The song for this chapter is Enemies by Ryan Cabrera
[audio:https://twilightguy.com/music/enemies.mp3]
As I opened up to the third-from-the-last chapter of Twilight, I accidentally leaned back in my chair, scraping the edge of the cover against the side of my desk. Alas! There is now an injurious scratch on the edge of the book’s spine, with part of the black peeled away to show the white paper underneath. It is a sad sight. But one which made me think of the old velveteen rabbit: obviously, I’ve been getting loads of reading out of this one (though my recent mistake probably merited me this again).
Recommendation: do not attempt to eat salsa while reading Twilight, especially this chapter. For, as I quickly discovered, when your eyes get to the end of the page, your mind does not care that your fingers are still clutching tortilla chips, and instinctively lash out to turn the page so the scene does not stop. The action and suspense have increased with Alice’s vision and Bella’s plans being made: and with Edward arriving very soon, Bella’s got to be out of there in a flash.
Bella’s escape from the airport was wonderfully planned, as she knew the area, and I could very nearly feel the other two close behind. However, it was James’ plan that struck me by surprise. Go on: you can start laughing uproariously now. I caught a few giggles from people as I skimmed the comments last time, about how ‘I was gonna find out’ in the next chapter. I will admit, I was a little confused, since if Bella’s mother was there, that would be an outsider who knew about the vampires: which would not be good at all. Still, I was not expecting James to have been able to put together such a scheme in so little time, so it took me by surprise.
Funny thing about ballet: the only ballet performances I have seen are two of my sister’s, and a few of her practices at the studio. This studio was nearly a photocopy of the one which Bella was lured to: mirrors all about the walls so you could look one way and see yourself multiplied. The most interesting part about this studio, though, was the stairway which no one ever went up. Somehow it got into my head that the place was haunted at night, and an old witch lived upstairs. I figured she must have been a rather poor witch, forced to rent the rooms below out to noisy, screaming children practicing ballet below her feet.
Move over Phantom. There’s a new act in town.
I really enjoyed the fact that Bella actually went back to her house. The reason for this is that the book is now circular: the first pages start out shortly after Bella left her house. It is powerful, then, to see her return, and to think of all the things that have changed since then. Edward appeared. Bella was nearly hit by a car. The men in the alley. Meeting the Cullens. Losing count of guys asking Bella to the dance. So many things have happened, so that when I paged back to the beginning of the book, just to see it again, I was shocked to read Bella’s oh-so-eloquent thoughts back on page 4:
I detested Forks.
So much has changed since then. Bella’s entire character has made such a transformation, this is what she thinks 22 chapters later:
More fiercely than I would have dreamed I was capable of, I wished for the green, protective forests of Forks…of home.
Not only have so many things happened to Bella, but she has changed completely as a person. Is this all because of Edward, I wonder? Or is Edward just a large part of it: a decoy that has made her open her mind to her new home and see things in a different light, that maybe Forks isn’t quite as bad as she was expecting it to be. Quite a change has come over her since she was last in that house back in Phoenix.
This was perhaps the most powerful line in this chapter:
There was no time to look back at my house, and I didn’t want to see it as it was now — empty, a symbol of fear instead of sanctuary. The last person to walk through those familiar rooms was my enemy.
Again, it brought me back to the very beginning of the book: tying the two ends together. This time, it was a line in the prologue:
Surely it was a good way to die, in the place of someone else, someone I loved. Noble, even. That ought to count for something.
——NOTES——
– Someone asked me what I would do if I ever become a famous author. I decided to make a video answering that, which includes a newspaper, the back of Lemony Snicket’s head, a phone call to Stephenie Meyer, a wall of photos that does not exist, and more. Also, sunburn. Check it out over here…
 |
 |
-The next round of picking the song for Twilight starts this weekend! I’ll have the new voting form up with the top ten on Saturday or Sunday, but for now, you can keep suggesting songs (it’s currently in the high thousands).
93 Responses
YESSS I am the first to comment(or so I think) May not. First of all this is super hilarious so keep on doin watcha doin
When I read the book for the first time, Bella’s transition from detesting to loving Forks hit me too. Perhaps it’s a town in which your opinions can only be at an extreme end of a spectrum?
