AN: And it's going to be LONG, but you're used to that. First off, thanks for the reviews and for the excitement over the lexicon. I hope everyone will enjoy it!
Secondly, this is a HUGE chapter and that's simply because I couldn't find a decent place to stop it. It's ALL from Twilight, so no bashing me for stealing from the book. I have permission. Hehe…
Since it's going to come out when you see the lexicon, I have spoken to Stephenie on the phone, and she is delightful! I adore her! We spoke for over an hour and NOTHING was about Twilight. Can you imagine? We did eventually get there, but a lot of it was rehashing with me going all fangirl on her and her teasing me with comments like, "Well, when you read New Moon, you'll know the answer to that." AGH! Can I pull out my hair now?
So yes, I have her total permission to be doing this. I'm stunned really, if you want the truth. She was even so kind as to send me the typed text of a few bits of scenes so I would have to type it all out myself. How sweet is that? If ever I get to meet her, and it looks like I will in November, I'll be sure to give her a big ol' THANK YOU gift!
Many thanks to Red Devil and Imogen for the beta.
Oh and, your lexicon information for the day is…
How about you just go and look at it for yourself. It's at www . twilightlexicon . com
But still read and review my chapter!
CHAPTER NINE
I adore my Volvo. It's a beautiful piece of machinery. Normally, I used my car as a place and means of escape. All alone inside a locked car, I could speed down a stretch of highway and feel almost normal with no voices inside of my head and no thirst for blood over powering my senses. In situations like this one now, it being the middle of the school day when I couldn't very well drive away with any surety of making it back in time for my next dull and pointless lesson, I would sit in the vehicle with my eyes closed and music blaring, drowning out any and all distractions. After living eight decades with constant chatter in my head, it was a relief to be able to tune it out every now and then.
Yet today, the solace I sought for in the closed confines of my car eluded me. My mind kept wondering over the conversation I just had with Bella. How deep her eyes were when she let me look into them without shying away. How beautifully her face colored under my gaze. How her pulse would quicken at the most unusual times. I could go insane trying to figure out the inner workings of her mind. It baffled me to no end how easily she could distract me and change topics. I never knew what to say next to her, and I was an expert at always saying the right thing. I was an expert at saying the exact thing someone wanted or needed to hear. After all, that was part of my gift.
With Bella, however, I always seemed to say the wrong things. When I thought I was being polite, she interpreted my words with an attack. If I thought I was being complimentary, she took it as being critical. I was beginning to think I would never win her over. And yet, maybe that was the point – that I wasn't supposed to win her over. I was dangerous to her - more dangerous than a van skidding on ice – more dangerous than whatever it was Alice saw in that dark, creepy alley. No one could hurt her the way I could – and at the same time, no one would ever love her as much as I did.
It was an irresolvable paradox.
I extended my arms backwards over my head, taking in the calming effect of stretching out the matured muscles in my back and shoulders. I wasn't tired, but I could feel the stress of the day wearing on my body. The fluid strains of Debussy flowed around me as I tried to relax and just be patient for classes to end. Classical music always calmed me – a fitting testament to the old adage of how music soothed the savage beast.
But my mind wasn't cooperating with the atmosphere I was trying to create. I was too focused and preoccupied with Bella to fully relax. I wanted to see her again, but I doubted if I should approach her so soon after the blood testing. A small pick on her finger was nothing in the grand scheme of things, and yet it was everything. It would be easier to smell her scent with an open wound, no matter how small, which was sure to make the temptation irresistible. Even the idea of her blood clotting under the gauze of a band aide sent my thoughts to a place they shouldn't go.
Even if the blood wouldn't prove to be a problem, I would still have to convince her that I wanted to attempt a friendship. Friend. It was laughable that she defined our potential relationship with such an ordinary and nondescript word like 'friend.' It could be so much more if I could maintain any control over the monster within me. I was breathless at the possibilities.
I opened my eyes and took in my surroundings, reaching out with my mind to find Bella, or rather the void where she should be. Against my better judgment, I sought out Mike Newton's inane mind, for he was certain to be thinking about Bella. He was almost as obsessed with her as I was. Almost. To my utter surprise, I saw him coming out of the building before I heard him, and Bella was next to him.
She really looks bad. Perfect time to offer some comfort.
Oh, she doesn't want me to touch her, I guess. I've never seen someone react to blood like that.
