Chapter Twenty-Four

Edward left me a note on the feather pillow he usually leaned against when he stayed with me. I noticed it first thing when I woke up and the rose drawn on the corner of the page. I smiled. It was better than I could have done. But of course it was! Vampire eyes were better than humans. I picked up the letter. "Had to go find Alice and talk to her about something. I'll be back. All my love," I read out loud. His words seemed urgent, but I couldn't be sure because he'd taken the time to sketch a perfect rose into the corner. His writing looked the same as always, not rushed or messy. I was worried though. What if Alice had seen some kind of warning?

I shook my head. Edward would explain at school. Charlie was in his room dressing for work when I finished in the bathroom. I could hear him humming a song Mom used to sing to me when I was a baby. It was sort of like a family lullaby.

I reached the kitchen and almost dropped my coffee cup on the floor. Edward was outside, his car on the curb. He was leaning against it, arms crossed and a smile on his face. I glanced towards the stairs. "Ring the doorbell," I mouthed. I was too happy to send him away, but there wasn't really a good way to get past Dad if he saw Edward's Volvo. Dad wouldn't be suspicious if Edward rung the doorbell though. For being a cop, he was unusually easily convinced of things.

I hugged Edward once I opened the door. I was so happy to see him. It still felt like he was going to disappear now that I knew what he was. "Thought I'd drive you to school," he explained, hearing Dad's heavy footsteps on the stairs.

I grabbed Edward's hand quickly. I needed the support. Not exactly physically. More just mentally. "Hey, Dad," I called, walking into the kitchen. "Is it okay if I ride with Edward to school today?"

Dad looked Edward over, then looked to me. "Have you eaten yet?" he asked, clearly trying to change the subject and avoid answering.

"Um... Not yet, but I can eat a bagel on the way." I moved to the counter to toast a bagel and put some cream cheese on it. "You hungry, Edward?" I asked just in case Dad noticed something unusual in me not inviting him to breakfast with us. I knew what Edward's answer would be anyway.

"I already ate, but thanks," Edward replied, picking up my backpack and coat off the floor where I'd dropped them. I held my bagel in my mouth as Edward helped me into my coat. "Do you mind, Dad? I mean, it's not like we can skip school without you hearing it somewhere," I mumbled.

"Fine, it's fine. Just have a good day at school."

He didn't exactly sound sincere, but I didn't care. "Thanks!" I exclaimed and ran out the door with Edward to his car. Dad watched from the kitchen window. We went through the same routine as always--Edward opened my door, I smiled, maybe blushed too, and stepped into the passenger's seat, Edward ran around the car at human speed, and got in next to me. He smiled at me as he started the engine and we started down the road at a speed Charlie would approve of.

We were silent on the way to school, but that was fine with me. The second we were out of sight, Edward sped up to his preferred speed. It took not even half of the usual time to get to school. Edward parked across two parking spots, mine and his. I laughed and stepped out. People were staring like the first day we came together. I saw Emmett, Rosalie, Jasper, and Alice arrive in a Jeep Wrangler, Emmett standing in the back and Jasper driving. I smiled at Emmett, who I officially considered my big brother. I high-fived him as I passed. He laughed at how far I had to reach up--he was much taller than me. I looked even smaller next to him than I did next to Edward.

I hugged Alice quickly too. "Thanks for covering yesterday," I told her. She had really made it possible for me and Edward to be there together.

"Anything for my human sister," Alice replied. She squeezed me closer and then smiled at Jasper, who stood in his usual military stance, looking to be in pain. But now I knew why.

I laughed suddenly, remembering a metaphor I'd used what seemed like years ago. "My diet story. That's why you said it was so close!" I exclaimed, looking at Edward. "I was joking and now I totally understand." I was the chocolate cake in the oven. Edward thirsted for my blood and it was almost too good to resist. He was on the strictly animal blood diet. It made a ton of sense now.

Edward nodded with a grin in Alice's direction. "We'll tell you at lunch," he promised her, and led me towards building two for English. His arm around my waist this time, not my shoulders, he leaned closer to whisper in my ear. "You don't mind sitting with my family at lunch, do you?"

"Nope. Time to try again with Rosalie. Anyway, my friends don't like me anymore. I guess that's what happens in high school."

