Chapter Nine

When I walked into class onto Monday, Edward was waiting for me, but Izzy stopped me just inside the classroom, wanting to stake her claim on my lunch time for that day.

"It's been awhile, and we all want to know what's going on."

"I'll sit with you today. And I'll tell you guys everything." I made my way to my seat, and Izzy to hers. I smiled at Edward, and he eyed me carefully.

"You'll tell them everything?" he asked.

"Everything they need to know."

"So are you Edward, like, a thing?" Rachael asked. Brian, Trevor, and Matt seemed to care very little about what I had to say, but Sam and Rachael and Izzy were on the edge of their seats, waiting for my answer.

"Define 'thing'…"

"Oh my God! You are!" Rachael screamed, a wicked smile spreading across my face, which, in turn, flushed bright red. I shook my head and tried to hide it in my hands, but Sam pulled my hand from my face.

"So tell us; what's he like?" Sam asked, scooting her chair closer to me. I heard a very loud and very distinct laugh from Edward, who was all the way across the cafeteria.

"He's sweet. And we talk about everything, whether it's important or not, and we can sit in each other's company for hours without even saying a word."

"Impressive. Is he a good kisser?" Rachael asked.

"I don't think that's very relevant, Rachael," I said in an attempt to avoid answering.

"Oh, it's completely relevant, Grace. So, is he a good kisser or not?" At this point, all three girls were on the edge of their seats, so I decided to give them an answer that would make them fall off their chairs altogether.

"His kisses make me go weak, and every time he kisses me, I can feel the butterflies fluttering in my stomach. It's like nothing anyone has ever experienced before."

All three girls sat staring at me with their mouths hanging open, and I shifted my gaze to Edward, looking at him over top of Izzy's head. A smile spread slowly across his face, and I knew they were all thinking of what I had just told them. I got up from the table, grabbed my tray, and tossed the remains of my lunch in the garbage. I looked back at the table of speechless girls, and sauntered out of the cafeteria, Edward following close behind.

He caught up with me in the hallway, draping his arm over my shoulders and catching my pace. I stole a glance at him, and almost laughed out loud at the smug look plastered across his face.

"Like that, did you?" I asked.

"Butterflies? Really?" His smug look continued. Apparently being a vampire had no effect on the size of a man's ego.

"I'm not sure. I could have been lying. Maybe you should kiss me again so I can see." He had me pinned up against the wall within the blink of an eye, and was kissing me the next. I could barely breath because of how fervent he was.

My hand wound up to the back of his head, almost instinctually, and I felt his own hand on the small of my back, pulling me towards him. Our other two hands were entwined, resting on the wall by my head.

There was no one else in this particular hall, I was aware of that much, and if anyone was headed this way, I knew Edward would be aware of it.

I let go of his hand, and rested it on his side, bunching his shirt up in my fist. His hand moved to my own waist, resting gently on the side of my stomach. He broke the kiss long enough for me to take another deep breath, and then was kissing me again. I could feel him smiling as our mouths moved together, taking part in an age-old dance.

He pulled away slowly, cupping my face.

"Any butterflies?" he asked, completely calm and collected.

It took me a couple of seconds to regain my breathing. "No, not butterflies. Pterodactyls. An enormous flock of them." He let go of me and took my hand in his, and we started walking towards our creative writing classroom.

I could tell my face was flushed, but I could blame it on the cold. Edward's face was the same it had been, not flushed in the slightest, but I knew if he could have, his face would be just as red as mine.