𝘊𝘏𝘈𝘗𝘛𝘌𝘙 𝘕𝘐𝘕𝘌

(the cursed witch, act one)

NINA WISHED SHE HAD HER MAGIC MORE THAN EVER WHEN SHE WALKED INTO HER ENGLISH CLASS. 

She was late, of course, due to Edward which led to a very awkward encounter with Mr. Mason.

She had noticed the second she sat down the absence of a familiar face. Kit, who usually sat next to her, hadn't shown. A twinge of guilt ran through her.

Sighing, she chewed on the tip of her pencil as she watched the seconds tick by. She did this every time. The second someone showed any sort of interest in her, she immediately pushed them away in any way she could.

Another thing to thank her absent father for.

When the class ended, however, he met her at the door like he usually did. She hoped that meant he had somewhat forgiven her. Kit seemed to become more himself as they walked through the bustling hallways, his voice gaining enthusiasm as he talked about the weather report for the weekend. The rain was supposed to take a minor break, and so maybe his and Mike's beach trip would be possible.

Nina tried to sound eager, to make up for disappointing him the day before. It was hard; rain or no rain, at least it would be in the high forties, if they were lucky.

The rest of the morning passed in a blur. She hadn't been able to get the memory of Edward out of her head, the things he had said, the way he had looked at her. It was probably just something she had imagined that had been so convincing, she had confused it with reality.

When Lunch rolled around, Nina's heart was beating out of her chest when she walked inside the cafeteria with Bella and Jessica at her side. On one side of her mind, she wanted to see his face, to see if he had gone back to the cold and indifferent person she had known. Or, on the other side of her mind, if by some miracle the person she had seen earlier that morning, was real and not a figment of her imagination.

Beside her, Jessica babbled on and on about her dance plans — Lauren and Angela had asked the other boys and they were all going together — completely unaware of her and Bella's inattention.

While Jessica and Bella were distracted, Nina took a small, somewhat hopeful glance toward his table. The other four were there, but he was absent. Had he gone home?

Emmett must have noticed her split second gaze as he soon lifted his hand and waved in her direction, which then caused Alice to do the same.

Nina sent them a small smile. Just because Edward was a dick, didn't mean his siblings were.

She continued to follow the still-babbling Jessica through the line. She wasn't all that hungry, Natalie had been home that morning which meant she was full with waffles and bacon. Though as full as she might have been, that didn't take away from how tired she was.

Bella had stayed over that night, after revealing all of Nina's secrets to Natalie. The two teens had stayed up late, watching a mix of Harry Potter and reruns of Friends while talking about anything and everything that came to their minds.

"Edward Cullen is staring at you again," Jessica said, after they had sat down, making Nina lift her head and open her eyes.

"I wonder why he's sitting alone today."

Her tired eyes widened as she followed Jessica's gaze to see Edward, smiling crookedly, staring at her from an empty table across the cafeteria from where he usually sat. Once he'd caught her eye, he raised one hand and motioned with his index finger for her to join him.

She let out a soft sigh as she looked away from him.

"Does he mean you?" Angela asked, her voice warm as she smiled at her friend.

"He probably just needs someone to inspect that stupid pea-coat for fleas."

While the three girls laughed at Nina's words, the witch glanced back at him. He was still staring at her, though it looked like he was attempting to make his gaze softer.

Breathing out, she stood. "I'll be back soon. I'll just send him to the vet to get his shots." She could practically feel Jessica's jealous stare as she walked away.

Reaching his table, she went right for him, her hand coming down to pick at his coat. She hummed softly as she pulled at a stray thread.

"Hello to you too," He greeted, tilting his head to look up at her. "What exactly are you doing?"

"Inspecting for fleas. Duh."

Edward nodded simply, letting her get back to her inspecting as he moved his stare back to his books.

When she found nothing, she sat down next to him. "What did you want, Eeyore? Are you going to tell me about your Jeffery Dahmer fantasies?"

He smiled when he looked up and saw her sitting so close to him. "Why don't you sit with me today?"

Her eyes narrowed. "You're doing that thing again."

"What thing?" Edward asked, his voice light.

"Creeping me the fuck out with your stupid mood swings."

"Well..." He paused, and then the rest of the words followed in a rush. "I decided as long as I was going to hell, I might as well do it thoroughly."

That didn't help.

"You know I don't have any idea what you mean," Nina eventually pointed out after realizing he wasn't going to give her an explanation.

