Edit 4/10/15: Phew, I'm literally on an editing spree guys. Anyway, not much has changed in this chappie, minor dialogue details and other things, but you probably won't notice anything.

Happy Reading :)


Jessica drove pretty quickly (nothing compared to me though) and managed to avoid traffic so we managed to arrive in Port Angeles by four. Surprisingly, it was kind of nice to hang out with two other girls and inn traditional girl fashion, we listened to loud bubbly Pop songs and Jessica prattled on and on in extreme detail about her date with Mike so we go talk about it and analyze. I joined in (hey, I was still a girl!) and we made sure to go through every single word he had uttered. It seemed to have gone well (like expected) and like in the book, she was hoping to progress into the first-kiss stage by Saturday. I grinned to myself, happy that Mike had finally seen the light. He would be happy with Jessica, they suited each other perfectly.

Angela was pretty excited for the dance herself, though not as much about going with Eric. I knew why, she wanted to go with Ben, but of course Jess didn't know this and tried to wrangle out who her type was. Or more specifically, who she wanted to go with.

Let it not be said that Angela Weber is easily swayed.

I had been to Port Angeles before (when Ed-kun had ditched with me) but I had never really taken the time to appreciate its simple beauty. It was a nice little town, way bigger than Forks but not quite classified as a City itself. Its goal really was to attract tourists, and it's pretty boardwalk and strip assured that. Jessica and Angela knew it well though, so we didn't waste time and headed straight to the big (and only) department store in town.

I couldn't help wrinkling my nose when we entered though. I wasn't a snob or anything (even if most of my clothes came from really famous clothing lines) but I just wasn't really a fan of all these...'Commonplace' items. Most of the things were tacky and probably wouldn't last more than a year.

A thrift shop had better quality clothes than these.

The dance was considered semi-formal, and since I was the only one who actually knew what that meant (from years of dinner parties with the 'rents) I was in charge of leading them to the correct section. Both Jessica and Angela had been completely aware and envious that I had been going to things like these all my life and couldn't stop asking me questions. Though they never believed me when I told them that eventually, attending parties all your life got boring. Anyway, because of this, I had somehow gotten roped into getting the final call for which dress looked best on them.

"So, all those parties..."Jessica began suggestively, "Did you ever have a boy to go with or something? A boyfriend maybe?" She asked, wiggling her eyebrows. I rolled my eyes whilst helping her zip up a blue dress.

"No. I've never really mixed with other people. I'm more of a recluse." I answered, stepping back and smoothing down the dress. Jessica turned and gave me an expectant look, to which I shook my head and gestured for her to take it off.

"I thought so," Angela said from the other stall on our right. "Whenever you hang out with us –even though you hardly ever do- you're always really quiet." She finished.

"Yeah, I guess." I agreed with a half-hearted shrug. "Truthfully, until I came to Forks high, I was always a loner." I told them and it was true. Well that is until I met Lucianna.

"Gosh Noë! Didn't you ever get lonely or something?" Jessica asked, wriggling fiercely to get the front over her ample chest. I held in a laugh.

"Nah, I like being alone."

"Hey Noë, can you come zip this up for me please?" Angela asked and I gave Jess an apologetic look and went into the next stall.

"That looks good on you." I complimented when I walked in and saw her gazing into the mirror. It was a nice dress, a dark purple, slightly darker than the color of my own hair, thin straps, a few inches passed the knees and it hugged her slim figure in all the right places too...

"Really?" She asked unsurely, tugging at it and I nodded.

"So does this mean you'll ignore every guy who asks you out here?" Jessica asked and I sighed.

Not every guy...

"That's what I've been doing so far, so yeah." I replied, looking at the tag at Angela's dress and cringing. It was way past Angela's budget.

"You mean except for Tyler, right?" Angela asked, twirling to see all angles.

Oh right, the whole Prom thing...

I snorted. "Tyler's crazy. There is nothing going on between us."

"Tyler told everyone he's taking you to Prom." Jessica said when Angela and I came out after she took the dress off, finding the blond holding a pile of dresses on her right arm.

"No we're not. He's lying." I told them, still annoyed at the dark-skinned boy for spreading around false-rumours. Angela shot me a sympathetic look.

"Well, that's what he's telling everyone." She said with a shrug and I huffed.

"I told you it wasn't true. Noë's too cool do let a dweeb like Tyler take her." Jessica said, flipping her hair and dumping the unwanted articles in the baskets by the stalls, before walking towards another section.

"Why thank you Jess! I always knew you'd come to appreciate my pure awesomeness!" I said, draping and arm over her shoulder. Angela giggled.

"Well anyway, just be happy Lauren doesn't know. She'd slaughter you if it was true." Jessica said, picking up a long, strapless dark blue number and giving it a critical once over.

"That's why she doesn't like you, you know?" Angela pointed out, still clutching the purple dress.

She must have really loved it...and it looked really good on her too...

I suppose I'll buy it for her as a gift.

"She can have him. I'm not interested." I said shrugging.

"Try telling her that. She's convinced that you're trying to steal her from her clutches." Jessica said, going back into the stalls to try on the dress. Angela and I waited for her outside.

"I always knew that chick was delusional." Was my knowing reply and Angela gave me an exasperated look.

"You know Angela, that dress would look really good with some black heels." I pointed out casually, changing the subject. The black haired girl looked down dejectedly.

