Despite the hiccups with practicing my magic, I was doing well staving off the nightmares. Every couple of days, I could feel the weight settle there, and I'd have to add more salt where it may have shifted in the ring. It was almost comical as Charlie looked between the container and my cooking as if I'd put tablespoons of salt in dinner. Honestly, I was more shocked he'd noticed.

I was getting ready for school when Charlie knocked on the door. He hadn't seen the ring yet, and I was glad he was patient enough to knock and not enter else he'd find out where his salt really went.

"Hey, I tried… my hand at making your lunch."

I raised my brows, "Thanks, is it in the fridge?"

"Second self, I got to get going to the station. Figured I'd just let you know before you, well you know." Glad she can take care of herself, but she should have people do a little more for her.

I grabbed my bag and opened the door. "Thanks, dad."

He stepped back and rubbed his neck. "No problem, also, I heard something at the station. Spring Flings next Saturday, and I figured I needed to prepare." He said the last part grimly.

"Prepare for what?"

"Well, I figured by now you'd have asked someone, so just let me know now so I can prepare." Billy said it was hard having daughters, didn't know what he meant till Renee mentioned that it's right around the same time we started dating. I just gotta make sure she's safe, no need to be the Chief, just be cool dad.

I had to bite back the urge to laugh, "Don't worry, I'm just going with a group of friends."

Oh, thank the lord. "Good, good, I'll uh, give you some extra money for a dress."

"You don't have to do that."

"I want to. And if you say no now, it'll just be added to the prom fund." Already dodged one bullet, but there's that and then senior year. Do we have to talk about dating? Is that something Renee let her do? I'll have to ask her later.

"Then, I won't say no." I shouldered my bag a little higher, "Ready to go?"

Charlie seemed grateful for the escape, and we both left. It was almost funny how I dreaded the thought of having a one on one with him now about dating. Renee and sex ed was hard enough. She came at it like a friend, saying I was free to date who I wanted — when I wanted, most of my more serious questions revolved back around towards me. She wasn't really into birth control, and I'd had to schedule my only gynecology appointment in secret to balance out my period. She'd also insisted on staying in the examination room when my doctors talked about whether or not I had been sexually active.

Though the answer was still no, I did want to ask questions. Ones that were harder for normal people to understand, like how to know if I was forcing someone accidentally. From what friends I had in Pheonix, they said that things happened fast and got crazy. Some saying yes even when they didn't know if they were completely comfortable.

I'd rather not have that. It was hard enough being aware of how others viewed me here. Even in the fantasies Mike, Eric, and Tyler had conjured. Most went further than I was comfortable with, and I had to faze out of their head quickly.

I never had the luxury to fantasize anyway. If I thought hard enough about a person, sometimes I could catch glimpses of a future where they'd be happy with someone else. That was a habit that lived and died in middle school.

I pulled in, glad that I couldn't read minds till I was in a small town. I don't know how I could have competed with roughly a thousand. Classes went by quickly, and more people's thoughts drifted towards the dance, dating, and romance.

The lunchroom was filling up, Edward's siblings sitting at a table where he was absent so far. We had skirted around each other in biology. I figured he'd possibly gotten the idea that being close to me was dangerous. Hard to hide secrets when I kept gathering attention. I sat at our table and waited for the others to arrive. Mike came first, perking up when he saw me. Should finalize when we're going to the beach. I tried not to let it show that I forgot.

Mike sliding in next to me, said, "Bell's, what's cookin'." good lookin'

I fought the urge to cringe. "Nothing much," I wondered when Bell's had become a thing outside of Charlie. "Excited for La Push?"

"This Saturday, right?" I said Jessica and Angela joined us then.

"Yeah, it's La Push, baby," Mike said. Bella and I can hang on the beach. Score.

I shifted, hiding behind my hair. I hadn't had to do this since freshman year and last period and would rather not, but I didn't want a repeat of biology. I hummed, and Jessica picked up the conversation. She was still worried about not having a date. She couldn't understand why I wanted to go with friends, especially if they all had dates and I didn't.

She was getting a little pushier, throwing others' names around in trig. I noted she hadn't mentioned anyone we were close to, and while her thoughts had been a bit kinder, she was thinking someone "average" that would fit in would suit me best.

Lauren made a brief appearance before going to her table, and then Tyler and Eric joined in as well. I was about to start eating when I heard Jessica. Weird. I looked up at her as she said, "Edward Cullens sitting alone today?"

