Chapter 8 (Port Angeles)

As Bella and her friends head to Port Angeles to 'dress shop' she learns there is a rumor going around that Tyler is taking her to prom. This irritates Bella but she doesn't give it another thought as this is a 'girls' day. After several rejected garments, the girls find the right dresses and accessories. They are going to dinner however, Bella wants to find a bookstore first. Urging her friends to go ahead and she will meet them, they head off in separate directions.

Finding the bookstore with its unappealing look and feel, Bella does not go in, deciding to head back to her friends. She turns to go back the way she came and realizes she has lost her bearings directionally. A group of men on the path startle her, so she turns and heads down a different direction. Attempting to regain her orientation, those same guys and a few others are following her and it does not look good. As they circle her she attempts to remember self defense methods. All of a sudden there are headlights and screeching brakes and a voice she knew and trusted telling her to get in the car. Edward...she feels a relief wash over her. What the hey? Where did he come from? Edward gets in and starts driving and other than asking Bella if she is okay, he asks her to talk nonsense until his anger cools. She says p163"I'm going to run over Tyler Crowley tomorrow before school?" He smirks and asks why. She explains the rumor and says he must be doing it out of guilt for the non-accident months earlier.

She asks if he can take her to where she was supposed to meet the girls. He does so, just in time to see them leaving and then says he is taking her to dinner. HUH????? The girls were worried but they already ate and they were going to head back to Forks. Edward intervenes that Bella should eat something and he will drive her back to Forks. They head into the restaurant and as the hostess seats them and leaves Bella points out that he shouldn't dazzle people and he replies:

p168 Edward "I dazzle people?"
p168 Bella "You haven't noticed? Do you think everybody gets their way so easily?"
p168 Edward "Do I dazzle you?"
p168 Bella "Frequently"

Edward is still trying to gauge if Bella is okay after the incident and notices she does not have a jacket. He takes his off and gives it to her. Chivalry is not dead. It is alive and well in the Cullens. She orders dinner and they start taking. During the conversation he reveals to her that he can read minds, everyone's except hers. How bizarre is that? She finishes eating, they get the check, which he of course pays and they leave. The chapter closes on Edward informing Bella that is her turn to finally answer his questions.

At this point, I have totally thought that, yes I know Edward is a vampire but nonetheless a gentleman. If only they made more men like this these days. He opens doors, he gives a lady his jacket, he picks up the tab for dinner all without complaint.

I just had a conversation with a close friend today that the real reason women of all ages are fawning over Robert Pattinson (other than the obvious good looks and sex hair) is that he IS Edward incarnated. He brought the character to life so well because that is who he is in real life...the gentleman. The definition of gentleman is well-mannered and considerate, with high standards of proper behavior who "always tries to make sure the people around him are as comfortable as possible." (I got that last section from the movie Blast from the Past) You can just feel this in the authors mannerisms given to the character. With every golden word she uses to give Edward a voice be it in actual dialogue or mannerisms it just flows through the reader.

My emotions are running a little stronger with each chapter I finish and my heart is soaring for these young characters.

These quotes I have pointed out are a few of my favorites throughout the series. At the end of my journey of discovery I will post my conclusion and my absolute favorite Top 3 quotes from each book.

And on that note - Chapter 9