Twilight 11. COMPLICATIONS

11. COMPLICATIONSEveryone watched us as we walked together to our lab table. I noticed that he no longer angled the c tomentum to sit as far from me as the desk would solelyow. Instead, he sat quite close be emplacement me, our arms intimately tweaking.Mr. streamer backed into the room then what superb timing the man had twist a tall metal frame on wheels that held a heavy- aspect, overaged TV and VCR. A movie day the lift in the break atmosphere was most tangible.Mr. standard shoved the tape into the reluctant VCR and walked to the environ to influence off the lights.And then, as the room went black, I was suddenly hyperaware that Edward was posing less than an inch from me. I was stunned by the unexpectedelectrical energy that flowed through me, amazed that it was possible to be more aware of him than I already was. A crazy impulse to reach over and touch him, to stroke his perfect flavour entirely once in the darkness, roughly overwhelmed me. I crossed my arms tigh tly across my chest, my hands balling into fists. I was losing my thought.The blossom bulge pop unwraping credits began, lighting the room by a tokenish amount. My eyeball, of their own accord, flickered to him. I smiled sheepishly as I realized his equipage was identical to mine, fists clenched under his arms, right down to the eyes, peering sideways at me. He grinned back, his eyes somehow managing to smolder, hitherto in the dark. I looked aside in the beginning I could start hyperventilating. It was absolutely ridiculous that I should regain dizzy.The hour ascertainmed very long. I couldnt trim down on the movie I didnt even know what subject it was on. I tried unsuccessfully to relax, on the dot the electric current that seemed to be originating from somewhere in his body neer slackened. Occasionally I would permit myself a quick glance in his direction, scarcely he never seemed to relax, either. The overpowering craving to touch him withal refused to fade, a nd I crushed my fists safely over against my ribs until my fingers were a bring upg with the effort.I breathed a sigh of relief when Mr. Banner flicked the lights back on at the fetch up of class, and stretched my arms erupt in effort of me, flexing my stiff fingers. Edward chuckled beside me.Well, that was interesting, he murmured. His interpretive program was dark and his eyes were cautious.Umm, was all I was able to respond.Shall we? he asked, uprising fluidly.I almost groaned. Time for Gym. I stood with railroad political machinee, worried my balance ability have been affected by the strange new intensity betwixt us.He walked me to my next class in shut away and fall apartd at the ingress I morose to say straightforwardbye. His face startled me his appearance was torn, almost pain in the necked, and so fiercely beautiful that the ache to touch him flared as knockout as beforehand. My goodbye stuck in my throat.He increase his hand, hesitant, conflict red-ho t in his eyes, and then actively crossed the length of my cheekbone with his fingertips. His hide was as icy as ever, ripe the trail his fingers left on my skin was alarmingly warm akin Id been burned, alone didnt feel the pain of it further.He turned without a word and strode quickly away from me.I walked into the gym, lightheaded and wobbly. I drifted to the locker room, changing in a confused state, unless vaguely aware that there were other people surround me. Reality didnt fully entrap in until I was handed a racket. It wasnt heavy, yet it snarl very unsafe in my hand. I could see a hardly a(prenominal) of the other kids in class eyeing me furtively. Coach Clapp order us to pair up into teams.Mercifully, some vestiges of mikes chivalry assuage survived he came to stand beside me.Do you want to be a team?Thanks, Mike you dont have to do this, you know. I grimaced apologetically.Dont worry, Ill keep out of your way. He grinned. some durations it was so easy to l ike Mike.It didnt go smoothly. I somehow managed to add myself in the head with my racket and clip Mikes shoulder joint on the analogous swing. I spent the rest of the hour in the back coign of the court, the racket held safely behind my back. Despite being handicapped by me, Mike was pretty good he won three games out of four singlehandedly. He gave me an unearned high fivewhen the coach in the residue blew the whistle ending class.So, he give tongue to as we walked off the court.So what?You and Cullen, huh? he asked, his tone rebellious. My previous feeling of affection disappeared.Thats none of your business, Mike, I warned, internally cursing Jessica nifty to the fiery pits of Hades.I dont like it, he muttered anyway.You dont have to, I snapped.He looks at you like like youre something to eat, he go on, ignoring me.I choked back the hysteria that threatened to explode, but a small giggle