Bella and I walked silently to biology. I was trying to focus myself on the moment, onthe girl beside me, on what was real and solid, on anything that would keep

Alice’sdeceitful, meaningless visions out of my head.

　　We passed Angela Weber, lingering on the sidewalk, discussing an assignmentwith a boy from her Trigonometry class. I scanned her thoughts perfunctorily,

expectingmore disappointment, only to be surprised by their wistful tenor.

　　Ah, so there was something Angela wanted. Unfortunately, it wasn’t somethingthat could be easily gift-wrapped.

　　I felt strangely comforted for a moment, hearing Angela’s hopeless yearning. Asense of kinship that Angela would never know about passed through me, and I was,

inthat second, at one with the kind human girl.

　　It was oddly consoling to know that I wasn’t the only one living out a tragic lovestory. Heartbreak was everywhere.

　　In the next second, I was abruptly and thoroughly irritated. Because Angela’sstory didn’t have to be tragic. She was human and he was human and the difference

thatseemed so insurmountable in her head was ridiculous, truly ridiculous compared to myown situation. There was no point in her broken heart. What a wasteful sadness,

whenthere was no valid reason for her not to be with the one she wanted. Why shouldn’t shehave what she wanted? Why shouldn’t this one story have a happy ending?

　　I wanted to give her a gift… Well, I would give her what she wanted. Knowingwhat I did of human nature, it probably wouldn’t even be very difficult. I sifted

throughthe consciousness of the boy beside her, the object of her affections, and he did not seemunwilling, he was just stymied by the same difficulty she was. Hopeless

and resigned,the way she was.

　　All I would have to do was plant the suggestion…  The plan formed easily, the script wrote itself without effort on my part. I wouldneed Emmett’s help—getting

him to go along with this was the only real difficulty.

　　Human nature was so much easier to manipulate than vampire nature.

　　I was pleased with my solution, with my gift for Angela. It was a nice diversionfrom my own problems. Would that mine were as easily fixed.

　　My mood was slightly improved as Bella and I took our seats. Maybe I should bemore positive. Maybe there was some solution out there for us that was escaping me,

theway Angela’s obvious solution was so invisible to her. Not likely… But why waste timewith hopelessness? I didn’t have time to waste when it came to Bella. Each

secondmattered.

　　Mr. Banner entered pulling an ancient TV and VCR. He was skipping through asection he wasn’t particularly interested in—genetic disorders—by showing a movie

forthe next three days. Lorenzo’s Oil was not a very cheerful piece, but that didn’t stop theexcitement in the room. No notes, no test-able material. Three free days.

The humansexulted.

　　It didn’t matter to me, either way. I hadn’t been planning on paying any attentionto anything but Bella.

　　I did not pull my chair away from hers today, to give myself space to breathe.

　　Instead, I sat close beside her like any normal human would. Closer than we sat insidemy car, close enough that the left side of my body felt submerged in the heat

from herskin.

　　It was a strange experience, both enjoyable and nerve-racking, but I preferred thisto sitting across the table from her. It was more than I was used to, and yet I

quicklyrealized that it was not enough. I was not satisfied. Being this close to her only made mewant to be closer still. The pull was stronger the closer I got.

　　I had accused her of being a magnet for danger. Right now, it felt like that wasthe literal truth. I was danger, and, with every inch I allowed myself nearer to

her, herattraction grew in force.

　　And then Mr. Banner turned the lights out.

　　  It was odd how much of a difference this made, considering that the lack of lightmeant little to my eyes. I could still see just as perfectly as before. Every

detail of theroom was clear.

　　So why the sudden shock of electricity in the air, in this dark that was not dark tome? Was it because I knew that I was the only one who could see clearly? That

bothBella and I were invisible to the others? Like we were alone, just the two of us, hidden inthe dark room, sitting so close beside one another…My hand moved toward

her without my permission. Just to touch her hand, tohold it in the darkness. Would that be such a horrific mistake? If my skin bothered her,she only had to pull away…

I yanked my hand back, folded my arms tightly across my chest and clenched myhands closed. No mistakes. I’d promised myself that I would make no mistakes, nomatter how

minimal they seemed. If I held her hand, I would only want more—anotherinsignificant touch, another move closer to her. I could feel that. A new kind of desirewas

growing in me, working to override my self-control.

　　No mistakes.

　　Bella folded her arms securely across her own chest, and her hands balled up intofists, just like mine.

　　What are you thinking? I was dying to whisper the words to her, but the roomwas too quiet to get away with even a whispered conversation.

　　The movie began, lightening the darkness just a bit. Bella glanced up at me. Shenoted the rigid way I held my body—just like hers—and smiled. Her lips parted

slightly,and her eyes seemed full of warm invitations.

　　Or perhaps I was seeing what I wanted to see.

　　I smiled back; her breathing caught with a low gasp and she looked quickly away.