"Oh...I'm not buying it." She replied.

"Why not?" I asked, pretending to be oblivious. "It looks really good on you, really brings out your figure and does wonders for your legs." I told her and she blushed.

"It's too expensive. Way passed my budget." She answered staring at her feet and I gave her a smile.

"Oh, that's it?" I asked and she looked up, confused. "Then I'll buy it for you if that's the problem!" I offered and she shook her head frantically.

"No! That's alright, really Noë! Please don't!" She protested, but I could tell she was hoping I would ignore her, and that I did.

"Consider it done." I said finally and she gave me such a grateful smile it tugged at my heartstrings.

"Thanks." She said, before giving me a hug. I stiffened and awkwardly returned it.

"Sure." Then I turned to the stall, which had suspiciously gone silent.

"You alright in there Jess?" I asked curiously.

The curtains ruffled and out came a smug looking Jessica. I raised a brow.

"I've finally found it you guys! This,is the one!" She said, giving us a twirl. I had to admit, it looked good on her. The sweetheart neckline brought out her chest, though in a surprisingly non-whorish way and it hugged her in all the right places.

"You're right Jess. You should take it." I said, nodding and Angela mimicked me.

"She's right. You'll be sure to win Mike's heart." She said.

"Great! Let's go the accessories! Silver jewels would look really good with this!" She exclaimed before rushing into the stall to take it off. Soon after, we were in the accessories section, browsing through the numerous different options.

"I really like these..." Jessica said, holding up a pair of silver pumps. They weren't too high, high enough that the height difference would be noticeable, but low enough that it would take quite a bit of dancing for her feet to actually hurt. Practical, but nice.

"Those wouldlook good." I agreed, to which Angela nodded from across the row.

"Yeah, you should get them." The black haired girl said, holding up her on pair of black heeled shoes. Like Jessica's, they weren't too high, and I think Angela was still pretty happy about finding a partner that was tall enough for her to be able to wear heels. Jessica nodded, before putting them back inside the box, stuffing the paper in haphazardly.

"I think I'm going to get these...They would look great with the dress." Angela said, holding them out for us to see.

"Totally Ange, you should buy 'em." Jessica agreed immediately with a knowing nod of her head.

What was up with Jessica and the word 'Totally' today anyway?

I watched in silence as Angela nodded and boxed them up, before we moved off into our last section for jewellery. Jessica chose a nice silver necklace too complicated for me to describe, matching earrings and two similar bracelets. Angela on the other hand, managed to find a gold chain with a heart on the end, matching stud earrings and a simple, yet nice golden band.

I also found myself one of those packets of rubber bracelets in multiple bright colors. Thankfully, they didn't have any cheesy words like "Peace" or "Love" or something.

Soon after, we moved to the checkout station, and whilst they waited in the long ass line, I flicked through some gossip magazines.

Apparently, Brangelina had justgotten together. It was weird though, because they had been together for as longs as I could remember, had like ten thousand kids and were even about to get married in my time.

"Hey guys, I'll take these things to the car first so the second load will be easier." Angela said, gesturing to the pile of things in her hands, and the similar one in Jessica's.

We both nodded and muttered "M'kay"s at her and watched in silence as she disappeared outside the sliding doors.

Okay...what else was going on in the celebrity world? Keeping Up with the Kardashian's first season had come out...Pictures of the Golden Globes( nice dresses by the way)...What to wear this season (apparently it was all about spring colors) and a two-page interview with Nicole Kidman.

"Hey...Angela's taking a long time isn't she?" Jessica asked unsurely, starling me from where I was reading a very interesting paragraph about the Australian woman's life.

"Huh?" I asked, momentarily confused before it clicked. "Oh yeah, she is..." I had almost finished reading the whole thing and still she wasn't back. I shifted nervously.

"Have you paid for your stuff?" I asked, putting the magazine back in its row and looking at her expectantly. She nodded.

"Yeah, quite a while ago actually. Come on, let's go meet her." Jessica said, holding up three bags for me to see. I took one (I was feeling generous) and we made our way outside towards the white Mercury waiting a few meters from the store. Surprisingly, Angela wasn't there, though the things were inside and the car was unlocked. It meant she hadn't disappeared too long ago.

I was starting to get worried, there the only serial killer/rapist was currently roaming the town like he owned the place, and unlike me, Angela didn't know how to defend her self, nor a stalker to do it for her.

From the corner of my eye, I saw someone who vaguely resembled our AWAL friend turn a corner and I turned to Jessica frantically. I didn't want to miss her. "Jess, you have her number right? Try calling her and wait her until either she comes back. I'm going to look for her. I'll meet you at the little Italian restaurant in an hour." And before Jessica could protest, I jogged in the direction I thought I saw Angela move.

I turned quite a few corners, shoving my way through the hustle and bustle of the town's rush our time and at one point I found her. I had called her name and she looked up, but we got separated again because of the multiple throngs of people. By the time I had made it to where she was previously, she was gone.

"Ugh!" I grumbled angrily. Well, at least she was safe. Relatively.

I made my way down the street, took some turns which I thought would lead me back to the store and in general just tried to follow the flow of foot traffic whilst inwardly cursing my luck.

