That was interesting.

132

That was interesting.  When Shelly Cope's pulse quickened, it was because she
found me physically attractive, not because she was frightened.  I was used to that around
human females?yet I hadn't considered that explanation for Bella's racing heart.
I rather liked that.  Too much, in fact.  I smiled, and Mrs. Cope's breathing got
louder.
"Bella has gym next hour, and I don't think she feels well enough.  Actually, I
was thinking I should take her home now.  Do you think you could excuse her from
class?"  I stared into her depthless eyes, enjoying the havoc that this wreaked on her
thought processes.  Was it possible that Bella??
Mrs. Cope had to swallow loudly before she answered.  "Do you need to be
excused, too, Edward?"
"No, I have Mrs. Goff, she won't mind."
I wasn't paying much attention to her now.  I was exploring this new possibility.
Hmm.  I'd like to believe that Bella found me attractive like other humans did, but
when did Bella ever have the same reactions as other humans?  I shouldn't get my hopes
up.
"Okay, it's all taken care of.  You feel better, Bella."
Bella nodded weakly—overacting a bit.
"Can you walk, or do you want me to carry you again?" I asked, amused by her
poor theatrics.  I knew she would want to walk—she wouldn't want to be weak.
"I'll walk," she said.
Right again.  I was getting better at this.
She got up, hesitating for a moment as if to check her balance.  I held the door for
her, and we walked out into the rain.
I watched her as she lifted her face to the light rain with her eyes closed, a slight
smile on her lips.  What was she thinking?  Something about this action seemed off, and I
quickly realized why the posture looked unfamiliar to me.  Normal human girls wouldn't
raise their faces to the drizzle that way; normal human girls usually wore makeup, even
here in this wet place.
Bella never wore makeup, nor should she.  The cosmetics industry made billions
of dollars a year from women who were trying to attain skin like hers.
? 2008 Stephenie Meyer