Hey everyone! Sorry this chapter has taken so long! I was sick, and as you know, it's hard to do anything but die when you're sick. So please read this chapter with an open mind, and thank you ever so much for all the reviews! I never thought I could get that many for one chapter! Really, I pretty much cried when I saw how many reviews I had gotten. And I don't like crying, lol. So thank you so, so much! You guys are the best! Please review this chapter! Thank you!

I do not own Twilight. If I did, vampires would not sparkle. They just don't, sorry.

And sadly, I do not own Supernatural. I hate my life….

Please review! Reviews make me update faster!

B.P.O.V.

"I'm sorry?" I said.

There had always been rumors going around about me from every school I went to, but this was… well, sick.

"Somehow they got a picture of you and your brother and turned it into this whole… thing. Maybe they don't know he's your brother?" Charlotte offered. I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth. I couldn't remember if they had been outside when Dean had pulled his whole Big Brother mess, but still. To even think that someone could believe Dean and I were sleeping together was just… sick.
There were no words. Actually, there were: sick.

"They started this?" I pointed toward Lauren and Jessica as they laughed at something some guy with blonde hair had said.

"Yeah, but, I mean. It's just like everything else they've ever done. Don't let it get to you." Violet told me. I looked at her with an eyebrow raised.

"Oh, yes. Don't let the fact that the whole school thinks I'm sleeping with my brother get to me?" I said sarcastically.

"And Edward Cullen," Violet helped. I smiled.

"Yes. And Edward Cullen." I don't think she got that my smile was sarcastic, too.

"I swear I am going to kick her ass so hard…" I told them. Charlotte smiled.

"That should be fun to watch." I smirked.

"It's gonna be fun to do." I got up from the table and their eyes went wide.

"Bella!" Violet almost yelled.

"What?" I hissed back. She leaned back in her seat.

"I, uh, I didn't think you were really gonna, uh, you know…" she trailed off. I smirked.

"Why wouldn't I? I'm a girl of my word, Violet." I told her.

"Yeah, okay. But, um, I don't think that's a very good idea, Bella." I rolled my eyes.

"Oh, stop. I won't hurt her. Yet." I turned and started walking to where they were sitting before Violet or Charlotte could stop me.

Everyone stared at me as I walked over to Lauren and Jessica. All but Lauren and Jessica, that is. When I got to their table, they were still laughing. I waited until they finally seemed to notice that I was there before I spoke.

"Did you start this?" I asked calmly, holding out Violet's cell phone and showing her the picture, even though I was more than sure she knew what it looked like. She smirked.

"Of course not," beside her, Jessica laughed, turning her head and looking the other way. Don't punch her. Don't punch her. Don't kill her…

"Why would I?" I glared.

"I don't know, maybe because you're a bitch?" and just like that, the whole room was quiet. The only thing I heard was Jessica's gasp, and Lauren's mouth hanging open.

"What did you just call me?" she breathed, getting up from her seat. I repeated myself.

"Bitch." She still didn't seem to understand.

"Who the hell are you to call me something like that?" I laughed, because hey. It was a stupid question and I was feeling kind of crazy in the moment and all.

"I'm a person. And you need to learn how to treat people like human beings. You're no better than anyone else. Never think otherwise. And about that stupid rumor, I could really care less—and the fact that you had to make it up about my own brother and me? Now that's sick. And a bitch move."

"I'm better than you." She said, having probably only heard that part of what I said. I smiled.

"Sure you are. Just keep it up, and keep trying to make my life hell. I really don't care. And sooner or later, I'm going to get sick of not caring, and then you should worry." Just as I was about to turn and walk away, she opened her mouth again.

"Aw. Am I supposed to be scared?" I felt a smirk on my lips.

"Yes."

After that, I went back to my table and sat down. Violet and Charlotte seemed to be in shock. They didn't even say anything as I opened my Coke, and took a long swing.

"What? Cat's got your tongues?" I asked the both of them. They didn't say anything, and that was the end of lunch.

But when I got to Bio, I started to feel weird, started to feel light.

My head started killing me again, and I closed my eyes tight, trying to block everything out. A few minutes later, I heard a voice.

"Miss Winchester?" a voice called to me.

"Miss Winchester?" they called again. I opened my eyes.

"Yes?" I said, almost through my teeth.

"Are you alright?" Mr. Banner asked, looking a little freaked out. I didn't even look around to see who was staring at me, because I already knew everyone was.

"May I have a minute, please? I… need some… air." I said closing and opening my eyes again.

"Of course." I was out of my seat and out of the door, having not stopped to take the pass he was trying to dig up for me.

I walked down the hallway quickly, trying to get outside. Once outside, I took a deep breath and let the cold air burn my lungs.

"Ow…" I moaned, grabbing at my head. I walked toward the far wall and leaned against it, and then fell to the ground. I closed my eyes as a deep pain shot through my head, causing my closed lids to see black and red, almost like stars. I just sat there, holding my head, eyes closed, and body pushed back on the cold ground.

"Bella?" I heard a smooth voice question.

"Bella, can you hear me?" I opened my eyes and a pair of honey ones stared back at me.

"Yeah—I'm okay. Fine," I said, looking around. I didn't even remember how I ended up here. I must have blacked-out or something.

