Follows the storyline of Twilight: 4

10.

"What does it mean?"

"If she told you," Sam said, "it wouldn't mean anything."

―Gregory Scott Katsoulis

Dear Severus,

I thought it pertinent that I let you know I was in an accident. I am fine now, however a bit worse for wear. A vehicle hit me on an icy day. It looked rather dramatic, but truthfully I was only minorly injured.

There's a quite a large split on the back of my head, but the true issue is my broken elbow. Because it was a very public event I shall have to heal as a muggle. This will delay my business by at least several weeks.

I admit it would be comforting to hear from you, as the occurrence has quite shaken me.

Merry part,

Hattie

—x—

The weeks that followed were rough, uneasy—and at first, embarrassing, for everyone involved.

When Hattie came down off the drugs they'd had her on, not only had she been in pain but she'd been heartbroken over the loss of her beloved car. It was totaled. The Swans' truck, with its heavy, solid frame might've been able to withstand the force of Tyler's van—but her car certainly had not been able to. The whole rear panel was smashed inward and the force of it had shattered her windshields and deployed her airbags.

When Hattie calmed from that stressor, she couldn't fathom how Bella had remained unscathed and how she was still standing. Bella had explained that Edward pulled her out of the way and the small girl wracked her brain, but couldn't remember much. She'd hit her head a lot harder than Bella had, as evidence by the shaved patch on the back of her head, covered with stitches.

The crash had changed something in Beau, too. He was constantly hovering over Hattie and, to a lesser extent, Bella. Sometimes when Bella came in the house whilst he was asleep she heard him having nightmares and crying their names.

Bella herself was alright. The ache in her head only lasted a couple of days. They couldn't quite move on from the effects of the accident so quickly, though. Hattie's whole arm, from her shoulder to her wrist, was in a cast. She needed help getting dressed, help carrying things, help doing simple things like putting her hair in a ponytail. Bella even took over cooking for the household whilst Hattie was out of commission.

They all returned to school the following day, though Hattie had to take it pretty slow. She ended up having to go lie down in the nurse's office when the pain in her head got to be too much.

To Bella's dismay, they quickly found themselves at the center of attention the rest of that week. Tyler Crowley was impossible. He followed her around, obsessed with making amends—when he wasn't bothering Bella, he was bothering Hattie. Beau could be seen telling him off whenever he came too close to the smaller girl, but it didn't deter him completely.

Bella tried to convince him that he should just forget about it where she was concerned—especially since nothing had actually happened to her—but he remained insistent. He made a pattern of alternately tailing Bella and Hattie between classes. Somehow, he always managed to catch Hattie when Beau wasn't around—Bella wondered if Tyler was getting someone to distract her brother.

He even made a point of sitting at their now crowded lunch table. Mike and Eric were even less friendly toward him than they were towards each other, which made Bella worry they'd gained another unwelcome fan.

Even Mike and Eric had used the accident to their advantage. Suddenly, whatever Hattie had done to get them off her tail was thrown out the window. They were accosting her after class, helping her carry her books, warming her lunch up for her. They didn't take 'no' for an answer.

Nobody seemed concerned about Edward, though Bella tried explaining that he was the hero—he'd pulled her out of the way and had nearly been crushed, too. Everyone, even Beau, always commented that they hadn't even seen him till the van was pulled away.

Bella wondered to herself why nobody else had seen him standing so far away, before he was suddenly, impossibly saving her life. With chagrin, she realized the probable cause—no one else was as aware of Edward as she always was. No one else watched him the way she did.

Possibly Hattie had seen him, but that did Bella little good. Between the huge hit she'd taken and her proceeding her unconsciousness, Hattie didn't believe most of her memories in the seconds leading up to the accident. Even if Bella tried to insist, Hattie would likely go along with anything anyone told her.

Edward was never surrounded by crowds of curious bystanders eager for his firsthand account. People avoided him as usual. The Cullens and the Hales sat at the same table as always, eating in that same, slow, peculiar way of theirs. None of them, especially Edward, looked her way anymore.

