Sorry this chapter is late. My internet was down for several days. I promise to do my best to stay on schedule by updating weekly. Thanks for sticking with me and this little story!

Thanks EmilyD for your on-going help and encouragement.

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Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns everything Twilight.

Enjoy!

~Bella~

Even though I was awake in bed long before anyone else, I was the last to leave the cabin. Sluggishly, I threw on sweats and moved to the showers. I spent a ton of time in the there, making sure I was the very last one. Once I was sure everyone would be eating breakfast, I headed back to Skunk Cabin. I needed some time alone once the girls left. I had to know what I was dealing with. So, once I was certain my three cabin-mates and Victoria had already headed to breakfast, I went to work on Emo's bag.

I didn't feel good about what I was doing. I mean, it was her stuff. Her private stuff. It made me wonder if Charlie ever felt bad when he had to search a car or a house. Probably not, because he knew he was working for the greater good. And so was I. I pulled the zipper back and pulled out black shirts, black shorts and black socks. I shook every article out, just in case and searched each pocket. I even looked inside the socks. You never know where a desperate person might hide illegal substances.

Once I was sure there was nothing stashed in her clothes, I dug deeper in the large bag, the grey skull imprinted on the front staring at me with suspicious eyes. I found a large yellow plastic Easter egg, a small Whitman's Sampler box, and a brand new carton of tampons.

I picked up the egg. Strange. Easter had been months ago. Trying my best to arch one eyebrow like the detectives did, I opened the egg to find five one dollar bills. They were wrinkled and old and scribbled all over. I sighed in relief. If that's all the money Emo had, she wouldn't be able to afford her habit for too much longer.

I opened the Whitman's box expecting more money, or small baggies of God-knows-what. Instead, I pulled out an envelope. The postmark was from 2001: Volterra, Italy. It was addressed to Miss Janie Sue Riley (that must be Emo's full name) in Seattle. The return address read that it was from an Alec and Kate Riley. There was a note on the bottom of the envelope: "Miss you, baby! See you at home soon!". I guessed Alec and Kate were her parents. I couldn't imagine why she'd bring an old letter to camp.

I didn't open it. It obviously wasn't drug related, and I didn't feel right reading something personal...even if it was ancient history. Tucked under the envelope inside the box there was a photo, faded and bent. It looked to be a picture of Emo and her parents. She couldn't have been more than 4 years old. They were at Disney World on the elephant ride. Emo Jane and her parents were all laughing. Blond pigtails sat high on her head and she was dressed just like Minnie Mouse. Her mom wore lots of gold jewelry and her dad was sporting Mickey Mouse ears. I smiled, looking at her happy family. And then I thought of the Emo I knew, complete with black lipstick and combat boots. I couldn't imagine how someone could change so much. Maybe her parents had divorced, like mine. Maybe that's why the picture of them all together had been taken when she was so little.

My mind wandered to a picture I kept on my dresser of my mom and Charlie holding me in front of the Christmas tree at my Dad's house in Forks. I couldn't remember it being taken, though I wished I did. I wasn't even a year old yet. They were both smiling like idiots even though I was obviously screaming my head off. They looked so happy then.

My family never reached our second Christmas together. Mom had had enough of the cold and dealing with a new cop's crazy schedule while trying to take care of a baby. And Dad didn't fight hard enough for her to stay. So, she moved home to Phoenix a month before my first birthday. After that, my holidays were fought over by my parents year after year. I always hated overhearing mom on the phone with him; each of them bargaining for time with me like I was some sort of prize to place on the mantle.

I looked back at the picture of Emo's family in my hand. Ashamed, I carefully put all of her stuff back in her bag and returned it to its resting place. I felt awful for snooping through her stuff, even if it was for her own good. I made a mental note to do something especially nice for her as soon as I had the chance. It was the least I could do.

I didn't see Emo, or any of the others until lunch. Sketching was uneventful, except for the fabulous drawing I made of yet another picnic table. But in this one, the clouds looked remarkably like musical notes.

