The Learning Curve: Chapter 48

Bella Swan's House

"Morning, Bella," Charlie said as I walked into the kitchen for breakfast. "Did you hear a tree limb fall last night?"

I was glad my head was currently in the fridge. "Uh, no."

"Well, there's a big limb down in the yard. I'm gonna have someone come out and look at the tree, make sure it's not about to come down."

"Okay," I gulped, torn with anxiety. Was Edward okay?

I couldn't rush to the phone without raising suspicion, so I hurried through my bowl of cereal. As soon as Charlie was out the door, I ran upstairs.

My phone started ringing just before I picked it up, and I didn't even bother to check the screen. "Edward?"

"No, Bella, it's Alice."

"Oh," I said, trying not to be disappointed. "What's up?"

"I had a dream last night," she said gravely. I went still.

"About Edward?" I asked. Oh God, what if he'd gotten really hurt?

"No...about you. Bella, you absolutely cannot go to Edward's after school."

"But Alice, I'm supposed to meet his mom today. He'll think I'm trying to get out of it. What did you see?"

"A car accident," Alice said quietly.

I swallowed heavily. "You're sure it happens today?" I asked.

"What are you wearing today?"

"Jeans and a purple sweater," I said without argument, understanding the seriousness of what Alice was asking.

"It's today," she said, voice tight. "Bella, please, please don't drive today. This already happened once - I can't do it again."

She sounded near tears, and I knew I had to listen to her. "Okay. I'll call Edward for a ride," I said.

"I can come get you," Alice offered.

"No, it's okay. I'm going with Edward later anyway, and I wanted to see him this morning."

"Okay," Alice breathed. "Thank you."

"Of course, Alice," I said. We said goodbye and I hung up, feeling shaken. I didn't know what Alice had seen, but I knew when she was being deadly serious, and I wasn't going to take any chances.


A/N: Dun dun dun. ;)