　　That made it worse. I didn’t know her thoughts, but I was suddenly positive that Ihad been right before, and that she wanted me to touch her. She felt this

dangerous desirejust as I did.

　　Between her body and mine, the electricity hummed.

　　  She didn’t move all through the hour, holding her stiff, controlled pose as I heldmine. Occasionally she would peek at me again, and the humming current would

joltthrough me with a sudden shock.

　　The hour passed—slowly, and yet not slowly enough. This was so new, I couldhave sat like this with her for days, just to experience the feeling fully.

　　I had a dozen different arguments with myself while the minutes passed,rationality struggling with desire as I tried to justify touching her.

　　Finally, Mr. Banner turned the lights on again.

　　In the bright fluorescent light, the atmosphere of the room returned to normal.

　　Bella sighed and stretched, flexing her fingers in front of her. It must have beenuncomfortable for her to hold that position for so long. It was easier for me—

stillnesscame naturally.

　　I chuckled at the relieved expression on her face. “Well, that was interesting.”

　　“Umm,” she murmured, clearly understanding what I referred to, but making nocomment. What I wouldn’t give to hear what she was thinking right now.

　　I sighed. No amount of wishing was going to help with that.

　　“Shall we?” I asked, standing.

　　She made a face and got unsteadily to her feet, her hands splayed out as if shewere afraid she was going to fall.

　　I could offer her my hand. Or I could place that hand underneath her elbow—justlightly—and steady her. Surely that wouldn’t be such a horrible infraction…No

mistakes.

　　She was very quiet as we walked toward the gym. The crease was in evidencebetween her eyes, a sign that she was deep in thought. I, too, was thinking deeply.

　　One touch of her skin wouldn’t hurt her, my selfish side contended.

　　I could easily moderate the pressure of my hand. It wasn’t exactly difficult, aslong as I was firmly in control of myself. My tactile sense was better developed

than ahuman’s; I could juggle a dozen crystal goblets without breaking any of them; I couldstroke a soap bubble without popping it. As long as I was firmly in control

…Bella was like a soap bubble—fragile and ephemeral. Temporary.

　　  How long would I be able to justify my presence in her life? How much time didI have? Would I have another chance like this chance, like this moment, like this

second?

　　She would not always be within my arm’s reach…Bella turned to face me at the gym’s door, and her eyes widened at the expressionon my face. She didn’t speak. I

looked at myself in the reflection of her eyes and sawthe conflict raging in my own. I watched my face change as my better side lost theargument.

　　My hand lifted without a conscious command for it to do so. As gently as if shewere made of the thinnest glass, as if she were fragile as a bubble, my fingers

stroked thewarm skin that covered her cheekbone. It heated under my touch, and I could feel thepulse of blood speed beneath her transparent skin.

　　Enough, I ordered, though my hand was aching to shape itself to the side of herface. Enough.

　　It was difficult to pull my hand back, to stop myself from moving closer to herthan I already was. A thousand different possibilities ran through my mind in

aninstant—a thousand different ways to touch her. The tip of my finger tracing the shape ofher lips. My palm cupping under her chin. Pulling the clip from her hair and

letting itspill out across my hand. My arms winding around her waist, holding her against thelength of my body.

　　Enough.

　　I forced myself to turn, to move away from her. My body moved stiffly—unwilling.

　　I let my mind linger behind to watch her as I walked swiftly away, almost runningfrom the temptation. I caught Mike Newton’s thoughts—they were the loudest—

whilehe watched Bella walk past him in oblivion, her eyes unfocused and her cheeks red. Heglowered and suddenly my name was mingled with curses in his head; I couldn’t

helpgrinning slightly in response.

　　My hand was tingling. I flexed it and then curled it into a fist, but it continued tosting painlessly.

　　No, I hadn’t hurt her—but touching her had still been a mistake.

　　  It felt like fire—like the thirsting burn of my throat had spread throughout myentire body.

　　The next time I was close to her, would I be able to stop myself from touching heragain? And if I touched her once, would I be able to stop at that?

　　No more mistakes. That was it. Savor the memory, Edward, I told myself grimly,and keep your hands to yourself. That, or I would have to force myself toleave…

somehow. Because I couldn’t allow myself near her if I insisted on makingerrors.

　　I took a deep breath and tried to steady my thoughts.

　　Emmett caught up to me outside the English building.

　　“Hey, Edward.” He’s looking better. Weird, but better. Happy.

　　“Hey, Em.” Did I look happy? I supposed, despite the chaos in my head, I feltthat way.

　　Way to keep your mouth shut, kid. Rosalie wants to rip your tongue out.

　　I sighed. “Sorry I left you to deal with that. Are you angry with me?”

　　“Naw. Rose’ll get over it. It was bound to happen anyway.” With what Alicesees coming…Alice’s visions were not what I wanted to think about right now. I stared

forward,my teeth locking together.

　　As I searched for a distraction, I caught sight of Ben Cheney entering the Spanishroom ahead of us. Ah—here was my chance to give Angela Weber her gift.