"Are you sure?" I went to nod, but I remembered the pain from before and didn't want it to come back, so I went with a grunt, and awkwardly found my way to my feet. Man. How messed up was I that I didn't really remember walking outside?

"I'm good. Thanks, Jasper." Jasper Hale stood up straight as well. What was it with the Cullen guys and being tall? Jasper was well over 6'0 feet. He was taller than Edward, and I would say Edward was 6'2.

"Are ya sure? You kinda look like you're not… feeling… very well." He said in his shorten drawl. I gotta admit: I love those drawls. It sounds so… cowboy-y. I had a thing for cowboys. Not like cowboy's yee-ha, but more of the James Dean cowboy. Yeah. Those were good.

"I'm fine. I think it must be because I haven't eaten today. I should probably get something. A cheeseburger sounds nice, don't you think?" I told him, getting around my lie so great because I was wording it differently. I was a smart cookie. I really was.

"Um, sure." he said, looking down at me intensely, almost like he was looking for something. I then frowned.

"Are you ditching?" I asked, pointing toward the school doors. He smiled slightly.

"Just my last class—you never learn anything in your last class of the day." I laughed once, rubbing my neck.

"Yeah—I guess you're right." Something about the way his honey blonde hair—that matched his eyes perfectly— looked as it fell over his forehead, and the way he was always three steps away, told me Jasper Hale didn't talk to people much. He had that whole mystery thing going on. And he worked it… but it also screamed danger. Not the kind of danger I liked. Not the really-hot-guy-who-is-all-mysterious-and-stuff. No. He gave me the feel of real danger—the kind I hunted—the real kind.

"So, were you just hanging out, or going somewhere?" I asked, burying my hands deep into my pockets, feeling the soft fabric with my fingertips.

"Oh. Just waiting for school to let out, I suppose." I nodded, turning my head and looking away.

"I wish it would rain." I said, not really to Jasper, and not really to myself.

"It seems to suite my nature." I clarified, looking up at the gray sky overhead. It was always like this here: gray. Most of the time it rained, but even when it wasn't, it was always gray. But it was always wet: the trees, the ground, and the hoods of the cars in the school parking lot in the morning. I loved that. It was some of the simplest things I could think of, but it was some of the most important things that I loved.

"It's Forks. I'm sure it'll happen soon." He said pointy. I smiled at him. Even through the danger sign that seemed to be hanging over his head, I didn't feel threatened. Not yet, at least.

"I'm think I'm gonna go find that cheeseburger." I told him. His smoky eyes seemed to drop for a moment and then look back at me.

"Are ya sure?" the more he spoke the more I could detect his accent. I smiled again, but I'm pretty sure it could have been a smirk.

"That's Texas, right? Your accent?" he looked surprised for a moment but quickly composed his face.

"Yes. It is. How did you…?"

"It's not hard to tell." I answered, looking down and kicking at the small rocks that somehow gotten on this stairway with my shoe.

"And I've had a fair stay in Texas. It's nice there, but I like the cold best. Sorry." I grinned, looking back at him. He chuckled, the first time I've heard him do that. While Edward's voice sounded velvety and calm—most of the time—Jasper's sounded like dripping wax. The way it flowed warm and then cools down and evens out. That's what he sounded like, to me, at least.

"It's no problem."

"But yours doesn't sound like the normal. It sounds older—buried deep in Texas. Not like the ones that almost everyone has." I observed. He didn't really say anything, but he gave a small shrug of his lean shoulders. We both stood there for a few seconds until I broke it.

"Cheeseburger—yeah, I'll just be going now." I told him lamely, like I was just turned down from asking my crush out. Dean said I had these voices. It didn't really matter what I was talking about, they would just come out—most of the time I sounded calm and cool—the other half—pretty damn awkward. I don't know why. But I was a Winchester—I'm weird.

"You're gonna walk all the way down the road?" he asked, his stiff looking shoulders loosening some, and his hands sidling into the front of his dark jean pockets. I nodded.

"Uh-huh. That's the plan. Well, thanks for the talk, Jasper Hale. See ya around." I did that weird two fingers wave as I turned around—the one Dean always did. I guess I really was spending too much time with my oldest brother. Oh well. It can't hurt anymore—that five second rule and all that.

"Sure. Well, have a nice… time." I looked over my shoulder, smiling at him.

"I will."

"Oh my God, guys. You should have seen the damn cheeseburger I got today! Not only was it huge, but it was good!" I exclaimed to my brothers as I walked through the door. After finding some place to eat down the street from the school, I had called Sam and Dean, telling them they didn't have to pick me up from school. I didn't tell them about what happened in class. I didn't want them to worry about my sorry ass. There seemed to always be something wrong with me. I didn't want to add to the list.

"Hey Izzy," Dean said, not looking up from the TV show he was watching. I didn't know what he was watching, but whatever it was, something was being blown up. Throwing myself on the couch beside Dean, and pretty much kicking him in his face, I lay down and looked up at the white ceiling.

"Mm." I said, even though I was sure it kinda sounded like a moan.

"Yeah—we have to talk." There it was. Dean's serious voice—his hunter voice. The TV was turned off.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, moving my legs over the side of the couch and sitting up.

"Huh? Oh, no. Nothin' wrong—just wanted to tell you about this hunt we found."

"Oh." was the only thing I could come up with to say. I thought it might have been bad news—news about Dad or something. I said 'oh' a lot. It must have been the first word I learned as a kid. As in, 'Oh no, I didn't put the salt-line down and demons got into the Motel room!'

