She mouthed 'Jasper' to me and I sighed and continued downstairs, until I fell straight into the arms of Emmett, who was wet and half dressed.
"Oops." He laughed a big bear-like laugh and let me go. When I finally got to the kitchen I grabbed a handful of grapes and slid into a chair. Edward was still there watching and I wondered if he was perhaps still testing himself, or if he was observing his prey before he hunted. The thought sent shivers down my spine.
Carlisle appeared beside me next. He had just gotten out of the shower and was wrapped in only a towel. I felt the blush creep onto my cheeks as I averted my eyes. His body was damn good.
"I do beg your pardon Bella, but Emmett has stolen both my clothes and the keys to the RV." Carlisle explained awkwardly. Esme walked in then.
"Oh." She sighed, staring at Carlisle's perfect figure, until she remembered herself and looked at me instead. "Emmett told me that what Carlisle wanted was in my washing machine."
"The keys too?" I asked. Anger flashed over her face, and she went to check. She came back with a set of keys in her hand which she threw to Carlisle, trying desperately not to look at him again, and failing.
"They're being washed with Emmett, Jasper, Rosalie's and Edward's clothes." Esme apologized. Carlisle took the keys and went to get new clothing, muttering an apology again.
"Don't worry Esme, I promise." Edward muttered. Esme hugged him and sat beside me.
"Only grapes?"
"Too tired to bother." I replied, laying my head on the table. "Woke up early yesterday, got to bed late, woke up early again... I give up. Kill me now, before Alice finds another way to torture me."
"I don't torture you. If you want to hear the songs you missed from the concert, it's playing on television. Close your eyes though." Alice's voice came as she swept me into her arms and took me to the living room. I sat listening to 'Move Along' and heard the others enter the room after.
The game was fun. Esme didn't play, making sure we didn't cheat. Carlisle, Rosalie and myself took the lead pretty early, but the others still fought back well. Everyone was dirty except Esme when we finished. She laughed when Rosalie realised this and bolted to the residence, Emmett following. I left last, passing all of them and arriving first, only to find myself in the kitchen, watching Bella copy the notes from the cupboard to a sheet of paper. Rosalie showed up and walked behind her.
"I like what you're wearing." Rose stated. Bella whipped around, only to fall into her arms. I recoiled as her scent wafted towards me. She was exposing a lot more skin, making it much more painful to stand there. The others showed up shortly after.
She looks exhausted. Carlisle. I had to agree with him. The dark circles under her eyes were almost as prominent as our own. When she disappeared to have a shower I went into the other, washing thoroughly all the dirt from my body. When I got out, Emmett got in, forming a prank of some sort.
Alice and Jasper are hitting off fine, but Esme and Carlisle need a shove...
If I stopped hearing, I could claim no responsibility later, so I shut him out. As I stretched in the hallway, Emmett rushed past me, with Carlisle's clothes in his hands and a towel wrapped around his lower half. I realised that the other girls were showering, and I went to find Bella.
I wanted to apologize for my rude behaviour, to prove to myself that I was strong, and to read her mind. I could hear a light piano tune from one of the rooms on the level I was on, so I went in search of it. And then I found Bella. She was sitting at a keyboard, playing the piece I had seen scrawled across the cupboards. Her dark purple shirt had a beautiful contrast with her translucently pale skin. She was still wet from the shower, her curls leaving dark stains on her shirt. The only problem was; she still smelled fantastic.
I slowed my breathing. I could control this. I watched her fingers hover over the different keys and caress them, when she read from the page. Each key she gently stroked, with an elegance it had taken me years to master.
"It's quite beautiful." I murmured, unsure if I meant the way she played, or the music. She jumped, making me smile. I walked forward and looked through the other sheets of music. All were beautiful, lullaby-like pieces. Despite my mind's preoccupation, my body was aching for her. Venom was coating my teeth, my legs wanted to crouch, to get ready to pounce, to strike, to kill. The thirst seared down my throat. I dug my nails into my palm, trying to calm myself.
"Did you write all of these?" I asked, trying desperately to keep my voice casual. When she answered, new waves of her scent hit me and my hand began to reach for her neck. I pulled it up quickly, running it through my damp hair.
