AN: Hello everyone! I apologize that I forgot to mention in the first chapters that character credit obviously goes to Stephanie Meyer. Furthermore, this is my first story, so I apologize if all of the kinks with the whole publishing-delio causes you strife. Please bear with me. Thanks!

March 2012

~3~

Ben shakes his head, his brown hair flopping over his eyes, turns, and continues to nibble at his slice of pizza. I know he wishes he could buy two, but with a younger brother and a single mom, times are hard. I know about that too.

I stare at the East-Ender's table, wondering what today's bespectacled kid did to anger that fucker Jasper. I also feel a pang of sorrow watching Edward try and hold back his laughs. He wasn't always this way.

I sit, my hand on Edward's thigh, his arm around my shoulder. Across from me, Alice, leaning on Jasper to support her shaking laughs, is telling some ridiculous story about her mother.

"And then, and then she blames me for the hideous shirt going missing, and doesn't even notice that part of it is tied around Roo's neck!"

Edward shakes his head, hiding a bemused smile. Although he can stand Esme more than Alice, she still tries his patience, especially when it comes to me.

The quiet grinding of a chair alerts me to the kid sitting down at the end of our table. He looks young enough to be a freshman, with short, bleached hair and a spotted face. He gives me a shy smile before jerking his head around. Mike has just picked up his tray, setting it onto the table behind him.

"Table's ready," Mike says, putting his hand on the boy's shoulder in a seemingly friendly move. I notice the boy cringe slightly.

"You know what," Edward says jauntily, grabbing the tray and putting it back in front of the freshman, "You're fine where you are." He turns back to me and with a smile and a kiss, the episode is forgotten.

I turn back to my food as well. Oh how I miss Alice. That crazy, impulsive girl. I know that what she's doing is amazing, wonderful, and heroic, but I can't help but feel selfish that I don't have her here with me.

~SW~

As my books tumble to the ground, the recognizable laughter coming from Mike Newton as he walks past me, I sigh and bend over to pick them up. I am suddenly enveloped by his scent, and am shocked when Edward squats down and hands me my math and biology textbooks. He gives me a brief smile before rising and following the mass of students.

I remain there, practically on the floor, stunned. I can't help but think,

This is the first time he has acknowledged me in eight months.