I was out of my car in the next second. Bella had dropped to the ground, pale and nearly lifeless. My breath hitched in sudden and indescribable fear. What the devil had Mike Newton done to her?
She's going to get all dirty on the ground. And man, look at the color of her skin. I've never seen anyone that color.
"Wow, you're green, Bella," I heard him say as I ran up to them, careful not to run too fast to be suspicious.
"Bella?" I called, and instantly I heard the internal groan come from Mike. I ignored him. I didn't have time to deal with his dislike of me. My only concern was Bella.
"What's wrong - is she hurt?" I didn't smell any blood, thank the stars, but her skin was much too pale and her pulse was too greatly accelerated for my liking. Mike was right, she did look green. Only the dead had skin that color – a fact I knew very well.
"I think she's fainted," Mike said, troubled. "I don't know what happened. She didn't even stick her finger."
"Bella," I soothed, dropping to my knees beside her and keeping my voice as calm as was possible. "Can you hear me?"
"No," she whimpered. "Go away."
She was lying with her head on the cold, wet cement of the sidewalk, which I found humorous because I knew she didn't like the cold or the wet.
"I was taking her to the nurse, but she wouldn't go any farther." His tone and his whole body position told me I wasn't welcome, but I really didn't care.
"I'll take her," I insisted, effectively drawing the battle lines between the boy and myself. "You can go back to class." It wasn't a suggestion but rather a command.
Like hell I will! I'm not leaving her with you. "No, I'm supposed to do it."
I didn't have time to argue with the boy. It would only make me angry and considering my state of mind lately, I didn't even want to imagine what I would do to him if I allowed myself to get angry. Besides, the longer we fought for the rights to tend to Bella, the worse her condition grew. I knew it was more important to get her some help than it was for me to make it clear to Mike that she wasn't interested in him.
She couldn't be interested in him. I wouldn't tolerate it.
Gently so as to not hurt her fragile body, and carefully avoiding contact with any exposed skin, I lifted her off the cold ground and held her in my arms. There was warmth there, but not as much as there should be. I didn't like it. She had felt hot the last time I gave myself permission to be this close to her, and now she was cool to the touch. Her eyes flew open in astonishment.
"Put me down!" I could smell the bile on her breath, confirming how ill she was.
"Hey!" Mike protested from behind me. You jerk! How dare you. Damn Cullen. I can't stand him.
Mike's opinion of me mattered little considering I felt the same way about him. I focused instead on the delicate creature in my arms. "You look awful," I stated, offering her a smile to try to make her feel more at ease. She was stiff in my arms and I could almost hear the fear in her mind that I might drop her.
Not a chance.
"Put me back on the sidewalk," she requested, but I couldn't. She might faint again and hit her head. She escaped a concussion once – I wasn't about to let her risk it again.
"So you faint at the sight of blood?" I asked, knowing the answer already, but enjoying the irony of the fact. I crave it, she is repelled by it. Fitting.
But she didn't answer. She only closed her eyes and pursed her lips against whatever ache she was feeling.
"And not even your own blood," I concluded, for she hadn't pricked her finger. I could only imagine what she would think of me were she to ever learn the truth. Her repulsion at the very sight of blood was bound to make her hate me should my true nature ever be revealed.
I eased her inside the building and entered the office, catching Ms. Cope by surprise.
"Oh, my," Ms. Cope said when she saw Bella.
"She fainted in biology," I explained and made my way around the counter to the nurse's office. Mrs. Mabel was engrossed in one of her romance novels again.
His hand brushed lazily against my hips before he crushed his body against mine and…
Oh. OH! A student. Shoot. Just when it was getting good.
I quietly placed Bella on the paper-covered cot and took up position against the wall on the opposite side of the room. The nurse would likely check her over and I didn't want to risk catching the scent of her breath on a deep exhale for worry that I would react.
"She's just a little faint," I told Mrs. Hammond, who was still pondering the outcome of her trashy book. "They're blood typing in biology."
She nodded in understanding. "There's always one."
Leave it to Bella to be singled out among the norm. It only proved to me that she was indeed very special.
"Just lay down for a minute, honey, it'll pass."
"I know," Bella moaned. I was relieved to see the color returning to her face.
"Does this happen a lot?" asked the nurse.
"Sometimes."
It was my guess that it happened anytime she was near blood. Could fate have chosen a more complicated situation to put me in? After years and years of being alone, I end up falling for the one human whose mind I can't read, whose blood I craved more than any other, and who fainted at the smallest sight of blood.
