* I'm debating whether or not to delete Golden Girl's review. I just can't look at it objectively and to me it isn't exactly constructive criticism. Regardless, I'll clarify for the readers that might think there is any validity to her comments.

1) The Cullen's have an idea of what Bella is and that's why it weirds Edward out that she sleeps and eats human food. Nothing has been in his point of view though so you have to pay attention to spot these details.

2)Bella isn't exactly human, obviously, so she does need to act like she is. Did the Cullens ever parade their abilities? No. Bella's reasons to stay hidden are the same.

3) Bella doesn't know what the Cullens are either, again, she also has theories but nothing solid because they are different from herself.

I feel like if you were really reading and paying attention, you would have caught these.

Now, to me, it would be a lot more boring if it went like "Bella is this, she meets Edward, instant attraction. This is the climax and the resolution." I draw it out and I keep the mystery in my story because I think my readers enjoy that more. One last thing, I appreciate every fan fiction, they all inspire something different in me because some are completely different from the novel and others follow Twilight more closely with only slight variations. It's cool to read a story where the characters are other people entirely but its also great to have characters act as they did in the book. My story is from the latter category and if you don't like it that's fine but you don't have to post mean reviews.

As always, thank you to my readers and reviewers. I get giddy when I get a review alert! Anyway, if there is anything you need to see happen I will try my best, your comments never go unheard. Strawberry Passion, let me know if you see an improvement in Bella its just difficult when we are both so absorbed by Edward 

PS: I did post ch 8 before but it was just too rough to put out there, I learned my mistake from ch 7.

Chapter 8

I didn't know what was happening between Edward and I but I knew I couldn't stop it. I was too infatuated with him and the mystery to walk away. Something told me that his family knew something about my mystery too and that was all the more reason to stay. How could I go when they might be the key to unlocking my own story? Like I said, all the more reason to stay.

~*~

I got bored of being at home so I drove down to La Push to see Jacob. This would be good for me, a break from the supernatural I told myself.

Nothing had changed since I was last there, I acknowledged as I knocked on the front door. I heard Jacob's voice coming from behind the house.

"You don't have to knock you know? I hear your truck coming a few miles away." He laughed.

"Come on back."

I walked down the short drive to a small shed.

"Wow Jacob, is this your new car?"

"Yup, I'm building it from the ground up. I still need a few parts but I'll have it ready by the time I get my license." He said proudly.

"A car before a license, I might have to call Chief Swan if I see you out on the road." I joked.

"Yeah, right. Charlie arresting me? I would pay to see that happen." He smiled away.

"So what brings you here?"

"I just thought I would pay a visit to my driving instructor, you know, to catch up." "That's cool, I didn't think I would be hearing from you again."

"Well I told you I would swing by sometime soon." I reminded him.

"Yeah, I guess your right. Well do you want to head down to the beach? I'm not much fun when I'm working on this thing." He hit the hood of the car.

"Yeah sure, that sounds great."

He pulled out two warm sodas from a brown paper bag and handed me one as we started walking.

"Thanks." I said.

"No problem. So tell me about yourself, I barely know anything about you."

"Well there isn't much to say, my parents died when I was younger and I kept bouncing from place to place. When I was 16 I got a little inheritance money and got emancipated when I was 17. I came here because I read about it in one of my books. It actually didn't sound like such a great place to come, in the book, but its a small town and I love the clouds." I pointed upwards. "And so here I am."

"I'm really sorry Bella, I didn't know."

"Don't worry about it, really, its ancient history. I fend for myself pretty well now."

"Yeah, I'd say so. Its impressive."

"What's impressive is that you can build cars. I had trouble figuring out where to pump the gas into the other day."

"Really? It's like you've never even seen a car!" He laughed.

"Close." I smiled.

I was trying to steer the conversation away from myself. I hated lying to Jacob, especially with this made up sob story that made him think highly of me. I had a sob story alright, just not one I could share with him, so I would try to stay as close to the truth as possible.

"So how did you learn so much about cars?"

"It really just came to me you know? It took a lot of work to get your truck working like it does now and it was just a lot of trial and error at first. Before I realized it, I knew my way under the hood really well. It just clicked."

"Its like in your DNA isn't it? Super ninja mechanic!" I joked

"Yeah, just like that."He laughed with me.

We talked and joked like that for hours, before I knew it the sky had darkened and it was moments away from raining.

"We should head back." I said looking at the sky.

"You're right. Will you come by again soon?"

"Yeah I think so. Maybe tomorrow. We can work on your car, who knows, I might learn something."

"You just might." He smirked but quickly dropped the act. "You would be into that?"

"Yeah, why not? Like I said, I might pick up a thing or two."

"Great! I'll see you soon then."

He scooped me up into a tight hug and the rain started drenching us. I left reluctantly. Jacob made me feel at home, its like his warmth and happiness was just contagious. I couldn't help but want to stay but I waved and got into my truck.

