You know the drill: Twilight and its characters are owned by Stephenie Meyer.

I'd like to take a second to thank Capricorn75 for whoring out my story at Twilighted! I've got a beta working with me right now so that I can post over there. I'm still waiting for my revised Prologue to get approved, but I will definitely let you guys know if I get accepted and when I start posting my revised chapters.

Thanks for the reviews!
xXx

Chapter 5.

BPOV

My left hand was instinctively rubbing my right wrist as Edward kept his eyes glued to it. I dropped my knees from my chest and swung my legs to the edge of the bed. His eyes were following my movements. Deciding I didn't need any more embarrassment for the night, I didn't look to see whether he was watching me or the mark on my arm. After a few moments, I decided to stand up. I must have done it too quickly, because I felt all the blood rush to my head and the room around me started to dim. His hands grabbed me by the shoulders and I was electrified out of my dizziness.

"Thanks for stopping by with my homework," I began, trying to find the words I wanted to use.

"It's no problem," Edward interrupted me. He smiled crookedly as my eyes met his. They were glowing in some kind of golden hue that was indescribable. I won't try to describe it in any other way besides breathtaking. And taking my breath way was exactly what he was doing to me at that very moment. I took a deep breath and tried to remember what I was going to say in the first place.

"Will you be in class tomorrow?"

I was so startled by his sudden interest in where I would be; I didn't know what to say. Then, my thoughts wandered to the position I woke up in. My head in his lap. Who knew how long I'd been there. Edward did, and I bet every second of it tortured him. What a masochist. I chuckled and Edward cleared his throat.

"Yes, I will be in class tomorrow."

His earlier crooked smile returned and he walked out of my bedroom door with a simple 'good night.' I heard the front door shut behind him and I slumped back down in my bed. Curling up into the fetal position, I lied there waiting for Charlie to come home. Not because I wanted to talk to him. Mostly because I felt better when I could feel his presence. I was more at ease when I wasn't alone.

I was most at ease when Edward was allowing me to put my face in his lap, apparently.

The sky outside my window was beginning to change from deep blue and black into pale shades of purple and orange. The sun was beginning to rise and I felt a ray sneak through my window and land on my face. Charlie's rustling downstairs had relaxed me hours ago, but my own thoughts kept me awake. They drifted between inappropriate thoughts of Edward Cullen to analyzing his every word and action. Sometimes, anxiety took over and I started thinking about Saturday. Before I had a chance to get worked up, I vaguely remembered the way I melted into Edward's arms. And the way he held me for most of the night.

Stop swooning, Swan.

When the sky was finally fully lit, I decided it was time to get ready for school. As much as I didn't want to go, I told Edward I'd be there. For some reason, I couldn't fathom disappointing those honey-colored eyes. God, you have got to stop this ridiculousness, Bella! I padded my way to the bathroom and caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I looked terrible. My dark hair was drifting in all kinds of different directions. Dark circles were pooling under my eyes and my pale skin looked incredibly dull.

I turned the shower on and let steam fill the room before I dragged myself under the hot water. Unlike last night's shower, this one actually felt good. Relaxing, the way it's supposed to. I washed my hair and let the scent of strawberry and vanilla fill the air. Somehow, I left the shower feeling invigorated. Like, I hadn't just stayed up the entire night consumed in naughty sex dreams and worthless anxiety.

I paid extra attention to my appearance. While I did wear some make up usually, I was mostly interested in to covering up the circles under my eyes and making myself glow. It was a defensive tactic my mother taught me years ago: never let an opponent see weakness. Even though I wasn't prepping for battle, though it did feel like one most of the time, it was important to keep my game face on. Because I had shit to do, you know?

There were a million things I wanted to say to Edward. None of which I would actually say, of course. Sure, I wasn't exactly a modest creature. And I definitely wasn't shy. But I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to know what was going on between the two of us. Besides, I couldn't go around asking questions without answering some of my own. I was not ready to be answering any questions.

You might be good looking, Cullen, but you're not breaking down these walls.

