The Twilight Saga 3: Eclipse Chapter 3. MOTIVES

THE SUN WAS SO DEEPLY BURIED skunk THE CLOUDS that there was no appearance to dictate if it had set or non. by and by the long flight chasing the sun westward so that it provemed unmoving in the sky it was especi entirelyy disorienting magazine canemed oddly variable. It withalk me by surprisal when the fo bear gave way to the starting signal buildings, signaling that we were soundly home.Youve been precise quiet, Edward observed. Did the skitter ex wholenessrate you sick? nary(prenominal) Im okay.Are you sad to leave?More eased than sad, I disregardk.He embossed ane eyebrow at me. I knew it was useless and practi songy as I hated to admit it redundant to ask him to remark his front on the road.Rene is so much more . . . perceptive than Charlie in or so ways. It was making me jumpy.Edward laughed. Your mother has a actu aloney interesting mind. Almost child shapered, that very insightful. She chance ons things differently than other mess.Insightful. It was a unspoilt description of my mother when she was paying attention. Most of the succession Rene was so bewildered by her profess life that she didnt notice much else. plainly this weekend shed been paying plenty of attention to me.Phil was busy the high indoctrinate baseball team he coached was in the playoffs and being alone with Edward and me had only(prenominal) sharpened Renes focus. As in brief as the hugs and squeals of delight were bulge sur show of the way, Rene began to watch. And as shed watched, her wide blue eyeball had be coiffure first conf utilize and because concerned.This morning wed gone for a walk along the bound. She wanted to line of battle off all the beauties of her new home, re labor hoping, I think, that the sun exponent lure me remote from Forks. Shed also wanted to conversation with me alone, and that was easily arranged. Edward had fancied a term paper to obtain himself an excuse to stay within during the twenty-four hours.In my head, I went done the conversation again. . . .Rene and I ambled along the sidewalk, toilsome to stay in the range of the infrequent palm tree shadows. though it was early, the heat was smothering. The air was so heavy with moisture that just now vivacious in and out was giving my lungs a workout.Bella? my mother asked, looking out past the sand to the lightly crashing waves as she spoke.What is it, Mom?She sighed, not add up a mystify my gaze. Im worried. . . .Whats untimely? I asked, anxious at once. What can I do?Its not me. She shook her head. Im worried closely you . . . and Edward.Rene finally looked at me when she verbalise his name, her type apologetic.Oh, I mumbled, fixing my eyeball on a bitstock of joggers as they passed us, drenched with sweat.You both be more serious than Id been thinking, she went on.I frowned, quickly reviewing the last two solar days in my head. Edward and I had merely touched in front of her, at least. I wondered if Rene was round to give me a lecture on responsibility, too. I didnt mind that the way I had with Charlie. It wasnt embarrassing with my mom. After all, Id been the one giving her that lecture time and time again in the last ten years.Theres something . . . strange about the way you two atomic number 18 together, she murmured, her forehead creasing over her troubled look. The way he watches you its so . . . protective. Like hes about to throw himself in front of a bullet to save you or something.I laughed, though I was heretofore not able to meet her gaze. Thats a large(p) thing?No. She frowned as she struggled for the words. Its just different. Hes very intense about you . . . and very careful. I feel worry I dont really understand your relationship. Like theres some secret Im missing. . . .I think youre imagining things, Mom, I express quickly, struggling to keep my interpretive program light. There was a flutter in my stomach. Id forgotten how much my mother precept. Something ab out her simple view of the world cut through with(predicate) all the distractions and pierced right to the truth of things. This had n of all time been a job before. Until now, there had neer been a secret I couldnt regularize her.Its not just him. She set her lips defensively. I wish you could advert how you strickle nigh him.What do you mean?The way you move you orient yourself almost him without flat thinking about it. When he moves, scour a little bit, you even off your position at the same time. Like magnets . . . or gravity. Youre give care a . . . saenunciateite, or something. Ive neer seen boththing alike(p) it.She pursed her lips and stared blue.Dont tell me, I teased, forcing a smile. Youre schooling mysteries again, arent you? Or is it sci-fi this time?Rene flushed a delicate pink. Thats beside the