Third, and worst, Brandy instantly stepped closer and kissed him. On the lips.

Time froze. I wanted to scream, faint, and (of course) hurt Brandy all at once. Instead I stood there gaping.

All of this was, for some inexplicable reason, going down in my memory. I will always remember Edwards gaze, hurt, angry, and almost afraid, as she leaned towards him, lips puckered, eyes half-shut. I would forever remember Brandy, in her short jean skirt and light gray tank top, on her toes, her mouth pressed against his.

In an instant, I saw Edward's eyes turn dark. My head felt light, and I swear I saw spots, I recognized the dark in his eyes: the thirsty dark, the angry dark.

Edward shoved her back, effortlessly but roughly, and I took a step towards me.

Brandy wasn't wearing that catty-girl-smug-smile I always pictured someone wearing after kissing another girls boyfriend; she seemed genuinely hurt by his rejection. Then when she saw me she looked a little afraid and ashamed.

I didn't move. I couldn't move.

I wanted to run and shove her out the door then down a few flights of stairs. But this hurt too much, my brain shut down and my legs tried to run to grab her as she fled. I ended up falling into Edward's cool, solid arms.

It turned out that I didn't have to 'shove her out the door', for a second later I heard the door slam shut and felt Edward's protective arms tighten around me. I turned into them, and looked up at his face. He seemed utterly disgusted.

"Bella." He whispered. "I didn't know until I heard you turning the corner and by then, well…" he trailed off, unable to explain how someone with lightening fast reflexes and the ability to read minds hadn't been able to ward off the kiss.

"That's okay. Sometimes things like that are hard to predict, I don't even think Brandy knew she was going to do it." I had finally found my voice. I was trying to reason for her, but it still hurt. Boy, did it hurt.

"Let's go out, people will notice if we're gone for too long." He led me back out and Meg came over to us.

"What was wrong with her?" her eyes searched my – normally easy to read – face for an answer. I looked down. I wanted to tell her, but not now.

"Later." I said and put a smile on for the rest of the night. I was utterly emotionless, reacting only when others did. I kept replaying that moment over and over again until I thought I'd gotten stuck in some kind of repetitive hell where I was forced to watch my boyfriend make-out with other girls. Well, maybe make-out was a bit much, but I was too brain-dead to realize it.

Edward didn't leave my side for the rest of the night. After that though the conversation was fixed pointedly on me, I thought it was to distract me from whatever they thought had happened. It didn't bother me at all.

However, there was a point during the conversation where after Tiffanie called me "Bella-boo" (for about the millionth time) that I saw Edward trying to hold back a grin. I glared at him and he instantly sobered (which left me feeling a bit sorry), and I shot him an apologetic smile. From then on I always saw his smile when she called me "Bella-boo." Needless to say, I began to hate the name.

After all the other girls but Meg had left, we sat down and retold the story about Brandy. Without the eye changing colors or mind reading details.

She nodded, "I thought something like that would happen. Brandy has been attracted to danger for a while now. Why do you think none of us have been great friends with her since you left?"

Both Edward's jaw and mine had dropped when she said danger.

"Danger?" I protested. "He's not dangerous." Yeah, right.

She shrugged, "Well, you just seem…" she trailed off.

Edward spoke up, "Yes, I know I tend to give off a dangerous signal to people. I don't know how though." He feigned innocence, and it was believeable. Meg gave a small smile. Part of me envied his lying and acting talents.

"I should leave soon, my mom is still a killer about curfew." She said to me, then stood up quickly.

"Bye Edward. Bye Bella. See you both later." She winked then strolled out. I flopped back onto Edward in an exaggerated mime of exhaustion. He smiled and twirled my hair in his fingers.

It was eleven o'clock and I was tired. "Edward, I think it's time for you to leave now." I said loudly enough for Mom and Phil to hear. He smiled and understood the hint. We walked to the door and when I turned to face him he was looking at me lovingly.

I felt the shivers run up my spine and I was instantly aware of the few inches between us. It seemed as if there was an electric current between us, pulling us closer. Before I would have been wary but now I simply slid into his arms, enjoying the electricity and the endless waves of goose bumps as he trailed his hands up my arms.

"What's with the face, Bella-boo?" I realized I'd been smiling absently, and quickly glared at him for daring to call me Bella-boo. He threw back his head in laughter, then pulled me in for a quick kiss. After our good-bye he yelled a goodnight to Mom and Phil and left.

On the way into my room, I passed by my Mom.

"Bella." She called me over.

"Yes?"

"Did you have fun?" she smiled. I really didn't want to continue with this small talk about the party; I wanted to get to Edward. I figured all I'd have to do was act tired.

"Yep. I was glad to see my friends." I said and attempted to appear as if I was holding back a yawn, apparently I came across as stoned.