But yeah—I said it a lot.

"What's up?" I asked, putting my right elbow on my knee and resting my chin on the palm of my hand.

"Well, I kinda forgot to tell you about the hunt—with the Tyler thing and all—so I thought I'd tell you now." I nodded, waving my hand for him to go on.

"Wait… who's Tyler?" Sammy asked; his hand still on the computer mouse but not clicking. I smirked.

"Just some boy Dean beat up on."

"Dean!" Sam said surprised, but not all disbelieving. Dean raised his brows.

"What? I didn't even really touch him." Dean told him. Sam still looked disappointed. It was kind of funny the way little brother Sam liked to scold big brother Dean. Really it was.

"You act like I'm some kinda murderer." Dean told him. Sam shook his head and went back to his clicking. Dean looked back at me.

"We're going to Idaho."
"Idaho!" I exclaimed, pumping the fist that wasn't holding my big head up. Pretty much because I really like saying 'Idaho', I really do.

"Not that far from here. What's happening?"

"Werewolf,"

"Ouch." Werewolves were tough bitches. Most of the time, people didn't even know they were a werewolf. It just happened to them and they wake up confused… and naked. I hated them for being so blood thirsty, and at the same time, felt bad for them. I didn't know if werewolves came to become what they are, or if they ask for it. There were still so many things unknown about them, but if a person just became a werewolf with no say in the matter, I felt bad for them. Really I did.

"Damn." I said.

"Well, I could use something—don't wanna get too rusty." I told them. Dean smirked.

"Of course a werewolf is the perfect thing for that."

When I found myself at school the next day, I didn't think the rumor about me and my brother could get any worse. Turns out, it could. Violet notified me of just that as soon as I got out of the Impala and took four steps toward the school after Sammy drove away.

"Oh, Bella!" she cried, throwing her little arms around me and hugging me to her. Feeling very awkward, I sorta patted her back.

"It's good to see you, too, Violet." I said, feeling very weird.

"Oh, they're just good for nothing people! Don't let anything they say get to you!" she told me, finally letting me go and taking a step back. I put my backpack on my shoulder awkwardly. Hell, everything I did was awkward.

"Okay…" I said.

"Charlotte doesn't believe it either! She was so mad!" I didn't really get where she was going with this. She was just walking in a circle, outside of the school, throwing up her arms in annoyance.

"How dare they? They really pushed it this time!" I finally had enough.

"What are you going on about, Violet?" she turned around and looked at me. She looked like she was just brought back from wherever she had been in her mind, and then froze.

"Oh, um, maybe we shouldn't talk about that now." I crossed my arms.

"And what would 'that' be?" she sighed just as the bell rang.

"Oh! We have to go!" she went to turn and I grabbed her arm as quick as I could.

"Wait! Tell me." I demanded, loosening my hand on her arm when she flinched.

"We're late… I'll tell you at lunch."

"Violet…"

"Lunch!" she said, and took off. My life could not get weirder.

It could.

Everyone was still staring at me, and even the teachers were looking at me funny. I hate that. When the teachers were looking at you, you know something's up.

When class was over, the last people I wanted to see passed me in the hall.

"Hi, Winchester." They both giggled together, like the airhead jerks they were. Once they were passed, Lauren looked over her shoulder and did something so… evil and freaky. She winked. Winked! I hate when people do that.

Shaking my head, I went to my next class, and hoped the day would end soon. But hope sucks. It just lets you down.

I didn't even bother getting any lunch. I was hungry—sure I was—I was always hungry—but I wanted to know what Violet was talking about more than eating something.

"Bell—"

"Talk." I said, cutting her off and taking a seat, planting my feet on the ground and leaning back in my chair.

"Hello to you, too," Charlotte said, rolling her eyes. I smiled tightly.

"Well, Bella. I think it will be best if I say—"

"—Say what you should tell me first? Because even the teachers are staring at me—and that's just wrong." She took a deep breath.

"Well, you know how most of the school still thinks your brother is your boyfriend, and you're also seeing Edward Cullen?" I rolled my eyes, not saying anything.

"And then you had that little thing yesterday…"

"What thing?" Charlotte asked her.

"Oh, you haven't heard? Bella kinda freaked out and left the room before Mr. Banner could even give her a pass!" I groaned.

"Okay, guys. You'll all caught up. Now tell me. Please."

"Well, it kind of looked weird, and everything, so, I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty sure that Lauren started this thing about you being pregnant. Maybe, I'm not sure."

"Are you serious?" when they nodded, I couldn't help it and started laughing.

"Oh my God—this has got to be the funniest thing since Maine."

I said, still laughing and shaking my head.

"Bella," Violet said, her face clearly saying she couldn't believe me.

"How can you just… just, laugh?"

"Because, it's funny, I mean, they couldn't come up with anything better than that?" I shook my head.

"They're not very good. So I wasn't feeling very well yesterday? Wow, I guess I am pregnant." I said sarcastically.

"But really: this crap has to stop." I said, all joking forgotten.

"Yeah!" Violet said excitedly. Seeing the looks Charlotte and I gave her, she blushed and looked down.

"I mean, yeah, it does." She said calmly, still blushing slightly.

"She's right." Charlotte agreed.

