VII. Confessions of a Teenage Immortal and a Teenage Imposter

Despite the cold, I didn't bother with the heater and demanded Edward crank down his window at least a little bit before I took off. My coat and gloves would have to keep the chill at bay, because I wasn't willing to test Edward's control around me. The inside of the cab remained awkwardly silent up until Edward noticed me getting on the highway. "Where are we going?"

I shrugged. "Into town? Where's the nearest electronics store?"

I glanced long enough to note Edward's incredulous look. "I believe there's a Radio Shack in Sequim," he laughed.

"Sequim? That's like what? Twenty minutes past Port Angeles?" I nodded to myself. When I'd gone with Jessica, it had been a straight shot on the 101. I merged into one of the center lanes, knowing I wouldn't be getting off for a while.

"Yes, and an hour and a half from here," Edward reminded me, casting a dubious gaze along the dashboard. "The question is whether your truck can manage it."

"The tank is full," I shrugged flippantly, "I'll fill it again before we return."

Edward sighed. "Isabella, this is absurd. Let's turn back. I'd be much more comfortable if we took my car."

I gripped the steering wheel so tightly I was sure my knuckles turned white beneath my gloves. "This isn't about your comfort, Edward," I griped. "What on earth made you think I wanted to cheat just to pass a damn biology test? Ayúdame a entender―" I cut myself off before I continued my rant in Spanish. Damn I'm starting to sound like mi amá. But I could barely contain my temper. It wasn't the cheating that bothered me, but that he'd duped me into studying the test questions specifically. It was annoying. I didn't enjoy being on the receiving end of his manipulations, even if he'd had good intentions.

My switch in language seemed to confuse Edward for only a split second, before his face became downcast. "You were stressed," he murmured.

I heaved a frustrated sigh, because I hadn't been stressed about the stupid exam. I had pretended to be, as a distraction. It was better than continuously wondering about the why's and how's of my situation. But Bella's homework load was nothing compared to my college coursework, and that biology test had been my first real challenge. And sinking into that familiar stress in the company of my classmates had been so achingly familiar.

"That's not an excuse," I muttered, unable to offer my real thoughts.

Edward gazed out the window so that I couldn't catch his expression, but his tone was surprisingly honest, "None of it was my intention. I apologize, Isabella."

I mulled over his words.

Edward couldn't control his mind reading abilities. It was true that if Mr. Banner had been deliberating on the exam questions, Edward would have had no choice but to listen. Perhaps cheating hadn't been his intention for me, but I still didn't appreciate it.

"I forgive you," I eventually allowed. "I won't be asking for your help in the future though so the point is moot."

It was petty of me, but if I had to struggle through Biology II to get a decent grade, I would. I didn't want to have anything to do with Edward Cullen's perfect memory recall and mind reading abilities.

From my peripherals, I saw him turn back to me. "Isabella, don't be unreasonable. I'll keep my predictions to myself, I promise. But please, allow me to help you."

I scowled. "What's your deal, Cullen? Why are you so nice to me?" Edward wasn't making this easy and so now, it was time to start asking questions.

He grimaced. "You really don't know?"

"Would you care to enlighten me?" I huffed, nearly rolling my eyes. "This better not be a love confession."

His pause was long enough to make me uncomfortable. "And if it is?"

Keeping my laughter contained was difficult. "Edward," I said gently, unable to keep myself from smiling, "I practically share one brain cell with Jessica, and you can hardly stand her. So forgive me if a love confession is that last thing I'd expect from you."

He shook his head. "You give yourself too little credit."

I frowned. "I'm not here to fish for compliments," I snapped. "But I admit, it's hard to imagine you feel that way about me." I tried not to sound too miserable out of respect for his feelings, no matter how unbelievable I found them to be.

"I do," he confirmed. "What I really want to know, is what you think about me."

The vulnerability in his voice made me uncomfortable. I shifted in my seat and shrugged. "You have a nice facade, Edward. But you don't allow anyone to really get to know you." I worded it carefully so that I wouldn't lie. My opinion of him shouldn't matter and I knew more about him than anyone had any right to know.

"And if I allowed you to get to know me?" he suggested, hesitant. I read the underlying message: what if he told me his secret? Despite my lingering disbelief, I did think about it.

