2. OPEN BOOK

THE NEXT DAY WAS BETTER…AND WORSE. It was better because I didn't see Edward all day. It was worse because I didn't see him all day. I worried he really had snapped and went on a murderous rampage – and I'd been that close to being his first victim.

I tried not to think about him – or any of them – and for the whole morning I'd convinced myself to forget everything – the nightmares, the strange behavior in Biology class. I went to class (didn't learn anything I didn't already know) and went to lunch with the same group as the day before. A few new faces joined us. Our group had expanded. I was beginning to believe that I'd found a group to belong to.

When I saw Edward missing at the table where his adopted siblings sat, I told myself that the tightness in my chest was relief, not more worry. I told myself the same thing when he didn't show up in Biology. The truth, however, was that I was worried that I hadn't seen the last of Edward Cullen. Not by a long shot. I was on edge for the entire day, expecting to see him jump out at me from around corners.

My third day of school was easier. I wasn't as on edge – but I had to check over my shoulder every now and then – and seeing the empty spot at the Cullen's table gave me relief. Maybe Edward had been really stressed – really, really stressed – and had decided to take a few days off. Maybe when I saw him again he'd be the picture of mental health and calm. As long as I didn't face him tomorrow I'd be okay.

A guy named Mike invited me to a party at his house. His parents were out of town for the weekend and it was mandatory for teens in Forks to throw at least one wild party when they're parents were away. It was Mike's turn and I was invited. I'd never been invited to a party before. My glee was probably too obvious. I practically shouted my answer at him. Thankfully, my enthusiasm just amused him. Jessica, Lauren, and Angie had already been invited. We would go together – as friends. It was another sign that things were getting better. The incident with Edward in Biology was just a fluke. It wouldn't happen again.

My fourth day of school – and the last day of the school week – came and went. Edward Cullen still hadn't returned. When I'd glanced at his table at lunch, there were two more empty chairs in addition to his. Instead of relief I was feeling guilt. Had I chased him away? Had I pissed him off so much that they're whole family was skipping? No. It was stupid, illogical – to think I could chase away people just from looking at them the wrong way just once. I pushed my worry to the back of my mind.

Saturday night came. I dressed up – even daring to put on mascara for once. I wore two-inch black heels. That was about as dressed up as I could get. (Well, there was another level up, but that was reserved for a formal occasion. As far as I knew, this was a casual party, where half the people present would be wasted minors.) I curled my hair and went to Angie's house, which wasn't more than a few doors down. Jess and Lauren met at Angie's house too. We drove over together in Angie's car. Angie was dubbed the designated driver for the night. I'd promised to stay sober with her, so she'd have fun too instead of babysitting Jess alone – as the rumor was that Jess was a wild drunk that needed to be watched carefully.

At Mike's party, the music blared and even shouting wasn't enough to understand each other. Angie and I used our own made-up sign language. Mike asked me to dance – and I discovered dancing and grinding were interchangeable – and I almost cried. The first time I was asked to dance and at my first party. I decided that I wouldn't think another second about Edward. Things were going to well to think about something so depressing.

Jess indeed got wild and drunk. Angie had to use force to keep Jess from stripping and many times had to plug her ears from the screeching sound of Jess's unforgettable singing voice. It was like nails on a chalkboard and screaming cats. Lauren got drunk as well, but she only slurred her words and repeated the same sentences often. She was boring compared to Jessica. Angie and I laughed at them both. Eric was a little tipsy, but he told a lot of great stories. Angie and I had more fun than anyone.

The following afternoon, Jess and Lauren couldn't remember if they'd had a good time or not. I made sure not to leave a single detail out when Jess called me in the afternoon. She's slept the entire morning – and a little into the afternoon – and still felt her head splitting open.

Sunday came and went. The weekend was over. Monday at school the stories were endless. Mike's party had gotten a few people in trouble. Angie and I had brought Jess and Lauren home about one in the morning, but the police had been called to Mike's two hours later. I felt a pang of guilt for being a part of such a rowdy party, but, even still, I didn't regret it. I didn't even regret it when Mike told me he couldn't remember the whole night.

