I do not own any of the following characters that were in the original Twilight Saga, although I do own two or three of my own that are in this story.

A/N: Hey peeps! I hope you're enjoying the story. As I asked last time please comment and feel free to make good or bad comments. It would be a good thing if my self esteem got crushed because of constructive comments. I should have the next one up within the next two days. Could take 20 minutes could take 48 hours, deal with it. Although if you don't mind reading a less edited and less in depth version of the last one please go to my Quizilla account. My username is . and the title is the same.

I stared out at the class. They stared at me as if I was an idol. I looked down at my temporary dress. Did it really cause this much attention? I did a little skip run to my seat. I looked over each of my shoulders at the dazed kids, and then apologized to the teacher.
"That's okay Gretchen, we were just starting. Make sure you get the announcements." I nodded pulling out my planner and jotting down the next few assignments. "Pass up your homework."
It was hastily done, but it was a poem, with rhymey words and feeling. It should be enough. The half-sheets were passed to the girl on my left, Luna. We weren't friends. I don't have any remember? She was just there, and we understood each other without talking, and we were never anything but acquaintances in very similar boats.
"Nice work Donna, a tad sloppy Timothy, that's....interesting Gretchen. I'll look it over, very good all-in-all."

*Was that good or bad?* I asked myself.
As the lesson proceeded I caught the voices of two girls behind me. "Hey, I saw Alice give her those clothes. Does that mean she's a Cullen now?"
"No, I don't think so...would that make her cool?"
"Definitely not!...I think."
"Maybe we should ask Lexi, later."
"Yeah....you can do that." These girls were obviously both afraid of Lexi.
"No, I insist, you do it. She likes you better."
"How can you tell? She doesn't even talk to me."
"I can tell, just trust me on this. I am you're friend right?"
"Right." One girl, so easily manipulated.
"And I would never let you down, right?"
"Sure."
"Okay, then it's settled. You'll ask Lexi."
"O kay?"
The lesson was on Iambic pentameter. I had already learned it last year, so it was no problem now.

I got out of there amid a crowd of the same hushed tones. Wow, Alice really was good. I strolled down the hall and out the door. Three small dots walked towards me, as they came closer they became the evil trio. I passed them. They hadn't even noticed me. Lexi still looked shaken about what Alice said an hour ago.
Morgan shook her shoulder. "Lexi, we have a problem."
"Huh?" Lexi spun around, and watched me pass with the same shocked expression as her friends, lackeys. "What's happening?"
"I don't know Lex, but it doesn't look good."
Something hit me, and knocked me down. A big something, that was soft and squishy, smelt really good, and tripped often. "Bella? What is it?" I said looking up at her from the cement.
"Sorry Gretchen. I've been plagued by people all day. I wasn't watching where I was going."
"I don't think it would have made a difference. Could you get off me now?"
"Sure." She rolled off me and re-tied her shoe. I brushed myself off and stood up grimacing at the already worn fabric in the knee of my jeans.
"Where are you headed?" I asked. I figured it was safe to be around her now that I had a socially attractive outfit on, and she seemed to be considered cool. This made things so much easier, yet I wasn't willing to give up my punk wardrobe just to gain a higher status.
"Gym."
"Come on then. Next stop horror-street." I lead the way. She trailed a little behind me. Was she embarrassed to have me as a sister? No, that was just Bella's type of attitude, low self-confidence.
"Where'd you get the outfit Gretchen? Were you wearing that this morning?"
"No, I got it from a friend." I kept most the truth from her. I couldn't be getting too close to the Cullens, or talking about them. I could risk their way of existence, and my life.
"Where is your other outfit?"
"Staining my binder with water in my backpack."
"Why is it wet? It didn't really rain. Did it?"
"No, I got hit with a few water balloons. No problem."
"Oh." She was silent for a few seconds. "What are we doing today in class?" Bella asked nervously.
"Volleyball."
"Perfect." She smacked her forehead.
"I know, right? I'm not too bad at it." She was quiet. "How's your day been?"
"Okay." I could tell she was lying.
"Come on Bella, fess up."
"Not too great actually."
"As expected, the first day is always worst. It gets better. Not to mention everyone likes you."
"They do?"
"You honestly need to start paying attention more. Yes Bella, you are liked by many people."
"I really doubt that." She said hesitantly.
"Don't! Everyone loves you."
"Whatever you say Gretchen."
P.E. was okay. I was on the other side of the gym from Bella. She was doing worse than I was, and I was pretty bad off. They didn't go hard on me either like they usually did. It was a fair game for once, and because of me my team won. The coach gave me a pat on the back, and sent me to the showers. When I got to my locker I found the lock had been changed. Not the combination, the whole dang lock was different! It was hanging off the metal loop, and instead of being it's regular fuchsia it was bright green, and big, and bulky. It looked like something someone would use if they had something really important to protect, like a laptop, or priceless jewelry.
"Swan!" The co-coach called as she ran into the locker room. "I caught Lexi and that other one trying to get into there." She motioned to the locker with her head. "They've been suspended.