When he sat next to her in class, as far away as the table would allow, he seemed totally unaware of her presence. Only now and then, when his fists would suddenly ball up—skin stretched even whiter over the bones—did Bella wonder if he wasn't quite as oblivious as he appeared.

He wished he hadn't pulled her from the path of Tyler's van—or perhaps he regretted not saving Hattie, too. There were no other conclusions Bella could come to.

Bella wanted very much to talk to him, and the day after the accident she'd tried. The last time she'd seen him, outside the ER, they'd both been so furious. She was still angry that he wouldn't trust her with the truth, even though she was keeping her side of the bargain flawlessly. But he had in fact saved her life, no matter how he'd done it. Overnight, the heat of her anger had faded away with the help of her relief at Hattie's condition. Soon she was awed into immense gratitude.

He was already seated by the time Bella got to biology, laying Hattie's books on her lab table. She sat down, expecting him to turn toward her. He showed no sign that he realized she was there.

"Hello, Edward," she'd greeted pleasantly, trying to show that she was going to behave herself.

But he just turned his head a fraction of an inch and nodded once, without meeting her gaze. Then he looked the other way.

That was the last contact she had with him, though he was there—a foot away—every day.

She watched him sometimes, unable to stop herself—from a distance, though, in the cafeteria or the parking lot. Every day his golden eyes grew predictably darker. But in class, she gave no more notice that he existed than he showed toward her.

She was miserable, and her dreams of him continued.

Despite her misery, her newfound place in Forks was not quite as disheartening as she'd feared. She had a routine, a handful of friends. She was growing ever closer to Hattie, even. (This was no doubt aided by the fact that Bella helped dress the girl every day. It was hard not to bond with someone whose bra you clasped each morning.)

She lied a little bit to Renee, and despite the tenor of her emails her mother assumed Bella was depressed. She called a few times, worried, and when Bella didn't show any signs of depression Renee tried to pester Beau about it. Even he couldn't fully convince her that Bella was happy, though he tried.

Mike, at least, seemed pleased by the obvious coolness between Bella and her lab partner. He grew more confident each day, sitting on the edge of her table to talk before biology class started. He ignored Edward as completely as Edward ignored them.

—x—

Those weeks with her cast on and the stitches in her head were the hardest for Hattie. She'd never had to endure an injury this long—the folly of living closely with muggles. Her vulnerability scared her. She hated relying on her cousins and the people surrounding them for anything.

Bella was especially nice about the situation. Hattie still wasn't entirely comfortable allowing Bella to help her get dressed, but it wasn't as dreaded as it had been the first day when she realized. Hattie could probably figure out how to dress herself with magic, but it would be suspicious. After all, she could barely move her casted arm (the entire point of the cast) so while she might be able to wiggle a top on, there was no way she could get a bra on.

Beau tried hard to make sure Hattie was never alone, but somehow that Crowley boy kept managing to drag him off and take advantage of the situation. Hattie had told Mike and Eric off during her first week of classes and it had worked thus far, but now they were back in full force.

It was with relief that now, they split their time between her and Bella, so at least Hattie got a reprieve.

After the accident she'd sent out her letters to her friends, with new additions to Severus about her current state of being. She, admittedly, complained about having to put on the show of healing the muggle way. With X-Rays of her elbow every two weeks to ensure she didn't need surgery, she couldn't very well heal herself within the cast. Thus, she put up with the aches and pains that went along with a broken elbow.

It was only when Jacob started calling her nonstop that she realized she should talk to him, too. Apparently, Charlie had confided his worries in Billy, who informed Jacob, who panicked.

He called her the second night after her accident, talking rapidly. She'd assured him over and over that she was fine now, in very little pain (a white lie—she'd taken a pain-relieving potion). That was the first night she fell asleep on the phone with him.

It certainly wasn't the last.

The snow washed away for good after that one dangerously icy day. The other students were disappointed at never having gotten to stage their giant snowball fight. Hattie would be happy if she never saw snow again. Now that the weather was getting warmer, Mike was continuing to plan his beach trip, which Hattie was very excited about. She hoped to surprise Jacob, whom she hadn't seen in entirely too long.