What the hell was this? A forced fate? Firstly, I had somehow managed to be Edward's singer (a one in a million chance might I add), and even though it might have positive pros in the future, it wasn't nice knowing that you could possibly be killed at any moment. Secondly, the whole Van incident. I didn't even want to get hit by the freakin' thing! I tried my best to avoid it and park far from its general direction, but somehow, some way, it managed to find me, even when I wasn't by my own goddamn car.And now this. I just prayed that a little good fortune would come my way and I would end up meeting Lonnie and his gang.

And then I looked up and found myself in a deserted construction district.

Nope, sorry, apparently Good Fortune is quite busy right now and can't return my call.

You know it's funny, because after quite a bit of thinking, just before we had arrived in Port Angeles I had realized that it would have been stupid to willinglyput myself in any kind of unnecessary danger just for some guy. Amazing guy he may be, but still a guy.Why would I willingly risk being raped and brutally murdered just to gain his attention? I already had it (hopefully) so I could've just tried another way. But now, here I was (unwillingly by the way), trying to think myself out of a potentially fatal situation. I couldn't rely on my knowledge that Edward would come save me. With my luck, it was wholely possibly that he had gotten stuck in traffic or something. I had my Judo skills, but those could only take you so far against a group of five or six men, who were all (as much as I hate to admit this) physically stronger than you.

Okay, I just had to chillax and think for a moment. If there were any stores nearby, I could just hide out it one until they passed or something. Yeah, that's what I would do.

I started walking faster, looking around for any place I could take refuge, but the only things I saw where empty store with "To Let" signs on the glass.

And also, it was at that moment, when a group of four men chose to walk past the corner, way to grimy and casual to be coming home from work.

Or maybe not, if I hadn't known better, I would have thought they worked at the closed garage a few meters down the street.

Oh, if only.

They weren't too many years older than myself, and weren't that bad looking either, so it made me wonder why they would all stoop so low as to actually force themselves on an unwilling female. Rape was despicable and something that could never be justified, and to think that there were some monsters in this world who practiced it, well it just made me hate the world more than normal.

They were laughing and joking loudly, as if they were purposely trying to draw my attention and it was in times like these, that I wished I had the Nara clan's ability to literally melt into the shadows if they so pleased. I moved to the side to let them pass, hoping against hope that by some chance they would just ignore me, and suddenly remembered how high the slits on my shirt were, showing my sides. My father had once told me jokingly that my prettiness would get me into trouble one day, I hadn't believed him at the time, thinking he was just being the ever adoring dad, but today, I'm seeing the truth in his words, even if he surely hadn't meant them in this context.

"Hey there!" One of them called, obviously talking to me, since no one else was around. Though I was secretly hoping that he was talking to the very interesting looking rock by his foot and pretended not to notice.

"Hey!" He called again, but I carried on walking, even when I heard the laughter behind me. I walked on silently, but inwardly my mind was racing.

I was being herded. What did one do when they were being herded and there was nowhere to escape? I couldn't run forwards, I couldn't run backwards, and all the shops had to be conveniently closed.

The sun was setting, and even in my panicked state mind, I managed to acknowledge that the different pinks and purples and blues looked really pretty. I chanced a look back, seeing that they were quite a ways behind me, but two of them had gone. They seemed to be in no hurry to catch up, and I knew exactly why they were being so casual.

As I turned another corner, I couldn't even hear their footsteps anymore.

Don't panic Arsinoë...

As the sky started to get darker, so did my thoughts and I started to get more paranoid, all rational thoughts flying out the window.

If I could run fast enough, I could probably make it to the intersection faster than the other guys and probably make my way to safety before they could intercept me. Yeah, that was a good plan.

With that plan in mind, I positively sprinted down the street, thanking the good lord that I was an above average athlete and had chosen to wear comfy and practical (but still nice) pumps.

I suppose though, in this scenario, the faster I ran, the faster my doom approached.

I quickly made my way down the street, turning corners and avoiding dead ends. I heard the vague sound of traffic and human activity quite near and just when I turned the last corner, all hope came crashing down and I skidded to a halt.

Yes Arsinoë, maybe today should have been the day you wrote your Will. Lucianna would have gotten almost everything, naturally, with a few stuff given to the family...Yeah, it would have worked out quite well. Mother could've received my diamond necklace she had loved so much.

The street was lined with by blank, doorless, windowless walls. I could see in the distance, two intersections away, streetlamps, cars and just more life in general. But of course, they were all much too far away. Because like expected, lounging against the western building halfway down the street, both watching with anticipating smiles as I stopped dead on the sidewalk.

And I was a hundred percent sure that the one staring straight into my eyes, with dark hair, was Lonnie.

Shit.

"There you are!" Lonnie's voice boomed but I didn't acknowledge it, instead bolting once more down the street, in hope to outrun them. The footsteps behind me were getting louder and faster.

"Yeah," another said from behind, startling me. "We took a little detour." It said and I was forced to stop now, or else I would literally be running into the arms of the other two men.

Okay then, I thought, watching Lonnie approach. Judo it was.

"Get away." I warned, voice hard. Lonnie smirked and I heard chuckles behind me. He walked closer, just in my line of reach.

"Aw, don't be like that sugar..." He said grinning perversely and just as he lifted his arms, years of being drilled mercilessly by the best teachers around, along with multiple Naruto episodes kicked in, and I promptly sidestepped the offending limbs and grabbed his left arm, prompting a surprised gasp, twisted it behind him and forced him onto his knees, arm around his neck and knee on his tail bone. And in one (albeit I must admit slightly cruel) move, broke his arm.

