Author's note: Hope everyone likes this. It's the first fanfic I've ever actually written down with the intention to post. In fact, the first thing longer than 150 words that I've ever posted. If there are any mistakes in it then please tell me so I can fix them. Enjoy!

I do not own twilight... at all... unfortunately.

Chapter 1

The day was on the cold and cloudy side which was nothing unusual for Forks in September. I walked into the kitchen groggily looking around for a bowl and the milk. Having detected both of them in their customary places along with some orange juice and a spoon I plonked myself down at the table to eat. Usually I wasn't this dead in the morning but I'd been up late for the last few days with Edward. Speaking of which, he'll be by any second now. Hopefully by that time my hair will be finished drying. I glanced out the window just to make sure that the Volvo wasn't yet parked in the driveway, but it wasn't. It was raining again however. With any luck it'll be stormy again tonight like Alice promised and we would all be able to go down to the baseball field.

A small shudder worked its way though my spine as the memories of the last baseball game flashed vividly though my mind. Almost instantly, strong, cold arms snaked their way around me and pulled me in tight. I relaxed for the first time since he had left my room half and hour ago. Edward.

"What were you thinking love?" he asked softly drawing me ever closer into his body. I felt protected from my unspoken fears.

I sighed; we had passed the point where I could pass off this off as a shiver of anticipation. I smiled softly because he now knew exactly what that looked like. I turned to get a better view of his face. "Oh, I was just looking forward to the baseball game and then I remembered the last one …" I trailed off blushing and glancing down. Stupid blushing, it always gave me away.

He pulled me in closer briefly before leaning down and capturing my lips for a few seconds of pure bliss. Pulling away to leave me gasping for oxygen he whispered in my ear "Don't worry Bella; nothing will be there this time. I know, I already asked Alice".

I laughed, figures, and even Edward wouldn't bet against Alice. I glanced towards the clock to find that we really needed to get a move on. On the other hand it was nice in Edward's arms… I needed to focus, something about a bag. Oh, ya my school bag. School. With effort I shot a searching look around the kitchen and found the bag on the back of my chair. I grabbed it and went to get into the car so that we could get there on time. Edward pulled out of the driveway smoothly and started down the street. I looked out the window: scratch that, we might just be early if the trees whipping past the car are any indication.


The bell rang for lunch and I packed up my stuff and headed off towards the dining hall. The first part of the day had been alternately killer boring or insanely electrified depending on whether or not Edward shared that class. Angela, Jess, Mike and the rest of the gang were sitting at their customary table. I however made a beeline straight for the one filled with the excited looking vampires.

"I take it that the game's still on for tonight" I commented taking in the expressions.

"Oh ya" Emmett smirked clearly planning something. Edward caught his eye and he looked down the grin still in place. Whatever it was he was planning wasn't going to be ruined that easily. Jasper was sitting next to Emmett looking bored and Rose was Emmett's other side playing with her noodles.

I grabbed my steaming cup of hot chocolate and blew on the top before sipping. My throat had been burning all morning and this was my covert way of calming it. I mean, even buying throat lozenges would have tipped off Alice way before their super sense of smell ever came into play. I wondered idly whether or not she could see a person getting sick. It wasn't as if it was a decision made by a person that changed their future and they made themselves sick. Well it might be for those few who like skinny dipping in Alaska. Maybe small decisions, like the one to go to school a given day would be enough to tip it in the balance. Hmm, being sick is a condition of the future and Alice sees the future and so she should be able to see it then. Maybe my only hope then was that she was so excited and distracted by the coming storm that she failed to notice my sore throat.

I stole a glance over at Alice who seemed very preoccupied and bubbling with excitement. Good. I looked the other way to fall into the amber-eyed-Bella-trap sprung by Edward. I was sucked in gazing with all my might. He was perfect and suddenly the room was once again electrified and shrank until it only encompassed his head. I felt as my body started to tingle in all of the right place. He leaned in a little closer bending his head down and said: "Breathe Bella".

I sucked in air as the sounds in the cafeteria started up again. I heard Emmett snorting with laughter and I looked around glaring.

"Edward, you'd better watch out or she'll suffocate on dry land" Emmett stated trying really hard to look serious and failing miserably. A blush started to work its way up my cheeks and Edward sighing in Emmett's direction turned to me and smiled his crooked smile drawing a finger across one of my cheeks before moving them to play with a strand of my hair.

"Ahemm", Alice cleared her throat nosily startling me out of the beginnings of yet another Edward moment. I looked sheepishly over.

`"Yes Alice."

"Oh good, your paying attention. Rose and I are going shopping this weekend and you're coming", she stated. I looked over just in time to see Rose's eyebrows contracting. Alice seemed to be trying to will me to come with a mixture of menace and puppy dog eyes; strong arming and guilting all that the same time. Jasper winced at the sudden funnel of emotions.

