Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns it all
Chapter 3
Recap: "Bella, our family, we're not normal. We're not…human." Edward paused, looking up at me to gouge my reaction. I stared at him quizzically, uncomprehending. "We're vampires."
I sat for a minute, the idea not fully sinking in. But as it settled, my eyes widened. I wasn't sure if he was joking or insane or…telling the truth.
"But…vampires aren't real," I stated dumbly.
"We're real, Bella. And we're vampires. You and me. And my family." Edward said sternly, his eyes boring into mine.
"Me?" I repeated lamely.
"I didn't have a choice, Bella, I had to change you or you would've died. If I hadn't-" He was talking extremely quickly.
"Prove it," I interrupted. I wanted to believe him or prove to myself that this whole concept was just a silly joke.
"What?" Edward asked, confused.
"Prove to me that we're vampires," I demanded, uncharacteristically bossy. He stared at me in disbelief for a moment, then gave a small chuckle before standing up.
"Fine," he agreed, offering me his hand. I stared at it blankly. "Come on, I'll prove it," he directed. I obeyed, following him to the door and out into the sun.
At first I wasn't sure if I was about to burst into flames or turn to ash or something, but nothing seemed to be happening. I turned to Edward questioningly, and gasped. His shin was sparkling. Literally shining, the sun reflected off his arms and face. And I realized, upon inspecting my own arm, that I, too, was glittering unnaturally.
"Holy crow," I muttered, turning my hand in front of my face slowly, wide-eyed. I shifted my gaze to Edward, seeing him with new eyes. He was even more handsome, standing tall before me, shining brilliantly. He was looking straight at me, grinning defiantly, as though proud of himself for proving me wrong.
"Whatever," I scoffed. "Like I was just going to believe that I'm a vampire automatically…trust a complete stranger…"I trailed off. That cocky grin was still plastered across his face. He was adorable.
"So you believe me now?" Edward asked.
"Yes. There's not really another explanation." I pointed out.
"Why aren't you upset?" he asked me cautiously.
"I don't know…I'm not losing much, really. I wouldn't see my mom anyway, since I moved out here, and I don't know my dad that well. I don't have many…"I trailed off as an alarming thought hit me. "How long was I out?" I asked him urgently.
"Three days," he answered promptly.
"Crap! Charlie! He doesn't know anything! Crap, he'll send out the whole Forks police department to look for me and-"
"Bella!" Edward interrupted quickly. "We've got it covered. We already gave him our cover story."
"But…how did you know who my dad is?" I asked, tilting my head to the side quizzically.
"There was a wallet in your pocket with your license and last name. Everyone knows where people live around here." He explained casually.
"So, what's the cover story?" I inquired curiously.
Edward hesitated, glancing at me nervously. "It was the only explanation I could come up with that didn't involve you dying. We told your parents that you and I had met before. And that I was the reason you wanted to come to Forks. And that we eloped," he told me carefully, watching me out of the corner of his eye. "This way, your parents aren't completely heartbroken, and you can still be in contact. But you wont see them in person for a while. Especially not any time soon."
"How come?" I asked.
"Firstly, you look different. The transformation…alters peoples' appearances. But more importantly, you have to keep your distance because of the blood lust factor," he explained solemnly.
"So…our cover story is that you and I are in love and we eloped?" The incredulity in my voice was almost tangible.
"What's wrong with that?" he sounded genuinely offended, and he wore a hurt expression.
"Anyone who has seen both of us won't believe it," I stated matter-of-factly.
"Why not?" Edward demanded.
"Because…you look like that and I look like me," I told him, hoping he'd pick up on the hint.
"So I'm not good-looking enough for you?" he asked, sounding angered and depressed at the same time.
"No! No, that's not what I meant. The opposite," I contradicted.
He finally caught on. "Have you looked in the mirror lately?" he smirked.
"No, but I have looked in it enough times to know that, compared to you, I'm-"
"I told you earlier," Edward interrupted. "that the change altered your appearance. You may want to take a look." He suggested with a crooked smile, looking down at me.
The way he was staring at me made me want to take his advice. "Okay," I agreed. "Lead the way."
Edward took me by surprise, grabbing my hand and marching back into the house, up the stairs and around a corner. We ended up in a gigantic bathroom with a Jacuzzi and beautiful tile floors. It was two times the size of my old bedroom. At least. I gazed around in awe. When my gaze fell upon the mirror and I saw my reflection, I gasped.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Review if you want me to continue!