I turned to look and saw he was, sitting further back at a table by himself. He met my eyes and smiled, bringing a hand up and waving me over. The others at my table stilled, their thoughts moving too quickly for me to grasp as Jessica said, bluntly, "Does he mean you?"

I could feel multiple people watching me as I made my way over to him. I'd already latched onto the silence he'd provided and debated what this meant. Was our tentative friendship moving outside of biology notes and wayward magic? I'd have to ask, and even then, I wondered if the answer would be elusive or forthright. I hesitantly stood across from him, holding my food tray.

"Glad someone noticed me. I thought I'd have to go and get you myself."

I swallowed, suddenly finding myself again, and sat, curious at his wording. "I'm sure they would have liked your company."

"I'd rather not for now. They'll find out how boring I actually am if I do that."

"That's not likely." I snorted and opened my food, looking at his lack of it. "This is different."

He paused, "We've been skirting this line already. I figured I may as well commit to the narrative I chose."

"Which is?"

"If I'm going to hell, I might as well do it thoroughly."

"You do realize who you're talking too right?" I took a bite of my sandwich.

"I believe her name is Bella," he said.

How could I explain where I was going with that, that if Hell even existed, we were both going? At least if we're following the Christian religion or any other, for that matter. Besides, I'd caused enough terror here than I'd expected. I probably took 5 years off of Charlie's life from the van debacle.

Instead, I shook my head and changed the subject. "So, why make my friends angry by stealing me away?"

"Because I'm tired of pretending to stay away from you for my family's benefit." I heard a chair scrape only to see his sister, Rosalie, stalk out of the lunchroom. He continued, "They're very understanding."

"I can see that." I watched her boyfriend shrug, and Alice gave me a little wave. "So pretending?"

He smiled, "Apparently, I'm not any good at it. I don't know if I was pretending or giving up. It's actually the first time in a long time I've been thrown in such a loop."

I smiled back, "don't worry, I won't hold it against you."

He laughed, and I was aware even more now that others were watching us intently. "I'm going to hold you to that."

"So long as we're on the same page, I'm fine." I tilted my head, "So, just to clarify, we're friends now?"

"I think we are." He tapped the table, smiling a bit wider. "It's been a while since I've allowed myself to have one outside my family. Usually, because I'm worried," he paused, "being friends with me may be detrimental in the long run."

"I can say the same." and he nodded, "Does that mean we'll be more honest with one other?"

He shrugged as if that wasn't a concern. "To a point at least."

I took another bite of my sandwich. Giving us a moment of silence till I finished it, "Fair is fair, but I think you know more about me than I know about you."

"You're right and wrong." He said, smile fading. "Did you ever?"

I lowered my voice. "Fix the bewitchment? Temporarily."

"Anything I can do to help?"

"You don't have to."

"But I want to." He sighed, "I feel its only fair all things considering." Another remark that held a double meaning I couldn't grasp.

I leaned forward, looking into his eyes. Almost simultaneously, we asked each other, "What are you thinking?"

He chuckled and leaned back, "You first."

"I was wondering what you are?"

He stiffened slightly, "and have you figured it out?"

I relaxed as he didn't immediately rebuff me, "Aside from being strong and fast, no. It's an intrusive thought. I don't actually expect you to tell me."

"But your still curious."

"I am," I put a fist under my chin, "but I'm patient enough."

The tension eased from his shoulders, "So you say."

"So, my turn, what were you going to ask me?"

"The same. What are you?"

I felt the tension in my gut, unpleasant and familiar. Nonsense too, he knew enough I could tell him. Instead, I said, "What do you think I am?"

"I thought you were gifted, and then I realized you were something more."

"Gifted?"

"Yes, it's a little hard to explain here." He seemed to be playing around with an idea, "Really, I only have theories. I know what I am and a few other things. You're a first for me."

"And what would I be then?"

"I'd rather not."

"You bought it up. Why mention theories if you won't share?" I leaned back, "How about we exchange a theory for a theory."

He narrowed his eyes, "an angel." I laughed, and Edward shook his head, "It was a good guess at the time. I've been searching through myths in between my father's collections of books. Siren, banshee, valkyrie, succubi."

I started at the last one. "That's a bit of a stretch."

He raised a brow, "Your boyfriend over there seems to think otherwise." I grimaced, and he continued. "He seems to think we're getting a bit too cozy."

"If this is us at cozy, I'd hate to see us when we're cold." I sighed, fighting the urge to narrow my eyes. "I think you figured it out already, and you're just pacifying me."

He shrugged, "Would that be so bad? And all those did pass my mind at one point. Even with me narrowing it down, it seemed too simple to place you in that box."

