Disclaimer: I own nothing Stephenie Meyer owns everything.
AN: Sorry for the wait it took me a while to get this up. Also this may be the last chapter for a little while I got some term papers to do but I will try to get another chapter as soon as I can. Oh and please excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes.
Chapter 4
In my dream it was very dark, but there was a little light around Carlisle. He smiled at me like he did in the hospital then turned and walked away from me. No matter how fast I ran I couldn't catch up. And no matter how loud I called he never turned. I woke up startled and out of breath. I couldn't get back to sleep after that. Every night after that I either dreamed about Carlisle or Edward and it was always the same scenario. They were always walking away from me. The next month at school was uneasy and embarrassing.
At school Tyler Crowley was following me around constantly obsessed with making it up to me that he almost hit me with his van. I tried to convince him to forget about it especially since nothing had actually happened to me but he didn't. No one seemed concerned about Edward even though he was the hero. I mean he pulled me out of the way and had nearly been crushed too. I wondered why nobody had seen him standing so far away before. With some embarrassment I figured it out. Nobody realized because nobody was as aware of Edward as I was. No one else watched him the way I did.
After the accident Edward didn't look at me or talk to me either. Every day I would say hi and he would just nod his head. Even though I tried to keep my thoughts away from him every night I still dreamed of him or his father Carlisle. At least Mike was pleased with the coolness between me and Edward. Mike grew more confidant staying to talk to me at my lab table in biology until the bell rand ignoring Edward completely. After that dangerously icy day the snow washed away and Mike started planning a beach trip with our group of friends soon. The rain however continued and the weeks passed.
Jessica called me the first week in March to ask my permission to invite Mike to the girl's choice spring dance.
"Are you sure you don't mind….you weren't going to ask him?" She asked when I told her I didn't mind.
"No Jess, I'm not going." I assured her dancing relied to much on hand eye coordination. "You go and have fun with Mike. I will be fine."
I thought for sure Jessica would be gushing about how she had called and asked him and what he said. But she was quiet the whole day as she walked with me from class to class and she never even looked at Mike. When Mike and I got to biology I figured out why Jessica had been quite.
"So" Mike said as he leaned against the table "Jessica asked me to the spring dance."
"That's great" I said making my voice as enthusiastic as I could. "You'll have a lot of fun with her."
"Well…." he hesitated "I told her I had to think about it."
"Now why would you do that?" I gave him a look with slight disapproval although I was happy he hadn't said no yet.
"I was wondering" he said with a bright red face "if well…..if you might be planning too ask me?"
I paused hating the guilt that washed over me. But then I saw Edward's head tilt slightly toward me. " Mike" I said "I think you should tell her yes."
"Did you already ask someone?" He asked as his eyes flickered quickly to Edward then back to me.
"No" I assured him. "I'm not going to the dance at all."
"Why not?" Mike asked.
I didn't want to get into the safety hazards of dancing. So I quickly mad new plans.
"I'm going to Seattle that Saturday." I explained not only did it give me an excuse not to go to the dance I needed to get out of town too.
"Can't you go some other weekend?" Mike asked
"Sorry, no," I said. "You shouldn't keep Jessica waiting it's rude."
"Yeah you're right." Mike mumbled as he walked away looking a little upset. Mr. Banner started teaching as I pushed the guilt away I noticed Edward staring at me with a curious expression mixed with that edge of frustration. I stared back expecting him to look away quickly, but he didn't. We kept staring at each other until Mr. Banner called on Edward to answer a question. I looked down at my book and didn't look back at him for the rest of the class. When the bell rang I quickly gathered my things then I heard his beautiful voice.
"Bella?"
I turned unwillingly knowing that I would be dazzled by that to perfect face. So my expression was wary when I finally faced him.
"What? Are you talking to me now?"
His lips twitched like he was trying to fight a smile. "No" he said "not really."
I let out a big sigh "then what do you want Edward?" I kept my eyes closed it was easier to talk to him when I didn't have to look at him.
