A/N Thank you reviewers and readers! Sorry for the delay. The holidays and studying for my karate test have taken up a lot time lately.

I had some annoying errors, so updated with corrections. Sorry to get your hopes up.

Chapter 10

EPOV

I sat at a table alone waiting for Bella. The others, besides Alice, thought I was crazy wanting to be with someone not of our kind. While Jasper and Emmett had grown bored of my obsession, Rosalie continued to seethe with anger and jealousy.

Bella walked in, with all the strut I expected, and then some. However, even from a distance, I could see a softening to her face that had not been there before; as if a great weight had been lifted from her. This transformation made her radiant, and I wasn't the only one to notice. Many human male minds were swirling with thoughts of her. I growled softly. I had just found my love, and I didn't want to share.

"Bella," I whispered.

She'd been looking at my family's table with a disappointed look on her face. A smile formed as her eyes quickly found me across the room. The human males hung on that smile along with me. A small hope grew in me that perhaps I have played some part in this change in her. I longed to be somewhere less crowded. Somewhere where no one, including my family could hear us. Somewhere where I can ask about the drawing.

I overheard Newton saying knowingly to his friends, "Don't even think about trying to ask Bella out, she's servicing Edward Cullen." My eyes narrowed. I was extremely tired of Newton's despicable slander.

Bella's face hardened slightly, obviously having heard too, and my anger at Newton grew. Then she winked at me and said "I'll be over soon. I have to make a slight detour."

She filled her tray with the most revolting looking food. Chili, I heard in other minds. This nasty concoction brought shudders of disgust from the general population. Not only was it foul in taste, apparently it wasn't even warm, which I knew was important to humans.

She started walking towards me but had chosen a route that would have her passing Newton. I watched her eyes dart around, taking in her surroundings. She expertly tripped on nothing, and the "food" splattered on the back of Newton's head and down his back. She flicked the tray slightly sending some chili onto Lauren while she was at it. Lauren screamed hysterically as it landed on her hair and face.

Chaos ensued. Emmett roared in laughter, alarming some of the students closest to him. Jasper was momentarily overwhelmed by Emmett's mirth and sent a shock wave of glee throughout the cafeteria. Bella giggled under her breath as Mike stood up and tried unsuccessfully to see the globs of mess running down his back. I covered my mouth and laughed, knowing it wasn't all Jasper's influence.

Bella exclaimed innocently, "Oh, Mike, I'm so sorry about that!" His mind went fuzzy as he stared at her.

"No problem, Bella." He managed to stammer out.

She set her tray on his table and in the confusion, stole the apple off his.

"I hope that comes out." She murmured apologetically.

Jasper regained himself and sent a calming effect across the room.

Bella sat down across from me.

"Impressive. The humans actually believed that was an accident."

"Years of practice." She grinned conspiratorially at me.

I slid my tray over to her, "You need more than that apple."

"Thanks!" She must be very hungry. How could anyone so small eat so much food?

She looked up at me watching her and swallowed. "Sorry, I have a mega metabolism."

I smiled at her, thinking of how much I adored her oddities. Her heart started to thud a little faster.

I couldn't resist teasing her, "So there was a lot of running around last night."

She blinked at me.

"I heard the wolves." I elaborated, and she immediately looked relieved.

"Stinking mutts." Rosalie decided to chime in. I glared at her.

Bella ignored her. "The pack chased a Red Eye out of the area."

"Do you join them on these chases?" I asked, concerned at the thought.

"No, my family has been very protective of me."

"I can understand why they would be protective of you." My voice full of emotion I couldn't suppress.

Rose was mentally making gagging sounds while Emmett and Jasper sighed in bored annoyance. Alice giggled.

Bella stared into my eyes, and her heart beat erratically. I again fell into the chocolate depths of hers and grabbed the table for support. She and I both shook free from entanglement when her apple was suddenly crushed in her hands, and I have broken a piece off the table. My quick assessment confirmed that only my family witnessed this. Jasper and Rosalie couldn't believe my lack of control, and Emmett thought I was extremely funny. Alice thought about how wonderful new love was.

