Here we go!

I was hyper-aware of Edward the entire night he lay behind me, his arms wrapped around my torso tightly- for a human. I let out a grimace at the idea of having to go to school, though I would at least see Edward there, but I would have preferred spending time with him away from everyone else. Scolding myself quietly in the lightening room, I reminded myself that I couldn't let myself grow too attached. After all, eventually he would lose interest in me and I would have to leave him in a few years to go find another small, rainy town elsewhere. The idea was a torment. I couldn't even make myself leave his arms at this moment. That excluded the fact that I was afraid of waking Edward; if I moved, he would surely notice when I left his embrace. And I enjoyed being with him like this.

I blinked when Edward shifted behind me, moving away from my cold, still form and releasing me. I turned my head slightly, wishing that I'd been able to see his face during the night, and noticing that his green eyes were open and staring at me. My hair was mingled with his own, the locks of brown hair contrasting brilliantly with his own reddish brown hair. Some strands of my long hair were draped accidentally over his neck and chest; one even resting on his brow. Laughing silently, I reached over to brush it off just as Edward did so. Our hand brushed and I felt an electric charge run down my arm and shock me. Then I heard the thoughts drifting toward me.

Better go see if Edward's awake. I haven't heard him moving around.

Jumping, I flashed out of Edward's bed and flew under his bed. I tried not to laugh at what Charlie would think if he came in the room and saw us in bed together.

Through Charlie's eyes I could see Edward's stunned expression, hand still outstretched slightly where we'd touched. Edward sat up in his bed, making the springs creak and the bed wobble slightly. Charlie looked over at Edward's room before saying, "I guess you're awake." Edward nodded and Charlie added, "You better get up or you'll be late." The door shut, and I paused before immediately rolling out from under Edward's bed, and Edward chuckled with humor at the sight.

"Have fun under there?" he asked.

"Of course. You're dust bunnies were excellent company," I replied smoothly, amused at Edward embarrassment. The boy turned toward his dresser and a pulled on a pair of dark jeans that fit him loosely and were just long enough that they dragged on the floor slightly. Still bare-chested, he opened the door with a hurried "I'll be right back," and I heard the door to the bathroom close. Laughing, I turned to the clothes I'd secretly brought with me here, changing my jeans to a pair of pale, slightly flared jeans that were faded and had a small hold in the left knee. Then I gasped. I'd forgotten a shirt! I, a flipping vampire, who had photographic and perfect memory, had forgotten a shirt! Cursing, I hesitated before locking Edwards door and changing my bra into a simple, elegant black bra and cast around for something. Even I didn't have time to go home first now. Blinking before sheepishly opening Edward's closet, I found a forest green t-shirt that would have fit Edward perfectly, but when I pulled it over my head it fit loosely over my torso, tightening slightly on my curves but still loose. It hinted at my curved body beneath the fabric flatteringly, in an odd way. The Bright Eyes log emblazoned on the chest of the shirt was a creamy, tannish white color.

A turn of the handle to the door that was cut off resulted in a silent rap on the door. "Bella?" Edward's voice whispered so Charlie wouldn't hear. I jumped at stumbled to the door to open it. Edward, shirtless as I'd seen him before, was stunning, and I staring at his skin as it flexed on his arms when he picked up the backpack he'd had on the floor to carry it over to his bed, where he dropped it. His mussed bronze hair was glinting in the lamplight, and I couldn't imagine what he'd look like as a vampire. Not! I added scathingly to myself, that he would be a vampire. He was too perfect to look any better as a vampire. He was too perfect to be degraded by becoming a vampire.

"Sorry," I said. Edward paused.

"You changed," he noted. I nodded, but paused as a slightly frown creased his brow. "Isn't that my shirt?" he asked in puzzlement. Feeling the heat of my gift coming to my face, I nodded. "I forgot a shirt. Is that okay?" I asked, worried he'd be upset. Shaking his head hurriedly, Edward laughed. "I don't mind." A silly grin came onto his face, filling me with the urgent desire to know what he was thinking. I was dying to know how his mind turned.

"Ready to go?" he asked, holding the door open for me. Stepping out of the room, I noted that Charlie had left a few minutes ago and stepped down the stairs carefully. Blushing at my near fall at the bottom, I heard Edward rush down the rest of the stairs when I stumbled. "You okay?" he asked anxiously, and I laughed loudly at his concern. "Vampire can't be hurt at a simple fall," I reminded him.