I was completely carefree until I saw the Cullen's table. It was empty. It was surely a coincidence, but my promise not to think about Edward was broken. I wasn't afraid of him anymore, and I wasn't worried about him coming back – I wasn't worried about him not coming back – but I was curious.

In between a mouthful of the most delicious and cheesiest pasta my dad had ever made, I raised the big question at dinner.

"Dad, what do you know about…the Cullens?" I asked tentatively, dropping my gaze to my plate.

"As the Chief of the Forks Police, I know every family," he answered, logically and plain. "I've only met Dr. Esme Cullen and her husband once, maybe twice, but they're polite, good people."

I scooped a mouthful and chewed on his answer for a bit. He seemed to think it was just that simple. I wasn't satisfied with a simple answer.

"Their kids – their adopted kids – they're a bit…strange," I said slowly.

Dad froze. He looked up from his plate. It was the first time I'd seen him angry in years. "Don't listen to any rumors you hear about them, Isabella," he warned sternly. He pointed his fork at me. "People in this town like to talk. But that's all it is. Just talk." He stabbed his fork hard into his plate, so that it scratch loud and shrill. "We get a good doctor in this town who's willing to do anything to save a life – and just because she's a little different…just because her family's a little different."

I moved robotically, chewing and watching him. I'd forgotten how to act when he got upset. He was fierce. He seemed bigger and stronger than the man I called Dad.

"She's the first female doctor Forks has ever had," he told, tilting his head. "That's why people talk. They're not used to it. Forks has never been kind to those who are different, outsiders. Its prejudice – unreasonable and prejudice." He shook his head. "I don't know what to tell you, Beth. Their kids are better behaved than most in this town. They're quiet, private folk, but there's nothing wrong with that." He leaned back in his chair. "If you're not part of the events and the ones spreading the gossip, then you're the target of gossip. It's the way Forks' worked for generations. I wish it would change."

Dad picked up his fork and scooped some pasta into his mouth. He chewed for a minute before remembering I was there.

"So the Cullens aren't weird," I proposed. "The rumors I've heard aren't true."

"Not a word," he promised with a smile. "They're as normal as you and me. Except a doctor makes a little more than a policeman."

"What about Dr. Cullen's husband? Does he have a job?" I asked because it seemed weird that Mr. Cullen was a stay at home dad when his kids were already in high school.

"Um, I think he writes for travel magazines," Dad said, looking up, trying to search his memory for the answer. "I'm not sure. After his book sold a million copies, we threw him a party, but he didn't say what he'd be doing after that."

My jaw dropped. "A book? A million copies?"

Dad nodded and swallowed. "He used to be some sort of culture researcher. Wrote his book on the study of culture and its effects on history. Something like that – history and culture – and travel. That's all I know."

"That must be a cool job," I mumbled. I smiled. The Cullens weren't average, but they seemed a lot more normal now that I'd heard Dad's side of the story.

"Writing?" Dad frowned. He didn't like the sound of it.

I nodded.

"What is it you plan to do after high school?"

I rolled my eyes and laughed. Now I knew why he didn't like the sound of it – because he worried it was my career choice.

"I'm undecided," I told him. "But it won't involve writing – or anything artsy. Maybe something in English – maybe a teacher?"

He paused and seemed to think it over. He smiled and nodded. Teacher was approved.

"Or maybe something in biology," I said, surprising myself when I blushed.

"I see nothing wrong with that," Dad said proudly, "as long as you're thinking about your future."

I nodded noncommittally. I didn't dare tell him that I could only think about my past in that moment. Until Edward came back to school I wasn't going to stop worrying about what had happened that day in Biology.

