2 new+moon新月-第2部分

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way　or　the　other—〃　

Edward　interrupted　her　threat。　〃Relax；　Alice。　If　Bella　wants　to　watch　a　movie；　then　she　can。　It's　her　
birthday。〃　

〃So　there；〃　I　added。　

〃I'll　bring　her　over　around　seven；〃　he　continued。　〃That　will　give　you　more　time　to　set　up。〃　

Alice's　laughter　chimed　again。　〃Sounds　good。　See　you　tonight；　Bella！　It'll　be　fun；　you'll　see。〃　She　
grinned—the　wide　smile　exposed　all　her　perfect；　glistening　teeth—then　pecked　me　on　the　cheek　and　
danced　off　toward　her　first　class　before　I　could　respond。　

〃Edward；　please—〃　I　started　to　beg；　but　he　pressed　one　cool　finger　to　my　lips。　

〃Let's　discuss　it　later。　We're　going　to　be　late　for　class。〃　

No　one　bothered　to　stare　at　us　as　we　took　our　usual　seats　in　the　back　of　the　classroom　（we　had　almost　
every　class　together　now—it　was　amazing　the　favors　Edward　could　get　the　female　administrators　to　do　
for　him）。　Edward　and　I　had　been　together　too　long　now　to　be　an　object　of　gossip　anymore。　Even　Mike　
Newton　didn't　bother　to　give　me　the　glum　stare　that　used　to　make　me　feel　a　little　guilty。　He　smiled　now　
instead；　and　I　was　glad　he　seemed　to　have　accepted　that　we　could　only　be　friends。　Mike　had　changed　
over　the　summer—his　face　had　lost　some　of　the　roundness；　making　his　cheekbones　more　prominent；　and　
he　was　wearing　his　pale　blond　hair　a　new　way；　instead　of　bristly；　it　was　longer　and　gelled　into　a　carefully　
casual　disarray。　It　was　easy　to　see　where　his　inspiration　came　from—but　Edward's　look　wasn't　
something　that　could　be　achieved　through　imitation。　

As　the　day　progressed；　I　considered　ways　to　get　out　of　whatever　was　going　down　at　the　Cullen　house　
tonight。　It　would　be　bad　enough　to　have　to　celebrate　when　I　was　in　the　mood　to　mourn。　But；　worse　than　
that；　this　was　sure　to　involve　attention　and　gifts。　

Attention　is　never　a　good　thing；　as　any　other　accidentprone　klutz　would　agree。　No　one　wants　a　spotlight　
when　they're　likely　to　fall　on　their　face。　

And　I'd　very　pointedly　asked—well；　ordered　really—that　no　one　give　me　any　presents　this　year。　It　
looked　like　Charlie　and　Renee　weren't　the　only　ones　who　had　decided　to　overlook　that。　

I'd　never　had　much　money；　and　that　had　never　bothered　me。　Renee　had　raised　me　on　a　kindergarten　
teacher's　salary。　Charlie　wasn't　getting　rich　at　his　job；　either—he　was　the　police　chief　here　in　the　tiny　town　
of　Forks。　My　only　personal　ine　came　from　the　three　days　a　week　I　worked　at　the　local　sporting　
goods　store。　In　a　town　this　small；　I　was　lucky　to　have　a　job。　Every　penny　I　made　went　into　my　
microscopic　college　fund。　（College　was　Plan　B。　I　was　still　hoping　for　Plan　A；　but　Edward　was　just　so　
stubborn　about　leaving　me　human…）　

Edward　had　a　lot　of　money—I　didn't　even　want　to　think　about　how　much。　Money　meant　next　to　nothing　
to　Edward　or　the　rest　of　the　Cullens。　It　was　just　something　that　accumulated　when　you　had　unlimited　time　
on　your　hands　and　a　sister　who　had　an　uncanny　ability　to　predict　trends　in　the　stock　market。　Edward　
didn't　seem　to　understand　why　I　objected　to　him　spending　money　on　me—why　it　made　me　
unfortable　if　he　took　me　to　an　expensive　restaurant　in　Seattle；　why　he　wasn't　allowed　to　buy　me　a　car　
that　could　reach　speeds　over　fiftyfive　miles　an　hour；　or　why　I　wouldn't　let　him　pay　my　college　tuition　（he　
was　ridiculously　enthusiastic　about　Plan　B）。　Edward　thought　I　was　being　unnecessarily　difficult。　

