A/N: I still do not have a beta for this story, please excuse any errors.

Disclaimer: All Twilight character names belong to Stephenie Meyer. No copyright infringement is intended.

All intellectual property, characterizations, plot lines, backgrounds and details belong to Ryder Jude. No copying or reproduction of this work is permitted without express written authorization. ©2010.

Chapter Two: Entrapment

Somewhere in the distance muffled sounds of a distorted beeping alerted me, as I struggled to grasp consciousness. Vaguely, I felt the air stir around me, and heard murmurs of hushed noises. I felt gentle, cool fingers probing along my head, and I fought the heaviness that kept my eyes closed. Gradually, I become lost into the blackness that appeared behind my eyes—it was my own lullaby—calling me. I drifted into a deep sleep, as my thoughts carried me away.


Emerald green eyes filled my vision, demanding my devoted focus. They were deep, filled with secrets, and they smiled mischievously. Staring into his dark, intense stare felt like drowning in murky waters. It was like I was missing out on a secret, only he had known. It was odd, and a little disquieting.

He always made me feel this way—curious—and we all know what happened to that cat. I narrowed my eyes at his gaze, and turned away from those thoughts.

He arched an eyebrow at me, and murmured quietly into my ear.

"Would you like something to drink, Bella?" His voice was caressed in velvet; it surrounded me with its softness.

I nodded, and watched with unveiled obsession as he made his way toward the bar. His bronze hair shadowed in darkness with disarray, his poised gait, and his jeans hung low from his hips.

An elbow to my ribs disrupted my musings.

"Ow," I muttered under my breath.

Alice was smiling at me. I rubbed the sore spot with my fingertips, and ignored her.

"Bella," she hissed.

I turned my head in the opposite direction, seeking the crowd of bodies to capture my attention.

"Hey," she poked at the same spot she had just elbowed.

Gritting my teeth, I spoke "Stop, Alice." I turned my steely gaze on her. She remained unmoved.

She grinned at me, full of teeth. It was unapologetic. And, it was her big smile that broke me.

I smiled back at her, and I knew she understood. I was full of anxiety.

Edward reappeared at that moment, smiling sweetly at me, as he gave me a pint.

He leaned down into me, and whispered, "I wasn't sure what you liked, so…" He trailed off in uncertainty.

Smiling and shrugging my shoulders, I said, "It's fine. And, thank you, for the beer."

His eyes shined under the dimmed lights, and there was a momentary pause—it was self-conscious—I didn't think he was really trying to talk to me anymore at that moment.

Turning my head away from his heavy intent, I surveyed the couples around us. Alice was captured into Jasper's attention; he spoke in low tones as she smiled back at him, and he leaned into her with interest. It felt intrusive to watch.

Moving my gaze around the table I found that Rosalie was back, and Emmett's arm was slung around her shoulders. She was staring into her pint glass with an exasperated look. Emmett was watching the people surrounding us, truthfully looking bored himself. I peeked a glance at Rosalie again, to see if she was still feeling that animosity towards me from earlier.

It was a mistake.

As I brought my eyes back to her, her eyes snapped up to meet mine. Her upper lip twitched, as if she was about to sneer about me. Her eyes were full of ridicule.

My cheeks flamed. Embarrassed, I dropped my gaze quickly, feeling the burning heat in my face. I bit into my bottom lip, I felt…uneasy.

Tension surrounded the small round table, and I felt ashamed that it was because of me.

I mean, I couldn't understand what could compel her so much to hate me.

Her instant dislike to me, because of my clumsiness was…in a way, I guess validated, but this felt different.

It felt…personal.

And I couldn't comprehend how I had offended her so immediately.

Flickering my gaze up at Edward, I noticed him staring hard at Rosalie—it seemed like the two were communicating, or arguing—from the way they stared at each other.

And, that was…strange. How well did they know each other, I wondered.

Suddenly, Rosalie slammed her hands down onto the tabletop, knocking over glasses and bottles.

"I'm leaving," she spat, fuming.

I was startled from her outburst, and felt my face flood with warmth. It was obvious that she was leaving, because of me.

It made me feel awful knowing that I was the cause of ruining her evening out with her friends. I simply wanted to get away from the situation. Being with Edward was…intoxicating, but this was dejecting. Humiliation and discomfited tension permeated the air. It leaked through the atmosphere until every person around the table felt the poison seeping in their own conversation. Everything became stilted…because of me.

And, standing in front of Edward—outside of class, together, for the first time, like this—made me hope that the ground might open up, and swallow me whole.

Emmett wrapped his paw around her wrist, lifting her hand away from the table, and into his hands.

"Rose, come on. Let's have another pint, cool off, and then we'll head off." He implored.

