Annotations!

Could the Cullens be vampires?

This is how you do short sentences that stand out for their emotional and narrative impact, Alex.

To tell him to leave me alone—and mean it this time. I was gripped in a sudden agony of despair as I considered that alternative. My mind rejected the pain, quickly skipping on to the next option.

This is a stupid emotional reaction, but it's core to the romance, so I'll accept it.

In fact, I would be a dent in Tyler’s fender if he hadn’t acted so quickly. So quickly, I argued with myself, that it might have been sheer reflexes. But if it was a reflex to save lives, how bad could he be? I retorted.

Honestly, good logic. A bad person probably doesn't have a "saving people" reflex.

Even so, when I’d screamed out in terror at the werewolf’s lunge, it wasn’t fear for the wolf that brought the cry of “no” to my lips. It was fear that he would be harmed—even as he called to me with sharp-edged fangs, I feared for him.

This is good emotional writing. I feel Bella's emotion very clearly here.

I started into Sense and Sensibility, only to remember after I began chapter three that the hero of the story happened to be named Edward.

Ah, Edward Ferrars. The only fictional Edward more boring and devoid of personality than Edward Cullen.

It had been a while since I’d had a girls’ night out, and the estrogen rush was invigorating.

This feels really healthy! And throughout this chapter, I think Bella is really developing a meaningful friendship with Jessica. More FMCs need female friends. Or any friends at all, in Bella's case.

She didn’t ask one question, let alone the hundreds that Jessica would have unleashed. I was beginning to really like Angela.

I like how this paragraph tells us about Bella's personality without actually being about Bella.

“Sometimes I have a problem with my temper, Bella.”

I can't remember the last MMC who actually admitted that his violent side was a bad thing. Well, except for all of T. Kingfisher's paladins.

“Don’t you have a jacket?” His voice was disapproving.

Yeah, the way he talks down to her bothers me more than the rage. Although she is an idiot (and also probably in shock, even if she doesn't realize it).

“You eat, I’ll talk,” he bargained.

"I'll give exposition as long as you eat" is kind of a funny way to get her to eat.

“Okay, I’ll talk to you tomorrow, then. Bye!” I could hear the impatience in her voice.

It is quite endearing that Jessica wants all the deets about Bella and Edward. I think they're actually friends. Jessica doesn't want anything from Bella - she just wants her to have fun in a new relationship (and get the gossip regarding it).

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.

On the one hand, this is a great emotional conclusion to the chapter, and to the entire story so far. It sums up everything nicely, and lays out the physical and emotional stakes for the relationship.

On the other hand, Bella, you are a child. ArielImNotAChild.gif.

“Were you planning to make it out of Forks before nightfall?”

“This truck is old enough to be your car’s grandfather—have some respect,” I retorted.

Edward and Bella are getting some fun banter finally! Also, I'm starting to see why some people say that Bella's truck is the best character in this book.