That first night, I dreamt of Edward Cullen. I was in my bed, sleeping. I jolted awake as his cold hand gently touched my face. His bright eyes were curious. His hands roamed over my body and I let him. He lowered his face to mine. Bronze met chocolate and amber, only to glow like rubies. The feral face full of lust and sneering, bearing his teeth...

"La Push baby, it's La Push."

"Ok, I'll go if you stop saying that."

We were at lunch, two days after the accident. Charlie had insisted on driving me the first day and I asked Angela the next. Tyler had been there, with a box of chocolates and more apologies. I took the chocolates.

"Tyler. I'm going to ask you to stop this. It was not your fault that you nearly ran me over. The road was really slippy. I'd appreciate it if we dropped this."

"If that's what you want, Bella."

Well that was easy. Over lunch, I shared the chocolates with the group. All was well when Ben mentioned going to the first beach over at the Reservation. I hadn't been there in a while. It could be fun.

"Edible art, Bella?"

So Edward was talking to me again? Phew, maybe I should ask him to write down the days when he would actually be civil towards me. Not that I cared. Well, not really.

"You know, your mood swings are starting to give me whiplash."

It was only the other day that I had gone to say thanks for what he did.

FLASHBACK

"Bell, what are you talking about?"

"Don't play coy with me Edward. I know you knocked me out of the way. I also know about you and your family."

"You don't know anything. Clearly you're still suffering from concussion. I only came to tell you that we shouldn't be friends."

END OF FLASHBACK

"I only said it would be better if we weren't friends not that I don't want to be."

"Of course you did. What does that even mean?"

He leaned closer. "It means that if you're smart, you'll stay away."

"Ha, there's your answer Cullen. I'm book smart, not so much people smart. Maybe we should hang out?" I finished, with a questioning tone.

He stepped back from me. "Bella, I'm wrong for you."

"What! Why are you wrong for me?"

"You said it yourself that you're not the smartest when it comes to people. Let's leave it at that."

"Oh no, Cullen. You're going to tell me what you meant."

"I'm just wrong for you."

"You don't get to decide that Mr high and mighty. So don't even try. The only reason you might be wrong for me is if you're secretly some raving psycho who has a thing for cannibalism or you're just some badass mother..."

"BELLA!"

"Well, which one is it? Cannibal or badass?"

"I want to hear you're theories."

"I reckon that out of the two, you think you're a badass and..."

It was then that I burst into hysterics. The very idea that... No, it was too funny.

"Bella, what is it? I don't get it?"

"I'm sorry, the thought of you as a badass. Ha!"

"What's so funny?"

"You really think you're badass don't you? What did you do this time Edward? Steal your mum's car? What, will she ground you so you can't go shopping this weekend? Or, poor you. Don't worry, there's always the internet."

I stalked back to the table. Jess's eyes were eager with the thought of more gossip.

"What was that about?"

"What did you say to him?"

"What did he say to you?"

"Oh, nothing really. Cullen thinks he's a rebel, that's all. Look, guys, I have to go but I'll see you Saturday."

"Ok, we'll come pick you up!"

"Thanks, byeee!"

On Saturday, at La push, Tyler got out of the car, complaining already.

"It's so cold."

"We drove all this way out here. You guys are babies!" Ah Lauren, always ready to put someone down.

I turned away as a group of boys made their way over. One of them waved.

"Bella."

"Jacob. Guys, this is Jacob Black. Jake, meet Angela, Mike, Jess, Lauren, Tyler and Ben."

Jake perched on the edge of my seat. "Hey. Not surfing today?"

"Didn't feel like it."

"You guys can keep Bella company. Her date bailed." Jess, always ready for gossip, smirked.

"What date?"

I wanted to laugh at Tyler and Mike's reaction. Instead I hastened to set the record straight. No-one needed to know of my rejection.

"It wasn't a date. I don't know what it was."

"Yeah well whatever you said really unsettled Edward." Lauren was starting to annoy me with her stirring.

"Edward? As in Edward Cullen?" Jake didn't look too happy for some reason.

"Yep, that's the one."

Tyler stepped in with an awe-inspiring, "Cullen's a freak."

"He would never have come here anyway." said one of Jake's friends.

"Why?" My interest had been piqued and it would not be easily satisfied.

"Because the Cullens don't come here." Came the simple reply.

While the others went surfing, I went for a walk with Jacob, on the beach. I'd forgotten how good it felt, being so close to the sea.

"So what did the others mean about the Cullens not coming here?"

"You caught that huh? It's just some old story."

I stepped closer and took hold of his arm. "Tell me."

"Well, you know that Quileutes are supposed to be descended from wolves?"

My heart stopped. "Wolves, like werewolves?"

"Hey, calm down Bella. Breathe." We stood still for a while.

"Sorry, I don't know what came over me."

"It's fine. Look, maybe we should go back..."

"No. Please, tell me."

"If you're sure? Well, I'm not sure about real werewolves but we apparently transform or shift into a wolf, when our enemy, the cold ones, move into town. We came across them hunting on our lands but they claimed to be something different, so we made a treaty with them."

"Well, what are the Cullens?"

"Really, it's just some old story used to scare little ones. Nothing for the palefaces to worry about."

