Random Dedication- For the SCASFTOTWA (stop comas and semi-colons from taking over the world association). I have recently joined that associations (made up of me myself and I) because comas are evil useless and insignificant punctuation marks...(end of rant)

Dinner

Knock knock knock.

I flinched. How had Friday come this soon. It seemed like only yesterday that Mackenzie had won the game and gotten, as a prize, a date with me. It seemed like the rest of that week was a blur.

Come to think of it, I did remember that week. It had been constantly uncomfortable and awkward. Jessica was not talking to me for reasons that were beyond me. Mike was grumpy about the whole Mackenzie thing and seemed to think that this 'date' was actually a DATE. Meanwhile Mackenzie himself was in a buoyant and invincible mood. The several times I passes him during the day, he would smile and say something quick like, "Hey.'' ''What's up?'' or ''Sorry.''. When he said sorry he would make this adorable puppy dog face. His 'sorries' obviously meant nothing, though.

He was far too happy for it to be genuine.

In class he would sit a little away from me but would cast me adoring glances the whole time. I knew this because I was also watching him through a curtain of hair.

A couple of times, I saw him talking to Becka. Once he saw me he would smile but continue to talk to her. It was strange and made me uneasy.

Knock knock knock

''I'm coming!'' I yelled, snatching up my purse. The front door looked ominous in the dim light of the flickering television screen. It was playing baseball, my father's obsession.

When I had told my father that I was going to the movies with a 'friend' he had been overjoyed. His enthusiasm still hadn't worn off. "Matthew is here!'' he said brightly.

''Mackenzie.'' I muttered the correction, not really caring if he got it wrong.

I think he was just ecstatic that I was ''coming out of the non social phase'', as I heard him describing it to my mother on the phone, because he did not even seem to hear me. He walked out into the hall and opened the door. The smile froze on his features as he stared at Mackenzie. He seemed shocked...maybe he had not been expecting another Edward (I trembled at how easily I had thought of his name).

Mackenzie looked stunning to say the least. He wore black dress pants, even though we were just going to the movies, and a plain casual yet dressy button down shirt. His hair, long and untidy, swept across his forehead and fell alluringly into his eyes.

''Good afternoon. You must be Mr. Swan.'' he put out his hand, and Charlie, snapping back into the world, shook it.

''You must be Michael.''

''Mackenzie.'' I muttered.

''I hear you two are going to see a movie.'' Charlie said, making the statement into a question by raising his eyebrow.

''And dinner.'' Mackenzie amended.

''W-what!?'' I gasped. ''That wasn't part of the b- deal.'' I had almost said bet but that would ruin Charlie's mood so I changed it at the last moment.

''But-.'' Mackenzie looked hurt. ''You can't have a movie without dinner!''

Yes, yes you can.

''He's right, Bella.'' Charlie added irritatingly. Seriously what age were these people living in because in the 21st century movie meant movie.

Seeing that I was out numbered, I gave up. I would eat fast.

''I think we should be going.'' Mackenzie said smiling as he glanced at his watch.

''Yes.'' Charlie agreed. ''Well take good care of my little Bella, Morgan.''

''Mackenzie.'' I muttered.

''Don't worry, Mr. Swan.'' Mackenzie did not even correct Charlie when he messed up his name. ''I'll make sure she's safe. Nothing will ever happen to her. I promise.''

I stared at him. Ever? It sounded more like an oath for a life time than quick a promise to his 'date's' father.

He stared at me too, his promise gleaming in his eyes.

Charlie, however, did not appear to notice anything strange. "Okay then!'' he said brightly. ''Have fun kids!''

With those final words he almost pushed us out the door.

I gasped indignantly.

What was wrong with Charlie!?

''Bella?'' Mackenzie was standing beside a pitch black Mercedes Benz SLR McLauren, smiling sheepishly. ''You coming?''

I nodded meekly, admiring the vehicle.

I remember one day Edward (I flinched) and I had seen one of these cars in a parking lot outside a restaurant. He had insisted on lusting after it for several minutes before allowing me to drag him away.

I slid smoothly into the passenger side seat, inhaling the scent of leather.

Mackenzie walked around to the driver's side quickly, but not at inhuman speeds, and, as he sat down, I noticed that he had to turn up the heat.

''Seat belt.'' he reminded me.

He did not buckle his own. ''Hypocrite.'' I muttered.

