It's update time again! I'm so thankful for everyone who's taken the time to read or review. I write for myself but I love that other people are finding joy in what I can put out there.

There are lots of reasons that Bella should be avoiding Edward. People are gossiping about them, one of her closest friends thinks he's bad news-oh, and he's a bloodthirsty vampire that looked like he was about to murder her last time they hung out. Are any of those things going to get in her way? No.

"—well I heard that she fucked him in the back of that rusty old Chevy she drives, on school property."

I gritted my teeth as I rounded the corner to see a group of freshman that I had never spoken with huddled together. One of them caught my eye and hushed the others frantically. I heard anxious giggles as I passed, jaw clenched tightly enough that it ached. As practical as I was trying to be, after two days the gossip had started to get to me.

Conner and Austin pulled away from the wall as I approached, spreading out to block my path. I pushed my tongue against my teeth, already knowing that this was going to be terrible. Lauren and her lackeys had been the most confrontational of the gossipers—she limited herself to faux-concerned suggestions about using condoms and where the best spots in town for illicit activities were, but the boys who vied for her attention were much more offensive.

"Hey Bella," Austin grinned unpleasantly, leaning much too far into my personal space. "Maybe you can settle this argument for us. I think that Cullen can't get it up at all on account of how he's a total twink, but Conner says that as long as he can't see your face he can pretend that he's—" he broke off suddenly, looking alarmed.

"Oh, do go on," an icy voice came from behind me. "Don't feel obliged to stop on our account." Unbelievably, Rosalie had come to my defense. I sneaked a peek backward to see her, Emmett looming ominously by her side, both wearing dangerous expressions. "What was that you were saying? Maybe you could repeat it, I don't think Emmett quite heard you the first time."

Austin paled and swallowed. "Uh, it was nothing. I, uh, I have to get to class." He retreated quickly, Conner only a step behind him, both nearly scrambling over themselves in their haste to get away.

I heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you."

Rosalie smiled coolly. "Bullies are usually also cowards. Don't let them get to you." She linked her arm through Emmett's and swept away as dramatically as she had arrived.

I pulled into the parking lot of Sunset Lanes at 7:30, ready to put the drama of the last few days behind me. Jacob was already there, leaning against a car that looked like it had once been three separate cars with exaggerated impatience. I couldn't help but smile as I pulled into an adjacent spot and hopped out of the truck's cab.

"Bella," he shouted, enveloping me in a hug that was at least twice as big as I was. I laughed at his enthusiasm and he pulled away, a hand on each shoulder to steady me as I swayed from the onslaught. "It's good to see you."

"It's been two weeks, not two years," I scolded, but I couldn't stop smiling. "I'm glad to see you too. Less glad to go bowling. Isn't there anything else we could be doing?"

He shrugged. "Do you want to go to a party?"

"No," I said, hurriedly.

"Then bowling it is. Bet you I'll double your score." He grinned, confident.

"That's not much of a bet," I mumbled. "If there's a way to get a negative score in bowling I'm sure I'll manage it."

Jacob laughed, the sound as big as he was. "I'll give you some pointers." He slung an arm affectionately over my shoulder; I accepted it gratefully—he was warm and the February night was cold.

We headed inside, bought three games, and rented shoes. The bowling alley was moderately busy and I welcomed it—it was strange, how living in Forks for a few months had me missing crowded spaces that I had never really enjoyed before. I picked the lightest ball I could find, but Jacob pulled a face at me.

"That's too light, you won't be able to knock enough pins over. Try a tenner."

I narrowed my eyes mutinously but followed his advice, hefting the ten-pound ball before I sent it spinning down the lane. He was right—although it hit well off-center, it sent more pins flying than I usually hit in a single try.

"Fine," I grumbled, sending the second ball after the first.

"Don't flip your wrist like that," he scolded. "You'll hurt yourself. Here, you want to hold it like this." He took my forearm, demonstrating how to balance the ball on my palm and keep my wrist straight as I released it. He repeated the maneuver twice before he stepped back; I tried it myself and he nodded approvingly.

"Yo, Bella!"

I grimaced before forcing my face into a smile and turning around. "Hi, Tyler." He was perched on one of the tables, pulling on his bowling shoes. There was no way that he hadn't seen Jacob and me standing so close together. I should have thought of the fact that a small town meant I'd run into my classmates outside of school, but it just hadn't crossed my mind.

"Yo, does Edward know you're out here with another guy?" he asked, wagging his eyebrows suggestively.

"Edward?" Jacob asked, looking confused.

So much for this being an Edward-less night. "I'm not dating Edward. We sit together in Biology, that's all," I snapped, ignoring my previous suggestions to not make a fuss about it all.

Tyler raised his hands defensively. "Woah, sorry! Just asking. Don't kill the messenger."

"Whatever," I replied caustically before turning my back on him. That was ruder than I usually let myself be, but I was cross about the intrusion into what was supposed to be a fun evening out. And—I had to admit it—it felt a little bit good to finally unload some of the frustration of the past few days.

"So," Jacob said, sounding wary. "Edward?"

I blushed. "Someone started a rumor because we had a conversation, in public, about… um, homework." The lie tasted sour in my mouth, but I comforted myself with the knowledge that it was to protect both of them. That made it more bearable.

"Shitty." I couldn't tell whether or not he believed me. I hoped he wouldn't push the issue. "Have you seen much of the Cullens since you moved here?" He seemed studiously disinterested.

"Um, you know," I hedged. "They're around school. I run into them at the farmer's market sometimes."

