Chapter Eight – Ridiculous Accusations

Ilina –

I couldn't comprehend what Sarah was trying to say. Stay away from Edward? Why? I mean, I wasn't getting attached or anything . . . I was just . . . fascinated. He was so different. It was like he was my test subject and I was a scientist or something. I wanted to find out everything about him. Something in him just enthralled me.

I swallowed the bite of sandwich that I'd had in my mouth, pondering over Sarah's argument. He was nice enough and everything. It just . . . didn't make sense.

Sarah sat back against the wall with me, staring at me. "Seriously, Ils. I don't know what it is that Sam has against them, but he says that they're bad news. You said that his last name was Cullen, right? Sam totally flipped out when he heard that. He cares about you too, and you know that. He thinks of himself as your cousin too. Come on, Ils, think of it with reason. Sam wouldn't do something like that without reasoning, right?"

Of course she was right. And I trusted Sam. But what they were asking me to do . . . it was like ripping my heart from my chest for some reason. I couldn't even think of doing it. "Sarah . . . I know that you and Sam really care. But . . . I don't think that Edward's really all that bad. Perhaps you guys are overreacting a little? Just a bit?"

She was already shaking her head before I was finished. "Ilina, let's look at it this way. He's incredibly gorgeous, correct?"

Well, she had to put it that way, didn't she? "Yes, he is," I affirmed apathetically. What did this have to do with anything?

She glanced at me lazily. "Nice guy with incredibly good looks. Remember what we learned about guys being too good to be true. And you seem to have struck it off well with him, which implies that he's either friendly or you're rather intrusive and he doesn't mind." She ignored my protests at this point, pressing a finger against my lips. "I mean, he is too good to be true. Which means that he's most likely a rapist or something." I stared at her wordlessly until she spoke again. "Sex offender! That's what I was thinking of! I'm thinking that Edward Cullen is a sex offender, darling. And you just happen to be little and adorable and manage to be so naïve at the same time."

I gasped at her accusations. "What?!?!"

"It makes sense! Think about it, Ils! What else would he be?"

I thought this through, finally gasping. "Oh my god, you're right." It made sense! I couldn't see how I hadn't thought of this before!

Edward –

As everyone loaded into the car (minus the parents, of course), I searched nearby for any thoughts that were out of the ordinary. There were a few, but nothing very interesting until I started the car and drove almost halfway to the school. Ilina, Beki, and the girl named Sarah that had been around earlier, were all sitting in the glass lounge, which wasn't the surprising part. Sarah felt like a genius. She'd convinced Ilina that I was a . . . What?

Beki –

"Wow, Sarah. Interesting theory there," I remarked. Of course it made sense . . . if you were convinced that was how it was. She'd somehow convinced Ilina of it too. How she'd done it . . . I would never know. I'd have to talk to Ilina before she was in a class with Edward. This theory would most likely ruin both his reputation and her view of him.

"I know! Anyways, who are the new kids?" she asked, smiling at me like I had some sort of secret.

I looked down. "Seth and Embry."

Ilina laughed. "Hey Sarah, you managed to get some names right for once!"

Sarah grinned proudly. "I know! How amazing!"

Ilina glanced at me. "So, which one is better?" I knew what she was talking about. Ilina could tell by just looking that I'd found someone that was . . . intriguing. She just didn't know which one. She wasn't a mind reader.

"Embry," I muttered, my cheeks darkening.

She smiled. "How cute. What's he like, hun?" She ran a hand through her dark hair, leaning forward.

I smiled in embarrassment. "He's . . . nice, of course. He's pretty funny too. And his looks!" I gasped aloud. "Russet skin and dark hair. Gorgeous. He's got the makings of a male model."

She laughed. "Don't tell Sarah that," she muttered, too low for our friend to hear.

I snickered, but didn't trust myself to respond. "Hey . . . what time is it?" I asked, changing the subject quickly.

Sarah looked at the clock on the wall. "Five minutes left of lunch. Why?" I never asked for the time. Nine times out of ten, I was late for fourth period.

I stared at Ilina, hoping that she'd comprehend the unspoken message that was shining in my eyes . . . or at least I hoped was shining in my eyes. "Will you show me where Diaz's classroom is? I need to find out before next semester, and you've been playing tour guide all day."

She gave me a dazzling smile. "Of course." I stood, holding out my hand to help her up. She took it, and then walked over to Sarah. "Go to fourth when you're done with the Goldfish," she teased, pecking the girl on the top of the head with her lips. "See you after school!"

Sarah waved at us as we walked into the office hallway. I glanced down at Ilina. "Where were the others today?" Usually we had a large group for lunch, but today it had been just us. It was a rare occasion.

Ilina smiled. "Erica was finishing up a test in Rosenberg's, and then they were going to study for a project or something. They're all in the School of the Arts, remember?"

I nodded. "Anyways, don't tell me you believe Sarah about the whole . . . sex offender thing, do you?"

She darkened a few shades. "I started to . . . but he just doesn't seem that type."

I shook my head. "He definitely doesn't. He seems too anti-social to be a sex offender, or even a player." I paused. "Besides, isn't a sex offender someone who has sex with a minor? You both would be minors."

She laughed. "I know. She didn't pick the best wording. But it's good to hear that I'm not the only person who's going to stand up for him." She gave me a quick hug around the waist (I sort of towered over her . . . I'm kind of tall and she's pretty short) before motioning to Diaz's classroom. "And this is Diaz's."

Edward had good timing; if he'd only come a couple seconds earlier, he would have heard our ridiculous topic, and then it just wouldn't have ended well. "Thank you, Ilina." His eyes were reserved, despite the fact that he hadn't heard our conversation. It was so odd. It was like he'd already heard it.

She smiled. "It's not a problem, Edward. I'll . . ." The bell interrupted whatever she was going to say next. She turned to me. "See you," she said, waving her hand for me to whisk away. I departed from her company. It was the last thing that they needed; my interference.

A/N: It's been a while, hasn't it, darlings? I've seriously been at a writer's block, and I hate this chapter because it feels like I b. my way through it. Dx

On one hand, I love the idea of Edward as a sex offender, just because everyone is so in love with him. xD Take that, Edward Cullen! . . . Not that I'm not in love with you too. xD

So . . . yeah. I have the next chapter planned out, so be waiting!

Rica-chan: That last one was REALLY extremely short, but it set the scene for something, and I didn't want to put filler in with good stuff. How's the DN fanfic coming along?

That was my only response. -cries- How about if you guys send me 3 reviews? I'll seriously explode with snacky happiness.