[Bright Nights] [Chapter One: Forks and My Black 2008 Ford Mustang]

Once Edward got onto the highway I got right to it. I didn't want to waste anytime, specially since he was driving so fast the usual hour was cut majorly. "Why are you being selfish all of the sudden?" I asked curiously and not hiding it.

"To much to explain." He said.

"I got time." I smirked at him. He didn't do a thing. I sighed and looked out the window. "Look, why don't you just say it? I'll feel much less crazy if you officially admit and then everything will just be that much better. I'd be able to understand everything to the proper extent." I finished and looked at him and gave him a small smile which I'm sure he saw. He remained quiet for a few moments then began to talk.

"I'm dangerous to be around. You're life would be at risk."

"I know."

"You don't care?"

"My life is at risk everyday, actually. I'm a walking hazard to myself and others. I think I'm just as dangerous as you are."

"I think you're wrong." He said frustrated. "You take it so lightly."

"Look, I just don't find you very dangerous as anything else. Sorry if that like.. cramps your style or something." I shrugged my shoulders and looked back out the window. It was true. The idea, which was now firmly planted in my head even though he as yet to admit it, did not scare me. I felt relieve actually and happy.

"You want to know why I'm being selfish?" He asked.

"Yes!" I said excitedly. "I've asked you twice! Yes!" I said like a little kid receiving candy would. He chuckled and looked at me. I suddenly got stuck looking in his eyes, not noticing the slight fact he wasn't looking at the road. Or pushing 180 mph. And that was only to my benefit.

"You smell absolutely delightful. Your personality is very intriguing. To put it simply; you are different in the most wonderful ways possible. And instead of keeping something as precious as you safe from avoidable harm, I'm not. I can't stay away. I'm being selfish and making myself happy rather then suffer." He explained. I was stunned. Awed. Amazed.

"Excuse me?" I finally squeaked out.

"See? You are more stunned by that then by the current events of tonight. Amazing."

"M-my smell?" I asked.

"Mmhm." He sighed and smiled. "So sweet. Lemon grass, rain, lavender, and the ocassional strawberries." He listed off perfectly. I made sure I focused on outside of the car instead of saying something stupid in my head. We both stayed silent for the remainder of the ride home, which wasn't long. Shortly he pulled into my driveway. I turned to him and looked in his eyes.

"Tell me. Admit it." I commanded.

"Tell you what?" He said with a smirk slowly creeping onto his face. I crinkled my nose. He was being so difficult!

"What you are." I sighed, exasperated.

"I am a vampire, does that bother you?" he admit it. I felt myself relax. I wasn't crazy. And I wasn't scared.

"No, no it doesn't." I smiled happily and contently. He returned the smile and then he was gone. My door opened and his hand extended in front of me. I unbuckled and grasped his hand. He pulled me out and walked me to the door. I pouted. "I want to learn more!" I whined. He laughed.

"You will. Tonight. I'll explain everything after Adrian goes to sleep." He said.

"Promise?" I asked.

"Promise." He smiled. He then looked at my bruise and lightly traced it. "Promise me something as well." He said.

"Yeah?"

"No more fights with drunken men, no- scratch that. No more fights, period?" He asked and sadly smiled. "I worry less that way."

"Alright, I'll try." I said, but he frowned. I rolled my eyes and giggled. "I promise." I said childishly. He smiled, satisfied.

"See you later tonight." He whispered and kissed my good cheek. Few seconds later and he was gone. I blinked a few times and walked into my house.

[School]

Last night was pretty damn amazing to put it bluntly. Although, now, I am freaking tired, I consider it worth it. I stayed up most of the night listening to Edward tell me everything about him and his family. How Alice has the ability to see into the future (with it's subtle flaws), Jasper can feel and control emotions, Emmett's brute and extra strength (great for being one kick ass vampire linebacker!), Rosalie's beauty, Carlisle's healing, and Esme amazing motherly ways. It was so interesting to hear. I don't even know if I realize it yet. He also explained how everyone has a story behind them becoming a vampire. I stuck to the short version.

But doing that did have it's consinquences. Holy hell I am tired. I parked my car in the parking lot and dragged my way out of it. I trudged in the raining lot towards the buildings. I was so tired this morning I didn't even try to get ready. I just pulled on a hoodie and dragged my ass to school. I walked to first period with a few minutes to spare. "So tell me ALL about it." The voice sounded behind me. I stopped and closed my eyes. I needed a second.

After a moment I turned around with a fake smile and tried to look less edgy as possible. I mean I know I did look rough. "Hello Jessica." I attempted with ethusiasm. Once I realized that wasn't happening, I gave up. "Tell you all about what?"

"Don't be silly!" She gushed and spoke loudly. "Your dinner date with Edward Cullen!" She squealed. Everyone in first period had heard her.

"Well, Jessica, thanks for that." I said stiffly. "Nothing happened, it wasn't a date. He just drove me home after the incident. But please, feel free to tell the rest of the school." I muttered the last part and stumbled like a drunk person to my seat. I sat down and rested my head with my one hand. I wasn't even going to attempt school today.

All my classes up until lunch was the same; me acting dead. All the teachers ended up asking me a question and their common response was a random mumble from me in some language that I, myself, didn't even know. I didn't feel like dealing with my friends at the moment so I bought my Dr.Pepper and walked slowly over to a empty table. "What's her deal?" I heard Lawrence ask as I passed by.

"She's tired. She stayed out super late with Edward last night." Jessica explained. I groaned and banged my head on the table and quickly regretted it. Knowing that this would just start some stupid rumors I stood up and walked back to my usual table. I sat down in my usual seat and rested my head in my folded arms.

"Decided to join us?" Lauren asked me.

