The Imprint or the Blood Singer

Chapter 4

Maisie had planned on avoiding Forks' High School so she wouldn't have to listen to the girls hound her about Edward; but, now she had a coat to return. Bella had called earlier saying something about Edward but Maisie told her she didn't want to hear it. She already knew his mind-reading secret and it wasn't hers to tell. Bella didn't seem fazed at all, she was fine that her friend didn't care. She still wanted to know the truth for herself.

Maisie signed into the front office as always but wasn't planning on staying for very long. Avoiding the area she knew where Bella's locker was, she entered the cafeteria. She saw her friends, she had finally upgraded them from lunch acquaintances to actual friends, but they were too enthralled in their conversation to see her.

Maisie was glad, she really just wanted to complete the task and head back to La Push where no one knew anything. Besides, Quil's grandfather made lunch for him and was kind enough to make a big enough meal for Quil to share with them. Jacob would definitely eat her share if she didn't get back at a certain time.

She made her way to the Cullen table, they never seemed to switch where they were sitting. Rosalie noticed Maisie first and smiled as she sat up straighter. At her action, the Cullens all turned to look. The girl tried not to shrink under their gaze; she wasn't sure if she'd ever get used to all the golden eyes. Maisie stuck out her hand that was holding the gray peacoat once she was in front of Edward. He gave a small, amused smile.

"I forgot to give this back."

"Thank you."

"Are you eating lunch here today?" Rosalie asked. The other Cullens were shocked, she seemed to actually like Maisie.

"Oh no, Embry's waiting outside to drive us back to school."

"Embry?"

"Yeah my um, boyfriend? I guess we haven't really discussed labels, um, yet."

"Oh."

She wasn't sure why Rosalie seemed a bit disappointed. They all did. Edward tried to contain his facial expressions. He knew this was bound to happen. La Push was who Maisie was. He tried not to pry but her apologetic thoughts easily slipped out. She still wanted to be his friend. He wanted that as well. That's what he had to tell himself.

The primal instinct in him wanted her to be his and if he couldn't have her in a civilized way, he wanted her the way he did when he first saw her. He knew how Jasper felt with all these humans around. The scent of Maisie's blood became much stronger to him. How he envied his siblings. Their blood singers were their mates, already vampires. They never had to worry about accidentally hurting one another. Never knew what it was like long for their blood. Yet, he couldn't bring himself to tell the girl and turn her.

"We need to talk now, somewhere private. Hi Maisie," Bella didn't miss a beat as she confronted Edward and greeted her friend at the same time.

Edward slipped into Maisie's head. Bella he couldn't read but Maisie, he could easily even if the thoughts were sometimes blurry. Even if he tried not to. He had seen the phone conversation the two of them had. He knew Bella was going to confront him. And he also knew that Maisie wanted him to go with her. The girl whose mind he couldn't read that also intrigued him like Maisie did. A puzzle he wanted to crack desperately. The way she went to Embry, he figured maybe he should put aside his thoughts for her as well. It wasn't like Bella didn't interest him a little bit.

"Hi, Bells."

"The woods next to the school you'll find private enough," Edward said looking at Bella.