Haha, told you it would take longer. Been busy, have my first "midterm" for my Poli Sci class this Tuesday and Thursday. Thank god this weekend coming up is a three-day one.

Enjoy the chapter!

BPOV

"You're moping."

I glared over at Rosalie. "Am not."

"Are too."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Not."

"Are."

Our words started jumbling over each other when suddenly a hand clamped over my mouth as a different one did over Rosalie's.

"Jeez, can you two shut up?"

We both glared at Jasper, and I bit down on his hand tightly enough to make him let go in annoyance. "No, I can't," I replied snootily.

Rosalie snickered, Jasper glared, and I smirked. Shaking his head, Jasper went to find Alice; we could hear her getting anxious because her favorite pair of shoes was missing. Rosalie and I glanced at each other again, and she raised a perfect brow. I sighed.

"Okay, so maybe just a little."

Smirking, she linked our arms and led me down the stairs. "As long as you admit it. It's okay, Bella, to be upset still about being turned."

"I'm not upset about that," I dismissed, shaking my head. Rosalie sent me a skeptical look, but didn't press. None of them every really understood why this day upset me. It wasn't so much that I lost my life, or that the events of that day upset me. It was more what I worried that day meant for the other party involved.

Over the years, I'd gotten good at pushing thoughts like that from my mind; while it remained difficult on this day, I could appear to manage it as if it were any other day to those who didn't know me. I kissed Esme on the cheek as I passed her on my way downstairs to the car, and she gave my hand a gentle squeeze.

I managed to get through most of my morning classes without overreacting to the petty instances of human life. I couldn't wait until we left this place. At least if we moved, I'd have new people to listen to all day. I was in my class before lunch when the teacher asked me to run something to the office.

I took my sweet time, not at all eager to get back to the boring lecture. The office was on the other side of the school, so I figured that keeping my pace to a slow human wouldn't draw attention. It was quiet, for a high school. The buzz of all the talking and conversations and lectures could still reach me, but it was faded like white noise. I played a game with myself. Randomly, I'd tune in to one of the voices around me, taking a few words in, then switch to another one.

The result was a very odd and pointless sentences that the meaning of could be either nonsense or… odd.

I tuned into the conversation in the office as I reached the door, hand on the handle, and then everything felt like it froze.

"Mrs. Masen, if you would just wait a few more minutes, the principal will be right with you."

My hand continued on the movement of the door handle, twisting it and pulling it open. The shifting in the air around me felt surreal. The person sitting in one of the hard plastic chairs in front of me was even more surreal.

Her hair had more grey in it than I remembered. The lines around her eyes were deeper, her skin less… vital. But she was still familiar. Her bright green eyes looked up as I stepped in, and I instantly dropped my gaze to the floor.

Did she recognize me? Did Elizabeth Masen, mother to the boy I'd babysat, see in me the girl she'd known? What would happen if she did? I'd of course have to deny it, but still…. There'd be complications if she did recognize me.

I handed the paperwork that my teacher wanted copied to the secretary, who decided this was a job she could simply set to the side of her desk while she did who knew what else. Probably nothing of importance.

I was nervous. I hadn't been nervous in who knew how long. Definitely not for over a decade. When you were probably one of the world's deadliest predators, you lost any reason to be nervous.

Unless, apparently, faced with the mother of the boy you used to baby-sit. Then those nerves decided to attack with a vengeance, to make up for lost time.

The secretary glanced up at my hovering and irritated expression, leaning back slightly. "Miss. Cullen, you can have a seat; those copies should be ready in a bit."

I tightened my eyes, which made her glance worried towards the phone next to her, her hand twitching. I stepped away and went to take a seat, a small vicious satisfaction coursing through me. I made sure I sat as far away from Mrs. Masen as I could.

What was she doing here? They were supposed to be living in Phoenix, weren't they? If she were here, that meant Edward had to be here as well, I realized. Which meant he'd be going to school here. My mind didn't need more than a split nanosecond to do the math - he'd be in my grade.

I froze, not breathing or blinking. If I'd still been human, the blood would have drained from my face; hell, I'd have probably passed out.

Of course, if I were human, I wouldn't be having this problem….

