CHAPTER 11

I ran over to the sidewalk to meet up with Jess. She grabbed my arm leading me away and looked over my shoulder back at Edward, then smiled mischievously.

"Do you like him?" She asked once we were far enough away.

"Truthfully?" I asked. She nodded. "I suppose." I almost laughed. "And it's weird, because we're so mean to each other."

She just shook her head. "Typical."

"What?"

"It's just a typical thing to do. You know what they say 'you always hurt the one you love'." I thought of Angel and me, then I did laugh. Too true.

"What?" She wanted to know

"Nothing." I said shaking my head. We cut across the grass towards the school.

"See you in Trig!" She waved, then turned away. I started walking down the crowded hall to class. People bumped into me everywhere and I thought seriously of kicking them out of my way. I happened to glance at one couple who were against the lockers making out. Gross. Can't people be a little more respectful of other's stomachs. I shook my head as if to rid myself of that nasty image.

"Bella!" Oh who now? I turned to see Mike striding up behind me.

"Hey Mike." I said not slowing down.

"Hey." He replied, trying to keep up with my fast pace. We walked side by side down the hall, very uncomfortable for him, I could tell.

"So, Uh…Where are we going?" I asked casually. He grinned hugely.

" I thought maybe a romantic dinner by the beach." My eyes widened a little, and my step faltered. He caught my are, and I nodded my head in thanks.

"The beach?" I asked, my voice was a little shaky. He looked startled at my nervousness.

"Something wrong?" Oh no, it's just that Angel had always loved the beach and that the last time I was there he ex pulverized me. I was not ready to go back there.

"Um, could we not go there. It's just I get really nervous around the ocean." I lied. He looked down at me. "Bad childhood memories." I added quickly. Lying seemed to grow on me, not something that I wanted to get into. But then again I had been lying my whole life. My life was one big lie…or I guess you could say 'secret'.

"Sure. It's ok." He said comforting. Mike walked me all the way to my class. I swear that boy had his own little patch of sunlight on him, he was so happy. "See you in English." He said reluctantly.

"Yeah, kay, buh-bye" I answered quickly walking into the room.

Lunch was a nightmare. I swear that there are probably two holes burned into my back from Edward's eyes staring me down. I tried to make conversation with Mike who, consequently was sitting right next to me. He wouldn't tell me where we were going to go. Obviously not the beach. The rest of the day passed by quickly. Edward sat as far from me as the table would allow in Biology. Wonderful. I thought briefly of stabbing his hand for acting so weird, but dismissed the idea as Mr. Banner walked by.

As soon as school let out, I headed straight for my truck, not wanting to talk to anybody. I noticed that the sky had darkened noticeably, to almost black. The sun nowhere to be found. Go figure, I hadn't really expected it to stay nice. That kind of weather was unfamiliar to this town. I had parked my truck near the back of the parking lot, and had just rounded the side of it when something slammed into me and knocked me to the ground.