Twilight: Chapter 10 Summary & Analysis

The next morning, Bella struggles to discern whether what happened yesterday was real. She realizes she’s going to be late, and she quickly gets ready—but when she gets outside into the foggy morning, she realizes Edward and his Volvo are in her driveway. He helps her in and offers her his coat, which still smells amazing. Edward shares that his siblings took Rosalie’s car, and Bella is shocked when they get to school—Rosalie drives a red convertible. He explains that they all like to drive fast, so they have fancy cars, but they usually take the Volvo to blend in. 

Edward and Bella get out and head for the cafeteria, where Jessica is waiting with Bella’s jacket. Jessica’s eyes are wide as she gives Bella a meaningful look and says she’ll see her in math class. As Jessica walks away, Edward asks Bella what she’s going to tell Jessica. He says that Jessica wants to know if they’re secretly dating, and how Bella feels about him. He suggests Bella say that they’re dating and admits he’s curious to hear how Jessica feels about that. Bella feels overwhelmed and off-balance as she walks into her English class. She spends her morning thinking about what Edward will hear when she talks to Jessica.

In the back of the math classroom, Bella sits next to Jessica. She shares that she and Edward are dating, but they haven’t kissed yet—and she doubts they’ll get there. Bella notes that Edward ignored their pretty waitress at the restaurant. Then, Jessica sighs that Bella is brave to spend time around Edward; she finds him too intimidating. They discuss how gorgeous Edward is, and Bella notes that “he’s even more unbelievable behind the face.” She also sighs that she likes Edward more than he likes her. After math class, Bella evades more questions by bringing up Mike. Then, when the bell rings for lunch, Bella finds Edward waiting for her in the hallway so they can go to the cafeteria together.

In the cafeteria, Edward and Bella sit alone at a table, and Edward chuckles that Jessica is watching everything they do. Then, he says that it bothers him that Bella told Jessica she likes Edward more than Edward likes her. He says it’s not true, but he asks Bella why she thinks it is. Bella chokes out that “aside from the obvious,” it seems like Edward is trying to get rid of her sometimes. When Edward asks what the “obvious” is, Bella says she’s ordinary. Edward says that’s not true—all the boys in school were in love with her the moment she arrived.

Bella insists that regardless, she’s not trying to end things with Edward all the time. Edward retorts that he cares more because he would end their relationship if need be. He would hurt himself if it meant keeping Bella safe. Bella says that she’d do the same, but Edward insists that she’ll never have to—he’ll always keep her safe. It occurs to Bella that she could purposefully put herself in danger to keep Edward around.

Then, Edward asks Bella if she actually wants to go to Seattle on Saturday, or if she just needed an excuse to not go to the dance. Bella says she’s not going to the dance—she’s too clumsy. She agrees to do something different with Edward on Saturday but insists that she gets to drive; she doesn’t want to explain the change in plans to Charlie, and Edward’s driving scares her. Edward rolls his eyes and asks why Bella won’t tell Charlie about him. Bella insists that less is more with Charlie and agrees to accompany Edward wherever he's going. With a sigh, Edward says Bella should tell Charlie they’re together—then, there’s more incentive for him to bring Bella back. Bella gulps.

Bella and Edward’s conversation shifts to his camping trip last weekend—he and Emmett were hunting for bears, which are Emmett’s favorite. Bella shivers and looks at Emmett across the cafeteria; he’s unnervingly muscular. Edward shares that he prefers to hunt mountain lions, and Bella asks if she can ever watch him hunt. He refuses, but when she asks if it would be too scary, he assures her that it wouldn’t be. Bella asks why she can’t go with him, then, but he says he’ll explain later. It’s time to go to class, and Bella follows him out of the cafeteria.