I don't own Twilight or its characters. Stephenie Meyer does.

Cheryl, Noles, and Gabby, thank you for pre-reading, and April, thank you for editing. Any mistakes left are my own.

Ch. 5

I was overwhelmed with guilt as I walked with Bella to our next class. I should've left to go back to her and not stayed an hour, let alone longer. Carlisle would've figured out something if Rosalie made good on her threat. I was still furious with her meddling; Bella had done nothing for Rose to treat her this way. Though I knew all the blame didn't really fall on Rosalie. Alice played a small part as well, but at least she was remorseful.

I looked down at Bella as she nibbled on the apple. Watching her eat made me aware of how she was more human-like than I was. She also looked tired, which made me concerned that she needed sleep. What bothered me more was she was obviously still angry and hurt by my actions.

"Mía Bella, I am so sorry. The last thing I wanted was to see you hurt. I promise you I was coming back to you."

"No, you weren't. That's why I had to come. I searched the future and all I could see was day after day sitting in the room we were just in." She frowned.

I also frowned. "I don't know why you couldn't see it. Carlisle was going to come today and tell the school I got an early college acceptance. I was planning on leaving right after school."

"I suppose Rosalie was going to find another way to keep you here." Bella scowled.

"Bella..."

"Please spare me from defending her again." Her eyes started to glow. "She wants you to desire her. Do you?"

I stopped walking and gently pulled her into a small alcove. After a quick glance around, I knew we were alone, as most of the students were in class or lunch. I bent down and kissed her, and after a moment she returned the kiss. When I pulled back, I pecked her cheek and kept my arms around her waist. She looked less angry but still upset.

"Never. I have never desired her which is why it bothers her. She has always been selfish and vain. I don't blame you for being mad, but I wasn't about to defend her. I'm angry with her as well. I was going to apologize for letting her get in the way. I don't know how I missed she was going to be the caller. Apparently, she and Alice have gotten good at hiding their thoughts from me," I explained.

"How? I found the information easily," Bella questioned.

Her confusion only piqued mine. "Rosalie was thinking about it in the cafeteria? I don't understand how I could miss something so big," I asked.

"I could read it in her mind last night and today. Do you only see what someone is currently thinking? You can't search their mind?" Bella tilted her head.

"Only current thoughts. Are you telling me you can search a mind as if it was a book?" I was intrigued.

Bella nodded. "Yes."

"You said last night? When did you get to Forks?" I reached out and brushed the hair away from her face.

She gave me an apologetic smile. "Last night. I wanted to assess the situation before I walked into it. My uncle found me before I could reach you and took me to his place. He thought I didn't know what I was getting into. After that, he insisted I needed to catch up with current times if I was staying."

I could see she wasn't happy to be here. And I couldn't blame her. The picture she painted of living in the woods sounded peaceful. I also knew her distrust of humans and my family hadn't disappeared overnight. Plus, I couldn't deny my desire to be alone with my mate without interruption.

"We can leave right now for your cabin. If a spell can put you in the minds of the humans, then another spell can take you out," I suggested with a smile.

She gave me a wistful look. "I wish we could. But my uncle brought up a point that he wants to share with your coven tonight. So, for now, it's best that we stay."

I wished I could read her mind to find out why. She was clearly unhappy with the idea. "Can you tell me?"

Bella sighed. "I will, but here isn't the proper place or time, we need to get to this Biology class." Her nose wrinkled slightly.

"Not a fan of school?" I chuckled, leading her to the class.

She shrugged. "Boring. How do you do this time after time?"

"We change it up every once in a while and go to college. At least there we can earn different degrees. However, the younger we are in an area, the longer we can stay," I explained.

"My uncle says he has been living in Forks since 1910. He ages himself with his magic, and every few decades he changes his appearance and name," Bella told me.

"That would mean he was here the last time we were here." I tried to remember Chief Swan from our last visit but was coming up empty.

"He mentioned that too. Which is how he knew he had to block you and knew your family only drinks from animals." Bella nodded. She took one more bite of her apple before making it disappear.

"You didn't eat very much?" I observed.

"No time. I'll eat after school if I can find anything suitable. The reheated pizza Uncle gave me didn't sit well with me. I'm not used to all the grease and fats."

When we got to the classroom, she went up to Mr. Banner while I went to my seat. Since I was the only one without a tablemate, I knew she would end up sitting with me. I pulled out my phone and texted Esme, asking if she minded running to the store for fresh fruit, vegetables, and meats so Bella would have healthier options to eat.

I looked up with a smile as Bella slid into her seat. However, Michael Newton was looking over his shoulder at Bella. His filthy thoughts of her made me want to snap his neck. He also decided he didn't like her close to me. He was plotting an excuse to lure her away from me. His eyes shifted to mine, then he flinched. He spun around so quickly he knocked his books and pencils on the floor.

I didn't bother to hide my snicker. Bella looked up at me with an amused grin. I wished I could see her happy more often, so far it had been rocky.

