AN: I don't own anything! I'm just doing it for the sake of doing it!
Chapter 4: Revelations and Invitations
I went to school the next day, determined not to let Bella Swan interrupt my life, and determined to keep Alice's possible futures from happening. Although I had to admit to myself that they weren't all that bad. In a dark corner of my mind I held on to Alice's images of us together. We looked happy, she looked happy. How could that be?
How could someone like her be happy in the company of something such as myself? She must not have known what I really was in that version of the future.
I kept clear of my siblings, and they had their minds set on anything but me. Esme had quietly told them to keep their distance. As ashamed as I was that Esme had been forced to get involved in my situation, I was grateful that she had.
I was seated and not breathing when Bella came into the Biology room.
"Hello, Edward," she said calmly. I acknowledged her, but didn't speak. Speaking would mean breathing, and I didn't want to test my endurance any more than I had to. Speaking to her would also definitely break my noninterference decision. Mind over matter, I told myself, mind over matter.
Bella didn't say anything further, and neither did I. It was better this way, each of us sitting silently in class as if the other wasn't there. I kept my distance for the following month, but watched her intently. I told my family that it was only to make sure that she kept out secret, which she faithfully did. When asked about the accident, she would insist that I was some sort of 'hero', but she kept her word about all of the other things she had seen.
Even though I 'kept my distance', I became acutely aware of where she was at all times. I'd grown into the habit of following her around by reading the minds of those around her. The males stilled had daydreams about her, and Jessica was jealous of her attention as always. It bothered me that I was forced to stoop to the level of reading Jessica's mind, but I found that I did it gladly when it gave me a glimpse of Bella.
Mike Newton was another matter completely. His thoughts were almost always occupied by Bella Swan. There wasn't much variety to his daydreams either. Most involved Bella, him, and some romantic but cliché locale. Usually a beach or fireplace. I wondered how aware Bella was of his interest in her. I kept waiting for him to outgrow it, but he continually went back to his disgusting daydreams. It shouldn't bother me that he thinks about her as most teenage boys think of teenage girls, but for some reason, when the object of his affections was Bella, I wanted to throw something at him.
I contemplated this in passing once as he thought of Bella on a beach, but decided that it would probably not only be frowned upon by my family, but it would also break my code of noninterference. I convinced myself that is was just the appearance of my chivalrous roots. Some deep buried part of me wanted to protect Bella from Mike's dishonorable intentions. So why didn't it bother me when the other boys thought about the other girls? Why was it only the thoughts revolving around Bella that bothered me?
Bella went on with her life as if nothing had changed, as if I hadn't stepped in to save her life. I was grateful for this because it meant the continuing safety of my family, but part of me was still frustrated that I didn't know what she thought of me. Rosalie still glared at me from time to time when she caught me watching Bella, and Alice kept close tabs on my future in order to step in should I get out of line in any way. Such as throwing things at Mike Newton.
Bella seemed totally and completely average in her life, but upon my closer inspection wasn't at all average. In addition to her clumsiness, she continually put others before herself. She never seemed to think of herself, even when others would. I wished in vain to read her thoughts and to understand what she was thinking, but alas, I could not.
I walked into Biology as I had every day for a month since the accident. I timed myself to get there before Bella, and pushed my chair to the side. In the month of classes, I had trained myself to breath in her presence, and was slowly able to retain acting like a human again, a feat Jasper was proud of.
Bella stumbled into the room and took her seat next to me without a word. Heat radiated from her like she was the sun itself. I swallowed back venom as Mike Newton made his way over to our table.
Okay, just ignore Cullen and focus on Bella. He hasn't even shown any interest in her since the van thing, and that happened almost a month ago! How can he sit next to a girl that hot and not even notice her?!
His thoughts were shallow and disgusted me. I wasn't sure why his constant daydreams about Bella bothered me so much, but nonetheless they did. Almost every minute of every day I wanted to knock him out, but knew Carlisle would definitely not approve. I talked myself down as he mentally talked himself up.
"So," Mike was looking at the floor. Spit it out! You can do this! She'll say yes!! He was screaming a pep talk at himself. "Jessica asked me to the spring dance." I wondered at his approach. If he was going to ask her to the dance, why was he talking about Jessica?