"You can go back to class now," the nurse informed me.
"I'm supposed to stay with her." I said it in that authoritative voice that humans rarely challenged and was rewarded with the desired result.
"I'll go get you some ice for your forehead, dear." She hurried out of the room, leaving us alone. I took the opportunity to really look over Bella's features, checking her pulse and inhaling her scent to see if she was doing any better.
"You were right," came the unexpected moan from her chapped lips.
"I usually am—but about what in particular this time?" I was anxious for her answer.
"Ditching is healthy." She took several steady breaths, composing herself. I was glad I had enough foresight to position myself away from her.
I watched her silently for a moment before admitting to her how frightened I had been a moment ago. "You scared me for a minute there. I thought Newton was dragging your dead body off to bury it in the woods."
"Ha ha," she mocked, her eyes still closed.
"Honestly—I've seen corpses with better color." It was the truth. "I was concerned that I might have to avenge your murder." For I would have certainly turned my back on my upbringing and committed murder myself had Newton harmed her.
"Poor Mike. I'll bet he's mad."
She had no idea. "He absolutely loathes me," I confirmed without remorse.
"You can't know that," she countered.
Yes, I could. "I saw his face—I could tell."
Her hand rubbed at her stomach and I wondered if she was going to be sick. "How did you see me? I thought you were ditching."
"I was in my car, listening to a CD." I omitted that I was obsessed with her and that nothing would escape my notice from now on.
Mrs. Hammond returned with the ice for Bella's head. She placed it across her patient's forehead saying, "Here you go, dear. You're looking better."
"I think I'm fine," Bella muttered, sitting up slowly. My stance was on guard instantly; ready to catch her should she fall. Before the nurse had a chance to make Bella lie back down, the door opened and Ms. Cope announced the arrival of another patient.
"We've got another one," she warned.
Bella, always more willing to help others than help herself, hopped down from the cot to free up the bed for the next invalid saying, "Here, I don't need this." She handed the ice pack back to the nurse.
That's when I smelled it. Blood. Fresh blood. Not as potent as Bella's, but it was open and flowing and too close for comfort. Mike Newton, who must have been trying to play the hero today, stumbled in supporting another boy from our biology class. They were both bleeding from the tiny pinpricks in their index fingers.
"Oh, no." If Bella saw the blood, she would likely be sick. "Go out to the office, Bella."
She glanced up at me with those wide, brown eyes in confusion.
"Trust me—go."
She did exactly as I said and left the room without any further explanation. It wasn't like her to just do as she was told. She liked to argue with me, so this obedient action really was a shock.
"You actually listened to me."
"I smelled the blood," she said, making a face of disgust.
That was impossible. "People can't smell blood."
"Yes I can," she contested. "That's what makes me sick. It smells like rust…and salt."
I was beside myself with astonishment. Never in all my years had I ever met a human who could smell blood. Taste it, yes. Humans often tasted blood – their own blood. I'd seen many humans sucking on a paper cut or biting their cheek accidentally, causing them to bleed. But smell… as far as I knew, blood wasn't fragrant enough, for a mortal to smell at least– especially in such a small dose.
"What?" she asked, looking up into my stunned face.
"It's nothing." But it was everything.
We were interrupted then by the ever-bothersome presence of Mike Newton. His eyes met mine for a moment and I heard his animosity clear as crystal. If only I could hear Bella that easily.
You really think you're going to win this one, don't you Cullen. Why don't you go back to whatever rock you crawled out from under?
If he'd said those words aloud – if I wasn't as disciplined to resist – I would have done away with him. I resisted killing Bella all those weeks ago; I figured I could resist killing Mike Newton.
The boy's eyes settled on Bella. "You look better."
"Just keep your hand in your pocket," she ordered.
"It's not bleeding anymore." It really grossed her out. Huh. Now if only Cullen weren't here. "Are you going back to class?"
She gaped at him. "Are you kidding? I'd just have to turn around and come back."
"Yeah, I guess… So are you going this weekend? To the beach?" His eyes flashed to mine again. Yeah, that's right Cullen. She's going out with me. Take that!
"Sure, I said I was in." She obviously didn't know the true intentions behind Mike's invitation.
"We're meeting at my dad's store, at ten." And you're not invited, Cullen. I wouldn't be caught dead hanging out with you.
I wanted to tell him that the only way I would ever spend time willingly with him was if he was dead, but of course I held my tongue. (Love this line!)
