Chapter 11
I watched Edward from the shadows and the woods everyday that there was sun. The only time I went to our house was to change my clothes at night while Edward showered. I barely said anything to Charlotte and Peter. I did feel bad but Esme and Carlisle did explain and supported me. From what I heard through their thoughts Jasper was a little upset with how I acted around his friends, Peter and Charlotte understood but could not believe that I loved a human. The one day they all played a game of football and when I went home I found a note in Emmett's hand writing. Went to clearing to play football, please come. I quickly wrote Sorry below it for him to see when he came home.
On Wednesday after school Edward went with Tyler and Mike into Port Angeles. Mike and Tyler were going to get some video game while Edward was going to look for a book store. I was stuck following them in my Volvo, I stayed out of all of their sights. When they got into the city I found a spot to park. I figured I could watch Edward through Mike and Tyler's minds. I had zoned out at one point because I was getting sick of seeing the stupid video games through their thoughts. When I paid attention again I noticed that Edward was not with them anymore.
Right away I started searching everybody's thoughts in the city to find Edward. When I came across a gang of really drunk older women who were thinking of violating him in all sorts of ways I lost it. I raced as fast as I could to his location. I was so thankful that the sun had finally set that I could get out. I shot out of the car. "Edward get in the car now." I demanded.
"But." He started.
"No buts, get in the car now!" I practically growled at him.
He quickly did as I told him. I turned my attention back to the vile women in front of me. I just looked at them like the monster that I am and then hissed at them, they all scattered. I got back in the car and took off towards the main part of the city.
"Where were you meeting Mike and Tyler?" I asked him.
"La Bella Italia." He said. "How did you know where I was? How did you know I was here with them?" He asked me.
"Later. Say something to distract me." I said. I was so close to breaking the steering wheel.
"You should probably slow down and put your seatbelt on." He said.
"You should put your seatbelt on as well." I said with a slight chuckle. "Besides, we are here. Go stop Mike and Tyler." I said as I parked.
He hopped out and flagged them down. I walked up next to him and had to stifle a laugh when I heard both of their hearts speed up.
"Sorry I kept Edward away from you two. We ran into each other and lost track of time talking. I was wondering if I could join you boys for dinner." I said.
"Uh yeah, sure you can." Mike said with a huge smile.
"Actually we already ate." Tyler said then he turned to Edward. "Sorry man, we were so hungry we couldn't wait any longer."
"It's ok. I can eat when I get home." Edward said.
"I would feel better if Edward ate now. I can take him home when we are done." I said.
Mike and Tyler both dazed out and then Mike said. "Sure, ok. We'll see you tomorrow at school."
They turned and left. "Come on Edward." I said as I tugged him towards the entrance by his arm. I was still careful not to touch his skin directly.
When we got inside we were met by the host. "How may I help you this evening?" He asked.
"We would like a table for two please." I said. My arm was linked through Edward's and I was looking up at his face while I talked to the host.
"Of course if you could just follow me." The host said as he started towards the dining area. He took us to the middle of the most crowded section.
"Can we sit somewhere more private?" I asked as I slipped a hundred dollar bill into his hand.
The host looked at it in shock before he nodded and led us to a completely empty section. "Max will be your server and will be right with you." He said. After a long look and sigh in my direction he left.
"So how did you know that I was in Port Angeles, let alone where exactly I was at the perfect time to save me?" Edward asked in a whisper once we were alone.
"Let's just say that I feel very protective of you and once I heard what those vile women were thinking I had to step in. I am actually amazed I was able to leave without ripping off their heads." I said, afterwards I couldn't believe that I said all that I did, thank god Rosalie wasn't there.
"You can hear people's thoughts?" Edward asked looking very impressed and amused.
"Yes, everybody's thoughts in this room, that is except for yours." I said. Just looking into his eyes I couldn't help but to tell him everything.
"Is there something wrong with my brain or something?" Edward asked me.
I chuckled. "I tell you that I can read minds and you think there is something wrong with you." I said.
"Hello, my name is Max, can I get you something to drink?" Max asked, I could tell that he was staring at me but I stayed looking at Edward and nodded for him to go first.
"Can I get a root beer?" Edward asked.
"Make that two please." I said.
"I'll be right back with those and then to take your order." He said, I then heard him turn and walk away.