"That's great. You'll have a lot of fun with Jessica." Bella's voice was enthusiastic. I immediately wondered how she really felt about it. Was the enthusiasm false? Was Bella secretly hoping Newton was going to ask her? I suppressed a growl at the thought of Newton anywhere near her.
"Well…" Come on Mike! Get to the point! "I told her I had to think about it." Come on Bella, take the hint. Its ladies choice remember?
"Why would you do that?" Bella clearly disapproved. So she didn't want to go with Newton after all. His face went cherry red in response. I smirked despite my attempt to stay out of the situation.
"I was wondering if… well, if you might be planning to ask me." Way to go with the subtle hints Mike!
Bella waited a long moment, letting guilt cover her face before responding "Mike, I think you should tell her yes,"
"Did you already ask someone?" He blurted. You didn't ask Cullen did you? His quick glance at me wasn't missed.
"No," she explained "I'm not going to the dance at all."
"Why not?" he was clearly disappointed.
"I'm going to Seattle that Saturday," she said plainly. I wondered if she really was, or if it was just an excuse to say no to her most faithful admirer. Perhaps she was more aware of his intentions then I had first thought.
"Can't you go some other weekend?" His voice was whiny. Anger flared in me and I suddenly wished that he'd leave Bella alone. She's said no, and he wouldn't give up.
"Sorry, no, so you shouldn't make Jess wait any longer –" she said, and then added "it's rude." Good, they deserve each other, I thought venomously.
"Yeah, you're right," he mumbled glumly. That's it Newton, take the hint and go away.
He turned slowly and walked back to his seat. His thoughts were filled with thoughts of defeat and anger. He was sure I was in on it somehow. As far as I was concerned, he could keep thinking that.
Bella clamped her eyes shut and rubbed her fingers against her temples like she had a headache. She wanted Newton to go with her friend and not her? After the malicious thoughts that Jessica had been thinking ever since Bella came to forks, I didn't understand it. It was clear that Bella didn't know how Jessica really felt, but either way, why would a teenage girl turn down a date with the puppy-like Mike Newton? I focused on the silent space that was her mind as she continued to rub her temples. I wanted to know what she was thinking.
She opened her eyes and met my frustrated gaze. She seemed confused, but reluctant to look away from me. We watched each other intensely as I tried to read her mind, and she, well, who knew what Bella was thinking. Certainly not me.
"Mr. Cullen?" Mr. Banner asked. He was trying to catch me not paying attention. And in truth I wasn't, but I searched his gloating thoughts for what he was looking for. I had the answer before the question.
"The Krebs Cycle," I said absently. In the time it took me to glance at the teacher, Bella had her eyes down and brushed her fingers through her hair so that it was securely between us. I had wondered at the mannerism before. Was it just a habit? Was it to keep our eyes from meeting? Something told me I might never know the answer.
It occurred to me then, as I speculated on why she did her hair the way that she did, that I may have been making her uncomfortable. I didn't understand her, and I didn't understand the new emotions she and Mike Newton brought up in me, but it was no reason to frighten her like this. And I was assuming she was frightened. The only way to know, would have been to ask her for myself, but I was doubtful that that was going to happen.
Guilt started to flow through me again. Just like it had in the hospital after I'd lied to her again and again. I felt bad for the things that I was putting her through. I decided to wait for the end of class to make my attempt at making peace with my demon once and for all.
"Bella?" she had her back to me and was gathering her books in a rush, doubtlessly in a hurry to leave.
"What? Are you speaking to me again?" She was clearly angry with me, the malice in her voice caught me off guard.
"No, not really," I had made up my mind to make peace, and never look back. I wasn't going to turn this into a habit. She inhaled slowly, fighting back something, revulsion?
"Then what do you want, Edward?" She had shut her eyes and refused to open them. Why she would refuse to look at me? Was it for the same reason that she always pulled her hair between us?
"I'm sorry." I said simply. "I'm being very rude, I know. But it's better this way, really." It was too hard to explain. Something in me wanted to see Alice's happier visions come true, but another part was determined to protect her from them. To protect her from me.
"I don't know what you mean," her words were hard, calculated.
"It's better if we're not friends, trust me." I really wanted her to. Her eyes, now open, narrowed and she gave me a look that suggested that I had just told her some blatant lie. I couldn't have predicted what came next.
"It's too bad you didn't figure that out earlier, you could have saved yourself all this regret." She hissed through gritted teeth. I was stunned.
