Hey guys. I'm so sorry I didn't update sooner, but I haven't had a chance. I've been busy with school and soccer. That's pretty much my life right now. I'll try and update sooner, but until then, I hope this makes up for it. 14 whole pages. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

Chapter 10

Monday morning. It only means one thing: School. I am not in the mood for FHS after a wonderful weekend spent in Seattle with Edward.

When I woke up Sunday morning, Edward wasn't in bed. In his place was a note on the back of a receipt saying he'd gone to get me breakfast. While I was waiting, I went into the bathroom and got ready. When I came out, he was on the bed.

"Good morning," I said smiling.

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

"Very well. How 'bout you?"

He smirked. "It was quite pleasant. It would actually be like dreaming if I could get over the fact that I can't sleep."

"We'll have to work on that."

"Yes, we will." That crooked grin, once again, adorned his face.

After we left the hotel, we drove back into town. He parked Nancy closer to the book stores and we spent hours going through the shelves. I found several books. I bought about five, which weren't going to last me very long. Edward bought me five more of the ones that I was looking at. He gave them to me once we were on our way home; probably knowing I'd stop him from buying them if I'd known sooner.

On the way back to Forks, we stopped to eat. Well, we stopped so I could eat. Edward would "eat" when we got back to Forks. He took me to some Italian restaurant, which was delicious. When we arrived at my house, he helped me with my bags since there were quite a few. We finished, I thanked him, and he left.

Now I have to get dressed so I can go see him at school. I know I didn't like him at first, but, now that I know him, I'm actually looking forward to seeing him today.

I climb out of bed and go into the bathroom to get ready. I go back to my room and choose clothes especially for Edward. My new blue undergarments, navy plaid skirt, light-blue button-up shirt, and navy knee-highs. I twist my hair and clip it up. I pull on the army boots and go downstairs to get my stuff together.

I step outside and discover it's not raining or snowing. It's actually a pretty decent day, clouds and all. I grab my jacket anyways, knowing it probably won't last.

When I arrive at school, I park next to Nancy, where Edward is waiting for me. My face lights up as soon as I see him.

"Good morning," he says smiling brightly. "I see you're putting your boots to good use."

"Of course. I had to after you forced me to buy them."

"Excuse me, but I believe you suggested them and I said it was a good idea."

"Which is just as bad as forcing me to buy them."

"You're absurd."

I grin and ask, "What's for breakfast today?"

He hands over the bag and a bottle. "Freshly baked cinnamon buns and milk."

I take a deep breath, my nose filling with cinnamon. "Mmm. Did Esme make these?"

"Yes. Who else in my house would cook for you?"

"You perhaps?"

"Sure, if you want to be eating something absolutely terrible."

"It can't be that bad."

"Keep in mind that I've never cooked before."

"Well, I'll give you lessons."

He laughs. "You can try, but I doubt I'll pay much attention. I must admit though, those rolls do smell interesting."

"They're so good. I'd tell you to take a bite, but I don't want you to be uncomfortable with it rolling around your stomach all day. There is another way, but I don't think it's a good idea."

"What is it?"

"Well, if I didn't have a boyfriend, I'd just kiss you and you could taste the flavor on my tongue and lips. But for some reason, I don't think Mike would be pleased with that idea."

"Probably not."

"Would that be considered cheating, though? I mean sure you're a guy, but you're not exactly human. At least not any more."

"No matter what I am, I'd still think it'd be cheating."

"I guess you're right."

We start walking towards my first class and I feel like people are staring at me. But when I look around, no one's looking our way. "Hey Edward, are people thinking about us?"

He smirks. "In what way?"

"Not the one you're thinking. In fact, I don't ever want to know when they are. I mean in the way that we're walking together right now."

"A few are. Mostly girls though. They're extremely jealous of you and they're wondering if you broke up with Mike. They're also curious as to when we became such good friends."

"Oh, who cares then. I was just wondering."

He nods. "I like your outfit by the way."

