It'd been a week. Every day, I woke up frustrated to still be in Forks, to still be stuck in the nightmare. I'd done little in changing the events, I kept my head down and my mouth shut. I went to school and home. At school, I tried not to create waves. I teamed up with Bella in Gym, since everyone saw her as a hazard. Angela and I ate lunch with Jessica and Bella. Angela and I switched off sharing lab partners with her while Edward was absent. Bella seemed to be coming around, but I had to keep reminding myself she was fictional and I didn't really know her. Angela told Bella that the Cullens miss school a lot and that Edward is probably out of town having one-on-one time with his father. I knew from the books that she would worry, and I never thought that was fair, so coaxing Angela to be friendly was a decision I thought wouldn't mess up the fictional world, and Angela and Bella were friends.

Angela told me I was definitely not acting like myself. I was diligent and quiet at school, my homework was done, with Angela's help, and I became a model student. Angela warned me that my behavior would spark curiosity, but this was the person Andie, the real Andie, was. In my reality, I had a few close friends and loved school, even if I struggled. I was athletic, good at sports, hard-headed, and happy. I didn't want to forget myself, so I thought the easiest way was to just be myself.

Lunch was difficult. Bella always looked unhappy. I didn't understand the connection she had for a person she didn't know. Of course, I was walking on glass trying not to create problems for people who I didn't know. The remaining Cullens found ways to annoy me. They didn't talk to me, but they watched me. I thought about telling them the truth, but I wasn't sure if that would alter my mental state. The longer the charade went on, the more I just wanted to make waves to see if I could shock myself awake.

Bella was quiet and shy, but she had a dry humor that was entertaining. If you paid attention to her, she was easy to figure out. She didn't put up a facade like all the other teenagers. She was comfortable in her own skin. I found myself hoping she found her prince charming, but also hoping she would grow a pair...

Brooke, my supposed best friend, had tried several times to talk to me about Kyle. I told her she had to choose, him or me. She chose him and popularity...not a best friend I wanted. When Angela and I sat with Jessica and Bella at lunch, most of the people seemed accommodating, but others felt the need to shun me. I quickly found out that Kyle was on the football team and most girls wanted to date him. He made sure that people knew I was horrible and shouldn't associate with me if they wanted his friendship.

Bella was a savior of sorts. She liked me, so Jessica pretended to like me and all the boys fascinated with Bella, well they merely put up with me and Angela. She wasn't nearly as hated as I was, but she was smart and shy and most people didn't take the time to get to know her. Then again, Bella was different.

When I woke up and saw the snow, I knew it meant Edward returned to school. I joined Bella and Angela for lunch I kept reciting the alphabet in my head. It was the only way I wasn't thinking about the vampires across the room. It was nice to be oblivious, when Edward was gone. Now the fear and frustration returned. Trying to keep my thoughts coherent and secret was beginning to give me a headache, but I was still convinced I needed to keep things the same in order to wake up sooner.

There were a few times Edward looked over to me quizzically. I tried to look like I was into the conversation, but my thoughts were only on the alphabet. Seriously, how do you hide your thoughts from a mind reader... It didn't help he was fascinated with Bella, and I knew he was concentrating on our table more than he normally would.

Angela and Bella rose from the table.

"Are you coming?" Angela asked me.

I wanted to say no. I wanted to run, but I knew that wasn't going to happen. I nodded and stood from the table. I trudged down the hall to biology. Angela and Bella were pretty silent as well, so it was easy to ignore them. I sat down at my lab table and watched Bella focus on her notebook. As soon as Edward walked in, he looked at me. I, of course, looked into my book and began to read very slowly in my head.

As we did the lab, I tried to concentrate on my work. I could hear Bella and Edward talking. I knew the conversation, I had read it. I knew how it would end and felt sorry of Bella. She would internalize everything, when Edward was the idiot. If he just got used to her scent sooner. It was unrealistic to believe that they would never end up together. It was the way the story was supposed to go. I had to constantly remind myself not to interfere too much. One mistake from me and their happy ending would change.

It was hard not to think of how weak Bella was portrayed. If she was just stronger...like Sookie, I thought. Why can't these vampires be like the Southern Vampires...Who doesn't think Eric is just yummy...

The low growl across from me shocked me from my thoughts. I slowly turned my head toward Edward and Bella, trying to smile. Edward was glaring at me. His eyes were dark, his face was hard...The bell rang. I thought this would be my savior, but Edward did not leave the room quickly as he should have. He stayed to watch me. I packed up my bag and rushed to Bella's side. She looked sad, but smiled at me.

"What the hell was that?" Mike burst out as we entered the Gym.

"What?" I asked innocently.

"Seriously, Cullen is a freak. First he is glaring at Bella then he turns and starts shoot daggers at you."

"I wasn't paying attention," I said.

"Me either," Bella chimed.

A smile spread across Mike's face, if I had to guess it was his triumphant-seductive look, but it came off arrogant. I rushed into the locker room, ignoring Mike. During Gym, I realized today hadn't gone as it should. It did snow and there were snowball fights, but it seemed the Cullen's part was different. Edward didn't throw snow at lunch and he glared at me in Biology. After going days without screwing up, in one day I changed something. I was still berating myself when I walked out to meet Angela after school. So self-consumed, I didn't see the three looming vampires blocking my path. It took me nearly crashing into Emmett, yet again, to pull myself out of my head.

I smiled politely and stepped left. The three of them followed in sync. I shook my head and took a couple steps to the right. They followed.

"This is a fun dance, guys, but I'm not interested." I smarted off.

"You're talking to us," Edward said, flatly.

"I don't usually talk to you, so I think we should keep up that precedent." I tried to walk around them again, unsuccessfully.

"What do you know?" Jasper spit out.

"Nothing." I sighed.

"You're lying," Jasper stated, stepping toward me.

"Everyone lies, call it self-preservation." I stepped closer to Jasper lowering my voice. "Now get out of my way or I will make a scene."

The three of them relaxed and gave me a friendly smile as they separated, leaving me a path to Angela. I walked slowly holding my head high. My heart was racing, and I knew the calm charade wouldn't fool anyone. I made to Angela, pulling her along with me. I wanted to get as far from them as I could.

"Andie?" Angela asked playfully. I kept my arm linked with hers and kept up a steady pace. "What's wrong? You're starting to scare me."

"Nothing." I huffed glancing back. The three vampires continued to glare at me.

Angela followed my gaze. "What's going on?" Her voice was shaky.

"It's nothing."

Turning the corner, the school finally out of sight, Angela stopped pulling me to halt. "Andrea, you will tell me." Angela demanded stomping her foot.

"Ang..." I wanted to tell someone. I rubbed my hands over my face trying to calm myself. "I can't tell you here. Please, let's go home." I begged.

Angela crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot against the asphalt. "No, Andie. You tell me now or when we get home, I will tell mom and dad something is wrong with you."

"No, you won't. I'm sorry. I can't tell you here."

Angela angrily marched away from me yelling, "I will. You can't hide it, Andie."

I jogged up blocking her path. "You can't be serious. I have been a good sister. You can't go off half-cocked just because I can't say anything."

"You can, but won't. You're in trouble. I can feel it. If you won't let me help you, I will have to say something." Angela spat.

I had never seen anyone so upset and hurt. The pain in her eyes broke me. She was worried about me, more than I deserved.

"Fine," I said. "But let's drop our stuff at home first. Please, we have to talk in a certain place."

"Fine." Angela agreed leading the way home.