Bella exclaimed softly. "Dang it!" and removed the apple pulp from her hands onto her tray. I handed her napkins and quickly erased the evidence of the shape of my fingers on the table. Rounding out the damage so it was smooth on the table, like an old wound. My foot scattered the wood remains on the floor far from us. All through this, I carefully checked to make sure we weren't observed. I mentally breathed a sigh of relief. Safe.

"We seem to have quite the effect on one another," I said lightly.

I expected a retort but instead she blushed a beautiful color. Venom filled my mouth at the delightful pooling of blood, but I quickly swallowed it.

I reached across the table, my finger trailing down her hot cheek, "What a contradiction you are. A bad girl who blushes."

She grimaced and threatened mockingly, "Tell anyone, and I'll steal the Volvo for a joyride."

Rosalie's voice sneered our way, "Better not touch my M3, Bitch." I stiffened at her vile words.

Bella turned to look at my sister, saying under her breath, "Don't worry, Rosalie. I wouldn't dream of touching your precious BMW. However, I wouldn't mind running my hands up and down that mountain boy of yours."

Emmett and Jasper grabbed Rosalie from either side preventing her from rising up and coming after Bella. Jasper sent a wave of calm out again. They ended up walking her out of the cafeteria. Alice giggled in delight.

Finally someone to stand up to Rosalie. She thought.

"Bella, I'm very sorry for her behavior, but you need to be careful with Rose. She's dangerous." I said, worried.

"And you think I'm not?" The look on her face made me pause. Yes, Bella could be dangerous. I found this both slightly unsettling and high exciting at the same time. I'd focused on my need to not hurt Bella, not fully realizing that she could likely inflict equal damage to me if she desired. The knowledge that I wasn't the only predator at this table was astounding.

Alice took this moment to prance over.

She sat down next to Bella, "Bella, that was quite a move with your food. I didn't realize it could be so much fun to fling." She envisioned flinging blood around, and I winched and shook my head quickly.

Sorry Edward. She thought, instantly contrite.

"Hey, Twinkletoes," Bella greeted Alice easily. I could see by the smile on her face that she already liked Alice. "So when are you planning to come over to my house?"

We both started at this.

Alice recovered quickly, "I was thinking an hour before Edward picks you up. I have some clothes you might like."

Bella was clearly touched by this. "You didn't have to do that, Alice."

"I know, but what are friends for?"

"These clothes don't involve red velvet or black leather do they? Edward could pull that off, but I doubt I could." Bella teased.

Alice laughed, grabbing her stomach. I couldn't remember my sister laughing this hard. "Yes, that was a very different time in the fashion world. I promise no red velvet. But as for black leather, I suppose I could take the Harley bike boots back." She trailed off speculatively.

Bella grabbed her in a big hug. "You didn't!"

"I did!" Alice giggled. "See you Friday night." She left after giving me a wink.

I sat there stunned through this entire exchange. The continued information that Bella somehow knew my past, knew my family's ways, and how easily she interacted with Alice raced through my mind. She looked at me with such an openly happy look on her face that my thoughts shifted from confusion to a startling conclusion. She somehow knew me, possibly knew everything about me, and yet she loved me.

I composed my face to a neutral look, as I pulled out the folded piece of paper from my pocket and slid it to her. "I believe this is yours."

She ran her fingers over the folded paper without opening it. It was clear it meant a lot to her, and my dead heart would have swelled if it could.

"You're at your happiest when you're playing, aren't you?" she asked.

"Yes, until recently, that this," Again, I couldn't suppress my emotions well.

I saw what can only be interpreted as love in her eyes as she said, "I promise you'll understand soon. It's better to show you some things while I explain."

"Bella, I should tell you that I won't be in school the next few days. It's going to be sunny, and Alice and I are going hunting up North."

"Oh, so when are you leaving?" she asked.

"Right after school today, but I'll be sure to be back in time for the Harvest Carnival." I paused, "I'm going to miss you greatly."

She smiled at this and then slid the drawing back to me. "Please keep it to remember me by."

I was touched by this gesture, "Thank you, Bella."

I took her hand and kissed it. I carefully placed the paper back in my pocket. We dumped our tray and left for Biology. I knew full well that the few days away from her were going to feel like an eternity.