"I've been thinking about that," Edward commented as we walked toward the door. "How come none of your family members fall or turn red or anything? And they're so graceful, and they don't seem to have a problem with being near me." Sighing, I turned to Edward as he grabbed his jacket.

"I told you, vampires are naturally graceful. And only you affect me like that, just as only I am affected like that my you." Adding reluctantly, I added, "I was fortunate enough to be blessed with the gift of blushing and clumsiness." Edward nodded and opened the door to his house without question.

"We're going to be late," he said. I hesitated before grinning.

"Not if I drive," I said. Despite my reluctance to drive quickly, I could do so, and I had better reactions. Edward raised a brow.

"You don't want to be late? I don't mind." Shrugging with a quick smile in Edward's direction, I slipped into the passenger seat of Edward's vehicle, and he backed out of the driveway, going slower than usual.

"Dragging it out, I see," I commented while I watched Edward's face. He turned to look at me, and I stared into his green eyes intently before saying, "You should watched the road," And Edward jerked his head back to the road and adjusted the car from where it had strayed.

"Of course."

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We finally made it to the school, and Edward parked. Rushing to the front office together, Edward, who was by far the better liar, told the secretary that his car had broken down on the way to school and we'd been stuck for a while. A long while. After a skeptical glance at us, we were given two slips that excused us from being counted tardy and headed off to class. Edward paused outside my second period door and looked at me with an unmistakable look in his eyes. A shiver ran down my spine, and I clutched at the books in my arms like a silly school-girl. I don't even think Edward realized that he'd taken a step closer to me, but I blinked and took a step back before opening the door.

"Bye, Edward," I said with a twitch of my lips before stepping into the room. I gave my teacher the excuse slip and took my seat, only to have the bell ring a moment later. Rolling my eyes at the waste of time, I re-gathered my things and walked out after the crowd only to be bombarded by none other than Michael Newton. Irritated, I pushed a stray hair out of my face and swept it behind my ear.

"Hey Bella!" Mike cried, apparently gleeful that he'd caught me alone. I was refraining desperately from reading his thoughts. They were practically screaming in my ear. "Can I walk you to your next period?" Aware that this was a disaster waiting to happen, I pursed my lips but nodded.

"Okay," I said in the most polite, but most obviously indifferent and uninterested tone possible. Mike insisted upon holding my books for me, and my frown of displeasure didn't put him off at all.

"So, a bunch of people were going to go to Port Angeles Friday to go see a movie, and I was wondering if you wanted to go?" He asked, baby face pinched into a silently pleading expression. Casting about for some excuse, I smiled in what I hoped was a regretful manner before shaking my head.

"I've got a family dinner going on. I have to stay in Forks." Mike's face fell, but I felt no need to give him false hope. Edward, luckily, appeared at that moment.

"Bella!" He called as he came up to my side. I smiled at the bronze haired boy and waved farewell to Mike, who we left standing in the hall as Edward walked with me the remainder of my way to third period, which dragged by, of course.

Note: Because this part is dragging by, I'm skipping to SATURDAY!

Edward's Point of View

I woke up Saturday morning to the sound of birds. Frowning at the strange idea of birds singing at this time of day, I looked out the window. Shocked by how bright it was outside, I looked to the chair in the corner of my room, my expression sharing my amazement with Bella. Since that night she'd slept in my room, Bella had taken to sitting throughout the night in the wooden chair, and I always found her watching me intently. A smile was on her face this time when I turned to her, and I walked toward the bathroom without a word. We'd worked out a routine that was now natural for the both of us, despite the fact that we'd only been using it for several days.

"So, about tonight..." I said with hidden anxiety. Shifting in my seat at the kitchen table, I looked up at Bella, who was sitting across from me with nothing in front of her. I, on the other hand, had a large stack of pancakes on a plate before me.

"What about it?" Bella asked, and I was thoroughly embarrassed.

"What exactly are we doing?" Bella frowned.

"I thought it was obvious." Shrugging, she said, "Two friends hang out... they meet before the dance and go in together and dance together." Even though I tried to hide it, I knew my face had to be revealing some of disappointment. We were just friends. I mean, I knew Bella was a vampire, and that would have been a major obstacle, but still. If only I'd been born... whenever she was born. Or if only she was human.

"Oh," was all I could say in reply. I was afraid my voice would give way if I made any sort of attempt to say more or else I'd start spurting my feelings. Bella was just so smart, funny, witty, brave, and a plus, though not necessity, was her beauty. Who wouldn't fall in love with her? How could anyone help but to fall in love with her? My expression darkened at the reminder that others were in love with her. That scheming Mike Newton and Tyler, etc. They all watched her when they thought no one was looking.