"I'm sorry" he said and he sounded like he meant it. "I', being very rude I know. But it's better this way, really."
I opened my eyes to see his face very serious. "I don't know what you mean." I said.
"It's just better if we're not friends." he explained. "Trust me."
I narrowed my eyes and walked swiftly to the door towards gym. When school was finally over I almost ran to my truck and started home. When I got home I decided to make chicken enchiladas for dinner. I took a while but at least it would keep me busy. I had just started when the phone rand and it was Jessica calling to tell me that Mike had accepted her invitation. Now that Mike was going with her she sounded genuinely upset that I wouldn't go. After I hung up I tried to concentrate on dinner but I couldn't stop analyze every word Edward had said. What did he mean, it was better if we weren't friends?
When Charlie got home I told him about my plans to go to Seattle. I told him I was going to find a decent bookstore. Then he asked if I would be home in time for the dance. Of course only in a town this small would a dad know about a school dance. I explained to him I don't dance. He understood that with my balance problems it was a good idea and dint press the matter.
At school the next day I parked as far away from Edward's Volvo. As I went to lock my door I dropped my keys and a white hand flashed out and grabbed them before they could land in a puddle. I looked up and there was Edward leaning up against my truck. "How do you do that?" I asked.
"Do what?" He said as he dropped my keys into my hand.
"Appear out of thin air."
"Bella it's not my fault that you are unobserved it." He said with a smile.
Damn him and that smile. I scowled and turned to walk away. I heard him follow me and I turned back around angrily. "Why won't you leave me alone?"
"I'm sorry I keep being rude, but I wanted to ask you something," he said.
"Fine then what is it?"
" I was wondering next Saturday I know you're going to Seattle I wonder if you wanted a ride?" He asked
"With you?" I stared at him incuriously. "Why?"
"Well I was planning on going to Seattle in a few weeks and I'm not sure your truck can make it." He said with a smirk.
"My truck works fine," I said as I turned to keep walking.
"But can your truck make it on one tank of gas?" He said stopping me in my tracks.
"I don't see how that's any of you business" I said as I walked away finally. But of course he kept pace with me easily saying.
"The wasting of finite resources is everybody's business.
"Honestly Edward," I felt a thrill as I said his name and I hated that. "I cant keep up with you. O thought you didn't wanna be my friend."
"I said it would be better if we weren't friends not that I didn't want to be."
"Oh thank now that's all cleared up" I said with heavy sarcasm. He was looking at me so intensely with that dazzling smile that it didn't help me think clearly.
"It would be more…prudent for you if we weren't friends" he explained. "But I tired of trying to stay away from you." His eyes were so intense I for got how to breathe for a moment. "Will you go to Seattle with me?"
I didn't trust my self to speak so I just nodded. He smiled again and said seriously "You really should stay away from me." He said and then walked away. The rest of the morning past in a blur. When I got to lunch I automatically looked for Edward and didn't see him. I felt crushed and no longer had any appetite so I just bought a drink and sat next to Jessica.
"Edward Cullen is staring at you again," Jessica said. "I wonder why he is sitting alone today?" I followed her gaze and saw Edward staring at me from and empty table once he caught my eye he motioned me over.
"Does he mean you?" Jessica asked
"I guess I better go see what he wants" I said as I got up and walked to where he was. "Well this is different" I said as I sat down across from him.
He laughed with that same smile and said "you look worried."
"Not worried" I said "surprised actually. What brought this on?"
"I told you I'm tired of staying away from you so I'm giving up." He said.
"Ok" I said so are we basically friends now?" I said.
"Hmmmm friends" he said softly in a thoughtful voice. "Yes I guess we could try to be, but I'm warning you I'm not a good friend for you." The warning was real behind his smile.
I looked down not sure what to do now. Edward looked at me slightly tilting his head "What are you thinking" he asked.