"You could still spell it out," I said and rolled my eyes as he chuckled.

"I'm not usually one for puns, but that was good." His lips quirked, "The only experience I have with witches is their portrayals in literature."

"Not the media?"

"I prefer pen and page to screen." He gestured with his hand in a continuous motion, "anyway, you were saying?"

I took a breath, "It's still not something many people would expect. Witches — magic being real."

Edward chuckled again. "As I said, I was in a bit of disbelief myself. Aside from the other things. So, do I get to hear your theories?"

I leaned back, thinking. "I haven't done much research. And if I'd known you'd have quizzes for me today, then I would have."

"Sorry to spring this on you then." He said good-naturedly.

I rolled my eyes, "I mean, I don't think you're a witch either, not a werewolf. You don't fit what I think a vampire would be, and based on what the girls around us think, you could be an incubus." Now he grimaced, and I teased him, pointing out, "It's only fair to add it to the pot. I'm creating a list."

"Well, that's a good thing for me. I won't tell you unless you're a hundred percent sure."

I shrugged, "guess I got my work cut out for me then."

He smiled playfully, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You do realize that a good number of those things are dangerous."

"They could be, only if they wanted to be."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I'm dangerous too. Besides, dangerous doesn't mean bad or evil."

"How are you so sure?" His gaze brooding into me like the answer was one he desperately needed.

"You saved my life twice." I said simply, "If you are bad or dangerous, you haven't done anything to make me think otherwise."

"You sound like you're making me out to be the superhero. What if I am the bad guy?"

"Then I think you're too hard on yourself." I fought the urge to take his hand, comfort him like I think he needed at the moment. "I don't think you're bad."

"You're wrong." He whispered, and then it was like we were back in the snow from his dream, him talking as if there was a monster inside him. I wondered if he understood that I had no reason to be scared of him or if he understood how much it meant to me that he knew. I felt weirdly fixated on what his thoughts on this conversation were. If only I could hear him.

The silence between us stretched till I noticed we were some of the few lingering in the cafeteria. "I guess it's time to go."

"I won't be going today." He said. "It's healthy to ditch every now and again."

I gathered my things. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow then?"

"You will."

A smile ticked at the corner of his mouth, and he watched me leave. There was a sense of loss I had to try to rationalize as I went to class. Not because his mind buffered out everyone else, but because it feels wrong when you share so much with someone and have to leave.

I had to half-run to class, the halls significantly empty, telling me I probably had seconds till I would be late. I entered the classroom just as the bell rang. Panting, I made it to my seat as Mr. Banner announced to everyone that I was saved by the bell.

Ignoring Mike's thoughts on whatever my conversation with Edward had been, he looked downright resentful. In comparison, Angela looked surprised and in awe. Others shared their thoughts on it.

Guess Edward had a thing for her after all. Nicholas Laghari thought as I sat and placed my things on the table.

I was still attached to our conversation. I had more questions, ones I said I wouldn't ask and that I'd wait on. He also knew what I was now, and it hadn't been intentional to share that with him. But it felt right. My hand itched, and the vision of us seemed not as far off as I thought. We were friends, for now.

Mr. Banner clapped his hands excitedly, bringing my attention to him as he walked down the aisle. "Newton. Can you hand these out?" Sheepishly, Mike got up and started placing the cardboard boxes on each table.

Mr. Banner started again, "Okay, class, I want you to open the contents of your boxes and lay them out on your desk," He produced and put on a pair of rubber gloves, slapping them theatrically at the wrist. I felt a sense of forbidding, knowing that these weren't exactly the tools we'd use for dissecting anything. "The card you've pulled out with the four circles is an indicator card." He held one up himself.

"The second is a four-pronged applicator," He picked up something that resembled a toothpick but was translucent and thicker. "Then the last thing within the box is a sterile micro-lancet. Be careful," he joked, "it's sharp."

I held it in my hand, and my stomach turned to knots. I was eyeing the barb-like I had tunnel vision.

"I'll be coming around with a dropper of water to prep your cards, so please don't start until I get to you." He waved Mike to the front. Prepping the card he had, Mike tucked his hands in his pockets and shuffled back and forth watching Mr. Banner, who held an expectant hand towards Mike. "Now, this is the hardest part for some people, but don't be squeamish. I want you to prick your finger with the lancet." He jabbed the spike into the tip of Mike's middle finger.

Clammy moisture broke across my forehead. I grasped my hands tightly in my lap. I couldn't even close my eyes. I felt like I was incredibly aware of the small crimson dot building on Mike's finger. I swallowed.

