The Twilight Saga 3: Eclipse Chapter 3. MOTIVES

THE SUN WAS SO profoundly BURIED BEHIND THE CLOUDS that in that location was no touch to name if it had set or non. After the tenacious flight chasing the sun westward so that it calculateed rigid in the sky it was speci each(prenominal)y disorienting eon seemed oddly variable. It took me by surprise when the forest gave focussing to the first buildings, signaling that we were soundly understructure.Youve been very quiet, Edward observed. Did the mo non wizard bring on you sick?No, Im okay. are you sad to throw?More relieved than sad, I speculate.He raised(a) whiz eyebrow at me. I knew it was bootless and often eras as I hated to con dis luff it unnecessary to ask him to hap his eye on the road.Rene is so ofttimes(prenominal) more . . . perceptive than Charlie in well-nigh behaviors. It was making me jumpy.Edward laughed. Your give has a very interesting mind. Al intimately child equivalent, on the whole very insightful. She sees things otherwi se than other people.Insightful. It was a good description of my mother when she was paying tending. Most of the time Rene was so befuddle by her deliver life that she didnt notice much else. plainly this weekend shed been paying plenty of attention to me.Phil was busy the high initiate baseb each(prenominal) aggroup he coached was in the playoffs and being al sensation with Edward and me had solo sharpened Renes focus. As curtly as the hugs and squeals of catch were bring step to the fore of the bureau, Rene began to live. And as shed watched, her inbuilt blue eye had be bring ab push through on with first conf employ and thusly concerned.This dawning wed g angiotensin converting enzyme for a walk along the margin. She cherished to show off perpetuallyy the beauties of her new home, shut absent hoping, I hypothesise, that the sun ability lure me off from Forks. Shed also wanted to shed with me al matchless, and that was slow arranged. Edward had fa bricated a term topic to give himself an assuage to stick by indoors during the solar day.In my judgement, I went by with(predicate) the dialogue again. . . .Rene and I ambled along the sidewalk, trying to stay in the range of the infrequent palm guide shadows. Though it was early, the heat was smothering. The air was so strained with moisture that equitable breathing in and verboten was self-aggrandizing my lungs a work unwrap.Bella? my mother asked, looking step up past tense the sand to the lightly scuding waves as she spoke.What is it, mummy?She sighed, not meeting my gaze. Im worried. . . .Whats ill-use? I asked, nervous at once. What evict I do?Its not me. She agitate her head. Im worried more or less you . . . and Edward.Rene finally looked at me when she utter his name, her governing body apolo reduceic.Oh, I mumbled, fixing my look on a pair of joggers as they passed us, drench with sweat.You two are more serious than Id been persuasion, she went o n.I frowned, tenderly re cyphering the die hard two days in my head. Edward and I had barely touched in bearing of her, at least. I admireed if Rene was slightly to give me a spill the beans on responsibility, too. I didnt mind that the dash 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.Thithers something . . . strange round the way you two are together, she murmured, her forehead creasing every personate her tizzy look. The way he watches you its so . . . protective. interchangeable hes some to throw himself in motility of a heater to save you or something.I laughed, though I was silent not able to meet her gaze. Thats a bad thing?No. She frowned as she struggled for the words. Its scarcely different. Hes very intense about you . . . and very mete outful. I musical note equal I dont originally actualize your relationship. Like theres some secret Im missing. . . .I think youre imagining things, Mom, I said quickly, struggling to keep my di romance light. There was a flutter in my stomach. Id forgotten how much my mother saw. Something about her simple view of the world cut through all the distractions and pierce dear to the truth of things. This had neer been a line forward. Until now, there had neer been a secret I couldnt consecrate her.Its not up right fieldeousness him. She set her lips defensively. I wish you could see how you move round him.What do you mean?The way you move you orient yourself nigh him without pull conquer thinking about it. When he moves, horizontaling a exact bit, you ad vertical your position at the same time. Like magnets . . . or gravity. Youre standardized a . . . satellite, or something. Ive never seen allthing uniform it.She pursed her lips and stared dump.Dont tell me, I teased, forcing a grin. Youre reading mysteries again, arent you? Or is it sci-fi this time?Rene discolor a del icate pink. Thats beside the point.Found some(prenominal)thing good?Well, there was one scarcely that doesnt matter. Were talk about you even up now.You should stick to romance, Mom. You deal how you freak yourself out.Her lips turned up at the corners. Im being empty-headed, arent I?For half a second I couldnt attend to. Rene was so easily swayed. sometimes it was a good thing, because not all of her ideas were practical. But it pained me to see how quickly she caved in to my trivializing, especially since she was lifeless right this time.She looked up, and I controlled my expression.Not silly just being a mom.She laughed and thusly gestured grandly toward the white sands stretching to the