"You know I have theories about you." Edward said looking down at the table. I felt his blush.
"Oh what are your theories and what made you come up with them?" I asked.
"Well this evening you moved faster than I have ever seen anyone else move. I have noticed that you seem strong, I saw you practically pick up Emmett without any effort the one day after school." He said and trailed off. I couldn't believe that he noticed all of that. Edward was way too observant for his own good. I had actually forgotten that I had picked up Emmett that day, I didn't think anyone was watching since I didn't see through anyone's thoughts that they were watching, never thought about Edward and his shield.
Our waiter came back and set our drinks in front of us. He was still facing me. "Are you ready to order?" He asked.
I pointed to Edward and he quickly looked at the menu. "Can I get the stuffed shells please?" Edward asked.
"Of course, and you miss?" He asked me.
"Nothing for me, I'm not hungry, thank you." I said as I handed him our menus still without taking my eyes off Edward.
"Well if you change your mind just let me know." Max said as he left.
"So what are your theories?" I asked getting back on the topic that we were on before we were interrupted.
"You'll laugh." He said blushing again and looking down.
"I will not laugh I promise." I said. "Take a drink first though, I am surprised you haven't gone into shock after your little run in." He took a sip and then drank the rest of his down. I slid my glass over to him. I noticed he shivered. "Here, take this." I said as I slipped out of the jacket that I was wearing, it was Jasper's that he gave me a couple years ago to try and get the guys in school to leave me alone.
"I'm fine, you don't have to do that." He said trying to get me to put it back on.
"You are chilled, I am perfectly fine. Just put it on Edward, it is actually Jasper's jacket that he gave me so I know it will fit you." I insisted and shoved it at him again.
Edward took it and put it on, I noticed he sniffed it and sighed in contentment. I smiled at that, it made me happy that he liked me so much even though I knew he shouldn't and I shouldn't have let him get so close to me.
"So about that theory?" I asked.
"Radioactive spider." He whispered.
"Sorry, but not even close."
"Asteroid?" He asked.
"No. Are all your theories from comic books?" I asked.
"Maybe."
"Not even close. Besides, what if I am not the good guy?" I asked.
"That's not possible. You can not be the bad person." Edward said quickly looking up at me.
Max came out with Edward's food. He sat it down in front of Edward and then turned all his attention to me. "Are you sure I couldn't get you anything?" Max asked me.
"I am positive. Thank you though." I said. The entire time we were there I never took my eyes off of Edward.
Max sighed and walked away. "So why don't you ever eat?" Edward asked me once we were alone again.
"I told you I am on a special diet. This is just the second time that I haven't eaten and they just happen to be around you." I said as Edward took a bit of his food.
"Bella I have never, ever seen you eat. Even at school when you were sitting with your family, none of you eat." Edward choked out.
"You really are too observant for your own good." I said with a chuckle.
"What do you mean by that?" He asked me.
"Nothing, never mind that I said that, I really say too much when I am with you." I said quickly.
Edward finished his dinner and Max came back. "Anything else I can get for you two this evening?" He asked.
"No thank you we are done." I said. He handed me the bill and I quickly pulled out a hundred dollar bill and handed it to him. "Keep the change." I said as I stood up.
Edward got up and we exited the building like how we entered, arms linked together. "Do you do that with everyone you talk to?" He asked me.
"Do what?" I asked a little confused.
"Dazzle people." He said.
"Do I dazzle you?" I asked him.
"Frequently." He breathed.
"Come on, let's get you home." I said as we got to the car. I was surprised that he opened my door for me. Once he got in on his side and I started driving I turned to him and said. "You know it has been a long time since I had someone hold a door open for me like that."
"It's how my mom and dad raised me. He was always like that so I learned it from him." He said with a crooked smile.
"It is refreshing that there are still some gentlemen around in this time." I said deep in thought.
"You know half the time I don't understand what you mean." He said to me. I saw him do a shiver so I reached over and turned on the heat full blast.
"Good, it is better that way." I said with a slight smile at him.
"I am warm now." Edward said.
We both reached for the fan knob and our hands both touched. I felt an electric shock go up my arm that was the most interesting and fantastic feeling. I quickly pulled my hand away though because of the coldness of my skin. Once Edward put his hand down I turned down the heat.