Thank you Nina.

He let out an agonized scream and I smirked before looking at his now veryhesitant looking cronies.

"If any of you, so much as twitch a muscle in my direction, I'll break his spine. If any of you, so much as make a move in my direction, I'll break his neck. Capiche?" I asked and they all remained silent. I purposely pulled on Lonnie's now useless arm again, his pained cry punctuating my previous statement. I wouldn't actually kill Lonnie, I didn't have the guts, but I wouldbreak his spine. And if taken to court, could justifiably claim self defense.

They remaining three looked at each other, each wondering what to do, whilst Lonnie was making pathetic sounds every time his arm so much as twitched. I took great comfort in them (heartless I may be) but it meant he wouldn't be fighting back anytime soon though.

I think though, the gods took pity on them because just as I was about to restate my threat, headlights suddenly flew around the corner, almost hitting the blond one, forcing him to jump onto the side walk.

Edward had arrived.

I quickly shoved Lonnie away (he let out another cry at that) and stepped back, watching the car and silently hoping (even though I knew it was impossible) that it wouldn't hit me.

The silver car unexpectedly (at least in their case) fish tailed around, skidding to a stop a few feet away from me, the passenger wide open.

Holy shit that was as cool ass move!

"Get in." A furious (but delightfully familiar) voice commanded me. Oh thank the Lord! I had been saved! I knew doing good deeds would pay off eventually.

"Now!" He yelled and I didn't think twice, just hopped in and closed the door faster than I thought possible.

It was dark in the car, no light had come on from the opening of the door, the only light coming from the dashboard and I could barely make out his features then, but it was him.And I was so relieved because if any of the other guys had decided to grow a brain and attack me with the other two, I wouldn't have stood a chance. I let out a relieved breath as he squealed the tires around to face North, accelerating too quickly and swerving towards the men on the street. Lonnie just barelymanaged to get away, cradling his broken arm. I felt a wave of satisfaction to know that I had at least managed to do that.

"Put on your seat belt." He commanded and I realized that I was clutching it tightly, probably from the shock and surprise. I took a deep breath to calm myself before doing as told and leaning back in the comfy leather.

He took a sharp left and blew through several stop signs without pause. I felt completely safe, knowing that nothing could happen while I was with him, and at that point, I was beyond the point of caring where we were going. I gazed at his face for a moment, utter relief flooding through me. Relieved because he had once again, managed to save me from certain doom.

I had never liked to play "Damsel in Distress" but right now, I wasn't complaining.

Though, the murderously angry look on his beautiful face made me frown. I knew what was going on through his head, how he was barely managing to restrain himself from going back and tearing them limb from limb...I felt bad, I never wanted to do this to him. Have him question his hard earned control...

"Edward, are you alright?" I asked hesitantly. It was a stupid question, obviously he wasn't, but I asked it anyway, because I didn't know what else I could say.

"No." It was curt. Final. His livid tone made me flinch and I sighed inwardly.

I sat in silence, not daring enough to say more, but disappointed that I didn't have the courage. Of course, I was being completely rational, only an idiot would push a furious Vampire, but I was still disappointed none the less.

I watched him from the corner of my eyes, frown getting deeper. His blazing eyes started straight ahead until we suddenly came to a stop, where he closed his eyes to compose himself. I glanced around and noticed we were no longer in town.

"Arsinoë?" His voice ward hard but controlled.

"Mhmm?" I answered, turning back to him.

"Are you alright?" His eyes were still closed, not looking at me, but the fury was evident on his face.

"Peachy." Was my casual reply. I think I just made him angrier though.

"Liar," he hissed, making me flinch. "Your heartbeat is all off." He stated and I chose not to ask how he would know such a thing. It wouldn't really be the besttime.

"I'm just a bit...surprised is all. Give me a moment and I'll be back to my usual wise ass self." I told him, staring at my hands in my lap. He remained silent and I performed some breathing exercises Nina had taught me. Honestly, I never really understood how Bella could be completely unaffected by such a...traumatic experience. It was weird, but then again, that girl had issues. Thinking about that made me calm down, and I took one last deep breath, before I nodded.

"Are you alright?" He asked again and I smiled at him.

"Yeah, I'm good." I answered confidently.

"Distract me please." He ordered. I blinked.

"Huh?" I heard what he said, and I knew he was going to it, but I wasn't exactly prepared.

He exhaled sharply.

"Just prattle on about something unimportant until I calm down." He clarified, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. I sighed and thought of something nice and lighthearted.

"I'm planning on buying your Mother soon. She and I have become great friends, you know." I started. I saw the corner of his mouth twitch and I considered it a victory.

"I heard." He replied, voice ten times more calm than it was before. I nodded and smiled, turning towards him.

"She's such a nice person Edward, really! And she's so sweet and is so young. I think you might find it weird that your Mother is currently my closest friend and when I think about it, it kind of is but I like her and she's awesome and great and is great at giving advice and not to mention makes the best everApple Crumble!" I gushed, remembering the taste. "My God! It's my favorite food and just when I thought it couldn't get any better, she comes along!" He chuckled at that and it encouraged me to continue.

"And the other day she came over and we had a little girl's night -you wouldn't be interested to know what we did, nails and the like-, that was the day she brought me the Apple Crumble actually..." I trailed off, remembering how much fun we had.

