Edward never returned to Carlisle and Esme after his rebellious stage, but he did go back to drinking animal blood. He remained on his own, occasionally going to school and mingling into society as a means to escape a hermit life style. For years he thought about returning to Carlisle and Esme, but never managed to find the strength to do so.
Edward, over his course of mingling into society wound up in Forks and enrolled in the high school there, where he met Bella. Their story runs close enough to how Twilight runs, just without the other Cullen's. This story starts where New Moon is, on Bella's birthday, and how things progress from here.
CHAPTER 1
EDWARD POV
I waited for Bella at the school. A flurry of people ran past as they heard the thunderstorms roaring, even though not a drop had fallen from the sky. Even if it had, I would still be here, waiting. The sound of her truck was loud enough I couldhear
it from three blocks away, and if my heart could beat, it would have doubled in speed at the anticipation of her arrival.
As Bella pulled in, I saw her gnawing at her lip and I shook my head. It was her birthday, she's supposed to be in a good mood.
Our eyes met from across the parking lot and I started making my way over to her. Those eyes, a deep brown that every time I saw them caused me to smile. Would I ever stop being so excited when I saw those mud eyes looking into mine?
"Happy birthday," I said, andshe shook her head at me.
"Don't remind me."
I laughed as I grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to me, "Your birth is definitely something to celebrate."
Bella rolled her eyes and leaned into me. "You didn't get me a present, did you? Please tell me no."
"Of course I did! You only turn eighteen once, and I have every intention of celebrating it with you," I used my otherhand and grabbed her chin before pulling her lips close to mine for a quick kiss.
But, Bella being Bella, it never could remain just that.
She grabbed myside and the back of my head and leaned into me, deepening the kiss with all her strength. I pulled her face away and sighed. "We have to get to class." I gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
Bella hadn't told anyone else it was her birthday, so no one made any motion to wish her one, which she liked way too much.
We had almost every class together, thanks to the dazzling technique Bella warned me I possessed. It made my day a lot easier, always being close to her rather than last year where I had to listen to other people's thoughts in order to spot her. OnceGovernment
had finished up, it was time for lunch.
"Hungry?"
"Starving. You?"
I smiled, "I can manage." I grabbed ourbags and made our way to the cafeteria.
Bella seemed rather nervous as we were walking. What I wouldn't give to know what she was thinking! "What's wrong?" I finally ask.
"Any chance you can do me a small favour?" She stopped walking and I turned to face her. "For my birthday?"
I rose an eyebrow. For weeks she's been telling me to ignore it and pretend it doesn't exist, and now she's asking a favor for her birthday? "Whatever you want."
She looked me dead in the eye, "Don't tell anyone." She almost soundedthreatening.
I shook my head, "Why do you hate your birthday so much, Bella." I reached out and stroked her cheek, she gave me a pleading stare and Icaved. "Fine. Not a word from me."
Bella's friends; Mike, Eric, Tyler, Angela, Ben, Jessica and Lauren (last couple being a bit of a stretch) were already at the table by the time Bella and I had gotten there.
"So, what do you think would be the best way to finish off senior year?" Eric asked.
"God, Eric, we only just started. I don't even want to think about any of that yet!"
Angela shook her head, "All I know ismy whole family is going to be coming down and I am not looking forward to that."
Ben looked wide eyed at that, "Seriously? Your family is massive!" Oh God, I barely know any of them… and her dad isn't my biggest fan as it is…
"How about you Bella? Edward?" Angela asked.
Bella shrugged, "Chances are my mom and Phil will be coming down, but not anyone else that I can think of."
I hated it when they brought this stuff up, "I'm not sure, depends on where my parents are at the time."
Humans. They always were curious. I was one of the biggest curiosities. Edward Masen, the boy who moved to Forks but his parents were always on the go somewhere, so practically living on my own. Of course, I could have parents, and I thought about themoccasionally,
but after all this time…
Angela let the subject drop, but Mike – who's thoughts and spoken words were the bane of my existence – just couldn't. "I think that is just pathetic parenting. I mean, you could be out getting into trouble and doing drugs and how would they know?"
Jessica elbowed him, What an idiot! I mean, it's true but he doesn't have to say that stuff out loud. God he's embarrassing to be with sometimes!
Oh, poor Edward Masen. All alone. Lauren's sarcastic thoughts were not very welcoming either.
The rest of lunch carried on as it always has. I sneak a few bites of food from the tray for Bella (any myself if anyone asked). Sometimes, this secret life of being a vampire really sucks.
When school was over,I walked Bella to her truck. "Thanks for not saying anything about my birthday to anyone."
"You're welcome. It was a birthday request after all."
She bit her lip, "Any chance that can be your birthday present to me? Keeping this dreaded day in the dark?"
I kissed her cheek. "Not a chance. Am I coming over?" She sighed and nodded. "I'll meet you over there."
