Chapter 1 – Puppy Love

ISABELLA SWAN

"7…8… 9… 10! Ready or not, here I come!" Edward shouted. I was hiding behind a tree, giggling. I know that this game is pretty old and childish but I like playing it anyway. I didn't hear any sound at all, but all of a sudden he was there behind my back. I gasped with surprise. Then started to laugh. I ran away as fast as I can. But he kept up easily.

Then I tripped on a rock and fell. "Ow!" I shrieked, touching my bleeding knee. There was a scratch on it.

Edward came down and sat beside me. Worry all over his face. "Bella, are you okay?" he murmured.

"It just hurts", I said, wiping the dirt off my knee. Doing my best not to hurl from the smell of the blood.

"Hmm… Maybe my dad should check it out, do you want it cleaned and bandaged?" he suggested, happy that he found an answer.

"Okay," I whispered.

He helped me up and took my hand. Then we walked toward his house. His house wasn't far away from mine. He lived 2 houses away. We usually hang around the park, which is in between our houses. We walked quietly to his house, my hand in his.

When we got there, Edward's mom, Esme, was cooking in the kitchen. It smelled as great as ever. "Hey kids! What brought you two here?" she asked, with a motherly smile.

"Bella fell. And I wonder if dad could clean her wound." Edward answered.

"Oh, what happened?" she asked in concern.

"We were playing hide-and-seek, but then I tripped on a rock when I ran." I murmured, while she was examining my scratch.

"Oh. It would all be okay, it's just a small scratch", she smiled. "Carlisle will help you, nothing to worry about."

She turned to Edward, "Now, take Bella to your father, he is upstairs in the study room. I would take her there myself, but I have to finish dinner."

"All right mom", he said kissing her.

"And don't you worry Bella", Esme said, giving me a kiss on the cheek.