point.Found whatsoeverthing good?Well, there was one that that doesnt payoff. Were babbleing about you right now.You should tie to romance, Mom. You be how you freak yourself out.Her lips turned up at the corners. Im being silly, arent I?For half a second I couldnt dissolvent. Rene was so easily swayed. sometimes it was a good thing, because not all of her ideas were practical. however it pained me to see how quickly she caved in to my trivializing, especially since she was dead right this time.She looked up, and I controlled my expression.not silly just being a mom.She laughed and thusce gestured grandly toward the light sands stretch to the blue water.And all this isnt enough to get you to move adventure in with your silly mom?I wiped my deliberate dramati remembery across my forehead, and then pretended to wring my hair out.You get used to the humidity, she promised.You can get used to rain, too, I countered.She elbowed me playfully and then took my fall out as we walked back to her car.Other than her worries about me, she seemed happy enough. Content. She s work looked at Phil with goo- goo eyes, and that was comfort ing. Surely her life was full and satisfying. Surely she didnt miss me that much, even now. . . .Edwards icy fingers brushed my establishment. I looked up, blinking, coming back to the present. He leaned wipe out and kissed my forehead.Were home, Sleeping Beauty. Time to awake.We were stopped in front of Charlies house. The porch light was on and the cruiser was parked in the driveway. As I examined the house, I apothegm the curtain twitch in the living room window, flashing a line of yellow light across the dark lawn.I sighed. Of data track Charlie was time lag to pounce.Edward must pay been thinking the same thing, because his expression was sloshed and his eyes remote as he came to get my door for me.How deadly? I asked.Charlies not handout to be onerous, Edward promised, his spokesperson level with no hint of humor. He missed you.My eyes narrowed in doubt. If that was the case, then why was Edward tensed as if for a battle?My bag was small, moreover he insisted on ca rrying it into the house. Charlie held the door open for us.Welcome home, kid Charlie yelled like he really meant it. How was Jacksonville?Moist. And buggy.So Rene didnt sell you on the University of Florida?She tried. precisely Id rather drink water than inhale it.Charlies eyes flickered unwillingly to Edward. Did you occupy a nice time?Yes, Edward answered in a serene voice. Rene was very hospitable.Thats . . . um, good. Glad you had fun. Charlie turned external from Edward and pulled me in for an un foretelled hug.Impressive, I verbalise in his ear.He rumbled a laugh. I really missed you, Bells. The nourishment near here sucks when youre gone.Ill get on it, I said as he let me go.Would you call Jacob first? Hes been bugging me every five minutes since six oclock this morning. I promised Id keep up you call him before you even un packed.I didnt have to look at Edward to feel that he was too still, too cold beside me. So this was the cause of his tension.Jacob wants to talk to me?Pretty bad, Id check out. He wouldnt tell me what it was about just said it was important.The phone rang then, shrill and demanding.Thats him again, Id toy my succeeding(a) paycheck, Charlie muttered.I got it. I hurried to the kitchen.Edward followed by and by me while Charlie disappeared into the living room.I grabbed the phone mid-ring, and twisted around so that I was facing the wall. hello?Youre back, Jacob said.His familiar husky voice sent a wave of wistfulness through me. A thousand memories spun in my head, tangling together a rocky brink strewn with driftwood trees, a garage do of plastic sheds, warm sodas in a paper bag, a tiny room with one too-small shabby loveseat. The gag in his deep-set down(p) eyes, the feverish heat of his big hand around mine, the flash of his white teeth against his dark skin, his face stretching into the wide smile that had always been like a key to a secret door where only kindred spirits could enter.It felt word form of like homesickness, this longing for the place and person who had sheltered me through my darkest night.I cleared the lump from my throat. Yes, I answered. wherefore didnt you call me? Jacob demanded.His angry spectre instantly got my back up. Because Ive been in the house for exactly four seconds andyour call interrupted Charlie telling me that youd called.Oh. Sorry.Sure. Now, why are you harassing Charlie?I need to talk to you.Yeah, I figured out that part all by myself. Go ahead.There was a short pause.You going to school tomorrow?I frowned to myself, futile to make sense of this question. Of course I am. Why wouldnt I?I dunno. Just curious.Another pause.So what did you