Edward was heavily flawed, but he did have good qualities: he was intelligent, and considerate, and when he wasn't so uptight, he could be rather funny. If I were to open up my heart to him, I was sure falling in love with him would come easy. Which is why I wouldn't allow myself so much as an errant thought for him. That path lead to heartbreak―whether because he outlived me, or he left me, or I found a way back home and I left him. Ours would not be a happy ending.

"That's the problem," I replied belatedly, "You won't allow me to. Not really." Perhaps it was cowardly of me to hide behind his unspoken secret, but it was easy.

Edward could hardly reveal his nature without also exposing his family. For that reason alone he could never push beyond our current stalemate. It made it easier for me to avoid this mess that Bella had so willingly pursued.

For a long time, the only noise in the cab was the speeding wind from Edward's lowered window. The cold was uncomfortable, but I wouldn't dare mention it. Instead, I kept an eye on the fuel gauge. The dial had only dipped halfway to E, which was both surprising and a relief. Now that my temper had cooled, I felt extremely silly for insisting on making such a long drive in this rusty bucket of a truck, but I was pleased to find it could go seventy without falling to pieces and make it to Sequim in one tank. Maybe I can make that trip out to Tacoma after all.

"Is it functional?" I glanced long enough to see him gesturing towards the ancient stereo.

"I believe so?" I was uncertain seeing as I'd never bothered messing with the thing. But after some fiddling, Edward was able to tune in on a few different stations.

"What do you prefer?" he asked. His friendly tone was a bit strained, but I went along with it. If I recalled correctly, some of his preferred genres were rock and classical. An odd range, but he was also old as dirt. And, we at least had one thing in common.

"Rock music, if you can find a station for it," I replied, loosening my tight grip on the steering wheel and relaxing my stiff shoulders. I hadn't noticed how tense I'd become.

"That's...unexpected," he admitted.

It took me second to realize he was referring to my taste in music. "So I've been told." Not here, but back home. Those who didn't know me hadn't expected a girl who dressed in ruffled blouses and skirts and drove a little hybrid would listen to such loud, angry music.

"Your pick then," I said when Edward couldn't find a station that suited my tastes.

"Ah, I'm not sure you'd enjoy my other preferences," he smiled apologetically. It was a good thing the road required my attention. A single glimpse of his smile had my heart stuttering.

I heaved a frustrated sigh. "It's fine. I don't mind classical music."

I assumed he complied when he didn't immediately reply. And then, Edward asked, "How do you know I listen to classical music?"

My thoughts came to a grinding halt. "You, um, strike me as the old fashion type," I eventually muttered, cheeks flushed. I knew my belated excuse was unconvincing as hell, but to my relief, Edward didn't contest it. Instead, he twisted the dial until the combination of piano, violin, and a number of other instruments quietly filled the cab.

I couldn't believe I'd made such a slip-up. I'd been so careful thus far. I could only be thankful that it hadn't been anything more severe. Any hint that I was aware of his true nature and I'd have the wrath of the whole Olympian Coven at my doorstep.

"What are you thinking?" Edward asked.

My smile was grim. "It's nothing you want to listen to."

"But I do," he insisted.

I cast an annoyed scowl in his direction. "I've spoiled you." I'd been mistaken in assuming that a glimpse into my thoughts would make Edward lose all interest. Instead, the doofus had supposedly fallen in love with me. A definite mistake on his part.

"You have," he chuckled. "Although I'm certain you edit."

I nodded. "My actual thoughts are more offensive than I'd have you believe."

"Should I be concerned?"

"Probably," I grinned. "I don't mean to be rude. It just comes naturally."

"Any regarding me?"

My eyes were focused on the road, but I could feel the intensity of his gaze. I suddenly recalled all the things I'd said to Jessica on Saturday and wondered how much of that he'd seen in her head. My cheeks turned pink. I can't say any of that to his face!

"We're not that close," I muttered. I occasionally teased Jessica because we were comfortable that way. With Edward I'd just feel like an asshole.

"And you won't reconsider Saturday?"

I pursed my lips in thought. I had technically already agreed to be friends with him, but that had been before his implied love confession, which in turn, had ruined my theory that I was officially on his menu. Still, I shook my head mutely.

