Chapter 3

Bella's POV

I talked to Charlie on my phone for no more than one minute. He was just after leaving the station and was on his way home. I said I would head for home as soon I hung up the phone. Which I did.

I said goodbye to the remaining Cullens. I tried to reassure them that everything would be okay, but I was just a nervous as them. Both Emmett and Esme pulled me into a tight hug and Rosalie- well let's just say that she acknowledged me.

Edward got into the passenger side of my truck. Oddly enough it was the second time today he let me drive. The journey back to my house went quicker than I wished. Though a lot had happened today, I had enjoyed being alone with Edward and annoyingly there was school tomorrow, but on the other hand I couldn't wait for this overly dramatic day to finish.

I pulled up my driveway. Edward smiled widely.

"See you in your bedroom later," he whispered. Then he was gone too fast for my human eyes to comprehend.

I smiled in response though it was too late as he was already gone. I pushed open my truck door, locking it behind me. I routinely walked up the path and onto my porch and up the steps. I went to pull open the door but it was locked. How odd.

My Dad's squad car was here, the lights were on and I could even hear the faint buzz of the TV. A confused burrow developed in-between my eyebrows. There was never any need for Charlie to lock the doors. The only time they were locked was when both of us were out and sometimes if we remembered to do it before we went to bed. Luckily I had the house keys with me so I easily opened the door.

"Dad?" I yelled as I entered the house. He yelled back something inaudible from the sitting room. I headed in his direction dropping my keys on the kitchen counter in the process.

"Hey Dad. How come the door was locked?" I asked as I sat on the couch. Charlie's eyes were fixated on the TV. He was watching another report on vampires.

"Humm? Oh! You know with them vampires around we can't be too careful," he responded giving more attention to the TV than to me.

"Dad, I don't think a rusty lock will hold back many vampires," I replied lightly. It felt so strange to be talking to Charlie so casually about vampires. It really is a changed world. I wonder what the Volturi have planned to do about this. Normally they kill or change a human if they find out. But the can't go killing everyone on the entire planet, can they?

"Did you drive home alone?" Charlie asked pulling me from my train of thought.

"Yeah, I did, why?" I replied. Obviously lying but I couldn't tell him that Edward was with me and that now he's patiently waiting in my room for me. In fact if Charlie ever finds out about Edward being a vampire, the fact that he sneaks into my room every night will definitely stay a secret. Edward may be bullet-proof but I'm certainly not. Well not yet anyway.

"Bella, I don't want you to leave the house or go anywhere alone anymore. Even if it means spending more time with Cullen," he ordered. I frowned.

"Dad, he has a first name you know," I said, slightly irritated.

"Oh I know. But I'm serious Bella. The world was dangerous enough before we knew about vampires, but now, well… I just want you to be safe that's all," he said sincerely.

I sighed and acknowledged what he said. I told him that I was tired and that I needed to go to bed. He just nodded and went back to watching the news. I locked the front door for him before I headed upstairs.

I tried to get up the stairs as quickly as possible without running or falling. Excitement built up in my chest as I was about to see Edward, even though it had only been a few minutes since I saw him last.

As I entered my room I saw him sitting on my bed, waiting, with his arms stretched open for me. I smiled and so did he. I practically jumped on top of him. He chuckled. We lay on my small bed for a number of minutes. I pulled away from his arms and went to get ready for bed. I was actually feeling quite tired. Edward waited on my bed patiently for me. I went to the bathroom and put on a pair of old trackies and an old stripy top, nothing out of the ordinary with what I normally wear to bed, I just pulled them from one of my drawers.

As I returned from the bathroom Edward had my blankets ready for me and I snuggled myself in, under the blankets as Edward curled up beside me. He was always outside the blankets as he didn't want for me to get cold.

Even after all that happened today I felt happy in this very moment. I was more than content in Edward's arms as he hummed me my lullaby. For one moment, no matter how short that moment may be, I could pretend that everything was normal. That no one I loved was risking their lives going to Volterra or even that my Jacob problems didn't exist.

As my eyelids began to get heavy I drifted off to a peaceful nights sleep.

***************************************************

I woke up to the sound of Edward humming my lullaby. He was gently trying to wake me up.

"Come on love, it's an hour before class starts," he said, poking me. As if that would help me get up. I groaned and pulled my pillow over my head. Edward chuckled.

"If you get up now I'll tell you what Alice said when she called me while you were asleep," he bribed.

I sighed and took the pillow form my face pulling myself up to sit upright. No matter how much I wanted to stay in bed, Alice's, Carlisle's and Jasper's safety was more important.

"Are they okay? Did they make it to Volterra yet?" I asked anxious for an answer. Edward who was now sitting at the edge of my bed nodded.

