Disclaimer: I do not own anything from Twilight

Vallier Court Academy

Bella POV

I tried to blink. Something was in my eye. I reached up to rub them and pulled away my hand to find sleep on my finger. I sat up in my bed and rubbed my eyes again, trying to wake up. Last night was the worst night I had spent at VCA. I had cried myself to sleep I was so upset over not seeing Edward. I looked around and a few girls were still in bed, but others were already gone. It was quiet in the room, except for some snoring coming from the corner.

I got up to get dressed and peaked over at Angela's bed. She was gone. She was probably at the study hall. I think I might join her, I thought to myself.

I threw on some casual wear and left the dorms. There were a few people in the halls, but I was assuming that most were sleeping. I stopped to look out one of the 10ft stone openings. There was no glass on any of the windows, and I was glad I wore my coat. The view was spectacualr. I felt so free just looking at it. I sat down on the ledge and leaned my back against the frame. (A/N: no, its not what you think. I'm not so mean as to make Bella fall out of a window - not that it hasn't happened before.)

I could have sat there for hours. It was overcast today, but still beautiful. I gazed at the horizon and the sun couldn't break through the clouds. It was blocked by something stronger, darker. The clouds were heavy - with snow probably.

Back home I never liked the snow even though we didn't have much of it. It was white and dull, not to mention cold. But the longer I stayed at this school, the more I liked the snow. It reminded me of Edward. The way he was just as icy and pale. Before him, I had never known how a dull colour could be so beautiful, so complicated, so alluring. I wished he was here with me. I sighed at the thought.

I must have been sitting at the window for a long time because my hands started to shake. I hurriedly left the window, longing for a fire.

I walked to the study hall and found Angela sitting down. I went to join her.

"Hey," I greeted her.

"Morning," she replied.

"Good sleep?" I asked.

"Not really. I'm sorry Bella, but I thought you were never going to shut up last night." She bit her lip as she told me.

"What do you mean?"

"You sleeptalk." I blushed crimson. My parents always teased me about my sleep talking, but I never thought it would be a problem here.

"What did I say?" I asked in a shaky voice.

"Something like, "Edward. Edwad, don't leave me. I love you. Please don't leave me. I'm sorry." Oh, and what really woke me up was when you screamed, "DRIED PRUNES," after that I got a little worried." (A/N: dried prunes! I told you I would put it! haha inside joke)

"Oh."

"By the way, who is Edward?"

"I don't know. Just somebody from my dream..." She knew I was lying.

"It's ok, Bella. You don't have to tell me." She said in her sweet voice. I thanked her with a smile.

I found a book and sat down reading. It was a really interesting book, I had already read 5 chapters when Angela said something about lunch.

The food in the dining hall was terrific. There was something a little different about today's food, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

There was talk of a shopping trip after lunch and Angela and I agreed to go. I finished eating and walked back to my dorms to grab my purse. As I walked, I wondered what had happened last night. Did Edward wait all night? Was he hurt that I didn't show? Will he forgive me?

I switched my wallet to my purse and Angela came in.

"Come on, Bella! We're leaving."

Some guys were coming along They wanted to get off the grounds and see the town. A few people had called in taxis and we all piled in. I was in a cab with Mike and Jessica. Thankfully, Mike was in the middle. Jessica would have thrown a fit if she didn't get to sit by him. Mike wasn't too happy about sitting with Jessica, but the fact that I was sitting on his other side definately improved his mood.

Jessica tried her hardest to keep Mike's attention but Mike kept trying to talk to me. I wasn't being a great conversation partner, so he finally gave up and turned to Jessica. Suddenly, his hand landed on top of mine. I tensed. His fingers started to curl around mine. I tried to casually pull my hand away, but his grip was too strong. I knew I couldn't say anything otherwise there would be a big fight and Jessica would hate me even more.

Mike's sweaty hand stroked the back of mine. I managed to repress a shiver. This was so wrong. I could feel Mike's stare as I looked out the window.

Yes! There was the town! I was so close to getting out of this cab! I turned my head to look out the windshield and out of the corner of my eye, I was sure I saw Mike staring at my chest. I drew in a breath as steady as I could but it shook a little. I didn't think anyone else heard.

The cab came to a halt and I yanked open the door. I wrenched my hand away from Mike's and went to meet the people from the other cabs. I stood beside Angela and didn't risk a glance in Mike's direction. I never wanted to do that again. Next time I would ride with Angela.

"Ok, everyone meet back here in three hours. Until then, shop!" A girl spoke up, obviously the leader of this outing.

Angela and I joined a group with Tyler, Anne, Eric and a girl named Reese. Mike came too. We headed into the town which was probably not even one thousand in population. It was around 1:30pm but the sky was already darkening and being overcast didn't help. We walked passed a dark alleyway that creeped everyone out. I saw something move in the shadows. It was as white as snow. I smiled to myself, I knew exactly what, or rather who, that was.

The group decided to window shop for a while. I wasn't really paying attention to what we were doing, I was just enjoying being outside. We walked passed a shop that caught Tyler, Anne and Eric's attention. They all went inside, which left Reese, Angela, Mike and me. I could live with that, as long as I wasn't alone with Mike.

