Disclaimer- Twilight will never be mine.

A/N- Just need to get through this chapter and then I'm going to have loads of fun with the meadow scene.

12. Balance

"It's nice to see you two are paying a visit," Charlie said. "By the way, the game starts in fifteen minutes.

Billy's expression changed from stunned to actually happy. "Wow, we've come at the right time."

"It's nice you've invited us over, Mr. Swan," Jacob added, trying to sound polite. "Our house is getting renovated and we need something to distract ourselves."

"Would you mind if I ordered Pizza?" Charlie asked.

"Well, we already ate," Jacob replied, "but you could order a small for you and Bella."

Bella and Edward entered the house as well. Ah, the benefits of selling a roomful of mint condition Cabbage Patch Dolls on E-Bay. Bella smirked. I love it when I eat out. Let's just hope it's Hawaiian pizza.

Bella walked to the kitchen. "Oh, hi Jacob." She looked around the room. Good, Edward's not here. "Now, Since we're face-to-face, what's with these ominous phrases?"

"They're still coming after you," he warned. "Beware."

The doorbell rang. Damn. I didn't get the answers that I wanted. Stupid pizza delivery boy. Bella and Jacob walked into the living room to join their fathers.

Charlie opened the box. Bella smiled.

I knew it. Hawaiian. Charlie grabbed a couple plates and began serving the pie.

"So, Bella," Charlie said between bites. "What's this about a dance?"

"I'm not really going to it," she said.

"Why? I thought you were fitting in," Charlie said, concerned.

"No, I choose not to," Bella said.

Eventually the game ended and Billy and Jacob drove off.

The next morning, Bella got up and prepared for another day. They'll come for me, they'll come for me. Oh, what the hell am I thinking? Just seeing Jacob reminds me of that phrase. But there's a bit of a bright side: Today's Friday.

She walked outside. Edward silently waited for her. "Good morning, Bella."

"Is this going to be an everyday occurrence?" she asked. Edward just shrugged his shoulders as Bella got in the car.

"Well, I have a bit of bad news," he said. "Alice and I will be leaving after lunch, but don't worry, we'll be bringing your truck over."

Bella wrinkled her nose. "Just how'd you get the keys to it?"

"I have my methods," he replied.

I was counting the minutes until he slipped that line again. What methods? I need answers and I am not getting them. They soon arrived at Forks High and Bella exited the car. What about the others? What are they? She glanced at Rosalie, the beautiful blonde. They're all unearthly beautiful, but what if the beauty is only a front?

Bella went through the usual stream of classes. When the lunch bell came, she walked to the cafeteria, prepared to have one last conversation with Edward.

Edward turned to follow his family. "I don't mean to let you suffer through the final fifteen minutes of that horrible film in Biology, but sometimes we have to make sacrifices."

Alice Cullen strolled into the room, running a couple fingers through her black hair. "Oh, so you're Bella," she chirruped. "Edward told me so much about you."

"It's nice to meet you," Bella said, extending her hand.

Alice grasped Bella's hand and shook it rather enthusiastically. "You know, we move around an awful lot and I rarely have new friends," Alice continued. "It's nice to finally get to know someone." They turned to leave. "See ya."

Bella took a deep breath and walked to Biology.

"Have a safe trip to Seattle," Mike wished her.

"I hope you enjoy the dance too," Bella replied.

After school, Bella walked to the parking lot. Sure enough, there was her truck with the keys in the ignition. Now, let's go home. I have a trip to Seattle to get through. She turned the keys and started the truck, driving home.

The next morning, Bella rushed up and got dressed, wolfing down her breakfast and running out the door. She froze as soon as she caught sight of a young man beside her truck. Please, let it be just a coincidence. She shut her eyes and then reopened them. It's Edward.

Edward walked toward her, his expression a mix of guilt and neutrality. "Bella, it's time I told you who I truly am. I've been lying to you this entire time."

Bella attempted to mask a smile. Finally, I'll get the answers that I need.

"Come with me, and I'll tell you everything you want to know," he said. They both got in the truck and fastened their seatbelts. "Bella, one question. Do you mind a little hiking excursion?" Bella shook her head. "Good, because that's the perfect place to reveal my darkest secrets." He pointed to a path. She parked the truck near the path's beginning. They both got out of the truck and walked down the path to a rather innocent-looking meadow.

"What's so special about a trail?" Bella asked.

"The sunlight reveals our true selves," Edward replied. Bella looked at the sky. The sun began to peek out from behind the clouds, while her companion remained in the shadows. "I've lied to you ever since I met you." He slowly walked out of the shadows, just as the sun revealed its full might.

Sorry. No Reveal in this chapter. Gotta wait till next time. Heh heh heh.