Twilight - Dimensional Traveler

It was the weekend, and Mark was waiting for Edythe to arrive.

Over the past few days, he and Edythe had been going on dates after school, and their relationship was growing stronger.

Mark had heard from Edythe that Edward had also invited Bella to visit the Cullen family home.

Beep-Beep.

The sound of a horn rang outside. Mark looked out his bedroom window and saw it was Edythe's car.

Grabbing his coat, he headed downstairs, noticing the house was empty. He knew his father was working today.

After leaving, he locked the door and walked toward Edythe's car. She looked at him playfully.

Mark unlocked the door and sat in the passenger seat without saying anything.

"All set?"

Mark nodded in response, and Edythe hit the gas.

"You seem to enjoy driving fast."

Edythe didn't reply—she just stepped harder on the pedal as her answer.

Soon enough, they arrived at the Cullen house. Looking at the magnificent mansion, Mark felt a pang of envy.

Even though his father's house was nice, it belonged to his father—not to him.

I think it's time to buy my own place, Mark thought.

"Nervous?"

"A little. It's the first time I'm meeting the parents of someone I'm dating."

Truthfully, even in his previous life, the women he'd been with were just one-night flings—he'd never dated anyone seriously.

"It's fine—they're nice people. Come on."

Edythe took Mark's hand and led him inside.

"That's your brother's car. Did he already pick up Bella?" Mark asked, curious.

"He left before me. He must've just gotten back."

Edythe replied as they continued walking toward the entrance.

As soon as the door opened, the sound of breaking glass and an irritated voice rang out.

"Perfect!" Rosalie.

"And I know you don't eat... so I did." Bella.

"And of course... it was very thoughtful of you," Esme said, sounding somewhat apologetic.

Edythe glanced at Mark and hurried him into the kitchen to catch up on what was happening.

"Just ignore Rosalie—like I do," Edward told Bella.

"So? We're just going to keep pretending this isn't dangerous for all of us?" Rosalie snapped, Emmett standing by her side.

Bella didn't quite understand what Rosalie meant and tried to reassure them.

"I'd never tell anyone anything about you."

"She knows that," Carlisle said, looking at Rosalie.

Mark arrived just in time to hear the whole exchange.

"Did something happen?" Edythe asked.

Only then did the rest notice Edythe and Mark's arrival.

Before anyone else could speak, Rosalie blurted out,

"Great, now we've got two. Just know the whole family could be implicated if this all goes south!"

Mark didn't say anything. He understood what Rosalie meant, but Bella—still innocent—spoke up with a joke:

"So, like... me becoming the meal?"

Good thing she said that. The already tense atmosphere eased, and a few people chuckled.

"Well, I still don't understand any of this," Edythe admitted.

"It's nothing, let's just forget it," Esme replied.

"They were just a little upset because they cooked for the two of us, and it seems it was all for nothing. If it's any consolation—I haven't eaten yet," said Mark.

"Mark, right? Edythe's mentioned you quite a bit. You really are a very handsome young man."

Esme stepped forward to greet him.

"Yes, ma'am. It's a pleasure to meet you all," Mark replied politely.

At that moment, a voice rang out. Mark turned and saw Alice and Jasper entering through the window.

"Hi, Bella. Hi, Mark."

Alice first shook Mark's hand, then gave Bella a warm hug.

"Wow, you smell so good."

"Alice, what are you—" Edward started, confused as to why Alice would say something like that right now.

"It's okay! Bella and I are going to be great friends," Alice said cheerfully.

Mark had kept his eye on Jasper the whole time, and it seemed Jasper was trying hard not to attack Bella.

"Why don't you have a scent?" Alice asked Mark.

Yes—Mark had no scent. Everyone had wondered that ever since he arrived. Only Bella's scent seemed to tempt them.

Mark looked puzzled and turned to Edythe.

"Did you tell them something about me?"

Hearing his question, Edythe replied, "They know you're different, but you never told me why we aren't tempted by your blood."

She was curious too—she'd been with Mark daily, but the scent he gave off was more like pleasant perfume. Nice-smelling and nothing more.

"What do they mean?" Bella whispered to Edward.

"Let's just say he's special—like us," Edward said.

"He's a vampire too?" Bella asked, unsure.

"No, he's human... or at least, that's what we choose to believe," Edward answered.