“Edward, can we stop by school? I forgot my notebook in my locker.”

We were driving down the road toward his house where, according to Charlie, I would be spending the day with Alice. Seconds later, we were parked in the school lot.

“I’ll wait for you here.”

“Okay. Be right back,” I said and got out. My locker wasn’t too far, but it was out of view of the car.

On my way back, notebook in hand, I noticed the car was empty. Looking around I found my surroundings to be void of any activity. The thought of James coming back from his fiery demise registered briefly but was quickly deemed silly and unrealistic.

“Edward?” I whispered. Minutes later there was still no response and I decided to look around campus for him. The first place I decided to look was the cafeteria. It was a wide, open space that showed other areas of the school through the many hallways leading away from it. It was also nearby the parking lot but out of view, the perfect place for a silly vampire to be hiding.

As I turned the corner to face the eating area, I saw Edward lying on top of a table peacefully. He could’ve been dead if I didn’t know any better.

For a while I was in a trance, staring at the beautiful figure in front of me. Black shirt and blue jeans showing off his muscular body but fitting him comfortably. His hair, a mess and hanging around his ears and eyes, framing his face perfectly. The thin clouds parted occasionally and briefly, allowing rays of sunlight to dance of his skin. The beautiful sparkle that occurred dazzled me even further. What seemed like hours into my silent viewing, a smile crept onto Edward’s face, refocusing my attention to his perfect lips.

I could’ve sworn I only blinked once, but as soon as full awareness hit, I realized I was being thrown backward by a cold, hard, black figure. The understanding it was Edward clicked a moment later and I relaxed into his firm hold. A light bounce and a roll ended the flight.

A tearing sound followed by a sharp, but quick pain in my shoulders ultimately ended in the feeling of cool air and cold hands running across my body. The difference in temperature was startling but soothing, and I moaned at the sweet contact.