"You should. You picked it out. I'm also wearing blue underneath it. You would've seen it if you would've came into the store. But now I guess you'll just have to use your imagination."

"You know why I couldn't go into the store. I was being mentally sexually abused. I'm sorry if I don't like seeing what girls want to do to me in my mind."

I laugh. "I'm sure you still saw images at the convenience store."

"Nope. It was a guy at the counter."

"Don't use that as an excuse. I think we learned this weekend that gender doesn't matter when it comes to you. You're appealing to both sexes."

He frowns. "I thought you'd forget about that."

"Yeah right. I'm going to hold that over your head forever."

"Forever? I was hoping to get rid of you after we graduated," he teases.

"In your dreams. You're stuck with me."

"Oh joy."

I smile at him and nudge him with my elbow. I frown when I notice that we've reached my class. "I guess I'll see you in Biology."

"Mhm. Have a good day."

"You too." He turns and walks away. I watch him until he disappears around the corner.

I walk into English and Mike is waiting for me. He's sitting at my desk. Does he know I would've seen him if he was at his desk?

"Good morning," he says, pressing his lips to mine. This kiss is different from the others we've shared. I don't really know how to describe it. It's like he's trying to tell me something or trying to prove something to himself. I don't know if I'm right, but that's how it feels.

"Morning," I say when we break apart. "How are you?"

"I'm great. I missed you this weekend. It wasn't the same without you around."

"I'm sure you found something to keep you occupied while I was away." I ignore the whole 'I missed you' thing because I didn't really miss him. To tell the truth, I kind of forgot about him when I was with Edward. That probably makes me the world's worst girlfriend.

I notice that he fidgets and averts his eyes when he answers. "Yeah, I just hung around with the guys." He's lying. I can tell, but I don't really care.

"That's good. I'm glad you got to spend time with them. They probably feel like I'm pulling you away from them."

"Nah, they're fine with it. In fact, they're jealous that I get to spend so much time with an amazing girl."

I start to feel slightly guilty at being more excited to see Edward than him, but my guilt lessens when I think about how he just lied to me. Why lie about your activities if you have nothing to hide?

I force a smile. "Yeah, lucky you."

The bell rings and he gives me another kiss before he goes to his seat. I'm telling you, that boy is trying very hard to hide something.

My morning classes pass by excruciatingly slow. Of course, that could be because I'm anxious to talk to Edward. I can't wait until lunch. I know I won't be able to talk to him until Biology, but at least during lunch I'll get to glance over at him.

During Spanish class, I notice Jessica's not quite herself today either. No talkative, confident, outgoing Jessica present. Instead she's jittery and quiet and she rambles when she does talk. Completely uncharacteristic of Jessica. I wonder if more happened at the dance than Mike let on.

Lunch finally comes around. It's about friggen time. I walk into the cafeteria and immediately glance at the table. I frown. There are only four vamps. Did Edward go home?

Angela nudges me with her elbow. "Edward's looking over." I'm shocked. She moves her head in a direction and my eyes follow. A huge smile brightens my face when I see him. he lifts his hand and beckons me over. I'm not sure if it's a good idea.

"Go, I'll try and keep Mike under control."

"Thanks, Ang. I owe you one." She smiles at me and walks off. I head over to Edward. "You called?" I say smiling.

"Sit," he commands. I follow orders. "Where's your food?"

I look down and realize I don't have a tray. "Oops. I guess I forgot."

"It's a good thing I don't have much of an appetite, huh?" I smirk at the inside joke.

"Mhm. You couldn't possibly eat all that food by yourself."

He smiles and pushes his tray over to me. I grin back and take a bite of his pizza.

"I forgot to ask you this morning how you slept last night?"

"Awful. I was hot. It just wasn't the same without my own personal air conditioner."

He smirks. "Maybe your personal AC can show up one night."

"Yes please. It doesn't matter which one, nor does it matter how many nights you show up."

He chuckles. "I'll think about it." I smile.

Suddenly his expression changes. "What's wrong?" I ask.

"Your boyfriend isn't happy that you're talking to me."

