A/N: I've always loved this chapter. I think that Jeremy's question route is much more...realistic than Jessica's. *shrug*

Song of the Episode: Pressure by Muse

EXT. CULLEN MANOR - DAY [ESTABLISHING]

The house sits silent in the trees.

INT. LIVING ROOM

EDYTHE CULLEN and ARCHIE CULLEN sits on the couch. Edythe holds the TV remote and wears a t-shirt for The Bangles, a black and grey flannel, jeans, and combat boots. The TV is on in front of them, showing a news channel's report. Grainy mugshots of TATIANA KENDRICK, ED PRESCOTT, and ARNIE STOKER are shown. Edythe smiles slightly and turns off the TV.

ARCHIE
The coverage here in town will be light. It's too far away to be considered of local interest. It was a good call to have Carine take them out of state.

Edythe nods.

EDYTHE
Archie -

ARCHIE
Don't worry, I already asked Royal to drive. He's acting pissed, but you know he loves the excuse to show off that car.

EDYTHE
(smiling; hugs Archie)
You're the best. I'll see you at school.

ARCHIE
Sure. And you can tell him feel free to borrow all the clothes he wants to. (beat) Oh, yeah. And do you think you could grab a couple of things for me today?

EXT. CHARLIE'S HOUSE - MORNING

Beau's truck sits on the curb, Edythe's Volvo in the driveway. Edythe leans against the passenger door. BEAU SWAN walks out of his house and travels down the driveway before realizing that Edythe's there. He holds the stolen scarf and his backpack. Edythe pulls the passenger door open.

EDYTHE
Would you like a ride to school?

BEAU
Yeah, thanks.

INT. EDYTHE'S VOLVO

Beau steps into the car and notices a jacket slung over the passenger seat. The door closes. Edythe steps into the driver's side of the car.

BEAU
What's this?

EDYTHE
Royal's jacket. I didn't want you to catch a cold or something.

Beau places the jacket and scarf on the backseat.

BEAU
I'm good.

Beau thumps his fists against his chest twice.

BEAU (CONT'D)
Immune system in top form.

Edythe laughs. Beau and Edythe drive in silence for some time.

EDYTHE
What, no Twenty Questions today?

BEAU
Was that annoying last night?

EDYTHE
Not annoying, just...confusing.

BEAU
What does that mean?

EDYTHE
Your reactions - I don't understand them.

BEAU
My reactions?

EDYTHE
Yes, Beau. When someone tells you they drink blood, you're supposed to get upset. Make a cross with your fingers, throw holy water, run away screaming, that sort of thing.

BEAU
Oh. Um...I'll do better next time?

EDYTHE
By all means, please work on your expressions of horror.

BEAU
Horror isn't exactly how I'd describe last night.

Edythe sighs.

EXT. FORKS HIGH SCHOOL - DAY

Edythe and Beau pull into the school parking lot next to a red BMW convertible.

INT. EDYTHE'S VOLVO

BEAU
So, um, where's the rest of your family?

EDYTHE
They took Royal's car. Ostentatious, isn't it?

BEAU
If he's got that, why does he ride with you?

EDYTHE
Like I said, it's ostentatious. We try to blend in.

BEAU
No offense, but you're totally failing there.

Edythe rolls her eyes.

BEAU (CONT'D)
Why did Royal drive today if it's more conspicuous?

EDYTHE
My fault - as usual, Royal would say. Haven't you noticed, Beau? I'm breaking all the rules now.

EXT. FORKS HIGH SCHOOL - DAY

STUDENTS crowd the parking lot. JEREMY STANLEY stands by the edge of the parking lot, holding Beau's forgotten jacket. Edythe and Beau exit the car and walk through the parking lot to the front of the school. Everyone watches them, slack-jawed, as they do.

JEREMY (V.O.)
No. No way. My man, Beau! How the hell did he score this good? I don't get it...!

