The next day I approached Edward in the cafeteria. "Are you going to give me any answers?" I demanded.

"No," he said.

"You promised," I whined.

He shook his head.

"No radioactive spiders, then?" I asked in a whisper. He stared at me like I was the weird one.

"No. Look, I'm not the hero you think I am," he said. "What if I'm the bad guy?"

"I've dated the bad guy," I said, meeting his golden eyes, unafraid.

"I'm not talking about some bad boy from Phoenix who thinks he's too cool," Edward said, his eyes glimmering dangerously. "I'm talking about deadly trouble."

I picked up an apple casually. "And I'm saying that I know what I'm getting into with bad guys."

"You can't understand, Bella," he said. "I'm sorry. This works better if we aren't friends."

"I bet you regret saving my life," I said spitefully, before walking away.

Before I headed out on Saturday morning, I saw Dad watching the news.

"Spider-Man does it again!" the reporter said. "The infamous web-slinger of New York has defeated a man who has called himself 'The Rhino' because of his fighting machine that he uses to fight crime. Here's the live footage-"

"Hmph," Dad said as he changed the channel to ESPN. "They're just encouraging that vigilante. Gonna have twenty of them running around soon, idiots who don't know what they're doing."

"I doubt it, Dad," I said. "He's been active for like, two years, and everything's been fine since then."

"No, the city's been abounding with crazies," Dad said. "That lizard doctor, the Goblin guys, the electric one, and others. All of them popped up, almost as if because the vigilante showed up."

"But what if they showed up anyway?" I asked, thinking of Harry's transformation. "What if-"

"Don't tell me that you've fallen for this Spider guy," Dad said, eyes wide.

"No," I said. "I just think the world needs all the heroes it can get."

"Then he can join the cops," Dad said gruffly. "Look, Bella, bad boys can land you in bad places."

"Believe me, I know," I said. "Anyway, I'm going to La Push for a few hours with Jessica. They should be here any minute."

The universe had great timing and there came a honk from Mike Newton's minivan.

"Bye Dad! I'll make a cod stew when you get back!" I said as I dashed out the door. Thank goodness! The minivan door slid open for me, and I hopped in beside Lauren Mallory.

"Hello," I said, trying to be friendly.

"Hi," she said grumpily.

I stayed silent until Mike Newton put on the radio and suddenly everyone was belting out the lyrics.

"Hey, Bella?"

I turned to see one of the teens from the Rez, about fourteen or fifteen years old.

"Jake?"

"Yep," he said. "I fixed up that old Chevy for you."

"It runs great," I said. "Thanks."

"No problem," he said with a grin. "It's great to see you."

Lauren gave me a jealous glare, then smirked. "It's too bad the Cullens couldn't come out. Especially since that Edward has such a thing for you, Bella. Didn't you think to invite your boyfriend?"

"He's not my boyfriend!" I protested.

"Wait, Dr. Cullen's family?" Jacob asked. "They don't come here."

Lauren, clearly upset that whatever plan she had didn't work, she went back to flirting with Tyler Crowley.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I whispered to Jacob.

"Walk with me," he said.

I obliged, and he began speaking again. "You like ghost stories, Bella?"

"I guess."

"Well, our tribe has some good legends. Like that we survived the Great Flood by tying our canoes to tree-tops. And that we're descended from the Wolves- and we can take their form still," Jacob began.

"What does this have to do with the Cullens?" I asked.

"I'm getting there," he said. "The natural enemies of the Wolves, werewolves I guess are what you'd call them, are the Cold Ones. The Cold Ones are super-strong, super-fast, pale, immortal, and drink blood. It's said that my grandfather met some, fifty years ago, met some. They weren't like other Cold Ones. They fed on animal blood instead of human blood. So my grandfather struck a treaty, and they lived here."

"So, are the Cullens their descendants?" I predicted.

"No," he said. "They are the same ones. At least, that's what the elders like to say."

"Wow," I said.

"But it's just a story," Jacob said hastily, looking around paranoidly. "Promise me you won't tell anyone I told you, okay?'

"I promise," I assured him. "Let's get back, before Lauren gets any ideas."

He smirked. "What, am I not hot enough?"

"I have a boyfriend," I reminded him patiently.

His eyes widened. "I thought-"

"That I was lying?" I said bitterly. "Nope, I do. It's long-distance."

"Really?" Jacob asked. "What's his name?"

"I really don't want to talk about this," I said.

"I knew it, you were lying," Jacob said.

"I'm not, I just think it's better to keep it private-"

"Liar," he said in sing-song.

"Fine, I'll tell you, but you have to promise not to tell my dad," I said. "His name is Harry."

