"So, how many were able to obtain the book?" my classmates and I all raised our books high. Mrs. Brown looked ecstatic "well then, how many began it?"

Cautiously, I glanced around at my classmates as five of the total eight of us raised their hands, and I did as well. I've discovered that hanging out with Mrs. Brown has earned me rumors as a potential teachers pet material, I do not need that to be confirmed.

Also there was no way I was going to admit that I finished the book on the way home from the mall.

I'm naturally a fast reader, even human I was; so finishing a book in about a half hour, during the two hours it took to get home is pretty normal for me.

But finishing the book before most of my classmates have even started it, is the least of my worries.

Despite sitting in my favorite class, I couldn't concentrate. While I sit in English, Edward is in Biology…with…her, the girl whose blood was strong enough to overpower my resilient brother and basically chased him away for nearly a week.

I had been contemplating over and over what kind of person this Bella Swan was… what made her blood so potently overpowering to Edward.

A part of me wanted to see her, to see if she was just an ordinary human or something more, but another part of me (one that I really had to keep from my family) another part of me was afraid of her, yeah, definitely had to keep that from everyone.

Me…afraid of a human…a human girl for that matter, I'd never hear the end of it, Chris Cullen, the world's first vampire to actually be afraid of a human, I could practically hear my brothers now.

Slowly my thoughts drifted away from myself, and back to Edward. I knew the others would keep him out of trouble, but I still had an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Mrs. Brown had noticed my lack of attention, but my being a very self-sufficient student worked in my favor and kept her from making a scene.

While she discussed the state of the world and more specifically Limerick, Ireland in the 30s, my eyes were on the clock, watching the second hand move slower than I had ever seen it and my mind was elsewhere, just down the street, where Forks High School stood.

I hadn't much of a chance to talk to Edward in great lengths. He came home this morning, just as we were getting ready to head out the door.

Of course he drove everyone in the Volvo, so things were back to normal in that sense. But I desperately wanted to talk to him, to confirm that he was all right, he avoided eye-contact with all of us, but me especially.

He knows I look up to him and I could see the shame on his face and I couldn't stand it. I needed to speak to him alone, to get him to stop acting like he was weak and that I should be ashamed to call him my brother.

I let out a groan at the thoughts I knew were running through my brother's mind. At this point, I would do anything to avoid another silent ride home; a five minute car ride can easily feel like two hours.

Not to mention, this morning I was kinda squished up in the front seat and spent the ride concentrating on not fidgeting.

As the smallest in the family, Alice and I usually share the front seat. The Volvo legally only seats five, so I either share with Alice in the front, or her and I squish into the back with Rosalie and Jasper, and Emmett being the tallest sits up front.

I sighed and thought my options over. I was not mentally ready for another quiet car ride…plus, I had a feeling that Edward was getting enough different thought thrown at him from the others, the last thing he needed was my thoughts thrown into the bunch, my concern, my curiosity.

I had called Alice before the high school had lunch and let her know there was a good possibility I was not riding home with them, I would either meet them home (leaving school early) or I'd stay after and run home.

She of course had foreseen that conversation and right away reassured me that Edward was doing fine and to stop worrying.

So I had two choices. Ditch or suffer through my next two classes, French…blah, then history.

I eyed the clock again, Esme would be home from her restoration appointment, she would gladly come pick me up. I could feign an illness, right before French starts, I could pull it off; the flu would work.

Mrs. Molyneux, my French teacher she'd ask no questions if I asked to go to the nurse, she would believe that it must be bad if I was asking, sides, it wasn't like I struggled in her class, my French is as good as hers and she was born and raised in Paris and the fact that I was the only one in the class who could ask to go to the nurse in fluent French…that earned me brownie points right there.

Yes, the nurse would call Esme and then I would be home for at least an hour 'fore the others, give me a chance to chill myself out, maybe play a few games on the PS2 or the X-Box.

The only foreseeable problem with that scenario would be the nurse. From what I've heard, anyone who comes into her office automatically gets their temperature taken, a kid could have sprained his ankle in gym and she would still bring out the thermometer.

I let out another sigh, just hafta cross that bridge when it comes, and maybe I'd be lucky and she would take one look at me and be so distracted by my first appearance in her office she wouldn't bother.

I just had to last English and hope Mrs. Brown wouldn't keep me after to check on me, which unfortunately I could see she was planning on doing.

Luckily, fair warning gave me plenty of time to focus on the class or at least act like I was, it would work.

"Mrs. Brown?" Marie asked quietly "I read the first few chapters and I'm confused about something."

