Chapter Two

"Bella, what are you doing?" I turned to see Charlie standing in the doorway, watching me rummage through the medicine cabinet.

I stuck a few more band-aids and a bottle of anti-septic into my backpack. "Just getting some extra stuff."

He looked at me like I was crazy, and walked away. And, it was extra stuff. I knew that I was clumsy and even fell with Edward around, though he helped to avoid all the nasty slips, but now, I was going to need the extra protection.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and went out to my truck. Part of the whole deal, my deal, was that I get to drive myself to school; no more high speed driving volvo. Pft, I thought, and he says I'm clumsy. Well, he is a vampire…

As I backed out of the driveway, I caught a glance of a silver car. It was parked a good ways away, so I couldn't make sure if it was Edward's car or not, but, if I had to take a wild guess, it probably was.

"I can see your car," I said. If it was him, he would hear me. The car didn't move.

The truck rumbled onto the road, and I kept looking at the rear view mirror but I never saw the car. I stepped on the gas, trying to push the truck past forty miles. The engine groaned and sputtered. "Crap."

When I got out of the truck, Edward was all ready parked behind me.

He leaned against the hood of the his car, grinning. "Need a ride?"

I narrowed my eyes. "Part of the deal is that you let me drive to school by myself. Which means that you can't follow me."

"You didn't specifically mention that," he countered.

I shook my head, exasperated. If I had to walk to school to prove my competence, so be it. Edward pulled up beside me, and rolled down the passenger window. "You're going to be late."

I shrugged my shoulders. I could be stubborn too.

"Bella, okay, I understand. You want to prove that you're capable of taking care of yourself, I get it. Now, get in the car."

I crossed my arms. "Bossy much?" I was surprised at my sudden anger at him. I didn't mean to be a total "b", but he just annoyed me with his overly protective attitude towards me. If he had been a human boyfriend, we wouldn't have lasted long. But I knew, now anyways, that there were dangerous beings out there, but did he need to protect me from everything? Would a trip and fall really affect my life in any significant way?

He sighed and rolled up the window. I smiled triumphantly as I saw the car disappear around the bend.

oOoOoOo

"Late," boomed Mr. Frome as I walked through the door. Second period was just fifteen mintues past.

I gave him my tardy slip, and walked to my desk. Settled in, Edward turned and looked me over. His gaze stopped on my knee.

I reached down to my knee, touching the tattered fabric. On my trek to school I had tripped over a plastic bottle, and yet I was still alive."Yeah, I fell. What are you going to do about it?"

He shook his head, and turned back to what he had been writing.

A note landed on my desk.

Truce?

Nope.

I promise to keep my distance. Even let you fall a few times a day. I don't want you to hurt yourself just to prove you're capable of watching out for yourself.

Sorry. I like this too much.

Tripping over a plastic bottle and ripping your pants on grass?

Stop reading Alice's mind.

What do you get out of this?

My pride.

And if you fail?

You can buy me that armored, fire/bomb proofed car you're always talking about. And, I'll even drive it.

When I passed him the note, he was all ready smirking. I suddenly had the sinking feeling that I was going to make myself look like a fool.

End Chapter Two

A/N: Yep, I know it's sort of a repeat of the last chapter, but I was a bit stumped (okay, majorly stumped). Tell me what you think… Please Review :-) And yes, I do read them. Review, even if you only write "nice" or "try harder". :-)