Ha, easy for him to say. He's not the one that has to go to school with vampires, or cold ones. He can content himself with believing that they are only stories. Whereas I know different.

The school was abuzz with Prom fever. Tyler had cornered me first thing on Monday. I told him that I wouldn't be going.

"I'm sure Lauren would keep you company."

Angela had managed to ask Ben and I was pleased for her. She was such a sweetheart and deserved everything she got. Mike also tried cornering me but I persuaded him that Jess would make a better date. She came over to me later with an impossibly smug grin.

"Bella, I'm going to the prom with Mike, isn't that great?"

"Congratulations, I'm really pleased for you." Yeah, pleased that he's off my back.

"You know what this mean, right?"

"Shopping?"

"Yes, we have to go to Port Angeles tonight, before all the good dresses get taken. Bella, are you sure you're not going?" Angela piped in.

"Yeah, proms are nor really my thing. Is it alright if I come with you tonight?"

"Of course. I need your opinion."

That was settled. Angela and Jess would follow me home so that I could dump the truck and leave Charlie a note. We went straight to one of the few dress shops and Jess dove straight in. After several attempts, I decided to offer my expert opinion. Hey, just because I don't think of shopping as vital, doesn't mean I don't want them to make a bad judgement call. After all, dresses were simply fashionable art.

"Jess, try this one. It'll push your boobs up and you can get a chunky necklace to fill in the space." I handed her a rose coloured halter-neck, full length. For Angela, I picked up a lavender gown with long flowing sleeves.

Seeing as my job was done, I asked if they minded that I go to a book store. We arranged to meet at a restaurant. The store I wanted was slightly out of town but it was worth it when I found the book I wanted. The man behind the till muttered a greeting that I vaguely recognised as being a dialect of the Mexican language. I responded in like and he was surprised.

It had gotten dark out. I reached an alley way, only to find it blocked. I went back the other way, realising that I had walked into a trap. Two men herded me towards more of their friends, who had clearly had a couple of drinks.

"Well, look what we have here? Ain't you a pretty one?"

His hands reached out for me. I stepped away.

"Ah, she doesn't want you. She wants a real man, don't you darling."

"Don't come any closer."

"Don't be like that honey. It's just a bit if fun."

He grabbed my arm and I lashed out, smacking him in the face. He reeled back and his friends started laughing.

"Ooh, look boys; we got a feisty one here."

"You stupid bitch." The man I smacked back handed me. I stood firm, glaring at them.

The sound of wheels approaching us forced them back as Edward Cullen pulled up and stepped out.

"Get in the car."

"Hey, where are you going beautiful?"

He stepped forward and Edward growled, blocking his way. He returned to the car and drove off.

"I should go back and rip their heads off."

"No you shouldn't. Why were you here anyhow? Have you been following me?"

He didn't answer but then he didn't need to. I sighed and laid my head back.

"Are you okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

My phone rang then. Jess wanted to know where I was. I looked at Edward and told her I had gotten lost but I was on my way.

"Oh Bella, we already ate. But we'll wait for you here. Can we order you something?"

"Erm, can you order me something with rice. I'm not fussy at all."

"Okay, hurry up."

Edward waited as I put the phone down. He'd heard it all.

"If you're friends need to go I can drive you back."

"Okay."

I wasn't in the mood to argue. When we arrived, Jess ogled as I stepped out of the car. Edward stepped out after me.

"I'm sorry I kept Bella away from you. We bumped into each other and I said I could give her a ride home."

"Well, that was thoughtful." Bless Angela.

"Very thoughtful." Jess gave me a look which meant she was expecting a phone call as soon as I got home.

My dinner had arrived. Mushroom risotto. Good choice. I ordered a coke to go with it. Edward watched as I ate. When it came to the bill, he reached for his wallet but I stared him down. He looked confused but I stood firm. The waitress was salivating over him but he paid her no heed.

"Are you ready?"

"Yeah, let's go."

He put the heating on and I warmed my hands. It had been a really long day and I was exhausted for once.

"Thanks for the ride."

"It was my pleasure."

"Not that I don't appreciate your help but I would appreciate it even more if you didn't follow me around."

"But those guys..."

"They were drunk and very stupid. I can take care of myself. I don't need anyone to take care of me."

"But I want to." The admission surprised us both. "Bella, I want to be there for you. I can't stay away from you."

Well that was great. I had another supernatural bodyguard. Whoops, did I say that out loud? Edward was staring at me, his eyes wide.

"You're not denying it then. Well, that's something I guess."

"What, how did you know?"

"Oh please, don't play dumb. The signs are there. You don't eat, go out in the sun, you can't be near blood. I'm not blind Edward, just extra observant. Oh, and you're strong enough to push an oncoming van away from me."

"In that case, why would you willingly put yourself in danger?"

"You seem to have a mental muzzle on. There's also the fact that I'm interested in you."

"Interested?"

"Yes Cullen, I, Bella Swan am interested in you. You can drop me off here."

We had reached the house and I bolted out of the car. He drove off, probably going to consult his family over what they should do about the human.

I didn't have to wait long.

The following day, I could barely concentrate. Mentally, I cursed Edward for my lapse in concentration.