Bella's POV

"You can't be serious," I said Wednesday afternoon. "You've competely lost your mind!"

"Say whatever you like about me," Alice answered. "The party is still on." I stared at her, my eyes so wide with disbelief it felt like they might fall out and land on my lunch tray. "Oh, calm down, Bella! There's no reason not to go through with it. Besides, the invitations are already sent."

"But...the...you...I...insane!" I spluttered.

"You've already bought my present," she reminded me. "You don't have to do anything but show up." I made an effort to calm down. Why is she doing this?! I mean, they're so stressed out! Me too! Even though I'm not doing anything!

"With everything that is going on right now, a party is hardly appropriate."

"Graduation is what's going on right now, and a party is so appropriate."

"Alice!" She sighed, and tried to be serious.

"There are a few things we need to get in order now, and that's going to take a little time. AS long as we're sitting here waiting, we might as well commemorate the good stuff. You're only going to graduate from high school -for the first time- once. You don't get to be human again, Bella. This is a once-in-a-lifetime shot." Edward, was silent through our little argument, flashed her a warning look. She stuck our her tongue at him. She was right -her soft voice would never carry over the babble of the cafeteria. And no one would understand the meaning behind her words in any case.

"What few things do we need to get in order?" I asked, hoping they wouldn't answer. And of course, Edward answered in a low voice.

"Jasper thinks we could use some help. Tanya's family isn't the only choice we have. Carlisle's trying to track down a few old friends, and Jasper is looking up Peter and Charlotte. He's considering talking to Maria... but no one really wants to involve the southerners." Alice shuddered delicately. "It shouldn't be too hard to convince them to help," he continued. "Nobody wants a visit from Italy."

"But these friends -they're not going to be... vegetarians, right?" I protested, using the Cullens' tongue-in-cheek nickname for themselves.

"No," Edward answered, suddenly expressionless.

"Here? In Forks?"

"They're friends," Alice reassured me. "Everything's going to be fine. Don't worry. And then, Jasper has to teach us a few courses on newborn elimination..." Edwrd's eyes brightened at that, and a brief smile flashed across his face. My stomach suddenly felt like it was full of sharp little splinters of ice. "You look a litle green, Bella," Alice commented. Edward put his arm aorund me and pulled me tightly against his side.

"It's going to be fine, Bella. Trust me." Sure, I thought to myself. There's no one who I can trust. Only a couple days ago I found out my Mother had died, as well as my sister. My brother left, and my Dad hates us. Who is there to trust? Well, other than Percy. Probably.

The message light was flshing when I got home. My feeling of relief flared when I got home. My feeling of relief flared agian as I listened to my mother describe Phil's accident on the ball field -while demonstrating a slide,he'd tangled up with the catcher and broken his thigh bone; he was entirely dependent on her, and there was no way she could lelave him. My Mom was still apologizing when the message cut off.

"Well that's one," I sighed.

"One what?" Edward asked.

"One person I don't have to worry about getting killed this week." I replied. I wonder if she's gotten her memories back yet. I picked up the phone and dialed Renee's number. I knew it would be a longer conversation, but I also knew that I wouldn't have to contribute much. I just listened, and reassured her every time I could get a word in: I wasn't disappointed, I wasn't mad, I wasn't hurt. She should concentrate on helping Phil get better. I passed on my "get well soon" to Phil, and promised to call her with every single detail from Forks High's generic graduation.

"Oh, and Nico stopped by." She added quickly. I hopped of the counter, suddenly fully into this conversation. Edward was momentarly surprised at my sudden interest.

"Wait, you know Nico?" I asked. "And he visited?"

"Yes, and he frightened me to death when I saw him!"

"Suits him." I said laughing slightly. I leaned against the door frame. "So, what did he say?"

"Well, he asked if you were there." She replied. "And, when I said no, he just nodded and told me to tell you. "I'll be there for you soon." Now, what does that mean?" I shrugged knowing she wouldn't be able to see.

"No idea. I don't know everything yet." I said grimancing and glancing at Edward, I know he was listening to my conversation. "Although is he okay? Is he hurt?"

"No, other than deathly pale, he looks okay. I made him some food." She said.

