A/N: Um… I, err… My bad? I didn't mean to randomly disappear for months if that helps. That aside, I'm going to continue with the story and finish it. Since it's been a while, some of my ideas floated off into oblivion never to rise again but I have new ideas and thoughts that are a little less sarcastic. This'll be pretty interesting for me to write since the me of the time I began writing this is almost as much a stranger to me as some of the other authors on here. I would've liked to see how different the story ending of that me would've been from the current me. Confused? Anyway, I won't keep you waiting any longer.

Disclaimer: I am not Stephanie Meyers. I own nothing except my squeaky ducky named Fred.

An Ode to Silence

I'd never seen his eyes change colors that fast although watching them slowly shift to black had become a hobby of mine. Edward's hands tightened into fists as he gritted his teeth. His eyes flashed more emotions than I'd ever seen him even hint at, disappointment, worry, fear, fury, and finally, determination. Normally, I might've said something to mirror my words yesterday but there was going on with him than simple hatred or trying to decide what to say.

My bandaged hand made him react like this and though I wasn't sure why, it felt very dangerous to interrupt. I didn't move, I barely breathed, and I sure consider even allowing a twitch of my injured hand. Slowly, his jaw relaxed, his fist lost its tension, and his features rearranged themselves into a familiar one but his eyes remained stark black and he didn't seem to be breathing.

"I came to apologize for the way things ended yesterday. I don't regret saving you in the least but I felt that it would be… better for you if we weren't friends," Edward's lips formed the words perfectly. He was my favorite person to see talk.

"Then let's clear up that misconception. Would you like to be my friend?" I asked, straight to the point.

"It would be prudent for you not be my friend," he paused watching my disapproving expression and changed tracks, "but I never said I didn't want to be." He was so confusing but somehow I thought I understood. He believed it was dangerous for me. I'd already decided long ago that he couldn't be human so this probably related. That meant he himself was dangerous to me or maybe it was a problem with secrecy. His race, whatever it is, has stayed hidden all this time so naturally they would have a way to ensure it remained that way.

"Then we will be friends until I become more conscientious about my safety," I said partially just to enjoy his reaction since it seemed that the danger had passed for the time being. His reaction was a perfect, wide eyed look of surprise but I realized I'd gone too far. I knew he expected a completely different sort of reaction from me. In fact, that would not have been my reaction if I hadn't realized the probable reason behind him ignoring me so I softened it. "Or are you just concerned that you have an annoying bad habit that I could pick up?"

"I'll see you in class," he said. Then he added an afterthought, "Hope your hand heals soon." Thus the conversation ended and he left.

Alice POV:

Where did Edward go? He didn't come to class with me after he dropped us off… I wondered absently before that thought became more clouded with worry that he would do something reckless involving Bella. Quickly, I searched for his future and sure enough I was met with something that certainly wasn't there yesterday. It was a scene of my family but there was an addition to it.

Bella was seated on my brother's lap but it really seemed like she belonged there as the vision moved and Emmett made her blush causing uproarious laughter from him and a low laugh from Edward. As the vision faded, I appeared and grabbed Bella's arm to take her somewhere.

I was confused. What exactly did he do to make this a possibility now but at the moment, it seemed best not to interfere and only keep a lookout as things progress. It would be wonderful if this vision came true but things could very easily change. Too easily. I hope you know what you're doing, Edward. I thought to my brother as he strolled through the door just before the bell rang.

Bella POV:

The rest of the morning had gone begun its downward trend the moment I walked into class. I was late. Mr. Mason made certain to point out my tardiness and I got pulled into a beach trip for the weekend when it would only be high forties at best by the guys I rejected for the dance. By lunchtime, I was tired and pleased just to watch my friends chat even though I wasn't really trying to understand what they were saying.

When we passed through the doors to the cafeteria, I looked to his table. That was getting to be an irreversible habit. Someday we'll have a twenty year reunion and I'll walk in here and still look to that table even if all reason says that they shouldn't be there. Edward was seated next to Alice this time and they were talking for once. Once Alice glanced over at my bandaged hand but then they returned to their conversation.