managed to get out despite my efforts. He glowered at me. I waved and fled to the l ocker room.I practiseed quickly, something stronger than butterflies battering recklessly against the walls of my stomach, my resolve with Mike already a distant memory. I was wondering if Edward would be waiting, or if I should meet him at his simple machine. What if his family was there? I felt a wave of real terror. Did they know that I knew? Was I say to know that they knew that I knew, or not?By the clipping I walked out of the gym, I had just roughly decided to walk straight legal residence without even looking toward the park lot. yet my worries were un demand. Edward was waiting, leaning casually against the side of the gym, his breath taking face untroubled now. As I walked to his side, I felt a peculiar sense of release.Hi, I breathed, smiling hugely.Hello. His answering smile was brilliant. How was Gym?My face fell a tiny bit. Fine, I lied.Really? He was unconvinced. His eyes shifted their focus slightly, looking over my shoulder and narrowing. I glanced behind me to see Mikes back as he walked away.What? I demanded.His eyes slid back to mine, calm down tight. Newtons getting on my nerves.You werent inclination of an orbitening again? I was horror-struck. All traces of my sudden good card vanished.Hows your head? he asked innocently.Youre unbelievable I turned, stomping away in the general direction of the pose lot, though I hadnt ruled out walking at this point.He kept up with me easily.You were the one who mentioned how Id never seen you in Gym it do me curious. He didnt sound repentant, so I rationalized him.We walked in be quiet a furious, embarrass silence on my part to his car. But I had to stop a few steps away a bear on of people, all boys, were surrounding it.Then I realized they werent surrounding the Volvo, they were rattling circled around Rosalies red convertible, unmistakable lust in their eyes. None of them even looked up as Edward slid between them to open his door. I climbed quickly in the passenger side, als o unnoticed.Ostentatious, he muttered.What kind of car is that? I asked.An M3.I dont deliver Car and Driver.Its a BMW. He rolled his eyes, not looking at me, difficult to back out without campaign over the car enthusiasts.I nodded Id heard of that one.Are you take over angry? he asked as he carefully maneuvered his way out.Definitely.He sighed. Will you forgive me if I apologize?Maybe if you mean it. And if you promise not to do it again, I insisted.His eyes were suddenly shrewd. How about if I mean it, and I jibe to let you exact Saturday? he countered my conditions.I considered, and decided it was probably the surpass offer I would get. Deal, I agreed.Then Im very sorry I upset you. His eyes burned with sincerity for a protracted arcsecond playing havoc with the rhythm of my heart and then turned playful. And Ill be on your doorstep bright and early Saturday daybreak.Um, it doesnt help with the Charlie situation if an unexplained Volvo is left in the driveway.His smil e was condescending now. I wasnt intending to bring a car.How -He cut me off. Dont worry about it. Ill be there, no car.I let it go. I had a more air pres veritableing question.Is it later yet? I asked significantly.He frowned. I hazardd it is later.I kept my verbalism polite as I waited.He stopped the car. I looked up, strike of course we were already at Charlies house, parked behind the truck. It was easier to ride with him if I only looked when it was over. When I looked back at him, he was complete(a) at me, measuring with his eyes.And you still want to know why you cant see me melt? He seemed solemn, but I thought I saw a trace of humor deep in his eyes.Well, I clarified, I was more often than not wondering about your reaction.Did I frighten you? Yes, there was definitely humor there.No, I lied. He didnt buy it.I apologize for scaring you, he persisted with a slight smile, but then all evidence of teasing disappeared. It was just the very thought of you being there whi le we hunted. His jaw tightened.That would be bad?He spoke from between clenched teeth. Extremely.Because ?He took a deep breath and stared through the windshield at the thick, rolling clouds that seemed to press down, almost within reach.When we hunt, he spoke slowly, unwillingly, we give ourselves over to our senses go up less with our minds. Especially our sense of smell. If you were anywhere near me when I wooly control that way He shook his head, still gazing morosely at the heavy clouds.I kept my expression firmly under control, expecting the swift flash of his eyes to judge my reaction that soon followed. My face gave postal code away.But our eyes held, and the silence deepened and changed. Flickers of the electricity Id felt this afternoon began to smash the atmosphere as he gazed unrelentingly into my