Marie and I RARELY speak in class, so Mrs. Brown just about floats around with glee when we ask a question or give our opinion about something. She knows when we do speak, it has to be something insightful and well worth paying attention too, something I find hilarious.

"Yes Marie?" she asked, her accent making the class smile.

It's amazing, I'm labeled as weird and get funny looks because of my fading Scottish accent (well, fading until I started class with Mrs. Brown that is), Mrs. Brown is loved and gets smiles because of it.

"Well, the McCourt's knew the conditions in Ireland were bad, worse than New York City…so why'd they agree to go back, I mean the parents at least had to know what was in store for them."

"Excellent question Marie, and an excellent observation." Mrs. Brown paused and pulled down a map of the world. "Why then, would a poor Irish family struggling, yet managing to survive the Great Depression, give what little they had here in the US, move to poverty stricken Ireland to live in the squalor and sickness filled lanes? Anyone have any thoughts?"

I looked around at my classmates, bad sign, no one was speaking up, but then again I couldn't figure it out either and I had grown up in the same years she was talking about, not in the same conditions that the McCourt family faced, on that spectrum we came from two very different worlds.

Finally, Steve Harding raised his hand

"They didn't have a choice?" he guessed.

Mrs. Brown gave a nod and chuckled to herself for a moment.

"Actually my class, I have given you a question to which there is no answer." We all looked at each other, a little confused. "No one is sure why. Not even Francis McCourt himself. After all class, you need to remember that when the family moved to Ireland, he was just a wee lad of five. But there could have been many reasons. Perhaps the McCourts felt they had no other choice at the time. But we must remember the world that they were living in, it was a different era, a different world, back in 1935. Which is why, during the course of the book, we will take the time to look life back then, both here in America, and Ireland and even Great Britain, which you will see does play an important role in the McCourt's lives."

I suppressed a laugh. This would be fun. In 1935 I was nine years old. I remember all the movies I saw, the games I played with my friends, what I studied in school (maybe), what kind of food we ate, and somewhat about what was going on current event wise, though, I was only nine, the closest to knowing what was happening outside of Great Britain was through the cinemas.

"Will we study the war?" Patrick Donner asked, he's in my history class as well and that kid loves anything having to do with the military, so none of us were surprised that he asked about the war.

"Not extensively Patrick, we will cover just enough to understand how it affected life in Ireland. But a five page essay is going to be included in the lesson. In that circumstance, everyone will be allowed to choose a topic that deals with the context of the book, but I will explain that more extensively later on, because that will be a good portion of your grade for the book. For now, I do have an assignment that you need to begin as soon as possible. Do not put this off everyone, it will not work. But I do think you will enjoy this assignment, you will each write your own memoir. Now, I want details kiddies, ask your parents, your aunts, uncles, grandparents, any family member you can get, grill them for information about who you are, research your history. Write about your hopes, your dreams, what is important to you and important in your life."

I uttered a quiet groan. I'm pretty imaginative, but Carlisle and Esme are gonna hafta to help fill in the blanks on this one.

"How long is this going to be?" Jenna asked.

Mrs. Brown laughed

"Four pages," we stared at her in disbelief, Marie and I exchanged a look, both of us knowing there was no way she was serious, but Jenna, Kelly, and Sara looked extremely hopeful. "Honestly, I thought this was an advanced English class….four pages? Come on people, fifteen pages is the minimum and believe me, you will find that you cannot possible cover all you need to in just fifteen pages."

Paul raised his hand, but didn't wait to be called on,

"Mrs. Brown, we live in Forks how exciting could our story-"

"Memoir,"

"Our Memoir, exactly be? All of our sto-…memoirs, their gonna sound the same."

"Yeah," Sara replied "Chris is the only one whose going to have a different story, only one who would be so different that it'll be interesting to read."

I rolled my eyes.

"All of you will have different stories to tell, you are each different people with different pasts and different futures. That is what a memoir is, it learning about each other through the written word." Mrs. Brown surveyed the class, her eyes fell on Sara. "For instance, Sara, you moved to Forks correct?"

Sara nodded

"Yea, but Mrs. Brown I was four years old, I don't remember Maine."