Nice job on summing up Bella’s transformation. I also wondered if it was Edward, but I think it was a combination of everything and everyone in Forks. There she could be a kid; in Phoenix she was the adult. Can’t wait until you get to the next chapter!
lol i luv you, u are hilarious. and about your description on ur video, i dont see where a sunburn comes in??? lol oh well its a mystery.
Oh wow…That made me so happy:D
If this is the kind of humor that is in your novel, that makes me excited to read it!
Next Chapter Song Suggestion! Time is Running Out by Muse.
Hahah, I love that you said you’d randomly sign copies of your own book in bookstores; that’s what I wanna do if I become a really (ect) famous author! Great minds think alike, right? =D
You rock. I’m so ready for you to finish Twilight and move on to the other books. I just finished reading New Moon for the second time (I’m a new Twilighter) and I’m trying to hold off reading Eclipse so I can read New Moon again when you read it. I’m that crazy. So please hurry hurry and finish Twilight. And did I mention you rock?
I’m sure you’ve heard this eight billion times, but you read too slow. I’ve been trying to convince my sister for years to read Twilight, but she won’t. So you’re kind of like her substitute. And if you don’t hurry up, I may be forced to do something drastic like tie you to a chair and force you to read it? And maybe all the other books while you’re there so you’ll be ready for Breaking Dawn.
Dude, how can you EVEN be doing anything else besides reading at this point? Your self-control is absolutely staggering… I couldn’t do it. At this point it was the end or bust for me.
I tried soooo hard not to tell you about James’ plan. It took all of my will power. =)
Getting even closer to the end…I must say, you really sped up on the reading for the last few chapters. More like that and you’ll be onto New Moon soon.
You are hilarious!!! 🙂
Oh that video was amazing XD
Haha. You catch on these little quotes, so quickly.
I just skimmed over them, anxious to read on. So, you have a careful eye [thats always good]
Keep on reading !!!
Ok, I definitely don’t think Edward was a decoy- he IS the entire reason she loves it in Forks. Bella still hates the green, the rain, the cold, the snow, and doesn’t really have any friends (beside the Cullens, of course). It’s still hard for her to relate to people her age, and none of her feelings have really changed regarding Charlie. Bella has changed inside as a person- she’s more happy with her life, more sacrificing, and is coming out of her shell a little more. She’s learning how to truly be loved- and it’s all because of Edward.
oh cool. you have sisters. 😀
Don’t worry, I was also fooled by James’ Plan.
Oh, C’mon, I think all of us were. Haha. 😀
How can you JUST read one chapter at a time??? I was studying for final exams while reading the books and it took all of my power only to read half the book one day in order to study. Haha. =P
I love all the things that you would do
if you were a really famous author!
You are super amazing and Hilarious.
So by now, you must be a Twilight fan, right?
I honestly don’t believe Edward is the
WHOLE reason Bella likes Forks.
Though I’m certain it is greatly due to him.
However I believe they’re are other things
that keeps her in the dreadful and comfy little town.
However I am not able to defend my stand
because I fear it may contain spoilers.
just saying, you do know there are three links to your video in one post? XD
I liked the full-circle thing too, especially because we finally got to see Bella in HER environment, even if it maybe wasn’t a normal one.
Edward is the reason she loves Forks, but I dunno… if she stayed there, without Edward, I think she and Angela might have gotten to be really good friends. I like Angela. We’ll see what happens with her in Breaking Dawn.
I hope Stephenie sees that video. 😀 I think she’d enjoy that. Pssh, I wanna know what happens if a vampire bites a gnome too! And… you mentioned sunburn… I must have missed the reference. I thought that as an absolutely white-skinned redhead, I couldn’t possibly, but apparently I was wrong.
Man, what WOULD happen if a vampire bit a gnome? 😉
hey! maybe im wrong but you´ve chosen “enemies” as song for another chapter havent you? – its just beacause im always waiting to know what new song it´s in your web Kaleb! – ***
I was thinking abou what you said about the change in Bella and how she finally thought Forks as “Home.”