That's a really good lock you have on there. I'm guessing you got it at Newton's?"
"Yep." I lied. This was getting to be an all-the-time thing.
"Cool, take care of yourself." That word was being used so much today I wanted to strangle anyone whoever used it again. I spotted a white rectangle sticking out of my locker door. I grabbed it, unfolded it, and read it.

Check your pocket.

That was all it said in a beautifully written font. So I reached into the right hand pocket of my shorts and found another slip of paper. It was the combination. I put it in, and sure enough the lock clicked open easily. I wondered who did it, and then I didn't have to. As I was walking out of the small heated room I spotted a broken fuchsia combination lock in the trash. The metal hook was ripped completely off it, and a small metal chunk lay not too far. Alice was an angel.
"So Bella ready to go home?" I walked up to her after class after Mike walked away.
"Yeah, you ready Gretch?"
"Totally." I didn't have to change back into my raincoat and shoes today. No one was out to get me for at least a week. It was nice. Bella had to turn in a form so I waited for her by the truck.
Edward stormed out of the office. He looked nervous, or mad, I couldn't tell. He jumped into his Volvo and jammed the key in, engine roaring. He pulled out and left.
*What about the others?* I thought to myself. On cue the rest of the family arrived at the empty parking place.
I tried to give Alice a quick sign language thank you. No doubt she would know some after living for so long...I just wondered what it would be like to be deaf, or blind, and be a vampire, you'd have to wait that much longer to see or hear. That would suck.
Going back to the topic.
She didn't look at me. Most of them had their heads down they were staring in a confused manner at the square of blacktop.

~~~The Cullens~~~~
"Where did Edward go, Alice?" Emmet asked.
"I'm not sure. His mind is changing too fast. North somewhere."
"You mean, he just left?" Jasper stated.
"Yes, I didn't see it coming until he decided to leave."
"Looks like we're running home." Rosalie said sadly and looked down at her new black sandals. They were going to get all muddy. Well, in the end, she'd just make Edward buy her new ones when he came back. "Why did he leave?"
"I can't look into the past, Rose!"
"That didn't answer the question Alice. You know, don't you? That's what you were all hyped up about this morning weren't you?" Why Emmet could be smart sometimes?
"It's related to this, but I never thought this would happen. Edward." She whispered his name into the sky. *Please come back.* She begged. *Please, it doesn't have to be this way Ed, just come back.* He was trying not to listen. He was already out of range. *But what about Bella?* It was safe to think now. *IT WASN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN THIS WAY!* She screamed in her head. She led the group, stomping off towards the back of the school, into the trees.

~~~~Gretchen~~~
"That was odd."I said to myself, staring after them.
"Let's go." Bella said getting in. I got into the passenger seat this time. Bella gave me a sideways glance. "Gosh Gretch, grow within the day?"
"Haha, funny Bells. No, the back just smells like fish."
"Oh." We pulled out and went home. I felt like I was glowing. Kids we passed on the road were staring at me, staring at Bella, and I. I knew that the next day would be the same as the majority when I changed back to me, but I was so wrong I could have punched myself for even starting to think that.
Bella winced, then she started, and things started getting even more confusing.
"Gretchen, do you know the Cullens?"
"Sort of, I mean they're okay, but we're not best buddies." Even though I knew more about them then the whole school.
"Does Edward ever get, aggressive?"
This caught my attention. What happened in that office? Water was building behind her eyes. "Oh my god, Bella. What did he do to you? I swear I'll kill him."
She gave a weak laugh. "He didn't really do anything to me. He just acted really tense, like he wanted to stab me or something."
I understood immediately. "Bella, I want you to stay away from that guy. He's dangerous."
"Why?"
"Just trust me on this one," she had no reason to trust me, "please, because I'm your sister and we watch out for each other." I was trying to convince myself. I was trying to do a good job of protecting her, she was just overly curious.
Everything was fine until that evening.

