A/N: H-hi everyone! (nervously faces screen). I know I'm late and I am deeply sorry once again! I've decided that my story will be updated every Sunday, starting the 27th. Thank you to everyone who left a review or added me to their alerts from last chapter;) Love you all! I'm so glad that many of you are liking it already. Hopefully this slightly longer chapter makes up for the time. Review & enjoy.. xoxoxo
After he shut the door, my mind was slightly reeling. I had not expected his rage from a small snide comment I made. Had I really offended him that much?
I suppose I was wrong to do so- I didn't know enough to judge him. But could anyone blame me? He didn't know me either, yet he treating me like I was less than nothing. I didn't do anything to deserve that hatred.
Was it that I was a child? Maybe he disliked children. Or maybe.. Just then it came to me, and it made perfect sense. Maybe his rage was really directed at his family for keeping a stupid human like me around. I couldn't blame him for that I guess. I don't understand why they let me live either.
I was drowned in my thoughts for a while, and I finally came to grips with my situation. It was simple. No one really wanted me. Carlisle and Esme may have taken me in, but only because they were truly good people, despite what they were and how they fed. I was only a burden on them though. An intruder in their home. Their lives. I didn't belong here. I didn't belong anywhere. Edward was just being honest to say what they wouldn't.
I would leave graciously, without a word. I didn't exactly know where, but I would learn to adapt to anywhere. When I glanced at the clock beside me, it read 3:12.
I sniffled softly and stood from the comfy bed. I walked over to the mirror and took in my appearance. The moon shone through the glass doors, emitting some glow to the room. My hair was completely dried now, but hung limply to my waist. My eyes turned red again when I had started to cry, and my lashes created dark shadows under them.
They held no life, my cheeks were void of color, and my pale face was dull. I always remembered how I compared myself to those zombies I saw on television. How I looked dead, like them.
But it was no different to how I always looked.
My eyes drifted lower, not wanting to see anymore. Another realization just occurred to me then. Survival? It would be impossible to last more than a few days without food or some other needed supplies. Could I really steal though? I forced myself to believe Esme would understand.
I finally turned to the door, bag in hand, and pulled it open to peer into the dark hallway. If I didn't know better, I would think that no one was home. But I knew they were here somewhere..
They would be in their rooms. I thought quickly. If I'm careful, they won't notice. I focused everything on the small nightlight in the wall, and used it to guide me to the stairs. After nearly falling several times, I finally made it to the last step.
I entered the kitchen with ease, now provided with a little more light to see. I went to the fridge first and noticed that it was mostly empty except for a few larger food objects. I figured so. I settled with the only four bottled waters, an apple, and a couple of cheese sticks. It would have to do for now. I stuffed them into my temporary night bag and rummaged through the drawers and cabinets around me. There were eating utensils, random dishes, and cooking supplies. None of them seemed to be used.
In the last drawer I searched through, I found a bunch of chefs knives and a meat tenderizer. I hesitated before picking up one of the knifes. I needed to protect myself somehow, right? I decided to hold it for now.
I knew where the door was. I tiptoed across the cold floors and reached for the handle. This is it. I'm on my own from here on out. When I pulled it though, it didn't budge. My eyes widened. Crap, it's locked! I drew in a deep breath to calm myself and pushed myself higher on my toes to reach the lock.
Just as my hand met the flat metal, something cold touched the back of it. It was a hand. I gasped, startled, and jerked away from the door. "Oh, God!"
"No, just me" A smooth voice sounded near me. It was Edward. He didn't sound angry like earlier, but I was still a tensed wreck. "I-I'm sorry!" I sputtered out.
His appearance was both gorgeous and terrifying as he raised a brow at me. "For "accidentally" trying to sneak out of the house at four in the morning after packing up the kitchen?"
I grimaced, mentally cursing to myself. His intense stare nearly caused me to pee myself. "I thought everyone was in their room" I blurted hastily.
He started to move, slowly circling me. "Have you forgotten that we don't sleep?" His voice was calm. I shook my head "no" and said, "I didn't think anyone would hear me. I thought I was being.. quiet." My eyes flickered among the darkness, wondering if Esme or anyone else would appear. I was silently wishing for someone to comfort me now.
Edward seemed to notice and chuckled softly, amused. "There's no one here, if you're wondering by any chance. They left." My nerves came back again in full force, yet they never really subsided in the first place. "What do you mean?"
"Everyone's gone hunting, but they'll be back before sunrise." The air somehow felt different, and his icy breath made the hairs stand straight on my neck. "But for now, it's just you and me."
The lights then turned on in the room, though I hadn't heard him move. My eyes hurt for a little while and I had to squint until they adjusted.
I spun to see that he was in the kitchen, looking through the drawers as I had. He glanced at me and with a teasing smile asked, "Mind passing me the knife?".
"Oh" I blinked in surprise. I had forgotten all about the knife I was currently gripping tightly in my fist. I hung back a little and he smirked. "Don't worry. I am only going to make you something to eat since you apparently refuse to sleep."
I handed it to him promptly and folded my arms across my chest. I was less nervous now for some reason, and a lot more irritated instead.