"Regret?" I asked in my futile attempt to understand her. "Regret for what?"
"For not just letting the stupid van squish me." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I saved her life, and she thought I regretted doing it? Bella Swan thought I wanted her dead. Anger coursed through me, she had no idea what she was talking about. After all of the effort I had put into keeping her alive!
"You think I regret saving your life?"
"I know you do," her words were quick and sure.
"You don't know anything." I accused.
So much for making peace with her.
Bella gathered her books into her arms and headed for the door without another word. Her exit was stopped by the doorjamb. She tripped and threw her books onto the floor. She looked at the books, and then at the door and I wondered if she was going to leave them. She sighed and bent to pick them up, but I was already there.
"Thank you," she said coldly as I offered her her things.
"You're welcome," Was it the books we were talking about or something else? She spun off and walked quickly for the gym. I watched her go and wished more than ever that I could read her mind.
I was late for my next class but the teacher didn't notice. I wouldn't have known what class it was except for the sign on the door. All I could think about was Bella. Clearly talking to her had been a mistake, now I just had more questions. What had made her think, that after I saved her life, and then kept my distance for a month, that I wanted her dead? I acknowledged that part of me did want her dead, but she had no way of knowing about that part.
Every time we spoke I seemed to understand her less. I was angry with myself that I was spending so much time thinking about a human whose mind I couldn't read. I knew I should stay away from her, but her mind was so… intriguing. Why couldn't I read it? And why was the pull of her blood so much stronger than any other human?
I came to the conclusion that I should be guilt free. I had apologized for my behavior, and made it reasonably clear that I didn't regret saving her life. I'd be able to watch her, and maybe learn why she was the way she was, without any contact. Although I regretted that what I had resolved to do could be classified as 'stalking'.
I was out the door and in the parking lot as quickly as humanly possible. Bella was almost running for her truck, which Eric was waiting beside. I stopped a few cars down to listen in. I didn't need to read his thoughts to know what he wanted. Bella seemed shocked to see him there. I focused in on their conversation.
"Hey, Eric," she said
"Hi, Bella." She turned down Mike, so maybe she's just waiting for the right guy… His thoughts were full of hope as he continued.
"What's up?" she was wrestling with her keys.
"Uh, I was just wondering… if you would go to the spring dance with me?" His voice cracked with boyhood nerves on the last word, but I applauded him on his ability to be forward about it. Not dropping dozens of ill placed hints as Newton had.
"I thought it was girls' choice?" Bella seemed as uncomfortable about the situation as Eric was. Did this mean that he was the one she was waiting for?
"Well, yeah," Eric stammered. Bella recovered from her shock quickly and replaced it with a smile.
"Thank you for asking me," she tried to be friendly. "but I'm going to be in Seattle that day." Eric was clearly disappointed. Well, at least she's not going with Mike. I'm not the only one she turned down.
"Oh, well, maybe next time."
"Sure," she said softly, trying to salvage his feelings no doubt. Eric marched back to the school and Bella made for her truck. The expression on her face was priceless. I couldn't help but chuckle. She seemed upset by the idea of being asked to a dance. She slammed her door loudly and revved the engine angrily. Luckily my Volvo was just two spaced down. I was pulled out in front of her in no time.
During the whole conversation with Eric, Tyler had been pacing beside his newly acquired Sentra. She turned down Mike. He assured himself. All you have to do is ask. If she says yes, then great, if she says no, that's okay too. The boys at Forks High School made it seem impossible to ask a girl to a dance. Look at that, Eric looks disappointed, I bet she turned him down too.
On any other day I wouldn't have bothered with playing matchmaker, but today I had already broken my 'no contact' rules, and I wanted to see how Bella would react if asked by yet another admirer.
I waited there for my family to arrive and make me leave, but I hoped that Tyler would get out of his car before then. Bella was fuming. She glared at my car like she'd like to set it on fire. After much more deliberating, and another male pep talk, Tyler got out of his car and knocked on Bella's window. She had some trouble with the window.
"I'm sorry Tyler, I'm stuck behind Cullen." She used my last name. Clearly she was angry with me. But she had no idea what was coming.
"Oh, I know – I just wanted to ask you something while we're trapped here." He smiled sheepishly. Bella's face went a few shades whiter and her eyes widened with disbelief. Tyler clearly didn't notice as he continued with his mental pep talk.