I don’t really think that is was all Edward. I think he was a large part of it, but I also think that she let herself become at home with Charlie.
i was all in suspense waiting for you to finally get to the part where james’ trick was revealed!! finally you are almost to the end of the book 🙂
YOU READ TEH CHAPTER. what did you think of the whole ballet fight scene thing? way to not tell us….. oh, and you better read 23 and 24 together, since 23 is about five pages. yeah.
and this “witch of the ballet” may be fine and dandy, but i prefer the Phantom of the Hallway.
definitely.
happy reading!! [oh, and you should eat pita chips next chapter. they are SO addicting!]
Corinne!
“There was no time to look back at my house, and I didn’t want to see it as it was now — empty, a symbol of fear instead of sanctuary. The last person to walk through those familiar rooms was my enemy.”
Which can also mean,There is no time in life to look back. Bella was empty then, devoid of EDWARD. To go back to the old Bella, without EDWARD, is frightening, being with him is where she finds sanctuary. HER enemy, could be HERSELF???
You always put me in a better mood, Kaleb! Thank you!!
🙂
You made me day sooo much better!
If I became a famous author…
*faraway gaze*
1. I would schedule a private concert of My Chemical Romance
2. Give away lots of prizes to fans to spend the day with me
3. The “M.A.Estman Scholarship” for aspiring writers
4. Set up a non-profit organization for young parents to go to college
5. Probably visit chatrooms anonymously and see what they have to say (just like you)
Haha…yay!
XD your video was HILARIOUS! If you become a famous author you should totally do all of those! I’d love to find a book that the author just randomly picked up and signed…
and how cool would it be to write fan fiction for your own stories??
If you could get a hold of Stephenie she’d probably answer your questions…good luck talking to JK Rowling, though.
Woot for Chapter the Twenty-Second! You’re almost to the end…and there are still a few surprises lurking in the pages ahead. xD
I liked your video, by the way. And I, too, am curious as to what would transpire should a vampire bite a gnome.
Keep up with the awesomeness. 🙂
Joanne Maria took my idea. XD Because technically, the last person who was in that house was Bella. Does that mean she thinks of herself as her enemy? At that point, she is heading towards what she sees as certain death. That would take her away from Edward, and in her eyes, anyone who does that is her enemy.
Just my view on things. 😉 Good job, you’re almost to the end! I hope you’re having fun– and, for the record, most ballet studios look that way. 😉
Great chapter analysis, but I have to say I loved your video =P You have the most random sense of humor (kinda like me).
I need to read twilight again (8th time?) =P Just to go through and keep your thoughts in mind. I’m going to read New Moon along with you for the 9th time, along with eclipse for the 11th =).
p.s. – I dont really think I’d want to know what would happen if a vampire bit a gnome..
*thinks of venemous, blood-thirsty lawn ornaments parading around my front yard* =O
HAHA!
Okay now I can laugh at you!
Also….
*gets the noose ready* >=D
And another laughter of the witch idea, found it kind of ironic because I saw Phantom of the Opera live last night ( In the orchestra seats, its ALMOST as dazzling as Twilight)
And one last thing…
That video was GREAT! Sire made my day =)
Don’t worry about having ruined your book. I was the first vocal Twihard, meaning the Twihards that came before me were not outspoken enough to bring it to school and practically shout to the world, “READ THIS BOOK! IT’S FREAKING AMAZING!” Now, I kept my copy for a good two months. Then one of my friends accidentally tore the cover off and bought me a new one.
Here. I will list the injuries my book has taken:
1. Spine is broken at page 182
2. Protective plastic cover is peeling up on the front, back, and the spine
3. On page 89, the pages stuck together and ripped. I actually had to write in the word “month”
4. The paper part of the spine is coming off on the corners.
5. The cover is so scratched you can actually see where it was dropped and stuff.
The worst crime?
