Thanks for the reviews! I appreciate all the support!

I have an idea for this story, but I'm not sure how it will sound, outside my head. Let me know if this is still going in a good direction!

This is a longer chapter, but I think you'll love it.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, Stephenie Meyer created the characters.


B POV

With all this new information buzzing around in my head, I couldn't go to sleep. I stayed up half the night, trying to figure it all out. I hardly expected that from a shopping trip.

Can Alice and Edward be vampires? I guess they must be, I definitely know they are not human. Is it possible for me to be friends with them, even though they aren't people? That question took longer to figure out. I love Alice she is so bubbly, supportive and fun. I can't imagine surviving in Forks High without her constant optimism. Edward appears to like me, and I definitely am into him, can't get enough of him. But is it safe for me to spend all this time with people who want to drain my blood? No. Can I live without them? Probably not.

Overall, it didn't seem like I could come to a definitive answer. The final conclusion I came to, around 3 a.m. was that no matter what the Cullens are, I want them in my life. They are too important to me to ignore now that I know the truth. Finally, I was able to get some sleep.

Waking up to my alarm clock sent a zillion butterflies into my stomach. Will they really be here to pick me up? I hope Charlie doesn't have a problem with me getting a ride to school, he always speaks kindly of the Cullens, especially Carlisle. When I went downstairs to get breakfast, I noticed Charlie already left for the station, so that was one less thing to worry about.

As I reached for the front door, I heard a knock. The butterflies returned in full force as I turned the knob, seeing Alice and Edward waiting for me.

"Good morning Bella!" Alice chirps, looping her tiny arm through mine, approving of the new outfit I had on. I put on the deep blue cashmere sweater she picked with the khaki pants I had and the black kitten heels Alice bought me.

"Hello, Bella love." Edward says, gently taking my other hand, while grabbing my school bag too. Together we head to the silver Volvo. The icy touch no longer surprised me, but has me craving more.

"Good morning," I say as we get to the car. Edward opens the passenger door and holds it for me. Alice is already in the back seat with the door shut behind her. "Thanks." I tell Edward and by the time I am sitting down, the door is shut and Edward is settling into the driver's seat.

As we drive away, Edward grabs my hand again, rubbing the soothing circles into it. I am feeling really good about this, no matter what. I am glad we had the talk yesterday, or else I may never have had the chance to be with Edward. We pull into the school lot, and Edward slides in next to a shiny red car.

"This is Rosalie's red BMW M3." Edward tells me, catching my stare. "Ostentatious, huh?"

"I'll say. Why on Earth does Rosalie ride with you when she has this?" I ask. I know next-to-nothing about cars, but even I can tell this car is special.

"We don't want to be the center of attention, love. You should understand that now. We do try to blend in." He tells me. He called me LOVE! The butterflies return to my stomach. The way he said it too, it sounded so sweet.

"Then why have crazy expensive cars if you wish to go unnoticed?" I ask, confused, after I manage to organize my thoughts. In Forks, my rusty Chevy is much more of the normal student car.

"We love to drive fast." Alice chimes in, climbing out from the backseat.

"I've noticed. It only took half the time to get here." I say, finding myself sandwiched between the two most important people in my life.

We walk like this to the English building, and I really don't want Edward to let go of my hand. He seems to feel the same way, softly and gently caressing my cheek with his cool, sure hand before telling me and Alice goodbye. I stare after him as he gracefully walks away.

Since we arrived earlier than normal, we had more time to talk in the classroom.

"You seem quite calm for a person who just rode to school with two vampires." Alice whispers in my ear before she takes her seat beside me, like usual.

"It's good that you love me Alice, and you can protect me." I tell her so quiet she wouldn't have heard if she was human. I know that if Edward ever lost control, Alice would do anything to keep me safe.

"Aren't you lucky? And to have fallen in with my family? Esme simply adores you!" Alice croons.

People are starting to show up, and I notice them all staring at me, like it is my first day again. Mike practically falls as his eyes locate me, his jaw dropping to the floor. I didn't think I looked that hot, I mean, I'm still me, right? But according to Emmett last night, and the way Edward stares, maybe I am attractive.

"Why is everyone staring?" I whisper to my superior hearing best friend.

