1 twilight暮色-第21部分

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11。　PLICATIONS　




Everyone　watched　us　as　we　walked　together　to　our　lab　table。　I　noticed　
that　he　no　longer　angled　the　chair　to　sit　as　far　from　me　as　the　desk　
would　allow。　Instead；　he　sat　quite　close　beside　me；　our　arms　almost　
touching。　

Mr。　Banner　backed　into　the　room　then　—　what　superb　timing　the　man　had　—　
pulling　a　tall　metal　frame　on　wheels　that　held　a　heavylooking；　outdated　
TV　and　VCR。　A　movie　day　—　the　lift　in　the　class　atmosphere　was　almost　
tangible。　

Mr。　Banner　shoved　the　tape　into　the　reluctant　VCR　and　walked　to　the　wall　
to　turn　off　the　lights。　

And　then；　as　the　room　went　black；　I　was　suddenly　hyperaware　that　Edward　
was　sitting　less　than　an　inch　from　me。　I　was　stunned　by　the　unexpected　

electricity　that　flowed　through　me；　amazed　that　it　was　possible　to　be　
more　aware　of　him　than　I　already　was。　A　crazy　impulse　to　reach　over　and　
touch　him；　to　stroke　his　perfect　face　just　once　in　the　darkness；　nearly　
overwhelmed　me。　I　crossed　my　arms　tightly　across　my　chest；　my　hands　
balling　into　fists。　I　was　losing　my　mind。　

The　opening　credits　began；　lighting　the　room　by　a　token　amount。　My　eyes；　
of　their　own　accord；　flickered　to　him。　I　smiled　sheepishly　as　I　realized　
his　posture　was　identical　to　mine；　fists　clenched　under　his　arms；　right　
down　to　the　eyes；　peering　sideways　at　me。　He　grinned　back；　his　eyes　
somehow　managing　to　smolder；　even　in　the　dark。　I　looked　away　before　I　
could　start　hyperventilating。　It　was　absolutely　ridiculous　that　I　should　
feel　dizzy。　

The　hour　seemed　very　long。　I　couldn't　concentrate　on　the　movie　—　I　didn't　
even　know　what　subject　it　was　on。　I　tried　unsuccessfully　to　relax；　but　
the　electric　current　that　seemed　to　be　originating　from　somewhere　in　his　
body　never　slackened。　Occasionally　I　would　permit　myself　a　quick　glance　
in　his　direction；　but　he　never　seemed　to　relax；　either。　The　overpowering　
craving　to　touch　him　also　refused　to　fade；　and　I　crushed　my　fists　safely　
against　my　ribs　until　my　fingers　were　aching　with　the　effort。　

I　breathed　a　sigh　of　relief　when　Mr。　Banner　flicked　the　lights　back　on　at　
the　end　of　class；　and　stretched　my　arms　out　in　front　of　me；　flexing　my　
stiff　fingers。　Edward　chuckled　beside　me。　

〃Well；　that　was　interesting；〃　he　murmured。　His　voice　was　dark　and　his　
eyes　were　cautious。　

〃Umm；〃　was　all　I　was　able　to　respond。　

〃Shall　we？〃　he　asked；　rising　fluidly。　

I　almost　groaned。　Time　for　Gym。　I　stood　with　care；　worried　my　balance　
might　have　been　affected　by　the　strange　new　intensity　between　us。　

He　walked　me　to　my　next　class　in　silence　and　paused　at　the　door；　I　turned　
to　say　goodbye。　His　face　startled　me　—　his　expression　was　torn；　almost　
pained；　and　so　fiercely　beautiful　that　the　ache　to　touch　him　flared　as　
strong　as　before。　My　goodbye　stuck　in　my　throat。　

He　raised　his　hand；　hesitant；　conflict　raging　in　his　eyes；　and　then　
swiftly　brushed　the　length　of　my　cheekbone　with　his　fingertips。　His　skin　
was　as　icy　as　ever；　but　the　trail　his　fingers　left　on　my　skin　was　
alarmingly　warm　—　like　I'd　been　burned；　but　didn't　feel　the　pain　of　it　
yet。　

