“Alice!” I hissed as I sped after her – I knew she would hear me. “I’m going to class, and I’ll be fine. If it gets to be too bad, I’ll excuse myself. Besides, I need to see how good my control is.”

Fine… Her thoughts trailed off, and she wasn’t in the house when I got there. I could tell she was still worried, but obviously not enough to stick around and lecture me. See ya, Ed! She yelled at me silently, and then she was gone. She was done with her persuasions, and I assumed I wouldn’t be hearing anymore from her today.

I hurried faster than I normally would have as I changed, shrugged on a coat and headed to my locker, then slowed my pace considerably as I neared the Biology classroom.

Her scent was evident even twenty yards away from the classroom, where I now stood frozen in place. She must have shaken her head or something here…

I tried to listen for her thoughts, opening my mind to the area around me, but, like before, I heard nothing – from her at least.

Eric Yorkie and Mike Newton – the nurse had let him go because he was moaning for no reason – were picturing lustful images of them with Isabella, yet why I wasn’t sure. Sure, she was pretty, but average for a human, nothing especially attractive in her features, except maybe her eyes. But to me, she was irresistible. Her scent also held an awful lustful quality which was at the moment annoying, perplexing, and wondering me.

“I’ll be polite and try not to anyone, though I might have to hit Mike or Eric over the head.”

People stared as I tried to assuage myself, but I didn’t care. By the end of the week people would be lining up at the asylum to commit me.

“Coming to class, Mr. Cullen?” Mr. Banner had come out into the hallway to close his door before the bell, and had spotted me.

“Uh, um what? Ah yes, of course, of course.” My reply was detached and nearly incoherent as I passed him with my books.

Oh shit, I thought in dread as I realized where she was sitting. Why hadn’t I realized it before? It was the only seat left.

Mike had taken Mr. Banner’s quick absence as a chance to talk to Isabella – apparently Jessica had been forgotten – and he was in my seat.

“…can come to the movies with me and my friends sometime? Sound good?”

She was slow to reply, which I could understand, so I stepped in.

“Excuse me, Newton, but I believe your seat is anywhere but here.”