"You are too hot with my new clothes, and the girls are way jealous. That's all I can hear from the whispers." She very softly says.

"Alice, not to change the subject, but did you see me coming?" I ask.

She pauses for a moment, like she is trying to decide how to word it, or maybe editing what she did see. "Not really, but when you tripped over the doorstep and Mr. Mason caught you, you looked into my eyes. I then had a vision of us becoming friends and going shopping. I saw myself catching you in the mall several different occasions."

"Oh." That seems perfectly acceptable, since I don't really understand how her visions work.

"Do you regret me being so nice, especially the first day?" Alice asks, looking hurt for the first time.

"No way! I couldn't be gladder. I do have one burning question?" I ask, and Alice chuckles. She must have seen me ask if she thinks Edward and I will get together and date anytime soon.

"Silly girl! Can't you see Bella! He's head over heels in love with you." She says, her tinkling laugh warming my soul.

"Really? Up until last night, I thought he hated me, more or less."

"No, he couldn't hate you, Bella. He just was trying to not kill you." Alice whispers extra quiet.

"Oh, so it was about my delicious blood, not anything personal?"

"SHHH!" Alice says, cutting me off. I'm sure no one could have heard me, but we do need to be careful. "Yes, it was all about your scent, how strong it calls to him. He nearly gave in your first day. I was afraid all class, watching him change his mind thousands of times. I was ready to get our family together to stop him…but he was strong enough, in the end."

"Alice, why doesn't my scent seem to bother you at all?" I mouth, barely making a noise.

"You smell good, better than most humans, but not exactly appetizing. Since I see our future, our close friendship, I could never see you as prey." She replies, so quietly I have to lean over to hear her words.

"Good." I say, setting back up before I fall over. We move onto more casual things, like whether or not Charlie liked my new wardrobe. As we left class, Alice drug me to building six, like normal and told me 'See ya at lunch' with a wink before she went away.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As Jessica, Angela, Mike and I walked into the cafeteria I only spotted three Cullens looking bored at their table. My hopes that were building all day crashed.

"Is Bella alright?" Mike asks, taking notice to my face, which must have been a mess. He hadn't taken his eyes off me all day.

"Bella?" Angela asks too, when I didn't say anything.

Shaking my shoulders and trying to hide my disappointment, I grab a drink. "I don't feel well today, I'm just going to have a tea." I finally respond, crestfallen.

The four of us sit at our usual table, with the rest of Jessica's friends.

"Edward Cullen is staring over here at us" Jessica says. My head snaps up, looking in the same direction as hers. Indeed, Edward was staring at us, at me. When he caught my eye, he raised his gorgeous hand and wiggled a finger, indicating he wanted me to join him and Alice. "Does he mean you?" Jessica asks, indignant.

"I'll go see what he wants, it will probably only be a minute." I say, instantly excited, but nervous. Alice is practically bouncing up and down in her chair, while Edward is looking as cryptically hot as ever. I sit down with my drink beside Alice and across from Edward.

"Isn't this a nice change?" Edward practically purrs to me in his velvety voice.

"What did you want?" I ask, actually noticing they don't even touch their food. Duh Bella. I had thought that they were just bored with the school food. How wrong I was.

"Well, since I'm breaking one rule, I might as well break them all," Edward explains, and like usual, I'm still confused.

"What?" I ask, staring into Edward's gorgeous eyes.

"Since he decided he can't live without you, he wants as much time as he can get WITH you." Alice explains, playing with her apple. I don't think I would have got that without the translation. I wonder how long it will take before I can understand a whole conversation with Edward Cullen.

"I'm glad you made up your mind. But why are we here, not at your table? There's room for me." I ask, glancing quickly towards the rest of their family before resuming my staring.

"They aren't as happy. Since the three of us are 'publicly' friends now, if this ends badly, we would look really bad. So, I don't really blame them for not supporting us." Edward tells me.

"Ends badly? As in, I become the meal?" I ask, my nerves strung tight, heart pounding.

"Basically," Edward chuckles.

"Rosalie seemed okay last night, shopping." I remember.

"That was before she realized what Alice and I had planned for the evening."

