Chapter 2: Bella Freakin' Swan

EPOV

Fortunately the weekend passes quickly; my siblings have fewer opportunities to quiz me on the reasons for my return. Monday finds me headed towards The University of Washington so I can register for some classes. Since I'm registering late, I just sign up for whatever classes are left. After I have all that sorted I head back to my car, I pull out my guitar from the backseat.

I make myself comfy on the hood of my car, light up a cigarette and gently strum some random chords. The weather is overcast but still bright enough to make it nice but not bright enough to cause me any issues. Vampire fact: We don't burst into flames. The sun weakens us and also when one is fortunate to look closely enough there's a kind of a sparkly iridescent look to our skin.

So here I am lounging in the non-sun messing around on my guitar cause I really have nothing else better to do when suddenly I catch a heavenly smell in the air. I immediately stop strumming and look around to where it's coming from. I'm sniffing the air frantically, the smell is dissipating, which is really disappointing. Whatever it was, it made me want to do lines of it like a drug addict. I feel quite perplexed. What human has ever smelled so... bone chillingly good? I get off the hood and get into my ride. I try not to think of that scent again so I don't go mad with questions. Maybe I'll pick up the scent again tomorrow.

Sometime later I'm at home watching the Food Network with Esme, my pretend mommy dearest. She and I have this in common. We both miss human food in a way. Although it smells awful, the humans seem to derive more pleasure from the preparation than they get from actually eating it. The only thing we vampires can enjoy that humans take part in as well is alcohol. It does a pretty decent job at lessening the thirst.

Alice comes in and flops onto the couch with Esme and me. Her thoughts are a quiet hum of Jasper and school tomorrow and her friend Bella. I get a quick glance of her face in my head. She's... beautiful, in a subtle and understated way. I'm about to ask about Bella but Alice, the annoying but sweet oracle that she is, beats me too it.

"Stay away from her!"

"What! I haven't even met-"

"I'm serious Edward! She's sweet and... there's something special about her... I'm not sure what it is."

After a brief a pause I speak again "She's... kinda cute!"

"Yes, Yes she is. Stay away from her!"

I laugh a little. "Alice, you said you had a vision earlier today…care to share?"

"Oh my God Edward! I'm not telling you anything now! I don't want you making her another notch on your belt!"

I feign shock and clutch my long dead heart. "Eight!" I use her most loathed nickname that Emmett and I gave her because of her Magic Eightball-esque answers. "How could you! You really think so ill of me? That I'm some rake about town."

"Oh please! Don't bullshit me! I'm psychic remember! Over the years, and only out of curiosity I've looked into your future to find you in various compromising positions with many women... sometimes at the same time!" I take note of this. Alice is probably none the wiser as to my current troubles.

I laugh loudly and reminisce. "Ahhh Mardi Gras 1979, the summer of love!" Esme clears her throat. Alice and I exchange looks, both of us stifling laughter.

"So show me!" Alice is guarding her thoughts, reciting Macbeth and then translating it into Greek.

"No!"

"Show me!"

"NO!"

"C'mon Eight! I'm just curious!"

"NOO!"

I give it a break for awhile. Then when she least expects it I spring on her. "Bella Bella Bella Bella Bella Bella!" Of course she slips and Bella edges into her vision. The images come to life in my head. Bella smiling, Bella in class... sitting next to me... she looks... uncomfortable... the visions get kind of fuzzy, then Bella following me into to the forest off campus. I smile.

"So what do you think happens in the forest Eight?"

Alice gives me the death stare. "I don't know... just please don't kill her! I actually like her!"

"Aww does Eight have a girl crush?"

"I'm serious Edward! I'm worried."

I take in Alice's serious expression. "Okay Alice... I won't seduce, and or eat Bella..." Not unless she wants me too!

"You promise?"

"Yes, I promise!" Alice smiles and hugs me. Awww cue violins!

"You need to stop teasing your sister." Esme promptly flicks me in the forehead and then leaves.

After Esme is gone, I ruminate over the vision Alice had. Bella Swan huh? Well when it comes to killing her, I'm sure she's just like any other human, so I'm sure I can resist. Seducing her? Well if she asks then she shall receive! Who am I to deny such a beauty her heart's desire? I smirk.