Chapter Two

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Bellaaaa, happy birthday to you!"

Now that is one of the great things about having a birthday party with the guys of La Push. None of them can sing in tune for their lives, so you are allowed – no obligated – to make fun of them.

"Make a wish and blow out the damn candles!" Paul shouted impatiently, wanting to get the ceremonies out of the way so they could all attack the cake. The thing was probably the size of my whole torso. Smart girl, that Emily is.

I made a show out of deliberating for a long time out of what to wish for and then grinned and blew out the candles all at once. There was cheering all around and together Emily and I held off the hounds to cut the cake.

As much as I hate birthdays, I always ended up having fun with these guys. Like I asked, they didn't all get me something, but they all saved up and bought me one gift together. A brand new stereo for the truck. Jake said he'd put it in first thing tomorrow morning.

In different circumstances, Quil and Jacob wouldn't be counted in this little posse or whatever you call it. The only reason the two tolerate Sam and the other wolves is because Embry and I convinced them they were cool. In fact, Jake used to really dislike Sam, thinking he was some gang leader or something. I didn't want to give up my two friends, but I also couldn't leave the pack, so I convinced Sam, Jared, and Paul to get used to them, letting them know if the two did end up changing, at least it would be that much easier. Jake and Quil were just happy to be able to still hang with their friends. They even kind of got along with the other three guys.

We still couldn't explain the situation to them, they technically still knew, but at least we were cool. There was a period when Jake would refuse to talk to me and that was definitely a low point. I was glad when I got my friend back.

I grabbed a slice and hopped up on the counter to eat. Jake came and sat next to me, not even using a fork but just shoving the whole thing in him mouth.

"Whoever you marry will be a brave woman," I commented, grimacing at the icing all over his face, "What a gentleman you are."

"What, do I have something on my face?" He said innocently and I threw a napkin at him.

"I'm disgusted to say I'm related to you. How does Billy put up with you?"

"Aw shucks, you're making me blush, Bells. I love you, too," He leaned in to give me a kiss on the cheek with his frosting covered face. Before he could, I grabbed another napkin and shoved it at his face.

"Gross," The napkin stuck to his face. Jake grinned and wiped it off.

"Happy birthday, Bella," He said, which started a chorus of other birthday wishes. As much as I hated the attention and unnecessary gifts that came with birthdays, I found myself smiling because this is everything I could wish for and more than I could ask for. As cheesy as that sounds.

We ended up moving outside because it was still nice out. Some of the guys were trying to get all of us to go cliff diving with them, something I had once envied with Jake. Billy hadn't let us go and we didn't even attempt to ask Charlie. When we were younger, we would watch them jump off and talk about what it would feel like to fall hundreds of feet and then into water.

Of course the first thing I did when I changed (after changing back) was go cliff diving. It was thrilling and scary and absolutely wonderful. I had forbid Jacob from going, but of course when he saw that I had, there was no stopping him. I still watched him nervously whenever he did go up there with the guys. He's more fragile but the guys always watch out for him which I'm grateful for.

Despite that little fact, I declined and just hung out on the rocks with the remaining people. Said people included me, Sam, Emily, and Embry. Embry and I were trying to see how far we could skip rocks. Naturally, I was winning.

"Aha! Eight! What now!" Embry crowed and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Nice try, cheater. That was definitely only six," I threw my stone and it bounced one….three…six…nine! "Nine! Nueve! Three squared! 81 square rooted!"

"Square rooted isn't even a word, stupid," He grumbled. I stuck my tongue out at him.

"No duh, it's two words, stupid," He threw another rock.

"Now that was eight."

"Yeah, but I'm still winning."

He shook his head in defeat, "I give up. You are the almighty ruler of all rocks that skip. I bow down to you."

"And don't you forget it," I grinned like the Cheshire cat and turned when I heard Sam call my name. Emily had disappeared to who knows where and Sam was patting the seat next to him on the rock he was perched on, "Good luck, Skippy," I pat Embry on the back and walked over to Sam, clambering up onto the rock and sitting next to him.

