AN: Okay, so I definately posted this thing WAY later than I thought I would, and I offer my apologies. I hope you all can forgive me and enjoy the chapter nonetheless. Thanks again to my lovely reviewers, who make this whole day so much brighter.
PASSIONFORNIGHT: Sorry to leave you with a cliffy. I didn't do Mike's party much justice, but I'm hoping the reasons that will come in the next chapter will suffice. Thanks again for your words. You're a dear.
VAMPTASTIC:I hope this update was fast enough for you. Thanks for your review.
SERAPHYN: Haha. I don't think he would be too. Poor fellows don't stand a chance in comnparison with him anyway.
SOPRANOID: So sorry you don't find out where he went in this chapter. Next chapter will be explanations... actually the next 2 ones, if I MUST be exact.
ROSE-KUN: Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter. As if they need more drama in their lives. Hehe... but it so very fun to write of.
ABBEY123: Your kind words make me smile. Thanks a bunches!
LIVININTWILIGHT: Haha. Sorry for leaving you hanging, and another apology in advance for leaving you hanging again. I hope that, regardless, it doesn't impede on this chapter. Hope you still enjoy it.
TWILIGHTGAL: Well, here's an update. Hope you enjoy it. The next two chapters will clarify these events that occurred.
NO LIES I AM WHAT I AM: Glad you enjoy the story. After receiving your view last night I went on a huge dress hunt throughout the cyber world. Unfortunately, I didn't find an EXACT dress of what I thought, but I found a few that were similar. If you check my profile, I put links with a bit of my babbling over the search. Thanks for your review.
DANAMARIN: I hope my story continues to be interesting. :) for reviewing. :) another for being cool like that.
ALLYCATZZZZZ: Thank you very much for the review. Short and sweet, and it still made me smile. :
3. Hooded Party Crasher
When the DJ announced the last dance of the evening, I knew something was wrong. Even if Edward had something urgent, he would have at least given me an explanation or something – at least something that didn't involve abandoning me at the first school dance. Excusing myself, I sat at the table, not wanting to dance anymore, even if I had more than one willing partner.
"You okay, Bella?" Jacob sat beside me.
"Edward's still not back," I frowned. "It's not like him at all. He would not leave me alone like this unless it was something real bad."
"The Cullens always have their own affairs to attend to."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing – it's nothing," Jacob shrugged but I saw him withdraw.
"You know, I can keep a secret." I resorted to the eyelash batting. "I'm more of a listener anyway."
"Well, it's just… I…" it was someone else's turn to blush tonight. "My dad, he keeps an eye out on the Cullens. You know how he gets and all with his superstitions."
"Yeah, I remember." I recalled how he had bribed Jacob with new car parts to have him ask me at prom to break up with Edward.
"Well, he's been keeping tabs on Dr. Cullen especially. He doesn't trust the guy working at the hospital."
"That's ridiculous. Carlisle is one of the best doctors in the state… probably the world!" I defended.
"I wouldn't bet against it. I've heard nothing but good things of him, but that's not enough to convince him…"
"So…" I looked into his eyes, urging him to continue.
"You'll probably think I'm insane," Jacob shook his head. "It's completely absurd."
"I've heard worse," I mean, how much more insane of a story would it be to tell the world I was buddy-buddy with a group of vampires and dating one of them?
"Well, Dr. Cullen appeared very nervous awhile back… maybe a few days or a week or something…" Jacob ran a hand through his hair, unsure of how to explain. "My dad was in the waiting room for one of his friends who had been doing some home improvement and had stapled his hand..." We both cringed at the idea. "…and Dr. Cullen came out. His wife was there. My dad said she was gorgeous and looked very young. Well, right behind Mrs. Cullen was a group of police officers. He hadn't heard much because they talking pretty softly, but he caught that there were some charges being set against someone – obviously one of the lot."
"Police are in on it?" I pondered this thought. "I don't think Edward would be acting like this over any federal involvement."
"You don't think so?"
"Well, I mean, I thought it was serious."
"Isn't the police something serious?"
"Yeah, I guess, but…" I frowned. "Why wouldn't Charlie tell me something?"
"You okay, Bella?"
"How would the police ever suspect them?" I asked, more to myself than him.
"Oh, that…" Jacob looked down.
"What?" I cried, grabbing Jacob. "You have to tell me now. I'm as involved as them."
"You are?"
"Well, anything that happens to them affects me, so I think I deserve to know."
"Bella," Jacob looked hurt. "You'll hate me once I tell you."
"I won't. I just need to know. I hate not knowing."
"You see, a week ago some kid went missing…"
"But why would the police suspect…"
"And my dad kinda gave the police a heads up…"
"They listened to him? Isn't Billy known to be a fanatic though?"