BEAU
Why do you even have cars like that? If you're looking for privacy, there are plenty of used Hondas available.

EDYTHE
It's an indulgence. We all like to drive fast.

BEAU
Of course.

JEREMY (V.O.)
What the hell? Seriously?

Edythe and Beau walk up to Jeremy.

BEAU
Hey, Jer. Thanks for bringing that.

Jeremy hands Beau the jacket.

JEREMY (V.O.)
I was totally right last night. They did plan to meet up. Are they really secretly dating? How long? Seriously, why would he keep something like this under wraps? I mean, Edythe freaking Cullen!

EDYTHE
Good morning, Jeremy.

JEREMY
Er...hi.

JEREMY (V.O.)
Look at her, she's a thousand times out of his league. How did he pull it off? I'm gonna find out if it's the last thing I do.

JEREMY
(to Beau)
Guess I'll see you in Trig.

BEAU
Yeah, see you then.

JEREMY (V.O.)
No way. I just can't believe this. Edythe freaking Cullen! How?! How long has this been going on? Was last night planned - had he been planning to ditch us the whole time? Why on earth would he keep this a secret? God - he gets to screw that, and he tells no one? I mean, he's still with her this morning, so they had to have gotten up to something last night. I wonder what base he's gotten to. I wouldn't put it past her, the freaky little thing that she is...

Jeremy walks away, peeking over his shoulder. Edythe and Beau walk inside.

INT. HALLWAY

Edythe and Beau walk through a hallway crowded with STUDENTS.

EDYTHE
What are you going to tell him?

BEAU
Huh? Oh. What's he thinking?

EDYTHE
I don't know if it's entirely ethical for me to tell you that...

BEAU
What's not ethical is for you to hoard your unfair advantages for yourself.

EDYTHE
He wants to know if we're secretly dating. And exactly which base you've gotten to with me.

BEAU
Um, what should I say?

Beau and Edythe stop in front of an English classroom door.

EDYTHE
That's a good question. I can't wait to hear what you come up with.

BEAU
Edythe...

EDYTHE
See you at lunch.

Edythe smiles crookedly, turns, and walks away.

INT. AMERICAN HISTORY CLASSROOM

Desks filled with STUDENTS crowd the room. Edythe enters the classroom and sits at a desk next to ROE SAWYER, a female classmate of Edythe's. Edythe pulls out her textbook and closes her eyes.

INT. ENGLISH CLASSROOM

Desks filled with STUDENTS crowd the room. MS. MASON stands at the front of the room. Beau hurries to class and sits down next to MCKAYLA NEWTON.

MCKAYLA
Morning, Beau.

BEAU
Hey, McKayla. Uh, how're things?

MCKAYLA
Good. How was the movie last night?

BEAU
Oh, right, yeah. I didn't actually see it. I got lost and...

MCKAYLA
Yeah, I heard.

BEAU
How?

MCKAYLA
I saw Jeremy before school.

BEAU
Oh.

MCKAYLA
He said you didn't miss much. The movie was lame.

BEAU
That's good, I guess.

MCKAYLA
Did you have, like, plans before you went? I mean, Jeremy thought you might have, and I wondered - why even go through the charade, you know?

MCKAYLA (V.O.)
I bet it was all her idea. Playing at keeping it a secret. What, does she think it's funny? Or Beau's just not good enough for her, and she doesn't want anyone to know? The stuck up, sociopathic little -

BEAU
No, no, I was totally planning on the movie. I didn't expect that...I would get lost and...stuff.

MCKAYLA (V.O.)
He is totally covering for her. "And stuff"? What did they really do last night? I bet Jeremy's right, I bet she seduced him, dragged him out to a seedy hotel. She's got him completely under her spell, the witch. I wish she would go play her twisted little games somewhere else, Beau's just too nice a guy to let himself get suckerpunched like this. Ugh, I can't stand her!

BEAU
That was really cool that you went out with Jeremy on Monday. He said it was great.

