Ness' Comet

Ch 3: The Talk

I sat on my bed, looking up at Bella and Edward. They stood over me like a couple of parents on one of those idiotic television shows. We were in my old room, the room that I hadn't slept in for what felt like forever. It was in the small cottage near the big house where we used to live seperate from the rest of the Cullens before they all moved. I came here occasionally to be by myself, since it was still functional.

"When did you get this idea?" demanded Bella.

I huffed. "Mom, I wasn't planning this diabolical scheme to hurt your feelings. I just need to get out of this house for a while. Maybe see a bit of the real world."

Her mouth formed an unamused crooked line. I wished Jacob were here with me. He was usually a good supportive presence, but they'd banished him to stay in the big house while my parents and I talked. I sensed they were a bit miffed that he'd known before them that I wanted to do this.

"You can talk to Jacob later," said Edward out of nowhere, hearing my thoughts. I hated when he did that. I glared at him, trying to make my displeasure with him very clear.

"Honey," Bella continued. "You're not ready to do that."

This made me annoyed. "Why not? I'm old enough!"

"But you're not," countered Edward. Great. It was two against one.

"Yes I am. I may not be numerically but that's not how being what I am works. All I'm asking for is that I try it. We aren't going to be in Forks much longer anyway and why not spend the next two or three years getting a human experience?"

I knew that would get my father's attention. He himself wasn't too pleased with being a vampire in the first place, and was always happy to see me choosing my human half over my vampire half. If this showed him I was trying to be more human, which I was, then maybe he would be more open to the idea. Apparently my plan was working since he turned to Bella, a sympathetic look on his face.

She sighed. "Do you really think you can handle being a full time High School student? And also be able to keep your secret?"

"Of course I do!" I replied almost too quickly. "If actual vampires can keep the secret then I don't see why I can't? I actually eat food and have a heartbeat remember?"

Edward put an exasperated hand to his face. "Maybe you do spend too much time with Jacob," he said in reference to the 'heartbeat' comment.

"Ha. Ha," I replied playfully sarcastic. "And besides, Forks High school is so small that it would be a great first time High School experience. The socializing part of it would be easier for me to navigate. And you two met there!" I tried to fit that part in to make them feel at least a little sentimental towards the school. Once again, my attempts worked. Edward always knew the intentions behind all the things I said, but evidently chose to fall into the trap anyway.

"I mean," Bella began hesitantly.

"Please!" I begged.

"Okay, okay!" she finally relented. I wanted to burst with excitement. I couldn't wait to go and tell Jacob! "Please just be careful. We'll go up to the school tomorrow and see what we can do."

I nodded, satisfied. "Thank you," I said. "And who knows, maybe I'll meet someone of my own," I half joked.

Upon hearing this, the two of them exchanged a weird look that suggested they knew something I didn't.