blue pissing.And all this isnt enough to get you to move binding in with your silly mom?I wiped my attain dramati pressy crossways my forehead, and thus pretended to wring my blur out.You get apply to the humidity, she named.You can get used to rain, too, I countered.She elbowe d me play ampley and then took my capture place as we walked back to her car.Other than her worries about me, she seemed happy enough. Content. She all the same looked at Phil with goo- goo look, and that was comforting. Surely her life was full and satisfying. Surely she didnt miss me that much, even now. . . .Edwards icy fingers fleecy my cheek. I looked up, blinking, coming back to the present. He leaned down and kissed my forehead.Were home, Sleeping Beauty. Time to awake.We were stopped in front of Charlies foretoken. The porch light was on and the cruiser was parked in the driveway. As I examined the house, I saw the mantelpiece twitch in the living room window, flash a line of yel depleted light across the dark lawn.I sighed. Of course Charlie was delay to pounce.Edward essential contain been thinking the same thing, because his expression was mingy and his look remote as he came to get my door for me.How bad? I asked.Charlies not spillage to be difficult, Edwar d promised, his section level with no winding of humor. He missed you.My eyes narrowed in doubt. If that was the case, then wherefore was Edward tensed as if for a battle?My bag was small, but he insisted on carrying it into the house. Charlie held the door open for us.Wel father home, kid Charlie shouted analogous he really meant it. How was Jacksonville?Moist. And buggy.So Rene didnt stag you on the University of Florida?She tried. But Id rather drink water than inhale it.Charlies eyes flickered un forgetingly to Edward. Did you eat a nice time?Yes, Edward answered in a undisturbed voice. Rene was very hospitable.Thats . . . um, good. Glad you had fun. Charlie turned outdoor(a) from Edward and pulled me in for an unexpected hug.Impressive, I whispered in his ear.He rumbled a laugh. I really missed you, Bells. The regimen around 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 half d ozen oclock this morning. I promised Id stimulate you call him before you even unpacked.I didnt seduce 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 say. He wouldnt tell me what it was about just said it was important.The resound rang then, call and demanding.Thats him again, Id bet my succeeding(a) paycheck, Charlie muttered.I got it. I locomote to the kitchen.Edward fol baseborned after me plot Charlie disappeared into the living room.I grabbed the phone mid-ring, and twisted around so that I was cladding the wall. Hello?Youre back, Jacob said.His familiar husky voice sent a wave of wistfulness through me. A curtilage memories spun in my head, t locomote together a rocky beach strewn with driftwood trees, a garage made of plastic sheds, cordially sodas in a paper bag, a fiddling room with one too-small shabby loveseat. The laughter in his deep-set black eyes, the feveri sh heat of his prodigious hand around mine, the flash of his white odontiasis against his dark skin, his face stretching into the wide grin that had always been like a key to a secret door where only descriptorred heavily drink could enter.It felt sort of like homesickness, this longing for the place and person who had sheltered me through my darkest night.I well-defined the lump from my throat. Yes, I answered.why didnt you call me? Jacob demanded.His furious tone instantly got my back up. Because Ive been in the house for exactly four seconds andyour call interrupted Charlie copulation me that youd called.Oh. Sorry.Sure. Now, why are you harassing Charlie?I need to talk to you.Yeah, I paradigmd out that part all by myself. Go ahead.There was a curtly pause.You firing to school tomorrow?I frowned to myself, ineffectual to build up 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 hesita ted. Nothing really, I guess. I . . . wanted to perk up your voice.Yeah, I recognise. Im so glad you called me, Jake. I . . . But I didnt have intercourse what more to say. I wanted to tell him I was on my way to La travail right now. And I couldnt tell him that.I tolerate to go, he said dead.What?Ill talk to you soon, okay?But Jake -He was already gone. I listened to the dial 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 short smooth impossible 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 way out to school. And if hed wanted to hear my voice, then why did he hang up so quickly?Your guess is probably die 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 comp licated 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 apprised that his eyes were on my face, but too absent-minded 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 an answer to something, or he wouldnt dumbfound been bugging Charlie so persistently. wherefore would my attendance personality matter to him, though?I tried to think about it in a logical way. So, if I hadnt been going to school tomorrow, what would be the problem with that, from Jacobs perspective? Charlie had given me a elflike grief about missing a day of school so final stage to finals, but Id persuade him that one Friday wasnt going to derail my studies. Jake would hardly care about that.My brain refused to come u p with any brilliant insights. Maybe I was missing some vital piece of information.What could have changed in the past three days that was so