"I know, she came home and couldn't stop going on about how great you were. Alice and Rosalie were quite jealous when they saw her nails." He told me, a small smile on his face and I beamed.

Only for it to slip right off when he sighed and opened his eyes, glaring at the road ahead.

"Better?" I asked, though I knew the answer.

"Not really." He murmured, leaning his head against the back of the seat and staring at the ceiling. His face was rigid.

"Edward?" I asked questioningly.

"Sometimes, I have a problem with my temper, Arsinoë." He was whispering and as he stared out the window, his eyes narrowed into slits. I noticed they were quite dark.

"But it wouldn'tbe helpful for me to turn back and hunt down those..." He paused, not finding a word to describe them, "...At least," he continued, "That's what I'm trying to convince myself."

I didn't answer. If I did, I would only be encouraging him to do what he so tried to resist. And anyway, I knew that they would be dealt with later. I glanced at the time on the glowing clock on the dashboard. 6:45pm.

"Jessica and Angela have been waiting for me. They're going to be worried." I said in a soft voice, not wanting to break the silence.

Without a word, he started the engine, the low smooth purr surrounding us and turned around swiftly, speeding back into town. We were under the streetlights in no time at all, weaving with ease through all the cars driving down the boardwalk. He parallel-parked against the curb in a place that even I (with my excellent driving skills) had no chance of fitting into.

Show off.

I looked out the window to see the lights of La Bella Italia, and Jessica and Angela were at the door, heading out of it.

I didn't bother asking how he knew where to go, and instead silently stepped on the car when he held the door open for me, smiling.

I didn't ask either, when he fell into step beside me as I walked to meet Jessica and Angela.

"Go stop them before I have to track them down too. I don't think I could restrain myself if I met up with your...friends again." He sneered and I didn't need to be told twice.

"Jessica! Angela!" I yelled after them, waving when they turned. I saw the clear expressions of relief on their faces and they rushed towards me. Though, their faces turned surprised when they saw my companion. They hesitated a few feet away from us, but Angela stepped forward and gave me a hug. I awkwardly returned it.

"What happened? It's been more than an hour!" Jessica exclaimed, eyes full of suspicion as she looked at Edward and I shrugged.

"I got lost, then ran into this guy over here." I answered, pointing at Edward. He gave them a smile.

"Would it be alright if I joined you?" He asked in that polite, yet irresistible voice of his. I could see from the staggered expressions that he had never released his 'talents' upon them. And I wasn't talking about the mind reading.

I rolled my eyes.

"Er...Sure." Jessica breathed, but I had a feeling she had no idea what she was agreeing to. Luckily, Angela was a little more lucid and intervened.

"Actually Noë, we already ate while we were waiting." Psh, some friends you are. "Sorry." She confessed guiltily and I shrugged once more.

"S'alright. I wasn't hungry anyway." I told them, though Edward, ever protective Edward, disagreed.

"I think you should eat something." Edward's voice was low, full of authority and I raised a brow at him. He looked at Jessica, and spoke a bit louder. "Do you mind if I take Noë home tonight? That way, you won't have to wait while she eats." He said it as a proposition, but I knew it was anything but.

"Uh..." She bit her lip, looking at me trying to figure out if it was what I wanted or not. I shrugged again and smiled.

I suddenly in a very shruggy mood...

Shrugs for the world!

"Okay, it's no problem." She answered finally, and inwardly I was doing a victory dance.

"Okay." Angela agreed. "See you tomorrow Noë...Edward." She said, before taking Jessica's hand and literally dragging her away to the car. I stared and waved after them, amused at how Jessica literally craned her neck to see after and. I let out a soft laugh as she almost swerved onto the side walk. Then I turned back to Edward, hand on my hip and an amused smirk on my face.

"I'm honestly not hungry." I insisted, scrutinizing his face. His expression was unreadable.

"Humor me." He said lowly, opening the door to with an obstinate expression. I frown and entered. There was no fighting him tonight, not with that face.

The restaurant wasn't crowded, it was the off season in Port Angeles. I was suddenly reminded of the time when we had come to the town for Ice-cream.

The host was female and I understood the look in her eyes as she literally undressed him with them I coughed to hide an amused laugh and she ignored me, welcoming him with more warmth than needed. Ah, if only she knew what was going on through his head right now...

"Table for two?" His voice was alluring, and I think she had an orgasm on the spot. I know I would have. Her eyes flickered to me, sizing me up before instantly glaring. Unlike Bella was, apparently, I had been deemed enough competition for her to bare her claws. I gave her a bored look.

Edward kept between us as she led us to a table big enough for four right in the center of the room. I blatantly rolled my eyes.

Was she for real?

"Perhaps something a little more private?" He insisted quietly, and if I didn't know better, I wouldn't have seen him slip the crisp hundred Dollar bill in her pocket.

I tried to refrain from rolling my eyes again, they might have stayed that way with how hard I was doing it.

It was hard though.

"Sure." She sounded surprised and inwardly sighed. She turned and led us around a partition to a small ring of booths, all empty. "How's this?" She asked, eager to please.

"Perfect." He flashed her his winning smile, dazing her for a moment and this time, I couldn't fully hide the laugh.

She glared daggers at me before composing herself and blinking rapidly. "Your server will be right out." She said before walking away unsteadily. I picked up the menu, amused.

"You really shouldn't do that." I told him pointedly, shaking my head.

