I sped down the highway as fast as my beat-up car would go. I really needed to get it tuned. When I reached the door, I pondered whether I should ring the doorbell. I mean, they were vampires, wouldn't they know I was here. Before I had time, Edward raced to the doorway, and opened it for me, gesturing for me to come inside.

"Nice place you got here", I commented, awed

"Why thank you" Edward replied, laughing nervously. I wondered if he was planning to ask me out. I certainly hoped so. I mean, I had thought mike was kind of cute, but he was so needy. Something had just sparked between Edward and I. words couldn't even explain it, but I was already head over heels for him.

"So…uh…I was just wondering…maybe we could go out some time" he finally stuttered.

"Oh, of course! I'd love to!" I said, overjoyed, but trying my best to stay casual. After discussing where we should go, we eventually agreed on going on a 'camping trip' together. That way we had an excuse to go to Newton's' store to pick up gear. And watch Mike's Face.

"There's something I need to ask you," I started

"Okay, shoot"

"Earlier you looked kind of frustrated. What was that about?" I asked

"Well, about that. Have you heard that some vampires have…extra abilities?" he began

"Some of us do. I, for example, can read minds. You, dear Bella, are what is called a shield, meaning that vampires with abilities involving the mind have no affect on you"

"Wow" I said, taken aback. A shield. Had a nice ring to it.

"It's frustrating" he continued, "I always wonder what you're thinking. I've been trying to figure you out. Would you let me inside you're mind?"

"How do I do that?" I asked him

"Try pushing the shield out of your mind, like a muscle"

I focused hard, trying to remove my shield. After several minutes of torturous effort, I projected my shield off, and it went on to Edward. I could feel his energy in the room, as well as see his godlike face. As he scanned my thoughts, expressions of curiosity, concern, and revulsion flashed across his face

"So, you're a traditional vampire" he said after several moments of awkward silence

"What do you mean by that?" I questioned, confused

"A traditional vampire is a vampire who hunts humans."

"Is there any other kind?" I asked him, enthralled

"Why yes" he said, in a slightly amused tone "in fact, you're looking right at one."

"So…you don't drink blood?" I guessed

"Well, not human blood" he explained "we only hunt animals."

"So, to sum it up, your basically vegetarians?"

"Yes. In fact it's our little inside joke." After discussing our contrasting hunting habits and why we chose them, Edward asked me if he wanted me to meet his family

"Sure" I said "are they vegetarians too?" he nodded, got up, and gestured for me to follow

"Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Rosalie, Jasper, Emmett" he said softly, knowing they'd hear. His Vampire family than darted to the living room, at vampire speed. The blonde one, Rosalie I assumed, kept shooting me dirty looks. I wondered how she could hate me so quickly. Or maybe she was just pissed that Edward wanted me not her. Alice, the dark-haired, pixie-like girl, walked forward to greet me

"Hi" she chirped "I'm alice. We're going to be the best of friends!"

"Nice to meet you, Alice" I replied. Alice seemed really friendly.

"These are my parents, for all intents and purposes, Carlisle and Esme" he said, gesturing to a pale woman with a heart shaped face, framed by loose curls of caramel hair, and a stunning, blonde-haired man. Their eyes were an impossible shade of gold. After being introduced to the rest of Edward's family, we went out to the garage, and he taught me how to tune up a car, useful information.

"So" he began "would you like to go to the meadow with me"

Obviously, I agreed, and we ran at the fastest vampire speed possible toward the mysterious, aged forest.

Sorry it was sorta rushed, I was in a hurry to finish this chapter! I'll try to make more time so the next one we'll be better.

R&R,

-SparklyVampsAreAwesome