"So Bella. How was school today?" He asked, a seemingly innocent question, but I knew Sam well enough to know that he was really asking what was up with the Cullens without sounding like the demanding, concerned, and overprotective alpha that he is.

I mulled over that in my head. The Cullens…how does one describe them? On the outside, they seem completely harmless, even playing the human charade by going to school and all that jazz. But can we really trust them? Their kind have been senselessly murdering our kind and humans since the beginning of time, so how do we know they won't go back to their original instincts to just kill? How will we know when a certain human's blood becomes too much of a temptation and twenty innocent people are murdered to get one?

The thing is we don't.

The Cullen bloodsuckers aren't to be trusted. They can live here, but we should keep a watch on them.

"Well, they aren't exactly bad or snacking on humans between classes, but they shouldn't really be trusted. None of them tried to talk to me, and I only have one class with them besides lunch so I haven't exactly gotten to know them," Oh yeah, I have that one class with that Edward one, "One sits next to me in biology. What a fantastic year this will be. Hopefully they'll be gone by next year or I won't have to deal with them. But seriously, Sam. We shouldn't get too comfortable around them or anything. Not that we would, just saying."

Sam smiled at me, "Thanks so much, Bella. You don't know how nervous I am about you sharing the school with them. I worry about you. Especially now that you've said that you share a class," His smile twisted into a frown and his eyebrows drew together.

"Don't worry about it, Sam. I'm a big girl. I can handle it. If it really becomes to be too much, I can always go ask to switch classes. It's not too late in the year to do that and I'm sure Ms. Cope won't mind," I shrugged gave him a reassuring smile, "Don't sweat it, Sam."

"I trust you to take care of yourself, but if you have any troubles or worries, we're all here and can take down those fuckers easily," Sam never swears and it made me giggle at his attempt to be a complete badass. These guys were all my cliché older brothers. Protective and absolutely insane. I love them all, I don't know if I've said that enough.

I rolled my eyes at him and watched Paul and Quil run down the hill. Paul pushed Quil as they neared the water. Quil tripped, but grabbed Paul as he went down, pulling them both into the water and getting completely soaked. Paul looked pissed and I laughed. Paul was never a happy camper when his tricks backfired. Peeking out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sam's knowing smile.

"Hey! That was not cool, Quil!" I heard his faint shout from the water and I hopped down from the rock and jogged over to stand next to Embry who had ceased his stone skipping.

"Oh, shut up, Paul," Quil splashed him and grinned when he stood up, shaking out his shaggy hair. Paul huffed and turned around. Spotting me, he grinned evilly and my eyes widened.

"Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no. Bad idea, Paul," I backed away behind Embry who was laughing.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BELLA!"Both him and Quil shouted and darted at Embry who moved at the last second, leaving me to be tackled to the ground by two wet and smelly people.

"Ewwww," I groaned when they hopped back up, pleased with their work. Quil extended his hand and pulled me up. I glared and he grinned. Of course I wasn't really mad, but his grin faltered for a moment and I took the opportunity to shove him back into Paul and they both went tumbling to the water. Again.

"Gee, thanks, Bella," Quil snorted from the water.

"Gee, thanks, Quil," I mocked, pointing at myself and he laughed. Suddenly I was caught from behind from around the waist and swung into the air. The arms wrapped around my waist and twirled me around.

"It's the birthday girl!" Jacob's loud voice shouted and threw me in the air, Jared catching me neatly.

"Oh shit, no! Don't drop me!" I shouted, squeezing my eyes shut and flailing in Jared's arms as he laughed loudly in my ear, "Seriously, I'm the birthday girl! Listen to me!"

The rest of the night went on like that, goofing around and just having fun. We didn't once mention the Cullens again and all worries were cast aside for just one night. No one was on watch and we really, really hoped that no one would die tonight.

