Disclaimer: Once more… I do not own 'Twilight' or 'New Moon' or any of the characters or places or anything else that originated from them. I know this is a sad fact… but it is true. Must you rub it in any more? I envy Stephenie Meyer, for she is the genius behind these wonderful creations.
The restaurant Edward took me to was called 'Canon Grill'. We were seated at a small table, near the window in the front of the restaurant. The waiter came immediately and I ordered. I waited for Edward, but he said nothing. 'Aren't you getting anything?' I asked. 'No, I had a big lunch…' He said and smiled, handing the menu to the waiter, who looked just as puzzled as I did. I thought back to lunch that day, and I remembered looking over at Edward, seeing that he hadn't touched anything on his tray.
I decided not to dwell on it any longer, and I looked at him, smiling. 'So, what movie are we going to see?' I asked. 'I was thinking Underworld: Evolution, but if you'd rather see something else, that's fine.' He said. 'Yes! I mean… I'd love to see that…' Everyone in the restaurant was staring at me. 'Sorry… I just really wanted to see that…' He laughed softly.
My food came shortly, and I ate quickly. I felt kind of awkward sitting there, stuffing my face with fajitas while Edward just smiled at me. I finished, and the waiter brought the check. Edward paid before I could say anything. 'You should've let me paid… I was the only one who ate anything…' I mumbled in the car. 'Well, I asked you out…' he argued. I rolled my eyes, and fastened the seat belt. We parked in the lot of the Theatre and started inside. Of course, Edward insisted on paying for the movie tickets too.
I got freaked out several times in the movie, and grabbed Edward's arm. I was surprised he hadn't complained of having his circulation cut off. He chuckled at me, and wrapped his arm around my shoulders. I slid closer to him, even though there was an arm rest in between us. Stupid thing…
Afterwards, we headed back to the car… holding hands. Edward was still making fun of me for getting scared. He laughed at almost every part of the movie. He thought it was hilarious that the vampires would get fried if they were caught in the sun. I didn't understand that… I thought every one knew that about vampires.
'Aaaah!' I screamed. Something hard slammed into me, knocking me on top of the windshield of a nearby minivan. I hit my head and slid off onto the wet grass. 'Edward?' I mumbled, blinking. I opened my eyes, and looked into the face of a terrifying man. He had pale, white skin, and dark, burgundy red eyes. His long black hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail. He grinned menacingly, and the only thing I noticed were his pearly white…fangs.
Edward rammed into him, knocking him away from me. The terrifying man slammed into a tree, and was knocked momentarily unconscious. Edward grabbed me around the waist, and sped back to the car with inhuman speed. He put me in through the driver's side, and I climbed over into the passenger seat. He'd pulled out of the driveway before I was even halfway in my seat. 'Edward? Who was that?!' I said hysterically. He was staring at the road, frowning angrily. 'Edward?? Answer me now!' I yelled. He continued to drive without even looking my way. I huffed furiously and turned away from him.
'Elise… I have to tell you something incredibly important. You have to promise not to tell anyone, under any circumstances. Do you understand?' I nodded.
'My family and I are… vampires.' He said, still glaring at the highway. I didn't say anything at all. I just sat there. I guess I wasn't really that surprised. I mean, I knew something was different about the Cullens. They were all magnificently beautiful. They never ate or drank anything… They were all so… perfect. And then there was the matter of he and Alice walking away from a fatal, for any normal human, car accident, without so much as a scratch.
'Elise?' he asked, looking at me for the first time. 'Ok… so this man, or whatever is a vampire too?' I asked. 'Yes… his name is Lucian, and apparently he's after you.' 'Me? Why would a vampire be after me?' I asked nervously. 'I'm not sure exactly…' He said. 'Ok, so… now what do I do? I mean, I can't very well go home with a vampire chasing me, now can I?' I said, still very calm. I didn't know why I was so calm, actually. Most people who find that the person who drives them home every day is a vampire, and that another one is chasing after them, would have an aneurism.