"Don't compose while you're awake?" I asked through gritted teeth. When she laughed I memorized the sound. It was beautiful, almost ethereal. I stared at her, trying to ascertain her thoughts and realised that she was tense, barely breathing. Her posture was wary, but her eyes were relaxed, calm, worried and guilty? I couldn't be sure. The deep brown of her eyes seemed to make them stretch to infinity, showing an endless depth of emotions, some I couldn't begin to recognize. But her mind remained untouchable. I sighed in frustration, pressing my hands to my temples.
"You don't have to try so hard. I understand and don't really mind if you avoid me. I don't want you to be uncomfortable." She said. That threw me. Most humans were taxingly unobservant creatures, not noticing the slight differences that indicated we were thirsty.
"What?" I asked, knowing the answer already.
"I know I smell different to you. You don't have to force yourself to be around me." She clarified. With great effort I raised my hand and rested it on her shoulder. I felt a current of electricity running through my arm at the touch. She had avoided movement, slowed her breathing all to make me feel more comfortable. In what world was this fair? What god found this the slightest bit humorous?
After a few more quick sentences, she stood, cautioning me with her eyes. I felt the irony of our situation once more; the prey warning the predator. Alice darted up the stairs, elated at something and pulled Bella into a tight hug. I heard all of the air being squeezed out of her and her small whine of pain. Something inside me wanted to attack Alice, for the harm she was causing Bella. I brushed it aside quickly.
"I just had a vision!" she said, though I couldn't be sure if Bella had heard; she had spoken quickly.
"You think you'd be used to it by now." She muttered back. Alice showed me.
Jasper and her were running through the woods, hunting probably. He stopped to look at a river and she bounded at him, throwing the two of them into the water. When he surfaced he was laughing, a full, hearty laugh. One that my family nor I had ever heard. Alice surfaced and jumped onto his back.
"Gotcha." She said. Jasper spun around and kissed her. Alice feigned a faint and fell back into the water, where Jasper dove after her. The vision faded. I smothered a laugh. I followed Bella, as she began her way down the stairs, falling into Emmett.
Mission accomplished. He thought to me as he continued. When Bella got to the kitchen I stood a few inches away, inhaling her scent, trying to train my body to resist.
Shit. Emmett strikes again. Carlisle. He only ever swore in his mind. He dashed out of the bathroom, trying to get into the RV. Realising it was locked he came for me. As soon as he paused, Bella noticed him and blushed. The rush of warm blood made the monster inside me roar for her, so I stepped back a little. Carlisle was apologizing when Esme walked in.
In the washing machine? Why on earth is that boy being cryptic? Esme.
"Oh." She breathed, looking at him. A thousand thoughts flashed through her head as her eyes wandered down his chest and back up to his shy face. It was moments like these I truly regretted this talent. After a few incriminating images, Esme remembered me.
Sorry Edward. I want very much to hold him, to try and explain how I feel, but it's ridiculous. We've only actually met a few hours ago.
Her eyes lingered. Carlisle. A few images of choice flashed through his head also. Sorry Edward. Does she feel the way I feel for her? It's impossible. We've only known each other a short time.
It took every fibre in my being, not to laugh. They both thought and felt so similarly, yet were both too shy and polite to do anything.
Wow. Jasper. Edward, you are so lucky you aren't feeling this. Way too much – what's the right word? – longing.
When Carlisle had the keys he left and Esme turned to me.
I would very much appreciate that being kept between us. Please? She asked. I reassured her. She hugged me exactly like a mother would and I irrationally felt a surge of pleasure; she was the mother our family needed. Rosalie, Emmett and Jasper were my siblings, Carlisle my father. If Carlisle and Esme continued down this track, soon enough she could be my mother.
Bella moved into the other room to hear the rest of the concert and I followed, almost unconsciously. As the last song ended, Alice flicked off the T.V. and Bella opened her beautiful eyes again.
"I like playing hooky." She smiled. I was confused. 'Hooky'?
She is supposed to be in school right now. But we let her skip today, if only because of sleep deprivation. And she likes you guys. Why don't you offer to play for her or something? Make it worth skipping school. Alice.
"Bella, would you..." I started saying before I actually thought about what we could do. She turned towards me, her face expressionless. "Would you like to practice with us? Alice has been bugging me to let her do some singing."