Edward. He was here. In my school, in my grade….

In my last two classes.

The principal's office door opened, and he looked around before setting his eyes on Mrs. Masen. "Mrs. Masen," he said formally. "If I may speak with you in my office. Privately for a moment?"

She nodded, rising. She hadn't seemed to notice me, thank god. As she stepped into the office, Edward stepped out.

I stared at him, unwillingly drinking him in. Now that I knew who he was, it all seemed so obvious. That unique shade of hair. Those green eyes. That nose, no longer rounded with youth. His features were still the little boy I'd known, but stronger, sharper and more angular with age. I had always known he'd be beautiful when he grew up. The one who broke hearts with a simple smile. He already had all the girls here half in love with him. And I hadn't seen him smile which meant they probably hadn't either.

My heart shattered. This is what had become of that sweet little boy. He had turned bitter, twisted, unhappy.

"Momma. She said all other little boys are meanies but I'm a genelman, and the…"

Looks like he wasn't the exception any longer. He'd become the poster boy for the "meanies". His eyes didn't hold that happy light that I was used to. They were dark and haunted, even more so today. I could tell today was hard for him. It was in the way he looked like he was being chased by a horde of ghosts, the way his hair was just slightly plastered to his forehead with a slight sheen of sweat. It was in his pale complexion, in the way he hunched slightly, protectively.

It was in the stench of smoke that clouded around him and the poison that tainted his blood's sweet scent.

"Oh, Edward," I breathed inaudibly. I'd done this to him. Not on purpose, but I had. So many things I wish I could have done differently….

He slouched against the wall, his fingers tapping restlessly against his thigh, twitchy and edgy. I wondered how much that was the drug and how much was just plain the fact of what today meant to both of us.

I tuned in to the conversation behind the principal's closed door.

"…he's a disruption in his classes and the teachers already have a stock pile of complaints regarding his behavior. Today Mr. Hatch caught him behind the gym smoking, Mrs. Masen. Your son's record shows that this isn't unusual…"

I let my head slam lightly back against the wall.

"Fuck," I muttered.

With a snort, Edward muttered, "Got that right." I obviously wasn't meant to hear him, but he hadn't been supposed to hear me, either.

I glared at him, suddenly furious. How dare he do this to himself? He was better than this. Better than what he was letting himself be. "How can you do this? How can you possibly justify doing this to yourself? You think-" I shut myself up before I said something I'd regret. Such as "You think I died that night for you to throw your life away?"

I heard the copy machine finish and stood abruptly, knocking the chair into the wall. I stormed over and tore the copies from the secretary, who flinched back. My eyes had probably bled to black, and I didn't care, couldn't care less. I shot a venomous glare at Edward as I walked past; he shot one right back, even going so far as to flip me off. I shook my head, disgusted, and slammed the office door behind myself.

I dropped the papers on the teacher's desk, walked to my seat and grabbed my bag, then just left. I ignored the startled splutters the teacher sent after me. I stormed to the edge of the school grounds and into the woods, pulling out my cell and flipping it open as if vibrated.

What's wrong?

I shut the phone off. All Alice could see was me leaving, not the why. She would simply have to be left wondering until I got home. And I wasn't sure when that would be. I was too furious to care about what my actions might do to my family, what it would look like to anyone, what it meant that I was so angry. I didn't look too closely at any of it, I just ran by home to throw my bag onto the porch and then took off. How long would it take me to run up to Denali?

I figured now was as good a time as any to find out.

EPOV

Fucking Mike Newton. I was going to kill him with my bare hands.

Okay, maybe not. But only I had to know that. I hoped he pissed his pants when I saw him next, when he saw how livid I was with him. Give me the drugs then rat me out? I'd show him.

As if the day weren't bad enough, I had to see Mom's defeated, torn, brokenhearted expression. That didn't help anything. I worried what the principal would do. He'd chewed me out, pointed out every single fucking fault I held and shoved it under my nose. He'd all but said I was never going to amount to anything and would end up a druggie and in jail before ten years was up. What would he say to Mom? If the bastard tried to blame her, I swear to god, I'd drive his fucking car into a tree and blow it up. At the very least.