"Do what?" He asked, looking up at me innocent through his dark lashes.

"Dazzle people like that." I told him grinning. "She probably trying to restart her heart at this very moment. Kinda like the girl who works at the Ice-cream parlour."He seemed confused. It was surprising to see that he little of how he affected people.

"Don't look so surprised." I said. "You do it on purpose."

"I dazzle people?" He asked, head tilted and eyes alight with curious amusement. I nodded.

"Do I dazzle you?" He asked me and I shrugged nonchalantly.

"Always." I replied casually, making sure to say it as if it were no big deal. Edward smirked slightly but didn't say anything. I went back to perusing the menu.

Did I want a Fanta or a Sprite? Tonic was looking to though...

It was then that our server arrived, looking eager and expectant. Obviously she had been told about the tipping hottie who had come in with the pretty girl for a private seat.

I was pretty sure the hostess hadn't said pretty but eh, why fret the details.

She flipped a strand of black hair behind her ear and smiled with unnecessary warmth.

"Hello, my name is Amber and I'll be your server tonight. What can I get you to drink?" She asked, and much to my amusement, I didn't miss the way she completely ignored me and directed the question to my companion.

He however, did pay me attention.

"I'll have a Schweppes Tonic with a slice of lemon." I stated casually, ignoring the death glare she shot me.

"Make that two." Edward said, smiling lightly. She smiled back immediately and I raised a brow.

Subtle, dude...Real subtle.

"I'll be right back with that." She assured him before bustling off to get the drinks.

I watched her leave and briefly wondered if there was a crowd of giggling girls in the kitchen watching from the window, before I felt a firm gaze on me. I turned back and looked at Edward.

"What?" I asked, uncomfortable.

His eyes stayed on my face. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine." I answered coolly.

"You don't feel sick...dizzy...cold?"

"Do you want me to?" I asked, eyebrow raised suspiciously. He chuckled.

"Well, I'm actually waiting for you to go into shock." He said, face twisting into that heart stopping signature crooked smile of his. I "hmm"ed and let my eyes wander a bit, pretending to look for any traces of shock. After about a minute I shrugged and looked at him helplessly.

"Nope, sorry." I answered and he rolled his own eyes.

"All the same, I'd feel better if you had sugar and food in you." He told me, and right on cue, the waitress appeared, setting down the drinks and a bread basket.

"Are you ready to order?" She asked, voice so nasally she sounded like there was a plug in her nose.

"Arsinoë?" Edward looked past her and towards me and she turned unwillingly.

"Can I have the Lemon and Basil Orzotto?" I asked with a smile, at least trying to be nice.

Didn't work.

I don't think I've ever received such a dirty look just for speaking, lmfao.

"And you?" She asked turning towards Edward with a smile. She didn't write down my order, nor did I think she would remember it. I doubted it's what I would be getting.

"Nothing for me." He said. Of course.

"Let me know if you change your mind." Her coy smile was still in place, but he wasn't looking at her and she left in a huff.

"Drink." He ordered. I sipped obediently, relishing in the taste. I drank quickly, finishing the whole thing in one go.

He pushed the next one towards me.

"Thanks." I told him, still thirsty. Suddenly, the cold from the drink sent shivers down my spine and of course, he didn't miss them.

"Are you cold?" He asked worriedly.

"Not really." I answered, hoping he would pursue the topic.

I wanted that jacket.

"Don't you have a jacket?"

"Didn't need one." I said shrugging, before taking another sip. Not missing a beat, Edward shrugged off his own jacket immediately.

It was a dark brown leather jacket, obviously expensive and underneath, he wore a well fitter dark blue V-neck sweater. I noticed that he preferred dark colors. He handed it to me and I thanked him quietly and slipped it on. It was ice cold inside, like it hadn't been worn for days. Though it smelled divine and I unabashedly sniffed at it, holding the collar to my nose. It wasn't cologne.

He watched in silent amusement.

"You look wonderful by the way." He said, watching me intently, and I avoided his gaze by amusing myself with playing with the sleeves. I wasn't good with compliments. The jacket was big for me, and I had to repeatedly fold it back it I could actually see my hands, and several more times for me to use them.

Before I could reply though, he pushed the basket towards me.

"I'm not going into shock, really." I said, trying to reassure him. To no avail apparently.

"You should be. A normal person would be, you don't even look shaken." He seemed unsettled, and stared deeply into my eyes. They were light. Far lighter than I had ever seen them to be, a lovely honey-gold.

"I guess I'm not normal then." I paused, the sighed. "Fine. I was shaken." I confessed suddenly and his brows furrowed in concern.

"I was utterly terrified Edward. I didn't know what was going to happen, I didn't know what to do. No waywould I be able to fight off four physically stronger guys on my own. I was panicking on the inside." I admitted, looking down. "But I tried. I told myself that I would at least try and do something." I chuckled after this and he remained silent.

"I don't know, I guess maybe they were slower than the average man I suppose, but I at least managed to stall for time. I broke his arm and threatened to break his spine -I wouldhave had you not arrived. I wouldn't have killed him though. I could have never killed him." I said softly. Edward was still watching me, listening.

"You don't know how utterly relievedI was when you came to the rescue." I told him, looking up and meeting his gaze. "Because if you hadn't arrived...I-I don't know what would have happened."

It was surprisingly weird how easily he could get me to spill my guts.

