The rest of my morning passed in anticipation of lunch, and when I finally reached the cafeteria my eyes eagerly searched for Edward. He was sitting alone, a tray of food already waiting on the table. I noted that he had picked my favourites; pizza, lemonade and an apple. He gave me a crooked grin as our eyes met, and I immediately headed for him, ignoring the jealous stares I was receiving from Jessica and Lauren, and the amused and curious glances of the other Cullens as they realised where I was heading.
I reached the table and sat down opposite Edward. He slid the tray of food towards me and I took a bite of pizza, chewing slowly. I looked up at him. He seemed unsure. "Well this is different." I started.
"Well, I decided that if I was going to hell, I might as well do it thoroughly." He explained cryptically.
I frowned, it sounded as if he thought he would be condemned for being friendly to me. "I'm not quite sure what you mean by that." I stated, confused.
"I know I'm kind of counting on that." He smiled softly.
"So what brought this on?" I asked, genuinely curious about the reason behind his sudden change in demeanour.
His eyes turned intense. "I'm tired of trying to stay away from you Bella." He admitted.
"Then don't," I said, looking deeply into his eyes as I reached out and placed my hand on his. He flinched, and then seemed surprised when I didn't react to the coldness of his skin. Eventually he retraced his hand.
I unscrewed the cap off the lemonade and took a sip, closely observing him. "So, in plain terms, are we friend now?" I asked hopefully.
"Friends," he mused, seeming to think it over.
"Or not," I muttered.
"Well, we can try, I suppose, but I'm warning you now that I'm not a good friend for you."
"You say that a lot," I observed.
"I'm hoping that eventually you'll heed my warning. If you were smart you'd stay away from me," he explained, his eyes worried.
"I think you've made your opinion of my intellect more than clear." I said angrily. He smiled apologetically. "So, while I'm being not smart, we can be friends?" I clarified.
He nodded. "Yes."
I stared at him for a while longer. I wanted to tell him I knew that he was a vampire, and that I didn't care, but I knew this wasn't the right time or place to do it.
Eventually his voice cut through my thoughts. "What are you thinking?" he asked. I smiled; I doubted that he'd ever had to ask that before.
"I was just wondering whether you were more like batman or superman," I joked.
He smiled a little at that, but then his expression turned serious. "What if I'm not the superhero Bella? What if I'm the bad guy?" He asked.
It was obvious that he really believed he was bad, and I felt compassion for him. I looked up into his eyes, wanting to convey my message with sincerity. "You may be dangerous Edward, but I will never believe you are bad." I said firmly, my gaze never wavering from his. His expression was surprised, then hopeful. I knew he was a long way from fully believing that, but I was determined to eventually make him see that he was good.
We remained locked in each other's gazes until the bell rang, and I jumped slightly, startled. "We'd better get to class," I mumbled reluctantly.
He sighed, "I'm not going today," he informed me.
My eyes narrowed in suspicion, "Why not?" I demanded.
He shrugged, "Sometimes ditching is healthy."
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. Obviously he knew something about the class that I didn't, but I knew there was no point arguing. I contemplated ditching with him, but I didn't want it getting back to dad. "Well, I'll see you later then." I smiled and unwillingly left the cafeteria, looking back at him one last time.
I arrived just before Mr Banner, and I settled at my lonely lab table, curious to see the reason for Edward ditching.
When I saw what Mr Banner had with him I mentally kicked myself. I should have known. Blood typing. Well Edward was right. It was definitely healthier for the other students if the vampires ditched class when everyone was blood typing.
I tried to focus on Mr Banner's demonstration, but the moment he pricked Mike's finger with a needle and the scent, a combination of rust and salt, hit me, I started feeling clammy and faint. I slowly lowered my head to the desk, trying not to breathe through my nose.
Mr Banner noticed when he handed out kits to everyone. "Bella are you feeling all right?"
"No sir," I muttered softly.
"Do you need to see the nurse?"
I nodded slowly. "Can I have a volunteer to take Bella to the nurse?" he asked the rest of the class.
I didn't even have to look up to know that Mike would volunteer, eager to get his hands on me, but I didn't have the strength to fend him off as he helped me out of the classroom and we headed in the direction of the office.
Once we were outside, and out of Mr Banner's range of sight I pushed Mike away and lay down on the path, the cold cement under my cheek. "Wow Bella, you're green." Mike observed anxiously.
I didn't answer. Just then another, I heard another, very recognisable voice, advancing towards me. "Bella," Edward called, concern in his tone.
"Go away Edward," I grumbled, I didn't need him seeing me like this.
He ignored me, "What's wrong?" he asked Mike.
