As you probably already noticed. I try to post every Friday. I can't promise anything but I'll try to keep to that schedule. I hope you like the Chapter.

Anything Twilight-related belongs to Stephenie Meyer.

Bpov

For the last week, Edward and I stuck to our agreement and it became a new routine. We would alternate between meeting at my house and his. The next time we met after Tuesday it was a little awkward but we got through it and finished the work we needed to do. By the next time, we were both more comfortable with each other. I don't know if he decided something or other but we sort of became friends. Talking to him was easy. He remembered to show me around the library and it was my new favorite place. The school library couldn't compare. Maybe it was the dark wood of the shelves in Dr. Cullen's study or the old bindings of some of the books. Or maybe it was the relatively small space that housed so many books giving you the feeling of being surrounded by stories and worlds and possibilities. Perhaps it was the sum of it all and the fact that the school mostly harbored educational books rather than novels.

As time went on I became more and more excited about Alice's visit. But along with that came a restlessness making me feel on edge. I knew why. Regardless, that didn't change anything, unfortunately.

I wanted to be able to just ignore that particular day but that probably wouldn't be a good idea. My therapist had advised me to acknowledge it but not put too much pressure on the day itself. To not expect something vast to happen. I hadn't decided what I wanted to do yet. Dad hadn't mentioned it. Neither did Jake. I guess I always thought I would be with mom and we would...I don't know, lean on each other? Comfort one another. I mean the three of us were always close. Admittedly, that had changed since she married Phil but we had grown older too. Most people just aren't that close to their mom anymore when they become teenagers. it was a natural progression. Although our situation now didn't have anything to do with the normal distance that came with growing up. Even if I desperately wanted that to be the reason for the radio silence.

So, that brought me up short. Should I contact her? I hadn't talked to her since I moved in with dad. I knew she didn't want to talk to me but maybe she needed me on that day. I shouldn't just avoid her, that would be cruel. I should at least check in with her. See if she was doing okay, for a mother who is mourning her child... However, that didn't solve my problem about what I should do myself. Alice said she wanted to stay longer to be here so she got an extension on her holiday from school. Maybe she had an idea. Dad would pick her up at the airport tomorrow. It was Friday so I was supposed to meet with Edward. I wanted to stay home and wait for her but dad told me they wouldn't be home until later so I shouldn't sit around at home waiting. Thus, I relented and dad drove me over the next day promising to call when he was on his way back with Alice.

I tapped my finger on the cover of the history book that was sitting on my lap. Trying to keep myself from glancing at the grandfather clock again that stood in the corner of the study. For once not calming me with its steady ticking but instead driving me insane.

"Bella?"

"Huh" I looked over to see Edward smirking at me.

"You're glaring awfully hard at the clock. Did I miss something?"

"No, I'm sorry I'm a little distracted today. I'm just a little anxious." I told him clamping my other hand over my fingers to stop me from tapping. I was being ridiculous. He probably thought I was nuts. Well, if he didn't already. My behavior since I met him didn't bode well for that judgment.

"Bella, could you please come over here?" Esme called from the living room. I was immediately on alert. Dad hadn't called or texted. Neither had Alice. Was something wrong? Did her flight get delayed or had something happened? My thoughts were quickly getting frantic and were going in a dangerous direction of possible catastrophes. I hurried to the door of the study as fast as my body would allow me almost stumbling over my cane. I made one step into the living room and stopped dead in my tracks. I was met with a pair of ice-blue eyes that filled with tears.

"Surprise." She whimpered. I felt my own eyes tear up.

"Ally." I breathed and she was wrapped around me in a flash. I had to grab the doorframe with my fingers to keep myself upright.

"You're here," I said burying my face in her hair. Smelling the candlenut oil of our favorite trusted shampoo. What did she tell me a couple of weeks ago? That I needed some TLC? Well, I was getting a large dose of it right now and I was taking it in gratefully.

"I missed you." She told me, loosening her hold on me so she could see my face. She put her hands on my cheeks and scrutinized me.

"You look better." She admitted but frowned and ran her thumbs lightly over the bags under my eyes.

"Still better." I tried to assure her.