How come I have to take the hit for this one? Alice. Rosalie glared at me, about to make a remark, but a look from me silenced her. Carlisle, Jasper and Emmett were ready and willing. Esme looked excited too. Jasper took Alice, shyly by the hand and they raced out to get instruments. Emmett took Rosalie and Carlisle held out his arm for Esme, who gracefully took it, as they all went to find instruments also. As soon as they disappeared Bella wrote into the dust on the television.
I think we have a few new couples in the making.
I agree. I wrote back. With her sleeves she erased the conversation and started towards the music room. I kept my distance, but still followed her closely. I heard Alice debating with herself.
Should I? It's not really changing much, but it would be kind of weird too. I don't know. Edward. Pick yes or no.
"Yes?" I murmured, outside the range of human hearing. I was still trying to ignore the fact that Bella was not only close, but comfortable. Alice left and returned with several sheets of paper.
"This is a song Jasper hasn't written yet. He wrote, or will write it, later this week. It's a duet between him and me." Alice handed Jasper lyrics and the others the sheets for their various instruments. "Esme, could you play the second guitar?" Alice asked handing her a sheet of paper too. We all looked over the tune and memorised the notes and tune easily. It did sound like something Jasper would write. I sat at Bella's piano. Bella sat at the door, watching us all with sad eyes. Why sad? What evil thing could plague her beautiful eyes to that degree? But still she smiled, resting casually.
"One, two, three." Carlisle counted us in. The unfamiliar tune swept through the room, Alice danced around Jasper, who unknowingly oriented himself around her.
"I'm havin' me a partay." She sang, pulling a cute country accent.
"I don't think I can come."
"This ain't just any kind of partay."
"I think I'll stay at home."
"It's gonna be really, really hot."
"Startin' to sound good."
"I'm gonna put you on the spot."
"Well maybe I should."
"There will be lots of one on one."
"Guess I could be there."
"Come on and join the fun."
"What should I wear?"
They danced around each other, forgetting the rest of us were there. I looked at Bella, she was following Alice's movements with a huge smile on her face, but I could see the sadness again. I would have to ask Jasper about it, when he was less distracted. I wished I could hear her thoughts. I opened my mind, barely listening to the music anymore.
Those two look perfect together. Carlisle and Esme thought in unison, unaware they were doing so.
Jasper and her are so happy. It's like when Rose and I met. Carlisle and Esme still need some shoving though. Emmett.
I still heard nothing of Bella. When the song came to a close she stood up and excused herself, to go to the bathroom. However, Jasper looked at her and followed quickly.
We could all hear the conversation.
"Bella?"
"Jasper." Bella was breathing shakily, as if trying to calm herself.
"What's wrong? Why are you... sad?"
"Because I'm being ridiculous. I shouldn't feel sad. I should be elated. They've finally found a real family, after so many years of waiting."
"What?"
"Despite Alice's best assurances, I will have to leave," Esme grabbed Alice who was about to run to Bella. "It was unusual enough living with a human for two vampires, how can I ask it of seven? Especially with you being so young and Edward's heightened attraction? I will not ask Alice and Esme to choose between me, a freak, and you, the life they've been waiting for. I know you can all hear me, and I'm sorry." I watched through Jasper's eyes as Bella sank to the floor, wrapping her arms around her stomach. The phone rang then and Bella jumped up and ran off to grab it. Jasper re-entered looking confused.
"What?" Emmett asked. Esme seemed at a loss for words. Bella came back into the room looking pissed, but she still had the phone in her hand.
"It's Phil again." Bella handed the phone directly to Esme. Esme looked livid.
"Enough. I have asked you and asked you. Do not call me anymore."
But it's not fair to leave such a beautiful woman on her own.
"I do not need your counsel. I do not need you. You are the one who has decided that I do."
Esme. It's for the better. Don't ignore what we both feel.
I could see the phone beginning to bend with the force of her grasp. Carlisle stepped in and saved her then.
"Darling who is it? Come back to the kitchen, you haven't touched your food, and after last night, you should be hungry." Everyone, including Bella had to try and not laugh. Bella clamped her hands over her mouth and nose, the rest of us laughed in tones that humans couldn't hear.