want to talk about, Jake?He hesitated. nothing really, I generate a chance. I . . . wanted to hear your voice.Yeah, I know. Im so glad you called me, Jake. I . . . But I didnt know what more to severalise. I wanted to tell him I was on my way to La struggle right now. And I couldnt tell him that.I have to go, he s aid dead.What?Ill talk to you soon, okay?But Jake -He was already gone. I listened to the control tone with disbelief.That was short, I muttered.Is everything all right? Edward asked. His voice was low and careful.I turned slowly to face him. His expression was perfective(a)ly smooth unthinkable to read.I dont know. I wonder what that was about. It didnt make sense that Jacob had been hounding Charlie all day just to ask me if I was going to school. And if hed wanted to hear my voice, then why did he hang up so quickly?Your guess is probably better than mine, Edward said, the hint of a smiletugging at the corner of his mouth.Mmm, I murmured. That was true. I knew Jake inside and out. It shouldnt be that complicated to figure out his motivations.With my thoughts miles away about fifteen miles away, up the road to La Push I started combing through the fridge, assembling ingredients for Charlies dinner. Edward leaned against the counter, and I was distantly aware that his eyes were on my face, but too preoccupied to worry about what he saw there.The school thing seemed like the key to me. That was the only real question Jake had asked. And he had to be after(prenominal) an answer to something, or he wouldnt have been bugging Charlie so persistently.Why would my attendance record matter to him, though?I tried to think about it in a analytic way. So, if I hadnt been going to school tomorrow, what would be the problem with that, from Jacobs perspective? Charlie had devoted me a little grief about missing a day of school so close to finals, but Id convinced him that one Friday wasnt going to derail my studies. Jake would toughenedly care about that.My brain refused to come up with any brilliant insights. Maybe I was missing some merry piece of information.What could have changed in the past three days that was so important that Jacob would break apart his long streak of refusing to answer my phone calls and cope with me? What difference could three day s make?I froze in the kernel of the kitchen. The package of icy hamburger in my hands slipped through my desensitise fingers. It took me a slow second to miss the thud it should have made against the floor.Edward had caught it and thrown it onto the counter. His arms were already around me, his lips at my ear.Whats wrong(p)?I shook my head, dazed.Three days could change everything.Hadnt I just been thinking about how impossible college was? How I couldnt be anywhere near people after Id gone through the painful three-day conversion that would set me surplus from mortality, so that I could spend eternity with Edward? The conversion that would make me forever a prisoner to my own thirst. . . .Had Charlie told baton that Id vanished for three days? Had Billy jumped to destinations? Had Jacob really been asking me if I was still human? Making real that the werewolves treaty was unbroken that none of the Cullens had dared to bite a human . . . bite, not kill . . . ?But did he ho nestly think I would come home to Charlie if that was the case?Edward shook me. Bella? he asked, truly anxious now.I think . . . I think he was checking, I mumbled. Checking to make accredited. That Im human, I mean.Edward stiffened, and a low hiss sounded in my ear.Well have to leave, I whispered. Before. So that it doesnt break the treaty. We wont ever be able to come back.His arms tightened around me. I know.Ahem. Charlie cleared his voice loudly behind us.I jumped, and then pulled free of Edwards arms, my face getting hot. Edward leaned back against the counter. His eyes were tight. I could see worry in them, and anger.If you dont want to make dinner, I can call for a pizza, Charlie hinted.No, thats okay, Im already started.Okay, Charlie said. He propped himself against the doorframe, folding his arms.I sighed and got to work, trying to disregard my audience.If I asked you to do something, would you trust me? Edward asked, an edge to his soft voice.We were almost to school. Ed ward had been relaxed and joke just a moment ago, and now suddenly his hands were clutch tight on the steering wheel, his knuckles straining in an endeavor not to snap it into pieces.I stared at his anxious expression his eyes were far away, like he was listening to distant voices.My pulse sped in response to his stress, but I answered carefully. That depends.We pulled into the school lot.I was afraid you would say that.What do you want me to do, Edward?I want you to stay in the car. He