"Yeah?" I said to her. This has been my usual response to her. I didn't like her and decided to only dedicate that word to her because thats all she deserved. Isn't she lucky I'm so generous?

"Hey guys. Hi Ebony- whoa! What happened to your face?" Mike said loudly like everyone else's volume of voice. My friends liked to shout apparently. It must be the new thing. So of course everyone who hadn't noticed before looked at my lovely yellowish purply greenish bruise.

"I, um, got in a fight with three drunken men back in Port Angeles." I explained and grinned sheepishly. Mike blinked and dropped his jaw. He looked at Jessica for the real reason.

"She serious?" He asked.

"Yeah, she's not kidding." Jessica nodded her head and then smiled evilly. "She said Edward played role of hero. They came back with her wearing his coat. He took her out for dinner." She radioed to everyone.

"Again, thanks Jessica. I'm sure those who didn't hear you the first time has officially heard you now." I muttered in my arms. I don't think she heard me, but Angela did- she giggled.

"You and Cullen?" Lawrence stiffly asked.

"No." I lifted my head and looked at them all. "I don't feel like lunch. I miss my car. I'll see you in English, Lawrence, Mike." I stood and gave them the peace sign and then slowly trudged out of the room. I was the only one leaving so everyone watched me. I could see them. My eyes wandered over to the Cullen table as I left. Edward was watching me with concern as the others watched me with emotionless faces. I was curious to what they were thinking.

I walked to my car, soda in hand, and got in. I reclined the seat and closed my eyes. No sooner once I relaxed someone banged on the glass window on the passenger side of the car. I groaned and shut my eyes tighter together. "Go away!" I shouted not wanting to be bother. I just wanted a short nap. Who cares if I missed English? Although I don't know if I wanted to miss time with Ed- a chuckled sounded from outside of the car. I know that chuckle.

Oh god.

I peeked one eye open and look at the window. There he was, chuckling. I unlocked my car and he got in. "Stop reading my mind." I muttered crossly.

"Oh? Why would I do that? It's much more entertaining to listen in. It's okay, I like spending English with you too." He laughed. I growled. It was silent for a few moments after that. I almost fell asleep. But Edward started to trace me bruise with his cold fingertips. It made me shiver and open my eyes. I looked at him curiously as he looked annoyed and sad.

"What's up?" I asked him and turned on my side so I could face him. He didn't say anything. I rolled my eyes and turned my head the other direction so he couldn't see my bruise. "Get over it. I would have been in worse shape if you didn't have cool vampire powers in the first place. Just be happy I got a bruise on my cheek and nothing else if you must blame yourself." He chuckled. I smiled widely and looked back at him. "Good."

"Class starts soon." He murmured. I whined like a little kid and tightly grasped on to his arm.

"Don't make me go!" I joked and didn't feel him tense. He lightly took my hands off his arm and looked at me apologetically. "That bad, huh?"

"Yeah." He nodded his head. I crossed my arms and huffed air with annoyance.

"Well this just sucks."

"Maybe we shouldn't-"

"No!" I shouted quickly. "Please, I won't do anything ever. Please, I like hanging out with you more then anyone else. I'll behave." I begged. I almost lunged for his arm again but I restrained myself.

"It's dangerous." He said sternly. I groaned and rested my head on the steering wheel of my car.

"Don't start this crap again."

"It's not crap!" He argued. "I'm serious. You don't seem to realize. I could lose control right now and just bite you."

"Well news flash! I'm not scared."

"Why not?" He yelled. Our faces were now dangerously closer.

"Why should I be?" I retorted.

"Because I could killyou. You stubborn girl!"

"Yes, that would be my indian name." I yelled and saw how tense he was. I pulled my head away from him and folded my arms. I bit my lip and looked out the window. I wasa stubborn child, but at least I knew it. The bell outside rung signaling lunch over. I sighed and slowly looked back at Edward. "You can get out now." I whispered.

He looked up at me, shocked. "Aren't you coming?" He asked. I shook my head no. "Then I'll st-" He started but I cut him off.

"No, I want to be alone for a bit. I want to think." I said sadly. It was bad, I realized something in this car and it was bad. I didn't know if Edward could hear my thoughts now, but to be safe I recited the alphabet backwards in my head. He looked at me for a second and a suddenly looked a little hurt. He must have been able to hear my mind. "Go on, you'll be late." I ushered him out. He paused for another second and then left without a word.

I sat in my car for a minute and fixed my seat. I felt warm tears build up around my eyes. I was so mad and angry how this worked out. I started my car and bite my tongue to suppress the threatening tears. I pulled out and drove away to my house. My dad always gets home late so he wouldn't notice me home so early.

I parked my car and got out, but instead of going instead I turned left and went into the woods. I walked a good half hour into them before I stopped. I laid myself across a fallen tree the wedged itself between another tree. I groaned in frustration as the tears began to spill. This is so stupid.I muttered darkly. I didn't want to admit my realization because then it would be real. It would prove to be a slight complication to a already complicated situation. And that fact that I'm slightly nervous..

Ah, crap. Well life just has it's ways of working out, doesn't it?I mumbled in my head. I tried to look on the bright side of this, but I couldn't find it. He'd never return the feelings. It would be impossible. He wouldn't go for it since he thinks we can't even be friends. And I've never had a boyfriend before.

WHAT AM I THINKING?!

It doesn't even matter.

Oh god. I'm hopeless. Label me as a lost cause. A goner. So far off that if I ever had the oppurnunity of coming back, I still wouldn't even be back. Damn.

Well it was a simple fact that I established and found simply unavoidable.

I was in love with Edward Cullen. A vampire. A bloody hot vampire.