The ten minutes it took to get to my car, drive to her place and wait for her slow and loud truck to make it were not the easiest. Being apart from her was one of the hardest things I've ever had to deal with. I closed my eyes and remembered the day inthe
meadow. I had brought her there, not knowing whether I was going to kill her, leave her or kiss her. I'm glad it was the latter.
I wonder, what would Carlisle think of what I am doing, and this control I've managed to find with Bella? Would he be proud?
All summer Bella has tried to convince me that I should find him and Esme. Let them know I am doing alright and that I miss them. Of course, I told her I would think about it, but I think Bella sees through me. I left in 1927 to seek the blood of evil
/humans, and it had only lasted 7 years before I realized I was the monster, not these men.
Originally, I had every intention of going back to them, but I wanted to go back with golden eyes, not the demonic red I had been living with. It took me a while to find them, but when I did they were in Rochester and I saw living with them a tall, blondefemale
vampire.
They had replaced me, but I wasn't mad. I knew from Esme's thoughts when I was with them that she always wanted children. Why should they wait forever for me to decide to turn my life around?
So, I had left again, but I kept my course and the training that Carlisle had taught me.
Over the years I have thought of going back, even just for a visit, but never did I find the strength to do so. Maybe one day, with the help of Bella, I can go back and beg Carlisle's forgiveness and thank him for this life, now that I've found a reason
for it.
Every time I look in her eyes I think, without this life, without the second chance Carlisle gave me, I never would have found her.
Bella's truck pulled up into her driveway and I got out to be with her.
I grabbed Bella's hand and led her inside the house, using the hidden key. "Are you hungry?"
She nodded, "A bit. Think I'll just make some pasta for dinner though."
I was not having that, "That is ridiculous Bella, it's your birthday. We'll order pizza."
She sighed, "I don't have the money for that and neither do you, and speaking of which, whatever you got me better not have been expensive."
I chuckled at how determined she sounded at that, "I didn't spend a dime, so let me at least buy you some food for you and Charlie. Please?" I dazzled.
"Fine. But only 1, since you're not going to be eating any of it."
"Deal."
Bella went upstairs to put her stuff away as I ordered the pizza, then I followed soon after. When I got to her room, she was at her dinosaur of a computer replying to an email from her mother. "Tell her I said hi."
She finished up the email, putting my greeting at the end, and came over to sit with me on the bed. I placed my arm around her shoulders and leaned her into me.
Her scent, so much stronger than those of every other human I have met, hit me like a ton of bricks. After months of being together, though,I was used to it, almost like a permanent part of me, and it was something I would never want to live without.
I leaned down and captured her lips in mine, making sure to keep her soft, warm, human skinaway from my sharp, hard, vampire teeth. Her lips moved frantically with mine and she pushed me down onto her bed, and yet I didn't break away from the kiss.
When she needed air I moved my lips to her chin and down to her throat before she grabbed my face and reconnected our lips.
If I let this go any further, I won't be able to keep control.
I broke away from her, leaning my forehead against hers. "You are the most dangerous human I have ever met."
"Danger magnet, remember."
Yeah, I remember. The one most clear to me was James, the nomad vampire. How he went after Bella when we were in the meadow the second time. I tried to get her as far away from Forks as I could but he caught up to us near Seattle. He got close to her,too
close, and managed a bite before I ripped him to shreds. How I found the strength to suck the venom out I will never know.
"Ready for your present?" I smiled in anticipation. She groaned.
"Seriously? I told you I don't want anything."
I shook my head, "What is with you and your birthday? What are you afraid of?"
"Getting older," she mumbled under her breath.
I blinked, I see now. Today, she was a year older than me. "It's a little too early to worry about that. I thought girls freaked out when they got close to 30."
"It's a year older than you," she poked my chest.
"Technically I am well over a hundred years old. You don't have to worry about that."
She gave me a serious look. I know she wanted me to change her, so we could be together forever, but I couldn't do it. I can't risk her soul.
Most of what Carlisle hadviewed,I do as well now, but not on that. That is one that I have never been able to see eye to eye with him on, even now.
Bella didn't say anything, so I smiled at my current victory, "See? Nothing to worry about."I went over to my backpack and pulled out her present. "Happy birthday."
Grabbing it, all be very begrudgingly, she started to open it.
That was when I lost all sense. The world around me shifted and turned and all I could feel inside of me was the animal. Her finger, stained in red from a paper cut, called to me.
Bella stood up, "God damn. Sorry. Sorry." She went towards the door but I was there in a flash closing it. Stopping her from leaving.
That smell. That hunger. That blood. Every inch of my body wanted me to pounce and take her right then, but I was savouring the smell.
I could barely hear Bella's voice as she called my name, first in confusion, then in fear. "Edward, stop. Please. Edward."
I leaned towards her hand and hesitated. This is Bella! What am I doing? But I couldn't make my body stop.
Suddenly the front door opened and closed and Charlie's voice boomed to me. "Bella? Edward?"
That gave me enough of my senses.I held my breath and I ran out the window deep into the forest. I could hear Bella's faint, terrified sobsas I left.