Saturday and Sunday passed in a slow, idyllic fashion. I spent Saturday night at Edward's apartment again, cuddled in his arms. We ate the lasagna for dinner that night, and I had to admit, it was the best I had tasted since my grandmother's. When he was at work, I spent some time on grading and writing. I had completed an entire portfolio of short stories, and because I had already had so much time to plan for my meeting with Irina, I was confident in what I would say. It finally seemed like things were taking a turn for the better.

Then Monday happened. My bad luck started out slowly. I tripped over a curb on my way into the building and fell flat, dropping a folder full of essays on the wet cement in the parking lot. I was able to gather them up quickly enough that only a few were completely soaked.

Half of my students were battling coughs and colds, so I tried to be prepared with antibacterial hand sanitizer and tissues, but by the end of the day I was sure my nose was stuffier.

Rehearsal was a disaster. Lauren still hadn't memorized her lines, despite the fact that the entire cast had been instructed to be off book by a week and a half ago. We were also trying to add costumes this week, which was proving to be a challenge. Between fairy wings and settling disputes about which boys were going to wear tights, I barely held on to a semblance of order.

Tuesday, things got worse. My cold was developing rapidly, and I had tissues stuffed in all of my pockets. A sinus headache pushed my sanity to the brink, and I swear my students noticed. Teenagers are like animals that way; they sense your weakness and exploit it as quickly as possible.

All hell broke loose in rehearsal that night. Felix and Marc were whaling on each other with their fake swords, and James had managed to swindle one from one of the extras. I was trying to run a scene with some of the noblemen and townsfolk when I heard a series of smacking sounds followed by a loud crack. I turned around to see Marc, flat on his back with one hand to his head. James was standing over him, looking a little sheepish but mostly triumphant, and holding a prop sword that was definitely not his.

"PUCK!" I bellowed, stomping up the aisle as fast as my feet could carry me. The theater had fallen into a hushed silence, and I could feel the eyes of every person in the room on me. I stopped in front of him, and he quickly dropped the sword and backed away, a hint of panic in his eyes.

"James! You are a FAIRY. Fairies don't need swords. Do you know why fairies don't need swords?"

"Because…it's not my prop?"

"Because they have magic! And yes, thank you for reminding me. It's definitely NOT your prop. Whose sword is this?"

I wheeled around, waving the sword over my head, and stared down the gaping crowd, daring someone to step forward. Finally a short boy with white blonde hair raised his hand. His eyes were huge, and he cringed as he met my gaze. It was Frank, one of the freshmen boys I had cast in a role as an extra. For a second I felt bad for yelling, but damn it, someone needed to show a little respect. Frank was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Frank, do you know the rules about props?" I asked, my voice dangerously low.

"Um…I don't…"

"You don't touch other people's props, and other people do not touch your props. That is the rule. That has always been the rule. It will always be the rule. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Miss Swan." He stared at his shoes and turned bright red. The cast scattered, and the rest of the night went smoothly. The usual chaos that accompanied my favorite students was subdued, and by 7 I was tired, irritated, and guilty.

I called Edward that night, hoping to be able to talk to him about the crappiness that had taken over my life since the weekend. When he answered, however, he barely had time for hello and goodbye. He was cranky and abrupt, which usually meant that things were busy. He was on call or working pretty much solid until our date on Thursday night, and he dismissed me with a sharp, "We'll talk later, OK, love? I have to go."

Wednesday was an all time low. My throat was sore, my nose was completely stuffed up, and I had two classes of sophomore English tests to grade before Friday if I wanted to keep up with my goals for the week. Rosalie stopped by with a cup of soup at lunchtime.

"You weren't in the teacher's lounge and I got worried. Are you OK?" she asked kindly.

"M'fine," I mumbled, accepting the cup and turning back to the pile of papers stacked on my desk.

She cleared her throat. "I heard rehearsal last night was… interesting."

I winced. Of course the kids were talking. At least half my cast had choir, and Rosalie was well positioned to hear the drama kid gossip.

"I've been having a bad week. It's nothing." Rosalie and I hadn't been spending a lot of time together lately, but we still ate lunch together every day. She and Alice were getting closer though, so I felt less guilty for neglecting them while I explored my relationship with Edward. I didn't want to lay this on her now, not after basically ignoring her outside of work for so long.