"He's never happy that I'm talking to you. Why's it such an issue now?"

"The rumors have only increased his anger about it."

"What rumors?" This can't be good.

"Well, the first one is that we spent the weekend together, which really isn't a rumor, but they don't know that. Another is that there's something going on between us. It doesn't help that you're sitting with me and not Mike either. The others are basically spin offs of those."

"Well, to tell you the truth, I think something's going on between him and Jessica anyways, so he should take a chill pill. Besides, your family doesn't look too happy either."

He glares over at them. "They're really not as upset as you think. It's really only Rose. She can't understand why I can't leave you alone and how I could just come right out and tell you our secret."

"But you didn't tell me. I guessed."

"Yes, I know, but it doesn't make a difference to Rose. The point is that you know."

"Oh, well what about the rest of your family? How do they feel about me?"

"Alice loves you. She's ecstatic that we're friends and that you know about us. She can't wait to meet you. Jasper doesn't mind you because Alice loves you. And Emmett is indifferent. You haven't done anything to threaten us, so he doesn't have a problem with you, but he's kind of forced to side with Rose for obvious reasons. But he has been trying to lighten her up."

I'm disappointed about Rose, but I'm glad no one else is pissed at me. I really don't want to cause any trouble for them. And I tell this to Edward.

"You're no trouble at all. Don't worry. Rose will come around. It's just that she's the least content to be living this lifestyle. She'd rather just be normal, so she doesn't want you in on our secret. She's being aggressive to protect you."

"Oh, well, I'd still like to meet the rest of your family, especially Alice, if they don't mind."

He looks over my shoulder and smirks. I glance over and jump. Right behind me is a very short, black-haired vampire. Good news is she's smiling.

"I'm so happy you decided you wanted to meet me! I'm so glad to meet you!" she says pulling me into a hug.

I laugh. "It's nice to meet you, too. I've heard so much about you."

She pulls away and kisses my cheek. "Yes, so I've seen." She stares pointedly at Edward. "Now that we're going to be such good friends, you can forget everything he's told you and get to know me for yourself."

I smile. "I'm looking forward to it. But how did you know I wanted to meet you?"

"Premonitions," she says pointing to her head. "I also thought it'd get Mike off your back if I came over now."

"Well, thank you for that."

"No problem. So, Bella, how do you feel about shopping?"

"Um, it's alright I guess. I had a lot of fun with Edward this weekend. But I don't shop unless I absolutely need to."

Alice pouts. "We're going to have to change that."

"I don't th-" The bell rings, cutting me off and giving Alice a change to ignore my excuses.

"Got to get to class. See you later," she says and runs off.

I make a move to get up to head to Bio, but I stop when I notice Edward isn't doing the same. "Aren't you coming?" He shakes his head. "You're skipping?"

"Mhm. It's good for you."

"There's gotta be more behind it than that, so tell me the real reason you're leaving me to fend for myself in Biology."

"They're doing blood typing for a lab. I don't want to risk my control."

"Mind if I skip with you?"

"Faint at the sight of blood?" he smirks.

"No, the smell."

"Human's can't smell blood."

"Well, this one can. It smells coppery and rusty, and it makes me sick to my stomach."

"Interesting. I suppose I can let you risk your academics just this once. Come on." He takes my hand and pulls me outside.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

"You'll see. It's a surprise."

"I'm not a big fan of surprises."

"You'll like this one, I promise."

"Alright. I'm trusting you." He flashes me his crooked grin and leads me to Nancy. "What am I going to do with Oscar?"

"Alice will bring him home for you."

"Okay," I say unsurely as he opens the door and helps me in.

He drives us to a dead end road with a dirt path at the end and turns off the ignition. He climbs out and comes around to my door. When he opens it, I say, "You do realize I can't hike with how I'm dressed, right? Actually, I can't hike anyway since I have no sense of balance, but the skirt kinda creates a dilemma."

He frowns. "Yes, I guess that could be a problem. I'll think of something."

