Disclaimer: Dang it! I've been forgetting to do this! Any way, the rights go to Stephenie Meyer - I just made up the plotline!
Note: OK, guys. I'm trying not to move too fast but not too slow, either. It's harder than it looks - really!
Ah - the twenty questions chapter! OK: here's a contest of sorts. I want you guys to guess what is so different about Edward. The first person to get it right I will personally read your stories once this FanFiction is over. I thought about telling you if you're right, but then it might get leaked. Just remember the clues we have so far (not many, I know - but they're coming soon - very soon!) and think. It's obvious yet hard at the same time!
EPOV
"Wait," Bella said hesitantly, stopping. We'd been walking on the winding little trail for about ten minutes, and she had finally recognized it. "You're not taking me to…that meadow, are you?"
"Actually, yes. I am. But I promise you that we will have no wolf-encounters. I have a sister that can see the future, remember?" I assured her. We went on a little further and, very soon, arrived at the breathtaking, sunshine-filled little circle of heaven.
"You know, if I wasn't about to die, I could've enjoyed this place's beauty a lot better," Bella joked, sprawling out on the green grass.
"Well, if I wasn't saving you, I could've told you that I often come here to get away from the world - to think," I replied, doing the same. For a few long, peaceful moments, the two of us just lay there, watching the clouds go by.
"Why did you move here?" she asked. My serenity immediately evaporated, but I kept my cool.
"My grandparents live in Seattle. We would've found a place there, but Esme really liked the house here in Forks. Also, our new home is closer to the hospital where Carlisle works." OK. That wasn't exactly a lie - a half-truth. Not even that, really - I only left out the…details. I decided to ask her something in return.
"Have you lived in Forks your whole life, then?"
"No. I live with my dad, Charlie. My mom, Renee, and my step-dad Phil live in Phoenix, Arizona. I live with Dad so Mom and Phil can have some 'alone-time'," Bella explained. I was amazed. For a sixteen-year-old, she was very mature and self-sacrificing."
"I never knew that you were so selfless," I commented.
"Well, there are a lot of things that you don't know about me," Bella said, smiling. How ironic - I could say the same thing.
"You know what? We're going to be lab partners for the rest of the school year and the only things I really know about you are your name and parents. It's time for twenty questions." I propped my head on my arm to face her.
"No way!"
"Aw, come on, Bella. Learning is good for you. You can ask first, if you want," I offered.
"Ugh," she sighed in defeat. "Fine. Question number one: What are your siblings like?"
"This could take a while, so be prepared. Emmett and Rosalie are the oldest at eighteen. Emmett looks like a bear - he has huge muscles and is kind of frightening in appearances, but he's more like a teddy bear once you get to know him. He jokes and laughs and loves playing video games. He's really fun to be around and a great brother, even if his teasing does become more annoying than lovable at times.
"Rosalie is, well, Rosalie. She can be vain when it comes to her looks, but once the ice queen attitude melts, she's a good person.
"Alice and Jasper are one year older than me. Alice is a hyper, bubble little pixie and a true shopaholic at heart. Her wardrobe is the size of my bedroom and has enough clothes to supply each girl in the state with a year's worth of outfits. She loves to meddle in my social life - a lot - but only does it because she loves me - or at least she says that.
"Jasper is really easy to get along with. He's kind of quiet and seems to always know your mood. It's impossible to hide anger or sadness from him. He's a really good friend."
"They sound like an awesome group. Oh, crap. It's…your turn." Bella made a face, and I had to laugh.
"I really meant what I said back there - I can't stay away from you - no matter how hard I try. And, that is one of the reasons why," I said, gesturing to the furious blush that was creeping onto her cheeks. "Any way…what is your favorite book?"
"Wow. Talk about a comic relief - literally. I'd have to say that I'm pretty fond of Wuthering Heights," she admitted.
"Wuthering Heights?" I asked incredulously. "You've got to be joking."
"Go ahead and laugh, but the characters have so much…depth!"
"You mean the fact that the only good quality that they contain is their love for each other?"
"Exactly." Bella, so far, had some pretty refined tastes. I was impressed.
"I guess I get to ask this time. Um…what's your favorite color?"
"Blue," I replied without thinking - that was the color of her shirt. It complimented her eyes and hair beautifully.
"Music?" she inquired.
"I like some classical works like Debussy - Claire de Lune especially."
"Really? Claire de Lune is my favorite!" Bella exclaimed.
"Well, we're learning a lot about each other, then! Do you play an instruments or sports?"
"No - I can't play a single note and every time I've attempted sports I've ended up flat on my face," she replied, obviously embarrassed. "What about you?"
"Sports are OK, but I used to love to play the piano."
"Used to?"
"I haven't played in two years," I admitted. "I still remember all of the pieces, though. For some reason, they've stuck in my head."
"I'd love to hear you sometime," she said.
"Sure." For her I'd try the impossible. Woah. I knew that I secretly liked Bella, but where the heck did that thought come from?
"What's your favorite jewel?"
I thought a moment. "I'm not really sure. I like garnets, I suppose. You?"
"Emeralds," she replied, once again blushing. I wondered why.
"What?" I asked, curious.
"It's…the color of your eyes," Bella confessed, looking down. I was stunned.
"If only I knew of a chocolate-colored gemstone," I said.
The conversation went on like that for a long time until the sky had turned almost dusk-like and I could hear crickets chirping.
"Ah. Twilight - my favorite time of day," I mentioned, sighing.
"Why?"
"I suppose because it's the end of one day, but close to the beginning of the next. Maybe the promise that today is gone, yet there's something better still to come." It was hard to put that in words, but I tried my best. We sat there in silence for a few minutes when her cell phone rang.
"Yes? Oh, hi Dad. I'm with Edward Cullen. I'll be home in a few minutes. Of course. Bye." She shut the phone.
"Sorry, but I've got to go," Bella said apologetically. "This has been an amazing afternoon. I really enjoyed playing Twenty Questions with you." And, with a simple and sweet smile, she was gone, leaving me with a silly smile of my own plastered on my face. It was official - I was in love with Bella Swan.
BPOV
"Bella! Where have you been?" Charlie asked me the moment I walked in the door.
"Remember, Dad? I was with Edward."
"The new kid?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes."
"I don't want you hanging out with him, Bella. His family is…different. Too different. I don't want him to become a bad influence."
My expression shifted to anger. "Edward is a perfectly nice boy, Dad. He's also my lab partner."
"Just be careful, OK?" he said in a sort of demanding, trying to be off-hand tone.
"I'll try my best," I retorted sarcastically as I stomped up the stairs to my room. Why was I so defensive when it came to Edward? I usually was not this touchy about people I had only met about a week ago. It was official - I was in love with Edward Cullen, and my life was about to become a whole lot more complicated…if that's possible.
Note: OK, this chapter wasn't very dramatic, just essential. I hope it was OK and I am trying to alternate updating between this FanFic and my other one. PLEASE CHECK OUT MY PLAYLIST FOR THIS STORY!
Thanks,
M&M (that's my second nickname that has to do with the name that I go by in real life)
