"I trust that everyone has begun their recent events project?" Mr. Collin asked.

Some kids quickly avoided his gaze and I could read the minds of many of the students that hadn't started yet.

"What are you doing your's on?" Bella whispered.

"Some middle school was infected with a disease." I said. If I got too specific then she would realize that I was viewing this as more than just a project. She looked at me questioningly but couldn't press for more information because Mr. Collin continued on his lecture about how managing your time is half of the learning process.

"..and because of that, a perfectly good student failed my class." Mr. Collin finished over the bell. "Don't get behind on your projects!"

I closed my notebook and waited for Bella to gather her things.

"So what's on the agenda for today?" she asked as she picked up her backpack and we began walking out to the school parking lot.

"Whatever you want."

"Can we go over to your house? I haven't seen Esme in a long time and... I kind of need a computer to work on my project with..." she answered embarrassed. Red slowly crept from her cheeks to her entire face and I laughed.

"Of course you can, Bella. Do you want to go home first?"

She shook her head. As we approached the car I sped ahead to open her door. She always rewarded me with a blush and this time was no different. After walking back to my side of the car and pulling out of the parking lot, I slowly accelerated to a speed that I found fit. And, as usual, Bella's heart rate picked up.

"I'm not going to hit anything." I answered the question that was sure to come next.

She sighed. "You know me far too well. It's like you can read my mind."

I laughed. "It would save a lot of trouble if I could read your mind."

"Well I like being the exception." she proclaimed, sitting straighter in her chair.

"And why is that?" I asked, taking my eyes off of the road to look her over. Her face instantly turned crimson and I waited for her to answer. As we pulled into the driveway I was still waiting. Bella reached for the door but I quickly pressed the "lock all doors" button. She pulled the handle twice and then turned towards me, her face still engulfed in a blush.

"Why can't I open the door?" she asked frustrated.

"Because of child locks. We wouldn't want children to get hurt in my car, would we?" I teased. "So why did you blush?"

Her blush deepened and my curiosity and frustration continued to raise.

"Because you're locking me in your car." she mumbled, embarrassed at how easily readable she was.

"No, no. You were blushing before that." I reminded her.

She looked down at her hands.

"You began to blush when I asked why you like that I can't read your mind. Why?"

"Because there are some things that I'm happy you don't know."

I waited for her to continue but she didn't.

"Like what?" I pressed.

My aggravation doubled when she blushed all over again but remained quiet.

"Please, just tell me." I begged.

She looked up. "I wouldn't want you to know how dependant I am on your love.. how head over heals I am..." she broke off and began playing with her thumbs.

I smiled and unlocked the doors, moving vampire speed to her door and carrying her inside of the house. She breathed a breathe of relief when the interrogation was over. I didn't put her down until we were in my room.

"You said that you needed a computer." I motioned towards the already turned on computer. She smiled and took a seat, moving playfully with the rolling office chair. I walked next to her and pushed the chair up to the computer, ending her fun.

"Do you even know what topic you're going to do for your project?"

She nodded her head and reached next to the chair. "Ugh! I left my backpack in the car!" she turned to glare at me. "I guess I forgot it while I was being abducted."

I made the most innocent face I could without smiling. "I'll go get it for you."

I walked down the staircase, taking two steps at a time, and continued out to the driveway. I was surprised that Alice, Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett hadn't returned from hunting. After unlocking the door and grabbing Bella's backpack, I walked back into the house. Being careful to be quiet, I slowly opened the door and snuck up behind Bella.

"Miss me?" I whispered into her ear.

She jumped and covered her own mouth. "You scared me!" she gasped.

"No kidding?" I joked. I looked over her shoulder towards the computer screen. Bella followed my eyes and quickly defended herself.

"There was a little yellow star at the bottom of the screen and I was curious what it was! I only clicked it and this showed up, I barely even read it."

I smiled. The "little yellow star" told me when articles I put on alert updated.

Fourth Case of the "Spanish Influenza" appears in Nevada

The quotation marks in the title told me that whoever wrote it didn't believe it was true. I looked over and Bella was reading the article as well.

On Monday, a middle school boy was diagnosed with Spanish Flu symptoms, including a blueish tint to his face and bleeding of the lungs. Although he is still alive, two others have died and one has been diagnosed today with similar ailments. Doctor Zolfray, the doctor of three of the victims, allowed us to question him today.

"It is important to remind people that just because it is not an epidemic, the Flu has always been among us today. Last year alone, 32 people died of it. However, it is also important to point out that the Spanish Influenza had a mortality rate of only 2.5 percent and most victims died within 24 to 48 hours."

Although Doctor Zolfray remains confident that the recent sicknesses are due to something chemical going on in the town, others are more confident. Doctor Girtrue, an expert on historical epidemics, thinks that this could be the next big phenomenon.

"Researchers have always known that the Spanish Influenza was going to come back. When it died out in 1919, no cure or treatment had been found. It was inevitable that this would happen. However, we now have a better communication system and updates are easier, meaning that those not infected have the ability to leave and create distance between those that are."

When asked why he thinks that there are differences between the Spanish Flu of 1918 and the Spanish Flu of today, Girtrue answered. "The Flu has been alive in animals ever since then. Although the news may not discuss it, hundreds of animals die each year because it. Who is to say, then, that the virus has noy adapted as well? Two of the four infected have died within a day of receiving it, and the other two, I am sorry to say, will probably not make it through the night. It was heard of during the epidemic of people living up to three weeks before dieing. This is a very serious threat."


People are urged to bring those that are sick to the hospital to be treated.

I reread the article and then waited for Bella to finish. She took one look at me and waited for me to say something.

"The Spanish Flu can't exist today." I said with as much confidence as I could.

Bella nodded her head but there was doubt in her eyes.

"Do you mind if I do this article for my project?" she asked timidly.

"Sure." I said, closing the computer's window and taking a seat on my couch. Bella must have sensed that I wanted to be alone because she made up an excuse about having to feed Charlie and left to go home with Alice.

The question really wasn't 'Could it exist?', it was 'To what degree did it exist?'. It was hard to believe that it was even possible for an epidemic to hit nowadays, especially in the U.S., but over the past 4 days 4 people were infected with it. Luckily, they were all in Nevada and not Washington. But who was to say that Washington wasn't next? I rolled off of the couch and made my way down stairs to greet my family back from their hunt. I found Emmett sitting on the couch, unusually serious as he watched T.V. I took a seat next to him and realized that he was watching the news.

"...died yesterday, leaving only one alive from the Spanish Flu. Washington's governor, as well as others, are now concerned."

The screen then turned to Carlisle something that I wasn't expecting.

"Carlisle's on T.V.?" Alice chimed as she made her way from the front door to the couch.

"What are your opinions about this supposed Spanish Flu sighting?"

"I think that it should definitely be taken seriously. Now with a person infected in Washington, it is more important than ever to be on alert. Perhaps visit family across the country or something until things are figured out."

My pocket began to vibrate and I pulled out my cell phone, walking away from the couch so that I wouldn't disturb my siblings.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Edward! Carlisle is on the news!" Bella spoke excitedly.

"I know... Bella?"

"Yeah?" she asked suspiciously.

"How much notice would your mother need for you to go and spend a week down there with her?"

Alright, all of the facts are accurate. (Apparently the Spanish Flu is still alive in animals? I'm flabergasted!) And did you know that researchers actually are expecting another epidemic of the Spanish Flu? I know! "gasp!"

Well ppleeassee review :) The more reviews I get the faster I'll update (not really.. though xD I plan on updating tomorrow regardless xD)