A Potter Secret

Summer after Loss

          Isabella watches as Edward leaves the house, his entire family leaving for a hunting trip in Canada. He's already started texting her constantly. Isabella hops in her truck, driving through the town to Charlie's house. She gets there just as Charlie leaves for a fishing trip. "Remember to stay inside," Charlie says. "We'll be back in a couple hours."

I nod and he leaves as I walk in. Heading straight for my laptop, I see someone video calling me and answer. "We're good to chat, everyone's away," I assure.

"Hello Bella," they greet.

I smile and reply, "Hello Bella," I reply.

We laugh for a moment. "Okay, let's just be clear for this chat, I am Bella," the real Bella says. "And you are Izzy."

Izzy nods. "Got it. How is everything down in sunny Florida?"

"Great, but I'm kind of missing Edward," Bella admits. "How much longer are you going to have to be there?"

"I don't know," Izzy states. "You've lived what I have, you know what he's been asking. I'm not sure how long I can keep him back."

"You're alright, Izzy," Bella replies. "I know this is hard on you, too."

"I'll try to contact Dumbledore," Izzy assures. "I feel so bad about living your life."

Bella sighs. "I know. Hey, I got those tickets to Florida for my birthday, right?" Izzy nods. "Maybe you can find a way to send Edward down here?"

"The sun might make it tricky," Izzy says. "But I'll do my best. Hey, if he keeps asking and I can't delay the response, what should I tell him?"

"Yes," Bella says immediately. "Yes, a thousand times yes."

Izzy smiles. "Great." I hear the doorbell go off. "I gotta go, someone's here. I'll talk to you when I can."

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The next day, Bella sits in the meadow with Edward. "From what I've tasted of desire, I hold with those who favor fire. But if I had to perish twice," Bella contemplates. On Bella's forearm is her crescent moon scar, whiter than her already pale skin. Edward's lips move towards her, kissing the scar. Bella and Edward are lying in the grass. Bella reads aloud from a book of Robert Frost poetry. "I think I know enough of hate, To say that, for destruction, Ice, is also great. And would suffice." Edward teasingly pulls the book away, moves to kiss her. She stops him. "You know, I've got an English final. I gotta focus."

He grins, kisses her anyway. The sun briefly comes out from behind the clouds, causing Edward's skin to sparkle, making the kiss appear magical. He pulls away smiling. "Marry me."

She laughs. It's not the first, nor the fiftieth, time he's asked. This is clearly a game between them. "No."

"Marry me," he ask again.

Bella counters, "Change me."

Kisses her neck. "Okay I will if you marry me, It's called a compromise."

"It's just called coercion. It's not fair. Marriage is just- it's a piece of paper."

Edward chuckles lightly. "Where I am from, it's the way one says, 'I love you'."

She affectionately pushes him away, jumping up. "Where I come from, at my age- It's the way one says, 'I just got knocked up'."

She starts to gather up her coat and books. He's suddenly right in front of her – we didn't see him move. He playfully grabs her stuff from her. "So, you're worried about what people will think."

"You know, it's two out of three marriages end in divorce."

"Well, I think you'll find the- Vampire-human divorce rate is a little lower." They're inches apart, the game laced with their attraction. "Just marry me."

"I can't. I have to be back at four. I'm supposed to come straight home from school," Bella reminds. He pulls her close. Kisses her.

"You'll be on time. I won't give your father another reason to hate me," Edward mentions. As he easily slings her around onto his back.

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Chief Charlie Swan, still in uniform from a day at the station sits in the kitchen. His brow is furrowed with concern as he reads the Seattle Times. The article worries him. He checks his watch- just as the front door opens. Bella enters, throws down her book bag. Charlie is looking at this watch. "Four o'clock on the dot. Does he have a stopwatch or something?" Charlie asks.

"He has a name. And now he's too punctual for you?" She asks as she starts toward the stairs.

"Wait a sec, will you? Sit down," Charlie said. She pauses, then moves to a chair, sits. He faces her. "Okay- You understand why you're being punished, right?"

"I know, I didn't listen to my instructions."

Charlie nods. "Correct. But I have other reasons, for grounding you. Like- I wanted you to get some separation from him. I know it can be hard sometimes."

"Charlie, there is nothing you can say. Edward is in my life- in your daughters," Bella reminds.

"Yeah, I'm gathering that. So, alright. How about this? I'll make you a deal. You're not grounded anymore, if you use your new found freedom to see some of your other friends too, Like- Like Jacob," Charlie mentions. Bella darkens; a painful subject. Charlie notes this. "He's going through a really tough time right now, His Dad's really worried about him." Bella stops. This hurts her to hear. "I remember when that was you. You needed a friend, Jake was there."

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Bella opens her desk drawer and pulls out a folded note. It's worn, having been read many times. She unfolds it. Several sentences have been crossed out. Only one line at the bottom is legible. It reads: "I miss you, too. Doesn't change anything." She takes out her fashionable, desirable, hip Nokia phone, and holds down a button. The word "Jake" comes up on the screen. Straight to voicemail. "Hey, it's Jake. Leave a message."

"Jacob hadn't talk to me in weeks. I wanted to fix it, he just- he wouldn't give me the chance. 'I miss you too. Doesn't change anything.'"

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Bella exits the house, heads to her truck, and climbs in. Bella turns the key- nothing. She tries again. It's dead. With a slight gust of wind suddenly, Edward is sitting next to her. She jumps, catching her breath. "You scared me," Bella says.

"You're going down to the reservation," Edward asks in a non-questioning tone.

"How'd you-? Alice had a vision." His guilty face is her answer. He tries to make light of it. "Hey, did you do this to my truck?"

"Bella, you have to understand. Your safety is everything to me," Edward reminds.

Bella shakes her head. "Jacob is not gonna hurt me."

"Not intentionally, but the wolves have no control-"

"Edward. I have until graduation, to see him. And I'll be one of you, and he'll hate me forever," Bella reminds.

"I'm sorry." She looks at him. Then gets angry, forces open her door. Bella climbs out, slams the truck door. Edward appears next to her. "I want you to be happy- but alive is more important." Frustrated, she pushes past him and heads to the house. He appears on the stairs before she reaches them. "i'll understand if you're too angry for me to come to your room tonight. Just close the window."

"Bella closes and locks the window. Beat. Then another beat. Then she unlocks the window, opens it a bit. She looks at it, then opens it as wide as it will go.

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