"That boy is very upset about what happened, Bells," Charlie was saying, looking concerned over his coffee cup.

I rolled my eyes. "I know, Dad, I know. I just...was upset. Very upset. I need some time, to myself." I was really hoping that he would leave it alone. I wasn't ready to go into Jake-discussing mode.

"I know, Bella, but you have to forgive him. Hell, anyone would have said the same thing, right?" He gave an awkward laugh, implying that he would have made the same mistakes, if he had gotten to me before Jake had.

But I wasn't laughing, nor worried about Jake anymore. I had made my decisions, and I told him to make his. I couldn't really do anything other than that.

Instead, I was thinking of the way Edward had comforted me two weeks ago, without seeming to comfort me at all. I was thinking of the moment where he had nearly kissed me in the hospital and after the funeral, when he had walked me home and flirted with me.

"No, Dad, not anyone."

He quietened then, seeming to notice my serious tone.

The thing was, Edward Cullen had occupied every thought of mine ever since that day. Mysterious, brilliant, and beautiful, he haunted my waking life as well as my dreams. I spent every minute with an almost painful longing for him; his voice, his face, everything he knew, I craved it like a drug. I had gotten a small look into that world of absolute freedom and now I just wanted more, with violent intensity that thrilled and scared me at the same time.

Charlie broke into my reverie. "Have a good day at school today, alright kiddo?"

"Yeah Dad, I will."

Today would be the first day I was back at school after Mike's funeral, along with many other kids who were granted leniency. I wasn't too nervous or upset anymore, mainly because I had spent the two weeks crying and thinking about Edward and Alice, craving help in only how they knew to do it.

Jake didn't even occupy my thoughts anymore.

"Okay, kid, see you later."

It was clearly my dismissal. Rising from the kitchen table, I grabbed my backpack and a granola bar and headed out the door to my truck.

"Stay safe," he called out after me.

"I will," I yelled back. Charlie had been very protective over the past three weeks. The murders had escalated, and practically everyone was tiptoeing on eggshells, making sure they were in by night, going places in groups, letting at least one person know where they were going. Six more people had died; there were mutters that I overheard when I was at the police station of the FBI being called in.

These were the most murders taking place in Forks history, and Charlie could no longer say it was bears. It was obvious that the killings were more sophisticated than that.

It was a very sombre time.

I got to school and was immediately accosted by Jessica, who had red puffy eyes. Someone had been crying this morning.

"Oh my God, Bella, how have you been?"

"I've been better," I said dully. "How about you?"

That was the wrong question, as it launched a long story about all of Jessica's feelings and the 'emotional roller coaster' that she had to go through.

Yawn.

I immediately felt guilty. Yes, Jessica was annoying, but she loved Mike, she really did, and of course she missed him. It wasn't her fault that I was sick to death of other people talking.

The rest of the day passed much the same. Jacob tried to talk to me, I ignored him, people gushed over how much they had missed Mike, and I didn't see Edward or Alice at all. Except when I went to the bathroom, of course.

This morning I had caught Alice with her fingers holding her eyelids open, about to place something in. She quickly dropped them and turned to me.

"Bella, how are you?" she asked excitedly. "I missed you. I haven't seen you in awhile."

"Um, I'm fine." Very surprised to see Alice, in fact, who acted as if she had been there all the time.

"No you're not," she said, waving her arm around. "But you will be, don't worry."

She winked at me and then danced out of the bathroom before I could ask her any questions, starting with where she had been the past three weeks.

"So, Bella, your friend's name...Mike, was it?" Alice asked, playing with her ring.

"Yeah," I said, swallowing. I felt a cold pressure on my hand and looked down to see Edward had placed his hand on mine, looking at me with concern. He was obviously worried to see if I would break down. I studied the ring he always wore with intensity, trying to control my tear ducts; I didn't want to break down in front of these two.

"I was sorry to hear about that," Alice cooed. "Tell me...what was he like?"

"Alice."

