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curtain　around　to　give　me　some　privacy；　I　decided　I　wasn't　obligated　to　
wear　the　stupid…looking　neck　brace　anymore。　When　the　nurse　walked　away；　I　
quickly　unfastened　the　Velcro　and　threw　it　under　the　bed。　

There　was　another　flurry　of　hospital　personnel；　another　stretcher　brought　
to　the　bed　next　to　me。　I　recognized　Tyler　Crowley　from　my　Government　
class　beneath　the　bloodstained　bandages　wrapped　tightly　around　his　head。　
Tyler　looked　a　hundred　times　worse　than　I　felt。　But　he　was　staring　
anxiously　at　me。　

〃Bella；　I'm　so　sorry！〃　

〃I'm　fine；　Tyler　—　you　look　awful；　are　you　all　right？〃　As　we　spoke；　
nurses　began　unwinding　his　soiled　bandages；　exposing　a　myriad　of　shallow　
slices　all　over　his　forehead　and　left　cheek。　

He　ignored　me。　〃I　thought　I　was　going　to　kill　you！　I　was　going　too　fast；　
and　I　hit　the　ice　wrong…〃　He　winced　as　one　nurse　started　dabbing　at　his　
face。　

〃Don't　worry　about　it；　you　missed　me。〃　

〃How　did　you　get　out　of　the　way　so　fast？　You　were　there；　and　then　you　
were　gone…〃　

〃Umm…　Edward　pulled　me　out　of　the　way。〃　

He　looked　confused。　〃Who？〃　

〃Edward　Cullen　—　he　was　standing　next　to　me。〃　I'd　always　been　a　terrible　
liar；　I　didn't　sound　convincing　at　all。　

〃Cullen？　I　didn't　see　him…　wow；　it　was　all　so　fast；　I　guess。　Is　he　okay？〃　

〃I　think　so。　He's　here　somewhere；　but　they　didn't　make　him　use　a　
stretcher。〃　

I　knew　I　wasn't　crazy。　What　had　happened？　There　was　no　way　to　explain　
away　what　I'd　seen。　

They　wheeled　me　away　then；　to　X…ray　my　head。　I　told　them　there　was　
nothing　wrong；　and　I　was　right。　Not　even　a　concussion。　I　asked　if　I　could　
leave；　but　the　nurse　said　I　had　to　talk　to　a　doctor　first。　So　I　was　
trapped　in　the　ER；　waiting；　harassed　by　Tyler's　constant　apologies　and　
promises　to　make　it　up　to　me。　No　matter　how　many　times　I　tried　to　
convince　him　I　was　fine；　he　continued　to　torment　himself。　Finally；　I　
closed　my　eyes　and　ignored　him。　He　kept　up　a　remorseful　mumbling。　

〃Is　she　sleeping？〃　a　musical　voice　asked。　My　eyes　flew　open。　

Edward　was　standing　at　the　foot　of　my　bed；　smirking。　I　glared　at　him。　It　
wasn't　easy　—　it　would　have　been　more　natural　to　ogle。　

〃Hey；　Edward；　I'm　really　sorry　—〃　Tyler　began。　

Edward　lifted　a　hand　to　stop　him。　

〃No　blood；　no　foul；〃　he　said；　flashing　his　brilliant　teeth。　He　moved　to　
sit　on　the　edge　of　Tyler's　bed；　facing　me。　He　smirked　again。　

〃So；　what's　the　verdict？〃　he　asked　me。　

〃There's　nothing　wrong　with　me　at　all；　but　they　won't　let　me　go；〃　I　
plained。　〃How　e　you　aren't　strapped　to　a　gurney　like　the　rest　of　
us？〃　

〃It's　all　about　who　you　know；〃　he　answered。　〃But　don't　worry；　I　came　to　
spring　you。〃　

Then　a　doctor　walked　around　the　corner；　and　my　mouth　fell　open。　He　was　

young；　he　was　blond…　and　he　was　handsomer　than　any　movie　star　I'd　ever　
seen。　He　was　pale；　though；　and　tired…looking；　with　circles　under　his　
eyes。　From　Charlie's　description；　this　had　to　be　Edward's　father。　

