There was indefinite change I could notice, today. the blood pumping to my heart rushes, thinking of the day before in the forest with Edward. a subconscious smile draws my lips up, just remembering the intimate distance our bodies were sharing.

I was sure of three things. First, Edward is a vampire. Second, a part of him was undoubtedly dominant, he demanded dominance and control. which I particularly enjoy, knowing he wanted to take care and see that I was safe.

Even if he didn't need to, I could handle my own in a life or death circumstance. the thought of him possessing those feelings of wanting to protect me.

Third. I had fallen unconditionally and irrevocably in love, with Edward. He could make my mind overwhelm with these foreign sensations, of intense passion which I never would before feel.

I heard the sound of a car horn being pressed, from outside the window. Moving to the the rectangular shape casement, on the drive way an immediate smile crosses my features.

Edward stood, leaning on his car, wearing a pair of sunglasses looking up at where I was with a smile that you could only notice if you were to focus on him.

" Malachi! Could you ask Edward to move his car, it is stopping me from leaving. Please."

'I think he heard you, bee.' I did not need Edward to remove his glasses, to know he rolled his eyes. He puts one finger in the air, as to say 'one minute' then is swift to enter the car. he pulls the car in reverse, to leave space for Bella.

' Speaking of bella' she comes marching in the room, her foot begins rhythmically tapping the floor. Her arms are crossed, " are you, and Edward, boyfriend's now. Do I have to give him a stern chatting" and the 'if he hurts you I will personally burn his nice and expensive Volvo' lecture. This could be the only reason why I find him standing there, staring at your window for over five minutes."

This is a first, I would never imagine Bella as the girl to commit arson. i give a boisterous chuckle. " don't laugh! I am very serious." She over exaggerates a groan, " I am elated you finally got with him, that reminds me I owe Jessica and Angela ten dollars each. but if i find he breaks your heart, I will make his car burning look like foul play."

I stole a glance to Edward, and he had the widest grin I have ever seen on a person. 'He is enjoying this a little too eagerly.' " you are a trouble starter, Cullen."

His left eye moves in a wink.

-

Bella had spoken a few words to Edward, before we had left to school. It involve swear words, which I would have never gave a notion of her knowing or hear her speak, then the flip of a middle finger. " you know, Bella means well. Though, I never have seen her do a rude finger gesture before. Admittedly I found that funny."

I notice the smile hadn't left Edward's mouth, as he turns the car keys anti-clockwise turning off the power. We had arrived to school, prying eyes were focusing on the tinted glass of the windows.

" okay, that is just ridiculous. They are staring. And he is going out." Edward goes out of the car, stepping out and he comes around to where I go to unlock the side door. Only he had a change of idea, strolling to the side where I was situated, unlocking the passengers side.

'What are you doing, Edward.'

He puts out a hand, showing his open palm. I give an unassertive stare, not sure on what he was doing. I take his hand, either way. " I don't know what you are playing at, Cullen. there are people staring." I observe, looking over the opening scandalous stares of each student, only Edward would give an unperturbed shrug. In response I feel an arm, belonging to him, glide to my shoulder and over my neck.

he held me, with a tender and firm squeeze.

" I might as well break the rules, since I am already going to hell."

-

" So. Does a person have to be dying, to become like you?" I already knew answers to these, I just wanted Edward to tell his point of view and own perspective.

Using him to balance on the moss-covered boulder stones, I had to chuckle at the irony of how I had enhance stability when it came to running in physical education. But algae encrust rocks is where I become clumsy.

" No, that is just Carlisle."

I gaze out to the Olympic rainforest which circles a lake, the still water ripples. a disturbance from the numerous of fishes, rainbow trout, to largemouth bass, eating bugs smaller in size. I could sense the shift in weather, rain clouds were forming. the moistening of the ground, creating a piquant aroma.

" He'd never do this to someone who had another choice."

I take in his words, staring in the distance of the lake. " How long have you been like this?" this was my curiosity speaking, a part of me didn't want to inquire not wanting Edward to relive the moment he became a vampire. I could only begin to think and imagine the pain, of the vampiric venom.

A ghost of a smile forms, as he spoke. " since nineteen eighteen. that is the year Carlisle found me, dying of Spanish influenza."

" what was it like, to be bitten? turned?" I tried imaging, what it must have felt in having those two venom filled fangs puncturing his skin. I could only give an inaudible grimace. " the only word I can describe the feeling, was excruciating." Edward speaks, in a somber manner, reminiscing.