"Bella," Jessica stood with the lunch crew, smiling. "Or should I say, Homecoming Queen?"
"Bella is just fine."
"Well, I'm not sure what you guys are talking about so seriously but everyone's already leaving."
"Oh," I turned and, sure enough, we were the only ones left. "I didn't even notice."
"You need a ride?" Mike stepped forward. "It doesn't look like Edward returned."
"I'm not sure if I'm up for any partying right now," I stood and felt sick with worry.
"Come on, Bella, you told me you would come!" Mike pleaded. "It wouldn't be much of anything if you weren't there, you know. Plus, the ladies will think I'm a stud if I have the homecoming queen there."
"I see," Mike was already the school catch. He didn't need my help to make him more popular than he was.
"Plus, we would enjoy your company there," Angela smiled and I enjoyed her reason far better than Mike's.
"Please?" Mike was on his knees. "We'll make it worth your time."
On the ride to Mike's house, I wanted nothing better than to open the door, jump out, and run to the Cullen's house. This was so unlike Edward. Why would he disappear like this so suddenly? Could it actually be for the reason that Jacob told me? The police seemed like such a small problem in comparison to any vampire-related issue that it was hard to put much thought into what Jacob said.
And it didn't help that I had Edward's crown on my lap the whole night, a reminder that he was no where to be found. I looked towards Mike and he gave me a wide grin, obviously pleased that I had decided to come. As much as I tried to look calm, it felt like my current misery was plastered all over my face.
"I'll vote you best dressed for the evening," Mike said when he helped me out of his car.
"That's okay," I gave him a small smile. "One crown is enough for me."
The others arrived at the same moment, following in a line from the dance. Everyone filed into Mike's home, cast in black light, but the Newton's decorations seemed cheesy and typical when I thought of the Cullen's home.
"Bella…" the voice was a whisper but I turned instantaneously upon hearing it.
"Bella, you coming?" Mike asked, holding the door for his guests.
"One second," I called.
So Edward would probably frown at my decision to walk into the trees that surrounded Mike's house, especially if it involved me following weird voices into the darkness away from society. But at this moment it didn't matter. I wanted so desperately to find out what was going on that I left the gravel for the dirt path in the trees.
"Hello?" I tried to search in the darkness for a sign of someone, but my eyes hadn't adjusted quite yet. "Did someone call?"
"Bella…" the words this time were a warm tingling on my ear, and yet I still shivered.
Turning, I saw a dark figure in front of me. A black hood concealed the person's identity and the cape enveloped their entire body, falling to the floor in a black heap. If that didn't top the mystique of this stranger, it was that, despite the darkness, I could see the person's eyes – a bright orange that sparkled with something. Was it anger, desire, or – hunger?
"Nice uh – costume," I took a step back.
"You are a terrible liar," the person's voice was brusque and deep. "I can smell the fear on you."
"I knew I should have worn more deodorant," I joked, but it came out meekly and I could hear my heart accelerating, pounding in my head.
"The time for jokes is over, Bella." A unfathomable growl was sent my way. "We've been waiting for you for awhile now."
In an instant another growl was heard, this time not from the hooded stranger. A flash came in front of me, knocking me to the earthen floor. A dark cape was in my face, but the sight of buckled shoes in front of me confirmed the culprit. Edward growled again at the stranger, and I knew he now flashed his teeth at the figure, showing him the threat he was.
"She's with me," I didn't know how I heard the throaty growl, but I picked it up.
It was a relief to see Edward turn around and help me up. As soon as I was standing on my feet again, I wound me arms around him tightly, my head against his hard chest. At first, I closed my eyes, waiting for him to push me away, but the moment never came. Instead, his own arms encircled me, holding me just as tightly to him. His head lowered, his forehead against my own. I could feel his cold breath on my face, but I couldn't get my heart rate to slow down.
"My heart won't stop beating like…"
"I know," Edward sighed, and his grip tightened. "It's natural for a human to react like that. It's their natural instinct. You knew he was dangerous."
"I didn't feel nervous," I told him. "I tried cracking a joke. The guy obviously didn't have a sense of humor."
"Bella…" Edward lifted his heads and I looked up to search his eyes for answers. "Do you have any idea where you would be if I hadn't shown up when I did?"
I didn't need an answer when I heard a loud howl fill the night. With my eyes still up, I observed the moon, brighter than usual, and shuddered. My head rested against his chest again, and Edward's cold lips brushed my forehead.
