So…awesome news: Under a Killing Moon has been accepted over at Twilighted[dot]net. Big thanks Capricorn75 for suggesting I post there and whoring my story at the forums. My redrafted prologue is up, and I should get my revised first chapter up soonish. Unfortunately, I lost my beta, so if anyone knows someone who could/would do it, let me know. (.?sid=4908)

On another note…I was really hoping to get to the reveal in this chapter, but no such look. However, it will be the next chapter. I promise. I appreciate all the reviews and adds! Without much further ado…

Twilight and its characters are intellectual property of S. Meyer. The sarcasm, on the other hand, is all me.
xXx

Chapter 6.

BPOV

Lauren and Jessica were leering at me from across the table. Sluts. Tyler, who was apologizing profusely for almost killing me with his van, had shut up. Even Mike wasn't saying much. How did I get so lucky? Not only did Edward Cullen just ask me out—put a pin in that and I'll come back to that later—but my entire insipid lunch table just shut the fuck up. I was practically glowing from the inside out.

Everyone finished their lunches in silence and I munched on an apple and thought about Edward. I kept stealing glances at him from over my shoulder, but he wasn't paying attention. Without Jessica's constant gossiping, I was able to think to myself for the remainder of the period. This time was utilized by thinking of Edward. Edward, Edward, Edward. Quit doodling his name in hearts all over your notebook, geesh. I was busy mentally surveying my closet for a sexy date outfit when the bell rang. I realized I would have to sit next to him for the entire next class. My stomach jumped with nervous excitement.

Bella Swan doesn't get nervous. But, as recent activity has indicated, Edward has me doing a lot of things I wouldn't normally do. Like daydream, blush and wake up in a man's lap. On top of the lunchtime phenomenon, I was still getting a lot of attention for my sexy swagger. I am a vain creature, what can I say? All in all, today has made up for last night's pitiful display of weakness.

When I finally made it to Physics, Edward was already at our table. Don't get me wrong, I have definitely admired his sexiness a few times in the last few weeks. There was something different about him today. He was more statuesque than usual, but in an odd way. With his legs sprawled out in front him, taking up more than half the space we shared, he crossed his arms and just looked angry. Maybe not angry, but upset. He pinched the bridge of his nose as I wiggled behind him to get to my seat.

"What's that matter? Get it? Matter? It's a pun," I flopped down in my seat and hooked my ankles together. After all, this shit is not free.

"Very funny," he searched my face then added, "What did you have in mind for tonight?"

"Dinner? Bank heist? World domination? I don't have a curfew on the weekends, so the possibilities are really endless."

"World domination is more suitable for the second date. Since you don't have a curfew, maybe we could start small and take over a minute European country."

Mr. Fisher cleared his throat and started teaching about energy or motion. I wasn't really paying attention because I was too busy watching Edward from the corner of my eye. Fifteen long minutes passed before we were finally able to start working on our labs.

"Call me old fashioned, but I think you should pick the date locale," I was busy looking over the lab assignment, but I glanced up to see his reaction.

"It's never old fashioned to expect chivalry, Bella."

He looked at me with total seriousness. Were this any other man, I would have probably rolled my eyes. Had Mike Newton said this, I would have punched him in the face. Mostly because I just want to punch Mike in the face. For some reason, those words coming out of Edward's mouth was turning me on. Which I found to be wholly unnecessary.

"If you don't mind," Edward took the assignment out of my hands to gain my full attention, "I'd like to go somewhere to talk. Perhaps get to know each other better. I wish to be able to give you my undivided attention. You deserve it."

Good god, does the charm ever stop?

"I know this cute place in Port Angeles. Double bonus because we can talk on the ride there and back as well as at the restaurant."

Apparently, the decision had been made. After I suggested it, we went on to work on the Physics lab. Edward was helping me work through a few formulas when I saw his face tighten into a frown. Before I had a chance to ask him what was wrong, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I knew that fucking tap anywhere. It was Mike. I tried to ignore it, but after the third tap I knew he would probably do it all day if I didn't respond.