But　how　could　I　let　him　give　me　things　when　I　had　nothing　to　reciprocate　with？　He；　for　some　
unfathomable　reason；　wanted　to　be　with　me。　Anything　he　gave　me　on　top　of　that　just　threw　us　more　out　
of　balance。　

As　the　day　went　on；　neither　Edward　nor　Alice　brought　my　birthday　up　again；　and　I　began　to　relax　a　little。　

We　sat　at　our　usual　table　for　lunch。　

A　strange　kind　of　truce　existed　at　that　table。　The　three　of　us—Edward；　Alice；　and　I—sat　on　the　extreme　
southern　end　of　the　table。　Now　that　the　〃older〃　and　somewhat　scarier　（in　Emmett's　case；　certainly）　Cullen　
siblings　had　graduated；　Alice　and　Edward　did　not　seem　quite　so　intimidating；　and　we　did　not　sit　here　
alone。　My　other　friends；　Mike　and　Jessica　（who　were　in　the　awkward　postbreakup　friendship　phase）；　
Angela　and　Ben　（whose　relationship　had　survived　the　summer）；　Eric；　Conner；　Tyler；　and　Lauren　（though　
that　last　one　didn't　really　count　in　the　friend　category）　all　sat　at　the　same　table；　on　the　other　side　of　an　
invisible　line。　That　line　dissolved　on　sunny　days　when　Edward　and　Alice　always　skipped　school；　and　then　
the　conversation　would　swell　out　effortlessly　to　include　me。　

Edward　and　Alice　didn't　find　this　minor　ostracism　odd　or　hurtful　the　way　I　would　have。　They　barely　
noticed　it。　People　always　felt　strangely　ill　at　ease　with　the　Cullens；　almost　afraid　for　some　reason　they　
couldn't　explain　to　themselves。　I　was　a　rare　exception　to　that　rule。　Sometimes　it　bothered　Edward　how　
very　fortable　I　was　with　being　close　to　him。　He　thought　he　was　hazardous　to　my　health—an　opinion　I　
rejected　vehemently　whenever　he　voiced　it。　

The　afternoon　passed　quickly。　School　ended；　and　Edward　walked　me　to　my　truck　as　he　usually　did。　But　
this　time；　he　held　the　passenger　door　open　for　me。　Alice　must　have　been　taking　his　car　home　so　that　he　
could　keep　me　from　making　a　run　for　it。　

I　folded　my　arms　and　made　no　move　to　get　out　of　the　rain。　〃It's　my　birthday；　don't　I　get　to　drive？〃　

〃I'm　pretending　it's　not　your　birthday；　just　as　you　wished。〃　

〃If　it's　not　my　birthday；　then　I　don't　have　to　go　to　your　house　tonight…〃　

〃All　right。〃　He　shut　the　passenger　door　and　walked　past　me　to　open　the　driver's　side。　〃Happy　birthday。〃　

〃Shh；〃　I　shushed　him　halfheartedly。　I　climbed　in　the　opened　door；　wishing　he'd　taken　the　other　offer。　

Edward　played　with　the　radio　while　I　drove；　shaking　his　head　in　disapproval。　

〃Your　radio　has　horrible　reception。〃　

I　frowned。　I　didn't　like　it　when　he　picked　on　my　truck。　The　truck　was　great—it　had　personality。　

〃You　want　a　nice　stereo？　Drive　your　own　car。〃　I　was　so　nervous　about　Alice's　plans；　on　top　of　my　
already　gloomy　mood；　that　the　words　came　out　sharper　than　I'd　meant　them。　I　was　hardly　ever　
badtempered　with　Edward；　and　my　tone　made　him　press　his　lips　together　to　keep　from　smiling。　