"Put a small drop of blood on each of the prongs." Mr. Banner continued to demonstrate. Squeezing Mike's finger for a decent drop. I was able to bring some semblance of control to turn away and stare out the window.

"And then apply it to the card." He finished, holding up the completed card for us to see. My ears were ringing, and I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience.

"The Red Cross is having its quarterly blood drive in Port Angeles next weekend, and though it's before the spring fling, if you chose to donate before arriving at the dance, you'll get ten points extra credit. I figured you should all know your blood type as well as understand how blood transfusion works in a later discussion." He sounded proud of himself, At least a couple should attend. Then he was making his way around the class and prepping cards. "Those of you who want to donate will need to get your parent's permission. I have slips on my desk."

I had to take a moment, not grasping why I was reacting so violently to the idea. My desk felt cool against my forehead. Thoughts intermingling with the squeals, complaints, and giggles from everyone else in the class.

Never been happier to be seventeen.

Bella looks sick? Hope she's okay?

Ugh, what drama queens, it's just a bit of blood.

I can't believe I was a guinea pig for Mr. Banner. Why is it always me?

I took a breath through my nose and sat up by the time Mr. Banner made it to me. He placed the drops on the paper. Then continues around the room. I took the lancet, my knuckles turning white. Just a prick, and then we can blaze through the rest of class. Mr. Banner had given everyone permission to start and follow the example he set with Mike. Mike was made a temporary assistant and directed to wear gloves and help place the blood on the lancet.

Just my luck, he came to me first. "Bella, you okay? Figured I'd help you out."

"Really, Mike, I got it." Though I didn't know how I'd fake this, I didn't intend to fill out the card, my stomach rolled uncomfortably, and I didn't notice Mike took the Lancet and already had my pointer finger between his hand. Shakily, I tried to stop him, saying, "wait."

You're in a meadow, there are three people, and there's so much blood.

Rain. Then there was me. Running. Barefoot. Looking over my shoulder as I cried out, shooting my hands out like that would make a difference. Magic failed me. A wound at my neck. Pouring out blood. Staining my shirt. I clamped at the wound. Panting. Then I was tossed aside. Back hitting a tree. Cracking.

Scrambling. I got up. Escaping. Limping. Over plants and into the meadow. Lupines. Leucanthemum. Scabiosa. Erythronium Montanum. Castilleja. Coreopsis. Dripping in water. I faltered. Then I was thrown again. Twisting in the air. Landing amongst the blooms. Broken. The man. He gripped my neck. Grinning. Spoke. Smelled me. Fingers digging into my flesh. Lips pressing into the hollow of my throat. Piercing. Shredding. Rupturing. Drinking.

I gagged, and I was back in biology, this time on the floor. A circle of people over me, Mike looking like he'd done something wrong.

I rasped out a small apology, then murmured, "Can I go to the nurse's office?"

Mr. Banner looked pale, anxiety coming off him in waves, Just supposed to check their blood type, not faint in class. I'll have a lot of explaining to do. "Can you walk?"

"Yes." I sat up, dazed but pulled myself to the table, bracing both hands on top.

"Can someone please assist Ms. Swan to the nurse's office?"

Mike was near me in a flash. Wrapping an arm around my waist and another apology spilled out. "Sorry, Bella, I didn't know. I wouldn't have―"

"It's fine, Mike," I mumbled. Leaving my stuff behind while he supported us out of the room. I was glad it wasn't raining as we made our way slowly around building four and under the cafeteria awning. When we turned the corner out of Mr. Banner's sight, I asked him to stop.

A wave of vertigo hit me, and I slumped. "Just let me sit for a minute, please." I didn't care if the ground was still wet. I couldn't hold myself anymore.

Mike started to panic, Is she going to pass out? What should I do? Nervously, he said, "Wow, you're green, Bella."

Another voice sounded in the distance. "Bella?" I didn't respond, just breathed in the scent of petrichor. Edward's voice was concerned, "What's wrong― is she hurt?"

Mike's nervousness faded, and agitation replaced it, Seriously? His thoughts turned towards disbelief that Edward would appear now. It would have been amusing had I not wished I was dead. Edward's mind was near enough that I tuned in. Silence replaced the thoughts of blood, and I blearily blinked up at him.

He looked shocked, then he was kneeling next to me. "Hey — are you well enough to get up?"

I swallowed, "Everything's spinning."

"I was taking her to the nurse." Mike explained, "But she had to stop. Can you get her up so I can take her?" Funnily enough, it wasn't a question.