Advanced swimming was...amazing. I was SO nervous putting my suit on. After the dream I'd had about Edward, I was both nauseous and excited just thinking about seeing him again.

My mind scrambled as my feet worked hard to keep me upright as I headed down the trail to the lake. Who would get there first, me or Edward? Should I walk over to him? Should I say anything? Would we be partners again? Would he want to be my partner again? Did he happen to know how to sing? What did he look like naked?

I softly slapped my own cheek in response to that last thought, my face turning bright red just in time for the trail to end. Edward stood right at the edge of the lake staring up toward my camp, as if waiting for me. But when I got there and smiled at him, he couldn't have turned and walked away any faster.

My heart sank. What did I do? He hated me! I watched as Edward moved toward the water slowly...away from me. I wanted nothing more than to climb back up that trail all the way back to Skunk cabin, into my bunk and under my covers. The last thing I wanted was to be anywhere near that lake with Edward.

"Okay chumps." Emmett bellowed. "Same partners as yesterday."

Correction. That was the last thing I wanted.

"Today, boys and girls, we are going to begin learning rescue techniques."

Most of the boys looked at their partners sheepishly, wondering exactly what the day's lesson entailed. Emmett looked pleased, again placing himself with Bardot. And Curly's partner let out a whoop before managing to control himself. Edward stared at the sand mumbling something. Even as I moved to his side, his eyes remained hidden from view. He never really acknowledged me. So it really surprised me as he reached out and took my hand with trembling fingers. His touch was warm against my skin and softer than I'd have imagined. I wasn't sure what to think of his gesture, but I couldn't help but to squeeze his hand in mine. My stomach did flips and I had to fight back a smile...until I noticed that all the other pairs of swimmers were holding hands too. I must have missed the directions. Stupid me! Like he'd want to hold my hand for no reason! He could hardly stand me!

Emmett scanned the group of us. "Good. Looks like everyone is here with their partners." His dimples, ever present, deepened as he smiled at Rose. "Okay kids, the first thing you do noticing a possible victim in the water is to make and maintain eye contact. For a couple of us guys out here, that will be a pleasure today. To the rest of you poor saps, my deepest sympathy.

Groans from the pairs of boys filled the air. Curly giggled, as did Bardot. I didn't breathe. I stared straight ahead wishing the lessons would begin so swimming could be over quickly. Hesitantly, I stole a glance at Edward. His eyes were still pointed at the sand as his Adam's apple bobbed in his throat. His hand was warm and damp in mine, though I wasn't sure whose fault that was...until I noticed the sweat beading on his forehead. Apparently holding my hand was strenuous labor.

Leading us into the water Emmett pointed out one person from each pair to be the victim. In our group, that would be me. Edward and I walked into the water together. I ducked under to get my hair wet and to escape from the tension. I'd no sooner come up when I heard the word "Go!". Looking around, I watched as every other person in the lake pretended to struggle, so that is what I did too. Edward circled me, his green eyes meeting mine. This was an area of expertise for him, because no matter how much I wanted to dive under or look away, I couldn't. I was glued to the emerald depths that held me captive. It was as if a spell was cast and I just couldn't move. Edward moved closer to me, the connection between us still intact. He smiled slightly; just the corner of his mouth lifted. I smiled back, unable to stop myself.

"Stop!" Emmett shouted. Damn him!

Edward ducked under, wetting his hair. I did the same to cool off. When we each came up it was just the opposite of how it had been just moments earlier. We made no eye contact at all. At least not until Emmett told us to switch roles and shouted "Go!"

Edward bobbed around in the water, splashing his hands a bit, with his back to me. So I circled around him in my attempt to make eye contact. He turned to where I'd just been standing. So I moved back around again, looking for those baby greens of his. And when I found them, they were closed. But the semblance of a crooked smile was back.

"No fair!" I said. "How can I save you if your eyes are closed?"

