Blaize POV:
The next day, I decide I don't want to see Edward, so I tell Bella I'm not feeling that well. Bella knows me too well though, and isn't fooled. 'Are you sure you don't want to come on the field trip?'
In reply, I hand her a camera. 'Positive. Take some pictures for me... And stay safe,' I say, hugging her tightly.
Bella POV:
Blaize is acting weird. I know there's something going on between her and Edward. Nonetheless, I take the camera, squeezing her in a brief hug before driving to school. As I walk up to my truck, I see thin crisscrosses over my tires. Charlie must have taken the time to put the snow chains on today before going to work. My heart is touched, and for once, I don't complain about the weather.
As I near school, I realise I'm late. 'Miss Swan!' Mr Brown barks. 'Get on the bus!' Squeezing through the narrow aisle, my heart sinks as I see that the only spare seat left is next to Edward. He stares at me and I hear him take in a breath before I sit down.
'Some vampire you are, huh.' I say to him under my breath. I was about to ask about what was going on between him and Blaize, but his eyes snap to mine first. 'What?' he hisses at me.
'I mean...' I bite my finger and a drop of blood wells out. I place my hand on Edward's, breathing even. I watch different emotions play across his face. Anger. Horror. Fear. Disgust. Confusion. 'Doesn't go to school on sunny days, incredible speed, inhuman strength, accurate senses and don't think I'm dumb enough to not notice you staring at me and Blaize like we're snacks,' I whisper. 'Here you go.' I brush the drop of blood onto his lips and then proceed to lick the stain off my finger myself. I watch from the corner of my eye and I see his pale tongue flicker out and dab at the blood on his lip. His nostrils flare wide. 'How long have you known?' He murmurs.
'Pretty much since day one.' I shrugged. 'I did my research.'
Edward, for once, is surprised. He blinks.
I say, 'A few questions. How old are you?'
'Seventeen.' He says it like it's no big deal.
'How long have you been seventeen?'
He purses his lips, a smile tugging at the corners. 'A while.'
As we get off the bus, I continue to pepper him with questions.
'Coffins?'
'Myth.'
'Death by wooden steaks?'
'Myth.'
'Burns in the sun?'
'Myth.'
'No shadow or reflection?'
'Myth.'
'Sleeps during daytime?'
'Myth.' He hesitates, then adds, 'Actually, I can't sleep. At all.'
I raise my eyebrows. He states, 'You know, you're a lot smarter than I gave you credit for.' I punch him in the shoulder and instantly regret it. My knuckles throb as if I had just punched granite. He grins. 'But you still haven't asked the most important question. My diet?'
I blink. 'Oh. Right. That. Do you drink blood... or...?' I say this under my breath, knowing Edward can hear me just fine.
He says, 'My family tries not to. I try not to. We compare ourselves to human vegetarians. Surviving on animal blood is like living with only tofu and soya milk. But when you did that...' His voice trails off, indicating what I did on the bus. 'It was almost impossible not to rip your throat out there and then.' His voice hardens. 'I'm asking you not to test my self control again. Or I will kill you.'
I don't say anything for a few seconds. 'Do I smell particularly nice to you?'
Edward nods. 'You and Blaize in particular have a very sweet blood. You're both, unfortunately, like my own personal brand of heroine.'
I chuckle. 'I see.'
As I bring out the camera to take a few pictures of the plants in the greenhouse, Edward says, 'What are you thinking right now?'
I look at him, puzzled. 'Why?'
He frowns. 'I have a small gift.' He says this in a neutral tone, delivering it more as a fact, rather than a boast. 'I can hear everyone's thoughts in this room but yours.' Nodding to Mike, he states, 'Prom date.'
I grin. 'Not surprising.'
Then he adds, 'He's considering you.'
I bite my lip. 'Oh no...' Edward laughs quietly. Just then, Mike taps me on the shoulder. Edward winks, and disappears.
Mike coughs, nervously. 'Hey, um, Bella. Um, you know, I was thinking if... um... you'd like to go to prom with me?'
I give a hesitant smile. 'Er, Mike, you might want to ask Jessica first.' He looks at me, puzzled. I raise my eyebrow and wave my hands, hinting.
'Oh...' Mike exhales. 'Well, I guess another time, then.' He mumbles a goodbye and makes a hasty retreat. Edward reappears, grinning with a god-like smile on his face. 'You don't dance?'
I shrug. 'More like can't dance.'
*
When I get into my truck back at school, a shiny silver Volvo rolls past me. And, from the corner of my eye in the rear view mirror, I see Edward's eyes lingering on me slightly. Just a little longer than necessary. I blush beet red even though no one can see me, and, somewhere, deep down, I know I'm falling for him.
Back home, I receive a message from Jessica. You up for some prom dress shopping this Saturday at Port Angeles? Angela's coming too. I grin and text back a reply.
Just then, I hear Blaize knock on my door. 'Come on in,' I call. She pushes the door open, and sits next to me on my bed. 'Mike called me just now. Asked if I would like to go down to the beach at La Push this weekend.'
'Oh!' Is all I can think of as a reply. 'Well, Jess has asked me if I'm free to go shopping this Saturday...'
Blaize beams. 'Looks like our weekend is all planned, then.'