"Sweet blooded and I'm stranded
See if I can stand it
Drinkin' in the shallow water

Magnetic everything about you
You really got me now

You do it to me so well
Hypnotic takin' over me
Make me feel like someone else
You got me talkin' in my sleep
I don't wanna come back down
I don't wanna touch the ground
Pacific ocean dug so deep
Hypnotic takin' over me"

-Hypnotic by Zella Day

Bella's POV

Reading Edward's paper made me feel incompetent. Edward chose to write about Macbeth, which mostly focuses on the seven deadly sins. It appeared he knew a lot about sin himself because he broke down the story better than an English Professor.

Was this man even the age he claimed to be? Most of his words sounded very old-fashioned, and I almost needed a dictionary to know the meaning to them.

Being given the task to peer edit his paper was like telling a blind man to read-impossible. I didn't even know where to begin!

I wanted to just give him a stamp of approval for his college degree already. This stuff must be a cakewalk for him.

Instead of focusing on grammar and corrections, I decided to just write my opinions off to the side. It was saddening reading his thoughts about sin. He thought people shouldn't ever be forgiven for committing acts of evil-doing. His viewpoint on the characters was close-minded.

I dreaded going to class Wednesday because I was afraid to see what he corrected about my paper.

When I did show up for class, he was already sitting there, reading a book to himself. I recognized it as Metamorphoses by Apuleius, the book I took my story from in my paper. Of course the know-it-all needed to read about it firsthand.

I sat beside him and crossed my arms. I still was upset about what he said Monday. I don't like it when people try telling me what to do-especially when they don't know me.

Edward may be right about my disinterest, but that didn't mean Bryce was a bad guy. If anything, it was the other way around in our situation. I was the one lusting after a man I hardly knew while having a boyfriend.

Suddenly an angelic voice pulled me from my thoughts.

"Good morning." He greeted me, smiling.

"Morning." I said back, trying to sound disinterested.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked me, and I blushed remembering my dream about last night. It wasn't anything sexual this time, but I dreamt that Edward told me he loved me. It was utterly strange.

"I suppose so." I replied, trying to hide my face. "And you?" I asked him back.

"No, I was restless." His smile widened even more, and it appeared he was stifling back a laugh. I don't know why that was funny.

"So I see you liked the story I wrote about." I said, pointing to the book in his hands.

"Ah, yes. I was surprised you chose something so un-popular. I thought you would have chosen Jane Austen." He stated, raising a brow.

"Why not expand the horizon?" I shrugged. "I didn't want to write about a story like Macbeth-something everyone has already read." I joked playfully.

"Ouch, Bella. You didn't need to go straight for my heart." He said, holding his chest like he was wounded. I laughed, breaking down the wall I had built before.

"In all seriousness though, where did you learn to write like that?" I asked, curious.

He pursed his lips, thinking over my questions. "What do you mean?"

"Um, I don't know if you know this, but your writing excels the average undergrad's ability." I scoffed.

He chuckled, but shrugged, "We can't all be talented." He mused. I rolled my eyes.

"My adoptive mother Esme made me write a lot when I was a kid. She always pushed me further." He answered genuinely.

I guess it makes sense. I forgot that the Cullen's were adopted.

We were then interrupted by the Professor greeting the class. He told us hand back our papers so we could make our corrections for Friday.

My heart began to race as I pulled his out of my folder. Edward and I swapped back our papers and I was surprised at the lack of corrections he wrote on mine. I made a few small mistakes, but all I could stare at was his penmanship. It matched his style of writing on point.

"I'm close-minded?" Edward asked me, in a tone of disbelief. I resisted laughing because I forgot I wrote that on his paper.

"Listen, Hemingway" I joked "I had a hard time finding anything wrong with your paper. I had to put something down!"

Edward smiled and shook his head. "But you still wrote it down."

"Well, sorry! Your thoughts about sin were kinda depressing." I admitted to him.