I LOST MY COPY OF NEW MOON. =[
there is a stain on page 383 of my copy of Eclipse. It’s red and comes from a drop of red powerade that i dropped on it during lunch at school.
my best friend and i spent the rest of the day sulking. the perfect book – it’s perfect pages – are now scarred.
omg i actually killed my copy of twilight? half the pages are falling out. the front cover is ripped off and i lost the chapter about the meadow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!=( i was so upset!!!!!!!!! but i am getting a new copy of the book so that i can finally read through it without pages falling out. only now it has to be broken in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
🙂 yay, Stephanie finally threw in a twist you didn’t see coming!
on an unrelated and random note-
i just found a video on youtube about why the breaking dawn release is Aug. 2 (maybe i’m just behind, but i didn’t see anything before today)
on Aug. 1 after Twilight, aka sunset, there is a New Moon that night, and sometime Aug. 1 there is a total solar Eclipse. Which would make the next morning of Aug. 2 the Breaking Dawn after the eclipse!! OME its genius!! 😀
You’re doing my favourite chapter next!!!
Don’t worry, my reading copy of Twilight is held together by tape. Half the pages are ripped from flipping too fast. Both covers are ripped off, and the front cover has tons of rips and creases on top of that. The spine is cracked in multiple places… So I bought a hard-cover to look pretty on the shelf.
Now I’m off to read Twilight for the 15th time. Not kidding.
xxxx
Heather
Very nice blog 🙂
xD- here is somthing intresting- did you know that Twilight took place over about a twenty day period ( actualy I think twenty days is just the time that Edward and Bella spent together- from the first day of school- not counting the time he was in Alaska)? Intresting, though. xD- Just thought I would share 🙂
I can’t wait for the book to come out. And the website is great.
Oh, and I feel bad for you’re poor Twilight book. xD My New Moon’s cover riped off (and it was hard cover)The nice covers with the nice art work on them for both my eclipse and New Moon got smashed. My books look like someone fed them to an alligator- don’t even let me mention how my paper back Twilight looks…
It’s OK. My Twilight is missing front page, back page, and and has whole pages falling out. Page 27 has it’s own Adventures in Tea Stains, page 230 is half-ripped off and the whole thing smells like Twizzlers.
Not to mention the numerous, multi-colored post-its and highlights to mark my favorite quotes.
Velveteen rabbit = good comparison.
Haha, you weren’t expecting the Renee thing AT ALL.
(I don’t know if this is a spoiler – the next chapter is only a few pages long. Can you…can you just do the next one, too? And like, the one after that…?)
Your profound analysis of Twilight is shocking. =)
my paperback issue of twilight is bearly held together and even then people are not allowed to touch it. not joking ask my friends they get ‘the look’ when they try.
I love your chapter posts. As always, you tap into something that most of us don’t notice. I’m rereading Twilight for the first time since i read the entire series (in about a week) back in January. I just got to the middle of chapter 14, and now have to put it on hold for school work (yes, during the summer…stupid AP U.S. History!) but now I’m able to see things differently thanks to your insights. Thanks!
btw, that video was HILARIOUS!!! I love the phone calls to Jo and Stephenie-my two favorite authors ever! I can’t wait to read your book, but I’m going to wait until a little closer to the release to ask for the preview, since it will probably only make the wait more difficult.
Hi! I have heard a lot about the Twilight Guy. I have to say, at first i really didn’t care. Sorry. Then i had some extra time, I figured, “Why not?” How bad can it be. I have to say, you make me laugh. 😀 It’s nice to hear about guys reading Twilight. Though I’m upset because I have friends (girls) that REFUSE to read it. But, your awesome! good luck getting through New moon. I HATE almost the entire book. But, maybe you will like it. I don’t know if i missed it, but have you read the host? Keep reading. Good luck!
My twilight book.. is .. well. sort of wrecked up a bit.. not as bad as some of the others..
but I decided… stupidly.. to write song lyrics in the margins.. I might buy myself a new copy just because.
i also drew one or two pictures in the margins. and wrote a poem in the back.
what can I say! The book inspired me lol.
Oh.. also I know another guy who decided to read twilight..
yeah.. it think he mainly read it to try and impress me but I really don’t like him so it was really unnerving.
Freaking hilarious, as usual. Although I doubt Stephenie Meyer would hang up on you. You’ve become famous in your own right – just wait, Larry might bring up your name in the next Twilight Tuesday.