Well, that was bizarre, no? Edward's motives for wanting to prove to Scottie that his family isn't out to get him remain unknown until chapter six--POSSIBLY chapter five. Wah-hoo!! Guys try to get Scottie to go on dates, and Edward's siblings aren't too thrilled about befriending a werewolf. Edward explains to them that she's uninterested in harming them, NOR could she. Things begin to settle down... or do they?? R&R, folks. R-&-R!!!!!!!!!

Chapter Four--The Proof is in the Pudding

My last three classes went by more slowly than the first three. As if my little incident in the bathroom wasn't freaky enough, Edward's last three classes were the same as mine. When school finally let out, I rushed to my car, dodging snowballs being thrown back and forth across the courtyard. Just before I unlocked my door, some guy shouted my name. I turned to see a red-headed guy running towards me.

"Hey, Scottie! Remember me? You sat infront of me in trig."

"Oh...Ryan, right?"

"Yeah. Uh, I was wondering...Do you have plans tonight?"

"Actually...I have a lot of homework, and I'm trying to get settled into my new house...I'm sorry."

"No it's fine. Maybe I could show you around town soon?"

"Maybe...If I find the time."

"Great. Uh, see you tomorrow." He scuttled away, slipping on a patch of ice. I shook my head and slug my bag into the passenger seat. Then, I noticed the group of vampires approaching through the driver's side mirror. I pretended not to notice them as I slid into the leather seat and cranked the car. I pulled away without even a single glance towards them.

When I got home, the first thing I did was plop down on the couch. I was exhausted. The entire day had been so hectic - not to mention confusing and scary. After maybe 20 minutes of my lying there, there was a knock at the door. The hairs on my neck stood up as I jumped to my feet, catching a somewhat slightly familiar scent.

Oh, no... I thought. Not him... I looked around to make sure the house wasn't a mess. It was the first time I actually noticed how pristine it was. I walked cautiously to the door and opened it. There stood a man and a woman.

"Hello, my name is Carlisle Cullens, and this is my wife Esme." The man said. "I hear from my son that you just moved into the neighborhood, and you even have a few classes with him, no?"

I was stunned. I couldn't figure out why they must have really shown up. "I - um - yes."

"Is your mother home? We thought we'd intoduce ourselves to her."

"A-Actually...She left the house before I left for school...She has to be at her office by 8 in the morning, and she doesn't get off until around 2 the next morning..."

"Wow. So you're here by yourself for a long time." Esme smiled. "It must be nerve wracking, not getting to see her very often."

"She has Sundays off...I-I'm sorry. Would you like to come in?" I felt totally rude.

"That's very nice of you, but we have to be going. We just thought we'd drop by." Carlisle said.

"We hope you have a wonderful evening." Esme added. They turned and started back toward their car when I called, "Uh, Mr.Cullens?"

He turned back to me, as did Esme.

I wasn't sure why I'd called them back. In fact, it seemed quite stupid... But I was confused. Surely they knew my secret. Why had they shown up JUST to say hello? I studdered for a second then said, "Thank you." They nodded, and then departed.

I shut the door and stood there. How much stranger could things get? To some point, I figured Edward had sent them. And it was like they couldn't care less whether I was wolf, human, or even one of the little Elwood Cookie Elves. They seemed like ordinary, nice people... except for the fact they were vampires. But then again... Edward had said that they didn't even feed on humans. A special diet? Maybe there was more kindness to this family than met the eye.

The next morning, Vivian woke me with her usual chatter. After she left, I performed my same ceremony: I turned on my stereo, took a shower, got dressed, skipped breakfast, grabbed my things, and left for school. I managed to park on a completely different side of the parking lot than the vampire family, much to my joy. My first three classes were the same as my first day - dull and obnoxious. However, when it came lunch time, I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself.

I won't run. I told myself. If Edward is really trying to prove something, he won't let them hurt me in anyway.

I walked through the doors, and was instantly looked upon by the vampires - something I expected. Except, only four of them watched me today. Where was Edward? I was also immediately spotted by Jess. She obducted me and had me sit with her, Ryan, and 3 other people, whose names were Brooke, Joshua, and Rocky. Brooke was a quiet girl who was in most of my classes. Rocky was Jess' boyfriend, and Joshua was his best friend - a real joker.

