Chapter 3

Edward POV

"How soon can we get started on a full scale trial, Carlisle?" I couldn't contain my thoughts and excitement over the success of our latest experiment. The potential that this held was incalculable and I was ready to take the next steps, whatever they may be.

Carlisle looked up from his note taking and spoke softly. "There is still much to learn and test. The first step will be to repeat the trial several times. I want to be sure we can create the situation with the same results at least ten times before we consider launching a full-scale test. We need to define what that scale might be, I'm thinking rats first and then potentially a pig phase. " He took an unnecessary breath. "Honestly, my biggest concern is how to introduce 1820 to the test subject."

I hadn't thought of that. Vampire skin is impenetrable so how would we inject the solution into our system?

"Edward, let's go talk to the others. I know they are waiting for the results."

He and I moved into the house and explained the results to the family. Each took it in stride but they all had many questions rolling through their minds. Most where not voiced, but a few couldn't be held internally.

Rose started the inquisition. "Assuming the experiments all work and the test phases meet you approval, Carlisle, when do you anticipate being ready for one of us to try?"

"Once we discover a way to inject the serum into circulatory system, it should take a few months, maybe a year before I would be ready to test it on one of us."

"And who would the test subject be?" Esme asked, a stoic look on her face. Her thoughts betrayed the look however as she worried which of her family would be risked in this way. There was no way she wanted any of her children or her husband to be the first.

"Let's cross that bridge when we come to it," Carlisle responded, knowing where her mind was without my ability.

Jasper, who had more questions then all of them combined, finally voiced his concern. "Controlling a newborn with whom we can communicate is hard enough. How do you plan to control lab rats or any other animal? If we can't, the Volturi will make sure none of us are around long enough to even think about moving to the next phase."

We all quieted. Carlisle and I looked at each other with befuddled expressions. Why had that not occurred to us?

The conversation ended with us agreeing that Carlisle and I would work repeating the results in a vial several times and working on the problem of how to make the actual injection. Once we had both of these steps completed, we would discuss the issues of morality on all the remaining steps.

Esme and Carlisle went off to hunt up north while Alice and Rosalie decided it was time for some wardrobe updates and took off to Seattle for some shopping. Left with only my brothers, I joined them on the couch to watch ESPN.

"So what happened to you this afternoon," Em asked. "You disappeared after biology. Were they doing blood types already?

"No"

A moment passed with no conversation

"OK. So you decided to ditch? You know we shouldn't do that too often. It draws attention.

"Leave it, Em"

"Come on, man. What happened? You kill someone? " The laughter that started that questions dissipated as Jasper and Emmett looked at me.

Jasper voiced his concern as well. "Edward, can you please tell us so that you can stop the brooding? It makes you rather difficult to be around."

"The new girl—the Chief's daughter—she was in my biology class."

"And" they both tried to push me along.

"Ah. I don't know. I've never been drawn to a person like that before. Her scent was more than I could bear. It took everything in me not to devour her right there and then the whole class after her." I was mortified that my control had waned. But they were both quick to remind me that I had managed to overcome the call of her blood. As I spoke with my brothers, we came up with a plan to help me work up my tolerance to her. During the day, I would work on our experiment and at night, I would get as close to her scent as I could, building up my ability to be around her.

The first step in the plan though was to be well fed. The three of decided that a spur of the moment hunting trip was the perfect solution.

Bella POV

Who the hell did he think he was? He didn't even know me—hadn't spoken one word to me. How could he be that rude? Well, Edward Cullen was going to be getting a piece of my mind today when I saw him.

Of course, that never happened. I looked around the cafeteria and there was no sign of him. His whole beautiful family was there, but not him. Oddly, the girl with the spiky black hair kept glancing my way. After about ten minutes, she stood up and walked my way.

"Hi, I'm Alice!"

"Bella," I said, reaching out to shake her hand. Just as I did, she grabbed my arm and started pulling me to stand up. "Come on over to our table. I want you to meet my family."

Walking over, I dreaded the prospect of meeting these people who were just too pretty to be real. I mean, why in the world would they want to meet me. But then it occurred to me that I may be able to figure out why their brother was so angry with me.

Arriving at the table, Alice pointed to the blonde guy sitting next to her vacant seat. "This handsome devil is my Jasper!" I nodded a hello, which was returned, though hesitantly. "Next is my sister, Rosalie, and that is Emmett," Alice indicated, pointing to the blonde woman and the huge man next to her."

"It's nice to meet you all."

"Guys, this is Bella! I know she is going to be a good friend to us all!"

Alice's exuberance was overwhelming but contagious. I smiled a real smile for the first time since arriving in Forks. Maybe I would find where I belonged after all. Or, if not, I would at least meet some interesting people along the way.

For the next few days, I went through my classes and joined the Cullens for lunch. I kept telling myself it was just because I enjoyed their company, which, of course, I did. In truth, my real reason was to be there when Edward came back to school.

After four days without a glimpse of the bronze haired object of my dreams, I finally broke down and asked the table. "So, has Edward transferred schools or is he just on vacation?"

The quick glances around the table did not go unnoticed. Finally, Rosalie offered, "I'm sure he'll be back soon. He is working on an independent study project with our father, Carlisle, for extra credit."

"Wow. Ok. I just feel bad. I was assigned as his lab partner and I don't think he was thrilled." I tried to downplay the way I was feeling about our one encounter but the smirks and silent conversations told me I didn't succeed. With that, the bell rang announcing the end of lunch. I wished my new friends a good weekend and went to biology.

At the end of the day, I walked toward my truck only to find Alice practically dancing with excitement. "You have to come with us. Rose and I are going into Port Angeles to do some shopping. Say you will!"

"Alice, shopping is not how I choose to spend my free time. I wouldn't be any fun."

"Nonsense! I have a good feeling about this. Let's drop your truck off at your place and Rose will drive us there. I won't take no for an answer."

An hour later, we were cruising toward Port Angeles at a speed I wasn't sure could even register on the car's speedometer. Speed seemed to define our trip actually. Five clothing stores and three shoe shops later, I was exhausted. Alice had forced me to purchase a few items she assured me were "staples every wardrobe needed."

I bid my new friends good night, agreeing that Alice could come over Monday morning to help me get ready for school. It wasn't until I walked into the house and looked at the kitchen that I realized that it was 10 pm and we had never stopped for dinner.