" but what Carlisle did was much harder. He had, actually has, the restraint not many of us share."

It started to cascade with rain, light water drops hit my hair and Edward takes a hold of my arm. We run to cover, hiding under a overly grown fern free. " but didn't he, Carlisle, just have to bite? I imagine it to be easy."

I rip off a leaf, to a bent branch, ribboning the content in my fingers.

" not exactly. When we taste blood, human blood, a frenzy begins. It's impossible, almost, to stop feeding on the said blood."

" but, Carlisle did. Did he not?" I respond, letting the mutilated leaf go. " first with me and then with his wife, Esme." Esme?

I am reminded of Jessica saying 'Doctor and Mrs. Cullen' on the first day Bella and I began school at forks high. This is the first she is mention, outside of school gossiping.

" So, is Carlisle the real reason that you don't kill people?" The rain subsides, allowing Edward and i to come out from the covering, continuing to talk. " No, he's not the only reason. I don't want to be a monster."

Monster. I don't want to be a monster.

" you are not a monster, Edward." I could only say, i hear the shrilling noise a sea hawks the shriek lasting only three seconds. He gave a smile, spirited. " my family, we think of ourselves as vegetarians. right, cause we only survive on the blood of animals. Well.. it's like a human only living on tofu. It keeps you strong, but never really satisfied or full."

I express my disgust, a strangled noise leaving my throat. " I understand. My grandmother, her name is Penelope, she is a self certified health food dietitian that believes in only eating pure ingredients. She would make these repellent tofu pasta bake recipe, I would feel nauseous each time I ate it. Came to find out I am allergic."

Edward tries stifling a laugh. " you can laugh, just don't make any puns, please. I have had enough with my father satirising my allergy." I drone, drawing out the word please.

" did other vampires kill Waylon? Waylon forge. Charlie's friend."

" yeah. There are others, out there, Some are nomadic. they don't really have a coven, a family you call it. we have some run ins time to time, some keep their thirst for human blood. they make the choice to feed on people, I don't agree with that. but over time you come to learn, numb."

I hang on to Edwards words, coming to slowly understand the significance of each sentence. only it made the circumstance daunting, to put in better understanding. My mind wonders to Bella, and how i could protect her if the time came.

" Does your family each have the same ability, to read minds, like you can?". Edward crouches, standing on his toes warring the soles of the shoes he wore. " No, that's just me. But Alice? She can see the future." that intrigues me, a gift of clairvoyance and future foreseeing. I joke, " I know she saw me coming. It wouldn't be with out much difficulty."

He is silent, he align and glances his eyes to mine then where my lips are. " Alice's visions, they are subjective." I could sense a 'but'.

" but?" I say, wanting him to continue with talking. " I did see, visions," he uses 'visions' in plural. " Of you. the exact same hair, eyes, smile, and I just remember having these feelings. Of want, needing. i couldn't begin to understand how or the cause of why my body reacted to those images I saw. until, well, now." He stands, then makes a running start before leaping to another rock.

" the future, I mean, it can change."

-

Turning the watering hose on, from the switch, I bring over the blue plastic bucket to hold the liquid in. Bella's truck was in need of a clean, volunteering in washing the dirt and grime off. aiming the water at the fender, it begins bouncing off and ricocheting,

The splat of h20 making me grunt. " seriously, don't test me."

" Who are you talking to?" Comes the voice of Bella, standing at the end rear end of her truck. She wore her hair in a loose low style, and one of Charlie's plaid button collar shirt.

" this stupid water, has a mind of its own. it has a vendetta, and is out of me." The water in the hose pauses, losing pressure, and it begins leaking.

I bring it to my eye, squinting and tap the material. Bad choice." ahhh!" The water turns back on, with full force, making me drop the hose. Bella let's out a small yell of surprise, when it starts drenching her, using her hands to shield her eyes. " in the name of everything holy, sorry grandpa, I hate water." I say, a loud, scurrying in turning off the hose. there is a pause then Bella and I erupt in a laugh.

" your face when the water came out, was hilarious. kai Kai."

A smile, of mischief, crept on my mouth.

" Kai. Don't. Kai! No no no." I pull Bella on her arm, and begin wriggling my fingers in a tickle on her stomach. She squeals, a laugh escaping. " I hate you." I grin, as she steps back using the wash rag to whip me. " you love me, don't come to deny it, now."