"They've been pushing it for far too long now." I pushed my lips thinking. I couldn't get into this shit—Sam and Dean would be pissed if I got kicked out again. I couldn't do anything to the damn bitches. Damn.

I really couldn't.

"I can't, guys." I sighed.

"What?" they said in unison.

"I can't pick a fight with them." I made myself clear. And it killed me—really it did—but I didn't want to disappoint my brothers anymore. Not again. There was nothing I would love more than to pull at their hair and punch at their jerk faces, but I couldn't. No matter how badly they got to me—I wouldn't. I learned my lesson the last time. No, really: I did.

"Pick a fight with them? They've been picking a fight with you!" Charlotte yelled; her blue eyes wide.

"I know." I sighed.

"But I can't… I really can't. My last school…"

"Oh, God… you really did kill that kid?" Violet asked in fear, her hands gripping the table, her eyes so wide they probably hurt.

"No I didn't kill anyone." I told her, rolling my eyes.

"There was just this one girl… and she… wouldn't leave me alone. She started it with me first—she wasn't even hurt! She just made it into this whole thing." I told them, my mind going back. That girl reminded me of Lauren and Jessica: always thinking I wanted their place—their guys. Please.

"Okay…" Charlotte sort of sighed, but Violet looked relived.

"That's great!" Charlotte and I looked at her in confusion.

"About you not killing anyone, that's, um, that's great!" she went back to looking down and pushed a forkful of food in her waiting mouth.

"Right, now, back to it… Bella! You can't just let them get away with this." I groaned.

"God, what's the point, anyway? I'm not gonna be here much longer, and I'm not going as low as them. Not if I can help it." they both sighed but said no more. A few minutes later, I got up from the chair I had planted myself in, mumbling about getting something to eat. They still didn't say anything as I walked away and across the room toward the fruit machines.

After just standing there for a little while, just staring into the glass like I was trying to make the worlds best decision, I finally went with an apple and pulled a dollar from my back pocket. I unfolded it and then tried to insert it into the damn thing, but it just spit it out. After a full minute of this shit, I was angry enough to smash the damn thing open and grab the damn apple.

"Goddamnit!" I yelled in frustration, all my words sticking together. The freakin' thing had spit it out. Again, and I was pissed. I leaned my forehead against the cool glass, my hands fisted on the glass on either side of my head.

"Need some help?" I almost groaned. Almost, but didn't. I didn't even move.

"Are you talking to me?" I asked, in a voice that sounded very throaty, if I do say so myself. He chuckled.

"Yes. I am talking to the girl glued to the fruit machine." This time, I did groan.

"Why?" I asked, just as low as before.

"You look troubled." I moved my head, turning to glare at him.

"Of course I'm troubled—damn thing won't work." I said, sighing and finally moving away from the thing. I hated that thing. If I could, I would blow it up, but I couldn't. It was tempting, but I couldn't. At least, not when there were people watching.

"Maybe I could help?" I waved my hand once, not having any more patients.

He smiled lightly—almost playfully—and reached into his back pocket, pulling out a short black wallet. He opened it and then pulled out one new, crisp bill, and snapped it a few times. Pretty much smirking, he walked up to the damn thing and inserted it. It didn't come out. Bitch.

"What did you…?" he asked smugly, his fingers hovering over the number pad.

"F2." I said sullenly, almost pouting. Why the hell did Edward Cullen have to be so… good at everything? He could somehow even touch a demon fruit machine and have it spit out whatever he wants! He pushed the buttons and was now able to pull open the space the apple was in. He then held the apple out to me, holding it in both of his palms. I grabbed it, sighing.

"Thanks." He smiled crookedly.

"No problem." I held out my dollar to him and he shook his head.

"Keep it." but I sighed, pushing the dollar against his chest, feeling how cold and hard it was under my fingertips for the few seconds it was there. I let go, forcing him to grab the bill before it fell.

"Thanks again." I said softly, turning around and walking away, and out the nearest exit—into the school hallway.

"Are you following me?" I asked without turning around, knowing he was behind me.

"No, I'm—"

"—Following me since you knew I was talking to you." I replied smirking, turning around and almost running into him. He grinned, taking a small step back and his hands sliding into his dark jeans pockets.

"Caught me." He said, smiling sheepishly.

"But where were you going, if I may ask?" I cocked my head to the side, my hair falling into my eyes and annoying me.

"Outside," I said shortly. His hand seemed to float out of his pocket and gently moved the hair from my eyes, trucking the lock behind my left ear. I don't think I was breathing. He seemed suspired for a moment, and then smiled.

"Why would you go out to the cold when your friends are sitting in the warm?" I blinked. Good. I remembered how to do that. That means I remember how to breathe, too. God I was like a dolphin—having to remind myself to breathe. How pathetic of me.

"Oh, um, I just don't feel like being in here. All these people and everything—I feel like being alone." Some of the light seemed to go out of his bight eyes, and he looked away quickly.

"Oh, well, I guess I'll see you in Biology." He said, turning and walking away.

"Kay." I said, turning and walking in the other direction. After a few steps, I stopped, and closed my eyes, knowing I was going to regret this.

"Edward!" I called, turning around just in time to see him pause in mid step, a little more than 12 feet from me. After a second he turned around and looked at me.

"You wanna come be a loner with me?" his answering smile could make any girl swoon, and I was no different.

"Sure."