Bella complained to her on the first Tuesday in March about a tradition she'd just been informed of—the girl's choice spring dance, which was in two weeks. Hattie had never been to a dance herself, but imagining the night left her a little breathless…and irritated about being in a cast.

Clearly, though, Bella wasn't planning on going. She told Hattie it was tempting fate, trying to dance with as clumsy as she was.

Hattie wanted to go, and badly. She loved to dance, and the excuse to dress up in a pretty dress and be escorted by a handsome boy…it was like a scene out of a movie.

She wanted to feel like a princess, even if only for one night.

But Hattie resigned herself to staying home that night. She didn't want to lead anybody on, especially not one of her unwelcome fanboys—and there was nobody at Forks High School that she wanted to go to the dance with.

—x—

Bella was irritated.

She should've known this would happen to her. Jessica had called her on Tuesday seeking permission to ask Mike to the dance.

"You're sure you don't mind? You weren't planning on asking him?" Jessica persisted, when Bella told her she didn't mind in the least.

"No, Jess, I'm not going," Bella assured her. Dancing was, after all, out of her range of abilities.

"It will be really fun." Jessica's attempt to convince Bella was half-hearted. (Bella suspected that Jessica enjoyed her inexplicable popularity more than her actual company.)

"You have fun with Mike," Bella encouraged, instead of answering.

But the next day at school, Jessica wasn't her normal gushing self. She was silent as they walked together between classes, and at lunch she sat as far away from Mike as possible. Mike, too, was unusually quiet.

Bella found out why in biology—the uncomfortable look on Mike's face changed to resolution as they took up their usual positions. Bella was in her seat and he was perched on the edge of her desk.

"So," Mike began. Even with his resolved look, his gaze was on the floor. "Jessica asked me to go to the spring dance."

"That's great!" Bella said, trying to emulate Hattie's chirpy, cheerful tone. "You'll have a lot of fun with Jessica."

"Well…" he floundered a bit, clearly not happy with Bella's response. "I told her I had to think about it."

"Why would you do that?" Bella let disapproval color her tone, though she was relieved he hadn't given her an absolute 'no'.

"I was wondering if…well, if you might be planning to ask me."

Bella paused, hating the wave of guilt that swept through her. Why couldn't he just leave her be? She saw, from the corner of her eye, Edward's head tilt reflexively toward them.

"Mike," she said slowly. "I really think you should tell her yes."

"Did you already ask someone?" Mike asked. Did Edward notice how Mike's eyes flickered in his direction?

"No," Bella assured him quickly. "I'm not going to the dance at all."

"Why not?" Mike demanded.

Bella really didn't want to get into the hazards that danced presented, so she quickly wracked her brain for a new plan.

"I'm going to Seattle that Saturday," she explained carefully. She needed to get out of town, anyways—Hattie's book collection had been devoured and Bella needed some books that were more her speed. Plus, it might be nice to splurge on some new clothes…ones more fit for Forks' climate. Saturday started to look like the perfect time to go—she actually found herself looking forward to it. (And cursing that Hattie's car had been totaled, as she cringed to think of the gas mileage her truck got.)

"Is Hattie going with you?" Mike asked. Now that he was disappointed, he was looking for a new plan. One that still didn't include Jessica.

Bella began to feel a little sorry for her friend.

"I don't know," Bella answered, wincing at throwing Hattie under the bus. "She hasn't decided yet. But you really shouldn't make Jess wait much longer—it's rude."

Mike walked dejectedly back to his seat and Bella fumbled to get her phone out. She should at least warn Hattie about the possible oncoming puppy.

Group: THREE LITTLE SWANS

Bell-Bell: mike alert.

i told him i was going to seattle on saturday.

he might ask u hattie.

Hattie-Dearest: what?

why me

Bell-Bell: idk. jessica wants to go with him though

so turn him down pls

Beauregard: why r u going to seattle?

