Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight...I do, however, own an overactive imagination.

Edward: Thoughts

Who was this girl?

Some poor human with a horrible life and the bad luck of being the one to show us around. Nobody special. And yet, she could read our minds and didn't know it. Not only that, but she could also quickly understand speech that should have been inaudible to her ears. Was she human? She smelled human.

"How could I read someone's thoughts?" she asked, glancing around to make sure no one was listening.

"I think the question is, how are you doing it and not know about it? Have you ever known what people were thinking before?" I was curious, I couldn't help myself, I had to ask.

"No," she answered, confused. "But here's an even more interesting question: Supposing for the moment that I can read thoughts, how is it that you would know that I was reading Nessie's thoughts?"

Oops.

I knew he could read thoughts...don't know how I knew...didn't know I could...but I knew he could for sure. Are you reading me, Edward?

"Yes," I said, answering her thoughts. "You were quite right."

Ally gasped. I knew it! But how did I know it...?

"As I stated before, you can too."

My family was getting frustrated with this half conversation.

"Would someone please explain what's going on?" Jacob said, irritated.

I chuckled. "Ally can read minds as I can," I explained.

The bell rang then and Ally jumped. Her nerves were already stretched thin and this new revelation was making her more jumpy than ever.

"We can continue this discussion in class," she said, standing and picking up her backpack. "I have art next and we can talk."

She led the way, while Jacob and I trailed behind to talk in low voices.

"You're sure she can read our minds?" Jacob was nervous.

"Certain."

"But she could find out about us!"

"She doesn't seem in control of this power, I'm not sure how it works, but it's definitely not like mine; she can't hear everything."

Is the girl even human? His thoughts echoing my own.

"She looks human, she smells human, everything about her screams 'human'"

"But she's reading our minds!"

"Not Bella's," I clarified.

"Still though, that doesn't say 'human' to me."

"What does it say to you, then?"

"It says 'get the hell out of here before finds out our secret' that's what it says."

"Edward, Jacob!" Ally called. "You're falling behind."

I looked up. Ally was already at the door to the art studio. Jacob and I ran at a human pace to catch up.

The studio was very large with tables covered in paint spatters with easels and canvas along the walls. Ally grabbed five sheets of watercolor papers and some paint and brushes on her way in. She put this down on one of the tables and threw her bag on the floor. She stood there and stared at us, waiting.

I strode over to the table and stood across from her. She smiled and handed me the the watercolor paper.

The others joined me and Bella started painting absently.

Ally watched us for a moment before starting on her own piece.

So how does this mind reading thing work? she asked me silently, her eyes on her paper. Can you hear my thoughts right now?

I sighed "Yes."

The others looked up and then went back to painting. I would explain everything they missed at a later time.

Can you hear every thought of every person?

"Yes," no need to explain Bella's silence.

And you said I can read minds as well?

"Yes."

But I can't hear any body's thoughts.

"But you can sometimes, like at lunch."

Oh yeah, I could see my thoughts in your eyes...

That was it! She could see thoughts while I could hear them. She needed eye contact!

"It seems you need to meet the person's eyes in order for you to hear—or rather see—what they're thinking."

Jacob was excited. Excellent! We just have to avoid eye-contact!

"Cool!" said Ally aloud.

Bella looked up and smiled at her. "I bet you can't see my thoughts," she teased.

I laughed.

Ally stared hard into Bella's eyes while resisting the urge to look away. She came up empty.

"I dunno, I don't think it's working..."

I smiled. "What are you thinking, Bella?" I asked.

For a second, Bella pushed her shield away and I got an image of her hunting. Ha! It's a good thing Ally didn't see that particular thought! Disappointment seeped into me as Bella's shield moved back into it's accustomed resting place.

"Nothing in particular," she said aloud, smiling.

"You can't hear her either?" Ally asked.

"I'm the exception to mind readers," Bella explained.

"Oh.." Ally turned to me. "Can I try reading your thoughts?"

No, Edward! Jacob practically yelled in his head.

Ignoring him, I carefully made sure I was not thinking anything that would give us away, then raised my eyes to meet hers.

"Okay, what am I thinking?" I challenged.

A/N: Anything? Any guesses? Review!