I could have been a zombie at school the next day for all the sleep I had gotten. Still processing, or to be more accurate not processing, Seth's funeral, coupled with the terror in Edward's voice on the phone last night, I did not sleep at all. I stared blankly out the window, wishing that Edward was able to come by.

He held to his word though, and the next time I saw him was in my driveway, when he picked me up for school.

School did not really matter these days, anyway. I stared outside the window, looking at nothing in particular —the view of the parking lot in the rain wasn't exactly riveting. My mind was a haze, somehow mirroring the fog that clung to the tall evergreens around us. I barely even registered what class I was in. My only clue was that Edward wasn't there, meaning this was Calculus.

I'd managed to pass my final.

The days were truly just ticking by until graduation at this point. I began to question why the Cullens would ever allow themselves to endure high school repeatedly, and silently dreaded this aspect of my immortality.

"I'm guessing prom is out this year?" Edward said, leaning against the gray lockers once again, somehow maintaining his calm demeanor.

"I don't even know how you are asking me this right now."

He raised an eyebrow. "Well, Alice can't see it but I'm not sure that doesn't mean it's not happening at this point." He laughed as he clarified. "I mean, I wanted to make sure you weren't secretly hoping to go."

I smiled. "Definitely not that. I haven't thought about it once." I raised my hand, wiggling my fingers at him, showing him my ring. "I think this is a much better celebration."

Jessica had of course noticed the engagement ring when we'd returned to school on Monday. Getting engaged in high school had a very unique feeling, like everyone around me was judging me, just as I had feared. I was grieving so deeply over Seth I didn't care. Edward had no reaction either, and I wondered if he was relishing in our now very obvious and public commitment.

"I agree," Edward said, interrupting my thoughts. "I don't think we could go anyway; it's better to keep a low profile at the moment."

"Did you miss me during our one hour apart?" I asked, changing the topic. Since our call last night, Edward had lived up to his promise of sticking by my side since he picked me up this morning.

He held my hand and started guiding me to the lunch room. "I did." He paused, and his cold hand squeezed me gently. "Although I knew you were safe; I was spying on you through others' thoughts."

I rolled my eyes. In another lifetime, maybe I would have been angry. "Through who?"

"Mr. Varner. He's bored, too, most of the time. It's a very neutral mind to live in." Edward smirked at me as we entered the cafeteria. "I'd like to sit alone with you, today, if that's okay."

My eyebrows knitted together in worry. "I'd like that." It had been a long time since we'd had lunch alone. "Is something wrong?" My voice dropped to a whisper as I grabbed a bottle of lemonade and a package of warm breadsticks. Edward picked up just a bagel for himself, which I knew he would throw away.

"I wanted to share what happened with Alice last night." He guided me to a distant, empty table, just out of earshot of everyone, with the exception of his own family who could undoubtedly hear every conversation in the lunch room if they wanted. We took our seats, across from one another.

"You sounded terrified on the phone." Coldness washed over me at the memory as I spoke to him. "I've never heard you like that."

He surprised me by extending a hand over the table, palm up. I met him, my fingers stroking the cold, unyielding skin of his palm. His eyes were different today, a dark amber color.

"I was —I am— terrified." He would not look away from my eyes, and I felt my thoughts scramble. "I helped her last night, having her replay everything she could so I could see first hand. She's been having a nearly impossible time describing it for others, and it was helpful to see what she's experiencing." He paused, and his thumb was now toying with my fingers that rested on his palm. "For others, there is no change. The paths she sees are varied, of course, but… they are the same flavor."

"Not true for us, you mentioned?" My eyes grew wider.

He sighed. "Not true for us. Instead, she can feel her way through today, tomorrow. This week, even. But then, it starts breaking down some time over the weekend." He inhaled. "She can't even see us finishing high school next week."

I swallowed. "Can't she see who might be planning something?"