pulled into his usual spot and turned the engine off as he spoke. I want you to wait here until I come back for you.But . . . why?That was when I saw him. He would have been hard to miss, predominateing over the pupils the way he did, even if he hadnt been contention against his downcast motorcycle, parked illegally on the sidewalk.Oh.Jacobs face was a soothe mask that I secernd well. It was the face he used when he was determined to keep his emotions in check, to keep himself under control . It made him look like Sam, the oldest of the wolves, the leader of the Quileute pack. But Jacob could never quite set the perfect serenity Sam always exuded.Id forgotten how much this face daunted me. Though Id gotten to know Sam pretty well before the Cullens had come back to like him, even Id never been able to completely cast off the resentment I felt when Jacob mimicked Sams expression. It was a strangers face. He wasnt my Jacob when he wore it.You jumped to the wrong conclusion last night, Edward murmured. He asked about school because he knew that I would be where you were. He was looking for a safe place to talk to me. A place with witnesses.So Id misinterpreted Jacobs motives last night. Missing information, that was the problem. Information like why in the world Jacob would want to talk to Edward.Im not staying in the car, I said.Edward groaned quietly. Of course not. Well, lets get this over with.Jacobs face hardened as we walked toward him, hand in hand.I noticed o ther faces, too the faces of my housemates. I noticed how their eyes widened as they took in all six cull seven inches of Jacobs long body, muscled up the way no natural sixteen-and-a-half-year-old ever had been. I saw those eyes rake over his tight black t-shirt short-sleeved, though the day was unseasonably cool his ragged, grease-smeared jeans, and the glossy black cycles/second he leaned against. Their eyes didnt linger on his face something about his expression had them glancing quickly away. And I noticed the wide berth everyone gave him, the house of cards of space that no one dared to encroach on.With a sense of astonishment, I realized that Jacob looked dangerous to them. How odd. Edward stopped a few yards away from Jacob, and I could tell that he was uncomfortable having me so close to a werewolf. He drew his hand back slightly, pulling me halfway behind his body.You could have called us, Edward said in a steel-hard voice.Sorry, Jacob answered, his face twisting i nto a sneer. I dont have any leeches on my speed dial.You could have reached me at Bellas house, of course.Jacobs jaw flexed, and his brows pulled together. He didnt answer.This is hardly the place, Jacob. Could we discuss this later?Sure, sure. Ill stop by your crypt after school. Jacob snorted. Whats wrong with now?Edward looked around pointedly, his eyes resting on the witnesses who were just barely out of hearing range. A few people were hesitating on the sidewalk, their eyes bright with expectation. Like they were hoping a fight might break out to alleviate the tedium of another Monday morning. I saw Tyler Crowley dig capital of Texas Marks, and they both paused on their way to class.I already know what you came to say, Edward reminded Jacob in voice so low that I could barely make it out. Message delivered. Consider us warned.Edward glanced down at me for a passing second with worried eyes.Warned? I asked uncontaminatingly. What are you lecture about?You didnt tell her? Ja cob asked, his eyes widening with disbelief. What, were you afraid shed take our side?Please throw away it, Jacob, Edward said in an even voice.Why? Jacob challenged.I frowned in confusion. What dont I know? Edward?Edward just glared at Jacob as if he hadnt hear me.Jake?Jacob raised his eyebrow at me. He didnt tell you that his big . . . brother get across the line Saturday night? he asked, his tone thickly layered with sarcasm. then his eyes flickered back to Edward. Paul was totally justified in -It was no-mans put down Edward hissed.Was notJacob was fuming visibly. His hands trembled. He shook his head and sucked in two deep lungfuls of air.Emmett and Paul? I whispered. Paul was Jacobs most volatile pack brother. He was the one whod lost control that day in the woods the memory of the snarling venerable wolf was suddenly vividin my head.What happened? Were they fighting? My voice strained higher in panic. Why? Did Paul get hurt?No one fought, Edward said quietly, only to m e. No one got hurt. Dont be anxious.Jacob was staring at us with incredulous eyes. You didnt tell her anything at all, did you? Is that why you took her away? So she wouldnt know that -?Leave now. Edward cut him off mid-sentence, and his face was abruptly frightening truly frightening. For a second, he looked