Differences

There was knock on the door.

"Edward?" It was Alice.

"What?" Edward's voice was hostile and unfriendly.

"Can I come in?"

"No."

I heard her footsteps getting quieter.

"You really should be nicer to her." I was surprised at how harsh my voice sounded.

"Oh, you're awake."

Edward's eyes were locked onto mine. I stared deeply into them. They looked worried – and black.

"You look thirsty. You can go, if you want. I'll just stay here."

"Are you joking? You've been drifting in and out of consciousness for the past day, and you expect me just to leave you here?"

"I don't mind, I'm not going anywhere. I'm not even going to think of moving in the pain I'm in."

His eyes became more worried than they were before – if that was possible.

"Are you still in pain?"

I gave a slight laugh, before slipping back into unconsciousness.

"Bella?" My eyes fluttered open. Edward wore the same worried expression he was wearing the last time I remember seeing him.

"Yes? Wow." My voice was different. It wasn't the casual human tone I had had a few days ago, and it wasn't the harsh voice I had the last time I had been conscious. The voice that came from my mouth was unrecognisable. Musical.

"What? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." I smiled. "Wait."

Slowly, I lifted my head from Edward's lap. There was no pain!

"Edward? Edward?" I asked eagerly. "How long has it been?"

"Three days." He didn't smile.

"Aren't you happy? Now it's over. We can be together, forever!"

He didn't look as though he had been listening to what I had said.

"You're still warm."



"So?"

"If it was over, you should be stone cold, but you haven't lost one degree of heat in the last three days."

"Does that really matter?" I said, leaping to my feet. "Take me somewhere."

He got slowly to his feet, and followed me to the door. He walked past me as we exited his bedroom.

"We will have to hunt." He said.

I was slightly disappointed at the dispassion in his voice. He could at least to pretend to be happy for me. I, myself, was ecstatic. Even though it was not Edward who had changed me, and it was sort of an accident that could have ended up being disastrous, I was over the moon.

As we glided down the hall, I caught site of myself in the mirror. The first thing I noticed was my black eyes and the shadows under them. I looked hungrier than I had ever seen Edward or Alice. Thinking of Alice, reminded me.

"Where is everybody?"

"Can't you here them?" Now there was concern in his voice

"I can't hear people's thoughts, Edward. That's you talent."

"No, I mean, they are whispering downstairs in the kitchen. I can hear their voices, not just their thoughts. Are you sure you can't hear them?"

I listened really carefully.

"I might be hearing something. Anyway, does it matter?"

"Yes! It does. If you were fully transformed all your senses should be enhanced tenfold. You should easily be able to hear them in the kitchen."

"Well, I can't. Maybe I'll just have to grow into this new form." I said, a little defiantly. I didn't like the thought that I hadn't transformed properly.

"Maybe. Anyway, come on, I'll have to teach you how to hunt." He sounded a bit more enthusiastic now.

I followed him down the stairs. We reached the bottom in less than a second.

"Well, at least you've got the speed." The crooked smile broke onto is face. It seemed like forever since I had seen him do that, and I couldn't help but grin back.

As we got outside, he stopped and I almost walked into him and tripped over.

"Careful, Bella."

"Sorry." I muttered. I thought I would have stopped being clumsy when I was changed.

He led me round the back of the house, and into the trees.

"Ready?" I nodded. "Then take hold of my hand, and don't let go." He warned.

As he led me into the forest, it was clear that I was faster than he was. Soon enough, I was practically dragging him through the trees.



Suddenly, he tugged at my arm, and I skidded to a halt.

"Wait." He said. His voice was almost a growl. "We have company."