MCKAYLA
He did?

BEAU
Yeah. Remember, I didn't tell you anything. Like, I totally didn't tell you that he thinks you're the coolest girl he's ever known.

MCKAYLA (V.O.)
Wow, did he really say that? I thought it didn't go that well, honestly...seemed like he was talking more to that long-legged waitress than to me. But maybe he was just shy...

MCKAYLA
Man code. Right.

BEAU
I said nothing.

INT. AMERICAN HISTORY CLASSROOM

Edythe smiles widely. Roe cringes and slides deeper into her seat.

ROE (V.O.)
Ugh. Creepy.

INT. HALLWAY

The bell RINGS. STUDENTS crowd the halls. McKayla and Beau walk out of class.

MCKAYLA
So.

BEAU
Yeah?

MCKAYLA
I was just curious if, you know, we were going to see you at the dance after all? Like, you could totally hang out with our group, if you wanted to.

MCKAYLA (V.O.)
Friends, no matter what. And I want to see how she talks to him. Does she pretend to be nice? Or does she just talk down to him all the time and he puts up with it? Whenever I see them, it always looks like she's laughing at him...

BEAU
The dance? No. No, I'm still going to Seattle.

MCKAYLA (V.O.)
She didn't ask him? Or did he really have plans in Seattle and have to turn her down, too? Or maybe she doesn't intend for it to last that long. Maybe she's already getting tired of the game.

MCKAYLA
Okay. Oh well. Maybe we can get a group thing together for prom. Share a limo.

BEAU
Uh, I wasn't really planning on prom...

MCKAYLA (V.O.)
Oh, gosh, I knew it.

MCKAYLA
Really? Shocking! You might want to mention it to Taylor, though. She says you're taking her.

Beau's jaw falls open. McKayla starts laughing.

MCKAYLA (CONT'D)
That's what I thought.

BEAU
Are you serious? I mean, she was probably joking.

MCKAYLA
Logan and Jeremy were talking about getting started early and putting together a big thing for prom, and then Taylor said she was out because she already had plans - with you. That's why Logan's being so...you know...about you. He has a thing for Taylor. I figure you deserved a heads-up. After all, you broke the man code for me.

BEAU
What am I supposed to do?

MCKAYLA
Tell her you're not taking her.

BEAU
I can't just... What would I even say?

MCKAYLA (V.O.)
Look at his face. I can't picture him going to Taylor and straightening it all out, he's way too shy. I guess even Taylor can be smart once in a while, I bet she was counting on this. I almost wouldn't mind seeing him take her to the prom, it would be hilarious. He'd probably hate every minute. And better Taylor than Edythe Cullen...

MCKAYLA
Man up, Beau. Or rent a tux. Your choice.

INT. TRIGONOMETRY CLASSROOM

Beau walks into Trigonometry class, which is filled with STUDENTS. MS. VARNER stands at the front of the room. Jeremy is sitting in the back row. Beau reluctantly goes to sit by him.

JEREMY (V.O.)
Huh. Dude looks...upset. Did something happen? Did they break up? Or he see her again between classes? Or does he look like that because he didn't see her?

JEREMY
Dang, son. Who knew you had that kind of game?

BEAU
I have no game.

JEREMY (V.O.)
Oh, so you're going to play it like that, huh?

JEREMY
Please.

Jeremy punches Beau's arm.

JEREMY (CONT'D)
Edythe Cullen. C'mon. How did you swing that?

BEAU
I didn't do anything.

JEREMY
How long has this been happening? Is it some kind of secret? Like, she doesn't want her family to know? Is that why you pretended you were going to the movie with us?

JEREMY (V.O.)
Come on you dork, stop trying to play it so cool.

BEAU
I wasn't pretending anything. I had no idea she was in Port Angeles last night. She was the last person I expected to see.

JEREMY
Have you ever been out with her before last night?

BEAU
Never.

