The book begins with Jacob trying to write Bella a letter. He's having trouble finding the right words to say to his friend, a problem I've never, ever had. Of course, I usually decide on something better than:
Yeah, I miss you, too. A lot. Doesn't change anything. Sorry.You see, Jacob can't be friends with Bella anymore, because she's dating a vampire. Did you know that vampires and werewolves don't really get along? If only they could find a mutual enemy that would bring them together as brothers and comrades!
But I'm getting ahead of myself. Jacob is hurt. Bella is hurt that Jacob is hurt. Charlie is hurt that Bella hasn't made dinner yet, and has resorted to cooking. He's comically bad at preparing food though, and has screwed dinner up badly. If you're keeping score, women are good at cooking, and men are good at motorcycles. There are no exceptions. Bella is double super grounded now, and the only time she can see Edward is for a couple hours each evening in the company of her father, which makes the fact that Dad's cooking for her (or trying to) even stranger.
But first, this news bulletin! There's a string of unsolved murders in Seattle that will in no way tie into the plot of this book! No sir, that was simply a little bit of depth being added to the book's universe. No vampire-related activities at all. Move along.
Anyway, Charlie made dinner to have a little negotiation session with his daughter. He's willing to allow her out of the house once in a while, as long as there's some time spent with non-vampires. Actually, Charlie's not even that specific; he just wants Bella to have friends other than Edward and Alice. In particular, one Jacob Black. Charlie doesn't understand that vampires and werewolves just don't get along, because nobody has bothered to explain it to him, and he wasn't forced into reading the first two books like a certain blogger. But, Bella agrees to try.
Bella has some exciting mail to open, too. She's just been accepted to the prestigious University of Alaska Southeast! Go fighting...school that dismantled its athletic program in 1990? Not surprisingly though, it is a real school, because Meyer refuses to create her own towns/schools/anything.
Just as Bella and Charlie start a thrilling discussion on financial aid options, Edward arrives for his nightly visit. If you haven't been paying attention, Bella again tells us all about Edward. He's PERFECT. That's all you need to know. Edward has brought over more applications for Bella, targeting schools with either a) late admission or b) the ability to be bribed by the Cullen family's massive fortune. Meanwhile, Edward has been accepted to Syracuse (please don't sully my school's good name by dragging it into this book, Meyer!), Harvard and Dartmouth...but might very well turn down his Ivy League suitors to go to school with Bella instead. I mean, he's 108 or so, and he's probably gone to college a dozen times already, so he's willing to slum at UAS for a few years to make sure Bella doesn't accidentally kill herself out on the quad.
Bella lets it slip that she's not quite as grounded as before, and Edward suggests that maybe Bella can go on a shopping trip with Alice up in Seattle, which freaks Charlie the hell out. Remember, the not vampires who are killing people in Seattle? He's not happy with Bella heading up that way until the totally human gang is taken care of. Edward suggests Portland instead, and Charlie gives up.
Edward tries to make Bella fill out some more applications, but she refuses. I mean, she can't get into Dartmouth...at least without an absurdly large bribe, so she wants no part of even trying. Edward respects his girlfriend's decision by forging her handwriting and signature, and plans to send the application in anyway. Bella doesn't see why she should have to get accepted to more than one school, since she'll be losing her vampginity because school starts anyway. The relationship is as healthy as ever, folks!
Edward is not in a rush for Bella to become a newborn vampire. In fact, he's pretty sure that's what's behind the killings in Seattle. Who could have guessed? Bella, though, says she'll be fine, because they can live in Antarctica and eat penguins. Those poor penguins. :(
Boy, this chapter is long, and it is draaaaging. Bella feels bad about Jacob, and wants to go down to La Push to see him. However, Edward -- like any great and perfect boyfriend -- refuses to let Bella see her best friend under any circumstances. Edward sort of has a legitimate gripe though, in that he thinks that werewolves might accidentally kill Bella. Given Bella's ability to nearly kill herself regularly, adding another potential cause of death does seem foolhardy. But Jacob and his friends have never really seemed dangerous towards Bella, so Edward is being just a tad overprotective. But, Bella knows, he just needs time to change, because he's really a good guy underneath it all. Healthy.
Bella pleads her case, but Edward won't have it. Though she wants to help Jacob and make things right between them, Edward is convinced it's too dangerous, and that she cannot be allowed to choose her own friends. You see, he just loves her soooo much, that he'll have to physically prevent her from hanging out with her best friend when she wants to.
Who wouldn't love this guy?
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