"I'm trying to find out what you are." I said truthfully.
His jaw tightened but he kept his smile in place.
"Are you having any luck with that?" He asked in an offhanded sort of way.
"Not really" I admitted "but I do have a few theories."
"Tell me one." I blushed I had been thinking about either Bruce Wayne and Peter Parker. I shook my head 'no I'm not telling you it's to embarrassing." Edward let out a big breath and said.
"You are so hard to read."
I smiled to myself happy that I made him so frustrated. I decided to try something. "Can I ask you a favor?"
He suddenly looked wary "that would depend on the favor."
"I just wondered… could you warn me before you decide to ignore me for my own good? You know just so I'm not caught off guard. I said as I bit my bottom lip.
"Sure" he said "that's fair I guess. But can I have one answer in return.?
"Just one." I said.
"Tell me one theory"
"No anything but that." I said shaking my head.
"Hey he said you didn't specify what kind of answer. Just one theory I promise I won't laugh."
"Yes you will" I was positive about that.
He leaned in looking me right in the eyes and breathed "please."
As his scent hit me my mind went blank, how did he do that? "Um what now?" I said dazed.
"Just one little theory." he said
"Oh um bitten by a radioactive spider?" Wait I didn't mean to say that I didn't mean to tell him a theory. Damn was he hypnotist too? I was hopeless.
"That's not very creative" he scoffed.
"That's all I've got" I said.
"Well you're wrong no spiders no radioactivity."
"Dang" I sighed.
"Oh and Kryptonite doesn't bother me either" he chuckled.
"You're not supposed to laugh remember? I 'll figure it out eventually." I said
"I wish you wouldn't try"
"Because…..?"
"What if I'm not a superhero? What id I'm the villain?" He said playfully but he gaze was serious.
"Oh I see" I said you're dangerous." I looked deep into his eyes. "But not bad " I whispered I don't believe you're bad.
"You're wrong" he said. I stared at him. Wondering why I wasn't afraid. He was serious that much was obvious. But I just felt anxious and excited. The same way I felt when I was around him, the way I felt in my dreams. I looked around and realized that the cafeteria was almost empty. "C'mon we are gonna be late." I said grabbing my stuff.
"Oh I'm not going to class today" he said. I gave him a questioning look. He flashed me a smile "it's healthy to ditch every now and then Bella." I hesitated then took off when the first bell rang. Mr. Banner walked in right after I sat down carrying a few boxes with him. "Ok guys" Mr. Banner said "I want you to take one thing from each box." He walked over to Mike's desk with the boxes. "The first thing" he said "should be an indicator card. The second is a four pronged applicator and the third is a sterile micro lancer." Uh oh I knew what was going on and my stomach flipped. Mr. Banner went over to Mike and showed us how to prick our finger with the micro lancer he squeezed Mike's finger until blood came out and put it on the card. As the blood flowed my stomach churned and it started heaving.
Mr. Banner started going around the room showing us all how when he got to my table I had my eyes closed.
"Bella are you feeling alright? Are you feeling faint?" Mr. Banner asked
I didn't want to open my mouth in case I threw up so I just nodded. "Can somebody take Bella to the nurse please?" Me Banner asked. I didn't have to guess I knew Mike would volunteer. "Can you walk?" Mr. Banner asked .
"Yes" I whispered. Mike seemed to eager as he put his arm around me and pulled my arm over his shoulder as we walked out the class. After we got out of the room and we were walking across the courtyard I turned to Mike "let me sit for a minute please?" he led me to the curb. I was still dizzy.
"Bella are you ok?" Mike asked nervously.
"Bella?" A different voice called.
Oh no! please let it be anybody else but I would know that voice anywhere. "Is she hurt?" Edward said. Mike explained to Edward what had happened and Edward offered to take me to the nurse. Mike protested insisting that Mr. Banner told him to take me to the nurse, but Edward just picked me up like a child and told Mike to go back to class. Once we got to the nurses office I laid down and I felt better in minutes. Mike came in a few minutes later supporting another student who looked just as bad as I did. I could smell the blood so I quickly went to stand outside the office and Edward followed me. Mike came out a few seconds later and gave Edward a look of complete loathing.
