4. INVITATIONS, Rosalie read.

IN MY DREAM IT WAS VERY DARK, AND WHAT DIM LIGHT there was seemed to be radiating from Edward's skin.

"That's weird," Emmett said questioning this girl's sanity.

"But…what…how? You knew nothing about us," Jasper stuttered.

Bella shrugged, she didn't even remember the dream.

I couldn't see his face, just his back as he walked away from me, leaving me in the blackness. No matter how fast I ran, I couldn't catch up to him; no matter how loud I called, he never turned.

"It's like your dreams were predicting what was going to happen," Alice said trying to figure out how her sister could do it.

"What do you mean," Bella asked looking at the Alice that had spoken. She figured it was easier that way.

"That Edward's going to be an idiot and ignore you for a month until…"

"Alice, don't ruin the story," Edward said interrupting Alice.

"Why would you ignore her," Carlisle asked. Once he got over the fact that they all were going to be vampires; he started feeling protective of them.

"You know it does seem rather pointless now," Edward smiled toward his human father.

"I could have told you that," Bella grumbled.

Troubled, I woke in the middle of the night and couldn't sleep again for what seemed like a very long time. After that, he was in my dreams nearly every night, but always on the periphery, never within reach.

"I'll always be within your reach," Edward said pulling his Bella close when he noticed her pout.

"Dude, knock it off your making us look bad," Jasper said pulling his Alice closer much to her delight. Emmett just squeezed his Rose tighter.

"So it isn't a learned trait you've always been corny," Emmett said as if he had discovered light for the first time.

"He's not corny, he's a gentleman. Now apologize Emmett McCarty Cullen," Esme scolded.

"Sorry," Emmett mumbled then added in his head. You are so getting it when we get out of here.

The group started laughing at Emmett besides the parental figures who were trying to maintain the mature façade.

The month that followed the accident was uneasy, tense, and, at first, embarrassing.

To my dismay, I found myself the center of attention for the rest of that week. Tyler Crowley was impossible, following me around, obsessed with making amends to me somehow. I tried to convince him what I wanted more than anything else was for him to forget all about it — especially since nothing had actually happened to me — but he remained insistent.

"We could have helped with that, but…" Emmett said trailing off.

"You were busy ignoring her," Rosalie said finished feeling bad for Bella.

"Don't worry Rose, we'll whip our men into shape eventually," Bella smiled.

He followed me between classes and sat at our now-crowded lunch table. Mike and Eric were even less friendly toward him than they were to each other, which made me worry that I'd gained another unwelcome fan.

No one seemed concerned about Edward, though I explained over and over that he was the hero — how he had pulled me out of the way and had nearly been crushed, too.

"I know you were so cute trying to push the attention onto me," Edward said giving Bella a peck on the nose.

"It might have worked too if everyone wasn't afraid of us too," Rosalie added.

"Why is everyone afraid of us," Esme asked.

"I can't really explain, but… soon you'll give off… a sense of… danger I guess you could say," Carlisle said stuttering for words like no one had ever seen before. Though everyone who knew, knew why; he didn't want to reveal the secret but he also didn't want to lie.

"Esme, look at them you can tell they're different. You don't know why or fear them—I'm guessing—you just know. Other people see the difference and fear it," Alice said trying to help explain and help her soon to be family.

Jasper looked at her curiously, "How do you know?"

Alice looked down she wasn't usually ashamed but she was about this. "My friend in the asylum told me stories after my last electric shock, so I still remember what I was told afterwards. I have visions and I had one of a…person coming after me. And while we were making a plan, he told me of your life in hopes to prepare me in case he wasn't there when I woke up."

Jasper pulled her into a tight hug and kissed her head, "I'll protect you not matter what happens between where ever you are in whatever time to the time we meet, it will be okay. But from the point we met until we die you will never have to worry again. You will never have to worry again."

"I know," Alice said into his chest as the shame she felt disappeared.

I tried to be convincing. Jessica, Mike, Eric, and everyone else always commented that they hadn't even seen him there till the van was pulled away.

I wondered to myself why no one else had seen him standing so far away, before he was suddenly, impossibly saving my life. With chagrin, I realized the probable cause — no one else was as aware of Edward as I always was. No one else watched him the way I did. How pitiful.

"It's not pitiful dear, it's called love," Esme smiled. She loved hearing about the way her daughter felt even if they were both being difficult.