Later, Jake drove me home again since he was putting my stereo in, I'd get it tomorrow.

"See you tomorrow, Isabella Marie Swan, now seventeen years of age and able to vote in exactly one year," He gave me a little salute and I smiled, waving good-bye.

Walking through the door, I find Charlie asleep on the couch, the T.V. on, but on mute, and at further inspection a small horribly wrapped box and a small cake big enough for two. It's only nine o'clock, but I'm sure he had a tiring day.

I tip-toe over to the couch and pick up the small box, flipping open the card and reading his handwriting. You can tell he tried to write neatly. It read: Bella, Happy seventeenth birthday! I'll never forget the day you were born and every year since. I love you, Dad.

Short, sweet, and to the point. Nothing too mushy, and completely Charlie. I smiled at his sleeping face and gently slid the paper off the box and opening it to find a beautiful silver bracelet that looked like it was supposed to have charms on it, but none were yet.

"Jake and Billy have the first charm almost done," Comes Charlie's groggy voice from the couch, making me jump in surprise. I look over at him to see him sitting up and wiping the sleep from his eyes. I hold out my wrist and the bracelet and he smiles, putting the silver bracelet onto my wrist without difficulty.

"Thanks, Dad. I really love it," I kiss him on the cheek and walk upstairs, turning to see him blushing on the couch, "Night, Dad."


The rest of the week followed a pattern. Get up, go to school, watch the Cullens, studiously avoid Edward in biology, do homework, hang with the guys, make Charlie dinner, go on watch duty and then sleep. I tried getting Mr. Banner to let me switch seats, but he repeatedly refuses. It's so frustrating because Edward actually smells good for a vampire which is really messing with me.

Today we were doing a lab in class, which will force me to interact with the parasite. Banner places a microscope and a box of slides on each desk, instructing us to identify each slide as a stage in mitosis.

I carefully picked up a slide and slid it into the microscope, not even glancing at Edward. This was easy because I was actually good at bio, "Prophase," I muttered and out of the corner of my eye, saw Edward write it out in his fancy, loopy handwriting. The guy's probably hundreds of years old, plenty of time to perfect his handwriting.

I was reaching for the next slide when his voice interrupted me, "Mind if I do the next one?" Slowly, I closed my eyes in response to the velvety, smooth texture of his voice, realizing this was the first time I actually heard it. I nodded, and my hand recoiled when his reached for the small box of slides.

A strange electricity was jumping between us, most likely he could probably feel the hatred rolling off me in waves. A lot of it, really, was thrown at Mr. Banner for throwing the two of us together. If only he knew what he was doing by seating us together as partners.

"Interphase," He said quickly, only taking a second to look at through the microscope, and I looked up at him in curiosity. Stupid, stupid, move on my part, because he was looking back at me in fascination. For a moment, all I could do was stare because even for a vampire, I could see the remarkable beauty of his face, and his hair was the weirdest color of brown that I hadn't seen on anyone before. I let myself wonder at what color his eyes had been when he was human.

What snapped me out of my staring was his wry grin and my face twisted back into a scowl. I couldn't help the blush that heated my cheeks. What had gotten into me? Complimenting a bloodsucker on how good he looked, albeit it was in my head, but still!

"Do you mind if I look?" I asked sarcastically. He nodded, frustration marring his face.

I peeked through just long to reluctantly admit he was right. Of course he was, "You're right," I grumbled and he smiled.

We went through the slides like that; taking turns checking and the other making sure, and then grudgingly admitting they were correct. Well at least I did it unwillingly, he was a perfect gentleman. Gag me.

With the two of us working together, we finished long before anyone else had and had to sit there awkwardly. Instead of just staring at the board, I began to doodle in my notebook. Just little scribbles and swirls, nothing serious. I glanced around the room seeing Mr. Banner grading tests and homework up front and everyone else struggling with the lab, some even sneaking books under the table.

