Chapter Notes:

Sorry it's been a while. I'm a compulsive writer but I am continually rewriting and editing my chapters before I post them. I have lots of really great ideas for this story and I think that they will surprise you! It's so much fun to warp this story for my own (and hopefully your) pleasure. For those of you who love Jacob, there's more of him coming up soon – but not like you think.

So this is the next day at school after the intimate interlude in Edward's bedroom. Too bad they were interrupted!

Disclaimer: Oh, I so wish that I was Stephanie Meyer but I'm not and these are not my characters, they are hers. But I do own my unique twist on the plot. At least that's something…

Chapter 15

The next day, I had never been so happy to see the churning, ominous storm clouds that littered the morning sky. I rushed to get ready for school, too anxious to eat or linger longer than necessary. As soon as Emmett stepped out of his door I told him I was leaving. Before he could protest, I was out the door and headed for my car.

I got to school ridiculously early and sat down on the concrete stairwell at the entrance to wait for Bella. I was a little nervous, shivering from more than just the cold air. Though we had definitely shared an intimate night, it wasn't without its difficulties. We had explored kissing and touching one another, and even though Bella had pulled away, it still was the most amazing night of my life. I hoped that she wouldn't let her fear keep us apart. I still trusted her and in our deep connection to one another. I had no doubts that we belonged together.

I wanted to let the whole world know how I felt about Bella but I wasn't entirely certain if Bella felt that way. I wondered if she would allow me to hold her hand or if she would even stay to eat lunch with me.

While I was lost in my lovelorn ponderings, the clouds began to move in more aggressively. I wrapped my arms tightly around myself, huddling against the bitter wind. Students, bundled up for the cold weather, were beginning to straggle in to school. I squinted into the howling wind, my eyes searching for the only thing that could make my day worthwhile, a glimpse of Bella.

Just as I was losing feeling in the tips of my fingers I heard her thoughts. "I'm coming, Edward." I twisted my head from side to side, extending my vision as far as possible out in the distance. Without warning, heavy wet raindrops began to pelt my shoulders and I retreated backward under the concrete façade to wait for Bella.

When my back came in contact with something solid I spun around to find myself face to face with my angel. She smiled smugly at me as she lifted her hand and ran her fingers through my rain spattered hair. Her hand travelled across the edge of my jaw line. I closed my eyes, thoroughly overcome by the feeling of her gentle hands on my skin. Would I ever get used to the effect her touch had on my body?

I understood the risk she was taking in touching me. Without words she was telling me that she wasn't giving up on me. I was elated that she was showing her affection for me so openly here at school. The implied meaning behind her tender gestures was more significant to me than any words she could have spoken or any thoughts she might have sent to me. I felt cloaked in a bubble of euphoria. I placed my hand in hers and laced my fingers with her (outwardly) delicate ones. For once our fingers were the same temperature. As we walked down the hallway together I'd never felt more complete.

I was only remotely aware that we were receiving stares from all directions. Not until Alice skipped up and tapped me on the shoulder did the bubble pop and I floated back down to earth.

"Edward…Bella. Wow, so you guys are really together. Wow. Bella we're going to be such good friends. I just know it. You have to come over to our house for dinner on Friday night. Jasper and Rosalie are coming. You should come too. Shouldn't she, Edward?" She turned toward me, a wide smile stretched across her face, her excitement only marginally contained. While she waited for my response, she literally started jumping up and down in place.

"Um, you should come, Bella." I turned and looked her in the eye so she could see that I was sincere. "My parents would love to meet you."

Bella's eyes flashed at mine and only I heard her unspoken words. "No Edward. I can't. It's too dangerous." But she answered Alice aloud with complete composure.

"I will have to let you know later, Alice. Thank you for the invitation."