"But now you're here, and even if you looked ready to commit murder yourself in the car, I felt safe. Calm. I still do actually." I finished. "So, to answer your question, I'm fine.Really. I wasn't before, but I've gotten over it and moved on."

He shook his head and his frown deepened. "This is more complicated than I'd planned." He mumbled to himself. I shrugged and picked up a bread stick, nibbling on it.

Welp, it's now or never Arsinoë.

"Usually, you're in a better mood when your eyes are so light." I stated. He looked up at me in surprise.

"What?"

"You're tenser -angrier when your eyes are black. I expect you to be cranky when they are. It helps gauge your moods. It reaffirms my theory." I told him.

His eyes narrowed. "More theories?"

"Yup." I answered casually, chewing on the stick in my hand.

"I hope you're more creative this time...or did you watch more National Geographic?" His tone was mocking, but I could tell it was too tight to be freely light-hearted. He was nervous.

He had every right to be.

"Har har." I replied, sticking out my tongue. "I came up with this one all by myself. Although, someone did affirm it."

"And?" He prompted but I wasn't given the chance to reply as the waitress reappeared with a steaming plate and set it in front of me. I moved back from where I was leaning close to Edward and stared down at it.

It didn't look poisoned or anything...In fact, it looked and smelled delicious.

But I had read enough mystery novels to know better. I think I'd double check it.

"Did you change your mind?" She asked, turning to Edward. "Isn't there anythingI could get you?" Just to make it clear, she wasn't talking about food.

"No, thank you, but some more Soda would be appreciated." He gestured with long elegant hands to the empty cups in front of me.

She looked at me like I was a glutton.

I raised my brow at her, challenging her to say anything.

She didn't.

"Sure." She sneered, removing the glass before strutting away back towards the kitchen, hips swaying unnecessary. I rolled my eyes and picked up my fork.

Lol.

I gave my food one last suspicious glance, before shrugging and turning pack to Edward.

"I'll tell you about it in the car, if-" He cut me off.

"There are conditions?" He raised an eyebrow, voice low and ominous.

"I do have a couple of questions, naturally."

"Naturally." The waitress was back with two more sodas. She set the down, glared and left without a word this time. I laughed softly and took a sip.

"Well, go ahead." He pushed, voice still tense. I looked down at my food and tried to remember the first question Bella had asked. Ah, yes.

"Why are you in Port Angeles?"

He looked down and folded his hands together on the table. His eyes flickered up to me from under his eye lashes. There was a slight smirk on his face before he simply uttered one word. "Next."

I raised a brow.

"It's the simplest one." I pointed out.

"Next." He repeated. A knowing smirk slowly inched onto my face, and he looked worried.

"Edward...You stalker you...You followed me here didn't you?" I asked, already knowing the answer. He squirmed and I twirled a forkful of pasta and ate some.

I levelled him with an amused stare as I ate, but he didn't look at me.

"Next." He said pointedly, finally and I chuckled.

"Fine, fine. Be that way dude." I said, before shaking my head. "Okay, let's say, hypotheticallyof course, that you could read minds." He stiffened. "With a few exceptions-"

"Just oneexception." He corrected before smirking "Hypothetically."

"Alright, one exception then." I agreed, a smile on my face. I was trying to be serious, but failing miserably. I cleared my throat and continued, ignoring his knowing look. "How would that work? How would you find someone who was in trouble? At the right moment." I asked.

"Hypothetically?" He asked grinning, I nodded. "Well, if I had been paying attention to the timing, I wouldn't have needed to be quite so exact." He rolled his eyes. "Only youwould get in trouble in a town this small. You would have devastated their crime rate statistics for a decade, you know." He informed me, amused.

"Hey, it's not like I tryto get myself into these things." I defended. In reality, if anyone was to blame, it would be Angela. Not that I held it against her, but it was the truth. The whole Van thing happened by her car and I prioritized her safety over mine hence the reason Edward had to save me. This time again, she had wandered off, and once more, concerned with her safety, and I had landed in a very sticky situation which could have been avoided had she not left. I wasn't angry with her, but it was a simple fact. Had she not frozen the day of the accident, we could have both made it out, and had she not wandered off, I wouldn't have to meet Lonnie.

"No, you don't." He agreed tiredly.

"How did you know?" I asked bluntly, eating another fork full of pasta and waiting for his response.

He seemed to be wavering, torn by his internal dilemma. I wondered if I could ever tell him I had known from the beginning.

"You can trust me, you know. Actually, I don't know why you don't by now..." I said softly. I poked his hands gently, it was a gesture I used to show my affection. He slid them back smoothly and I inwardly sighed, before eating some more pasta.

"I don't know if I have a choice anymore." His voice was so agonized, torn, barely a whisper and it made my heart clench.

Damn Noë, when did you become such a softie?

"I was wrong -you are much more observant than I gave you for." He stated, and I smirked.

"I thought you were always right?" I asked playfully.

"I used to be." He then shook his head. "I was also wrong about another thing. You're not a magnet for accidents -that's not a broad enough classification. You're a magnet for trouble.If there is anything dangerous in a ten mile radius, it will inevitably find you."

Okay, I agree about the trouble part, I always had the worst luck, but danger?Nothing remotely life threatening had ever happened to me, until I came to Forks that is. I didn't protest though.