''Excuse me?!'' he sounded shocked.

''You didn't buckle your seat belt.'' I pointed out.

''I did not hear you swearing to protect me. I don't need it,''

He threw the car into reverse to pull out of the drive way then sped down the street. Far, far, far too fast. Vampire speed.

''Fast enough?'' I muttered, half thinking that he wouldn't hear me.

He chuckled.

I watched the scenery flash past the windows, a blur of green and pavement. The dotted white lines looked like one solid line and I did not even have time to read signs as they flew by.

I looked over at him to see if he was also trying to read the signs. He looking at me. He smiled and looked away to toddle the heat knob.

''Keep your eyes on the road.'' I muttered, knowing that he would hear me.

He chuckled. ''I can't watch the road when there is something much more appealing to look at. I won't crash. I promise. Not with you in my car.''

''Just try to stay focused.'' I muttered.

''If you had wanted me to stay focused then why did you wear that?''

I looked down. I had called Angela to get some advise on what to wear on a 'date'. And, armed with an excuse and her mother's credit card, she had dragged me out to store after store until she finally found the perfect outfit for me...and, of course, three more bags for herself.

I wore a black sweater that cut down pretty far...but I had on a white cami under it...that made it appropriate right? Sure, the cami didn't cover much either but that was Angela's fault, not mine. On the bottom I wore wide cut black pants that Angela had said ''Elongated my legs.'' and clunky heals. I had done absolutely nothing with my hair. I had considered pulling it up in a ponytail, but I had reconsidered after thinking about the protection a wall of hair could provide.

''There's nothing wrong with my outfit!'' I sad defensively, smoothing my shirt.

He chuckled but said nothing.

The rest of the ride was silent. I focused on the perfectly clean floor of his car and the dark leather of the seats. It wasn't until the car stopped that I looked up again.

We had arrived at a local but extremely nice Italian restaurant called Marchelli's. Fancy much? Well, what had I been expecting? McDonalds?

Mackenzie appeared at my door. I had not even seen him get out.

He walked behind me as we entered the restaurant.

The pretty, young waitress looked up as we entered. Her heavily made up eyes immediately snapped to Mackenzie, then quickly to me and back to Mackenzie. Then they glazed over. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and leaned forward. ''How many?''

''Just two.'' Mackenzie said wrapping an arm possessively around my waist. I tried not to make a face.

The waitress promptly gathered up two menus and led us past the crowded section of the restaurant and seated us at a more private booth in the back.

''Thank you.'' Mackenzie said politely as he sat down and accepted a menu.

"My name is Jill and I will be your server this evening. Can I get you anything to drink?''

I was not paying attention to her glib introduction and realized moments too late that she had asked a question. I looked up to find Mackenzie staring at me expectantly. ''I'll have a coke.'' I said cautiously.

''A water for me.''

The waitress, Jill, walked away, swinging her hips a little excessively, but, other than that, she gave no hint that she was interested in Mackenzie.

I looked at him with new eyes. He was incredibly good looking. He was past being described as handsome or cute. The only was to describe him was beautiful. How could any girl not show interest in him? How could I not? Why do I not?

I looked at his long white fingers turning the pages of the menu. His muscles moving smoothly under his shirt. His perfect lips turned upward in a slight smile. His piercing blue eyes staring. Straight. At. Me.

''You are not reading the menu. Do you know what you want?''

''I'm not that hungry.'' I said, flushing.

''Neither am I.'' he said. ''Do you want to split something?''

I pictured us splitting a plate of pasta. The scene from lady and the tramp popped into my mind. I tried not to grimace. ''Split what?''

''I don't know. How about...'' he laid out his menu flat on the table, closed his eyes, and pointed at an item at random. ''Calamare!''

''You mean squid? You like squid?'' I laughed at the randomness of it.

''I don't know. I've never had it...but today seems like a good day to try it. If you try, I will.''

I smiled at the challenge in his voice. ''You're on. ''

At that moment Waitress Jill came back. ''You ready to order?''

''Yes.'' Mackenzie said. ''We'll just have one order of calamare.''

Waitress Jill stared at him blankly for a few moments probably contemplating the possibility that he was kidding. When no body took it back she wrote it down. ''Not many people order that.'' she muttered. ''Anything else?''

''Nope, that's all.''

