A/N: This chapter is back in Bella's POV and yes, Edward's viewpoint will pop up more often now. I don't feel like constraining myself to have this mostly in Bella's POV all the time so I could end up doing some random things with the POVs so watch for that.

Disclaimer: I am not Stephanie Meyers. The only thing I can claim ownership of is the blood in my veins. That is, until some random vampire steals it.

An Ode to Silence

I woke up to vibrating alarm clock and a gray morning. Normally, I might've met the clouds with casual dismay but I felt uncharacteristically giddy today. Edward had come to see me last night and he didn't seem angry. At the time, I hadn't believed he was really there but his pale beauty glimmering in the rare light of the moon was nothing that I could've dreamed up.

Eagerly, I tore off my covers and hopped off my bed onto the cold, wood floor. My eyes darkened dizzily due to my sudden departure from a horizontal position. I wobbled for a minute, trying to regain my balance and my eyesight before tip-toeing to the window through which Edward had fled. I remembered watching the way the grass bent away from his form to create an even more dazzling and surreal scene.

I closed my eyes and imagined his expression when he looked back at me for that one long moment. His long, graceful form had leaped through the midnight like a wraith and he'd vanished. The forest had taken him and its spindly branches closed around him, fully concealing him from the light and my human sight.

I was taken from my thoughts by the cold morning air and clouds threatening to rain on me before I closed the window. I shivered and sneezed once, twice before swiftly closing the window. Quickly, I dressed in clothes picked at random snatched my books and homework off my desk. I ran at full speed till I reached the stairs where I paused and carefully picked my way down the stairs.

When I arrived at school, I parked next to a kid disembarking from his old Packard. He cringed and covered an ear with his hand as he quickened his steps away from the parking lot. Was my truck loud? From the boy's reaction, I'd guess it was. I'd have to ask Charlie when I returned.

Shrugging to myself, I hefted my backpack and gingerly stepped onto the asphalt. As I looked around for the ones I called my friends, I found Mike, Jessica, and Angela standing by a bench. They waved to me and I ran to join them for a minute or two before we separated to go to our buildings. Jessica had apparently found out about what happened in biology from the smirk she wore but Mike kept his mouth shut. I could only be grateful to him about that though I was sure he wasn't telling only for the sake of his pride.

The morning classes went by quickly and without too much trauma. Jessica teased me relentlessly about fainting but I only completely lost what she was saying a few times. My skills in lip reading were first rate at this point from the invaluable time spent trying to decipher what she was saying but I hoped never be caught alone or where there wasn't much to distract her. She still scared me.

Finally, it was lunch time and I stepped into the cafeteria. My eyes automatically followed a trail to the Cullen table where Edward's four siblings sat. Confused, my gaze zigzagged through the room until they landed on Edward. I was drawn to him like a magnet but I resisted the tug at my heartstrings with much effort. Surely he wouldn't want me hanging on him all the time.

As I waded through my classmates toward the lunch line, it took a certain amount of strength not to stare at him. In fact, my thoughts were solely devoted to not ogling him. Look at him casually after you go through the lunch line. Casually. Casually... I bit my lip against my thoughts.

I grabbed a light lunch at random and was prepared to follow the flow to Jessica's usual table when I took my glance at Edward. It was so easy and natural, like gravity. Immediately, he met and captured my eyes with his own. With a slight gasp, I realized that I could no longer be bothered by Jessica's annoyed prodding. Seeing this, he smirked and motioned for me to come over. Mindlessly, I obeyed and tried desperately to stop the stupid grin spreading across my face.

Without a word being said, I set down my food, pulled out the chair across from him, and sat down. From there, Edward had his back to his siblings and I had an unobstructed view. The pixie girl, Alice, was watching us with interest but the others paid no mind. A couple seconds passed awkwardly between us until he opened his mouth to speak. I couldn't have him leading me around by the nose like a stupid sheep though so I spoke first.

"Edward, I was thinking last night." I began slowly.

"Oh no," he said in mock horror. For a moment, I thought real horror and dread flashed in his face but it was gone before I could assess if it was actually there or not.

"Quit. Correct me when and if I'm wrong but..." I bit my lip. There was so much that made an appearance in my mind. One bunny trail led to the next and the next and the next and I needed to keep somewhat on track. Finally, I thought I knew where I wanted to begin.

"This won't trouble your family will it? Me knowing?" I paused briefly, trying to ignore the stares and glares of his family that were suddenly fixed upon me, burning into me. "Also, what of my family and friends? I was sort of thinking that your race would have a higher power of sorts to keep the secret of your existence because I don't doubt that even vampires are prone to fits of insanity and carelessness. If there wasn't a darn good incentive to keep things quiet, it would be public knowledge." I fidgeted with my hands in my lap awkwardly. He hadn't said anything or yet so after a hesitation, I dived in head first.

