IM SO SORRY!!! But i just got back from FINALLY taking my vacation. We wen tofr two weeks. From NYC, to NJ, and Phili, and then just taking time at the Disney theme parks in Orlando. So, you know, i personally don't feel too bad. i've been waiting for that vacation for months and now i got it at the end of summer. Oh! yeah, i just wanted to post this before school started down ere, and if you guys are good with reviews, i'll put one up next Saturday as a treat for me surviving the first school week. IM A SOPHMORE THIS YEAR!!! ~~~ Velvet

Disclaimer: I own it in my dreams . . . so shhh . . . im trying to sleep!

All through to the following week, Edward kept asking for hints and guessing totally off the mark. It was really quite amusing; especially when he was so sure I was a mermaid. That one cracked me up, and I couldn't look at him without breaking into nearly hysterical laughter. And if he wasn't asking me for hints, he was asking question after question about me, my interest, my hopes and dreams. What was my favorite flower? Which, by the way, my favorite flower is gardenia and those lovely peach colored roses.

"So what's with all the attention Cullen's been lavishing on you?" Jessica prodded me for information, literally with her spork in the lunch line. I just shrugged and made some flippant comment on him needing to know every boring facet of my life.

So to make up for my lack of cooperation in that department— the department of my being something else—, he drilled me with endless questions again. I don't know where he comes up with these questions, but I answered anyway to appease him. But, heaven forbid that I blush, because that just spurs a whole new round of questions.

Such as the time he asked if I had any boyfriends. When I blushed and refused to tell him, he pleaded with me. He finally demanded the answer when I refused to look at his eyes. "Tell me, Bella." He demanded, his tone thinly laced with anger.

Perplexed at his sudden frustration, I conceded. "No, I've never had a boyfriend, but I have had a few flings. About four if I recall, or it could be three. None of them were in Phoenix, though."

"So have you ever met a boy you liked?" He asked, his jaw clenched as he controlled his voice.

"No, not any boy, not there at least. Besides, I've always preferred my men lanky, but well muscled, you know? And it wouldn't hurt if he was a gentleman." I threw that in casually, watching his reaction. His eyes narrowed, then widened and he stopped walking. Laughing, I said over my shoulder in a normal voice, "I prefer my guys with experience!"

I am so. . . Naughty.

When I passed by the Cullen's, most of them greeted me, and I returned it. Rosalie was still glaring black ice at me, but I brush it off. I still sit with Edward at lunch, and he continues to pick me up from home and drops me off after school. At lunch, we just talk about random things, and he throws an occasional question in there that I answer. One question though, surprised me, and that was about our plans this weekend.

It was Thursday at lunch when he asked me this. "Bella, do you really want to go to Seattle, or can I change the destination?" he asked, passing a cheeseburger to me. I thoughtfully bit off a bite and chewed. After I swallowed I answered, "Well, I could always go to Seattle another time, I just made that up as an excuse not to go to the dance. So, no, I wouldn't mind going somewhere else."

He smiled. "That reminds me, why didn't you want to go to the dance? You had more than enough offers."

I scoffed in annoyance. "School dances are not my type of things. I'm more of a dancing party in the forest type of girl. Y'know, like those forest dance lines they used to secretly have in the flower power era? But hey, a club is just fine too."

"Yes, I remember those. My siblings participate in a few of them, even dragged me along for a couple of them. We were trying to see if vampires could get high."

"Did you ever find out?"

"No, the cops had come to break up the 'hippie fest'." He said, using air quotes. "But I wonder, if I had asked you, would you have turned me down?" he asked me, smiling quizzically.

"Well, initially I would have said yes, but then I would have faked an illness or something."

"Why?" he asked, puzzled.

"Because I really wanted to go to Seattle and that would have been an even bigger motivator! Anyway, back to topic! Um, where would you take me?"

"The weather will be nice, so I have this place I go to when that happens. Would you like to join me?" He asked, looking at me intensely.

"And would I get to see what you mean? About the sun?" I asked enthusiastically.

He chuckled, nodding his head.

"Hooray!" I cheered, throwing my hands up and punching the air. Edward, Alice, Jasper, and Emmet laughed, his booming across the room. People stared at him, slightly awed, but mostly frightened.

"Emmet, you're scaring the children." I said, giggling.

Edward shook his head hopelessly at his brother, and then turned back to me.