"I'll be there," she confirmed.
"I'll see you in gym, then." He hesitated at the door, not wanting to leave. I can't wait to get her away from Cullen. Man, I hate that guy.
The feeling was mutual. Knowing it would incite the boy further, I silently took my place by Bella's side. It was a place I expected to be from now on, so Newton would just have to get used to it.
"See you," Bella called as Mike finally left the room.
I smiled to myself, inwardly cheering that I had won the match. Newton could believe what he wanted to believe, but Bella wasn't interested in him. I knew that even without having the luxury of her thoughts.
Then she groaned the word, "Gym," bringing my focus fully back to her.
"I can take care of that. Go sit down and look pale." If Bella didn't want to go to gym class, then Bella wasn't going to go to gym class. I couldn't blame her. I despised gym just as much. It was so dull and boring having to hold back and pretend I couldn't outrunevery student in the school.
Bella sat down and rested her head against the wall. The coolness must have been soothing and I wished it would be possible for her to lean against me. It would certainly be the first time my cold skin would be a welcome and helpful comfort. But it would mean being close to her – too close. Letting her touch my skin. It would be glorious and frightening at the same time.
I brushed the thought aside and leaned onto the counter. "Ms. Cope?"
"Yes?" The woman's eyes locked with mine and I knew I had her. Some humans couldn't resist the pull of our immortal eyes, and Shelly Cope was a perfect example. She found us all to be very beautiful, and I was her favorite. We all had used her this way to get out of doing things – being excused from classes we couldn't or didn't care to attend. This should be easy. In that voice that I knew would send her head spinning, I said, "Bella has gym next hour, and I don't think she feels well enough. Actually, I was thinking I should take her home, now. Do you think you could excuse her from class?"
"Do you need to be excused, too, Edward?" She blushed. Students have no right to be that handsome.
I smiled. "No, I have Mrs. Goff, she won't mind."
"Okay, it's all taken care of. You feel better, Bella." With Edward Cullen taking care of you, I'm sure you'll feel better in no time.
I turned to face Bella. "Can you walk, or do you want me to carry you again?" The offer was for show, and Bella picked up on it right away.
"I'll walk."
Slowly and tentatively, she stood up, testing her legs. I was ready to catch her, but she seemed steady enough. I politely opened the door for her, like a gentleman should for a lady, and followed behind her as we stepped out into the cool mist of the afternoon.
"Thanks," she said softly. "It's almost worth getting sick to miss gym."
"Anytime." The wind blew against us and my nostrils were filled with her scent.
"So are you going? This Saturday, I mean?" Her question, as always, came out of thin air. I didn't quite know how to respond. And then I realized… she would be leaving Forks. And Alice had seen her in danger.
"Where are you all going exactly?"
"Down to La Push, to First Beach."
That was an unforeseen complication. Yet another in the ever-growing list of things. Even if I had wanted to, I was forbidden to go there. The Quileutes had kept their end of the bargain for all these years. I wasn't about to be the one to break our long-standing agreement with them. Still, I couldn't think of any dark, creepy alleys around First Beach. I smiled down at her, thankful that I wouldn't have to talk her out of going. "I really don't think I was invited."
She sighed, and again I caught her scent. Her breath smelled sweet again, as it should. "I just invited you," she stated.
It thrilled me more than it should that she wanted me to attend. But I had to turn the offer down. I'd made that agreement with the Quileutes myself. I opted to explain my absences in a more traditionally teenaged fashion.
"Let's you and I not push poor Mike any further this week. We don't want him to snap." I wasn't sure who would snap first, Mike or me, but even still, I didn't want to chance it.
"Mike-schmike," she drawled teasingly, heading for her truck.
I grabbed at the back of her jacket and held her in place. She couldn't be considering driving. It was insane. "Where do you think you're going?"
Her face contorted into her confused look I knew so well. "I'm going home."
"Didn't you hear me promise to take you safely home? Do you think I'm going to let you drive in your condition?" She'd have an accident and kill herself. All this work to keep her alive – I wasn't about to let her endanger herself.
"What condition? What about my truck?" she grumbled.
"I'll have Alice drop it off after school." I pulled her toward my car, insistent that she not drive home by herself.
"Let go!" she protested, but I ignored her. I held tight to the back of her coat until we reached my Volvo. I must have been pulling her more forcefully than I thought for she stumbled into the car when I let her go.
"You are so pushy!" she complained.