We chatted about inconsequential things for the rest of the lunch hour, and I was starting to feel a little better about life in general. During sixth hour, however, the fire alarms started ringing. I sighed, directing my class in a line down our appointed route. We were standing outside in the parking lot when a crack of thunder pealed out, and seconds later the rain came pouring down. The students were laughing and playing delightedly, but I took it as a sign from on high. There was nothing else that could possibly go wrong.

That night, after a mostly successful run through of the show, I let my cast out early and headed for the parking lot. The rain had cleared, so at least something was looking up. I loaded my bags in the trunk of my car before turning the key. Nothing. The engine didn't even try to turn over. The lights didn't turn on, the radio was silent. I tried again. Nothing.

"ARGH!" I screamed to no one in particular. The faculty lot was long since deserted, and even my students had left for the evening. I screamed obscenities in my empty car for a little while later before I took a couple of deep breaths and tried to come up with a solution.

Edward was out. He was at the hospital right now and couldn't possibly be expected to drop his work and run to rescue his stranded girlfriend. I didn't want to call Rosalie, especially considering she had already been so kind this afternoon. Maybe Alice could help.

I tried her home phone and her cell, she didn't pick up either. Jasper's cell phone went straight to voicemail. Damn, damn, damn. Why oh why didn't I have more friends? The lot was pitch dark, and I was starting to get nervous. I checked to make sure all my doors were locked before continuing to wrack my brains.

Jacob. I could call Jacob. He probably wouldn't mind coming out to give me a jump. Well, maybe he would mind, but I was out of options. He was the only person I could think of. I took a deep breath before dialing his number, praying like hell he would pick up.

It only took two rings. "Bells! Hey, what's up?"

His cheery voice sapped the last bit of strength I had. Tears started streaming down my cheeks. That was fine though, as long as he couldn't tell I was crying over the phone. I just had to get through the phone call. Then I could sob for a little while.

"Jacob, I need your help. My car won't start and I…"

"Where are you?" he interrupted. "I'm leaving the library right now. I've got jumper cables in my trunk."

"I'm at school. Thank you so much," I whispered. For a second, I thought maybe he hadn't heard me. Then he exhaled loudly and said, "Anything, Bella. I'll be there in a couple minutes."

As promised, Jake pulled up next to me in his big, red truck in less than five minutes. I have no idea how he got there so quickly, but I was grateful. He did all of the work, instructing me to stand back while he connected the wires to our engines and started the cars. While we waited for my engine to charge, he came up to me and gave me a hesitant, one armed hug.

"You look kind of rough, Bells. Are you doing OK?"

They were almost the exact words that Rosalie used earlier that day, but for some reason when Jacob said them I felt myself pouring out everything that had happened in the last couple of days. It wasn't like my life was in shambles or anything, but I was stressed out and over tired, and I hadn't been able to talk to anyone about it. Jacob listened quietly, nodding and commenting in all the right places. When I started to cry again, he reached into his pocket and wordlessly offered me a clean tissue. He let me cry by myself for a few minutes while disconnected our vehicles and checked to make sure my car really started.

"I think you're OK now," he said. "Just drive around for a while before you go home for the night." He stopped and bent to look me in the eye. "Do you want some company? I would hate to leave you alone like this."

He must have seen the wariness in my eyes, because he hastily added, "Just to be a friend, Bells. I don't expect anything from you."

I reluctantly agreed, and we circled the school and the surrounding area for a little more than a half hour. We caught up on each other's lives and talked a little bit about my writing and his classes. He made me promise to let him know how the meeting with Irina went on Thursday. By the time we pulled back into the lot and Jake climbed into his truck to go home, I was smiling, albeit weakly. As I drove home, I decided that I had just crossed into a place where concealing Jake could be dishonest. I resolved to tell Edward about our limited contact at dinner after my meeting with Irina the next day.

Thursday morning dawned bright and clear. My cold seemed to be clearing somewhat, and by the middle of the morning I could breathe through both nostrils. I finished grading my tests over lunch, and I even had a few extra minutes to sit and talk with Rose before the second half of my day started. Things continued to go smoothly, ending in a near perfect dress rehearsal that night. I was ten minutes early for my meeting with Irina.