"I know." He smiled again, and then he changed the subject. "I think your friends are angry with me for stealing you."

"They'll survive." She could feel their stares boring into her back.

"I may not give you back, though," He said with a wicked glint in his eyes. A shiver ran down her spine.

Glancing down at the table, she picked at her nail-polish as she took in a deep breath to compose herself.

He laughed. "You look worried."

"Not necessarily," She replied. "Surprised, actually... what brought all this on?"

"I told you — I got tired of trying to stay away from you. So I'm giving up." He was still smiling, but his golden eyes were serious.

"Giving up?" She repeated in confusion.

"Yes — giving up trying to be good. I'm just going to do what I want now, and let the chips fall where they may." His smile faded as he explained, and a hard edge crept into his voice.

"I think you should give up on the metaphors too."

His breathtaking crooked smile reappeared. "I always say too much when I'm talking to you — that's one of the problems."

"Don't worry — I don't understand any of it with your stupid metaphors," She said wryly.

"I'm counting on that."

"So, in plain English, are we friends now? As long as I stay completely dumb to just about everything you say to me?"

"Friends..." He mused, dubious.

"Or not," She muttered.

He grinned. "Well, we can try, I suppose. But I'm warning you now that I'm not a good friend for you." Behind his smile, the warning was real.

"You say that a lot," Nina noted, keeping her voice even.

"Yes, because you're not listening to me. I'm still waiting for you to believe it. If you're smart, you'll avoid me."

"I think you've made your opinion on the subject of my intellect clear, too," She said with narrowed eyes making him smile apologetically. "So, as long as I'm being... ignorant, we'll try to be friends?"

"That sounds about right."

She looked back at her hands. The red nail-polish Bella had painted on her fingernails the night before was almost gone by now from her constant picking.

"What are you thinking?" He asked curiously.

Nina looked back up, meeting his deep golden eyes. "I think I need a drink."

Edward laughed at her words, shaking his head in amusement. "You have one, darling," He said, referring to the water that hung from the side of her bag that had been sprawled across the floor.

Oh fuck, Nina thought, hearing the pet name that had slipped past his lips.

"You're going to turn me into an alcoholic before I'm legal."

"Mmm. We'll have to change that, won't we? What else are you thinking?"

She sighed softly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she looked at him. "I'm trying to figure out what you are."

His jaw tightened, but he kept his smile in place with some effort. "Are you having any luck with that?"

"Not too much," She admitted.

"What are your theories?" He asked with a small laugh.

Blushing, she smiled though she shook her head. She had a few, for sure. Super soldier, radioactive spider, alien... The possibilities were endless.

"Won't you tell me?" He asked, tilting his head to one side with a shockingly tempting smile.

She shook her head. "Too embarrassing."

"That's really frustrating, you know," He complained.

"No," Nina disagreed, "I can't imagine why that would be frustrating at all — just because someone refuses to tell you what they're thinking, even if all the while they're making cryptic little remarks specifically designed to keep you up at night wondering what they could possibly mean... Now, why would that be frustrating?"

He grimaced.

"Or better," She continued, the pent-up annoyance flowing freely now, "Say that person also did a wide range of bizarre things — from saving your life under impossible circumstances one day to treating you like a pariah the next, and he never explained any of that, either, even after he promised. That, also, would be very non-frustrating."

"You've got a bit of a temper, don't you?"

"I don't like secrets."

They stared at each other, both with similar looks of defiance. Their stare was only broken when he glanced over her shoulder and snickered.

"What?"

"Your boyfriend seems to think I'm being unpleasant to you — he's debating whether or not to come and break up our fight."

Nina scoffed, glancing back and seeing both Kit and Mike watching her. "I don't know who you're talking about. But I'm sure you're wrong."

"I'm not. I told you, most people are easy to read."

"Except me?"

"Yes. Except for you." His mood shifted suddenly; his eyes turned brooding. "I wonder why that is."

She turned her eyes away. If she looked at him any longer she was worried she might throat punch him.

"Would you like to hear my theories?" He asked suddenly.

"You have theories? Bout' what?"

Nodding his head in Bella's direction, his smile turned into a mischievous smirk. "Oh, you know, how Bella magically flew 20 feet when a van was speeding toward her."

Nina blew a raspberry. "I don't know... Adrenaline. I have no idea how I did it. It was amazing. I'm fucking amazing."

"So I've been told," Edward muttered under his breath, sending a quick unseeable glance toward Emmett who was holding both his thumbs up at the pair.