"Yes, Mike?" I turned around as I spit out my response.

"You want to come to the homecoming dance with me next Saturday?"

There's a dance next Saturday? When the hell did this happen?

"I'm sorry, but I have homework."

"Yeah yeah, Harvard. I get it," he used his hand to mimic me.

"Truth?" The truth is I fucking hate you. Because you are a dick, Mike Newton. That is the truth. "I promised my dad I would go fishing with him."

"Too bad, I bet you'd be real fun at the after-party," he smiled and turned back to work with Tyler.

Psht. I bet he'd slip a fucking roofie into my drink. Then I'd be all kinds of blacked-out fun. Too bad for you, pal! Tyler turned around and winked at me. Edward gripped his right hand on the corner of the desk.

"Bella my bell!" Tyler exclaimed as he ignored my lab partner and scooting his chair back against my table. He stretched his arm across the table, dividing Edward and me. Tyler was so consumed in what he was about to do, he probably didn't have a chance to see that Edward was about ready to throw it down Mortal Kombat style. I smiled, because it was funny. Tyler thought I smiled because I wanted him to continue being a total douche bag.

"So, I know you just told Mike no because you were saving yourself for me," he leaned in to whisper to me pretending that he didn't want Mike to hear, but I could see Mike was casually scooting his chair back.

"Am I really that transparent?"

"I really think you'd like to go with me. Ebony and ivory, baby."

"Tempting. Does Paul McCartney get a royalty check every time that line works for you?"

Tyler stopped smiling.

"You have to go to the dance, Bella," Tyler's eyes narrowed. Behind him, I could see Edward was becoming more and more hostile.

"I don't have to do anything, Tyler, I'm an independent woman," I whispered coyly in his ear.

"You got a nomination for queen, you gotta be there!" Mike piped in.

"Yeah, so you gotta choose one of us to go with, girl!" Tyler was angling his body to cut off Mike's contact with me.

"Why in the hell are you two my only options?" Did I do something to piss off the gods?

I looked over at Edward, hoping to solicit some help in getting rid of Tweedle-Dumb and Tweedle-Dumber. Unfortunately for me, he was too consumed with being mad he didn't notice I was practically begging for his help with my eyes. Somehow, Mike pushed his chair next to mine and had his arm around my shoulder. Where the fuck is Mr. Fisher? While letting these two boys fight over me was fun for a second or two, I had to put an end to it.

"Look guys," I tried to keep my tone polite as I forcefully removed Mike's arm from my body, "my date will be chosen pending a full investigation into these Homecoming Queen Nomination allegations."

They stared at me. Okay, really?

"So turn around and fuck off, please," I spit out. Mike and Tyler quickly turned back to their table, I spun around to make sure Mr. Fisher wasn't lurking. Seriously, where is he? Edward was still clamping down on the table like a god damn vice. I was about open my mouth to tell him to relax when he spoke first.

"It's true, the nominations were announced yesterday."

He spoke through clenched teeth and didn't even spare me a look. The muscles in the arm gripping the table tightened and flexed, then relaxed. He straightened himself up then organized our lab report. After about five minutes, he realized I was staring at him.

"What?"

Before I could insert a snarky reply, the bell rang. Like the first day of school, Edward was out of there faster than speeding bullet. Look! It's a bird! It's a plane! NO! It's just a really moody vampire! I was laughing at my own joke for the next period.

Gym class brought sweet, sweet redemption. We were playing soccer, but instead of going for the actual goal, I was going for a personal goal. Mike's balls. Let's just say, my goal was reached. When he doubled over in pain, I gave him a sweet smile and mouthed "sorry." I'm not sure, but while he was sobbing, I think he actually apologized to me for letting his balls get in my way. I couldn't understand him through his tear-filled chokes.

After another soccer ball went flying at Mike's head, Mr. Gym Teacher made me sit out for the rest of the class. Stretched out on the sidelines, I let the wet air wisp over me. Without Edward's presence distracting me, Alice's earlier words floated through my head. Tell him. I wanted to tell him, but I didn't really know what to tell him—or how.