When　I　parked　in　front　of　Charlie's　house；　he　reached　over　to　take　my　face　in　his　hands。　He　handled　me　
very　carefully；　pressing　just　the　tips　of　his　fingers　softly　against　my　temples；　my　cheekbones；　my　jawline。　
Like　I　was　especially　breakable。　Which　was　exactly　the　case—pared　with　him；　at　least。　

〃You　should　be　in　a　good　mood；　today　of　all　days；〃　he　whispered。　His　sweet　breath　fanned　across　my　
face。　

〃And　if　I　don't　want　to　be　in　a　good　mood？〃　I　asked；　my　breathing　uneven。　

His　golden　eyes　smoldered。　〃Too　bad。〃　

My　head　was　already　spinning　by　the　time　he　leaned　closer　and　pressed　his　icy　lips　against　mine。　As　he　
intended；　no　doubt；　I　forgot　all　about　my　worries；　and　concentrated　on　remembering　how　to　inhale　and　
exhale。　

His　mouth　lingered　on　mine；　cold　and　smooth　and　gentle；　until　I　wrapped　my　arms　around　his　neck　and　
threw　myself　into　the　kiss　with　a　little　too　much　enthusiasm。　I　could　feel　his　lips　curve　upward　as　he　let　go　
of　my　face　and　reached　back　to　unlock　my　grip　on　him。　

Edward　had　drawn　many　careful　lines　for　our　physical　relationship；　with　the　intent　being　to　keep　me　alive。　
Though　I　respected　the　need　for　maintaining　a　safe　distance　between　my　skin　and　his　razorsharp；　
venomcoated　teeth；　I　tended　to　forget　about　trivial　things　like　that　when　he　was　kissing　me。　

〃Be　good；　please；〃　he　breathed　against　my　cheek。　He　pressed　his　lips　gently　to　mine　one　more　time　and　
then　pulled　away；　folding　my　arms　across　my　stomach。　

My　pulse　was　thudding　in　my　ears。　I　put　one　hand　over　my　heart。　It　drummed　hyperactively　under　my　
palm。　

〃Do　you　think　I'll　ever　get　better　at　this？〃　I　wondered；　mostly　to　myself。　〃That　my　heart　might　someday　
stop　trying　to　jump　out　of　my　chest　whenever　you　touch　me？〃　

〃I　really　hope　not；〃　he　said；　a　bit　smug。　

I　rolled　my　eyes。　〃Let's　go　watch　the　Capulets　and　Montagues　hack　each　other　up；　all　right？〃　

〃Your　wish；　my　mand。〃　

Edward　sprawled　across　the　couch　while　I　started　the　movie；　fastforwarding　through　the　opening　
credits。　

When　I　perched　on　the　edge　of　the　sofa　in　front　of　him；　he　wrapped　his　arms　around　my　waist　and　pulled　
me　against　his　chest。　It　wasn't　exactly　as　fortable　as　a　sofa　cushion　would　be；　what　with　his　chest　
being　hard　and　cold—and　perfect—as　an　ice　sculpture；　but　it　was　definitely　preferable。　He　pulled　the　old　
afghan　off　the　back　of　the　couch　and　draped　it　over　me　so　I　wouldn't　freeze　beside　his　body。　

〃You　know；　I've　never　had　much　patience　with　Romeo；〃　he　mented　as　the　movie　started。　

〃What's　wrong　with　Romeo？〃　I　asked；　a　little　offended。　Romeo　was　one　of　my　favorite　fictional　
characters。　Until　I'd　met　Edward；　I'd　sort　of　had　a　thing　for　him。　

〃Well；　first　of　all；　he's　in　love　with　this　Rosaline—don't　you　think　it　makes　him　seem　a　little　fickle？　And　
then；　a　few　minutes　after　their　wedding；　he　kills　Juliet's　cousin。　That's　not　very　brilliant。　Mistake　after　
mistake。　Could　he　have　destroyed　his　own　happiness　any　more　thoroughly？〃　