"What was that?"

"Nothing," He shook his head. "Adrenaline, huh? That's what we're going with?"

"Mhm. And you are Bucky Barnes' less attractive, never talked about, brother?"

"Less attractive?"

"Have you seen Sebastian Stan?"

Sebastian Stan is gorgeous. She clearly has taste which means Eddy-Boy has zero chance, Edward heard Emmett think from across the room.

All the rest of his siblings seemed to have similar thoughts, making Edward block them out.

"Can you do me a favor?" Nina asked hesitantly.

He was suddenly wary. "That depends on what you want."

"It's not much," She assured him. He nodded after a moment of consideration. "I just wondered... if you could warn me beforehand the next time you decide to ignore me for my own good. Just so I'm prepared."

"That sounds fair." He was pressing his lips together to keep from laughing when she looked up. "Thanks."

"Then can I have one answer in return?"

"One."

He smirked. "Tell me one theory."

Nina groaned, holding her face in her hands. "Ask me anything else."

"No can do, Nina. You promised me an answer," He reminded.

"You're telling me you've never broken a promise?"

"Just one theory — I won't laugh." When she only stared at him, he looked at her through his long black lashes, his eyes still piercingly golden. "Please?" He breathed out, leaning toward her.

She held herself back from rolling her eyes at the overly cocky boy. Yes, his action has just about imploded her heart. But it also annoyed her more than anything.

"Fine." She straightened her posture as she turned to face him straight on, her face going completely serious. "Frankenstein's experiment gone incredibly wrong?"

"I figured you would be more creative. You're not even close."

"No crazy scientists then?"

"Nope," He grinned. "Kryptonite doesn't bother me, either."

He was laughing. Nina wasn't sure if she wanted to punch him for it, or let herself be completely consumed by the musical sound.

"You promised not to laugh."

Edward shrugged as he struggled to compose himself. "We both know I don't keep promises very well."

The witch scoffed, "I'll figure it out eventually."

"I hope you don't."

"God, you're such a 'Debby Downer,' Eeyore. Why are you so against it?"

Edward let out a soft breath, his eyes softening as he stared at her. "What if I'm not a superhero? What if I'm the bad guy?" He smiled playfully, but his eyes were impenetrable.

Nina hummed at his response. "You're dangerous?" She asked, the broken puzzle pieces she had slowly gained eventually going together. He had been trying to tell her the whole time. "But not bad..."

"I wouldn't say that," He disagreed.

"I don't think you're bad," She said quickly before she could even think it through. "You wouldn't have helped me if you were bad."

"Just because I have a moral code, doesn't mean I'm a good person. If you were smart, you would listen to me."

Nina didn't reply. Instead, she glanced around the cafeteria and saw that it was almost empty. "We're going to be late," She told him as she stood from her seat, grabbing her bag along with her.

"I'm not going to class today."

"Why not?"

"It's healthy to ditch class now and then." He smiled up at her. The look he held almost tempted her to stay with him.

"Is it though?" She asked rhetorically.

As she turned around to leave, she was stopped by a frozen hand reaching for her wrist. "I'll see you after class... Nina."

The burning in her skin dulled against his cool touch, giving her a momentary sense of relief before she slowly moved away, uttering a quiet 'okay' before leaving the cafeteria.

When Nina reached the classroom, she immediately regretted not staying with Edward. An unsettling feeling had filled her as she walked through the hallways leading up to Mr. Banner's classroom, only getting stronger the second she entered the room.

Quickly, to avoid any unwanted attention, she settled into her seat. Across the room, Kit sat, staring at her with a hurt look in his eyes while Bella, who sat at the back of the class was making kissy faces at her.

Nina rolled her eyes at the girl, sending her a quick middle finger before turning around to face the board.

Mr. Banner came in the room then, calling the class to order. He was juggling a few small cardboard boxes in his arms. He put them down on Mike's table before telling him to start passing them around the class.

"Okay, guys, I want you all to take one piece from each box," He said as he produced a pair of rubber gloves from the pocket of his lab jacket and pulled them on.

"The first should be an indicator card," He went on, grabbing a white card with four squares marked on it and displaying it. "The second is a four-pronged applicator —" he held up something that looked like a nearly toothless hair pick "— and the third is a sterile micro-lancet." He held up a small piece of blue plastic and split it open. The barb was invisible from this distance, but Nina's stomach flipped.