"It's open," I replied before getting into the car myself. I didn't want to give her any chance to get away.
But in typical Bella fashion, she wasn't going to comply until she fought with me first. "I am perfectly capable of driving myself home!"
She stood there in the rain, pouting and getting ridiculously wet in the process. It was sweet, really, that she thought she could defy me. I lowered the passenger side window and told her to get in.
She was quiet and I could just imagine the plan formulating in her head. I shook my head at her will power. "I'll just drag you back," I warned.
She huffed and jutted her chin out in defiance, but opened the car door and climbed in. She was dripping wet, her hair nearly plastered to her face, but still I found her beautiful. The color was back in her cheeks and her heart was beating out its usual patter.
"This is completely unnecessary."
I had to give her credit; she put up a good front. Not many humans would have been able to resist for as long as she could. It only fascinated me more.
I keyed the ignition, turning down the music and making sure the heat was up. She needed to be warmed to avoid further illness. I headed out of the parking lot, keeping my eyes straight ahead and my senses as closed off as I could keep them. Having her scent trapped in my car could prove to be a bad decision, but I willed myself to keep calm.
Her body was stiff as she tried not to be affected by my presence. I knew that we had a scent that humans found alluring, but I'd never really given much thought as to how it would affect someone I cared about. Bella was clearly trying to ignore me and having a difficult time doing it.
"Clair de Lune?" she said suddenly, breaking the thick silence.
"You know Debussy?" Few teenagers these days paid attention to classical music.
"Not well," she admitted. "My mother plays a lot of classical music around the house—I only know my favorites."
"It's one of my favorites, too." It was comforting to have something in common with her, considering the vast differences between us.
My mind began to ponder over her mother. From the brief conversation I had had with Bella, I knew that she and her mom were good friends, which couldn't be said for too many of the teens I passed in the halls of the school. She must miss her mom a lot, and vice versa. Even though I didn't remember my natural parents very well, I still missed them. More so, the few years I separated myself from Carlisle were some of the loneliest I'd ever experienced. So, I knew what it was to be away from those who cared for you.
"What is your mother like?" I knew she hadn't been expecting the question from the strange expression on her face.
"She looks a lot like me, but she's prettier. I have too much Charlie in me." Interesting that she would chose to start with physical descriptions. I'd never sensed much vanity from Bella. It was one of the things I cherished about her. I had enough vanity living with Rosalie. "She's more outgoing than I am, and braver," she added. "She's irresponsible and slightly eccentric, and she's a very unpredictable cook. She's my best friend."
The frown that fell on her face confirmed that she missed her mother deeply.
I rounded a corner and came to a stop at her house. She seemed completely oblivious to the fact that we had even arrived. I looked over at her, pondering the complexity of her very existence. She was so very young, a fact I had to remind myself of when my thoughts strayed into forbidden territory. I was attracted to her, that much was certain, and I sensed that she was attracted to me. But I was fooling myself into thinking someone as young and as beautiful as Bella would ever fall for a monster like me.
"How old are you, Bella?" I finally asked, unable to contain the question within me any longer.
"I'm seventeen." She said it as if I was clueless, which, for the most part, I was.
"You don't seem seventeen."
She laughed then at some inside joke, which only drove home the annoyance of not being able to hear her thoughts.
"What?" I was forced to ask.
"My mom always says I was born thirty-five years old and that I get more middle-aged every year." She laughed again, creating music to my ears. "Well, someone has to be the adult." Her eyes formed slits. "You don't seem much like a junior in high school yourself."
She was more observant than I gave her credit for. "So why did your mother marry Phil?" I asked, changing the subject away from my old age.
She seemed flustered for a moment, though I didn't know why. "My mother…she's very young for her age. I think Phil makes her feel even younger. At any rate, she's crazy about him."
I wasn't convinced she thought Phil was a good match for her mother. "Do you approve?"
"Does it matter?" she countered. "I want her to be happy…and he is who she wants."
I was stunned at the maturity of the answer. "That's very generous…I wonder." And then my mind traveled down that forbidden path yet again to contemplate how her mother would respond to me, should Bella ever see me for more than a friend.
"What?"
"Would she extend the same courtesy to you, do you think? No matter who your choice was?" Her eyes were wide and I could see my face reflected in the dark color. I shouldn't have said that, for it opened up too many possibilities for disappointment. What if her choice wasn't me? It shouldn't be me, but I wanted it nonetheless.