He　turned　without　a　word　and　strode　quickly　away　from　me。　

I　walked　into　the　gym；　lightheaded　and　wobbly。　I　drifted　to　the　locker　
room；　changing　in　a　trancelike　state；　only　vaguely　aware　that　there　were　
other　people　surrounding　me。　Reality　didn't　fully　set　in　until　I　was　
handed　a　racket。　It　wasn't　heavy；　yet　it　felt　very　unsafe　in　my　hand。　I　
could　see　a　few　of　the　other　kids　in　class　eyeing　me　furtively。　Coach　
Clapp　ordered　us　to　pair　up　into　teams。　

Mercifully；　some　vestiges　of　Mike's　chivalry　still　survived；　he　came　to　
stand　beside　me。　

〃Do　you　want　to　be　a　team？〃　

〃Thanks；　Mike　—　you　don't　have　to　do　this；　you　know。〃　I　grimaced　
apologetically。　

〃Don't　worry；　I'll　keep　out　of　your　way。〃　He　grinned。　Sometimes　it　was　so　
easy　to　like　Mike。　

It　didn't　go　smoothly。　I　somehow　managed　to　hit　myself　in　the　head　with　
my　racket　and　clip　Mike's　shoulder　on　the　same　swing。　I　spent　the　rest　of　
the　hour　in　the　back　corner　of　the　court；　the　racket　held　safely　behind　
my　back。　Despite　being　handicapped　by　me；　Mike　was　pretty　good；　he　won　
three　games　out　of　four　singlehandedly。　He　gave　me　an　unearned　high　five　

when　the　coach　finally　blew　the　whistle　ending　class。　

〃So；〃　he　said　as　we　walked　off　the　court。　

〃So　what？〃　

〃You　and　Cullen；　huh？〃　he　asked；　his　tone　rebellious。　My　previous　feeling　
of　affection　disappeared。　

〃That's　none　of　your　business；　Mike；〃　I　warned；　internally　cursing　
Jessica　straight　to　the　fiery　pits　of　Hades。　

〃I　don't　like　it；〃　he　muttered　anyway。　

〃You　don't　have　to；〃　I　snapped。　

〃He　looks　at　you　like…　like　you're　something　to　eat；〃　he　continued；　
ignoring　me。　

I　choked　back　the　hysteria　that　threatened　to　explode；　but　a　small　giggle　
managed　to　get　out　despite　my　efforts。　He　glowered　at　me。　I　waved　and　
fled　to　the　locker　room。　

I　dressed　quickly；　something　stronger　than　butterflies　battering　
recklessly　against　the　walls　of　my　stomach；　my　argument　with　Mike　already　
a　distant　memory。　I　was　wondering　if　Edward　would　be　waiting；　or　if　I　
should　meet　him　at　his　car。　What　if　his　family　was　there？　I　felt　a　wave　
of　real　terror。　Did　they　know　that　I　knew？　Was　I　supposed　to　know　that　
they　knew　that　I　knew；　or　not？　

By　the　time　I　walked　out　of　the　gym；　I　had　just　about　decided　to　walk　
straight　home　without　even　looking　toward　the　parking　lot。　But　my　worries　
were　unnecessary。　Edward　was　waiting；　leaning　casually　against　the　side　
of　the　gym；　his　breathtaking　face　untroubled　now。　As　I　walked　to　his　
side；　I　felt　a　peculiar　sense　of　release。　

〃Hi；〃　I　breathed；　smiling　hugely。　

〃Hello。〃　His　answering　smile　was　brilliant。　〃How　was　Gym？〃　

My　face　fell　a　tiny　bit。　〃Fine；〃　I　lied。　

〃Really？〃　He　was　unconvinced。　His　eyes　shifted　their　focus　slightly；　
looking　over　my　shoulder　and　narrowing。　I　glanced　behind　me　to　see　Mike's　
back　as　he　walked　away。　

〃What？〃　I　demanded。　

His　eyes　slid　back　to　mine；　still　tight。　〃Newton's　getting　on　my　nerves。〃　

〃You　weren't　listening　again？〃　I　was　horrorstruck。　All　traces　of　my　
sudden　good　humor　vanished。　