"Do you make a habit of scaring humans for humor?" Her eyes danced with laughter.

"You weren't perturbed by his thoughts?" I asked.

"I hadn't read them. Should I?" Her smile dropped and she turned her head.

"Don't bother..." I started but it was too late. I was a little jealous she could turn the mind reading on and off as she pleased.

Bella tilted her head slightly and her nose wrinkled. "His thoughts are revolting. But I also don't understand. He has dated multiple girls, none of them seem to hold his interest for long. Yet he has still been intimate with them."

"Things have changed a lot since I first courted you. It's more common to date many and not wait for marriage," I informed her.

Bella bit her lower lip and looked sad. She opened her mouth to say something then stopped. Her expression was utterly heartbroken, and it hurt to see her look this upset. I was confused as to why—I knew she didn't desire the human.

"What's wrong, Mía Bella?" I glanced at the teacher as he was starting class.

"Now isn't the time." She shook her head, keeping her head down.

I let out a frustrated sigh. She reached out for my hand. I gave it a small squeeze, convinced I could hurt her even though she had denied it. She giggled quietly and squeezed my hand as hard as she could.

"I really wish I could read your mind," I whispered.

She smiled faintly in return. "I honestly don't know why you can't."

CS

The last period of the day was torture. I was separated from Bella again, and also, Emmett was noticeably absent from Spanish class. From searching around the area, I knew he and Rose both had left. I only felt sorry for Emmett Rosalie was more than likely on a warpath and not feeling any guilt over anything.

To escape the boredom of class, I decided to peek in on Isabella's PE class. Unfortunately, the pesky gnat was also in her class. While she was sitting out for the first day, he thought it was the best time to show off his athletic skills on the volleyball court. He didn't go unnoticed by her either—she looked less than impressed. I was positive she had something to do with the ball that nailed Newton in the back of the head based on the smirk on her face.

When the bell rang, I was out of the room as fast as humanly possible. Bella was waiting for me right outside of the gym. Propping himself up against the bricks with one hand, trying to act cool was Mike, still in his gym clothes.

"So how about it? Let me take a quick shower, and I can give you a tour of the town," he asked her.

"A tour which would take all of five minutes," I answered before she could, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. "Don't worry, I'll make sure Bella is well taken care of."

Mike flinched back and frowned. "Bella? I thought your name was Isabella?"

"To you, Michael, it is. Only those close to me call me Bella," she answered in a quiet voice, leaning into me.

Mike stared at us in confusion and concern for Bella's safety. He was trying to figure out how I moved in so quickly when I hadn't shown any interest in anyone other than family since moving here.

"Bella and I know each other from summer camp. We've always kept in touch. It was kismet that brought us together again," I explained to him. "If you'd excuse us, I promised the chief to give Bella a ride home."

I guided Bella around a perplexed Mike. He was still standing in the same spot, trying to figure out what just happened. He also didn't know what kismet meant and pulled out his phone asking Siri to explain it to him.

As we walked toward my car, Alice sent me a silent message that she and Jasper were going to run home. I stopped beside my Volvo and opened the car door for her.

"Your chariot awaits, Mía Bella," I said.

She looked around at the rest of the parking lot before sliding inside. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you still like fancy automobiles." She gave me a grin after I settled in my seat.

I gave her a shrug and a sheepish smile. "I guess a car that can go really fast is my vice."

"Wouldn't it be faster to run?" she asked with a playful smile.

"Well, yes," I admitted. "However, in a place where it rains often, we can't exactly show up to school wet. Alice and Rosalie would especially hate it."

"I see...Edward, where are you going? My uncle lives in the other direction." She looked around.

"I was bringing you home. I thought you'd be staying with me?" I frowned.

She bit her lip. "I'm sorry, Edward, but I'm not comfortable staying in a house with a coven of vampires. I still need to sleep and when I do, I can't defend myself."

"I would never let anyone touch you. My family—"

"The majority of your family is trustworthy. But not all of them. You would still have to hunt. You can't starve yourself on my account," she explained.

"Rosalie I can understand. But you still don't trust Carlisle, do you?" I pulled the car off to the side of the road.

"I'll never be able to fully forgive him, but I know he can be trusted. His aura shows him to have a good soul," she said. "Jasper is trusting Alice at the moment, but he is hesitant too. I fear he may make a rash judgement."

"So, Charlie's?" I asked.

"If you don't mind. You're welcome to stay of course. I know my uncle won't mind you staying with us." She yawned. "Maybe I can get some sleep before tonight. My uncle had me watching all these shows on his television, trying to get me up to date with today's culture. I haven't slept since you and your coven arrived at my cabin."

I turned the car around and started to drive. I thought about asking if now was a good time to talk, but when I glanced at her, she had fallen asleep and looked so peaceful.

A/N: Bella trusting the Cullens will come in time but not at a snap of a finger. To be fair the only two who haven't done anything shady is Esme and Emmett. Even if Alice meant well when she lied.

And what's a Twilight story without a pesky Mike. Lol

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.