My body was still in a kick from the drugs. I couldn't even really remember what Mike had sold me, except it wasn't one of the most addictive types out there. I wasn't stupid, just reckless. There was a difference. A small one, but still a difference.

"Fuck."

At first, I'd thought I'd imagined the word, or that it had just been a hallucination or some shit like that. But then I realized it was The Enigma (whatever her name was) speaking, just softly enough that it was easy to think it hadn't been her. I wouldn't have thought it was her, except she had an expression on her face that fit the word.

"Got that right," I muttered, bitter and angry. I knew she wouldn't answer, I had gotten good at speaking so no one could hear me. It helped that people usually didn't want to listen.

Her glare was surprising and unexpectedly angry. "How can you do this? How can you possibly justify doing this to yourself? You think-" She cut herself off abruptly and stood with enough force to knock the chair back into the wall. She snatched a stack of papers out of the secretary's hands, making the older woman flinch back in her seat, her hand snapping towards the phone.

The Enigma glared at me with enough hate that I was taken aback. I didn't let it show though. What the hell had that been about, judging me and my decisions, my actions? She didn't understand.

So I glared back, and to show what I thought of her questions, I flipped her off. She snorted as she slammed out of the office.

The principal opened the door and glared at me, jerking his head to let me know he wanted me to come in. My mom's eyes were glistening, but she had her chin up, eyes tight. I knew that look; it was her fighting look. She got that look anytime someone attacked my actions.

I slouched in the seat next to her, glaring at the wall behind the principal's head. He stared at us, expression grim and serious. I'd seen that look so many times, I could probably imitate it with little trouble, if I ever felt a need to.

"I'm suspending Edward for three days, Mrs. Masen. And when he comes back, I expect him to be on his best behavior. I'm not willing to give him chance after chance to ruin the lives of students that work hard here."

I barely managed not to snort. Mike was the one who knew where to get the drugs, not me. Just because I smoked more than he did didn't mean I was the druggie.

"Have a good day, sir," Mom said respectfully. Only I could hear the cold tone it held. She rose, and I grabbed my bag, slinging it over my shoulder and following her out to the car. I thought I saw a flash of color at the trees, but when I looked more closely, I didn't see anything. Mike had to have given me some bad stuff.

Mom didn't speak to me the entire ride home, and when we got there, I went straight up to my room, locking the door behind myself. Once my father got home, I had a feeling that lock would be gone. Might as well enjoy what privacy I could while I still had the chance.

I dozed off at some point, tired from the lack of sleep the previous night and coming down from the high. When I woke up, I was pissed and embarrassed to feel the dampness on my pillow and cheeks. Crying, again.

Fuck it all.

I rolled off of my bed, grabbing my pack of cigs and searching the room for a place to hide them. There was a loose floorboard in the closet, so I pried it up and dropped them there, then covered it with a box. I closed the door and headed downstairs, bracing myself as I heard my father's voice. Time to face the music and get it over with.

I sauntered into the kitchen, grabbing a snack out of the cupboard and leaning lazily against the counter, projecting all the indifference I could. It was harder than most days, but I expected that. How could I act indifferent when I was anything but on this one day of the year?

"Edward," my father said, his voice low and furious. Mom looked at me sadly, then stared at the floor as she exited the room. I bet my dad had told her to let him talk to me alone. As if it would make a difference.

I listened to him tear me up to pieces and stomp all over them for over a quarter of an hour, never once responding whether he wanted me to or not. I just stood there, staring expressionlessly at him as he picked at all my faults, asserted that I had no redeeming qualities anymore, and then threatened that if I didn't stop all this "crap" soon, I was going to be kicked out.

What else was new?
When he was finished, I made to head back up to my room, but he stopped me. Apparently, I was no longer allowed a door. I wanted to ask him how he expected me to change without flashing anyone, but held my tongue. Not because I didn't want to push him, but because I wanted my door back sometime before graduation, thanks.

Mom had me do all kinds of chores over the next three days, and I did them without arguing. Anything to make things a little easier on her for once. She seemed fine with having me around the house. I'd almost say happy, or at the very least pleased.

