Alright. Sorry for the delay. Friday I spent the day cleaning for my aunt and uncle's visit, and my weekend was spent with them. I had a lot of fun, but now I'm back. D Plus, the chapter is INSANELY long by my standards, so a reward for your endurance.

This chapter is set a couple days after Bella's first day of high school.

Another note: I actually did experience a discussion like this in English (except for going out with my vampire husband. :P) And as a final, we had to watch V for Vendetta and figure out who the dystopian protagonist and mentor were.

Okay. That's it. I own nothing.

Chapter Ten – Interests

"For the last fifteen minutes of class, I want you all to discuss in small groups the last page in your dystopian packets, particularly about the end of the movie and its overall themes."

My English teacher began rattling off names, already assigned to groups. I focused less on the droning of Mrs. Jackson, and more on my internal discussion with Edward. Something far more interesting than classmates' names reiterated over and over.

"Jessica, Chris, Edward and Bella." Mrs. Jackson finally read aloud. I had already known my group members, picking them up casually from the teacher's mind. Edward smiled as I wandered towards him. I dreaded dealing with Chris, but Edward was my incentive. My reward. I would bear Chris grudgingly.

Jessica, however, was absolutely elated to be put in a group with Edward. Just the thought of being in close proximity with him both terrified and overjoyed her. And it made me laugh to hear her say how intimidated she was of me. As if my "beauty" was some overshadowing force in this school.

We all assembled our ancient metal and wood desks into a makeshift circle. We all exchanged faint greetings, uncomfortable already.

"So...dystopia. How screwed up the world could be. That's a cheery subject to talk about before lunch." He said awkwardly, getting a few chuckles out of Jessica and Chris. But unwieldy silence promptly returned. Edward rested his hand on my desk, turning all his attention towards me. Both Chris and Jessica watched intently. "Are we going out for pizza today or tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow." I replied with a smile. "I'm not real hungry today."

"Sounds good to me." His breath blew in my face gently, sending me into a tizzy. We just stared at each other, much longer than friends would gaze.

Chris cleared his throat. He must've picked up the hints. "I'm thinking that the protagonist is actually Evey, though V would be her...mentor."

"Where did you go to school?" Jessica asked suddenly, and even if I couldn't hear her thoughts chanting Edward's name repetitively, I would've known who the true subject of her question. The way she was gawking Edward was not very inconspicuous.

"Alaska." He answered quickly. Short and sweet.

"This scenario in London would probably be a governmental dystopia, not a technological..." Chris fought to keep us on topic, but it was a futile undertaking.

She bit her bottom lip. "Huh. Bella, aren't you from Alaska too?"

I nodded, knowing exactly what she was trying to ascertain. "We went to the same school, actually."

"So you guys are friends?" She tapped one finger on her desk, her blue eyes overflowing with hope. Chris watched silently, also eager for the answer to this. His affections had, unfortunately, not changed since his unfortunate incident with Emmett. And he still saw Edward as an impediment on his road to wooing me.

Both Edward and I glanced at each other knowingly. If we were to divulge the real truth—that we were married vampires—we would have a bigger problem than two disgruntled followers. Now was the time: confess or continue the illusion a little longer.

Before either one could answer... "Are you busy tonight?" She leaned onto the very edge of her desk, her eyes sparkling with hope. Her pulse raced erratically, looking at Edward, so obsessed already. "I was thinking maybe we could get coffee or something."

He smiled, very politely. "Jessica, you are very kind, but I'm afraid I've got a girlfriend." His hand twitched towards mine, a very restrained hint. "And she would get insanely jealous if I were to get coffee with you.

I shot him one angry look at him for his uncalled for jab, and focused back onto the glum junior.

Jessica's stomach dropped, and her fusion of resentment and nausea overpowered me. The entire time she had been hoping that I was like a sister or something, but the minute he said the word girlfriend, both she and Chris knew he meant me. I, however, felt relief. I did not have to pretend to be a friend in school with him anymore.

"No, that's cool. Whatever." Her eyes averted to the packet, the queasiness fortifying with each second. Soon, her voice dropped to a depleted whimper. "So...dystopia..."

Like absolute salvation, the bell rang. We all scrambled to gather our books and get out the door. We had managed to step in front of Jessica and Chris at the same time. Edward looked at me deviously, and wrapped one arm around my shoulder. Defending his territory. Nice. Just in case she didn't catch our subtle hints earlier, she was sure to know now.

Her envy and his fuming anger came off them like steam.

I looked at Edward once both our followers had dispersed into the hallway. That was a little excessive.

He smiled eagerly. I just can't keep my hands off of you, Mrs. Cullen. He knew how much I enjoyed hearing him call me that.

"I'm sorry." He said out loud, the tip of his nose grazing the side of my neck. "I know how jealous you get."

"It's only fair you get your share of admirers. I'd hate for your ego to deflate due to lack of attention."