We walked around some more and found a really nice park. We walked further into the park and found a duck pond in a secluded area. All the ducks were really cute and there was no one around to make noise, which made it all the better. I leaned against a massive tree admiring the scenary when I felt Mike's hand on my waist.

My heart stopped beating and then went into double time. But it wasn't like when Edward touched me, this was from pure fear. I looked around for Angela and Reese when I realized they were not there.

I was alone. With Mike.

"Where are the other two?" I asked in a shaky voice.

"They went in search of the bathrooms. I told them I would make sure that you were ok." He managed to inject a leer into his voice. I gulped when he said that.

"Then I think we should go find them." I told him with as much authority I could muster.

"Oh, I think they can wait," he said in a creepy voice.

He placed his other hand on the back of my neck. I could feel his body press to mine as he leaned in. I turned my head to the side.

"Mike, please." I whispered. He just laughed. From the corner of my eye I saw something move. I turned my face back to Mike's and looked over his shoulder.

Edward's face was barely visible in the shadows, but I still saw it. His features were contorted with pure fury. His eyes were... They were dark slits and filled with pure hate. I had never seen him look so dangerous, or angry. He looked like... Like a vampire.

He took a step forward, and I shook my head. He couldn't come over here and save me. If anyone found out that he even existed... I couldn't even think of the consequences. But just seeing him there made think, I can save myself.

"Back off, Mike." I said in a firm voice. He laughed again and tried to kiss me.

"I'm serious." I told him and turned my head to the side.

"Come on, Bella. Have a little fun." He said and nuzzled my neck. I glanced at Edward and he looked ready to tear Mike apart for touching me.

"No." I said and pushed him off me. He stumbled back, obviously surpirsed that I stood up for myself.

"Bella..." Mike said a shocked yet amused tone.

I gave him a hard stare and walked in the opposite direction. I walked steadily, like I knew exaclty what I was doing. But inside, I was a mess. I had no idea what I was doing or what I had just done. A voice in my head was screaming at me. I didn't know what it was saying. I didn't want to know what it was saying.

I glanced back and Mike was no longer in view. I felt the tears well up in my eyes and I started to run. After about ten seconds of running, I tripped. I didn't even bother trying to catch myself. I was such a mess I didn't know what was up or down. Then I felt a pair of cold hands on me. They caught my before I could hit the ground just like last time. Edward stood my upright and looked me in the eye.

I couldn't face him right now. Another round of tears hit me and I collapsed into his chest. I stood there crying my eyes out, ruining his shirt, and he let me. He held me and rubbed circles on my back, soothing me.

What did I do to deserve him? I stood him up last night, and yet here he was, comforting me. I didn't know how long I had stood there, and I didn't care. Soon the tears stopped and I started to calm down. My chest was heaving, but slowing by the minute. Edward's hold on my tightened, then slowly loosened. I looked up at him and he looked back with eyes of admiration.

"What?" I sniffled.

"Nothing." He answered while gently shaking his head. I looked down, suddenly felt stupid and embarrassed.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize." He leaned down to look at me, eye to eye. I sniffed one more time and hugged him. I wrapped my arms around his waist. I didn't care if he told me to get off, I just wanted to touch him one more time. What surprised me is that he did the same and then spoke.

"It has been nearly three hours. You should be getting back now. I'll walk you." He said to me and started walking.

We took a different route than the one I had come here by. It was through the forest and not the streets. Every time I would trip, he would catch me but let go quickly.

Even with my slow pace, we were back quickly thanks to his shortcut. He stopped when we were in view of the cabs, but went not further. We stayed in the dense forest because we both knew that nobody could see us.

"Goodbye, Bella." He said in his low voice. I could see that his eyes returned to the light butterscotch colour I had normally seen him with.

"Goodbye, Edward. Will I see you tonight?" I asked him. I didn't want to go to the ball if he wasn't going to be there.

He smiled but said nothing. Wouldn't it be much simpler to just answer? I truely had no idea if he was going to be at the ball or not. I stepped into the parkinglot and walked over to the group.

"Hey, Bella! Where have you been? We were looking all over for you." Reese told me.

"I got a little lost." I said sheepishly. I looked over at Mike to see him glowering at me.

I got into a cab with Angela and Reese. There was no way I would ride with Mike again. I had a window seat in the cab that I looked out of as we drove back to the school. My eyes scanned the forest, and I could have sworn that I saw a pair of eyes watching me.

Tonight was going to be a long night.

A/N: GOD I HATE MIKE!! Don't you?

Anyway! I actualy had all this planned out. I was going to write one jam packed chapter... but it seems to have turned in to three. Oh dear.

Come on guys! Go to my profile and vote in the poll I set up! (After you review of course) You have TWO choices, just so you know.

Now, review like...hmm... last time it was crazy people so this time it will be...CRAZY MONKIES! yes!

REVIEW LIKE CRAZY MONKIES! I'm not kidding. I better get a lot of reviews for this chapter because next chapter is going to be... the winter ball!