JEREMY
Huh. Just a total coincidence?

BEAU
I guess.

JEREMY (V.O.)
No way...I know that look. He's lying! I'm totally gonna call him out on it! Let's see if I can rile him up... Get something out of him that way.

JEREMY
Because, you know, it's not a secret you've been, like, obsessed with her since you got here.

BEAU
It's not?

JEREMY (V.O.)
I still don't get it... Like, Beau's kind of a loser. How did he manage...?

JEREMY
So, I have to wonder how you turned that around.

JEREMY (V.O.)
Maybe he's got, like, some mad make out skills...

JEREMY
Do you have a genie in a lamp? Did you find some blackmail on her? Or did you trade your soul to the devil or something?

BEAU
Whatever, man.

JEREMY
Exactly how much did you get in the bargain? Bet it was a pretty wild night, eh?

BEAU
It was an early night. Home by eight.

JEREMY
Are you serious?

BEAU
It was just dinner and a ride home, Jeremy.

JEREMY
What about this morning, though? You were still with her.

BEAU
Still? No! What - you thought she was with me all night?

JEREMY
She wasn't?

BEAU
No.

JEREMY
But you were in her car -

BEAU
She picked me up for school this morning.

JEREMY
Why?

JEREMY (V.O.)
Seriously? This is so random.

BEAU
I have no idea. She offered me a ride. I wasn't going to say no.

JEREMY
And that's it?

Beau shrugs.

JEREMY (V.O.)
Come on. You can't be serious. What am I supposed to do with that?

JEREMY
Really? Please tell me you at least made out with her - anything?

BEAU
It's not like that with Edythe.

JEREMY (V.O.)
What's that supposed to mean? They're not dating after all? Lame. Looks like he wanted it...

JEREMY
That is, hands down, the most disappointing story I've ever heard in my entire life. I take back everything I said about your game. Obviously, it's just some pity thing.

JEREMY (V.O.)
You know, I bet that's it. I bet he begged her to let him take her out once. And she just couldn't say no. I mean, he does kind of give off that helpless vibe sometimes. Guess it makes sense he wouldn't want to brag about that.

BEAU
Yeah, probably.

JEREMY
Maybe I should try to look more pathetic. If that's what Edythe is into.

JEREMY (V.O.)
Yeah, you're not special. She'd probably take out any guy she felt sorry for.

BEAU
Go for it.

JEREMY
It won't take her long to get bored with you, I bet.

JEREMY (V.O.)
Yeah, you'll see. You should have tried to make more of it when you had the chance.

BEAU
Yeah. I'm sure you're right.

JEREMY
You know what, though? I think I'd rather be with a normal girl.

BEAU
That's probably for the best. Keep your expectations low.

JEREMY (V.O.)
Oh, I get it. You think you're some kind of romantic, huh? Well, you'll see. When she drops you like yesterday's trash, you won't be feeling so high and mighty then. Guys have to stick together. But go ahead, figure that out the hard way. See if I care.

INT. GYM

Edythe and Archie stand on one side of a badminton net, holding rackets. LOGAN MALLORY and another STUDENT stand on the other side, also holding rackets. They all wear athletic uniforms. Edythe glares at Logan as the four play badminton.

LOGAN (V.O.)
You're imagining things. Probably thinking about something else. The Cullens are too good to pay anyone any special attention - except for the amazingly talentless Beau Swan, of course.

ARCHIE (V.O.)
You know, he's planning to be a model. He'll probably want his thumbs for that. And his arms.

EDYTHE
(under her breath)
Not if he's modeling prosthetics.

Archie shakes his head, hits the birdie over the net, and mimes putting Edythe in a straightjacket. Edythe smiles. The bell RINGS for lunch. Edythe and Archie walk toward the dressing rooms, surrounded by STUDENTS.

ARCHIE (V.O.)
Have a good time. Say hi to Beau my man for me, won't you? He's going to ask you about me.

