G is for goodbye.

Goodbye.

Isn't it a simple word? A simple word, laced with so much hate and pain.

Not to me. I hate that word. It tears people apart in the cruelest of ways. I much prefer hello, though sometimes I'd rather we just stay as one - Alice and I, I mean. Wouldn't that be easier? Alice is very stubborn, though...swears she doesn't need a protector. I will never understand when people leave the ones they love. Surely that is just pain all round? Esme gently says that sometimes we don't have the choice, when your mind is so messy all you think about is your losses, not your blessings. I suppose the pain she felt after losing her baby boy in her human life was still raw after all these years. She's very wise, Esme. I'm glad she's my mother.

I make a point of counting my blessings every morning. Usually it's just for our family, the fact that I can stay with my loved ones forever. Sometimes it's more trivial. I sometimes even thank god for giving me this life. No matter how much pain I am in, in Fork's High School, in the street, that is nothing. Nothing compared to the pain of letting down Alice and the rest of my family. My family brought me out of my lowest ebb, my blinding ray of hope in the dark tunnel of Maria. I'm so glad I'm away from her now. I think I'd be dead if it weren't for Alice. Well. You know. Not under a grave with my name on it, if you get that.

I hate it when Alice is sad. I hate knowing that sun in my life is being clouded over. I know she hates some school lessons, and of course that is unavoidable, but I do try and cheer her up by sending her texts. I think I'll send her one now. But just as I try to slip my phone out of my pocket, Mr Bishop calls on me.

"Mr Hale, I do hope you're paying attention." He says. "Now, tell me the first line of the balcony scene, in Romeo And Juliet, please." Thank you, Lord! I roll my eyes. I've done this a million times.

"But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?" Sir raises an eyebrow, but lets it go. I lean back in my seat.

"Very good, Mr Hale." I nod and flip my phone case up silently.

Hey, Ali. How you holding up in algebra? She hates that. Always telling me. She text back almost instantly.

Eeep, better now! I love ya, Jazzy. How is Lizzie? I sneaked a glance at the girl sitting next to me. She seemed to have some sort of obsession with me - in fact she was staring as I looked over. I edged as far away as possible, as I always do, and looked away.

Not too well, I guess. But I'm as far away as possible. :P I love you too, but you of course know that.

Of course I do, Jazz! Sooo...Miss Jones is being mean to me!

How? Alice's interpretation of "mean" was doubted by me, because a simple "Yes honey, you look lovely." is enough to stop her talking to you for days.

She called me short. Cue eye roll.

What an insult, shortie. I send, laughing to myself, knowing she'd be a little mad.

That's it, mister! Not even going to tell you what I was gonna. Ha. I frown for a minute, but then see Alice's face on my screen again.

Your phone's gonna be taken away. Ha! Love you, Jazzy. Bye :P I was so caught up in her I only noticed Sir when he was leering over me. "Mr Hale." He said, voice booming. "Oh, shall I say, Jazzy?" I struggled to stop myself from bursting out laughing or dying, for my reputation as the "one who looks like he's in pain all the time" had changed to "fluffy bunny Jazzy" in the space of two minutes.

But, at least the goodbye on the end of her text was only temporary, and that's why I don't mind mind my phone being stolen. "But, sir-" I try, with no avail.

"Talk to your sister at a different time," he says, not caring that he knew we weren't. I just rolled my eyes.


"Alice!" I called. "You do realize that now, not only did my teacher call me Jazzy, but Lizzie is adopting it?" She giggles and I can't be mad. But then she frowns.

"She's over there." Alice frowns. "Kiss me." I laugh now too, and comply, but during the kiss I ask her why. She replies quickly so she can continue our PDA. "So that crazy girl will see and then set her sights on someone else...perhaps Mike Newton." She laughs again. "He needs to stop chasing Bella." She says, suddenly serious.

"Well darlin', hope is all we have."

"Haha, yes, it is."


Later that day, Alice announced she was going to see Irina, who was in town for the week. I love seeing her happy, so I smiled and said, "Go on." After hearing her squeal and say, "You wear those shoes and I'll wear that dress..!"

But I couldn't help feeling that sinking sensation in the pit of my stomach, even though I knew full well she'd be back.

"Can you help me clean up the new apartment I'm renovating, Jasper? I just need an extra pair of hands..." she mutters, going over the blueprints once more. I was relieved for the distraction. And when I kissed Alice goodbye and joined Esme again, I whispered a thank you in her ear. She knew what I meant.

"She'll be back soon, son." Esme says, squeezing my shoulder and voicing the thought that keeps me alive.