"Yeah, I've heard that before." He laughed again.


Thursday came and I finally had time to do laundry and talk to my mom on the phone for hours. She seemed to be living the time of her life ever since Phil was signed to a baseball team a few years ago. I was so happy for her.

Angela had texted me how difficult her classes were already. I felt bad knowing there wasn't anything I could do to help her.

I hadn't heard form Jacob so I assumed he was busy with his mystery girl.

Bryce called me to already discuss our plans for the weekend. He sounded overly eager. He said some of his buddies were throwing a house party Friday and that we had to go. I felt guilty for my lack of involvement in our relationship so I unwillingly agreed.

Parties and I do not mix. The only people I had a fun time partying with were the kids down on the reservation. Angela had felt the same way because we were able to be ourselves without peer pressure getting in the way. Bryce's friend seemed like a different story.

I made the corrections to my paper I needed and felt a little better knowing Edward, the next William Shakespeare, approved of it. Hopefully the Professor would too.

I was a little angsty on Friday knowing I'd have to go to that party. The only thing that calmed my nerves was when I saw Edward's smile as I walked into class. I wasn't sure how the other girl weren't always attacking him. I noticed he got a lot of stares, but I myself could barely resist throwing myself at him.

I asked him what he was doing this weekend and he said he was undecided.

"Well, my boyfriend's friends are throwing a house party this weekend. Parties aren't normally my thing, but I agreed to go. You could come with us if you want." I let him know. The thought of Edward going to a party with Bryce and me made me laugh. Bryce would be pissed, but at least I would have someone to talk to. Bryce usually ignored me when his friends were around.

"As much as I would love to attend, I don't think I was really invited…" he trailed off. I sensed some discomfort when he said this.

"No, it's totally alright. They won't mind at all." I assured him.

"Bella, I'm pretty sure your boyfriend wouldn't want me going to a party with you guys." He said, looking amused by this.

I guess he was right, but I felt calmer at thought of him going with me.

"Well, I'll let you think about it, but" I paused to rip off a piece a paper to write my phone number down, "if you want to go, just text or call me." I told him as I handed him the paper.

I saw his face light up as I did this. He smile was the widest I've ever seen it.

"Of course." Edward said, delicately folding the paper and putting it in his pocket.


Edward never called or texted me about the party before we left. I was a little disappointed because I was sure he'd change his mind. Now I'd have to face it all alone.

The party was ok at first. Bryce towed me along; never introducing me to the people we met. I almost felt invisible, except his annoying arm was always around me. I wasn't a trophy.

All the kids drank enormous amounts of alcohol, as if they never would again. One of Bryce's friends handed me a mixed drink. I looked down into the red solo cup, taking a whiff, and I couldn't help not hiding the disgust on my face.

Jacob, aka Mr. bad influence, had me drink with him before down on the reservation. I got sick and threw up everywhere. I pledged to never drink alcohol again. So for the rest of the night, I would take little sips here and there, while "going to bathroom" a lot and dumping the rest of the drink down the sink. Bryce seemed pleased whenever my drink was empty.

I wondered what Edward was doing at this very moment. I was an idiot because I left my phone at home so I hoped he didn't try contacting me.

None of the people here enticed me as much as Edward. I wished I were hanging out with him instead. I shouldn't be feeling that way, but I couldn't help it. As the night dragged on, Bryce and his buddies were getting more rowdy and stupid. They played endless games of beer pong as I sat and watched. Luckily no one asked me to play.

"Why does Bella look annoyed all of the time?" the friend asked rudely, nudging Bryce. I tried concealing my anger.

"I don't know. Babe, why do you?" he said looking at me with a glossy stare. I felt very uncomfortable. Everyone's eyes were on me.

"I need to take a step outside…" I mentioned quietly as I was finally freed from Bryce's grasp. My breathing remained jagged.

I heard one of them mutter, "Probably because Bryce and her have never done anything!" they all laughed. I wanted to punch them in the face.

