A/N: As I stated before, I own nothing and all errors are my own. I'm glad a few people are enjoying the story. A lot more are reading it than commenting or following, but I guess that's how this type of thing goes.

Chapter 7

Bella POV

My drive home from Edward's house on Sunday morning was a complete blank to me. Have you ever had that experience? The one where you get in your car at point A and arrive at point B with no memory of the actual drive. At least I didn't get caught breaking any traffic violations. That would have been a fun conversation with Dad. Just thinking about it made me tingle!

Edward had been wonderful. We stayed up all night getting to know each other. He was not like any boy I have ever known. He was polite, yes, but more than anything he was intelligent and mature. He seemed so much older than his 17 years. I couldn't help but think how that alone made us kindred. Mom has always said I was born middle-aged.

We stood at the driver's side of my truck stalling for time. Neither of us wanted to part, but we knew it was necessary. I had to get home, but still couldn't tear myself away. I had no idea what words I were coming from my mouth… something about Alice and Rosalie I think… it really didn't matter. All that matter was that I couldn't stop looking from his eyes to his lips and back again. I was silently pleading with him to make the first move. He had to know after an entire night of talking that I was hopeless in this department. Or had I given him the impression that I was interested in being only friends. Or worse, was he only interested in being friends. Maybe he had only taken me to the dance out of a brotherly affection. I was his sister's friend after all.

No, that couldn't be.

He assured me that they were fine. Who is "they"? It had to be Alice and Rosalie, right? Wait a minute… he's leaning. That's a good sign. I remember that line from While You Were Sleeping when Jack says "Hugging's very different. Hugging that involves arms and hands; and leaning is whole bodies moving in like this. Leaning involves wanting... and accepting."

I managed to pull myself from that thought just as his lips met mine. They were perfect—strong yet supple—but cold. I felt his hand grab my elbow and it too was cold, but I quickly forgot the temperature of his lips and hands as my own body was producing enough heat for us both.

He was the perfect combination of shy and confident. It was pure bliss! Every thought I have ever had about my first kiss, every dream, every fantasy, were no comparison to the real thing! My God, it was incredible!

I walked into the front door of our house and greeted Dad. He was just finishing his coffee as I came into the kitchen.

"Have a nice night?"

"Yeah, thanks. You on your way out with Billy?"

"He got held up with something on the rez. One of the older teens is having some trouble that he wanted to help sort out. We may still go out this afternoon for a bit."

"Okay. I came home to pack some lunches for you both, but I guess I have time. I'm going to run up and shower."

I love that Dad doesn't hover. Mom would have had me sit and give her every detail of the dance for the next five hours.

I spent the rest of that day finishing some homework and getting organized for the week. All through the day, my thoughts turned to Edward and our kiss. By the time I went to bed that evening, I was exhausted but still on Cloud Nine.

I received a note from Edward in my locker the next morning letting me know he wouldn't be in school for that week. A family emergency came up with some relatives in Alaska. But he wanted me to know he was thinking of me and couldn't wait to see me again.

That week dragged on and on. With none of the Cullens in school my lunchtime was spent with Angela and her crowd. Mike Newton was quick to welcome me back to the table, though Jessica and Lauren were nowhere near thrilled to see me again. Despite my efforts to be pleasant and keep up conversations, my mind frequently wandered to kissing Edward.

After biology on Friday, I was called to the office and given a message from Dad. He was down at Billy's and wanted me to join them for a spur of the moment bonfire and dinner. As I was already late for gym, I didn't see the harm in ditching this one period and heading out for the weekend. A quick swing by home and I was on my way to La Push.

I pulled up to the small red house and was immediately greeted by an enormous Jacob.

"Hey, Bells! How's the truck been running?"

"Great. Once I got the double clutch down, it became a breeze to drive. How have you been?"

"Ah, you know. Same stuff, different day. School, working on the Rabbit, rez stuff. Actually, Dad is getting me more involved in tribal council things which is cool."

"Nice. It seems you've been doing some eating too. You've grown since I last saw you… like a lot."

"Yeah. Just hit a big growth spurt I guess. So come on in. Dad and Charlie are attempting to get dinner together."

"Well, I best get in there and save our stomachs."

The night was fun. I loved listening to Billy and Dad talk about the "old days." At sundown, we had a bunch of new people join us for the bonfire portion of the evening. I recognized Harry Clearwater but that was it. Jacob had a bunch of friends who showed up and he introduced me to each one. I had a feeling that he had mentioned me before judging by the looks from Quil and Embry, but I couldn't be sure.

Dad joined me on my log just as Billy was about to start telling some of the tribal legends. "Bells, do you mind sticking around a bit more. I always enjoy listening to Billy tell the stories. It's considered a great honor to you and I that they would share them with us."

"Sure thing, Dad. I'd like that."

I sat in awe of the storyteller in front of me. He wove a wonderful tale of Taha Aki and the spirit warriors. It was wonderful to watch Billy come alive as he spoke of his ancestors with such pride. His words carried me away to the time of the third wife as she stood her ground against the Cold Ones and then transported me to the more recent past and the strange Cold Ones that hold the treaty with the Quileutes.

As the night's activities came to a close, Dad leaned over and whispered that he was going to make a quiet exit and that he would see me at home. "But feel free to stick around for a while, Bells. I think the kids your age are planning to keep the fire going for a while."

Just as he walked away, Jacob was at my side inviting me to stick around. "Come on, Bells. We'll have fun. Besides, I want you to meet my girl! Leah, come here babe and meet Bella! We used to make mud pies together." Jacob's laughter was contagious and soon, without knowing why, Leah and I were both laughing.

Leah and I became fast friends while Jacob bounced between talking to us and talking to his boys. Finally Leah gave him the excuse he needed and he pulled up a log to the boys' conversation. She rolled her eyes at me, "there, now we won't be interrupted. So tell me, are you seeing anyone at school. We know a few of the guys from your class—they come down here to the beach every so often."

I couldn't hide the smile as I thought of Edward. "I guess you could say, I am hoping to see someone?"

"Who is it? Mike? Tyler? Not Eric, please, not Eric!

A full-throated laugh escaped in response. "No, none of them. It's a ling story, but do you know Edward Cullen?"

Suddenly, the entire party got quiet. What had just happened? Leah turned to Jacob with a questioning look. Obviously getting some answer to her silent question, Leah turned to me. "Take a walk with me?"An hour and forty-five minutes later (and probably three miles of traipsing through the reservation and down the beach), I had told Leah all about the dance and the night that followed and she had explained the uncomfortable silence when Edward's name was mentioned. They thought the Cullens were the Cold Ones. Vampires. If she hadn't been so serious, I would have laughed. I mean the Quileutes even stopped using the hospital when Dr. Cullen started there because they were so certain in their beliefs.

Stopping back at my truck, Jacob joined us and gave me a hug. "I know Leah told you. Just know that we are only looking out for you. They may not be the bad kind of vampire, but do you think there is a good kind?"

"No Jacob, I don't think there is a good kind. Then again, I don't think there is a bad kind either. I think your legends are wonderful stories that are extremely important in your culture. I don't want to take anything away from that. But, I don't believe vampires are real."

Leah reached out and placed her hand on my arm. "I know it's a tough pill to swallow, Bella, but please, keep an open mind. Just pay attention when you're with him and his family. We're not saying he would do anything to you, but you need to be aware."

I fell asleep that night with my thoughts swimming. Cold Ones. Cold bodies. Oddly colored eyes. No need to eat food. Or to sleep. Could it be true? Did it matter if it was?