"If only I could read your mind...you're so...strange." Edward says, looking at Bree.
"Part of the power. Immunity to mind penetration." Bree says, shrugging. "The Volturi can't attack my mind either. I'm a blank slate, my thoughts are safe." Bree says with a serious look on her face.
"Unfortunately." Edward says, shaking his head. He looks into her eyes. They're golden again...they had been black for a moment in the biology room. "Your eyes turned back fast." Edward says, stating the obvious.
"They usually do." Bree says, shrugging like it's no big deal.
"Are you going to be all right?" Edward asks, looking at her with unsure eyes.
"Yes. Thank you, Edward. Even though you hate me already, I am very, very grateful." Bree says, smiling slightly.
"Bree...I don't hate you. In fact, it's the exact opposite." Edward says in a confused voice.
"What? But...you've always thought I was annoying...clumsy...stupid..." Bree says with a confused face. Edward puts on finger on Bree's lips to silence her.
"I don't think you're annoying, you just ask a lot of questions. I called you clumsy ONCE, because you tripped going UP the stairs." Edward says, rolling his eyes at the memory. Bree winces at the memory. "And I've never, EVER called you stupid." Edward says with a serious look on his face when he tries to remember when he had ever said something like that.
"You...don't hate me?" Bree asks in an unsure voice as she looks up at Edward.
"I don't hate you." Edward says, smiling sincerely. He places his hand on Bree's. She smiles, and looks into his eyes.
"Thank you." Bree says, smiling happily.
"Let me drive you home. Jasper won't mind riding with someone else." Edward says, motioning toward the parking lot.
"Home? Now?" Bree questions, looking at him with surprise.
"Sure. Why not? Ditching is healthy." Edward says with a grin on his face. Bree suddenly brightens.
"All right. Let's do it!" She says as the two of the walk toward Edward's Volvo.
A few hours later, the others are just getting home. Edward and Bree are watching a movie on the couch. Edward had called Carlisle, and filled him in on what had happened in Biology earlier, and that's the reason they're home. However...
"Bree! You weren't in Calculus today!" Rosalie says as she walks into the living room.
"Or History." Emmett says from his place as Rosalie's side.
"Or American History." Amy says, walking in after the two.
"Edward wasn't in History or English either." Jasper says as he plops down in the open chair.
"You guys ditched." Alice says as though she already knew.
"Some girl got cut in Biology. Bree was really close to the blood." Edward says with a shrug.
"Oh..." Taini says in an understanding voice.
"I see." Alec says.
"I'd probably have a little trouble dealing with that too...for some reason, everyone...can deal with blood better than me...it makes me crazy sometimes." Taini says, shaking her head. Alec hugs her in a soothing gesture.
"Hey, don't worry about it. Everyone deals with blood lust..." Alec says, trying to calm Taini down.
"Unless you're Carlisle." Taini says as she points a finger toward the ceiling. Everyone laughs.
"But...Bree...when Carlisle asked if anyone else was having any trouble after Taini said she was...you should have told him.." Amy says, looking at Bree with scolding eyes. Bree suddenly goes on the defensive.
"I'm dealing with the blood lust just FINE...in fact, it's not even a LUST for me..." Bree says in a defensive tone. She gets dizzy all of a sudden, and falls to the couch. Edward puts his arm around her.
"Are you...sure?" Amy asks in an unconvinced voice.
"YES!" Bree shouts.
"Amy, Taini, Alec and I are going to hunt. Do you want to join us?" Jaydon asks, walking into the room.
"No, thank you. I'm just going to rest. Thanks though." Bree says, smiling. She nuzzles her head into Edward's shoulder. He plays the movie again. Alec settles down on the couch next to Bree. Rosalie and Emmett go upstairs . Jasper decides to join the group that is going to hunt. About 15 minutes later, in the middle of the movie, Alice gasps.
"What is it?" Edward asks, shooting to his feet.
"How long as this been going on? I can't believe I've never seen it...although, you've never planned to show anyone until tonight..." Alice says.
"What is it, Alice?" Edward demands.
"Bree's arms." Alice says, leaning toward Bree. She rolls up the sleeves of Bree's sweater-dress. They're marked with bite marks and bruises. "She was going to show you tonight..." Alice says in a sad voice.
"Thanks, Alice." Bree says with a sigh.
"Sorry...it just scared me..." Alice says in a genuinely sad voice.
"Bree...what happened?" Edward asks, looking at Bree's arms in horror.