Swiping on some shiny pink lip gloss, I gave my reflection a big smile. I flipped my head down and towel dried my hair. Once I stood straight up, I looked at myself carefully. Straight and sexy or curly and cute? I thought about Jessica Stanley and her curly hair and decided a sleek blow out would do. Bella Swan, now leaving hair and make-up, prepped for wardrobe. I smiled as I wandered back down the hall wearing my towel.

Instead of hiding myself under another huge sweatshirt, I decided today was as good a day as any to let my amateur fashion sense shine through. True, I was most comfortable in my usual casual-sloppy garb. But, after last night's obscene display of weakness, I needed a little validation. A few turning heads will suffice. So what if I'm a little superficial? A girl's gotta have flaws.

A short white skirt replaced my usual tight jeans. An emerald green camisole and a brown cardigan replaced the oversized sweatshirt. To complete the look, I decided to go for the heels. Usually, I avoid wearing heels at school. The constant clicking of heels against the floor makes me nervous. Because I'm always giving away my location. I chortled at my paranoia. But, nothing really seemed to work with my outfit but a pair of sky high green stilettos. Anyway, my short ass could use a few extra inches today.

In a way that only stilettos can do, I was suddenly feeling more confident. Even more brazen. Like I was ready to look Edward Cullen in his golden eyes and say "Hey! What's going on here, pal?!" I smirked to myself, as I glided down the stairs and saw Charlie sitting at the table with his head in his hands.

"What's up, Dad?"

"Oh. Hey, Bells," he looked up and attempted a smile. Come on Charlie, at least put a little effort into it.

"What's wrong?" I asked as I slid into the chair across from him.

"Nothing. Just another attack, Bells. There was something so ruthless about it-" he broke off and looked at me. His trepidation didn't really surprise me. After all, I was still his little girl. But he had told me almost everything I needed to know.

"Oh, Dad," I tried to comfort him and I reached out for his hand, "don't worry. You'll find it. Whatever it is," a reassuring smile crossed my face and it seemed to ease his tension.

"You look awfully dressed up for school, what's the occasion?"

"Just felt like I need to mix things up. You know, throw caution to the wind and throw on a skirt," he frowned at my tone and I shrugged. "I know it's hard to believe, Dad, but I am a girl. And sometimes girls like to put on skirts and look like girls."

"Have a good day at school, Bells," he rolled his eyes at me but I could tell he was trying to hold back a laugh.

On my way out the door, I grabbed my messenger bag from the couch and swung it over my shoulder. The door slammed behind me and I looked at my truck. Not even that beast can ruin my mood this morning. My eyes narrowed while I circled to the driver's side and jumped in. The engine growled loudly as I turned my key in the ignition. The sound was almost comforting, since I hadn't left the house in days. Shifting into reverse, I pulled out of the driveway and checked myself in the rearview mirror. One of the radio stations was coming in, for once, so I turned up the volume and sang loudly all the way to school.

I looked good and I felt good, but all that goodness came with a price: I was late for class. There weren't many parking spaces left, so I turned into the spot next to the yellow Porsche. I pushed my door open and was greeted by small, spiky Alice Cullen. Her presence was so strong that I literally froze in place.

"Bella!" She exclaimed.

"Hey, Alice," I was hesitant with my words as well as getting out the car. Honestly, Alice was looking at me way too deeply. I was worried she was going to kill my "I'm totally hot" buzz. Eventually, I realized my future in Literature depended on whether or not I could get out of my truck and make it to class.

She stopped me as I shut the door behind me and looked at me intensely.

"You should tell him," she said; not breaking eye contact.

"Tell who? Tell them what?" This girl is seriously off her rocker.

"Tell Edward, Bella."

Was she actually pleading with me? There was definitely something in her eyes, but I couldn't tell what. Desperation seemed like a decent possibility. Her intensity was really starting to freak me out.

"Look, Alice, I don't know what you are talking about," I glared at her, and hoped my brown eyes intimidated her as much as hers were freaking me out.

