Disclaimer: All characters of Twilight belong Stephenie Meyer. In no way do I own them. Only the character that I invented, Adaline, belongs to me.

You may visit my ko fi page, where I post my story, if you wish to read more from me. Enjoy or not. Cheers.

Chapter 11

The next day, I was woken up by the sun pouring in through the window. With my eyes still closed, I groggily searched my bed for my mobile phone to check the time. Thank merlin it was Sunday. No need to get up early.

"It fell under the bed again." I groaned while shifting to lie on my back.

I was debating on the merits of getting up to get my mobile when someone knocked on my door.

"I am awake. Enter."

Bella poked her head through the doorway then entered. She closed the door then came to sit next to me on the bed.

"Good morning Bella. Is dad working today?"

"Morning Addy. Yes he is. He already went to work."

I glanced out the window, "it was raining so heavily last night and now the sun is out."

Yesterday night I was so tired that I just took a quick shower and directly went to bed.

"So you went to the Cullen's huh?" Bella stated as she fidgeted with my blanket.

"Yes Alice and Jasper invited me. I didn't want to go but Jasper pleaded." I rubbed my eyes and muttered to myself, "Those two traitors."

Bella looked at me with curiosity in her eyes, "So….how was it?"

I looked at the ceiling blankly, 'it was fun, strange, confusing, horrifying and instructive at the same time.'

Out loud I said, " it was okay."

Bella looked at me incredulously, "that's all you have to say?!"

"We didn't do much really. Played games, ate, watched movies, got a house tour. The end."

'Well, it was only me that ate and I fell asleep during the last movie….but whatever. I don't even want to think about that episode in the car.'

"Well, their house is really secluded and beautiful," I continued. "It's heaven. And it's beautiful. What else? Hmmmm….. oh! Dr Cullen's office and bathroom are absolutely amazing! "

Bella looked at me dully, "you know that's not what I was asking about."

"No, I actually don't." I glanced at her then nonchalantly said, "Edward Cullen is back."

Her head snapped to me and her mouth dropped open, " he is? Since when?"

"Yes he is and I don't know since when. He apologised to me for his behaviour. I told him he was directing his apologies to the wrong person."

'That boy has the broody emo look down pat. And he kept on giving me strange looks. He also has the ability to arrive at the most inopportune moment.'

Bella, "Did he say why he acted like this?"

"He said he wasn't feeling well." I replied as I got up from the bed.

I indicated to Bella to get up so I could make my bed.

"Wasn't feeling well? That's a lame excuse."

I folded my blanket then went to pick some clothes in my wardrobe. As I turned to go to the bathroom I said, "I know. I am going to brush my teeth and shower."

After a refreshing shower, I quickly got a cup of tea then returned to my room to find Bella lying on my bed and staring at the ceiling.

"Your mobile has been vibrating a lot." She said

"I completely forgot about it." I replied as I bent down to get it from under the bed.

I checked to see that Alice and Emmett had sent me many messages. Jasper had sent me one too. I politely declined their invitation to their house again. I had enough excitement yesterday, thank you very much.

'Oh…..I got a text from the good doctor.'

It read: [Good morning Adaline. I wish you a good day and hope to see you soon.]

I replied: [Good morning. Wish you the same.]

I really didn't know what else to say. I felt attracted to him and if I was not reading it all wrong, the attraction was reciprocated. But there were many factors to consider first. The secret his entire family was hiding being one.

'Start with friendship. Get to know him and see if he is worthy of my trust. We'll see where it goes from there.'

"Do you think he'll be at school tomorrow?" Bella asked.

"There is a high probability. He may apologise to you," I replied as I sat to my desk. "Anyway, are you finished with your homework? I am going to do mine."

"No I haven't yet," she said as she got up to leave. "I am going to do mine too."

The rest of the day was passed with doing homework, laundry and finally getting alone time in my room.

It was currently eight in the evening and I was sitting on the windowsill reading my book. Dad was downstairs watching tv and Bella was in her room doing who knows what.

I had reached a good part in the book when I felt my phone vibrate. I debated on ignoring it until later but then decided to just read it.

'Why do people always interrupt you when you are reading and just when you've reached a good paragraph?'

I opened the message to find that it was Carlisle.

'To read or not to read, that is the question…Just read it Adaline.'

C: [Good evening Adaline. How was your day?]

A:[Good evening Carlisle. My day was good thank you. Apart from homework and laundry, I got to read my book in peace. And yours?]

C:[ Apart from a few hiccups with some patients, everything went fine thank you. Finally got respite from Alice and Emmett? They were badgering me with messages while I was working to invite you to our house again.]