"Yes they're okay. Alice rang me when they landed in New York. They met the Denalis there before getting another flight together to Volterra. They should be there within a few of hours. She said she would call us as soon as the plane landed in Italy. She also said that she saw more than just my family visiting the Volturi. That hundreds of vampires will be there, but that's all she can see so far," he explained.

I breathed a sigh of relief, they were okay and so far unharmed. Edward smiled.

"Your father left for work early so I'm going to go get my Volvo and get changed so you can get ready alone. I won't be long. I promise," he said as he climbed out my window.

I flung my bedcovers to the side and pushed myself out of bed. I walked over to my wardrobe to find what I would wear to school.

I giggled. There was a blue bag with a note attached to it.

Bella,

Just because I'm in Italy doesn't mean you can't dress properly.

Love Alice xxx

Typical Alice. She finds a way to torture me even when she's out of the country. I pulled the bag out and to my surprise I liked what I saw. There was a light pair of jeans, a plain white top with a single flower print with a matching khaki jacket. She had the tags already pulled off so I couldn't see how much money she blew on me.

To my better judgement but for Alice's sake I put on the clothes and I added a pair of my old boots. Alice did supply some silver sandals but they didn't really accommodate the Forks weather.

I freshened myself up in the bathroom before I headed down stairs and had some milk and toast. I was just about finished when I heard Edward honking his car's horn outside.

I jumped up quickly grabbing my heavy school bag and my unfinished biology project. I probably should have done it with Edward when he offered. I locked the door behind me as I left the house.

Edward was making his way up the steps of my porch and he insisted on carrying my things. His chivalrous nature shone through as he opened the passenger door for me and helped me into the car. He left both my project and bag in the back seats joining his own. He started up his engine and we began to pull away from my house.

"You look very beautiful today Bella," he complimented. I blushed.

"You can thank Alice for that," I giggled. He apologised on her behalf and I told him not to, that I would survive.

As we began to drive through the town I noticed some unpleasant changes. In a number of shop windows it said 'Vampires Not Welcome'. The streets were covered in rubbish, there was even some picket signs laying about. It looked like there had been some sort of riot which would have been some feat for peaceful Forks.

I sighed and looked to Edward. He looked a little anxious.

"Are you okay?" I asked concerned. He paused before answering.

"Yes, it's just we have a lot to get through today. If you know what I mean?" he said sounding almost nervous.

"You know, you don't have to go. I'll be fine by myself," I suggested.

"No!" he replied quickly but not harshly. "Esme's right. We have to act as normal so no one will get suspicious."

"When you where talking to her, did Alice say anything about what happens in school today?" I asked.

"She said that she couldn't really see much. It was like someone hadn't made their mind up yet. She did say though that vampires will be all everyone's talking about," he responded.

Great, today was going to be hell. I would be worried to bits about my friends in Volterra but I will also have to put up with everyone's rambling. I sighed.

"I guess that we will just have to grin and bear it," I suggested forcing a fake smile.

Edward nodded in agreement as we pulled into the student car park. He quickly but at a human pace walked over to my side of the car, opening the door for me. The stares we got were thankfully no more than usual though I still found them very awkward. We walked hand in hand across the car park and entered the school. Edward insisted on carrying my things for me again. As we made it to my locker Edward breathed a sigh of relief.

"I've scanned everyone's thoughts and no one expects anything. They still think my family and I are human, thankfully," he whispered quietly so no one bar myself would hear.

"That's good. It's one less thing we have to worry about," I said as I shoved my things into my locker. Edward nodded as he took my hand again and we headed for our first class, which was Spanish.

The class was routinely normal though it did take everyone longer to settle down. Even our teacher had something to say about the vampire discovery. Most people seemed to have an irrational dislike towards vampires, though that Gary kid in the year below us was wearing a white t-shirt that simply said 'Bite me'. So I couldn't make out if he was pro or anti. Some people's comments made me angry and upset but I didn't say anything because I knew if I did I would probably blow the Cullen's cover.

Though neither Edward or I were ever the loudest or most active class members we did stay quieter then normal. I don't think anyone noticed except for myself but I already knew that we were both trying to attract as little attention as possible. The day continued in much the same fashion with each class taking much the same process.

Lunch couldn't come quick enough. I was starving. Edward chuckled as he heard my stomach rumble. We entered the canteen line, waiting for our turn. Edward still wasted his money on food everyday just to keep up the charade. Normally I would say 'Why bother?' but today of all days he needs to act as human as possible.