"I'll be coming around with a dropper of water to prepare your cards, so please don't start until I get to you." He began at Mike's table again, carefully putting one drop of water in each of the four squares. "Then I want you to carefully prick your finger with the lancet..." He grabbed Mike's hand and jabbed the spike into the tip of Mike's middle finger.

Nina let out a harsh breath and looked out the window. She hated the sight of blood, even if it was her own. It also didn't help that she had an iron deficiency that made her pass out any time she had her blood drawn.

Or the fact that her blood was blue. That might cause some strange questions.

Fuck. Shit. I'm screwed more than a five dollar whore on a busy street corner.

"Put a small drop of blood on each of the prongs." He demonstrated, squeezing Mike's finger till the blood flowed.

Nina glanced back at Bella who seemed to be having a similar reaction.

"And then apply it to the card," Mr. Banner finished, holding up the dripping red card for us to see. Nina closed her eyes, squeezing them shut as she turned her head down toward the desk, trying to hear through the ringing in her ears.

"The Red Cross is having a blood drive in Port Angeles next weekend, so I thought you should all know your blood type." He sounded proud of himself. "Those of you who aren't eighteen yet will need a parent's permission — I have slips at my desk." He continued through the room with his water drops.

When Mr. Banner reached her table, he stopped for a moment. "Are you alright, Miss. Evans? You look quite pale."

Nina glanced up at him, "Just not great with blood, sir."

He nodded in understanding, seeing her nerves written all across her face. "Do you already know your blood type?"

She nodded.

"You are free to step out for the remainder of the class." His hand came down to rest of her shoulder, "And maybe have some water, kid. You look like you need it."

As he was about to walk away, he stopped, "And take Swan with you. She looks about five seconds away from the floor."

"Yes, Sir." Nina swallowed hard, keeping her eyes off of the students pricking their fingers as she walked towards Bella's desk, before pulling the girl out of her chair and dragging her out of the classroom.

Bella groaned as soon as they got out of the classroom, holding her stomach as she breathed heavily. "I think I'm gonna puke," She muttered as she moved to lean against the cool, white-painted brick wall.

Nina leaned against the wall across from her, "Yeah, me too."

A moment later, the classroom door opened and two sets of footsteps walked out. Nina glanced over and saw Mike and Kit walking toward them with worried looks.

Kit almost immediately ran toward Nina and gently grasped her arm, "You alright, Neens? You don't look so good."

"I'll be fine," Nina reassured him, shaking her head. "I just need some fresh air."

"I'll take you outside," Kit told her, still holding her arm to make sure she didn't fall over. Glancing behind him, he saw Mike holding Bella by her waist.

"I'm gonna take her to the nurse," Mike told him, before he practically carried the brunette down the hall.

When they disappeared down the mass of halls, Kit turned back to the witch. "Come on. Let's get you some air before you yack on me," He said, smiling at her as he offered her his arm.

"You should go back to class, Kit," She told him, taking his arm nonetheless as she let him lead her back into the cafeteria before walking toward the doors that led outside.

"Mr. Banner said I wasn't allowed to come back till I was sure you were okay."

Nina hummed, deciding she was too anxious to speak. If Mr. Banner hadn't let her leave, they would have all seen her different colour of blood – they would have all known she was different, not completely human.

It was far too close of a call.

Kit had only stopped walking when the back of Nina's knees hit the seat of a picnic table. "Sit down and breathe for me," He instructed, gently pushing her shoulders down.

Closing her eyes, she focused on the cool misty rain hitting her face as she breathed in slowly.

"Didn't take you for the squeamish kind," A different voice called toward them.

Nina immediately groaned at the sound.

"What's wrong — is she hurt?" His voice was closer now, and he sounded worried.

Kit seemed stressed when he replied. "I think she's fainted. I don't know what happened, she didn't even stick her finger."

"Nina." Edward's voice was right beside her, still worried but more relieved now. "Can you hear me?"

"Go away, Eeyore," She groaned, making him laugh.

"Do you think she should go to the nurse? Mike took Bella but she insisted on coming outside," Kit asked Edward, both staring at the girl.

Edward met her eyes for a moment. "I'll take her," He told Kit. "You can go back to class."

Kit looked at him, "Mr. Banner told me to take her."

The witch's eyes stayed glued on Edward's frame. It was only when she saw his hand discreetly pull something out of his coat pocket that she looked back at Kit. "You can go, Kit. I don't want you missing class because of me."