We ended up outside, toward the steps by the side of the school—where I was when Jasper found me yesterday—but farther away. No one would see us unless they came looking to sit in a corner. And really: who would want to sit in a corner?

Me and Edward Cullen, that's who.

I sat against the cold brick wall; my knees pulled up to my chest, my apple halfway to my lips before I looked up and rolled my eyes.

"You can sit down, you know? The ground won't hurt you." I told Edward who was standing in front of me, his hands in his pockets again, his eyes seemed to love staring at his shoes.

"Yes, I know—"

"Then sit down. And a little eye contact wouldn't hurt." He sat down across from me reluctantly, his long legs spread out in front of him. He then looked at me. I smiled.

"See? It's not so bad."

"Um," he said, looking away again and crossing his arms over his chest. I rolled my eyes, taking a bite of the red apple. I mostly liked green ones, being sour and all, but red ones were sweet, and I was a sucker for sweets.

"So, what's new? And I like the jacket, by the way. Very badass." I told him smirking, my eyes running over the smooth-looking white leather jacket he was wearing.

"Oh, thank you." He said slowly, uncrossing and then crossing his arms again. But then his tone was exasperated as he spoke to me, not even making eye contact.

"Nothing is ever new, Bella. But I suppose I need to… go out of town, soon." Even though I was dying to ask why, and feeling incredibly nosy, I contained myself.

"Oh. That's cool, I guess." I said, looking away and taking another bite of my apple. Why did he have to go out of town? Was he going to pull another Superman wannabe act and save some more teenage girls from doom? Why did I even care? I went out of town ever week or so, so it shouldn't have interest me. But he wasn't like me—he was something supernatural—I knew that much. But I didn't know what, and that killed me.

He didn't really say anything for the next four minutes, and I was starting to get kind of annoyed. I mean. I kinda liked that it was just the two of us in the semi-quiet; only the annoying shouts and squeals from the people in the lunch room and steps reminded me we were not alone, but I kinda wanted to talk to him, I guess. And he was just sitting there, in his white leather jacket and dark-washed jeans. They almost looked like skinny jeans. They looked pretty tight. But Edward didn't seem like the skinny jeans type. But still: his jeans looked pretty damn tight, and I kind of loved them.

The wind was blowing his wild, unkempt hair softly, making him seem even more… mysterious, and undeniably… sexy. Jesus, did I just call Edward Cullen sexy? Yes. Yes I did.

"The rumors aren't true, you know." I kind of just blurted out. His eyes finally met mine and I bet mine were wide.

"I know." He said softly, his voice sounding far too velvety.

"Dean's my brother—I would never do anything like that with him—Dean would kill if he knew what everyone was saying." I said. And it was true—Dean would kill if he heard what people were saying about me and him—he might think it to be kind of funny—but he wouldn't like it one bit. Not one bit.

Edward didn't say anything. I guess he thought it was something better left unsaid.

"And I'm not pregnant." I couldn't help it and laughed. It was still amusing as hell. Most people would be upset or embarrassed—but I wasn't. I found it amusing. The way people could make up such lies just to feel better about their life. It was pretty messed up. And as time passes by, I think it would be clear that I wasn't pregnant. He grunted in response. I didn't even know why I was telling him all of this. But that was a lie—I did know why I was telling him all of this: I didn't want him to think those things about me. Because no matter how… inhuman he could seem, I still… liked him. And that made me into this weak, little, terrible hunter. Since I pretty much knew for sure Edward wasn't completely human, I was going against everything I had ever known and been taught, being attracted to him. I tried to tell myself that it was just his looks—that he was really pretty and sexy and I only liked him for his looks—but I didn't.

It was the way he said my name. The way he looked at me—looked into my eyes all the time.

The way his eyes seemed lighter and darker in the same moment, and the way his forehead and the corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled—really smiled.

I was screwed.

Big time, I was in so deep.

"I hope you're not too mad about that whole rumor thing, about me and you, I mean." I said, my hand digging deep in my hair, pulling at the roots.

"People talk." He said. He didn't offer anymore, but he wasn't looking at me anymore. He was looking at the concrete, his right hand absentmindedly turning a dry leaf between his fingertips.

"People are stupid." I replied. He looked up at me, the leaf stopping in mid-turn.

"And they bother you?" I frowned. I didn't know how to answer to that. It was such a strange thing to say.

"Of course they bother me—people bother me. I'm a loner, as you can see." I waved my hand around the cold lonely world around me.

"I've never been one for friends, and I still don't know how that works. I don't mind being around people, but I also don't mind being alone." He dropped the leaf, and I watched as it fell from side to side and then landed on the cold Earth again.

"Why is that?" he asked, suddenly seeming very interested, with the way his right leg folded under his left, and he leaned forward toward me slightly.

"Uh…um," I stammered,

"I don't know." I said, incapable of responding in a more coherent way. He smiled, probably aware of how he was affecting me.

"You're blushing." He said, the smile in his voice reflecting the smile on his lips.

"I'm not!" I protested, but I could feel how warm my face got as more blood pooled in my cheeks.

"You are."

"You wanna back up some?" I asked airily, hoping that as soon as he leaned away again, I would be able to think straight.

He looked into my eyes as I asked, holding them as he spoke.

"You're not very easy to read, Bella Winchester." He said softly, almost longingly.