Are you coming back to class?" Mike asked
"If I did I would end up right back here" I said.
"Oh right" Mike said "so are you gonna join us at the beach this weekend?" He flashed another glare at Edward.
"Of course" I said.
"We're meeting at ten at my dad's store." He said
"Ok cool I will be there" I promised sounding as friendly as possible.
"I'll see you later then in Gym" Mike said as he turned around and walked back to class.
I groaned gym I forgot all about that. "Gym" I moaned.
"I can take care of that" Edward said. I listened as Edward explained to the nurse about how he didn't think I was well enough to go to gym and he was gonna take me home and did she think she could excuse me for the rest of the day. The nurse agreed (as if anybody could resists that voice that sounded like honey) and even offered to write Edward an excuse too. As walked to the parking lot I asked Edward "so are you going this Saturday? To the beach?" I really wanted him to but I doubted he would.
"Where are you all going exactly?" He asked.
"To First Beach down at La Push."
He glanced down and said "I don't think I was invited and I don't think you and I need to push poor Mike anymore or he might just snap." I grinned at that like how he used 'you and I' a little bit to much. As I turned to go to my truck he stopped me and said "I told the nurse I was going to take you home and I' am." Then he led me to his Volvo .
"But what about my truck?"
"I'll have Alice drop it off after school." He said as he slid smoothly in the car. I thought about making a mad dash to my truck, but I knew he would catch me and just drag me back so I got inn his car with a huff. We sat in silence as he pulled out of the parking lot then on the way to the house he asked me several questions.
"What's your mom like?"
"She looks like me but prettier. I have to much Charlie in me. She is way more outgoing than I am. She is forgetful and erratic, she's my best friend."
"How old are you Bella?" Edward asked
"I'm seventeen. "I answered. He asked a few more questions about my mom and Phil. I saw the opportunity to ask about his family especially his father Carlisle. Yes I would really like to know more about him. "So what about your family? They have got to be more interesting than mine."
"What do you want to know exactly?" He said/
"Well the Cullens adopted you right?" I said . He nodded . I hesitated before asking the next question. "So what happened to your parents?"
"They died many years ago." He said somberly
"I'm sorry" I mumbled
"I don't remember them all that clearly. Carlisle and Esme have been my parents for a long time now." He said. Esme! I thought I had totally forgotten that Carlisle the man I had been dreaming and secretly fantasizing about was a married man! To cover up the deep intake of breath I had taken at the mention of Esme I asked "and what about your brother and sister?"
He glanced at the clock on the dashboard and said "my siblings are going to quite upset if they have to stand in the rain waiting."
"Oh sorry," I said sheepishly " I guess you have to go."
He laughed lightly and he said "I will make sure your truck gets home before Chief Swan gets home. Oh and Bella have fun at the beach this weekend."
"Won't I see you tomorrow?"
"No" he said "Emmett and I are starting the weekend early going camping."
"Oh" I said I remembered Charlie saying about the Cullens went camping a lot. "Well have fun" I said trying to sound enthusiastic when I was actually sad that I wouldn't see him until Monday.
"Will do something for me?" He said.
I nodded helplessly under his heavy stare.
"Please don't be offended but you seem to attract trouble so please be careful." He said.
With that remark the helplessness vanished "I 'll see what I can do" I snapped and I jumped out the car slammed the door as hard as I could and walked in the house. But as he drove away I saw him smiling.
Friday was uneventful without Edward there Mike was friendly as ever he seemed happy that I was sitting with them at lunch again. Saturday we got to La Push and we were all sitting around a fire talking and listening to music when a few of boys from the reservation came up and asked if they could join us. We said we didn't mind and one of the boys looked kinda familiar to me, but I couldn't place him. I was sitting down eating a sandwich we some of our group wanted to go for a walk down the beach and a few of the boys from the reservation went with Mike and a few other kids. Mike asked if I wanted to go but I declined saying I would just hang out around the fire.