"Normally, she could. When somebody makes a decision." He moved away and started ripping up his bagel. "In this instance….there's nothing. There are no clues, other than when the vision starts… fading."

"Are…" I trailed off, trying to find the right words. "Are we going to die?"

His eyes flashed to mine once again. "No. I will not let that happen."

His voice was somber, though, and I realized that the only thing that could terrify Edward was this possibility: the possibility that we would die, and he wouldn't be able to stop it.

Edward held true to his promise for the remaining two school days and didn't leave my side once. Now that I wasn't grounded, it was much easier to navigate this with Charlie, who had taken to being out of the house more, working later. Charlie was not coping well with Seth's death either, and based on the few conversations I'd had with him since the funeral, he was throwing himself into researching what animal might have attacked Seth.

Edward was with me when I woke up, drove me to and from school, sat beside me in every class but Calculus, stayed with me through dinner, and met me in my room every evening to sing me to sleep.

I watched his eyes get darker.

"Edward, you need to hunt," I said early Friday evening while we were lying in my bed. I brushed a thumb over the circles under his eyes.

"It's manageable," he responded, looking away from me. "I have a proposal for you."

I laughed. "Another one?"

"Not like that." He smiled at me, although it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'd like you to stay at my house starting tomorrow, through the weekend."

"Sure," I agreed. "Why tomorrow, though?"

"Are you suggesting we go there now?" He sounded confused.

I raised my eyebrows. "Yes, I am." I paused. "Alice's visions aren't improving for us, right?"

He didn't answer right away. He moved his hand to comb his fingers through my hair instead. It was impossible not to relax at his soothing touch.

"No, she isn't seeing any change."

"Then, you need to be at your strongest. You should hunt tonight, leave me with the others."

"Bella, that's not necessary. I'm fine, really." His expression softened and his fingers moved to stroke my jaw.

I leaned into his touch.

"It would make me feel better." I searched for his eyes, seeing the reminder there that he was hiding his uncomfortability. I knew being close to me when he was like this was harder for him.

His heavenly face was painted with a gentle smile as he exhaled. "Okay, then. You played your trump card. Will Charlie mind?"

"What's my trump card?" I asked, ignoring his question. Charlie would mind.

His smile continued. "I am unable to refuse anything that would make you feel better."

I packed up a small bag of my things, feeling odd as I did so. I figured I'd be at the Cullens's house for a couple days. My stomach turned at the realization that Alice didn't see a future for us that extended farther than the weekend. As I flipped my light switch to my small, messy bedroom, I had a sadness wash over me that maybe this would be the last time I would see it.

I was being dramatic. I shook the thought from my mind, understanding that Edward was serious that he would never let anything happen to me.

I left Charlie a note on the counter explaining I was spending the weekend with Alice —easier for him to process, I figured. And we were off, speeding along the dark forest highway that led to Edward's house.

I felt Alice's stone form engulf me in a hug as soon as I stepped into the white house.

"I was so excited to see you suggested this!" Every gesture about her was enthusiastic: her hands were pressed together, and her smile was wide, baring her perfect white teeth. "Honestly, Edward, there's no need to suffer. Bella is safe with me."

"I'm not suffering."

Alice and I raised our eyebrows at him, both skeptical.

"Honestly, you two." He smiled at us, teasing us. "I know Bella is safe with you, Alice. And you can call me —either of you— if something changes. I won't be far."

He didn't walk much farther into the house. Alice continued to wrap her arm around me and guide me away from him. I turned back to look at him. "I didn't understand I was going to be immediately abducted when I suggested this," I laughed.

"You don't know Alice well, then," he chuckled in response, although he looked sad to see me move away farther. I sensed his distress at leaving me.

"She will get to know me," Alice chimed and suddenly she looked upwards at the ceiling. "We have at least a couple hours together!"

Two hours was bearable.

"I have been buying clothes for you on the side, just for fun, and I can't wait them to show you."