〃How's　your　head？〃　he　asked　innocently。　

〃You're　unbelievable！〃　I　turned；　stomping　away　in　the　general　direction　
of　the　parking　lot；　though　I　hadn't　ruled　out　walking　at　this　point。　

He　kept　up　with　me　easily。　

〃You　were　the　one　who　mentioned　how　I'd　never　seen　you　in　Gym　—　it　made　
me　curious。〃　He　didn't　sound　repentant；　so　I　ignored　him。　

We　walked　in　silence　—　a　furious；　embarrassed　silence　on　my　part　—　to　his　
car。　But　I　had　to　stop　a　few　steps　away　—　a　crowd　of　people；　all　boys；　
were　surrounding　it。　

Then　I　realized　they　weren't　surrounding　the　Volvo；　they　were　actually　
circled　around　Rosalie's　red　convertible；　unmistakable　lust　in　their　
eyes。　None　of　them　even　looked　up　as　Edward　slid　between　them　to　open　his　
door。　I　climbed　quickly　in　the　passenger　side；　also　unnoticed。　

〃Ostentatious；〃　he　muttered。　

〃What　kind　of　car　is　that？〃　I　asked。　

〃An　M3。〃　

〃I　don't　speak　Car　and　Driver。〃　

〃It's　a　BMW。〃　He　rolled　his　eyes；　not　looking　at　me；　trying　to　back　out　
without　running　over　the　car　enthusiasts。　

I　nodded　—　I'd　heard　of　that　one。　

〃Are　you　still　angry？〃　he　asked　as　he　carefully　maneuvered　his　way　out。　

〃Definitely。〃　

He　sighed。　〃Will　you　forgive　me　if　I　apologize？〃　

〃Maybe…　if　you　mean　it。　And　if　you　promise　not　to　do　it　again；〃　I　
insisted。　

His　eyes　were　suddenly　shrewd。　〃How　about　if　I　mean　it；　and　I　agree　to　
let　you　drive　Saturday？〃　he　countered　my　conditions。　

I　considered；　and　decided　it　was　probably　the　best　offer　I　would　get。　
〃Deal；〃　I　agreed。　

〃Then　I'm　very　sorry　I　upset　you。〃　His　eyes　burned　with　sincerity　for　a　
protracted　moment　—　playing　havoc　with　the　rhythm　of　my　heart　—　and　then　
turned　playful。　〃And　I'll　be　on　your　doorstep　bright　and　early　Saturday　
morning。〃　

〃Um；　it　doesn't　help　with　the　Charlie　situation　if　an　unexplained　Volvo　
is　left　in　the　driveway。〃　

His　smile　was　condescending　now。　〃I　wasn't　intending　to　bring　a　car。〃　

〃How　—〃　

He　cut　me　off。　〃Don't　worry　about　it。　I'll　be　there；　no　car。〃　

I　let　it　go。　I　had　a　more　pressing　question。　

〃Is　it　later　yet？〃　I　asked　significantly。　

He　frowned。　〃I　supposed　it　is　later。〃　

I　kept　my　expression　polite　as　I　waited。　

He　stopped　the　car。　I　looked　up；　surprised　—　of　course　we　were　already　at　
Charlie's　house；　parked　behind　the　truck。　It　was　easier　to　ride　with　him　
if　I　only　looked　when　it　was　over。　When　I　looked　back　at　him；　he　was　
staring　at　me；　measuring　with　his　eyes。　

〃And　you　still　want　to　know　why　you　can't　see　me　hunt？〃　He　seemed　solemn；　
but　I　thought　I　saw　a　trace　of　humor　deep　in　his　eyes。　

〃Well；〃　I　clarified；　〃I　was　mostly　wondering　about　your　reaction。〃　

〃Did　I　frighten　you？〃　Yes；　there　was　definitely　humor　there。　

〃No；〃　I　lied。　He　didn't　buy　it。　

〃I　apologize　for　scaring　you；〃　he　persisted　with　a　slight　smile；　but　then　
all　evidence　of　teasing　disappeared。　〃It　was　just　the　very　thought　of　you　
being　there…　while　we　hunted。〃　His　jaw　tightened。　