I bought a salad and Edward bought the same. He always got the same as me for some reason not that it really mattered. He wasn't going to eat it anyway. We went and sat at our usual table. Edward kept checking his phone to see if Alice had tried to contact him. He was beginning to get anxious as the last time he heard from them was when they were still in New York. I myself was worried sick about them too.

Soon Angela, Ben and Mike all gathered at our table. The topic of conversation was fairly normal and routine. Everyone talked about what they did for the weekend. Mike was the first to mention the vampire discovery.

Abruptly Edward pulled his phone out of his pocket.

"It's about time! It's Alice. I'll be back in a minute," he exclaimed as he kissed my cheek and walked out of the canteen. Only I knew the real reason why he had to leave to have his conversation with her.

"Speaking of Alice. Where is she today?" Mike asked.

"She's gone visiting some relatives in Alaska," I lied as I took a bite of lettuce. I was surprised he even believed me. I'm a dreadful actress.

"Oh! I thought she went running off when she heard about them bloodsucking vampires," he joked. I frowned. It was still so strange have everyone talk casually about them. Angela sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Honestly, I don't know why everyone is making such a big deal out of this. My father even boarded up my house. You'd swear we were all going to die any second. The only one we've seen is the one in Seattle prison. It's not like they're living among us," Angela said, slightly irritated.

I nearly chocked on my water.

"That would be cool though wouldn't it, if they did live among us," Ben pondered.

"Yeah, imagine if they went too school with us! I bet brace face in my geometry class is one. He's really creepy," Mike laughed.

"Hell no! If it's anyone it's Cullen! He has the palest skin I've ever seen!" Ben chuckled back.

I tried to change the subject of conversation but Angela stopped it before I could. She slammed her book on the table. Obviously angry.

"Guys please! Edward Cullen is not a vampire! He doesn't have red eyes for starters and vampires are wild, fierce creatures. Nothing like Edward," she said frustrated.

"She's right," Ben sighed as he and Mike calmed down.

"Yeah, you're right. We were only joking. I don't think Edward would rip off someone's skin off and wear it Silence of the Lambs style," Mike stated.

I choked on my water again. "Do what?!" I yelled.

"I read it on the internet," he explained.

"I heard Taylor say they kill the first born child and sacrifice them to their god," Ben said, surprisingly serious.

I burst out laughing- they really didn't know much, did they? Suddenly they all looked to me confused. I straightened my expression. I felt awkward. I hope they didn't think that I was a lunatic.

"Well… Ummm… We have Victoria's interview to figure everything out with," I said trying to move the conversation along.

They all looked at me again, this time though they looked even more confused.

"Victoria? Who's Victoria?" Angela asked innocently.

Oh crap… The news reports never said anything about what her name was. Stupid Bella…

"Oh! I heard that was the vampire's name on the radio this morning just as I was arriving to school. You might have missed it," I lied quickly. My voice was too nervous for them to believe me but surprisingly I think they did.

Abruptly I felt Edward's cold hand on my shoulder.

"Excuse me, but I need to talk to Bella for a minute," Edward said politely as he pulled me from my seat and out to the quiet yard. I swear he couldn't have came at a better moment.

"Whoa, that was close!" he breathed.

"I know. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-" I began quickly but Edward interrupted me.

"No Bella, don't be silly. None of it is your fault. In their minds they have no suspicions. Like they said: they were only joking," he reassured. I felt relieved.

"That's good. I'll know to be more careful in the future and stay out of the vampire conversations," I stated.

"Really, don't worry about it love, it was my fault I didn't get back to you sooner. I just forgot how much Alice likes to talk," he apologised.

"What did Alice have to say anyway?" I asked, wanting as much information as possible.

"She said that the flights were fine and that they arrived safely in Volterra. She was right about the hundreds of vampires. Lets just say my family weren't the only ones who thought of going to see the Volturi. Alice says even unknown nomads are there just to see what the Volturi are going to do," he explained.

"Are you worried about this?" I asked.

"Yes and no," he continued. "Alice said that she will call us as soon as something of interest happens or if she sees something. She tried to say something else but I hung up on her before she could. I knew I had to save you from your conversation."

I sighed and bit my bottom lip I really hoped everything would work out. Since Alice didn't ring back I guessed that whatever else she wanted to say to Edward wasn't important. Suddenly the end of lunch bell rang.

"Come on we better go to your locker before we're late for class," he said as we both re-entered the school.

We had biology next and I had to get my project out of my locker. Edward already had his in his bag. We went quickly to my locker before we went straight to class. We weren't the last ones in. The Marshall twins were after us. We sat beside each other, in the same desk we sat in for well over a year.

Mr. Banner then walked in pulling a portable TV behind him. Everyone got excited when they noticed the TV. That just showed how mundane our lives really were.