The two of us turned to look at Edward quizzically. He was staring at Alice meaningfully. "Bella was very upset about his death. Drop the subject."

Alice nodded slightly. "Oh, I'm sorry, Bella, I didn't realize."

"It's okay, Alice. I'm fine. I had a big sob fest, and then it was sort of okay. You know, I'm dealing," I added lamely, in an attempt to reassure her.

She cast around for another subject to land on. "So...what are you doing after school, Bella?"

I shrugged. I hadn't really been planning on anything, but now that I thought about it, I realized that I needed a trip to the grocery store. Charlie never shopped, and my last shopping trip was about three weeks ago.

"Um, probably just going food shopping. What about you?"

Alice brightened. "Really? I am too! Do you mind...if we go together?"

"No, of course I don't mind. Should we go in your car or mine?"

As Alice decided, I snuck a look at Edward. He was leaning back in his chair, hands splayed behind his head, the picture of relaxation – which didn't work with the tense look on his face.

"Edward, how about we go in your car?" Alice chirped.

His face darkened.

"I rode with you today, and I really don't think Bella's truck could make it," she added, giving him a meaningful look.

His expression changed instantly. "Sure, Alice. I'll drive you both there and you can ring me when you want to be picked up."

I glanced at him, puzzled in his change in demeanour, and he winked at me. Instantly I blushed bright red, and a slightly pained look passed over his features before he rearranged them into the smile he had on before, all in just one second.

If I had blinked, I would have missed it.

"Come on, Bella, time for Biology," he said, holding his arm out for my books.

"I'll take them," he said firmly when I tried to argue. "It's the gentlemanly thing to do."

"Fine," I pouted, and he laughed heartily. My anger seemed to amuse him, which only infuriated me more.

Alice gave him a knowing look, said her goodbyes, then pecked me on the cheek and danced off to her afternoon classes. I stared after her, confused and more than a little entranced. I wasn't a lesbian, but there was something about Alice that made any girl feel a little giddy. I raised my hand to the spot where she had kissed me. Edward chuckled, obviously seeing the exchange.

"She's always like that with people she likes. Let's go, we're going to be late."

After school, the three of us bundled into Edward's Volvo, receiving lots of attention from the student body and causing me to scrunch down in the front seat, Alice sitting in the back despite my protests.

"So, Bella, which grocery store?"

I bit my lip. "Um, Safeway. It's closest."

Edward nodded shortly and started the car, smoothly pulling out of the parking lot and turning onto the road.

The drive was short and full of conversation. I mainly listened as Alice chattered on and I also intercepted a few choice glances from Edward, which I didn't really understand.

But when did I understand anything about him anyway?

"We're here," Edward told me, interrupting my thoughts. He parked outside the store entrance and turning to look at me. "How long will you be?"

Alice answered. "Probably just an hour. I'll call you when we're ready to be picked up."

Edward grinned. "Okay. Goodbye, Miss Alice and Miss Bella."

"Goodbye, Mr. Edward!" I shouted, laughing. Time spent with Alice and Edward was so enjoyable. I could be with them forever.

Alice giggled and she linked arms with me, prancing into the store as Edward reversed out of the lot.

Shopping with Alice was enjoyable. She laughed and talked about the different types of food and what food brands she preferred – the more expensive ones – which somehow turned to fashion names after awhile. But it was funny to watch her, so I didn't say anything.

I quickly found out that she had no regard for cost and would toss something in the shopping cart just if it caught her eye, or if she liked the packaging. My mouth continually dropped in astonishment as I watched Alice rack up more than two hundred dollars worth of food. My own pile looked meager and tiny next to hers.

The only problem I had with her idea of shopping was when we had finished picking out our purchases and got to the counter. Alice insisted on paying for everything; even though she was tiny, the force of her personality was staggering.

"Let me pay, Bella. You have practically nothing there, and look at my purchases!" Alice crossed her arms over her chest, stubbornly decided.

"That doesn't mean I can't pay for myself."