I was so enchanted by her melodious voice that it took a moment before I comprehended her words. She didn't say no. As soon as Alice had invited Bella I decided that I really wanted her to say yes. I yearned to share every aspect of my life with her, to have her meet my parents, and to see where I lived. Just as much as she wanted me to know all about her, I wanted her to know me, as I had never shown anyone before. And I trusted her implicitly, even if she didn't yet trust herself. I had surfed the edges of her mind and I knew her will was strong; her conscience wouldn't allow her to hurt anyone. I would have to persuade her to come.

Alice seemed placated by Bella's answer and skipped off down the hallway. Bella and I continued our path to Biology, enduring the stares, giggles, and whispers of the students we encountered on the way. Bella's thoughts were benign. She seemed as content as I to hold hands, to bask in the glow of our emotions. As she did when she was either trying to block me, or to calm and clear her mind, she hummed a song in her head.

We entered our class and slid into our seats next to each other. I resisted taking my eyes off of her even for the short time it took me to pull out my notebook and a pen. She also seemed wary of losing the close contact we had established. Whenever possible she looked in my direction and squeezed my hand. Every few minutes or so, I heard her sigh softly, Edward. After several times of this happening I figured out that my name was unconsciously slipping from her mind as she thought of me. With every slip, I felt a shudder of utter joy.

I looked down at our entwined fingers, Bella's pale flesh smooth and shimmering even under the shadow of the desk top. Our teacher cleared his throat, slightly drawing my attention away from Bella. I reluctantly lifted my eyes toward him.

I only remotely followed Mr. Banner's explanation on how to dissect flatworms because I had already done the same experiment in seventh grade at my middle school in Montana. Besides, I was finding it extremely difficult to focus on anything but Bella. When my eyes weren't caressing her arms or skimming along her long, elegant neck, Bella was sending images of me back into my mind. It was an odd sensation to see elements of myself through her eyes. She seemed particularly fixated on the fresh layer of stubble that peppered the edge of my jaw line and in listening to the beating of my heart.

I was still learning how to control my mind reading abilities. When I was so close to Bella I easily became lost in the maze of our entangled thoughts. Bella's mind could take in so much more than mine. Her thoughts flitted effortlessly and seamlessly from one thing to the next. She skipped from thinking of my scent, to the doomed flatworms, then to the sound of the raindrops echoing off the tin roof of the storage shed outside, which led her to recall the fragment of an unrecognizable song, while always in the back of her mind she listened the rhythm of my heartbeat. I was drowning in her train of liquid thoughts, struggling to keep up and hold onto the lingering imprint of sounds and images as they rapidly flashed through my mind.

I distantly heard the bell ring and Bella stood next to me, tugging gently on my arm. Her face was filled with compassion. She must have realized what she'd done to me.

"Edward, it's time to go to next class," she purred, my mind instantly awakened by the sensuality of her voice and in her touch. "Let's eat lunch together today. I'll meet you in the cafeteria."

I wondered if I would ever be able to function normally around Bella. My legs felt like jelly and my mind was as exhausted as if I'd just composed a complex piano piece or finished a grueling final exam. Bella's hand was still on my arm as I walked out into the hall and I actually worried that when she dropped it I might collapse. I took a deep breath and dragged my hand through my hair.

"I feel weak," I admitted.

"I'm sorry Edward. I feel so comfortable around you now that I forget that you're listening. I know my mind must seem confusing to you," she whispered so low that I could scarcely hear her words.

Edward, I'm sorry. Will you be okay? She removed her hand slowly and I nodded.

"Are you sure you're up for lunch in the cafeteria? We could go to the library or something," I suggested. I would give up anything just to be with her.

"No. I don't want to take you away from your friends. I know what that's like. Let's eat with them. It will be okay," she smiled reassuringly and I felt an instant jolt of happiness.

Until lunch, she thought as she walked off down the hall. I scanned the faces in the hall and was surprised to see that no one else seemed to notice my beauty's retreat down the corridor. How could they not see her superiority in every way, the cat-like agility of her movement, and the unreal grace in each step she made?

