Chapter 3

But that still doesn't explain how it got down here in the first place.

As soon as I finished putting the boxes in the cellar I quickly shut the door and went straight to my room. I was still a bit shaken up about the whole crow thing. So I went to my bed and sat down. I put the locket on my nightstand and looked down at my hands that were shaking.

I grabbed my cell phone from under my pillow and took out the piece of paper Edward had given me and dialed his number with shaky fingers.

"Hello?" his angelic voice rang from the other side.

I smiled lightly, "You must really be bored if you answered on the first ring," I said lightly.

I heard him chuckle softly on the other end, "And you must really be bored if you're calling me so soon."

I took in a shaky breath. Why did I call him? Was it because I was bored? Or because I felt scared?

"Bella? What's wrong?" he asked after a long pause.

"Why do you think something's wrong?" I asked in a shaky voice.

"I can hear it in your voice. What's wrong? Are you okay?" he asked.

I took in another shaky breath, "Yeah, I just," I let out a dry shaky chuckle, "I just got scared that's all."

"Scared?" he asked.

"Uh yeah I was in the cellar–."

"The cellar," he said, not asked.

"Yeah and there was this dead crow on the ground," I sighed shakily, "Or at least I thought it was dead."

"It wasn't dead?" he asked.

"No, right when I was about to poke it to make sure it was dead it flew up right into my face. It scared the hell out of me."

"It's okay. I understand why you're scared. I'd be scared to if it had happened to me," he said kindly.

"No it's silly I know it's just that this house really gives me the creeps," I confessed.

"Why?" he asked.

"Strange things, weird things, have happened ever since we got here," I told him. That's when I heard the gunshots.

"Bella? What was that?"

"I don't know. I'll have to call you back," I said quickly before I hung up.

I quickly ran downstairs and followed my mom outside. "Charlie!" she yelled as she ran towards the jeep with Jake in her arms. I slowed my steps when I saw that he was fine. There was a man next to him with long blonde hair and a long hunter's gun against his shoulder.

"We heard gunshots," my mom said as she looked from my dad to the stranger.

"James here just saved me from being pecked to death," Charlie said as he smiled at James.

"Crows are dangerous selfish creatures," James stated, "What are you planting?" James asked.

"Sunflower seeds," my dad said, "Your welcome to stay with us for dinner if you want," my dad suggested.

Great now he's welcoming strangers into our creepy home. "I don't want to be a bother."

"Its no bother at all really, it's the least I can do for you saving my life and all," my dad said with a small smug.

He nodded, "Okay then," he picked up his pack of belongings and started walking inside.

"Do you mind taking the bullets out?" my mom asked.

He quickly took them out and put them in his pocket. He set his pack down in the living room before entering the kitchen. I went back upstairs telling them I had to get something and quickly called Edward back.

"Hey are you okay?" he asked, concern thick in his voice.

"Yeah it was nothing," I replied back. I grabbed the locket from the nightstand and put it in my pocket.

"You had me worried," he replied back.

I couldn't help but smile, "Really? Wow I barely met you and I already have you worrying for me."

He chuckled lightly, "Yeah I guess your right."

I smiled, "Thanks," I murmured.

"For what?" he asked.

"For talking to me earlier; it really helped," I told him.

"Anytime Bella," I could hear the smile in his voice.

"Umm you know what I better go help my mom downstairs," I informed him.

"Okay well…I'll talk to you tomorrow then?" he asked.

"Of course," I said with a smile.

"Bye then," he said with a smile.

"Bye," I hung up and quickly went downstairs. I went over and leaned against the counter just waiting for my mom to give me orders while my dad and James chatted away. I took the locket out and tried to open it up. I looked over to see that Jake kept dropping his cup and James would pick it up with a smile and put it back on the table.

"So James do you have a family?" my mother asked as she kept working on dinner.

"No ma'am. It's just me," he replied back.

It was quiet after that, "Do you think it's going to be a good harvest?" my dad asked to break the silence.

"Well…it's been a while since the lands been planted so…yeah," he replied back honestly.

"That's what I want to hear," my dad said with a smile. They clinked glasses together, "Cheers."

I was still trying to pry open the stupid locket. My curiosity was just eating at me. It wanted to know what was inside. Whose picture was inside? "Bells," I put the locket down and found my mother right beside me with a plate of food, "Mind helping me with these?" she asked.

I put the locket in my pocket, "Yeah," I took the plate from her and walked over to the table. I watched as Jake dropped the cup again and James picked it up with a smile and put it back on the table. I smiled, "He won't stop," I told James, "But it means he likes you," I said still smiling.

"So I was thinking," my dad started, "I'm going to need help with the harvest soon and if you need money and a place to stay…" my dad hinted.

"Yeah that'd be nice," he said back.

"I won't be able to give you money right away though but as soon as we start selling you can count on it," my dad told him truthfully.

"Money's never been a big deal with me," James informed him, "I am grateful for letting me stay here though."

The rest of the night was pretty much a blur. James was staying at the farm, he insisted, and once that was settled I went upstairs and got ready for bed. I was just there lying in bed trying to fall asleep when I got a text message.

You still up? It was Edward. I smiled at the message.

Yes. I can't fall asleep. I replied back.

Me either. Can I confess something to you?

Anything.

I can't stop thinking about you. I smiled.

I can't stop thinking about you either.

Do you think that's weird?

Yeah actually. It's weird how I feel so close to you when I've only met you the one time.

I feel like I've known you all my life.

lol this is definitely weird.

You don't feel the same?

No I do. That's why I thought it was weird.

I want to see you again.

How about tomorrow?

Where do you want to meet?

How about you come over to my house?

Sure, what time do you want me there?

Sometime in the afternoon would be fine.

Okay then I'll see you tomorrow.

Okay good night Edward.

Good night. And sweet dreams. I smiled at his last message. I closed the phone shut and slid it under my pillow. After a couple of minutes I fell asleep smiling.

A/N: Please Review!