"True love," Esme breathed realizing they all had their true loves and she wouldn't be hurt that way again. Though acknowledging this didn't heal the pain completely.

Edward was never surrounded by crowds of curious bystanders eager for his firsthand account. People avoided him as usual. The Cullens and the Hales sat at the same table as always, not eating, talking only among themselves. None of them, especially Edward, glanced my way anymore.

"Even when you don't know him you miss him," Carlisle said wondering why the connection was so strong. He knew he liked Esme but didn't feel the strong connection the girl felt. Edward wanted to reassure him but didn't know the answer himself and couldn't without revealing his secret.

"Of course, there's something about him. It draws me in, even after the rude behavior, he's still…mine," Bella said blushing as she whispered the last word.

"Don't worry you're mine too," Edward whispered in her ear rubbing her arms trying to comfort his love. He didn't understand why he was being so forward. Other than he could tell not only from the book and the couple sitting in front of him; he felt connected to her like no other.

When he sat next to me in class, as far from me as the table would allow, he seemed totally unaware of my presence.

"Seemed being the key word, I could never be unaware of you," Edward said.

Only now and then, when his fists would suddenly ball up — skin stretched even whiter over the bones — did I wonder if he wasn't quite as oblivious as he appeared. He wished he hadn't pulled me from the path of Tyler's van

"Bella," Edward yelled then continued in a calmer voice, "I would never wish that, that was the only thing I was proud I did at this point in our story."

"I had wished it, but not Edward. He fought with us when Jasper and I wanted to… take care of the problem. Jasper was more forceful than me but I stuck too it longer. Which I still can't apologize enough for," Rosalie said looking down.

"What do you mean," Bella said not feeling exactly nervous but she was uncomfortable. She was starting to like them and they didn't return the feeling.

"It's not that, you'll understand more later. Shortly after this I start liking you when I see what you mean to the family, but Rose… she disagreed with a decision you'll make," Jasper explained feeling Bella's emotions.

— there was no other conclusion I could come to.

I wanted very much to talk to him, and the day after the accident I tried. The last time I'd seen him, outside the ER, we'd both been so furious. I still was angry that he wouldn't trust me with the truth, even though I was keeping my part of the bargain flawlessly. But he had in fact saved my life, no matter how he'd done it. And, overnight, the heat of my anger faded into awed gratitude.

"I wish I would have known that, though we all were surprised you did as you said as you would," Edward said.

"Not all, I knew she wouldn't say anything and I tried to tell you. But would you listen noooo, you had to be a know it all. I said it was inevitable but you didn't believe that either. I told you, you couldn't stay away but you didn't believe that either. You really should not have argued with me everything would have been a lot easier," Alice ranted.

Bella got up and gave both Alices a hug then sat down with a huff and crossed her arms. "At least someone believes in me."

He was already seated when I got to Biology, looking straight ahead. I sat down, expecting him to turn toward me. He showed no sign that he realized I was there.

"Hello, Edward," I said pleasantly, to show him I was going to behave myself.

"For once," Edward muttered.

Bella narrowed her eyes, "Keep that up and you'll be on the couch for two weeks."

"Awe come on Love, you know I was teasing," Edward plead. He had just gotten off the "couch" from when he chased Jacob to the other side of Canada for proposing to Nessie, only that was for six months.

"Fine, but only because I just let you back in bed."

Emmett burst out laughing which was soon joined by the others except the Bellas and Edwards.

"What did he do," Emmett gasped out between laughter.

When they settled down Rosalie explained, "He chased someone somewhere for doing something. Not that I blame him, I would have done the same thing."

"Oh come on we all knew it was going to happen eventually were lucky he waited so long," Alice said in Jacob's defense. The humans just gave up on trying to follow and figured it would either be revealed or told later on.

He turned his head a fraction toward me without meeting my gaze, nodded once, and then looked the other way.

And that was the last contact I'd had with him, though he was there, a foot away from me, every day. I watched him sometimes, unable to stop myself— from a distance, though, in the cafeteria or parking lot. I watched as his golden eyes grew perceptibly darker day by day.

"Damn, you saw everything. She probably would have figured it out without the idiots help," Rosalie said thoroughly impressed. She knew she was observant but not that observant.

"Do we bother even ask," Rosalie asked in a bored tone.