Who was that?
Esme had to calm herself before talking again.
"My boyfriend. Now please leave me alone." She hung up the phone and Bella inhaled, before laughing so hard she had tears falling from her eyes. Alice and Emmett were laughing too. I was chuckling and Rosalie was rolling her eyes. Jasper was laughing harder than any of us, our emotions tripling his. Esme merely curtsied to Carlisle.
"My knight in shining armour."
"Does that make you the damsel in distress?"
"Let's wrestle and see who wins, shall we?"
"Tempting." Carlisle laughed.
"Carlisle and Esme sitting in a tree..." Emmett began singing. Both Esme and Carlisle flew at him, knocking instruments out of the way. They crashed through the wall and Bella fell backwards, into Alice's arms, still laughing. I couldn't help but laugh too. Bella's sadness was forgotten.
The day went by quickly. After the wall incident both Carlisle and Esme shook hands, dusting plaster off of themselves. Alice then took us down to the living room, blasting some random music. Bands I'd never heard of filled the room. Esme picked me up and threw me to Alice. Alice began dancing with me, the tango I think. Halfway through, I feigned dizziness, so I could take a break and watch them dance. Rosalie and Emmett looked wonderful together, twisting and swaying to the music so perfectly I took a blow to my self esteem by just watching. Alice and Jasper also danced, though they were more focused on each other, with a quiet buzz of words flowing from each of their lips; a conversation so fast that if I tried to keep up my head did get dizzy. Edward and Esme were dancing, but Edward looked uninterested at best, like the dancing was a formality that he had to endure.
"Feeling better?" Carlisle asked, holding out his hand for me to dance with him. He had that look on his face letting me know he didn't believe me.
"Much. But I still can't dance." I said, taking his hand and standing anyway.
"It's all in the leading." Carlisle promised, smiling as he spun me around, slowly, but so I didn't fall. "So how is your schooling going?"
"At school I'm fine, if only because I have no social life other than Alice, and plenty of time to study. Though I must admit; trigonometry isn't my thing."
"Nor mine. After centuries of practicing medicine I still cannot grasp it." He laughed. We continued dancing to another unfamiliar tune. "What exactly do you do for fun?"
"Oh. Well, if I'm not in hospital, I read."
"Hospital?"
"Alice and I fight sometimes, I fall a lot and I'm an accident magnet. It's my second home."
"Mine too." He laughed. "You really get injured that much?"
"Esme?" I called, she turned to look at us.
"Two hundred and fifty two hospital visits, in the time we've had her. Various reasons." She shook her head and muttered something that only the vampires caught. It made them smile whatever it was. I sighed.
"The doctors joke about putting you into a medically induced coma. They say it will be cheaper." Carlisle informed me.
"Oh very funny, Esme. Edward? Hit her for me would you?" Edward looked confused and appalled until he realised I was joking. I had to bite my tongue to stop from smiling. After the song ended, I forced Carlisle to dance with Esme, by squeezing his arm and nodding towards her. He picked up the hint but was still shy as he asked her to dance with him. I sat, wondering if I actually had had that many hospital visits.
"So what do you read?" Edward asked. I looked to my left to see him resting on the arm of the couch furthest away from me.
"Classics mostly. Austen, Wilde, Verne, Bronte... my favourites are in the library." I motioned towards an open door to the left of the room. Edward glanced at it briefly, before looking back at me.
"You were obviously born in the wrong era."
"I completely agree. Even the music from this era doesn't hold a candle to that of the others. The CGI in movies is pretty cool, but that's the only 'up' to the new millennium."
"Not even clothing and shopping malls?" he asked politely, though he sneered at the words.
"Do you think I dress like this willingly?" I motioned towards my outfit. "This is 100 Alice. Alice let me try on some of her older dresses when I was still small enough to fit into them. The corsets took a little getting used to, but I adore the fashions that herself and Carlisle grew up with. You're all a little too young to have worn them firsthand." I sighed. Edward stared at me with fascination, like I was a science experiment. The other dancers were still twirling away, Carlisle more comfortably spinning Esme as she smiled and sang along. As I saw him properly dancing I realised just how careful he was being with me.
"Soap bubble." I breathed.
"Sorry?" Edward asked.