Edythe shakes her head.

ARCHIE (V.O.; CONT'D)
FYI, it's going to be sunny on both sides of the sound this weekend. Might want to rearrange your plans.

Edythe sighs.

INT. SPANISH CLASSROOM

STUDENTS begin packing their textbooks and notebooks. Beau and Jeremy sit in the front row. Beau begins shoving his books into his bag. Jeremy watches.

JEREMY
You're not sitting with us at lunch today, are you?

JEREMY (V.O.)
Course he's not. Looks like he can't wait to get out the door. He has it so bad it's pathetic. Not even a shred of dignity.

BEAU
Um, not sure.

JEREMY (V.O.)
If you're going to sit with her, just say it. Go ahead, ditch us, but don't expect to just come running right back when she cuts you loose. You want back in, you'll have to crawl, you'll have to beg.

Jeremy exits the room. He freezes in the doorway.

JEREMY
Seriously, what the hell?

Jeremy glances back at Beau, shakes his head, and keeps walking. Everyone in class rushes out to see what Jeremy was reacting to. As they walk out, they all look back at Beau. Beau is the last to leave.

INT. HALLWAY

STUDENTS crowd the hallway. Edythe leans against the wall. Beau exits the classroom.

EDYTHE
Hello, Beau.

BEAU
Hi.

EDYTHE
Hungry?

BEAU
Sure.

Edythe swings her backpack into place.

BEAU (CONT'D)
Hey, let me get that for you.

EDYTHE
Does it look too heavy for me?

BEAU
Well, I mean...

EDYTHE
Sure.

Edythe slides the bag down her arm and holds it out for Beau to take.

BEAU
Er, thanks.

Beau takes the bag. He almost drops it because of how heavy it is.

BEAU (CONT'D)
Do you always bring your own cinderblocks to school?

Edythe laughs. Beau shoulders the bag with some difficulty. He and Edythe begin walking to the lunchroom as everyone watches them.

EDYTHE
Archie asked me to grab a few things for him this morning.

BEAU
Is Archie your favorite brother?

EDYTHE
It's not nice to have favorites.

BEAU
Only child. I'm everyone's favorite.

EDYTHE
It shows. Anyway, why do you think that?

BEAU
Seems like you talk about him the most easily.

INT. LUNCHROOM

Circular tables with STUDENTS sitting at them crowd the room. JESSAMINE HALE, Archie, ELEANOR CULLEN, and ROYAL HALE sit at table at the back. All the students look at Edythe and Beau as Edythe leads the way to the lunch line and fills a tray with food.

ARCHIE (V.O.)
Did you see that, Edy? He wants to meet me, too. It's only a matter of time, you know.

Edythe glares at Archie.

ARCHIE (V.O.; CONT'D)
You're just delaying the inevitable. Come on, why not today? Let me just meet him at least.

Edythe bares her teeth at Archie.

ARCHIE (V.O.; CONT'D)
Fine, you win. For now. But remember, it's coming, whether you like it or not.

Beau knocks a green apple off of the counter. Edythe kicks it up and grabs it. She holds it up with one hand. After a moment, Beau takes it.

EDYTHE
I'm pretty close with all my family, but Archie and I do have the most in common. Some days he's really annoying, though.

ARCHIE (V.O.)
It's what I do best. You know it's just because you're my favorite sister.

Edythe pays for the food, then walks toward a table.

BEAU
Hey. I can't eat all that.

EDYTHE
Half is for me, of course.

Beau and Edythe go to sit at a lunch table. Edythe pushes the tray toward him. Beau drops both their bags under the table.

BEAU
Really?

EDYTHE
Take whatever you want.

Beau picks up the apple and turns it around in his hands.

BEAU
I'm curious. What would you do if someone dared you to eat food?

EDYTHE
You're always curious.

Edythe tears the tip of a piece of pizza off and eats it. Beau watches, amazed.