"Can't say just yet sorry," Carlisle said.

But in class I gave no more notice that he existed than he showed toward me. I was miserable. And the dreams continued.

"Awe how cute," Alice squealed, "You dreamed of him from the start."

Bella blushed trying to hide in Edward's chest.

Edward pulled her face up to look into her eyes, "Don't be embarrassed if knew about you sooner I would not only dream of you but wishing too, and I'm not ashamed of that." Then kissed the tip of her nose.

Bella smiled up at her husband, "They are us, aren't they."

Despite my outright lies, the tenor of my e-mails alerted Renée to my depression, and she called a few times, worried. I tried to convince her it was just the weather that had me down.

"You were so attached so soon," Esme said in awe but also wondering about the period where they left.

Mike, at least, was pleased by the obvious coolness between me and my lab partner. I could see he'd been worried that Edward's daring rescue might have impressed me, and he was relieved that it seemed to have the opposite effect. He grew more confident, sitting on the edge of my table to talk before Biology class started, ignoring Edward as completely as he ignored us.

"Of course he did, why couldn't he just go away? I mean I'm sure this Jessica person could keep him entertained," Edward ranted while the others watched in amusement.

"Has Eddie Weddie been bit by the green monster," Emmett teased in a baby voice.

"At least my woman was single when she got here, yours was getting married in a week," Edward shot back in a weak hiss.

"He got you there," Jasper chimed in trying to defuse the situation. Emmett just glared at the reminder.

The snow washed away for good after that one dangerously icy day. Mike was disappointed he'd never gotten to stage his snowball fight, but pleased that the beach trip would soon be possible. The rain continued heavily, though, and the weeks passed.

Jessica made me aware of another event looming on the horizon — she called the first Tuesday of March to ask my permission to invite Mike to the girls' choice spring dance in two weeks.

"Why did she ask your permission," Rosalie asked.

"Who knows, I see now that they were all messed up," Bella said shrugging her shoulders, "I think it has something to do with a small town."

"Are you sure you don't mind… you weren't planning to ask him?" she persisted when I told her I didn't mind in the least.

"No, Jess, I'm not going," I assured her. Dancing was glaringly outside my range of abilities.

"You danced with Edward just fine," Alice giggled. Bella looked down almost feeling the blood rush to her checks even though it never would.

"It will be really fun." Her attempt to convince me was halfhearted. I suspected that Jessica enjoyed my inexplicable popularity more than my actual company.

"You have fun with Mike," I encouraged.

The next day, I was surprised that Jessica wasn't her usual gushing self in Trig and Spanish. She was silent as she walked by my side between classes, and I was afraid to ask her why. If Mike had turned her down, I was the last person she would want to tell.

My fears were strengthened during lunch when Jessica sat as far from Mike as possible, chatting animatedly with Eric. Mike was unusually quiet.

Mike was still quiet as he walked me to class, the uncomfortable look on his face a bad sign. But he didn't broach the subject until I was in my seat and he was perched on my desk. As always, I was electrically aware of Edward sitting close enough to touch, as distant as if he were merely an invention of my imagination.

"So," Mike said, looking at the floor, "Jessica asked me to the spring dance."

"That's great." I made my voice bright and enthusiastic. "You'll have a lot of fun with Jessica."

"Well…" He floundered as he examined my smile, clearly not happy with my response. "I told her I had to think about it."

"Idiot," All the girls mumbled besides the Esmes who just shook their heads in disappointment.

"Why would you do that?" I let disapproval color my tone, though I was relieved he hadn't given her an absolute no.

His face was bright red as he looked down again. Pity shook my resolve.

"I was wondering if… well, if you might be planning to ask me."

I paused for a moment, hating the wave of guilt that swept through me. But I saw, from the corner of my eye, Edward's head tilt reflexively in my direction.

"That caught you attention Mr. I'm-going-to-ignore-the-girl-I-like," Alice said.

"Mike, I think you should tell her yes," I said.

"Did you already ask someone?" Did Edward notice how Mike's eyes flickered in his direction?

"I did," Edward said irritated. Mike had been the most annoying besides the mutt, he will always hold number one.

"No," I assured him. "I'm not going to the dance at all."

"Why not?" Mike demanded.

I didn't want to get into the safety hazards that dancing presented, so I quickly made new plans.