I　sighed。　〃Do　you　want　me　to　watch　this　alone？〃　

〃No；　I'll　mostly　be　watching　you；　anyway。〃　His　fingers　traced　patterns　across　the　skin　of　my　arm；　raising　
goose　bumps。　〃Will　you　cry？〃　

〃Probably；〃　I　admitted；　〃if　I'm　paying　attention。〃　

〃I　won't　distract　you　then。〃　But　I　felt　his　lips　on　my　hair；　and　it　was　very　distracting。　

The　movie　eventually　captured　my　interest；　thanks　in　large　part　to　Edward　whispering　Romeo's　lines　in　
my　ear—his　irresistible；　velvet　voice　made　the　actor's　voice　sound　weak　and　coarse　by　parison。　And　
I　did　cry；　to　his　amusement；　when　Juliet　woke　and　found　her　new　husband　dead。　

〃I'll　admit；　I　do　sort　of　envy　him　here；〃　Edward　said；　drying　the　tears　with　a　lock　of　my　hair。　

〃She's　very　pretty。〃　

He　made　a　disgusted　sound。　〃I　don't　envy　him　the　girl—just　the　ease　of　the　suicide；〃　he　clarified　in　a　
teasing　tone。　〃You　humans　have　it　so　easy！　All　you　have　to　do　is　throw　down　one　tiny　vial　of　plant　
extracts…〃　

〃What？〃　I　gasped。　

〃It's　something　I　had　to　think　about　once；　and　I　knew　from　Carlisle's　experience　that　it　wouldn't　be　
simple。　I'm　not　even　sure　how　many　ways　Carlisle　tried　to　kill　himself　in　the　beginning…　after　he　realized　
what　he'd　bee…〃　His　voice；　which　had　grown　serious；　turned　light　again。　〃And　he's　clearly　still　in　
excellent　health。〃　

I　twisted　around　so　that　I　could　read　his　face。　〃What　are　you　talking　about？〃　I　demanded。　〃What　do　you　
mean；　this　something　you　had　to　think　about　once？〃　

〃Last　spring；　when　you　were…　nearly　killed…〃　He　paused　to　take　a　deep　breath；　snuggling　to　return　to　
his　teasing　tone。　〃Of　course　I　was　trying　to　focus　on　finding　you　alive；　but　part　of　my　mind　was　making　
contingency　plans。　Like　I　said；　it's　not　as　easy　for　me　as　it　is　for　a　human。〃　

For　one　second；　the　memory　of　my　last　trip　to　Phoenix　washed　through　my　head　and　made　me　feel　dizzy。　
I　could　see　it　all　so　clearly—the　blinding　sun；　the　heat　waves　ing　off　the　concrete　as　I　ran　with　
desperate　haste　to　find　the　sadistic　vampire　who　wanted　to　torture　me　to　death。　James；　waiting　in　the　
mirrored　room　with　my　mother　as　his　hostage—or　so　I'd　thought。　I　hadn't　known　it　was　all　a　ruse。　Just　as　
James　hadn't　known　that　Edward　was　racing　to　save　me；　Edward　made　it　in　time；　but　it　had　been　a　close　
one。　Unthinkingly；　my　fingers　traced　the　crescentshaped　scar　on　my　hand　that　was　always　just　a　few　
degrees　cooler　than　the　rest　of　my　skin。　

I　shook　my　head—as　if　I　could　shake　away　the　bad　memories—and　tried　to　grasp　what　Edward　meant。　
My　stomach　plunged　unfortably。　〃Contingency　plans？〃　I　repeated。　

〃Well；　I　wasn't　going　to　live　without　you。〃　He　rolled　his　eyes　as　if　that　fact　were　childishly　obvious。　〃But　I　
wasn't　sure　how　to　do　it—I　knew　Emmett　and　Jasper　would　never　help…　so　I　was　thinking　maybe　I　
would　go　to　Italy　and　do　something　to　provoke　the　Volturi。〃　

I　didn't　want　to　believe　he　was　serious；　but　his　golden　eyes　were　brooding；　focused　on　something　far　
away　in　the　distance　as　he　contemplated　ways　to　end　his　own　life。　Abruptly；　I　was　furious。　