"What about Jasper and Emmett?" I ask, thinking that they appeared to like me too.

"Emmett doesn't want to be caught in the middle. Rosalie is a live wire. She hates the fact that you are willing to be with me, even now that you know. Emmett just thinks I'm nuts, falling for a human. He would be sitting here too, but Rose wouldn't talk to him afterwards." Edward tells me.

"Jasper is the newest to our lifestyle, to the specific diet we choose, so it is harder for him to, you know, abstain." Alice tells me. "He doesn't hate you, he's just not sure if he can handle it."

Good, they don't all hate me. Emmett likes me, Jasper wants my blood, but Rose wishes I would stay away.

"So why does Rosalie hate me?" I ask.

"It's not really hate. She envies you." Edward states.

"Envies me? ROSALIE?" I ask, totally thrown for a loop. The gorgeous, tall, perfect Rosalie envies me?

"She envies you your humanity. She has the most trouble with being one of us, and she would do anything to be human again. In staying around and not freaking out, Rosalie sees you as committing to being one of us."

"Oh, I never thought about that. At least not in that way. I don't care what you are; I just want you and Alice in my life. I care about you two." I say, being completely honest.

"What?" Edward asks, voice shooting up an octave. "How can you say that? You know we are dangerous, deadly even."

"Well, I know that love is stronger than everything else, and you two would never hurt me. Plus, I was being truthful all I want is you two in my life. Even if all we do is talk at lunch." I say, weakening at the last line. There is no way this is it. We will be friends forever. "You do still want me around, right?" I ask, because I wonder about his motives.

Taking my hand like last night, "Of course I want you around. How could I not want you?" He asks me, searching my eyes, like I was to him.

"I don't know, but sometimes it seems like you are trying to say goodbye."

"Bella, the way I am, the way all of the ones like me are, once we change in such a profound way, it is permanent." He says tenderly, looking into my eyes now full with love. I can't help it; a tear falls down my cheek.

"Permanent? You will always want me?" I ask, wiping the tear before anymore get the chance to fall.

"Yes. You better trust me on that, Isabella Swan I will want you around as long as I am walking this green Earth."

"Enough of this mushy stuff. I might have to leave if you two don't stop this. It's time to go anyway." Alice interrupts, taking her tray and dancing away.

Edward and I leave the cafeteria, hand in hand once again. When we walk into the Biology classroom, shocked faces greet us. Angela looks ecstatic and Mike looks heartbroken. Shortly, Mr. Banner enters, rolling a TV in. The mood in the room dramatically improves, everyone loves movie days.

Edward and I hold hands under the table throughout the entire class and I cannot say what the film was about. The electric charge that I usually feel between Edward and I, seemed to intensify to a tangible level. Once, I looked up to his face and saw him gazing lovingly down to me. He winked and smiled the sexy, crooked grin I love. I rested my arm on his shoulder, perfectly content. We seemed to be in our own little bubble, Edward rubbing circles into my hand.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Today is Friday, the first of March, and I could not be happier. I am getting a ride to school with Edward and Alice again. They seem to know the days Charlie leaves earlier, and that's when they show up. Charlie still doesn't know that I am pretty much dating Edward, and he certainly doesn't know that Edward is a vampire.

As soon as Edward is out of vampire-ear shot, Alice turns to me, "Bella, we need to talk. It's serious."

"What is it? Is everything alright?" I ask, clueless once again. I have no inkling as to what this is about.

"Yes, but no. As long as you love me and do as I say, there is nothing to worry about. I had a vision last night. Some of our friends, Peter and Charlotte, are visiting for a few days. They are not like my family I mean they follow the usual diet. So Edward and I are going to be a tad bit overprotective for a while. If you go in the woods, alone or with someone, then Peter and Charlotte will most likely hurt you. No matter if my entire family is there to protect you. So, Edward and I will be taking turns keeping you under house arrest. I will be sleeping over and he will visit during the day. Charlie needs to know you have a boyfriend now."

"Yeesh, Alice. That sounds bad. Are these people vicious? How long will I be in danger?" I ask, scared of this Peter and Charlotte.