"Why? Did something happen?"

"No. They just don't seem interested anymore. Except maybe Angela. She's still as sweet as ever."

"So we'll tell Alice on the way to lunch and go mend things with your friends. We still have tomorrow to sit with my family."

I nodded, leaning my head against his chest. He squeezed my waist, which made me smile. I loved how gentle he was. A gentle vampire. We entered English together and hung up our coats on the rack by the door. I continued to my seat while Edward followed a step behind me. The bell hadn't rung yet, so I turned around in my desk to talk to Anthony, who seemed down.

"What's wrong?" I asked, smiling at him.

"I need a date for prom."

"Any prospects?"

"None so far." I glanced at Edward at that. He was grinning proudly. "I'm too scared to ask anyone," Anthony explained.

"Maybe someone will ask you."

"Don't want to take the chance that no one will. Who do you think I should ask once I get up the courage? You're so happy with Cullen. How'd he win you over?"

I frowned. I had to stop and think about that one. "Um... He didn't actually. I think I won him over," I said, and caught Edward playfully rolling his eyes, but there was some truth to what I said. "You should ask Michelle, Taylor, Nora, or maybe Sara. They're all single. Their personalities would go well with yours. You sit with them at lunch too. How hard could it be?"

"Can you ask Nora for me?"

"No, but I can talk to her and maybe suggest she ask you out. She's extremely out-going. No fear."

"I don't get why anyone said you were shallow," Anthony muttered, and Edward stiffened. He was too protective of me. Physically, and he wasn't about to let anyone say I was shallow and hurt me mentally either. He heard it in people's thoughts all the time, I knew, but thinking it and saying it were two completely different things. "You're really nice actually," Anthony continued. "I like you. I mean, not like that," he added quickly when he saw Edward's furious look. "Nobody here's taken me seriously, except you."

I smiled at him. "Glad I could be there for ya."

Anthony seemed in a better mood already. The bell rang and I turned so I was sitting properly in my desk. Edward was chuckling when I looked at him. He handed a note with the explanation when he saw my confused, yet interested look.

"Poor guy thought I was going to attack him for saying he liked you," I read silently. I frowned. Something told me Edward wouldn't have been happy if he had misunderstood what Anthony said, but he hadn't. With his supernatural power, he couldn't misunderstand anyone but me. Or at least it would be hard to. So I would just be as clear as possible with him. I remembered his reaction that night in Port Angeles so long ago when I asked him why he saved me. He misunderstood me because he couldn't read my mind. He thought I meant something like I wanted to die.

Edward met me on the way to lunch and we found Alice standing with Jasper. We explained my chocolate cake metaphor. Alice giggled and Jasper allowed himself a smile. Emmett, who must have overheard from his position ten feet away, burst into laughter. That or he found it funny how I leaned into Edward to keep my balance.

Edward bought me a salad, a yogurt, and some water for lunch. He watched me arrange the veggies with a grin. "Edible art?" he inquired, leading me towards the table where Lauren, Mike, Jessica, and Ben sat.

"So you're back together?" Jess asked.

"Yeah. Do you mind if we sit with you?" I replied, but only Edward detected the fear in my voice. Being rejected wasn't pleasant for anyone, even if I tried not to let it bother me.

"Sure," Jess answered, but she sounded annoyed.

"If you don't want us to, that's fine," I said. "I completely understand."

"No, it's fine," Lauren told me, more genuine. "I missed you! I've been worried that you were losing it. It's good to have our friend back." Our friend. That implied two things at least. One, Jess, Mike, and Ben shared that feeling--missing me. And two, that Edward wasn't their friend. Friend as opposed to friends. I would have liked to leave right there to go sit with sweet, darling Alice. But instead, I smiled my thanks and sat down next to Mike. Edward apparently didn't notice the second thing implied, and I was glad, even though I knew he really had.

"So what'd you do over spring break?" Lauren asked me.

"I went to LA. Went to the beach, shopping. I got a motorcycle. It's still hidden in my trunk though. Dad doesn't like them. And I got a new tattoo--"

"I want one, but my parents tell me I'll regret it in forty years," Jessica muttered. "You're so lucky!"