When I arrived in the parking lot Tuesday morning, I knew something had changed. For one thing, it had snowed. The ground was covered in sparkling white. I drove carefully and walked carefully, wanting to avoid any chance of slipping on ice. When I went to class, everyone was buzzing with excitement over the thick layer of snow. I was happy for a break from the rain, but I wished I'd dressed warmer. The air was so chilled that my skin was prickling and I shivered anytime I passed a window or came close to the doors. After a pop quiz in English class (which was very, very easy), I walked with Jessica and Mike to the cafeteria. Mike wanted a snowball fight. Jess didn't want to get her shirt wet – it had only been worn once before after all. I agreed to stick with Jess if Mike ditched us for the slinging wet chaos.

Mike, the boys, and Lauren ditched most of lunch to sling snowballs. Administrations quickly ushered everyone inside, saying the snowballs fights were inappropriate on school property. Mike and Lauren were sopping wet, but they just laughed. They'd had too much fun to feel the wet and cold. I shivered for them.

Angie broke into a spiel about the science behind snowflakes. I gulped back a soda and allowed myself a glance at the Cullen table, expecting nothing – instead choking in surprise. Angie patted my back and asked if I was all right. I convinced her I was fine and she continued with a story about a ski trip she'd gone on with her family a year ago. I blatantly stared at the Cullen table in disbelief.

They were all there. They were laughing – looking a million times less emo than usual. Edward was actually smiling. His eyes were brighter – pale gold instead of amber. Emmett and Jasper were dripping with melting snow. Alice was laughing her head off, her hand leaning heavily on Jasper's shoulder. Rosalie was smiling and laughing, but she looked more uptight than the rest – almost like she didn't know how to not be perfect and still. Edward had let loose more than her…but he wasn't the explosion of giggles that Emmett and Alice were.

I felt all my guilt recede. I hadn't chased Edward away. There was no way it had been my fault. I was a normal, non-threatening girl who'd coincidentally seen him on a really bad day. It was nothing more than that. I could forget it now with no regret.

"What are you staring at, Bella?" Jess whispered, nudging my in the side.

I caught his eyes flash to meet mine just as I tried to look away. I didn't catch his expression. I didn't want him catching me staring again – just in case there was any possibility that it had contributed to his freak out in Biology.

"I just noticed Edward is back," I said nonchalantly with a shrug. There was no need to let Jessica know I'd been obsessing.

She accepted my response and turned away, but did a double take over her shoulder. She smiled and nudged me again.

"Ow. You trying to leave a bruise?" I accused.

She giggled. "Guess who's returning the favor."

I pressed my eyebrows together and frowned. "What?"

"Edward Sullen is staring at you now," she informed haughtily.

My whole body turned cold – and it had nothing to do with the snow. "Is he glaring?"

"No." She looked at me like I'd said something ridiculous.

"Does he look upset?"

She giggled. "No. Why would he be upset?" She peeked over her shoulder again. "He's smiling actually."

"Stop staring," I warned her.

"Maybe he thinks you're cute," she teased, shoving my gently. "Lucky, lucky, Bella."

"He doesn't think I'm cute," I grumbled. I dropped my head and leaned it against my arm. I closed my eyes and ignored the eyes watching me.

"What's wrong with her?" Lauren asked, not worried that I'd hear how unsympathetic her tone was.

"She's being watched," Jess mocked.

I raised my head. "I'm not being watched."

Jess smiled and looked in his direction. "Can you really say that when he's still watching you?"

"Great," I groaned. He was plotting to murder me after all. He'd only returned to murder me. Unfinished business was the new black.

"Still looking!" She giggled again.

"Stop looking at him," I ordered. "You're being creepy." About as creepy as he was being. I was NOT looking forward to Biology today.

After the bell rang, I dawdled behind with Mike, Lauren, and Eric in the lunchroom. I wanted to avoid going to class for as long as possible. But although I delayed it for a minute, I still had to go to class and face my fears. I'd hoped to sit down just as the teacher launched into the lecture, but he was running late and Edward was already in his seat. I took a deep breath and forced myself to walk tall as I went over to my desk. I opened my notebook and took out a pen. I stared straight ahead, stone-faced and giving off signals that I didn't want to be talked to.