"You sure, Neens?"

Nodding, she smiled. "I'll be fine."

Kit stared at her for a moment before nodding and walking back inside.

Nina looked back at Edward when he was gone. "Give me it," She demanded, earning yet another laugh.

Moving to sit beside her, Edward pulled the chocolate bar out of his pocket and handed it to her. "A 'thank you' would be nice."

Nina grabbed the chocolate bar, "It would be, wouldn't it?"

"You look terrible," He told her, grinning, when she finished eating.

"Fuck you."

Edward leaned back against the table, unphased by her vulgar language. "So you faint at the sight of blood?" He sounded entertained. "And not even your own blood."

"I didn't faint, dick. I just... I got anxious."

"Why are you so anxious?"

"I'm not going to tell you that." She was trying to drown out the sound of his voice, choosing to focus on the cool, misty rain that was slowly soaking into her sweater.

"You will," He muttered. "Are you sure you don't need the nurse?" When she shook her head, he nodded. "You scared me for a minute there. I thought Kit was dragging your dead body off to bury it in the woods."

"Hilarious."

"Honestly — I've seen corpses with better color. I was concerned that I might have to avenge your murder."

"Poor Kit. I'll bet he's mad."

"Oh, he absolutely loathes me," Edward said cheerfully.

Nina rolled her eyes as she moved her hands to hold onto the bench. All she wanted at that moment was to go home and sleep for three weeks.

A cold hand suddenly touched her own, making her eyes dart to his.

"I can take you home. If you'd like."

"Why would you do that? Don't you have more important things to do?"

Edward shrugged, leaning back slightly with a nonchalant look on his face. "At the moment, you're the only important thing." Standing, he held out his hand to her.

If she had been in the right state of mind, she wouldn't have taken his hand. If she had been smart, like he had said, she wouldn't have taken his hand.

But she did. She took his hand against all other thoughts of disagreement.

They walked silently through the parking lot, but when they were halfway to his car, they were stopped by a voice calling them.

"Neens! Hold up!"

The pair turned around, both seeing Mike running toward them.

"Great," Edward groaned under his breath, glancing at his car that seemed to be further away than it had been moments before.

Nina slapped his arm when she heard the sarcasm that had been laced in his tone. "Don't be an ass. Mike is–"

"Annoying? Covered in axe body spray to the point it makes me want to pass out? The personification of a lost dog?"

The witches lips pursed as a small chuckle left her lips. What he said wasn't necessarily wrong, it just wasn't the nicest description.

"He's very kind, Eeyore. Now shut up and don't say a word..." She paused, looking up at him, "And maybe smile?"

He attempted to smile.

"Nevermind. Don't smile. It's weird."

Edward rolled his eyes.

"Nina," Mike greeted when he had finally reached them. "Bella's fine. She's gonna stay in the nurse's office till after class though."

"That's good," Nina replied, smiling softly.

"Are you alright?" He asked, glancing at Edward who was staring at his car longingly.

"Yeah. Just a little queasy now. Edward was gonna drive me home."

Mike looked between the pair, his eyes landing on their hands that were still being held by the other, before he looked back at Nina. "Oh, okay... So are you going this weekend? To the beach?" While he spoke, he flashed another glare toward Edward.

"Sure, I said I was in," Nina replied, remembering what he, Kit, Eric and Jessica had asked her earlier that morning.

"We're meeting at my dad's store, at ten." His eyes flickered to Edward again, wondering if he was giving out too much information. His body language made it clear that it wasn't an open invitation.

"I'll be there," She promised.

"I'll see you then," He said before turning around and walking back to the school.

The witch felt Edward tug on her hand, silently asking if she was ready to leave. She nodded slowly, letting him lead her once more.

"You could be nicer, you know?"

"Why's that?"

"Because Mike is nice. You can make eye contact with him. It won't hurt you."

Edward hummed as though he were thinking it over. "It would definitely hurt me."

She sighed, rolling her eyes at his arrogance. "Do you really think you're that much better than him?"

"I know I am, darling," He told her, smirking as he opened the passenger door for her, his smile more of a smirk while his eyes held a mocking look.

It was hardly even a second before he got into the seat beside her, something Nina noticed but chose against commenting on.

As he started the car, the engine purring softly – a stark contrast to Bella's truck – he looked at her. "What beach are you going to?"

She wasn't shocked that he had asked, though she had assumed he had already known with his current track rate.