"I sure hope not." I replied, just as quiet. He was still staring at me, and I him. I could have been wrong, but my eyes made it look like Edward was leaning in closer, almost like… like he was going to kiss me, or something. A few more seconds, and I would know. My apple rolled from my open hand, and I didn't even care to try to stop it. But just as I was about to close my damn eyes, and let whatever the hell was gonna happen, happen—was right when the bell rang, breaking us out of whatever state of mind we had just been in.

"We'll be late." I said quickly, jumping up from my place and brushing my hands on the back of my jeans. Edward stayed where he was for a second, and then I heard his quiet chuckle that almost sounded like a cross between a groan and a sigh. He got up, standing at his full height and looking back down at me.

"We wouldn't want that." he said, winking at me. Remember how I said I hated when people did that? Well, I still do. But Edward Cullen made it look good. Made it look really good. Damn good.

I did a weird sort of half laugh half panting noise as I turned around, walking back toward the entrance of the school. My apple lay forgotten on the ground.

On the way to Bio, Emmett Cullen passed us in the hallway, going to his class, I guess, and handed Edward his black backpack.

"Eddie Boy." He said as he smirked, and then looked over at me.

"Isabella." He said to me, his voice playful and controlled. And then he walked away, everyone trying to get out of his way as quickly as possible. It was probably a helluva time being him. Edward shook his head, watching his brother walk away.

"Emmett is—"

"—Emmett." I finished with a smile, looking at Edward and then turning around and walking toward my locker to get my backpack. Everyone was still staring at me, more so now that Edward Cullen was walking beside me.

Trying to look like I didn't care—because I really didn't, I just wanted to make sure I looked like I didn't, too—I opened my locker door and pulled out my backpack, opening it and taking the one book and notebook I needed, then throwing the thing back in my locker and closing it.

"People are going to talk." I told Edward calmly, not even looking at him.

"I know." But the way he said it, it was like he didn't care. When I looked at his face, he was almost smirking.

Bio was weird. I don't know if it was because Edward had finally started talking to me again, or if it was because Mr. Banner was still looking at me weird from yesterday's incident. But whatever it was, I felt anxious. I know: anxious! Since when have I ever felt that way? But Edward didn't seem to notice. He was looking out the window. At the tree that I only noticed a few days ago—it's dead, dry leafs barely hanging on—blowing in the wind and off of its branch. I sighed, wishing I could be like a damn leaf and fly away—fly away somewhere nice and quiet and… safe, for once. But that wasn't gonna happen anytime soon.

Bio was over before I knew it—which I was grateful for—and that meant gym. Edward left the room before I did, smiling lightly as he up got from our desk and nodding his head in goodbye as he left the room.

It only took Violet two seconds to jump me and just about talk my damn ear off. She talked all the way to the gym, where we met Charlotte, who joined in with Violet, and talked for another two minutes until Violet had to leave for her next class.

I liked Violet—really I did—but the girl didn't know when to stop talking.

I didn't feel much like gym, and didn't feel like faking cramps, because, hey. The couch was a man, and he wouldn't care. And since I was so bored, it was better to find something to do with my damn time.

Turns out, we didn't really do anything.

The couch made as all sit in a damn circle and take turns bouncing a little red ball as fast as we could back and forth to each other.

Something about hand eye coordination, or some shit. I didn't believe it for a second.

Well, when that was over, I was free.

"Bella!" Charlotte all but yelled my name when I was just about done changing in the locker room.

"Damn it, Charlotte. Don't worry, no one really needs their eardrums." I told her, pulling my shirt over my head and pulling my tucked hair out and around me.

"Sorry. Anyway, you're still coming with us tomorrow, right?" I frowned.

"Tomorrow?" she rolled her eyes.

"The beach? You said you would go with us!" Oh. I had forgotten about that. Today was Thursday, so of course Friday was tomorrow. I then nodded.

"Oh, right. I forgot." She rolled her eyes again.

"Well, we're all gonna leave right after school. Do you need a ride?" I shook my head.

"No, that's okay." She nodded and we left the gym.

"Hey…" I said slowly.

"Is Gavin and Mary gonna be there?" I asked. I haven't seen them since last week, and when I asked about it, Violet just said Gavin wasn't feeling well again, and that Mary was staying with him. Whatever that meant, it was hard to tell.

"I believe so." She said, looking like she didn't want to talk about it. I frowned.

By the time we made it out of the school, Violet had found us.

"Hi, guys! I almost forgot I made this for you!" Violet said, as she excitedly handed me some paper clipped together. I looked over it and frowned.

"Thanks?" I said, not really sure what else to say. It wasn't everyday people gave me maps. She giggled.

"It's a map to La Push! First Beach!" she told me happily, doing that feet bouncing thing again. I then got it and felt like a dumb-ass.

"Oh! Right—thank you." I told her.

"I didn't want you to get lost if you wanted to drive there—but I suck at directions! But my dad is like, in love with this MapQuest thing, so I had him print this out for you!" she told me, all in one breath, if I might add. While she caught her breath, I looked it over and smiled.

"That was real sweet of you. And your dad—tell him I said thanks." She nodded and said goodbye. A minute later, Charlotte left as well, and I was left waiting for Dean. Or Sam—whoever the hell was picking me up today.

A few seconds later, my cell phone rang. I picked it up without looking at the ID, already knowing who it was.

"Dean! I thought you forgot about me!" I said jokingly.