After they left the young boy that looked familiar came and sat down next to me and said "you're Isabella Swan right?"
"It's Bella" I sighed
"Sorry" he grinned "I'm Jacob Black you bought my dad's truck.
"Oh!" I said "you're Billy's son I knew you looked familiar but I just couldn't place you."
He laughed and I did too. He was so easy to get along with. We sat talking when Lauren who always seemed to hate me said in an insolent tome "you know Bella Jacob?"
He gave Lauren a small smile threw his arm over my shoulder and said "oh yeah me and Bella have known each other since we were born," giving me a smile.
Lauren narrowed he eyes at the arm he had causally thrown over my shoulder and said "how nice" but her tone indicted that she really didn't think it was nice. I giggled quietly at the look she was giving me and Jacob. The she smiled at me a little cruelly and said "Bella I was just telling Tyler it was too bad Edward Cullen couldn't come out didn't you think to invite him?" She smirked at me.
"Do you mean Dr. Carlisle Cullen's family?" One of the older boys that came with Jacob asked.
"Yes do you know them?" Lauren asked condescendingly.
"The Cullens don't come here ," the same boy said. Tyler then distracted Lauren by asking her about a CD and I stared at the boy who said that the Cullens didn't come here but his tone seemed to imply that they weren't allowed.
Jacob noticed and said "hey Bella you want to take a walk down the beach with me."
I smiled up at Jacob and said "sure why not." He smiled back and we walked north along the shore line. "So your what sixteen?" I said fluttering my eyelashes trying to flirt feeling like an idiot.
"Actually I just turned fifteen."
"Really I would have thought you were older" I said my face filled with surprise. He smiled as I said this then I asked "who was that boy that Lauren was talking to? He seems a little to old to be hanging out with us."
"Oh that's Sam he is nineteen."
What was that he was saying about the doctor's family." I said trying to sound innocent.
"The Cullens? Oh they're not supposed to come onto the reservation." The way he shifted confirmed what I had heard in Sam's voice.
"Why not?"
"Oops I'm not supposed to tell anyone" he said biting his lip.
"Oh I won't tell anyone, I'm just curious" I said tilting my head and smiling just a little.
He smiled back and said "ok do you like scary stories?" He asked
"Oh I just love them" I said enthusiastically. We sat on an old driftwood tree and Jacob told me the most amazing story. He told my how his tribe the Quileute were decedents from wolves and the stories of the cold ones. According to legend his own great-grandfather knew some of them. He was the one who made the treaty that kept them off our land. Jacob went on to say how the cold ones where the natural enemies of the wolf or the men that turned into wolves what we would call werewolves. The ones his grandfather met said they were different they didn't hunt the way others of their kind did they weren't a danger so his great-grandfather made a truce with them. They would stay off of our land and we wouldn't expose them.
"But if there nit dangerous then why….?" I trailed off trying to understand.
"Even though this clan said they were civilized there was still a threat. You never know when they might get to hungry to resist." Jacob said.
"What do you mean by civilized?" I asked
"This clan said the were different" Jacob explained. "That they didn't hunt humans. They supposedly were different they prey only on animals.'
"So the Cullens are they like the same ones your great-grandfather met.?"
Jacob looked at me and said "no they are the same ones. The look on my face must have been one of surprise because he smiled and continued "there are more now a new male and female, but the rest are the same. In my great-grandfather's time they already knew of the leader Carlisle. He had been here and gone before your people had even arrived.
"But what are they?" I asked Jacob.
Jacob gave me a smirk and said "blood drinkers Bella."
Then some thing clicked and I let out a small chuckle and said "no way Jacob…you don't believe… that the Cullens are vampires!"
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