"Me. Soap bubble, thin glass, overcooked pie crust. I crumble at the lightest touch from your kind." As I looked at him again I saw pain in his eyes, but he suppressed it.
"I don't quite think so. You may not be inhumanly strong or resilient, but two hundred and fifty two visits to the hospital may have strengthened you up a little."
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger?" I quoted.
"Precisely." Edward took a deep breath, and stood, holding out his hand to me. I recoiled at first in shock; wasn't he supposed to be dangerous, to me especially? He waited calmly and I slowly lay my hand in his.
His skin was exactly what I was expecting; cold, hard, smooth. But the electricity that shocked me when I touched him I couldn't understand. It continued to buzz through my hand as he continued to hold it. He pulled me closer to him, but to a polite distance, not pressed up against each other like Emmett and Rosalie. As we spun I saw his eyes get wild with thirst and I held my breath. He shook it off, controlling himself, and smiled at my reaction.
"Breathe." He instructed. I did and immediately felt the rush of oxygen to my brain. Edward chuckled blackly. After the song he let go of me and left, his eyes wild again. I sat on the couch, impressed with his self control. Most of that day we spent talking. I nicknamed Emmett 'Grizzly Bear' he laughed hard because his favourite food was grizzly.
Edward never returned. I asked everyone if he was okay and they told me he had gone hunting again. By eight o'clock I could barely keep my eyes open. Alice whispered something to Jasper and before I knew what was happening, I was examining the insides of my eyelids with great intensity.
I was hunting. And I was thinking. And I was sulking. I was hunting because being around Bella made me thirsty. I was thinking because Bella said and did the strangest things. I was sulking because my horrible instincts wanted me to kill the beauty that was Bella. She had an odd way about her that made me unable to look away. She always seemed to be thinking and feeling on so many different levels. She was always so calm. Always so calm, whilst she stared out death.
And the fire, the electricity that ran through my body wherever we touched. It was maddening, almost painful, but so pleasurable. I knew Jasper could feel it, if he were paying attention. But he was much too focused on Alice.
I returned to the house, to find that they'd put Bella to bed. I could hear faint murmuring, incoherent mostly, but occasionally her voice would ring out clearly. She said 'It's too green' a few times and I wondered what she could possibly be thinking of. I wanted so badly to read her thoughts, and it infuriated me.
The night we spent playing pool. Esme showed us the games room, and we had fun playing darts blindfolded, pinball, air hockey and other silly human games that were just fun to lose ourselves in. At around seven Alice disappeared to wake Bella and get her ready for school. I was immediately curious and asked Carlisle's permission to attend the school for a day. He saw nothing strange about the request, but warned me to stay away from the sunlight.
"Edward. Do not be anywhere near a window between two and two sixteen. Other than that, there is no direct sunlight." Alice had warned me. Easy enough to remember. Very handy to have her around. I drove Bella to school, she kept her eyes firmly shut the entire five minutes.
"Do you have to go so fast?"
"I hate driving slowly. And I always drive like this."
"Well it scares me, and we're going to show up early." She complained.
"Of all the things that could scare you, you're afraid of my driving?"
"Yup."
By the time we'd finished the conversation, we were already at her school. She sat in the car. Not wanting to go out into the humidity, we both talked for a while, until we heard the bell ring. Alice showed up for school just as the bell rang, her hair was messy from running.
I wanted to spend as much time as possible with Jasper. She admitted.
I watched Bella all day, through the minds of others. I heard every conversation she had, which wasn't much; she didn't talk to many people, only one of them she actually seemed interested in talking to Angela Weber. She was an uncommonly kind person, who throughout the day never had an evil thought. Bella ended up sitting with her at lunch and the conversation went to childhood memories. I was allowed into the cafeteria, but I was waiting for Alice. It was then that Bella and Angela turned to each other and started a complex pat-a-cake pattern. They were moving ridiculously fast, for humans. Angela and Bella were staring each other down, not even looking at their hands. Never once did the pattern repeat itself, and it would've taken even a vampire a few tries to get it right.
"Concentration test." Alice said, looking at them. "Angela made it up and her and Bella do this every day. Angela is the closest thing Bella has to a friend. Oh, and watch out. Tyler is about to make a move." I stared at her in confusion and then looked over at Bella she pulled back her hand wincing as Angela smiled.
