Hola! Hi-ya! I'm here again! I know my 12 readers will be ever-so happy. So... Enjoy! Reviews are like cookies; you can never have too many!
~TWC~

I cursed my luck as they walked to the table not two away from mine. Wait... You can't curse the non-existent. I slouched down in my seat and whipped out my phone. I called Cassie's cell and the voicemail answered, "This is Dr. Cassandra North. I'm sorry I'm not available to take your call, but leave your name, number, and a brief message and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!"

The tone sounded and I said into the phone, "Hey, Cassie. It's Bella. We have a... situation. And before you freak out, I did not slip up. 'Kay? It's... The Cullens are here. And I need help. I feel like I'm going to scream and cry and start grinning all at the same time. Call me back, ASAP. Love ya, Cass. Bye."

I hung up and slumped down so my head was resting on the table-top. Minutes passed and Cassie didn't call back. I got up and threw my stuff away. Still no call. I headed outside to the concrete tables and waited for Cassie. What I didn't expect was a little pixie to suddenly appear beside me. A high, soprano voice said, "Hi, Bella."

I said, without looking at her, "Hi, Alice. How have you been?"

My voice was cool, to say the least. Alice sighed, "Bella... I didn't want to leave! None of us did. When Edward makes a decision, though..."

She trailed off, her voice full of apology. I turned and caught her eyes. Those ocher eyes had the sad puppy-dog look and I groaned, "Don't give me that look!"

Then, I flung my arms around her neck and hugged Alice tightly. Our little girl moment was ruined by my cell phone ringing.

Come Mr. DJ, song pon de replay
Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up?
All the gal pon da dancefloor wantin' some more
Come Mr. DJ won't you turn the music up?

I picked up my phone, "Hi, Cassie. I take it you got my message?"

Cassie said, "Hey, Bells. Yeah, I got the message. It's your first day in school, so you can't leave. Any ideas? I'm drawing a blank."

I sighed, "I made up with Alice—you remember, I told you about her?—but I don't think I can stand seeing him again! You know the saying, 'So close, and yet so far away'. Yeah, those are my feelings right now."

Cassie laughed, "I'm sorry, Bella. I think you can do it. Just don't go getting married without telling me! I'd need to plan to tie you up to keep you from leaving me."

I grinned and said, "Ha! As if! Your ropes are no match for me."

Cassie said, "We shall see, my young padawan. Now, are you staying at school or not?"

"Staying," I answered.

Cassie replied, "See you tonight. I'm off at seven o'clock."

I said, "Bye, Cass."

We hung up and Alice asked, "Who's Cassie?"

I said, "My friend. She's the reason while I'm still alive. Sorta."

Alice said, realization coloring her tone, "Ah, I see. So she's why you're here?"

I grinned, "Exactamundo, mi amiga."

Alice's tinkling soprano laugh sounded and she said, "You haven't changed a bit, Bells. You're just as smart-aleck as usual."

I fixed a glare on my face (one that would send Emmett running and cowering in terror) and grumbled, "I'm not that much of a smart-aleck."

Alice replied, unfazed by my glare, "Yeah you are."

I muttered something unintelligible even to me and dropped my head on the table. Alice rolled her eyes and said, "Oh, cheer up Bellsby!"

I snapped, "Don't call me that."

Alice mumbled, "Sorry, sorry."

I grinned at Alice and said, "Hey, it's OK. Now, let's go to class."

Alice nodded and we walked to our class—French—together. Alice basically talked my ear off the whole way, and we sat beside each-other in class. It felt nice to have a touch of normal in my really weird life.

So sorry for the lateness of this chapter! Hope it's ok, even though it's short.
~TWC~