After our date at the fireworks, Demetri and I would spend a lot of time together. Mornings I spent at the pool on my different lessons, in the afternoon I did my

cleaning jobs and then the evenings were spent again with Demetri.

We had so much fun together, but we had both agreed to not push our relationship to far to fast. I didn't think I was ready for that, (I still had a secret hope of

Edward noticing me) and Demetri would be here for only another two months. He didn't know when he would be able to come back after school started.

We did all kinds of fun things, new things for me to experience. I went to my first concert, at DTE Music Center. My first baseball game, and watched the Detroit

Tigers beat the Chicago White Sox. First time bowling, and I somehow managed to bowl a 78. Played putt-putt, got a hole in one. Went to the Detroit Zoo, which I

loved...especially the big cats. Henry Ford Museum, to see all that amazing history, almost brought to life. Roller skating, which wasn't as big a disaster as I thought it

would be, with Demetri holding me up. And sometimes, we would just stay home, at Demetri's house and watch movies.

Even though he would come to pick me up at my house, I never invited him in, and never introduced him to Renée or Phil. I explained to him that I wasn't close to

my family, and they had no problems with me being gone so much, so he had nothing to worry about. I think, though, that he thought that I didn't want to introduce

him. I tried to assure him, that wasn't the case, but I may not have succeeded.

It was a pretty good summer. I was losing weight, had a boyfriend, was making money and saving for college and preparing for my 18th birthday. I knew I had a

little over three years, until eviction day. Renée was definitely not softening towards me. It was inevitable. I was going to be truly on my own when I turned 18.

The six of us, Jasper, Alice, Emmett, Rosalie, Demetri and I would hang out at the country club pool every Saturday, weather permitting. We would play in the pool

for a while and then lay on the loungers. I always pulled mine into the shade, and everyone would make fun of me and my pale skin...although I did have a very faint

tan.

We laughed and joked and Emmett talked about how nervous and excited he was about going away to school and leaving home for the first time. I was really going

to miss him. Not to mention, he wouldn't be around to run interference for me with all of the bullies. Gosh! School was going to suck in the fall.

Oh well! I had the rest of summer to relax. I was definitely sad about Emmett and Demetri leaving in the fall, though. Rosalie and Emmett didn't always meet up with

us, because they wanted to spend as much time as possible with each other before their separation in the fall. I could definitely empathize with her now, what with

Demetri also leaving soon. Alice and Jasper were in their own little happy bubble. Sometimes it was downright sickening to spend time with them, they were so lovey-

lovey with each other and had no problems with public displays of affection. Get a room! You would think that after nearly a year together, they wouldn't need so

much time to "explore" but, what did I know.

I spent very little time at the Cullen house, because I was so busy. But when I did go over there I would find myself wishing I didn't want to see Edward, but still in

my heart hoping to see him. He usually wasn't around, either he was avoiding me too, or he was just busy as well.

Wednesdays were still my "Alice" day. We would usually end up at the country club pool. I didn't mind that she had Jasper, now that I had someone. I just asked for

one day a week for just the two of us. We always had so much fun together. I even started to enjoy being a Barbie doll. I always hoped that I would see Edward. It

was a sickness, an obsession. Here I had this totally great guy, who really liked me, and I was pining after Edward, hoping he would be around and just magically fall

in love with me.

As summer drew to a close, Rosalie decided to throw a going away party for Emmett. Alice decided it should be a pool party. So she reserved the country club pool.

Demetri unfortunately would be working as a lifeguard that day. There were a lot of kids invited from school there, so there was a lot of potential for me to be picked

on.

Demetri, was working, so he was obviously busy. Emmett was busy being the guest of honor, so he wasn't around to protect me. Rosalie was playing hostess so she

was distracted. Alice and Jasper were in their own little world, as usual., so no help on that front. Edward had come with Irina, and was making sure she was happy. I

was starting to get an idea of how bad it was going to be, once school restarted. Everywhere I turned there was someone making a snide remark, a rude comment, or

hurtful insult.

I just needed to toughen up. To not let them get to me, or least not let them see that they were getting to me. But I was already feeling a little raw, with both Em

and Demetri leaving in a couple of days, I was already mopey and sad. And darn it, jealous that Edward was still with Irina.

It was hell on earth. I managed to hold my tears in from all the teasing. At least I wasn't crying in front of all the jerks. But my ability to stay upright was

compromised. It seemed I could only concentrate on doing one or the other. So I kept tripping over everything and I fell more than once. Every time I fell the digs

and insults got worse. I was miserable. I was at me limit. I couldn't take anymore. I needed to get out of here.

As I was making my way to leave I bumped into Irina and Edward, literally.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered

"What's wrong? Isabella? Are you okay?" Edward asked.

I just kept my head down and shook it.

"Nothing is wrong, I...I j-just d-don't feel well." I stuttered.

Irina laughed.

I looked up to see Edward look at her, then someone screamed behind him. He turned to look, and Irina took her opportunity and shoved me into the pool. I was fully

clothed, not having put my swimsuit on yet.

I felt strong arms pull me out of the water, and looked up to see Demetri's concerned eyes, and Edwards confused ones.

"Isabella! Did you hurt yourself? Did you trip again?" Edward asked

Irina was still laughing. "What a klutz. What a loser. Eddie, why are you talking to such an idiot?" She put her arm through Edwards and pulled him away.

Demetri was still looking me in the eyes "Bella, sweetie, are you okay? Did you trip?"

I shook my head. "I just want to go home now. I need to get out of here." I was so pissed off, so of course, I burst in to tears, and stumbled away.

Demetri followed, "Bella, I want to take you home, but I'm working, can one of your other friends break away..."

Again I shook my head, head down, I walked away.