Prologue

It was with a sour mood that I stared out of the bay window that covered most of my bedroom wall. The sun was barely visible through the thick clouds that covered most of the sky. Frankly, I was quite used to the sight by now.

I could hear my siblings playing downstairs. Rosalie was already put out because she was losing and Emmett wasn't comforting her; he was too busy trying to block Jasper from making the goal. I couldn't tell exactly what they were playing just from their thoughts. I wryly wondered if Carlisle would be happy they were playing indoors.

If there was one person's thoughts noticeably absent from my siblings' sport, they were Alice's.

Oh, Ed, it's almost time for school.

I frowned but didn't turn to meet my sister, who I knew was standing in the doorway, gazing at my hunched back. She and Emmett were the only ones who came to get me out of my room anymore, and even he was growing tired of my bitter demeanor.

"I know, Alice," I responded, hoping she would get the hint and leave, though I knew she wouldn't.

She sat down next to me on my couch and patted my leg supportively, all the while staring me down with her kind gaze. If it was one thing I hated more than anything it was pity, so I muttered, "Why do you even bother? Everybody else hates me." The minute I said it, I grimaced, aware of how it came across-- like I was a child, a petulant, petulant child.

Alice, to my surprise, didn't disagree, at least directly. Rosalie's too caught up in herself to think any less of you. Jasper wishes you weren't so wound up, yes--

I snorted at that.

--But that's more because it brings him down. He wants you to be happy. And Emmett loves you. So, you see, not everyone hates you. They just get agitated.

"And what about you?" I finally allowed myself to look at her then. She grinned, and I found myself almost happy that she had dared venture into my domicile.

"Well..." It was weird to hear her voice, having been tuned to her mind. "I love you very much Edward, and I know that someday you won't be this way anymore."

My frown deepened. "So, you're suggesting that there is something wrong with me."

"No, Edward--"

"You know," my voice grew louder despite myself, "I'm so tired of being seen as 'weird' in comparison

to you. Just because I don't get excited over every stupid thing doesn't mean there's a defect in my personality!"

Alice's head drooped as if she were a chastised puppy. I know Edward. There's nothing wrong with you.

I nodded, convinced that I had won the argument. Then she looked up, appearing, not abashed, but wickedly giddy.

"But that doesn't mean that you can't use a little happiness."

And then she was gone, leaving nothing but my evoked anger and swinging door in her wake.