8. North

     As we left the lantern-lined road onto the main highway, I began to feel how tired I really was. I leaned against the comfortable seat and looked at Edward. His perfection was still intact, the same as the first day I saw him at Forks high school. The only difference was his eyes. That first day they were black with thirst, thirst for me, for my blood. Today they were topaz amber. They still thirsted for me, but in a different way. The thought made me smile. Even in the dark, it was if he could see me smiling. Smiling himself, he kept his eyes on the road, but asked, “What are you thinking about Bella?”

“Well” I began, “besides the obvious,” his smile grew, “I was wondering where we’re going.”

“I told you where, Alaska” he said mischievously.

I looked at him with a defeated look, and moaned in frustration.

“Is it really that awful to want to surprise you?”

His smile, and his eyes, did their job well, all I could say was “no.”  

We passed through Forks quickly. At the speed Edward was driving, it took less than a minute. I knew I would miss this sleepy little town. I had dreaded coming here. Now I hated to leave. It was where most likely I had my last visit with Renee and Charlie. The place I would always think of when I thought of Jacob and the Quileutes. It had been the place of my best dreams and my worst nightmares. All of them involved the beautiful vampire behind the wheel. I knew Forks would always be home to me. No matter how far we traveled, no matter how long we lived. I had a real sense of homesickness when we left the city limits.

     As we continued to drive, I suddenly remembered Gianna, and asked. “So what did you all decide about Gianna’s visit?”

He had his usual apprehensive look that he wore whenever I asked about things he felt for my own good, it was better I didn’t know; but I wasn’t having any of that.

“Edward,” I said a little perturbed, “You aren’t seriously going to try to keep it from me are you? If you are, you can turn this car around and take me back to Forks so I can ask Carlisle! I already know Alice has seen something. I saw your little exchange tonight.”