"So, you killed him there?" I teased.

"No!" She shot back. "And for the record, I've been doing classes online, and I'm not that bad at cooking."

"Ah huh. Anything else he said? Did he leave anything?"

"Yeah, a fortune cookie dropped out of his pocket and, well, you know me."

"Mom, please tell me you didn't eat the cookie."

"Well, I couldn't resist." She replied. I dropped the phone. I may not know that much, but I knew enough to know that the gods are real, and that the cookie was from Nemesis. Edward grabbed the phone and handed it back to me. I held it up to my ear and paced around the kitchen.

"Mom!" I said urgently. "Why did you eat the cookie?! Do you have any idea what you've done?! Do you know what the price is for eating the cookie?!"

"Apparently not." She said.

"What were you thinking about, while you opened the cookie?"

"Well, I was thinking about Phil, hoping there was a faster way for him to heal."

"Of course that's what you were thinking." I muttered. "Nico did say he was visiting, right?"

"Yes." She replied.

"Good." I growled. "Because I need to have a talk with him."

"Okay then, tell him I said hello!" She said. "I'll talk to you later then." And she hung up, I put the phone back in it's place and turned to face Edward. Knowing I'd have a lot of explaining to do.

"Who is this, Nico?" He asked, walking so he was standing only a couple feet from me.

"Well, Nico is my long lost brother." I replied.

"I didn't know you had a brother." He said frowning.

"Neither did I." I replied.

"No, I've never seen it in Charlie's mind. There's been nothing about a brother."

"Well, Nico is real, and he is going to be here." I said nodding to him.

"Can I meet him?" He asked.

"No." I replied, becoming serious suddenly.

"Why not?"

"Well, our family... is, different, you could say." I answered. He raised his eyebrows. "Well, for a human family. And, I don't think it'd be the best idea if you met him."

"What's so strange about him that I can't know about?"

"Well, he's just really creepy. Like, your-everyday-stalker creepy."

"Then I don't want you being around him."

"He's my brother!" I was raising my voice.

"How am I supposed to know that?" He asked his voice raising a little as well.

"You should know me better than that!"

"How am I supposed to know that he didn't mess with you mind, and he really only wants to kill you!"

"Because I know my brother, and... I've met him." My voice lowered and I sat down. "I have met him before, we've been through tough times together. I've always been there for him. I can't let him down, and set himself up for betrayal." I sighed and looked out the window. "Maybe... maybe at the end of his visit, you can meet him." I looked back at him. "Although I need some time with my brother." He paused, trying to work out what I just said. "And, you better not listen into our conversations, I want to be alone with my brother." He sighed.

"Fine." He finally said. "Although I'm still not so sure about this, I mean, I've never seen anything about a brother in Charlie's mind."

"Of course," I said, a little happier that he agreed. "But remember, no eavesdropping at all. Maybe at points I'll call you, just to prove that I'm right." He looked at me, like if I left, I would never return.

"When do you think he'll come?" He asked,

"Well, probably tomorrow after school. Just to let me get ready."

"That's exactly the time I'm going hunting with Carlisle, Esme, and Rosalie." He said thoughtfully.

"Wait, are you saying that while Nico is visiting, I'll be babysat?!"

"When you put it that way, yes."

"Can't you just ask them to leave me be, and let me see my brother?" I begged, he paused. "What would you do if you found your long lost brother? You'd probably want to talk to him alone." I repeated.

"Fine, we can make that work, only if you let us meet him. We need to know if he's safe."

"Fine by me, although don't mind the smell." I turned around and got started on Charlie's dinner. He frowned, obviously not understanding the old joke me and Nico made. "You know... I haven't been to La Push since the bonfire." His head snapped to look directly at mine. "I would be safe there." I reminded. He thought about that for a little while before agreeing with me. I called Jacob next. Edward was extremely patient while on was on the phone. Jacob was too happy when I told him I could come over tomorrow, although I broke that happiness when I told him that I was going to talk to my brother, and visit him instead. But he was okay with it otherwise.

"How do you think you did on your exams?" Edward asked as we walked back to the car.

"History was easy, but I don't know about the Calculus. It seemed like it was making sense, so that probably means I failed." He laughed.

