, while Carlisle wrapped his arms around her in comfort; she was worrying about Edward, no doubt. Edward could run those many miles, rushing away from everything he’s think of leaving behind but he couldn’t run away from Bella; that I was sure of. When would he accept the fact that every decision he made, it included her. I guess only time would tell when he will realise the reason behind his existence. Bella.

Part 19

He loves her and she means more to him than his own existence, he just doesn’t know it yet. I tried keeping my mind blocked from him but instead failed miserably. He had a right to know but I knew he would react this way. I just didn’t think it would be this strong. He wouldn’t accept my visions, his future. I thought of the visions again. Bella and I, arms around each other. Bella still with her wide chocolate eyes, full of trust and friendship in them. The emotion in them reflected my own golden eyes. The next vision was much the same except there was no difference in our skin —both were pale as a bone, smooth as marble, hard as steel. Her trusting eyes were no longer chocolate brown; they were a shocking, vivid crimson—newborn vampire, fresh with

blood in her system. Edward would be blaming himself for the last one; Bella as an immortal. He believed immortality was an empty half-life. He sees himself as a monster. Like I’ve always said, he doesn’t see himself clearly. The last vision, I shuddered at the image. Edward’s eyes, no longer the golden but a deep crimson with human blood—Bella’s blood. Bella’s broken body in Edward’s arms, ashy white, drained from her blood, lifeless. The picture was clear, but that was the only future Edward could change. He wouldn’t kill her, it would kill him too if he did so. He would choose a different path, but they all included Bella; no matter which path he decides to walk along. I saw another vision. Edward in the forest, drenched from head to toe from the rain. The thick sheet of water falling from the sky used as a wall between Edward and the rest of world, it closed him in—letting him be alone. He stopped before he touched the borders of human civilisation. He saw the things I saw and now he would be thinking about them, trying to wrap his head around them. The last image he saw would be the one to haunt him. Bella dead in his arms—his eyes crimson from her blood. He would be writing internally with the agony it caused just seeing it in my head. I knew he would be against allowing the visions to come true. He would find a way to circumvent the future. He wouldn’t allow my visions to direct his future. He would choose a different path. Little did he know there wasn’t a choice in this situation; every alternative included his missing piece to the puzzle of his existence.

To please Esme and protect the rest of the family, Edward stayed in Forks. He returned to his original schedule, and attended high school everyday, playing human. He hunted no more than the rest of us; he was doing everything correctly now. None of us could complain that he was shirking his responsibilities. Everyday, Edward listened carefully for anything new about the Cullens. Bella was the centre of attention in that week. She did not speak one word of her suspicions and stuck too the story Edward said; she repeated it again and again to her followers until her eager listeners got bored and stopped searching for details. We were never surrounded by curious bystanders. People tend to shy away from us, intimidated by our appearance and presence. Most of the comments about Edward were how they hadn’t seen him there til the van was pulled away. No one noticed that Edward was across the lot except Bella. No one was aware of Edward the way Bella was, people didn’t watch him the way she always did. His hasty action had hurt no one; no one but himself. High School was no longer a purgatory to him, to him—it was purely hell. He was determined to change the future because he refused to accept the other choices life has to offer. He’s been trying to prove me wrong but I knew he would not be strong enough to stay away from Bella.

That first day back in Biology, the day after the accident occurred—she tried to speak to him. I saw it, when she decided to try. She was angry he wouldn’t trust him with the truth, but the heat of that anger faded into awe gratitude for saving her life. He was already seated in biology and showed no sign that he noticed her there. “Hello, Edward.” She had greeted him, her voice pleasant and friendly, showing him she would behave herself. The response she received was not what she expected. Edward moved his chin an inch in her direction—not meeting her eyes—nodded once and then turned his face straight forward. That was the last contact she’d tried to make, she did not speak to him again. Every day it became harder for Edward. It was exactly what I mean by saying he was not strong enough to stay away from her. I knew everything I saw about Bella would stick with him. He loved her but he couldn’t see it. Edward had the knowledge of seeing how easy it would be to fall into loving her. Effortless; like falling. He continued ignoring her everyday and she sometimes watched him. He was there, next to her—a foot away from her, everyday in Biology. He sat next to her in class, acting totally unaware of her presence. Every now and then his fits would clench into a fist causing his skin to stretch over his knuckles. I knew Bella questioned if he was quite oblivious as he appeared; she was right. Unable to stop herself, I noticed she would watch him from a distance—in the cafeteria or across the parking lot, but in class she acted as unaware of his existence as he did to her. She was miserable; I didn’t need Jasper’s talent to know that. As a new daily habit, as soon as school finished, Edward runs to Seattle as he had the night of the accident and family discussion. I believe it was his feel of flying over the ground that made his pain slightly bearable. His mind was set on not destroying Bella’s future. He believed if he was destined to love her then avoiding her would be best. He pretended to ignore her—being as though she isn’t an interest to him— and never look her way but his ignorance wasn’t quite as it seemed; he hung on her every breath she took, every word she said. Edward was still set on changing the future but I didn’t know how long his determination would last. It would be at breaking point any moment now, I was sure of it. For the last month his mind has been set and it was causing very faint, new blurry vision to occur however the images he refuses to accept were still present—never disappearing nor fading, although hazing in the moment of time.

Part 20

“Bella’s going to stare at Edward in a minute. Look normal.” Each time I warned them when Bella was going to stare in our direction; I knew it gave Edward a secret satisfaction, knowing she isn’t as oblivious towards him as she acts. He pays close attention to how often

she looks in his direction. With being a vampire, absolute stillness was a marker of our kind. As I warned the rest, they were careful to fidget or shift their weight like humans. In truth I missed the friendship I wanted to share with Bella—I missed her. I’ll admit, I don’t know her that well, or long for that matter but I knew at some point in time our friendship would start; no matter how much Edward refuses to except it. I sighed. I wish… “Stay out of it, Alice.” Edward said under his breath. “It’s not going to happen.” I needed to get to know her. I wanted to start out our friendship eternity. Why couldn’t Edward just give me what I want—but no, he had to be stubborn about it. I pouted.

I’ll admit, you’re better than I thought. You’ve got the future al snarled up and senseless again. I hope you’re happy. It’s not as though Bella and his future have disappeared, it has just become blurry and shadowed. Edward would be close to breaking point soon from avoiding Bella before it became unbearable and couldn’t stand the pressure any longer; he would soon realise how much this one human meant to him. The earlier the moment arrives, the sooner I could start building a friendship. I knew from my visions that one day we would be the best of friends but the seconds ticked by slowly; the moment couldn’t come fast enough. “It makes plenty of sense to me.” I snorted in response. I loved my brother but dear lord that man could be extremely stubborn. He wasn’t in a very good mood today. I knew Jasper could feel his mood but was confused by the emotions he felt coming from Edward. I couldn’t help but guess his foul mood was due to Mike Newton planning on asking Bella to the dance today; I saw it in a vision earlier today. I couldn’t be sure of her answer but she always surprises me by her reactions; she was an unpredictable creature. I saw Jessica Stanley asking Mike Newton to the dance but to her disappointed he hesitated on his answer and told her he would think about it. He was obviously hoping Bella would ask him to the girl’s choice dance. Mike used Edward’s ignorance as an advantage to his fantast relationship towards Bella. It was clear Mike worried that Edward’s rescue might’ve impressed Bella and lead to a bond that between Edward and Bella from the shared experience but it had the opposite affect and Mike was pleased with the coolness between the two. Mike’s confidence increased—each day, routinely, sitting on the edge of Bella table before their Biology class began. As the end of lunch bell rang, we all departed to our next class. I sneaked a quick kiss on

the lips of Jasper before returning my gaze around the cafeteria. Edward had already left for Biology and I noticed Bella walking with Mike to that same class. Mike was silent, with an uncomfortable look on his face; he was working up the courage how too ask her and decided the best time would be in Biology. Throughout my class, I was doodling on my notebook, sketching and designing clothes and accessories, barely paying attention to the teacher. The only times I concentrate in class, is when I have a vision of the teacher asking me question and having the advantages of seeing what they are going to ask before they speak the question aloud, class is a breeze. I suddenly saw Mike asking Bella to the dance, although he didn’t really ask. I concentrated harder in on their biology class, desperately wanting to know what was going to be said.

“So.” He said to the Bella, his eyes on the floor. “Jessica asked me to the spring dance.” “That’s great,” Bella said her voice bright with enthusiasm. “Well…”He hesitated, clearly not happy with her response. Did he hope for dismay? ”I told I had to think about it.” “Why would you do that?” She demanded, her tone full of disapproval, although did I detect a hint of relief in her voice? As I looked at Edward, he had his fits clenched—intense fury clear on his face. What could be the cause of that? Maybe Mike Newtons mind—I knew the last place Edward wanted to be was in the vile and vulgar thoughts running through Mike’s head. Mike’s face was bright red as he looked down again. “I was wondering if…well, if you might be planning to ask me.” Bella hesitated, as if a wave of guilt swept through her. In that moment of hesitation, was she going to accept his request? Would she refuse the offer? Suddenly the vision broke away before I could her response, the image shifted. What I was seeing was oddly familiar…I gasped quietly, too low for human ears. It was Bella, walking down aisle to Wagner’s March with her hand around Chief Swan’s arm. Her cheeks were flushed with happiness and she was wearing a while dress. As I concentrated harder to get a better look at the dress; it was old fashioned and as realisation hit me, I recognised it was a Perrine Bruyere design. As she descended down the aisle, she reached a dark figure when suddenly the image cleared, the figured unshadowed. Edward. Edward…wearing a dark suit with a crooked smile on his face as he gazed adoringly into her chocolate eyes. As I was brought back to the present, I nearly bounced out of my chair screaming joyously and clapping my hands. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I couldn’t believe what I had just witnessed. What did this mean? I relaxed into my chair and drew my attention back to their biology class where I awaited Bella’s answer.