The car ride was silent for a while. I was panicking about what he thought of me and the fact that he had notice so much. Edward seemed deep in thought and I was dying to know what he was thinking. Edward didn't realize that I pulled up in front of his house.
"So I will see you tomorrow." I said.
"Oh, wow. Yeah, see you tomorrow, have a good night." Edward said. He then got out and took off the jacket and put it on his seat.
"You can keep it until tomorrow if you need." I said.
"I think if I walk in wearing another guy's jacket my mom would have lots of questions for me and I don't think I want to deal with that." He said.
"I guess I understand that. Well then I will see you tomorrow. Sleep tight Edward." I said. He closed the door and then ran inside.
Once he was inside I took off to our house. I dropped off my car in the garaged and rushed in the house. Alice met me just inside the door. "Carlisle is in his office." She said. Her expression was one of both relief and regret. "I am so sorry Bella, I didn't see it happening until you were already on your way. I tried calling you but you ignored me." She said.
"I had good reason, I was a little preoccupied. Don't worry about it Alice he is well, that is all that I care about right now." I said to her and then I rushed up to Carlisle's office.
I was about to knock when I heard. "Come in Bella." I walked in. "Alice said you needed my help with something." He said as he motioned for me to sit in one of the chairs across the desk from him.
"Yes, did Alice tell you what happened tonight?" I asked.
"She said that you saved Edward." He responded.
"Yes, there were four really drunk women who were going to do a lot of very inappropriate and nasty things to him. They probably would have killed him if I hadn't been there. From reading their minds I know that one of them was the leader, the others were only following her out of fear of what she would do to them. I came to ask for your help to take care of her properly without killing her like I had considered." I said.
"I am glad that you controlled yourself. Come on, we can find her and set her up so that she will be arrested." Carlisle said standing up and grabbing his medical bag.
I was up and ran in front of him to his car. Carlisle drove and then park near where I heard the vile woman's thoughts. She and her groupies were in a dirty bar. We walked in and I walked right up to her. "Oh looky who we have here. Did ya come back for more?" She asked.
I growled and Carlisle put a hand on my shoulder. "How about the two of us take this outside?" I said. I had my fists clenched at my side and I growled again.
She downed the rest of her drink and we walked out. I was surprised that she didn't get her groupies to follow her.
"One hit Bella, that's it." Carlisle said to quiet for her to hear after we got to the alley.
I struck out and broke her leg, I moved so quickly that she wouldn't have even seen it if she were sober. She screamed out in pain but Carlisle quickly muffled her and gave her a sedative. She quickly fell asleep and then we took her to Seattle and left her in the alley by the police station. Carlisle called and gave an anonymous tip about a felon in their alley. We drove home in silence and before Carlisle was fully stopped in the garage I was out and running to Edward's house. I needed to be near him to calm myself down and I knew he would already be asleep.
I watched Edward sleep as I usually did and when I returned home to change Carlisle and Esme were watching CNN, they were talking about the lady that they arrested that Carlisle and I had set up. It turns out she had three warrants for her arrest, one of which was in Seattle. I ran up to my room and changed into the clothes that Alice had laid out for me. When I walked back downstairs I was met again by Alice with Jasper by her side. "Rose will drive us to school today, she'll act like she is mad about it for awhile but you know she will love the fact that she can show off her car." Alice said.
"Thanks Alice. I'll see you guys at school." I said as I walked out to the garage and got in my car. I drove to Edward's house and park on the road. I got out and leaned on the side of the Volvo waiting for him to come out. When he finally emerged he looked surprised to see me. "Good morning Edward, I was wondering if you would like to ride with me today." I said.
"Sure I would like that." Edward said with his crooked smile that would make my heart race if it were still beating.
Edward being the gentleman that he was opened my door for me first before he got in himself.
"I brought the jacket for you again because I figured you left yours in Mike's car." I said.
"Thank you but Mike said he would bring mine to school so I am good." He said. "You know Mike is going to want to know about last night."
"I know, this town is all about gossip especially when it comes to anyone in my family." I said with a little growl that he couldn't hear.
"He is going to want to know if we planned to meet and if we are dating." Edward said.
"Well you can tell him that we didn't it was just a coincident and, well as for the dating, I'll be listening to hear what you say about that." I said as I pulled into the parking space next to Rosalie's car, there were a lot of boys standing around it.