eyes. It wasnt until my head started to swim that I realized I wasnt breathing. When I drew in a serrate breath, breaking the stillness, he closed his eyes.Bella, I thin k you should go inside(a) now. His low voice was rough, his eyes on the clouds again.I opened the door, and the diametric draft that burst into the car helped ready my head. Afraid I efficacy stumble in my woozy state, I stepped carefully out of the car and shut the door behind me without looking back. The whir of the automatic windowpane unrolling make me turn.Oh, Bella? he called after me, his voice more even. He leaned toward the open window with a faint smile on his lips.Yes?Tomorrow its my turn.Your turn to what?He smiled wider, flashing his gleaming teeth. Ask the questions.And then he was gone, the car speeding down the street and disappearing around the coigne before I could even collect my thoughts. I smiled as I walked to the house. It was clear he was planning to see me tomorrow, if nix else.That night Edward starred in my dreams, as usual. However, the climate of my unconsciousness had changed. It thrilled with the similar electricity that had charged the afterno on, and I tossed and turned restlessly, waking often. It was only in the early hours of the morning that I ultimately sank into an exhausted, dreamless sleep.When I woke I was still tired, but edgy as well. I pulled on my brown turtleneck and the inevitable jeans, sighing as I daydreamed of spaghetti straps and shorts. Breakfast was the usual, peacefulness event I expected. Charlie fried eggs for himself I had my bowl of cereal. I wondered if he had forgotten about this Saturday. He answered my unspoken question as he stood up to admit his plate to the sink.About this Saturday he began, walking across the kitchen and turning on the faucet.I cringed. Yes, Dad?Are you still set on spillage to Seattle? he asked.That was the plan. I grimaced, wishing he hadnt brought it up so I wouldnt have to compose careful half-truths.He squeezed some dish slash onto his plate and swirled it around with the brush. And youre sure you cant make it back in cadence for the dance?Im not going to the dance, Dad. I glared.Didnt anyone ask you? he asked, trying to hide his concern by focusing on rinsing the plate.I sidestepped the minefield. Its a girls choice.Oh. He frowned as he dried his plate.I sympathized with him. It moldiness be a hard thing, to be a father funding in fear that your daughter would meet a boy she liked, but also having to worry if she didnt. How ghastly it would be, I thought, shuddering, if Charlie had even the slightest inkling of exactly what I did like.Charlie left then, with a goodbye wave, and I went upstairs to brush my teeth and gather my books. When I heard the patrol car pull away, I could only wait a few seconds before I had to glisten out of my window. The silver car was already there, waiting in Charlies disfigure on the driveway. I bounded down the stairs and out the front door, wondering how long this bizarre routine would continue. I never cute it to end.He waited in the car, not appearing to watch as I shut the door behind me withou t some(prenominal)ering to lock the dead-bolt. I walked to the car, pausing shyly before opening the door and stepping in. He was smiling, relaxed and, as usual, perfect and beautiful to an harrowing degree.Good morning. His voice was silky. How are you today? His eyes roamed over my face, as if his question was something more than simple courtesy.Good, thank you. I was always good frequently more than good when I was near him.His gaze lingered on the circles under my eyes. You look tired.I couldnt sleep, I confessed, automatically swinging my hair around my shoulder to provide some measure of cover.Neither could I, he teased as he started the engine. I was becoming used to the quiet purr. I was sure the roar of my truck would scare me, whenever I got to drive it again.I laughed. I guess thats right. I suppose I slept just a little bit more than you did.Id wager you did.So what did you do last night? I asked.He chuckled. non a chance. Its my day to ask questions.Oh, thats righ t. What do you want to know? My forehead creased. I couldnt cogitate anything about me that could be in any way interesting to him.Whats your favored color? he asked, his face grave.I rolled my eyes. It changes from day to day.Whats your dearie color today? He was still solemn.Probably brown. I tended to dress according to my body fluid.He snorted, dropping his serious expression. dark-brown? he asked skeptically.Sure. Brown is warm. I miss brown. Everything thats supposed to be brown tree trunks, rocks, ninny is all covered up with squashy green stuff here, I complained.He seemed fascinated by my little rant. He considered for a moment, staring into my eyes.Youre right, he decided, serious again. Brown is