"Hello."

I jumped out of my seat.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

I turned reluctantly to face him. For a moment I thought the voice was an angel – or maybe a demon calling to tempt me to my doom – but I would never had suspected in a million years that Edward Sullen would willingly converse with me.

He was smiling friendly, and his voice was warm, but his eyes were a different story. They were definitely more gold than usual. The new shade was confusing. But if he was using colored contacts – or had stopped using colored contacts – that was his business.

His eyes were guarded. He was testing my response. I worried about his response if I failed his test.

"My name is Edward Cullen," he said. His voice was like the purr of a kitten – soft and warm for the sake of appearances – and perfect for hiding a sharpened set of claws. "I didn't have a chance to introduce myself last week. I didn't want you to think I was being rude."

"Okay," I mumbled. I was dumbstruck. I wasn't sure what he'd say or do next. I gripped my pen tightly.

"You are Bella Swan, correct?"

"Isabella." I mentally kicked myself. "I mean, my name is Isabella but I prefer Bella."

He frowned. "That's why I said Bella."

"Right." I smiled tightly and mentally kicked myself a few more times. I'd gotten so good at casual conversation over the last week, and now just the sight of him was making me forget how to speak. I needed to get my act together.

I faced forward and dropped the smile. It just wasn't fooling anyone.

"Do you like Forks so far?" he asked casually.

I turned to him and took a good, long, long look at him. Where was the mass murderer I'd imagined? This Edward was much too calm to be the same person I'd seen in my last Biology class. How was it that he was the calm one now and I was the one freaking out? I needed to see a doctor. Or maybe I needed more sleep. I wasn't getting any of the scary vibes I'd been getting before. He was a perfectly normal – albeit gorgeous – high school student.

"It's alright," I said quietly. I cleared my throat and spoke in a stronger voice. "I'm liking it so far. I think I'm nearly used to it."

"After only the first week?" he said with a laugh. "That's impressive."

"Thanks." I grinned. I didn't think he meant it when he said it was impressive, but I didn't want to start a war. If we were going to sit next to each other for all term one then I wanted to get along. "Then again, I was also born here, so maybe it's in my blood." I shrugged. "How about you? I heard you're not a local yourself."

His smile drooped a little, his eyes more guarded. "My family and I are settled in. It's home."

"Home," I echoed. I wondered if Forks would ever feel like home. It didn't feel like it yet, but maybe that was something to look forward to. "I'll keep my fingers crossed."

"You don't feel Forks is your home yet?" His smile was curious. His eyes watched me like I was a bird that could flutter away without a word of goodbye. He seemed to think our time together was meant to be short.

I didn't like the look in his eyes – or that I felt like an inferior creature around him – but I smiled politely and continued to act like he wasn't bothering me.

"I've never had a home," I confessed, "but maybe this will be my first."

"You moved around a lot," he said. It was a statement, not a question.

"How did you know?" I smiled uneasily.

His eyes flashed away for a second. His smile was gone. "People in Forks talk." He looked back with a renewed smile. "It seems the talk was right this time."

I frowned. "What else have you heard about me?" I had a sneaking suspicion that – if it was half as bad as what I'd heard about the Cullen family – he hadn't heard one thing right.

"Well," he said, pausing as he mulled over the right response. He probably had a lot of rumors to choose from. "You're the police chief's daughter."

I crossed my arms. "Yes." Who didn't know that by now?

"Your mother lives in Phoenix."

"Yeah," I agreed sadly. I'd called her on the weekend, but she'd been busy wall climbing with Phil. She'd never wanted to go all Spiderman when I was around. Phil made her more daring than I was used to.

He paused to study my face. It was weird. I felt like I was being watched under a microscope, and Edward was the lab-coat wearing mad scientist.

"What?"

"Forgive me if this is too personal," he said with an apologetic smile, "but why does thinking about your mother make you sad?"