EDYTHE (CONT'D)
If someone dared you to eat dirt, you could, couldn't you?

BEAU
I did once...on a dare. It wasn't so bad.

EDYTHE
Somehow, I'm not surprised.

JEREMY (V.O.)
Look at that - seriously? She's leaning toward him - look at how she's staring at him. She looks totally into him. And he's just sitting there. Don't tell me - she's been the one trying to get him to move things along and he's beating around the bush. Is he an idiot?

Edythe looks over Beau's shoulder and laughs.

BEAU
What?

EDYTHE
You've got Jeremy so confused.

BEAU
Tough.

EDYTHE
He really let his mind run wild when he saw you get out of my car.

Beau shrugs.

EDYTHE
Do you truly agree with him?

BEAU
Agree with him about what?

EDYTHE
Why I'm here with you.

BEAU
I'm not sure what you mean.

EDYTHE
"Obviously, it's just some pity thing"?

BEAU
It's as good an explanation as any.

EDYTHE
And I'll be getting bored soon, will I?

Beau flinches, then shrugs.

EDYTHE (CONT'D)
Beau, you're being ridiculous again.

BEAU
Am I?

EDYTHE
There are several things I am currently worried about. Boredom is not one of them. Don't you believe me?

BEAU
Um, sure, I guess. If you say so.

EDYTHE
Well, that was an overwhelming affirmation. (beat) I really loathe it when you do that.

BEAU
What? Not tell you every single stupid thought that passes through my head?

EDYTHE
Precisely.

BEAU
I don't know what to say. Do I think you'll get bored with me? Yeah, I do. I honestly don't know why you're still here. But I was trying not to say that out loud, because I didn't want to point something out that you might have not thought of yet.

EDYTHE
So very true. I never would have realized it myself, but now that you mention it, I really ought to be moving along. That Jeremy suddenly seems alluringly pathetic - Beau? You know that I'm joking.

Edythe stretches her hand across the table. Beau covers it with his hand. Eleanor, Royal, Jessamine, and Archie sit across the cafeteria.

ELEANOR (V.O.)
No way...seriously? She used to be the responsible one.

JESSAMINE (V.O.)
I had a feeling this would spiral out of control. If the Volturi find out...

ROYAL (V.O.)
What the hell have you done, you selfish bitch?! How could you? Are you set on destroying everything Carine has built for us?

Edythe winces.

BEAU
Sorry.

Beau pulls his hand away.

EDYTHE
No. It's not you. Here.

Edythe rests her fingers on Beau's upturned palm. Beau copies her movement, folding his hand around hers.

BEAU
What was wrong just now?

EDYTHE
Many different reactions. Royal has a particularly strident mental voice.

Beau glances at the Cullen/Hale table. Royal still glares at Edythe. Edythe turns around to look at them, snarling quietly. Royal drops his stare. Edythe and Beau turn to look back at each other.

ARCHIE (V.O.)
Sorry, Edy. But they heard part of your conversation and, well, I could see things would turn out worse if I didn't explain everything.

BEAU
Did I just piss off -

Beau cuts off.

EDYTHE
No. But I did.

BEAU
Look, are you in trouble because of me? What can I do?

EDYTHE
You don't need to worry about me. I'm not saying that Royal couldn't take me in a fair fight, but I am saying that I never have fought fair and I don't intend to start now. He knows better than to try anything with me.

BEAU
Edythe...

Edythe laughs.

EDYTHE
A joke. It's really nothing, Beau. Normal sibling issues. An only child couldn't understand.

BEAU
If you say so.

EDYTHE
I do. (beat) Back to what you were thinking.

Beau sighs.

EDYTHE (CONT'D)
Would it help if you knew you weren't the only one who had been accused of obsession?

BEAU
You heard that, too. Great.

EDYTHE
I was entranced from start to finish.

BEAU
Sorry.