I sigh and get out. I'm heading for the path when he calls me back. "What?"

"Wrong way." He points in the opposite direction that doesn't have a path.

"Okay, the path was one thing, but climbing through the wilderness definitely creates problems."

He thinks for a moment. "I'll carry you."

"No way!" My protests are futile when he lifts me up bridal style ease.

"Okay, I'm going to run, so you might want to close your eyes or bury your face into my chest. Anything so you won't see. I don't want you getting sick."

"Don't you worry about me. Just pay attention to the trees. Motion sickness I can handle, going head first into a tree, I can not."

He laughs. "Me hit a tree? You have got to be kidding me."

"I'm serious, Edward," I say as he takes off running. He's still laughing as I tightly close my eyes and bury my face into his shirt. He was right. I should've done it when he first suggested it.

"Are we there yet?" I yell into the wind.

I'm answered with a chuckle. "Just keep your eyes closed, Isabella."

I grip his shirt and pull myself closer to him. I feel his arms tighten around me. I smile at this. The feeling of his arms around me is almost enough to distract me from the deadly speed we're going at.

"We're there," he says, slowing down his speed.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive." He comes to a dead stop. "You can get down now."

"I don't know if I can. You might have to help me."

He chuckles and shifts me into one arm. He uses his other hand to loosen the death grip I have on his shirt. He sets me down on the ground and laughs again.

"What?"

He reaches for my clip and takes it out. He runs his hand through my hair and my eyes close at the feeling. I frown as he removes his hand.

"Sorry, your hair was very windblown."

"Yours isn't much better," I tease.

He smiles and runs a hand through his hair. What I would give to run my fingers through those bronze locks.

"Okay, you ready for your surprise?"

"I thought you said we were there."

"We are. It's a few feet away. But I want it to be a good surprise, so…" He covers my eyes with his hands.

"Yeah, this is a great idea. I can't walk when I can see. How am I supposed to do this?"

He wraps one arm around my waist and pulls me to him, my back against him, while he covers both my eyes with one hand. "Don't worry. I'll protect you," he whispers in my ear. I shiver.

He starts to walk me forward, step by step, whispering in my ear and telling me when to lift my foot higher so I don't trip. After a few minutes, we stop. "I'm going to remove my hand by don't open your eyes until I tell you to, okay?" I nod. I frown when his arm is no longer around me. "Okay, on the count of three." I notice that he sounds further away. "One…" This only increases my frown. "Two…" I want him closer. "Three."

I open my eyes and gasp. I'm in the middle of a meadow. A beautiful one at that. Sure, it's green and a little damp, but it only adds to its essence. There's a stream running to the left and there's actually sunlight. I can hear birds chirping and other animals rustling the leaves in the forest. But other than those sounds, it's completely silent. It'd be a good place to come and think. A good place to be alone. A good place to be the only one in your head.

"It's beautiful."

"I knew you'd like it," he says from in the trees.

"What are you doing in there? Come out."

"I don't want to frighten you."

"Edward, I think you should know by now that I'm not your average human."

He sighs, clearly giving in. "Okay, but I have to warn you…something happens to us when the sun hits us."

"Is it dangerous?"

"No, just different," he says, stepping out of the trees. My jaw drops. He's sparkling. It's like thousands of diamonds are embedded into his skin.

I begin to slowly walk forward and stop once I'm right in front of him. I look at his face and his eyes fixatedly stare at mine, attempting to gauge my reaction. He must approve of what he sees because he sighs in relief.

I reach up and brush my fingers across his cheek and jaw line. His eyes close at my touch. I continue downwards along the base of his throat and just below his collarbone, where his shirt prevents any further admiration. I touch the buttons of his shirt and look into his eyes. He gives a slight nod. I begin to unbutton his shirt and I gasp as his skin becomes exposed. Once I get to the last button, I stand back to admire not only the sparkling, but his body in general. He's certainly well-fit.