"I do have one stipulation though, if we're to go where you suggest." I informed him.

"What is this stipulation?" One perfect eyebrow arched up in question.

"Can I drive?"

"Why?"

"Well, mostly because when I tell Charlie I'm going to Seattle, it will be assumed that I will go alone. I don't think he would ask again if I was going alone, but if I left my truck at home, and he were to return before I got there, the question would be brought up and I'd have to tell him I went with you. Also, your driving scares the shit out of me."

"Of all the things to frighten you, it would be my driving, then?" he said laughing.

Then he turned serious, as he locked gazes with me. "Won't you tell your father you're going somewhere with me?"

"No need to hash the details if I don't need to." I said flippantly.

"And maybe I encourage you to do so, if only because I need a reason to bring you back home?" he ground out harshly.

I laughed airily. "You speak as if it's just so easy to kill me. But you'll find out."

"You mean that you'll show me what you are?" he asked eagerly. I nodded my head, smiling indulgently at him.

"Yes, since it looks like you won't find out anytime soon."

Edward suddenly scanned the area over my shoulder, and abruptly stood up.

"Come, the cafeteria is nearly empty, and we should get to Biology class. We're going to watch a movie; it shouldn't be too boring." He said, waiting for me so we could walk side by side to the classroom. One thing I've learned about having Edward Cullen near me is that it's reminiscent of my first day here. People keep staring, and it bugs me.

Edward, misjudging my uneasiness smoothly murmured in my ear, "They stare at your beauty. It aluminates this hallway."

I snorted. "And here I thought vampires were perfect. You should get your eyes checked."

"No it's true," Jasper said, startling me when he slipped by my side out of nowhere. "You outshine even a few vampire females I know."

I looked at them, dubious as I made a quick stop to my locker. "My kind is easily distinguishable by their looks and overall amicable personalities, which is why it's so easy for me to make friends. But, I've always been rather plain for my kind."

"Doubtful, unless your kind excels ours in beauty." Alice said perkily, drifting past us to her class, Jasper immediately falling in step with her.

Edward and I walked into the classroom, settling into our seats just as the bell rang.

"You should take their words to heart." Edward whispered. Mr. Banner had come in, wheeling an old TV with an ancient VHS player into the front of the room. The relief that permeated the atmosphere was nearly palpable.

As the teacher flicked the switch to turn the lights off, I whispered to Edward, "What is it that you see? In my mirror, all there is a pale face with brown hair and brown eyes. Slim, and I'll admit curvy, but nothing special, the essence of plain Jane. Tell me, Edward, what do your eyes see that my mirror fails to catch?" Gah, the feline in me was making an appearance; I was starting to talk vague and cryptic.

I could feel Edward's lips brush against the shell of my ear. "I see thick, beautiful brown hair with streaks of red that can be seen in the sun, and streaks of gold that can be seen at any time. Your eyes are pure milk chocolate; not one speck of green or gold. Inky black, long eyelashes acquired without the use of mascara fringe your eyes perfectly, and your full rose petal lips pout temptingly. Your clear skin only adds to the effect when you blush that charming pink. You are quite a well-figured girl; you'd have to be blind or foolish to consider yourself a stick. And that's just outward appearance. All in all, you are stunning."

I couldn't breathe. Couldn't speak or respond. That had to be either the hottest, or most beautiful thing anybody has ever said to me. Luckily, I was saved from the embarrassment of trying to regain coherency when Mr. Banner started the movie.

Then something weird happened.

I was suddenly hyper aware of Edward's proximity to me. Every follicle, every pore seemed to ooze this electricity; that connected with him. It was like the electricity started from him, and caught me up, like some sort of magnetic pole.

I crossed my arms on the desk and dug my fingers into my skin. I glanced over at Edward and smiled when I saw he had crossed his arms over his chest, his hands fists that dug into his ribs, glancing over at me also. He grinned, and we both turned to look back at the movie. I had no idea what the movie was about, not even the title. All I could concentrate on was resisting this overbearing urge to just touch Edward. But, since I like my personal space, it would be hypocritical of me to just ignore his.

Finally, the lights turned back on, and the electricity evaporated. I relinquished the death grip my fingers had on my arms, and stretched them in front of me, enjoying the feel of my muscles pulling. My gaze shot over to Edward when he chuckled, his eyes dark and swirling.

"That was interesting." He murmured.