Two hours suddenly seemed like a very long time. I groaned. Edward laughed once again and moved towards the door.

"Where is everyone?" I asked as Alice led me upstairs.

"They are actually out hunting, too." Alice turned to look at me. I noticed her eyes were bright, a very light topaz color. "I hunted a couple days ago. I thought something like this might happen."

She paused and stopped right outside her room. Instead of gesturing me inside, she gestured to Edward's room.

"Open it," she said.

I stared at her. It felt weird to open the door to Edward's room without his permission.

"Go on. He won't care."

Nervously, I placed my hand on the handle and opened the door. It was obvious what was different.

The black leather sofa had been removed, and instead, a modern looking four poster bed now took up a good amount of the floorspace. I noticed that the bed was made with beautiful white linens.

I blushed, realizing the implication.

"When did this happen?"

Alice gave me an innocent look. "Just a couple days ago. Edward was combing through my visions and we saw that you'd be over here this weekend. He thought you might enjoy being able to sleep normally."

Perhaps not the intentions I imagined, then.

She left the door open and guided me back to her room, where I sat amid the sea of framed garments once again.

"Speaking of visions… what's your take on this?" I asked cautiously.

She bit her lip a little. "I am so awful with describing the visions in my head. Especially these."

"That's what Edward was saying."

She stared off into the distance, looking out at the black window and the dark shadows of trees off in the distance. "It's… nothing. It's like looking at nothing. It's just blank, with no indicator of how it ended up that way. And yet, there are still these odd snapshots I'm seeing. I still see you getting married, I see other things too."

I felt relief rush through me at the notion she still saw a wedding. "What other things?" I asked.

She inhaled. "I see you becoming a vampire."

I shot her a look; this wasn't entirely news. Edward had always been frustrated by Alice's certainty of my transformation. "That's planned, though. We've talked about that. You should see that."

"Yes." She paused, and it made me nervous. "But I'm not seeing your plans. I'm seeing it happening differently. Soon. And I see you… alone when it happens." Her voice was sad, stressed.

My eyes grew wide. I never thought I would be alone during my transformation. I chose not to focus on this terrifying piece of news. "What do you mean, soon?"

She looked so frustrated. "It's not connected to anything so I can't piece it together. It's one of these disembodied sights I can see, but there are no clues. Just you look the same as you do now."

"But that could be in a year, right?"

She clicked her tongue. "Not exactly. I can tell how you are aging almost every day. It comes with the vampire senses. You look like you do now."

My brows knitted together. "But that means we won't… die then, right?"

"Bella, I have no idea what is happening. There's clearly something being planned, and unfortunately, we're not able to prepare in our usual way."

I became completely silent. The remaining time with Alice was uneventful. She gave up on trying to show me some new clothes she had purchased for me when I didn't have any reaction at all, except for being slightly annoyed.

I was on edge waiting for Edward, and the others, to return. I thought about the bed now in Edward's room, and the lure of sleep. It was the middle of the night, but I couldn't force myself to rest, not with how many questions still remained unanswered and the fact that Edward wasn't near me. When I saw them walk through the door, as a group, relief washed over me. I also noticed Edward was covered in mud from head to toe.

"What happened?" I asked, trying to suppress a laugh. The contrast of dirt on his alabaster skin somehow amused me.

"Emmett." Edward glared at him as he took his muddy shoes off, placing them near his piano. "Emmett happened."

"Hey, you were the one in such a bad mood." Emmett chuckled and his giant hand tapped Edward on the back, causing him to step forward slightly. "I thought pouncing you might be fun."

"Fun for you," Edward growled. He turned to look at me. "I've missed you, but I'm a mess thanks to this one over here." He gestured to his brother. "I'm going to shower. I'll be down in a moment."

"Okay," I said quietly. I found myself getting warm at the realization Edward needed to shower. I'd written off this human act as completely unnecessary for him.

"Or, perhaps you are tired? Alice, did you show her?" Edward called as he started up the stairs.