"I'm going to Seattle that Saturday," I explained. I needed to get out of town anyway — it was suddenly the perfect time to go.

"Can't you go some other weekend?"

"Can't he take a hint if you wanted to go, you would have said yes," Esme said irritated this person was pushing just like Charles he just wasn't violent.

"Sorry, no," I said. "So you shouldn't make Jess wait any longer — it's rude."

"Yeah, you're right," he mumbled, and turned, dejected, to walk back to his seat. I closed my eyes and pressed my fingers to my temples, trying to push the guilt and sympathy out of my head. Mr. Banner began talking. I sighed and opened my eyes.

And Edward was staring at me curiously, that same, familiar edge of frustration even more distinct now in his black eyes.

I stared back, surprised, expecting him to look quickly away. But instead he continued to gaze with probing intensity into my eyes. There was no question of me looking away. My hands started to shake.

"Mr. Cullen?" the teacher called, seeking the answer to a question that I hadn't heard.

"The Krebs Cycle," Edward answered, seeming reluctant as he turned to look at Mr. Banner.

"Cheater," Emmett grumbled.

I looked down at my book as soon as his eyes released me, trying to find my place. Cowardly as ever, I shifted my hair over my right shoulder to hide my face. I couldn't believe the rush of emotion pulsing through me — just because he'd happened to look at me for the first time in a half-dozen weeks. I couldn't allow him to have this level of influence over me. It was pathetic. More than pathetic, it was unhealthy.

"Not unhealthy, Dear, just love," Carlisle smiled toward the girl.

Bella crossed her arms and huffed while muttering barely audible, "Why do old people have to be so wise." To this the Cullens started laughing; she had little idea as to just how old.

I tried very hard not to be aware of him for the rest of the hour, and, since that was impossible, at least not to let him know that I was aware of him. When the bell rang at last, I turned my back to him to gather my things, expecting him to leave immediately as usual.

"Bella?" His voice shouldn't have been so familiar to me, as if I'd known the sound of it all my life rather than for just a few short weeks.

I turned slowly, unwillingly. I didn't want to feel what I knew I would feel when I looked at his too-perfect face.

"Oh god not this again, I mean really I don't want to hear how perfect his face is," Emmett whined.

"Well close your ears then," Bella retorted earning several laughs around the room.

My expression was wary when I finally turned to him; his expression was unreadable. He didn't say anything.

"What? Are you speaking to me again?" I finally asked, an unintentional note of petulance in my voice.

His lips twitched, fighting a smile. "No, not really," he admitted.

"Bipolar much," Rosalie asked teasingly.

"Ya well at least I'm not narcissistic," Edward teased back.

"Ah but you don't deny it," Emmett smiled.

"He can't," Jasper laughed.

"Children leave Edward alone," Carlisle chided.

"Ya Emmett if I remember correctly you had an incident with some bats you encountered," Alice smiled sticking up for her favorite brother. "I'll tell you once you know the secret," she added seeing the confused faces.

I closed my eyes and inhaled slowly through my nose, aware that I was gritting my teeth. He waited.

"Then what do you want, Edward?" I asked, keeping my eyes closed; it was easier to talk to him coherently that way.

"I hate when you do that it closes me off to your mind," Edward said leaving out the word completely.

"I'm sorry," Bella smiled understandingly. I love you she thought to him removing her shield.

"I'm sorry." He sounded sincere. "I'm being very rude, I know. But it's better this way, really."

I opened my eyes. His face was very serious.

"I don't know what you mean," I said, my voice guarded.

"It's better if we're not friends," he explained. "Trust me."

My eyes narrowed. I'd heard that before.

"I'm so sorry, I will tell you anything you want," Edward whispered in Bella's ear.

"It's too bad you didn't figure that out earlier," I hissed through my teeth. "You could have saved yourself all this regret."

"Regret?" The word, and my tone, obviously caught him off guard. "Regret for what?"

"For not just letting that stupid van squish me."

"Ooo you've pissed him off now," Emmett said chuckling.

"Why," Jasper asked curiously.

"Because he would never regret saving her," Alice answered seeing the love shine between the two sets.

He was astonished. He stared at me in disbelief.

When he finally spoke, he almost sounded mad. "You think I regret saving your life?"

"Never," Bella whispered, "You would never regret saving me."

Edward kissed her forehead, "Never."

"I know you do," I snapped.

