This chapter was definitely hard to write. I almost decided to skip it all together but there were some things that you, the reader, needed to know. Sorry if it's a bit of a bore, but I can't wait to start the next chapter! - Unwritten

After lunch I parted with Megan Ashley to go to my physics class. I am convinced physics will be death of me. I arrived at my class early and sat in a desk at the front. On the first day of school I had arrived late to class late and was doomed with a front row seat for the rest of the year. I settled in for a long lecture from Mr. Jacobs and had just pulled out my binder when the late bell rang. The seats were quickly filled as the last couple students ran in, except a desk beside me; the empty desk that was to be filled by Edward himself. Of course he managed to have a class with me, the one class where the only empty desk is next to me. Great.

It wasn't until halfway through the class that I glanced over at Edward to see he was sitting rigid, with a stony expression on his face, his body leaning away from me. What had I done to piss him off? I swear he was bipolar. First he tried to kill me, then he wanted be all nice and forgiving, and now he was ticked. I just couldn't keep up with his mood swings. I tried to ignore him for the rest of the class, but couldn't stop myself from glancing over and seeing that beautiful face hardened in anger.

I was startled when the bell rang, dropping my binder on the floor. Before I could even react Edward had picked up the binder and set it back on my desk. I turned to thank him but he was gone. I sat there, mouth hanging open, wondering how someone could move so fast. Many thoughts ran through my mind but I pushed them all away. Gathering my books I shoved them into my bag and left the room.

My final two classes were long as I forced myself to concentrate on my work. In yearbook I worked on my soccer spread, trying to get my mind off Edward. My yearbook friends gave me worried glances but didn't press the fact that I wasn't speaking to them. In photography I stayed silent, working in the darkroom to develop my latest photos for the soccer spread. Almost the whole staff had switched to digital cameras, except for me. There was something about regular film you just couldn't capture on digital.

As I watched a picture come to life in the developer my mind started to wonder. Dazzling topaz eyes that held many secrets laughed at me from behind bronze hair. I shook my head and pulled my photo out to inspect the picture. The photo was starting to darken from being in the developer but it was still usable.

Later that day I found myself on a stage in front of a small audience and two judges. I couldn't remember making the decision but here I found myself auditioning for our schools competition play, Dracula. I had acted in church plays when I was younger but that had been since middle school. Why now did I choose to start acting again? I had no idea. Yet there I stood on stage with an excerpt from the script in hand. I had read my monologue earlier and had been called back to do a cold reading. I looked over the lines quickly, and then glanced at the person across from me. The older boy, Jasper, stood there, reading for the part of Dracula. He too looked up and smiled, signaling for me to start.

"Tell me, Prince, tell me of your home." I looked at Jasper, waiting.

"The most beautiful place in all creation." He answered.

I nodded, "Yes, it must be. A land beyond a great, vast forest surrounded by majestic mountains, lush vineyards, and flowers of such frailty and beauty as to be found nowhere else."

"You describe my home as if you had seen it first hand."

I paused, struggling for the words. "It's your voice, perhaps. It's so familiar. It's like a…it's like a voice in a dream I cannot place, and it comforts me when I am alone." I wasn't acting anymore. I felt as if I had known him before. He, Edward and Alice were so familiar, yet I know I would remember seeing their faces if I had. I looked at Jasper, who looked expectantly at me. I couldn't remember my line. Quickly I glanced down and said in a rush, "And what of the princess?"

Jasper looked confused, "Princess?"

"There is always a princess with gowns flowing white. Her face…her face is the river. The princess, she is the river filled with tears, and sadness, and heartbreak."

"Thank you." The loud voice cut into the scene, and I glanced down, startled. The drama teacher, Mr. McGregor, nodded and turned to his notes. I smiled at Jasper then left the stage, exiting out a side door. Hurrying down the hall I didn't watch were I was going and ran into the wall. At least I thought it was a wall. It was definitely solid. Yet walls don't wear clothes. I looked up to find myself face to face with Jasper.

"Oh. Hi." I spurt out awkwardly. It wasn't everyday you mistake a guy for a wall.

"Nice job earlier. You're quite a natural on stage."

"Thanks." Jasper looked as if he wanted to say something, so I waited, and waited. "I'll see you around." I turned to leave but was stopped by a brief touch on my arm. His hand was icy cold.

"Don't let Edward get to you, okay?" Jasper turned and disappeared, leaving me to wonder what he meant.

That evening I pulled into my driveway and turned off my car. I quietly went through the garage and entered the house through the mud room. Setting down my bag I glanced around then stole upstairs. I was almost to safety when I heard my father's voice call me. I paused with my hand on my doorknob and answered him. "Yes?" I braced myself for what was to come.

"Don't you ever miss your bus again! You are not to drive your car to school unless you have a parking spot in the schools lot. How many times do I have to tell you this?"

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize!"

"Sor-" I stopped myself. "It won't happen again."

"No, it won't."

I waited to make sure he was done then escaped to my room. Why my father was so uptight I didn't know. My mother was more easygoing, but she'd never go against my dad. I fell on my bed, staring at the stars that covered my ceiling, and thought over Jaspers words.

The next few days I settled into a routine. Avoiding Edward and trying not to think about him was crucial, yet made hard by the constant rumors flying around about him. I managed to get some fact from the rumors – for one they were all adopted by Carlisle and Esme Cullen, a young couple who couldn't have children. Carlisle worked at the hospital downtown and Esme taught music at an elementary school. Then there were the rumors that were so absurd I didn't know how people believed them, like the one about Jasper and Alice being married.

The less I saw of Edward the more I saw of Jasper. I had obtained the role of Mina in the play and Jasper was Dracula. My afternoons were spent in the theater going over lines and our marks on stage. I was amazed at how easily Jasper controlled a room. No matter what the scene called for, Jasper could make the audience feel excited, frightened, or nervous. We hardly ever talked about anything other than the play, but every once in a while he would throw in something about Edward. I would ignore him, and force myself to think about pink elephants instead.