I looked away and ignored the heat in my cheeks. It was definitely too personal a question for someone I'd spoken to for the first time – not to mention someone I thought was going through a psychotic break only a week ago. I didn't want Edward to know my dirty laundry. I didn't want Edward to get to know me at all.

"Is it really that weird to miss my mother?" I answered stiffly. It was mostly true, but saying it to him felt like a lie. "I've lived with her my whole life up until now. It's just weird not having her around."

He wore no smile as he stared at me now, reading my face, trying to solve me. He looked at me like I was a million-piece puzzle and he'd only solved the bottom right corner. He saw me as a challenge, and not a person. It sent a shiver up my spine.

"It's not a big mystery, you know," I told him. "I just moved here for high school. It's a welcome change."

"Were you tired of moving around?"

I nearly glared at him but caught myself in time. I calmed myself. I didn't know why I found it aggravating that he was curious about me – I didn't have any right to when I'd been asking all sorts of questions about him and his family. What harm could a few answers cause?

"A little tired, but Mom was planning on staying in Phoenix," I said. I tapped my fingertips on the desktop, my nails clacking against the faux wood. "She'd just remarried, so she wanted to start over, I guess." I tapped my fingers a few more times before the sound had managed to annoy even myself. "She was going to settle down in Phoenix for good. With Phil."

"But not with you?"

I whipped my head to look at him, angered that he'd even suggest that my mother would act so – well – non-mother-like. I was stopped by his expression. He pitied me. Great. Like I really needed the pity of someone like him?

"That's not what I said."

He leaned forward very slightly. "You implied it."

"No I didn't," I insisted. I faced forward again and re-crossed my arms. "If I had wanted to I could have stayed. I needed some space and a change of pace. In Forks I have something permanent and definite to look forward to." I shot him a sideways glance. "I don't like surprises."

His eyes widened slightly. "You moved to Forks because you don't like surprises?"

I nodded slowly. "There's nothing surprising here."

He chuckled and turned his chair toward me. "You've got that wrong."

I glanced at the door. Was the teacher planning to come to class? Or was this a plot against me, to force me to speak with Edward Cullen? I peeled my eyes away from the door to meet his gaze. I leaned toward him and he stiffened. His gold eyes lost some of their shine.

"What sort of surprises?" I demanded. I lowered my voice hoping not to attract the other chatty students in the class. "Does it have anything to do with why you're talking to me today – why you started cutting class right after you met me?"

His eyes darkened. "I don't know what you're implying, but I suggest you forget about it."

A shiver ran across my skin. I ignored it. I finally had Edward backed into a corner and I wasn't going to give that up.

"I don't know what it is about me that upsets you, but you need to either tell me so I can fix it or you need to get a grip," I warned coldly. "I came to Forks so I wouldn't be around death threats and people like you."

"People like me?" He looked at me incredulously – I was the pot calling the kettle black.

"People like you who pretend not to hate me, then do things like glare at me throughout class and say things behind my back," I accused. It was a little exaggerated, but how was I to know for sure that the reason he knew so many things about me wasn't because he was a gossip himself?

"I don't hate you," he said. His jaw clenched. "How could I? I don't even know you."

I leaned back. "If I've misunderstood you, I'm sorry. But don't play games with me. I've played enough times to know the rules and I'm not going to be fooled by your sudden nice guy act."

"It isn't an act," he said. His words felt hollow. His eyes, dark and regretful – like he'd realized for the first time that it might be an act.

Before either of us could say something more, the teacher walked in, called attention, and passed around the lab assignment. One person from each of the set of desks was asked to get the microscopes from the back. Edward was up and at the back of the room before I could move – and before anyone from the back row. He returned just as fast and started setting up as the lab sheet instructed. Slides were handed out next. In partners, we'd identify the stages of mitosis without using the textbook. There were eight slides and we had to correctly label them on the handout. The assignment wasn't the difficult part. It was partner that was giving me trepidation.

"Ladies first," he said. His voice was still tight, but his expression was calm.