〃So；　Miss　Swan；〃　Dr。　Cullen　said　in　a　remarkably　appealing　voice；　〃how　
are　you　feeling？〃　

〃I'm　fine；〃　I　said；　for　the　last　time；　I　hoped。　

He　walked　to　the　lightboard　on　the　wall　over　my　head；　and　turned　it　on。　

〃Your　X…rays　look　good；〃　he　said。　〃Does　your　head　hurt？　Edward　said　you　
hit　it　pretty　hard。〃　

〃It's　fine；〃　I　repeated　with　a　sigh；　throwing　a　quick　scowl　toward　Edward。　

The　doctor's　cool　fingers　probed　lightly　along　my　skull。　He　noticed　when　
I　winced。　

〃Tender？〃　he　asked。　

〃Not　really。〃　I'd　had　worse。　

I　heard　a　chuckle；　and　looked　over　to　see　Edward's　patronizing　smile。　My　
eyes　narrowed。　

〃Well；　your　father　is　in　the　waiting　room　—　you　can　go　home　with　him　now。　
But　e　back　if　you　feel　dizzy　or　have　trouble　with　your　eyesight　at　
all。〃　

〃Can't　I　go　back　to　school？〃　I　asked；　imagining　Charlie　trying　to　be　
attentive。　

〃Maybe　you　should　take　it　easy　today。〃　

I　glanced　at　Edward。　〃Does　he　get　to　go　to　school？〃　

〃Someone　has　to　spread　the　good　news　that　we　survived；〃　Edward　said　
smugly。　

〃Actually；〃　Dr。　Cullen　corrected；　〃most　of　the　school　seems　to　be　in　the　
waiting　room。〃　

〃Oh　no；〃　I　moaned；　covering　my　face　with　my　hands。　

Dr。　Cullen　raised　his　eyebrows。　〃Do　you　want　to　stay？〃　

〃No；　no！〃　I　insisted；　throwing　my　legs　over　the　side　of　the　bed　and　
hopping　down　quickly。　Too　quickly　—　I　staggered；　and　Dr。　Cullen　caught　
me。　He　looked　concerned。　

〃I'm　fine；〃　I　assured　him　again。　No　need　to　tell　him　my　balance　problems　
had　nothing　to　do　with　hitting　my　head。　

〃Take　some　Tylenol　for　the　pain；〃　he　suggested　as　he　steadied　me。　

〃It　doesn't　hurt　that　bad；〃　I　insisted。　

〃It　sounds　like　you　were　extremely　lucky；〃　Dr。　Cullen　said；　smiling　as　he　
signed　my　chart　with　a　flourish。　

〃Lucky　Edward　happened　to　be　standing　next　to　me；〃　I　amended　with　a　hard　
glance　at　the　subject　of　my　statement。　

〃Oh；　well；　yes；〃　Dr。　Cullen　agreed；　suddenly　occupied　with　the　papers　in　
front　of　him。　Then　he　looked　away；　at　Tyler；　and　walked　to　the　next　bed。　
My　intuition　flickered；　the　doctor　was　in　on　it。　

〃I'm　afraid　that　you'll　have　to　stay　with　us　just　a　little　bit　longer；〃　
he　said　to　Tyler；　and　began　checking　his　cuts。　

As　soon　as　the　doctor's　back　was　turned；　I　moved　to　Edward's　side。　

〃Can　I　talk　to　you　for　a　minute？〃　I　hissed　under　my　breath。　He　took　a　
step　back　from　me；　his　jaw　suddenly　clenched。　

〃Your　father　is　waiting　for　you；〃　he　said　through　his　teeth。　

I　glanced　at　Dr。　Cullen　and　Tyler。　

〃I'd　like　to　speak　with　you　alone；　if　you　don't　mind；〃　I　pressed。　

He　glared；　and　then　turned　his　back　and　strode　down　the　long　room。　I　
nearly　had　to　run　to　keep　up。　As　soon　as　we　turned　the　corner　into　a　
short　hallway；　he　spun　around　to　face　me。　

〃What　do　you　want？〃　he　asked；　sounding　annoyed。　His　eyes　were　cold。　

His　unfriendliness　intimidated　me。　My　words　came　out　with　less　severity　
than　I'd　intended。　〃You　owe　me　an　explanation；〃　I　reminded　him。　