Bell-Bell: i panicked

Hattie-Dearest: bella EC is reading over your shoulder

Bella clicked her screen off, face turning red. She sighed, turning to face him resignedly.

He was staring at her curiously, that same, familiar edge of frustration even more distinct now in his black eyes.

She stared back—unsurprised, since she had warning. She expected him to look quickly away. But instead he continued to gaze with probing intensity into her eyes. There was no question of her looking away. Bella's hands began to shake.

"Mr. Cullen?" the teacher called, seeking the answer to a question Bella hadn't heard.

"The Krebs Cycle," Edward responded, seeming reluctant as he turned to look at Mr. Banner.

Bella looked down at her book as soon as his eyes released hers, trying to find her place. Cowardly as ever, she shifted her hair over her shoulder to hide her face. She couldn't believe the rush of emotions running through her—just because he'd happened to look at her for the first time in a half-dozen weeks. She couldn't let him have this level of influence over her—it was pathetic.

More than pathetic, it was unhealthy.

She tried very hard to not to notice him for the rest of the hour, and, since that was impossible, at least not let him know she was aware of him. When the bell rang at last, she turned to get her things, expecting him to leave immediately as usual.

"Bella?" His voice shouldn't have been so familiar to her, as if she'd known the sound of it all her life rather than just a few short weeks.

She turned slowly, unwillingly. In her peripheral, she noted that Mike had approached Hattie—she felt guilty, but at least Hattie would have someone to take her to gym.

Her expression was weary when she finally turned to him. She didn't want to feel what she knew she would when she looked at his too-perfect face. When she looked at him, his expression was unreadable. He didn't say anything.

"What? Are you speaking to me again?" she finally asked, an unintentional note of petulance in her voice.

His lips twitched, fighting a smile. "No, not really," he admitted.

"Then what do you want, Edward?" she asked, keeping her eyes closed. It was easier to talk to him that way. "I should be saving my cousin from Mike."

"I'm sorry." He sounded sincere. "I'm being very rude, I know. But it's better this way, really."

She opened her eyes. His face was very serious.

"I don't know what you mean," she said, guarded.

"It's better if we're not friends," he explained. "Trust me."

Her eyes narrowed. She'd heard that before—but unlike then, now she had other friends to rely on. Still, it stung a little. She was sullen when she answered.

"It's too bad you didn't figure that out earlier," she hissed through her teeth. "You could've saved yourself all this regret."

"Regret?" The word, and Bella's tone, had caught him off-guard. "Regret for what?"

"For not just letting that stupid van squish me." Bella paused. "For not saving Hattie, instead."

He was astonished. He stared at her in disbelief.

When he finally spoke, he almost sounded mad. "You think I regret saving your life?"

"I can't think of any other reason for you to act this way," she snapped.

"You don't know anything." He was definitely mad.

She turned her head sharply away from him, clenching her jaw against all the wild accusations she wanted to hurl at him. She gathered her books, then stood to head for the door. It might be too late to save Hattie from Mike, but at least she could sweep dramatically from the room…but of course she caught the toe of her boot on the door jamb and dropped her books.

Bella stood there for a moment, debating leaving them there. Then she sighed and bent to pick them up.

He was already there; he'd already stacked them into a pile. He handed them to her, his face hard.

"Thank you," she said icily.

His eyes narrowed. "You're welcome," he retorted.

She straightened up swiftly, turned away from him again, and stalked off to gym without looking back.

Gym was brutal. Hattie had sat on the sidelines these long few weeks, unable to participate. Bella's team never passed her the ball, but without Hattie there was one less person to cover Bella and Beau's mistakes. To make things worse, every glimpse of Hattie's embarrassed face—no doubt caused by Mike's earlier attentions—threw Bella back into her irritation at Edward. She tried to concentrate on her feet, but he kept creeping back into her thoughts just when she needed balance. Thus, she fell, competing with Beau for number of falls per class.