"It's one thing, being killed by a vampire…" Edward's words didn't help my rapid heartbeat. "…but a werewolf… they're merciless once they have you alone…"
"Why did he want me though?" I asked. "I was with a huge group of people. Half the school is here, and yet I heard him call my name out of the crowd."
"You followed the voice?" Edward frowned. "Bella, didn't you learn anything from…"
"I know, I know. It was stupid of me, but I thought… maybe whoever it was would know something about you."
"About me?"
"Yeah, I was worried. You never came back, and I suspected the worse and Jacob told me about Billy's tip to the police…"
"You don't have to worry about me ever, Bella. Worry about yourself." Edward cocked his head. "Jacob told you about that?"
"Yes, it took a bit of eye batting his way, but I was desperate."
"Esme was worried, and thought we had to leave, but it took just one talk with the police to clear up the whole matter." Edward shrugged. "I think there was a bit of dazzling during the conversation on their part, but we can't have the police ever suspecting something of us."
"Then what… what was this about?" I nodded to where the figure had ran off.
"Can we talk about it later?"
"Later? Edward, I've been dying in worry over you all night, and then this happens…"
"How about we take it a step at a time?"
"A step at a time? Okay, then let's begin with why you left me at the dance like that…"
"Bella, we have all night." Edward's hand held my face. "Can we just forget about this for a bit?"
"Forget? And do what?"
"Well, we are standing right next to Newton's house, and last I heard there was some party…"
"You still want to go to that?"
"You don't?"
"I wasn't very enthusiastic to attend after losing my dance partner," I smiled when Edward's arms wrapped around me and he held my hands. "But now that he's back, I don't think it seems so very terrible."
"Let's have a bit of normality for the night," we laughed at the thought.
When we walked through the front door, Edward's arms around me protectively, heads followed our movement. I beamed, glad to have Edward with me again, and I saw how dejected Mike and the other boys I danced with after Edward left looked.
"It looks like you weren't that alone after I left," Edward noted when we took a seat at the family bar. "I have to be sure not to leave you alone like that again. I don't want those guys thinking that you're suddenly available."
"Glad you realize it," a person handed me a can of soda and I thanked them. "So really, what was this whole evening about, Edward? How come Alice and Jasper didn't come back?"
"They had… other… matters to attend to."
"And what kind of matters was that?" Edward didn't shift or make an attempt to respond. "Okay, I'll reserve the questionnaire until after the party."
"Hey, isn't this party great?" Tyler approached me for the first time tonight, and I saw Lauren glaring from a distance.
"Yeah, it's really nice. The Newton's put a lot into it."
"And the sound effects," Tyler whistled. "Did you hear that howl awhile ago? It sounded so real. I wouldn't doubt every person here got a shiver attack hearing that."
"It was very authentic," I agreed, and cast Edward a look.
"Slow dance!" a person hollered, and the previous Halloween music ended to one of the current top chart songs.
"Well, gotta go." Tyler nodded in Lauren's direction. "The partner's calling. That is, unless…"
"Bella's had enough of a night dancing with boys," Edward cut in, one of his arms around me possessively. "I think it's about time she gave her original partner the pleasure of a dance."
"You know, some people would suspect us of being too clingy." I giggled when that only drew his arms more tightly around me.
"Good," Edward whispered in my ear, and then kissed my neck. "I want them to know you're mine."
"So long as they get the hint that you're mine," I smiled and felt at ease for the first time since he had first left.
"You know, Bella, I haven't had much of an opportunity to say how divine you look tonight."
"Your eyes speak wonders," I laughed. "It's alright. I was never one for much flattery."
"Yes, but your cheeks turn an astonishing scarlet whenever I compliment you…" I felt myself blush by his gaze. "…like that."
"What can I say? My guy makes me hot," I shrugged.
"Really?" Edward grinned wickedly. "How about when your guy kisses you?"
"Well, that is definitely…" I didn't get to finish my statement when his lips crushed against mine.
Edward had never used such force with me. Most of the times his kisses were so soft that my lips tingled merely from how his lips could brush against them so lightly. But this time I felt the power in him. Again my arms wrapped around him, and his hands dug into my shoulder. I winced and his head looked up abruptly. I thought he might have been worried that he hurt me.
"We need to go," he grabbed my hand and dragged me through the crowd. "We don't have much time."
"What happened?" I asked. Faces were again on us, seeing Edward's face set in stone, pulling me to the back door. "Edward, what's going on?"
"It's too late," Edward let out a breath as he lingered in the doorway. "They're already here."
AN: A cliffy... so sorry, but the suspense gets exciting, doesn't it? Te-he... anways... what do you all think? A bit more drama than I initially intended, but I think it didn't come out too bad. I promise I'll make it worth the wait. Or, at least, I'll try to.
