Thump. My book bag made that sound when I let it drop to the door. I stood next to the front door, trying to soothe my anger. "Calm down, Bella. No need to stress Charlie out over trivial matters, at least not something as trivial as boys." Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I became aware of the din coming from the living room. Charlie was watching TV again, as he usually did when he returned home from work. I smiled as I heard the couch complain underneath his weight, squeaking as his oversized feet touched the floor. My grin faded as I heard the heavy tread of his footsteps, listening to the way that they dragged on the floor. I knew right away that he must have had a long day at work. I was going to do my best to make the remaining hours pleasant.

Charlie came around the corner, his hair standing up as if he had been running his fingers through it. Though he was exhausted, his brown eyes still managed to twinkle. That never failed to bring a smile to my face, even if I had had a bad day.

"Hey Bells, how was school?"

"Umm…the usual. Lots of homework and terrible lunch food. Not to mention some over-zealous friends."

"Ah, so, the boys are irritating you that badly?"

I grimaced. "Am I so easy to read?"

Charlie managed a small smile. "No, but Mrs. Newton is. She told me everything, including all the rivals that Mike has at school."

"Great. I didn't know there was more than one hormonal teenage boy that I have to deal with."

Charlie hesitated, then spoke: "So…are you interested in any of these boys? I mean, if you are, you know I would be ok with it. Yeah…"

"You mean you would be ok with it, after you performed a background check, right?" The way Charlie scuffed his feet on the floor, I knew I had hit home." Well you don't have anything to worry about, because no one has caught my eye."

He pointed a finger at me."Yet. Uh, so how about some dinner? I'm really hungry. There is some meat in the freezer…"

Standing up straight and saluting him, I said: "Yes sir! Deputy Bella reporting for duty! Now go finish watching your game…you and I both know that there is no place for you in the kitchen."

It took me longer than usual to cook supper. I was having trouble getting the meat to fully cook, but then I realized it was meant to not be cooked all the way. I wrinkled my nose in disgust as I slapped it onto the plate, and watched the blood stream out in tiny rivulets from the crimson meat. I decided to separate the baked potato, as to not ruin it by the bloody pool that had gathered. Charlie raised an eyebrow when I sat down with only a baked potato on my plate.

He cleared his throat, then said: "Bella? You haven't gone vegetarian on me have you?"

"No…I just can't eat bloody meat. It makes me sick. I only eat kosher meat now."

"Oh. Well, that is going to a problem. This steak here is the only kind that I ever get, ever eat, and the only kind in the freezer. I guess I could throw it away…"

"No, Dad. You don't have to do that. I can go to the store and get some kosher meat, usually every grocery store has some, even if it is Forks.

"Well, yeah, I guess. The store is nearly thirty minutes away, but we do have a kosher shop here in town."

I dropped my fork. "What? A…kosher…? I mean, I haven't been here in a while, but…I don't remember that. I don't understand."

Charlie smiled at my confusion. "They have only been here about three years… the Cullens."

I blinked. "Who?"

"Just some Jewish family that came down California, but they are really great people. They stick to themselves and never bother anyone."

"Wow. I wouldn't think that they would want move to somewhere…so isolated. Business must be slow."

"Actually, they do get a lot of business. They are…very attractive people. They didn't even have to introduce themselves to anyone, their faces did all the advertising. As far as why they moved down here…Mr. Cullen said everyone was getting into this scientology stuff. You know…placenta eating and everything."

My stomach flipped several times. "Oh, ew. I guess that makes sense. Do they go to school?"

"Yeah, they do. I'm surprised you haven't seen them before. Like I said, they would definitely stand out."

"Strange. Hmmm." Still baffled, I started to gather up the dishes. "Well, I think I am going to call it a night…I've got to catch up on some homework."

Charlie scraped his chair against the floor as he stood up. "Uh…do you want me to help you with those?" He looked pretty helpless as he stood there.

"No, Dad. I'm pretty sure I can manage by myself."

"I was hoping you would say that…there is another game coming on…now, actually. So…I'll see you tomorrow. Night, Bells." He clapped me on the shoulder as he walked by.

I smiled and said: "Night, Dad. Get some sleep." Now it was my turn to drag my feet, they made a thumping sound as I went up the stairs. I decided I would go to school early and do my homework, because I just wanted to sleep and forget about everything. I kicked off my shoes and curled up into a ball, and let the waves of warmth wash over me as I drifted into a slumber.