warm. He reached over, swiftly, but somehow still hesitantly, to sweep my hair back behindmy shoulder.We were at the school by now. He turned back to me as he pulled into a parking lacuna.What music is in your CD player right now? he asked, his face as somber as if hed as ked for a murder confession.I realized Id never removed the CD Phil had given me. When I said the name of the band, he smiled crookedly, a peculiar expression in his eyes. He flipped open a compartment under his cars CD player, pulled out one of cardinal or so CDs that were jammed into the small space, and handed it to me,Debussy to this? He raised an eyebrow.It was the same CD. I examined the familiar cover art, keeping my eyes down.It continued like that for the rest of the day. While he walked me to English, when he met me after Spanish, all through the lunch hour, he questioned me relentlessly about every unnoticeable detail of my existence. Movies Id liked and hated, the few places Id been and the many places I wanted to go, and books unendingly books.I couldnt remember the last time Id talked so much. More often than not, I felt self-conscious, certain I must be ho-hum him. But the absolute absorption of his face, and his never-ending stream of questions, compelled me to continue. Mostly his questions were easy, only a very few triggering my easy blushes. But when I did flush, it brought on a whole new round of questions.Such as the time he asked my favorite rock, and I blurted out topaz before thinking. Hed been flinging questions at me with such speed that I felt like I was taking one of those psychiatric tests where you answer with the first word that comes to mind. I was sure he would have continued down whatever mental list he was following, except for the blush. My face reddened because, until very recently, my favorite gemstone was garnet. It was unworkable, while staring back into his topaz eyes, not to remember the reason for the switch. And, naturally, he wouldnt rest until Id admitted why I was embarrassed.Tell me, he finally commanded after persuasion failed failed only because I kept my eyes safely away from his face.Its the color of your eyes today, I sighed, surrendering, staring down at my hands as I fiddled with a piece of my hai r. I suppose if you asked me in two weeks Id say onyx. Id given more information than necessary in my unwilling honesty, and I worried it would provoke the strange animosity that flared whenever I slipped and revealed too clearly how obsessed I was.But his pause was very short.What kinds of flowers do you prefer? he fired off.I sighed in relief, and continued with the psychoanalysis.Biology was a complication again. Edward had continued with his quizzing up until Mr. Banner entered the room, dragging the audiovisual frame again. As the teacher approached the light switch, I noticed Edward slide his chair slightly farther away from mine. It didnt help. As soon as the room was dark, there was the same electric spark, the same restless craving to stretch my hand across the short space and touch his cold skin, as yesterday.I leaned forward on the table, resting my chin on my folded arms, my hidden fingers gripping the tables edge as I fought to ignore the irrational longing that unsett led me. I didnt look at him, appalled that if he was looking at me, it would only make self-control that much harder. I sincerely tried to watch the movie, but at the end of the hour I had no idea what Id just seen. I sighed in relief again when Mr.Banner turned the lights on, finally glancing at Edward he was looking at me, his eyes ambivalent.He rose in silence and then stood still, waiting for me. We walked toward the gym in silence, like yesterday. And, also like yesterday, he touched my face wordlessly this time with the back of his still hand, stroking once from my temple to my jaw before he turned and walked away.Gym passed quickly as I watched Mikes one-man badminton show. He didnt speak to me today, either in response to my vacant expression or because he was still angry about our squabble yesterday. Somewhere, in a corner of my mind, I felt bad about that. But I couldnt concentrate on him.I hurried to change afterward, ill at ease, intimate the faster I moved, the soo ner I would be with Edward. The pressure made me more clumsy than usual, but eventually I made it out the door, feeling the same release when I saw him standing there, a wide smile automatically spreading across my face. He smiled in reaction before launching into more cross-examination.His questions were different now, though, not as easily answered. He wanted to know what I missed about dental plate, insisting on descriptions of anything he wasnt familiar with. We sat in front of Charlies house for hours, as the sky darkened and rain plummeted around us in a sudden deluge.I tried to describe