EDYTHE
Why are you apologizing? It makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one. Let me put it this way. Though you are the person I can't be sure about, I'd still be willing to place a very large wager that I spend more time thinking about you than you do about me.

Beau laughs.

BEAU
You would totally lose that bet.

EDYTHE
Ah, but you're only conscious for roughly sixteen hours in any given twenty-four-hour period. That gives me quite a lead, don't you think?

BEAU
You're not factoring in dreams, though.

EDYTHE
Do nightmares count as dreams?

BEAU
When I dream about you...it's definitely not a nightmare.

EDYTHE
Really?

BEAU
Every single night.

ROYAL (V.O.)
Gag me. I really can't take any more. You - a sap for that kind of thing and making eyes at a human - I never would have guessed.

EDYTHE
REM cycles are the shortest of all the sleep stages. I'm still hours ahead.

BEAU
You really think about me?

EDYTHE
Why is that hard for you to believe?

BEAU
Well, look at me. I'm absolutely ordinary - well, except for the bad things like all the near-death experiences and being so uncoordinated that I can barely walk. And look at you.

Edythe smiles.

EDYTHE
I can't argue with you about the bad things.

BEAU
Well, there you go.

EDYTHE
But you're the least ordinary person I've ever met.

BEAU
But why...

Edythe tilts her head to the side.

BEAU (CONT'D)
Last night...

Beau shakes his head.

EDYTHE
Do you do that on purpose? The unfinished thought as a way to drive me mad?

BEAU
I don't know if I can explain it right.

EDYTHE
Please try.

BEAU
Okay. You're claiming I don't bore you and you aren't thinking of moving on to Jeremy anytime soon.

Edythe nods.

BEAU (CONT'D)
But last night...it was like... Like you were already looking for a way to say goodbye.

EDYTHE
Perceptive. Those two things are unrelated, however.

BEAU
Which two things?

EDYTHE
The depth of my feelings for you, and the necessity of leaving. Well, they are related, but inversely.

BEAU
I don't understand.

EDYTHE
The more I care about you, the more crucial it is that I find a way to...keep you safe. From me. Leaving would be the right thing to do.

BEAU
No.

EDYTHE
Well, I wasn't very good at leaving you alone when I tried. I don't know how to do it.

BEAU
Will you do me a favor? Stop trying to figure that one out.

EDYTHE
I suppose, given the frequency of your near-death experiences, it's actually safer for me to stay close.

BEAU
True story. You never know when another rogue van might attack. You're still going to Seattle with me, right? Lots of vans in Seattle. Waiting in ambush around literally every corner.

EDYTHE
Actually, I have a question for you on that subject. Did you really need to go to Seattle this Saturday, or was that just an excuse to get out of saying a definitive no to your bevy of admirers?

BEAU
Um.

EDYTHE
That's what I thought.

BEAU
You know, you actually put me in kind of a difficult position with the whole thing in the parking lot with Taylor.

EDYTHE
You mean because you're taking her to prom now?

Edythe laughs.

EDYTHE (CONT'D)
Oh, Beau.

BEAU
What?

EDYTHE
She already has her dress. It could be worse - she actually bought it before she claimed you for the date. It was secondhand, also, not a large investment. She couldn't pass up the deal. You'll figure it out.

BEAU
I don't do dances.

EDYTHE
If I'd asked you to the spring dance, would you have told me no?

BEAU
Probably not, but I would have found a reason to cancel later. I would have broken my leg if I had to.

EDYTHE
Why would you do that?

BEAU
You've never seen me in Gym, I guess, but I would have thought you would understand.

EDYTHE
Are you referring to the fact that you can't walk across a flat, stable surface without finding something to trip over?

BEAU
Got it in one.

EDYTHE
I'm a very good teacher, Beau.

BEAU
I don't think coordination is a learnable skill.

EDYTHE
Back to the question. Must you go to Seattle, or would you mind if we did something different?

BEAU
I'm open to alternatives. But I do have another favor to ask.