*

I tried to hide my eagerness as I waited for Bella in the hallway outside of the cafeteria doors. I leaned against the wall, crossing my legs at the ankles, and ran my hand nervously through my disheveled mop of hair. I tried to look disinterested as a group of girls walked by, whispering, giggling and looking in my direction. Jessica separated herself from them and shuffled over to me.

"Hi Edward, are you waiting for someone?" she asked boldly.

"Yep," I said, trying not to make eye contact, hoping she'd get the hint.

"Really, who?" she asked as though she thought she was catching me in a lie. I rolled my eyes at her. She was making it impossible for me to mask how much I disliked her.

"It's really none of your business," I answered tetchily, not caring that my tone was harsh. I turned away, ending the conversation. I closed my eyes for a moment, and heard Jessica's huff before her feet pattered away. I took a few deep breathes, trying to ease my irritation. I thought of Bella and my heart started rapidly thrumming in my chest. When I opened my eyes a second later, Bella was standing close in front of me, a smug smile on her gorgeous face.

I went rigid in surprise, my feet slipping underneath me. I nearly fell backwards against the wall when Bella's hand jutted out faster than my eyes could see and effortlessly shifted me upright. I couldn't hide my embarrassment at being caught so unaware and especially for needing her help; but a quick scan of the hallway showed me that luckily, the entire episode had gone unobserved.

I quickly recovered, shaking off any feelings of weirdness and placed Bella's strong hand in mine. "Thank you," I said sheepishly, shrugging.

My pleasure, Bella said only for me to hear. I tugged on her hand and pulled her through the swinging doors. The cafeteria always smelled of ammonia and mold, a combination that made my appetite immediately evaporate. I turned to look at her expression and saw her eyes sweeping the room, assessing the scene, stopping only briefly on the table of girls who were gossiping noisily and looking pointedly in our direction.

"Don't pay them any attention, Bella," I pulled lightly on her arm but she didn't budge.

I heard her emit a low growl in their direction, and in that instant I worried that this situation might be too much for her to manage. Mangy sluts! He's mine. Mine! At first, I felt an inherent sense of delight in her possessive thoughts but then I immediately realized the implication behind her words. This could end badly if I didn't do something. I panicked and did the only thing that I thought might distract her. I grasped her chin, positioning myself in front of her, and kissed her.

The incessant chatter in the room only got louder but I didn't care and to my relief, neither did Bella. The electricity flowed from my lips to hers and from her lips to mine. It was only her and me and everything else was outside our bubble of happiness.

"Edward," she moaned, pulling our entwined hands to her lips and lightly kissed the outside of my hand, "you're perfect."

"No Bella. You're perfect. No one else matters. No one."

I couldn't believe how easily I drowned in her eyes and completely lost my sense of time and place when I was with Bella. She also seemed entirely engrossed in the feel of our touching skin, the mingling of our breath, and the exhilarating waves of energy pulsing between us. We were both unwilling to break our unwavering gaze, to end the seductive conversation we were having with only our eyes. We were standing just outside the food line in our own world, thoroughly oblivious to the scene we were causing when Alice bounded up and interrupted.

"Are you guys gonna eat some food or just each other?"

Bella instantly snapped her head toward Alice and for an instant I worried that she might lash out at her for the disruption. But my Bella was always surprising me and when she answered Alice she was perfectly composed.

"Of course Alice, I'm sorry. Edward was just telling me about what he was going to get for lunch today," she swiveled around, facing the end of the line, her hair swishing tantalizingly from her shoulders and down across her upper back. Her movement was a little too graceful, too smooth.

She pulled an orange tray from the top of a large stack, grabbed a carton of milk from the cooler and resolutely placed it on the tray. I chuckled at the dramatic flair of her movements. I wriggled the tray out of her stony grip and copied her exaggerated movement, placing another carton of milk next to hers.

"I'll carry the tray. We'll share," I smiled, raising my eyebrows playfully and kissing her on the cheek.

I nudged her shoulder teasingly with the edge of the tray and she turned excruciatingly slowly, raising her hand to my face. She swiped the edge of my jaw, running her hand tenderly from my ear down to my chin. Her expression was hungry and I wondered at that moment if she was seeing me as a lover or as a meal.