All I could do was shrug, gathering my things and standing up to leave. Edward rose swiftly as well, and escorted me to Gym. I turned to say goodbye, but it stuck in my throat when I saw the look on his face. It was torn, hesitant, and so achingly beautiful my heart hurt. His eyes burning with conflict, he swiftly reached his hand up, and brushed the length of my cheek with his fingertips. I was certain I sported that deer-in-the-headlights look, even as he swiftly turned and glided down the hallway.

Gym, I was totally out of it the entire time, just going on autopilot. When I got home, I cooked up a steak and some rice and beans with a nice fresh salad. Charlie appreciated it I could tell, although his manner suggested he could have foregone the salad. Well too bad, because I'm the cook and I won't have him dropping dead on me anytime soon.

That night, I dreamed of Edward and I in a field of knee-high grass and wildflowers, our legs piled one on top the other, our hands laced gently together. It was quite peaceful. I woke up that morning feeling refreshed and light, and it showed in my outfit. A light blue 3 ¾ sleeved top with a white vest, and dark washed skinny jeans, paired with some nice peep-toe pumps. I skipped merrily to my Mustang, driving off to school at the leisurely speed of 85 . . . pfft.

I rose out the car, smiling quickly in the Cullen's direction, and waving merrily in the direction of Jessica and the crew, before sauntering off to class. It wasn't time for classes to start yet, so I just joined the multitudes of students casually resting on the hallway.

"Someone is super happy today." Jasper drawled grinning, and Alice bouncing next to him. I opened my arms and she bounced right into them, giving me a kiss on the cheek.

I smiled at Jasper. "Is that so wrong? I had pleasant dreams."

"That sounds wonderful! Are you nervous about tomorrow?" Alice trilled, looking at me seriously with her large, sparkling orbs.

I shook my head 'no'. "I'm fine. Are you guys going hunting soon?"

She nodded her head. "Yeah, me and Edward. He's just being overly cautious, but you do smell good. . ."

"It's an off day when somebody isn't commenting on how good I smell." I remarked sarcastically, and Alice and Jasper laughed. The bell rang and I waved them goodbye as I stepped into my class.

I worked through all my classes, anticipating lunch. I was so relieved when it finally came time, and I saw Adonis— I mean Edward, waiting for me by the Spanish door. We walked quickly to the lunch room, going through the line, him grabbing just one tray and filling it with food. Half was for me, the other half for him, he told me. We sat down at our now regular table, and I immediately picked up the pizza.

We were just sitting in a comfortable silence, me occasionally pointing out somebody and asking him what they were thinking. More often than not, the answers I found were most amusing. One guy was actually thinking about grooming his 3 kittens as he was talking to a particularly buxom girl. I nearly choked on my own food, I was laughing so hard. Of course, that was pretty embarrassing, especially with Edward to witness it.

"So, I suppose Alice told you we would be going hunting." It was a statement, not a question. Nevertheless, I nodded in affirmation.

"Yes, she did. Shall you be going now?" I asked.

"Yes." All of a sudden, Alice danced to a fluid stop by Edward's side. Her willowy body still managed to be graceful, even absolutely still.

"See you later Bella." Alice giggled. I returned the sentiment, and rose as Edward rose.

"Should I say, 'have fun?', or is that not the right sentiment?" I teased him, an impish grin on my face.

"Have fun works just as well." He smirked.

"Well then have fun." He chuckled at the obvious fake cheeriness in my voice. In all honesty, I was sullen at the thought of not seeing him until tomorrow.

Sometimes I wonder if he really can read my mind, because he asked with a small smile playing at his lips, "Tomorrow seems like a long time to you doesn't it?" he mused.

I nodded. "I'm going to head home now anyway. I don't feel like staying anymore. I think I'll go for a little run." I mused to myself, walking out with them now.

"I'll meet you later then, if that's alright?" I heard Jasper ask, and I nodded my head, turning to smile brightly at him. We three stopped at our lockers to grab our stuff before heading to the parking lot.

"So, would you like to sleep in tomorrow, or—"

"9 o'clock is fine with me." I said quickly, too quickly. He chuckled at my eagerness, and nodded his head.

"Then I'll be at your doorstep bright and early at nine in the morning." He said, still chuckling.

When we got to the parking lot, I surprised them both with a big hug. I released them, and said, "Later guys!"

"Bye Bella!" Alice shouted as I hopped into my car.

I couldn't wait for Saturday.