"Whose car is that?" Edward asked.
"That would be Rosalie's car. We try to blend in but some of us have trouble with that." I said as I got out of my car. I noticed Rosalie standing off out of sight watching and listening to all the boys at her car, she had a slight smile of joy until she noticed me, then she scowled before walking off to her first class.
"It is a very nice car but it really does not blend in, your car doesn't blend in that well be it's not as out there as her car." Edward said coming up to me.
"Listen Edward, I have to go talk to Alice before school starts and Mike is dying to talk to you, I'll see you at lunch. And remember I will be listening." I said as I brushed the back of my hand down his cheek.
I didn't actually talk to Alice, I didn't have to, it was just to help get him to talk to Mike. I listened the entire time. He told Mike that our meeting was not planned at all, that we just had dinner. It could be considered a date and that we didn't care what they thought. He said that we are dating which made me happy but what I heard next shocked me. Mike had asked him if he liked me and if he thought that I liked him back. Edward said that he thinks I like him but that I probably don't like him as much as he likes me.
When it was finally time for lunch I met Edward outside of his class. We walked through the lunch line in silence, I filled up a tray for the both of us. "That is a lot of food that you aren't going to eat." Edward whispered to me.
"This is for both of us." I said as I paid for it.
"You don't have to pay for my food, I can take care of it." Edward said as we walked out. He had picked up the tray and carried it for us.
"Edward, I am sorry if it is a hit to your ego or something but I really don't mind paying." I said as we sat down in the same seats as last week.
Edward looked around us and then leaned in closer to me. "I know what you are Bella, what your family is. I am not going to tell a soul but I want you to know that I know so you can stop acting around me." Edward whispered.
"Oh and what makes you think that you know what we are?" I asked.
"I know you are vampires, I also know you don't hunt humans because you can all be around all of us with no problem." He breathed. I heard Rosalie hiss and Jasper was already thinking of ways to get rid of Edward now that he was a threat to our secret.
"And how did you come up with that?" I asked.
"Well the things that I mentioned to you last week and then when we were in La Push some of the natives told us about how you guys aren't allowed there after they over heard Mike make fun of me for inviting you. Anyhow I talked with Leah Clearwater, her dad knows my mom somehow, anyhow I got her to tell me about why you guys aren't allowed there. She told me the legends about the cold ones. I researched it on line and came up with a lot that matches you guys." He whispered.
"Eat something Edward." I said in a sigh.
He looked at me. "Would it kill you if you ate some normal food?" He asked.
I picked up the slice of pizza and took a big bite out of it. It was horrible but I didn't let Edward see how disgusted I was. "There, now eat." I said. He picked up the slice I took my bite from and finished it.
"So about your conversation with Mike, you really think that you like me more than I like you?" I asked him
"I just know how I feel and I don't think it is possible for anyone to love⦠I mean like more than I do you." Edward said, he was blushing with his slip up.
"I don't think you are right in that but I'll let you think that for now." I said with a smile. "So I heard that Jessica and Lauren asked you to the girls choice dance and you turned them down." I said.
"I don't like dances, besides I want to go to Seattle to get a new keyboard and some new sheet music." He said.
"If I asked you would you go?" I asked.
"Yes." He said quickly.
"Well I don't like dances either. How about I go with you to Seattle? I can drive, I am sure that my car will handle the trip better than your truck." I said with a smile.
"Are you saying that my truck is going to die on that trip?" He asked me looking hurt.
"No, but can it get there and back on one take of gas?" I asked him leaning closer to him.
"No, I would have to stop probably like three times." He admitted.
"So since I need some things from Seattle too and I would be going sometime soon anyhow why don't we go together and I drive?" I asked.
"I guess that I can't argue that." Edward sighed.
The bell rang and we got up to go to class. Edward took the tray and threw away what was left of our food. We walked to class next to each other, not touching but I allowed myself to walk closer to him that I could feel his body heat.
Once we were in our seats I turned to Edward. "You are going to tell your mother that you are going with me right?" I asked him.
"No I wasn't planning on it. I already asked her about going by myself. I am not going to bring it up again with her. If she asks me again then maybe I will tell her." He said.