EDYTHE
What?

BEAU
Can I drive?

EDYTHE
Why?

BEAU
Well, mostly because you're a terrifying driver. But also because I told Charlie I was going alone, and I don't want him to get curious.

EDYTHE
Of all the things about me that could frighten you, you worry about my driving.

ARCHIE (V.O.)
(urgent)
Edy. It's the same place. Edy. We're going to be friends. Best friends. Please.

EDYTHE
Won't you want to tell your father that you're spending the day with me?

BEAU
With Charlie, less is always more. Where are we going, anyway?

EDYTHE
Archie says the weather will be nice, so I'll be staying out of the public eye...and you can stay with me, if you'd like to.

BEAU
And you'll show me what you meant, about the sun?

EDYTHE
Yes. But if you don't want to be...alone with me, I'd still rather you didn't go to Seattle by yourself. I shudder to think of all the vans.

BEAU
As it happens, I don't mind being alone with you.

EDYTHE
I know. You should tell Charlie, though.

BEAU
Why on earth would I do that?

EDYTHE
To give me some small incentive to bring you back.

BEAU
I'll take my chances.

Edythe exhales angrily and looks away.

BEAU
So that's settled. New topic?

EDYTHE
What do you want to talk about?

BEAU
Why did you go to that Goat Rocks place last weekend...to hunt? Charlie said it wasn't a good place to hike, because of bears. (beat) Bears? You know, bears are not in season.

EDYTHE
If you read carefully, the laws only cover hunting with weapons.

BEAU
Bears?

EDYTHE
Grizzly is Eleanor's favorite.

BEAU
Hmm. So. What's your favorite?

EDYTHE
Mountain lion.

BEAU
Sure, that makes sense.

EDYTHE
Of course, we have to be careful not to impact the environment with injudicious hunting. We try to focus on areas with an overpopulation of predators - ranging as far away as we need. There's always plenty of deer and elk here, and they'll do, but where's the fun in that?

BEAU
So not fun.

EDYTHE
Early spring is El's favorite bear season - they're just coming out of hibernation, so they're more irritable.

BEAU
Nothing better than an irritated grizzly bear.

EDYTHE
Tell me what you're really thinking, please.

BEAU
I'm trying to picture it - but I can't. How do you hunt a bear without weapons?

EDYTHE
Oh, we have weapons.

Edythe flashes her teeth.

EDYTHE (CONT'D)
Just not the kind they consider when writing hunting laws. If you've ever seen a bear attack on television, you should be able to visualize Eleanor hunting.

Beau shudders and glances at Eleanor. Edythe glances at Eleanor, also. Beau looks back at Edythe.

BEAU
Is it dangerous? Do you ever get hurt?

EDYTHE
Oh, Beau. About as dangerous as your slice of pizza.

BEAU
Yikes. So...are you...like a bear attack?

EDYTHE
More like the lion, or so they tell me. Perhaps our preferences are indicative.

BEAU
Perhaps. Is that something I might get to see?

EDYTHE
Never!

Edythe pulls her hand from Beau's, leans back and folds her arms over her chest.

BEAU
What did I say?

The students, including Archie, Jessamine, Eleanor, and Royal, begin leaving the lunchroom.

EDYTHE
I almost wish it were possible. You don't seem to understand the realities present. It might be beneficial for you to see exactly how dangerous I actually am.

BEAU
Okay, then, why not?

EDYTHE
Later. We're going to be late.

Beau looks around, seeing that the cafeteria is mostly vacant. He stands, picks up his and Edythe's bags, and follows her out of the lunchroom.

BEAU
Later, then.

A/N: Going to be honest, this season four wolf episode is killing me. I have to write all new scenes for it, which is definitely one of my weak points, and somehow work in all ten wolves. But I'm getting there. I guess.

REVIEWER QUESTION ANSWERS:

1. "What is intended when you write (beat)?" Beat stands for a pause or breath in the line or action.