2. Mistake

The rest of the week dragged by slowly. It was needless to say that the situation with Edward and myself didn't improve over those few excruciatingly long days...much. He did stop the ferocious and hostile glares during second and third period, and had taken instead to ignoring me altogether. I guess that could've been considered an improvement. Naturally, I was more than happy to extend the same courtesy to him.

It took a little while, but I had finally managed to reestablish my same happy facade. All smiles, no worry or aggravation; no Edward. He was in the very back of my mind, all but forgotten.

My cheerful mask had stood untouched for several years. I smiled and laughed, doing the craziest damned things to make certain my friends were happy, and ignored whatever it was that I was feeling. I had been rejecting myself for so long, acting out this life of mock selflessness for so long, I had forgotten what my own feelings were. My body shifted uneasily over the cold, damp, moss-speckled rocks that made up the creek bank. Tears were sliding soundlessly down my face. There was something I hadn't expected to gain from meeting Edward Cullen; a large crack in my solid fortress. And as I sat in the dark comfort of the woods with only the trickling sound of the creek rushing past me, I could feel it growing bigger.

Damn it, stop crying, I told myself. My tears were determined to defy me. It took a loud, thunderous howl from my husky, Izzie, to conquer their rebellion. He was staring out into the woods, snarling and growling at something I couldn't see. I stood up and dusted off my faded jeans before patting his back gently.

"What is it, Izzie boy?" I whispered soothingly. His low growl turned to a soft whining sound. He turned and nudged me in the direction of my house with his nose. "Izzie?"

It was then that I noticed the soggy crunching sound of footsteps growing closer. But the noise was irregular. Fast. Too fast. My heart began to pound dangerously loud in my chest. Izzie started up again with his low growl. I stood frozen in place on the mossy rocks of the bank. A nearby willow branch rustled, someone or something appearing from behind its thick curtain of leaves and foliage. I was both relieved and disappointed to see it was Edward. He was staring at me with a seemingly amused look on his face, which immediately turned to a frustrated frown when he saw the great white dog standing protectively in front of me, his throat still rumbling dangerously.

"It seems he doesn't like me very much," Edward said, a safe distance back from the fierce canine glaring him down. His eyes, the brightest amber I'd ever seen them, darkened a little while glaring back at Izzie.

"That makes two of us. What the hell are you doing here?" I snapped angrily. His eyes moved to me, a smirk on his cold lips.

"You're angry with me," he stated proudly.

I inhaled deeply through clenched teeth. "I'm not so much angry as I am annoyed."

He took a seat on the same large rock I had been lying on moments ago, then patted a spot next to him, eyes still focused on me. "Sit."

"No thanks. I prefer to stand. And you still haven't answered my question."

"What the hell am I doing here?"

"Yes."

"I live just up the road from you. In the old manor."

I blinked. Izzie was no longer growling, but he was sitting between me and Edward. "You live there?"

"Yes. Why do you sound so surprised? Don't tell me you think it's haunted as well."

"No," I said with a glare. "I'm not that gullible."

He gave a short laugh, and all I could do was stare at him. His radiance was enhanced in the dull, gray light that filtered down from the thick cover of trees and skimmed lightly over his pale skin. I thought I noticed a faint sparkle as a slightly brighter beam of light danced across the dark circle just beneath his left eye, but it faded even faster than it was noticed, so I couldn't be sure.

"Aren't I supposed to be staying away from you?" I muttered.

He looked down at the murky, glistening water. "I guess. And you seem to be doing a very impressive job. You haven't even so much as looked at me all week. Until now, of course. And that one day at lunch."

Izzie nuzzled up against me gently, his icy blue eyes still fully focused on Edward.

"Your dog seems very fond of you. He must be quite the bodyguard."

I stroked the snowy-white fur on the back of Izzie's neck. "Yes, he is. Though, to be honest, he's usually a really friendly dog. I've never seem him growl at someone like that."

"Animals, dogs especially, can sense things about people you could never even begin to imagine. For example," he paused, his eyes darkening even more. "An honors student with a mental disorder that leads him to becoming a serial killer. Neither you or I would be able to tell him apart from anyone else. But your dog, Izzie, could hear the chaos in his words, see the malice in his eyes."

He was standing now, a little closer than before, his eyes searching mine. "Are you trying to convince me that you're dangerous?" I asked. I knew he was just trying to scare me. It wasn't going to work.

"No. I'm telling you I'm dangerous," he said in a calm, almost threatening voice.

"I don't scare that easily, Mr. Cullen--"

"Edward. Call me Edward."

Izzie snarled as he took another step toward me. "Calm down, boy."

"Smart dog. He knows a lot more than you give him credit for."

This time I paused. "Why exactly are you down this far from the manor? I'm sure there couldn't be anything around here of interest to you."

"I felt like taking a look around. Being cooped up in that dark house gets pretty boring after a while. This place seemed the best spot to be. It has natural beauty, and it's secluded enough that no one probably comes here very often."

"I do. Every chance I get."

"Really?" he mused with genuine interest lacing his smile. "Izzie too?"

"Yes. My little sister Marie comes with me sometimes as well. She loves to play in the water during the sunny summer days."

"So this is kind of like a home away from home for you, isn't it?"

"I guess that's what you'd call it. But mostly I come here when I'm frustrated or depressed. When I need to think," I said, more to myself than Edward. My thoughtful gaze had turned to the creek. Something cold brushed my cheek, and Edward was hovering over me, the same way he had the day we met. The bright yellowish amber had lost all trace of its dark tint. Cold fingertips brushed against my cheek a second time, then left a ghostly touch on my lips. My heart nearly leapt out of my chest.

He withdrew his hand sharply, as if he'd been burned or socked by something. This made me give an inward sigh. Static electricity. Just my luck. "I'm sorry," he murmured.

I was breathless. "For what?"

"I shouldn't be here. I should've turned back the second I saw you were here." He seemed almost disgusted with himself. "You really shouldn't be out here by yourself. There are many dangerous things in the woods. I wouldn't want you getting hurt."

"I'll be fine. Izzie will be with me," I responded.

"Izzie's made a fatal mistake, already."

I frowned. "What's that?"

He leaned over me, his forehead pressed to my own. "Allowing me to come this close to you."

His eyes were burrowing into mine. His intentions were good; honest. But somehow, I was still left feeling empty. Especially when he turned away. "Edward, wait--"

But he was already gone. The only trace left of him was the tingling trail on my cheek left by his gentle touch.

I would dream of those black eyes from that night on.