"I'm sure you did fine. Or, if you're really worried, I could bribe Mr. Varner to give you an A."

"Er, thanks, but no thanks." We drove to the border in silence, I was practically jumping in my seat to see Nico. I couldn't wait to see what he's like now. Of course, I know his normal picture, with dark black hair, deathly pale, and skinny, very, very skinny. But he was still my brother. When we got around the border, Edward's eyes tightened, probably something Jake was thinking about. I ignored it, I had to see my brother. I walked across the border and hopped into Jake's rabbit.

"Hey, Bells," Jake said, his tone was cheerful but his dragged. And of course, I ignored it. "So, where are we meeting your brother?"

"I dunno, he'll probably just... appear on the front step of your house." I said, nudging him. He gave a long, low laugh.

"So, we'll start there then?" He suggested.

"Sure." I said, shrugging. He didn't say where he was meeting us, might as well start there. Jake drove up to his house and got out, yawning. I got out as well, starting to walk behind Jake as we walked into his house. He froze and I bumped into him. He didn't move.

"Something's different. Something smells weird." He spun around to face me. And his eyes widened. "And it's right behind you!" I turned around, right as Jake put himself in front of me. I peaked over his shoulder unable to see over his massive body, and flung myself over him once I saw who it was.

"NICO!" I cried happily, hugging so tightly, I didn't think he could breathe.

"Bella... can't... breath." He crooked, I quickly let go and studied him. He didn't look any different, only his hair had grown longer. And he's a little taller than me now.

"Bella..." Jake started. "Do you know this kid?"

"Oh, right. Jake, this is Nico," I started. "My brother."

"Really?" He asked, starting to take my arm and slowly pull me away. "You don't look like his sister."

"Trust me, this is my brother." I said pulling my arm back. "Now go get some sleep." I said nodding to him. "I need some time to talk with my little bro." I smiled, pushing him away a little. "Don't worry about me." I said, turning and starting to walk away with Nico.

"So Bella," he started. "How are you? You have, interesting friends." He glanced back at Jake, who had started to walk away.

"Well, I'm fine thank you. And, Jake and I have been friends since I was born." I said. Nico raised his eyebrows. "Well, that's what my fake memories told me."

"So, you've started to get them back, huh?" He said. "What do you know?"

"Well, for one thing I know the gods are real, I know about my mother and Bianca." Nico flinched when I said that. "I know that I was in a war, that I can... summon up the dead. And I know about Percy, Annabeth, and Luke."

"So, you don't know about our father yet?" He asked.

"No, who is he?" I asked.

"Hades." He replied. I started at him. "We are children of Hades."

"So, we're the only children of Hades?" I asked, Nico looked left and hesitated. "Nico, what are you not telling me?"

"Well... I really shouldn't be talking about this now but... I can't hide anything from you now, anyways, I helped another girl out of the underworld, her name is Hazel. She's the daughter of Pluto."

"Pluto as in, the Roman form of Hades?"

"Yes." He answered. We didn't talk for a long time.

"So, how is camp?" I asked, finally breaking the ice. "How is everyone there?"

"I haven't visited often, but last time I saw it, camp was okay. Their rebuilding it. It looks nice."

"Yeah, and... I was wondering about Luke." Nico looked at me, with sad eyes.

"Well... Luke saved us all, he was the human form for Kronos. He destroyed Kronos and saved us. I asked Annabeth, I wanted a little more information. Just to help him out when he would get judged. And, Annabeth claimed that you got out of the casino before us. You were taken directly to camp. This was a couple years before Luke went to the dark side. And, she said that you used to date him."

Now it was all coming back to me, I left the casino only 4 years before they did. We were dating for that year, he seemed to soften up when I came around camp. But, I don't know what got him to change.

"Annabeth says that he did love you." Nico continued. "'You caught his eye when you first got to camp,' she said, 'you were 14 when you started dating. Although you two were the perfect match, age didn't matter to you. When he joined Kronos' side, you were heartbroken."