"Will you ask me to the spring dance?" he asked after a beat.
"I'm not going to be in town, Tyler." She sounded apologetic, but it was clearly an act.
"Yeah, Mike said that," he sighed. Bella's face flashed crimson red with anger.
"Then why – " she didn't know what to say. I felt like laughing. I didn't understand why she wouldn't be used to this by now. The boys in Arizona must have acted the same way they did here. Why did this upset her so much?
"I was hoping you were just letting him down easy." He shrugged.
"Sorry, Tyler," she was gritting her teeth again. "I really am going out of town."
"That's cool. We still have prom." He backed away before she could respond. Disbelief filled her features.
"Hey Edward. How was your day?" Alice asked as they climbed into the car. Bella had a death grip on her steering wheel.
"Fine." I laughed as I raced for home. Rosalie was upset, but didn't say anything. Jasper stared at me through my rearview mirror.
Edward, I saw you talking to the Swan girl. Alice had her eyes trained on me as we came in the door. I raised my eyebrows. And?
I think you should talk to Carlisle. Staying away from her isn't going to be as easy as you think it is. She followed me up to my room.
"What did you see, Alice?" I asked.
Nothing yet. I cocked my head to the side. The more time goes by, the less I see her future and your future. She explained. The more I see your futures together. I sighed.
Apparently my plan to stay away from her and watch from a distance wasn't going to work. I needed something new. Alice caught on to my inner turmoil quickly.
Go talk to Carlisle. She suggested. He's old; he may have some advice for you. As blatant as she was, Alice was right. Carlisle may be able to shed some light on my situation. I nodded and headed back out the door, I didn't want to wait any longer.
Carlisle was waiting for me in his office at the hospital. Alice had called to fill him in, but she didn't know the whole story.
"Is she a danger to us?" he asked solemnly.
"I don't think so." His confusion was well founded.
"Well, does she know what we are?" he asked
"I don't believe so." I had decided the moment that I stepped into his office, that honesty was the best policy from here on out. We'll see how it lasts.
"I don't understand." He admitted, shaking his blonde head.
"Carlisle," I searched for the right words. "I can't read her mind."
"What?" he was shocked. "You said she was harder to read than anyone else you'd met, but I didn't think…" he drifted off.
"Nothing at all." I answered his unspoken question. "But she hasn't said anything to anyone about it." I added quickly.
"Edward, this girl could be dangerous." I laughed hollowly. I was the danger here, not her. Rosalie thinks we need to get rid of her… I flinched at his words, but I wasn't sure why. Carlisle caught it and his thoughts went to Esme, but I didn't understand why.
"It's not her fault," I argued.
"Edward," Carlisle was being careful with his thoughts and his word choice. "How do you feel about her?" I was immediately confused. What could he mean? How did I feel?
"Alice says you've been watching her, and talking to her against your better judgment." He explained. I couldn't meet his eyes. There was no good explanation for my behavior. I had put my family in danger, and continually followed Bella for reasons I didn't even understand. "I see." He said.
Well, I can't give you any advice from experience, but I understand your frustration.
"Could she be doing it on purpose? Blocking me?" The thoughts from her first day in Forks came back to me. When I was convinced that she was my personal demon, here to tear my family apart.
"I don't think so, but honestly, I'm not sure." There was a long pause. You may have to work through this yourself.
Carlisle's advice hadn't helped me as much as Alice seemed to think it would. I dropped the car off at home and ended up in the woods. There had to be a reason that I couldn't read Bella. If she was blocking me on purpose, maybe she let her guard down at night. My wandering through the forest had taken me to the Swan's backyard. Bella was home alone. I focused all my attention on reading her. There had to be a crack somewhere, a way to get in.
I waited outside their house for the right moment, and thought about everything. I analyzed everything that happened in their home for a clue. The house was almost completely silent for the sounds of Bella cooking in the kitchen. Finally Charlie's cruiser pulled into the driveway, she'd have to talk. Chief Swan had always been just as easy as anyone else to read. Was her mother the same? Maybe if she was talking to someone I could get some questions answered.
Bella made dinner in silence while Charlie watched television in another room. They gathered together in the kitchen to eat.
Bella and Charlie ate dinner in relative quiet for a human family. Bella's voice broke the silence.