〃I　saved　your　life　—　I　don't　owe　you　anything。〃　

I　flinched　back　from　the　resentment　in　his　voice。　〃You　promised。〃　

〃Bella；　you　hit　your　head；　you　don't　know　what　you're　talking　about。〃　His　
tone　was　cutting。　

My　temper　flared　now；　and　I　glared　defiantly　at　him。　〃There's　nothing　
wrong　with　my　head。〃　

He　glared　back。　〃What　do　you　want　from　me；　Bella？〃　

〃I　want　to　know　the　truth；〃　I　said。　〃I　want　to　know　why　I'm　lying　for　
you。〃　

〃What　do　you　think　happened？〃　he　snapped。　

It　came　out　in　a　rush。　

〃All　I　know　is　that　you　weren't　anywhere　near　me　—　Tyler　didn't　see　you；　
either；　so　don't　tell　me　I　hit　my　head　too　hard。　That　van　was　going　to　
crush　us　both　—　and　it　didn't；　and　your　hands　left　dents　in　the　side　of　
it　—　and　you　left　a　dent　in　the　other　car；　and　you're　not　hurt　at　all　—　
and　the　van　should　have　smashed　my　legs；　but　you　were　holding　it　up…〃　I　
could　hear　how　crazy　it　sounded；　and　I　couldn't　continue。　I　was　so　mad　I　
could　feel　the　tears　ing；　I　tried　to　force　them　back　by　grinding　my　
teeth　together。　

He　was　staring　at　me　incredulously。　But　his　face　was　tense；　defensive。　

〃You　think　I　lifted　a　van　off　you？〃　His　tone　questioned　my　sanity；　but　it　
only　made　me　more　suspicious。　It　was　like　a　perfectly　delivered　line　by　a　
skilled　actor。　

I　merely　nodded　once；　jaw　tight。　

〃Nobody　will　believe　that；　you　know。〃　His　voice　held　an　edge　of　derision　
now。　

〃I'm　not　going　to　tell　anybody。〃　I　said　each　word　slowly；　carefully　
controlling　my　anger。　

Surprise　flitted　across　his　face。　〃Then　why　does　it　matter？〃　

〃It　matters　to　me；〃　I　insisted。　〃I　don't　like　to　lie　—　so　there'd　better　
be　a　good　reason　why　I'm　doing　it。〃　

〃Can't　you　just　thank　me　and　get　over　it？〃　

〃Thank　you。〃　I　waited；　fuming　and　expectant。　

〃You're　not　going　to　let　it　go；　are　you？〃　

〃No。〃　

〃In　that　case…　I　hope　you　enjoy　disappointment。〃　

We　scowled　at　each　other　in　silence。　I　was　the　first　to　speak；　trying　to　
keep　myself　focused。　I　was　in　danger　of　being　distracted　by　his　livid；　
glorious　face。　It　was　like　trying　to　stare　down　a　destroying　angel。　

〃Why　did　you　even　bother？〃　I　asked　frigidly。　

He　paused；　and　for　a　brief　moment　his　stunning　face　was　unexpectedly　
vulnerable。　

〃I　don't　know；〃　he　whispered。　

And　then　he　turned　his　back　on　me　and　walked　away。　

I　was　so　angry；　it　took　me　a　few　minutes　until　I　could　move。　When　I　could　
walk；　I　made　my　way　slowly　to　the　exit　at　the　end　of　the　hallway。　

The　waiting　room　was　more　unpleasant　than　I'd　feared。　It　seemed　like　
every　face　I　knew　in　Forks　was　there；　staring　at　me。　Charlie　rushed　to　my　
side；　I　put　up　my　hands。　

〃There's　nothing　wrong　with　me；〃　I　assured　him　sullenly。　I　was　still　
aggravated；　not　in　the　mood　for　chitchat。　

〃What　did　the　doctor　say？〃　

〃Dr。　Cullen　saw　me；　and　he　said　I　was　fine　and　I　could　go　home。〃　I　
sighed。　Mike　and　Jessica　and　Eric　were　all　there；　beginning　to　converge　
on　us。　〃Let's　go；〃　I　urged。　