Look Edward; remember that birthmark on my arm? Well, that's not the only thing I was born with.

I smirked to myself because it was absurd. He's a vampire. A vampire attending a public high school. Clearly, I'm not the only one hiding things around here. Why is it so difficult for me to be honest with him? Wait? Why do I even need to be honest with him? I don't owe Edward Cullen anything. Except maybe my life. I was getting tired of my inner ramblings when I saw two pairs of tanned, toned legs standing in front of me. Jessica and Lauren. Apparently, my good fortune from lunch was running out.

"So, Mike says you aren't going to the homecoming dance," Lauren sneered at me.

"Actually, I said I wasn't going to the dance with Mike, not that I wasn't going at all." Not that I was planning on going.

"Whatever. You have to, like, show up to get crowned," Jessica explained.

"Not that you will anyway," Lauren shot me a look, "because the Mallorys have had Homecoming Queen on lockdown since about 1984."

Tired of the two of them towering over me in an act of intimidation, I stood up and brushed the grass off of the back of my legs. I stared at Lauren briefly before I spoke. "Look, Lauren, I didn't nominate myself for Queen. I don't even care about stupid plastic tiaras and sashes and overpriced organza gowns. However, I love a good challenge. I would watch what I say, if I were you."

"In your dreams, Swan. Like you would ever, in a million years, win," Lauren was inspecting her nail beds and didn't even bother to see what response my face made.

"You know what? There are at least two boys I know that would love to take me to the dance. And, I'm sure enough of the student body hates your bottle blonde bitch club enough to vote for me. The more I think about it, the more I just might go. At least then I could fit that little sparkling tiara on my head and flip you off on my way across the stage," I turned on my heels and started to stalk back to the locker room. I heard a few expletives mumbled under both their breaths, but I didn't care enough to turn around and confront them again. Who the hell does Lauren Mallory think she is, anyway?

I dressed quickly because I really just wanted to get home and start processing my day. I had spent so much time being a giddy little girl over Edward and worrying about Alice's cryptic messages, I had forgotten all about the morning's conversation with Charlie. There was another attack, and I was losing sight of why my mom sent me here in the first place. I stopped at my locker on the way out to the parking lot to grab a few books I had checked out. Hopefully, I could explore the surrounding woods and take pictures for my art class all while investigating these attacks. What can I say? I like to multi-task.

I was having a difficult time with my backpack as I pushed open the front doors to the school with my back. The day's overcast mood had turned to rain in the fifteen minutes it took me to change and retrieve my homework. What a joke. I looked across the parking lot and decided that I needed to get to school earlier and get a closer parking spot. Most of the cars were gone, but I noticed one particularly shiny Volvo a few spaces away from mine. My breath caught. Edward!

Without giving myself much of a chance to think about why I was so excited to see his car lingering in the lot, I bent down to try and zip my back pack up. There was a struggle, and for a second I thought my zipper might emerge triumphant. But, in the clutch, I was able to pull through and coax all the teeth together. Apparently, I also gave someone a total show, since I was still wearing a skirt. After I finished my zipper versus Bella battle to the death, I heard clapping. I spun around and I almost dropped my bag.

"It was a wonderful view," Edward's thick voice filled my ears and I could still smell him over the wet air.

"You're kind of a pervert," I replied dryly. Not that I didn't like it.

"I assure you, the scenery was spectacular," he chuckled as he took the backpack out of my hands and swung it easily onto his back.

"What was your deal in Physics? You went all PMS on me," I asked as I tried to fall in step with him on the way to our vehicles.

"Can't a guy just get pissed off when his lab partner spends the entire lab socializing and not working?"

"Oh cut the crap, Cullen. Tell me what's going on," I needed him to tell me. If he could confide something in me, it would make it a lot easier to tell him the truth.

"Perhaps this is a conversation best left for over dinner," he raised his eyebrow at me.