"Dad?" she asked
"Yeah, Bella?" uh oh… Chief Swan was concerned about Bella's tone.
"Um, I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to Seattle for the day a week from Saturday." She paused uncomfortably. "if that's okay?"
So the Seattle line wasn't a lie, but it still could be an excuse to say no to her line of never ending suitors. I chuckled at the thought of the look on her face at the end of the day in the parking lot.
"Why?" What's in Seattle that she can't find here I wonder?
"Well, I wanted to get a few books – the library here is pretty limited –" true "and maybe look at some clothes." She's got a point, there aren't many department stores in Forks.
Alice's vision of Bella lying in an alley on the edge of death crept into my mind.
I gasped, was he seriously considering letting her go to Seattle? Alone? Did he not know Bella? From what I'd seen in the past few weeks, she'd almost been hit by a van, and found anything and everything to trip over. She'd probably find a way to fall off of the Space Needle!
I backtracked my thoughts, reminding myself that I shouldn't be concerned with it. I was just here to…
I didn't have a reason to be here.
"That truck probably doesn't get very good gas mileage." Point one for Charlie.
"I know, I'll stop in Montesano and Olympia – and Tacoma if I have to." Even to Charlie it seemed like a lot of gas.
"Are you going all by yourself?" Maybe she's got a boyfriend? Charlie pondered Bella's reasons, and so did I. I hadn't considered that maybe she did have a boyfriend. If he wasn't here then maybe she had left him in Arizona. That would explain why she turned down each of the boys at school.
"Yes."
"Seattle is a big city – you could get lost!" She seemed upset by his lack of faith in her, but Charlie was finally starting to show some common sense regarding his danger-prone daughter.
"Dad, Phoenix is five times the size of Seattle – and I can read a map, don't worry about it." I sounded like a line she'd used before, and I wondered briefly if she had.
"Do you want me to come with you?" I chuckled again. Charlie hated the idea of going on a shopping trip with his teenage daughter almost as much as he hated the idea of her having a secret boyfriend.
"That's all right, Dad, I'll probably just be in dressing rooms all day – very boring." Thank god…
"oh, okay" he tried to sound neutral on the subject, as he continued considering her reasons for going. Then his mind clicked.
"Will you be back in time for the dance?" Couldn't she find someone to go with?
"No – I don't dance dad." She said it like it should have been obvious.
"oh, that's right." Charlie seemed to understand, but I still didn't. Why didn't Bella dance? I had noticed her tripping over solid ground, but that couldn't have been her reason for turning down three offers. The secret boyfriend idea was becoming much more feasible.
They went their different ways shortly after and went to bed. I paced in the woods outside of the house for a few hours before making up my mind.
I had imagined this moment before. Back when Bella had first inflicted her aroma on me. Back when I had set my mind to killing her in a thousand different ways, just to get her blood. The thought shamed me now. Knowing that I had been so weak. Still, my strength concerned me as I stared up at her window from the grass below. I closed my eyes, hoping that by some fluke of chance I'd be able to crack the code that surrounded Bella's mind.
It was late, and all I could hear from the Swan residence was Charlie's ever present snore. My eyes flashed open and I darted up a tree to get a better vantage. The room was dark, but that was never an object for me. I easily made out her form, lying on the bed gently rising and falling from her steady breath. Part of me had hoped she'd still be awake. A reason for me to turn back now. With a swift motion I threw myself at the glass and hoped Alice wasn't watching.
The frame slid open easily, and I landed without a sound on the carpet just inside her window. I stayed in the crouched position I had landed in. Her scent saturated the room. I stood there, low to the ground, surrounded by Bella. Her clothes, her books, her bed, everything smelled of her. I stopped breathing promptly. The scent was ten times what is was on her first day of class, and just as tempting. I stayed frozen in place for minutes, considering my options. Her breathing and heartbeat had remained steady, so I hadn't woke her up. I could turn back now, but then I may never grasp the secret that was Bella Swan.
But, what was there to learn here? Talking to her had only confused me more, what would coming here do?
I eyed the mess of chocolate hair before me and my resolution to leave melted. If I didn't try now, I may never get my chance again. Rosalie would no doubt tie me up in the basement for this. I approached slowly. She was lying on her side, facing away from me. A cool gust of wind came through the still open window behind me, brushing through her hair and stirring the air with her scent. When had I started breathing again? I cursed myself mentally and realized that the cold air might wake her. In a fraction of a second I was at the window easing it shut.
