The alarm clock woke me up for Monday morning. Time for school- and then my stomach fluttered. School meant seeing Edward. Yesterday had been an amazing time, and although our ride back was awkward, I had a feeling he was just nervous.

I had never been alone with a guy, nor had I been touched by one either. Yesterday had been a milestone for me. The way Edward's touch made me feel was beyond any other sensation I had ever experienced. I knew it wasn't normal for a guy to be so intimate with someone they just met, but it wasn't that way with Edward. The chemistry between us was deep, it was beyond conversation; it was something so remarkable.

After I finished breakfast, I got ready for school. I decided to liven up my wardrobe to match the way I felt. I left my house and ventured off to school. All I could think about was fourth hour and getting to talk to Edward.

I pulled into the school parking lot and immediately noticed his car. First good sign- he was here. I walked into school; the looks were extreme. No one was used to seeing me dressed nicely. The bell rung and I began walking to my class.

"Bella?" It was a musical voice, but not the one I wanted. I turned around to meet the same honey yellow eyes, but still, not Edward. It was one of his sisters, the small brunette.

"Ugh, hey?" I was confused; I never expected any of his family to talk to me.

"Hey, I'm Alice Cullen- Edward's sister. I wanted to introduce myself and thank you."

Thank me for what? "Oh, umm, what are you thanking me for?"

"Bella, you have been the only person I have seen that has made Edward laugh in a while. He is different lately, and I think it's because of you." What?

I stared blankly at her. After a few seconds of silence, she smiled brightly, "Hey! Don't seem shocked. I just wanted to tell you that whatever you're doing, keep doing it!"

"Uhh, yeah. Thanks Alice."

She smiled again and gave me a hug. Oh my god she's freezing! As if she read my mind, she immediately pulled away and walked gracefully in the other direction to her class.

I didn't understand. She seemed to be the same temperature as the dead. It was cool outside, but not that cold. Then I remembered Edward, his touch was like ice even when we were inside. And then the eye color; they were adopted, yet shared the same exact eye color. Something was off, but I couldn't put any of it together. I shook my head and quickly walked to class.

When the bell rang to end third hour, I felt elated. I walked through the door of the classroom, and Edward was the first thing I saw. My heart almost immediately jumped out my throat. He looked up at me and gave me a smile that seemed to be sculpted by a master.

"Hey Edward."

"Hello. How are you doing?" Amazing.

"I'm fine. How was your night?"

His face cocked to the side, "It was monotonous. You?"

"Oh you know, cage fighting and tons of drugs, the usual Sunday night wind down after a long hike."

He was caught off guard by my response and laughed the most gorgeous laugh I've ever heard. Nice Bella!

"It seems I missed out on the best part of the day! I didn't take you to be so adventurous."

I couldn't help but laugh at his claim. I was in no way adventurous.

"I wouldn't go that far! I'm just not much of a socialite, as you may have guessed."

He gave me a polite smirk. "Well, if it's any consultation, I enjoy your company." I blushed horribly.

"Uhh, thank you." I smiled.

Mrs. Blount walked into the classroom, and I took that as the end of our conversation- so I thought.

Edward looked back at me, "So, what other kinds of adventures do you have in store for us?

One month later…

One month. I couldn't believe it had been one month since Edward and I began hanging out. Being with Edward had turned into a regular part of my routine.

Every weekend had been something new. Everything from fishing to kayaking. Although we were getting to know each other, I still had a feeling about him. There were things I noticed about him that were strange. But I kept them to myself; I didn't want to ruin our friendship with accusations of him being some kind of freakish human.

Otherwise, Edward and I were just friends. Even though he merely gave me hot flashes every time I'm around him, he had never touched me or got close again. I didn't mind, I didn't expect him to want me the same way my hormones craved him. It was almost embarrassing how often I thought about him touching me in places that ached for some kind of friction. STOP!

Lying in my bed was never a safe place for innocent thoughts anymore. I looked at the time and noticed Edward would be arriving at my house in 20 minutes.

"Crap!" I shouted out loud. I quickly threw some clothes on, packed a blanket and ran downstairs. It was a Saturday morning and Edward and I had made plans to visit First Beach down at La Push to do some whale watching. I quickly swallowed some breakfast and heard a familiar car pull into the driveway. Then that familiar knock.