“Mike, I think you should tell her yes.” She said in a gentle voice. I was confused about the expression on Edward’s face; it was a mix between fury and pain. Mike’s hopes plummeted as soon as Bella spoke those words. “Did you already ask someone?” he asked sullenly. His suspicious eyes glanced at Edward— whose head was inclined in the direction of Bella and Mike with the pained rage expression still plastered on his face. Was the cause of that expression, jealousy? “No,” she assured him, a trace a humour in her voice. “I’m not going to the dance at all.” Edward’s expression shifted, relief clear on his face—was that relief from Bella’s answer? As I looked ahead in Edward’s future, the images shifted. Spinning and twisting in different directions but the shadowed visions became clear again. “Why not?” Mike demanded his tone almost rude. Why would he use that tone towards a lady? Does this boy have no manners or any experience with how to treat a lady? His other surely must’ve taught him better than that. “I’m going to Seattle that Saturday,” she explained. “Can’t you go some other weekend?” Mike’s tone turned unpleasantly wheedling. “Sorry, no.” Bella tone was brusquer now. “So you shouldn’t make Jess wait any longer—it’s rude.” Was her trip to Seattle an excuse to say no? “Yeah, you’re right.” He mumbled, and turned, dejected, to walk back to his seat. Bella closed her eyes and pressed her fingers to her temples. Her shoulders were curved inward defensively. She shook her head ever so slightly, sighed and opened her eyes as Mr. Banner began talking. For the first time in a month, Edward turned and looked at her curiously. She looked at him as she opened her eyes. The same bewildered expression was on her face as Edward’s eyes had that same, familiar edge of frustration distinct in his black eyes. She didn’t look away from the probing intensity Edward’s eyes held. Her chocolate eyes were full of questions as she stared into his black eyes. Black? If his eyes were black with thirst from the two weeks since his last hunting trip, how come the darkness of his irises did not seem to frighten her? She continued to return his gaze as a soft pink began to spread over her cheeks. “Mr. Cullen?” The teacher called, seeking an answer to his question. “The Krebs Cycle,” Edward sucked in a quick breath as he answered, seeming reluctant as he glanced briefly in Mr. Benner’s direction. Edward closed his eyes, fighting his thirst for her blood. As soon as Edward’s eyes released her, Bella looked down at her book shifting her hair over

her right shoulder, hiding her face. Her cheeks were a deep crimson. She did not meet his gaze again but she nervously twisted a strand of her dark hair between her delicate fingers. When the bell rang, she turned her back to him to gather her things—much to his disappointment. What did he expect? He ignored for half-dozen weeks. He treated her as if she didn’t exist. I was right. He was not strong enough to stay away from her. When would he learn not to bet against me? “Bella?” His willpower disappeared the moment he spoke her name. She hesitated before turning. Her expression was wary when she finally looked at him. She waited before him to continue but he didn’t say anything—he just started at her, reading her face. “What? Are you speaking to me again?” She asked, with an edge of resentment in her town. His lips twitched, fight a smile that was faint on his lips. “No, not really.” She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly through her nose. She was gritting her teeth with her jaw locked. “Then what do you want, Edward?” She asked, keeping her eyes closed. Would he tell her the truth? “I’m sorry,” His voice was sincere. “I’m being very rude, I know. But it’s better this way, really.” His face was very serious as she opened her eyes. “I don’t know what you mean,” She said, her voice guarded. “It’s better if we’re not friends.” He warned her. “Trust me.” He said those exact two words to her before he broke a promise. Her eyes narrowed and Edward winced when her teeth clenched together—they obviously remembered, too. “It’s too bad you didn’t figure that out earlier,” She hissed through her teeth. “You could have saved yourself all this regret.” Edward stared at her in shock. What did he regret? “Regret? Regret for what?” He demanded. “For just not letting that stupid van squish me!” She snapped. He froze as soon as the word left her mouth, stunned. He started at her in disbelief. She honestly believed he regretted rescuing her? If anything, that was the one thing he was proud of doing since meeting her… “You think I regret saving your life?” His tone was almost mad at her accusation.

“I know you do,” She snapped. “You don’t know anything.” He was definitely mad—seething at her words. She jerked away from him, clenching her jaw. Her cheeks were flushed with anger as she gathered her books and marched towards the door without meeting Edward’s stare. Without looking where she was going, her foot caught on the lip of the doorway and her things crashed to the ground. She stood there, rigidly straight, not even looking down at her belongings. Was she going to leave her books scattered on the ground? She sighed, bent to pick them up and froze—only to find that Edward had already staked them in a pile. He handed her the books, his face hard. “Thank you,” She said icily. “You’re welcome,” He retorted, his tone just a cold. She straightened up swiftly, turning way from him and stalked off to her next class without looking back. Edward watched her until she was no longer in his line of sight.

Part 21

Vampire. The image of immortal Bella kept creeping back up into my mind. I knew Edward would still be too stubborn to accept the visions. However, he couldn’t ignore her the way he’d planned too; I give him credit for lasting longer than I thought. I turned my concentration on Edward and Emmett’s Spanish class. Edward was sitting there, deep in thought—the unrelenting glower from his face all but disappeared in his expression. Emmett was staring at Edward with a curious gaze—no doubt wondering the reasons behind the obvious changes in Edward’s expression. As the visions shifted, I saw Eric Yorkie and Tyler Crowley going to make their moves and ask Bella to the dance after knowing that she had rejected Mike’s invitation. Eric took his stance, leaning against Bella’s truck where she could not escape his presence, while Tyler was being held late in class to receive an assignment. As the image shifted, I saw Edward in his Volvo blocking Bella from exiting the parking lot while Tyler was asking Bella to the dance in the background. What was Edward doing? Giving Tyler the chance to ask her to the dance…Why? “Wait for the others here, all right?” I heard Edward instruct Emmett, who in response shrugged and nodded. I saw Bella walking out of Gym while Edward waited where she would not see him in pass. As she got closer to her truck, Edward strode forward; setting his pace. I stood next to Emmett—who was watching Edward’s performance as well—I looked at him questionably but he just shrugged, equally confused as I was. What is he doing?

As she reached where Eric was leaning against her truck, her body stiffened. She froze for a moment then relaxed and walked forward. “Hi, Eric,” she greeted in a friendly tone. Edward’s expression looked…anxious? Eric swallowed loudly causing his Adam’s apple to bob. “Hi, Bella.” “What’s up?” she asked, unlocking her truck without looking at his face. She seemed unconscious of the nervousness in his voice. “Uh, I was just wondering…if you would go to the spring dance with me?” His voice broke on the last word. She looked up, startled by his words. “I thought it was a girl’s choice.” She said, sounding flustered. “Well, yeah.” He admitted, shamefaced. “Thankyou for asking me, but I’m going to Seattle that day.” She said in a gentle voice, recovering her composure. “Oh,” He mumbled in disappointment, still not meeting her eyes. “Maybe next time.” He suggested, raising his eyes to the level of her nose. “Sure,” she agreed then bit down on her lower lip, as if regretting her agreement—leaving him a loophole. Eric slouched off, towards the school; he was going in the wrong direction. I heard Bella quietly sigh in relief and in that moment Edward walked past the front of her truck, looking straight ahead, his lips pressed together from holding in his laughter. Rosalie and Jasper were approaching us as Emmett and I stood near the cafeteria looking at Edward. “What is he doing now?” Rosalie asked irritated, throwing her hands up in frustration. “He is…amused.” Jasper spoke, measuring the atmosphere of Edward’s emotions. “He told me to wait for you guys here. I don’t know what the kid is doing.” Emmett said, repeating Edward’s instructions. “He cannot avoid the girl anymore. I told you he wasn’t strong enough. His future is still undecided but the fact remains that Bella will be apart of it.” I said, pleased. “Great, just great.” Rose snapped. Emmett wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head.

I saw Bella yank open the door of her truck and jump inside, slamming it loudly behind her. She revved the engine deafeningly and reversed out into the aisle. Edward was already in the Volvo, two spaces down from her truck, sliding out smoothing, and cutting off Bella’s truck like I saw in the vision before the dismissal bell rang. He stopped in front of her, waiting for us. I saw Bella look in our direction. Suddenly, I saw a vision of Bella taking out the rear of Edward’s Volvo but decided against it—too many witnesses present. I chuckled inwardly. “Come on. Kid’s lost his mind, I know, but I want is he doing.” Emmett said. Rosalie scowled but he just gave her a tight squeeze in response. I took Jasper’s hand and the four of us walked very slowly toward the Volvo, deciphering what Edward was doing. Edward was watching Bella from his rear view mirror while she glowered toward the back of his car, not meeting his gaze. Directly behind her was Tyler Crowley in his Sentra, waving but she appeared too aggravated to acknowledge him. Tyler sauntered up to her passenger window and tapped on the glass. She jumped and then stared at him in confusion. After a moment, she cranked her window down, seeming to have trouble with it. She got it halfway down then gave up. “I’m sorry, Tyler, I’m stuck behind Cullen.” She said in an annoyed voice, pronouncing our surname in a hard tone; she was still angry with Edward. “Oh, I know.” Tyler said, undeterred by her mood. “I just want to ask you something while we’re here.” His grin was cocky. Bella’s face was a this-could-not-be-happening expression. “Will you ask me to the spring dance?” He asked. “I’m not going to be in town, Tyler.” She told him in a sharp voice, irritation still obvious in her voice. “Yeah, Mike said that.” He admitted. “Then why—?” She started to ask. He shrugged. “I was hoping you were just letting him down easy.” “Sorry, Tyler.” She apologised, not sounding sorry at all. “I am really going out of town.” She said, working to hide her irritation. “That’s cool. We still have prom.” Before she could respond, he strutted back to his car. We had reached the Volvo then to see Edward who was shaking uncontrollably with laughter.

Bella’s horrified expression was full of shock. As we slid in, looking in his rear view mirror, Edward’s eyes were on Bella. I knew Jasper could feel the atmosphere change drastically in Edward’s emotions—scowling murderously at everything in sight to rocking with laughter. Edward shook his head, probably answering a silent question. He started laughing again as I heard Bella rev her noisy engine angrily. “Let’s go!” Rosalie hissed impatiently. “Stop being an idiot. If you can.” Her words didn’t seem to have any affect on Edward—his amused expression was still intact. The car was silent on the way home except the occasional chuckle that slipped though Edward’s lips every now and again. As he turned onto the drive—speeding now that there were no witnesses—I spoke for the first time. “So do I get to talk to Bella now?” I asked suddenly, the question slipped through my lips but I was dying to know. “No,” He snapped. “Not fair! What am I waiting for?” I was waiting for my darned brother to accept what I see and get over his stubbornness. “I haven’t decided anything, Alice.” Of course he has decided. Did he not, just today, decide to talk to Bella again? Doesn’t that count for something? “Whatever, Edward.” In my head, her two futures were clear again. He would either kill her —which would kill him as well—or he would be with her, immortal or human; it didn’t matter. “What’s the point in getting to know her?” He mumbled his voice suddenly morose. “If I’m just going to kill her?” He continued. I hesitated. He loved her but he still craved her blood. I have faith in him that he wouldn’t kill her—a faith he doesn’t know exists within himself. “You have a point.” I admitted. Edward took the final hairpin turn at ninety miles an hour and then screeched to a stop an inch from the back garage wall. “Enjoy your run.” Rosalie said smugly as Edward threw himself out of the car. He didn’t run as he usually did, instead he went hunting.

Part 22

All of our eyes were darkening; hungry with thirst. We were all scheduled to hunt tomorrow; the thirst was bearable but if we didn’t hunt at least every two weeks it becomes unhealthy

and uncomfortable—especially to be around humans. Since Edward decided he would no longer ignore Bella, I knew he would hunt more often so it would be easier for him when spending time with her. The animal blood wouldn’t be enough to overpower the lust he has towards her blood but it does help when you thirst is satiated. I saw from my visions, Edward on his hunting trip—he definitely overdid it, drinking more than necessary. He was lucky enough to stumble across one black bear this early in the year and a small grouping of elk. He has to be uncomfortably full after drinking the blood from the bear and elk’s. As the vision shifted, it was Edward wondering back in Forks but not in the direction of our house—he was going to find Bella. What was he going to do? I guess his curiosity got the better of him. I concentrated harder to what I was seeing. It was past midnight when Edward—dangling from the eave above the window by one hand—looked through Bella’s bedroom window where she slept in her small bed. She wasn’t exactly sleeping soundlessly—there was a little furrow in between her eyebrows and the corner of her lips were turned down. Her lips trembled then parted—she was mumbling her words. She talked in her sleep. Edward did the last thing I expected him to do…he eased himself silently through her halfopened window and sat himself in the old rocking chair in the far corner of her bedroom— keeping a safe distance between them. She continued mumbling softly in her sleep about her mother while Edward sat, thinking about ways to handle the situation. He still would not accept the two visions—that much was obvious. He was contemplating whether the best choice for him would be to leave again. His absence might not put anyone in danger but it would affect us, Bella especially. Did he not realise how miserable she looked when he ignored her? I think not, because he barely looked at her but I was sure, she was in his every thought. He couldn’t bear to hurt her—physically or emotionally. Suddenly, she spoke his name, sighing quietly then rolling to her side still fast asleep. She mumbled his name softly again—she was dreaming of Edward. It sounded like sweet dream not a nightmare. She was begging him to stay like she knew that he was thinking of leaving again. If I couldn’t convince him of his love for her then Bella could—she just did. Those couple of words she’d spoken, he finally understood what I’ve been trying to tell him all along—he will love her for the rest of his existence, no matter which shape or form she’d be in; vampire, human or deceased. I cringed at the last one. As horrible as the last form may be, it’s a part of human nature and Edward would never love anyone the eternal way he loves her. Loving her would not keep him from killing her but I knew he wouldn’t do such a thing—no

matter how strong her scent was to him. I know he has the self control within himself to keep her alive. It won’t be easy—he’d have to be truly careful, keeping his guard up at all times. He will have to control his every breath around her and keep a cautious distance but I know he’s strong enough to handle it. Edward, no doubt, believes she as a human deserves a life, a future but I knew he would not ask Carlisle to make her immortal so he could keep her forever by his side where she belongs—he believes vampires are soulless selfish monsters, well that’s how he regards himself especially. If he only saw himself clearly. There was one another future. One other path in his life to walk along— be with her and leave her human. Could he do it? Yes. I have a feeling, when it comes to Bella in his existence, the answer will always be yes. This was one thin wire he might be able to walk along—if he could keep his balance. One way or another, Bella will always be apart of out future. Our family. A Cullen.