like . . . like a vampire. He glared at Jacob with vicious, unveiled loathing.Jacob raised his eyebrows, but made no other move. Why havent you told her?They faced each other in hush up for a long moment. More students gathered behind Tyler and capital of Texas. I saw mike next to Ben Mike had one hand on Bens shoulder, like he was harbouring him in place.In the dead silence, all the flesh out suddenly fell into place for me with a burst of intuition.Something Edward didnt want me to know.Something that Jacob wouldnt have kept from me.Something that had the Cullens and the wolves both in the woods, moving in hazardous propinquity to each other.Something that would cause Edward to insist that I fly across the country.Something that Alice had seen in a vision last week a vision Edward had lie to me about.Something Id been waiting for anyway. Something I knew would happen again, as much as I might wish it never would. It was never going to end, was it?I heard the quick gasp, gasp, gasp, gasp of the air dragging through my lips, but I couldnt stop it. It looked like the school was shaking, like there was an earthquake, but I knew it was my own trembling that caused the illusion.She came back for me, I choked out.capital of Seychelles was never going to give up till I was dead. She would keep repetition the same conventionality feint and run, feint and run until she found a hole through my defenders.Maybe Id get lucky. Maybe the Volturi would come for me first theyd kill me quicker, at least.Edward held me tight to his side, angling his body so that he was still between me and Jacob, and stroked my face with anxious hands. Its fine, he whispered to me. Its fine. Ill never let her get close to you, its fine. consequently he glared at Jacob. Does that answer your question, mongrel?You dont think Bella has a right to know? Jacob challenged. Its her life.Edward kept his voice muted even Tyler, edging forward by inches, would be unable to hear. Why should she be frightened when she was never in danger? let on frightened than lied to.I tried to pull myself together, but my eyes were swimming in moisture. I could see it behind my lids I could see Victorias face, her lips pulled back over her teeth, her crimson eyes glowing with the obsession of her blood feud she held Edward responsible for the demise of her love, James. She wouldnt stop until his love was taken from him, too.Edward wiped the tears from my cheek with his fingertips.Do you really think hurting her is better than protecting her? he murmured.Shes tougher than you think, Jacob said. And shes been through worse.Abruptly, Jacobs expression shifted, and he was staring at Edward with an odd, speculative expression. His eyes narrowed like he was trying to do a difficult math problem in his head.I felt Edward cringe. I glanced up at him, and his face was contorted in what could only be pain. For one ghastly moment, I was reminded of our afternoon in Italy, in the macabre tower room of the Volturi, where Jane had tortured Edward with her malignant gift, burning him with her thoughts alone. . . .The memory snapped me out of my near hysteria and put everything in perspective. Because Id rather Victoria killed me a carbon times over than watch Edward suffer that way again.Thats funny, Jacob said, laughing as he watched Edwards face.Edward winced, but smoothed his expression with a little effort. He couldnt quite hide the agony in his eyes.I glanced, wide-eyed, from Edwards grimace to Jacobs sneer.What are you doing to him? I demanded.Its nothing, Bella, Edward told me quietly. Jacob just has a good memory, thats all.Jacob grinned, and Edward winced ag ain.Stop it Whatever youre doing.Sure, if you want. Jacob shrugged. Its his own fault if he doesnt like the things I remember, though.I glared at him, and he smiled back impishly like a kid caught doing something he knows he shouldnt by someone who he knows wont punish him.The principals on his way to reprove loitering on school property, Edward murmured to me. Lets get to slope, Bella, so youre not involved.Overprotective, isnt he? Jacob said, talking just to me. A little trouble makes life fun. Let me guess, youre not allowed to have fun, are you?Edward glowered, and his lips pulled back from his teeth ever so slightly. shut down up, Jake, I said.Jacob laughed. That sounds like a no. Hey, if you ever feel like having a life again, you could come see me. Ive still got your motorcycle in my garage.This news distracted me. You were supposed to sell that. You promised Charlie you would. If I hadnt begged on Jakes behalf after all, hed put weeks of labor into both motorcycles, and he deserved some kind of payback Charlie would have thrown my bike in a Dumpster. And mayhap set that Dumpster on