His expression was an odd mixture of disappointment and relief.

"You'll be taking the next exit," he pointed out a little later. I merged out of the freeway and followed his directions, until we were parked in front of a Radio Shack that, in a few years time, would be vacated and likely replaced with a Verizon shop.

I laughed when I saw Edward crank up the passenger window. "I think that's unnecessary," I said. No way would anyone consider stealing this rustic dinosaur.

"You're probably correct," he chuckled and stepped out of the truck instead. As we walked inside the store, he asked, "Were you looking to purchase a cellphone?"

"Huh? No. What good use would that be?" I scoffed. Even now, my fingers twitched in search of the sleek smart phone I no longer owned. A cellphone in this time period would not only be ridiculously expensive, but it would be a full-scale downgrade.

"They're very useful for long distance communication," he explained with a smile that was more teasing than condescending.

I shrugged. "We have a landline for that." Although he was right that a cellphone would be more convenient, I didn't think it was worth the price.

We were intercepted by a salesman and within a few minutes, he was showing off all of their available mp3 devices on display. "I don't want an iPod," I told him firmly, after he suggested it for the third time. "I'll take that one instead," I pointed to a similar device that had the same small screen. "How much?"

The salesman who, according to his tag, was named Dave gave up on selling me the most expensive model, and said, "For forty gigabytes, it would be three-hundred fifty."

I rolled my eyes. "And for less gigabytes?" Of course I'd be stuck with such an ambitious salesperson. But the price would clean me of the last of Bella's sock money. I still needed gas money, especially if I planned on making the trip to Tacoma.

"Two-hundred ten for twenty gigs," he finally conceded.

"I'll take that and a new pair of earbuds," I said. I happily forked over the money once he rang up the items, although it meant I would have to now get a job. I missed listening to music and I wasn't patient enough to wait for Spotify to be invented. (If I was even here for that long.) "Thank you!" I eagerly took the bag with my purchases and went to hunt down Edward.

I found him in the stereo section. "Which do you think would appear best in your truck?" he asked as soon as I stood beside him.

I laughed. "None of them, of course." His inquisitive look caused me to elaborate, "My truck is ancient. A brand new stereo would just look silly."

"You're right," he said, turning to face me, "Throw the whole truck away."

"Maybe," I agreed, "But it was a gift from Charlie. Also, I'd need to get a job. I just spent the last of my money." I held up the plastic bag holding my new mp3 player.

"Which model did you get?" he asked as we headed for the exit.

I shrugged. "Um, river-something?" I handed over the bag at his request.

He hummed as he looked it over. "And how do you plan on purchasing music if you spent it on this?"

I rolled my eyes as I clambered back into my truck. "Obviously I'll download it illegally." Admittedly, I was a little out of practice. It'd been years since I'd had to illegally download anything.

"Would you allow me to borrow it?" he asked as I pulled out of the parking lot and began heading for a gas station situated near the freeway.

"What are you going to do? Upload music to it?"

"If you don't mind." His beseeching smile was too attractive for words and I struggled to keep my gaze forward.

"Sure," I allowed, all too aware of how annoyingly long it took to download and upload music song by song. If Edward wanted to take up that challenge, he could be my guest. "Rock music. Preferably alternative. Nothing grungy," I requested. If anything, it was better that Edward did this on my behalf. I could prolong the moment when I realized that a good chunk of my favorite songs had yet to exist.

I pulled in and parked by one of the gas pumps. By the time I made it around, Edward had already swiped a shiny credit card. "Allow me."

"Well, it's a little late to be asking my permission," I grumbled. But I didn't complain because after having licorice for lunch, I was starving. I turned and left Edward in charge of pumping the gas while I entered the convenience store. The rows of candy, chips, and energy drinks made my stomach churn nauseously. In the end, I settled for a blueberry muffin and accompanied it with a cup of hot chocolate to warm me up.

By the time I'd made it outside, Edward had moved and parked the car near the entrance and was leaning against the hood. "Hold this?" I handed him my cup and muffin before walking around the back to unhinge the tailgate of the truck. Once it swung down, I hopped up and sat and was soon joined by Edward.

"Is this all you're eating?" he asked worriedly when I took back my food.

