Author's Note:
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Bella blended into the flood of students who were in the hall, she knew where her next class was and walked slowly there hoping Angela would appear and accompany her. Bella got closer to the door and noticed Angela was at the door with Eric. She smiled and greeted them both before the three of them entered the room. Eric and Angela headed to their seats at the back of the classroom. Bella talked to the teacher who seated her in the middle table of the right side of the room. Bella took the seat next to the window and ignored the wave of students who flooded in the room.
Bella was pulled out of her thoughts as she heard someone take a seat next to her, this must be her lab partner. Bella turned around to meet the gaze of the boy she saw earlier.
"Hi, I'm Edward, Edward Cullen," Edward said as he extended his hand to Bella.
Bella smiled politely, "I'm Bella Swan," Bella said as she shook his hand that was ice cold. Bella looked into his eyes and saw them change from a deep brown to a pitch black, that's when she remembered a conversation she had with Aro about a group of vampires who had brown eyes, due to the fact that they drank animal blood instead of human. Bella was intrigued by the subject, Bella tried to remember the name of the group; Christians, Collars, Chuntz, Chips, what was it! Bella thought harder and her eyes widened as she remembered, Cullens! That's why his skin was cold, and eyes changing color, not to mention the fact that him and his family looked like models. Bella calmed herself as she shifter her attention back to the vampire sitting beside her. She would have to tell Aro about this.
"Did you just mover here?" Edward asked as the class began.
"Yes, my dad is chief of police," Bella said taking down notes.
"Do you enjoy it here?" Edward asked.
"Yes, it's a big change from Phoenix," Bella said calmly, she didn't have to take notes, but she felt it made her look normal.
"Yes, I heard it is very sunny there," Edward said as he shifted his attention back to the teacher who was giving a lecture.
"Have you lived here long?" Bella asked trying to break the awkward tension, she hated tension.
"No, my family and I moved here a few weeks ago," Edward said calmly. The conversation ended there due to the teacher showing a science movie for the rest of the period. Bella felt uncomfortable next to Edward, she could sense the bloodlust oozing from him. As soon as the class was done Bella was ready to leave when she turned to look Edward was already out of the room. The rest of Bella's day was uneventful. Bella got into her car, and when she was in the safety of her car she texted Aro telling him she met the Cullen's.
My Dear Isabella, do not worry, they do not harm humans, but do remember to not let them suspect of your relationship with Alec, who by the way is in good health with Jane. Their mission is going well as expected. Be aware that some of the Cullen's do have powers. Edward is a mind reader, but I suspect his power will be useless with you, so rest assure he cannot read your thoughts. Update soon my dear.
Bella stared down at the text; it made her relax more being reassured by Aro. If he believes the Cullens are harmless she had nothing to fear. Bella started her car and headed home. Bella got a head start on her homework. Bella found schoolwork at Forks thousands of times easier than anything Marcus would ever give her to do. She missed Marcus; he challenged her to think to prosper for greatness. Bella finished her homework and headed to the local diner to meet Charlie for Dinner.
When Bella arrived she spotted her dad sitting by the window, she took the seat across from him and ordered whatever he was eating. Bella and Charlie talked about school and work. The two were getting ready to leave when they were stopped by Angela and her parents. Charlie and Angela's parent talked while Angela chatted with Bella.
"Hey, Bella me and Jessica were planning to go to Port Angeles after school on Friday, I'd love for you to come with us. We plan on buying dresses for the homecoming dance in month. We want to get good dresses before they are all taken." Angela said eagerly wanting Bella to agree.
"Sure Ang, I'd loved too, I've wanted to go to Port Angles anyway. I wanted to check out a small book store," Bella said with a smile. She didn't plan on buying any dresses, she had enough, and Jane had packed her 5 beautiful Italian gowns that they bought months ago. Jane thought she might need them for something. Angela squealed and said goodbye as her parents left the diner.
"Hey dad, I'm going to go with Angela Friday after school to Port Angeles, do you mind?" Bella asked knowing Charlie wouldn't care.
"Go ahead Bells, you're an adult, just be safe, and take some pepper spray with you," Charlie said as he got into his car, Bella waved as she retreated to her car. A smile crossed her lips thinking of the pepper spray comment. Bella knew she didn't need it, after a year of training with vampires, Bella could protect herself.
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Bella got into Angela's car as they started the drive to Port Angeles. Jessica glared at Bella from the corner of the eye thinking Bella wouldn't notice. Bella ignored her and began c conversation with Angela to pass the time.
"Okay ladies, let's go shop!" Angela said as she parked the car. Bella laughed and exited the car following Angela and Jessica. Bella enjoyed shopping with Angela and Jessica, but it never compared to the way Jane shopped. Bella bought a few pants and shirts with her credit card that Caius had given her as a goodbye present.