Part 23

As the vision broke off, the last thing I saw was what she was wearing to bed. Ugh, surely she had cuter pyjamas to wear but no; she was wearing tatty sweatpants and a threadbare t-shirt full of holes. Edward still gazed at her with loving eyes as she slept but she could’ve at least chosen a sexier attire to sleep in. I was sure if I got my hands on her and worked my magic, I could make Edward’s eyes pop out of his head. I giggled at the thought. One day I’ll show her how to dress her body—that’s what I do. What I’m best at doing. So, if Edward was sneaking into her bedroom in early hours of the morning to watch her sleep, did that mean maybe I could at least start talking to her? I already knew the answer to my own question. No. Edward would probably snap at me again if I asked. I sighed heavily in frustration. I know everything that’s meant to be, will happen. I just have to be patient. I grimaced… patience wasn’t exactly the high word in my vocabulary. Jasper—sensing my mood—appeared in the doorway, looking at me questionably. “Edward is just…Ugh, he is annoying the hell out of me. Why can’t he just give me what I want? If he just gives me a chance then I can prove to him, this is what he wants too.” I sighed and threw my hands in the air in exasperation. Jasper cocked his head to the side. “I know you are. I don’t need my skills to know that you are annoyed—I can read it in your eyes.” If I didn’t know myself any better, then Jasper surely did. He knows me inside out.

“As for Edward, well you need to have patience darlin’. You will become friends with her soon enough. I know Edward isn’t exactly giving you what you want right now but when the time is right, everything will fall into its place. I wish I could give you what you want but its Edward’s decision—you have to try and respect that.” He reminded me with a thoughtful look on his face. I sighed. I knew he was right, he knew he was right. The corner of his lips turned up as he stared at me, smiling softly. With his curly honey blonde hair, scarred skin and hypnotic eyes, I couldn’t help the surge of pride that ran through my body—he was mesmerizingly beautiful and belonged to me. “Here let me help you relax.” He offered, reaching out his hand toward me. “I’m fine, really. I know the atmosphere around me might feel a little tense but you don’t need to worry. Your talent will help and make a difference but I don’t need it.” I was only feeling edgy but one thing that did please me was the fact that our futures are know unshadowed, especially Edward’s. Bella really has influenced all our futures but for the better, despite Rosalie’s opinions on the matter. “Who said anything about using my talent?” He broke me out of my train of thought. I looked up at him to see a grin playing on the edges of his lips. I couldn’t help it, I couldn’t resist him. I giggled as he flung me over his shoulder and ran into our room where all my worries soon disappeared as the door slammed shut and his lips crushed against mine. *** “Let’s just go already. He can find his own way to school. Everyone is dressed and ready, and my hair is done. So can we just leave now?” Rosalie screamed impatiently. Edward still hadn’t returned—I guess he was really enjoying his night, so much he doesn’t want to leave her side. “Maybe we should just go. He’ll catch up with us later.” Emmett suggested, no doubt trying to please Rose. We all nodded and slid into the Volvo. The ride to school was silent, everyone wrapped in their own thoughts. I saw that Edward had arrived home just after we headed off to school. Changing quickly in clean clothes and avoiding Esme’s questioning eyes, he ran to school, arriving a few seconds to school after we did.

Neither of us turned though I knew Edward stood there in the thick woods that bordered the pavement. I caught sight of Bella’s truck as she drove into the lot, glaring at the empty Volvo for a long moment before parking her truck in one of the most distant spaces with a frown on her face. Was it possible that she’s still angry at Edward? I saw that Edward strolled casually from between the trees into the full lot of parked cars when no one was looking. He paused behind a Suburban, where he wasn’t in her line of sight. What was he planning to do now? As I looked ahead, I saw the intentions behind his actions.

As Bella climbed out of her cab, she fumbled with her key and it fell into a deep puddle at her feet. As she reached down to pick up her key, Edward got too it first, retrieving it before she her fingers touched the cold water. She jerked upright to see my brother leaning casually against her truck. “How do you do that?” She demanded in amazed irritation. Yes, to answer my question, she’s still angry. He offered her the key in his hand. “Do what?” He asked as she reached her hand out and he dropped it into the palm of her hand. “Appear out of thin air.” She clarified. “Bella, it’s not my fault if you exceptionally unobservant.” He said the words wryly but did I detect the way he spoke her name like a caress? She was anything but unobservant—her chocolate eyes missed nothing. She glared at him, not appreciating his humour. She stared at him for a moment before looking down. “Why the traffic jam last night?” She demanded, keeping her eyes on the floor. “I thought you were supposed to be pretending that I don’t exist, not irritating me to death.” Yes, definitely still angry. It was going to take him some effort to make things right with her. He decided that last night that he’d be truthful with her, I wonder if that plan was still in effect. “That was for Tyler’s sake, not mine. I had to give him his chance.” He snickered as he finished. So that was his plan—to see Bella’s reaction towards Tyler’s invitation to the dance. Judging from her face yesterday, I’m assuming Edward was happy with the outcome. “You…” She gasped and then broke off, appearing too furious to finish. She only seemed to amuse Edward further. “And I’m not pretending you don’t exist.” He continued keeping his voice casual, teasing. I knew he’d think if he unleashed the intensity he has towards her, she’d be scared but I knew better—she would welcome it.

“So are you trying to irritate me to death? Since Tyler’s van didn’t do the job?” Anger flashed into his eyes as soon as she spoke the words. His lips pressed into a hard line, all signs of humour gone. It’s irrational for him to be so affronted but she honestly couldn’t believe that. “Bella, you are utterly absurd.” He snapped, his low voice cold. Her face flushed and she turned her back and started to walk away. Remorse took over Edward’s features as she began to walk away from him—he knew he had no right to his anger towards her. “Wait” He pleaded. She kept walking, sloshing angrily through the rain. She did not stop so he followed after her, easily keeping pace. “I’m sorry, that was rude.” He apologised as she ignored him. “I’m not saying that is isn’t true but it was rude to say it anyway.” He continued. “Why won’t you leave me alone?” She grumbled. “I wanted to ask you something, but you sidetracked me.” He chuckled. He seemed to have recovered his good humour. “Do you have multiple personality disorder?” She asked severely. It certainty seemed that way—his mood was erratic. I didn’t need Jasper to see that. “You’re doing it again.” He pointed out. She sighed. “Fine then. What do you want to ask?” “I was wondering if, a week from Saturday…” Shock crossed her face. “You know, the day of the spring dance—“ She cut him off, wheeling toward him. “Are you trying to be funny?” Her face got drenched as she looked up, returning her eyes to his. His eyes were wickedly amused. “Will you please let me finish?” She waited in silence, clasping her hands together, interlocking her fingers and biting her lower lip. Edward seemed to be distracted for a second, looking at her teeth pressing into her bottom lip. “I heard you say that you were going to Seattle that day, and I was wondering if you wanted a ride.” He offered. This was the last thing she was expecting him to say. She stared at him blankly. “What?” “Do you want a ride to Seattle?” He seemed to think about his words before taking a deep

breathe. “With who?” She asked her eyes wide and bewildered. “Myself, obviously.” He said slowly, pronouncing each syllable as if he were talking to someone mentally handicapped. She was still stunned. “Why?” She seemed shocked that he would want her company. “Well,” He said casually. “I was planning to go to Seattle in the next few weeks, and, to be honest, I’m not sure if your truck can make it.” He said in a teasing tone. “My truck works just fine, thankyou very much for your concern,” She said in a surprised voice. She started to walk again but she couldn’t seem to maintain the same level of anger as before. He kept pace with her. “But can your truck make it there on one tank of gas?” “I don’t see how that is any of your business.” She grumbled, her heart was beating faster and her breath coming more quickly. I realised she still hadn’t said no, and I’m sure Edward knew of that knowledge as well. “The wasting of finite resources is everyone’s business.” “Honestly, Edward,” A thrill seemed to go through both of them as she spoke Edward’s name aloud. “I can’t keep up with you. I thought you didn’t want to be my friend.” “I said it would be better if we weren’t friends, not that I didn’t want to be.” He seemed to be generally honest with her in his answer. “Oh, thanks, now that’s all cleared up,” She said with heavy sarcasm. She’d stopped walking again. They were under the shelter of the cafeteria roof now and she met his gaze. Her heartbeat stuttered as she looked up at his face. He seemed to choose his words carefully. “It would be more…prudent for you not to be my friend.” He explained. Staring into the depths of her melted chocolate eyes, his light tone disappeared. “But I’m tired of trying to stay away from you, Bella.” His eyes were intense as he uttered that last sentence. She seemed to forget how to breathe and it took a second for it to restart. “Will you go with me to Seattle?” He asked, still intense. She couldn’t seem to speak so she nodded in response, her heart drumming loudly. She had said yes to Edward.

He smiled briefly at her and then his face became serious. “You really should stay away from me,” he warned “I’ll see you in class.” He called, turning abruptly then walked back the way we’d come. She watched him in a daze as he walked away.

Part 24

Bella made her way to English in a daze, not realising her class had already started. I saw Mr Mason greet Bella in a disparaging tone. “Thankyou for joining us, Miss Swan.” Her cheeks flushed as she hurried to her seat. The rest of morning passed in a blur as I looked out for everyone’s future. In Bella’s English class, Mike hadn’t sat in his usual seat next to her and I could tell Bella felt guilty but as the class ended, Eric and Mike met her at the door as usual—they couldn’t stay mad at her for refusing their invitations to the dance. I didn’t need Edward’s abilities to know that throughout the morning, Bella’s mind would be swimming with thoughts of Edward. Bella would have to be the clumsiest creature I’ve ever seen—tripping over cracks, the sidewalks, stray books, ever her own feet—her greatest difficulty would be having trouble staying upright. She’d be the clumsiest vampire in eternity. I snickered at the thought of Bella wearing heels—that would be one show I’ll be sure not to miss. Edward seemed to be scanning the thoughts of anyone in contact with Bella. With not being able to hear her mind, he listened to her through others thoughts. When the lunch bell rang, I saw as Edward strode quickly to the cafeteria to secure his spot. He was the first one there as he chose a table that was usually empty. As we entered the cafeteria, we were not surprised that Edward was sitting alone in a new place—I had warned the other of his intentions as soon as he’d made the decision. Rosalie stalked pass Edward without a glance—they’d never had an easy relationship. He’d offended her the very first time she’d heard him speak and nothing had changed since then between them. The last few days, she’s been even more ill-tempered—she made everything about her and refused to accept the fact that Bella would be apart of the Cullen’s in time. Jasper gave Edward a half smile as he walked by while Emmett rolled his eyes and shook his head. I was beaming on the inside but I’m sure my expression gave it away as I couldn’t wipe the huge joyous grin off my face. I knew Jasper was happy in regards to my emotions— anything that made me happy effected his happiness as well.