"Edward."
I froze again, she sounded awake, but her heart and breathing was still steady. Had she caught me? I turned slowly to face her and braced myself for the screaming if she was awake. She rolled over, onto her back, still asleep. I crept back beside her and a new feeling washed over me as I looked over her features once again. She seemed so at ease. The wrinkle between her eyebrows she always seemed to have when she spoke to me was gone. Her inquisitive eyes were closed peacefully. She looked utterly relaxed… and utterly beautiful.
She sighed and rolled over slowly, adjusting her position. And said it again.
"Edward." If I had had a working heart, at that moment it would have stopped. I fell to my knees and stayed there for the remainder of the night, just watching. I tried to memorize every part of her, every inch of creamy warm skin, every lock of wavy brown hair. The anger at Mike Newton and the enjoyment at her frustration caused by being the center of attention suddenly made sense as I felt the sharp pain of first love. I was coming out of a fog, waking from a life without Bella.
Part of me knew that this wasn't good, that she was human and that I wasn't. That things would never work out. But part of me was so elated in the new emotions she had awoken in me that I didn't care. I wanted to kneel there beside her for eternity, waiting for her to wake up.
The way she had said my name. Almost a sigh. There was no anger, no frustration, she almost seemed happy?
She slept contentedly as I kneeled beside her. Bella rolled over from time to time, and pushed away her blankets.
"Mom," she groaned "Is that a good idea?" I chuckled silently and wondered what she was dreaming about that would involve her mother and I. Eventually she settled into a deep sleep and stopped talking. A settled in to listen to the melody of her heartbeat.
Her heart thudded angrily at me. Warning me to leave, but begging me to stay. I knew this was wrong, that I was a disgusting animal that wasn't worthy of being in her presence, but I didn't care. I was content to kneel by her side forever.
Sneaking into her room was shameful and terrible, but I realized now that I would do anything to be near her, the embodiment of all things pure and beautiful. Even in the dark of the night, she glowed with a warm light. I wanted so badly to reach out and touch her silky skin, but I wouldn't allow myself that. It was already bad enough that I had come here at all.
Alice had seen this coming. So why hadn't I done anything more to stop it? Did I even want to do anything to stop it?
I took a small, but deep breath, savoring the luscious scent that hung around me. It clung to my throat, but calmed me as the burning flared. This girl, this woman, was holding me prisoner. Like a siren, she was beautiful and fantastic, but forever unattainable. I would have to settle for something less, but at this point I would settle for anything at all. Even if it was being her protector from the shadows.
Awweee! 6:00! I've got to get up! The thought coming from across the street startled me. I was scanning her face for the hundredth time, committing each feature to memory. I pulled my eyes away from her face to check Bella's alarm clock. She'd be getting up soon too. Really soon. I jumped up and back to the window, letting myself have one last look at her beautiful face before I would have to pretend none of this had happened.
I clearly can't stay away from her any longer. Maybe I was going about this in the wrong way? I thought by staying away from her, I could protect her. Maybe I could protect her better if I kept her close.
I made my way back to our house in an almost cheerful state. I think I'm in love with Bella, and considering she said my name in her sleep, I didn't have to read her mind, she obviously felt something for me. Even if it was intense anger. I frowned, something would have to be done about that. That and her un-chaperoned trip to Seattle a week from Saturday.
But her voice had been anything but angry when she said my name in the middle of the night.
Alice met me at the door of our house and pulled me into her tiny arms.
"Congratulations!" she squealed, and then pulled back oh! You smell like human!
"What?" I asked nervously and shot her a glance.
On your revelation silly! I had no idea what she meant, but was grateful that she neglected to say it aloud.
I gave her a confused look. The image of Bella sitting in the passenger seat of my Volvo jumped into my head again. Don't worry, you've got better self control than you think you do.
Have fun in Seattle! She skipped out the door and towards the garage. Seattle? Then it dawned on me. I had somewhere along the line, without my knowledge, decided to take Bella to Seattle myself. Well, it did solve my problem of her going without a chaperone.
I changed quickly in the hopes of removing some of her scent from me before going into the garage.
The drive to Forks High School was… awkward. Alice kept smiling at me, Emmett and Rose just looked confused, and Jasper never took his eyes off of me. He finally broke the silence as we pulled into a space at the school.