"I think so," she stammered. "But she's the parent, after all. It's a little bit different."
"No one too scary then," I said, and was granted a smile in response.
Bella's face was even more beautiful when she smiled. I would make it my mission to make her smile every moment of her life. "What do you mean by scary? Multiple facial piercings and extensive tattoos?"
"That's one definition, I suppose." But a relatively inaccurate one at the same time.
"What's your definition?"
I answered her in my mind. How about a bloodthirsty vampire who could drain you dry and still your heart all in one swift blow?
"Do you think that I could be scary?" I dared to ask, slightly smiling. I kept my mouth closed, not wanting to draw attention to the way my mouth watered at the very thought of drinking from her.
She considered the question, leaving me aching to have her thoughts. "Hmmm…I think you could be, if you wanted to." I knew she had more to say and was editing her response, but it would have to do.
"Are you frightened of me now?" It was a serious question - all teasing vanished.
Her answer came without hesitation. "No."
I smiled at her bravery. If anyone should be scared of me, it was her . I wanted so much from her – more than friendship or companionship. No matter how much I loved her, I would always and forever lust after her blood.
"So, now are you going to tell me about your family?" She asked innocently. "It's got to be a much more interesting story than mine."
Given the line of questioning that I had followed, it was only logical for her to ask me the same questions, but I immediately put up my guards, for I was worried that her observant nature had picked up on the things we tried desperately to hide. I was hesitant when I said, "What do you want to know?"
"The Cullens adopted you?"
That was simple enough to answer. "Yes."
"What happened to your parents?"
She meant my biological parents. Again, easy to respond to without raising too much interest. "They died many years ago."
"I'm sorry." She sounded sincere.
I was touched and wanted to make it clear that the loss of my natural family wasn't so painful anymore. "I don't really remember them that clearly. Carlisle and Esme have been my parents for a long time now."
"And you love them," she stated matter-of-factly.
It made me smile. "Yes, I couldn't imagine two better people."
"You're very lucky."
"I know I am."
"And your brother and sister?"
Now we were getting into dangerous territory. With each addition we made to the family over the years, explanations grew more and more complex. It wasn't something we could just easily recite anymore. As an honest diversion, I used the late hour as my excuse to escape from her curiosity. "My brother and sister, and Jasper and Rosalie for that matter, are going to be quite upset if they have to stand in the rain waiting for me."
"Oh, sorry, I guess you have to go." She made no move to get out of the car.
She needed more persuading. "And you probably want your truck back before Chief Swan gets home, so you don't have to tell him about the biology incident."
She sighed heavily, her breath sweet and feminine. "I'm sure he's already heard. There are no secrets in Forks."
Now that was funny. She may be more observant than I first took her for, but she had no idea of the revelations in store for her. That is, if I ever found the courage to tell her. For now, I would enjoy what closeness I could obtain and bask in her life-giving warmth for as long as she would allow.
But there wasn't time for that now. I had told the truth when I said my siblings would be angry with me if I made them run home in the rain. "Have fun at the beach…good weather for sunbathing."
Something flashed across her expressive face. What was that? Disappointment? "Won't I see you tomorrow?"
She would miss me. The thought warmed my frozen heart. "No. Emmett and I are starting the weekend early."
"What are you going to do?"
I thought - I'm going to try and satiate my thirst so I can manage to be in your presence without wanting to drain you of ever drop of blood. "We're going to be hiking in the Goat Rocks Wilderness, just south of Rainier."
"Oh, well, have fun." She tried to sound sincere, but again, the disappointment was obvious.
I wanted to tell her that I would miss her, too. That the thought of not seeing her, not being close to her, frustrated and worried me to no end. I wanted to say that I would return as fast as I could, that she wouldn't be alone ever again. But I couldn't – it might frighten her away. Instead, I settled on the gentle request for her to be careful. "Will you do something for me this weekend?"
She nodded, her eyes transfixed to mine as I attempted to look into her soul.
"Don't be offended, but you seem to be one of those people that just attract accidents like a magnet. So…try not to fall into the ocean or get run over or anything, all right?" I offered her a soft smile.
My words upset her and she glared at me. "I'll see what I can do."
Hurriedly, as if she was flustered by the whole conversation, she dashed out of the car, slamming the door behind her. She haphazardly sloshed her way to the door, nearly slipping as she went. Even through her clumsy nature she was beautiful.
Hopefully, the memory of her beauty would sustain me while we were apart.