As she walked away Mackenzie smiled evilly at me. ''Now it's time for the part of the date that I like to call, the Mackenzie Inquisition.''

Oh no.

''Do you have any brothers or sisters?''

''No. Do you?'' I wanted him to talk. I wanted-needed- him to tell me about himself-his past-his species.

He looked a little surprised but answered anyway. ''Yes. I have an older sister. Her name is Genevieve. Geni. She lives in France with some of my other family.''

Genevieve? Odd name. Very...French.

''Did you ever go to France?''

''I was born there, in a city called Chartres, but moved to a small town just outside London soon after and we moved here, to the US, just a few years ago.''

That's weird. I could barely hear an accent. It only came out sometimes, when he said certain words. ''Do you get to see your sister often?''

He sighed. ''I used to but lately...I guess we've both been busy.''

''Is she...like you?'' I hoped he would understand the meaning behind my question.

''yes...'' he answered cautiously. ''We are very similar in appearance as well as-'' he smiled. ''...tendencies.'' he put a spin on the last word making me question its meaning.

''I think you know what I mean.'' I said. He did. I could see it.

At that moment the food came, a tangled mass of onion ring like creatures that made my stomach clench in disgust.

''Thank you.'' Mackenzie said politely, also staring at the creatures in horror.

He picked up one of them gingerly. ''I would name him Syd. Syd the squid.''

I laughed. Wait, why am I laughing? That was stupid!

"Syd says that I should give you an explanation. The answer to your question is yes. I will tell you everything in the car on the way to the movie.''

''I think I already know the truth, Mackenzie.''

''I would rather not hear your guesses. They are probably a lot worse than the truth.''

...that's the exact opposite of what happened with Edward.

''And besides, I want the credit for trusting you enough to tell you. Now try a Syd.''

I picked up one of the onion ring looking ones that looked less like an actual sea creature. I studied it a moment before nibbling off a bit. ''Not bad.'' I decided. ''Strange texture though.''

Mackenzie stared at me with amazed eyes as I ate the rest.

''Try one.'' I commanded. ''You said if I try one you'd try one.''

''But I named it.'' he stared lovingly at Syd. ''It's like family now.''

''It's dead...and breaded.''

''Ah, yes, a lot like the rest of my family.'' he paused then laughed. ''I meant dead! Not breaded!''

''Oh, i'm sorry.'' I said, uncomfortable. ''Who in your family?''

''My mom. My dad. My little brother, William. My grandparents. Basically everyone.'' he looked very sad for a moment.

''I'm sorry.'' I repeated, feeling like a broken record. ''If you don't want to talk about it-.''

''It's fine. I'm fine. It was hard at first. Now i'm over it...or at least as over it as anyone could ever be.''

''How?''

He smiled a strange grimace. ''It was a freak thing. A wolf attack in the middle of the night. We were at our cabin in the middle of the woods. William was on the bottom bunk. He was only four year old. My parents had their own room but left the door open. I was only safe because I was on the top bunk. I guess the wolves were desperate. The woods were shrinking. Less prey, more humans. I'm upsetting you, aren't I?''

I had not noticed the horrified expression on my face. I quickly fixed it and said. ''No, but that's horrible. How old were you?''

He paused a moment too long. ''Ten years old.''

''Who are you living with now?''

''My uncle and aunt most of the time.''

''Most of the-?''

''They travel a lot and I stay behind. I don't like change. When they make big moves I go with them, like to Forks. I live in their home but not 'with' them.''

''Oh.'' I said plainly. I suddenly caught sight of Syd the squid in his hand. ''Are you going to eat the squid or not?''

Okay, so maybe it was not the most sensitive thing to say at that moment but-.

''Do I have to!?'' he wined.

''Yes.'' I needed to see him eat something.

He sighed and took a resigned bite of Syd. ''Not bad.'' he agreed, smiled, and ate the rest.

I watched him with even more scrutiny than he had watched me with. HE WAS EATING IT! HE WAS A VAMPIRE EATING HUMAN FOOD!

Of course, Edward had also eaten human food once, a bite of pizza, but that had only been one bite and he had been grossed out by it. MACKENZIE WAS PICKING UP ANOTHER PIECE!

''Gooooooooood squid!'' Mackenzie said drawing out the first word and watching me with amusement...like he knew what I was thinking.

I also picked up a piece.