"Oops, sorry Jasper" Alice apologized while still keeping an eye on me.

"But Alice, we just went shopping a few—"

"Shopping is something that needs to be done all the time Bella" Alice said using her own curious logic. "And we didn't just go shopping. That was days ago. Besides you need some new clothing".

I looked around the table for some way out but everyone else was studiously avoiding my eyes. Edward even looked happy about this. He was probably coming and had set this up as an excuse to buy me things through Alice. Recognizing defeat I changed tack lightning fast. Alice's face broke out into a smile even before the words where out of my mouth.

"Fine, but I'm buying my own stuff", I said with a glare in Edward's direction to hint I was onto him. Alice tensed and focused for a second and Edward's fingers stilled as he concentrated on Alice. I could tell by the identical smiles on their faces that I had just lost that one too.


I was kind of tired by the time school ended and we where in the Volvo driving to my house. The plan for tonight was to keep Charlie in the dark. What he didn't know he couldn't have a fit about. So that's how I happened to be going home instead of over to Edward's house. A few hours at my place and then I would be free for the rest of the night.

Edward pulled into my driveway and ran around to help me out of the car.

"Edward, I can get out of the car by myself you know" I said looking pointedly at him. He grinned and opened the door a little wider. Sighing I stepped out and walked up to the door. At least he gave up carrying me everywhere.

"I'll see you later tonight love. You should try and get a nap in somewhere because we'll be out late."

I nodded in agreement. We had decided yesterday that to appease Charlie he would go home after dropping me off so that it looked like I was spending an entirely Edward-free night.

"Kay," I said wishing that he wasn't going to be leaving. I turned at the doorway and looked up into his eyes. "I'll miss you." He smiled down, arms encircling me as he kissed my head, then my mouth; his lips where soft against mine and the kiss deepened before he broke off too soon. I frowned slightly before pulling him into one last hug.

"I'll miss you too Bella," he whispered into my hair. In moments like these I believed him, it was when he was away that I had trouble even imagining that he wanted me at all. "I'll be back by ten, your sure you'll be fine" he asked for the umpteenth time that day.

"I'll live Edward. Now go and get some hunting in while the going's good," I teased. He hugged me one more time before he drove off. I closed the door and shut my eyes. Almost instantly I could feel my resolve break and I wanted to turn right around and yell for him to come back. Resolutely telling myself to get a grip and that he would be back I turned around and walked away from the door. It didn't work too well so I trudged up the stairs to my room. Emptying my hamper out into the hall I went to Charlie's room to get his dirty clothing. Once it was all collected I went back downstairs to the laundry room and started the laundry before going to the kitchen to see what we could eat for dinner tonight.

My throat gave another twinge to remind me that it was still being a problem. I grabbed the teapot and made some lemon tea while thinking about the lasagne that Charlie would probably like. It was after deciding on a vegetable, starting to cook, doing my homework, a billion glances toward the clock and a few loads of laundry later that I heard the crunch of the cruiser in the drive and the door open as Charlie came in.

"Hey Bella, nice to see you home," Charlie called hanging up his belt and jacket in the hall. He sounded a lot happier than normal. It was probably the absence of the Volvo in the driveway that did it. "You gonna have Jake around again one of these days?" he asked, peeking around the door jamb. I felt anger bubble up deep within me and decided to take the time to breathe deeply before answering.

"Charlie it's easier just to go over to Jake's." What he didn't realize was the nightmare that would happen if Jake showed up at my house and Alice suddenly couldn't see my future. Werewolves and Vampires running around his house was probably not what Charlie envisioned when he said he wanted Jake to come for dinner. "I just wish you would at least make the same effort to like Edward that you put into promoting Jake around me," I huffed. Charlie seemed to get the message that the topic had better change fast because his head disappeared from the door and launching an "I'll think about it" over his shoulder he landed on the couch and turned on the TV to the first game that turned up.

I quickly finished up dinner before calling Charlie back in and we ate in comfortable silence. We both seemed to know that we weren't going to get anywhere with each other tonight. I wished a bit that I hadn't cooked the lasagna now because the tomato sauce was burning on the way down. Gulping down my last bit of milk I glanced at the clock and gathered up the dishes before washing them quickly. I had to be fast if I wanted to get in a nap before Edward made it here seeing as it was already eight thirty. By nine I had showered and had retreated to my room where Charlie wouldn't bother me till tomorrow. It was calm and dark in the room without the computer on and my bed looked inviting. I yawned, realising I was more tired than I thought and lay down on the bed. Maybe a little nap would get rid of the sore throat…