"I don't know," he replied nervously, "We were blood typing in biology, but she didn't even prick her finger. I was taking her to the nurse, but she wouldn't go any further."
"I'll take her, you go back to class," Edward said, in a tone that brooked no arguments. Mike didn't even bother to reply, just turned and headed back to class.
I suddenly found myself off the ground and cradled bridal style in Edwards's arms. "Put me down!" I demanded, trying to sound angry, but in my current state it came out pitifully weak. He ignored me, and as we walked I felt myself relaxing against his comforting, strong arms, my head resting softly on his shoulder.
"So you faint at the sight of blood?" he seemed amused. I shrugged; I knew he'd find it ironic; all the Volterra vampires did too. "And not even your own blood either."
I sighed, and just enjoyed the feeling of being in his arms. All too soon I felt us enter a warm building, and I opened my eyes to see Mrs Cope's shocked face. "She fainted in Biology," Edward explained, walking past her and placing my on the bed in the nurse's room.
The nurse quickly put down he book she had been reading, "They're blood typing in biology," he told her.
She nodded in understanding. "There's always one." Edward silently shook, holding is his laughter at that, and I opened my eyes again to glare at him. "I'll be right back with an ice pack dear," the nurse told me before turning to Edward, "You can go back to class now."
Edward looked as he confidently, his face giving no indication that he was lying to her, "I'm supposed to stay with her."
The nurse seemed to accept it because she simply nodded and left the room. I rolled over onto my side, facing him. "You could have warned me that they were blood typing today." I said petulantly. "I take it you don't react well to blood either." I stated.
"Yes, and if I had known how you react to blood I would have told you." He assured me, amusement still prominent in his eyes.
I looked at him, annoyance written on my face.
He chuckled softly, "You really scared me," he admitted, "I thought Mike was dragging your body off into the woods."
"Ha ha."
"Honestly, I've seen corpses with better colour- I was concerned that I might have to avenge your murder." I had no doubt he would have. I chuckled softly, almost pleased by that thought, then I felt guilty; Mike hadn't actually done anything bad enough to warrant me thinking like that.
The nurse returned with an icepack, which I held to my forehead, and I found that I was starting to feel a bit better, the walls of the room now staying still in my vision.
Just then I heard the door to the outside office open, and Mrs Cope called through, 'We've got another one."
I jumped off the bed so that the next person could use it, handing the nurse back her icepack, "Here, I don't need this."
I saw Edward stiffen slightly. "Oh no," he muttered anxiously, "Get out to the office Bella." He warned. I smelt the first scent of blood and rushed out of the nurse's room, Edward hot on my heels. We passed Mike helping a guy bleeding guy towards the room we had vacated. I took a big breath of fresh air when we reached the receptionist's desk, grateful that there was no scent of blood. Edward turned to me surprised, "You actually listened to me."
"I smelt the blood," I explained, I had to admit that I was impressed with his ability to ignore fresh human blood.
He looked confused, "Humans can't smell blood." Humans? I thought. Way to make yourself sound normal Edward.
"Well I can, it smells like rust and salt, that's why I faint."
He stared at me in silence until Mike came out. "You're looking better," Mike observed.
I looked at him indifferently; I wasn't going to waste energy by actually bothering to talk to him.
"So are you coming back to class?"
I stared at him incredulously, "Are you kidding? You're still blood typing in there."
"Oh," he looked sheepish. "So did Jess ask you about coming to the beach with us this Saturday?" he asked.
I nodded, recalling the conversation I'd had with Jessica during Trig. They were all going to La Push beach, and I didn't really feel comfortable going there when I knew there was a pack of shape shifters there. I didn't intend to make friends with a natural enemy of vampires, even if they did have a treaty with the Cullens. "I'm sorry Mike, but I don't think I can come. I already have plans for Saturday." I said. I had been planning to check out the forest close to home, and maybe get in a bit of practise time with my shield if I could find a secluded spot and my vampire stalker wasn't around.
"Oh, that's okay, maybe another time." He looked disappointed, and I felt a slight twinge of guilt. "See you in gym," he said, heading back to class.
I was not looking forward to a gym lesson where I would have to put up with his disappointed glances and pointless attempts at flirting. "Gym, "I groaned.
"I can take care of that," Edward whispered softly in my ear, and I felt my body give and involuntary shudder as his cool breath hit my neck. "Go sit down and look pale," he instructed.
That wasn't a hard command to follow, I always looked pale, and after my recent fainting spell, I now had a pasty colour very similar to a vampire's skin tone. I sat down and listened as Edward used his smooth velvet voice and compelling golden eyes to charm Mrs Cope into letting us go home early. I could practically hear her start hyperventilating.