"Luke had visited me from time to time." I said, all my memories were coming back to me. They were all crystal clear. "He sometimes told me how sorry he was, that he wanted to come back. Most times I would've forgiven him. Although the second to last time I got angry. I said, "if you're going to come back, why not come back now?" Of course, he came back again. That was the last time he came back for me, I noticed his glowing golden eyes. I got scared, and ran." I looked down. "I could've helped him. Everyone thinks that Annabeth was playing that role, Hermes thought it was her fault. But it was all my fault." I didn't know I was crying until Nico wiped the tears away.

"It was never your fault." He said holding my face in his hands. He sat us down on a log and looked at me. "I need to tell you something."

"I kinda figured that." I said shrugging slightly.

"No, this is very important, so listen carefully." Nico said, becoming serious. "You have to die."

"Excuse me?!" I shouted.

"No, I don't mean it like that. Although the fates told me that you have to die. I will bring you back to life."

"What does that mean?"

"I don't know, although I think it has something to do with the prophecy. You will die, I think it has to do with those friends of yours."

"Why are you telling me this? It's bad to mess with the fates."

"Because you will die. Even if they have to kill everything in its path."

"But-"

"We should really get back, your werewolf friend just woke up from a nap, he's going to be wondering where you are."

"Are you going to stay?" I asked hopefully.

"No, sorry, but I need to go." He said shrugging.

"But, Edward wanted to meet you." I protested.

"He probably won't like me." He said smirking. Before he pressed a whistle in my hand. "If you ever need me again, call me. I'll be there as soon as I can." He promised. Then he placed a couple coins in my hands. "You can Iris message camp, tell them you've got your memories back, and you'll be coming home soon." I nodded quickly.

"Please. Can't I at least make you dinner?" I asked. "I promised him he could meet you." He grimaced.

"Fine." He said finally. "And, please don't tell me he's a vampire." He begged.

"Well... yes."

"I knew it. You smell like death."

"And you smell so much better." I shot back,

"One more thing." He said, he put a small box in my hand. "In there is Ambrosia, it will heal you, but don't eat too much, or else you'll burn up." I froze.

"That's nice." I said, starting to walk away. He caught up with me quickly, and I looked down at his pants. There was a long sword hanging by his side. "Don't you think people will notice the sword?" I asked. He shook his head.

"The mist is much more powerful here. I don't know why."

"Also, I know that monsters would usually attack demigod, especially the ones with a strong scent." I causally, itching for information.

"Well, I just figured, haven't you noticed that only one type of monster would attack us at a time. Never two different species, one might say, although you already have vampires with you. And werewolves. The other monsters just figure that those two are handling you. So, they ignore you." He said. I nodded, understanding why no monsters have attacked me. Other than other vampires. When we reached the end of the woods, Jake's house was in view. Jake came running out. He grabbed Nico by the collar of his shirt and held him a couple feet off the ground.

"Where did you take her?!" Jake demanded.

"Jake!" I shouted. "Calm down! We were only walking!" He looked at me before setting Nico on the ground. Jake walked back a couple steps and looked at me, I wasn't paying attention to him though, I was looking at Nico.

"I'll see you again, sometime, Bella." Nico said before backing away into the woods. He didn't come back.

"Jake!" I shouted as I looked back at Jake, remembering how he treated my brother.

"Sorry Bella." He said looking down. "I just wanted to talk to you." He grimaced. "Look, I was planning on doing this differently, smoother." He added. "I was going to work up to it but, I'm out of time to work."

"What do you need?" I asked. He stopped and looked at me.

"I'm in love with you Bella." Jacob said in a strong, sure voice. "Bella, I love you. And I want you to pick me instead of him. I know you don't feel that way, but I need the truth out there so that you know your options. I wouldn't want a miscommunication to stand in our way." I started at him for a long minute, before placing my hand on his cheek.

"Did you really have to do that?" I asked.

"What?"

"I am really stressed out right now, and... everyone knows that I can't love you when my heart stops beating.

"Then I'll fight until it happens."

"And what will you do if you win?" I asked him.

"I'll-" he paused, I knew I stumped him. "I'll make sure your heart keeps beating. I'll make sure that you live."

"But, you don't understand. It won't happen." Why can't he just understand that I am going to die.