"You have to tell have to tell him soon," she grabbed my hands at she finished her sentence and squeezed.

"Tell who what?" I was practically yelling at her. Lucky for us, the parking lot was empty.

"You need to tell Edward what happens tomorrow," she squeezed my hands harder and it fucking hurt.

Before I had a chance to say anything else to Alice, Edward appeared by her side. He looked pissed off, and I wasn't sure which one of us he was angrier with. His head snapped in Alice's direction and I knew she was the one under fire. Her eyes grew wide and she finally turned to meet him.

"Alice," he started, "I think you're scaring Bella."

Damn right, she's scaring me. She's freaking me the fuck out, actually.

"I'm sorry Bella, just please," her hands let go of mine, "there's not much time."

She turned from me and bumped Edward on her way back towards the school. There was a long awkward moment. For real? I was not going to let a cryptic little sprite ruin my "damn, you look good" day.

"Well…that was strange," I shrugged, and started to make my way past Edward so I could possibly catch the end of my class.

"I'm sorry; Alice has been out of sorts lately."

"It's okay." I've seen much stranger. I've never had a foreboding message delivered to me before, however. And that part was creeping me out a little bit.

"Please, let me walk you to class," he smiled. It would have knocked me off kilter if I hadn't been feeling excessively confident. Instead of letting him dazzle me, I took matters into my own hands. I linked arms with him and smiled.

"I would be honored."

EPOV

I wanted to chase after Alice and find out what the hell was going on. She'd been avoiding me for almost a week and I find her out here talking to Bella? It was very strange, to say the least. However, once I got a good look at Bella in that short skirt and those green shoes that made her legs look like they went on for miles—I couldn't just let her walk to class by herself. Letting a beautiful young lady walk to class alone wouldn't be every gentlemanly, now would it?

If I were to be completely honest with myself, it wasn't the gentleman part of me that was interested in Bella this morning. It was the inquisitive part of me that let her fix her elbow into mine.

Which was a bad idea, because every single nerve in my body lit up like a 911 switchboard in inner-city Chicago.

Perhaps last night was just a fluke? Maybe I was able to hold her because I didn't have time to think about what it meant to hold her? Now, it was like she was tempting me. She was the physical embodiment of sex in a short skirt and silky hair. Every time the coastal wind picked up, her scent seemed to waft right into me. The way she touched me was electric, like it had always been, but her arm hooked into mine was pure torture. I could feel the steady rhythm of her pulse; and it made me feel like a complete jackass. She was driving me crazy from every aspect and I didn't even make her pulse race?

Suddenly, I was feeling insecure, and I wasn't going to be able to achieve my goals if I wasn't poised. No girl in her right mind would bare her soul with someone who wasn't completely confident with their seduction tactics. And, every moment in Bella's presence seemed to suggest she wasn't just any girl.

I was sickeningly drawn to her mysteriousness.

"Edward?" Bella pulled me to a stop.

"Yes?"

"Did you hear anything I just said?"

Shit.

"I'm sorry, I must have been so consumed with the task of escorting you safely to Literature that I didn't hear you. Please repeat?" I hoped that my dazzling grin would work on her, but something told me it wouldn't affect her as strongly as it did most others.

"It's okay," she rolled her eyes at me and unlinked her arm from mine, "I was asking you what you were doing tonight." We stopped right outside the building her class was in, and she was waiting for me to respond to her.

"I don't believe I have any kind of engagement tonight. Why?" Was she going to ask me out? Because as much as I would like to spend more time with her—it may be more emasculating that I can really bare right now.

"Well, why don't you let me know if you're free," she took my hand in hers and scrawled her number across my palm. She smiled slyly and slipped into the classroom without affording me a second glance.

Really? I flipped my palm over and looked at the digits written down. She had succeeded in distracting me from my original intentions twice now. If it weren't for her unbelievable scent…and smile…and body…

Edward! Honestly!