"Yes," Alice chimed. There was a silent exchange between them, and it made me uncomfortable.

I felt a rush of sleepiness course through me, and realized in that moment that Jasper was influencing me, taking away my nerves. It was so easy to forget his subtle power. It was only in the absence of stress and anxiety that I understood how much I had been holding on to.

"I'll go to bed, I guess," I announced to the group. "It feels weird to be the only one in the house who has to sleep."

"It's not weird at all, Bella." Carlisle said, his words honeyed with kindness.

Edward was waiting for me on the steps. I turned to join him, smiling at his family as I left. "Goodnight, then."

They didn't say anything in response, and I could see they were staring intensely at the two of us. Edward sensed I was uncomfortable, and we started walking up the stairs together. As soon as everyone else was out of earshot, I looked at Edward, still repressing the urge to laugh at the site of him. He had mud caked on every part of him.

"What did Emmett do to you?" I asked, smiling at him.

"Pounced me from a tree." He rolled his eyes. "I was in a very bad mood tonight; maybe I deserved it."

"I'm sorry." I didn't know what I was apologizing for.

He paused just outside his room. "It's not your fault. I just didn't like being away from you." He gestured for me to walk inside. "Do you need a moment to get ready for bed?"

I shook my head. "I did all that while I was with Alice." I smirked. "To try and get out of trying anything on."

He smiled at me. "Then I'm grabbing some clothes and will be out of your way for the evening."

I looked up at him as we walked into his room. "Will you join me when you are done?" I was suddenly nervous he thought his presence was unwelcome.

"Yes, I'll stay." He walked into his closet and I heard the light rustling of hangers. "What do you think of the bed?" He called from a distance.

"It looks very inviting. The couch was fine, though, you know."

He re-emerged, carrying a neat stack of clothing. "Bella, I'm not going to force you to sleep on a couch."

"I'm okay with that," I said, standing awkwardly by the bed. We both stared at it. I wondered if our minds were going to the same place.

Edward cleared his throat a little, and it made me think that perhaps it was. "Here," he gestured to the side of the bed. He looked at his hands, assessing whether they were clean. He must have washed them at some point, because they were by far the cleanest part of him. He pulled back the corner of the blanket. "Turn-down service for you, this evening." He beamed at me. "I'll come back once I'm done."

With that, he walked out of the room and closed the door behind him.

I continued to stare at the bed, looking at the turned down sheet corner. I continued to think about Edward, who was now undoubtedly down the hall and in the shower. It had never crossed my mind that Edward would ever have to shower, and I found that it did something to me.

I thought of the stress of the past week. I thought about losing Seth and the shortness of his life, and Edward's comforting touches that had been my anchoring point to get through everything. I thought of the fear in his voice, echoed by Alice's. My stomach tightened. Alice didn't know what was going to happen, but it was going to be soon. I thought about what she'd said, changing as a vampire, alone. I knew Edward had seen this. I understood he saw everything, and he, too, was nervous.

I felt like I might be living one of the last nights of my life.

I stared at the bed again.

I was being ridiculous, I told myself. The stress of everything was too intense, too visceral for me to be having the types of thoughts I was having. Realizing that though did nothing to abate a growing desire I had within me. I pushed it from my mind, realizing that Edward was very clear in expecting me to sleep. I reached for my bag and pulled out a set of pajamas. I didn't move to put them on, though, but just stared at the cotton fabric. I'm being dumb, I thought to myself.

No, you aren't. I was arguing with myself. Perhaps I was exhausted.

Something within me broke control. I put the pajamas back in the bag. By this point, I understood I only had a few moments before Edward returned. I felt my stomach tighten as a new idea took hold of me, and I steadied myself for the bravery, and perhaps stupidity, of what I was about to do.

If there was a chance that I might be experiencing the last days of my life, at least as a human, there was only one way I wanted to spend this evening.