I shrugged. "It hurts a lot if you're not prepared for it. My friend Kasey got one and cried because it hurt so bad. And it depends on where you get it. She got it wrapped around her rib cage. I could never do that. It'd hurt so bad! But I do want at least one more tat."

"Of what?" Edward inquired.

"Something in Hebrew. It's a passage from the Bible actually. It means 'to desire more than my next breath'," I answered quickly. "It basically just means that I want more from life. But I won't if you don't want me to. And I might not anyway. It's just an idea."

"Where would you get it?" Mike asked.

"My wrist. It would be pretty small."

Angela joined us then with a large group, including Anthony. She hugged me and smiled at Edward, who returned it. Once she was over there, I felt much more comfortable. Angela was so good-hearted. She reminded me of Alice a little bit. Only Alice had this life vibrating off her--kinda like Jake did. I loved that in both of them.

Biology was spent taking notes. After Gym was over, I stood outside with Edward. I was leaning against him for no particular reason. Alice and Jasper were usually pretty shy about showing their relationship in public. Or at least the depth of it. It was restricted to being together, holding hands or some other form of touch, and a gentle smile from Alice when Jasper's looked became especially pained. Rosalie and Emmett were open with their affections. Constantly flirting, but they were an excellent couple. Edward and I were somewhere in the middle of the two others. His arm was almost always around me and he apparently liked to show me off with a cocky smile painted on his beautiful face. But most of our flirting wasn't obvious. We just liked to be together.

Edward and I stood by his Volvo, talking quietly. Alice and Jasper were across the parking lot, her arm around him. Rosalie and Emmett stood next to his Jeep Wrangler. I couldn't hear their voices, but I could see Rosalie's face light up when she laughed.

I buried my face in Edward's side. He rubbed my arm comfortingly. "What?" he asked me softly.

Edward couldn't understand though. Rosalie was so gorgeous every girl who looked at her took an instant hit to their self esteem. Alice too, but her sweet nature made up for that loss. I groaned quietly. "How come they're so much more happy than you are being... how you are?" I asked to change the subject--I didn't want to explain a girl's mentality to him.

"They're all the same," Edward started, frowning as he watched his siblings. "They don't have to be careful or worry about losing control. You're what we all pretend to be, but the differences are obvious when I stand next to you."

"Is that why Rosalie hates me?"

"Part of it," Edward replied. "When's your dad get off work today?"

"Five or six probably. Why?"

"No reason." But I knew he only answered that way because Rosalie and Emmett were walking over. Edward was more tense suddenly. I glanced up at him to prepare myself, but the pained look told me it wasn't Rosalie. I slipped out of his hold. "Sorry," I told him, and he smiled, erasing my fear that he was actually in pain.

"Don't be. The more I'm with you, the easier it becomes," he replied. "As long as I take a little while to hunt whenever I need to."

I nodded in understanding and turned my attention to Rosalie and Emmett. "Hey," I said, trying not to sound too shy. Emmett smiled at me. Rosalie managed not to glare at me, which was good enough for me. It helped me. Emmett found me more and more funny every time I tripped and Edward caught me as if it happened all the time--and it did. It was like Edward was constantly expecting me to trip. And I never let him down.

The parking lot started to empty. I watched the cars slowly leave. Mike and Ben were playing football in the middle of the lot. Anthony was talking to Nora, doing well and not panicking. Jess and Lauren were just leaving Gym, but their eyes were on Mike and Ben. I spotted Angela taking pictures for the yearbook. I stood in the corner of the lot in Edward's arms, trying to figure out why Rosalie apparently was being nice--for her anyway. But even that didn't make sense to me.

"Did you ever trip on the runway?" Emmett asked me, sounding so interested I wanted to smack him.

"Nope. Amazing, huh? But I'm in a zone when I'm on a runway, complete concentration, so it's not as easy to fall on my face," I told him with a smile, despite my annoyance.

Rosalie never spoke to me, but she listened to me talk to Emmett. She somehow avoided glaring at me until the last two student cars were Edward's Volvo and Emmett's Wrangler. Then she gave me the worst glare ever. I didn't even know what I'd done, but I ignored it as Edward helped me into his car to take me home.