"Aye, you may not, but I am willing to bet your parents do, your brother? Maybe talking to them will not only give you information, but perhaps trigger your memory." She looked at Marie "your ancestors were some of Fork's original residence correct?" Shy Marie nodded "tell us about that, about what it is like for you to be the descendent of some very important people to our little town. Do not hold back on this let your imaginations flow. Tell your story." Now she looked at me "all of you have different lives and live differently despite the common ground of the town you all share, play on your history that is a good place to start." She paused again, "learn from each other on this one, bounce ideas off each other. There are eight of you in this class, I'm sure you each can find at least one person who can inspire your creativity."

"When's it due?" Kelly asked

"The outline is due February 1st, also a short paragraph on your chosen topic for the five page essay will be due that day as well. But I will be handing out an outline and a guide sheet on Wednesday." She picked up a piece of chalk and wrote 'the McCourt Family. 1935. Main characters' on the left side of the board "leave a few pages in your notebooks. We will add characters as we continue through and as they are introduced. But first we will focus on 1935, when we first meet the family; Chris, who are the immediate members of the family whom we are introduced to in the first chapter?"

"The parents: Malachy and Angela McCourt, five year old Frank, four year old Malachy, the two year old twins Oliver and Eugene, and the newborn Margret, who only lasted a few weeks before she died."

"Excellent," Mrs. Brown wrote my answer on the board and the rest of us followed suit in our notebooks. I stole an uncontrolled glance at Marie's notebook, handwriting so tiny that even my sharp eyes had to squint a little to read what she had written. "Now," Mrs. Brown continued "let's look at the McCourt parents first, starting with Angela."

Forty-five minutes later, the bell finally rang, time for operation ditch to go into motion. As I gathered my book and notebook, I felt a twinge, just as Marie's pen fell to the floor, anticipating this, with my quick reflexes, I caught it 'fore it made it that far. She stared at me as I handed it to her.

"Tha…Thank you Chris," she stuttered.

"Welcome," I replied, sticking my own pen in my pocket and gathering my stuff in my arms.

"How much did you read?"

"A few chapters," I answered "you?"

"The same, I couldn't put it down, my mom actually had to tell me to go to turn off my light and go to sleep about 11 last night." She finished laughing a little.

I nodded.

"Mine too," I lied

"Chris, do you want to work on our memoirs together, I mean you don't have to if you don't want to."

I shrugged.

"Sure," I replied "I guess so."

"You know, Sara was right. Your memoir is going to be so much more interesting then everyone else's."

I shook my head

"How do you figure?" she didn't answer, instead she just looked at me expectantly "Marie, I was six years old when I was adopted. I barely remember what I had for dinner," I paused chuckling to myself "let alone what life was like when I was six. I mean how much do you remember when you were that age?"

Marie's face went sympathetic and she wasn't distracted by my laughter.

"You don't remember your real parents, at all?"

We were slowly walking up the aisles now, Mrs. Brown watching us, a large smile permanently plastered on her face.

This was the first time I had ever carried on a lengthy conversation with one of my classmates, not about school work that is.

Most people just avoid me, especially avoid talking to me, but Marie's never been like that, but this was more than I was used to, she's never pried into my past before.

"Not really" I answered her honestly "it's more like small things…random things actually."

"What was your mother like?"

My mother's face flashed in my mind, a face that over the years had begun to fade faster and faster, her voice and the perfume she always wore, they were the only strong memories I had of her, everything else was blurring together, I am so thankful that Carlisle recovered photographs of her and my father, from my old house when he went to London to push the will through to my aunt and uncle.

"I remember bits and pieces, nothing really solid, and it comes and go. Some things set it off and really remind me of them…like I remember my mother always wore the same kind of perfume, it was really strong….so when I smell something similar to it, I can remember more" I replied "Dr. Cullen and Mrs. Cullen knew my parents well. Actually, they're my godparents." I lied "my dad and godfather studied medicine at the same university."

"The Cullens are your godparents?" Marie asked, obviously surprised

"Yea, so they don't let me forget what my parents were like and what kind of people they were. It was so long ago, that I really don't see the Cullen's as my adoptive family or even as just my god-parents…they ARE my family. I call them mum and dad just the same as you call your parents, it's always felt like they adopted me as a baby, y'know just starting life."

Marie put her hand on my arm, panic shot through me for a moment, wondering if she could feel my unnatural cold body temperature through my thick sweatshirt. But she didn't flinch or pull away, either she couldn't feel it, or she just didn't care.

"What do you remember about England? I've seen pictures, it is beautiful, I'd love to go there someday."

This I could answer and not worry 'bout sounding vague.

"Cold," I grinned "kind of like Fork's cold" I gestured outside, "but not as overcast so much, it was the kinda cold that went right through you but made you feel alive."