"This is a very nutritious meal, Edward," I said as-a-matter-of-fact. S'not like he's that familiar with healthy human eating patterns, I mentally scoffed.

His brow furrowed. "If you say so," he allowed.

It was hard to conceal my snort. "Besides, I still have dinner with Charlie later. What time is it?" I asked around a bite of my muffin.

Edward glanced down towards his fancy-schmancy watch. "Half past four."

I carefully sipped my hot drink, trying not to burn my tongue. "That's good," I replied, swinging my legs back and forth. Before Edward could ask, I elaborated, "Charlie's usually home around seven. I'll have to make something quick, though."

"Are you customarily in charge of preparing dinner?" Edward asked, curiously peering down at me.

I shrugged. "Usually. Either that, or we get takeout. Sometimes we go to the diner," I said. I was no cook-extraordinaire like Bella, but college had certainly made me self-sufficient. Fortunately, Bella was from Arizona and Charlie didn't think it odd that most of my recipes were of the hispanic variety.

"Is that normal?"

I very pointedly did not react to his question. Normal? Edward, your immortality is showing. "We probably indulge more than we should, but I don't enjoy cooking," I explained, pretending his question hadn't been weird as fuck. "And Charlie doesn't even know how to work the oven. So it's best I take charge whenever cooking is involved."

"Was it similar with your mom back in Arizona?" he wondered.

I paused, lowering my drink. He's asking about Renée. Not about my mom. It was a painful reminder, but I couldn't forget that I was here under false pretenses. "I'd rather not talk about Arizona," I said shortly. Arizona for Bella and Arizona for me were two very different things. I had no interest keeping up a charade if I didn't have to.

Edward didn't voice his concern. "What would you like to talk about, then?"

That's a good question. Edward's family and past were out of the question, as was mine. We both had too many secrets to be honest with each other. So I picked neutral ground. "You play an instrument?" I felt silly for asking something I already knew, and even a bit insincere, but if today's slip-up had taught me anything, it was that I needed to ask Edward questions of my own. Clearly, it had done nothing to deter his advances and now I needed to be prepared otherwise my knowledge of him could get me in trouble.

"I enjoy the piano, yes," he said.

I smiled. "I like the piano. I don't know how to officially play it myself, but I do know one song."

"I'd love to hear it some time," he smiled. "Perhaps I might even recognize it."

"Maybe," I laughed. I didn't voice the fact that it might not exist at this time. When I looked up, his guilty expression seemed out of place. "What's with the face?"

"Well, my mother, Esme, enjoys when I play," he admitted, "But it's been a very long time since I've done so."

"Then I guess on top of downloading some music for me, that'll be your homework for tonight," I teased.

"That's fair," Edward consented. "And what about you?"

"Hm, well first I have to whip up something for dinner. And then I have to do Varner's homework," I suddenly remembered with a grimace. Not that it was difficult, but it was time-consuming.

He chuckled. "I thought you liked math."

"I'd probably like it more if Mr. Varner wasn't so crabby all the time," I complained as I slid off the tailgate and onto my feet. Edward did me the favor of flipping the tailgate shut while I tossed my wrapper and cup into the bin.

"Mind if I drive us back?" Edward requested, holding up my keys.

"I'm more surprised you asked permission. Anyone ever tell you you're a bit domineering?" I asked dryly. "Go for it. I hate driving anyway."

"Not in those words, no," Edward confessed while we climbed into the truck. "But I've heard similar sentiments."

"Were you the first of the bunch?" I asked as I clicked my seatbelt into place.

The engine roared thunderously. "The first adopted by Esme and Carlisle? Yes."

"See? That explains it."

As he merged into traffic, Edward shot me a look, a single eyebrow raised. "How? You're an only child."

"That you know of," I said as flippantly as I could. My heart convulsed.

Thankfully, he dropped it. I dug my gloved hands into my coat pockets, the warmth of the hot chocolate leaving as the frosty wind whirled inside the cab.

A/N: Hope y'all liked the chapter! For anyone who's been missing Charlie, he'll finally be making an appearance in the next chapter! I know some of you wanted me to include him more, and I shall :) And of course, more of Edward putting his foot in his mouth, because why not? xD

Haha, let me know your thoughts! And as always, I'll try to update soon :)