"Sooo...Scottie...Is there maybe a little something between you and Edward Cullens?" Jess asked.

"Whaaa? No, why?" I wondered if they knew about the day before.

"Well, maybe because he's been watching your every movement." Joshua smiled. "Uh, oh!" He teased.

"I haven't even seen him today, so how would I know?"

"Well, he's sitting at the table all the way in that far corner next to the windows. He's leaning back in his chair, watching you." Rocky raised an eyebrow. Jess snickered.

"Really, I don't even know the guy." Not very PERSONALLY, anyway.

"This is a once in a lifetime chance. NO GIRL has EVER been of ANY interest to him. It's clear he's interested in you, Scottie. You should take the chance and run with it."

This conversation was killing me. I was the only one who knew he could hear us. Then it occurred to me that he was a mindreader. I thought, Edward? Are you really staring at me, and why? Give me a sign here.

"Oh my gosh! Scottie, he wants you to come sit with him!" Jess was hysterical.

"How do you know?"

"He's signaling for you!"

"Oh." I wasn't about to just abide by his every call. I'm afraid you'll have to come and get me, Edward... I thought.

"SCOTTIE!" She hissed. "He's coming over here!"

I smiled, then an icy hand touched my shoulder. "Hello, Scottie." Edward said quietly.

"Can I help you with something, Edward?" I didn't look up at him.

"Actually, I was hoping I could persuade you to come and sit with me for a while."

Why? I thought.

"Well?" He pressed.

Jess tapped my foot under the table. "Well, I suppose I could." I winked at Jess. Even Brooke was clearly excited for me. I stood and flanked him back to his table in the corner and sat across from him. I watched the snow swirling about outside through the windows. His skin was so pale, it almost matched the snow white ground.

Your parents came to my house yesterday.

"I know." He whispered.

You sent them?

"No."

Liar.

"My sister Alice was talking about you to them. They truly wanted to meet you."

Your sister was talking about me to your parents?

"She thinks you're pretty." Edward smiled. "Speaking of which, here she comes."

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as she approached from behind me. She stopped at the table where we could both see her, then she looked at me. "Hi, I'm Alice, Edward's sister. He was telling us about you."

I looked at Edward. You told her?

"She knew. But we DID have a brief family conversation about you."

"Peachy..." I said.

"It wasn't bad." Alice assured me.

"That's nice..."

"Edward, I think we should have Scottie over tomorrow after school. Don't you agree?" Alice asked.

"Yes, as a matter of fact... If she's not busy." He looked at me.

"I... That's very nice of you... But I don't think it's a very good idea." I thought of being in a house with a family of vampires... a family of vampires that I barely knew.

"We're not going to eat you, silly." Alice said. "Please? Edward could ride with you to give you instructions to the house. Our parents agree with it. All you have to do is confirm it with your mother."

"Well, I..."

Alice seemed so excited... I couldn't say no. "Okay, fine... But I have to drop by my house before I go."

"Deal!" She said, then she seemingly danced back to her table.

"See? We're not cruel... I was just being protective yesterday." He smiled.

"Yeah..."

"You don't agree?" He sounded curious.

"Well...I still don't really know you, or your family."
"And what better way to get to know someone than to speak to and spend time with them?"

"I...Ah, you got me there..." I confessed.

He laughed softly as the bell rang. It looked as though Edward was proving me wrong. His family didn't seem very heartless at all... In fact, so far, I rather liked them. The more I thought about it, the more excited I grew about Friday. Maybe this Edward and his family weren't so bad after all...

That night I thought about Edward and his family, wondering what we would do the next day after school. I hoped Vivian would allow me to go without giving me a long speech. Yes, I was excited, but what I was REALLY thinking about was Edward himself. There was definitely something more to him than met the eye... And the more I was around him, the more I could tell he was hiding something from me. It worried me, but at the same time, I wanted to know what it was about. He was a very likable person... which could prove to be dangerous. I wondered what he really thought about me, and I wondered what his family would think about me. Unfortunately, I was not a mindreader like he was. I had only known Edward for two days, and I felt as though I were being drawn to him already.