"Well, now that I'm here..."

"It will be even better." I smiled trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere we had created.

"Yeah." She took my hand and stepped away from me glancing up at something behind me.

"Oh, hi. You must be Edward." She smiled mischievously and offered him her hand in greeting. I didn't turn to see his reaction but walked out of the doorway so he could greet her and made my way to dad who was standing at the front door with Esme. He grinned at me. Probably proud of his deception. Alice must have taken an earlier flight and he couldn't have been at work long before he had to drive to Seattle.

"Let's get you home we have a lot to catch up on," Alice said from beside me taking my free hand in both of hers. Clearly determined to make up for lost time. I couldn't help but smile at her. Her happiness was contagious as always.

"I agree. Goodbye Esme. I'll see you around." Dad said walking back to the car. I was already at the door when I remembered my things were still in the study. Turning around I saw Edward already walking up to us with my packed bag. I couldn't decipher the look he gave me.

"Here." He went to hand it to me but Alice took it before I could move.

"Thanks," I said looking apologetically. I had just cut our study session short after all. "We can go longer next time." He smiled warmly.

"Not necessary. I'm more caught up than ever thanks to you." I blushed at the compliment and nodded.

I wanted to be able to chat with Alice on our way home but due to my anxiousness relating to cars, I wasn't really able to hold a conversation. I didn't white-knuckle the seat anymore and never came close to a panic attack in dads cruiser but that was the extent to which I had progressed in the weeks I've been riding with him. I still hadn't tried to drive with Jacob. Of course, not taking into account the time I was unconscious.

Dad and Alice had picked up food from the diner on their way into forks that we were now enjoying while sitting in the living room. Dad had put my bad leg up over his on the couch and Alice chose to take the floor sitting Indian-style at the coffee table where fries burgers and salads were shared. I hadn't been this relaxed in a long time. We talked about random things while enjoying the food. Dad inquired about Alice's schoolwork and applications to colleges we both had to do in the next couple of weeks and her family and friends.

Her parents were wonderful people. Easy-going and supportive of whatever Alice wanted to pursue or was interested in. She certainly lucked out. Not that I can complain. She had quickly found a group of friends since my absence, not that that was surprising. Though it made me wonder if our close friendship had kept her from making a lot of other friends. Since we always hung out just the two of us or with Emmett. But, I was determined not to let any negative thoughts ruin this evening so I put those thoughts away for now. We went up after dinner and dad brought up Alice's bag. For a little over a week she had packed a huge suitcase. Even dad had struggled a little hauling it up the stairs. How Alice was able to move it at all was a mystery to me.

"Are you moving in?" I asked cocking an eyebrow at her. She laughed opening the zipper of the suitcase.

"I wish. No, I just brought you a couple of things." She avoided looking at me.

"Alice?"

"Ok, sorry. I bought you some clothes." I sighed with a mix of frustration and sheepishness. This had always made me queasy.

"How much?"

"I didn't spend a penny. Honest to God. Mom took me shopping and said I should get some stuff for you too. You know how she is." She had her hands up in surrender. Her eyes employ me to go easy on her. Her mother meant well. We were just made from a different substance. She had always wanted to spoil me. And Emmett if she could get to him. At first, it was to avoid hurting mom's feelings that we declined any handouts. Yet, as time went on and she didn't stop we just took everything she gave us with a polite smile. Her motto was, I have enough so why not share? How do you argue with that?

"Ok, what have you got?" I asked bracing myself. Hoping there were no designer clothes among her gifts. She rummaged through her case throwing stuff around and making a mess of my tiny room.

"Hey, do you think we can concentrate the mess to one side of the room? We still have to find room to sleep and may I remind you this might be dangerous for a certain someone who isn't as steady on her feet?" I laughed. Feeling lighter by getting to witness her antics again. She ignored me.

"Here." She proclaimed. Handing me a jacket without really looking at me. It was a new raincoat. Quite practical in this part of the world. Simple and in a dark blue. I liked it. She also passed me a couple of sweaters in different colors. Soft and comfortable. I liked these gifts so far. "And..." Something clanked in her hands. She turned around with a wide grin plastered on her face.