''I already know all about your parents from kids at school. The gossip that circulates through that place is truly amazing! Honestly!'' he smiled. ''But I want to know more. Do you have any pets?''

''I used to have fish. I had little things like hamsters...but they all died. So after a few I chose to be humane and not adopt them in the first place. ''

''Very wise.'' He chuckled. ''What about dogs? Never wanted a mans best friend? Or horses? No my pretty pony fantasies?''

''No. Why? Do you have my pretty pony fantasies?''

''Only all the time!'' he laughed. ''No, seriously though. I've always wanted a horse.''

''Well for about a week I wanted nothing but a white stallion.''

''A week?''

''I never concentrate on wanting one thing for too long. I'm a lot like my mom in that way.''

''Does that hold true for all things?''

I could feel that question leading somewhere but could not quite see where. ''I don't know.'' I said. ''I guess.''

''Even boys?''

Um...

''How many boys have you dated?''

I pretended to count on my fingers. ''One.'' I finally said with a short laugh.

His eyebrows shot up. ''One including me or not?''

''This is not a date...just a not to friendly get together of two acquaintances.''

''It is friendly! You haven't punched me yet! And this so is a date, you can't deny that! You are having fun and you know it. See! You're smiling!''

I was.

''And plus we are not acquaintances. We are at least friends. You agreed to that at homecoming. Anyway, getting back on subject, what the hell are you doing having only dated one guy (besides me, of course). What have you been doing to keep them away from you!? Spraying that stuff that you use to keep raccoons off your doorstep? Is there something about you I should know about? An embarrassing rash, perhaps? And while we're on the subject, who is this undeserving young man who swept you off your feet before I arrived?''

I looked down, fiddling with my squid.

''Is this the 'ex-who-shall-not-be-named'?''

I nodded. ''Did you ever go out with anyone?''

He laughed. ''Yes, yes. I have a long and infamous dating history. But that was all practice, leading up to my grand finale, Bella my love.''

''Is that what you told all of them, too?''

He looked horrified. ''Oh no! You a my one and only, Bella! I was never serious with anyone before but I am with you. You're special, Bella. Totally and completely unique! I swear to you, I have never felt like this before and i'm willing to wait for you.''

Why does this only happen to me!?

''Can I get you anything?'' I jumped. Waitress Jill had come back. I had not even heard her walk over. She was staring at me like she though I was psycho. Mackenzie had not even blinked.

''We'll be needing the check soon, I think.'' He said with a questioning glance at me.

I nodded.

While she went for that he took out his wallet.

''Wait.'' I told him, ''I'll pay for ha-.''

"No.'' he said shortly.

Waitress Jill brought the check quickly, handing it straight to Mackenzie. He slid in a bill smoothly and handed it right back to her. ''No change.'' he muttered, standing up.

''Thank y-'' I began but he interrupted.

''Don't mention it. Excuse me for a moment.'' he jerked his thumb toward the bathrooms.

I nodded. ''I'll wait out front.''

In the front of the restaurant there were benches. I sat down on one humming softly to myself.

A young waiter, about my age, saw me as he walked past. He stopped and turned, as though to walk over to me but then suddenly looked confused and walked away.

Odd people...

Mackenzie did not take long at all. ''Time for the movie!'' he sang.

In a sudden spurt of inspiration, I picked up a mint off the counter and tossed it at him. He caught it out of the air easily. He smiled proudly for a moment before realizing what I had done.

''Time for the truth.'' I said, and he nodded.

''On the way there.'' he said, taking my arm and leading me out the doors and to his car.

I slid into the passengers seat silently and stared at him pointedly as he pulled out.

''Okay, please don't hate me.''

''I won't.'' I promised.

He took a deep breath and gazed out the side window.

It was the moment of truth.

CLIFFY!! MUAHAHAHA!! Sorry it took so long. This was a big chapter to write and so is the next one, so, naturally, they took longer to write and required a lot of thought.

Disclaimer- Everyone knows I don't own Twilight...go ahead ask anyone...-watches nervously as you ask a random hobo-.

Reviews, please! I love hearing from you! And I love John Lennon! But thats off subject...I love hearing from you guys more. (that's a lie...nothing could match my love for Lennon...but you are right after him)

Oh and one more thing- I'm trying to put a link to a pic of Mackenzie's car in my profile (i'm having some issues though)...i'm not sure how nice of a car it is but i thought it looked pretty spiffy!