I made Bella vow to not talk during school unless she absolutley had to.

"God doesn't want everyone to find out you're special. He doesn't want them getting jealous." I told her. It made her feel uneasy, I could tell.

In Biology, though, the class where she sat directly next to me, we had a pop quiz. It was supposed to be quick, simple, easy. Only ten questions. Mr. Varner issued us to do pages in our textbook while he graded the quizzes.

I did Bella's work for her.

"I answered all the questions on that quizzy thing." she whispered to me. Mr. Varner's head snapped up at the sound, and Bella grew quiet.

Damn kids, he thought.

"Edward! Lookit!" Bella yelled out when she got her test back. The whole class turned to look at her.

She shoved her paper in my face, and I saw a large red "10" on it.

"Look! I got a whole ten points! Yay!" she smiled, and cradled her quiz to her chest. The whole class was staring.

Bella got a 10 on a quiz? Jeez, like, half the class got 100's, a girl thought. I, myself was one of those people. I flipped my paper over so she would not see my grade. I was actually proud of her 10, to be honest. She got at least one high school question right, and not just any kindergardeners could have done that. But still, she had drawn too much attention, so I had to do something.

"Bella," I whispered lowly, "Remember what I said this morning? People are going to get jealous. In fact, they already are."

"Oops!" she said, placing her hand over her mouth, "I'll keep quiet, then."

After a few moments, the class went back to work as if nothing had happened.

At lunch, I snagged a table as far away from anyone as possible. The food today was, thank heavens, macaroni. That seemed to be six-year old Bella's comfort food. I shoved mine towards her when she had finished her helping, and she finished all that, too.

"Mac n' cheese is yellow, like Spongebob. I feel real bad if I leave any of them on my plate when all their friends are in my tummy, so that's why I eat every one, all the time." she said, shoving another forkful of yellow mush into her mouth. I had to cringe. Human food was revolting. My eyes wandered from her face for a moment, glancing over at Angela Weber. She was eating quietly, net to that boy Ben, her thoughts very worrisome over an upcoming test. Perhaps now wasn't the best time to tell her.

But I was going to, sooner or later. I could not leave her alone when Charlie was at work, and I was out hunting. If only Angela knew...then, would she watch over my Bella? She would have to. She was probably the only one of Bella's friends that I trusted. Her thoughts were always calm and collected, rarely ever a mean comment. And anyway, Bella was her friend. If she knew about what happened, she would be all for watching Bella, right?

"Bella," I said suddenly, turning my head back to her. I didn't know what to say yet, how to do this. Her name just blurted out of my mouth. But it was too late, it was out, and I could not take it back.

She looked up at me through her lashes, and my breath caught. Oh, how beautiful my Bella was. Even when six, that did not change the fact that she was beautiful.

"Uh-huh?" she asked, looking me straight in the eye now.

"Um..." I muttered, looking for words, "Do you think...that...if I left you here for a little bit...just for a minute...that you could be...a...big girl and stay quiet and not move?" The last few words rushed out.

Her eyes lit up.

"Yep!" She pretended to lock up her mouth, then she threw the imaginary key over her shoulder. I nodded stiffly, then slowly got up out of my seat. I didn't take my eyes off Bella the whole time I walked over to Angela. One thing could upset the peace.

Finally, I had to bring my gaze from Bella to the table in front of me, where many pairs of eyes turned to stare at me. I kept my gaze only towards the Angela girl, and said,

"Do you mind...if I have a minute to speak to you? Alone?" I asked in a persuasive tone that I knew would work. Her cheeks flushed a faint red, and she stood quietly.

"Sure..." she said, and walked cautiously to my side.

Ben's mouth hung open. Who does he think he is? he thought, his features flaring with anger. But he did nothing as I led Angela outside of the cafeteria and into the empty hallway. My back leaned against a set of lockers, and I crossed my arms.

"I need to tell you something." I said, my face hard. Her cheeks were crimson, but this did not bother me, due to the fact that Bella's cheeks did this, and Bella's blood... was so much more potent then this normal girl.

She nodded. She was scared. Of me. Not that I suspected less.

"Have you...did you notice how Bella was acting earlier?" I asked her. She sighed.

Oh good, this is about Bella, she thought. "I did." she said, and her voice broke. "Is...is that what you need to talk to me about?"

I nodded. "You have to promise not to tell anybody what I am about to tell you, okay? I'm telling you because you are Bella's friend...and she might need a friend when I'm not there to watch over her."

"What happened?" she whispered, so I told her. I told her about how Bella fell down a flight of stars, hit her head, and now she thinks she is six years old. The whole time I spoke, Angela's face was frozen.

"So I'm sure you can understand why I need you to watch her for me, be her friend." I muttered.

"Why can't I tell anyone?"

"Because when 18 year old Bella finally comes back, she can't know of this. It...it would ruin her."

She understood. Quietly, she walked back into the cafeteria, towards Bella. I followed quickly behind her, urgent to make sure Bella was okay. Various thoughts were invading my mind; all about Angela and I. Mike Newton's hopes were up that I was falling for another girl. And personally? I felt like rearranging his face.

Bella looked at me for permission to speak once Angela said hi. I nodded, and at first her tone was loud and boisterous.

"Angela!" she nearly yelled. A few heads turned in our direction at Bella's child-like voice. "Oh, right." she muttered quietly, and then, in a softer, hushed tone, she whispered, "Angela!" again.

The girl smiled, and gave a small, "Hello, Bella."

A conversation carried on, Angela raising her eyebrows every time Bella said something careless or stupid, such as the macaroni bit she told me earlier.

But Angela must have been babysitting alot, for her patience with Bella was amazing. She thought kind thoughts (though curious) even when Bella said rude things, and she never said something to upset her.

Yes, I would trust Angela with my Bella.

"You know what?" Bella asked me that night, as I was tucking her in.

"What?" I asked back, smiling. She sat up enough to give me a hug, and I wrapped my arms around her frail body.

"We need to go somewhere, like the fair." she said, her voice clear and ringing. But my thoughts were elsewhere.

"The fair? The actual fair?" I pulled away.

She nodded, then shrugged. "I really wanna go," she placed one finger up by her face, and added quietly, "Always have."

I was more than willing to take her, more than you can imagine. It was just surprising, Bella actually asking for something. Me not having to force gifts upon her...it felt nice. And, come to think of it, there was a county fair going on somewhere in southern Washington.

"Okay. We'll go. As soon is the week is out. But first, darling, you need sleep." I told her, kissing her forehead.

"M'kay." she mumbled, stretching. Before she turned her light out, when I was laying next to her, she looked me straight in the eye, and said, "I love you."

I was brought on aback. What was I supposed to say to that? The natural response fluttered out of my mouth.

"I love you, too."

But did I mean it? I felt like I did. We're all confused, here now in Forks.

Bella's bow, for once slid out of my hand, and made a light thump on the floor. To replace it, her head cradled against my chest, between my cold hands.

And this did not bother me.