"What the hell is with all the mood swings? Y'know I'm starting to believe you have a multiple personality disorder or something." I rambled. "And do you even know how to cook? You guys don't eat the same stuff!" He laughed melodically at my exasperated expression.
"No I do not have a disorder, and yes I do cook, mind you. I watch food network on occasion" He grinned. "I do owe you an apology though. I had a small chat with Esme, Alice and Carlisle and lets just say, I'm beginning to understand a little more about you."
"You know nothing about me" I used his own words from earlier against him.
"Maybe" He agreed. "And that is why I'm hoping that my delicious meal will make it up. I want to get to know you Isabella, and I want you to know me as well"
I think my mind began to reel once again, at his proposal. Did he really just say what I thought I heard? I drifted to meet his gaze once again and nodded, offering him a small but cautious smile in return.
"So," He began, "what's your favorite color?" Edward made me a cheese omelet with bacon stripes and had poured me a glass of milk. He was now sitting across from me with his arms folded neatly on the table in between us.
"Are you serious?" I said incredulously. He was really asking me what my favorite color was? Incredible.
"You do have a favorite don't you? For example, my favorite color is blue. I find it a very calming color." He seemed to think I needed clarification.
"No, I know what you said.. I don't have a favorite color. I just don't understand why you're asking me such a pointless question."
He frowned. "I'm getting to know you"
"Obviously. I guess I was expecting something a bit more relevant from you."
"Relevant, huh?"
"Mmhmm" I watched him carefully as I chewed a mouthful of omelet. It was really good.
"So what would you define as 'relevant' then?"
I thought about it for a few seconds, and asked, "How old are you?"
His crimson eyes showed humor as a smirk played at his lips. " Well that depends. Are we talking theoretically?" I cracked a smile and answered, "Both"
"Well in theory, I'm only twenty-three. Technically speaking, I'm a hundred-fifty-two." My eyes nearly popped out of my sockets. 152? This man looks like a model!
He laughed and added, "Yep, it's true. I was born in Chicago, 1859."
"So what about you, human?" He shot back teasingly.
"Seven" I told him, feeling utterly insignificant in comparison.
"Hey" He reached across the table, brushing my dark hair away from my face. He's really trying to comfort me.
"Thanks" I told him, bringing my small hand to cover the one that had begun stroking the length of my face. He gave me a strange look that I couldn't decipher, and pulled away, leaving my face feeling all tingly. He quickly averted his gaze, which oddly seemed a bit darker than before. "Sorry" He muttered under his breath. This wasn't a side of him I've seen before.
"So," I started again when it had become awkwardly silent. I saw that his hands were once again folded and I frowned. He caught my stare, and hid them under the table.
He cleared his throat. "So, what else shall we talk about?"
Edward answered all of my questions, and I listened to each one with great interest. I learned a little bit more about his family, and how they all traveled a lot. He was very musical, and enjoyed piano. I smiled when he offered to teach me sometime. Carlisle was a doctor, and Esme stayed home. The rest of them acted as students at Forks High.
Somehow, as I sat with him, I felt as if I'd known him much longer. He was a different person.
We chatted on for about an hour, but I still had the nagging sense to ask him about something else. "Edward, could I ask you about something?"
He eyed me apprehensively before nodding. "I can hear your heart flying. What has gotten you so anxious?"
"I wanted to ask you about…" I began softly, nervous of his reaction.
"Ah, I see" His expression changed. "You want to talk vampires" I nodded.
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything"
"We'll that certainly narrows things down for me." He rolled his eyes. "Let's see, well for starters, we obviously do exist"
"How?"
"I'm not exactly sure, really. But Carlisle has his theories."
"Food?"
"You already know the answer to that."
"But why?"
"Isn't it evident? Surely you must have seen one of those outrageous films like Dracula or Van Helsing?"
"So you turn into bats?" I asked and he groaned. "No. Human blood is simply more satisfying."
"But you kill people!" I shouted at him.
"And humans kill each other, so it's a moot point."
"So does this explain why your eyes are freakishly red?" He grinned.
"Yes. There are animal drinkers though who's eyes are gold, but they're less common" I shook my head in disgust and moved on. "What about the sun? Does it burn you?"
"Ultimately, yes. The sun is merely uncomfortable, but if we stay out for too long, it eventually burns us." He said, and then added, "And it's not in the least bit comparable to a sunburn to humans. It's much, much worse."
"So how to you become a vampire?" It took a full minute before he shook his head, refusing to tell me.
"Okay then.. fangs? I thought I saw them before-"
I nearly fell out of my chair in alarm when his perfectly normal canines elongated into two razor-sharp fangs. He cracked at my expression. "Hey, you asked!" He defended when I glowered. "That wasn't funny. You could have just answered with words!" He laughed even harder, but retracted them.
"So, is that all?" I demanded, my mood soured.
"No. Some of us also have certain gifts. For instance, I can read minds. But don't worry, I can't read yours although its strangely never happened before.. Alice can see the future, and Jasper can manipulate emotions. There are also powers that come with vampirism such as speed, strength, and enhanced senses."
I opened my mouth to speak but he had already moved on. "Now, no more talk about me. It's your turn."
Everything in this moment was about to go downhill, at least for me.