It was a relief, as always, to leave. She changed at high speed and rushed out to her truck, leaving Beau to help Hattie today. She felt a little guilty about it, but she wanted to be alone for a moment.

She almost had a heart attack when she rounded the corner and saw a tall, dark figure leaning against the side of her truck. Then she realized it was just Eric. She started walking again.

"Hey, Eric," she called.

"Hi, Bella."

"What's up?" she said as she unlocked the door. She wasn't paying attention to the uncomfortable edge in his voice.

"Hattie's not with you?" he asked, sounding a bit disappointed.

"Ah, no," Bella turned to him. "She's coming out with Beau."

Eric nodded, still seeming uncomfortable. Then his next words caught Bella by surprise. "I was wondering if, uh, you would go to the spring dance with me?"

His voice broke on the last word, and Bella was sure she was not the Swan he meant to ask. She was just in the right place at the wrong time.

"I thought it was girls' choice," she said, diplomatically, instead of calling him out.

"Well, yeah," he admitted, shamefaced.

She covered her composure and tried to make her voice warm. "Thank you for asking me, but I'm going to be in Seattle that day. Besides—I don't think you want to go with me, anyways."

He looked at her sheepishly and Bella knew that she was right. Eric had always had more of an attraction to her smaller, more athletic cousin.

Sure enough, when Hattie and Beau approached, he asked her. Bella had to give him props—he had guts. Beau was even taller than Eric and asking Hattie couldn't have been easy with her two cousins on either side of her.

But she, also, turned him down. "I'm really sorry, Eric. I—I've got a date already."

Bella and Beau gave her identical, startled glances as Eric slouched away. Bella could only think that, perhaps Mike had used his opportunity well…perhaps he had convinced their cousin.

She heard a low chuckle as they sat there gaping at Hattie. Edward was walking past the truck, looking straight forward, his lips pressed together. Bella yanked the door open and jumped inside, slamming it loudly.

She would've jerked right out of the parking spot, but Beau was helping Hattie climb in and it seemed he moved at a snail's pace. When they finally got in, she reversed out into the aisle, revving the engine loudly. Edward, two spaces down, slid out smoothly in front of them, cutting her off. He stopped there—to wait for his family. She could see the five of them walking this way, but still by the cafeteria.

Bella strongly considered taking out the rear of his stupid, shiny Volvo, but there were too many witnesses. In her rearview mirror, she could see a line of cars beginning to form. Directly behind them, Tyler Crowley (in his newly acquired used Sentra) was waving wildly. Bella was too aggravated to acknowledge him.

"Man, what a dick," Beau snorted. "Oh, goody."

There was a knock on the passenger window. Beau rolled his eyes—still unfriendly toward the boy who'd nearly killed Bella and Hattie—but cranked the window down part way.

"I'm sorry, Tyler, I'm stuck behind Cullen." Bella explained. Her voice was annoyed—clearly, the holdup wasn't her fault.

"Oh, I know, I just wanted to ask you something while we're trapped here." He grinned.

This could not be happening.

"Will one of you ask me to the spring dance?" he continued.

"I'm not going to be in town," Bella said, sharply. She tried to remember that it wasn't his fault Mike and Eric had already used up her patience quota for the day.

"Yeah, Mike said that," Tyler admitted.

"Then why—"

He shrugged. "I was hoping you were just letting him down easy."

Okay, it was completely his fault.

"I really am going out of town," she said, trying to work down her irritation. (It wasn't working.)

"Fair," he said, grinning again. His eyes zoomed in on Hattie. "How about you, Hattie?"

The girl in question was blushing hard again, avoiding his eyes. "I sort of…have a date already," she told him.

"That's cool," he decided after a moment. "We still have prom."

And before either of them could respond, he was walking back to his car. Beau was attempting to strangle the boy with his eyes, and Bella could feel the shock on her face. She looked forward, seeing all of the Cullens sliding into the Volvo. In his rearview mirror, Edward's eyes were on Bella. He was unquestionably shaking with laughter, as if he'd heard every word Tyler had said.