fire.Yeah, right. Like I would do that. It belongs to you, not me. Anyway, Ill hold on to it until you want it back.A tiny hint of the smile I remembered was suddenly playing around the edges of his lips.Jake . . .He leaned forward, his face earnest now, the thorniness sarcasm fading. I think I might have been wrong before, you know, about not being able to be friends. Maybe we could manage it, on my side of the line. Come see me.I was vividly sure of Edward, his arms still wrapped protectively around me, motionless as a stone. I shot a look at his face it was calm, patient.I, er, dont know about that, Jake.Jacob dropped the antagonistic faade completely. It was like hed forgotten Edward was there, or at least he was determined to act that way. I miss you every day, Bella. Its not the same without you.I know and Im sorry, Jake, I just . . .He shook his head, and sig hed. I know. Doesnt matter, right? I guess Ill survive or something. Who needs friends? He grimaced, trying to cover the pain with a thin attempt at bravado.Jacobs suffering had always triggered my protective side. It was not but rational Jacob was hardly in need of any physical security system I could offer. But my arms, pinned beneath Edwards, yearned to reach out to him. To wrap around his big, warm waist in a silent promise of credenza and comfort.Edwards shielding arms had become restraints.Okay, get to class, a stern voice sounded behind us. Move along, Mr. Crowley.Get to school, Jake, I whispered, anxious as soon as I recognized the principals voice. Jacob went to the Quileute school, but he might still get in trouble for trespassing or the equivalent.Edward released me, taking just my hand and pulling me behind his body again.Mr. Greene pushed through the circle of spectators, his brows pressing down like ominous storm cloudsover his small eyes.I mean it, he was threate ning. Detention for anyone whos still standing here when I turn around again. The audience melted away before he was finished with his sentence.Ah, Mr. Cullen. Do we have a problem here?Not at all, Mr. Greene. We were just on our way to class.Excellent. I dont seem to recognize your friend. Mr. Greene turned his glower on Jacob. Are you a new student here?Mr. Greenes eyes scrutinized Jacob, and I could see that hed come to the same conclusion everyone else had dangerous. A troublemaker.Nope, Jacob answered, half a smirk on his broad lips.Then I suggest you remove yourself from school property at once, youth man, before I call the police.Jacobs little smirk became a mature grin, and I knew he was picturing Charlie showing up to arrest him. This grin was too bitter, too full of mocking to satisfy me. This wasnt the smile Id been waiting to see.Jacob said, Yes, sir, and snapped a military salute before he climbed on his bike and kicked it to a start right there on the sidewalk. The e ngine tortuous and then the tires squealed as he spun it sharply around. In a matter of seconds, Jacob raced out of sight.Mr. Greene gnashed his teeth together while he watched the performance.Mr. Cullen, I expect you to ask your friend to refrain from trespassing again.Hes no friend of mine, Mr. Greene, but Ill pass along the warning.Mr. Greene pursed his lips. Edwards perfect grades and spotless record were clearly a factor in Mr. Greenes assessment of the incident. I see. If youre worried about any trouble, Id be happy to -Theres nothing to worry about, Mr. Greene. There wont be any trouble.I hope thats correct. Well, then. On to class. You, too, Miss Swan.Edward nodded, and pulled me quickly along toward the English building.Do you feel well enough to go to class? he whispered when we were past the principal.Yes, I whispered back, not quite sure if this was a lie.Whether I felt well or not was hardly the most important consideration. I needed to talk to Edward right away, and E nglish class wasnt the ideal place for the conversation I had in mind.But with Mr. Greene right behind us, there werent a lot of other options.We got to class a little late and took our seats quickly. Mr. Berty was reciting a Frost poem. He ignored our entrance, refusing to let us break his rhythm.I yanked a blank page out of my notebook and started writing, my handwriting more illegible than normal thanks to my agitation.What happened? Tell me everything. And screw the protecting me crap, please.I shoved the note at Edward. He sighed, and then began writing. It took him less time than me, though he wrote an inherent paragraph in his own personal calligraphy before he slipped the paper back.Alice saw that Victoria was coming back. I took you out of town merely as a precaution there was never a chance that she would have gotten anywhere close to you. Emmett and Jasper very nearly had her, but Victoria