"You don't know anything." He was definitely mad.

"A little bit of an understatement there, dear," Carlisle said.

"Why do you say that," Carlisle asked himself.

"It was the only thing I was proud of at this point. And here she was thinking the opposite," Edward answered.

"Well sweetheart, what do you expect her to think," Esme asked timidly.

Edward didn't answer instead he just smiled to her gently.

I turned my head sharply away from him, clenching my jaw against all the wild accusations I wanted to hurl at him. I gathered my books together, then stood and walked to the door. I meant to sweep dramatically out of the room, but of course I caught the toe of my boot on the door jamb and dropped my books. I stood there for a moment, thinking about leaving them. Then I sighed and bent to pick them up. He was there; he'd already stacked them into a pile. He handed them to me, his face hard.

"Finally being a gentleman," Esme chided.

"Thank you," I said icily.

His eyes narrowed.

"You're welcome," he retorted.

"I'm getting whip lash," Emmett whined.

I straightened up swiftly, turned away from him again, and stalked off to Gym without looking back.

Gym was brutal. We'd moved on to basketball. My team never passed me the ball, so that was good, but I fell down a lot. Sometimes I took people with me. Today I was worse than usual because my head was so filled with Edward. I tried to concentrate on my feet, but he kept creeping back into my thoughts just when I really needed my balance.

"Edward, you should know better than to distract Bella. She needs all the coordination she can get," Emmett teased.

Bella growled too low for the humans to hear.

It was a relief, as always, to leave. I almost ran to the truck; there were just so many people I wanted to avoid. The truck had suffered only minimal damage in the accident. I'd had to replace the taillights, and if I'd had a real paint job, I would have touched that up. Tyler's parents had to sell their van for parts.

I almost had a stroke when I rounded the corner and saw a tall, dark figure leaning against the side of my truck. Then I realized it was just Eric. I started walking again.

"Hey, Eric," I called.

"Hi, Bella."

"What's up?" I said as I was unlocking the door. I wasn't paying attention to the uncomfortable edge in his voice, so his next words took me by surprise.

"Uh, I was just wondering… if you would go to the spring dance with me?" His voice broke on the last word.

"I thought it was girls' choice," I said, too startled to be diplomatic.

"Well, yeah," he admitted, shamefaced.

I recovered my composure and tried to make my smile warm. "Thank you for asking me, but I'm going to be in Seattle that day."

"Oh," he said. "Well, maybe next time."

"Sure," I agreed, and then bit my lip. I wouldn't want him to take that too literally.

"No he wouldn't but someone else did" Emmett snickered.

"You told them," Bella shouted at her suddenly fearful husband.

"No Alice did," Edward defended himself.

Bella huffed knowing she wouldn't get anywhere arguing with Alice.

He slouched off, back toward the school. I heard a low chuckle.

Bella glared at the floor, she couldn't glare at the Edward behind her and she knew the one across from her had good reasoning.

"Edward that's not very nice," Rosalie scolded lightly.

Edward was walking past the front of my truck, looking straight forward, his lips pressed together. I yanked the door open and jumped inside, slamming it loudly behind me. I revved the engine deafeningly and reversed out into the aisle. Edward was in his car already, two spaces down, sliding out smoothly in front of me, cutting me off. He stopped there — to wait for his family; I could see the four of them walking this way, but still by the cafeteria. I considered taking out the rear of his shiny Volvo,

"Bella how could you," Edward shouted, "You know how much I love that car."

Bella rolled her eyes as Esme spoke, "Can you expect much less Edward I mean really, you're pushing her buttons."

but there were too many witnesses. I looked in my rearview mirror. A line was beginning to form. Directly behind me, Tyler Crowley was in his recently acquired used Sentra, waving. I was too aggravated to acknowledge him.

While I was sitting there, looking everywhere but at the car in front of me, I heard a knock on my passenger side window. I looked over; it was Tyler. I glanced back in my rearview mirror, confused. His car was still running, the door left open. I leaned across the cab to crank the window down. It was stiff. I got it halfway down, then gave up.

"I'm sorry, Tyler, I'm stuck behind Cullen." I was annoyed — obviously the holdup wasn't my fault.

"Ooo she last named you," Jasper teased.

"Shut up, Whitlock," Edward played.

"Oh, I know — I just wanted to ask you something while we're trapped here." He grinned.