An ice cold hand grabbed my arm in the dead of night. I gasped ready to scream. The hand covered my mouth. "Shhh, Gretchen, it's me."
"Alice? What are you doing here? How'd you get in?" I ran to the wide open window. "I thought I locked it." The lock, much like my combination lock, was broken on the floor. "Alice!" I didn't really blame her, that thing came open a lot.
"Sorry, but do you remember the favor I paid you back for today?"
"Yeah."
"Well this is it. I need you to get dressed, and then come to the window. You're going to be our temporary hostage for the evening."
I gave her a "Do you think I'm crazy?" look, and threw on some jeans and a large t-shirt. I'm glad in her hostage taking she allowed me time to dress.
"And Charlie, or Bella won't find out?" I asked her as I came to the window.
"Nope, I checked."
"Good. If I get grounded I'm blaming you."
"You can't, I already paid you back."
"Right, I want to thank-you for that."
"You are right now. Get on my back." Again I stared at her. "Gretchen, we can do this the easy way or the hard way."
"Fine." I climbed on her back holding her tight. Then she ran, and it didn't feel like it. I saw the brown and green blurs of trees, the movement of the grass, but I felt like we were standing still. The last time I was kidnapped I was put in a car and driven there. I guess since I know now there's no reason for secrets.
We stopped in the middle of their brightly lit living room. Anxious faces stared at me. Alice put me down. A hand slapped over my mouth. "Alice!" I groaned then ran outside. Emmet rose to stop me, but Alice held him back. She knew. I leaned over the porch banister and barfed. "Eww." I moaned, and held my head in my arms.
"Are you okay, Gretchen?"
"Alice, I should kick you!"
"I know." She looked at the ground apologetically. "They were getting impatient." I entered the house again my hands down by my sides.
"Why am I here?"
"We have to ask you a few questions Gretchen." Carlisle explained. I nodded. "Please sit." He said gesturing at the sofa in front of him on the other side of the glass coffee table. I sat down. No one sat beside me. It felt as bad as lunch except they were staring at me instead of ignoring me.
"Think of this as a check-up. We want to make sure you haven't told anyone recently."
"No sir. I never told anyone. I'd never do that to you guys. It's your choice to live as you do. No one should stop you."
"I'm glad you feel that way Gretche-"
"Did you tell Bella?" Emmet demanded straight out.
"Emmet!" Alice gave him the "behave yourself" look.
"No! I'd never tell Bella! I don't want her to get b-" I looked around at all their faces, now glaring at me. "Never mind. Forget I said anything."
"We all heard what you were about to say Gretchen." Rosaile spat.
"I'm sorry. I really am. That was impolite. I'm just overprotective."
"We forgive you, Gretchen." Esme said with a small smile.
"Well some of us do." Rosalie muttered.
"Jee thanks Rosalie." I whispered. Even though I knew it was true.
"Where's Edward?" I suddenly said looking up and around at them. I knew the meaning of their expressions now. They didn't know. Even Alice had no idea. They looked sort of sick. "Why did he leave?"
"We thought maybe you had told Bella, and he thought he needed to escape before it got worse."
"No, I didn't. She did ask me about him though. She seemed pretty upset. I offered to kill him, and she said no, then she told me he looked real tense during biology today. They were sitting next to each other. I guess she just smelled really strong. I mean even I can smell her."
"That's what I thought." Alice said. "There was nothing I could do at the time, but wait. I felt so helpless. He was about to kill everybody right there. Immidiate exposure, but he didn't. He held himself back, and then he left."
I stared in fear. While I was getting all the attention in English, Bella was about to be eaten in biology. I had to protect her. What would happen to her if I didn't? He shouldn't come back! He should go someplace else where we can't be bothered. I wanted to say that, but this was his family, and they were scared for him.
Jasper looked at me like he was very tired.
"He'll come back. We just need to wait." Carlisle said. "I've known him for a long time. He'll be back."
"He just made a descision." Alice stated clearly. "He's going up to Denali, possibly to stay. He's not sure yet. He's still determined."
"Thank god." Esme sighed and fell into Carlisle. He put an arm around her and rubbed her shoulder. They all look tired.
"Can I go home now?"
"Yeah, I'll take you back Gretch. Thanks."
"I still feel like I owe you, Alice. Is there anything you need me to do?"
"Trust me, you won't. Just please try to accept things as they change, and trust me, things are going to change." I gave her a long look.
"I will try Alice, but if Bella gets hurt in any way, I'm becoming a bounty hunter."