"Whatever you say. Just don't bring irritated Edward with you tonight. I'd really rather spend my night with charming Edward."

"Did you just call me charming?" He stopped in front of my truck and smiled crookedly as he waited for me to open the door for him.

"Yeah, I guess I did."

He tossed my bag onto the passenger seat and looked at me from across the cab.

"I'll see you at eight," he smiled and I had to remind myself to breathe.

After I buckled myself in, I checked my phone. My mother had already called me three times since school let out. I'd rather not admit how many text messages she sent me throughout the day. It's like she's afraid I'm going to disappear or something. For the fourth fricken time in twenty minutes, my phone buzzed. I rolled my eyes as I answered it.

"Look, mom, you need to calm down. I haven't even gotten home from school yet."

She talked too fast, but I definitely heard her say that she was coming to see me tonight. Damnit.

"I have a date tonight, Mom," I whined.

She was bitching about responsibility and necessity. I heard her say something about being in a safe place when the clock struck twelve. Like I was some kind of Cinderella. And Edward was my Prince Charming. I smiled, until I heard my mom say something about cancelling my date.

"No, Renee, I'm not going to cancel my date just because you're paranoid."

She was getting mad at me, because her voice became instantly higher. That meant I could understand even less of what she said to me. Since I wasn't listening anyway, I started the truck. It screamed to life, and when it finally quieted down I heard her going on again about responsibility and work ethic.

"Mom! I know I have responsibilities and things to do, but I am a teenage girl. We have needs! Like normal teenage interaction," I sighed. She was never usually this difficult.

She huffed back at me, and this time I heard her clearly. I'm coming and you better be home by midnight or I'm coming to find you. If I have to find you, Isabella Marie Swan, you'll be sorry. I grimaced when she used my full name. I hated that.

"Fine. I'll be home by midnight! But you better be bringing me my car!"

I hung up on her. Maybe I was acting like a bitch, but she was acting like I was going to implode on myself or something. What if I am? I shook the thoughts about the birthday surprise out of my head and tried to focus on driving home. I turned the stereo up and let the bass pulse through me, relaxing me with each double kick.

By the time I got home, I was relieved to see Charlie's cop cruiser in the driveway. Charlie never acted strange or hounded me about anything. He was very consistent. Interested just enough to be considered a father, but removed enough keep me happy. Charlie's personality being so close to mine is why I didn't even put up a fight when Mom suggested I come here. Compared to Renee, living with Charlie was a walk in the park. I was letting my argument with my mom get under my skin and I tried to shake it off before I went inside the house.

Charlie was plopped in front of the flat screen and managed to grunt a "hey kiddo" in my direction when I shut the front door. Men and sports. I wonder if Edward likes sports…OKAY. ENOUGH. I walked past Charlie and went straight for the kitchen. The Cullen family was distracting me, and I had a hiking route to map out. However, I couldn't plan such things without a little food in my stomach. As I waited for some of last night's Thai food to nuke, my mind wandered back to Alice.

You need to tell Edward what happens tomorrow.

What does happen tomorrow? Something big enough to drag my occasionally self-involved mother all the way from Phoenix up to Forks. I leaned over the sink and ran the cold water to get a drink. For a few minutes, I just watched the water run and tried to clear my head. Everything was swarming and it was hard to grasp a coherent thought. For the second time in two days, I started to feel the entire weight of it all crushing me. Then the microwave dinged and I was brought back to my kitchen. I need to stop hanging out inside my head, it's no good.

Maybe this is what it feels like to be normal. Crushing on a boy. Although I'm crushing on a vampire. Dealing with over-bearing parents. Renee has definitely been fitting the bill with her fifteen phone calls a day. Hiding things. Of course, most kids hide pot in their rooms, not an entire fucking identity. But, I guess this is about as normal as it gets for me. I took a little relief from that thought as I slid into the kitchen table and started to eat. While I waited for Charlie to come and check on me, I flipped through the latest newspaper. Mostly, I was looking for articles about the attacks. The personal ads are a guilty pleasure for me, though. You so rarely see them, but when you do, they are hilarious.