I took a step backward and murmured, "Bella…everyone is watching." Not that I cared, I was just stating a fact.

"Edward, if I'm already going to hell…"

She smiled coyly, her long eyelashes fluttering. My stomach fluttered in response. I smirked back at her and she looked down sheepishly. I was more than happy to discover that even though Bella was a vampire, she wasn't immune to my charms. It was a relief that we were able to interact with a little less intensity in front of the cafeteria audience. We almost appeared like a normal couple, maintaining an easy teasing banter. I realized that I kept expecting for her to blush, a telltale sign that she was enjoying the overt flirting. Her unchanging porcelain skin was a blunt reminder me that such a human response was not possible for her.

We floated down the lunch line, so thoroughly absorbed with one another that I didn't pay any attention to what was placed on the tray. I pulled out my wallet to pay for our lunches and was completely surprised by the random assortment of lunch items that somehow had made their way to our tray, an overcooked corndog, grey looking pudding, a tragically bruised banana, and a sweaty looking slice of pizza – all equally inedible in appearance. Bella, at least, wasn't going to eat them.

It wasn't until we sat down at the table that several possible tragic outcomes to our lunch experiment rushed back to the forefront of my consciousness. Though I couldn't avoid feeling a little protective of Bella, I was prepared to face the over-interested and blatantly eager expressions on the faces of my siblings and friends. But the malicious stares and acidic chatter streaming out from everyone else outside our inner circle was nearly impossible to ignore. We had definitely made ourselves the leading school news of the day.

I scooted close to Bella, wrapping my arm around her thin shoulders. I forced myself not to recoil from the cold, inflexibility of her body; it was so different from the warm flesh of a human. Though it was much like embracing architecture, her frame like a solid creation in artist's marble, I molded myself to her like a vine around a column.

Bella softly tilted her head toward me in response to my touch, her auburn hair draping alluringly over my collarbone. Would I ever get used to this power she had over me? She smiled, looking up through her dark eyelashes, her face impervious to the waves of curiosity and hostility flowing in our direction.

She squeezed my hand and then her words filled my mind. It's just me and you. Just me and you. Just me and you.

I wasn't sure if Bella intended on me hearing her thoughts or if I was eavesdropping on her own private mantra. Regardless, the effect of her mental chant was reassuring and calming. I was beginning to feel myself slip back into the world of Bella's mind, a place just for us. Thankfully, Emmett leaned forward, halting my descent and breaking the thick silence. As he stretched across the table, extending his massive hand in welcome, I breathed a deep sigh of relief.

"Hey Bella," he offered her his biggest dimpled smile. "I'm Emmett, Edward's brother. It's nice to meet the girl who finally got Edward to stop moping around. I was getting worried. Before you, he was really starting to act like a loser and sometimes I had to really prod him in the ass, you know what I mean? Once I took a whole jar of..."

"Emmett, shut the fuck up. Don't you see you're embarrassing Edward," Rosalie attacked, hitting Emmett playfully in the arm, causing him to drop his extended hand. I wasn't the only one at our table who turned to gawk at Rosalie; I hadn't known her long but I knew her well enough to know that her outburst was uncharacteristic. I was not only shocked that she defended me but even that she was paying attention at all. I was beginning to think that maybe I'd judged her too quickly, that maybe all her condescension was simply an act.

Bella and Rosalie were eyeing each other speculatively in a way that both intrigued and surprised me. Bella turned back to Emmett and waved her delicate hand, saying in her sweet voice, "It's nice to meet you Emmett."

Her eyes flitted up once to Rosalie and then she looked down self-consciously at her hands. All her mannerisms led me to expect her to blush but again I was reminded that she was incapable of such a common symptom of emotion. My heart lurched at the thought that she was uncomfortable here among my friends and I longed to make her feel as though she belonged here, with me.

