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It had been a week after that one incident and I was on edge. Unlike the book, Esme and Carlisle hadn't given me any tickets to visit Renee or anyone for that matter and since Edward was pretty sure that Alice's vision was not worrying enough to whisk me out of town. The very fact that Edward happened to be sprawled out in the couch opposite me while talking calmly with Charlie made me so uneasy, I had to actually excuse myself so I could just go sit on the edge of my bathtub. The way Edward's eyes flickered over me after I reemerged told me he knew what was up but I didn't give him the satisfaction of gloating about it.

So, imagine my surprise when Charlie turned to me and said this, "By the way, Renee is going to come over to visit you and Bella on her way over to visit Phil in his camp." He said.

I jolted, my eyes flying up immediately to Edward to see his eyes intent on my face.

"What…?" I asked, weakly.

"I know I told Bella to tell you this, but she went off with Stephen and why not? You and Bella can't exactly fly off to visit her in Florida. She might as well see you down here." He said, shrugging brusquely and looking back at the TV.

I didn't remove my eyes from Edward's. Was this his plan? Did he persuade Charlie to suggest this to Renee or something?

He shook his head subtly and I sighed, resigning myself to the inevitable.

Renee was not being bad, I thought later as she and I took a small walk down the only park within miles of our house. "Never thought my daughter would pick her boyfriend over her mother," She sighed as she looked up at the clouds.

I flinched at her soft, hurt tone.

She didn't know anything. The Bella in the books would've dropped her parents in a heartbeat for Edward. Was it so weird for her to be like that with Steph? I didn't think so, but I wasn't about to say that in front of Renee.

"So, tell me about your Edward." She said, turning her bright face towards me.

"There's really not much to tell." I mumbled, watching my feet.

She laughed loudly. "Really, you don't have something to say? That's a first."

I nudged her playfully, unable to resist the childish delight in her aura. "What about you? What do you think of Edward?" I asked.

"I think he's hot." She said without missing a beat. I made a face as she looked at me. "There is something strange about him though." She said. I schooled my features immediately, a practice perfected after a year's worth relationship with psychic vampires.

"Why so?" I asked lightly.

"You know, how they say that couple can have mental conversations? In the few hours I've been here, I haven't seen his eyes move from you. Not once, even when Charlie or I talked to him. It seemed he was looking at us out of politeness, which is more than I can say for most boys his age but he didn't stir from you. You too…it seemed so invasive watching you."

Renee shuddered.

I laughed at her, trying to keep the edge out of my voice as I steered her back towards Charlie's house.

She was right. Even I'd noticed how Edward moved around me the whole time Renee had spent here. He was always around, just off from being an annoying presence but I always felt him around me as if he was skirting around my edges, never coming within range. When I looked at him, he wouldn't look away and when I mentally asked him a question he just shook his head.

What was happening to us?

"If I asked you to do something for me, would you do it?"

This line…

I rolled my eyes and looked at him, my head leaning back against the headrest. "If you tell me to stay in the car because Jacob's here then no. I'm not going to do it," I said immediately.

"I was actually going to ask if you want to skip school and go to Port Angeles. We could get some much needed time together. We could watch the movie you were talking about the other day." He said smoothly.

I stared at him.

His beauty had stopped being a blinding effect. Now, I could stare long enough at him to pick up on the signs of stress. I sighed.

"Is it Victoria?" I asked.

"No."

"Jacob…?"

"…Not yet," he gritted.

"Edward,"

"I'm not a problem for you, Tulika."

"Don't play games with me, Edward. Tell me the truth." I insisted.

He gripped the steering wheel and closed his eyes. "Alice saw you come into school and your future disappeared." He whispered. "So, what I'm in danger at school when you, Alice and Stephen would be surrounding me but I would be Huber safe with you alone in Port Angeles?" I asked, scoffing.

"You underestimate my ability to keep you safe."

"You overestimate my ability to get into trouble."

He watched my face for a second, before reaching over to unbuckle my seat belt.

"If he shows up, please, ask for me, I can hear you from across the campus. It's the only thing I can ask." He whispered.

I pursed my lips.

Edward was just concerned, I knew that. I had seen what the wolves could do to a normal human. In my mind, Emily's once beautiful but now, ravaged, forever turned into a grimacing scowl face swam. I understood how the imprint worked, how you could love someone so much that no matter how much they hurt you, you would find yourself with them. It was a love that you just couldn't escape.

However, to love someone through something like that?

I wasn't a martyr. I was shallow enough to not be able to forgive if hurt and mocked enough.

I admired and honored Emily. She stayed with Sam through something I know would've killed most girls.

Edward cupped my face gently, extra gently as he heard these thoughts.

"Please, love, if Jacob shows up, call me," he said again.

I leaned forward to brush my lips against his in a comforting kiss. "Okay,"

It wasn't until I was sitting next to Stephen in the only class I didn't have with Edward that he turned to me.

"Did you find anything on Sorenson?"

I jumped, nearly banging my knee on the table before shooting him a guilty look.

He studied me for a bit before dropping his head on the wooden table.

"Tulika," he groaned.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I was just preoccupied."

"With what, exactly?" he raised his eyebrow.

"Everything," I said as the teacher came in.

"That doesn't answer my question."

"Look, Stephen; Edward, Charlie, Renee, Victoria…Jacob and Pack." I frowned at him and his eyes widened. "Why, what's wrong with Edward?" he asked.

"He's being difficult, lately." I admitted even as he laid his hand on my arm, stopping me with a meaningful look.

"Can't he hear us?" he whispered.

In all honesty, I was pretty sure he was listening in. he had been gritty about Jacob showing up but he knew I wasn't going to pass up school because of his worries.

No doubt someone would also snitch around and the news would get back to Charlie somehow.

"Don't worry about it. He won't let me go see Jacob." I complained in a low tone.

"I know he's going to be mad at me but I'm your best friend not his. Does he realize you're your person and not his slave?" Stephen asked, scowling.

"I don't think he does."

"Well, then you need to remind him." He said firmly.

"I don't really think that's a good idea." I whispered, watching the teacher's chalk movements.

"Really, why not?" he asked, uncertainly.

"Things with Edward…they still feel kind of rocky. Like they haven't fallen into place from the last couple months." I said. "That isn't your fault! It was his fault to leave you hanging like that! The bas- the jerk didn't even show up to the hospital!" He whisper yelled.

I nodded before shrugging.

Stephen looked at me for a long while before turning to the teacher finally muttering under his breath.

"Maybe you just need some solid incentive."

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