Angela was quiet as we walked to school on Monday. I didn't really need to talk any more, we spent the night talking about events and the story. She seemed to believe me, if only to help me, or the sister she believed I replaced. We walked through the parking lot to the front. Edward and Alice walked over to us. I kicked myself for not being able to warn Angela. They would know the whole conversation by Angela's thoughts. I stepped around Edward and Alice when they stopped in front of me. Angela smiled, stopping to talk to them. Edward followed me to the front of the school.

"I just want to apologize." Edward said.

"Ok." I said crossing my arms over my chest as I waited on the cement steps.

"We've gotten off on the wrong foot. I'm sorry I over reacted, I shouldn't have done that."

"Ok." I smiled and turned toward the school.

"That's all, just 'OK'."

"Yeah. Ok, you apologize. I'm sure you feel better."

I ignored Edward as he tried to speak. I walked into the school to my locker. I traded out books, heading to my first class. I went from class to class with my head down, keeping to myself. It wasn't until I walked out of Spanish that a looming vampire caught my attention. Jasper fell into step with me as I walked to my locker. He didn't speak, and I didn't ask. I closed my locker, then headed for the cafeteria. Jasper continued to follow. He pulled the door open for me smiling.

"What's going on?" I asked at the door.

"Just being friendly." He said.

"To me?"

"I'm a friendly guy." Jasper joked.

"No, you're not." I walked passed him into the cafeteria heading straight for normal table.

Angela sat at the table with Jessica, Bella and Alice. I shook my head sitting across from them. Jasper joined the table, sitting next to me.

"Ok. Seriously, what's going on?" I asked.

"Nothing. We were just worried about you." Alice said. "We know Edward can be kind of difficult, and we wanted to make sure there were no hard feelings."

"She's being nice." Jasper said. "Edward was a complete dick to you, and Alice doesn't want to lose your friendship."

"She enlisted your help?" I asked.

"Not just mine." Jasper said. "We all feel horrible about what happened."

I pulled my sandwich from my sack lunch. I ate silently as conversations went around me. I wasn't sure how I felt about the major change. Even if I wanted to believe Angela's theory that this world has nothing to do with a book, it was hard to believe this world was anything more than a fictional reality. I tried not to interfere, and only made the story unravel. Angela seemed to be interfering even more, and I couldn't stop her, and I couldn't find the energy to help.

Jasper nudged my shoulder. "Class?"

He was standing as everyone began to leave the cafeteria. I stood, tossing my lunch into the trash. I mindlessly followed the line of students to Biology. I slumped into my chair. The teacher started some movie, and I was grateful that I didn't have to pay attention. The chair next to me scaped the floor. I looked over seeing Edward sitting next to me. I looked over to his table, empty...I looked back to Angela. Bella sat next to Angela whispering to each other. I looked back to Edward.

I sighed. "What do you want?"

"I don't want anything." Edward said looking at the movie.

I stretched my arms across the desk resting my head as I watched the images on the screen. I couldn't even focus on what the movie was about. Edward leaned on the desk.

He whispered. "I am sorry for what happened."

"As you've already said." I whispered.

"You can't forgive me."

I turned toward him. "I'm trying to watch the movie. SSHH."

Edward smiled. "I know what's going on. I know you think you don't belong here."

"Good for you." I don't want to talk to you.

Edward shook his head. "You and I need to talk."

Fine. After school.

Gym exhausted me. After being Bella's partner, I was bruised and battered as I walked out of the building. Edward leaned against the railing waiting for me. He pulled me aside. We stared at each other. I waited for him to talk to ask.

"You don't think you're from here." He finally spoke.

"You know what I told Angela. You know what my story is."

"It's a fantastic story, but I am just as real as you are. You can't believe I am fictional, that my family doesn't exist."

"It's not a belief. I know what you are, I knew about Bella. How do you explain that?"

"As I would explain Alice's gifts or my own."

"Edward, you know what I think. You've heard my sister's name, heard my thoughts about Houston. I didn't make these up. But I understand that this reality is just as real. I can't explain it, and all just want to go home."

Tears began to fall down my face. I tried to keep my body rigid, trying to stop the tears. Edward pulled me into his chest wrapping his arms around me. I let go, and cried into his chest. He didn't try to calm me down, he simply held me as I soaked his shirt. I cried for the life I missed, the family I longed to see again, for every small piece I no longer had.

I sniffled. "I was supposed to be graduating and going to college before I came here. I have relive my junior year and maybe my senior. It's not something I ever wanted to do."

Edward laughed. "And yet here I am reliving high school dozens of times."

I had to laugh with him. "I couldn't do it."

"I will help you. I mean my whole family, we'll help you find your way home, if it's even possible. We sensed something different, so I can at least acknowledge there are things beyond comprehension."

"What does that mean? You're going to date Bella and break her heart repeatedly or you're going to make her happy and marry her and have…"

"Stop." Edward said. "I understand what should happen. Alice has seen Bella and I together. I've decided to at least talk with Bella and see what's there."

"Maybe if you see that she will love you and feel so strongly for you that you will accept her without trying to push her away."

Edward pulled away from me. "So everything that happens is my fault.?"

"No, but you have a protective, self-loathing nature, and that screws up how you interact with Bella."

"Then you should help me remain less like myself." Edward said.

"You want my help?"

"I think it will be beneficial for both of us."

"Ok. I will tell you when you're being an ass, and you will fall in love. But if you hurt her, I will make sure your family tears you apart."

"Deal." Edward said smiling.