"You already know Alice." I pointed in her direction. "And this is Jasper," I put my hand on his shoulder. "Rosalie is his sister," I jutted my chin toward her and Rosalie raised her hand.

"It's nice to meet you all," she said, her amber eyes taking in their faces. It was hard for me to see her as a lethal vampire most of the time but now she couldn't be farther than the predator she was designed to be. On the outside she was sexy and aggressive but I had seen her fragility, her vulnerability. Her hands may have been able to snap my neck in two, but she was just as insecure, just as uncertain as any teenage girl. More than ever before, I felt the burning need to enclose her in my arms and to never let her go.

*

After school I waited in the hallway for Bella, hoping to catch her before she scattered in the wind. I leaned against a row of battered lockers near the entrance to school and gave into my worries. Would she leave without saying goodbye? Would I catch one more glimpse of her before tomorrow? Was she going to have the werewolf pick her up again on his motorcycle? All these doubts weighed heavily on me. My happiness was now thoroughly dependant on Bella and I couldn't deny that this alarmed me. I could only hope that she didn't tire of me. I couldn't think of the future yet; it was all too unclear. As I banished these grave thoughts from my mind, all at once I heard her lilting voice calling to me as no one else could.

Edward. Edward, come to me. I am waiting for you. Come outside, Edward. Edward…

Without hesitation, I followed her instructions and hastened to the front of the school where I was immediately attacked by a wild gust of unforgiving wind. I felt my hair whip madly around my head, my eyes watering while searching the crowd of students for a sign of Bella. The hair on the back of my neck prickled in anticipation and I knew she was near. A whisper of cool wind ghosted my hand and before I knew what was happening I turned to find her standing next to me, her fingers already laced with mine.

"Cullen, are you giving me a ride home today?" Teasing, confident Bella was back.

"Um, of course," I stammered, happy that Jacob wasn't coming after all.

We walked to my car side by side, attached not just by our hands, but by an incomprehensible bond that drew us to one another. I caught sight of Emmett's Jeep peeling out of the parking lot and felt a pang of gratitude that he had begun to drive his car to school in anticipation of this moment. I opened the door for Bella and she slipped gracefully into the passenger seat. I got in, revved the engine and smiled at her, overjoyed to see her in my car.

She looked so right tucked into the seat next to me, her knees kissing, her dainty hands folded quietly on her lap. I reached over and put my hand on hers, feeling overwhelmed with my emotions. I wanted to burn this moment in my memory for all time as though there were no tomorrow. Even though I knew she wasn't capable of crying, when she looked in my eyes I thought I saw tears.

Edward I feel it too…the emotion. It's overwhelming. I can tell you things in my mind that I can't say in person. There's so much I still need to share with you…soon.

The image of a white house instantly filled my mind. My thoughts became muddled with scenes involving the house, fragments of Bella's life. I was running up a flight of stairs, jumping on a bed, opening the top of a beer can and handing it to someone I couldn't quite make out, stirring tomato sauce on the stove, and picking lemons from a huge tree. These were bits and pieces of Bella's life and knowing that she was sharing this part of her with me, my heart swelled even more.

"It's Charlie's house…my memories…Charlie's house," she whispered, her voice breaking uncharacteristically.

"Who's Charlie, Bella?" I asked carefully.

"My father," she said emotionlessly, her voice flat.

"You live with your father? In your father's house?" I asked incredulously. I was trying to imagine what that could mean and all the possible scenarios when Bella's thoughts interrupted me.

Just drive, Edward. I will lead you.

I felt the excitement build within me. She was going to show me where she lived. I would always know where to find her. One of the mysteries will be solved. I gripped the steering wheel tightly, anxiously awaiting her instructions.

"So, where to, Bella? Show me where you live."

A/N:

Okay, so I'm not going to beg for reviews here. Leave one if you want. If you don't have time, no worries. I post this story for everyone to enjoy with no strings attached. Reviews do have the power to make me happy though. So if you want that power, then take it! More of Bella's past is revealed next chapter! Keep reading!