A/N: It's not mine, but the plot is.

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chapter 15

BPOV

I had difficulty sleeping the entire night do to the way Jacob had treated me. I was both shocked and frightened by his odd behavior, and I was not quite sure of what to make of it. I have known Jacob for most of my life, and we had played together as kids. I suppose that's the reason why I am having such a hard time coming to terms with the fact that he has, obviously, changed.

My upper arms ached where Jacob had grabbed me. I got up to check in the mirror to see if there was any bruising from his painful grip. The two hand shaped marks on my naturally pale skin was evidence enough that the friendship I had once shared with Jacob Black was now over. His odd behavior was enough to set off a warning for me, but for him to actually hurt me physically, was something I would never overlook.

I absentmindedly got dressed and slowly made my way down to the kitchen. After making myself some toast and grabbing a glass of juice, I plunked down on a chair. I tried to think through the events of the past week and of all the crazy dreams I have been having. I noticed a distinct correlation between the two. In fact, it seems as if I had been dreaming about meeting Edward before I had even moved to Forks. The dreams were becoming more vivid, more real. It was almost like I was there watching things as they unfold. I could hear the sounds around me and actually smell the different scents. I promised myself that I would pay closer attention to my dreams from then on. I believed they were trying to forewarn me of future events, whether they were good or bad. Perhaps the confrontation with Jacob could have been avoided if I had only been paying attention to the signs. One thing was certain, Jacob had some serious anger issues and, obviously, had no trouble at all with hurting me. I was going to stay as far away from him as possible.

Noticing the clock, I grabbed my bag and my jacket and headed out the door. I got to school at the same time as Edward did. My stomach did its customary little flip it always did when I saw him. He sauntered over and opened my door for me. I smiled at him in thanks and hopped out.

"Hello, beautiful, how are you this morning?" he asked me, kissing me gently on the lips.

I smiled at him, loving how much of a gentleman he really was." I'm fine. I missed you." We walked side-by-side, taking our time. I was a little distracted, so I didn't hear part of what he was saying.

"Bella, is everything OK? You seem to be out of it" he asked with concern in his voice.

"I'm so sorry, Edward. I had a horrible evening last night. I'll tell you about it at lunch. I'm still kind of reeling over it. I hope I'm not being rude," I told him.

"No, love, you're not being rude. I could just tell that something is really bothering you. I hope you know that I'm here for you," he told me gently, brushing my cheek with the back of his hand. I closed my eyes, enjoying the feel of his touch."We need to get to class."

I sighed, not wanting to be apart from him. I looked up into his amazing topaz eyes and smiled sadly at him. "I wish I didn't have class. I have a strong desire to run away and take you with me."

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, I switched all my classes, and I'm now in all of your classes, except gym," he told me, while walking down the hall with me to our first class.

"Are you serious? How did you pull that off? On second thought, don't answer that. You probably charmed the pants off of poor Mrs. Cope. I hope she recovers." I looked at Edward, and he looked completely guilty. I giggled, happy to have guessed right

.

I found that my classes were quite a bit more enjoyable now that Edward was seated right next to me Of course, being able to pay attention was a whole different matter. How could anyone sit there and listen to the teacher when the very God-like Edward was sitting next to them? It's just not possible.

For the first time since I started here, the morning went by rather quickly. Edward managed to brightened my spirits and I felt better than when I had first arrived. I didn't know how to tell him of last night's occurrence with Jacob, but I believe that, as my boyfriend, he has a right to know. Obviously, I was also worried about how he would take it. Edward was a gentleman and very protective of me. We may be newly dating, but everything about him screams that he wouldn't tolerate anyone mistreating me.

Finally, we were sitting in our table in the cafeteria. I was still foregoing the disgusting food they served here. I had no desire having my stomach pumped. I sat in my seat, nervously played with my bottle of water, not knowing how to tell Edward what I needed to say.

"Bella, what's wrong? I'm getting really worried here. You have been so preoccupied all day. It's obvious something is bothering you. Please, let me help you," he pleaded with me. Edward took my hand in his and kissed it.

"I'm sorry to worry you. I had a horrendous night last night. It has pretty much freaked me out," I told him, trying to muster up the strength to tell him the truth. I just hope he doesn't think I'm weird. I'm going to explain to him about my dreams and about Jacob. I hope he has an open mind. That's all I can ask for.

"Bella, what happened? Did someone hurt you?" He looked frantic and desperate to know.

