Chapter Three – Phenomenon

Chapter Number:  Three

Chapter Name:  Phenomenon

Page Numbers:  53-67 (Hardcover)

Date of Chapter:  January 25, 2005

Summary:  When Bella gets up to go to school she discovers that the temperature has dropped overnight, and now the rain slicked environment has turned into an ice covered one. She’s grateful and touched that Charlie thought to plan ahead. He put chains on her tires so she could drive to school safely. She muses that she’s not used to people taking care of her like that.

No sooner than Bella parks her truck next to a tan car in the school parking lot she notices two things: 1) the all the Cullen and Hale students are standing across the parking lot, in particular Edward is staring at her in dismay, 2) Tyler Crowley has lost control of his van and it is careening toward her faster than she can get away.

The next thing Bella knows, Edward knocks her to the ground, out of the way of the Tyler’s van. She is under the impression that he physically pushed the van off her not once, but twice.

At the hospital Tyler can’t stop apologizing to both Bella and Edward. He seems more beat up than Bella, who only has a bump on her head, and Edward, who doesn’t have a scratch on him.  Dr. Carlisle Cullen treats them all and releases Bella to Charlie’s custody.

Before Bella goes home with Charlie, she confronts Edward about what happened. Despite his insistence that he was standing next to her when the accident happened, Bella knows he was standing across the parking lot and he should not have been able to reach her in time. She also insists that Edward used superhuman strength to keep the van from crushing them. Edward refuses to confirm or deny what Bella claims. He stalks off frustrated and angry when she won’t just let the incident drop.

At home, Charlie is concerned, but gives Bella her space. Bella has to deal with an hysterical phone call from Renee who demands that Bella return to Phoenix. Bella tells Renee she is staying in Forks. When Bella goes to sleep, she dreams about Edward for the first time.

Characters Involved:  Bella Swan, Tyler Crowley, Edward Cullen, Charlie Swan, Carlisle Cullen

Characters Mentioned: Mr. Varner, Coach Clapp, Mike Newton, Eric Yorkie, EMT’s/hospital staff, Rosalie Hale, Jasper Hale, Emmett Cullen, Alice Cullen, Renee Dwyer

Places Visited: The Swan Home, Forks High School, County Hospital

Memorable Quotes:
“No blood, no foul .” 
~ Edward to Tyler telling him not to worry about the accident.

 “Actually most of the school seems to be in the waiting room.”  
~ Carlisle correcting Edward’s assessment on informing people.

“I saved your life–I don’t owe you anything…You think I lifted a van off you?…I hope you enjoy your disappointment.”
~Edward’s various responses to Bella’s demands for an explanation regarding the accident.

“I don’t like to lie–so there better be a good reason why I’m doing it.”
~ Bella explaining to Edward why she can’t, “just drop it.”

“That was the first night I dreamed of Edward Cullen.”  
~ last line of the chapter.

Important Information Learned:
Edward has lightning fast reflexes and superhuman strength.

Edward is completely uninjured in the accident.

Carlisle seems to be aware of Edward’s talents and is uncomfortable that Bella realizes them too.

Edward’s siblings’ reactions to the accident range from “disapproval to fury”.

Renee tends to overreact to things.