Her foot twitched toward the gas pedal…one little bump wouldn't hurt any of them, just that glossy silver paint job. She revved the engine.

But they were all in, and Edward was speeding away.

As they drove home, slowly, Bella tried to take her mind off the situation. Muttering to herself wouldn't help anything. She rounded on Hattie, sitting between her and Beau on the bench seat.

"Mike asked you out?" she demanded.

Hattie looked up from her phone, confused. She was texting JAKE .

"Yeah, he did," she admitted.

"And you actually said yes?" Beau sounded sick. "He's like an overgrown puppy."

"Hey, if she likes him, then let her be happy," Bella argued. "Jeez, Beau."

"What are you guys talking about?" Hattie asked. The dark-haired girl's eyes were confused. "Is this about my date? Because I am not going with Mike. I said no."

"Then…who?" Bella's voice was thoughtful, eyebrows scrunched together.

Hattie looked away, cheeks red. Then she raised her phone a little in her hand. "I haven't actually asked him yet," she told Bella. "But I think he will say yes."

"Well, then, what are you waiting for?" Beau urged. There was a sense of realization in his eyes. "Ask him."

"Easy for you to say," snorted Hattie derisively.

Bella looked back and forth between the duo, lost. She'd been so caught up lately with her own misery—and, yes, her obsession—that perhaps she'd missed something.

Her brother's cheeks were rosy pink and he looked away, out the passenger window. "That's different."

"It is not," Hattie protested. "You are just a chicken."

"She doesn't even look at me anymore."

"Maybe she thinks you don't like her," Hattie offered. "You should ask her. I am pretty sure nobody else has."

"I was thinking about asking Angela instead," Beau said. "I just really get the feeling Edythe doesn't like me, so I'm going to give her space."

"Edythe Cullen?" Bella asked sharply. "I didn't know you knew her."

Beau nodded shyly. "Yeah, she's in my Chemistry class. We haven't talked…like, at all."

"He has a crush on her," Hattie said distractedly. She was typing out a text to JAKE .

"I do not." Beau denied, but the heat on his face told Bella differently. "Besides, even if I did, she doesn't know I exist. Or she hates me. Either way, not a good way to start a relationship. Anyways, Angela is cute—and she's tall, like me. Who knows, we might have a lot of fun together."

Hattie hummed. "Well, she does seem to like you," she amended.

Bella felt…weird. They got home, and as was tradition, spread their books across the table. They always studied together after school. One of them, lately Bella (because Beau couldn't cook, and Hattie was unable to currently) would cook dinner. When Charlie got home, they'd all dine together, chatting idly about their day.

But Bella felt a little left out. Beau had always been her best friend, the person she was closest to in the world. Now, it seemed, she'd been so full of herself that she didn't even know what was going on in his life.

Jessica called her that evening, jubilant. Mike had caught her after school and accepted her invitation. (Bella still felt guilty that Jessica wasn't just his second choice, she was his third, but she pretended to be happy for her friend.) They celebrated briefly, but Jessica had to go—she wanted to call Angela and Lauren and tell them.

Bella suggested, with casual, sly innocence, that maybe Angela could ask Beau. Her brother's face stared up at her in a mixture of horror, distress, and excitement. Then, Bella decided perhaps Lauren, a standoffish girl who always ignored them at the lunch table, could ask Tyler. And McKayla, Mike's brother and another acquaintance of theirs, could ask Eric. Jess thought this was a great idea. Now that she was sure about Mike, she actually sounded sincere when she said she wished Bella would go to the dance.

Bella gave her Seattle excuse, which felt firmer and firmer each time she used it.

When she hung up, she tried to focus on dinner. Dicing the chicken especially—she didn't need to end up in the emergency room again. Hattie and Beau were tittering in the background about an art project they were working on.

But Bella's head was spinning, trying to analyze every word Edward had spoken today. What did he mean, it was better if they weren't friends?

Her stomach twisted as she realized what that meant. He must see how absorbed she was by him; he must not want to lead her on…so they couldn't even be friends...because he wasn't interested in her at all.

