Twilight: Chapter 8 {Port Angeles}

As the chapter begins, Bella is in Port Angeles dress hunting with Jessica and Angela. The "boy talk" creeps into the conversation (what else is there for teenage girls to discuss?). Angela nonchalantly mentions that Tyler has been telling people that he's taking Bella to prom. This tidbit sends Bella into a fuming rage.

After Jess and Angela purchase their ensembles, they go for a stroll while Bella goes her separate way searching for a bookstore.

Bella is so caught up in la-la-land, lost in her thoughts about Edward, that she doesn't realize she's headed straight toward sleeze town.

After being pursued by a gang of creeps, she realizes she's being herded by them--with less than honest intentions, I'm sure.

Then, just in the nick of time, a silver car skids to a stop, within feet from her, with the passenger door wide open. A familiar and furious voice barks at her, "Get in."

Edward is in a murderous mood. It takes every ounce of self control he possesses to restrain himself from going back to finish those hooligans off. With his temper cooled down, they head back into town to search for the girls.

Just as they pull up in front of the Italian restaurant, La Bella Italia, they spot Jess and Angela exiting the building. They claimed to be worried about Bella, but not worried enough to stop them from eating.

Of course, the girls are surprised by Bella's unexpected guest, so Bella matter of factly announces that she just ran into Edward. As if that's an every day occurence.

Being the chivalrous gentleman that he so obviously is, Edward asks the girls permission to drive Bella home so that they don't have to wait while Bella eats.

While in the restaurant, Bella is surprisingly put off by the extra attention given to Edward by the female employees.

The theme of their conversation seems to be how trouble follows Bella. She thanks Edward for saving her twice now. Edward says, "Your number was up the first time I met you." "You remember?" (I've read the first chapter of Midnight Sun, Twilight from Edward's POV, and I want to comment more here, but I don't want to spoil it for those of you who haven't read it yet.)

Edward explains to Bella how he followed her to Port Angeles, only to lose them. He goes on to tell Bella how he read the thoughts of the people around him to find her. And he finally saw her face through the eyes of one of the "men" who followed her. That's when he saves the day.

When Edward and Bella leave the restaurant, Bella is looking forward to the hour drive home. She's desperate to spend more time alone with Edward. I wish I could be a fly on the wall (or window) when their dialogue begins. I guess I'll just have to wait until the next chapter.