A:[So you were bombarded with messages too. I told them that I would block them if they continued. They took the threat seriously and stopped. I think they'll corner me at school tomorrow though. Help?]

C:[I envy you. At least you can threaten them with this. I can't do the same in case they need me for an emergency. I am in my office right now, hiding from them under the pretext of having work. Granted, I really do have work, which I will do later. Right now I am reading a book , I got a few hours of peace. Hmmm and what compensation shall I receive for my help? ]

A:[Poor you. Do enjoy your few hours of peace. Did you seriously use a smiley emoticon to ask for compensation?! I can feel the mischievousness from here! Petit renard va! I can also fend them off without your help you know?]

C:[Little fox? French? My-my-my, Adaline. You are full of surprises. And can you really fend both of them by yourself ?]

A:[Okay, suppose I accept your help. What compensation would you ask for?]

C:[Hmmm I wonder. Can I ask for something at a later date?]

A:[No no no! Who knows what you may ask at a later time! Let me know right now what kind of compensation you would ask. Then I will decide whether to accept your help or not.]

C:[You drive a hard bargain. Very well then, as compensation I would like you to accompany me to one dinner.]

I fixed his text suspiciously and awkwardly.

'This would be my first dinner alone with someone other than family. Never thought it would ever happen.'

A:[I am suspicious. What kind of dinner are we talking about here? And how would you explain this to my father?]

I got up from the windowsill with a groan and laid on my bed.

"Ouch my backside. Note to self, sit on a cushion next time."

My phone vibrated and I immediately checked it.

C:[A semi-formal one, in Seattle. Just two people trying to get better acquainted. Don't worry about your father. Leave it to me.]

I bit my lip uncertainly and turned on my back with a groan.

"What do I do? And what do you mean don't worry? " I muttered to the ceiling before taking my pillow and smothering my face with it.

'Okay Adaline think. Forget about Alice and Emmett for now. Do I want to go to dinner with the good doctor? Will it be worth it to go through dad's interrogation? Even though it's not a romantic date. I don't care about others opinion. Only my family's opinion matters. But some annoying people do like to push their unwanted opinions in your face. That gets annoying…. I did say that I would like to get to know him better. And my intuition is telling me that he is worth it and not to miss this chance… I guess I only have to worry about dad's reaction. Well whatever. I'll leave it to him. That's it then.'

I removed my pillow from my face then grabbed my mobile. For some reason, my heart was beating really fast. It felt like I was taking a life-changing decision and stepping into a path that would irrevocably change my life.

I took a deep breath then typed: [Okay, I accept.]

I quickly pressed send then smothered myself with my pillow again. A few minutes later my phone vibrated. I removed the pillow and read the message.

C:[Very well then. I will communicate the date to you at a later time. Don't worry about anything. I have to say, I am already looking forward to it. Oh and as agreed, I'll take care of Alice and Emmett. I would have talked to them either way . Thank you Adaline.]

My eye twitched at the last two sentences.

'You devious man.'

A:[I take it back. I don't accept ]

C:[Sorry, you can't take it back . Non-refundable.]

A:[How deceitful Dr Cullen. I tip my hat to you.]

C:[Thank you for the wonderful compliment Madam.]

A:[You are welcome. I have to leave you now. My credit is nearly gone and I have to prepare my things for school.]

C:[Very well. I bid you goodnight Adaline. Rest well.]

A:[Thank you Carlisle. Good night to you too.]

I programmed my alarm then put my mobile on my bedside table. I got up, checked if my things were ready for tomorrow and then started to get ready for bed.

As I laid in bed, I got a flash of dad trying to interrogate and intimidate the good doctor.

'Oh god no! Let's not think about that.' With that last thought I covered my head with my blanket and fell asleep.

I woke up to my alarm the next day and automatically got up to get ready.

'Here we go again. Another wonderful school day. Fortunately I graduate this year. Thank merlin.'

As I was looking for a scarf in my closet, I remembered Carlisle's coat. I had washed it and put it in a bag. I took it from the closet and brought it down with me.

'That coat is too big but so comfortable. Too bad his scent is gone from it now….Okay, bad thought. You are not a sniffing weirdo Adaline. Cough… Anyway, I'll ask Alice to return it to him for me.'

We quickly had breakfast then made our way to school. We took my car today, so I was the one driving.

"What is in that bag Adaline?" Bella asked.

"It's a coat the Cullens lent me because it was too cold."

"It looks so big. Whose is it?"

"Carlisle's." I muttered.

"Oh..." Bella smirked at me and asked, "so, just how many times did you sniff it?"

I just huffed at her and concentrated on the road. She laughed at me and I felt my ear get a little hot.