Chapter 4: Theories you know are actually the truth
…
I had no doubt the news I was going with Eric to the ball will spread like a wildfire in the process. I was happy with my resolve to take the best I could from the Situation though, which meant not following the script anymore.
…
Next day Edward greeted me the moment I stepped out of my truck claiming he's not staying away from me anymore.
"Good." I said. "So now what?"
"Like I said; I'm not staying away anymore. The rest is up to you I suppose. Though I have to warn you; it'd be in your best interest to stay away from me, Bella."
"Yeah, I know, I know." I assured him. "Not gonna do it, though." That caused him to crack a smile.
"So," I started, "can I call you a friend now or are we still not-friends?" I asked with a smile not really minding the answer; it didn't matter how it was called, just that it was there - friendship I mean, or at least the potential for it.
"I suppose we could give it a try." He agreed.
"Great!" I said as we stopped before English classroom. "See you later, friend." I said and winked before entering the classroom just in time for class to start.
"See you, Bella." I heard him say quietly before the door closed behind me and I walked to my seat with a smile.
Though I noticed that Mike was kind of avoiding my gaze the whole hour, he and Eric walked me to my next class like usual and while we were walking he seemed to relax enough to be his usual fluffy self and the talk turned on our trip to La Push beach this weekend. I was actually looking forward to it and showed my enthusiasm shamelessly; who cares if the weather was a bit iffy? It'll be fun and a good change of scenery. God knows I needed it.
Then in cafeteria we all talked about the dance when I saw Edward call me over to his table (he was sitting alone for a change). I sighted to myself; how predictable… I told everyone I'll catch up with them later and walked to where Edward was sitting and sat down across from him.
"You rang?" I smirked at him. I couldn't help myself…
"You came." He stated almost surprised by that fact.
"Friends, remember…" I reminded him and played with my soda. It was one of those days when you just don't feel like eating much.
"Right… I suppose if I'm going to Hell I better do it thoroughly." He conceded.
"Exactly! No regrets." I said lifting my soda and taking a sip from it.
"I still think I'm not a good friend for you, Bella." He started again. "If you're smart, you'll avoid me."
"Then lucky for you, I'm not all that smart." I sighted and put the soda down. "Haven't you being paying attention? I'm a dare devil now… and can you honestly name a better dare than you?" I said pointing at the vampire before me.
"What do you mean?" He asked a bit uncomfortably.
"Well… you're dangerous, mysterious, you seem to want to be around me and avoid me at the same time… I suppose you're exhilarating to be around." Especially since I know what you really are, I added to myself.
"So, I am a… dare for you?" He asked. He wasn't sure whether to be insulted or relieved at that it seemed.
"In a way I suppose… But then there's a part of me that just wants another friend – you in this case." I tried to explain. I was hoping I could get at least a bit of friendship I had with Robert.
"You are serious, aren't you." He said thoughtfully.
"Mhm." I agreed and nodded. "Besides… you're not the one in danger here." I stated and watched as his hands twitched barely noticeably.
"Explain what you mean by that." He demanded, his eyes going hard trying to pry information from my mind.
"I have my theories how you were able to save me. In any case you're very strong and fast… and by the way you act, it's like you're afraid you'll lose control of yourself and forget that fact." He clenched his jaw and leaned away; as we were talking intently we leaned towards each other.
"So what are your theories?" He asked tightly.
"I don't think you really want to know, Edward." I shook my head and leaned on the back of my chair. At that his eyes twitched somewhere behind my shoulder and his lips twitched.
"Your boyfriend wants to come to your rescue; he thinks we're arguing." Edward stated and his eyes returned to mine.
"Boyfriend?" I asked surprised.
"Eric." He clarified. "And Mike too." He added cocking his head to the side. I laughed softly at that and felt tension leave the table.
"Sorry I'm not playing for that team, Edward." I told him and watched his face shift from amusement to confusion. "I'm not into guys." I clarified and carefully watched as his expression changed yet again. I sighted in relief as I saw realisation dawning in his eyes but there were no negative emotions accompanying it.
"Oh." Was all he said.
"Still cool with us being friends?" I asked suddenly very uncertain. Robert accepted me, but will Edward? Or anyone else here for that matter.
"If you really don't have trouble with me being dangerous I would be a real hypocrite if I ditched you because you like girls." He said after a second of thinking it through. Slowly a hopeful smile spread on my face and was mimicked on his. I relaxed and released a breath I didn't realise I was holding.
