Chapter Ten
Bella
He stayed there all night and I was shattered by morning. At breakfast Charlie noticed and asked me if I wanted him to drive me to school. I thanked him but said I'd be OK. I walked to my truck and saw the Volvo parked down the street. As I pulled out it slide in behind me and followed me all the way to school. I got out and ran over to Angie who looked over to the Volvo then at my face.
"What's the matter Bella"
"Angie just walk in with me please".
"What's up?"
"I broke up with Edward and he won't take no for an answer."
"Oh I see. I'll stay close".
He followed us all day but I ignored him then Alice came over,
"I'm sorry Bella but Edwards not going to give up easily".
"What do I do Alice?"
"Ignore him but please don't talk to the Major or you'll start a war".
"If I don't ring him, will he leave?"
She sighed then nodded, "Yes. If he thinks you aren't interested he'll go".
"I can't do that Alice. I want to see him so what do I do?"
She looked back at Edward.
"Be very careful. He'll go hunting at the weekend so you'll be clear for Friday. You could speak to him then".
Edward was staring at us.
"Does he trust you Alice?"
She nodded "Yes he thinks I'm trying to talk you round"
"OK then"
It was agony waiting until Friday but when Alice gave me the OK I rang the only number stored in the phones memory.
"Hello" the voice made my heart beat faster. "Bella you OK?"
"Yes thank you. Do you think we could meet tonight?"
"Yes if you'd like. Where?"
I had no idea.
"How about I pick you up about seven, round the corner. I think Alice will cover for us. Tell Charlie you're with her".
"OK, see you later".
Friday was agony at school, Edward followed me around like a puppy all day although I continued to ignore him. Angie noticed something was different about me.
"Bella do you have a new guy?"
"What? Why do you say that?"
"Well, you look excited. As if you're just waiting for this evening. So do you?"
"Possibly" I told her.
"Tell me"
"I can't Angie".
"Do I know him?"
"No".
"Is he hot?"
"Yes".
"Wow, will you tell me more on Monday or ring over the weekend?"
"OK thanks for being there Angie".
I told Charlie I was going over to spend the evening with Alice.
"What about Edward?"
"He won't be there but I'm not giving up my friendship with Alice"
I went out and drove round the block then parked in the trees and waited. A black SUV came along the road very slowly. Tinted windows slid down as he pulled up beside me,
"Hello Bella. Will you get in or would you rather we walked for a while?"
I got in the passenger side "I'm happy to go for a ride with you".
He smiled "Thank you Bella".
He drove out of Forks and put his foot down, getting us to Seattle very quickly. As he drove I watched him, he kept his eyes on the road as he drove but I knew he was watching me.
"Why did you ring me Bella?"
"I wanted to see you".
"Why?"
"You fascinate me" I answered and he smiled. "Touché".
"I'm sorry that wasn't fair" I said as we pulled in to a parking space at Kerry Park.
He got out and was round to open my door even faster than Edward. He took my hand as I got out and didn't let go.
"Do you mind?" he asked.
"No I don't mind".
"I thought we might walk for a while".
We walked in silence f a while but it was a comfortable silence and I enjoyed it. Then we stopped at a restaurant.
"You want to get something to eat?"
I nodded, "Thanks".
We went in and found a table near the back and I ordered an omelette and salad while he passed. But he did order drinks for both of us. A soda for me and a beer for himself. When the drinks arrived I smiled,
"You going to drink that or is it just for colour?"
He looked at me and put the bottle to his lips taking a swig.
I looked aghast, "You drank some?"
He laughed, "It's not poison Bella".
"But Edward said..."
"I'm sure Edward said a lot of things".
"You're different from all the other vampires I've met".
"Thank you for that".
"Why are YOU here" I asked, emphasising the you.
"You intrigue and fascinate me. Do you know anything about me Bella?"
"I nodded "Some, all bad".
"I guessed as much. And yet you still came out with me? And you're not afraid. Why not? You must know I'm not a vegetarian like the Cullens".
"Yes, Alice told me".
"Then why aren't you afraid I'll kill you and drink your blood?"
"Will you?"
"No but I would say that wouldn't I?"
I smiled at him, "You're nervous"
He laughed, "How did you know that?"
"Oh I know the signs. I'm usually the nervous one".
"But not tonight?"
"No, not tonight. Are you staying in the area?"
"That depends".
"On what?"
"If you want me to".
"Why did you come back here? It was you who saved me from Laurent wasn't it? You trashed Jake's truck when he got physical?"
"I can't deny it".
"But I don't understand why".
"Neither do I Bella but there's something about you that pulls me in. You are like my own personal sun, you pull me closer with each orbit".
I wondered if he felt the way I did at the moment, mouth dry, heart beating wildly, senses on fire? How stupid, of course not he's a vampire Bella!
"What are you thinking about Bella?"
"Oh nothing really".
"It didn't feel like nothing".
"Oh of course, you can feel my emotions can't you".
"Alice?"
"Yeah, you have no secrets from me".
"It would seem not, or perhaps just one".
"Really and what would that be?"
"If I tell you then it wont be a secret any longer. Would you like to walk again before I take you home?"
"Yes I would".
He took my hand again and we walked, I couldn't tell you where, I was too busy concentrating on his profile, the feel of his cold hand in my warm one, even his scent which made me light-headed.
"What are you thinking Bella?"
"How strange this evening has been I guess".
"Strange in a nice way?"
"Yes. I'd like to do it again if that's OK with you".
"I'd like that, its been a long time since I walked hand in hand with a girl".
"Really, how long?"
"Too long Bella. The last time I walked with a girl I was still human and she was my first and only girlfriend, well friend I guess, and we were chaperoned at the time by her brothers".
"How long have you been a vampire?"
"Too long Bella, way too long".
"Do you live alone? Only I thought you were with Victoria and Laurent".
"No I just travelled with them for a while, it gets lonely being a nomad".
"But peaceful" I added.
He looked at me and nodded, "I guess Alice told you about that?"
"Yes, it must be really hard. Can't you shut it off?"
"Can Edward shut out all the thoughts he hears?"
I thought about that, "No I don't think so, but he can't read mine".
"Really? I'll bet that pisses him off".
"Yeah it does but I'm glad. I don't like the thought of someone roaming around inside my head".
"Is that a warning?"
"No, in fact it's almost nice not having to worry about if you think I'm scared of you, you already know." "You're not".
"That's right".
"Don't you think you should be though?"
"Why? Are you planning on killing me?"
"What do you think?"
"I think you're looking for something".
"Oh, and what would that be?"
"A reason to keep going, something to make your weary travelling a little easier, someone you can befriend maybe".
"Ouch, too close to the truth Bella".
He looked at his watch, "Time I got you home. I just hope Charlie hasn't checked up on you. If he has what will you say?"
"That I needed some time alone to think".
"And do you?"
"Yes I think I do. When will I see you again?"
"I'm around just ring or text and I'll get back to you".
"OK, but will you do something for me?"
"If I can" the smile disappeared.
"Don't go too far."
"Very well but why?"
"I think I'd miss you".
"Flattering Bella now come on".
He drove me home as fast as we came and dropped me round the corner where I'd left my truck. As he watched I drove round the corner and he put up a hand in farewell as I drove out of sight.