Edward smiled… a little. 'You're welcome to stay with my family and me… If you'd like.' He said. I grinned, a little too much… 'Ok… but what about my mother? If Lucian, or whatever his name is, found me tonight, what's to stop him finding my house and killing my mom? Hmm?' I questioned him. There was no way I was letting this, monster, kill my mother because of me. Edward sighed. 'I can't let her stay at our house… I can't risk anyone else finding out about us… But I can have Emmett and Jasper keep watch on her.' He suggested. 'Good enough I guess… So how am I supposed to tell her I'm staying with your family, to hide out from a psychotic vampire?' 'You're just full of questions aren't you?' He said, shaking his head. 'Well, wouldn't you be if you found out that vampires are real, and you're being hunted by one?' I retorted. 'Alright… Tell your mother that you're staying with Alice… That you two have some sort of project to work or something…' The idea had potential… Alice and I were pretty good friends. She'd come to my house a few times… My mom would believe that I was staying with her… but for how long would I have to stay? I could pull the weekend, but what happens on Monday? I thought about this little dilemma…
'Hopefully we'll have this straightened out before Monday' Edward said, as if he knew exactly what I had been thinking. 'Hey, I didn't mention anything about Monday?' I said frowning. He chuckled at me. 'Vampires have certain… gifts I guess you could say… anyway, I can read minds.' My jaw dropped in shock. 'Edward… you don't always listen to my thoughts… Do you?' I asked, worried. He laughed again. 'No… not always. Do you remember Monday afternoon, when we watched 'Where the Heart Is'?' he asked. 'Yeah… So?' I said. 'Well, the only reason I told you to turn back to that channel, is because I could read what you were thinking and I knew you wanted to watch it…' I stared at him. 'You're kidding me?' He shook his head, grinning all the while. 'What else have you heard me thinking?' I asked. He smiled even bigger. 'Not much… just that you find me absolutely 'irresistible!' He said, mimicking my voice. I groaned, and banged my head on the dashboard. 'It's ok… I find you quite irresistible myself.' He said, making me feel a little better. 'Wait… you don't mean… like, your not going to bite me are you?' He suddenly became very serious.
'Elise… I don't ever intend to hurt you… ever. My family and I don't drink from humans… only animals.' He said. I shuddered at the way he'd said 'drink'. 'So you mean… like deer and bears and stuff?' I said. 'Yes… like deer and bears and stuff… I quite enjoy mountain lion myself…' I laughed.
We pulled into the driveway of what I assumed to be his house. His very, enormous house. It was very pretty… It reminded me of old, southern plantations for some reason. We hurried inside… apparently; Lucian was still a threat to us, even outside a vampire family's mansion.
'Carlisle?' Edward yelled, when we entered the house. A few moments later, an incredibly handsome man entered the foyer. He looked more like a model than anything… He had wavy blonde hair, and perfect, flawless skin. His eyes were the same, topaz color as Edward's. I caught myself staring, and I immediately looked away. 'Carlisle, this is Elise… She knows about… us.' Carlisle frowned, and ushered us into what appeared to be his study.
'Edward… why did you tell her?' he demanded when we were alone. 'I had to… Lucian is after her. I don't know why though…' he said. Carlisle looked worried. He looked at me. 'Come here please…' he said softly, beckoning me to him. I glanced at Edward nervously. 'He doesn't bite…' he assured me. I slowly walked towards Carlisle. He took my hand and lifted it to his face. Then he smelled it… Weird. 'Umm… what are you doing?' I asked. 'Shh…' he said, eyes closed. I stood there for what seemed like ages, this strange man, er, vampire, sniffing my fingers. 'It's her blood… It calls to him. It's like a beacon. I don't know why, but her blood is extremely important to Lucian.' He said, releasing my hand. I shuddered. My blood? This guy wants my blood, because it's… important to him? Have I lost my mind? 'No, you haven't…' Edward said abruptly. Of course… the mind reading thing. I rolled my eyes at him.
'Carlisle, she needs somewhere to stay, so she'll be safe.' Edward said. 'She'll stay here… She can sleep in the guest room next to yours.' Carlisle said. Then, he smiled at me, and walked out of the room. Edward turned to go too… I followed him up the stairs and into a room. 'Alice?' he said. Alice Cullen appeared out of nowhere, and came over to us. 'Alice, I need you to go with Elise to her house… Explain to her mother that she's staying the night with you to work on something for school…' he said. Alice nodded. Apparently she was already in on this whole scheme. 'Alice can see the future.' Edward said matter of factly. He'd been reading my thoughts again. 'Edward. Stop.' I said through gritted teeth. He grinned apologetically. I followed Alice out to the driveway. We got in the silver Volvo, and headed toward my house.