The rest of the group was watching them speak this time instead of gazing off into different directions. Something was up. Curiosity nibbled at me as to what they were talking about but I reluctantly followed my group to get food and sit down. I spent my lunch zoning out and turning the conversation I'd had with Edward over in my mind as I munched. His eyes suddenly turning black shouldn't mean anything as far as his emotions.

The cycle of them shifting colors was too regular and gradual although he did seem to be slightly more irritable when they were black. I'd assumed they'd always just stay on that track like clockwork or a regular human cycle of eating or sleeping. The idea that his eyes could suddenly shift like that changed my idea but I wasn't sure what it meant.

All too soon, people began getting up and it was time for biology. When I arrived at the classroom, I settled into my seat to wait for Mr. Banner and Edward to arrive. Mr. Banner arrived and began teaching but Edward never showed. For a minute I was confused but then the lesson suddenly became more interesting. Blood typing. We were doing blood typing of all things.

As the tale-tell scent of rust and salt wafted to my nose, my stomach heaved. The smell was quickly overpowering me as my ears started ringing. I needed to leave. I should've gotten out of there but all I could do was lay my cheek against the counter, close my eyes, and try to stay conscious by any means. That included pinching my hand under the desk and counting to thirty in my head.

I didn't try anything dangerous like breathing in through my nose or lifting my head. Either one could send me over the edge to throwing up, fainting, or both. Some unbearably long time after it began which might've only been ten minutes, I felt a large hand on my shoulder. It was probably Mr. Banner's. Since I didn't know what he was saying, I settled for the easy and natural response. Moaning and opening my eyes.

The sight in front of me made me grimace. There were three, talking Mr. Banners and I was almost certain there was only one. I was able to pick out the word 'walk' from one of the three though so I nodded. Mike came around my side and helped me to my feet and slowly we trudged out of the room.

Even the fresh air didn't help much to clear away the feeling that I was about to pass out. Eventually, we made it just out of sight of the biology building and I couldn't bear to take another step.

"Mike, please just let me sit for a minute," I asked desperately. I registered the concerned look he wore as he helped me to the ground but the only important thing to me at the moment was to slump over to the ground and not throw up. The sidewalk was damp and freezing but it was infinitely better then walking.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to rest there as long as I would've liked. The sidewalk disappeared from beneath me and I opened my eyes in surprise. Where had Edward come from? It seemed that Edward had come out from wherever he was ditching from and saw me with Mike. I doubted Mike agreed to let him take me though.

"No, not good. Don't feel good…" I mumbled incoherently, looking for something to look at that could steady me. I found that in trying to concentrate on Edward's lips forming perfect words.

"Don't look good either," he said with a smirk as he carried me without any obvious effort at all but I knew he was strong already. "So you faint at the sight of blood?" he asked. The jerk seemed entertained by the notion. "And not even your own blood." Yeah, he was having a grand ol' time at my expense.

I kept my eyes open for the rest of the ordeal so I could respond properly but I would've loved to enjoy the pleasure of closing my eyes again. When Edward and I were alone for a minute, I directed my eyes to him.

"How did you see me? I thought for sure you were ditching when you weren't there," I mumbled, not trusting my voice to be very clear.

"I was in my car, listening to a CD. Ditching every now and then is healthy." As I considered his response, I just let my mind wander down all the bunny trails it wanted to without scolding it and making it return to things that made sense. The bunny trails ended with one little question. Such a dangerous question to wonder. Was it because of they were blood typing today, the day you ditched? Was it because of the blood?

A/N: I'm going to end it there even though the conversation between them actually isn't over. This is the ending I'd pictured when I dreamed up this chapter though so here it'll stand for a bit. Maybe I'm not being totally honest by saying that though. It's also because it's 1am and I have school tomorrow morning! ^^ Anyway, tell me what you thought. I want to know if you consider it better with Alice's POV in there or if it should've stayed out. I'm not Edward who can read your thoughts. Thank you.