Another flash, my mother standing in our kitchen, a bowl of hot soup…creamy spinach soup, my favorite; a treat that became a rare commodity during the war.

Her soup could counter any cold day, she'd have it waiting for me, if it was a rainy cold afternoon of playing football with my pals, I'd come home, soaked and muddy, she always told me I'd catch my death, but that soup that soup always took care of the cold.

I quickly shook my head, throwing those memories from my mind, some memories I don't mind when they come back, but when they are about special details about my family, I'd rather be alone to remember them, to savor them, since my memories of my parents are fading faster with each passing decade.

"I should get to science." Marie said as we finally reached the door "can you meet after school today?"

I shook my head apologetically, as I felt a twinge of a coming announcement.

"Sorry Marie, I cant today. I-"

"Mrs. Brown?" Mrs. Klein, the secretary called through the loudspeaker. Mrs. Brown looked at us before walking over to the intercom and pressing button.

"Yes?"

"Mrs. Brown, I realize that the bell has rung, but I was wondering if you by any chance still have Christian Cullen in your classroom."

Mrs. Brown looked at me, but I kept my face pressed in a confused look.

"Yes he's still here,"

"Good, would you let him know that his mother is here to pick him up, she's waiting here in the office; if you could write him a pass and send him down; please?"

I raised an eyebrow, before shaking my head. Alice must've called Esme and let her know that I wanted to come home early.

"He's on his way;" Mrs. Brown replied, she looked at me "let me write you out a pass Chris,"

I nodded my thanks and looked at Marie

"Why are you going home early?" Marie asked.

I shrugged

"Probably have an eye doctor's appointment mum forgot to tell me about." I replied.

Marie looked into my eyes and stared at them for a second or two. And I couldn't help thinking: man she really does like my eyes.

"You're eyes were really pale the other day, did you get new contacts? They seem darker today"

uh oh, busted

"It just looks that way, they're not" Mrs. Brown handed me the pass "thank you," I said to her "I better get down there, my mum doesn't like to be kept waiting." I headed towards the door then looked back at Marie "how about after school tomorrow? We can work on this thing then ok? Or even during study hall?" she nodded "thanks," I finished and headed to my locker to get my stuff. I owed Alice big time for this.

Down the hall at the office, I could see Esme standing there chatting with Mrs. Klein. Esme looked up when she heard my light footsteps, long before Mrs. Klein would've.

My mother smiled warmly when she saw me and I couldn't help but smile back.

"Sorry to spring this on you Chris, it completely slipped my mind that you had an optometrist appointment today, I thought it wasn't until next week." She lied, placing a hand on my shoulder and giving me a wink that no one else could have seen

"S'ok mum," my grin widened "Dad told me about it the other day, but I forgot."

"Looks like we are both busted."

Mrs. Klein smiled at both of us

"He is all signed out Mrs. Cullen, it was wonderful to talk to you, and do let me know if you're interested in that restoration I mentioned."

"I certainly will. And thank you for dismissing Christian on such short notice."

"Its not a problem, have a wonderful afternoon."

And with that, Esme put her arm around my shoulder and we walked towards the exit, as I breathed a sigh of relief.

"So Alice called you I'm assuming?" Esme nodded "um, when?"

"About an hour ago, right before she and the others went to lunch." I rolled my eyes "she let me know that you were thinking of coming home early or possibly staying after, she said something was bothering you, but would elaborate, though I know she knows." She paused "care to tell me what is bothering you?" I shrugged "Christian"

I sighed, it's nearly impossible to lie to Esme, she's got these motherly senses that clue her in when one of us is lying and I find it easier to just tell her the truth, at least most of the time.

"Edward,"

"Chris, are you still worrying? He's home now, things are going back to normal."

"It's more than that now," we stopped just outside the front doors, and she placed her hands on both my shoulders, looking me straight in the eye "the whole ride to school this morning, every time Edward looked my direction, he looked away, like…I dunno," I lowered my voice to a pitch that no human could hear "it was like he wanted me to be ashamed of him, like he had done something horrible, it was like because he went to Alaska and didn't give into what his mind wanted him to do, he was a weak, unworthy person. And I couldn't stand another silent ride home like the one to school this morning."

"Oh Christian,"

"This wasn't just me, I'm not overreacting or panicking. Alice saw it too, but the thing is…it wasn't all of us he was avoiding eye contact with, acting ashamed." I paused again "Mum, it felt like it was just me. He couldn't look me in the eye; he barley said two words to me."

