3 eclipse月食-第5部分

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than　me。　Besides；　you’re　here　now。　That’s　the　part　that　matters。”　
　“If　I’d　never　left；　you　wouldn’t　feel　the　need　to　go　risk　your　life　to　fort　a　dog。”　
　I　flinched。　I　was　used　to　Jacob　and　all　his　derogatory　slurs　—　bloodsucker；　leech；　parasite。　。　。　。　
Somehow　it　sounded　harsher　in　Edward’s　velvet　voice。　
　“I　don’t　know　how　to　phrase　this　properly；”　Edward　said；　and　his　tone　was　bleak。　“It’s　going　to　sound　
cruel；　I　suppose。　But　I’ve　e　too　close　to　losing　you　in　the　past。　I　know　what　it　feels　like　to　think　I　have。　I　
am　not　going　to　tolerate　anything　dangerous。”　
　“You　have　to　trust　me　on　this。　I’ll　be　fine。”　
　His　face　was　pained　again。　“Please；　Bella；”　he　whispered。　
　I　stared　into　his　suddenly　burning　golden　eyes。　“Please　what？”　
　“Please；　for　me。　Please　make　a　conscious　effort　to　keep　yourself　safe。　I’ll　do　everything　I　can；　but　I　would　
appreciate　a　little　help。”　
　“I’ll　work　on　it；”　I　murmured。　
　“Do　you　really　have　any　idea　how　important　you　are　to　me？　Any　concept　at　all　of　how　much　I　love　you？”　
He　pulled　me　tighter　against　his　hard　chest；　tucking　my　head　under　his　chin。　
　I　pressed　my　lips　against　his　snowcold　neck。　“I　know　how　much　I　love　you；”　I　answered。　
　“You　pare　one　small　tree　to　the　entire　forest。”　
　I　rolled　my　eyes；　but　he　couldn’t　see。　“Impossible。”　

　　　He　kissed　the　top　of　my　head　and　sighed。　
　　　“No　werewolves。”　
　　　“I’m　not　going　along　with　that。　I　have　to　see　Jacob。”　
　　　“Then　I’ll　have　to　stop　you。”　
　　　He　sounded　utterly　confident　that　this　wouldn’t　be　a　problem。　
　　　I　was　sure　he　was　right。　
　　　“We’ll　see　about　that；”　I　bluffed　anyway。　“He’s　still　my　friend。”　
　　　I　could　feel　Jacob’s　note　in　my　pocket；　like　it　suddenly　weighed　ten　pounds。　I　could　hear　the　words　in　his　
voice；　and　he　seemed　to　be　agreeing　with　Edward　—　something　that　would　never　happen　in　reality。　
　　　Doesn’t　change　anything。　Sorry。　

