-1As I got out the car I still couldn't believe I had agreed to this; A date under observation.
Edward and I hardly ever went on dates, not proper dates. We had kinda skipped that stage when he repeated saved my life as vampires attacked me left right and centre.
And what made it even worse was the fact that I had seen Bandara's cold staring eyes looking directly at me each time I had glanced in the rear view mirror.
I was starting to associate Edward with the smell of garlic, which I was not enjoying. Bandara had sat with us all week, which had attracted more than a few quizzical looks. However his attitude to me in Calculus if anything had gotten colder, as if he saw me as a selling out to the enemy.
Edward had chosen a restaurant in Forks because I had point blank refused to go anywhere further, technically I was at Angela's for a girly night in, well as far as Charlie was concerned.
He had become really concerned with where I was every second of the day, even turning up at school one afternoon for a "surprise visit".
Edward had also observed that there was often a patrol car parked across from the entrance to the drive leading to the Cullen's house, however he refused to tell me what Charlie was thinking, but continued to warn me to not bring the topic up with him again.
As I walked towards the restaurant entrance I could see the evening stretching out in front of me.
Edward, ever the gentleman, held the door open for me and I shuffled through the doorway. He never failed to embarrass me.
We sat right by the window, while Bandara sat on the other side of the restaurant, where he could observe Edward over my shoulder. I didn't like him boring holes in the back of my neck.
"Bella, just relax. He can't even hear us from all the way over there." Edward soothed as I dropped my napkin for the third time. "Imagine we are just on a normal date."
"When have we ever had a normal date" I replied a little to aggressively. "The last actual date I can think of you carried me through the forest at a super speed. If this was a normal date I would be expecting a bloodthirsty tracker vampire to jump out of the shadows. I can deal with that. But being watched…ergh."
"Oh come on, we have had some normalish dates" laughed Edward, his eyes twinkling irresistibly. "Anyway I like you under pressure your cheeks go so red…"
And he lent over to kiss me. A light tender kiss, strictly lips as always, but enough to remind me why I wouldn't mind being on a date with him, whatever the situation.
From then onwards I relaxed a bit and by dessert I had completely forgotten that Buffy the Vampire Slayer was sat across the restaurant watching our every move.
However when Edward went to pay I was brought back down to reality as the bemused head waiter came over to tell us that the "blonde man in the corner" had already paid for our meal.
Bandara could never fail to be freaky.
We walked to Edward's car, arm in arm and got in. Bandara got in the back and, before the awkward silence could fill up all possible space in the suddenly very hot and stuffy car, wiped out a notebook which he obviously been writing notes about us on.
"Edward I noticed that you also ordered food," Bandara said without any warning, "although it would not be considered regular vampire diet. Why was that?"
"Well I didn't want Bella to feel uncomfortable in my presence and also it would look odd to the other humans in the restaurant." Answered Edward monotonously.
"Interesting. Also…."
I sank back into oblivion. I had learnt to tune these interviews out. I hated hearing Edward discussing his relationship with my supposed Calculus teacher, especially when he explained his motives for acting in a certain way. I much preferred the spontaneity.
Finally I yawned loud enough for Edward to hear me.
"Oh sorry Bella." Edward said, "I sometimes completely your not vampire."
"Would you say that your forgetting could ever lead to you hurting Bella again?" said a cool voice from the back.
The temperature dropped so suddenly that I thought I had be dunked into coldwater.
After the longest two seconds of my life Edward put the car into gear and drove off, reaching the traffic lights before I even had a chance to put my seat belt on.
Edward dropped me just round the corner from my house, and got out to say good by without prying ears, although prying eyes followed my progress round the car and into Edward's arms.
"Don't listen to him Edward." I pleaded in his ear, as Edward wrapped his arms round me even more tentatively than usual. "Remember what Jasper said. The VMC see vampires as a threat to human society, but you are no normal vampire. Please come tonight."
I kissed him lightly on his ear before pulling way and running up the road.
When I turned round I could see Bandara was already re-sinking his talons into Edward's self-confidence.
I would have to do something soon, otherwise I might loose Edward.
Forever.
