Disclaimer: All characters that are not my own, as well as The Twilight Series, belongs to Stephenie Meyer.

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The small stack of paper felt many pounds heaver than it actually was. I stared at the top sheet for a few seconds before lifting the hood of my jacket over my head- the mist that was outside had quickly turned into a heavy rain. As I ran to my car, I thought of the expression my mom would have on her face- maybe a slight grimace, or a few words of caution. Ben would probably coax her into signing my forms.

As I backed out of the space, I caught a glimpse of someone in the otherwise empty parking lot though my mirror. Surprise- it was Edward Cullen, leaning against his car, new and expensive looking. He was slowly getting soaked in the rain, with the water glinting magnificently on his skin as it rolled down his cheeks, his neck. I wasn't fazed my any of his beauty, though- although it was definitely apparent. There were more pressing matters.

His face was twisted into an expression I could only read as confusion, or maybe even curiosity- with eyes that were slightly narrowed, as if he was trying to decide something. His mouth was pressed into a thin line- and the way his features were laid out on his face made you think of a detective, a sleuth. Me, still looking through the mirror, locked eyes with him for a fraction of a second, although it felt much longer- and I knew that if he hadn't broken his gaze, it would have been impossible for me to look away. Even as I focused my eyes on the road, the image of Edward Cullen's eyes, somehow wise and mysterious- were burned into my mind. As I turned the corner to exit the school grounds, I saw his tiny figure, several feet away, turning around, and running- much too fast, it seemed- back to the school.

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As I drove carefully down the complicated maze of roads to our home, I thought not of Edward Cullen, but a childhood experience. When I asked my mother if I could attend these classes, the same thing would probably come to her mind- that if I couldn't handle children, I might not be able to take a hands-on class.

Every time we visit the Northwest Peninsula, we see my grandparents, and occasionally my parent's friends. Then we'd drive down to the Indian reservation, La Push. My mom's cousin is married to someone down there, and they honestly couldn't be happier. I remember one visit, when I was seven years old, my cousin- Cheyenne- had just given birth to her second child, Sarah. Even now, I can remember Cheyenne and Jacob, her husband, teaching me how to hold the baby that was only a few months old. They obviously thought I'd have no trouble with the feat, but they were wrong. It wasn't like I was helpless- I definitely had coordination. But there was something about holding life in your hands... And after that, someone was always there to watch me when I held the baby, which was very rare.

I couldn't get over the experience. I've held a good number of infants after that, and their parents usually don't allow me to hold their children again.

"Are you positive you want to do this?"

I knew she would be doubtful- but I was prepared. After my own initial doubt, I had definitely warmed to the idea- the program would be useful, either in experience or to put down on college applications.

"Yes, mom. After all, isn't confronting your fear the only way to conquer it?" My voice was teasing.

Although she seemed hesitant, the papers soon read her name- Angela Raymond. I had often wondered why she hadn't changed it to Cheyney- she wasn't bound to the name Raymond, as I was. I've asked her before, but she's never given an answer- and I knew it would be no different if I did now. After all, the subject was difficult to speak aloud, for both of us.

She began to speak to me again, as she read the rest of the form. "Mrs. Masen... she's your counselor, right?"

"You already know that."

She smiled. "I know- but you never bring her up, and I've never even seen the woman... we should have given her a fruitcake for Christmas, as a thank you for everything." We both laughed.

"They probably wouldn't eat it."

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A week later, I was driving home from the first session of the program I had taken. Reflecting, I thought that the experience wasn't that bad at all- and I was actually glad I went. Maybe, I thought foolishly, this would help personal experience more than my education.

I was a long way from home- all the way across town, and Aimee had asked me to pick her up from a mechanic's- apparently, her car had broken down on the highway. I was confused by the fact that she had chosen to take the car a couple of hours' time away from where we lived...

"Hey," she said, sliding into the front seat of my Mazda. "Can we get out of here? I've been waiting for a while..."

I nodded absentmindedly, and we were soon back on the highway. We talked for a while, and she asked how my day went- I only replied with a nonchalant shrug.

She smiled. "You didn't like it?" Her voice was teasing.

"It was fine. Brought back a few memories." That was only half true. Nevertheless, she gave an encouraging smile and dropped the subject.

We stopped at a gas station- with my car needing gas, and both Aimee and I needing lunch. We walked into the mini-mart, and quickly got our packaged, preservative-filled excuse for human food.

In the small store, there were two figures heading for the exit, and coming our way. I was at the counter, and was fumbling with my wallet, while Aimee stared off into space. Suddenly, a pale hand reached over my shoulder to pay for our food.

I turned, and I was surprised to see my no-show English seat partner staring back at me, with the strange Edward Cullen behind him. Daniel turned to me, and offered a friendly smile. I saw something- unnatural, maybe- in his eyes, but I smiled back, ignoring my subconscious. He was known to be perfect, and nothing appeared to be wrong with him- he was friendly, I knew. But why did instinct tell me otherwise?

Aimee's eyes focused on our little exchange, and her eyes went wide- wider than I've ever seen them go. She silently handed me her food, and walked to my car. It looked like she was about to faint.

I frowned before turning back to them. "Sorry- about her behavior."

It was Edward that spoke. "It's okay." He turned to Daniel, and made it clear that they were in a hurry. Daniel, eyes black, had hastily agreed, and they left the store, without another word.

The long drive home brought many questions from Aimee- asking if they lived hours away from where we thought, why they seemed so rushed, getting into their car, if they had some secret soiree to attend... and I couldn't answer her, obviously. I wanted to know myself- and I felt curious, although I had no right to be. It felt strange- wanting to know the details of a complete stranger's life.

After the long drive, and taking Aimee home, I found myself in the confines of my room, dark and inviting, and wished that those two people- no matter how marvelous they seemed- weren't ever in my life. They only made me uneasy.