"Hey guys, I'll meet at the food place, I'm going to run over and pick up some books." Bella said as she waved to the two girls and walked off to the opposite direction. Bella wanted to get some books Marcus had suggested she read. This particular store was the only one that sold them in Washington.
Bella walked in and explored the store until she found the specific book, The Lost Tales of Dracula: First Edition Marcus always had a soft spot for Dracula. Bella laughed at the book she picked and decided to explore the store more. Bella was ready to leave she picked out another book which was, Mystical Creatures and Their Symbolic Meanings. Bella thought the book might make some good light reading. Bella headed out the store, it was a long walk down the street and Bella could see a group of people so she decided to take a shortcut through the alley way.
Bella heard mumbling behind her, she kept walking steadily. She finally reached the exit of the alley way which led to the empty parking lot of an old dentistry. Bella looked behind her and noticed a group of 5 men walking towards. She took in a deep breath as they circled her; Bella examined her surroundings and let the breath she was holding out.
"Hey toots, want to have some fun?" an averaged sized man asked her.
Bella smiled a pleasant smile before walking towards the man, "Sure, what were you thinking." The man smiled, and put an arm on Bella. This was the opportunity she was waiting for. Bella kneed him the stomach and he fell to the ground. She heard the other men mumble, they launched at her, but Bella was ready and trained for this. She took down the men one by one. When the last man hit the floor a silver Volvo, turned into the parking lot. Bella looked at the car ready to continue in case it was another attacker. Bella let out a breath of air when she realized it was Edward.
"Are you okay?" Edward said as he looked at the men that were on the floor in pain.
Bella smiled, "Yes I'm fine, thank you." Bella began walking again, but Edward stopped her before she made it out of the parking lot.
"Do you want a ride?" Edward asked.
Bella didn't want to get into another fight so she nodded and got into Edward's car. "Thanks," she mumbled to Edward. Edward nodded and continued driving.
"How did you take down those guys?" Edward asked curiously.
"I took some classes," Bella said, she technically wasn't lying she did take classes; she just didn't mention it was with vampires.
"They really seemed to help you," Edward said with a smile, "Do you have any specific place to go."
"Yes, if you don't mind there's a small restaurant were I was supposed to meet Angela and Jessica an hour ago," Bella said with a sheepish smile.
"Okay," Edward said as he turned the heat up in the car.
"Why are you in Port Angeles?" Bella asked trying to break the awkward silence in the room.
"I'm here to pick up some things for my father, he's a doctor at the hospital," Edward said.
"Oh okay," Bella said as Edward parked the car. Bella got out and Edward was by her side in a second.
Bella spotted Jessica and Angela, "Hey Bella we got your text just now, we're sorry but we were starving and we went ahead and ate without you," Angela said apologetically.
"It's okay guys don't worry about it," Bella said with a polite smile.
"Bella, if you want you can eat and I can drive you home," Edward said calmly. Before Bella could say no Angela jumped in.
"She'd love to, I know she hasn't eaten a thing since lunch, we'll see you tomorrow Bella," Angela said as they walked to their car. Bella walked into the restaurant with Edward. Bella didn't want to be here, the only person she wanted to eat at a restaurant with was Alec.
Bella and Edward sat a small table, the restaurant was empty except a few people, mainly workers. Bella ordered pasta and Edward ordered a salad so that the waitress would stop pestering him. The food arrived in a matter of minutes, and Bella couldn't deny she was starving so she dug in. Edward just simply pushed the food around.
"You don't have to humor me, I know you don't like to eat," Bella said as she stared at Edward who stopped flicking his food around.
"I'm just full," Edward said trying to create an excuse.
"Edward, you don't have to lie. I know who you are so you can just relax," Bella said as she ate her pasta.
"What am I?" Edward asked curiously waiting a response.
"A vampire, a cold one, a bloodsucker, you can choose an expression you like best," Bella said calmly feeling Edward's eyes staring holes at her.
"How did you know?" Edward asked surprised.
"I was told an ancient story a while ago about the cold ones, I connected the dots and guessed. From your expression I can see I'm right." Bella said as she looked up at him. Edward seemed shocked, but Bella needed to let him know that she knew. She didn't want any problems, especially when Alec and Jane arrive.
"Okay, do you know anything else?" Edward asked.
"No," Bella lied, she was relieved he couldn't read her mind or else he would know she was lying through her teeth.
"Aren't you afraid of me?" Edward asked.
"No, I'm sure if you wanted to kill me you would have done so already. You've had plenty of chances tonight." Bella said quietly enough so no one but him would hear her.
"I don't kill humans, I only feed on animal blood," Edward said with a serious face.
"Have you tasted human blood before?" Bella asked as she finished her food.
"Yes, but then I met Carsile and switched my diet," Edward said.
Edward explained everything to Bella, his old life, his diet, and his power. Bella acted surprised but she already most of the things her told her.