Can I talk to Bella now? I asked excitement clear in my voice. “Keep out of it,” He said under his breath. My face fell as his word killed my buzz of excitement but my enthusiasm soon increased as I remembered the words Jazz spoke last night—I needed to have patience; everything will fall into its place.

Fine. Be stubborn. It’s only a matter of time. He sighed again as I reminded him of this knowledge. Don’t forget about today’s biology lab. I reminded him. I saw that today’s biology lab would be blood typing—a vampire in a class full of human’s pricking their fingers wasn’t exactly the greatest mix. I had already ditched my biology class this morning. He nodded, confirming he hadn’t forgotten. I heard Jessica babbling on about the upcoming dance—completely unaware of Bella’s inattention as she walked silently beside her. The moment Bella walked through the door, her eyes flashed to our table where only four of us currently sat. She stared for a moment and then her forehead crumbled and her eyes dropped to the floor. Bella hadn’t noticed Edward sitting by himself. Jessica continued to jabber about the dance as Bella followed her through the lunch line. She brought nothing but a drink for lunch, like she had the day when Edward returned to Forks from his escape to Denali. Bella looked crushed. “Edward Cullen is staring at you.” Jessica said, breaking Bella out of her abstraction with voicing my brother’s name. “I wonder why he’s sitting alone today.” Bella’s head snapped up as she followed Jessica’s gaze from across the cafeteria, where Edward sat, staring at her. He was smiling crookedly as her chocolate eyes found his golden ones. There was no trace of sadness in her expression now. Edward raised one hand and motioned with his index finger for her to join him—she stared at him in disbelief. When he winked, her mouth dropped in surprise. “Does he mean you?” Jessica asked with an insulting astonishment in her voice. “Maybe he needs help with his Biology homework,” She muttered in an uncertain voice, replying with an answer for Jessica’s benefit. “Um, I’d better go see what he wants.”

Bella stumbled twice on the way to Edward’s table, though there was nothing in her way but perfectly levelled linoleum. Jessica stared after her as she walked to where Edward sat. When Bella reached Edward’s table, she stood behind the chair across from him, hesitating. Edward inhaled deeply through his nose rather than his mouth. “Why don’t you sit next to me today?” He asked her, smiling. She sat down automatically, pulling the chair out and sitting, never breaking their eye contact. Edward was still smiling at her while she seemed nervous, watching him with caution. He waited for her to say something. It took a moment before she spoke. “This is different,” She finally managed. “Well…” He paused and then the rest of his words seemed to come out in a rush. “I decided as long as I was going to hell, I might as well do it thoroughly.” She waited for to say something else, obviously his words did not make sense to her and I’m sure Edward knew that. The seconds ticked by before she spoke again. “You know I don’t have any idea what you mean.” She pointed out. “I know.” Edward smiled in relief and then changed the subject. “I think your friends are angry at me for stealing you away.” She did not appear to be concerned. “They’ll survive.” Their stares were boring into her back and I’m sure Edward could not ignore their screaming thoughts. “I may not give you back, though.” He said with a wicked glint in his eyes. Oh, how honest he’s being with saying that. She swallowed loudly. Edward laughed at her expression. “You look worried.” “No,” She said, but her voice broke. “Surprised, actually…what brought all this on?” “I told you,” he reminded her. “I got tried of trying to stay away from you. So I’m giving up.” He held his smile in place with a bit of effort but his eyes were serious. He was suffering from the difficulties remaining casual and honest at the same time. “Giving up?” She repeated in confusion. “Yes—giving up trying to be good. I’m just going to do what I want now, and let the chips fall where they may.” His smiled faded as he explained, and a hard edge crept into his voice as he lost casualness in his words.

“You lost me again.” A smile reappeared on his face. “I always say too much when I’m talking to you—that’s one of the problems.” A rather insignificant problem in fact. “Don’t worry,” She reassured him. “I don’t understand any of it.” She admitted wryly. “I’m counting on that.” “So, in plain English, are we friends now?” Edward seemed to ponder that for a moment. “Friends…” He repeated. Obviously it wasn’t enough for either of them—that much was clear on their expressions whether they were too stubborn to acknowledge it or not. “Or not,” She mumbled, looking embarrassed. Did she honestly think he didn’t like her that much? Edward smiled. “Well, we can try, I suppose. But I’m warning you now that I’m not a good friend for you.” I could tell she saw behind his smile, the warning was real. Her heart beat faster. “You say that a lot,” She noted. “Yes, because you’re not listening to me.” He said with intensity. “I’m still waiting for you to believe it. If you’re smart, you’ll avoid me.” Would he allow doing that, if she tried? Her eyes narrowed. “I think you’ve made your opinion on the subject of my intellect clear, too.” Edward smiled apologetically at her. “So, as long as I’m being…not smart, we’ll try and be friends?” She said slowly as she struggled summing up the confusing exchange. “That sounds about right,” He agreed. She looked down intently at her hands wrapped around the lemonade bottle. “What are you thinking?” He asked curiously. I wonder how long he’s wanted to ask her that question. She met his gaze, and her breathing sped up while her cheeks flushed pink. Edward inhaled, tasting the air. “I’m trying to figure out what you are.” She blurted out. His jaw tightened but he kept his smile in place. I knew panic would be twisting through his

body at the moment. “Are you having any luck with that?” He asked as lightly as he could manage. “Not too much,” She admitted. He chuckled in relief. “What are your theories?” Her cheeks turned brighter red but she said nothing. “Won’t you tell me?” He tilted his head to one side with a smile tempting her. She shook her head. “Too embarrassing.” “That’s really frustrating, you know.” He complained—Edward couldn’t stand not knowing. That seem hit a never—her eyes flashed and her words flowed more swiftly than usual. "No," she disagreed quickly, her eyes narrowing, "I can't imagine why that would be frustrating at all — just because someone refuses to tell you what they're thinking, even if all the while they're making cryptic little remarks specifically designed to keep you up at night wondering what they could possibly mean… now, why would that be frustrating?" Edward grimaced, upset to realize that everything she’d just said was correct—he wasn’t being fair. "Or better,” she continued, her annoyance flowing freely now, "say that person also did a wide range of bizarre things — from saving your life under impossible circumstances one day to treating you like a pariah the next, and he never explained any of that, either, even after he promised. That, also, would be very non-frustrating." Every single word she’d just spoken was the exact truth. Who knew she had that spark in her? "You've got a bit of a temper, don't you?" "I don't like double standards." They stared at each other, unsmiling. He glanced over Bella’s shoulder, glancing at Mike Newton who was staring where they were sitting and then Edward snickered, probably hearing something amusing in Mike’s thoughts. "What?" She demanded. "Your boyfriend seems to think I'm being unpleasant to you — he's debating whether or not to come break up our fight." He snickered again. “I don’t know who you’re talking about.” She said in an icy tone. “But I’m sure you’re wrong anyway.” Edward very much enjoyed the way she disowned him with a dismissive sentence.

“I’m not. I told you, most people are easy to read.” “Except me, of course.” “Yes. Except for you.” His mood shifted, his eyes turned brooding. “I wonder why that is?” He stared into her eyes—they seemed to be the only part of her, revealing her thoughts, emotions and secrets to him. She looked away from the intensity of his stare, unscrewing her bottle lid and taking a quick sip. She stared at the table, not really seeing it. "Aren't you hungry?" he asked, distracted. "No." She looked at the empty table in front of them. "You?" "No, I'm not hungry." He was definitely not hungry. How dangerous for her it would be if he was. She pursed her lips, staring at the table. Edward waited. "Can you do me a favour?" She asked after a second of hesitation, suddenly meeting his gaze again. He was suddenly wary—he knew he could not tell her the truth of his existence. "That depends on what you want." "It's not much," She promised him. He waited, curiosity written on his face. "I just wondered… “She looked at the lemonade bottle as she spoke, tracing the circle of the opening with her pinkie finger. “If you could warn me beforehand the next time you decide to ignore me for my own good. Just so I'm prepared." Obviously being ignored by Edward made her miserable. He smiled as he accepted this knowledge. “That sounds fair,” He agreed, pressing his lips together to keep from laughing. “Thanks.” “Then can I have one answer in return?” He asked hopefully. “One,” She allowed. “Tell me one theory,” She flushed. “Not that one.” "You didn't qualify, you just promised one answer," he reminded her.

"And you've broken promises yourself,” Bella argued back—she had him there. "Just one theory — I won't laugh." He promised. "Yes, you will." She seemed very sure of herself. He looked down then glanced back up, staring deeply in her eyes. “Please?” He breathed, leaning towards Bella. He wasn’t playing fair—controlling her with his persuasive looks that seemed to stun her. She blinked, and her face went blank. “Er, what?” She asked, dazed. “Please tell me just one little theory.” He pleaded in a soft voice, his eyes still smouldering into hers. To Edward’s satisfaction, it worked. “Um, well, written by a radioactive spider?” Comic books inspired her theories about our being? “That’s not very creative.” He scoffed, trying to hide his relief. “I’m sorry, that’s all I’ve got.” She said, offended. This knowledge relieved him more. “You’re not even close.” He teased. “No spiders?” “Nope.” “No radioactivity?” “Nope.” “Dang,” She sighed. “Kryptonite doesn’t bother me either,” He said quickly then chuckled. “You’re not supposed to laugh, remember?” She reminded him. He pressed his lips together, struggling to regain composure. “I’ll found it out eventually,” She promised. “I wish you wouldn’t try,” He said, serious again. “Because…?”

“What if I’m not the superhero? What if I’m the bad guy?” He smiled playfully and answered her honestly but his eyes were impenetrable. Her eyes widened and her lips fell slight apart. “Oh,” She said and then after another second, “I see.” “Do you?” He asked abruptly severe—working to conceal the agony I know he felt in that moment. “You’re dangerous?” She guessed. Her heart raced and her breathing hitched as she thought about the truth in her words. Edward couldn’t answer her. He just looked at her with eyes full different emotions she couldn’t seem to comprehend. “But not bad,” She whispered shaking her head, not hint of fear in her eyes. “No, I don’t believe that you’re bad.” “You’re wrong,” He breathed. He looked down, stealing her bottle lid, and then spinning it on its side between his fingers—watching it instead of meeting her gaze. Her facial expression seemed anxious, and fascination was strong on her face but there was no trace of fear—she wasn’t afraid. Their silence lasted until Bella looked around and saw that the cafeteria was almost empty. She jumped to her feet. “We’re going to be late.” “I’m not going to class today,” He said, twirling the lid with his fingers. “Why not?” “It’s healthy to ditch class now and then.” What else could he say? He wasn’t going to class because he didn’t want to kill her. Yes, that sounds like an appropriate excuse. I thought to myself sarcastically. He smiled up at her but his ochre eyes were troubled. “Well, I’m going,” She said, responsibly—I don’t think she would risk getting caught. He turned his attention back to the whirling lid. “I’ll see you later, then.” He said casually. She hesitated, torn between staying with him or going to class, but then the first bell rang, making her decision for her, as she hurried away to class. With one last glance at Edward, confirming that he hadn’t moved a centimetre, she rushed out the door.