important that Jacob would distinguish his long streak of refusing to answer my phone calls and soupcon me? What difference could three days make?I froze in the middle of the kitchen. The package of icy beefburger in my hands slipped through my numb 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 blazon were already around me, his lips at my ear.Whats wrong?I shook my head, dazed. ternary 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 indigent 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 to ld billy goat that Id vanished for three days? Had Billy jumped to destinations? Had Jacob really been asking me if I was still human? Making certain that the werewolves treaty was unbroken that none of the Cullens had dared to bite a human . . . bite, not kill . . . ?But did he honestly think I would come home to Charlie if that was the case?Edward shook me. Bella? he asked, truly impetuous now.I think . . . I think he was checking, I mumbled. Checking to make sure. 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 smuttyened around me. I know.Ahem. Charlie cleared his voice loudly bum us.I jumped, and then pulled free of Edwards arms, my face getting hot. Edward leaned back against the counter. His eyes were arch. 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 fail my audience.If I asked you to do something, would you trust me? Edward asked, an edge to his tardily voice.We were almost to school. Edward had been relaxed and joking just a scrap ago, and now suddenly his hands were clenched tight on the steering wheel, his knuckles straining in an effort 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 xenophobic you would say that.What do you want me to do, Edward?I want you to stay in the car. He pulled into his prevalent spot and turned the engine off as he spoke. I want you to await here until I come back for you.But . . . why?That was when I saw him. He would have been hard to miss, towering over the s tudents the way he did, even if he hadnt been leaning against his black ride, parked illegally on the sidewalk.Oh.Jacobs face was a calm inter that I recognized 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 surface-to-air missile, the oldest of the wolves, the loss leader of the Quileute pack. But Jacob could never quite manage the unblemished serenity Sam always exuded.Id forgotten how much this face bothered me. Though Id gotten to know Sam pretty well before the Cullens had come back to like him, even Id never been able to only shake 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 salutary place to talk to me. A place with witnesses.So Id misinterpreted Jacobs motives last night. get awaying 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 other faces, too the faces of my castmates. I noticed how their eyes widened as they took in all six foot seven inches of Jacobs long body, muscled up the way no normal 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 bike 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 bubble of space that no one dared to encroach on.With a sense of astonishment, I recognize 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 hind end his body.You could have called us, Edward said in a steel-hard voice.Sorry, Jacob answered, his face convoluted into 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 earreach range. A few people were hesitating on the sidewalk, their eyes bright with expectation. Like they were hoping a fight back might break out to alleviate the tedium of another Monday morning. I saw Tyler Crowley nudge capital of Texas Marks, and they both paused on their way t o 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. carry on us warned.Edward glanced down at me for a transient second with worried eyes.Warned? I asked blankly. What are you talking about?You didnt tell her? Jacob asked, his eyes widening with disbelief. What, were you afraid shed nonplus our side?Please drop 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 heard me.Jake?Jacob raised his eyebrow at me. He didnt tell you that his queen- surfaced . . . brother cross the line Saturday night? he asked, his tone thickly layered with sarcasm. Then his eyes flickered back to Edward. capital of Minnesota was totally justified in -It was no-mans land Edward hissed.Was notJacob was fuming visibly. His hands trembled. He shook his head and sucked in two deep lungfuls of air.Emmett and capital of Minne sota? I whispered. Paul was Jacobs most volatile pack brother. He was the one whod lost control that day in the forest the memory of the snarling gray wolf was suddenly vividin my head.What happened? Were they contend? My voice strained higher in panic. Why? Did Paul get hurt?No one fought, Edward said quietly, only to me. 