　　I stopped walking and caught Emmett’s arm. “Hold on a second.”

　　What’s up?

　　“I know I don’t deserve it, but would you do me a favor anyway?”

　　“What is it?” he asked, curious.

　　Under my breath—and at a speed that would have made the wordsincomprehensible to a human no matter how loud they’d been spoken—I explained tohim what I wanted.

　　He stared at me blankly when I was done, his thoughts as blank as his face.

　　“So?” I prompted. “Will you help me do it?”

　　It took him a minute to respond. “But, why?”

　　  “C’mon, Emmett. Why not?”

　　Who are you and what have you done with my brother?

　　“Aren’t you the one who complains that school is always the same? This issomething a little different, isn’t it? Consider it an experiment—an experiment in

humannature.”

　　He stared at me for another moment before he caved. “Well, it is different, I’llgive you that… Okay, fine.” Emmett snorted and then shrugged. “I’ll help you.

”

　　I grinned at him, feeling more enthusiastic about my plan now that he was onboard. Rosalie was a pain, but I would always owe her one for choosing Emmett; no onehad

a better brother than mine.

　　Emmett didn’t need to practice. I whispered his lines to him once under mybreath as we walked into the classroom.

　　Ben was already in his seat behind mine, assembling his homework to hand in.

　　Emmett and I both sat and did the same thing. The classroom was not quiet yet; themurmur of subdued conversation would continue until Mrs. Goff called for

attention.

　　She was in no hurry, appraising the quizzes from the last class.

　　“So,” Emmett said, his voice louder than necessary—if he were really speakingonly to me. “Did you ask Angela Weber out yet?”

　　The sound of papers rustling behind me came to an abrupt stop as Ben froze, hisattention suddenly riveted on our conversation.

　　Angela? They’re talking about Angela?

　　Good. I had his interest.

　　“No,” I said, shaking my head slowly to appear regretful.

　　“Why not?” Emmett improvised. “Are you chicken?”

　　I grimaced at him. “No. I heard that she was interested in someone else.”

　　Edward Cullen was going to ask Angela out? But… No. I don’t like that. I don’twant him near her. He’s…not right for her. Not…safe.

　　I hadn’t anticipated the chivalry, the protective instinct. I’d been working forjealousy. But whatever worked.

　　“You’re going to let that stop you?” Emmett asked scornfully, improvising again.

　　“Not up for the competition?”

　　  I glared at him, but made used of what he gave me. “Look, I guess she reallylikes this Ben person. I’m not going to try to convince her otherwise. There are

othergirls.”

　　The reaction in the chair behind me was electric.

　　“Who?” Emmett asked, back to the script.

　　“My lab partner said it was some kid named Cheney. I’m not sure I know who heis.”

　　I bit back my smile. Only the haughty Cullens could get away with pretendingnot to know every student at this tiny school.

　　Ben’s head was whirling with shock. Me? Over Edward Cullen? But why wouldshe like me?

　　“Edward,” Emmett muttered in a lower tone, rolling his eyes toward the boy.

　　“He’s right behind you,” he mouthed, so obviously that the human could easily read thewords.

　　“Oh,” I muttered back.

　　I turned in my seat and glanced once at the boy behind me. For a second, theblack eyes behind the glasses were frightened, but then he stiffened and squared

hisnarrow shoulders, affronted by my clearly disparaging evaluation. His chin shot out andan angry flush darkened his golden-brown skin.

　　“Huh,” I said arrogantly as I turned back to Emmett.

　　He thinks he’s better than me. But Angela doesn’t. I’ll show him…Perfect.

　　“Didn’t you say she was taking Yorkie to the dance, though?” Emmett asked,snorting as he said the name of the boy that many scorned for his awkwardness.

　　“That was a group decision apparently.” I wanted to be sure that Ben was clearon this. “Angela’s shy. If B—well, if a guy doesn’t have the nerve to ask her

out, she’dnever ask him.”

　　“You like shy girls,” Emmett said, back to improvisation. Quiet girls. Girlslike…hmm, I don’t know. Maybe Bella Swan?

　　I grinned at him. “Exactly.” Then I returned to the performance. “Maybe Angelawill get tired of waiting. Maybe I’ll ask her to the prom.”

　　  No, you won’t, Ben thought, straightening up in his chair. So what if she’s somuch taller than me? If she doesn’t care, then neither do I. She’s the nicest,

smartest,prettiest girl in this school… and she wants me.

　　I liked this Ben. He seemed bright and well-meaning. Maybe even worthy of agirl like Angela.

　　I gave Emmett a thumbs up under the desk as Mrs. Goff stood and greeted theclass.

　　Okay, I’ll admit it—that was sort of fun, Emmett thought.

　　I smiled to myself, pleased that I’d been able to shape one love story’s happyending. I was positive that Ben would follow through, and Angela would receive

myanonymous gift. My debt was repaid.

　　How silly humans were, to let a six inch height differential c............