Next to me, I heard the vamp chuckle at my restlessness. I whipped my head around to look at him and he actually looked surprised at my sudden movement, "What?" I snapped.

"You just look so nervous," He said quietly, "I sincerely hope it's not because of me."

I snorted at that and rolled my eyes. So self-centered, convinced that he caused my nervousness…although he was actually right, but still.

When I peeked back up at him, he looked frustrated again and even a little pissed. I went back to my doodling and saw that there were fifteen minutes left of class and groaned out loud. How was this class going by so slowly? This is torture.

"I'm Edward, by the way. I don't think I properly introduced myself," He said and I looked at him again, wondering why the fuck he kept trying to talk to me. Don't they try to remain recluse and not talk to anyone? Especially wolves.

"Yeah, I know…" I trailed off, "Most girls are talking about you and your family and I do sit next to you, so how would I not know?" I looked away again, hoping that if I didn't look at him and ignored him, he would do the same. No such luck though because he kept talking.

"And you're Bella Swan," He said slowly and I exhaled loudly, turning fully to him, annoyed and seriously wondering why he felt this incessant need to create conversation. When I turned, I got the full view of his gorgeous face and saw that his eyes were a light shade of gold, his cheeks even a little flushed and the bruises under his eyes barely noticeable. According to Sam, that meant they were well fed.

I rolled my eyes again at him and laid it to him, "Look, why do you keep talking to me? It's kind of annoying and hard enough as it is with us being lab partners. Want to make it a little less difficult for both of us and just shut up? I'm not going to talk to you, and I don't know why you want to talk to me."

He actually had the decency to look taken aback and even hurt, "I keep trying to talk to you because you interest me-"

I interrupted him, snapping, "You're interested in me? What is that supposed to mean? We're enemies. Do you not understand that? Is that too hard a concept for you to understand, blood boy?"

Any and all emotion was wiped from his face and he reeled back, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Is this guy mental? Is that possible? "Do I need to spell it out for you?" How can he not know? Is he blind, dumb and without smell? When he didn't respond, I hissed, "I am a wolf. Part of the Quileute tribe. You are a vampire. We are enemies. I am only the way I am because of you. So please. Stay the fuck away from me," I noticed I had begun to shake with my anger and tried to calm myself down. I guess Edward had noticed because he was looking at me as if I would explode.

The guy looked like he had been slapped and I turned away from him once again to hear the bell ring. From the corner of my eye, I watched him stalk out of the room like the blood sucking predator he is. No one had heard our conversation as it had been whispered but throughout gym I was in a bad mood and people avoided me more than they usually do in that particular class.

After rushing through changing and stomping out of the locker room, I made my way over to the office. I don't think I could stand anymore of the parasite sitting next to me. It really wasn't that bad, but after today, I have a feeling it's going to get that much worse. So in my angry little rant, I swung open the office door to find Edward standing at the counter trying to seduce Ms. Cope into switching his class.

I heard his smooth voice almost pleading with her, "Ms. Cope, I'm sure there's another class I could transfer into. I can even do physics, or AP biology," She gave a quick shake of her head, "No? Then perhaps chemistry or environmental science? Please, anything."

"I'm sorry, dear, but there is nothing else open for your year and you need biology to graduate," Obviously confused, she looked up at him and inquired, "Is there something wrong with Mr. Banner, Mr. Cullen? Is he causing any problems?"

At that, I snorted and Edward froze, I could see the muscles in his back through his shirt stiffen and go taut. That's kind of hot. Oh God, did I really just think that?

Ms. Cope didn't seem to notice me though and kept looking up at Edward who replied stiffly, "I can see that you can't possibly help me. Thank you for your time," And he turned and stormed out of the room in a huff.

"Can I help you, dear?" Ms. Cope inquires and I shake my head. If she couldn't do anything for the fabulous Edward, what can she do for me?