"Where are you?" I asked. I heard him sigh and then he answered.

"Port Angeles." I frowned.

"Well, what are you doing there? Schools over, you know. And I'm kinda just sittin' here, waiting for you." He sighed again.

"I know, I know—I'm sorry. I needed to check something out for Idaho, and Sam's lap top gave out." I cocked my head, running my foot over the hard concrete.

"His lap top gave out?"

"Yeah—too much porn, I guess." I laughed as I heard Sam in the background:

"Hey!"

"Well that's just great. So I'm walking home?" I asked, running a hand over my eyes.

"Can't you get one of your friends to drop you off?" I pushed my lips.

"All of my friends already left for the day, Dean." I heard him groan.

"We're just leaving the Nerd Palace—I could be there in 30 minutes—20 if I push it." I sighed, closing my eyes.

"No, that's okay. I'll just walk home. Hey—did you just say 'Nerd Palace'?" I asked, half amused, half— I'm not even sure.

"Yeah, a computer nerd's workplace— their 'palace'," He made clear. I rolled my eyes.

"Anyway… I'm really sorry, Baby Girl. I didn't think it would take that long to get the thing fixed. You can blame it on Sam."

I pouted.

"It's fine. I better get going. But hey, it's only a few minutes walk." I told him.

"Okay. Have fun, Kid." I nodded.

"Yeah, okay. Bye." I hung up and sighed, sitting down on the steps and wrapping my arms under my knees, resting my head on them. I figured I would just sit for a few minutes, and then start trekking. Hell, it wasn't a long walk, but I always wanted to use the word 'trek'. Trek—it was a funny word.

Well, this is great.

"Bella?" I heard that smooth voice say. Looking up, I was met with golden eyes.

"So we meet again." I replied, standing up and grabbing my backpack.

"What are you still doing here?" he asked, getting to the point. I shrugged.

"I don't have a ride home, so I was just gonna sit here until I felt like moving and walking home." I informed him.

"Your brother—"

"Can't make it here," I shrugged again.

"Oh. Well, um. Would you like a ride home?" I smiled, not about to deny a chance at learning more about Edward.

"Sure."

"So…" I said, looking out the car window, and pushing my lips.

"So…" he mocked, looking over at me and smiling. This was an Edward that I have not seen before.

He didn't seem controlled.

It didn't seem like he was forced.

He seemed… happy.

"What changed?" I asked before I could stop myself. I saw his brow frown.

"What do you mean?" I turned in my seat, looking at him fully.

"You seem… different. Not as uptight. Why the sudden change?" his eyes locked straight ahead and on the road as he answered.

"Let's just say I learned a little something these last few days." I didn't ask him to elaborate. I didn't feel the need to.

"Where's your siblings?" I asked, having just realized that they weren't here. Damn I was out of it…

"They took Emmett's Jeep." My mouth fell open a little as I muttered:

"Oh." I looked out the window again and watched the world go by. A few minutes later, we were pulling up to my place.

"Thanks, Edward." I said, undoing my seat-belt and turning in my seat to grab my backpack. I wouldn't be leaving that again—hell no, I wasn't.

"You're welcome." I was about to get out of the car, but then I had to open my Goddamn mouth again.

"Are you going to the beach tomorrow?" he looked surprised. I had taken Edward Cullen by surprise. Hah.

"Oh, um, what beach?"

"La Push—First Beach." His eyes seemed to harden, and when he spoke his voice had lost some of its smoothness.

"I don't like that beach." That was all he said.

"And," he went on.

"I'm not going to be here." I looked at him, hoping I didn't look half as disappointed as I felt.

"Why not?" I asked. He grinned.

"Emmett and I are starting the weekend early." I nodded.

"Oh. What will you do?" I asked, honestly wanting to know.

"We're going to be hiking in the Goat Rocks Wilderness, just south of Rainier." Huh? Why the hell would a seventeen year old guy want to go hiking, of all things? Shouldn't he be, well, partying or something? Trying to shove his tongue down the nearest girl's throat? But he was weird. I kind of liked it.

"Why would you wanna do that?" I asked. I couldn't help it. I really couldn't. He laughed. It was a sound that anyone would want to listen to all day.

"It's… good for us." I nodded, even though I didn't get it.

"Oh. Well, have fun, I guess." He smiled, and then his face grew serious.

"Would you do something for me this weekend, Bella?" I pushed my lips, looking pass his eyes and out the window behind him.

"Maybe—if I feel like it." he smiled, but his eyes were tight.

"Would you be careful?" I frowned. What the hell?

"What do you mean, 'careful'?" I questioned, going over things in my head.

Did he know that I was hunting this week? Did he know what I was?

"I don't know exactly, but would you?" I smiled, opening the car door and hopping out. I turned around.

"Sure thing, Teddy—I'll be the most careful person on this colorful Earth." I shut the car door. Well, more like slammed the door shut. I was always too rough. Well, that's what Sam always told me.

The next day, true to his word, Edward Cullen wasn't in school. Or Emmett for that matter, but everyone else was: Alice, Rosalie, and Jasper were all at lunch, but I didn't talk to any of them. I never got the chance or felt the need since they were so caught-up in each other.