"Ha, I won." She chimed, making Bella laugh. Tyler sat down beside Bella at that point.
"Did you hurt yourself? I'm sure I could kiss it better, over dinner tonight." He leaned in towards her, resting his hand on her arm. She froze and turned towards him.
"Please take your hand off me. I don't want dinner with you Tyler. How many times do we have to go over this?"
"Until you finally agree."
Watching him made me angry. Hearing his thoughts made me furious. I had to restrain myself from attacking him at that point. I was unaware I had become so attached and protective of her, but now, as she sat, unaware of my presence, I realised just how fond of her I had grown. I needed to protect her, to help her. Bella turned to look around, to find Alice and spotted me first. She gave me a pleading look and I walked forward, acting on impulse.
"Bella, love!" I called. She looked confused at first but then brightened as she realised my plan.
"Edward! C'mere, I'd like you to meet my friends, Angela and Tyler."
"Who's he?" Tyler asked Angela. She winked at me.
"That's Bella's boyfriend, Tyler. His name is Edward, he lives out of town, but he visits every now and then. Bella is crazy about him and Edward about her." She lied smoothly. Bella hugged Angela.
"I owe you."
"I know." They whispered to each other. I continued walking until I was a foot away Bella stood beside me and, cringing slightly, hugged me. I knew that she was afraid she was crossing the line. I simply held my breath, smiled and ran my hand around her waist. It felt so natural, so good having her that close. The electricity shot through the places our bodies touched and a range of emotions I'd never felt before coursed through me. Tyler stalked off and Bella twisted carefully out of my hold, looking anxiously up at me. She had a slight blush and her heart rate had picked up, I could only assume it was from the near death experience.
As soon as we weren't touching pain shot through my chest. It was a physical longing. I wanted to hold her again, to feel her warmth. I inhaled and remembered exactly why that was dangerous. Her scent tore at my throat as thirst shot through me again. I sat, leaning away from Bella as she properly introduced me to her friend.
I sat at the lunch table when Angela dared me to a game of concentration. We hadn't played since yesterday and I never got tired of it, so we quickly began the long process. I was staring her down, and she was returning the stare. We were both waiting for Alice, but I knew she would probably be showing Edward around. Edward. He was amazing, even if he did want to kill me. That was the funny thing about vampires, no matter how irresistible they were, you had to remember, they were irresistible because they were built to kill you. And boy was Edward irresistible. The thought of his perfect features made me lose focus and my finger bent backwards as I hit Angela's hand incorrectly.
"Ha, I won." She smiled and looked apologetic at the same time. I laughed and winced, rubbing my sore hand when Tyler came up behind me.
"Did you hurt yourself? I'm sure I could kiss it better, over dinner tonight." He leaned in towards me, resting his hand on my arm. His skin felt sweaty and too warm, his smile, which was supposed to be alluring, was sickening. I froze, took a deep breath and tried to contain my anger. This was the eighth time he had asked this.
"Please take your hand off me. I don't want dinner with you Tyler. How many times do we have to go over this?"
"Until you finally agree." I saw no way to get out of this I looked around desperately for Alice and found Edward and her standing in the corner of the cafeteria. He looked livid, while she looked amused. I wanted them to help, surely Edward could growl or something? He walked forward, composing his features.
"Bella, love!" hearing him call me that confused me, until I realised what he was doing; torturing Tyler mentally. Devious. "Edward! C'mere, I'd like you to meet my friends, Angela and Tyler."
"Who's he?" Tyler asked Angela. She winked at Edward.
"That's Bella's boyfriend, Tyler. His name is Edward, he lives out of town, but he visits every now and then. Bella is crazy about him and Edward about her." She lied smoothly. I hugged Angela.
"I owe you."
"I know." She whispered to me. Angela was always quick at thinking, and very diplomatic.
When Edward finally got to our table I took a deep breath and hugged him gently. I didn't have to worry about how hard I hugged him, more the fact that my skin was now very close to a vampire who wanted to kill me. But Edward surprised me. He wrapped his arm around my waist. I vaguely heard Tyler mumble something and stalk off, but I was trying to keep my breathing calm. My heart rate was skyrocketing. The strange electricity that I kept feeling flowed through our bodies, through his icy hand, through my arms around his waist. I gently pulled away before I became too much of a torment. The blushing didn't help either. I knew that that would push him over the edge, or close to it.