Walking out after Edward, I head towards my truck and see Edward get into his own car where his 'siblings' were waiting. I hopped into my ancient truck and watched him converse with the others. I couldn't seem to stop looking. When he stopped talking, they all turned and looked right at me, all of them holding surprise in their eyes except for the one with inky black hair. That one had worry plastered all over her face. Edward's frown deepened at something and he didn't even look at me as he pulled out of the parking lot.

I drove home as quickly as I could in the ancient truck and threw my backpack on the stairs. I left a note for Charlie letting him know that there was left over pizza in the fridge and that I wouldn't be home until later. I was on duty as of now.

Running out the door, I started stripping as I ran through the woods. I left my bra and underwear for last, not even taking them off as I let the heat flow through my body and consume me. I didn't hold back when I felt the ripple go through me as I jumped and landed on four feet instead of two, didn't break stride as I continued to run through the forest.

Where's Sam? I heard in my head.

He and I switched because he has to watch Emily's niece. There was a smattering of snickers when they heard that. There were only two others with me, Jared and Embry. Claire is known to be a bit of a handful.

So where are we going? I asked, starting to run towards where I knew they would be. My strides were long and strong and I made it there quickly. There they were, pacing in circles, waiting for me to arrive.

Bella, you run the inside and Embry, you the middle. I'll run on the outside and we'll just keep a lookout. Jared of course was in command and I guess today we were keeping it simple. Alternating circles so nothing got in and watching every spot of area we could. The farthest we could go out was the edges of Forks because the Cullens lived just outside it. We weren't exactly not allowed in their property, but we weren't entirely keen on the whole idea.

Actually, Jared, can I run the outside, today? I need to run off some steam. In my head I replayed the little bit in biology and afterwards, trying to keep out the little comments about how nice he looked. Embry and Jared sighed and although their faces were harder to read as wolves, I could sense the frustration and worry rolling off of them. I tried laughing but all that came out was a twisted barking, Don't worry guys, it's just a vampire. No worries, right?

Can't you switch out? Embry asked, a little whine coming from him and Jared shuffled his feet.

I shook my head and thought, Nope, she wouldn't let Edward, why would she let me? I'm sure he unleashed his hypnotizing vampire eyes. This time, the other two let out barking laughs and then Jared shook his head.

Alright, Bella. You take the outside track. Go ahead.

Without looking back, I turned around and started sprinting towards the outside of the forest. It would take me a little longer to get there so that was why I went first. This way, our circles would overlap each others, letting us cover as much ground as we could.

For what seemed like hours we ran in silence, fleeting thoughts running through our minds. The stretch and burn in my legs was barely noticeable yet, thank God for our stamina. It felt good, though, to run for miles and miles and just let your mind wander. I didn't let it wander too far though because Jared and Embry were still there, able to hear every thought. Of course they had a bit of confusion lacing their thoughts as to what I was attempting to hide. We didn't hide anything from each other, it's almost impossible.

I tend to test the impossible.

I started to circle closer and closer to the vampire's property until I was just on the edge of it. From where I was, I could see the house, though still far away. It was very…not what I expected. It was almost colonial with its faded white paint, three story height and proportionally square shape, it made me wonder at it. The giant, mansion-like house was beautiful and the whole back side was covered in windows where I could see small figures moving around. This made me back more into the trees, because if I could see them, they could most definitely see me. A porch wrapped around the house and I saw two figures step out.

I couldn't hear what they were saying, but from their stances, one looked to be pleading while the other looked downright frustrated. In my mind, I could hear Embry and Jared pleading with me to step back farther, to stop watching, but I could also tell they were just as fascinated when they slowed down to watch what was happening.

Suddenly, one darted off into the forest, a great blur of motion. The other didn't even move, but dropped his head and walked back into the house. Alarmed, I ran off through the forest after the vampire, afraid that he was going to do something rash.