As I stepped outside, I realized people were actually smoking, so I knew it would make it worse. I went back inside and tried to find a room unoccupied for me to relax. I walked down the hallway and eventually found my place of serenity.

It looked like guest bedroom, but there was a bookshelf with a few classics on it. I instantly grabbed a Jane Austen novel. Not even ten minutes later, someone burst through the door.

"There you are baby!" Bryce shouted at me, making me feel fearful. I didn't understand why I suddenly felt grossed out by him. I started dating him because he seemed like a good person…but now, not so much. He didn't act like a gentleman.

"I knew you were thinking the same thing…" he slurred as he locked the door and began to climb on the bed over me, knocking my book to the ground. I tried pushing him off, but he began forcibly kissing me, his breath smelling like liquor. He was hurting me since all of his body weight leaned on me. He tried slipping a hand under my shirt, but I kicked into him, making him fall back.

"Goddamnit, Bella. Why do you have to be such a fucking prude…" he yelled at me. "We've been dating for a few months now and we haven't even French kissed. A man has needs, baby." He slurred again.

This was not the same guy I met before. He was totally different, influenced by alcohol. I grew more fearful when I realized I had left my cell phone at home. Damnit.

"You're drunk." I stated, trying to push him off as he crept over me again. I had nothing to defend myself.

"No I'm not. I barely drank anything…" he tried convincing me.

I almost started hyperventilating when he began undoing his belt.

"No!" I screamed, trying to get away. But he grabbed my wrist and held me back. His pants were pulled down, him being only in his boxers. His legs were resting on mine now, making them impossible to move as well. My screams would never be heard over the loud music where the party was. I couldn't believe this was happening. I couldn't believe Bryce was this kind of person. I should have listened to Edward.

"Please! Stop it Bryce!" I yelled again, as he pulled down my pants to my knees, revealing my underwear. I thrashed and thrashed.

"Come on baby, you know you want to…"

Suddenly I heard a loud crash in the house; then someone tried opening the door. The knob wiggled profusely. Bryce froze when a hand punched through the door effortlessly and unlocked the door. I felt so relieved to see his face.

Edward Cullen didn't even hesitate to throw Bryce off the bed and into the wall. The dry wall broke as his body morphed into it.

"What the fuck!" Bryce yelled.

"Don't you EVER lay a hand on Bella again or I will kill you, you vile piece of shit." Edward spat. I had never seen him so angry. It almost seemed like his entire body was shaking.

I was still breathing heavily as Edward made eye contact with me, as I sat frozen in fear. His pitch black eyes bore in mine. My pants were still down as Edward came to my side.

"Bella please put your pants back on." He said with his teeth clenched. I was in shock though and everything felt strange. I couldn't move as quickly to Edward's taste, so he beat me to it. He helped me stand up as he quickly pulled my pants up, buttoning them, never breaking eye contact with me; a true gentleman.

Bryce was rubbing his head and then he suddenly threw up everywhere. I didn't know whether to get help for him or not. I had a feeling Edward wouldn't let me.

"Let's go." He muttered as he led me out the door, grabbing my hand.

Edward Cullen was definitely something else.

When I got into his car, I didn't expect to be bombarded with his heavenly smell. It made me dizzy. I noted how much a gentleman he was when he ran ahead of me just to open the car door.

Edward closed my car door for me and got into the other side. I started to shiver when I realized I didn't have a coat with me. He didn't hesitate to slip off his large jacket and hand it to me. "Put this on." He instructed as he turned up the heat.

I didn't want to ruin his fancy coat, but I put the coat on anyways. His jacket smelled even better than the car. Edward didn't look at me as we sped off. His expression still seemed to be angry.

Looking at the window, I didn't realize how fast we were going. Everything was a blur. The speed dial neared 100.

"Maybe you should slow down…" I suggested, not having the slightest clue where we were going.

"I always drive this fast." He stated blankly, as if it was totally normal.