"Isabella…are you….did you….Do I smell drugs?" she sputtered then leaned in to sniff the air.

"No!" I said quickly and let her smell me for effect. "I'm just tired."

"Okay." She said cautiously, eyeing me apprehensively.

"G'night." I stammered and ran to my room. Apparently, that was another way to get out of a conversation.

I walked in to find Edward shaking with silent laughter, I felt that familiar heat rise into my cheeks. Which of course made him laugh more.

"S-stoned?" he choked, nearly out of breath, even though breathing wasn't necessary for him.

"Shut-up." I snapped and sat down on the bed.

He began to calm down and took to watching the blush fade from my cheeks.

"So, where do I start?" I asked and he looked at me wearily. "What was Keith thinking?"

"Keith first?" he seemed surprised.

"Chronological order." I explained, and he nodded appreciatively.

"Well, when I first came I saw you looking like a deer in headlights." He paused and brought me closer to him. So close, that I could smell his cool breath as he talked. "Then I heard the thought 'Is she trying to ditch me again? She's just shy, but not for long.' Then I focused on you and grabbed you closer."

I realized that he had edited the thoughts and I wondered why, "I tried to figure out if he was vampire or not, then I heard the thought, 'Damn, she's hot. Who's that puny guy with her? That must be the boyfriend. Right, like he can compete… She'll come to me soon enough'" he paused and took a breath. "That kind of made me angry. Then when he was trying to fight me I heard him think, 'He'll start outside and I'll get the guard to lock 'Mr. tough-guy' out, and I'll take her…' "

Edward paused thinking of how to edit this thought properly.

" '…away.' He was just being so cocky and I knew that I would probably rip apart the guard or the doors or Keith, and that wouldn't have helped us. I think I was able to stay sane because of your sweet voice." That shocked me, had I really helped?

"What was he really thinking?" I asked and he looked totally shocked.

"What? That was what – "

"Come on." Did he think I was that gullible?

"Well, it was that…but a little more…graphic." He carefully said each word, I was truly curious as to just what he wasn't saying.

"Graphic, like…" I couldn't think of the right word for a minute. "…X-rated?" I asked tentatively and he nodded slowly and gravely.

"But he'll be back, he was really interested in you, Bella." I heard him growl a little.

"I'll just keep away from him. It'll be okay. Besides, he can't challenge you." I reached my hand up and traced his jaw line.

He seemed calm, at least for now, and that made me happier.

"So, really why were you here? Was it because of the party?" I asked, reminded of my earlier curiosity.

"Yes and no."

"What?" I felt like I'd been more confused today then I had in my entire life.

"No, because I told your Mom that I had an aunt down here who wanted to see me. And yes, I came here to your house because of the party."

"An aunt? At the same time I was visiting. That's pretty lame Edward." I raised my eyebrows mockingly.

"No. Not the way I explained it. I said that my aunt had been wanting me to visit and it was vacation, and besides my girlfriend was coming down here. So, why not?" he shot me a coy smile.

"Fine. But then why didn't you take my plane?" I challenged him.

"Carlisle wanted me to finish my volunteer hours at the hospital for the summer." He shot back at me.

"Well…" I was stumped. What else was there? "Do you love me?" It was really lame sounding but, it was girlfriend-ish and I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted to feel his arms around me. I wanted to forget about Brandy; ugh, and Keith; double ugh.

He smiled, "More then I thought I ever could love someone." And with that he kissed me. A wave of fire flew down my body, but not the bad kind. The kind that you got when you went down a really steep roller coaster. I felt like my whole body had been rearranged, in the best way possible.

Then it stopped. His cold lips pulled away from mine and I saw a small frown take its place.

"What."

"You scare me so much." He shook his head.

"How?"

"Your heart stopped for a second. We're going to have to be more careful." But all I wanted was for him to kiss me again. I wanted to feel the fire again. My attachment to Edward could only be described as an addiction.

"Edward, I'm not glass you know."

"I know." Then under his breath, "you're even more fragile."

"Am not!" I protested angrily.

"I have got to be more quiet." He chided himself.

"Or don't think like that!" I offered.

He sighed. "Well, I guess we should talk about it."

"What it?" Would there ever be a time when I didn't feel out of the loop.

"Brandy…" he whispered. Then my stomach dropped and I felt myself slide away from him a little.

"Um, okay." I really didn't want to, but I knew it had to come. Sooner or later, it would come.

"The reason I got up to see you was because I heard her thoughts and I wanted to tell you that – " he was cut off by my mother's scream.

I jumped and tried to run out to see her and found that Edward was holding me back, listening intently.

He cursed and let me go. I didn't even hesitate. I ran out the door to see why my mom was screaming.

AN: A lot is happening but it will all make sense, just wait for it. R&R.