〃That　would　be　bad？〃　

He　spoke　from　between　clenched　teeth。　〃Extremely。〃　

〃Because…　？〃　

He　took　a　deep　breath　and　stared　through　the　windshield　at　the　thick；　
rolling　clouds　that　seemed　to　press　down；　almost　within　reach。　

〃When　we　hunt；〃　he　spoke　slowly；　unwillingly；　〃we　give　ourselves　over　to　
our　senses…　govern　less　with　our　minds。　Especially　our　sense　of　smell。　If　
you　were　anywhere　near　me　when　I　lost　control　that　way…〃　He　shook　his　
head；　still　gazing　morosely　at　the　heavy　clouds。　

I　kept　my　expression　firmly　under　control；　expecting　the　swift　flash　of　
his　eyes　to　judge　my　reaction　that　soon　followed。　My　face　gave　nothing　
away。　

But　our　eyes　held；　and　the　silence　deepened　—　and　changed。　Flickers　of　
the　electricity　I'd　felt　this　afternoon　began　to　charge　the　atmosphere　as　
he　gazed　unrelentingly　into　my　eyes。　It　wasn't　until　my　head　started　to　
swim　that　I　realized　I　wasn't　breathing。　When　I　drew　in　a　jagged　breath；　
breaking　the　stillness；　he　closed　his　eyes。　

〃Bella；　I　think　you　should　go　inside　now。〃　His　low　voice　was　rough；　his　
eyes　on　the　clouds　again。　

I　opened　the　door；　and　the　arctic　draft　that　burst　into　the　car　helped　
clear　my　head。　Afraid　I　might　stumble　in　my　woozy　state；　I　stepped　
carefully　out　of　the　car　and　shut　the　door　behind　me　without　looking　
back。　The　whir　of　the　automatic　window　unrolling　made　me　turn。　

〃Oh；　Bella？〃　he　called　after　me；　his　voice　more　even。　He　leaned　toward　
the　open　window　with　a　faint　smile　on　his　lips。　

〃Yes？〃　

〃Tomorrow　it's　my　turn。〃　

〃Your　turn　to　what？〃　

He　smiled　wider；　flashing　his　gleaming　teeth。　〃Ask　the　questions。〃　

And　then　he　was　gone；　the　car　speeding　down　the　street　and　disappearing　
around　the　corner　before　I　could　even　collect　my　thoughts。　I　smiled　as　I　
walked　to　the　house。　It　was　clear　he　was　planning　to　see　me　tomorrow；　if　
nothing　else。　

That　night　Edward　starred　in　my　dreams；　as　usual。　However；　the　climate　of　
my　unconsciousness　had　changed。　It　thrilled　with　the　same　electricity　
that　had　charged　the　afternoon；　and　I　tossed　and　turned　restlessly；　
waking　often。　It　was　only　in　the　early　hours　of　the　morning　that　I　
finally　sank　into　an　exhausted；　dreamless　sleep。　

When　I　woke　I　was　still　tired；　but　edgy　as　well。　I　pulled　on　my　brown　
turtleneck　and　the　inescapable　jeans；　sighing　as　I　daydreamed　of　
spaghetti　straps　and　shorts。　Breakfast　was　the　usual；　quiet　event　I　
expected。　Charlie　fried　eggs　for　himself；　I　had　my　bowl　of　cereal。　I　
wondered　if　he　had　forgotten　about　this　Saturday。　He　answered　my　unspoken　
question　as　he　stood　up　to　take　his　plate　to　the　sink。　

〃About　this　Saturday…〃　he　began；　walking　across　the　kitchen　and　turning　
on　the　faucet。　

I　cringed。　〃Yes；　Dad？〃　

〃Are　you　still　set　on　going　to　Seattle？〃　he　asked。　

〃That　was　the　plan。〃　I　grimaced；　wishing　he　hadn't　brought　it　up　so　I　
wouldn't　have　to　pose　careful　halftruths。　

He　squeezed　some　dish　soap　onto　his　plate　and　swirled　it　around　with　the　
brush。　〃And　you're　sure　you　can't　make　it　back　in　time　for　the　dance？〃　