Mr. Banner came in with a TV and VCR. He put in the movie and turned off the lights, there was no more talking for Edward and I. There was an intense charge between us and I gripped my legs to keep myself from touching him, it looked like Edward was having the same problem, his hands were in fists in his lap.
When that class was over I walked with Edward to the gym, we were silent, both caught up in our own thoughts. When we reached the gym I turned to Edward and looked him in the eyes. "I'll see you after class." I said as I again brushed the back of my fingers down his cheek. Edward just nodded, seeming to have been having trouble gaining control of his mouth. I quickly walked to Spanish and Emmett looked at me knowingly. "Don't say a word Emmett, you will just ruin my mood. I know it is bad that he knows but I feel better that he does." I said.
"You're no fun little sister." Emmett said with a fake pout and a chuckle.
"You need to grow up." I said as I turned my attention to the teacher.
I paid attention in class for two minutes, got called on to answer a question and spoke better than the teacher so she decided she was going to ignore me so I started watching Edward through his classmate's minds. Edward was not a star athlete or anything but he wasn't a complete spazz either. He held his own.
When class was over I said a quick "See you at home" to Emmett and walked fast to meet Edward as he walked out of the locker room. Apparently Edward wasn't expecting me to be there because he did a little jump. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I was just coming to meet you so I can take you home, that is unless you want someone else to take you home." I said as he walked closer to me.
"I just didn't expect you to be here already. Isn't your class across campus?" He asked me.
"Well remember your discovery earlier? That's how, I can move faster than most." I said. I couldn't come right out since there were students all around us going to their cars as well.
"Oh, yeah, I didn't think about that." He said as we reached the car.
He again opened my door for me and then got in himself after I was situated. Alice and Jasper were waiting outside of Rosalie's car already while we were walking up and Alice had waved to us and asked me mentally if she could talk to him. I mouthed no and she pouted and tried begging through her thoughts. I glared and she sighed.
I backed out of the spot and headed to Edward's. "Alice likes me already doesn't she?" Edward asked me.
"Yes. She is a little mad at me since I won't let her talk to you. According to her you two are going to be good friends, like good brother and sister." I said.
"Why won't you let her talk to me?" He asked me.
"Because just my presence alone is dangerous for you Edward, having more vampires around you is only going to make the risk worse and I can't do that to you." I said in a sigh.
"I don't fully understand. You guys are around humans all the time without killing them." He said looking truly confused.
"Well there are two of us in the family that are normally not affected by human blood at all. Carlisle is one, and I am the other, but your blood it smells so good to me that my mouth waters and my throat burns. That first day I really had to focus to not kill you. I ran after that because I didn't want to kill you but I couldn't stay away, I missed my family and all my thoughts came to you, I had to come back and learn what I could about you."
"I had a feeling you left because of me, I heard you in the office that day trying to change out of our bio. I thought you hated me." He said.
"In a way I did. I hated that you affected me so, that I couldn't read your mind. But I can't hate you Edward, you are too important to me now." I said.
We were sitting in front of Edward's house. "How does Alice know that her and I would be like brother and sister?" He asked me.
I was now sitting angled towards him. "Well you know how vampires are super strong and fast and have enhanced senses, some also have extra abilities, we call them gifts but you can also think of them as powers." I said. "Alice can see the future."
"I bet she saw me coming." Edward said.
"Yes she did, and she hid it from me. I mean she said that there was a new student but she wouldn't give me information about you or let me see her visions, she hid her thoughts from me, it was very annoying." I said with a slight growl that Edward couldn't hear.
"I could imagine. Has she seen anything else about my future?" He asked me.
"It can all change, her visions only show the path that you are on, it can all change depending on a decision that you make, they are subjective." I said avoiding his question.
"How old are you Bella?" Edward all of a sudden blurted.
"Well to the humans I am seventeen right now but I am actually stuck at eighteen." I said.
"How long have you been eighteen?" He then asked.
"A long time." I said. "Edward, you should go in, your mother should be home soon and she'll question you sitting out in my car and unless you want to tell her you will be going with me on Saturday you probably shouldn't be seen by her with me."
He looked outside and saw that the sky was darkening. "I don't want to tell her unless she asks so I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good evening Bella." He said to me as he got out.
"Sweet dreams Edward." I said before he closed the door. Once he was inside I was off and heading home.