"Ok, well where are we headed?" I questioned him. His pursed lips suddenly turned into a half smile.

"We're going to a place where I like to relax." Was all he told me.

Great.

I didn't say anything after that. He didn't seem like he wanted to talk to me.

When we finally pulled into a parking lot, I realized where we were. It was the park beside the waterfront. He opened the door for me again, as he led me to a bench right next to the water. I wasn't aware of the time, but I figured it was pretty late if no was walking around.

It was a beautiful night. The moon was full and stars were shining brighter than ever. The ocean breeze wasn't too chilling, as I smelled the salty air.

We sat on the bench in silence. Edward's coat started to feel heavier every second he didn't speak.

I looked at his beautiful face, glowing in the moonlight. It almost seemed to be luminescent. He really was the most perfect man.

"I should have listened to you…" I said, breaking the silence.

Edward's eyes winced slightly. He was starring out at the ocean. I could tell the tension began to subdue from the relaxing environment.

"You didn't know any better. Don't worry about. I'm just glad I was there to save you."

I was glad he was there too.

"How could I be so stupid though?" I asked him. "I actually thought Bryce was a good person."

He turned towards me and shook his head. "Bella, he has a lot of people fooled. You aren't stupid." He assured me.

I wanted to badly touch his face or at least be closer to him. My body was practically vibrating at the thought. I scooted closer to him and rested my head on his shoulder. His body stiffened, but then he sighed.

"How did you know where to find me?" I asked him, suddenly wondering.

"Well, when you didn't text me back, I got worried." He told me. I breathed in his scent, making me relax more.

"I'm sorry about that. I left my phone at home." I responded, wanting to hit myself because he had actually texted me.

The waves splashed before us, and I felt the salty water droplets lightly come in contact with my face.

I didn't feel like questioning him anymore. I was exhausted and just decided to be not interrogate him for once. I was just grateful for his rescue.

"Can you tell me something?" Edward asked me. I felt my heart begin to race, but then I felt his cold hand grasp mine. His touch sent shivers down my spine.

"Depends." I replied, a little shakily.

I lifted my head from his shoulder and looked into his golden eyes. He actually looked nervous himself.

His licked his lips, and paused before he spoke. "Tell me. Do I hold your interest?"

He phrased it weirdly, but I guess that was his way of asking me if I liked him. I bit my lip and nodded. "Maybe a bit too much." I confessed.

"Really?" he asked me, as if it was shocking news. Probably anyone could tell I was obsessed with him.

"Um have you seen yourself, Edward? You read literature for fun, you're a gentleman, and you're kind of perfect. I'd say it's pretty hard not to be interested by you." I let him know. "And don't even get me started on your dazzling effect."

He lifted a brow. "My dazzling effect?" he questioned.

As if he didn't know!

"It's like you hypnotize me when I look into your eyes. I can't explain it." I responded back, chuckling to myself at how ridiculous I sounded.

Edward half-smiled as he shook his head.

Without thinking, I placed my hand on his cheek and his eyes lit up, golden orbs glistening in the moonlight. I didn't have that much experience with intimacy, since I avoided it with Bryce before, but I wanted to be close with Edward.

He froze, not moving. His eyes looked panicked. I leaned in a little, and swiftly kissed him on the cheek. His cold cheek wasn't a problem due to the electricity soaring threw me whenever we touched. If anything, his skin was more inviting.

"Thank you." I breathed.

Edward's expression was unpredictable. He seemed filled with joy, yet in pain.

After a while, he swallowed and said, "Of course."


Yay for another chapter! The next one should be good. Sorry it took me so long to post. I got sick earlier in my gender studies class because we were watching a documentary on women who were sterilized without consent in 1971, but they ended up showing the surgical procedure performed on someone in the video. The entire idea of it all made me dizzy and I felt faint for the rest of the day. Thank god Bryce is out of the picture! Time for the good stuff. Please review!