"Not again," Bella complained.

The room chuckled except Edward who knew better and didn't like it himself.

This could not be happening.

"Will you ask me to the spring dance?" he continued.

"Did he just ask you to ask him," Alice asked dumbfounded.

"Yep," Alice answered herself giggling.

"Moron," Alice muttered.

"Alice," Jasper said shocked.

"I'm not going to be in town, Tyler." My voice sounded a little sharp. I had to remember it wasn't his fault that Mike and Eric had already used up my quota of patience for the day.

"Think again," Jasper commented.

"Yeah, Mike said that," he admitted.

"Then why —"

He shrugged. "I was hoping you were just letting him down easy."

"Why me," Bella whined.

Okay, it was completely his fault.

"Sorry, Tyler," I said, working to hide my irritation. "I really am going out of town."

"That's cool. We still have prom."

And before I could respond, he was walking back to his car. I could feel the shock on my face. I looked forward to see Alice, Rosalie, Emmett, and Jasper all sliding into the Volvo. In his rearview mirror, Edward's eyes were on me. He was unquestionably shaking with laughter, as if he'd heard every word Tyler had said. My foot itched toward the gas pedal… one little bump wouldn't hurt any of them, just that glossy silver paint job. I revved the engine.

But they were all in, and Edward was speeding away. I drove home slowly, carefully, muttering to myself the whole way.

When I got home, I decided to make chicken enchiladas for dinner. It was a long process, and it would keep me busy. While I was simmering the onions and chilies, the phone rang. I was almost afraid to answer it, but it might be Charlie or my mom.

It was Jessica, and she was jubilant; Mike had caught her after school to accept her invitation. I celebrated with her briefly while I stirred. She had to go, she wanted to call Angela and Lauren to tell them. I suggested — with casual innocence — that maybe Angela, the shy girl who had Biology with me, could ask Eric. And Lauren, a standoffish girl who had always ignored me at the lunch table, could ask Tyler; I'd heard he was still available. Jess thought that was a great idea. Now that she was sure of Mike, she actually sounded sincere when she said she wished I would go to the dance. I gave her my Seattle excuse.

After I hung up, I tried to concentrate on dinner — dicing the chicken especially; I didn't want to take another trip to the emergency room. But my head was spinning, trying to analyze every word Edward had spoken today. What did he mean, it was better if we weren't friends?

My stomach twisted as I realized what he must have meant. He must see how absorbed I was by him; he must not want to lead me on… so we couldn't even be friends… because he wasn't interested in me at all.

"I am very, very interested my love," Edward whispered in Bella's ear.

"Are you sure," Bella smirked liking how he was so forward with his interest.

Of course he wasn't interested in me, I thought angrily, my eyes stinging — a delayed reaction to the onions. I wasn't interesting. And he was. Interesting… and brilliant… and mysterious… and perfect… and beautiful… and possibly able to lift full-sized vans with one hand.

Well, that was fine. I could leave him alone. I would leave him alone. I would get through my self-imposed sentence here in purgatory, and then hopefully some school in the Southwest, or possibly Hawaii, would offer me a scholarship. I focused my thoughts on sunny beaches and palm trees as I finished the enchiladas and put them in the oven.

"Why didn't you stay away," Rosalie asked genuinely confused.

Bella smiled, "The same reason you're in Emmett's arms."

Charlie seemed suspicious when he came home and smelled the green peppers. I couldn't blame him — the closest edible Mexican food was probably in southern California. But he was a cop, even if just a small-town cop, so he was brave enough to take the first bite. He seemed to like it. It was fun to watch as he slowly began trusting me in the kitchen.

"You say it like it's a big accomplishment," Alice laughed.

"Well big accomplishment," Alice laughed.

"Well mother was a very experimental cook," Bella explained carefully.

"Dad?" I asked when he was almost done.

"Yeah, Bella?"

"Um, I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to Seattle for the day a week from Saturday… if that's okay?" I didn't want to ask permission — it set a bad precedent — but I felt rude, so I tacked it on at the end.

"Bella," Esme said starting to scold.

"Yes, mom," Bella said smiling sweetly. Esme's heart melted.

"Never mind dear."

"Hey no fair," Emmett whined, he always got in trouble even when he used the mom card.

"Why?" He sounded surprised, as if he were unable to imagine something that Forks couldn't offer.