"That should work wonders on the drowning victim." he answered. I'd never noticed how deep and smooth his voice was; like melted butter or chocolate.

I stood there, waiting, expecting him to open them so I could complete my part of the activity. But he didn't. He just stood there in the water barely even pretending to flail with a sarcastic little smile on his face.

I looked around. Emmett was so busy gazing at Bardot that he didn't even know the rest of us were here.

"Are you still there? Or did you leave the victim to drown?" he asked, his eyes still glued shut.

"If you'd open your eyes, you'd know!"

He giggled. He freakin' giggled!

I splashed him in the face. Nothing.

"Fine. Drown then. I don't care." I huffed.

He smiled wide enough that I noticed a deep crease on either side of his face. "I didn't give up on you, Brown Eyes."

Oh my God! I could suddenly hear my pulse beating loudly in my ears. Relax Iz. Maybe he calls everyone by the color of their eyes...even though he couldn't possibly even see mine at the moment.

"And I'm not giving up on you either!" I dove toward him through the water, reaching for his eyelids. If he wouldn't open them willingly, then I'd have to take care of old Green Eyes myself.

"Oh, no you don't!" he shouted, laughing.

"Wanna bet?" I answered as I continued to scramble for victory, one arm now around his neck for balance.

"Ohmigod-you're gonna tear my eyes out!" he shouted, laughing.

"Then open them!" I shouted back just I was able to get my thumb on one of his lids, sliding it up until I caught a glimpse of green. He pulled away from me, causing me to drag us both under the water. When he came up, I hadn't let go. I wiped the water from my eyes and looked around.

Everyone else was gaping in our direction. Edward still stood with his eyes clamped shut. I elbowed him and he must have sensed my urgency because he finally opened his eyes.

"Isabella...Iz you trying to drown the victim or Iz you trying to date him?" Emmett called, causing everyone else in the lake to crack up laughing. We didn't find it nearly as funny as they did.

He let us all go early, since we'd stayed late the day before. Edward and I hung behind, not in any hurry to walk amongst the others. Fearing the remarks we knew would come.

"Thanks again for the canteen credit." he said.

I rolled my eyes, finding it totally unnecessary for him to keep thanking me. "Have you spent it yet?" I asked.

"I got a soda yesterday." He shrugged.

"That's it?"

I was answered by another shrug and a nod.

I had gotten a soda, a pack of gum and a Hershey bar at the canteen the previous afternoon. Then, recalling what Bardot had told me about him, I realized he was probably trying to make every penny last. That made my heart sink. I wished I could transfer some of my credit over to him...but that probably wouldn't make Charlie very happy.

Once everyone else was out of the lake and heading up the trail we started to work our way out of the water.

"So, what kind of music do you like?" He asked me.

Surprised by the personal question and embarrassed by my personal preference, I stammered. "Um...Oh, I don't know. I...um...I listen to the old stuff with my Mom. You know, light rock from the seventies and eighties."

"The good stuff." He said, smiling. Relieved, I smiled back and nodded.

"My dad likes country." I added. He looked at me, eyebrows raised in questioning. I wrinkled my nose and shook my head.

Edward wiped pretend sweat from his brow. "Whew!"

That made me laugh, in awe of his unexpected cuteness.

Suddenly I looked around, realizing we were the only ones left at the lake. "Um, I guess I should be going..lunch and all." I said motioning toward the now empty trail. Although I wanted nothing more than to stay right there at the lake with him.

Edward looked all around and suddenly appeared very uncomfortable. "Right. Wouldn't want to miss lunch." He said as he laughed nervously.

We each continued to just stand there; neither of us making any attempt to leave. Finally, when the air grew thick and the level of awkward was off the charts, I raised my hand in a sort of wave and began up the trail to camp. I wanted so much to turn around, to at least watch him leave. But I didn't. I continued back to camp savoring every wonderful moment in my mind, anxious for the chance to to share every detail with Angela!

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