impossible things like the scent of creosote bitter, slightly resinous, but still good-natured the high, keening sound of the cicadas in July, the feathery barrenness of the trees, the very size of the sky, extending white-blue from aspect to horizon, barely interrupted by the low mountains covered with purple volcanic rock. The hardest thing to explain was why it was so beautiful to me to justify a beauty that didnt depend on the sparse, spiny vegetation that often looked half dead, a beauty that had more to do with the exposed shape of the land, with the school bowls of valleys between the craggy hills, and the way they held on to the sun. I give myself using my hands as I tried to describe it to him.His quiet, look into questions kept me talking freely, forgetting, in the dim light of the storm, to be embarrassed for monopolizing the conversation. Finally, when I had finished detailing my cluttered room at home, he paused instead of responding with another question.Are you finished? I asked in relief.not even close but your father will be home soon.Charlie I suddenly recalled his existence, and sighed. I looked out at the rain-darkened sky, but it gave nothing away. How late is it? I wondered out loud as I glanced at the clock. I was surprised by the time Charlie would be driving home now.Its twilight, Edward murmured, looking at the western horizon, obscure d as it was with clouds. His voice was thoughtful, as if his mind were somewhere far away. I stared at him as he gazed unseeingly out the windshield.I was still staring when his eyes suddenly shifted back to mine.Its the safest time of day for us, he said, answering the unspoken question in my eyes. The easiest time. But also the saddest, in a way the end of another day, the descend of the night. Darkness is so predictable, dont you think? He smiled wistfully.I like the night. Without the dark, wed never see the stars. I frowned. Not that you see them here much.He laughed, and the mood abruptly lightened.Charlie will be here in a few minutes. So, unless you want to tell him that youll be with me Saturday He raised one eyebrow.Thanks, but no thanks. I gathered my books, realizing I was stiff from sitting still so long. So is it my turn tomorrow, then?Certainly not His face was teasingly outraged. I told you I wasnt done, didnt I?What more is there?Youll find out tomorrow. He reached across to open my door for me, and his sudden proximity sent my heart into frenzied palpitations.But his hand froze on the handle.Not good, he muttered.What is it? I was surprised to see that his jaw was clenched, his eyes disturbed.He glanced at me for a brief second. Another complication, he said glumly.He flung the door open in one swift movement, and then moved, almost cringed, swiftly away from me.The flash of headlights through the rain caught my attention as a dark car pulled up to the curb just a few feet away, facing us.Charlies around the corner, he warned, staring through the deluge at the other vehicle.I hopped out at once, despite my discombobulation and curiosity. The rain was louder as it glanced off my jacket.I tried to make out the shapes in the front seat of the other car, but it was too dark. I could see Edward illuminated in the glare of the new cars headlights he was still staring ahead, his gaze locked on something or someone I couldnt see. His expression w as a strange mix of frustration and defiance.Then he revved the engine, and the tires squealed against the skew-whiff pavement. The Volvo was out of sight in seconds.Hey, Bella, called a familiar, husky voice from the drivers side of the little black car.Jacob? I asked, squinting through the rain. Just then, Charlies cruiser swung around the corner, his lights shining on the occupants of the car in front of me.Jacob was already climbing out, his wide grin visible even through the darkness. In the passenger seat was a much older man, a stocky man with a memorable face a face that overflowed, the cheeks resting against his shoulders, with creases running through the russet skin like an old leather jacket. And the amazingly familiar eyes, black eyes that seemed at the same time both too young and too ancient for the broad face they were set in. Jacobs father, he-goat Black. I knew him immediately, though in the more than five age since Id seen him last Id managed to forget his nam e when Charlie had spoken of him my first day here. He was staring at me, scrutinizing my face, so I smiled tentatively at him. His eyes were wide, as if in shock or fear, his nostrils flared. My smile faded.Another complication, Edward had said.Billy still stared at me with intense, anxious eyes. I groaned internally. Had Billy recognized Edward so easily? Could he really believe the impossible legends his son had scoffed at?The answer was clear in Billys eyes. Yes. Yes, he could.