I don't own anything Twilight. The idea of Bella being a mind reader is mine and a few events. Everything else belongs to Stephenie Meyers. No copyright infringement intended.

Beta Reader: Melinda the Proud Bookworm

Chapter 7: Three

That night was unusually quiet, too quiet. I sat up and hit the play button on my cd player. I settled back down into my blankets and concentrated on the music. By the third time through the cd I was finally falling asleep.

I awoke to find myself in a dream. I was standing in the middle of a sparse forest. Little lights and mist floated and danced around me, making everything seem magical.

"Bella…run away from here, NOW!"

I turned to my right to see Jacob walking out of the tree line. "Why?" I watched him fall to all fours on the forest floor and instantly change into a massive reddish brown wolf. "Jacob?"

'Go now Bella, before he gets here.'

"Bella…" the familiar alluring voice echoed through the canopy. I spun around as fast as I could to gaze upon the stunning creature that had unknowingly stolen my heart. There was a faint shimmer to his skin when the rays of the sun behind him would play across it. My heart skipped a beat and my breathing caught as I drank in his magnificence. His now golden topaz eyes beckoned to me.

He gave me a small crooked smile; I smiled lovingly back and darted to him. I launch myself at him, locking my arms around his neck in a fierce hug. I felt his cool fingers through my shirt as his hands slowly snaked up and around my back. He held me tightly and pressed a light kiss on my neck.

'Bella! Get away from that thing!'

I heard the wolf start to growl but I ignored him. I leaned my head back enough so I could look into Edward's hypnotic gold pools. I placed a hand on his frigid shimmering cheek. I softly recited the four words that have been taunting me for a while now. "I'll love you, forever." Edward's huge smile dazzled me. In the distance I heard the growl break into a deafening howl. The noisy pawing at the earth snapped me out of my daze. I whirled around, placing Edward's chest against my back. I saw the Jacob wolf charging us.

"NO Jacob, he isn't dangerous. STOP THIS!" Jacob wasn't listening; his black eyes were filled with rage. Edward covered me like a protective shield as the maddened wolf pounced on us. "NO….."

I wrenched upright so fast that I fell off my bed. That was one hell of a dream. I stayed sprawled on the floor looking at the ceiling for a while reflecting on the dream. After some time I climbed back onto my bed and peeked at the clock. It showed a red six in the morning. Knowing I wasn't going to get back to sleep I groaned and rolled out of bed. I massaged my sore back side, thanks to the fall, and headed to the bathroom to take a shower. I didn't stay in nearly as long as I planned. I exited the bathroom and decided to click on my computer. I dressed quickly and went downstairs for a bowl of cereal. When I finished, I washed my bowl and headed up to my computer. Just like I had anticipated, those three annoying words flashed on my screen: You got mail. Reluctantly I checked my email.

Bella,

I haven't heard from you in a while, what have you been up to? Not getting in trouble I hope, of course not, this is you not me. So how are you getting along with your new friends? What about their one brother that seems to hate you, have you worked things out with him yet? Have you found a new car yet? Have any of the boy's grabbed your attention?

Love mom.

I couldn't believe my mom some times. Always so inquisitive.

Mom,

Sorry I haven't written. I've been catching up on sleep when it's not storming against the house. I actually went to La Push yesterday with Charlie. I'm getting along great with my new friends, the Cullen's. Yes I've worked things out with Edward (the boy who seemed to hate me). It appears he has the same ability as I do, except he can't read me and I can't read him. All of us are getting along great. In fact I'm staying the next weekend with the girls while the guys are out. Edward wants to buy me a new car but I told him no, I don't want him spending money on me. Are you honestly asking me if there are any guys I like? With my ability that's impossible. Well there is one……

Love Bella

I laughed when I typed the last sentence. Let her fixate on that for a while. I turned off the ancient machine and decided to go for a walk. I put on my boots and rain coat, just in case, and headed out the back door.

