Disclaimer: It's quite hard to think of witty or sarcastic things to say here, every single time. So, you can do that for me…just know that I do not own anything!

Chapter Two:

Bella Pov:

"Bella—hey—hey Bella. Psst. Bella."

I was trying to concentrate on my test—Calculus, to be exact—but everytime I started to bring my pencil down to the paper, Jessica Stanley's voice buzzed like an irritated fly in my ear.

"Bella. Please!"

The pattern went on…once…twice…three times before I risked shooting her a glance.

She was looking helplessly at me, making 'subtle' motions at her paper, and then shrugging. In the front, Mr. Whileman flipped the page on his book, and adjusted his illfitting glasses. I let out a mental groan.

This wasn't the first time Jessica had begged me to 'help' her on one of our tests. When I had first moved to Forks, I had thought her a sweet, friendly girl. As time passed by, I began to realize that the main reason she seemed to keep ties with me was because of my brain…that, and the fact that Mike—the guy she was obsessing over, and currently sort of dating—seemed to have a small crush on me. She didn't want to dump me, and thus invoke my theoretical wrath, which would end up with me stealing Mike from her out of the petty need for revenge.

Those words were not my own—Angela had overheard Jessica fretting to Lauren about it a month ago.

Sometimes, I wondered if I should just be the one to distance myself from Jessica, but whenever I tried, she just clinged on stronger.

"Bella…"

I turned to her again, this time with a fine measure of helplessness. I had never actually helped her cheat on a test before, no matter how many times she asked…but the time was ticking on the clock for my own test. If I didn't help her, then I didn't think there was much of a chance of her quieting on her own…but, no. It wasn't worth it. I wasn't going to compromise my integrity for someone like her.

I bit my lip for a moment, my resolution steeling, and then opened my mouth to whisper the words 'I'm sorry, no.'

"Bella Swan! Jessica Stanley! I will not stand cheating in my class. Both of you, to the principal's office—now."

I looked up. Mr. Whileman was standing only feet away from us, glaring daggers, and tapping his shiny leather shoe on the tiled floor. I closed my eyes in defeat. It was what I got for trying to do the right thing, I guessed. Even so, I was too tired, too worn out, to try and argue. I would go to the principal's office, take whatever punishment he doled out, and then go home and sleep…sleep…and stop myself from remembering.

One year, to the day.

"Mr. Whileman. I wasn't doing anything!" Jessica squeaked out from next to me, sounding as if she had somehow swallowed a gallon of helium. "I don't know what you think happened—but, I wasn't cheating! Bella was just asking me something, I don't—I don't know what…but…"

"To the office, Miss. Stanley. And go on, Miss. Swan. I don't have time to deal with this."

I stood up, nodded at him, and then left the room. As the door closed shut behind me, I could still hear Jessica protesting. I didn't care what she told him, even if it involved multiple lies involving myself. I was already in trouble, what would it matter if Jess got free? Besides, maybe this incident would act as an incenitive for her to stop asking for help during tests.

I pushed out of the main building and headed for the office, still wondering if this would finally mean a stop to the pestering. Outside it was, of course, raining bullets from the clouded grey sky. I stuck my face up to the downpour, tasting the pureness on my tongue. I wished the rain would just keep coming, and coming, and coming…pounding into me until there was nothing left. Until I was part of nature itself, and didn't have to deal with the daily struggle that was life.

I don't know what it was about Forks, but ever since my first few days there, it always felt like something was missing. Something important.

Was it home that I was longing for?...or was it something else? Someone else.

"Oh, hello, Miss. Swan." The red haired secretary waved as I stepped inside the small office room. "What's the matter? Surely you didn't get into any trouble?"

I grimanced. Charlie would be hearing about this for sure.

"Actually, I did. Mr. Whileman sent me down to see the principal."

"Whatever for? Oh, don't worry. You don't have to answer that; I don't mean to pry…but was it something bad? Never mind; I shouldn't be asking. Go right in, dear. Nobody else is waiting."

"Thanks," I tried my best to smile at her, but it ended up looking like a sigh.

I turned toward the principal's door, counting the steps until I got there…five…four…three…two…one…one year…one year. I put my hand up to the knob.

"Oh!" The secretary—Mrs. Cope—shrieked. "Oh…is that…no…it can't be. One whole year. Gone. But…"

I whirled around, staring out the nearest window.

Mrs. Cope was right—there was no way. It had been a whole year; he couldn't be coming back.

And yet…striding through the downpour, staring at the flooded asphalt, was Edward Cullen.

Okay! Chapter 2. We're off and running!

Hopefully, Chapter 3 will come soon, and it will be in Edward's POV!

Thank you for reading, and as always, REVIEW! PLEASE!

Thank you : )

And happy St. Patrick's Day! Or…day after, now.