"La Push, I think. I wasn't really listening to them," She said, studying his face. The car was still in park, not having moved as he glanced down at her.

"Anyone ever told you you have a staring problem?"

A chuckle escaped his lips, "No one's been brave enough to voice it."

"Are you coming then? To the beach?" Nina asked hesitantly.

"I didn't think I was invited."

"I just invited you."

"Let's you and I not push poor Mike and Kit any further this week. We don't want them to snap." His eyes looked amused; he was enjoying the idea more than he should.

He switched gears, putting his car in drive before driving smoothly out of his parking spot.

"What about your siblings?" Nina asked suddenly, remembering at least three of them get out of his car that morning.

"They can walk," He reassured her. "You, however, need to rest otherwise you might have a panic attack."

"I'm fine, Edward. I promise," She consoled. "I just got a little nervous."

"What made you so nervous?" He asked, while she looked out the window, watching as the grays and greens blew past them. He was driving slowly, taking his time as he drove through the empty streets.

"I think you already know," She replied. "If you didn't, you wouldn't be taking me home."

He nodded. "Are you uncomfortable? That I know?"

She looked to her left and met his gaze. "No."

"Good..." He smiled suddenly, "Does this mean I can call you Sabrina?"

"No, but you can jump off a bridge."

"Funny enough, I was planning on doing that the second I dropped you off."

"Ooh, take me with you so I can film it and make money off the views. And make sure to hit a lot of rocks, people love to see blood."

"Remind me to never let you, Emmett and Jasper be alone together."

She grinned, "I guess I know what I'll be doing on Monday, then."

"Super," Edward sighed. "So, it's just you and your mom, then?"

Nina chose to let him change the subject. "Mhm. It's always been that way. My dad fucked off before I was born. My mom says he's an irresponsible jerk-off."

"But you still look for him?"

"I need to get answers from someone," She answered simply, eyes casting down toward her hands. "What about your family? I'm sure it's much more interesting than mine."

He could hear the discomfort in her heart. "What do you want to know?" Edward asked, knowing he wouldn't be able to stop himself from giving her an answer to any of her questions.

"The Cullens adopted you?"

He hummed in response. "You can ask," He reassured when he saw her hesitate. "It's alright."

"What happened to your parents?"

"They died many years ago."

Nina looked at him, eyes gazing on him watching as he focused on their surroundings. "I'm sorry."

"I don't really remember them that clearly. Carlisle and Esme have been my parents for a long time now."

"And you love them." It wasn't a question. It was obvious in the way he spoke of them.

"Yes." He smiled. "I couldn't imagine two better people." He paused as he parked perfectly in her driveway. "Can I take you inside? Just to make sure you don't run into any doorways on your way in?"

Nina laughed, "If it helps you sleep at night, Eeyore."

"Are we going to share ice cream again today?" Edward asked, entertained as she led him through the door, forcing him to take off his shoes before doing the same herself.

"I'm not in an ice cream mood," She told him, setting her backpack on the ground before opening a door that had her name painted on it in Natalie's perfect cursive.

Before he could even ask, she had flopped onto her bed. "I missed you so much," She mumbled into her pillows.

"Are you talking to me or your bed?" Edward asked as he sat down beside her on the edge.

"My sweet, warm, soft, beautiful bed, obviously."

He nodded in understanding, "I figured."

"Are you going to watch me sleep?" She asked, looking up from her huddle of blankets and pillows.

""Would that be considered creepy and invasive?"

"Definitely."

"Then yes, I will be watching you sleep."

A pillow was thrown directly into his face. He let it happen, feeling the soft grey pillow smack against his skin before falling back onto the bed.

"That wounded me."

"I'm glad."

Suddenly, she felt his cool hands at her waist before she felt herself being tossed to the other side of the bed, before a new weight settled on the bed.

Nina glanced at the boy who was now sitting comfortably, leaning against the headboard as he grabbed a book off of her nightstand and flipped through the pages. "What are you doing?"

He glanced at her, "If I'm going to be watching you sleep, I gotta be comfortable, don't I?"

"I guess so," She replied, already half asleep. "If my mom comes home she'll whack you with a newspaper till you bleed."

"Good thing I don't bleed."

"Well I guess that crosses off Batman." 

"I would be a good Bruce Wayne... But yes, you can cross him off your list."

It was silent for a moment. If Edward didn't know any better, he would have believed her to be asleep.

"If I set you on fire what would happen?"

A/N

Is it bad to say I love them already?