I only walked a few yards up the forest path behind the house when I found a fairly dry stump to sit on. Once I was comfortably seated I thought about my dream or nightmare rather. Jacob had said his family was descended from wolves, so it was no surprise that the dream Jacob would change into one. But why was Edward glittering? Had I really meant what I said to him? I then thought over the stuff I had researched on 'soulmates'. I longed to be with him. When we apart I feel depressed and lonely. I've accepted all of whom and what he is. I feel a connection with him and it fits. I feel comfortable around him, except when he dazzles me. Everything I had written on that list was a 'Yes', except one. Do we share a vision of the same future? With each passing day, I become more and more certain of the future I DO want. As for those four words I uttered in my dream last night, I thought about it for a while. I really did mean every word. If I felt this strongly about Edward after knowing him just a few months, I couldn't help but believe in love at first sight and soulmates. From what I understood when I researched the subject, soulmates rarely find each other, so feel grateful if you find yours, and there are no rules for love. Wonder if that included a human falling in love with a mythological creature. It had to, and if it didn't, oh well, screw them. I was already in over my head. Now that I knew my feelings and what I wanted, I was going to accept it and go at it straight on.

I couldn't help but giggle when I thought about how a one hundred and four year old virgin would react to being attacked. I walked back to the house still giggling. Since I had finished my English report yesterday I worked on my Trig homework, which ate a good part of the day. By seven o'clock I was exhausted from sleeping inadequately and waking early. I fell into a dreamless sleep.

I was blinded when I woke the next morning. I slowly and painfully opened my eyes. My room was flooded with bright sunlight. I changed quickly and ran downstairs to wait for Edward. Charlie had already gone to work, like every morning. I walked into the kitchen to grab a piece of fruit and noticed something odd on the table. I walked over and looked down to see a set of keys, a red flip phone, and a piece of paper that was folded in half. Hesitantly I reached for the paper and opened it to see Edward's perfect penmanship.

Sorry, impromptu camping trip. Please use the Volvo as you wish.

This is your phone; all of our numbers are already programmed.

Have fun at school, wish I was there!

He's not going to be at school today! Well damn! Wait, he actually wishes he was at school, why would anyone wish to be in school? I bit my lip as I realized I had been eager for school as well, just so I could see Edward. Could I be safe in thinking his reasons were the same. I slowly ate a banana, not in any hurry to get to school any more.

I snatched the keys and phone off the table, picked up my bag and left the house. I practically pouted as I climbed into the driver seat of the Volvo. I took a deep breath as I started the purring kitten, in comparison to my roaring lion, may she rest in peace. Edward's scent assaulted my senses and I instantly felt a little better.

I parked in Edward's usual spot, cut the engine, grabbed my bag, hit the lock button and exited the car. I didn't need to hear thoughts to know people were staring as I left the car.

'Oh right it's sunny. Of course the Cullen's aren't here today.'

'Wow he left her his car.'

'Even when he's gone he still makes the rest of us guys look bad.'

I sat at an outside table at lunch picking at my sandwich. I decided to try out my new phone. I found Alice in the contacts and selected text message.

Are you guys trying to torture me by being gone…well it's working!

I pressed send and waited. I didn't have to wait long.

We're sorry you're being tortured. Hopefully soon you'll be able to join us on our camping trips. Why didn't you just call me or Edward?

Nervous.

OH FOR THE LOVE OF LIFE!

I almost dropped the phone when the annoying tone rang out. Ok, that was going to change tonight. I looked at the display and my breath caught in my throat before I hit the accept button. It was Edward.

"…Hi…" I said shyly.

"What took so long to answer? I know you had the phone in your hand!"

"Exactly! The phone rang and I nearly dropped the thing." I heard a failed attempt at trying to conceal a laugh. "Yeah, laugh it up you stupid shiny Volvo owner."

"Ok, sorry, it was my fault. I'm honestly sorry, will you forgive me?"

Holy crow! Even over the phone his voice has a power over me. I wouldn't let it phase me. I shook my head as if to clear it. "I'll forgive you on one condition."

"Sure, anything."

"Take me with you on your next camping trip," there was a very long pause. Had I lost connection? "Edward?"

"Not that. Pick something else."

"Sorry, you already said anything. Besides, by your next trip you should have figured out my riddle and know my secrets…if you can't figure it out…then you should take your phone and car back and never see me again."

"Hold on Bella, is your riddle and what you're keeping from me that important?"

I sighed sadly and closed my eyes. "Yes, Edward, it is. Changing someone's future is always important. I have to go, tell Rose and Alice I'll get them something when I'm in Port Angeles Wednesday. Bye."

"Bella wai…"

I folded the phone shut and held it tightly in my hands. If he never did figure out that he had to tell me the truth or that Alice was right about being soulmates or that he had nothing to fear, could I actually leave him behind. If he did reveal his identity and told me how he felt about Alice's revelation then our future together could happen. If he didn't…I would have to move to Florida with my mom, further away the better. With the phone still clenched in my hands I placed my fist on my forehead and fought back tears at the thought of having to leave any of the Cullen's or Charlie.

