The Learning Curve: Chapter 26
Forks High School
"Alice...why is everyone staring at me?" I whispered as we walked to our first class.
"Probably because Tyler Crowley saw you turning down Edward's driveway yesterday. He lives like a half a mile down the road from him."
I groaned, stopping to turn and face my best friend. "So they all think Edward and I are together?"
"Well, they think you had sex with him. But since Edward punched Mike, they're wondering if you haven't finally tamed the beast, so to speak."
I cringed. "I think I need to find Edward."
"Well, that shouldn't be too hard," Alice said, looking over my shoulder.
"Why?"
"He's making a beeline for you right now. I'll see you in Spanish."
I almost cried out for her to stay, but I wasn't sure what Edward would have to say to me, so I turned around and faced him alone. I could feel my cheeks heating up as several eyes zeroed in on us. The fact that he looked particularly good today in jeans and a fitted hoodie didn't help my blush.
"I guess the cat's out of the bag," I whispered.
"Not the whole cat," Edward said with a smile. "Are you all right?"
"So far. Edward, what am I supposed to tell people? They're going to start asking."
"I know. Just tell them we're dating. It's easier than anything else. I mean, as long as that's all right with you," he said, shoving his hands in his pockets.
My mouth went dry. Edward was willingly, publicly linking his name with mine? "Yeah, it's fine. What will you do if your parents find out I was at your house?"
"I'll make something up. Something school related."
"Okay," I said, distracted by the horrifying thought that Charlie would find out. What was I going to say about going over to a boy's house without his permission?
"We'll deal with it, Bella," he said, leaning closer. "I'm in as long as you're in."
I smiled and wondered at his willingness to help me. "I'm in."