For me, not being able to read him, Edward could be pretty expressive, His eyes narrowed, but he held back whatever he was going to say. "I can take her to the nurse. You can go back to class."

"No." Mike protested, "I'm supposed to do it."

Edward leaned down, "are you okay to move?"

"The grounds so nice and cold, though." I almost pouted.

He chuckled, then wrapped an arm under my legs and around my back, lifting me up like I weighed nothing. I automatically clenched his arm. I fought the urge to squeak, glad I didn't do something that embarrassing. He was walking even as Mike called out behind him.

I looked at him, then let myself go lax, leaning my head on his shoulder. "You're lucky you're cold too."

"Not like you'd have the strength to fight me if I was hot." He was still grinning, and I bit back my annoyance at how pleased he seemed in the moment. "You look awful."

"Thanks for the compliment. Wait — wait, stop, please." He stopped immediately, looking down at me as I took deep breaths as another wave of dizziness passed.

"Better?"

"For now." I swallowed.

He resumed walking. "So, do you faint at the sight of blood?" He seemed entertained, and I let him have his moment. "I didn't peg you as hemophobic."

"I'm not." I moaned.

"Well, I'm very interested in the turn of events that led you into my arms." He opened a door, and warm air encased us. Mrs. Cope let out a gasp, and Edward quickly gave her his exclamation. Mrs. Cope wandered around the desk, quicker than I expected to open the door to the nurse's office for Edward.

The nurse, Mrs. Hammond, was old, reminding me of my grandmother as she moved things off a shabby vinyl bed with crinkly paper for Edward to set me down. She looked astonished, Did he carry her all the way here? She seemed to caught up in him carrying me than asking what happened.

Edward moved to the other wall, still amused, "she's just a little faint. They're blood-typing in Biology."

"There's always one." Mrs. Hammond came over with a thermometer, and I fought the annoyance off. I was fainting, not hot. "Say, 'aww.'" I opened my mouth, and Edward covered a laugh with a cough. Mrs. Hammond turned to him, "You can go back to class now."

"I'm supposed to stay with her." He lied effortlessly.

Mrs. Hammond raised a brow, Hmmm. I wonder… Oh well. "Does this happen often?"

"No, this is a first."

"Well, I'll go get some ice for your forehead." She scuttled from the room, leaving us alone.

It was bad enough that I was lying down. He looked lazily around the room as if he wasn't in the nurse's office. Like this was actually an everyday occurrence. The loudest clock sat above him. How he wasn't going nuts against the tick, tock, tick, tock, was beyond me.

I broke the silence first, not able to take the ticking anymore. "You were right."

"I usually am, but about what in particular this time?"

"Ditching is healthy. Honestly, I'm beginning to get self-conscious. How many times have you seen me in bed at this point?"

He let out another laugh, "Only three."

"I think that's already two too many." I snorted, even as the dizziness settled. The lights were too bright.

"So what happened," he asked, and I hid my eyes behind my arm.

"It's hard to explain."

"Everything about you is hard to explain."

I almost laughed, "You at least know my biggest secret."

"Touché," he paused for a second before responding. "Is this related to the forest incident?"

I sighed, "Yes."

"So it's still ongoing."

"It doesn't seem as if it's going away." It's been days, and Port Angeles was on the horizon. I needed to go and somehow figure out a way to get that book.

"So your blood or someone else's caused you to faint?"

How do I explain what my mother said? I tried to speak the words, but they wouldn't come out. Instead, I was frustrating myself until I slid my hand to my throat. Finishing lamely, "I can't say the words." At least I'd learned something new. If anything, then that may be a key to the spell she cast.

Edward's mouth set in a thin line. "It's hard to help you when I don't know how."

"You still want to help me?"

"I think it should be obvious." He clenched a hand, releasing it a second later. "We're friends, right?"

"Officially, all of an hour ago." I mused. "I'll need to think about it."

He nodded like he expected me to turn him down. "All the same, watching Mike drag you off like a corpse is not something I'd relish seeing again."

Ugh. "Mike seemed less than happy," I said to change the subject.

Edward rolled his eyes, seemingly to understand what I'd done. Then he continued almost cheerfully, "He absolutely loathes me."

"What did you do to him?"

"Nothing of note." Edward cleared his throat,

"How did you know I fainted?"

"I was in my car listening to a CD when I saw you."

The door opened, and Mrs. Hammond handed me a cold pack. "I think you simply needed a moment. Your colorings returned to normal. How are you feeling?"

"Better."