"What are you thinking?" He asked after a moment of staring into my eyes.
"Nothing really, I'm just relieved you can accept me." I confessed. Then I remembered why he was asking it so intently and added: "Why?"
"It's just frustrating," he complained losing his half-smile. "I can't read you like other people." I smiled broadly.
"And why should you have the privilege of reading everyone around you?" I challenged him. "You know some people like privacy on their inner turmoil." That made him pause for a moment.
"Still it's frustrating that you're the only one…" I chuckled as I watched him almost pout… almost.
"I know… sorry, not really in my control." I apologised even if I had no reason to. He just looked so… Sad? Confused? No. I decided; Pouting.
"Aren't you hungry?" He changed the subject after a moment when he realised I wasn't eating.
"No. Aren't you?" I asked.
"No, I'm not hungry." He said like it was an inside joke; one that I understood better than he thought.
"Oh yeah, right!" I exclaimed. "Your eyes are bright again… should've known." He got a strange look in his eyes and then he demanded:
"Alright I answered your question, now you answer mine; tell me one theory."
"What are we playing 20 questions or something?" I deadpanned. "Alright, alright…" I agreed when I saw the look he was giving me. "So… You're a vampire." I finally stated.
He froze up at my answer. Then he tried to force a smile on his face (which came out more like a grimace) and said:
"Bella… I've been walking in the daylight this whole time. Am doing so just now, how can I be a vampire?"
"Is this really the best argument you can come up with to convince me you're not a vampire – throwing clichés at me?" I gave him a disappointed look. "We're in Forks… there's literally not enough sun here for that argument to work and besides even if there was, you'd just sparkle like a pretty diamond."
At that moment a bell rang and Edward jumped from his seat. "You should go to class, Bella." His voice was hard when he said this and then he walked away.
"Saved by the bell, Edward." I said quietly knowing he could hear me. I contemplated ditching biology, playing on my bad reputation, but then decided it'd be more fun if I had something to do with myself so I got up and went to class. Edward wasn't there. Can you guess why? – Blood type testing. I was so glad I ain't Bella that moment.
Halfway through I got bored, though, and played sick so I could get out. Mike jumped up to help me but I said I just needed some fresh air and walked out. I went straight for my truck and sat in it and then closed my eyes and relaxed in the seat. I honestly managed to count to three when I heard someone knock on the window. Already feeling pretty sure I knew who it was I rolled the window down with my eyes still closed.
"You ditching too?" I asked him. "I suppose I should've seen it coming since we were testing our blood type." I said and then finally opened my eyes to look at Edward. His eyes were already a bit darker than before and I pushed my hand with an already healing finger in my pocket. "Sorry."
He followed my movements with his eyes before his gaze landed on my face again. "Why are you so sure I'm a vampire?" He asked.
"Because It's true." I stated simply. I saw his jaw muscle working as he stared intently in my eyes. I rolled my eyes at him. "You know you can't read my mind, Edward. Stop beating yourself over it." At that he was taken aback like I slapped his face.
"No one will believe you know." He said harshly.
"I wasn't about to tell anyone." I shot back at him. "What part of being friends don't you understand? We keep each other's secrets, not announce them for all the human population to hear." I was getting annoyed at his stubbornness about the subject. I took a calming breath and then started again: "Look, if it bothers you so much that I know what you and your family are, I won't mention it again, alright?"
"You know about my family, too?" He demanded.
"You know, you're making being friends with you much harder when you keep trying to find reasons not to be." I told him instead of answering his question. "I won't spread around your secret no matter what you believe, Edward. And like I said before; you being a vampire doesn't make me want to be your friend any less, so the only problem right now are you and not because of what you are but how you're acting."
"Are you seriously trying to tell me you have no issues being around a vampire constantly craving your blood?" He sounded disgusted with himself and unable to accept this fact.
"Yes." For me it really was that simple. We engaged a staring match and after a few minutes he finally sighted (unnecessarily, mind you).
"Alright then," he agreed reluctantly, "you asked for it." I wasn't sure what he meant but I beamed at him anyway; He won't back down from friendship and I trusted he won't hurt me either. It was a done deal.
Leave a review and tell me how I did :) I'm interested if you can figure out what he's planning ...
