Disclaimer: Last time I checked I wasn't Stephenie Meyer.

All recognizable characters DON'T belong to me.

Sorry. But I do own Adalie and Damien. If you would like to buy

them from me, let me know. God knows I could use some cash.

A/N: Thanks again to the reviewers! Just a note (again) to Twilight Lover Aimee: Bella died when she jumped off the cliff in La Push. If she didn't die, Edward wouldn't be so opposed to her joining the Cullen coven because… I won't give it away. But Bella is dead, and if it bothers you too much, I'd suggest not reading it until I post my next Twilight fic (due out in June, I know, long wait but this is my main priority [story wise] and the plot is pretty sketchy. Expect a HP fic before the next Twilight one, sorry).

Adalie POV

So this is it. Edward is returning because I was a fool. And he's only helping me because I'm going to leave. This already feels like a functional family, no?

"… And to hell with that, Rosalie!"

I can hear the shrill pitch to Alice's annoyed tone. Oh, Edward, get here soon!

I shuffle my feet a moment, and Alice hangs up the phone. "Adalie, is that you?"

"Oui." Alice is beside me in an instant, a grim look washed over her face.

"Quel est le problème?" Alice sighs and rests her head on my shoulder.

"Rosalie is being pigheaded and not returning my phone."

"How do you know Rosalie took it?"

Alice rolls her eyes. "I know Rosalie when I see her."

"But you didn't see her, am I right?"

Alice pauses a moment, cupping her face in her hands. "No. But this is a very Rosalie thing to do."

"Maybe she didn't. What if it was a… joke of some sort?"

"Stealing my cell phone isn't a joke, Adalie."

"I know that."

I don't know if Alice can feel the awkwardness in the air, but I can.

"Adalie, when are you going to start school?"

"Excusez-moi?"

Alice rolls her eyes. "Vous savez ce que je veux dire. When do you start school?"

Of course I know what she means. I'm just avoiding telling her because I'm not going to school…

Alice gasps and points an accusing finger at me. "You! Why? Why would you take my phone?"

I shrink back. "Alice, I…"

"You let me talk! Why would you take that and then leave on top of it? Do you think that helps this relationship at all, Adalie? Do you?"

"No, Alice, of course not…"

"Then why do it? Why, Adalie? Why steal my phone when you know in an instant we'd have bought you one. You know it. Why steal it and lie? Why not even ask if you could borrow it?"

"It was stupid..."

"Stupid? It was infantile! I've never heard of a more irresponsible thing anyone could do. Are you going to explain?"

Alice doesn't wait for a response. "Tell me why. Tell me everything."

I pause, trying to think of where to begin. "Well…"

"I'm waiting, Adalie Cullen."

"I wanted to talk to Edward."

Alice softens slightly. "Why not use the house phone?"

"Because then there was the possibility I would be calling. And because he likes you most."

"Not true. He likes Carlisle most."

"But it's close enough. I wanted to see that I haven't ruined his… existence."

'Why do you want to leave though?"

"Because Edward wants me to. I don't want him to hate me."

Alice sighs. "The world doesn't revolve around Edward, no matter how much he wishes it did. And if you leave I'm afraid you'll only be supporting his theory and ever-growing ego, my friend."

Edward POV

Finally a break in traffic! I'm now only around a half hour away from my family, and I can almost taste the sweetness of relief. Like when I last saw Bella and there was the reunion…

But with Bella it was that much sweeter. I could smell the freesia of her heartbeat, the liquid ecstasy that lay beneath the thin and oh-so-breakable wall of skin…

As Aro would say, what a regret to not have a taste.

But I did taste her blood. It was the purest thing I ever tasted—and will ever hope to taste again. I never want to smell anything like Bella again. So thank Adalie's stupid ideas, because she's leaving and I can go back to hating the world without pressure about it.

What a repulsive creature I am, thinking of Bella that way. Something to eat. Something weak. Bella was strong, stronger than I expected, not physically but emotionally and completely sane at the same time. And as admirable as that was, it wasn't enough to save her.

I can see her, standing at the cliff, misery contorting her face. She crouches down, folding her arms across her chest, and smiles slightly, thinking of what is to meet her below. Me.

I know she would have died either way, but why so soon? Why when I was about to visit her? She never would have known I was there, but I would have seen my life's reason, possibly happy! I am a repulsive creature.

A/N: Not exactly a cliffie, but I suffered major writers block. And surprisingly, I think the writer's block would have been cured with 5 reviews. And truth told, I will post the next chapter when I get my 5 reviews… or I will post on January 23rd. I was going to make you wait, but I was nice.

Thanks to those who do review! You keep my creative juices flowing (that's what she said, for Alec who will taunt me. Grr).

-Monny

PS- I really do want to know if you'd like to see a Harry Potter story up. Feel free to PM me or just gee, I don't know, review?