seems to have some instinct for evasion. She escaped right down the Quileute bou ndary line as if she were reading it from a map. It didnt help that Alices abilities were quash by the Quileutes involvement. To be fair, the Quileutes might have had her, too, if we hadnt gotten in the way. The big gray one thought Emmett was over the line, and he got defensive. Of course Rosalie reacted to that, and everyone left the pass over to protect their companions. Carlisle and Jasper got things calmed down before it got out of hand. But by then, Victoria had slipped away. Thats everything.I frowned at the letters on the page. All of them had been in on it Emmett, Jasper, Alice, Rosalie, and Carlisle. Maybe even Esme, though he hadnt mentioned her. And then Paul and the rest of the Quileute pack. It might so easily have turned into a fight, rough water my future family and my old friends against each other. Any one of them could have been hurt. I imagined the wolves would be in the most danger, but picturing tiny Alice next to one of the huge werewolves, fighting . . .I shuddered.Carefully, I scour out the entire paragraph with my eraser and then I wrote over the topWhat about Charlie? She could have been after him.Edward was shaking his head before I finished, ostensibly going to downplay any danger on Charlies behalf. He held a hand out, but I ignored that and started again.You cant know that she wasnt thinking that, because you werent here. Florida was a bad idea.He took the paper from underneath my hand.I wasnt about to set you off alone. With your luck, not even the black box would survive.That wasnt what Id meant at all I hadnt thought of going without him. Id meant that we should have stayed here together. But I was sidetracked by his response, and a little miffed. Like I couldnt fly cross country without bringing the plane down. Very funny.So lets say my bad luck did crash the plane. What exactly were you going to do about it? Why is the plane crashing?He was trying to hide a smile now.The pilots are passed out drunk.Easy. Id fly the pl ane.Of course. I pursed my lips and tried again.Both engines have explode and were falling in a death spiral toward the earth.Id wait till we were close enough to the ground, get a good grip on you, kick out the wall, and jump. Then Id run you back to the scene of the accident, and wed bobble around like the two luckiest survivors in history.I stared at him wordlessly.What? he whispered.I shook my head in awe. Nothing, I mouthed.I scrubbed out the disconcerting conversation and wrote one more line. You will tell me next time.I knew there would be a next time. The pattern would continue until someone lost.Edward stared into my eyes for a long moment. I wondered what my face looked like it felt cold, so the blood hadnt returned to my cheeks. My eyelashes were still wet.He sighed and then nodded once.Thanks.The paper disappeared from under my hand. I looked up, blinkingin surprise, just as Mr. Berty came down the aisle.Is that something youd like to share there, Mr. Cullen?Edward loo ked up innocently and held out the sheet of paper on top of his folder. My notes? he asked, sounding confused.Mr. Berty scanned the notes no doubt a perfect transcription of his lecture and then walked away frowning. It was later, in Calculus my one class without Edward that I heard the gossip.My moneys on the big Indian, someone was saying.I peeked up to see that Tyler, Mike, Austin, and Ben had their heads bent together, deep in conversation.Yeah, Mike whispered. Did you see the size of that Jacob kid? I think he could take Cullen down. Mike sounded pleased by the idea.I dont think so, Ben disagreed. Theres something about Edward. Hes always so . . . confident. I have a feeling he can take care of himself.Im with Ben, Tyler agreed. Besides, if that other kid messed Edward up, you know those big brothers of his would get involved. baffle you been down to La Push lately? Mike asked. Lauren and I went to the beach a couple of weeks ago, and believe me, Jacobs friends are all just as big as he is.Huh, Tyler said. Too bad it didnt turn into anything. cipher well never know how it would have turned out.It didnt look over to me, Austin said. Maybe well get to see.Mike grinned. Anyone in the mood for a bet?Ten on Jacob, Austin said at once.Ten on Cullen, Tyler chimed in.Ten on Edward, Ben agreed.Jacob, Mike said.Hey, do you guys know what it was about? Austin wondered. That might affect the odds.I can guess, Mike said, and then he shot a glance at me at the same time that Ben and Tyler did.From their expressions, none of them had realized I was in easy hearing distance. They all looked away quickly, shuffling the papers on their desks.I still say Jacob, Mike muttered under his breath.