But, Rosalie was having none of it; she stared into Edward unrelenting, and then flickered her eyes at me.

"No, I don't think that's a very good idea," she spoke through clenched teeth.

I chanced a look at Alice, and found her staring at Rosalie incredulously. It was likely she could feel like the hostility rolling off her in waves, and wondered what it was about. I mean, it was obvious that it was in reference towards me, but she didn't really know why. And, she didn't know what I had done to warrant such an aversion.

Jasper seemed just as affected, which struck me odd. I wondered if this behavior was unusual, or if it was truly just about me.

And Edward. Edward was still glaring at her over his pint, but the tawny look in his eyes from the candlelight left me mesmerized. Searching his eyes for a moment, I finally began to break away from my trance. I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

Staring down, I placed my beer on the counter, and looked up at Edward slightly. "I think I'll be leaving now," I murmured.

Edward's stare turned on me, and I flinched back from the intensity. He softened his eyes.

"No, Bella. She just was leaving."

Peeking at Rosalie, and Emmett from the corner of my eye I saw that were staring at me with their full attention, it made me nervous.

"No, it's fine. I need to go home."

"Well, then. I'm coming with you." Startled by the closeness of his soft musical voice, I found him leaning to me.

He grinned, as I stared wide-eyed. I was a little giddy, admittedly. I smiled my secret smile, and thought about the fact that Edward wanted to spend time with me, too.

Breathless, I turned to Alice for a hug goodbye.

"Are you okay here?" I asked, quietly.

"Yes," she squealed in a whisper.

I smiled in laughter, "Okay."

"We'll talk later," she raised her eyebrows as she said this.

I turned back toward the table, and said, "Goodnight, it was nice meeting-," I paused as Rosalie huffed, while inspecting her nails, looking bored, "you all." I finished lamely.

Jasper shook my hand again, and nodded. Drawling out his own goodbye.

Emmett waved me off, "Nice meeting you, Bella."

Edward was by my side, with our coats as we walked to the door. He helped me put on my jacket, and stopped to put his on before we left the pub.

When we stepped out into the cool night air I felt shivers run up my spine. The darkness looming over this town seemed ominous. A fog had rolled in, and settled low upon the ground. And, our breaths were swirling in the air.

"Did you drive?" He asked, keeping a polite distance from me with his hands in his coat pockets.

"No, we walked."

His cheeks were hinted pink from the cold weather. And he drew his pack of cigarettes out, withdrawing one, and cupping his hands around the cigarette to light the end. His hair blew every direction from the wind, it was hypnotic to watch.

"You don't smoke, do you?" He asked, in a soft-spoken voice.

"No," I answered with my head down. I watched the path under my feet.

"I could tell,"

My head snapped up at this, it was sad to see how easily I was read. "I know."

He nodded, "I'll try not to smoke around you. But, since we're outside, and I've been drinking…" he trailed off.

I nodded back at him, "By all means." I dipped my head a little, and smiled.

He cocked his head to the side, and chuckled.

"You're odd, Bella."

I frowned at his words.

"I'm sorry, that was rude. I didn't mean it in a bad way. You're just…different."

"Oh, I don't know," I said.

He smiled crookedly.

"Do you really have to go home?" He asked with curiosity.

I furrowed my brow, "No" I said.

"Good," he breathed, as smoked billowed from his lips. "Would you like to spend some time with me?"

I bit down into my bottom lip, trying to stifle the blinding smile threatening to emerge. I nodded, slowly, certainly. He grinned.

He quickly caught a few hurried steps in front of me, and turned his back toward the wind. He was now facing me, keeping a steady pace ahead and smiling contentedly.

"Do you like art?" He asked, and I was filled with ideas.

"Yes," I answered as my mirth fluttered the butterflies.

"Ok," he shrugged, and I snickered and tried to grasp onto him. But, he evaded my reach easily.

"You can't ask me something like that, and then say 'Okay,'" I replied indignantly, yet playfully.

"Yes, I can." He laughed.

"No," I groaned, but smiled inspite of myself. I hated surprises.

"Fine," he raised an eyebrow at my silence, seeking permission to carry on. "We're going to paint," his beautiful voice held a mischievous quality. Like, he knew I would be appalled by the suggestion.

Because, I was. I couldn't paint; I wasn't artistic in the least.

I spluttered, "But, I-I don't…no, I can't…"

"Bella," he murmured his voice velvet. It wrapped around me with his warmth despite the chilly wind. "I paint, and I'd really like you to help me."

I furrowed my brow at him, but had nothing to say.

"You inspire me." He shrugged, smiling, as he slowly ambled away from facing me, and back to walking beside me.

I felt breathless, as we quietly walked into the night.