A/N: I'm really disappointed by the lack of reviews I've gotten on the last few chapters. Favorites are nice, but I'd love it if those of you who have favorited me or this story could actually review this time. I'd like some actual feedback if you don't mind.
The party, unlike the graduation ceremony itself, seemed to drag on for hours with my anticipation. Alice had long since given up on getting me to relax and had taken a place at the center of the dance floor that was slowly growing into a mosh pit. Any second now I expected Mike Newton to get on stage and dive into the sea of people.
I stood by the refreshment table near the doorway, anxiously waiting for either Edward or Jacob to come through the door. Not being one for dancing without someone like Edward to keep me from making a fool of myself, I preferred my spot as a spectator and mingled with various people who came up to the table for food and punch.
"Hey, Bella," came a voice from behind me. I turned around to find Angela standing there.
"Oh, hey, Angela," I said lamely, "What's up?"
"Not much," she shrugged, "Ben was talking to some of the guys about scores for something. It might have been baseball or basketball. Then again it could have been bowling." We both laughed. "So where's Edward?" she asked curiously.
It was no surprise that she wondered why he wasn't planted at my side. I'd be willing to bet she wasn't the only one to wonder.
"He had to talk to Jacob Black about something," I said, trying to come off indifferently.
"From La Push, right?"
I nodded. "Yeah. They were talking about car parts or something," I lied, "You know how guys are. Cars and sports scores."
She agreed and shifted the topic to colleges, which seemed safe enough at the time. Angela told me about her scholarship to the University of Washington and about her living arrangements for awhile. Then she asked where I was going.
"Well I…uh, that is…"
"There you are, Bella," came his voice from behind me. I sighed in relief and looked up at him.
"Oh, Edward, when did you get here?"
"A few minutes ago. I hate to take you away from Angela, but we need to get going. I don't want to keep Carlisle and Esme waiting."
I turned back to Angela. "Sorry to rush off like this," I said, feeling a bit guilty.
"Oh don't worry about it, Bella. We have all summer to hang out. We'll plan a girl's night out sometime," she said cheerily.
I smiled half-heartedly. "Sounds great." We hugged one another and Edward led me out to the parking lot.
As we walked, I realized it was entirely too quiet.
"Where's Alice?" I asked, completely terrified of the answer.
"She actually left a few hours ago. She wanted to help the others prepare for your arrival."
I sighed melodramatically. Edward laughed and pressed his face into my hair.
"Relax, Bella," he whispered. "You may be opposed to it all at first, but Alice has assured me multiple times that you will enjoy yourself."
"Why is it that every time you reassure me of anything it makes me ten times more tense?"
He laughed again. "Are you aware of the fact that your heart is pounding as much as it was when we were conferring with the Volturi?"
I blushed. I was aware of my erratic heartbeat, but, foolishly enough, I had hoped Edward would somehow not notice it.
"You know how much I hate surprises," I began to protest. Edward came to a halt in front of a small blue sports car. I looked up at him, confused.
"How many new cars do you really need?" I asked him incredulously.
"I don't need any," he reached into his tuxedo jacket and pulled out a small silver key ring, "You on the other hand…" he let the keys hang there between his two snow white fingers.
"Edward Cullen you did not buy me a car!" I was furious.
"I'm not going to force you to drive it, Bella, but it's always at your disposal. If something were to happen to your truck…"
"If you touch my truck, I swear I'll…I'll…" I was at a loss for words. What could I do? He was the world's best predator as he'd once put it. I was just a meek little human.
He took my chin in his hand and lifted it towards him. "No one is going to do anything to your truck, Bella. I promise." he pressed his lips to mine. At first I didn't want to kiss him back, but my instincts overpowered my reasoning. Kissing him should have been last thing I wanted to do, but as soon his lips met mine I had no control. The car, the surprise that had yet to be unveiled, none of it mattered right now. It was just the two of us.
Edward broke away first, as always, and held me close to his chest. "We have places to go and people to see, love," He said quietly.
I sighed and reluctantly left his arms. I sat down in the driver's seat, not wanting to upset him by not using the gift. I was beginning to buckle myself in when he tapped on the window.
"Yes," I asked impatiently.
"Two things actually," he said through the glass, "First, you don't know where we're going. Second, I have the keys," he said holding up the small silver keys.
I sighed and slid over to the passenger's seat. He got in the car and began driving within seconds of me buckling my seatbelt.
"So I'm still not allowed to know where we're going?"
"No," he replied, "In fact," He reached into the backseat and felt around for a split second before his hand returned with a small piece of shiny fabric. "Would you mind covering your eyes with this?"
I stared at him, my mouth agape. "You can't be serious?"
"Bella, put the blindfold on," he commanded.
"No."
"Isabella Marie Swan if you love me, you'll put this blindfold on."
I turned away from him and looked out the dark window. I felt his cold hand gently turn my face back towards his.
"Bella," he stared directly into my eyes, "Please."
I survived glowering at his angelic expression for a few seconds before giving in and holding my hand out for the blindfold.
Instead of handing it to me, he gently tied it around my head. Everything around me went black.
A/N: Well Bella's blindfolded and has a new car. I'm typing the next chapter now, but don't expect it for a few days because I have finals to study for. Plus I'd like to see how many people actually REVIEW.
-Alice C.