How It All Goes Down
- In the car, as Edward is driving Bella home, Bella wonders how Edward's mind-reading skills work, and why he can't read her thoughts. She's worried that there's something wrong with her brain. Laughing, Edward responds, "I hear voices in my head and you're worried that you're the freak" (9.19).
- Now Edward wants to know Bella's latest theories on what he is. A bit hesitantly, Bella starts to tell Edward about Jacob, how he's one of the Quileute, and about the vampire story he told her. And then about her internet research:
"And did that convince you?" [Edward's] voice sounded barely interested. But his hands were clamped hard onto the steering wheel.
[...] "I decided it didn't matter," I whispered.
"It didn't matter?" His tone made me look up – I had finally broken through his carefully composed mask. His face was incredulous, with just a hint of the anger I'd feared. [...] A hard, mocking edge entered his voice. "You don't care if I'm a monster? If I'm not human?" (9.69, 72, 75) - Bella gets Edward to confirm that he's a vampire, although he doesn't say the word.
- She asks him about his diet, and he tells her about hunting animals. Over the weekend, he was hunting with Emmett:
"I didn't want to leave, but it was necessary. It's a bit easier to be around you when I'm not thirsty."
"Why didn't you want to leave?"
"It makes me…anxious…to be away from you." His eyes were gentle but intense, and they seemed to be making my bones turn soft. (9.134-136) - Edward again tries the convince Bella that he's dangerous, that she should stay away from him. But she's stubborn, insisting, "I told you, it doesn't matter what you are. It's too late" (9.159).
- Edward drops Bella off at her house. Before heading inside, she makes Edward promise that he'll be in school tomorrow.
- Before going to bed, Bella thinks over everything she's learned today:
About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was part of him – and I didn't know how potent that part might be – that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him. (9.235)