"Well, I wanted to get few books — the library here is pretty limited — and maybe look at some clothes." I had more money than I was used to having, since, thanks to Charlie, I hadn't had to pay for a car. Not that the truck didn't cost me quite a bit in the gas department.

"I still can't believe you wouldn't let me get you a car," Edward grumbled.

"Of course not," Bella said.

"May I ask why," Edward asked looking down. Why would she reject him?

"Because you give me too much already by giving me us," Bella whispered.

"But you have to understand, Bella. Men from my time are supposed to take care of their women. Times may change but I know I would never lose my values. Men are supposed to buy gifts to express their love."

Bella looked up, "I'm sorry I'll try to accept your gifts when we meet."

"That truck probably doesn't get very good gas mileage," he said, echoing my thoughts.

"I know, I'll stop in Montesano and Olympia — and Tacoma if I have to."

"Are you going all by yourself?" he asked, and I couldn't tell if he was suspicious I had a secret boyfriend or just worried about car trouble.

"Yes."

"Seattle is a big city — you could get lost," he fretted.

"Dad, Phoenix is five times the size of Seattle — and I can read a map, don't worry about it."

"Parents always worry," Carlisle smiled.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

All the girls eyes minus the Esmes' widened in horror.

I tried to be crafty as I hid my horror.

"That's all right, Dad, I'll probably just be in dressing rooms all day — very boring."

"That'll get rid of him," Emmett mutter

"Oh, okay." The thought of sitting in women's clothing stores for any period of time immediately put him off.

"Thanks." I smiled at him.

"Will you be back in time for the dance?"

Grrr. Only in a town this small would a father know when the high school dances were.

"No — I don't dance, Dad." He, of all people, should understand that — I didn't get my balance problems from my mother.

He did understand. "Oh, that's right," he realized.

The next morning, when I pulled into the parking lot, I deliberately parked as far as possible from the silver Volvo. I didn't want to put myself in the path of too much temptation and end up owing him a new car. Getting out of the cab, I fumbled with my key and it fell into a puddle at my feet. As I bent to get it, a white hand flashed out and grabbed it before I could. I jerked upright. Edward Cullen was right next to me, leaning casually against my truck.

"You're going to give the girl whiplash," Carlisle chuckled slightly.

"How do you do that?" I asked in amazed irritation.

"Do what?" He held my key out as he spoke. As I reached for it, he dropped it into my palm.

"Appear out of thin air."

"Bella, it's not my fault if you are exceptionally unobservant." His voice was quiet as usual — velvet, muted.

"Did you really just say that? She is exceptionally observant," Carlisle asked.

I scowled at his perfect face. His eyes were light again today, a deep, golden honey color. Then I had to look down, to reassemble my now-tangled thoughts.

"Why the traffic jam last night?" I demanded, still looking away. "I thought you were supposed to be pretending I don't exist, not irritating me to death."

"That was for Tyler's sake, not mine. I had to give him his chance." He snickered.

"You…" I gasped. I couldn't think of a bad enough word. It felt like the heat of my anger should physically burn him, but he only seemed more amused.

"And I'm not pretending you don't exist," he continued.

"So you are trying to irritate me to death? Since Tyler's van didn't do the job?"

"Never talk about your death," Edward said pulling Bella tighter to him. Bella just turned her head and gave him a small kiss on the check.

Anger flashed in his tawny eyes. His lips pressed into a hard line, all signs of humor gone.

"Bella, you are utterly absurd," he said, his low voice cold.

Bella tried to contain her flinch but Edward noticed. He pulled her closer and rubbed her arms. He knew she remembered his tone from when he left. It still haunted them from time to time, like when his voice got cold.

My palms tingled — I wanted so badly to hit something. I was surprised at myself. I was usually a nonviolent person. I turned my back and started to walk away.

"You would have just hurt your hand," Emmett said oblivious to the fact Bella was a little upset.

"Wait," he called. I kept walking, sloshing angrily through the rain. But he was next to me, easily keeping pace.

"I'm sorry, that was rude," he said as we walked. I ignored him. "I'm not saying it isn't true," he continued, "but it was rude to say it, anyway."

"Why won't you leave me alone?" I grumbled.

"I wanted to ask you something, but you sidetracked me," he chuckled. He seemed to have recovered his good humor.

"Do you have a multiple personality disorder?" I asked severely.