Her secretary ushered me into a brightly lit office. Irina was petite, with clear blue eyes and white blonde hair that waved slightly to just above her shoulders. She smiled at me brightly and gestured to a comfortable overstuffed armchair next to her desk.

"Bella, it's so nice to meet you!" she said, offering me her hand. I took it firmly and smiled back.

"Thank you for meeting with me," I replied. "I've brought some more samples for you, and I have a good idea on what I'd like to see done as far as a collection of stories is concerned."

I couldn't have asked for a better meeting. Irina was receptive to all of my ideas and eager to begin solidifying a contract. Apparently she had shown my work to other editors at her company and they were all excited about the possibility of publishing my first book. By the time I walked out of her office, I felt like a new person. And the icing on the cake? I was on my way to see Edward. He booked us reservations at a nice restaurant that overlooked the Sound to celebrate my meeting. It would be the first time I saw him since Sunday afternoon, and the first conversation we'd in days. I sighed happily and took the elevator down to the lobby. When I stepped out, I did a double take.

"Well, well, what a small world."

Beautiful, strawberry blonde curls and blue eyes. I blinked, willing the vision to go away. No such luck.

"Hello," I said, trying to keep my voice neutral.

"It's Bella, right? Irina's my mother. I'm Tanya," she smiled and offered me a hand. I raised one eyebrow and shook it quickly, letting it drop almost immediately.

"I know," I said stiffly.

"I suppose you do," she mused. "I've heard a lot about you. I'm sorry things worked out the way they did with you and Jake."

I stared at her in disbelief, but she looked sincere enough.

"How can you even say that?" I asked before I could stop myself.

"I didn't really understand what you and Jake had until after that day," she replied. "He never talked about you at school… I barely knew your name. But after, well he kind of fell apart."

I cringed internally, but I tried to keep my face impassive.

"I thought we could be something really special, Jake and I," she continued, staring over my shoulder like I wasn't even there. "Then he just… he left. He's gone, even though I see him every day. That's the problem with trying to love a smart and successful person, Bella. They always see you as an obstacle to success."

I rolled my eyes at the thought that the woman who had helped Jake cheat on me was dispensing dating advice. It seemed like such an unenlightened thing for her to say, too, especially considering she was probably smart and successful herself. "That's not true, Tanya. If you do it right, the two of you work together toward success. It's about mutual support." I learned that the hard way. Edward was so supportive, and I tried to return the favor.

"I don't think Edward sees it that way," she mumbled quietly. I looked at her sharply.

"What do you know about my relationship with Edward?" I asked it rhetorically, so when she answered, I was a little floored.

"I know that he feels pressured to spend time with you. I know that he's distracted from work, which is not something he can afford right now. Your relationship is putting a big strain on his professional goals, and he's conflicted about that."

I stared at her for a moment, trying to convince myself she was lying.

"He didn't tell you that. He wouldn't say that about me," I stammered.

She looked me straight in the eye, shrugged, and got into the now open elevator. "I'm sorry, Bella. It's like I said. Even strong, long term relationships can be obstacles. Yours is brand new."

The doors closed on her, and I stood there silently for a long moment. Then I was running from the lobby and speeding toward the restaurant as fast as I could. I knew that she was lying about Edward. I knew in my soul he would never say something like that about me. We had barely just begun, but I trusted him. I just needed him to reassure me, to calm me down. I sped off down the road, hoping desperately he was already at there.

I gave Edward's name at the reservation desk and was promptly led to a table for two near the back of the restaurant. He was already sitting there, thank God, looking more handsome than anyone had any right to. He also looked worn out, but his face lit up with a beautiful smile when he saw me. I sat across from him and sighed contentedly.

"Hello, beautiful," he said. He reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "How's it going?"

"Um…we need to talk," I mumbled. He stiffened slightly, and withdrew his hand. He looked into my eyes, probably trying to read my expression.

"Of course," he said simply. "What is it?"

"You'll never guess who I ran into on my way out of Irina's office," I started. He was completely nonplussed. I cleared my throat. "Your cousin Tanya."