"They will be in town for two or three days, depending. You don't need to worry so much. Promise me you will not go outside without me or Edward today? And we will be here to protect you on the weekend. They should be gone Monday morning."

"I promise. I don't go outside a lot, I still hate this weather. I'm really glad you care so much Alice." I say hugging her as Mr. Mason starts the class.

At lunch Edward and Alice lecture me again. I reassure them that the rain will be more than enough to keep me inside and out of the woods. The threat of any sort of danger on top of that just seals the deal. Alice seems satisfied, but Edward still looks nervous.

"Edward, I will not go outside. I find enough trouble by myself. I don't need to look for someone I know will hurt me." I tell him as we walk to Biology.

"I know you are smart Bella, but what if they change their plans? What if I lose you?" Edward tells me, kissing the top of my head as I sit down.

"You won't lose me. Either you or Alice will be with me the whole time. I trust you won't let me out of your sight, and Alice will keep me close while I sleep." I tell him, hoping to get through to him. Sometimes he is way to overprotective.

"Bella, I will always be worried about it. I know Alice will keep you safe, she cares about you as much as I do. It is in my nature to worry and protect women. That's just how gentlemen were raised then."

I had nearly forgotten that he was born in 1901, he told me all about that one day. "You do have perfect manners for a vampire." I whisper into his ear.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The weekend went off without a problem. Friday after school, Edward and Alice both came over. When Charlie got home from work I served him chicken casserole. I introduced Edward and Alice. Charlie instantly seemed to love Alice, and he gave Edward one of the 'manly' fist bumps, so I guess that he approves. Alice and I cleaned up after dinner and Charlie took Edward to the living room to talk. Alice could hear everything, and gave me the play by play. Apparently Charlie wanted Edward to know he was the Chief of Police, and did the whole intimidating father thing. This had Alice giggling, knowing that guns wouldn't hurt either of them. Then he told Edward that if one single hair on my head was hurt while I was with him, it would mean the end of the relationship. Edward told Charlie that he understood I am way too precious and could never be hurt.

Friday night, Alice and I had a sleep over. We stayed up late, chatting watching movies in the living room. I fell asleep with my head on Alice's stony shoulder. As hard as vamipres are, I seem to fit comfortably against them.

Saturday was pretty much the same. I did laundry in the morning when Alice left to go hunt and spend time with her family and the guests. Edward showed up, we talked and he helped me with my Trig homework. Charlie spent the day fishing with some old friends. He never seems to mind the rain. In the afternoon, Edward and I started talking about ourselves. I found out that he wishes he could have the discipline to be a doctor, like Carlisle. Also, it seems like I spilt my entire life story, all my future dreams (except the ones involving him), everything.

That night, Alice returned, and I was sad to see my Edward go. He promised he'd be back in the morning, kissing the top of my head once again. This time, Alice and I painted our nails and she gave me a facial. We giggled about how silly I looked with the cream on my face until my sides hurt. Alice talked about all the years she and Jasper have spent together, and I can tell they are perfect for each other. In a way, I can't wait for that to be Edward and me. Spending romantic weekends or even vacations that last month's long, just Edward and I, and that sounds like a perfect future. I wonder why Edward doesn't just change me. When I asked Alice, she said that I would have to talk to Edward about the specifics, but I will most likely want to finish Forks High as a human. That makes enough sense, so I go to sleep.

I had the worst dream of my life. It started wonderful; Edward and I were walking in the woods on a sunny day. We find a meadow and he tells me he loves me. We kiss passionately for a few minutes. On the walk back to their house, Edward disappears. There is a circle of people wearing hooded cloaks around the spot where Edward was standing and a huge plume of purplish smoke.

I woke myself up screaming and Alice demanded to know what was wrong. I told her about the nightmare, and she gently told me it was just a dream, it wasn't real. After a few minutes, I went back to sleep, after she started singing a sweet sounding lullaby.

Sunday was much like the day before it. Sunday night, when Edward left and Alice returned, I didn't want to let him go. He had to reassure me, promise he would be back in the morning to take us to class. It seems like the more time I spend with Edward, the more it hurts to let him out of my sight.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I'm sorry that was a really long chapter, but I wanted it all in there.

Please tell me what you think. The reviews help me decide what to write.

Review

V