As soon as we weren't touching pain shot through my chest. It was a physical longing. I wanted to hold him again, to feel his marble skin. He sat down, leaning away from me and I breathed a sigh of relief.
"Angela this is Edward. Edward, Angela." I introduced and sat also. Angela held out her hand and Edward kissed it like a proper gentleman. It was obviously something one had to pick up in an earlier century.
"So, you've just become Bella's boyfriend for the lunch hour. Sorry about that. Good thinking though." Angela smiled at him. I laughed. Edward looked at me with a slight pain in his eyes, which I assumed was from the thirst. Alice came over then.
"Thanks for the rescue Alice." I spat.
"I thought Edward would make a more convincing argument. You don't really mind do you? By tomorrow the entire school will know that Bella Hale is unavailable. Tough luck ol' girl." Alice patted my shoulder. I snorted.
"It's not like anyone was interested anyway. Tyler excluded." I shrugged. It was Edward's turn to snort.
"Are you kidding me? There are four guys that won't stop looking at you. Not to mention the unavailable guys who are trying not to be attracted to you. In total you have about nine potential 'boyfriends'."
I could do nothing but look incredulous. He was lying surely. He looked at me with such transparent honesty that I had to believe him. He could also se inside their heads, making it more than the possibility of misreading body language. Angela stood up and slipped her arm around my shoulder.
"Told you so. It was nice meeting you Edward. See you later Alice." Angela left. And Alice sat in her spot.
"Oh Bella. Congratulations. You will be called down after school. They're going to offer to skip you a grade. You're at high nineties in all of your courses and they feel that perhaps you'd like to skip, for a challenge."
I dropped my head to the table, banging it gently. I heard Alice laugh and murmur something about overreaction.
"I don't want that kind of attention! It's easier to just be invisible. No unnecessary conversations, no unwanted glares, no nothing." I heard Edward chuckle at my statement. Suddenly Alice squeaked.
"Yes! I can't believe it! Oh my gosh! I have to thank Carlisle! Or I will!" She dashed off and I looked questioningly at Edward.
"She kept her mind blank, I have no idea."
"Well I have some idea. There are only a few things that would get Alice that excited. Jasper proposing to her, Carlisle proposing to Esme, her joining your band, or you staying to live with us."
"I doubt that."
"Want to bet on it?" I retorted. Edward looked at me sternly.
"Alright."
"If I win, you keep playing my boyfriend, to keep away the unwanted attention."
"And if I win?"
"I don't know. Pick a prize."
You. My brain automatically responded. I kicked myself mentally. I liked the idea of pretending to be her boyfriend, if only because it gave me an excuse to be near her. I also wanted to hear her sing again. Her voice was wonderful.
"Your voice. You have to sing for me, whenever I want you to." I said. I thought I sounded ridiculous, but she blushed and nodded.
"Deal."
The bell rang then and I escorted her to her next class, carrying her heavy (for her) bag. Two of the afore mentioned boys were in there, looking wistfully at Bella and angrily at me. So I took her hand and led her to her desk. Her heart picked up speed at my touch and the electricity was tingling up my arm as I led her gently to her seat. I placed her bag beside her.
"What are you doing?" she asked quietly through her teeth.
"Having fun." I replied and swiftly turned to leave. I came face to face with the teacher.
"Tell me, young man," wrong. I was older than his grandfather. "What are you doing in this class?"
"Admiring your piano forte. It's beautifully constructed, worth about twenty thousand. The embellishment on the stool and legs indicates that this was made specifically for somebody. Was it made for the school or bought randomly?" I asked. The teacher took a second to compose his thoughts.
"Made for the school. Tell me are you transferring here? Do you play?"
"I'm not sure, and yes."
"Would you care to play for us then Mr?"
"Cullen."
"Cullen then."
I sat down and turned to Bella. She was glaring at me. So I played one of her pieces. I knew she recognized it instantly, because she buried her face into her hands. When I finished the teacher and students looked at me baffled.