Again, the guys were telling me to stop, but were only doing it half-assed. They started running again, watching me and watching the borders. They were worried about me, but also about a potential human life being in danger. If I got into any type of trouble, they would be there in a flash. The three of us would most likely be able to bring one down.

I followed the sickly sweet scent, but easily picked it up as Edward's. It wasn't as sweet to me as the others, almost lovely and wonderful…

Shit, did I just think that?

What the fuck, Bella? Embry echoed, and Jared was just as disgusted. If I were human at that moment, I would've changed tens of thousands of shades of red. I don't even know what just came over me.

The bloodsucker's getting to my head. Is it possible to be desensitized to their smell?

You could hear the doubt radiating out of their minds, but I ignored it and pursued the vampire until I screeched to a halt, mere feet from him. He cocked his head to one side, but didn't stop his watching of the animal in front of him.

Hunting, I thought and there was a mutual feeling from the other two and they told me to come back, that there was no other need for me here. The vampire cocked his head one more time, and I could see the confusion bringing his brows together. Jared and Embry were begging me to come back to the reservation, but I was somehow mesmerized by Edward, wanting to see exactly how they do this.

Guys, shut up. I'm just curious. I won't get myself killed, their voices fluttered into the background and eventually faded away. I don't know why they changed back, but they did and I felt kind of lonely for a moment. Then my attention was snapped back to the creature in front of me.

He still looked very confused but his head snapped back around when the deer darted and he pounced on it in a fluid motion. Head close to the ground and crawling, I inched my massive body forward so I was a little closer. I'm sure he could hear me, but he made no move towards me or gave any inclination that he did as he sunk his teeth into the deer's neck.

I watched in a morbid fascination as he drank the life out of the poor animal. It gave a weak struggle before it finally gave one last twitch and went still. Edward pulled back from the animal and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

How did he not get blood on his clothes? I thought to myself.

What I was surprised by was him responding, "Years and years of practice."

I jumped from the bushes and I felt my eyes go wide. Edward turned to look at me and he looked torn between being amused and being extremely pissed off.

"I don't know who you are, I can't place your voice," But I wasn't talking, I can't talk. Not out loud in this form, "No, I know that. But I can hear your voice in your mind. The one you think with," He didn't dare come closer, but stood stiffly in front of me. The hatred in his eyes overpowered his amusement and he bared his teeth at me. No fangs. I knew that though.

He can hear me in my mind? Like, a mind reader? He nodded infinitesimally, barely noticeable and I backed away.

The parasite took a step forward and I froze, my teeth bared and a growl ripping from my throat. My ears pressed flat against my head and my eyes narrowed. My legs were still bent so if need be, I could spring up and attack.

Edward froze as well, but stopped baring his teeth. His head cocked to the side once more and then he turned and ran. Just as soon as he turned tail, Jared, Embry and now Sam changed back and I could hear their voices again.

What the fuck, Bella? I heard Embry swear in my mind. Turning around, I started running back to them, all the while replaying what had just happened. They stayed silent as they watched. Eventually I found them again and I was done relaying the information. When I skidded to a stop, I at least had the decency to hang my head in front of Sam. Even though Jake was supposed to be alpha, he wasn't a part of the wolf pack and since Sam had been a wolf longest, he was alpha. I knew he would be mad. I could hear the reaming out he was planning in his mind until he started to hear and watch what had happened, just as curious as I had been.

What, do they have special powers, or something?

This is insane; we have to tell everyone else! Unfair advantage!

I wonder how long they've actually been alive…

How did he not know Bella's 'voice'?

Their questions bounced around in their minds until Sam called their attention.

Bella, what were you doing? He sounded eerily calm, but I could sense the underlying anger behind his words. Sam was mad.

I'm sorry, Sam, but at first I was checking to make sure he wasn't going to go on a crazy rampage because he looked pissed. Jared and Embry nodded their big heads at this point. And then I was just so…fascinated by how they hunted, I thought it would be useful information. The whole part where he actually talked to me was unplanned though. But at least we got useful information out of it, right?