"What's the good news, Bells," Charlie walked in and startled me.

"There's a single white female seeking single male in Seattle," I replied. He laughed.

Sometimes I think he laughs at me because he doesn't know what else to do.

"How was school today, kiddo?"

"I got asked out on a date." More like three, but eh.

"I was really hoping you and Jake could get together again," he whined.

"Dad, Jake is like two years younger than me." And he acts like it, even worse.

"Oh Bells. Who's the lucky suitor?"

"Edward Cullen. Do you know him?"

"Dr. Cullen's boy? Very nice. No, I can't say I know him." Did my dad just compliment my choice in men? Weird. Very fucking weird.

"Well, he seems like a very nice boy. We're going out to dinner tonight." Charlie raised his eyebrows at me.

"You know your mother is coming in for your birthday tonight?"

"Yes, Dad. She pretty much told me to be home by midnight or else," I rolled my eyes.

"She misses you, Bella."

No she doesn't. Well, maybe she does. But this birthday visit is not about the hole in her heart only I can fill.

"I know. I won't be out late."

"Do you want a can of mace? I can get you one on a keychain. Or a small bottle that'll fit in your purse," he looked at me in total seriousness. My cheeks got hot.

"No, Dad. I can handle myself." Quite well, actually.

"Okay, Bells." He ruffled my hair as he walked to the fridge.

"Hey Dad? How's your animal case coming along? Spare me the goriest details."

"Slowly. It's hard to tell what direction it is, or they are, moving in. Looks like a small pack of medium to large sized animals. Something with strong teeth, probably a big mountain cat. Somebody called in a large animal sighting close to the reservation, but Billy said their boys would look into it. Why so interested? Shouldn't you be worrying about your grades?" He chuckled darkly.

"Whatever, I'm smart as a whip," I stuck out my tongue as I got up to clear my plate.

"You get that from your father," he yelled out to me as I walked up the stairs.

Before I started picking out outfits or freaking out about Alice's cryptic messages for the second time today, I decided it might be a good idea to think about these so-called animal attacks. Maybe I could figure out a pattern or at least figure out something about them. My mom was going to ask me about it, since part of her visit here is to check my work. Aside from gathering Google maps of looking hiking trails, I had done no work.

But, it's just like me to cram before a big exam.

So, with my lap top open and my books spread out across my bed, I got to work. I mapped out locations. Narrowed down a specific number of nomadic vampires that were traveling in this group. Even got a total body count since they crossed the Canadian border. What can I say? I do my best work under pressure.

For the most part, the trio of vamps was pretty predictable. They were heading south for whatever reason and snacking on hikers all the way down. It looked like they were moving further south, which is a little strange. There's a lot of dessert in California and Nevada, which is not really prime vampire real estate, but they made it halfway through California. Then they turned around and headed back up. Now it seems like they have been hanging out around the Seattle area and dipping into the greater Forks area for the last few weeks.

It is unusual for a coven of vampires to settle somewhere. It's not unheard of. Clearly, the Cullens have done it. I thought I'd heard of another coven in Alaska that had been there for awhile. And of course there's Volterra. However, most covens don't draw that much attention to themselves. After all, these nomads were leaving a trail of dead bodies all over the place. I ran my fingers through my hair and sighed.

This is what I'm really here for, right?

Nomads are so incredibly difficult to reason with.

On the bright side, now that that's out of the way, it was time to start flipping through my closet for my date with Edward. I was looking for an outfit that said "I'm really sorry I haven't been completely honest with you, but I hope my cuteness will stop you from hating me," and it turned out I didn't have one. I settled on a simple strapless tea length dress. I hoped Edward would appreciate the simplicity, since it seemed that was his style. The dress was also green, because he seemed to check me out more appreciatively today than usual.

I would find the nomads tomorrow. Tonight, I was going to go out with Edward Cullen.

And probably tell him the truth, since Alice said I had to. And something told me it was a good idea to listen to her, because she knows what she's talking about.