Edward

I headed downstairs not a moment before it was time to leave.

The others were already gathered. It was a daily routine. One in which I had no place.
Today, Emmett sat on the arm chair near the fireplace, Rosalie perched on his lap, giggling.
Jasper stood looking out onto the driveway with Alice holding his hand in silence.
Esme and Carlisle were organizing the book shelf today. Occasionally, they shared a passage and smiled.

It was not that I begrudged any of my family their happiness. Quite the contrary. Nothing made me happier than the certainty that they were safe, content.

I suppose what bothered me was the concern that I did not belong here- not in this part of their lives. I was the odd one in a set of evenly matched pairs.

She's worried about you. Carlisle's voice echoed in my mind as clearly as if he had said it out loud. She feels you growing distant. So do I, son.

"Edward," Esme held out her arm, beckoning "Come join us."

Normally, I would refuse. Today however, I felt obliged. Esme was a gentle soul. It gave me no pleasure to cause her worry.

"Good morning, mother" I tried to sound cheerful. "What have you rediscovered today?"

"Tennyson!" she beamed, handing me the old hand-written edition; one of Carlisle's more exquisite gifts.

I perused till I came across an old friend:

Why are we weigh'd upon with heaviness,
And utterly consumed with sharp distress,
While all things else have rest from weariness?

"Will you play something for me, Edward?" Esme asked hesitantly.

It had been weeks since I had played- The lack of music bothered her, I knew.
Esme loved hearing me at the piano. She would be troubled of course. I vowed to do better.

"Maybe later," I smiled handing her the book "It's getting rather late."

"Yes, I suppose you are right." she nodded replacing it.

"Goodbye" I planted a soft kiss on her forehead and left before I could feel guiltier.

Alice

Today was not going to be easy. Jasper was on edge.

I was constantly torn between reality and multiple watered down versions of potential futures on the horizon.

More than once, I had sounded off alarm bells to...

Edward. Is he OK?

He frowned slightly. Nothing that would tip the others off but a sign that Jasper was not holding up very well.

I lost myself deeper in my visions.

Jasper sitting in the chair doing nothing.
Jasper running out of the cafeteria at break neck speed. The humans glancing at the rest of us in shock. Our secret unmasked.
Jasper walking towards a small red haired girl at the counter… Bending his head to her ear… Whispering.

As the last image sharpens, I snap back to the present.

Edward! Whitney. Edward nods almost imperceptibly and kicks Jasper's chair.

He looks at me, ashamed while I smile encouragingly.

"Sorry," he muttered to the both of us.

"You'll be fine." I smile reassuringly. "You weren't going to go ahead with it," I add. A smooth lie.
Edward stays still. We both know the truth, but he has my back. We have each other's backs. Always.

"I know." Jasper nods curtly. End of discussion.

I double my defenses. He is too fragile for risks today.

I smile and leave the table, dropping my untouched food in the bin. I know when he needs to be left alone.

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Jessica

All day long, people have been staring at 'Bella' like she was the last girl alive.

I mean, come on! She isn't that pretty. And is she really fooling anyone with that 'I don't like all this attention' charade!

And why Mike… *sob* He hasn't taken his eyes off her all day. Or Eric even but who cares about... Woah. Is Edward Cullen staring at her now?! Seriously?! Him too!

Actually it's weird. Like he wants to make her explode with the power of his mind or something. Hahaha.

Oh well, that's the bell. Biology. Gross.

*****XXX*****XXX*****XXX*****

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