"What are you thinking?" Bella asked. I looked up to find her squinting at me, golden eyes glowing in the dim kitchen light.

"Just about some friends at school," I said casually, using the term "friends" loosely. She groaned and dropped her head into her arms, which were crossed on the tabletop.

"What?" I asked, immediately concerned and hand instinctively reaching for her. I flinched back quickly though when she started to raise her head, so she wouldn't see how I reacted.

"You never tell me what's going on in your head. It's driving me crazy!" Oh. We'd had this discussion before. I shrugged vaguely and chuckled a bit at Bella's expression. I was glad to be able to frustrate and surprise her; it ensured her interest for longer.

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Bella's Point of View

I reluctantly said farewell to Edward and slid out of his house window, as Charlie had returned. Running back home with expert speed and direction, I slid to a stop in the front lawn, grass spraying. I bit my lip, knowing Esme would have something to say about that. But I was in a hurry to return to Edward, so I hurried up the stairs and crossed the threshold of the house to dash up the stairs.

"Alice!" I cried, turning toward her room and sending waves of my brown hair flying behind me.

My sister emerged from her room, short hair ruffled. I ignored the fact and demanded, "Why aren't you getting ready for the dance?" Alice blinked and shook her head with a laugh. "Bella, it doesn't take us that long to get ready. Have you forgotten super speed?" I opened my mouth to retort when Alice's eyes glazed over. She remained frozen for a minute before shaking her head and looking over at me with an amused expression. This did not bode well for me.

"You'd better make yourself scarce Bella, or else be ready to explain. Carlisle and Esme are back." I glanced out the window in the hall and could practically feel Esme's horror at the sight of a patch of torn up grass and mud as if I had Jasper's ability.

"Eep!" I said, much to the amusement of Jasper, who'd just emerged from his and Alice's room. Sticking my tongue out at Jasper, I slowly, dragging my feet, went downstairs and smiled sheepishly, hesitantly, at Esme, who was holding the door open with one hand and with the other was pointing at her lawn.

"Sorry?" I said before bursting into some blubbering explanation about my hurry. Esme was trying to look mad, but once I mention my anxiety and wanting to hurry to see Edward, Esme's face softened and she embraced me in a hug. I could see in Carlisle's mind Esme's happy face, and I smiled and hugged her back before she released me upstairs.

Emmett was pouting when I came into the upstairs bonus room that was large and had several comfortable couches, TVs, x-boxes, stereos, games, etc. lining the walls and floor. "You didn't get in trouble!" he cried. I frown.

"And you wanted me in trouble?" I asked. Emmett nodded.

"You never get in trouble. And it would have been amusing."

"Well, I knew that you wouldn't," Alice quipped, and I frowned as I collapsed gracefully into large cushion chair that was on the ground.

"Yeah, I don't really understand why I didn't," I said with confusion. Alice stared at me.

"Bella, for someone who reads minds, you are soo daft!" Alice exclaimed. I looked at her, hurt.

"I try not to read people's minds," I reminded her. Alice merely shook her head.

"Bella, no one wants to interfere with you and Edward when you're happy for once." We both paused, thinking of the only exception to the rule that everyone support Edward's and my relationship.

"I was happy before," I protested. Alice barked a high laugh, which earned her a poke from me, as she had collapsed like a tiny dancer onto the ground beside me.

"Bella, you never went out besides for school. You never sang, you weren't very talkative either." I opened my mouth, but Alice hushed me. "Everyone's noticed that you smile more. You've been alone for all this time, and now you've found Edward. You know you're Esme's favorite. We all know. You've been here longest, you were her first. No one is going to upset this if it's avoidable." I sat there, lips numb and unable to speak. I hadn't even realized that there was a change, really. But I did remember Rosalie staring openly at me as I'd emerge from my room singing loudly some happy song; I'd been confused and asked her what she was staring at before she'd shook her head in amazement and turned away. And Emmett grasping me in some giant bear hug after I'd said that I was going out to walk around for no apparent reason.

"Not to mention-" Alice continued before I put a slight hand over her mouth.

"Okay!" I exclaimed. "Can we get ready for the dance now?" Alice laughed.

"I never thought I'd hear you say that," she said with excitement, grasping my hand and pulling me with uncontrolled and frightening enthusiasm toward the closet and bathroom.