I wasn't. I was itching for a smoke, but she kept a sharp eye on me. I figured I'd sneak out at night, except my stupid father did everything but put bars on my windows. Because he had my door, I didn't want to push things with him, so I was stuck waiting until school started again and I'd be away from most watchful eyes.

It was the middle of the third day that something strange happened. The doorbell rang, and Mom went to answer it.

"Hello," she said, sounding surprised. "May I help you?"

"Hi, you must be Mrs. Masen. I'm Alice, and this is Jasper. We brought Edward some of the homework that has been handed out. Not all the teachers were up to giving it to him, but we got some from a few."

"That's very kind of you dear. Would you like to come in?"

I peered around the corner of the living room into the hall, grimacing. It was the short girl and tall guy that had seen me smoking that one time. They brought me the homework like it was a favor when it wasn't. It just meant more work for me.

"Oh, that's gracious of you, but no thank you," the short girl said with a smile. "We have to get home." She handed over a thing stack of work and smiled brilliantly up at the boy with her. "Come on Jaz, have a nice day Mrs. Masen," she added, walking away. The tall guy smiled before following the girl.

Mom turned and saw me spying around the corner. She smirked and I glared.

"Sit down and do your homework, Edward. It the teachers were kind enough to let you make it up, don't be rude and not do it."

I crossed my arms, and she tightened her eyes at me.

"Don't make me keep your door longer, Edward Masen."

I rolled my eyes, stepped forward, and snatched the work from her. "Fine," I growled.

She didn't seem to catch on to my tone. Or, more accurately, she couldn't care less. "Good. I'll start making dinner."

I stalked onto campus the day I was allowed back on, glaring at Mike's back. I quietly made my way closer to him, letting my anger take me over. I hadn't had a smoke since the day I got caught, I had been forced to listen to my dad chew me out more times than I cared for, and I had been made to complete homework for classes I hadn't been attending. This little fucker was going to pay.

I stood there, waiting for him to turn around. I didn't clear my throat. I didn't say anything. I didn't even glare. I just stared coldly at the back of his head. The people around him, glanced nervously at me and backed away slightly. Mike finally turned around with a frown of confusion.

He quickly paled when he saw me there.

"H-Hey, Edward," he stuttered. Wimp.

My lips curled up viciously at one corner, and I continued staring at him silently.

"Uh, um, is there, can I…"

My cruel smile grew slightly larger, turning into a smirk, and then I turned and walked away. Threatening without actually doing so. It was a great way to keep them worrying what the hell you'd do to them, letting their imaginations rule for a while.

I handed in the homework I'd been sent, probably shocking the hell out of the teachers. I smirked, enjoying that. If they expected the trend to continue, they were in for a rude awakening.

When I entered the cafeteria, I got in line, realizing quickly I was behind The Enigma. She looked… tired. Worn out. Different.

I eyed her, from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. She was texting on her cell, frowning. When she received a reply, she snorted, typed up her response, then pocketed the slim device.

She grabbed food randomly, uncaring about what she put on her plate. I was, too, but then, I didn't eat. She had a lemonade, a banana, and some potatoes and chicken shit that didn't look edible for a dog.

She sat down with that group she usually hung out with, which included the ones who had dropped off homework for me. The big one slung an arm over her shoulder, pulling her close, and her head fell onto his shoulder, eyes drifting shut.

"Man, don't stare at them so much."

I glanced to my side to see Tyler standing there, raising a brow at me. I raised one back in question.

As we walked to a table, he spoke. "The Cullens, they're weird to put things simply. They're all adopted. The two blondes are twins, the niece and nephew or some shit like that of Mrs. Cullen. The other three are all adopted. And the kids are fucking each other, too. The blond ice queen and the muscle man. The blond guy and short girl. Brunette wants the big guy, but Ice Queen won't let her near him. Man, I'd love to live in that house. The shit they must get away with…."

His insinuations there were clear. I eyed the table, noting the way the blond girl didn't seem to upset by The Enigma's proximity to the big guy. In fact, she moved so she was on the other side, resting her head on The Enigma's shoulder.

I raised a brow at Tyler. "I'm not so sure about that."