Esme thought this over and guided me out the doors and towards the front parking-lot, a few steps from the curb, her arm never left my shoulders and I leaned closer to her as we walked.

"Sweetheart, can I ask what were you thinking about when Edward came home this morning?"

"How glad I was to see him, and how I just wanted to talk to him, to see how he was doing and find out if he's ok." I thought what I said over "you don't think, that he thinks I should be ashamed of him, do you? He didn't do anything wrong, it wasn't his fault so he has nothing to be ashamed of."

Esme tightened her hug on my shoulders

"Edward knows you look up to him Chris, but for some reason or another, he feels that at the moment he is unworthy of your admiration, and you are correct he did nothing to be ashamed of. But this is something you and he need to work out, Carlisle and I will help you if you need it, but I know you, you won't."

I fought a smile, which turned into a look of confusion as we stopped at the car. It was the Mercedes.

Unlike the rest of our family (Jasper and Alice included though neither of them have found the car that suits them yet) Esme has never shared our enthusiasm for custom built, supped up vehicles.

She was perfectly happy with an old Caddie that Carlisle bought her back in the early 90s (a car that despite Rosalie and I's best efforts, started up for the last time a year ago, ran for about thirty seconds and never started again.)

Up until that point, Esme refused to trade in the caddie for something newer, despite Carlisle's offers and Edward and I's constant pestering.

It wasn't until the stupid thing finally died, that she gave in, and allowed Carlisle to purchase her a 2004 Audi, which she loves as much (if not more) than the Caddie.

So I was really confused and very surprised to see the Mercedes, in place of the Audi sitting in the parking lot.

Esme pressed the button which automatically unlocked the doors, allowing me to slide into the seat.

As she opened her door and slid in, I nervously waited until she was settled then I finally had to ask.

"Er, so how come you have the 'cedes? Is everything ok with the Audi?" I asked wincing; the Audi and the Vanquish are the two most complicated cars we have in the garage. I could be working on it for days if something was wrong with the Audi, especially if it's engine related. No, forget days, we're talking weeks, months.

"Carlisle wanted you to take a look at the brakes in the Mercedes. I switched cars with him so you could submerge yourself in the garage while you contemplate what to say to Edward"

I raised an eyebrow,

"Ed…Edward wore out the brake pads?" That didn't sound right, most of the time I question whether my brother even knows where the brake pedal IS in a car, let alone what it's used for.

Esme shook her head laughing a bit,

"Chris, you know my feelings on cars; I am just relaying what I was told this morning, when Carlisle left for his shift." She replied smiling.

"Well, in that case may I drive?" I asked as innocently as possible. She thought this over, "pleeease mum?"

"On the way home from the hospital if you promise to keep it under 60," Esme started the car and we made our way to the main street, I chuckled a bit, ignoring the 'keep it under 60'.

"Hospital?"

"I left some of my paperwork in my car,"

"Can I run in and double check with Carlisle as to what he wants me to work on?"

"Of course, just make sure you wear your glasses." I groaned, but slipped the stupid things out of my pocket. "And do not wander the hospital, go straight to Carlisle' office, understood?"

"Yes ma'am"

Where on earth did she expect me to go…the blood bank? I stifled a snicker, but it slipped out anyways.

"I am serious Christian."

I stopped snickering and looked at Esme, sometimes I wonder if she really can read minds or if it's just that mother intuition. She smiled at me, even though she obviously had an idea as to what I was laughing at, but because she knew I wasn't serious, she returned the laughter.

I leaned into the thick leather seat, this was a great idea…and I had Alice to thank for it going smoothly, I'd have to find a way to return the favor.

About two hours later, the others came home. I was in the garage when I heard the Volvo pull up the driveway. I pushed myself out from under the Mercedes, and threw my sneaker at the inside door opener, it lifted open as Edward pulled the car into his spot of the garage.

Emmett and Rosalie were out first and Emmett gave me a goofy grin, he reached down and picked up my discarded sneaker, which he tossed to me as he and Rosalie walked over to me.

"Kid, seriously next time you feel like ditchin' let me know, I'll come with you, we'll hit Vegas,"

I grinned at Emmett,

"Oh yeah, land of the eternal sun, that'll go over real well. Just stick us on top of one of the casinos we'll be the latest light fixture." I shot back,

"Forget that, we take you into a casino we'll close the place, you would kill at blackjack" Emmett replied,

"Kill? What are you talking about, counting the cards? Emmett, I'm not sure, but I think that would be what's called illegal, and another thing, I don't think they let anyone under 21 onto the gambling floor and besides, what makes you think I can count cards anyways?"