He grins at my shocked and speechless attitude and grabs my hand. "Come on, let's sit." I can only nod. He brings me to the center of the meadow and sits down next to me. All I can do is stare. He laughs. "You might want to pick your jaw up off the ground, there Bella."

I blush and look down. "Sorry. I didn't mean to be gawking at you."

He chuckles. "It's all right. I expected nothing less from you."

I make a face at him only causing more laughter. "You're not very nice you know."

"I never said I would be. That wasn't in the job description."

"Being my friend isn't a job. It's a privilege. You should feel honored to be my friend."

"Oh, I am. Believe me. I don't know what I'd do without you. My other friends are no comparison," he teases.

"You shouldn't be joking around. I'm one-hundred percent serious," I try to say with a straight face, but, once he cracks his crooked smile, I break and return it.

I take his hand in mine and observe it in the sunlight. I still can't get over how gorgeous he is. I can't bear to look at him because I know I'll blush if I do. Those thoughts don't cooperate when it comes to not blushing. I start tracing patterns on his arm and hand, all the while feeling his eyes on me. That does nothing for the redness of my cheeks.

I don't know how it happened, but at some point during the day, we shift positions. His head is resting on my lap, he's completely shirtless, and I'm running my hand over his chest and stomach while trying not to drool on him. Its unbelievable how I'm sitting here with this amazing guy—shirtless nonetheless—just forgetting about everything else but the two of us. I wish everyday could be like this.

Right now his eyes are closed, leaving me free to gawk at him uninterrupted. My eyes roam the sharp contours of his face, the firmness of his jaw, the taut muscles in his arms, chest and abdomen. He looks beautiful, and his beauty is only enhanced by the sunlight hitting his features.

I begin to draw patterns on his stomach while still admiring his muscles, when he says, "You know I can feel your eyes on me, right?"

My face burns as I avert my eyes from his perfect body. That smile is, once again, adorning his face, his eyes remaining closed.

I go back to tracing patterns on his arm and Edward makes a sound I never would've expected to come from him. I laugh. "Did you just purr?"

His golden eyes meet my brown ones as he smiles. "Well, we are predators."

"Yes, predators purr. I should've known. You're so scary, Edward Cullen," I try and say seriously, but I can't help the giggle that escapes.

"You're not scared of me," he says, quickly sitting up.

"I didn't say that. In fact, I'm terrified." My statement is contradicted by the smile on my face.

"I'll show you terrifying." Before I can even comprehend his words, he's gone. I look around the clearing, but he's nowhere in sight. I stand up, hoping this will help me search.

After a few minutes of a M.I.A. Edward, I start to get frustrated. "Edward, this isn't funny! It's extremely annoying! If you left me out here to find my own way home, I'm going to be pissed! I'll never talk to you again! That's if I make it out of here in one piece! Who knows what could happen? I could be eaten by a bear! Or I could trip and hit my head! That one's probably more likely considering my balance problem!" I pause, waiting for a response. I don't get one. "God, Edward! Stop being an ass! I swear I'll find some way to kill you if you don't-"

I'm interrupted by a growl coming from behind me. Before I can even fully turn around, I'm tackled to the ground. I'm being pinned to the grass with teeth at my neck. I'm frozen. My heart is pounding and oxygen isn't coming to me.

"Told you I'd show you terrifying," he whispers, running his nose along my throat.

Once I realize its Edward, my breath returns to me. I'm kinda pissed at first, but, as he continues to run his nose along the base of my throat, I forget about it. Fear and anger are the furthest things from my mind as a new emotion replaces them.

"Oh, you're frightening. Absolutely horrifying," I say breathlessly, certainly not from fear. Then I bite my lip and close my eyes in an attempt to prevent any other sounds that might come out of my mouth from the feeling he's creating.

The feeling disappears, and I frown as I open my eyes. His face is right above mine. "Still scared?" he smirks.

"Of course. There's no other word to describe how I'm feeling," I say sarcastically.

I look to the side and notice his arms are on either side of my head. I run my hand over the inside of it and I get another purr. I grin up at him. "I like that sound. I'm going to get you to do it a lot more often."