Pretty soon, it was time to leave for La Push. Dean, being the best, most awesome, good-looking big brother in the whole world, (his words, not mine), gave me the Impala for the day. It was pretty damn great. Following the directions Violet gave me, I drove around for a little while, kind of lost. After another four minutes, I sighed, throwing the directions in the backseat. Directions were shit. They get you even more lost and confused than help you. I left later than anyone else, so I couldn't follow anyone. But I was okay with that. Finding my own way there made me feel… important. I dunno.

So I just turned on the radio and a few minutes later, I found my way.

The beach was okay, and the sand was cool. It was pretty damn windy, but I couldn't control that, or anything.

"Bella, hey!" I heard as soon as I got out of the Impala. Violet came running over to me, her blonde hair in a lose ponytail.

"You made it!" I smirked.

"I said I would." She grabbed my hand—forgetting the whole no touching thing—and pulled me onto the beach, and toward the others. There were more people here than I would have thought. And I didn't really know any of them.

"Hey guys! Look who I found!" Violet said excitedly as she pushed me in front of her and toward everyone else. I waved awkwardly.

"Hey, Bella," Mary said. She was sitting on a log, beside Gavin who was wrapped in a huge dark hoodie, and beanie hat. He looked kind of… bad. Pale. Ill.

"Hey." I said, still looking at Gavin.

"Hi, Bella," Gavin said. His voice sounded kind of trick, used.

"Are you okay?" I asked. He looked down, and Mary put her arm around him.

"He's just not feeling very well today." She told me while looking at Gavin. Shaking my head, I looked away. They didn't want to talk about it, so I wouldn't ask.

A little while later, after Violet was done showing me all of the cool little tide pools, and green forest, we sat around a campfire that someone had made up. It was getting dark by now, and over here, the sky wasn't gray. It was a beautiful combination of blue and orange and red. It really was a nice way to watch the sunset.

Everyone seemed to be having a good time. I guess I was too—I didn't feel like killing myself or anything, so that was good.

"Bella, look!" Violet called me over again. Sighing, I stood up and went over to her as she went to light a tepee of wood someone had set up.

"Have you ever seen a driftwood fire?" I shook my head. I don't think I had ever seen one in person.

"You're gonna love this then!" she then lit the fire, the flames getting bigger as it caught more wood to ignite.

"It's blue." I said, staring into the pretty looking flames.

"I know! The salt does it. Pretty, isn't it?" I nodded in agreement. It was very pretty—but also very dangerous. I had only ever seen blue flames once, and I didn't want to think of that right now.

Going back to the big fire and taking my seat on the old fallen log, I stared into the red flames. They were licking up the wood, burning it into nothing. The way fire works, its evil. It destroys everything in its path. I hated fire. That was all I could think as I stared into the flames.

"Dean! Where are you?"

"Bella?"

"Dean, open the door—I can't do it—"

"I can't. It's locked—"

"Dean, the fire— it's too much—"

A hand on my shoulder broke me out of my mind, the old thoughts hidden away, and pulled me back to the real world. Jumping up, I stared at the person whose head I had almost taken off.

"Whoa, hey, sorry—I didn't mean to scare you."

I took a deep breath, and then let it out.

"No, no—you didn't scare me. I was just thinking." I replied, cupping my hands behind my neck and looking at them.

"You looked pretty lost in those thoughts." I frowned.

"Yeah—the mind is a pretty weird, messed up place." I said. They laughed, nodding in agreement.

"Yeah." I looked away to see how many people had seen my lasted freak-out and was glad to see that only two people were watching me, and that was Violet and Charlotte.

"I've never seen you here before. Are you new here?" I shook my head.

"Kind of—just passing through, I guess." I replied.

"I'm Bella Winchester." I offered. He smiled; his white teeth so bright against his tan skin.

"Nice to meet you Bella Winchester—I'm Jacob Black."

Hey everyone! I hope you all liked this chapter and thank you all so much for the get-well-soon wishes! I think they really helped, because I got better one day before The Maine concert! So thank you!

Okay, so as some of you asked, there was a lot of Edward and Bella in this chapter. I will be doing Edward's P.O.V. next, unless I just can't think about all of that when I try to write it, then it will be Bella's P.O.V. So it can go both ways. I'm hoping for an Edward chapter, though.

And oh my God! Thank you all so much for reading and reviewing this story! You guys are amazing! I got so many amazing reviews, and I'm so sorry I couldn't answer all of them and write back.

I promise to write back to every review I get for this chapter, though. Since I'm back and up and going, nothing's holding me back!

Jacob will be in the next B.P.O.V. I know some of you have been wanting him. But just remember: I am NOT team Jacob. I really don't like him. Sorry! Nothing to you if you like him, that's fine! So Jacob is gonna be nice, and nothing romantic to Bella.

Oh! Something that's not even about my story, so you can skip this if you want!

I went to the Green Day concert, and it was great! My brother got Mike's pick, and I got Tre's drum stick! God, we were SO LUCKY! Thank you to my mom and dad for getting us tickets, and thanks to Green Day for, well, for being them! :)

Last thing:

I have a new story! So if you wanna check it out, please do! It could use some love!

Summary: What if you had to watch innocence people be killed? What if some weren't so innocence? What if some deserve it? Would it justify the act of killing? For 12 people, this is their reality. Some will live, some will die. But in the end, 'He' will decide.

So check it out, please! Thank you, and please review this chapter! Never forget how much I love you guys!

PLEASE REVIEW!

~Angel