Charlie　put　one　arm　behind　my　back；　not　quite　touching　me；　and　led　me　to　
the　glass　doors　of　the　exit。　I　waved　sheepishly　at　my　friends；　hoping　to　
convey　that　they　didn't　need　to　worry　anymore。　It　was　a　huge　relief—　the　
first　time　I'd　ever　felt　that　way　—　to　get　into　the　cruiser。　

We　drove　in　silence。　I　was　so　wrapped　up　in　my　thoughts　that　I　barely　
knew　Charlie　was　there。　I　was　positive　that　Edward's　defensive　behavior　
in　the　hall　was　a　confirmation　of　the　bizarre　things　I　still　could　hardly　
believe　I'd　witnessed。　

When　we　got　to　the　house；　Charlie　finally　spoke。　

〃Um…　you'll　need　to　call　Renée。〃　He　hung　his　head；　guilty。　

I　was　appalled。　〃You　told　Mom！〃　

〃Sorry。〃　

I　slammed　the　cruiser's　door　a　little　harder　than　necessary　on　my　way　out。　

My　mom　was　in　hysterics；　of　course。　I　had　to　tell　her　I　felt　fine　at　
least　thirty　times　before　she　would　calm　down。　She　begged　me　to　e　home　
—　forgetting　the　fact　that　home　was　empty　at　the　moment　—　but　her　pleas　
were　easier　to　resist　than　I　would　have　thought。　I　was　consumed　by　the　
mystery　Edward　presented。　And　more　than　a　little　obsessed　by　Edward　
himself。　Stupid；　stupid；　stupid。　I　wasn't　as　eager　to　escape　Forks　as　I　
should　be；　as　any　normal；　sane　person　would　be。　

I　decided　I　might　as　well　go　to　bed　early　that　night。　Charlie　continued　
to　watch　me　anxiously；　and　it　was　getting　on　my　nerves。　I　stopped　on　my　
way　to　grab　three　Tylenol　from　the　bathroom。　They　did　help；　and；　as　the　
pain　eased；　I　drifted　to　sleep。　

That　was　the　first　night　I　dreamed　of　Edward　Cullen。　

===========================================================================　


4。　INVITATIONS　

In　my　dream　it　was　very　dark；　and　what　dim　light　there　was　seemed　to　be　
radiating　from　Edward's　skin。　I　couldn't　see　his　face；　just　his　back　as　
he　walked　away　from　me；　leaving　me　in　the　blackness。　No　matter　how　fast　I　
ran；　I　couldn't　catch　up　to　him；　no　matter　how　loud　I　called；　he　never　
turned。　Troubled；　I　woke　in　the　middle　of　the　night　and　couldn't　sleep　
again　for　what　seemed　like　a　very　long　time。　After　that；　he　was　in　my　
dreams　nearly　every　night；　but　always　on　the　periphery；　never　within　
reach。　

The　month　that　followed　the　accident　was　uneasy；　tense；　and；　at　first；　
embarrassing。　

To　my　dismay；　I　found　myself　the　center　of　attention　for　the　rest　of　that　
week。　Tyler　Crowley　was　impossible；　following　me　around；　obsessed　with　
making　amends　to　me　somehow。　I　tried　to　convince　him　what　I　wanted　more　
than　anything　else　was　for　him　to　forget　all　about　it　—　especially　since　
nothing　had　actually　happened　to　me　—　but　he　remained　insistent。　He　
followed　me　between　classes　and　sat　at　our　now…crowded　lunch　table。　Mike　
and　Eric　were　even　less　friendly　toward　him　than　they　were　to　each　other；　
which　made　me　worry　that　I'd　gained　another　unwele　fan。　

No　one　seemed　concerned　about　Edward；　though　I　explained　over　and　over　
that　he　was　the　hero　—　how　he　had　pulled　me　out　of　the　way　and　had　nearly　
been　crushed；　too。　I　tried　to　be　convincing。　Jessica；　Mike；　Eric；　and　
everyone　else　always　mented　that　they　hadn't　even　seen　him　there　till　
the　van　was　pulled　away。　

I　wondered　to　myself　why　no　one　else　had　seen　him　standing　so　far　away；　
before　he　was　suddenly；　impossibly　saving　my　life。　With　chagrin；　I　
realized　the　probable　cause