Suddenly, a car drove up in my driveway, and I suddenly grinned as I spotted a familiar face getting out of the car. Jacob Black. Technically, Jacob did not have his liscense yet, but Charlie always gave him a pass due to the fact he was a family friend and helping out his father. I saved my English paper before closing my laptop quickly. I wasn't close to him, but he was someone I considered a friend of sorts. We just weren't close enough for secret revealing. Besides, as long as someone could remain innocent to this world, there would be some light of normalcy.

"Hey, Bella" Jacob greeted with a grin as I walked outside of the house.

"This is a surprise," Charlie was saying.

"It's been too long," Billy answered. "I hope it's not a bad time."

"No, it's great. I hope you can stay for the game." Charlie said

Jacob grinned. "I think that's the plan — our TV broke last week."

Billy made a face at his son. "And, of course, Jacob was anxious to see Bella again," he added

Jacob scowled and ducked his head while I fought back a surge of remorse. Maybe I'd been too convincing on the beach.

"Hey" I greeted, reaching them. "How've you been?"

"Just working on the car" he said proudly. "Still has a lot to do, but it will come through eventually. Once I get the parts I need"

I nodded. "I'm not going to pretend I know anything about cars because I don't, but I hope you get it built and running"

"Thanks" Jacob grinned and walked towards the front door. "So how's school?"

I chuckled a little. "Wow, such an interesting conversation topic"

He laughed. "I know."

"School is fine. Most of the people over there are boring. Though Angela and the Cullens are cool. Mike is decent too"

"Mike? Who's Mike?"

"Just some guy" I shrugged, walking with him inside my house. "

"And the Cullens? Did I not spook you with the story?" Jacob teased, throwing me a lazy grin.

"Oh you did, but I'm used to spooky stories. Where I'm from, there are loads of them."

"Oh really? Tell me about them" He said. "After all, I told you mine"

Jake and I hung out for a bit, sharing stories before finally he and Billy left, and I went up to my room, trying to figure out what's going to happen with Edward tomorrow and what are his family going to be like when I eventually meet them.

There was this tie between Edward and me. It was hard to explain, but something kept pulling me closer and closer to him, constantly drawn to him and whatever danger lurked in the midst. I used to believe it was just curiosity, but now I wasn't so sure. Especially since we had been talking more lately since he gave up on leaving me.

The next day, I got dressed and headed downstairs, thoughts going through my head on what we might do today. It felt a bit thrilling, being alone with Edward Cullen, doing whatever he had decided we would do today. I grabbed a protein bar from the cabinet and ate it quickly, knowing he would be here soon enough. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and I quickly rushed over there, tripping once in the process. Blushing by my blatant eagerness, I fix my shirt and open the door.

"Are you okay?" Edward asked, looking down at me, his butterscotch eyes holding great concern.

"I'm fine. I tripped. That's all" My cheeks reddened even further as I admitted it out loud.

Edward nodded, chuckling softly. "Are you ready to go?"

I nodded. "Just let me finish my protein bar" I head back towards the kitchen, feeling him follow behind me at just enough distance to be weird. "So what are we doing today?" I asked, grabbing it as I took a seat and began to eat.

"Hiking"

I nearly choked on what I was eating. "Hiking? You're kidding, right? I'm clumsy enough as it is on flat ground. And you want to take me hiking?"

"I know a beautiful spot. it won't be too hard." Edward said in his melodic voice. "Don't worry, it's only five miles or so, and we're in no hurry."

I groaned. "Fine. But it better be as nice as you say" I swallowed and threw the wrapper in the trash. "Now I'm ready"

Edward gracefully reached the door and opened it, holding it so that I could go through. I grab my bottle of water I usually keep in the fridge and head out to the driveway.

"We are driving part of the way. Did you tell Charlie what you were up to?" he asked.

"Nope."

"But Jessica thinks we're going to Seattle together?" He seemed cheered by the idea.

"No, I told her you canceled on me — which is true."

"No one knows you're with me?" Angrily, now.

"That depends… I assume you told Alice?"

Edward let out a groan with a small growl. "Nobody knows you're here with me?"

"Nope. Nobody other than your family I suppose"

"And how am I supposed to make sure you come back alive?" He demanded. "Are you so depressed by Forks that it's made you suicidal?"