"Harry who?" Jacob asked.

"Osborn."

"You're a good storyteller, Bella, maybe you should write this down," he said.

I reluctantly took the photo out of my wallet and handed it to him. His eyes grew wider. He then handed it back to me. I tried to avoid his gaze as I returned my photo to my wallet.

"So you've dated crazy," he said in awe.

"Please don't tell Charlie," I pleaded. "We already disagree on Spider-Man. I don't need him finding out I'm dating a super-villain."

"You're still with him?" Jacob asked. "Isn't he in prison?"

"He'll be out this June," I said.

"How long are you gonna hide this?" he asked.

"Until graduation, if I can," I said. "Probably until the summer, when I ask to go to New York again."

"I'll keep your secret, Bella," he said. "But be careful. A guy like that. . . He could hurt you."

"I know. Believe me, I know," I said.

"Hey, Bella, we're about to leave," Jessica said, bouncing up to me.

"We just got here," I protested.

"The winds are getting really strong," Jessica said. "My mom wants me home within the hour. So we gotta go."

I turned around. "Thanks Jake, for a good time."

"No problem. We should talk more."

I turned back to Jessica.

"Hey, we were shopping for dresses for the school dance," Jessica said.

"I don't think I'll be dancing," I admitted.

"Well, you could still check out some dresses," Jessica reminded me.

"I'm up for it," I said. "I just have to run it by Charlie."

"Great," she said, beaming.

On the car ride home, all I could think about was the last time I danced.

I was taking photos of the sun setting over Queens when the phone rang. I leapt up to get it.

"Parker Residence," I said.

"Hey, Bella," Harry said.

"Hey, Harry," I replied. "Do you want to talk to Peter, because he's here-"

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you," he said. "I was thinking about watching a movie up in the penthouse, if you're up for it."

"Sounds like fun," I admitted. "I think I can spare some change-"

"Don't worry about it- I'll have my chauffeur pick you up," Harry said. "He'll pick you up at eight, sound good?"

"I'll have to ask Aunt May," I said. I covered the receiver with one hand. "AUNT MAY! CAN I HANG OUT AT HARRY'S PENTHOUSE TONIGHT?"

"JUST BE BACK BY ONE!" Aunt May yelled back.

"That's a yes."

There was a laugh on the end of the line. "Alright. I'll see you then."

There was a click at the other end. I put down the landline and headed into my bedroom. It was time to wear the one dress I'd brought. It was a black floral sundress- sleeveless with a ruffled neckline. I threw it on with my boots, since my sneakers were muddy, but my boots still looked nice. I ran a comb through my hair and held it back with a headband, and tried to style it to look curly. I then pulled out the cheap makeup palette I bought after our first date. I wanted to put more color in my face.

Then I paced about the room, fretting about what I'd do or say, and the thought had about driven me mad by the time the limo arrived in front of the house. I snatched my purse off the dresser before running out, and into the limo. Then it was waiting, and worrying. It was a relief when I finally stepped into the glass elevator and was jetting up towards the penthouse.

Then I walked into the entryway, just as Harry was descending the stairs.

"Hello, Bella," he said, a smile spreading across his face.

"Harry," I said, trying to hide my blotchy blush. "Thanks for having me over."

"It's not a problem," he said, taking my hand. "We're alone- I hope that doesn't bother you."

"It doesn't."

In fact, it was rather exciting. I was sixteen, alone with a male model billionaire that happened to be my cousin's best friend. I got to be the bad girl for once. I ignored the twitching of his hand as we continued into the glass-covered penthouse.

"Whoa," I said, stopping dead in my tracks at the sun setting over the skyline. I fished for my camera in my purse and took a picture.

"You think that's cool, wait till you see it all lit up," Harry said appreciatively.

"I bet it's beautiful," I said, trying to imagine.

"I thought you were used to cities, living in Phoenix," he mused.

"It was more of suburban Phoenix," I explained. "Besides, nothing beats New York City."

"I can agree with that."

We just stared for a moment, when music began to play. He began to dance awkwardly, and extended his hand to me.

"I don't think so."

"Why not?"'

"I have two left feet," I informed him.

"I'm not exactly a winner myself," he said. "And nobody but me will see it. You're the only one here."

I took his hand, and suddenly we were dancing. I stepped on his foot at least seven times, but he didn't seem to mind too much. In fact, I think we almost kissed, except the phone rang.

"Sorry," he said. "Let me turn that off."

While he did, I took a seat on the couch to catch my breath.

"Bella?"

I jumped, having been startled out of my reverie.

"We're at your house," Mike said.

"Oh, thanks," I said. Eager to escape mortification, I slipped out of the car without another word.