〃I'm　not　going　to　the　dance；　Dad。〃　I　glared。　

〃Didn't　anyone　ask　you？〃　he　asked；　trying　to　hide　his　concern　by　focusing　
on　rinsing　the　plate。　

I　sidestepped　the　minefield。　〃It's　a　girl's　choice。〃　

〃Oh。〃　He　frowned　as　he　dried　his　plate。　

I　sympathized　with　him。　It　must　be　a　hard　thing；　to　be　a　father；　living　
in　fear　that　your　daughter　would　meet　a　boy　she　liked；　but　also　having　to　
worry　if　she　didn't。　How　ghastly　it　would　be；　I　thought；　shuddering；　if　
Charlie　had　even　the　slightest　inkling　of　exactly　what　I　did　like。　

Charlie　left　then；　with　a　goodbye　wave；　and　I　went　upstairs　to　brush　my　
teeth　and　gather　my　books。　When　I　heard　the　cruiser　pull　away；　I　could　
only　wait　a　few　seconds　before　I　had　to　peek　out　of　my　window。　The　silver　
car　was　already　there；　waiting　in　Charlie's　spot　on　the　driveway。　I　
bounded　down　the　stairs　and　out　the　front　door；　wondering　how　long　this　
bizarre　routine　would　continue。　I　never　wanted　it　to　end。　

He　waited　in　the　car；　not　appearing　to　watch　as　I　shut　the　door　behind　me　
without　bothering　to　lock　the　deadbolt。　I　walked　to　the　car；　pausing　
shyly　before　opening　the　door　and　stepping　in。　He　was　smiling；　relaxed　—　
and；　as　usual；　perfect　and　beautiful　to　an　excruciating　degree。　

〃Good　morning。〃　His　voice　was　silky。　〃How　are　you　today？〃　His　eyes　roamed　
over　my　face；　as　if　his　question　was　something　more　than　simple　courtesy。　

〃Good；　thank　you。〃　I　was　always　good　—　much　more　than　good　—　when　I　was　
near　him。　

His　gaze　lingered　on　the　circles　under　my　eyes。　〃You　look　tired。〃　

〃I　couldn't　sleep；〃　I　confessed；　automatically　swinging　my　hair　around　my　
shoulder　to　provide　some　measure　of　cover。　

〃Neither　could　I；〃　he　teased　as　he　started　the　engine。　I　was　being　
used　to　the　quiet　purr。　I　was　sure　the　roar　of　my　truck　would　scare　me；　
whenever　I　got　to　drive　it　again。　

I　laughed。　〃I　guess　that's　right。　I　suppose　I　slept　just　a　little　bit　
more　than　you　did。〃　

〃I'd　wager　you　did。〃　

〃So　what　did　you　do　last　night？〃　I　asked。　

He　chuckled。　〃Not　a　chance。　It's　my　day　to　ask　questions。〃　

〃Oh；　that's　right。　What　do　you　want　to　know？〃　My　forehead　creased。　I　
couldn't　imagine　anything　about　me　that　could　be　in　any　way　interesting　
to　him。　

〃What's　your　favorite　color？〃　he　asked；　his　face　grave。　

I　rolled　my　eyes。　〃It　changes　from　day　to　day。〃　

〃What's　your　favorite　color　today？〃　He　was　still　solemn。　

〃Probably　brown。〃　I　tended　to　dress　according　to　my　mood。　

He　snorted；　dropping　his　serious　expression。　〃Brown？〃　he　asked　
skeptically。　

〃Sure。　Brown　is　warm。　I　miss　brown。　Everything　that's　supposed　to　be　
brown　—　tree　trunks；　rocks；　dirt　—　is　all　covered　up　with　squashy　green　
stuff　here；〃　I　plained。　

He　seemed　fascinated　by　my　little　rant。　He　considered　for　a　moment；　
staring　into　my　eyes。　

〃You're　right；〃　he　decided；　serious　again。　〃Brown　is　warm。〃　He　reached　
over；　swiftly；　but　somehow　still　hesitantly；　to　sweep　my　hair　back　beh