Mr. Price drove me back home. Mom's van and Dad's pick up truck sat in the driveway. I knew I was in trouble.

"Thank you for the ride." I said, unclicking my seatbelt.

"You're welcome." He said, and then he hesitated, "Remember your promise, okay?"

"I will." I said, and got out of the car.

I waved at him as I went into the house. As expected, Mom and Dad were sitting on the couch. Her arms were crossed, mad, and her eyes and nose were red. She had been crying, no matter how briefly. Embry sat on the recliner, looking repentant. They must have chewed him out.

"Hi." I said awkwardly.

"Young lady, what's the meaning of this?" Dad asked, "We told you to stay in the house."

"I'm sorry. It was my fault. Don't be mad at Embry." I said.

"Something could've happened." Mom said.

"I realize that now. I'm sorry." I said, "It won't happen again."

"You said that last time." Dad remarked.

"But this time, I mean it." I said, "I really do. I promise. I won't do this happen again."

Mom and Dad examined me, looking for any hints of lying.

"We're leaving tomorrow, so I won't punish you. But there will be serious consequences if you do anything like this again, okay?" Dad said sternly.

"Yes sir." I said, nodding my head.

I wasn't sure if I should mention my interaction with Mr. Price. Looking at their faces, they already weren't happy with me, and I didn't want to get me or Mr. Price in trouble. A 16 year old girl alone with a teacher didn't sound good, regardless of the excuse. So I kept my mouth shut, excused myself to shower, and then came back down to the living room afterward. They seemed to have cooled down enough by the time I got downstairs.

I noticed Seth and Embry's stuff wasn't by the door.

"Seth and Embry aren't coming with us?" I asked.

Mom and Dad exchanged looks, maybe hoping I wouldn't ask.

"They're staying here." Dad said.

I wanted to ask why, but asking questions was useless. I let it go.

The rest of the day flew by, and before I knew it, we were at the airport. Embry drove us in the van, and waited to see us off. I got a coffee to keep myself awake on the plane. I chugged it, feeling the caffeinated buzz running through me.

I was between mom and Eli on the plane. Eli fell asleep quickly. It was a late night flight, and well beyond his bedtime. He was falling asleep waiting for the plane to load. I had to keep him awake as the plane ascended into the air, but then let him sleep as he liked.

I sketched on a notepad, drawing fairies and trees and a moon wearing sunglasses. Mom read Wuthering Heights, occasionally stopping to see what I was drawing. Dad had a window seat, and spent the time watching the Earth below us, occasionally looking our way.

I woke up Eli for the plane's descent. Unloading went by quickly, and by the time I knew it, Charlie was greeting us at the airport.

"Hey kids." He said, a wide grin on his face, despite the fact it was 4 in the morning.

"Hi Dad." Mom said, and he pulled her into a hug, then me and Eli.

"Hey Charlie." Dad said.

"Hello Jake. Your dad's excited to see you. He hasn't shut up for 2 days." Charlie said.

Eli was falling asleep on his feet, and Dad carried him. Charlie took Eli's suitcase to roll. We all headed toward his car. On the way back to Forks, we stopped for coffee and baked goods to tide us over.

Charlie talked about Grandma Sue and his step daughter Leah, Seth's sister. Leah was taking woodworking classes, and she was thoroughly enjoying them. She also had a new boyfriend, and this relationship seemed to show signs of becoming serious. Leah had trouble keeping close relationships, so everyone was cautiously optimistic.

"That's great, Charlie." Mom said, enthused.

We got to Charlie's house about three hours later. Sue and Sam Uley were there. Sue had breakfast on the table. She had made a quiche, pancakes, bacon, french toast, and a fruit salad. It was quite the spread.

There wasn't enough seats at the table, so Dad and Sam ate at the counter, while Eli and I ate in the living room. A cartoon was playing on the tv as we ate.

Sam and Dad ate quickly and then disappeared. Charlie joined us in front of the tv after he finished eating.

"Hey kids, think you'll want to go fishing while you're down here?" He asked eagerly.

"Er… sure, Grandpa." I said, hesitantly.

I absolutely hated fishing. It was mind numbing, staring at a stick with a string attached for hours in the middle of the lake without anything else to do. Hoping for a bite. Possibly coming home with nothing to show for your efforts, and probably sunburnt. I inherited Mom's fair skin, so I was more likely to get burnt than Eli, who had Dad's russet complexion.

He laughed, "I'm just joking. That's an old man's sport."

I felt relief. I wouldn't have to pretend to like fishing.

"Your mom always hated fishing too." He said, with a glimmer in his eye, "You sure do remind me of her when she was your age."

I gave a small smile.

"How's school going anyway, kiddo?" He asked.

"It's going good. I'm enjoying my classes. Last week we learned about the different kingdoms in bio." I said.

He nodded, "Not racking up trouble, are you?"

"No, sir." I said.

He ruffled my hair, "Now that's what I like to hear. Keeping your nose clean."

The walls started to close in on me. I could swear they were getting smaller. It was safe enough in Forks, right? That's why we came here.

"Grandpa, is it okay if I go for a walk?" I asked.

"Sure." He said, surprised, "But don't go walking off into the forest, okay? Stay on the main streets."

"Yes, sir." I said, and got up.

I was dressed okay, so I slipped on my hoodie, and walked out the front door. Despite Charlie's wishes, I walked toward the semi-worn path that I knew was outside his house that led into the forest. The path was clear enough that I probably wouldn't get lost.

I kept walking until I couldn't see the house anymore. The brush gradually was getting thicker, erasing my path. But if I kept walking in a straight line, I shouldn't get lost. I'd just need to turn around, and start walking in the opposite direction. I could see the day getting brighter, as I mindlessly put one foot in front of the other, guiding me forward. I could hear frogs croaking and birds chirping. It was peaceful. I could've stayed in here forever. Judging from the sun, it was probably past 9 AM when I decided I should turn around, and go back to Charlie's.

I started walking back, and it was almost eleven when I returned. I was pretty tired and my legs felt like lead by the time Charlie's house came back into view. I walked back into the house, and came inside. Eli was watching tv with Dad's friend Quil.

"Hello Hannah." Quil said.

"Hey." I said, taking the chair next to the couch.

"Charlie and your Mom went out a couple hours ago. I'll do you a favour and not tell anyone how long you've been gone. You were cutting it close though, kid. They should be back any minute." He said.

"I'm sorry." I said.

"I'm sure you are." He said, and resumed to watching tv with Eli.

So I was under guard here too.