Part 25

Edward waited until she was gone before putting Bella’s lemonade bottle lid in his pocket and then walked through the rain to his car. He put the lid in his pocket? As what…a souvenir for the conversation he just had with her? I’ve never been able to figure out the workings of my brother’s complicated mind and I don’t intend on starting now but ever since he’s met Bella, there’s been more life in his eyes—enough life to notice the improvement in his expressions. I checked in on Bella’s Biology class where I saw as Mr Banner held up an indicator, dripping with Mike Newton’s red blood, for the class to see. Suddenly, Bella closed her eyes, pressing her cheek against the cool blacktop as squeals, complains and giggles erupted from the class as they skewered their fingers. Bella was breathing slowly in and out through her mouth when Mr Banner approached her, alarmed.

“Bella, are you all right?” She replied in weak voice, telling the teacher that she already knew her blood type. “Are you feeling faint?” He asked concerned. “Yes, sir.” She should’ve just ditched with Edward when she had the chance. Mr Banner called the class’s attention, asking for someone to take Bella’s to the nurse. Of course Mike Newton was more than eager to volunteer. “Can you walk?” Mr Banner asked. “Yes,” Bella whispered. Can they not see that she just wants to hurry up and get out of the room? Bella leaned heavily against an eager Mike, as he put his arm around her waist and Bella’s arm over his shoulder. He slowly towed her across campus and stopped when they were around the edge of the cafeteria, out of Mr Banner’s sight. “Just let me sit for a minute, please?” She begged Mike as he helped her sit on the edge of the walk. “And whatever you do, keep your hand in your pocket.” She warned. Bella slumped over on her side, putting her cheek against the freezing, damp cement of the sidewalk, closing her eyes—obviously she was still dizzy. “Wow, you’re green, Bella.” Mike said nervously. “Bella?” A voice called her from the distance. ***

Once inside his Volvo, I saw as Edward put on his favourite calming CD, the same one he listened too that first day he had met Bella. He turned down the stereo and then moved his fingers in air, playing over an imaginary piano—as if there was music playing in his head. His fingers continued over the imaginary keys when something caught his attention. He looked towards where Mike stood, lowering Bella’s limp body down on the sidewalk. She slumped against the cold and wet concrete, with her eyes closed and pallid skin.

“Bella?” Edward shouted from the distance, almost taking the door off the car as he hurried to where she was laying. There was no change in her face when he yelled her name. Edward’s whole body stiffened— turning colder than ice. Mike seemed surprised and aggravated, at the same time, with Edward’s unexpected presence. “What’s wrong—is she hurt?” He demanded, distressed. I knew walking at human pace was frustrating him. As he got closer, hearing her heart beat and even breath, his panic eased some. Edward stopped where he was, holding his breath—not realising she hadn’t pricked her finger. Growing accustomed to her scent was one thing but her flowing blood was another altogether. “I think she fainted.” Mike said, stressed and resentful at the same time. “I don’t know what happened; she didn’t even stick her finger.” Relief washed through Edward at Mike’s words, as he breathed again, tasting the air. Edward knelt beside her while Mike hovered next to him, furious at Edward’s intervention. “Bella. Can you hear me?” Edward asked her, his voice relieved. “No,” She moaned. “Go away.” He chuckled as relief saturated him once again—she was fine. “I was taking her to the nurse,” Mike explained in a defensive tone, “but she wouldn’t go any farther.” “I’ll take her. You can go back to class.” Edward said dismissively. Mike clenched his teeth together. “No,” He protested. “I’m supposed to do it.” The sidewalk disappeared from beneath Bella as Edward gently scooped her up into his arms, touching only her clothes and still maintaining a small distance between their bodies. Edward seemed thrilled but terrified. He started striding forward as Bella’s eyes flew open in shock.

“Put me down!” She ordered in a weak voice—embarrassed again. Edward was already walking before she finished talking. “Hey!” Mike shouted in protect, already ten paces behind them. Edward ignored him. “You look awful.” He told her, grinning. He knows she doesn’t like to show her weaknesses and there was nothing wrong with her but a light head, probably from not eating anything at lunch, and a weak stomach. “Put me back on the sidewalk.” She moaned as he held her gingerly, supporting all her weight with his arms. Her lips were white. “So you faint at the sight of blood?” Edward asked, very amused. I know he was thinking about the irony in regards to her reaction towards blood. She didn’t answer instead she closed her eyes and pressed her lips together, fighting the nausea. “And not even your own blood.” He continued, the grin on his face widening. The door to the front office was propped an inch open as Edward kicked it of his way. Ms Cope jumped, startled. “Oh my,” She gasped, as she examined Bella’s pale figure in Edward’s arms. “She fainted in Biology,” Edward explained. Bella opened her eyes, watching as Ms Cope ran ahead of Edward to open the door to the nurse’s office. The grandmotherly nurse looked up from her novel, astonished, as Edward laid Bella gently on the crackly paper that covered the brown vinyl mattress on the one cot. As soon as Bella was out of his arms, Edward moved to stand against the wall a far across the narrow room as possible. His was too excited, too eager—his muscles tense and venom flooding his mouth at the fragrance and warmth of Bella. His eyes were bright, excited. “She’s just a little faint,” He reassured Mrs Hammond. “They’re blood typing in Biology.” She nodded in understanding. “There’s always one.” Edward stifled a laugh as Bella was that one. “Just lie down for a minute, honey; it’ll pass.” “I know,” Bella said. “Does this happen a lot?” She asked. “Sometimes,” Bella admitted.

Edward coughed, trying to disguise his laughter. This brought Edward to the nurse’s attention. “You can go back to class now,” She told him. Edward looked into her eyes and lied with perfect confidence. “I’m supposed to stay with her.” He said with such assured authority, the nurse pursed her lips but didn’t argue it further. You learn the art of lying with confidence being a vampire. Our entire existence to the human beings is one big lie—a lie we have no choice but to keep a secret for eternity. “I’ll go get you some ice for your forehead, dear.” She said to Bella and then bustled out of the room. “You were right,” Bella moaned, closing her eyes. Edward seemed to jump to the worst conclusion. “I usually am,” He said with forced amusement in his voice. “But about what in particular this time?” “Ditching is healthy,” She sighed. She was silent then, breathing slowly in and out. Her white lips were beginning to turn pink. Edward seemed to be staring at her mouth with a tempted expression that had nothing to do with his vampiric nature. “You scared me for a minute there.” He said, restarting the conversation. “I thought Newton was dragging your dead body off to bury it in the woods.” “Ha ha,” She said with her eyes still closed. “Honestly—I’ve seen corpses with better colour.” That was true. “I was concerned that I might have to avenge your murderer.” Again, that was true—he would have. “Poor Mike,” She sighed. “I’ll bet he’s mad.” Fury appeared on his expressions at her words before he contained quickly. “He absolutely loathes me.” He said, cheerfully. “You can’t know that.” “I saw his face—I could tell.” “How did you see me? I thought you were ditching.” The green undertone had vanished from her translucent skin. “I was in my car, listening to a CD.” Her expression twitched, seeming surprised by his ordinary response.

Bella opened her eyes as Mrs Hammond returned with an ice pack. “Here you go, dear,” She said as she laid it across Bella’s forehead. “You’re looking better.” “I think I’m fine,” Bella said, sitting up slowly and pulling the ice pack away. Mrs Hammond’s wrinkled hands fluttered towards Bella, as if she were going to lay her back down, but just then Ms Cope opened the office door and stuck her head in. “We’ve got another one,” Ms Cope warned. Bella quickly hopped of the cot. “Here,” She said, handing the compress back to Mrs Hammond. “I don’t need this.” Mike staggered through the door, supporting Lee Stevens, who had blood dripping down the hand he was holding to his face, trickling towards his wrist. “Oh no,” This was Edward’s cue to leave, and evidently Bella’s. “Get out of the office, Bella.” She looked up at him with bewildered eyes. “Trust me—go.” She spun and caught the door before it closed, rushing through to the office. Edward followed a few inches behind her, her swinging hair brushing his hand. She turned and looked at him with wide eyes. “You actually listened to me,” He was stunned—that was a first. “I smelled the blood,” She said, wrinkling her nose. She can smell blood? Surely, no human could smell blood…their sense of smell isn’t strong enough. He started at her in blank surprise. “People can’t smell blood.” He contradicted. “Well, I can—that’s what makes me sick. It smells like rust…and salt.” My body froze at the same time as Edward froze, still staring at her. Was she human? She didn’t act or respond humanly but she looked human and the blood flowing through her veins proved she was human but she surely didn’t act like one I’ve even seen. “What?” She asked, noticing Edward’s unfathomable expression. “It’s nothing,” Mike came through the door, interrupting them and glancing from Edward to Bella. His expression seemed violent and resentful each time he looked at Edward.

“You look better,” He accused Bella rudely. Edward’s hand twitched as though he wanted to slap Mike…or worse, with the tone he was using towards Bella. “Just keep your hand in your pocket,” She warned Mike. “It’s not bleeding anymore,” He answered sullenly. “Are you going back to class?” “Are you kidding? I’d just have to turn back around and come back.” Edward took pleasure from her words. “Yeah, I guess…” Mike mumbled. “So are you going this weekend? To the beach?” Mike shot another glare at Edward, who was leaning motionless against the cluttered counter, staring off into space. He looked furious as Mike spoke of the plans he had made with Bella and their group of friends. It’s not just the two of them Edward, get a grip on yourself. I reminded him in my head even though it was no use since I was watching them from a vision and he couldn’t hear me. “Sure, I said I was in.” She promised him. It was just a group outing, spending a day with friends, but the jealousy radiating from Edward seemed to burn him, more painful then the hot flames in his throat when he is around her. “We’re meeting at me Dad’s store, at ten.” Mike’s eyes flickered to Edward—obviously it wasn’t an open invitation. “I’ll be there,” She promised. “I’ll see you in Gym, then,” Mike said, moving uncertainly toward the door. “See you,” She replied. Mike look at Bella one more, his round face slightly pouting, and then as he shuffled out the door, his shoulders slumped. Sympathy seemed to wash over Bella’s expression as she watched Mike walk out the door. “Gym,” She groaned. Edward looked at her, noticing that she was sad about something again. It was clear that she didn’t want to go to her next class with Mike, and Edward seemed to be all for that plan. He went to her side and bent close to her face, feeling the warmth of her skin radiating out to his lips. He didn’t dare to breathe as he whispered in her ear, “I can take care of that,” Edward murmured. “Go sit down and look pale.” That didn’t seem like a challenge for her, seeing as though she is naturally pale but her recent swoon had left a light sheen of sweat on her face, which did help matters. Bella sat in one of the creaky folding chairs, leaning her head back against the wall with her eyes

closed. Ms Cope came out of the back room and went to her desk. Edward turned to the secretary, “Ms Cope?” He asked, using his persuasive voice. Her eyelashes fluttered and her heart sped up. “Yes?” Edward smiled and Ms Cope’s breathing got louder. “Bella has gym next hour and I don’t think she feels well enough. Actually, I was thinking I should take her how home now. Do you think you could excuse her from class?” Ms Cope swallowed loudly before she answered. “Do you need to be excused, too, Edward?” She fluttered. “No, I have Mrs Goff, she won’t mind,” Edward didn’t seem to be paying much attention to the secretary now, seeming deep in thought about something. “Okay, it’s all taken care of. You feel better, Bella.” Bella nodded weakly. Wow, she was a horrible actress… “Can you walk, or do you want me to carry you again?” Edward asked sarcastically, evidently amused by her poor theatrics as was I. He knew she would want to walk. “I’ll walk,” She said. The visions disappeared, being interrupted by the teacher, asking me describe the meaning of Juliet words to Romeo in Scene II. ‘“What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet.’ What do you think Juliet meant by those words, Miss Cullen?” The English teacher asked me. “Juliet tells Romeo that a name is an artificial and meaningless convention and that she loves a person who is called “Montague,” not the Montague name and not the Montague family but Romeo Montague, the man who she holds passion and love towards.” I smiled, knowing my explanation was perfect. The story of Romeo and Juliet was simple—I’ve learnt about the “star crossed lovers” many times before. The teacher nodded, satisfied with my response. I turned my attention back to Edward and Bella, knowing what I saw before the teacher interrupted would happen in a couple of minutes. As I looked out the window, I saw Edward in his Volvo, fluttering his fingers over imaginary piano keys and I heard Mr Banner from across the school building, instructing the class while demonstrating, pricking Mike Newton's finger. The drive home between Edward and Bella was something not to be missed…