"What's with all the excitement Edward?" he asked.
Edward's in love!! Alice's mind screamed at us.
"Nothing" I smiled coolly "New unit in Biology" He knew it was a lie, but didn't push it.
To my luck, Rosalie and Emmett had already disappeared, and Alice was pushing Jasper towards the building. She winked in my direction.
Bella was just pulling into a space across the lot from the Volvo. She had jumped out of the cab and had dropped her keys in the mud when I came around the corner and grabbed them.
"How do you do that?" she looked up at me with the most beautiful angry eyes I'd ever seen.
"Do what?" I dropped her keys in her hand.
"Appear out of thin air." Oops. In my rush to grab her keys, I had neglected to act human.
"Bella, it's not my fault if you are exceptionally unobservant." It was mean, and I kicked myself for it, but it wasn't a total lie. She started examining the ground very closely, and refused to look at me.
"Why the traffic jam last night? I thought you were supposed to be pretending I don't exist, not irritating me to death." I couldn't help but laugh.
"That was for Tyler's sake, not mine." Why would I make her wait in traffic if not for a good reason? "I had to give him his chance." And I wanted to see your glorious face.
"You..." a brilliant rose color filled her cheeks as she decided what to call me. I stepped in before she could get too creative.
"And I'm not pretending you don't exist." Not anymore anyway, far from it.
"So you are trying to irritate me to death? Since Tyler's can didn't do the job?" After all that had happened, how could she still think that? I had to remind myself that she still seemed to be convinced that I wanted her dead.
"Bella, you are utterly absurd." I felt the cold saturate my voice. She stared at me a moment before turning her back on me and stomping off. Maybe I had been too harsh.
"Wait!" When she didn't stop, I jogged up to walk beside her and plead my case, forcing myself to keep at a miserably slow human pace. "I'm sorry, that was rude. I'm not saying it isn't true. But it was rude to say it anyway."
"Why won't you leave me alone?" She grumbled at me. No chance of that. I jumped back to my original purpose. Halting her un-chaperoned trip to Seattle.
"I wanted to ask you something, but you sidetracked me,"
"Do you have a multiple personality disorder?"
"You're doing it again." I accused.
She sighed and gave in.
"Fine then. What do you want to ask?" I cleared my throat
"I was wondering if, a week from Saturday" Tyler, Eric and Newton had made this look hard. "you know, the day of the spring dance – " she cut me off with a severe look
"Are you trying to be funny?" Maybe they were on to something, but I couldn't help but smile both at the fact that she seemed to hate being approached by the opposite sex, and because she was getting really wet from the rain as she tried to stare me down.
"Will you please allow me to finish?" She looked angry, but didn't say anything, so I continued "I heard you say you were going to Seattle that day, and I was wondering if you wanted a ride." Her expression suggested that she didn't understand my offer.
"What?" she stammered.
"Do you want a ride to Seattle?"
"With who?" she said skeptically.
"Myself, obviously." The idea of her in my car made me smile.
"Why?" she was stunned.
"Well, I was planning to go to Seattle in the next few weeks, and, to be honest, I'm not sure if your truck can make it." It was a wonder it made it to school and back every day, actually.
"My truck works just fine, thank you very much for your concern." She turned away again and started walking. Bella was determined to make this as hard as possible.
"But can your truck make it there on one tank of gas?" Thank you, Charlie.
"I don't see how that is any of your business." She kept walking
"The wasting of finite resources of everyone's business." Even I had to admit, it was a pretty good line.
"Honestly, Edward. I can't keep up with you. I thought you didn't want to be my friend." That was then, this was now.
"I said it would be better if we weren't friends, not that I didn't want to be." I explained.
"Oh, thanks, now that's all cleared up." Her tone dripped with severe sarcasm, and I had to admit, it wasn't undeserved.
"It would be more…" I searched for the right word "prudent for you not to be my friend, but I'm tired of trying to stay away from you, Bella." At least it was the truth. She seemed to lose focus.
"Will you go with me to Seattle?" I reminded her of my original inquiry. She nodded. I couldn't stop the smile from flashing across my features before I brought myself back.
"You really should stay away from me." I paused to let it sink in before adding. "I'll see you in class." I turned and headed back for the parking lot.