〃What　is　a　Volturi？〃　I　demanded。　

〃The　Volturi　are　a　family；〃　he　explained；　his　eyes　still　remote。　〃A　very　old；　very　powerful　family　of　our　
kind。　They　are　the　closest　thing　our　world　has　to　a　royal　family；　I　suppose。　Carlisle　lived　with　them　briefly　
in　his　early　years；　in　Italy；　before　he　settled　in　America—do　you　remember　the　story？〃　

〃Of　course　I　remember。〃　

I　would　never　forget　the　first　time　I'd　gone　to　his　home；　the　huge　white　mansion　buried　deep　in　the　forest　
beside　the　river；　or　the　room　where　Carlisle—Edward's　father　in　so　many　real　ways—kept　a　wall　of　
paintings　that　illustrated　his　personal　history。　The　most　vivid；　most　wildly　colorful　canvas　there；　the　largest；　
was　from　Carlisle's　time　in　Italy。　Of　course　I　remembered　the　calm　quartet　of　men；　each　with　the　
exquisite　face　of　a　seraph；　painted　into　the　highest　balcony　overlooking　the　swirling　mayhem　of　color。　
Though　the　painting　was　centuries　old；　Carlisle—the　blond　angel—remained　unchanged。　And　I　
remembered　the　three　others；　Carlisle's　early　acquaintances。　Edward　had　never　used　the　name　Volturi　

for　the　beautiful　trio；　two　blackhaired；　one　snow　white。　He'd　called　them　Aro；　Caius；　and　Marcus；　
nighttime　patrons　of　the　arts…　

〃Anyway；　you　don't　irritate　the　Volturi；〃　Edward　went　on；　interrupting　ray　reverie。　〃Not　unless　you　want　
to　die—or　whatever　it　is　we　do。〃　His　voice　was　so　calm；　it　made　him　sound　almost　bored　by　the　
prospect。　

My　anger　turned　to　horror。　I　took　his　marble　face　between　my　hands　and　held　it　very　tightly。　

〃You　must　never；　never；　never　think　of　anything　like　that　again！〃　I　said。　〃No　matter　what　might　ever　
happen　to　me；　you　are　not　allowed　to　hurt　yourself！〃　

〃I'll　never　put　you　in　danger　again；　so　it's　a　moot　point。〃　

〃Put　me　in　danger！　I　thought　we'd　established　that　all　the　bad　luck　is　my　fault？〃　I　was　getting　angrier。　
〃How　dare　you　even　think　like　that？〃　The　idea　of　Edward　ceasing　to　exist；　even　if　I　were　dead；　was　
impossiblypainful。　

〃What　would　you　do；　if　the　situation　were　reversed？〃　he　asked。　

〃That's　not　the　same　thing。〃　

He　didn't　seem　to　understand　the　difference。　He　chuckled。　

〃What　if　something　did　happen　to　you？〃　I　blanched　at　the　thought。　〃Would　you　want　me　to　go　off　
myself？〃　

A　trace　of　pain　touched　his　perfect　features。　

〃I　guess　I　see　your　point…　a　little；〃　he　admitted。　〃But　what　would　I　do　without　you？〃　

〃Whatever　you　were　doing　before　I　came　along　and　plicated　your　existence。〃　

He　sighed。　〃You　make　that　sound　so　easy。〃　

〃It　should　be。　I'm　not　really　that　interesting。〃　

He　was　about　to　argue；　but　then　he　let　it　go。　〃Moot　point；〃　he　reminded　me。　Abruptly；　he　pulled　himself　
up　into　a　more　formal　posture；　shifting　me　to　the　side　so　that　we　were　no　longer　touching。　

〃Charlie？〃　I　guessed。　

Edward　smiled。　After　a　moment；　I　heard　the　sound　of　the　police　cruiser　pulling　into　the　driveway。　I　
reached　out　and　took　his　hand　firmly。　My　dad　could　deal　with　that　much。　

Charlie　came　in　with　a　pizza　box　in　his　hands。　

〃Hey；　k