2。　EVASION　


I　FELT　ODDLY　BUOYANT　AS　I　WALKED　FROM　SPANISH　toward　the　cafeteria；　and　it　wasn’t　just　because　I　was　
holding　hands　with　the　most　perfect　person　on　the　pla；　though　that　was　certainly　part　of　it。　
　Maybe　it　was　the　knowledge　that　my　sentence　was　served　and　I　was　a　free　woman　again。　
　Or　maybe　it　wasn’t　anything　to　do　with　me　specifically。　Maybe　it　was　the　atmosphere　of　freedom　that　
hung　over　the　entire　campus。　School　was　winding　down；　and；　for　the　senior　class　especially；　there　was　a　
perceptible　thrill　in　the　air。　
　Freedom　was　so　close　it　was　touchable；　tasteable。　Signs　of　it　were　everywhere。　Posters　crowded　
together　on　the　cafeteria　walls；　and　the　trashcans　wore　a　colorful　skirt　of　spilledover　fliers：　reminders　to　buy　
yearbooks；　class　rings；　and　announcements；　deadlines　to　order　graduation　gowns；　hats；　and　tassels；　neon　
bright　sales　pitches　—　the　juniors　campaigning　for　class　office；　ominous；　rosewreathed　advertisements　for　this　
year’s　prom。　The　big　dance　was　this　ing　weekend；　but　I　had　an　ironclad　promise　from　Edward　that　I　
would　not　be　subjected　to　that　again。　After　all；　I’d　already　had　that　human　experience。　
　No；　it　must　be　my　personal　freedom　that　lightened　me　today。　The　ending　of　the　school　year　did　not　give　
me　the　pleasure　it　seemed　to　give　the　other　students。　Actually；　I　felt　nervous　to　the　point　of　nausea　whenever　I　
thought　of　it。　I　tried　to　not　think　of　it。　
　But　it　was　hard　to　escape　such　an　omnipresent　topic　as　graduation。　
　“Have　you　sent　your　announcements；　yet？”　Angela　asked　when　Edward　and　I　sat　down　at　our　table。　She　
had　her　light　brown　hair　pulled　back　into　a　sloppy　ponytail　instead　of　her　usual　smooth　hairdo；　and　there　was　a　
slightly　frantic　look　about　her　eyes。　
　Alice　and　Ben　were　already　there；　too；　on　either　side　of　Angela。　Ben　was　intent　over　a　ic　book；　his　
glasses　sliding　down　his　narrow　nose。　Alice　was　scrutinizing　my　boring　jeansandatshirt　outfit　in　a　way　that　
made　me　selfconscious。　Probably　plotting　another　makeover。　I　sighed。　My　indifferent　attitude　to　fashion　was　
a　constant　thorn　in　her　side。　If　I’d　allow　it；　she’d　love　to　dress　me　every　day　—　perhaps　several　times　a　day　
—　like　some　oversized　threedimensional　paper　doll。　
　“No；”　I　answered　Angela。　“There’s　no　point；　really。　Renée　knows　when　I’m　graduating。　Who　else　is　
there？”　
　“How　about　you；　Alice？”　
　Alice　smiled。　“All　done。”　
　“Lucky　you。”　Angela　sighed。　“My　mother　has　a　thousand　cousins　and　she　expects　me　to　handaddress　
one　to　everybody。　I’m　going　to　get　carpal　tunnel。　I　can’t　put　it　off　any　longer　and　I’m　just　dreading　it。”　
　“I’ll　help　you；”　I　volunteered。　“If　you　don’t　mind　my　awful　handwriting。”　
　Charlie　would　like　that。　From　the　corner　of　my　eye；　I　saw　Edward　smile。　He　must　like　that；　too　—　me　
fulfilling　Charlie’s　conditions　without　involving　werewolves。　
　Angela　looked　relieved。　“That’s　so　nice　of　you。　I’ll　e　over　any　time　you　want。”　
　“Actually；　I’d　rather　go　to　your　house　if　that’s　okay　—　I’m　sick　of　mine。　Charlie　ungrounded　me　last　
night。”　I　grinned　as　I　announced　my　good　news。　
　“Really？”　Angela　asked；　mild　excitement　lighting　her　alwaysgentle　brown　eyes。　“I　thought　you　said　you　
were　in　for　life。”　
　“I’m　more　surprised　than　you　are。　I　was　sure　I　would　at　least　have　finished　high　school　before　he　set　me　
free。”　
　“Well；　this　is　great；　Bella！　We’ll　have　to　go　out　to　celebrate。”　
　“You　have　no　idea　how　good　that　sounds。”　
　“What　should　we　do？”　Alice　mused；　her　face　lighting　up　at　the　possibilities。　Alice’s　ideas　were　usually　a　
little　grandiose　for　me；　and　I　could　see　it　in　her　eyes　now　—　the　tendency　to　take　things　too　far　kicking　into　
action。　
　“Whatever　you’re　thinking；　Alice；　I　doubt　I’m　that　free。”　
　“Free　is　free；　right？”　she　insisted。　

