Shivering wildly from the cold but dry air, I stepped out of my truck, spinning around to run inside. For once, it wasn't raining or even that humid. It was a miracle.

I suppose I should've noticed the various people dressed up as fairies and angels or zombies and skeletons and realized what day it was, but in my hurry to get out of the chill, I didn't. I flung open the cafeteria door and rushed in. With a sigh of relief, I rubbed my arms to warm them as the door swung closed, and scanned the area for Edward. When I found him, I froze.

His skin was paler than normal, now truly white. His hair was gleaming and black, slicked back with some greasy hair product. His eyes were black, though I knew he had just gone hunting this last weekend, and there was what looked like a combination of thick black eyeliner and eye shadow around his eyes. Poking tauntingly out of his white lips were two fangs with a shiny red liquid staining them, dribbling down onto his chin. He wore a black tux and cape with white frills showing from under the coat. There was royal purple lining on the inside of the long, huge sleeves. He saw the astonished expression on my face and grinned, stretching his arms out invitingly.

"Come closer, my sweet," he purred. I tried to do, as told but found my legs wouldn't budge.

"Rather excessive, isn't it?" Alice asked, coming up from behind me to walk up to my side. "He's quite proud of it."

"I'm sure he is," I agreed hoarsely, my eyes not moving from Edward's toothy grin. Finally, I was able to walk to him.

"What's the occasion?" I hissed. "Some special vampire holiday where you dress so to give yourself away?"

Edward started at me uncomprehending for a moment. Then suddenly he laughed.

"I can't believe you!" he exclaimed. "Do you have any idea what the date is?"

I glanced at my watch. "The thirty-first," I answered promptly.

"Of…?" Edward asked. I frowned.

"November?"

Edward's laughter was so loud; everyone within a ten-foot radius turned his or her head towards us.

"November doesn't have thirty-one days!" he pointed out, still laughing. "It's October!"

I frowned again. "So? …Oh." I reassessed his costume, now understanding. "Dracula?"

Edward nodded, looking extremely pleased with himself.

"Does Dracula actually exist?" I asked curiously. Edward frowned thoughtfully and shrugged.

"There was a Transylvanian count that the author of Dracula based him on, but Dracula himself?" He shrugged again. "I don't know."

"Are you trick or treating tonight, Bella?" Alice asked. I had almost forgotten she was there.

"I don't have a costume," I informed them. "I'll probably just hand out candy."

"No you won't," Edward corrected. "That's Charlie's job. You're coming trick or treating with me. You'll be Countess Dracula."

"What will I wear?" I protested.

"We can find you something," Alice promised.

"Uh-uh-uh," Edward warned when he saw the desperate protest on my lips. "Come on. It'll be fun."

I couldn't help but notice the strange gleam behind his contacts.

A/N: I love reviewers and live for constructive criticism!