"Then I guess I'll just have to fight harder." He said before he walked up to me and kissed me. Grabbing my chin and forcing my lips to him. I'm going to kill him when he's done. I shoved against him with all my strength, but he didn't seem to notice. I grabbed at his face, trying to push him away, failing again. It didn't work. I let my hands drop, waiting for him to finish. Finally he let go of my face and leaned away.

"Are you done now?" I asked.

"Yes," he sighed. He started to smile, closing his eyes. I pulled my arm back and then let it snap forward, punching him in the mouth with as much power I could force out of my body. There was a crunching sound.

"Ow! Ow!" I screamed, clutching my hand to my chest. It was broken, oh well, I mean, I've had worse, much, much worse. Jacob stared at me in shock.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"No! You broke my hand!" I shouted. I stopped jumping and looked at him.

"Here, lemme look at it." He said.

"Don't touch me! I'm going home right now!"

"I'll get my car." He said calmly. He walked me to the passenger side of his car and helped in. When he got in the driver's side, he was whistling.

"I hate you Jacob Black." I hissed.

"That's good, hate is a passionate emotion."

"I'll give you passionate." I muttered under my breath, taking out the box Nico gave me.

"The dude gave you a box?!" Jacob asked.

"Yeah, deal with it." I hissed. I opened the box barely even looking at what was inside. I took out an 8th of the square and shoved it in my mouth.

"That looks disgusting." Jacob remarked.

"It tastes just fine." I snapped, swallowing the food. It actually tasted really good, although I couldn't put a finger on it. I could feel my hand healing, in a few minutes all I could feel was a small throb.

"Is your hand okay?" He asked. "Do you think you broke it?"

"I'm not sure," I said glancing at my hand. The pain was gone.

"Do you need a doctor?"

"I'll be fine." I hissed, angrily. I still wanted him to think I was in pain. I climbed out of the car awkwardly, heading for the house. The engine cut off behind me, an and I was less surprised than annoyed to find Jacob beside me again. We walked silently in the house and past the front room where Charlie was lying on the sofa.

"Hey kids," he said sitting forward. "What's wrong with her?" He asked Jacob.

"We think she broke her hand."

"How did she do that?" He asked slightly amused.

"Laugh all you want." I muttered.

"She hit me." Jacob laughed along with Charlie.

"Why did she hit you?" He asked.

"Because I kissed her." Jacob said unashamed.

"Good for you kid." Charlie congratulated him. I went for the phone. I dailed Edward's number.

"Bella?" He answered on the first ring. He sounded more than relieved, he was delighted. I could hear the engine in the background; he was already in the car, that was good. "You left the phone, I'm sorry, did Jacob drive you home."

"Yes," I grumbled.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing much, just punched Jacob. Not the best idea." I muttered looking at my hand, stretching it.

"I'm sorry you're hurt, if you want. I can do something." He offered.

"I was hoping you'd say that."

"That doesn't sound like you," he said, wary now. "What did he do?"

"He kissed me," I growled. All I heard on the other end of the line was the sound of an engine accelerating. In the other room Charlie spoke again.

"Maybe you ought to take off, Jake," he suggested, leading Jake to the door. Jake stayed out there.

"I think I'll hang here, if you don't mind."

"Your funeral," Charlie muttered.

"Is the dog still there?" Edward finally spoke again.

"Yes." I replied, after that he hung up. I walked outside and stood by the door, he would be here any second.

"Sorry, about your hand Bella." Jacob said. "Is it okay? Can you stretch it?"

"My hand is fine, thank you for asking." I showed him my perfectly fine hand.

"Wait, you said it was broken. Now... it's fine!" He said, I heard she sound of tires screeching the pavement as Edward raced around the corner. "I know! It's that freak guy you were talking to! He messed with your hand!" And that's when I popped. I knew Edward was in hearing distance but I didn't care.

"Di immortalis Jake!" I shouted pointing my finger at him, anger flashed in my eyes. "How dare, you talk about my brother like that!" Edward's car came into view. "And trust me, if you insult anyone who's in my family I will Παραγγελία πιστοί υπηρέτεςμουαυτό!" I let out a angry breath and marched up to the porch, where Charlie was standing there, looking at me, surprised. Charlie went back inside muttering to himself as I turned an icy glare on Jacob. Edward came to a stop and got out, walking towards me, however checked my hand.