Part 26 Bella carefully stood, checking her balance. Edward held the door open for her—he was smiling politely but his eyes were mocking—as they walked out into the rain. Edward watched her as she lifted her face to the fine mist that had just begun to fall. With her eyes closed and a slight smile on her lips, I knew the question, what is she thinking now, was eating Edward away. She seemed to enjoy the constant moisture falling out of the sky as it washed her face clean from the sticky perspiration. Most girls wouldn’t raise their faces to the drizzle that way—if they did, their makeup would wash away, running down their faces, creating a really unattractive look. Though Bella really wasn’t like most girls, and she really did have pretty skin.

“Thanks,” Bella said, smiling at Edward as he followed her out. “It’s worth getting sick to miss Gym.” Anytime,” Edward said, staring straight ahead and squinting into the rain. “So are you going? This Saturday, I mean?” She sounded hopeful. From reading his face, he looked like he wanted to say yes. But being a vampire, there were many things to consider, especially the sun. Beaches aren’t exactly the ideal location to avoid sunlight. "Where are you going, exactly?” He asked looking ahead, keeping his voice nonchalant. She studied his face, trying to read it. “Down to La Push, to First Beach,” Edward’s eyes narrowed a tiny bit. Now, it was impossible for Edward to go. Edward glanced down at her from the corner of his eye, smiling wryly. “I really don’t think I was invited.” She sighed. “I just invited you.” “Let’s you and I not push poor Mike any further this week. We don’t want him to snap.” His eyes danced, enjoying the idea more than he should—I didn’t need read my brother’s mind to know he was picturing snapping poor Mike. “Mike-schmike.” She seemed to be preoccupied by the way Edward said “you and I.” Edward smiled widely as she dismissed Mike like she had earlier at lunch. She started walking away from Edward as they were nearing the parking lot now. Edward, without thinking, reached out and caught her by the back of her rain jacket, yanking her back. “Where do you think you’re going?” He sounded almost angry that she was leaving him. Edward didn’t want her to go, not yet—I could tell he hadn’t had enough time with her. She was confused. “I’m going home.”

“Didn’t you hear me promise to take you safely home? Do you think I’m going to let you drive in your condition?” Could he handle her proximity in an enclosed space? Yes, I know he could. “What condition?” She demanded. “And what about my truck?” “I’ll have Alice drop it off after school.” He towed her to the car carefully, pulling her by her jacket. Oh so now I have to drive her truck home. Wait, Edward said I get to drive her truck home. I couldn’t help the smile that spread widely across my face. If I wasn’t in class, I’d probably be jumping joyously in the air. Maybe I could start talking to her sooner than I thought… “Let go!” She insisted, twisting sideway and nearly tripping. Edward held out one hand to catch her but she righted herself before it was necessary. Now I knew Edward was just looking for excuses to touch her. He finally freed her as they reached the Volvo and she stumbled against the passenger door. Nice going Edward, you know the girl has poor balance, I thought to myself. “You are so pushy!” She grumbled. “It’s open,” was all he responded. He got into the driver’s seat and started the car. The rain had picked up, soaking through her thick hair, darkening it to near black. She held her body rigidly, still outside. “I am perfectly capable of driving myself home!” Of course she was, but the question is, was Edward capable of letting her go? He lowered the automatic window and leaned toward her. “Get in, Bella.” She didn’t answer but her eyes narrowed. I knew she was debating whether or not to make a run for it. Not exactly the best plan when in the presence of vampire. I chuckled at the thought of a human trying to outrun a vampire. “I’ll just drag you back,” Edward threatened, guessing her plan and enjoying the chagrin on her face when she realised he meant it. She tried to maintain what dignity she could as she got into the car with chin stiffly in the air. Her hair dripped on the leather and her boots squeake “This is completely unnecessary,” She said coldly. He didn’t answer—turning the heater up so she wouldn’t be uncomfortable and setting the music down to a nice background level. He was watching her through the corner of his eyes as he drove toward the parking lot exit. Her lips were in full pout mode, jutting out stubbornly. He stared her lower lip, examining it with that same tempted expression like he had earlier in the nurse’s office. She had prepared to give him the silent treatment but failed as she stared with wide eyes and a smile on her lips, looking at the stereo. “Clair De Lune?” She asked surprised, recognizing the music playing. She was a fan of the classics?

“You know Debussy?” He asked surprised, too. “Not well,” She admitted. “My mother plays a lot of classical music around the house—I only know my favourites.” “It’s one of my favourites, too.” He stared out through the rain, lost in thought. Just when Edward thinks they’re opposites in every way, he finds out they have something in common after all. She relaxed against the light grey leather seat and listened to the music. They both stared out into the rain with unseeing eyes. Edward used her momentary distraction to experiment with breathing. He inhaled carefully through his nose, clutching the steering wheel tighter as her scent was too potent. He swallowed against the flames in his throat. “What is your mother like?” Edward asked suddenly, as a distraction. Bella glanced over to see him studying her with curious eyes. “She looks a lot like me, but she's prettier," I said. He raised his eyebrows, doubting that. "I have too much Charlie in me. She's more outgoing than I am, and braver.” He doubted that, too. “She's irresponsible and slightly eccentric, and she's a very unpredictable cook. She's my best friend." Her voice had turned melancholy. She stopped and her forehead creased—talking about her mother seemed to depress her. "How old are you, Bella?" Edward asked. He'd stopped the car in front of Chief Swan’s house. "I'm seventeen," She responded, a little confused. "You don't seem seventeen." His reproachful tone made her laugh. "What?" he asked, curious again. "My mom always says I was born thirty-five years old and that I get more middle-aged every year." She laughed again, and then sighed. "Well, someone has to be the adult.” Edward was once again lost in thought as if her words had clarified things for him. "You don't seem much like a junior in high school yourself," She noted, pulling Edward out of his reverie. Everything Edward perceived about her, she perceived the same amount in return. He grimaced and changed the subject. "So why did your mother marry Phil?" She hesitated before answering. "My mother… she's very young for her age. I think Phil makes her feel even younger. At any rate, she's crazy about him." She shook her head indulgently. "Do you approve?" he wandered. "Does it matter?" She countered. "I want her to be happy… and he is who she wants." Her

unselfishness didn’t surprise Edward. "That's very generous… I wonder," he mused. "What?" "Would she extend the same courtesy to you, do you think? No matter who your choice was?" He was suddenly intense, his eyes searching hers. Such the old-fashioned gentleman Edward is, what parent wouldn’t approve him for their daughter? "I-I think so," She stuttered in reaction to Edward’s gaze. "But she's the parent, after all. It's a little bit different." "No one too scary then," he teased, smiling wryly. She grinned at Edward. "What do you mean by scary? Multiple facial piercings and extensive tattoos?" "That's one definition, I suppose." A very nonthreatening definition in comparison to a vampire. "What's your definition?" She always asked the right questions, but of course they ones Edward didn’t want to answer. He ignored her question and asked me another. "Do you think that I could be scary?" He raised one eyebrow and tried to smile a little. She thought through his question before answering him in a serious voice. "Hmmm… I think you could be, if you wanted to." "Are you frightened of me now?" He asked her, serious—the smile vanished from his face. She answered at once, not thinking this one through "No." He smiled more easily. Edward did not think she was entirely telling the truth but nor was she truly lying. "So, now are you going to tell me about your family?" She asked to distract him. "It's got to be a much more interesting story than mine." A story over the last hundred years. "What do you want to know?" Edward asked cautiously. "The Cullens adopted you?" She verified. "Yes." She hesitated for a moment then spoke in a small voice. "What happened to your parents?" "They died many years ago." That was the truth—he didn’t even have to lie to her. "I'm sorry," She mumbled, worried about having hurt him with her question about his parents. He took satisfaction from the fact that she was worrying about him. "I don't really remember them that clearly.” He assured her. “Carlisle and Esme have been

my parents for a long time now." "And you love them." It wasn't a question—she could hear the admiration in the way he spoke of them. Carlisle’s compassion and Esme never ending affection—I couldn’t imagine anyone not loving them the way we do. "Yes." Edward smiled. "I couldn't imagine two better people." I couldn’t either. "You're very lucky." "I know I am." We all are very fortunate to have Carlisle and Esme our parents for all intents and purposes. "And your brother and sisters?" Edward glanced at the clock on the dashboard. "My brother and sister, and Jasper and Rosalie for that matter, are going to be quite upset if they have to stand in the rain waiting for me." We all know Rose wouldn’t want to get her hair wet, and I honestly didn’t want our clothing to get drenched either. “Oh, sorry, I guess you have to go,” She didn’t move, not wanting to get out of the car. Edward liked that very much. “And you probably want your truck back before Chief Swan gets home, so you don’t have to tell him about the Biology incident.” He grinned at her. “I’m sure he’s already heard. There are no secrets in Forks.” She sighed. Edward laughed at her words. Sure, no secrets whatsoever. I thought sarcastically. “Have fun at the beach.” He glanced at the pouring rain. It wouldn’t last and I knew he was wishing more strongly than usual that it could. “Good weather for sunbathing.” I’d seen that the sun would be shinning on Saturday—she would enjoy that. It was a shame we, as vampires, couldn’t enjoy it as much as we wished too. “Won’t I see you tomorrow?” The worry in her tone pleased Edward. “No. Emmett and I are starting the weekend early.” It was obvious he was mad at himself for making plans—he could break them but I knew he wouldn’t cancel on Emmett. “What are you going to do?” She asked, the disappointment apparent in her voice. “We’re going to be hiking in the Goat Rocks Wilderness, just south of Rainer.” Emmett was more than eager for bear season. “Oh, well, have fun.” She said halfheartedly. Her lack of enthusiasm pleased him again—a smile playing around the edges of his lips. He looked almost agonized at the thought of saying a temporary goodbye. “Will you do something for me this weekend?” He asked, looking into her eyes, suddenly intense. She nodded helplessly, her eyes wide and bewildered by his change of tone and expression. “Don’t be offended, but you seem to be one of those people who just attract accidents like

a magnet. So… try not to fall into the ocean or get run over or anything, all right?” He smiled ruefully at her, masking the sadness in his eyes. She glared at him, offended by his teasing. “I’ll see what I can do,” She snapped, jumping out into the rain and slamming the door as hard as she could behind her. Edward curled his hand around the key he’d just picked from her jacket pocket, and smiled as he drove away.