He said that we could watch Victoria's interview. I was glad now I wouldn't have to wait until after school to see what she said.

Everyone in the class was now very excited. The last and only time we got to watch TV- other then educational documentaries- in school was when Barack Obama was elected. Everyone could not wait to hear the vampire speak. You could tell that Edward and I weren't looking forward to it.

We did ten minutes of work before Mr. Banner put the TV on. Just in time for the news and interview.

It was the same news anchor as yesterday. The entire news program was a vampire special.

The whole class now was silent bar the few shuffles. Everyone was giving the TV more attention then they would any of their teachers. Edward was concentrating hard on the TV too.

The reporter who revealed Victoria to the world yesterday came on the screen again. She was in Seattle prison again and she was entering the same cell as yesterday. Victoria was even in the same seat still handcuffed.

Edward was trying everything he had to hold back a growl. He knew if he let it out it would reveal what he truly was in an instant.

I again wondered why Victoria was being so peaceful for them. Surely those metal handcuffs and prison cell are like play-doh to vampires. Why wouldn't she just escape if she could?

The reporter sat across from Victoria. It was a very calm interview. It was as if the reporter was being very careful around Victoria and no one, including myself took their eyes from the screen.

The humans in the room- excluding myself- looked like they didn't know what to make of her. Victoria was trying to sound innocent. Like she was the victim in all this.

The interview continued like this for a number of minutes asking easy and predicable questions, about diet and powers etc. Not unlike when I first found out Edward was a vampire.

"How does one become a vampire?" the reporter asked.

"As I said earlier: we produce venom. We bite our victims and inject them with our venom. It changes one slowly and painfully. It feels like a constant burning. More painful than anything you weak humans could imagine," she explained.

"Then why would you create a large number of vampires here in Seattle if it was such a terrible ordeal?" the reporter asked with genuine interest.

Edward looked to me wide eyed and my heart rate began to increase. Victoria paused before she answered.

"I had a partner. His name was James. He was killed by another vampire. You could call it revenge I suppose. Mate for a mate," she stated.

I could feel my breathing become heavy. Edward squeezed my hand trying to get me to calm down. Mike who was sitting behind me mouthed "Are you okay?"

I didn't answer him and returned my attention to the TV.

"When you say mate for a mate. What do you mean by that?" the reporter asked. I felt like running up there and plugging out the television and I'm sure Edward would have loved to have done the same.

"James was the love of my life and he was killed by a foul vampire. And I will stop at nothing to ruin his life like he ruined mine!" she yelled as she easily broke free from her handcuffs and smashed the table in a fit of rage. She then jumped from her seat and stuck her face right into the camera. Her expression was the epitome of rage.

"Hear that Edward Cullen! You and your precious Bella are dead!" she threatened as the signal went dead and the station sent out an emergency broadcast.

I felt like I couldn't breath. Edward froze completely beside me.

The room was engulfed with copious amounts of gasps. Everyone was utterly shocked.

The silence was deafening. It was eerie almost. Everyone was now literally staring at Edward, theirs eyes wide. Mr. Banner's jaw literally dropped.

I could feel the blush engulf my face. Edward turned to me, his expression like none I'd ever saw grace his familiar face before. It would have even been comical if we were in a different situation. But laughing was now the last thing on my mind.

His expression directly translated 'What the hell am I supposed to do now?!'

Neither of us said anything. I genuinely had no idea what we should do or say. I just knew that we had to think of something fast. At least no one was running around screaming 'vampire!' yet.

I couldn't take the stares any longer. I jumped from my seat and began throwing everything on the table into my bag. It didn't matter who the things belonged to. Edward and I would easily sort that out later. Edward quickly followed, copying my actions.

Edward took my hand and lead us out of the room. Everyone's stunned eyes directly on us. We couldn't get out of the room fast enough.

As soon as we closed the door behind us I heard the entire class burst into uncontrollable screams. Most of it was inaudible. But there was a lot of 'Oh my Gods' and a number of 'I knew its'. Worst of all there even seemed to be some blood curling cries of genuine fear.

We both began to quickly head for the exit. Suddenly the hallways erupted with people. And class wasn't even finished yet. There was stares, running, shouting and screaming.

Edward grabbed me and pulled me into his arms, cradling me in them.

"Well, it's not like I have to hide anything anymore," he said and with that he was running a vampire speed.

I closed my eyes. The speed still didn't fully agree with me. Though I might not have seen anything. I'm sure everyone else did.

He ran to his car. Throwing me into the passenger side. Slamming the door behind me. He ran round and jumped into his side of the car.

He quickly started the engine and we began to speed away. Faster than I thought was possible for Edward's shiny Volvo.