I took a nervous breath and looked at him. "Last night, my father invited the Blacks over for dinner. I thought nothing of it at first. Billy is Charlie's best friend, and I used to play with Jacob when I was a little. Well, I played with him whenever I came to visit Charlie. That was a long time ago, by the way." I looked at Edward and noticed his expression seemed to be a bit tenser.

"Go on. I can tell there's more".

"Well, he um... He we acting very strange and not all very nice. I went into the kitchen to get a drink and get away from him, and he followed me. He started to grill me, asking me question like who have I been hanging out with. I told him I just went shopping with a friend, not naming any names, and that I just moved here, and I really haven't had any time to hang out with anyone. I didn't tell him about you, because it's really none of his business," I told him. I watched him closely, noticing that Edward's eyes seem to have darken slightly.

"Keep going. I'm waiting for the bad part."His voice sounded very tense.

"He grabbed me, actually. He said I was a liar and that he could, and I quote,'Smell one of them on me'. It just hurts where he grabbed my arms." The look in Edward's eye was one of contained fury.

Before I knew what was happening, Edward stood up, offered me his hand, and said,"Come with me." I took his hand, and I followed him out the door and over to his Volvo, where his sister, Alice, was waiting.

"Hello, Bella," she greeted me, more subdued than usual. "I took care of everything, Edward. You're both signed out for the day. I'll drive the truck to our place. You need to talk to Bella."

"Thanks, Alice. Let everyone know that we'll need to talk to them later," he told her.

"Already done, brother. Just go take care of your girlfriend." Alice gave me a quick hug, turned, and flounced away.

I looked at Edward, confused over what I just witnessed."What's going on?"

"We need to talk. There are some things I have to tell you, and we need to go somewhere private to have that kind of a conversation." He opened the door for me, and I slid in. "I hope you don't mind taking a bit of a hike."

"No, not at all. I love to hike," I assured him. We drove in silence, both of us just happy to be with each other. Finally, we came to a dead end. I saw a little dirt path, and my curiosity piqued. Edward came around my side and opened the door for me and helped me out.

"Follow me. It's not far from here. I think you'll like it." He took my hand, and I followed along with him.

The path, for the most part, was clear. When we came across fallen trees, Edward helped me over them. Or, when the path was blocked by damp vegetation, he would move it aside for me. After having walked for quite awhile, I began to notice some light making it's way through the canopy of the trees, lighting the forest up just a bit. We came to a small area where two large boulders sat facing each other and just beyond them, there was a beautiful meadow, where I could see patches of sunlight gently kissing it in several spots.

"It's beautiful. I had no idea that something like that was even here," I said quietly.

"I found this spot not too long after me and my family first moved here. No one knows about it but me. Well, now you do. It has been my sanctuary, a place I go to when I need to think," he told me. "Bella, I have some things I need to tell you. I'm just not sure how you'll take them. Hearing you tell me about what happened last night has pretty much spurred me on. I was going to wait a while, but under the circumstances, I don't think that's the best thing to do."

I shook my head. At least I wasn't the only one who was nervous ."If it makes you feel any better, I wanted to tell you something to. I've been worried that you were going to think I was a freak." I rubbed his arm, trying to comfort him .

He gave me one of his trademark sexy grins and kissed my head. "Why would I ever think you're a freak? You are perfect in every way."

I leaned against the rock, trying to figure out how to tell him about my dreams, as well as, the rest of what Jacob did.

"Well, this may sound completely off, but ever since I could remember, I dream about things that seem to happen. I don't know how else to put it. Like last night. I had had a dream that Jacob was somehow going to hurt me, and he did." No sooner had the word left my mouth, then Edward pulled me into his arms. I noticed, again, how his eyes were darker.

"What do you mean, hurt you? Where did he hurt you?" he asked me anxiously.

"It's not like he hit me or anything like that. It's just that he grabbed my arms too tightly, and he bruised them. That's all."

"Show me, please. I need to see for myself how bad it is or isn't."

I pulled away from him and removed my jacket. I pulled up the sleeve of my shirt so I could show him my upper arm. When I exposed the dark, purple, hand, shaped mark, Edward hissed. "My other arm looks just like this one." I tried to cover up the bruise, but he stopped me. Leaning forward, he gently kissed my arm.