Part 27

Edward had to wait when he arrived at school; the final hour wasn’t out yet. Keeping the windows up, Edward was trying to get used to the burning fire in his throat as her scent currently lingered in the car. He seemed deep in thought, lost in his own mind. Day dreaming, maybe? What was he thinking so hard about? Suddenly, I caught of vision of Bella and Edward; wrapping his arms around Bella, pulling her tighter against his chest while cupping her chin with his palm…brushing her back from her rosy-cheeked face, tracing her lips with the edges of his fingertips, leaning closer to her face and feeling the warm of breath radiating on his lips…leaning closer still… Then it shifted to a horrific image; Edward eyes glowing crimson, blood dripping from his marble hands, Bella’s limp body in his arms… I shook my head frantically from side to side in attempt to rid the image away from my mind. I felt sorry in a way for Edward. I didn’t need Jasper to know that Edward was experiencing new human feelings and emotions that has resurfaced since he’s met Bella. Edward has always been that boy. When he had been human, he wasn’t looking for love; his thoughts had all been turned to a soldier’s glory. The Great War ranged through most of his adolescent years, and he’d been only nine months away from his eighteenth birthday when the Spanish Influenza had stuck. Ever since Carlisle had changed him, he’s walked among the earth, searching, not knowing what he was looking for, and not finding anything because Bella hadn’t been born yet. His feelings towards her are like no other, out of this world; as strong as the love shared between Carlisle and Esme, Emmett and Rosalie, Jasper and I. Jasper came towards me then, reaching out his hand to take a hold of mine own. “Hey, why are you feeling so sympathetic, all of a sudden?” He turned me around to look up into the depths of his eyes. “Mmm, just…thinking,” I sighed and smiled, looking at the man standing before me. “Have you noticed any changes in Edward, lately?” I asked him suddenly—the question had been bubbling in my mind for the past a couple of days, even though I knew and witnessed the obvious changes, I was still curious.

“His emotions have been all over the place. I’ve been feeling emotions radiating from him that I’ve never felt from him before, but I don’t know the reasons behind them.” He answered thoughtfully and then looked down at me, grinning. “But I’m sure my beautiful wife would know the reasons for his emotions.” He raised an accusing eyebrow at me with a smile playing around the edges of his lips. “That, my love, is one thing she most certainly does know,” I reached up on the tips of my toes and gave a chaste kiss to his smiling lips. I giggled and grabbed his hand, guiding him toward the Volvo. Then I was reminded of my duty…”That reminds me… I have some business to take care.” I said with a smile. He looked down at me. “Is that so? What will you be doing darlin’?” I looked up at him, grinning. “I have some…duties as a friend, to attend too.” His lower lip puckered out but his eyes were teasing. I giggled and pecked his pouting bottom lip. “I’ll be back in your arms before you know it.” I winked and we continued walking towards the car, where Emmett was opening the door to slide in. Edward jumped when Emmett opened the passenger. That’s a first; no one ever caught Edward by surprise. He must have more on his mind than I realised. “I’ll bet Mrs Goff thinks you’re on drugs; you’ve been so erratic lately. Where were you today?” Emmett asked him. “I was…doing good deeds.” Emmett’s expression turned confused. Edward chuckled. “Caring for the sick, that kind of thing.” That only confused Emmett more, but then he inhaled and caught the scent of human in the car. Something Emmett thought put a grimace on Edward’s face. “Tell me about it,” Edward mumbled, speaking more to himself. Emmett inhaled again. “Hmm, she does have quite a flavour, doesn’t she?” Please tell me Emmett did not just say that to Edward. Judging from the snarl that broke through Edward lips, the words had left Emmett’s mouth. “Easy, kid, I’m just sayin.’” Emmett said as Rosalie, Jasper and I arrived then. Rosalie glowered at Edward, noticing the scent at once. Edward didn’t like Jasper’s reaction to her scent, either—he seemed upset that her blood was sweet to us as well but what did he expect? All human’s blood smelled as sweet.

I skipped to the side of Edward car and held my hand out for Bella’s truck key. “I only saw that I was,” I said, obscurely—even though I was more than aware, maybe too award, but what Edward didn’t know, wouldn’t hurt him. Surely he knew my eyes missed nothing. “You’ll have to tell me whys.” “This doesn’t mean—“ I didn’t let him finish his sentence. “I know, I know. I’ll wait. It won’t be long.” Of course I was right before when thinking I wouldn’t be allowed to make friends with her yet. Why did my brother have to be so difficult? He sighed and gave me the key. But it’s true in saying it won’t be long until I can finally befriend her. The seconds were ticking by, and each minute passing meant one minute closer until the moment I’ve been hoping for, arrived.

Part 28

Edward followed me to Bella’s house. Her truck is so slow, how does she have the patience to drive this thing? The rain was pounding down like a million tiny hammers, so loud, I doubt Bella’s human ears could hear the roar of her trucks engine. Edward watched her window, but she didn’t come to look out. I knew it saddened him that he couldn’t hear her enough to even check on her. As I looked forward into her future, I saw her sitting in her bedroom, concentrating on the third act of Macbeth. I climbed the back of the Volvo, taking my seat next to Jasper and we sped home. The roads were empty, and it only took a few minutes to get there—there was no reason not to speed our usual limits. We trooped into the house, and then went to our favourite pastimes. I went to my computer just around the corner, turning the monitors on and working on my fashion design project for Rosalie’s wardrobe. Rosalie did not join me today, to stand behind me and direct cut and colour as my hand traced over the touch of the sensitive monitor— Carlisle and Edward tweaked the system abit, given that most screens responded to temperature. Instead Rose lounged across the sofa, flipping through twenty channels a second on the flat screen, never pausing. Emmett and Jasper were in the middle of an elaborate game of chess, utilizing eight joined boards which were spread out along the glass back wall, and playing with their own complicated set of rules. They wouldn’t let Edward play and only occasionally they’d let me play—having the ability to see their next move or reading their next move in their minds, Edward and I had the advantage in winning. Only I would play games with Edward anymore. I could hear Esme upstairs, humming to herself. I looked ahead to see the moves Emmett was deciding to take. Leaning my head around wall,

Emmett sat on the floor with his back to me, I started mouthing Emmett’s next moves to Jasper, who kept his expression very smooth as he cut off Emmett’s favourite knight. As I turned my head, I saw Edward sat at his exquisite grand piano stationed just of the entryway. He ran his hand gently up the scales, testing the pitch—the tuning still sounded perfect. He began playing the first line of a tune I hadn’t heard before. I heard Esme get up from her desk and flitted to the head of the stairs with a joyous smile on her face. Edward added a harmonising line, letting the central melody weave through it. Esme sighed contently and sat down on the top step, leaning her head against the banister. He led the melody lead in a new direction, following it with the bass line. The music came to an abrupt halt and Edward laughed, a sharp bark of amusement that broke off quickly as he threw his head over his mouth. Rosalie turned to glare at Edward, her eyes sparking with chagrined fury. Emmett and Jasper turned to stare, too, and Esme flashed downstairs, pausing to glance between Rosalie and Edward. “Don’t stop, Edward.” Esme encouraged after a strained moment. He did as he was told, and starting playing again, turning his back on Rosalie while trying very hard to control the grin stretching across his face. Rose jumped to her feet and stalked out of the room, angry. Edward smothered another laugh. “What’s wrong, Rose?” Emmett called after her. She didn’t turn, continuing to walk toward the garage with her back ramrod straight, and squirmed under her car. “What’s that about?” Emmett asked Edward. “I don’t have the faintest idea,” He lied. Emmett grumbled, frustrated. “Keep playing,” Esme urged Edward as his hands had paused on the keys again. Once again, Edward did as she asked, and she came to stand behind him, putting her hands on the tops of his shoulders. Edward toyed with the bridge but he didn’t seem completely satisfied with it yet. “It’s charming. Does it have a name?” Esme asked. “Not yet.” “Is there a story to it?” She asked with a smile in her voice. I knew Edward playing piano gave her great pleasure, especially since he hasn’t played music for so long. “It’s…a lullaby, I suppose.” He got to the bridge right then, it led easily to the next movement, taking on a life of its own.

“A lullaby,” Esme repeated to herself. I left Jasper to his own devices and came to sit next to Edward on the bench. I sketched out a wordless descant two octave above the melody with my trilling, wind chime voice. “I like it,” Edward murmured. “But how about this?” He added me a line to the harmony, his hands flying across the keys now to work all the pieces together, modifying it abit, taking the composition in a new direction… I caught the mood he’d created, and sung along. “Yes. Perfect.” Edward said. Esme squeezed his shoulder. My voice was rising above the tune and taking it to another place but the song drifted to a slower pace and lower volume now. I lowered my voice, too, and it became solemn, a tone that belonged under the echoing arched of a candlelit cathedral. He played the last not, and then bowed his head over the keys. Esme stroked his hair. “Thanks,” Edward whispered in response to Esme’s thoughts. He laughed once without humour and then sighed. “Stop it, Mum, you’re making me blush” He teased though his voice sounded cheered. I laughed and picked out the top hand of “Heart and Soul.” Edward grinned and completed the simple harmony with me. Then he favoured me with a performance of “Chopsticks.” I giggled, and then sighed. “So I wish you’d tell me what you were laughing at Rose about,” I said. “But I can see that you won’t.” “Nope,” He answered, confirming what I’d seen earlier in my vision. I flicked his ear with my finger. “Be nice, Alice,” Esme chided. “Edward is being a gentleman.” “But I want to know,” I whined like a child. Edward laughed at my tone. “Here, Esme,” Edward said and began playing her favourite song—an unnamed tribute to the love Edward had watched shared between her and Carlisle for so many years. “Thankyou, dear,” Esme squeezed his shoulder again.

As he was playing, Edward seemed to be deep in though, again. I listened to the beautiful music, appreciating the sound. Getting caught up in the music, I let my mind wander ahead of time. Suddenly, I saw a vision of Jasper’s friends from his past, coming to visit us… “Oh!” I said abruptly aloud. “Jasper, guess what?” I knew Jazz would love to hear from them again, as it has been a while since we’ve seen each other. Edward fingers seemed to freeze on the piano keys, seeing what I’d just saw. “What, Alice?” Jasper asked. “Peter and Charlotte are coming to visit next week! They’re going to be in the neighbourhood, isn’t that nice?” “What’s wrong, Edward?” Esme asked, feeling the tension in his shoulders. “Peter and Charlotte are coming to Forks?” He hissed at me. I rolled my eyes at him. “Calm down, Edward. It’s not their first visit.” I reminded him. His teeth clenched together. I knew what he was referring too…Yes, it was their first visit since Bella has arrived, but nothing was going to happen. I frowned at his expression. “They don’t hunt here. You know that.” Peter and Charlottes hunting habits were not the same as ours. They aren’t “vegetarians,” they hunted the usual way. “When?” He demanded. I pursed my lips unhappily but gave him the information he wanted to know. Monday morning. No one is going to hurt Bella. “No,” He agreed and turned away from me. “You ready, Emmett?” “I thought we were leaving in the morning?” Emmett said. “We’re coming back by midnight Sunday. I guess it’s up to you when you want to leave.” “Okay, fine. Let me say goodbye to Rose first.” “Sure.” Edward said, knowing from Rosalie’s mood, it wouldn’t be a long a farewell between Rose and Emmett. “I suppose I have,” Edward answered a silent thought as Emmett walked towards the door. “Play the new song for me, one more time.” Esme requested.