Sam couldn't find any fault in this because none of us lie…at least not when in this form. It's too difficult and complicated. Why would we ever need to, anyways? We are a pack, we are a family.

I knew they were still angry and frustrated with me, and I felt bad for making them worry and that they were now angry with me. It was my fault and I readily took the blame for it. It was a stupid, stupid, not thought through move.

I felt another wolf's thoughts enter my mind and knew that my watch was over. Sam dismissed us and while the other two started shifting back now, I started running home. Despite the fact that we were still all a family, I still got embarrassed when I had to change back in front of the guys. They were fine with it, I mean, they're guys. But I am a girl and not exactly wanting to flaunt my body in front of the guys. Talk about awkward…

When I neared my house, I sniffed out my shirt and sweats that I had left there and changed back to human, quickly slipping them on and trudging back into the house.

I got to the house and saw Charlie's cruiser in the driveway and heard a baseball game in the living room when I got inside. In the living room was Charlie with a heated up pizza and a soda can next to him.

"Dad!" I exclaimed, surprised to see him home, "I thought you were going over to Billy's tonight?"

"No, I decided to stay home. Billy's feeling under the weather, so I stayed," He got up when it went to commercial and followed me into the kitchen where I heated up my own slice of pizza, "So, Bella. How're the guys?"

"They're good. I'm sure Billy's told you about the new vamps in the area," It always felt good to tell Charlie about these things. He wasn't a part of the pack so I could speak to him a little more freely about things. He was a third party that I could always go to for help when it came to something like this. Granted, I'd never exactly had to talk about vampires with him much before unless it was about attack plans…

Charlie nodded, and took a bite of his own pizza, chewing it over. He swallowed and nodded, "We haven't gotten any reports for missing persons or murders lately down at the station, which is good," The other perk was that Charlie could always cover for these things, "I'll letcha know if I see anything though."

From the living room came the voice of the baseball announcer and Charlie went scrambling from the room, throwing an apologetic look at me when he rounded the corner. I just smiled because that's Charlie.

When I finished my dinner, I washed it and put it in the drying rack. After that, I found my way upstairs and started my fill of homework. Homework is such a pain in the ass. Between rounds and school and cooking dinner and all that, homework is always last to do. Luckily tonight it was done quickly and I was left to think about whatever my mind wandered to.

And of course, my mind wandered to Edward. How could it not? Not only was he beautiful and had the most amazing voice in the world, but he was also forbidden. Usually, I wouldn't let myself think any of this, it was almost adulterous. Vile, disgusting and just gross, but I couldn't help it. Besides, if I let my mind wander all it wanted now, then I wouldn't be tempted to think about it later when I was in wolf form and everyone could hear me. How completely embarrassing. Fantasizing about a vampire.

What I wanted to know was how did Edward not know what I was? He had looked genuinely shocked when I told him. In fact, he looked hurt. Devastated. I almost felt guilty. But didn't I smell like dog to him? Didn't I just ooze essence of enemy to him? 'Cause his whole lot does to me. Well, everyone but him.

Which leads me to yet another weird thing about Edward Cullen. Why does he not smell as sickly sweet as the other vampires do? Why does he not make me want to stay away? The first few days of class I had to control myself from attacking him. And the way I was visualizing my attack, it didn't involve ripping his head off. No, it involved other parts of him and…

Okay, veering off the wrong track. I shook my head but that didn't help anything. I kept picturing Edward standing there, smiling at me and looking devastatingly handsome. I would walk forward and he would embrace me, not too rough though, because he was just so strong…

And off my mind went again. Daydreaming about Edward Cullen. The one man I hated. The one I couldn't have.

The one I couldn't stop thinking of.


A/N: Blah. Honestly. Alright, here's the second chappie. Sorry about not putting this up sooner...yeahh. Badbadbad. Promise to update sooner from now on!

hugs&kisses. review!