Alice ignored me, turning to the person behind the register, who was watching me in disbelief, obviously wondering why I didn't want to get groceries free of charge.

"Use this credit card to pay for all the purchases, please."

"No!"

But the damage had been done; the lady took the shiny black card, winking at me as if she had done me a favour. I slumped back against the wall, sulking.

Alice grinned in victory.

Outside in the parking lot, Edward's silver Volvo was idling about fifty feet away, waiting for me and Alice to hop in. Alice tucked my arm through hers securely and made sure I was welded tightly to her side before we even moved one step, for some odd reason.

We were just crossing the lot when we were stopped by a brown skinned girl with deep black hair and a silver nose stud, glinting in her nose. She looked ferocious.

"Are you Bella?" she asked, her cold gaze trained on me.

I nodded, unsure what she wanted. "Who are you?"

"My name's Leah. I have a message for you, from Jake."

Alice interrupted; her face suddenly so cold and angry that I shuddered. She showed no trace of fear and stared down Leah, despite the fact that she towered over Alice.

"Leave. Bella has no wish for messages from her ex boyfriend."

Leah glanced down at Alice, eyebrows raised. "Excuse me? Bella," she pronounced my name with a sneer, "can make her own decisions. And he isn't her ex, in fact. They're taking a break."

Alice snorted delicately. "Yeah, sure. Break."

Leah growled and stepped towards Alice menacingly, who tilted her face up arrogantly and moved to meet the bigger girl, only standing inches away from each other.

"You have something to say?" Alice asked coldly.

Leah blinked at Alice a couple times, as if just recognising her. "I know who you are," She proclaimed. "You're a Cullen."

"Yes, I am. Alice Cullen."

Leah's expression changed into one of extreme hatred and disgust that shocked me with its ferocity, but not as much as what she did next.

She spoke a few cold words in some other language, and spit on Alice.

Alice bristled, and her face suddenly was shadowed by a murderous anger that frightened me. She was obviously readying for a fight, and took a step towards the bigger girl, who was already shaking with fury.

"Enough!"

I interrupted then, scared that it was actually going to turn into a physical fight. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Edward get out of the car, watching us with fury. He was going to intercede if anything went further.

Leah turned to me, her face still murderous in its hatred. I found myself shrinking back from the venom displayed on her flawless features.

"Jake wanted me to say he was sorry."

Then she turned and ran away, towards a car that was idling, much like Edward's, twenty yards away. She jumped in and the car sped off, its tires squealing. I only got a quick glimpse of three black haired boys with russet skin as the car roared past us.

Alice pulled on my arm, making me face her. She scanned my face quickly, the angry look gone.

"Are you okay?"

I was more than a little shocked, and very confused, too, by the venomous display of hatred from both Leah and Alice. I was very annoyed by Jake's sad attempt at an apology, because clearly he still didn't understand that just saying sorry wouldn't help anything, especially if it came from someone else. He couldn't do anything right.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Alice's face was a mixture of anger and pity. "I'm sorry, Bella. I shouldn't have let her talk to you...Edward told me you're upset with your boyfriend."

I shook my head. "No, it's okay. You couldn't have predicted what would happen."

A slight grimace crossed across Alice's face. "I suppose. Leah is from the Quileute tribe. You know them, right?"

I nodded in recognition at the word 'Quileute'. Jake had told me quite a bit about his heritage before our split and I had met some of his tribe friends, Quil, Seth, and Embry.

"Yeah...well, they don't like us, and we don't like them."

"Okay." I was sure there was more to the story, but I sensed that Alice didn't like people prying, so I left it alone.

The drive home was mostly silent, a vivid contrast to the ride to the grocery store. Alice and Edward dropped me off at my house pretty quickly, saying they would see me tomorrow. I smiled and waved before heading into my house.

Charlie still wasn't home, so I started dinner, using the groceries Alice had paid for earlier. As I settled into the familiar, comfortable routine, my fear and confusion vanished, and I smiled as my earlier good mood settled back over me.