Tyler looked over, and shrugged. "I told you, they're fucking weird. Brunette disappeared until right before lunch. No one knew what happened to her. Word is, she got herself pregnant and went to get an abortion out of town, so no one would know it."

I ran my eyes up and down the girl. Would that explain the change in her…? I narrowed my eyes. Somehow, I couldn't see her as being pregnant. It just seemed… wrong. No idea why, but it did. In response to what Tyler said, I shrugged.

He changed the subject. "So I heard you went to Newton for drugs."

I stared at him expressionlessly. He stared back, neither of us looking away or giving away anything.

"He's just a poser. He thinks it'd make him cool, but that bastard doesn't know anything."

"And you do." I said, reading between the lines.

Tyler shrugged, taking a bite of his burrito. "Ask anyone. Mike just does things to seem cool. He doesn't know jack shit about drugs."

I snorted, silently agreeing.

"We should talk," Tyler said offhandedly. "I have a feeling we'd be able to find some things in common."

I didn't answer him. I just rose and dumped my uneaten tray in the trash before leaving the cafeteria.

I didn't go behind the gym, because I was sure the principal and Mr. Hatch would look there for me for a while. Instead, I locked myself in a bathroom stall and finally got my fix of tobacco.

I let out a relieved breath, leaning back against the wall. I stayed in there until the bell rang, reminding me I had to return to hell.

I walked into the classroom and took my seat right as the bell rang, making Mr. Hatch glare. In disappointment, I thought, though maybe he was just mad I was cutting it so close. I was leaning towards disappointment that he couldn't get me in trouble again.

His eyes landed on The Enigma. "Bella, nice of you to join us again. I take it the bronchitis is better?"

She smiled politely at him. "Much better, thank you. Sorry for missing classes."

He smiled kindly, his eyes lingering too long in my opinion. Though I may be a little biased because I hated the guy's guts. "Well, just speak with me after class and I'll give you your assignments."

She nodded, ducking her head down to stare at the desk again. Her hair curtained forward, hiding her from view.

Lauren leaned across the aisle as Mr. Hatch started teaching something or other. "Hey, Edward," she purred. "I was wondering. There's this party Friday. Wanna go with me?" She batter her eyes.

Party usually meant booze. I could definitely use some of that, so I smiled at her in a way that made her eyes glaze over and leaned closer to her, letting my breathe fan her face. The gum I was chewing would keep the smoke-smell from hitting her.

"I'd love to go with you, baby. When do you want me to get you?"

"Uhm," she breathed. "Seven. The party starts then."

"See you then," I said, leaning back and smirking.

The Enigma was glaring at me. "Prick," she muttered, just loud enough for me to hear.

"What is it to you?" I snapped angrily, leaning forward. I could see Lauren glaring at me from the corner of my eyes, but I couldn't care less. She wasn't going to back out, she was obviously too interested.

The Enigma shrugged. "Just hate to see someone throw their life away."

I snorted, falling back in my seat and crossing my arms. "What life?" I grumbled under my breath.

She twisted around, staring at me sadly enough that I shifted uncomfortably. Her gaze didn't waver, and I couldn't look at her, couldn't meet that odd gold-brown gaze.

"Bella?" the teacher asked, and The Enigma twisted around, facing forward. "Pearl Harbor," she answered easily, turning her head to stare out the window, a thoughtful, sad look on her face.

Her name made my insides twist and boil. Fuck, her name was… why?

Why did life hate me?

I slammed my head onto the desk, making a few people glance at me in amusement.

"Is there a problem, Edward?" the teacher asked, sneering my name. I shook my head, not lifting it up.

"Nope. Just fine. Dandy," I added, all of it sarcastic. He grumbled something, but continued his lecture.

Next class was worse. Bella-who-wasn't-Bella sat on the other side of the room in this class. I stared at the clock the whole time, waiting for the day to be over. This day couldn't be any worse.

Of course, when I got home, my father was there. And let me know he had the next five days off.

I didn't even have the satisfaction of slamming the damn door of my room.

Okay, so Bella knows, Edward finally realizes what her name is, and he's going to a party to get drunk and going with LAUREN. Eew.

Review, thanks for all the support so far! It's amazing! Love hearing from all of you!