"What-" she began, but I cut her off. Charlie was still listening though I doubted Bella noticed. "Hold on," I mumbled never taking my eyes off the paper. There was news that some "gang"-as Charlie had put it- was going on a killing spree in Seattle. Though, Carlisle and I have our own ideas at the matter now was not the time to discuss them with Bella, at least not with her father listening in on our conversation. So to distract her momentarily, I pushed another application towards her. "I think you can recycle your essays for this once. Same questions."

She sighed and by the look on her face I could see she realized her father was still listening. As she bent her head over her paper I put the news paper on the counter. I stared out the window recalling a conversation with Carlisle about the matter a while back.

"Edward, have you seen the news?" he asked tossing me the paper. I looked up from the application I had been filling out for Bella.

"No, I can't say I have," I replied. His mind was on the paper so his thoughts did not betray anything. I picked it up and read. Throughout the reading I chocked back gasps of horror and disbelief. When I was through, I set the paper down and stared at Carlisle.

"What does this mean," I finally asked him. He looked down to the table and when he gazed back at me his face was painted with fresh worry and concern.

"Edward, a...one of us-one of is doing all of this," he all but whispered. The shock coursed through my body. Why would any vampire...? I shook my head and began again, "Carlisle? Do you know...? Do you think...that these vampires...are newborns? He nodded solemnly and sighed.

"Edward, my son, newborn vampires are on a killing spree in settle." He stared down at the news again, and then chuckled darkly. "Its amazing to me how human can be so smart in some ways, but yet...so daft in other." With that, he turned to leave. I had wanted him to explain this more, but I could see that his mind was set and he would not.

Bella snorted and I saw the papers fly by my arm. This brought me from my daydream.

"Bella?"

She glared at me. "Be serious, Edward. Dartmouth?" I frowned and put the papers gently beside her once more. I knew she was going to be stubborn. I was ready. "I think you'll like New Hampshire. There's a full complement of night courses for me, and the forests are very conveniently located for the avid hiker. Plentiful wildlife." I smiled at her. She sighed.

"I'll let me pay you back, if that makes you happy. If you want, I can charge you interest." I loved teasing her. She didn't seem to be too amused by it mostly. I waited. She glared up at me.

"Like I could even get it with ought some enormous bribe. Or was that part of the loan? The new Cullen wing of the library? Ugh, why are we having this discussion again?" My eyes narrowed, suspicious of to where this conversation was going.

"Will you just fill out the application, please, Bella? It won't hurt you to apply." I sighed inwardly as if I knew what her response would be. She would refuse.

"You know what?" Yes, I knew. "I don't think I will." She never ceased to amaze me. When I saw her reach for the paper a spark of hope jolted inside of me, but then I noticed her fingers flex and I realized she was just going to crumple the papers. Blindingly, I snatched them and put them in my jacket. Her bewildered expression told me I was too quick for her to see. She stared at me.

"What are you doing?" she demanded.

"I sign your name better than yourself," I replied, "You've already written the essays."

You're going was overboard about this, you know," she hissed. Then she began whispering. "I really don't need to apply anywhere else. I've been accepted in Alaska. I can almost afford the first semester's tuition. It's as good an alibi as any. There's no need to throw away a bunch of money, no matter whose it is." I grimaced. I realized what she was talking about. She reminded me of her desire to become a vampire. She only thought of, how easy it would be for me when she was changed. Yes, it would be, but also painful; to never see her blush again or hear her heart beat.

"Bella-" I whined.

"Don't start. I agree that I need to go through the motions for Charlie's sake, but we both know I'm not going to be in any condition to go to school next fall. To be anywhere near people."

I already knew that. I recalled those first months, years actually, where I had to stay away from humans to resist the temptation. Though, sometimes I would slip up. I winced at the remembrance and dreaded that Bella ever be put through that.

"I thought the timing was still undecided." The longer I could delay this; the better. She needed to see the consequences she would suffer through of becoming immortal. She could not see Charlie, for one. She would be half crazed with the thirst to be able to control her desires. "You might enjoy a semester or two of college. There are a lot of human experiences you've never had."

She was going to be stubborn like usual. "I'll get to those afterward," she reminded me haughtily. I sighed. Could she not see the problem with that analogy?

"They won't be human experiences afterward. You don't get a second chance at humanity, Bella." Though my reminder was gentle, my mind was hard with ancient greif. What I wouldn't give to keep her human. And be one myself. So I could give her those experiences she wants and needs with ought risk of hurting her or putting her in any form of danger.

well thats another chapter...sorry they're so short but my computer is old so i have to type fate. thank you for those who reviewed. RxR peaceoutman+}