"It's a small town." Jacob's tone indicated that the subject was now closed. He flashed a quick smile at me before taking his shot—it spun cleanly down the alley, knocking over every pin. He let out a small whoop and held his hand out for a high five. I obliged cheerfully; it was easy to put aside my troubles around Jacob.

Jessica called the next morning to ask if I was sure I wouldn't be going to the dance next weekend and really she wouldn't mind driving back to Port Angeles to help me pick out a dress and of course the group would dance with me, just like Angela, and honestly it would be a fun night of hanging out even if I didn't much like dancing. I declined politely on all counts. I didn't want to wear a ballgown, I really didn't want to stand around and drink punch while everyone else danced, and I especially didn't want to dance.

Besides, I already had plans for the day. I felt a small thrill at the thought—the only contact between myself and Edward since Tuesday had been to agree that he would arrive at my house at noon on Saturday. Charlie would be out all day (though he hadn't said where), so we would have plenty of time to continue our discussion. I had started writing down every question I thought of, determined to make the most of however long I would get to investigate for.

I checked the clock for the third time in ten minutes and groaned. It was only 11:30 and I had already run a load of laundry through, washed all the dishes (and the stove, and the kitchen floor, and the shelves in the fridge), and cleaned the single bathroom top to bottom. I was minutes away from emptying out the silverware drawer and polishing the antique silver. At least my nervous habits made for a neat house.

I sat down at the small table in the kitchen, rubbing my ankle absentmindedly as I looked at my list of questions. I scribbled down one more—fangs?—at the end, then tapped the pen against my lips. What else was there to ask? I cast my mind back over the vampire legends I had spent an evening researching, trying to decide if there was anything else worth adding to the list. Nothing immediately came to mind.

A polite knock sounded at the door and I practically flew to answer it, my heart fluttering. I opened it quickly.

"Heya, Bella."

It was Tyler. I stared at him, unable to process what he was doing at my house.

"Jessica wouldn't give me your number," he said, "but everyone knows where Chief Swan lives."

"Hi, Tyler," I finally managed. "Why are you here?"

He looked unusually abashed. "I wanted to apologize for last night. It was pretty rude of me to call you out like that."

"Yeah," I said, feeling a flash of anger at the reminder. "It was really shitty."

"Well, I'm sorry," he said. "If you aren't going with… someone, can I ask you to the dance?"

I pressed my lips together, trying not to laugh. "Thank you for your apology, but I'm not going to the dance."

"Oh." He sounded crestfallen. "I thought—"

"I have a lot going on," I interrupted. I felt bad for the rudeness but I really couldn't have Tyler hanging around when Edward arrived. That would be seen as confirmation of the rumors. "I'll see you at school on Monday."

"Sure," he said. "Uh, bye."

"Bye."

He turned away and I shut the door behind him, sagging against it as soon as it was closed. "Fuck!" I clapped a hand over my mouth to stifle a nervous giggle.

I heard his car start and fade away into the distance. A moment later, another knock sounded from the other side of the door. I yanked it open, hoping that this time it really was Edward. It was; he looked curious as I waved him inside.

"Hi," I said, unable to stop a smile from spreading across my face. "How's your day going?"

"Better than Tyler's," he replied, with a half-smirk. I couldn't suppress a giggle at the expression and his smile widened at the sound. "What happened last night, if I may ask?"

I blushed. "He made an insinuation about us and I… well, I may have lost my temper."

He nodded thoughtfully. "Tyler was very impressed."

I scrunched up my nose. "It's weird that you can just know that."

He had the grace to look apologetic. "It's not something that I can turn off," he said, placating. "I'm sorry if it bothers you."

"I just need to get used to it," I sighed. "So much has changed in the last couple of weeks."

Edward's face became sympathetic. "I'm sure it's all very overwhelming for you. I hope I'm not pushing too much information on you too quickly."

"No," I said hastily. "Not at all. I want to learn as much as I can."

His eyes brightened. "Is our deal still in effect?"

"Oh, um, yes," I stammered, surprised that he still wanted to hear anything I had to say. Surely he was just doing it to try and put me at ease? I couldn't let myself think that he might be interested in me—that would feed my crush, which I definitely didn't want. My heart fluttered in spite of myself. "Of course. Who's turn is it first?"

"Mine." He looked around the room. "Are you going to invite me all the way in?"

"Of course. Can I get you—oh!" I caught myself, clapping a hand over my mouth. "Sorry, habit."

"No need to apologize for being polite," he smiled, taking a seat at the kitchen table. I sat across from him, tucking my notebook out of sight. "Why aren't you going to the dance?"

I thought about being flippant but decided against it. "I'm not well-coordinated," I said, a little embarrassed. "Too clumsy for dancing. Besides," I continued, looking down at the table, "there's nobody I want to go with."

He was silent for long enough that I looked back up to see him studying my face carefully. "I can see why you wouldn't want to go."

I blushed again under his regard. "Thank you. Are you going?"

He made a face. "The others want to drag me along so they can be less obvious about dancing with each other in front of the adults. It's not an issue in larger towns because we pretend to be separate families, but Forks is small enough that new highschool students with mysteriously absent parents would be more noticeable than an assortment of unrelated teenagers under the guardianship of an upstanding doctor."

That was a more complicated answer than I had been expecting. "Is it supposed to be a secret that they're together?"

"They're supposed to try to be unobtrusive," he said. "Alice forgets because she doesn't understand humans."

That piqued my interest. "Why not?"

Edward looked at me through long lashes, golden eyes sparkling. My disobedient heart thumped unevenly. "Isn't that another question?"

"Yes," I said, unwillingly. "I suppose. Ask yours, then."

He leaned back in his seat. "Tell me about your mother."

I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. This is going to be a good afternoon.