“If you’d like that,” Edward agreed. His hands moved hesitantly over the keys, thinking for a moment, before reaching into his pocket and setting a bottle cap on the music stand. He nodded to himself and started playing. Is that what I think it is…the bottle cap from Bella’s soda at lunch? Esme and I exchanged a glance, but neither of us questioned.

Part 29

"So what did Edward Cullen want yesterday?" I saw Jessica ask Bella in their Trigonometry class. "I don't know," Bella answered truthfully. "He never really got to the point." "You looked kind of mad," Jessica fished, searching for details. Bella kept her expression blank. “Did I?” "You know, I've never seen him sit with anyone but his family before. That was weird." Jessica continued. Of course he hadn’t sat with anyone but us before. No one had ever captured close to the interest he holds for Bella. "Weird," Bella agreed. Jessica seemed annoyed; she flipped her dark curls impatiently— disappointed that Bella didn’t give away much information, and jealousy that Edward chose Bella, the new girl, to take a shine too.

I knew even though Bella knew Edward wouldn’t be there, she still hoped. When she walked into the cafeteria with Mike and Jessica, her eyes looked over at our table where Rose, Jasper and I sat talking with our heads close together. At Bella’s usual table, everyone was full of their beach plans for the next day. Mike was animated again, talking about the local weatherman promising sun tomorrow. She seemed to have to see it with her own eyes before she could believe it. It was warmer today, not that the temperature mattered with our skin. During lunch, Bella intercepted a few unfriendly glances from Lauren. What is the silver blonde haired girl’s problem? When they we all walking out together, Bella was right behind her and Lauren seemed to be unaware of that when she spoke to Mike. "…don't know why Bella”—Laruen sneered Bella’s name—"doesn't just sit with the Cullens from now on." Lauren’s unpleasant, nasal voice was full of hatred. Another teenager with

jealousy towards Bella because her having interaction with one of the Cullen beauties. "She's my friend; she sits with us," Mike whispered back to loyally, but his voice had a territorial edge to it. Bella paused, letting Jess and Angela pass her, not wanting to hear any more.

That night, everyone went and did their own thing while I lounged on the couch, looking ahead for Edward and Emmett’s future, and what they were up to on their hunting trip.

“Hasn’t anyone told you not to play with your food?” Edward called to Emmett. “Oh, hey Edward!” He shouted back, grinning and waving. The bear took advantage of his distraction to rake its heavy paw across Emmett’s shirt. The sharp claws shredded through his shirt and squealed across his skin. The bear bellowed at the high-pitched noise. Rose brought him that shirt. She isn’t going to be happy to find Emmett’s shirt in pieces. Emmett roared back at the enraged animal. Edward sighed and sat down on the boulder. Emmett was almost done with his prey. He let the bear try to take his head off with another swipe of the paw, laughing as the blow bounced off and sent the bear staggering. The bear roared and Emmett roared again through his laughter. Then he launched himself at the animal, which stood a head taller than him on its hind legs, and their bodies fell to the ground tangled up together, taking a mature spruce tree down with them. The bear’s growl cut off with a gurgle. A few minutes later, Emmett jogged over to where Edward was waiting for him. His shirt was destroyed, torn and bloodied, sticky with sap and covered with fur. His dark curly hair wasn’t any better. He had a huge grin on his face. “That was a strong one. I could almost feel it when he clawed me.” “You’re such a child Emmett.” He really was. Emmett eyed Edward’s smooth, clean white button-down. “Weren’t you able to track down that mountain lion, then?” “Of course I was. I just don’t eat like a savage.” Emmett is more than capable of eating normally but he just liked to have his fun, getting dirty like an actual child. Emmett laughed his booming laugh. “I wish they were stronger. It would be more fun.” “No one said you had to fight your food.” Edward reminded him. “Yeah, but who else am I going to fight with? You and Alice cheat, Rose never wants to get her hair messed up, and Esme gets mad if Jasper and I really go at it.” What he was saying

is true in a way; Edward and I, once again have the advantages with our abilities, Rosalie never wants a strand of her hair to be out of its place, and when Jasper and Emmett fight, let’s just say that they don’t hold back. “Life is hard all around, isn’t it?” Emmett grinned at him, shifting his weight in position so that he was suddenly poised to take a charge. “C’mon Edward. Just turn it off for one minute and fight fair.” If it was only that easy. “It doesn’t turn off,” Edward reminded him. We didn’t have control over our abilities; Edward could try and tune people’s mind out but he couldn’t just turn off the voices of others in his head. “Wonder what that human girl does to keep you out…” Emmett mused. “Maybe she could give me some pointers.” Edward’s humor vanished at Emmett’s words. “Stay away from her.” He growled through his teeth. “Touchy, touchy.” Edward sighed and Emmett came to sit beside him on the rock. “Sorry. I know you’re going through a tough spot. I really am trying not to be too much of an insensitive jerk, but, since that’s sort of my natural state…” At least he was aware of it. Emmett waited for Edward to laugh at his joke, and then made a face. “Thinking about her. Well, worrying, really.” Edward admitted, answering Emmett’s unspoken thought. She was in his every thought; of course he would be worrying about her. “What’s there to worry about? You are here.” He laughed loudly. Ugh, did he always have to crack a joke? Edward ignored his joke again, but answered his question. “Have you ever thought about how fragile they are? How many bad things there are that can happen to a mortal?” I’ve never given much thought about it, but when he worded his questions that way; I couldn’t help but think about them. “Not really. I guess I can see what you mean, though. I wasn’t much match for a bear that first time around, was I?” No, as a human, he wasn’t. “Bears,” Edward muttered. “That would be just her luck, wouldn’t it? Stray bear in town. Of course it would head straight for Bella.” With her luck, yes. Emmett chuckled. “You sound like a crazy person, do you know that?”

“Just imagine for one minute that Rosalie was human, Emmett. And she could run into a bear…or get hit by a car…or lightening…or fall down stairs…or get sick—get a disease.” The words burst from him stormily. He’d been bottling up these words all weekend and it was a relief for him to let them out. “Fires, earthquakes, tornadoes! Ugh! When was the last time you watched the news? Have you seen the kinds of things that happen to them? Burglaries and homicides…” Edward’s teeth clenched together, abruptly infuriated to the point where he stopped breathing. “Whoa, whoa! Hold up, there, kid. She lives in Forks, remember? So she gets rained on.” Emmett shrugged. “I think she has some serious bad luck, Emmett, I really do. Look at the evidence. Of all the places in the world she could go, she ends up in a town where vampires make up a significant portion of the population.” I didn’t believe her back luck brought her to Forks. It was fate, bringing her and Edward to one another. He wouldn’t believe it, but I knew better. “Yeah, but we’re vegetarians. So isn’t that good luck, not bad?” “With the way she smells? Definitely bad. And then, more bad luck, the way she smells to me.” He glowered down at his hands, disgust and hatred in his eyes. If her blood didn’t call to Edward and if she didn’t have a unique silence, how would he tell the difference between her and every other mind he hears? Again, it’s a little thing called fate. “Except that you have more self-control than just about anyone but Carlisle. Good luck again.” Emmett had a point there. “The van?” Edward reminded. “That was just an accident,” Emmett reminded back. “You should have seen it coming for her, Em, again and again. I swear, it was like she had some kind of magnetic pull.” I had seen it, first hand, coming for her repeatedly. “But you were there. That was good luck.” If I hadn’t seen it before it happened, Edward wouldn’t have known and maybe would’ve been too late. Emmett was right; luckily for her, Edward was there in the nick of time. “Was it? Isn’t this the worst luck any human could ever possibly have—to have a vampire fall in love with them?” Emmett considered that quietly for a moment. “Well, I can’t really see Rosalie’s allure, either.” Edward said rudely, in response to Emmett’s thoughts. “Honestly, she seems like more work than any pretty face is worth.” Edward had him there.

Emmett chuckled. “I don’t suppose you’d tell me…” “I don’t know what her problem is, Emmett.” Edward lied with a wide grin. Edward saw Emmett’s intent in time to brace himself. He tried to shove Edward off the rock, and there was a loud cracking sound as a fissure opened in the stone between them. “Cheater,” Emmett muttered. He paused for a moment, deep in thought. “No,” Edward’s voice sounded strangled. “It solves your worries about mortality, doesn’t it? And then you wouldn’t want to kill her, either. Isn’t that the best way?” Ah, so he was thinking about Bella’s immortality. “For me? Or for her?” Both, Edward, both. “For you.” Emmett answered easily. His tone added the ‘of course.’ Edward laughed humorlessly. “Wrong answer.” “I didn’t mind so much,” Emmett reminded him. “Rosalie did.” Emmett sighed. We were all aware how much she longed to be human, that she would do anything, give up anything; even Emmett, the love of her life, if it meant to have another chance at being human again. “Yeah, Rose did.” He acquiesced quietly. “I can’t…I shouldn’t…I’m not going to ruin Bella’s life. Wouldn’t you feel the same, if it were Rosalie?” If only he could see that he wouldn’t be ruining Bella’s life, he would be starting it. Emmett thought about that for a moment. “I can’t even describe it, Emmett. All of a sudden, this girl’s the whole world to me. I don’t see the point of the rest of the world without her anymore.” It could only be described as love. We felt exactly the same way about our other halves. “I know that,” Edward groaned. “Trust me—that I know, too.” Edward said in response to Emmett’s unspoken thoughts. Emmett was not a sensitive person, and delicate discussions were not his forte. I knew he struggled to find the right words without being offensive.

Edward sighed. “I can’t even think of that, Emmett.” “I don’t know,” Edward whispered. “I’m trying to figure out a way to…to leave her. I just can’t fathom how to make myself stay away…” Something changed in Edward’s mind as the word’s left his mouth, because when I looked ahead of his future, it was clearer than usual. He would be watching over Bella for the next couple of days, sort of as her protector. Emmett noticed the change in his expression. “Right now,” Edward admitted, looking abit sheepish. “I’m dying to run back to Forks and check on her. I don’t know if I’ll make it till Sunday night.” Of course he wouldn’t make it. “Uh-uh! You are not going home early. Let Rosalie cool down a little bit. Please! For my sake.” Emmett wouldn’t want to return home to an angry Rosalie—nobody would. “I’ll try to stay,” Edward said doubtfully. Emmett tapped the phone in Edward’s pocket. “Alice would call if there were any basis for you panic attack. She’s as weird about this girl as you are.” Of course I am, and I’m glad that I finally got the point across to not only Edward but the rest of the family. Edward grimaced at that. “Fine. But I’m not staying past Sunday.” “There’s no point in hurrying back—it’s going to be sunny, anyway. Alice said we were free from school until Wednesday.” Yes, it seemed the sun wanted to shine in Forks for the next couple of days. Edward shook his head rigidly. “Peter and Charlotte know how to behave themselves.” Emmett reminded him, guessing the reasons behind his words. “I really don’t care, Emmett. With Bella’s luck, she’ll go wandering off into the woods at exactly the wrong moment and—“ Edward flinched. “Peter isn’t known for his self-control. I’m going back Sunday.” Emmett sighed but didn’t argue it further.

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