"Are you okay?" He asked, deadly calm.

"Fine." I replied.

"I'll bring you to Carlisle." He said, he was already leading me towards his car before I could object. He opened the door for me and I got in. Edward then turned to face Jacob on the side walk. Jacob's stance was casual, his arms folded across his chest, but the muscles in his jaw were tight. Edward's voice was so peaceful and gentle that it made the words more threatening. "I'm not going to kill you now, because it would upset Bella." He glanced but quickly turned back to Jacob. "But if you ever bring her back damaged again -and I don't care who's fault it is; I don't care if she merely trips or if a meteor falls out of the sky and hits her in the head- if you return her to me in less than perfect condition that I left her in, you will be running with three legs. Do you understand that mongrel?" I slapped hand over my mouth to stop myself from falling over laughing.

"Well, if you're done rummaging through my head," Jacob said with a thick edge of annoyance, "why don't you go and take care of her hand?"

"One more thing," Edward said slowly. "I'll be fighting for her, too. You should know that. I'm not taking anything for granted, and I'll be fighting twice as hard as you will."

"Good," Jacob growled. "It's no fun beating someone who forfeits."

"She is mine." Edward's low voice was suddenly dark, not as composed as before. "I didn't say I would fight fair."

"Neither did I."

"Best of luck." Great, their fighting each other when they don't realize that neither of them will get me in the end! Jacob nodded.

"Yes, may the best man win."

"That sounds about right... pup." Jacob grimaced briefly, then he composed his face and leaned around Edward to smile at me. I glared at him.

"I hope your hand feels better soon. I'm really sorry you're hurt." I continued to glare at him and mouthed, 'insult my brother again'. Then I slid finger across my neck and hung my head. He laughed, and Edward got in. He drove around his house to the garage. Emmett and Rosalie were there, Rosalie's perfect legs were sticking out from under the bottom of Emmett's huge Jeep. Emmett was sitting beside her, one hand reached under the Jeep toward her. He watched carefully as Edward and I got out of the car.

"So... what happened?" Emmett asked as Edward helped me out, still thinking I'm hurt.

"We think she broke her hand." Edward said glancing at Emmett once. Who snorted.

"Fall down again, Bella?" He teased. I glared at him.

"No, I punched a werewolf in the face." I snapped. Emmett blinked, and then burst into a roar of laughter. Edward led me past them, I ignored them when Rosalie said,

"Jasper's going to win the bet." And we went right inside. Carlisle met us at the kitchen.

"Can I see your hand?" He asked, I gave him my right hand. "Doesn't look bad, can you show me where it hurts?"

"It doesn't hurt." I insisted. "I'm fine."

"Can you straighten and close your hand for me?" He asked politely, ignoring the comment. I opened and closed my fist for him, showing him that I'm not hurt. "Are you sure you broke it?" He asked, making me look into his eyes. They were golden, swirling with confusion.

"Yes." I said looking away, they looked like Luke's, his eyes. Exactly like when he last visited me. "Well, I think I broke it only an hour ago." I said shrugging slightly. Carlisle frowned.

"What's that smell?" He asked suddenly staring at my coat pockets. It was the Ambrosia.

"Nothing." I said quickly.

"Bella." He warned.

"Fine." I huffed taking out the small box from one pocket, the coins and the whistle from the other.

"What are these?" Carlisle asked, taking a coin. I snatched it back, although his gaze was focused on the box. He held it up and opened it. "What is this?!" He asked staring at it in confusion.

"My lunch." I said quickly taking it back, and putting my belongings back in my pocket. My 6th sense was tingling, I whipped around to see Emmett peaking through the door, he met my gaze and slowly made his way back into the garage.

"What is it really?" Carlisle asked again, when I didn't answer he asked, "what happens when you eat it?"

"Nothing." I lied.

"What, if you eat too much?" He asked. I smiled and nodded.

"Why didn't you just say that?" I asked before losing the smile and saying. "You burn to ashes." Carlisle stared at me, and I felt Edward's arms slither around me.

"Then what are you doing with it?" He asked.

"Eating it of course."