I opened the door, and he met my eyes with that dreamy smile and those gorgeous honey eyes.

"Good morning Bella."

"Good morning! Ready to go?"

"Sure"

We got in his car and headed to La Push. We were pretty talkative during the ride, which seemed to be easier and easier to do around him.

We arrived at the beach and I pulled my blanket out. He eyed it carefully before asking what it was for.

"Oh, well I thought we could sit on the blanket instead of the sand?"

He looked relieved, "Yeah, that seems practical."

We made our way out onto the beach; we were the only ones there. I laid the blanket out and we both sat on it.

I was so curious about him still, and decided to be brave and ask a question I had been avoiding.

"Edward? Can I ask you something? You don't have to answer, I was just curious."

He seemed alarmed, "Yeah, anything."

"Well, I know we have been hanging out a lot lately; and I really enjoy being around you, you're very easy to talk to. What I'm getting at is, do you enjoy being around me?"

"Bella, I wouldn't be here if I didn't like your company. Of course I enjoy you."

This was good, but I wanted more. I wanted him to tell me what his heart was feeling. Did he want me like I wanted him? Just ask!

"Edward, I'm trying to tell you that…" I froze. What will he think of me? He just wants a friend and here I am trying to get more out of it.

"Bella? What is it? Tell me."

"…I want to tell you that…" my voice got low, "…I like you." My face was on fire at this point. I was looking down. I was sure he didn't hear me, I spoke so low. You're so lousy.

The silence killed me, I couldn't bare it. I still hadn't looked up; I was too nervous and ashamed. But just then, a cold fingertip touched my chin; it pulled my face up and I met his eyes.

I was expecting to find irritation, or amusement; but instead, I found a look of affection and sincere kindness.

"Bella, you should never be ashamed of your feelings." He continued to look at me. My heart was rapidly accelerating. He looked deep into my eyes and it was then I realized, without him saying another word, that he felt the same for me as I did him.

I felt his icy hand slowly make its way down my chin to my neck. My body trembled under his stroke; I felt a trail of goose bumps appear where his hands were roaming. He stopped at the base of my neck and I felt a slight tug. As if I had done this a thousand times, my body gave in and I let my desire take over.

When my lips made contact with his, every sensation in my body was magnified by a million. His lips were hard, but soft. It started out innocent and slow, but my urges took over, and I found myself wanting more. I let my hands wander in his messy hair; I felt my body start to lift up. I wanted my body to be closer to his, to feel his muscular body against mine was all that was missing.

Without breaking the kiss, I slowly made it to my knees, and pushed my body into his arms. He took me into his embrace; my hands made their way from his hair down his strong back. His body was firm; it was everything I had imagined.

Suddenly, I felt light headed, that's when I realized I needed to breathe. I reluctantly pulled my lips from his; I took in a strong breath and I heard a small chuckle from him. As I took my breath, his lips found my neck. He slightly nibbled on my skin, which drove my hormones over the edge.

My next moved not only surprised myself, but Edward as well. Without noticing what I was doing, I began pulling up his shirt. I felt his hand stop mine.

"Bella…" His voice was firm, but kind- I froze. "…I think we should slow down before this goes in the wrong direction."

It took me a couple of moments to catch my breath; my entire body was out of control. I grudgingly looked up at him, he was smiling.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't realize…" He put his hand up to stop me.

"Please don't apologize, you did nothing wrong."

"Edward, I have never done anything like this. I feel like I ruined everything." Stupid.

"You didn't ruin anything. I…" He stopped what he was saying and looked away. He was definitely hiding something.

"What? Is there someone else where you came from? What Edward? You have been hiding something from me since I first started talking to you. Stop hesitating and tell me what's wrong!" I surprised my own self with how assertive I sounded.

He looked at me with a guilty face, and I knew more than ever that there was definitely something he wasn't telling me.

"Bella, I can't...you wouldn't understand." That was it; those words threw me over the edge.

"Stop it with this 'I won't understand' crap! I'm not an idiot Edward. If there is something or someone else, let me know - I'll stop wasting my time. I have been nothing but honest with you from day one. The least you can do is fess up and tell me what's wrong."

I couldn't look him in his eyes, I was frustrated beyond measure.