I sighed and told myself to calm down too. He was trying to be civil, I was just being paranoid, and it was rude to not be civil in return.

We took turns identifying the slides. I didn't have any trouble – and neither did he. We were showing off to each other. It was an intense competition, but neither of us disagreed with the answers. The last two slides we tried identifying without the microscope first, to test our psychic powers. His were stronger than me. He knew without squinting at the slide that it was prophase. My guess for the last slide proved wrong. I was a little impressed – and I wasn't as resistant to his small talk this time. He'd proven enough for me to ignore the ominous feeling inside my head that told me the mystery of Edward Cullen was far from over.

We finished before everyone else. Mr. Vernon congratulated us on being two of the brightest students in his class. I wondered whom he considered the brightest. Probably Edward – or maybe the Asian girl in the back, with the long beautiful hair – the teacher looked at them both like they were the future or the world. I'd seen the girl's handwriting and it was the neatest I'd ever seen, not to mention she had the composure and calm of royalty. There was no doubt in my mind that she was a science nerd. Her glasses weren't nearly as dorky or thick as Eric's, but were thin, nearly invisible. She looked like a friend I'd had once, only this girl was petite, and barely taller than my shoulder. Her name was Erica Young.

"I'm sorry we got off to the wrong start," Edward said suddenly.

I tucked my hair behind my ears and looked down. "No. I'm sorry. I was jumping to conclusions. I'm really not used to so much attention."

He furrowed his brow for a moment. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"What? That I'm not an attention whore?" I laughed. "I don't think you need to apologize."

"I might be wrong," he said slowly, "but I think you just implied you've never had many friends."

I rolled my eyes to hide my embarrassment. "You seem to think I imply a lot." I stuck my pen cap back on and tossed the pen into my messenger bag. "I think you need to learn to read people better."

"Usually I do." He didn't sound like he was bragging only that it was fact. His expression was stern.

"Are you saying you read people easily?" I cocked a brow and frowned.

"Usually, I do," he repeated with a mocking grin.

I straightened up and took a long look at him. "But not me?"

"Not you," he confirmed. "It's frustrating."

I hesitated, but then pivoted my chair to face him head on. "Does that have anything to do why you were upset last week?"

He leaned away from me and faced forward, staring intently at the whiteboard behind Mr. Vernon.

"Forgive me if it's too personal a question," I said gently, "but I don't want the reason you disappear next time to be because of me."

Edward's body stiffened and he looked at me, incredulous. He looked at me like I'd grown horns and maybe the bill of a duck.

"Why would you think I disappeared because of you?" His eyes narrowed. "I didn't even speak to you that day."

I dropped my eyes to the floor. "I know." I sighed. "I just had a weird feeling that you really hated me, like you'd rather kill me than sit beside me." I shrugged and looked up at him.

He seemed paler – if that was possible. His eyes stared down, but he'd turned to face me.

"Was I crazy to think that?" I tried to meet his eyes, but he wouldn't look at me. I was nervous, thinking that maybe he was about to say my thoughts weren't far from the truth.

"Something unexpected came up that day," he said matter-of-factly. "That is all."

"So it wasn't me?" I smiled hopefully.

He met my gaze for a second before turning to face front again. He didn't say anything more.

I leaned back in my chair, and relaxed for the first time. Edward was just a normal guy. Maybe he'd received a phone call that his long-distance girlfriend wanted to break up…or his uncle died. Whatever reason he'd had for being pissed and taking off, it was nothing to do with me. He'd said so – well, implied so. If his implications were anything like mine, then that was the truth and the end of all my worries.

Mr. Vernon opened the door and a gust of air swept through along with a stab of cold air. Someone must have left one of the exterior doors opened. The lab handout flew over to my side, just over the desk. I reached for it a second after Edward did. His fingers grabbed it easily, and my fingers brushed his hand. I flinched away from the unnatural iciness of his skin. There was no heat, no life in his skin, like he was made of snow.