"Yes," all of his vampire siblings chorused.

"No," Bella smiled feeling better.

"You're doing it again."

I sighed. "Fine then. What do you want to ask?"

"I was wondering if, a week from Saturday — you know, the day of the spring dance —"

"Oh you can't be so stupid, can you," Rose asked.

"Yes, are you trying to be funny? After the way you've been acting," Alice added.

Bella frowned, "I would go with you but I can't dance."

"It's all in the leading, and I would never let you fall," Edward said sweetly.

"Too late," Bella said looking into his eyes. Edward smiled.

"Are you trying to be funny?" I interrupted him, wheeling toward him. My face got drenched as I looked up at his expression.

His eyes were wickedly amused. "Will you please allow me to finish?"

I bit my lip and clasped my hands together, interlocking my fingers, so I couldn't do anything rash.

"I heard you say you were going to Seattle that day, and I was wondering if you wanted a ride."

"That was unexpected," Jasper said surprised.

That was unexpected.

"We think alike," Bella smiled towards the soldier.

"That we do," he smiled back.

"What?" I wasn't sure what he was getting at.

"Do you want a ride to Seattle?"

"With who?" I asked, mystified.

"Myself, obviously." He enunciated every syllable, as if he were talking to someone mentally handicapped.

I was still stunned. "Why?"

"Yes, why," Rose asked.

"Well, I was planning to go to Seattle in the next few weeks, and, to be honest, I'm not sure if your truck can make it."

"My truck works just fine, thank you very much for your concern." I started to walk again, but I was too surprised to maintain the same level of anger.

"But can your truck make it there on one tank of gas?" He matched my pace again.

"I don't see how that is any of your business." Stupid, shiny Volvo owner.

"What do you have against my car," Edward whined. The Volvo was his third baby behind Bella and Renesmee.

"Ya don't pick on Eddie's ex-wife," Emmett laughed.

"Yes why must you pick on her," Jasper joined in.

"Because she was taking too much space in bed," Bella said joining in.

"Love, don't encourage them," Edward sighed.

"The wasting of finite resources is everyone's business."

"Honestly, Edward." I felt a thrill go through me as I said his name, and I hated it. "I can't keep up with you. I thought you didn't want to be my friend."

"No he wants to be more than friends," Alice said dreamily.

"I said it would be better if we weren't friends, not that I didn't want to be."

"Oh, thanks, now that's all cleared up." Heavy sarcasm. I realized I had stopped walking again. We were under the shelter of the cafeteria roof now, so I could more easily look at his face. Which certainly didn't help my clarity of thought.

Edward chuckled.

"It would be more… prudent for you not to be my friend," he explained. "But I'm tired of trying to stay away from you, Bella."

"Aww how sweet," Alice sighed.

"Yes how romantic," Rosalie said mocking Alice.

"You never had to stay way to begin with, son," Esme told her son, "even if some of us didn't like it. We could all tell." Then after a moment she added, "Personally I was thrilled though."

"Well all of us except these two," Jasper teased pointing at Edward and Bella.

His eyes were gloriously intense as he uttered that last sentence, his voice smoldering. I couldn't remember how to breathe.

"Will you go with me to Seattle?" he asked, still intense.

"You sound like you're proposing," Emmett laughed.

"Not yet, he does that so much worse the first time," Bella teased.

"How did he do it," Esme asked from Carlisle arms.

"In my bedroom as a bargaining chip," Bella huffed.

"Edward how could you," Carlisle asked appalled. That was one of the things he managed to keep secret.

"I'm sorry it was after THE vote, and I do recall Bella using it as a bargaining chip as well," Edward defended.

Carlisle narrowed his eyes, "Fine I'll let it slide."

"What are you people talking about," Emmett shouted.

"You'll find out soon," Rosalie said.

I couldn't speak yet, so I just nodded.

He smiled briefly, and then his face became serious.

"You really should stay away from me," he warned. "I'll see you in class."

He turned abruptly and walked back the way we'd come.

"How do you not have whiplash from all his mood swings," Rosalie asked.

"Because he settles down some after our trip to the meadow," Bella smiled up at Edward.

"Yes my little lamb, they did all thanks to you," Edward smiled back at her.

Disclaimer: I do not own twilight.

A/N: I'm sorry about the wait but life happens and I got busy. I'll try to get better but I can't promise anything.