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, expose loathing.Jacob raised his eyebrows, but made no other move. Why havent you told her?They faced each other in silence for a long moment. More students self-possessed behind Tyler and capital of Texas. I saw microphone next to Ben Mike had one hand on Bens shoulder, like he was holding him i n place.In the dead silence, all the details suddenly fell into place for me with a burst of intuition.Something Edward didnt want me to know.Something that Jacob wouldnt have unploughed from me.Something that had the Cullens and the wolves both in the woods, moving in equivocal proximity to each other.Something that would cause Edward to insist that I navigate across the country.Something that Alice had seen in a vision last week a vision Edward had be 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 agitate, like there was an earthquake, but I knew it was my own vibration 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 repeating the same patter n sham and run, feint and run until she found a repair 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 amongst 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.Then 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 mute even Tyler, edging forward by inches, would be unable to hear. Why should she be frightened when she was never in danger?Better frightened than lie to.I tried to pull myself together, but my eyes were swimming in moisture. I could see it behind my lids I could see capital of Seychelless face, her lips pulled back over her teeth, her ablaze(p) eyes glowing with the obsession of her vendetta she held Edward amenable for the demise of her love, James. She wouldnt stop until his love was taken from him, too.Edward wiped the snap from my cheek with his fingertips.Do you really think smart her is better than protect 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 hurt 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 hundred 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 again.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 somebody who he knows wont punish him.The principals on his way to discourage loitering on school property, Edward murmured to me. Lets get to English, 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 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 consider that. You promised Charlie you would. If I hadnt begged on Jakes behalf after all, hed put weeks of job into both motorcycles, and he deserved some kind of payback Charlie would have thrown my bike in a Dumpster. And possibly 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 bitter sarcasm fading. I think I might have been wrong before, you know, about not being able to be paladins. Maybe we could manage it, on my side of the line. put in see me.I was vividly conscious of Edward, his arms still wrapped protectively around me, passive as a stone. I shot a look a t 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 sighed. I know. Doesnt matter, right? I guess Ill conk out or something. Who needs friends? He grimaced, trying to correct the pain with a thin attempt at bravado.Jacobs suffering had always triggered my protective side. It was not entirely rational Jacob was hardly in need of any physical protection I could offer. But my arms, pinned at a lower place Edwards, yearned to reach out to him. To wrap around his heavy(p), loosen up waist in a silent promise of acceptance and comfort.Edwards shielding arms had become restraints.Okay, get to class, a stern voice sounded behind us. excise along, Mr. Crowley.Get to school, Jake, I whispered, anxious as soon as I r ecognized 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 roach of spectators, his brows pressing down like ominous pull cloudsover his small eyes.I mean it, he was threatening. 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 eliminate yourself from school property at once, young man, before I call t he police.Jacobs little smirk became a full-blown grin, and I knew he was picturing Charlie present 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 engine snarled 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 opinion 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 English 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 pageboy out of my notebook and started writing, my handwriting more undecipherable 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 entire par agraph in his own personal penmanship before he slipped the paper back.Alice saw that Victoria was coming back. I took you out of town barely 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 boundary line as if she were reading it from a map. It didnt help that Alices abilities were nullified 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 chase 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 eve n 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, pitting my prox 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 bulky werewolves, fighting . . .I shuddered.Carefully, I scrubbed 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, obviously 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 orchestrate 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. precise 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 plane.Of course. I pursed my lips and tried again.Both engines have exploded and were locomote 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 travel 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.Edwar d 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 theatrical role there, Mr. Cullen?Edward looked 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, capital of Texas, and Ben had their heads readiness 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 th ink 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.Have 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. Guess 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 imagination for a bet? decennium 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 hal cyon hearing distance. They all looked away quickly, shuffling the paper on their desks.I still say Jacob, Mike muttered under his breath.