He pulled in a sharp breath, but otherwise simply nodded, encouraging me to continue.

"She said some things, I guess it kind of struck a chord. Things about you and me."

"What did she say?" He looked confused.

"She said that you think I'm a distraction. That I'm taking you away from your work and that because you feel obligated to spend time with me, your career is suffering."

"Well that's ridiculous," he said, smiling a little. I sighed in relief. He hadn't said anything to Tanya. Of course he hadn't, he wouldn't do that. I smiled back.

"That's not what I said at all." My smile faltered.

"What?" Edward didn't appear to notice my change in demeanor. He smiled a little wider and shrugged.

"Well, I was talking to her about our relationship, you know, how new it is and how much I care about you. She's a really good listener, and I needed someone to talk to about it. And all I said was that I was worried that the hospital would distract me from giving you the kind of relationship you deserve."

I stopped listening after "I was talking to her about our relationship."

"You had a discussion… with Tanya… about our relationship," I said slowly, not wanting to misunderstand. He shrugged and nodded. And then I saw red.

"I can't believe you would tell her things about us that you haven't even mentioned to me," I raged. "That is so beyond inappropriate. Did you think for one minute who you were talking to? I know you're close, but Edward, the woman cheated with Jacob. Doesn't that mean something? How would you feel if I talked to Jake about our relationship? "

He froze, his jaw clenched. When he spoke, it was obvious that he was upset, but trying to contain it. "You wouldn't ever talk to Jake about our relationship because you won't ever talk to Jake. He's dangerous and a dog."

"Jacob isn't dangerous," I hissed. "I saw him last night, we talked and caught up and it was fine. But never once did I bring you up or discuss personal details of our relationship with him!"

"You saw him… last night?" The anger was more obvious now, and his nostrils flared. "Bella, you're never to go near him again. What if he hurt you? What reason could you have possibly have had to speak to him?"

"My car battery died and there was no one else," I fired back. "Alice didn't pick up, Rosalie was busy and you were at work." Rose wasn't technically busy, but he didn't need to know that. "And how dare you tell me what to do? You aren't my father and you are certainly not my boss."

"Bella, I just want you to be safe and-"

"No," I cut him off. "The biggest problem Jacob and I had was that he asked and I gave. I did whatever he wanted. I thought you were different. I thought you would be understanding and supportive. I thought you actually gave a damn. When it comes right down to it, though, Edward Cullen, you are just as much of an asshole as he is."

People were starting to stare now, and I realized our voices had been getting steadily louder. A waitress hovered several tables over looking torn about whether or not to intervene. Edward was glaring at me, his eyebrows still raised in disbelief.

"Are you serious? I'm an asshole because I spoke to a family member and close friend about how I feel, and because I want you to be safe. That is the most absurd thing I have ever heard come out of your mouth."

"No, you're an asshole because you spoke to that family member and close friend about fears you hadn't even mentioned until I forced it out of you. I had to hear a mangled second-hand version from someone I don't even like. You're an asshole because you are judging someone I have known my entire life based on one encounter. I'll grant you, it doesn't look good for him, but do you really think I would be friends with the kind of guy you've judged him to be? Do you think I could fall in love with and consider marrying that kind of man? What does that say about your opinion of me? Better yet, what does that say about you?"

We stared each other down for a second, both breathing heavily. The waitress chose that moment to approach.

"Can I get you something to drink? Our specials tonight are-"

I interrupted her. "I don't need to hear the specials. I'm leaving."

"Bella, don't go, please just talk to me about this." The anger was starting to fade from his eyes, but there was still a hard gleam there. I was exhausted, and I didn't want to deal with excuses or platitudes. So I quit while I was ahead. I ran. It was cowardly, and it was probably the exact opposite of what I should have done, but I needed to clear my head. When I got to my apartment I collapsed onto my couch and picked up my phone. She picked up in one ring.

"Alice," I sobbed. "Can you come over?"

Author's Note: Okay, so this chapter was really hard to write and I put it off for a while. What do you think? Who is wrong and who is right? I'd love to hear what you think. Leave me a review, and as always, thanks for reading!