"I wish I could have been there for you. No man has a right hurting a woman least of all his kind. You have no idea how much restraint it is taking me to not go back there and cause him a great deal of bodily harm. Bella, there is definitely a lot you need to know. But, first things first, as far as your dreams are concerned, no I don't think you are a freak. You'll find out why after I tell you what I need to tell you. Bella, have you noticed anything different about me?"

"Do you mean other than the fact that you are a perfect gentleman, and you don't act like a pig?" He smiled and nodded at me. "I guess the two biggest things are the fact that I noticed on a few occasion that your eyes got darker, and you do tend to speak like you're from a different time period. Is that what you mean?" I asked him.

Nodding his head, he continued. "Yes, that's what I mean. It doesn't surprise me that you noticed my eyes changing colors. You are very observant. Let me ask you something else. Do you believe in the possibility of the supernatural?"

"Absolutely! I always have. I think that has something to do with my dreams. I dream the future. That's definitely supernatural."

"You're right. It is and so am I, as well as my family. We are vampires."

I looked into his eyes, amazed by what he just told me. I knew in my heart it was the truth. Edward would never lie to me, of that I was sure. I also knew that he would never hurt me. I trusted him implicitly.

"Wow." Apparently, I had lost my ability for intelligent speech.

"Bella, aren't you afraid?"

"No, why? You would never hurt me. I can tell."

"Aren't you in the least bit curious as to what we eat?" He shook his head in wonder.

"Well, you're a vampire, so I would say blood. Is there a special kind?"

"You could say that. My family, we're vegetarians. We drink only the blood of animals. We are the exception of our kind."

"Oh, is it difficult, then, being with me?" I asked him.

"Not at all, but there's a reason for that. Vampires mate for life. When a vampire finds their mate, they know instantly. It's kind of like love at first sight but infinitely more powerful. Mates can never harm each other and exist to please each other. There is no deeper connection. You, Bella, are my mate. I have waited a very long time for you. I know that this is a lot to take in. I hope I haven't frightened you."

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. "Is that the reason why I dream about you so much and why it's so uncomfortable when we're not together?"

"Well, I don't know about the dreaming, since it's very rare for a vampire to mate with a human and vampires don't sleep. But if you are feeling any discomfort when we are apart, then that is definitely part of it."

"Wait! You don't sleep? Ever? "I asked him. He shook his head no. "You're in luck. I dream enough for the two of us."

He pulled me into his arms and softly kissed my lips. I rested my head on his chest. "Bella, you're taking all of this a lot better than I thought you would. I was so worried that you would run away from me screaming."

"I could never run from you. In case it escaped your notice, I like to keep an open mind."

"I may have noticed that," he said laughingly. "I want you to see something. Come with me." He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the meadow with him. We walked over to where a shaft of sunlight lit up a large patch of grass. Edward let go of my hand and walked directly into the light. He turned around, and I was stunned by what I saw. His skin sparkled brilliantly like it was embedded with millions of diamonds. Suddenly, I remembered a dream I had had a few nights ago. I dreamed of this meadow, and it was Edward that was walking towards me.

"Edward, I dreamed of this. I dreamed of this meadow and of you. You are so...wow. I have no words. I think you're perfect."

He walked over to me, shaking his head in disbelief. "It is you who are perfect. The way you accept me for who I am, not caring that I am a vampire." He cupped my face in his hands and tilted my head up. Looking deeply in my eyes, he gently spoke, "I love you, my Bella. You are my everything."

I reached up and twined my fingers in his unruly hair. "I love you," I told him quietly. We just stood there, holding on to each other, not wanting to let go.

"Sweetheart, we need to go. My family is waiting for us. We still have some things to discuss, but we need to do that with them. If you'll let me, I would like to show you how I travel through the forest." He looked at me questioningly.

"Sure, I trust you." Before I knew it, he had slung me up on his back and told me to hang on tight. He took off like a bullet, running faster than I could have ever imagined. It was exhilarating! With in no time at all, we were back at the Volvo. He put me down gently and looked at me, waiting for my response.

"That was incredible. If I could run like that I would never walk again!" I exclaimed excitedly.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Running is one of my favorite things to do. It gives me a great sense of freedom."

He helped me in the car, and we headed to his house. I was curious as to what else he needed to speak to me about. What more could be so important that his entire family needed to be there? I was still in awe of the fact that I was his mate. Just thinking about it sent chills down my spine. Whatever it was, I was soon to find out. We were pulling into his driveway, and my nerves were starting to act up. I can't wait to find out the rest of what he needs to tell me. I having a feeling it's going to be huge.