I needed to get a better look at her right arm and see that mark she thought was a birthmark. What I probably needed was to stay away from Bella Swan. I turned and scanned the parking lot behind me and wondered if Alice was still lurking somewhere. For someone who was so seemingly boundless; she could be awfully evasive. Perhaps the only thing I could really do was go to study hall and try to get through the rest of the day.

Maybe I would be able to accost Bella during lunch. The thought alone brought a shiver to my spine and a slight tingle to my skin.

"Edward!" A frantic whisper came from the far end of the lot. It was Alice, and she was getting inside my head. Literally. I checked to see that the lot was still empty before I went to her.

"Alice, what the hell are you up to?" My tone matched hers.

"She has a secret. I don't know what it is, but she disappears," Alice's voice was low and her face was solemn.

A secret? You don't say.

"What do you mean, she disappears?"

"From the vision, Edward. I can't see her anymore," she dropped her head down to avoid my gaze.

"Well, what does that mean?" I began raking my hands through my hair in a frantic frustration. Does something happen to her? What isn't Alice telling me? Why did she wait so long to tell me?

"I don't know. I've never had it happen to me before. One second she's there and the next she's not. The only thing I can make out from the dream is the time on her alarm clock."

"So it happens in her room?"

"According to the vision. It happens when the clock turns to midnight. She was going to tell you, but then she changed her mind," her voice was still low and she was still avoiding eye contact with me.

"What was she going to tell me, Alice?" Why is she drawing this out? Just fucking tell me already!

"I don't know! All I know is she had big news to tell you. Something happened and the vision changed. Now I don't see her in the visions at all, but I'm getting more visions of the nomads that are moving through the forest. I'm worried that it has to do with her absence," her eyes finally met mine, and they looked apologetic.

I flipped my palm back over and looked at Bella's number written across it.

"Alice, I'll take care of it."

"You have to, Edward. She's important."

Before I had a chance to ask why, Alice was gone. Typical. The bell signaling the end of first period chimed and I decided to stay and make it through the day. Carlisle and Esme get anxious when I take cut too often without a premeditated excuse. I hoped I would be able to gain more perspective on Bella by scanning the minds of the student body throughout the day.

You're turning into a psychopath.

A monster is always a monster, in some form or fashion.

The time before lunch passed too slowly. Halfway through second period Literature, I was already tired of the mental images of Bella that dominated Crowley's mind. However, no amount of amateur porn watching could have prepared me for the fantasies I saw running through Newton's head in fourth period. If the bell hadn't rung for lunch, it was quite possible that he would have been missing his throat.

Just when I thought sticking out the day wasn't the best idea, I saw her. She was sitting next to Jessica and Lauren, but she shined like a diamond. In fact, clichés weren't good enough for her. Isabella Swan was something original. Something that I wanted. Easy, boy. My head was buzzing, like it usually does in the cafeteria. I heard one distinct thought from both Newton and Crowley. Their objective: ask Bella out for tonight. There was no way in hell I was letting that happen. Before I had a chance to really consider my actions, I was standing behind her.

"So, tonight?" I bent down and loudly whispered in her ear. She jumped slightly at the sound of my voice.

"Oh? Have you cleared your schedule?" She turned around and met me with a smirk.

"There was something that needed my immediate attention," I replied. The entire cafeteria was focused on our exchange as I gave her another dazzling smile. With any luck, she wasn't becoming desensitized.

"I see," her cheeks and ears burned crimson.

"So, tonight?"

For a minute, I thought she was going to faint. Considering the blow to my ego I took earlier, I allowed myself a moment of ego inflation. After another minute, I thought she had changed her mind about our conversation during first period. But, she must have been looking for the confidence to respond to me and still maintain the rough image she was aiming to achieve.

"Pick me up at eight, then," she replied as she turned back around.

I ignored the thoughts of the Forks student body as I joined Alice and Jasper at our usual table. While I silently gloated over my date with Bella, I couldn't deny I was ill at ease. There was something she was hiding, and I needed to ignore the way I reacted to her long enough to figure it out. I wasn't quite so convinced I could do that.