I looked up as Edward came back over. Without asking, he picked me up again and carried me out. I protested weakly, not wanting to seem pathetic, but it was really too comfortable in his arms for me to move.
We headed outside and towards the parking lot. A light drizzle had set in and I lifted my face, grateful for the light rain that washed the perspiration from my forehead. "So what are your plans for the weekend?" Edward asked.
I smiled, "I don't know," I replied truthfully, "I just said that to get out of going to La Push." He seemed pleased by this, "I think I'll just stay around the house, maybe see where the trail behind the house leads," I explained.
His body tensed slightly. "The woods aren't always safe Bella, I don't think it's a good idea for you to go hiking alone."
His concern warmed me slightly, but I knew I'd be perfectly safe. "Don't worry Edward, I won't go far," I assured him.
He didn't seem reassured. We reached the parking lot, and he immediately headed for his car. Realising that he intended to take me home, I asked, "What about my truck?"
He shrugged, "I'll get Alice to drop it off."
"I'm perfectly fine, I can drive home." I protested half heartedly.
He didn't answer, just continued towing me towards his car. When we reached it he opened the passenger door for me gently placed me inside. He closed the door behind me and was soon in the driver's seat, starting up the engine.
The silence was annoying me as we left the school, so I reached over and turned on his radio. To my surprise, Clair de Lune was playing. I relaxed, humming along to the music. He turned to me, a soft smile playing on his lips, "Sometimes, Bella, you don't seem seventeen." He observed.
I shrugged, returning his smile, "Just because I have taste in music doesn't mean I have to be old. I was always a mature child. I guess it stems from having a mother that is so childlike. I always ended up taking care of her." I explained, surprisingly myself by how open I was with Edward. "It was good for her when I went to boarding school, she learnt how to take care of herself, and she found Phil."
"And you approve of him for your mother?"
"Yes," I replied simply, "He's a couple of years younger than her, but she's always been young for her age, so he suits her. Besides, he makes her very happy." I was very happy, and partially relieved that Renee had found someone. I knew that in a couple of years I wouldn't be able to see her anymore, so I was incredibly pleased that she had someone else to take care of her now.
"That's very considerate of you," he observed, then he turned quiet, his voice lowering as he hesitantly asked, "Do you think your mother would be happy for you no matter who your choice was?" his eyes looked anxious.
"Yes, as long as she felt that that person loved me, she would be happy for me no matter what," I answered him truthfully. I knew my mother, and if she truly felt I was happy she would never stand in the way of it. That was why I had been allowed to spend six months a year in Volterra- she knew how happy it made me.
Edward looked thoughtful, his eyes showing some doubt at my statement. "So what about you Edward?" I asked, distracting him from his thoughts, "When did Carlisle and Esme adopt you?" Then I winced, realising what I'd asked, "Oh I'm sorry, Edward, if it's too hard for you to think about just forget it, I can be a little insensitive at times." I hastily backtracked.
"No, it's fine," he assured me, "My real parents died a long time ago."
I'll bet, I thought dryly.
"They both caught got very sick and died." He explained.
I thought back in history, wondering if it was likely to be an epidemic that his parents had died in. "Where were you born?" I asked.
"Chicago."
I nodded at him as I sifted though my history lessons, immediately hitting on the Spanish Influenza that went though the country in the early 1900's. I knew that that was the most likely one. No doubt Carlisle had been working as a doctor during that time. As I thought about it I realised that that would make Edward around 100 years old, relatively young for a vampire. "What about your siblings?" I asked, having temporarily sated my curiosity about Edward.
He sighed and looked outside. "Now that you mention them, I should be going back to pick them up." I suddenly realised that we had been stopped outside my house for the last ten minutes and I hadn't even noticed. He was avoiding my question. Oh well, it was better than lying to me.
"Oh, sorry." I said, unbuckling my seatbelt and opening the door. "Thank you for the ride Edward. I'll see you tomorrow?"
He looked apologetic. "Actually Bella, Emmett and I are going hiking up near Goats Rocks Wilderness, south of Mt Rainier for the weekend and we're leaving this afternoon."
"Oh," I tried not to look disappointed; of course they needed to hunt. "Well have fun," I told him, trying to sound enthusiastic.
He smirked at me, obviously not buying it, "I'm sure we will."
I finally stepped out of the car and closed the door. Just before I turned away the window rolled down. Inside Edward was still smiling. "Next time Bella, you can tell me more about your family." I smiled at that as I watched him drive away. Which one? I thought to myself as I turned and headed inside.