"I suppose you haven't informed anyone of the little leak of information I pose and you haven't killed me or moved away either and no one would believe such a ridiculous story as the truth anyway. If they did, I would be further putting myself, you and your family, and whoever I told's lives at risk." I looked up to gauge his expression before I dared finish. His face held nothing. Just nothing. I swallowed but he had never begun to contradict me. Maybe he was too surprised by just how wrong I was.

"I realize more fully now that by informing you of my knowledge I was placing my life in your hands. But… what are you going to do now?" I was talking very quietly by the end.

Edward and his siblings all watched me carefully. Edward's gaze in particular was searching, observing me as if I were an alien. Jessica scrutinized every move I made with her beady little eyes under slightly frizzy hair. Mike sat beside her and his eyes constantly flashed from Edward to me. The two were a perfect pair. Meanwhile, Edward didn't seem to know how to respond. Finally, he regained himself although worry and horror had etched themselves into the lines of his face. I was red from all the eyes that followed my every move.

"You know, when talking about such a weighty matter as your life, you'd think you'd be just a little bit scared?" he asked somewhat hopefully for one reason or another. I merely shook my head. He watched me for a long moment and then sighed.

"The way you take everything in stride is disturbing. And to even come to these decisions, most people shy away from the thought of something like what you just admitted." He tried to give me another chance to say that I was frightened but I couldn't find any fear within me at that moment. I silently nodded, waiting for him to answer what I'd originally wanted.

"Your mind must be a scary place…" he said, looking to the side before his eyes quickly returned to mine. "You're right. That 'higher power' is called the Volturi, a vampire group that resides in Italy. My family for the most part shouldn't be bothered by you. Some of them, I could imagine wanting to turn you into their new plaything. As for your other question, your oblivious loved ones have no place in this as of yet. Let's keep it that way." He seemed half disturbed and half pleading in his desperately joking manner.

"I'm not going to tell. You trusted me." I couldn't convey all that I longed to say with words. I tried to push my emotions so they were visible in my eyes. It felt like it worked but most times it felt like that, it didn't. I love you.

"Aren't you concerned about our diet?" he questioned.

"Confused mostly. I haven't heard of any frequent disappearances or deaths due to blood loss in the news around here and I'm pretty certain that I'm either your favorite flavor of blood or high up on that list but unless you enjoy playing with your food for a long time, you're not going to eat me. And… you are actually feeding, right? Yours eyes seem to change color with thirst." My eyebrows furrowed and I tilted my head to the side.

His lips quirked up, pleased somehow that there was something I hadn't figured out yet and he would have to tell me. As I continued, however, his expression drifted toward surprised before settling on probing and confused. After so long gathering and compiling observations, I was letting it all out.

"I wasn't hiding anything very well, was I?" he asked me, shaking his head. "My family and I hunt animals for our blood." Instantly, the puzzle pieces fell into place. There were still a few scattered pieces I didn't understand and I was sure that there was more to the puzzle but I was excited to understand.

I didn't only want to know more about the vampire side of him though. I wanted to know his likes, his dislikes, his age, his hobbies. Everything that was Edward, I was to know about. Ah, that was one desire I didn't want him to know about just yet.

"I've watched how you react around me. Your eyes turn a shade or two darker and then there's the first day. I was told that you had never reacted like that before even on your first day here. Then there was the way you acted yesterday morning because of my bandaged hand but you didn't even seem fazed when the other students were bleeding. Is it that difficult to be around me?" He looked down at his white, slender hands. Anger and despair wound itself around his eyes as he clenched and unclenched his eyes. Then he looked back up at me.

"My family and I are very good at what we do, resisting the temptation and mingling with the humans, but we're still dangerous. We try and are proud to call ourselves vegetarians but sometimes, we slip up and someone dies prematurely. Now, my self control is much better than most but if you'd tossed your hair over your shoulder one more time that first day in biology… let's just you might have gone missing," he muttered, eyeing me.

Ah. Did that mean his siblings…? What would've happened if it had been Emmett or Alice were the ones in Edward's place? Would I have been dead twice over? First from biology and then from the van if I'd somehow managed to survive biology. I looked at Edward with new appreciation in my eyes but, if I were so tempting, why was he here with me? What was I to him? It seemed not the place to bring up any of these questions.

"Were you and Emmett going hunting this weekend? You seem to be a bit thirsty," I said, bringing out an idler question from the blue as my other questions argued for dominance.

"Yes," he answered simply.

"Do you have preferences among the animals you hunt?"

"Yes. My favorite is the mountain lion. Emmett likes the grizzly."

"The whole sleeping in coffins thing is false right?" Please tell me it is.

"Of course," he paused briefly, "I can't sleep." My eyes went wide with wonder. No wonder he was able to come up to my room in the middle of the night. I nodded, accepting the new fact and continued my questions. I'd been waiting for my questions to be answered and I wasn't about to waste time while he was actually willing to answer.