"And you put yourself in that category, right?" I asked instead, my voice weary. Why, oh why did he have to be so self-deprecating?

"Unequivocally." He whispered and I sighed before reaching across the table and flicked his hand with a smile.

"You know, you've saved me twice now. I'd say I owe you but..." I could never return the favor "...Thank you." I said instead.

His face softened. "Let's not try for third, alright?" I stuck out my tongue at him and removed my hand to get another forkful in. He leaned forward to compensate. He took a deep breath and I gave him my immediate attention.

"I followed you to Port Angeles." He admitted, speaking in a rush. Inwardly I smirked triumphantly.

Hah! Stalker!

"I've never tried to keep a specific person alive before, and it's much more troublesome than I would have believed. But that is probably because it's you. Ordinary people seem to make it through the day without any catastrophes." I frowned.

"You're exaggerating. It's only happened twice, and before that the most dangerous that ever happened to me was when I got my ears pierced." I told him flippantly, slightly annoyed that he thought I was so...clumsy.

"The van wasn't the first time." He stated gravely. Now I was confused. "Your number was up the first day I met you."

Oh right...That day...

Suddenly I remembered his chilling black eyes glaring at me and I inwardly shivered.

"You remember?"

"Yes." I replied softly.

"And yet, here you sit." There was a tone of disbelief and I shrugged.

"And yet here I sit." Was all I said. He pressed his lips together, regarding me through narrowed eyes. He was thinking again. Then suddenly, his eyes flashed to my plate and back to me.

"You eat, I'll talk." He offered and I nodded, before having some more pasta, and a sip of my drink.

"It's harder than it should be - keeping track of you. Usually I can find someone very easily, once I've heard their mind before." He looked at me anxiously, but I did nothing except keep eating. It was weird. I knew most of what he would say already, and yet, it was completely different when you were the one experiencing it.

"I was keeping track of Jessica, not carefully though. Like I said, only you could find trouble in Port Angeles." I frowned at him. "At first, I didn't even notice when you had taken off on your own. And then I heard he frantic thoughts, worried about Angela and wondering where she could have gotten off too. Only when Angela came up to her did I realize you were not with them. I went off in the direction she told Angela you had gone but then you went south. I knew you would have to turn back soon, so I waited for you, randomly searching through the thoughts of people on the street, to see if anyone had noticed you." He chuckled a bit. "Quite a bit of people had noticed you, because of your hair-" at this I held a strand self-consciously. "-I had no reason to worry. None of the thoughts were threatening, just curious and surprised...but I was strangely anxious." He looked past me now, seeing things only he could, lost in his own recollection and merely speaking aloud unconsciously.

"I started to drive in circles, still listening. The sun was finally setting and I was about to get out and follow you on foot. And then-" he stopped, clenching his teeth together in fury. He made an effort to calm himself.

I didn't push him to continue, he did that on his own.

"I heard what they were thinking," he growled, his upper lip curling slight over his perfect -if a bit sharper than the average- teeth. "I saw your face in his mind." He suddenly leaned forward, one elbow appearing on the table, his hand on his eyes. The movement was so swift I didn't catch it, to me he was just suddenly in that position.

Dayum...

"It was very...hard -you can't imagine how hard it- for me to simply take you away, and leave them...alive. I gained a sick sort of satisfaction when you broke his arm, and I secretly wished you do the same to his neck. That way, I could've imagined it to be me in your place..." His voice was muffled by his arm, probably hoping that I couldn't hear or understand him.

"I could have let you go with Jessica and Angela, but I was afraid that if you left me alone I would go looking for them." He admitted in a whisper that had my heart clenching. I sat quietly, not moving, nor speaking. I played with the strand of my hair that had fallen out the bun.

Finally he looked up, his eyes seeking mine, full of his own questions which I asked myself how I would answer.

"Are you ready to go home?" He asked.

"Yeah." I answered simply. Though, I didn't want to say goodbye, even if we had the hour-long (twenty minutes with his driving) drive home.

The waitress appeared as if she had been summoned or something. She had probably been watching.

"How are we doing?" She asked Edward.

"We're ready for the check, thank you." His voice was quiet, rough. It still reflected the strain of our conversation and it seemed to confuse her. He looked up expectantly, not as patient as before.

"S-sure." She stammered. "Here ya' go." She pulled out a small leather bound book from the back of her apron and handed it to him. Edward didn't waste time, the bill had already been in his hand. I would have payed myself if I had been fast enough, but it would have been futile. I wasn't carrying any bills in my wallet.

"No change." He smiled at her as he stood. I followed after, though not as gracefully and he thanked her as she wished him a nice evening.

I suppressed a smile.

He walked beside me to the door, though apparently he didn't have the same qualms about touching me like he did with Bella, because his hand was on the small of my back, prompting me forward gently.

I wondered if he would take as long to kiss me...

Probably a million years.

Yeah, probably.

He opened the passenger door, holding it open for me as I stepped in and shut it softly once I was fully inside. I watched him walk around the car, amazed by his grace. Honestly, the book was nothing compared to real life.

Once inside the car, he started the engine and turned the heater on high. It had gotten very cold and I knew that the good weather was finally at an end. I was warm and comfy in his jacket, shamelessly breathing in his scent.

Edward pulled out through the traffic with a glance, flipping around to head toward the highway before giving me a pointed look.

"Now it's your turn."

Oh, my, how would I deal with this?


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