Edward was gone and Alice couldn't see him coming back. It left the rest of us on edge. I remember that night when Carlisle had explained to us what happened…

We were convened in the dining room, all but two. Edward and Carlisle were still missing and Alice was certain Edward was not returning anytime soon. He was heading up to the Denali coven. It was a little ironic considering my thoughts after lunch, but I couldn't enjoy the irony. Mainly because this separation was painful to Alice. I hated anything that upset Alice. She and Edward were very close and his unexpected exodus frightened her… Mainly because it was so unexpected. Also because he hadn't told her why.

Carlisle would have been home by now except an emergency had arrived at the hospital. Alice had seen that Edward would go to Carlisle before leaving town. Carlisle would know what was wrong. He would explain.

I was controlling the situation as best I could. Everybody had been anxious. Now they were calm. Except for me. I had originally assumed my anxiety was a byproduct of theirs. After all, Edward was an adult (sort of) and he was more than capable of looking after himself, so there was no need to be concerned, right? But even as I washed away their fears, mine remained.

Edward had left and he didn't tell us why it was necessary or where he was going. But I remembered the emotions emitting from Edward, the urgency and the panic, and I knew the departure was necessary. I asked Alice if she could find the catalyst, if she could see what would make Edward so willingly abandon us. She tried, but she didn't understand what she saw any better. What she saw was Bella Swan's confused face.

I decided not to mention the incident at lunch. Not yet. They were worried enough. Besides I wasn't sure that that moment could qualify as an incident. The strange exchange of emotions between Edward an Bella may have been irrelevant to the present situation. It was better to wait for Carlisle. Then we could hear it. The sound of the Volvo's engine slowing on the freeway, the tires hitting the drive; the speed was unusually fast even for Carlisle. Not bothering to go to the garage, he stopped just out front. He must have known we'd be waiting.

The second Carlisle entered Esme flitted to his side. She put a hand on his arm and looked into his face. I released my hold on my family's emotions and concentrated on his. Worry. Patience. Sadness. A touch of pride.

"Well? What happened?" Rosalie asked impatiently.

Carlisle let out a sigh before answering. "Edward had a class with Bella Swan today. He said that she smells better than any he has ever met. Her blood calls to him. He left to prevent himself from taking her life."

There was silence for a second as understanding sank in.

"He didn't have to go. He could have stayed. He could have quit school and-" Esme began -- she didn't like Edward's leaving anymore than Alice -- but Carlisle didn't let her finish.

"Esme, if he stayed, he might have decided to go looking for her… Leaving was the best choice for him," he said softly, putting a comforting hand on her cheek as he spoke. "He made the right decision."

Irina had called us this morning to let us know he had checked in. Edward was pretty shaken up and he wouldn't tell them what was wrong. All that he had said was that he needed to go hunting immediately. He left the car in their drive and took off running. Tanya had caught up with him and told him to call home, but he didn't want to call home. Tanya wanted to respect his wishes, but Irina decided that no matter his problem, Edward was being childish. She did not feel so inclined to respect his wishes.

We appreciated the call. I doubted Edward would when he found out.

I felt unbelievably guilty. Everyone was worried about Edward, but now that I understood the reason for his absence I couldn't help being a little… smug. So Edward had a weakness after all, did he? Maybe now he won't be so smug next time I leave class early to "see the nurse" because I can't ignore my desire to sink my teeth into the teacher's throat…

School wasn't so bad for me anymore. That first week was brutal. But things were easier now thanks to Carlisle's brilliant planning. To ensure that I would never be alone with the normal children, to ensure that the risk of me slaughtering an entire classroom was small as possible, Carlisle ensured that Rosalie would be with me at all times. The story in town was that me and Rosalie were twins -- humans never looked close enough to see that our only trait in common was the blonde hair -- and we were also foster children. Carlisle took the stereotype that all foster children have "problems" and milked it for all it was worth. Carlisle had persuaded the school to change my schedule due to the fact that I had psychological disorder that caused me to have severe separation anxiety whenever I had to be separated from my beloved twin. He had explained that for the sake of my well being it would be safer if she and I could share classes. I nearly choked on my grizzly when he was explaining this one to me.

