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I know. It's been a month and a half since I've updated. Sorry. Uh, three weeks of trips and tons of homework and a full-time occupation of worrying about Stuff will do that to you, though. Um, this is kind of short. But whatever. I'm kind of half-asleep here. So... the chapter... voila. *waves arms in fancy magicy fashion*
Ch. 24 - Confession
I bounced inside the house in a buoyant mood, quickly doing all my homework. I ran out into the back and began to read, knowing that listening to Edward's CD would only make the wait to see him again feel longer. A while later, I was pulled from the world of the book that I was in when I heard Charlie's cruiser pull up. I darted inside to greet him.
"Hi, Charlie."
"Hey, Bella. How was today?"
"It was good." What an understatement. Charlie took off his shoes and sat down on the couch. I went to sit beside him.
"I don't know how to tell you this, Charlie, but-" I changed my sentence, chickening out, "there are others in town. I've asked them not to hunt, and they've agreed. But we're supposed to meet them at midnight at the place where...well, I'll take you. They're interested in our lifestyle."
"Okay," agreed Charlie warily.
"Actually, I only talked with one of them - Laurent," I admitted. "He seemed fine to abide by our request. There's three of them altogether."
"Hmm," said Charlie disapprovingly. One we could take, should a fight break out. But three...
"Charlie," I began nervously.
"Yes?" he asked, confused at my tone.
"I should probably tell you...I think it's customary..."
"What is it?" Charlie demanded impatiently. I swallowed.
"Well, I - and try not to freak out, Charlie, okay? - I...kind of have a boyfriend." It all came out in a rush. It took Charlie a few seconds. He blinked a few times wearing an expression of incredulity and a hint of anger. Suddenly his expression grew a few degrees calmer.
"The one you met today?" he asked, hope creeping into his voice.
"No. It's someone from school. His name is Edward Cullen."
"A human?" Charlie roared furiously.
"He's very nice," I mumbled feebly.
"Does he know about...us?" he asked, his voice modulated down a few octaves.
"Yes."
"Didn't you realize the danger that would put him in? Did you think about what the Volturi would do to him if they found out?" Of course, Charlie was thinking about the humans before us. He really did make a good police officer - he was so protective of everyone.
"He's been trying to figure it out all year. And he wouldn't have found out, if not for Laurent. He kept saying, 'You brought a human?' and things like that, so Edward realized. I did ask Laurent not to tell anyone about Edward, though, just as a precautionary measure."
"Good," Charlie grunted. Suddenly his expression grew appraising. He pursed his lips. "Do you like him?" he asked, skeptical.
"Yes!" I gushed. "He's...amazing, Charlie. Don't go too hard on him. Please."
Charlie sighed. "Fine. I'll try not to scare him too much."
"Thanks."
"Any time, Bells." We sat in silence as something I had said grew clear to him. "He was there when Laurent came? So you were alone with a human? Bella..." His voice was disapproving.
"It was fine," I said defensively. "No harm done. No blood, no foul." I smiled to myself.
I went upstairs again and continued my book there, checking the clock regularly. At some point I looked up to see the green numbers of my alarm clock read 11:55. I sighed and reluctantly put the book down. Charlie was ready, too. We walked out wordlessly into the night as I stepped into the driver's seat and Charlie the passenger's seat of my truck. The pavement flew by, rolling us closer to the three vampires waiting for us in Edward's favorite hideout.
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