Actually, I can count cards, but I wasn't going to let Emmett know that, it would not be a good thing.

Emmett contemplated that for a moment

"Well, what about poker, heck you'd be able to tell the whole tables hand just by lookin' at them, there isn't a poker face on earth that could fool you, think of the possibilities Chris, think about it."

"I am Emmett, and I'm thinking bad idea." He made a face contemplating some more this was one of those things he wasn't going to let go lightly and I found myself wondering for a moment, could the lights at Vegas reflect off our skin as the sun does…

Quickly I shook my head, no, don't even consider the details, the less interested in the insane idea I showed the less likely Emmett would be to actually go through with it.

Next out of the car was Jasper as he helped Alice from the car and she skipped over to me, giving me a tight hug.

"Thanks," I whispered as she kissed my head and skipped into the house

"What are you working on?" Rosalie asked, moving away from Emmett and the frozen snowball he had to have been holding onto since this morning, before the rain washed all the snow away after lunch.

He was grinning at Jasper, but I know him, he had already nailed Jazz, I was to be his target and I rolled my eyes knowing that he had been planning this assault since this morning, right after he got Jasper.

"Carlisle said the brake pad felt funny. I crawled underneath looks like it's just sand and salt wore the pad down, I've got the spares all ready to go if you want to help me throw them on later." I explained to Rosalie, "and Emmett, you hit me with that, and terrible things may happen to your jeep when you're not looking." His grin twitched "such as the adding of a governor and it wont be a normal governor, it'll be one that only lets you get to 30!"

"And if you do, terrible things may happen to all your helmets, no helmet, no ATV, unless you want to have your quad impounded by Chief Swa-"

Rosalie kicked him in the shin, hissing at him, and I shot him a look as well, as Edward looked over.

"Hey Edward" I quickly greeted him, hoping that Emmett's mention of ANYONE in the Swan family was completely missed by our brother, even though I know it wasn't.

He looked awful. The stress was written in his face and I hated seeing him like that. He had survived classes today, especially his class with her, but just barely.

"Hey," was his reply. I wiped the grease from my hands as I looked at my siblings, all of them but Edward drifted out of the garage towards the house, following Alice. Edward reached back into the Volvo, "here," he said, "you left this in the car," he handed me my Rammstein CD.

It's the most heavy metal based CD I own, the beat alone is incredibly forceful and even violent even if the words are not.

The group is from Germany so about 99% of the songs are sung in German, a violent and scary sounding language at the best of times, but in English, most of the words are pretty tame, compared to my Korn and Limp Bizket anyway.

"I was wondering where that had gone to, thanks for grabbing it." I put it into my stereo and pressed play, I like having music while I'm working, especially my heavy metal.

Suddenly, Rammstein's 'Sehnsucht,' song blasted from the speakers set up in different sections of the garage, which is completely wired for surround sound.

"Actually, I am glad you left it," Edward paused and leaned against the Volvo, "sometimes your violent music comes in handy."

I looked at him blinking; the only thing that Edward and I have ever disagreed about with no resolution to come is music.

Our taste in music is completely on opposite ends of the spectrum, especially when it comes to my heavy metal and his classical or my swing and his more classical. For him to say that my music had come in handy it made me curious as to why.

Sighing, I lifted myself onto the table and sat Indian style on the countertop, reading his body language was easier than ever, I mean I didn't even have to look past his face to understand just how much my brother was going through.

"It's bad huh?" I finally asked,

"Not as it was, but unfortunately its close enough." He sighed and glanced across the garage. "Do you want to go for a drive?"

"Seriously?" he nodded "sure, I guess so,"

He tossed me the keys and I couldn't help, but grin. I hoped off the counter and headed over to the Volvo.

To my surprise, Edward shook his head

"I was thinking something a little faster." I followed his gaze over to the Aston…the Vanquish, the fastest car in our garage.

"Are you sure?" The Vanquish rarely makes an appearance, just because it is very eye catching. Most folks in town believe Carlisle is an avid car collector, but even the Vanquish might make some people suspicions. "Where are we going?"

"I don't know, just put your foot on the gas and drive."

I nodded

"You might want to let Esme know we're just taking a drive, so she doesn't think you've taken off again and this time taken me with you. She's liable to panic again."

For the first time since he came home, Edward really smiled; he pushed me playfully and headed inside to tell our mother.

A/N: Thank you again for all the continued reviews I really appreciate it! Next chapter up tomorrow!