"Bella…are you ok?" I felt a small gentle hand rest on my shoulder. I looked up to see Angela standing next to me, worry written all over her face.

I motioned for her to sit, I was the only one at the table so no one to bother. "I'm fine…just some serious thinking."

She didn't look convinced. "I think there's more to it then that. You looked like you were about to cry. Does Edward have anything to do with it?"

Wow, she was observant. "Hm, yeah. He wants to know my secrets but he won't tell me his. I don't think he trusts me."

"I think he trust you plenty. How many guys do you know will let a girl drive their car? What I do think is maybe he's scared of how you'll react to finding out. Even if you tell him you'll be fine, that fear is always there."

I smiled at Angela. "I hope your right and I seriously hope he gets over his fear soon." She giggled as I stared seriously at the phone.

"A gift from Edward?" she asked as she pointed at the red flip phone. She giggled again when my cheeks turned pink. "So…things seem to be going pretty well between you two."

I shook my head slowly. "We're just friends."

"Hmm, considering the way you acting I would bet you wish you were more than 'just friends'." I felt my face turn crimson.

'How cute, she's blushing so badly.' Angela always said what she was thinking and when she didn't it was always pure…not unsophisticated.

'I'm going for it!'

"Oh no, here comes trouble." I mumbled under my breath. Angela looked at me wondering what I meant. Then Mike appeared. I so was not looking forward to this.

"Bella…I was…wondering…if maybe…you would go out with me?" I didn't need to see into his mind to know what he was really wondering.

"No, I won't go out with you." I stood up to leave, a little annoyed. I started to walk away when a hand wrapped around my arm, almost painfully.

"Why not? Is it Cullen, do you like him or something?"

I wrenched my arm from his grasp then glared fiercely at him. "Edward has nothing to do with my decision. I just don't like playboys that think they're all that with hidden agendas. I'm from a much bigger place than this, I've seen thousands of your kind and it's always the same trail of thoughts. You do realize that there is someone close by you that wants to be with you. Go be with her and leave me alone! Read my lips, I. DON'T. LIKE. YOU!" I heard clapping and turned to see Angela and Jessica applauding me.

"You go girl!" Angela smiled but looked shocked.

'Good maybe now he'll leave her alone and go for me, I guess she isn't so bad after all.'

I walked up to the duo. I placed a hand on Jessica's shoulder and whispered in her ear. "You could always ask him out instead of waiting on him." After my outburst I headed toward the classroom to finish out the rest of a boring day.

I received a phone call from Alice after school. "Hi Alice."

"What in the world did you say to Edward? One minute he looks depressed, then he looks like he's thinking, then he looks like he might have the answer and the next minute he's depressed again... I understand your urge to confuse him but I think this might be…"

"Alice hold on." I sighed heavily as I leaned my head against the seat of the Volvo. "I told him that the answer to riddle was important because it could change someone's future. Just tell him I'm not as naive and unobservant as he might think."

"But Bella, why don't you just tell him what it is that he needs to do? This is tormenting him."

"If I told him what I wanted from him then he would instantly know what I was keeping from him. If I told him what I knew before he trusted me enough to tell me on his own, all of you might leave and never return." I hated hurting any of them like this. But I knew soulmate or not, if Edward wouldn't tell me to my face that he and his families were vampires then he didn't trust me to keep their secret as well. That realization stung at my heart. I was pulled from my thinking by three loud words.

"OH. MY. GOD! How did…"

"Alice please don't say anything to Edward, other then my message. Please, can I trust you to keep silent?"

"But Bella, how did you find out?" she was starting to panic now.

"Alice calm down. With or without the puzzle being solved by Edward, I'll explain how I know this weekend, if you still want me over."

"Of course we do! We have even more to talk about now."

"OK, I'll talk to you later than. Bye." I hung up and felt a little relieved. One way or the other, the truth will come out by this weekend.

I felt more depressed when I was awakened by the sun on Tuesday. It was only intensified when the sun continued to shine into Wednesday. I had never hated the sunshine until I met the Cullen's. Five days of not seeing Edward, I felt like I was going through withdrawals. Finally it was after school on Wednesday. I waited outside my house for Angela to appear, I wasn't about to borrow someone else's car for such a trip. She arrived shortly after picking up Jessica and we were on our way to Port Angeles.