~*~

I cleaned every corner of my cabin as I waited for the next day to come. I hadn't realized how addictive Jacob's company was. It was just easy to be myself around him, like we just understood each other. The best thing was that I didn't even want his blood, he smelled different to me; still human but different. I guess it made it that much easier to get along with him when I didn't have to fight the urge to kill him.

I finished cleaning and everything was spotless, even moreso than when I got here. What would I do to entertain myself now? Hunt, it was the only thing I could think of. I hadn't had blood in a while too, it was probably a good idea.

I stepped out into the cold air, took a deep breath and darted into the forest. When I was far enough from civilization I slowed and took everything in with my eyes closed...

One large elk with three smaller ones at his side. Two of them were drinking from the stream, the water sloshing from their tongues. I opened my eyes and my pupils dilated. I started running for the large elk before my mind had even registered it. I took him down swiftly, my teeth quickly sinking into the warm flesh before the animal noticed me. I drank as quickly as possible to make it less painful for him and within seconds his struggle ended. I got up slowly, a little miffed at myself for not taking my time. I figured that even when it was day, I couldn't just march myself into Jacob's home at the crack of dawn. I would have to be patient and at least wait until 10, humans loved to sleep in after all.

I pulled a blanket from the closet and a Jane Austin's collection that I hadn't gotten to the other night. I walked into a clearing and spread out my blanket under me. This was good. I read endlessly in the clearing and when I looked up again you could see the sun coming up on the horizon.

"Oh no. The sun." I said outloud.

Crap, what was I going to do? I guess I should call Jacob and tell him I couldn't make it. I couldn't very well walk around sparkling like a freak.

The phone rang four times and then hit voicemail.

"Hey Jacob it's Bella. I know I said I would go over today but I can't. I'm not really feeling well. I think its the stomach bug, I probably got it from my neighbor Gertrude. I hope I didn't give it to you yesterday. Sorry, I'm babbling, give me a call later."

I was a terrible liar!

I covered up and snuck into the clearing in the woods. Little sunlight filtered down and no one ever wandered this way so I should be fine. I placed my blanket on the damp ground and started again. I was completely absorbed by my book when I realized I wasn't alone. Alice's large curious eyes were looking at me from behind the trees about 200 ft away.

"Hi." I managed

"Hello. I'm sorry if I frightened you. I know you aren't used to seeing unfamiliar faces around these parts."

"Not really, but it's quite welcome. Even if unfamiliar, your face is a friendly one." I startled myself with the confidence. Here was this supernatural beautiful creature staring back at me in the lonely forest and I was as casual as ever.

"I'm glad to hear that, I've been wanting to talk to you for some time now." She said as she moved closer with a heart breaking smile. This did make me nervous.

"I suppose there is a reason you didn't do this at school then?" I was automatically looking for a motive.

"Well yes. I just wanted to talk to you. I know that Edward hasn't filled in all of the blanks for you, which I respect, I just wanted to clarify a few things. In the future I see you disappearing and I think its because you're scared." Her eyes told me that she was lost in her own thoughts, half forgetting I was there.

"Maybe it's my being here that makes you run, or maybe it isn't. I get glimpses and I don't understand yet, it's hard to see you."

She came back to me then.

"I would just like you to know that there is no real reason to fear us, for the most part. I know that it is all still unclear but there is a very big chance that Edward will explain everything to you in the near future. I'm confusing you... I'm sorry, I don't know how to explain myself to you without disclosing more than I am allowed. Just please know that I would like you to decide to stay. I can't tell you why or anything else for that matter but I would like you to stay."

Her eyes were pleading, she couldn't say more and her eyes were begging me not to ask. I couldn't deny those pitch black eyes anything.

"I don't understand. But I will stay." More a question than a statement.

Her face smoothed over suddenly, something I recognized. And she became lost within herself again.

"Oh Bella, thank you!" she yelled, her voice all silver bells.

In the far distance I heard a car nearing the gravel road.

"You should go." She agreed with my expression.

"Yeah, um... See you later?" I didn't know what to say, this encounter had been so bizarre.

She nodded with her perfect smile still in place and disappeared into the woods. I took cover under my blanket and ran to my cabin as fast as I could. I made it just in time to answer the demanding knocks on my door.

Jacob was standing before me.

"Oh my goodness! What are you doing here? I thought I told you I might be contagious."

"Nah, I'm as healthy as a horse. 'Sides, I kept calling to see if you were ok and I got worried when you didn't answer. I thought I would bring you some soup." He held up a paper bag that smelled of chicken.

"Really? You barely know me, and you are being so nice." I beamed, no one had ever really treated me this way without an agenda, and I could tell Jacob had none.

"See? I can tell you already feel better." He smiled.

"How did you know where I live?" I remembered this detail as I was letting him in.

"Do you really think there is more than one Gertrude in Forks?" he asked with a chuckle.

I laughed and pushed him onto my couch. I would have to remember to act sick.