"Well, then I won't keep you." Mrs. Cope stuck her head in and grimly declared they had another one, and Mrs. Hammond waved me away, telling me to come back if I was still unwell. I took off the ice and left it by the sink when it smelled like copper. I quickly pinched my nose, and Edward led me out just in time to see a run-down Mike leading a swallow-looking Lee Stephans.

"Thank you."

"Anytime," he said shallowly as if he too was holding his breath.

Mike came out a second later. Glancing from me to Edward, the look of loathing wasn't exaggerated, and he seemed glum. He had a layer of accusation in his tone when he said, "You look better."

I narrowed my eyes, "It's temporary, I promise. Just don't prick me again."

Edward stiffened at the reminder, and had it not been for me, I wondered what he'd have done. Instead, he leaned back against the counter and tried to appear bored.

Mike shuffled afoot, tense. "It's not like I knew you'd faint."

"It's fine." I sighed, "let's just move on."

Mike was still glum, but he muttered an okay before he changed the subject. "So, coming back to class?"

"I'd rather not risk it. I'd probably end up back here."

"I guess," he paused, then got a calculated gleam in his eye. Glancing from Edward to me, he said. "We're still on for the beach, though, right?"

I made my tone lighter, hopefully, more normal. "I said I was in at lunch."

"Great, I'll pick you up at my dad's store at ten." His eyes moved over Edward, Yeah, and he's definitely not invited, maybe he'll get the hint and think this is a date.

I smiled, "And Jessica, Lauren, and Angela should be there too, right?"

"Uh, they should be." He looked like he sucked on a lemon, his body language changing. So long as he doesn't think he's invited. He'd probably figure out how to show up anyway.

"I'll be there." I figured I'd save any questions on snacks for later. "I guess I'll see you later then."

"Yeah, I guess so." He shuffled uncertainty towards the door. Looking at me as he left, pouting. What does she see in that freak? All he has going for him is he's rich―Girls think he's hot, but he's probably had a bunch of plastic surgery done. Dad's a doctor. God, he's probably one of those sick, rich people that do a bunch of drugs and plays with women. Every time he looks at me, I swear he's thinking about how to kill me. Freak.

I narrowed my eyes as he left. It wouldn't do good to respond to his thoughts. Their relationship was bad, as simple as that. But it was hard to distance what he was thinking when I was standing right there. I looked at Edward, who turned his attention to me with a light smile.

I crossed my arms, "Guess that's it then, you get to keep ditching, and I get to go to gym."

His eyes crinkled, and he raised a brow, "You don't seem excited at the thought."

"Probably because I'm not."

His look turned mischievous, "I can take care of that." He got close and leaned down, his breath fanning over my neck as he whispered in my ear. "Sit over there and look ill."

I fought the urge to bite my lip and quickly checked if Mrs. Cope had come back yet. She hadn't. I sat down on the bench, pulling my hair around me. I leaned into my knees like I was going to lose my lunch.

Edward moved over to the counter, knocking lightly, "Mrs. Cope?" He called.

A second later, she responded, "Yes?" and there was movement at her desk, "Oh, did another spell hit her?"

"Yes, she had to take another moment. Bella has gym next hour, and she's not well enough to go. I offered her a ride home. Do you think you can excuse her from class?" He kept his voice low and measured.

Get a hold of yourself, Shelly. He looks older than he should be. Problematic is what it is. "Do you need to be excused too, Edward?"

"I was already excused by Mrs. Goff earlier. No need."

Always so polite. "Alright then, I'll let Coach Clapp know. You feel better now, Bella." She tittered.

I got up shakey, nodding as Edward took position to help me, much like Mike had when we left Biology. I wondered if this was too much as we left. "I think we're fine now," I whispered when we were out of sight from the office. I detached myself from him. The rain had started again as I righted myself.

"Alice would have been proud." He took a step back and started to lead me to the parking lot.

"Does she fake sick for you often?"

"Often enough, she's the theatric one."

"I've seen her once or twice."

"You'd like her," He paused as if weighing what she'd say next. "She likes you."

I stopped, "you talk to your sisters about me?"

He smiled briefly, "Only Alice."

I pocketed that information for later, "Sorry, by the way."

"For what?"

"Mike, talking about our plans." I shrugged, "but since he mentioned it in front of you, then consider that an invitation to come." It was only fair, besides aside from today, it'd be interesting to see how he was with other people. Not that he felt like he needed them from the way he came across.

"Where are you all going?" He pursed his brows and watched me.

"La push, I think they said First Beach?"

His eyes narrowed a fraction, and he shook his head. A wry smile on his lips, "I'm pretty sure I wasn't invited."