"I wanted to make sure you wouldn't get in trouble"

"I could kill you, and you're worried about the trouble it might cause me— if you don't come home?" His voice was still angry, and bitingly sarcastic.

I shrugged. "Pretty much, yes"

We were silent for the rest of the drive. I could feel the waves of infuriated disapproval rolling off of him, and I could think of nothing to say. It felt like forever as we drove and then began walking towards the place he so desperately wanted me to see.

The trees covered the sky so I could barely see it, though it was cloudy enough that it hardly mattered. I gripped a water bottle in my hand, keeping an eye on my feet as I walked. The tree roots seemed to be everywhere, threatening to make the human fall.

He wanted to know about people today: more about my mom and sister, Elena's hobbies, what we'd done in our free time together. And then the one grandmother I'd known, my few school friends — embarrassing me when he asked about boys I'd dated. I was relieved that I'd never really dated anyone, so that particular conversation couldn't last long. He seemed as surprised as Jessica and Angela by my lack of romantic history.

"So you never met anyone you wanted?" he asked in a serious tone that made me wonder what he was thinking about.

I was grudgingly honest. "Not in Mystic Falls."

Finally, when he decided to be quiet for now, I distracted myself by preparing questions for him that I didn't have the motivation to ask right now. How did he get turned? How do these vampires get turned in general? Would it be fair to ask of the stories of his siblings? Did they have special... Abilities he hadn't told me about? Besides mind reading of course.

My mind drifted to the Salvatore Brothers who I adored but also knew the Cullens probably wouldn't approve of. After all, they were like Stefan when he was on the bunny diet. They aren't fond of the vampires that feed on humans. At least that was the impression he seemed to give.

Damon would laugh and make a sarcastic remark about how I ended up with a saint Stefan. Stefan would roll his eyes and be quick to defend the Cullens, who had the right idea in his mind. Damon would crack another joke probably, one that might be in appropriate, causing Elena to slap his arm. Caroline would scowl at Damon before happily introducing herself and apologizing for Damon's behavior before proceeding to insult him briefly.

I let out a whistful sigh as I thought about my hometown and the people inside it that I loved. My heart ached for my brother that I hoped would, by some miracle, come back and live a good and safe life. After all people had come back from the dead before. Why couldn't Jeremy? And on that note, why was I playing romance while my brother was...

Suddenly, a foot got caught under a tree roots, causing me to fall forward. A gentle but firm hand caught me and kept me steady. My heart pounded against my chest as my body recovered from the near fall. My eyes met his, and I said, "Thank you"

His face hardened a bit before it relaxed into a small smile. "You're welcome. Though please do be careful"

"I'm sorry, I got lost in thought" I said sheepishly, now focusing on my steps once more.

"I knew your coordination was bad, but I didn't realize it would take a couple of hours to get here"

I grimaced before looking over at him in surprise. "It's been a few hours?" Had I really been that much lost in my own head?

"Yes, but we are nearly there. Just a little further. Do you see the brightness ahead?"

I peered into the thick forest. "Um, should I?"

He smirked. "Maybe it's a bit soon for your eyes."

"Time to visit the optometrist," I muttered, hating that vampires and werewolves seemed to have perfect eyesight while us humans have crappy vision.

His smirk grew more pronounced.

Finally, after a few minutes of walking and stumbling, I saw it. It was the most beautiful place I have ever seen. It was small, perfectly round, and filled with wildflowers. Nearby, I could hear the water flowing in a stream. The sun was directly overhead, filling the circle with sunshine. I walked slowly through the soft grass, swaying flowers, and warm air.

I turned a bit, wanting to share this beautiful moment with him, but he wasn't behind me where I thought he'd be. I spun around, searching for him. Finally I spotted him, still under the shade, watching me with cautious eyes. Only then did I remember what the beauty of the meadow had driven from my mind. The question of what would happen if Edward stepped into the sun, which he'd promised to illustrate for me today.

I smiled encouragingly and beckoned to him with my hand, taking a step back towards him. He held up a hand in warning, and I hesitated, rocking back onto my heels. Edward seemed to take a deep breath, and then he stepped out into the bright glow of the midday sun.