His voice was hurt and strained, "Bella, what I am hiding from you is for your own good. It's not safe for you to know. Trust me, I fight with it every day, I want to tell you so bad. Bella, I can't."

I was livid. My voice was shaky, but I said what needed to be said, "No Edward. It doesn't work that way. I cannot be with you or around you without understanding you completely. I can't handle secrets, and if you can't tell me what's wrong, then I have no choice but to end whatever this is before it goes too far. I'm sorry Edward." I was full on crying at this point. I looked up at him, but he was looking down. He was fighting something internally, like I always seen him do. I had to get away.

I turned around and started running. I don't know why, but I just ran. It was the only thing that made sense at the time. I was running away from his lies- or his lack of the truth.

I was staring forward, toward the trees, when out of nowhere Edward appeared in front of me. It was too quick for me to stop and I slammed into him. His arms caught me as I hit his body. It felt like a brick wall.

Astonished, I fell to the ground; he came down with me. I wasn't sure what I had seen, but I knew at this point, I was losing my mind.

I was breathing hard, trying to put together what just happened.

"You, you…" I gasped.

He pulled me into his body; I pulled away, "NO! No, no, you…you came from nowhere. What happened, no, no, no."

"Shhh, Bella, calm down." His voice was low, calming. It didn't work.

I was enraged, "NO EDWARD! TELL ME WHAT THE FUCK JUST HAPPENED. Where did you come from, the trees? You were nowhere around, you appeared out of nowhere!"

"Bella, stop. Calm down. You want to know about me? Is this what you want?"

I looked up at him, pleading, "I don't understand."

He looked angered, "Answer my question, do you want to know what I am?"

What he was, did I hear that right?

I spoke quietly, almost inaudibly, "I want the truth."

"Bella, the truth will only make this matter worse."

I looked at him again, confusion all over my face, "Tell me, what are you." I demanded.

The silence lingered, he seemed to be configuring the rights words to say. Fear washed over my body, I was afraid. It was then when I noticed my body was shaking.

He took in a deep and precise breath, "I am 108 years old. I live amongst the living, yet I am dead."

I took a shaky breath, his word were not registering as truth, only as more confusion. He saw this and embellished, "Bella, I feed off blood to survive, I am what culture has coined, a 'vampire'."

I did only what my instincts lead me to do, I laughed. "You're trying to make me believe you're a vam…" I couldn't even finish the word.

He didn't seem amused, "You asked me to tell you, I did. I'm not joking Bella, I am serious."

"No, no, no, no. That's not real. That stuff doesn't exist. Stop bullshiting! This is not a joke to me either Edward!" I pulled myself up off the ground.

I started to walk away, "Bella! Stop!" I ignored him and kept walking. He thought I was a complete idiot.

He caught up to me, "What else do you want me to tell you? "

I stopped walking and looked sharply at him, "I don't know Edward- maybe that you have trust issues, or that you're fighting with previous emotions, or that you're a god damn manic depressive, NOT THAT YOU'RE A 108 YEAR OLD FUCKING VAMPIRE!"

He grabbed my arm, "I am not lying to you! Do you want proof? Is that what you need? I told you, you wouldn't understand. I don't want this to come between us."

"Maybe you should have thought about that before you sprang some stupid sci-fi shit on me. Who do you think I am?" Apparently the dumbest person he's ever met!

"I can show you Bella."

"WHAT? Are you going to suck my blood Edward?" I laughed at my own anger.

He gave me a hurtful glance. Did this ass hole actually believe he was a…vampire?

"Alright Edward, if you are what you say you are, show me." I knew I would regret this; I was falling for his deceitful claim.

Just then, he picked up a sea shell from the beach; He broke it into a sharp blade and gave it to me.

"Try to cut me." What?

"No." I shot back, annoyed.

"Bella, do it." His voice was serious and harsh; something inside of me shuddered at his tone.

I picked my hand up and placed the shell on his forearm. I pushed as hard as I could, it felt like I was pushing on a rock. I shook my head in disbelief.

"All this proves is that you have tough skin, and I'm a gullible idiot."

As I said those words, he was gone. Nowhere in sight. As if he had vanished into thin air."

What the fuck…

I officially have lost my mind. I stood there, dumbfounded. Overwhelmed by twenty different emotions, I felt my knees get weak. My head felt light, and right before I hit the ground, I knew I believed him.