Of course he wasn't interested in her, she thought angrily, her eyes stinging. She wasn't interesting—and he was.

Interesting…and brilliant…and mysterious…and perfect…and beautiful…and possibly able to life full-sized vans with one hand.

Well that was fine. She could leave him alone. She would leave him alone. She would spend more time with her siblings—her family, rather—and enjoy her time in Forks as much as possible. Then, when she graduated, she'd go to a university somewhere sunny. Maybe Hawaii. She forced her thoughts onto sunny beaches and palm trees as Beau began clearing the table.

Charlie ruffled Hattie's hair when he came in and cheerfully greeted them all. Bella had noticed recently that he had a huge soft spot for his niece, diligently taking time off work to run her to appointments. He was even handling all the insurance stuff for her car. He'd gotten it towed away for her, sold to a scrap yard for the price of the metal in its body.

Bella also thought that whatever soft spot he held for Hattie, whatever emotion she made him feel, helped him express himself to his own kids. He'd never been good at it. But Hattie was good practice.

"So, girls, did you ask anyone to the dance yet?" Charlie asked playfully, then turned to his son. "Beau?"

Beau spluttered. "N-nobody's asked me. But I have a feeling Hattie's friend Angela is going to."

"Hattie?" Charlie continued, looking at the smallest of the trio.

She smiled shyly, looking at him under her eyelashes. She wasn't blushing when she answered, seeming very assured of herself. "I asked Jake."

Bella and Beau's eyes both snapped to Charlie's face to see his reaction. He was very protective of his niece. But though the man's fork paused on its way to his mouth, he seemed otherwise nonplussed.

"Good for you," Charlie told her. "That boy likes ya. And he's a good kid."

"You know him?" Bella prompted, shocked. She hadn't met him, and picturing Hattie bringing home a boy to meet Charlie didn't compute.

Charlie grunted. "Mm. Jacob Black. His dad, Billy, sold me your truck. You used to play as kids."

Realization dawned on Beau's face. "Oh man, Jacob Black! I remember him. Bella, you and him made mud pies together!"

Bella didn't really remember. The name was vaguely familiar, but she couldn't put a face to it. She'd gotten good over the years at blocking out her memories of Forks, dreaded as they were. Still, she turned to Hattie, fighting down her surprise.

"He said yes, then?" Bella asked her cousin. She wondered when Hattie had found time to ask him—probably over text, Bella surmised.

Charlie chortled. "Of course he said yes. You shoulda seen 'em at Christmas. He's head over heels for her."

Now Hattie was blushing, giving half-hearted protests. After a few moments of teasing, Charlie finally turned to Bella.

"So how 'bout you, Bells?"

Bella shuffled awkwardly. "Oh, erm…I'm not going to the dance. I think I'm going to go to Seattle for the day instead—if that's okay?"

She didn't really want to ask permission—it set a bad precedence—but it felt rude, so she tacked it on at the end.

"Why?" he sounded surprised, as if he were unable to imagine something that Forks couldn't offer.

"Well, I wanted to get a few books—the library here is pretty limited—and maybe look at some clothes." She had more money than she was used to having, since, thanks to Charlie, she hadn't had to pay for a car. Even with the way the truck guzzled gas, the trio split the cost given they were carpooling, so it wasn't that bad.

"The truck probably doesn't get very good gas mileage," Charlie said, unknowingly echoing Bella's thoughts.

Bella explained that she knew this already, and she'd make multiple stops along the way as needed. Charlie fretted about her going by herself, then about her possibly getting lost. Then he offered to go with her.

"That's alright, Dad," she said quickly. Hattie and Beau were snickering. Bella reached out and kicked Beau, glaring at him. "I'll probably just be in dressing rooms all day—it'd be pretty boring for you."

Finally, Charlie relented, and Bella sighed in relief. She didn't want to go against her father's wishes, so it was easier that he was letting her go.

Secretly Bella thought he realized that she really didn't want to go to the dance because of her balance problems. Either way, that was her problem solved.