"That's what you think," he says getting off of me. He lends me a hand and I'm on my feet standing next to him. "We should probably go. It's getting dark." I look up at the sky, finally noticing the pinks and oranges that the sunset has painted the sky. When my eyes return to Edward, I'm disappointed. He's putting his shirt back on. I desperately want to return to the position we were in only a minute ago.

"You ready?" he asks.

"As ready as I'll ever be." He smiles in apology as he lifts me into his arms. He holds me tightly against his chest as he takes off running. I bury my face into his shirt, deeply inhaling his alluring scent.

I'm so caught up in Edward, the running doesn't bother me much. When we reach Nancy, he puts me down and opens the door for me. I stand on my tip-toes and kiss his cheek. He takes a deep breath. "Sorry. I just wanted to thank you for sharing this with me. I loved it."

I'm answered with my favorite uneven grin. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. There's no one else I'd rather share it with."

I smile and climb into the car. He closes the door and goes around to the driver's side. The ride home is spent in a comfortable silence. At one point, I take his hand in mine and run my fingers along the lines on his palm. I imagine it as it was in the meadow. It puts a smile on my face. Edward notices and lifts our joined hands to brush my cheek, creating a burning path from my temple to my jaw.

He tenses as we near my house. "What's wrong?" I ask as he extricates his hand from mine.

"Your boyfriend's waiting for you."

I'm surprised. Why would Mike be at my house on a school night? He never is.

"Should I drop you off somewhere else?"

"No. Go to my house. I can handle Mike." Although I wish I didn't have to.

Edward pulls into my driveway and there's Mike, sitting on the porch steps.

"Thanks again," I say looking over at Edward. "I never would've survived Biology today."

"Neither would I," he grins. Another inside joke. I love it.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

He nods. "Good luck with Newton."

"Thanks. I'll need it."

I climb out and wait until Nancy is out of sight before I walk over to Mike. "Hey," I say.

"What were you doing with Cullen?" he asks angrily.

"Hanging out. Is that all right with you?" I say sarcastically.

"I could deal with him bringing you breakfast. You needed food. I get it. Lunch, I could just barely handle. But when I saw you walk out to his car with him, hand-in-hand, it pissed me off. I think I've been more lenient than necessary."

"Listen here, Mike. Edward's my friend. I'll hang out with him when I want to. You don't control that. Neither of us could handle the Biology lab so we skipped. End of story."

"Why didn't you ask me? I would've skipped with you."

"Why risk your own academics when I could find someone else who couldn't deal with blood as much as I couldn't? It made more sense."

I turn my back on him and start heading inside. If I thought he was angry before, he's even worse now. "What the hell were you doing with him?" he yells.

"Didn't I just tell you?"

"If 'hanging out' is all you were doing, why the hell are there grass stains on your back?"

I roll my eyes. "Do you really think I'd have sex with a guy when I won't even give my boyfriend any?"

"How else would those get there if you weren't fooling around with him?"

"I was lying in the grass! It happens! Believe me, I wasn't fooling around with Edward! Now, I think you should leave before either of us says something else we'll regret."

I turn on my heel, walk into the house, and slam the door behind me. I throw my bag down on the floor and go into the kitchen to grab a drink. There's a note from Charlie saying he'd gone to Billy's to watch the game. I'm on my own for dinner.

With my anger, I decide I'm nowhere near hungry. I take my water and head upstairs, where I proceed to slam my bedroom door. I throw myself onto the bed and stare up at the ceiling.

Sure, I didn't tell Mike the truth about what happened today. Nor do I care to admit that I had more fun with Edward this afternoon than I've had with Mike for a while. But there was no way I was having sex with Edward. How dare Mike even accuse me of that! What kind of boyfriend does that?

"Asshole," I breathe out as I finish my mental ranting. I close my eyes and try to remember the happiness I was feeling in the meadow. Once I'm feeling calmed, it's hard to keep my eyes open. I fall asleep, dreaming of the meadow and Edward.