"Now, I suppose you don't get burned by the sun do you? Even in Forks it'd be a frivolous risk to come to school if that was so."

"It's a myth but we still can't come out in the sun in public. My sister, Alice, sees the future. Or more specifically, she sees outcomes of decisions and decisions can change sometimes. Weather usually isn't subject to the changing of decisions though." My curiosity had been ignited with this little tidbit of information and I opened my mouth to ask more about this particularly intriguing subject matter but people began rising from the tables around me. Lunch was over and my questions died in my throat.

I had questions about if any of the rest of his family had special abilities. I had something else to ask about the sun too. If they didn't get burned but still couldn't come out in public in the sun, what really happened to them? I wanted to know but I hadn't even considered telling him my own secret at this point, trivial as it was in comparison.

Biology passed without incident or anything other than small talk and schoolwork passing between us. We were avoiding any and all conversation concerning vampires and whatnot. For one solitary hour, we were content to only be classmates and humans. Our thoughts consumed us with nothing to spare.

All too soon, biology was over and I trod off towards my doom, otherwise known as gym class. I dressed slowly in the locker room, wanting to put off the inevitable for as long as possible. Eventually, there was nothing left I could use to delay so with my head hanging slightly, I stepped out into the gym.

I was busy mentally preparing myself when Coach Clapp announced that we were playing basketball. Lady luck was favoring me today and I breathed profound relief. My hand had still not healed from Wednesday night's injury and I got to sit out. I sank gratefully into the bleachers and watched my classmates fumble around the court for the rest of the hour.

The end of the school day brought the weekend. I may have had plans for Saturday to have a bit of fun but I more wanted Monday to come around again. I would miss Edward. I always did when I couldn't see him. I wonder if he'd be happy or upset to know that. What would he say?

Out of nowhere, I felt someone blow on the back of my neck. My thoughts were scattered and I jumped and whirled around to face none other than Eric grinning cheekily at me.

"Got you, Bella," he said, seeming mightily pleased with himself with his hands boyishly held behind his back and his chest all puffed up. I grimaced and glanced helplessly at my truck which stood mockingly tall only 20 feet away. With no obvious means of escape, I turned my attention back to the chess club member.

"What's up, Eric?" I asked cautiously.

"I was thinking of trying to form a book club and I was wondering if you'd be interested. We could read the recent releases and discuss them or maybe go back to the classics…" His hope filled eyes searched mine expectantly. I wasn't interested. I didn't want to spend much time with him specifically outside of school and frankly the book club idea didn't seem like it would get off the ground. Maybe Karen would be interested though. She always had her nose in a book.

"Uh… I'm sorry, Eric but I don't think so. You should ask Karen. She'd probably enjoy it." Feeling the weight of guilt upon my shoulders, I turned to leave before he could say anything more to try and convince me. There wasn't much more I could say to him anyway.

Edward was waiting for me by my truck. As I approached, his angelic face was marred by an unhappy frown. Perhaps he'd heard the brief exchange between Eric and me. The idea was less than pleasing to me and I shrank ever so slightly as I stood in front of him.

"They are a little overeager aren't they…." he mused, his face slowly edging into slight anger. My heart fluttered. What was I to him? What did I want to be to him? I frowned as well and blew a puff of air out through my mouth.

"Hey Edward. Have fun hunting for me. Tell me about it when you get back?" I asked, morphing my face into one of teasing sincerity and enjoying how he seemed to disapprove of my words. It was like he wanted me to be uncomfortable talking about things like that. His disapproval only added to my fun.

"Sure. Just, you seem to be one of those people that attract trouble of all kinds like a magnet. So, promise me you'll at least try not to fall into the ocean or end up in the hospital for some reason." He grinned crookedly. I decided to be the mature one of us though and stuck my tongue out at him as I climbed into the cab of my truck.

"See you Monday?" I asked, narrowly restraining myself from responding to his taunt.

"Actually, it will be sunny on Monday and Tuesday so I may drop by your house," he said carefully, asking permission with his eyes. My heart fluttered again and I prayed that he couldn't hear it. He wanted to see me earlier than Wednesday? Don't read so much into it, Bella. What reason could he have?

"Will you be using the front door this time or are you sticking with my window?" I was quick to tease him as payback, eager to step away from my emotions. It didn't seem fair that he could jab at me and I couldn't do likewise. "I suppose when you're a big, bad vampire, it doesn't matter which."

"Be safe, Bella."

Then he was gone. I already couldn't wait for Monday to arrive.

A/N: It took a little longer than I'd anticipated to write this chapter but I figured you guys would more enjoy reading a thousand more words of the story than if I'd gotten it a day earlier. Talk to me. Believe it or not, I actually read what you guys have to say and I'd stolen a couple ideas and bits of insight from the reviews I've read. Anyway, if you'll excuse me I need to figure out how the heck I am going to get to the ending I want.