"As I said, consider it an invitation from me then." I was being rude, but at the same time, Mike had been rude too. It was childish, but I felt like it was fair. I sighed, "Unless Mike makes you uncomfortable and you'd rather not."

We were in the parking lot now, as Edward stated. "I think the both of us are pushing poor Mike to his breaking point. I'd rather not start a war over a beach."

I tilted my head, "I can see that. Later then?"

He paused for a second before nodding. I started heading towards my truck, but Edward called my name.

I stopped, "What?"

His smile returned, "Where do you think you're going?"

"What do you mean?" I gestured to my truck. "Home?"

"I think it'll be plainly obvious to Mrs. Cope that I didn't drive you if your truck rattles down the street."

"Hey," I put a hand on my hip, "She does not rattle." She roars. "Besides, I didn't think you were serious about the ride."

"I promised to see you home safely. My mother would be ashamed if I let you drive home in your condition."

"Perfectly fine?" I tested.

"If that's what you'd like to call it." He chuckled, "besides, I would like to genuinely make sure your home safe."

"And my truck?"

"Alice will drop it off for you." He gestured to his Volvo in an after-you motion.

I huffed but started towards his car. "Have it your way."

"Is there any other?"

I rolled my eyes again. He thought he was funny. He trotted ahead and opened the door for me. And I side-eyed him as I got in. It was clean, organized, compared to Jessica's, which had empty coffee cups in the back seat. A neat array of CDs was placed on the passenger's visor.

Edward opened the door and slid in. I pulled my wet hair to the side, only to be offered a towel a second later. I blinked and took it.

"Let me guess, Alice?"

"And Rosalie. She hate's getting her hair wet." He started the car then set the AC to warm light classical music filtered in. In an unfair amount of time, we had a bubble of warmth. I toweled dried my hair, wondering about how I could go completely dry that one day to soaked. Maybe I'd practice that next, though that seemed purely cosmetic. Edward started driving, "What's on your mind?"

"Magic," I answered, placing the towel in my lap.

He looked at me briefly, "I assume you can do a lot more than what I've seen then."

"I can," I don't know if I'd share that with him yet, but I wouldn't lie. He didn't ask either, just let the music settle between us. "Debussy?"

"You've heard him?"

I'd heard enough classical from ballet. I nodded, "My grandmother and dance class. I can recognize a few, but mostly my favorites."

"I like this one a lot too." He looked lost in thought, "Feel free to mess with the radio."

I hummed and relaxed into the leather seat, feeling a bit bad about the water but also knowing that he probably would get it cleaned later, seeing the state of his car. The rain blurred, and he drove patiently through the streets, at least, that's what I thought. I blanched at the speed he was actually going.

"Do you drag race?"

"What?"

"Just because you're with the chief's daughter doesn't mean he won't give you a ticket."

A smile ticked at his jaw, and he released the gas, slowing to a more reasonable speed. He sounded almost sheepish as he replied, "Habit. So, what's your mother like?"

I looked from his speedometer to him, "She's complicated." It was a loaded question. "She's beautiful, not pretty. Free-spirited, outgoing, brave." I sighed, "Childish, unaware." Irresponsible. "She does what she wants, and there are no repercussions, so she can be selfish sometimes. I love her, but she doesn't know what she does."

"So the bewitchment," He seemed to be weighing his next words. "That was a mistake?"

"She wouldn't do that on purpose."

He stilled, taking a corner, "Has she done other things on purpose?"

I looked out the window. "That's hard to answer."

He cleared his throat, instead saying. "So she's like you."

"She is, but I don't know if she knows it."

He looked frustrated, like I was adding to a pile of questions rather than answers. "How old are you?"

"I'm seventeen."

"You don't seem seventeen." It was forlorn, the same way Charlie looked when I did too much by myself.

"Well, neither do you." I was a touch defensive. Something that was easy because of the topic. Sighing, I added, "When I say it's hard to explain or it's complicated, I'm not joking. My mother doesn't know that she makes people do things. She can't control herself. So yeah. I act older because―" It was the only choice I had.

"Apologies if you don't want to talk about it." He shifted his hands on the steering wheel. "There's a lot that I'm trying to understand."

"Same for me."

"So why did your mother marry Phil?"

I fidgetted. Would it do any good to talk about my suspicions about their relationship? From what I knew of Phil now — he wanted to be with my mom. But knowing my mom, I don't think I'd ever know if it was a random chance or just her being her.

"My mother gets lonely easily, and Phil's younger than her, probably makes her feel younger too. She's crazy about him." Phil never seemed to have any reservations, and I didn't want to think the worse of my mom. She couldn't have compelled him, could she?

