Bella's POV:

I woke up to find Edward staring at me, an odd expression on his face. The unreasonable part of my body made my heart speed up, my breathing shallow, and the familiar heat rise in my cheeks, while the other groaned internally.

He chuckled at my reaction, and I looked away, clenching my jaw.

I tried to myself it was out of annoyance, and not really the fact that the sight of him made me want to grin like an idiot and throw myself into his arms.

He doesn't want you, I reminded myself, even though the look that he was giving me, with his topaz eyes soft and gentle, was trying to get it into my head otherwise. He said he didn't want you. He said that his life would be easier if he'd never met you.

I looked at the ceiling, trying to find patterns, holes, or anything to distract my wandering mind.

"We have school, Bella," Edward said quietly, in that thrillingly musical voice of his. "You'll have to get up sometime."

My heart sped up. Again.

I growled indignantly. "Fine. I'm going to take a shower." I walked to my closet and grabbed a navy-blue t-shirt. From a drawer, I grabbed a pair of older, faded blue jeans. It was an outfit that didn't need any thought, which was good, because I couldn't think with Edward staring at me so intently, memorizing my every move.

It was sad that I could tell he was watching with my back facing him.

The shower calmed me down, relaxing me. I scrubbed my hair thoroughly, focusing on the smell of the shampoo, rather than the vampire sitting in my bedroom, waiting for my re-arrival.

By the time I got out, I was almost convinced that the Edward problem wasn't a big deal. I was almost convinced that he didn't care about me, didn't even want to bother staying here, with me. I was almost convinced that he only followed me because, somehow, Alice had told him to. I was almost convinced that I was over him for real.

The moment I caught sight of him again those thoughts evaporated. This was a big deal, and it was impossible not to believe it in the way his butterscotch gaze held mine and made me want to stop breathing, just so I could focus more on him. The look he was giving me, which reminded me of the way Sam looked at Emily, diminished the thought he didn't care, even though I wanted desperately to believe it. It would be easier for him to hate me. Then, I wouldn't have to feel guilty. And he hadn't spoken to Alice. She had disappeared to no-man's-land with Jasper.

And I was most definitely not over him.

Edward smiled the crooked grin I always loved—and still did, though I refused to be swayed.

My heartbeat gave me away. Again.

I tried to ignore Edward's laugh, which was hard until i left the room and could no longer hear him.

Of course he had to follow me, still laughing. "You need to change clothes, too," I grumbled stubbornly. "People will notice if you go in wearing the same thing you did yesterday."

My gaze swept over him. Same tight, very form-fitting V-neck sweater and same, faded-in-all-the-right-places jeans. I raised my eyebrows, challengingly.

He remained unfazed. "That's why we're driving your truck to my house, and then driving my car to school."

A flash of annoyance ran through me that he just expected me to go along with this. I was going to put up a fight.

"No," I said. "I'm driving myself to school."

Edward shrugged. "No, you're coming with me. I'm stronger than you, Bella."

He had me there, but I wasn't giving up. He had to know that he wasn't in charge of my life, just because there was some potential danger and he wanted to follow me around like a puppy.

Not that I minded.

I wasn't going to say that to him, though.

"I'll do what I want," I told him. "Because, if you don't let me, I'm not speaking to you. I don't think I need any more reasons to be mad at you."

Edward winced, and I felt bad. Terrible, actually. When he responded, his voice was cool and calm. "Fine. Drive yourself. I'll see you at school."

And he turned around and started walking to the door.

"I'm sorry, Edward," I whispered, knowing he'd hear me. He stopped, but didn't turn around. "That came out... wrong."

He looked over his shoulder at me, his golden eyes sad and aching. "It's not like I didn't deserve it. Besides, you're right," he continued, straining to keep his voice light. "You're an independent person. You like doing things for yourself. Back in my time..." His voice trailed off and he continued to the door.

Edward was right. In his day, women just didn't do things for themselves. Sometimes he forgot that this was modern day, where women did almost anything men did. Just as I sometimes forgot that he was from a different century, where different things happened.

"If you really want to, I'll let you drive me," I allowed, still feeling remorse. "I'm sorry."

To my surprise, his back stiffened. "I know that." His voice was cold and cutting, different from his forced cheer. "And I believe you."

It was my turn to wince as I caught the double meaning behind his words. He believed me when I apologized, but I didn't believe him when he apologized.

Or, in other words, it was saying that he trusted me, and I didn't trust him.

But, honestly, how could I? I'd trusted him before, and I'd ended up a zombie for months because of it.

I couldn't remember a time I'd ever lied to Edward, either.

In front of me, Edward relaxed and continued to the door. "I'll see you at school, alright?" he repeated. "Watch some TV or something. Do something normal."

Muted by his sudden change in attitude, and in my sudden change of feeling towards him—from severe annoyance to remorse—I nodded and mumbled a weak "okay."

Then, Edward left.

I was alone, just like I'd wanted.

So why did I suddenly feel so lonely?

A/N: Okay... I'm done...

And I have not much to say, except read and review, please.

--------------YoolieYick

And goodnight, too. It's storming and I don't want my files don't get deleted.

Disclaimer: Not mine.