A/N: So sorry this chapter's so short, I got lazy this weekend! Hopefully the next chapter will be up by tomorrow...or tonight. We'll see :) Anyway, read and review, please, it motivated me! Thank You!

Disclaimer: The Twilight series was created and is owned by Stephenie Meyer.

Chapter Three: Rushing

Edward gave me his jacket to wrap around my waist and told me to check in the bathroom to see, "what the damage was." I rushed to the back, panicking a little when I saw it was only a single's bathroom, but as I turned the doorknob I realized it was vacant. I sighed in relief and let myself in.

As I pulled up the sweatshirt and looked in the mirror I noticed no immediate damage had been done.

"Good," I thought, "those jeans were expensive!"

Now I had to check to see what the damage was on the inside. Glad to know that Edward could not read my mind I quickly inspected the inside of my jeans. I hastily grabbed some tissue paper, wrinkled my nose, and made a "quick-fix" pad. Gross.

I washed my hands and noticed the 25 cent tampon and napkin dispenser on my right. I sighed in disbelief but didn't want to fuss with the situation any more than I had to. Besides, I'd left my purse with a few dollar bills in his car, and there was no way I was going to ask for change and make the experience more miserable than it had to be.

As I approached the table where Edward stood I noticed out of the corner of my eye the brunette clones greedily eyeing Edward. I wish I could say I cared, but right now, I knew we had bigger problems.

Edward turned around before I could make my presence known. I smiled.

Typical.

He smiled back at me, but his eyes seemed dark. I couldn't help but blush.

"Damn it Bella!" I mentally scolded myself. This would definitely not make things easier. I turned my face in embarrassment and mumbled, "Sorry."

Edward leaned over and whispered, "It's ok love. I've taken care of everything…let's go." It took me a second to realize he was trying to speak without breathing. How strange his voice sounded! A little too high pitched than his usual low tone.

He gently placed his palm on the small of my back and led me to the door. I tried not to notice all the stares I got from the females and males alike, and was glad when I breathed in the fresh air. This meant Edward could also breathe. I hoped.

As if on cue, I saw his chest rise and fall the slightest bit. He didn't make any of the noisy human sounds, but I was glad he was at least a little bit comfortable.

"This is much better. The air diffuses your smell." Edward gave me that crooked grin of his that I've learned to worship so well. I nodded and said, "Good, I'm glad." What else could I say?

Edward stared at me with warm, smoldering eyes.

"Bella," his breath was sweet, "it's not your fault, ok? It happens," he laughed, "actually, it's my fault. I've been too busy fulfilling my selfishness that is, trying to be with you as much as I could, that I completely forgot to hunt. It was stupid, I'm sorry." He cocked his head to the side and bore his eyes into mine.

I almost forgot to breathe. Crap, why did this always happen? I shook the feeling of butterflies and rainbows and ponies away from my vision and tried to form a coherent thought. I managed to sputter out a decent reply.

"You're crazy but selfless and mine. Don't apologize, let's just go." There, that was very adult-like. I congratulated myself.

As we approached the car door I glanced at his left hand, and for the first time, noticed he was carrying a white to-go box.

The door was held open as I blurted out my question.

"What's that?" I asked stupidly.

"Oh, well did you think I was going to let you go home hungry? No. You'll be eating your dinner in the car, sorry." He smiled at me sheepishly and I shrugged.

"That was nice of you, thanks."

I finally got in the car and Edward closed the door. I saw him walk slower than he usually did to the other side of the car. He stood out just a fraction of a second longer and I could see him breathe in a huge gasp of air; I turned away before he noticed that I'd noticed.

He opened his door and got inside.

"Now to tackle the trip to Forks." He tried to make the statement sound light, but I could hear a rough edge to his voice. I tried to stare right through him, have him know he didn't have to pretend. But maybe it was better this way. I didn't really want to know how strong or weak he really was at this moment, but I was saddened that our dinner date had been cut so short.

My last thoughts before the car pulled out of the parking spot and rocketed towards the blackened road ahead of us, was of how maybe it was a good thing. After all, I wouldn't want my life to be cut short either.