"Do you accept their relationship?"

"I do," I said. I won't let my biases affect what I knew Phil felt for my mother. Some things couldn't be faked, and I knew he loved her. "They make each other happy. That's enough."

"Would she be as kind to you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Could she accept whoever you chose to be with as easily as you've accepted hers?"

I swallowed, "I'd like to think so. I figure if I ever introduced someone to her, I would be serious enough to fight for them if it came to it."

"Even if your parents thought you were blind to it or that they had your best interests in their heart?"

I shook my head. "That would be selfish, them thinking they knew what was best for me." I felt my hands start to sweat. "If I choose someone, then that's my choice. And if I made a mistake, at least it was mine."

He took a breath through his nose, "A hard stance from someone who seems so open."

I hesitated, "I don't like being controlled or feeling like I don't have a say in my life."

"So you don't believe in fate?"

"Do you?" I was shocked. From what I knew of him, he seemed rational or like he was ready to battle himself at a moment's notice.

"I didn't use to." He gave me a courtesy glance, "You?"

"I think if I say yes, then I'm walking into a trap." I shifted, pulling on the seatbelt. "I just said how much I hate having my choice taken from me, to find out that everything came down to fate ― Well, then did I really ever had a choice at all?"

"Who knows? I never thought I'd be predestined to be with someone, a soulmate. Do you think you have one?" He asked suddenly.

"If I did, and just for the sake of our conversation, I had a perfect match, then I wouldn't hold our fate against them."

"Well, that's an easy way out."

"If they're my perfect match, then they should be able to see where I'm coming from." I challenged. He just shook his head, pulling to a stop in front of my house. Turning my body toward him, I continued, "am I wrong?"

"It just sounds so simple when you put it that way." He leaned toward me too, "so if your soulmate was tattooed to the nines, covered in piercings, you'd be fine?"

"That's all superficial, I'd be fine, and like I said before, my parents would have to be too."

"And if they were a bad person — if they were terrifying?"

"Am I scared of them?" I countered.

"I'm sure you should be."

"But am I scared of them?"

"No."

"Then it's fine."

"And if the answer had been yes?"

"Easy, then that person wouldn't be my soulmate."

He scoffed, "How can you be so sure?"

I pursed my brows, maybe I would sound like a child, but I said, "If they were my soulmate, I couldn't be scared of them because then I couldn't accept them. And isn't that what a soulmate is all about?"

"Acceptance." He looked like that was a foreign concept to him. Sarcastically he replied, "That's idyllic."

"I think I can afford it." I humored him, "can I ask you a question now?"

He looked cautious, which was amusing considering how deep our conversations seemed to be. "What would you like to know?"

I felt like I could ask anything. Even if I didn't receive an answer, it'd be worth it just to hear his answer or evasion. It was cruel in a way, and despite the unbalance in the secrets between us or how much we gave away, I didn't have the heart to do that to him. I wanted to ask him about his mother―mothers. Wanted to ask why he seemed so hard on himself. Instead, I asked, "When can I meet Alice?"

He smiled, "soon enough, I'm sure. Now, I need to go back and pick up my family, especially since they don't enjoy being wet." He reached across the car to open the door for me, and I stopped breathing momentarily while he entered my space. Unfair. He settled back in his seat, a crooked smile on his face. "Thank you for allowing me to drive you home."

"I assume I won't be seeing you tomorrow," I said breathlessly. I wanted to kick myself. Instead, I was intoxicated by the smell of lilac and sunshine. It smelled like magic, and I don't know if he was aware of it. I sneaked a glance at him, and my eyes widened a fraction. His eyes looked darker, and he dragged a hand over his mouth.

"You won't," He pulled back, his eyes were still dark, "Emmett and I are starting a weekend early. We're hiking near in the Goat Rocks Wilderness."

"Enjoy yourselves." I felt awkward tangling myself out of his car. Once I got out, I brushed down my clothes, "Well, goodbye then?"

"Bella?"

"Yes!" What was wrong with me, I'd been fine before, and suddenly I was melting.

"Keys?"

"Oh, yes." I pulled them from my jacket pocket, handing them over. He held my hand for a moment longer.

"Do me a favor, Bella?"

"What?"

"Don't fall into the ocean." He smiled and slid his hand from mine, taking the key.

"I'll see what I can do." I closed his door, then walked to my front door. Edward didn't pull away until I was halfway inside the house, and even then, I still felt a comforting cold pressure from where his hand held mine.