Once again, he smiled that delicious grin. "Your attention..." He brushed my russet brown hair away from my shoulder, his hand grazing my skin enchantingly. "...is the only attention I will ever crave."

I rolled my eyes, and continued walking towards our next class. Biology. "So, I have a question for you. About tonight, I mean." I paused out of habit, and he looked eager for the question. "Your place or mine?"

He laughed voraciously. "Yours. Esme is having some stuffy cocktail party with some of the hospital staff."

I was hoping he wouldn't say that. "That won't work. Emmett hooked up Rock Band this morning." That didn't seem to bemuse him at all. "He's threatening to make you drummer and me the singer. Would you subject me to that?"

Shaking his head furiously, his topaz eyes lit up with some scheme. "Don't worry—I've got an idea."

Usually, Edward loved speed. Motion. Whether it was racing through a clearing, driving his abnormally fast cars, or whatever—he loved progressing at a rapid pace. Usually slothfulness irritated him.

But perched up on a treetop, wrapped around me, looking up at the stars. That did not bother him one bit.

The night was silent, clear skies. Crickets chirped off quietly in the distance, a gentle breeze tousling his bronze hair delicately. We had returned from our hunting trip completely satisfied. Desperate for something to do, I suggested we sit outside. Stars were sprinkled all across the night sky, and it had been too long since I'd appreciated them.

Since we were together, Edward had nothing to complain about. For hours, we just sat. Sometimes we'd talk about something mundane, like movies or school or family. Sometimes we'd just say nothing. Relish the silence in each other's arms. The weather was absolutely breathtaking, and I was absolutely in heaven.

After a while, around three in the morning, he pulled his trusty white Ipod out of his jean pocket, trying to be discreet. As if I weren't watching.

"You brought your IPod?" My voice cracked from shock. He nodded earnestly, putting one headphone in his ear.

"Everybody needs a little night music." He said with a jagged grin. It sounded like I was offended—was I really that unexciting that he needed music as a source of entertainment. He clarified instantly. "I think perfect moments need a good soundtrack." The device lit up, providing soft glow in the darkness.

"What are you listening to?" I asked cautiously.

His eyes lit up, sparkling gold in the night. "Something kind of old."

As if that would discourage me. I snatched the other headphone before he could persuade me otherwise. He drew me closer, our bodies firmly pressed together. The piano and guitar melted perfectly together. This was the ideal soundtrack to perfection.

Edward's hand trailed along my arm absentmindedly, occasionally tapping along to the beat. Emmett and Rosalie's voices slowly obscured, leaving me serenity with my husband. My beautiful, perfect, sincere, loving husband.

He started humming along with the song, soft at first, growing louder as it progressed. Eventually it became a full out serenade.

"I can't do a love song like the way it's meant to be. I can't do everything, but I'd do anything for you." He smiled, stroking my hair gently. His voice moved from a lurid song to a soft whisper. "I can't do anything except be in love with you."

His singing stopped as he kissed me tenderly, not the frantic ones he enjoyed since my change. No, he was gentle—moving slowly, valuing each second, memorizing each taste. The song progressed, but he made no attempts to stop savoring to return to his singing.

Eventually, his lips moved to my cheek, along the base of my neck, his nose nestling my jaw line. He found a comfortable spot, resting his cheek parallel with mine. His soft breathing placated me, but I found my thoughts wandering. My pessimism crept up on me again like a dark cloud.

Rather than having him pick it up from my thoughts, I decided to start the conversation now.

"How much longer do you think this will last?" I asked timidly. He looked at me, utterly confused, seeking clarification. "This. Everything being so perfect. My luck is bound to run out one of these days. What are we going to do when everything..."

He stopped me right there. "Please don't worry." He clicked the music off, yanking the headphones, and replacing them in his pocket. "I promised that I wasn't going to let anything bad happen to you, and I won't." He sighed, the reality of things settling in his mind. "If something happens, we'll deal with it then. But is there any massive crisis happening right now?"

I shook my head.

"Then let's not lose any sleep yet." He said sheepishly. I playfully slapped his shoulder, still causing almost no more damage than I had as a human. "Do you promise not to worry any more tonight, about any imminent threats pending, even if they are completely imagined?"

I sat silently, unable to speak.

"I have you all to myself." He kissed the bridge of my nose, still stroking my hair. "And I want to spend it with just you."

"Okay." I agreed. "No more depressing talk of crisis."

He grinned happily. My eyes wandered unintentionally towards my room.

Edward interpreted this as a desire to go indoors. "Do you want to go back inside?"

"No." I said wistfully, looking into his golden eyes again. "I like it out here."

He looked back up at the stars, still holding me close in his arms. "As you wish."

Even with Edward's longing for motion, neither of us budged for the rest of the night.

Is Bella totally crazy? Is there something bad coming? Review and I'll post, and you will find out! (btw WOW! You all are amazing.)