I stared, wide-eyed and terrified. He avoided my eyes. I closed my eyes and quickly turned away. I drew an unsteady breath. For a moment, the cold had sent a wave of warning through me. My stomach did flip-flops, telling me to never get that close to Edward again.

The bell rang. Edward was out the door before I could say goodbye – before the teacher had even officially dismissed us.

The end of the day came quickly, mostly because it was uneventful. I went out to the parking lot with my key in hand, but stopped when my eye caught the shimmering snow. I cupped a bundle in my hand and held it for a moment. I threw it back and wiped my hand off on my jeans. Edward's skin wasn't as cold as snow, but it wasn't warm. Either he was seriously ill or he wasn't human. Seeing as the last known case of a non-human human was never, I was going with seriously ill. I felt guilty for being so quick to accuse him. What if he was dying of some incurable disease? What if the Cullens and the Hales were adopted because they had a disease that made them less appealing at the orphanage and Dr. Cullen was so kind-hearted that she had adopted them and dedicated her life to finding a cure!

My imagination had run wild. I mentally kicked myself hard and hopped into my truck. I was probably going to need gas soon, so I'd have to fill it up before I got home. Man, the inconvenience on not having gas magically fill the tank was really annoying at times.

The engine roared to life. I checked around and just as I was ready to pull out, some flashy car a much fresher cherry red than mine zoomed in front of me, dashing out of the lot. I barely had time to recognize the pale skin and stoic expressions. Rosalie Hale was in the driver's seat, driving away with Jasper Hale and Emmett Cullen. I envied the car, but cursed her driving. Didn't her adoptive parents ever teach her to look both ways before zooming out – or how about patience? Rosalie didn't strike me as the patient type, so maybe not.

My eyes automatically searched for Edward. If he wasn't with his siblings, then how was he getting home? Was he trying out for an after school team? Or did he have his own flashy ride? I had my fingers crossed it wasn't a Porsche. I'd have to carjack him.

I found Edward by a car, all right. Keys in the car door, speaking to his sister, Alice Cullen. It was a boring car. It wasn't flashy – although it was so clean, and polished that it shined. I squinted to make out the brand name of the car. I slammed the dashboard when read it. Of course it was an expensive foreign car. It wasn't a cherry red hotrod, but it cost more pennies than a lifetime of piggybanks could manage. I was wondering if maybe I should've told Dad I wanted to be a doctor, to buy shiny, polished imported things. Too bad I'd make a terrible doctor.

I must've been watching Edward and Alice talk for at least a couple minutes. Alice was calm, but her body was tense. She was warning him – or maybe trying to calm him down. Edward looked like he was trying not to shout, but was having a hard time. He looked too stressed. Maybe he was dying of an incurable illness. That would cause some stress – fancy car or not.

Alice smiled and nodded her head in my direction. I sat up straight. There was no way she knew I was watching. She hadn't looked over once.

Edward turned and looked at me. I fumbled at the keys and the steering wheel. I double-checked to pull away, and then briefly glanced in their direction just to be sure…and he was already in the car.

I didn't know why I felt so disappointed, but I couldn't linger on the feeling. I pulled out of the lot and didn't glance in their direction again. I pulled out by the stop sign and waited as a car drove by me. I felt eyes on my back. I glanced up at my rearview mirror. I was mortified to see Edward staring at me from the car behind. I pulled ahead of the white line and drove on, grateful when I turned left and he turned right. I tried to ignore it – but I was almost certain – I'd seen Alice Cullen laughing at me in the rearview mirror.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: Another chapter! Hope you liked it...but, whether you did or didn't, please review! It means a lot to me! PS Yes, I made the doctor Mrs. Cullen. If you're thinking "Why the heck would you do that?", don't fret. I plan to give more of an explanation as to why Esme is a doctor in an upcoming chapter.

But if you want an explanation now, here's a short version: If you were immortal, would you want to be a housewife the whole time?

(If you just answered yes, know that you're the kind of vampire that would not only be very bored, but slight suicidal. If you're immortal, you need hobbies.)