" I can see you, Kai, and Bella are having quite the amusing time." My hand drops the sponge, I had in hand readying to resume cleaning, at the sound of Edward. He came from behind me, placing his hand on the lower side of my back over my waist.

Bella's eyes form in slates. " Hi, there, Edward."

He, stiff, nods, I want to roll my eyes, at the hilarity of how bee was trying in putting on an appearance of being intimidating. But it was not exerting well, as Edward turns to me not phased. She grumbled, " well up you to then. Kai, I will be inside. If you need anything, I want to change out of these before I become hyperthermic and sick."

Bella turns, slightly shaking her arms from the excess water. " I want to bring, and introduce, you to my family. Tomorrow." I tore away my eyes, from watching bella enter the house, to Edward. my mouth forms the shape of an oval, not expecting such proclamation. " me? Meeting your, your, family? The only problem I have with that is. What if they don't like me?"

This would be a first time meeting the family of my first boyfriend. Boyfriend, just saying that word sounds anomalous. But right and conceding. " So, you are worried not because you will be in a house full of vampires, but you think they won't approve of you?".

Seeing I was not joining his amused laughter, he begins quieting. " by the approval of you, do you mean about your.. gender? Of being a boy?" I would have never said it out right, I did have those fears I wouldn't be accepted. Especially by the people of the boy I am dating. " Malachi. They will love you."

I gave a disinclined smile, wanting to believe Edward.

" listen." He grips the sides of my mouth, cupping my chin. " I told Carlisle, and Esme, of you. Carlisle, he accepted you before I even became aware of how I feel now. the day in the hospital, when I went to check on how you were, he spoke highly and only positive words. I remember him, saying, if I chose to pursue this relationship that he would not think low or less, about your gender. only caring of my decision."

I could feel the tears forming, bristly blinking back the teardrops.

He then looks to where a mother walks, over the road, with her two young daughters. Holding their hands for their safety, " what is the matter?" His attitude changes, as he looks to where Billy's car comes rolling up the street. " complications. I will pick you up tomorrow."

'Hmm. interesting. I want to know what that was.' I questionably think, planting a forced smile giving a wave to Billy seeing in the front visor of his truck. He picks to park his vehicle on patches of dirt and soil. I was given a proper introduction to him, when I had accidentally knocked over a portrait of Charlie and Billy as young men.

holding trouts on fishing lines.

From that day, I had come to learn about him. Only this was my first actual time having the chance to meet him. Jacob exits and brings the wheelchair for Billy out, from the trunk." hi, You come to visit the truck you gave Bella? Oh here. let me help." I unfold the retractable seat, as Billy uses the handle of the car to help place his body down.

" it looks good. Bella has been keeping it up to shape. I see you have been giving the old thing a good clean over." Jacob says, a grin to match.

" Actually, we came here to visit the flat screen. First mariners game of the season. and, plus, jacob here he kept on bugging and insisting that he sees you again. He told me, all to know, about you. And I want to put the face to the name." He gives me his hand, I give a firm shake. Being respectful.

" it is nice to meet you, Billy. I have heard the stories that Charlie has told."

Jacob, now appearing mortified, avoids looking where I stood with an arch eyebrow. " thanks, dad. Just great." Billy, his crinkled dimples showing, tips his hat. " just keeping it real, son."

" pale ale. Vitamin R." Charlie appears, holding two six pack cases of his preferred ale. " well done, chief. Harry Clearwaters homemade fish fry." Billy passes a greased brown bag containing fried fish, i could smell faint grease.

" you have any luck with the Waylon case?".

I begin following Charlie back to the house, Jacob walks to my side. His height is one inch over my shoulder, he was diminutive in size to the comparison of mine. " I don't think it was an animal that killed him, a bare human foot print was found."

My walking doesn't hinder, as he continues. Only the information of the print being spotted had me listen closer, I could hear Jacob in a soft way say " a crazy person. That is what it sounds to me like."

" so spread the word out to the Rez, huh? Keep the kids out of the woods." Charlie turns the wheelchair, facing horizontally, being cautious of where he steps. Billy now turns his eyes to stare at me, studiedly. Directing his next words.

" Don't want no one else to get hurt, do we."

I stare, discomfited.

'It is as though he is warning me.'

-

Authors Note;

Here is chapter fifteen. The way I cannot believe how quick the reads are rising on this story, and how thankful I am feeling. It is so close to five thousand reads.

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