Of course the school administrators didn't argue with Carlisle, he was a doctor, he knew what he was talking about, right? Of course not one of them had wanted to argue either, who would want to upset the talented, kind, handsome new doctor and his lovely wife? Who would want to risk having Dr. and Mrs. Cullen's mentally deranged foster son having some kind of manic episode and terrorizing their children?

So here I am sitting in Chemistry with Rosalie as my lab partner. Today was a lecture day, not a lab, for which I was grateful. Some of the chemicals used in the labs smell awful. Of course the teacher never called on me, none of them ever called on me, unless I raised my hand which I rarely did. The reason for that was I often gave off a very distinct vibe, one that the humans can never seem to explain, and that vibe was thirsty. I could fix the issue, make them feel more comfortable, more inclined to interact with me, but what was the point? I already knew everything they were teaching. I'd taken this class before.

Erin Derby, the worst student in the class, late again, had been walking to the front desk to hand in her homework. She was an idiot. A boy across the room had winked at her and she paused to smile at him. She was also too close. The way her head turned, pulling the skin tight on her neck, revealing the point where her warm blood pulsed so invitingly…

Urgency, I aimed at Rosalie. She sucked in a sharp breath as the emotion hit her without warning. She glanced at me and then at Erin. I turned my attention to the black board and concentrated on counting the scratches.

"Erin?" Rosalie called the name sharply.

I couldn't see the girl's expression but I could feel the intensity of her surprise from being addressed by Rosalie.

"Are you going to stand their all day? You know, some of us actually would like to graduate this year..." Rosalie's tone was not friendly and the girl took the hint almost immediately.

Lunch was easier. We always sat away from the other students. Mainly so no one would notice we weren't eating. Also, who in their right minds would want to sit with us?

Alice was off in her head again. Looking for Edward. Looking for Bella. Looking for me. It's a wonder her head didn't explode. I couldn't take my eyes off of her, what was she seeing? I knew her well enough not to ask just yet; I could feel her concentration. Luckily Emmett couldn't feel her concentration.

"What's he doing?" Emmett asked.

All three of us looked at Alice now.

"Nothing. He's just sitting in a snow drift a foot away from a half drained bear." Alice shrugged and the frowned.

"And her?" Rosalie asked.

"As far as I can tell she doesn't know anything. She's going grocery shopping after school." Alice giggled.

"It's not funny Alice," Rosalie snapped. "What if she noticed something… off? Edward's the only one who can tell us what's going on inside her head and he's on an extended hunting trip…"

"Rose, it's a little more than a hunting trip," Emmett attempted to soothe her. "Besides I doubt the girl knows anything even if she noticed something. Humans aren't exactly as smart as they think they are… What are the odds she'd be the one to figure it out?"

On this point I agreed with Rosalie. Emmett's assessment was flawed; what were the odds that someone who smelled that way to Edward would end up moving to the same town as he did? Slim to none, and yet… We needed to know what she was thinking. We needed Edward. The problem was that we needed Edward to be in the one place he couldn't afford to be.

The week passed slowly. Tanya called on Wednesday night to inform us of a failed attempt to send him home. Carlisle assured her that there was no reason for her to worry, but I could feel his amusement. I ascertained from that that Tanya's luck with Edward on other matters had not improved. It wasn't until Friday night that we all got a little hopeful.

Alice had a sudden stab of excitement and blurted out, "He's coming home!"

The room that had been vacant but for the two of us was suddenly filled.

"When?" I asked.

"Sunday night. He's traveling at human speed, he's not in a hurry." She answered.

"Why?" I asked. Did she see why he would want to risk returning?

"I'm not sure, but he's going back to school."

"Has he lost his mind?" Emmett asked cheerfully.

"Emmett!" Rosalie snapped.

Everyone felt relieved and hopeful. But Rosalie was also stressed about something. Emmett found something amusing. Esme was pleased. Carlisle felt concerned. Alice was excited.