“I’m　sure　I　still　have　boundaries　—　like　the　continental　U。S。；　for　example。”　
Angela　and　Ben　laughed；　but　Alice　grimaced　in　real　disappointment。　
“So　what　are　we　doing　tonight？”　she　persisted。　
“Nothing。　Look；　let’s　give　it　a　couple　of　days　to　make　sure　he　wasn’t　joking。　It’s　a　school　night；　anyway。”　
“We’ll　celebrate　this　weekend；　then。”　Alice’s　enthusiasm　was　impossible　to　repress。　
“Sure；”　I　said；　hoping　to　placate　her。　I　knew　I　wasn’t　going　to　do　anything　too　outlandish；　it　would　be　
safer　to　take　it　slow　with　Charlie。　Give　him　a　chance　to　appreciate　how　trustworthy　and　mature　I　was　before　I　
asked　for　any　favors。　
Angela　and　Alice　started　talking　about　options；　Ben　joined　the　conversation；　setting　his　ics　aside。　My　
attention　drifted。　I　was　surprised　to　find　that　the　subject　of　my　freedom　was　suddenly　not　as　gratifying　as　it　had　
been　just　a　moment　ago。　While　they　discussed　things　to　do　in　Port　Angeles　or　maybe　Hoquiam；　I　began　to　feel　
disgruntled。　
It　didn’t　take　long　to　determine　where　my　restlessness　stemmed　from。　
Ever　since　I’d　said　goodbye　to　Jacob　Black　in　the　forest　outside　my　home；　I’d　been　plagued　by　a　
persistent；　unfortable　intrusion　of　a　specific　mental　picture。　It　popped　into　my　thoughts　at　regular　intervals　
like　some　annoying　alarm　clock　set　to　sound　every　half　hour；　filling　my　head　with　the　image　of　Jacob’s　face　
crumpled　in　pain。　This　was　the　last　memory　I　had　of　him。　
As　the　disturbing　vision　struck　again；　I　knew　exactly　why　I　was　dissatisfied　with　my　liberty。　Because　it　was　
inplete。　
Sure；　I　was　free　to　go　to　anywhere　I　wanted　—　except　La　Push；　free　to　do　anything　I　wanted　—　except　
see　Jacob。　I　frowned　at　the　table。　There　had　to　be　some　kind　of　middle　ground。　
“Alice？　Alice！”　
Angela’s　voice　yanked　me　from　my　reverie。　She　was　waving　her　hand　back　and　forth　in　front　of　Alice’s　
blank；　staring　face。　Alice’s　expression　was　something　I　recognized　—　an　expression　that　sent　an　automatic　
shock　of　panic　through　my　body。　The　vacant　look　in　her　eyes　told　me　that　she　was　seeing　something　very　
different　from　the　mundane　lunchroom　scene　that　surrounded　us；　but　something　that　was　every　bit　as　real　in　its　
own　way。　Something　that　was　ing；　something　that　would　happen　soon。　I　felt　the　blood　slither　from　my　
face。　
Then　Edward　laughed；　a　very　natural；　relaxed　sound。　Angela　and　Ben　looked　toward　him；　but　my　eyes　
were　locked　on　Alice。　She　jumped　suddenly；　as　if　someone　had　kicked　her　under　the　table。　
“Is　it　naptime　already；　Alice？”　Edward　teased。　
Alice　was　herself　again。　“Sorry；　I　was　daydreaming；　I　guess。”　
“Daydreaming’s　better　than　facing　two　more　hours　of　school；”　Ben　said。　
Alice　threw　herself　back　into　the　conversation　with　more　animation　than　before　—　just　a　little　bit　too　much。　
Once　I　saw　her　eyes　lock　with　Edward’s；　only　for　a　moment；　and　then　she　looked　back　to　Angela　before　
anyone　else　noticed。　Edward　was　quiet；　playing　absentmindedly　with　a　strand　of　my　hair。　
I　waited　anxiously　for　a　chance　to　ask　Edward　what　Alice　had　seen　in　her　vision；　but　the　afternoon　passed　
without　one　minute　of　alone　time。　
It　felt　odd　to　me；　almost　deliberate。　After　lunch；　Edward　slowed　his　pace　to　match　Ben’s；　talking　about　
some　assignment　I　knew　he’d　already　finished。　Then　there　was　always　someone　else　there　between　classes；　
though　we　usually　had　a　few　minutes　to　ourselves。　When　the　final　bell　rang；　Edward　struck　up　a　conversation　
with　Mike　Newton　of　all　people；　falling　into　step　beside　him　as　Mike　headed　for　the　parking　lot。　I　trailed　
behind；　letting　Edward　tow　me　along。　
I　listened；　confused；　while　Mike　answered　Edward’s　unusually　friendly　queries。　It　seemed　Mike　was　
having　car　troubles。　
“。　。　。　but　I　just　replaced　the　battery；”　Mike　was　saying。　His　eyes　darted　ahead　and　then　back　to　Edward　
warily。　Mystified；　just　like　I　was。　
“Perhaps　it’s　the　cables？”　Edward　offered。　
“Maybe。　I　really　don’t　know　anything　about　cars；”　Mike　admitted。　“I　need　to　have　someone　look　at　it；　but　
I　can’t　afford　to　take　it　to　Dowling’s。”　
I　opened　my　mouth　to　suggest　my　mechanic；　and　then　snapped　it　shut　again。　My　mechanic　was　busy　these　
days　—　busy　running　around　as　a　giant　wolf。　

“I　know　a　few　things　—　I　could　take　a　look；　if　you　like；”　Edward　offered。　“Just　let　me　drop　Alice　and　
Bella　at　home。”　
Mike　and　I　both　stared　at　Edward　with　our　mouths　hanging　open。　
“Er　。　。　。　thanks；”　Mike　mumbled　when　he　recovered。　“But　I　have　to　get　to　work。　Maybe　some　other　time。”　
“Absolutely。”　
“See　ya。”　Mike　climbed　into　his　car；　shaking　his　head　in　disbelief。　
Edward’s　Volvo；　with　Alice　already　inside；　was　just　two　cars　away。　
“What　was　that　about？”　I　muttered　as　Edward　held　the　passenger　door　for　me。　
“Just　being　helpful；”　Edward　answered。　
And　then　Alice；　waiting　in　the　backseat；　was　babbling　at　top　speed。　
“You’re　really　not　that　good　a　mechanic；　Edward。　Maybe　you　should　have　Rosalie　take　a　look　at　it　
tonight；　just　so　you　look　good　if　Mike　decides　to　let　you　help；　you　know。　Not　that　it　wouldn’t　be　fun　to　watch　
his　face　if　Rosalie　showed　up　to　help。　But　since　Rosalie　is　supposed　to　be　across　the　country　attending　
college；　I　guess　that’s　not　the　best　idea。　Too　bad。　Though　I　suppose；　for　Mike’s　car；　you’ll　do。　It’s　only　within　
the　finer　tunings　of　a　good　Italian　sports　car　that　you’re　out　of　your　depth。　And　speaking　of　Italy　and　sports　
cars　that　I　stole　there；　you　still　owe　me　a　yellow　Porsche。　I　don’t　know　that　I　want