Bella's Point of View

I was finally alone for the first time since I became a vampire. I walked through the long hallway towards my room. The house was so preaceful. I lived it here. Finally I came to my door. With a content sigh, I opened. I walked to my couch and laid, sprawled across it. I could finally think about what has been happening without interruptions. I threw the daisies out my window. Whether for show or becuase I wanted to, I'll never know. The one thing I did before throwing out the flowers was tuck one into my sleeve. I had one daisy I decided to keep to remind me of Edward's attempt at an apology. I later put it in a book to press so it would last. It all seemed very silly to me from an outsider's perspective. I was miserable without Edward, I came to Denali for the single reason of seeing him; now that I saw him you'd think I'd jump into his arms and forgive him, but for some reason I couldn't. I couldn't just forget his abandonment and his words.

"You don't want me?" I asked.

"No," was the only reply I got.

No, I couldn't forgive him. Couldn't or wouldn't? I guess there was a distinct difference between the two words. Another question that rose in my mind was if Tanya wasn't here, would I have forgiven Edward that first moment? My body and heart screamed for Edward, but my mind -very quietly- remained firm. It wouldn't budge on its decision.

Suddenly I heard a flush come from the bathroom joined with my room. Emmett then came out carrying a newspaper. He sat down next to me on the couch. I stared at him in disbelief.

He glanced up from his paper. "Oh hey."

I didn't say anything. I just continued to stare. After a few seconds, he looked up again. "Do you mind? I'm trying to read here and your presence is extremely distracting."

Before I could respond, I heard a tiny knock on my door. Slowly I walked to it. On the other side, I heard giggling and shushing.

"No," I whispered, backing away from the door. The door leading to Hell.

"Yes!" Alice squealed, throwing the door open. All the girls had black ski masks on.

"Come quietly and we won't hurt you." Rosalie said, revealing a roll of duct tape.

Kate and Irina grabbed my arms as Rosalie taped my mouth shut. They dragged me out of the room, screaming.

"Have fun!" Emmett yelled, flipping a page in his newspaper.

They continued to drag me to a waiting farrari. "Whereareyoutakingmeh?" I mumbled through the tape.

Alice got in the back seat with me. "Shopping."

-time elapse-

"I'm tired," I whined.

"No you're not," Rosalie stated, handing me another shirt. "Vampires don't get tired."

"Then I'mmmm...hungry! Ha!" I finally had them.

"Bella, you just ate!" Alice yelled.

Two girls next to us walked away. I eyed them, licking my marble lips.

Irina smacked my arm. "What? I'm kidding! Geez..." I laughed.

Kate came up holding a dark purple shirt and black leather skinny pants. I was shocked to say I loved it. "Cute! You know me so well!" I took the outfit to try on. The shirt was off the shoulders and tight. I loved the color with the black pants. I stood in front of the mirror in the dressing room.

"Alice, are you okay?" I heard Rosalie softly ask.

I cocked my head to the side to listen. "Not really. I miss the old Bella," Alice replied sadly.

"If you remember, the old Bella didn't like shopping either." Rosalie reminded her.

"But Kate shows up with some dark clothes and suddenly she's running for the dressing room? You saw her room back at their house. It's so...goth."

I looked down at my clothes. I didn't realize my taste had changed so much.

"Alice, she changed when Edward left. We have to deal with that. Bella's still in there...somewhere," Rosalie whispered. "When she sees that Edward still loves her, she'll come back. Maybe not all the way, but she'll come back."

I took the clothes off and put mine back on. "Hey guys!" I came out.

Rosalie turned back to the clothes rack. "Hey Bella, did they fit?" Irina spoke before Alice could.

"Uh yeah! They look great. Have you found anything else?" I asked, carefully watching Alice.

Irina grinned, walking off to find an outfit and Tanya. I walked over to Alice and hugged her. "Bella, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just still happy you guys are here. I keep thinking if I close my eyes I'll wake up back in Forks...alone. It's nice to be back with my family," I told her.

Rosalie looked up at me. "Thank you," she mouthed.

I smiled, releasing Alice. "It's nice to have you back too," she said, reaching for an outfit. It was a midnight blue shirt with silver writing and swirls.

"This looks great! Do they have my size?" I asked.

She pulled a larger one out and handed it to me.

"Here," Rosalie threw a faded grey miniskirt at me. I took them to the dressing room and put them on.

"See? You can still have fun with her," Rosalie told Alice.

I opened the door and walked out. "What do you think?"

"Amazing!" Irina complimented.

"Now it's time for hair and nails." Kate grinned evily.

"No. I shopped. I'm not doing more. No, I won't." They continued to advance towards me. With one quick thought, I was off in the opposite direction. I couldn't go fast because of the humans watching, but I walked with speed. I was almost to the exit when Irina and Rosalie blocked me. I quickly turned and saw Kate and Tanya. I was trapped. Suddenly a large hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me into a small room; a janitor's closet by the looks of it.

I turned to thank my rescuer, but came face-to-face with a perfect crooked smile. I took as big a step as the tiny room would allow to get away from him.

"I believe a thanks is in order," he stepped towards me.

I pressed against the wall. "Edward, I-" Before I could finish, his lips were on mine. My heart exploded with an unfamiliar passion. Our lips moved in sync. His tongue tracing my bottom lip, asking for entrance. In that split moment, my mind caught up to the present. I pushed him away as I tripped for the door.

He was already pressing against it, not budging. "I'm sorry," he apologized, his eyes full of remorse.

I stood there, glaring at him. "Apology not accepted!" I snapped. "You don't just go around kissing people without their permission."

He looked shocked. "I'm not sorry for kissing you."

I crossed my arms. "Then why?"

He reached for me but I pulled away, unconsciously. "Bella, I'm sorry I left you. I'm sorry for making that decision to leave you. I'm sorry for not coming back sooner. I'm sorry for a lot of things...kissing you itsn't one of them. I am sorry you think I should be sorry." His crooked smile showed up again.

"You have five minutes to explain why you're here." I told him seriously.

He shrugged. "I'll explain it in five words. I'm gaining your trust back."

I rolled my eyes. "Attacking me is not the best way to start."

He chuckled. "Oh that was an indulgence. The regaining of trust starts now."

I stared, unbelieving. "Uh...huh. Well good luck with that," I said sarcastically.

He stepped towards me again. "I have a proposition for you," he started. "You give me 30 days to make you re-fall in love with me and if I fail...you'll never see me again. Just thirty days and I'll be gone from your life."

I listened carefully. I could free of him for good in thirty days. Was that what I really wanted? My lips still burned from the kiss. But it was just a kiss. I looked him straight in the eye.

"You have thirty days, Edward, to make me re-fall in love with you. But I guarantee you're wasting your time."

I shook my head as I walked out of the broom closet alone.

"I assure you I'm not," he breathed as I walked away.