"The best for last. Considering your newfound interest in certain artistic endeavor." She shrugged presenting me with a metal box, much like a large lunchbox. Much like the one I had in primary school. Those which can withstand the roughest handling you know? I clicked open the metal clasp and took a glance at Alice before looking inside. Honestly, It shouldn't have surprised me at all. There were a bunch of new brushes and varied colors of oil paint in there.

"Thank you. You can never have enough. They somehow seem to vanish into thin air. I swear." Her smile got impossibly bigger.

"We got you the professional kind. I figured if you're going to have to show a portfolio for your college application then you should work with the best. Not that you need it." She turned around and stood from the bed we were sitting on to crouch down at the stack of canvases leaning against the wall.

"Obviously." She mumbled going through them. She stopped and pulled one out.

"I love this one." She said. She was holding a painting of a grazing horse. A foal standing at its feet still a little unsteady on its skinny legs. No wonder she liked that one. She shared my love for those majestic gentle creatures.

"It reminds me of Jackie." She chuckled. She was right. It wasn't intentional on my part but I guess you do draw what you know.

"I miss her," I admitted. Alice leaned the canvas back against the others now standing in front. She turned to look at me.

"I went to see her before I came. She is doing ok. Probable wondering where he is. I guess they all are." She came to sit by me. "How is Tina?" I had avoided inquiring about the people connected to Emmett's life. Guilt began to squeeze my heart in a vice grip.

"She's good. Stressed. She hasn't found a good replacement. The kids only want to be taught by him." I nodded laying back against my pillow. Alice followed me laying beside me.

"Has it gotten better yet?" I swallowed before answering.

"No." She squeezed my hand.

"Is it helping?" I knew she meant the painting.

"A little. It's mostly a distraction. Cleaning my head you know."

"Are we going to talk about a certain green-eyed guy?" Her tone got a little eager with the promise of some girl talk.

"Not tonight. I'm exhausted. You must be too." After all, she had a long day of travel behind her.

"I guess." She said unconvincingly. I chuckled.

"Right. Let's get ready for bed."

The crunching of metal gave way to a steady high-pitched noise that made me cringe, slicing through my head like a knife. Like coming out of a dream I fought through the fog surrounding my mind. Gaining the feeling of my body was a curse. I was laying on my side my left arm half under me half behind my back. There was a burning pain below my shoulder making me not want to move. Although my mind was screaming at me to do just that.

Get out, get out. Move! But I couldn't. Even if I wanted to. The absent feeling of anything below my aching arm prevented me from moving too much. I would later learn that that was a blessing.

I pried my eyes open to gain some sense of reality in my obscure mind. I was looking at something black. I tried to turn my head to see more which likely was a bad idea but I wasn't thinking clearly. My eyes focused on red spots reflecting a source of light that must be coming from somewhere since it was otherwise pretty dark. Following them with my eyes I got to the edge of the black item in front of me and was met with mangled flesh. My mangled flesh. I screamed...

"Bella! Bella, please wake up!" I opened my eyes to see Alice's tear-stained face. She wasn't alone. Dad was standing beside the bed when I turned my head still catching my breath. I was drenched in sweat. Alice helped me to sit up and dad handed me a glass of water and some pills. I didn't need to ask him what those were. Alice was rubbing my back where my damp shirt clung to my skin. Her hands were shaking.

"I'm sorry," I whispered when I was breathing normally again. I could still smell the gasoline. Dad just lifted an eyebrow making his distaste for my apology clear. This wasn't new to us. But Alice wasn't used to it. She hugged me from behind whispering comforting words in my ear. Dad left with a kiss on my forehead leaving us alone.

"How often do you get them." She asked. "Not as much as I used to." I avoided.

"How often." She repeated not letting me off the hook.

"Almost every other night," I confessed. "But the meds help. I just don't like taking them. They leave me tired all day."

"That's annoying." I laughed at that.

"You can call it that."

"Can you sleep now?"

"Yeah, you'll probably have to shake me awake tomorrow though." I tried to joke.

"Gladly." She smiled mischievously and pulled the cover back over us. The pills did their job. I didn't dream after that.

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