"Morning," I said cheerfully, probably too cheerfully, as Edward sat down next to me. The curious look on his face reminded me that the last time we had seen each other, we didn't exactly part amicably.

"Morning," Edward replied, somewhat reserved.

I grinned internally; I had him on the back foot already. This was going to be so much fun.

Briefly I wondered if the rest of the Masens' would think that I was pushing Edward too far. Then I realised that Emmett would think this was a brilliant joke, Jasper would probably be glad for a change in the emotional atmosphere and Rosalie wouldn't care so long as it didn't mean they had to leave again. I figured Carlisle and Esme would probably be torn between worry and amusement.

That left Alice. My new best friend. She seemed concerned yesterday that I would push Edward over the edge. She was worried about losing her family again but a push was exactly what he needed. Even so, I hoped that Alice wouldn't be too mad at me.

As Mr Green started explaining today's activity to the class I closed my eyes and centred myself. When I opened my eyes again, I began pushing my shield out to surround the people around me.

I could almost see it gliding through the air, surrounding everyone. It reminded me of a bubble, the way it encased everyone in a mentally protected space. Soon enough I had the whole class in my bubble.

Mr Green began handing out the slides. I glanced at Edward. He was staring intently at the kids sitting in front of us, looking slightly baffled. I grinned.

I pushed my shield out to encompass the surrounding classes and kept stretching it until I had the entire school under my protection. Edward's being was just a bubble within my bubble.

Edward changed his focus to one of the kids on the other side of the room. I smirked, as I watched his confusion slowly morph into worry.

"So how fast do you think we can finish these?" I asked Edward. His head snapped around to face me. It was if he had forgotten I was there. I smiled innocently at him.

"Not long," He replied, "You first." Edward motioned towards the slides and the microscope in turn.

We took turns at identifying each slide, trying to waste time. On the last slide we had a 15 minute debate about what stage it was in. I knew it was the beginning of stage 3, Edward believed it was the end of stage 2. In the end, we agreed to disagree. It was the only option where we both left the room alive.

As the class progressed, Edward became increasingly edgy. I watched, in amusement, as he stared at everyone in turn.

My amusement slowly became pity as I watched him fight between relaxing into the silence of his own mind and freaking out because he couldn't hear anyone. Edward relied on his power to protect his family, to know what was going on before it happened. He had no idea how to cope without it.

I sighed; there was still fifteen minutes until the end of class. Suddenly I found that I couldn't stay a second longer. I didn't want to sit here at watch Edward fight his inner demons, I didn't want to pity him. So I raised my hand.

"Yes Miss Penn," Mr Green addressed me.

"Edward and I have finished today's work, and I was wondering if we could leave early?" I asked politely, doing my best to dazzle him.

I could feel Edwards eyes back on me.

"Of course, but please go straight to the cafeteria," Mr Green replied with a wave of his hand.

"Thank you sir!" I replied before grabbing my bag and leaving as quickly as I dared.

Edward was right behind me, "I can't believe you just did that!"

I turned to face him, pleased that my annoyance had returned even if it was only a tenth of what it had been.

"Oh, please, you can't tell me that you have never dazzled a human to get out of something you didn't want to do?" I challenged.

Edwards face stilled. "What did you call it?" He said softly and I realised my mistake. I mentally ripped a bear to shreds before I answered him.

"We dazzle them, I don't know how exactly but when we look at them and smile, their minds cloud up and it's difficult for them to think straight."

Our eyes locked as I spoke, and I could have sworn a flicker of recognition passed over his features before his face became blank again leaving only traces of sadness, loss and regret in his eyes. Seeing those emotions, that recognition, had thrown me for a loop. I didn't know what to think. My own pain was beginning to stir within me. I had to get out before I too revealed things I didn't want to.

"Excuse me," I whispered before rushing to the bathroom.

I looked at myself in the mirror. Was I really unrecognisable as the human I once was? Sure, my eyes were no longer chocolate brown, my hair thick and shiny and my skin was a few shades paler but did it make that much of a difference? Maybe it was the make up?

Or maybe it wasn't me? What if they really believed I was dead or they had forced themselves to forget me?

I laughed at my silliness. It was impossible for a vampire to forget, unless you dropped a great big boulder on their head. I was pretty sure that hadn't happened.

I took one last look at myself, smiling sadly, and left.

There were still a few minutes left before the bell went when I got to the cafeteria. I chose Lila's favourite table. It was up the back, next to the windows which were always open on a good day. Not that there were many.

I was just getting comfortable when Edward sat down opposite me.

"It's you, you're doing this," He proclaimed.

"Sorry, that seat is taken," I told him, ignoring his statement.

"There is a free seat beside you, why are you doing this?"

"Doing what?"

"Blocking everyone's thoughts from me!" Edward was getting angry now. I smirked but someone else replied for me.

"What's got your panties in a twist now, Edward?" Emmett asked as he, Rose, Alice and Jasper sat down.

"No, you guys can't sit here! I promised Lila I would sit with her today! She'll think I've ditched her again," I cried.

"Calm down Marie, she can still sit here, look there's a spare seat next to you," soothed Alice as a wave of instant calm came from her other side.

I raised my eyebrows, "Really Jasper?" He just shrugged. I chuckled.

"We've been friends with humans before, it will be alright," continued Alice.

"Yeah, I know all about your 'friendships' with humans," I muttered, regretting my words the moment I saw Alice's face. I checked to see if anyone else had heard me and thankfully no one had.

"Oh for crying out loud, you blocked my family as well?" Edward all but yelled.

"I thought they might like a bit of privacy for once," I shrugged in response.

"Edward really can't hear what we are thinking?" asked Emmett as if all his Christmas's and birthdays had come at once.

I giggled, "Yes, for the moment."

"Sweeeet," He said, in a way that made me think that whatever he was thinking was not a pleasant thought.

"I need to know what they are thinking Marie!" Edward whined at me.

"Rosalie, can you possibly imagine what it must be like to not know what everyone is thinking?" I asked her, "It must be awful, don't you think?"

She smirked in reply.

"Marie!" Edward growled.

"Ugh! Fine, and here I was thinking I was doing you a favour!" I snapped. I relaxed and my shield came hurtling back to me.

Edward winced as the voices flooded his mind, "Emmett, no! Just...no!"

We all laughed, except Edward who I figured was trying to rid his mind of that thought.

Then Lila entered the cafeteria. She spotted me, and her face fell as she began to turn away. My heart sank. I was her closest friend and she thought I was deserting her.

"Lila!" I called desperately, "Over here!"

I waved her over and she smiled. I felt a little better, even though I was inviting her into the lion's den. Then again, Lila did want to meet them and the Cullen's had never hurt Bella physically, so maybe everything would be ok. I checked my shield. Ever since I realised who the new students were, I had been protecting Lila. I was pleased to find my shield comfortably hugging her frame. Lila's thoughts were her own; Edward didn't need to hear them.

"Lila," I started as she sat down, "I'd like you to meet Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, Emmett and Edward. Everyone this is my best friend Lila."

I held a breath I didn't need as Lila and Alice started talking about the Spanish lesson they apparently shared last period. Soon enough everyone was conversing naturally and I allowed myself to relax.

About half way through lunch, I turned my attention to Lila. She was talking to Edward about music. I was about to comment on something she had said when I saw Edwards face. More specifically, I saw the desire in his eyes. A desire that had nothing to do with blood.

It was then that I realised that in protecting Lila's mind, I had done her a great disservice.

Edward was falling for her.