TODAY'S QUOTE:

That awkward moment when you're wearing Nikes and you can't do it.

"Oh my gods," I said, ungracefully throwing myself down at my chair. "You're back."

"What, miss me?" Edward asked, laughing a little. "You've never even properly met me."

"Hmm, no, but I've heard stories," I said, stealing an apple off Rosalie's tray. She didn't even blink. "Anyway, Bella's gonna kill you."

Emmett and Alice shared an amused look. Edward looked pained.

"I assure you, darl', Edward will be fine," Jasper droned. I couldn't work it out. Supposedly Rosalie and he were twins, but they had different accents.

I rolled my eyes. "Not physically. Bella's a timid mouse." Rosalie snorted. "But she's been going on and on about how rude you were to her, and how she's frightened for her life. It's ridiculous."

If possible, Edward's already pale face drained of all colour. So did Jasper's.

"What do you think?" Rosalie asked, catching my attention. She waved her fingers in front of me. "Should I do them hot pink or red?"

I took a moment to decide. "Try the red. I reckon it'd be nice contrast."

'Besides, red on blondes is hot," Emmett added. Rosalie groaned.

"I swear to God," she said, flicking her hair angrily. "Bad Emmett. No sex tonight."

I laughed, and Rosalie gave me a wink. "Is that how you trained him?" I asked.

"Mmhm. What about you?" I must've given her a blank look, because she quickly elaborated. "Any boyfriend experience?"

I frowned. "Not really. One or two. I didn't get out much."

She gave me a knowing look. "The boarding schools?"

"Yeah. Lets just say, most of the boys there were openly psychotic, and the others were closeted psychopaths."

I remembered one boy, Jackson, who I had dated for nearly a month, before he tried to kill me in the forest. That was at the school… two before London? Yeah. I accidentally freaked out, and set fire to a dried leaf under my bare foot. Needless to say, the woods soon caught ablaze, and I was sent packing to my next school.

I mentally shook my head to clear it of the memories.

"I better go," I said, flipping my sunglasses down and standing up. "I need to grab my books."

Edward looked like he might say something, but I walked off before he had the chance.

I gave Bella a half-smile when I entered the classroom. She was running her hand through her hair nervously, and kept looking up at the door.

I sat down at my table and warily watched Edward walk up to Bella and give her a lopsided smile.

"Hey," Angela said, sitting down next to me. "Did you hear about the dance?"

I nodded absently.

"It's girls choice, you know."

"I know," I said, turning my head so I could face her. I liked Angela, she was sweet like Bella, but had a more commanding personality. "Are you asking someone?"

She blushed a deep red. "I'd like to, but I think he'd say no."

"Who?"

"Ben." I frowned. I had no idea who that was. "He sits with Bella and Jess and I? Dark hair, tall, glasses?"

I vaguely remembered him. "I'm sure he'll say yes. You're a good girl."

"Yeah, but when I'm competing against Lauren and Jessica and even you…" she trailed off.

"Me?' I scoffed. "Hon, I promise you I won't steal your man. I'm many things, but I wouldn't do that."

"Yeah, but like, look at you," she said, gesturing towards me. I rolled my eyes. I knew I was hot, and I had that whole bad girl thing going on, but I just wasn't interested. "And then there's Lauren and Jessica, and I don't stand a chance."

"You're fine. You're tall, and have good legs," I said, losing interest in the conversation. Angela mumbled an embarrassed thanks.

"Are you going?"

"Hmm?"

"To the dance. Are you going?"

I shrugged my shoulders. I truly didn't know. On one hand, alcohol and punch, and on the other hand, people. Maybe I'd go if the Cullens went, just so I had someone interesting to talk to.

Mr. Banner started class at that moment. I tried to concentrate as he explained the lab we would be doing today. The slides in the box were out of order. Working as lab partners, we had to separate the slides of onion root tip cells into the phases of mitosis they represented and label them accordingly. We weren't supposed to use our books. In twenty minutes, he would be coming around to see who had it right.

"Get started," he commanded. I groaned. This was boring as hell in the first place, and I had already done it. This would be a long class.

"Your sister is very nice," Edward said to me, as I waited for Rosalie to arrive. I was giving her notes from the classes I had already finished last year, the ones I'd have to redo next year when the school let me join people at my intellectual level. Seriously. This school was so behind. It had no APs, and you weren't allowed to skip. "But also very quiet."

"Isn't she?' I agreed. "Hey, Angel. Muscles."

"Hey, Shortcake," Emmett said, as he and Rosalie arrived hand in hand.

I pursued my lips. I wasn't that short. I was taller than Alice, at least, even if it wasn't by much. Edward laughed loudly, and I turned to glare at him.

"It's not that funny a name," I snapped.

"Morgana! Hurry up!" Bella yelled from the other side of the parking lot. Because of the snow, I had to drive with her in the truck.

I gave her a little wave to let her know I saw her, and pulled the folder out of my bag and held it out for Rosalie.

She bit her lip. "Are you sure you won't need it?"

I laughed. "Of course I won't. I have like, four copies."

"Why?" Edward asked, confused.

"I don't know," I lied. It was because I hated history, and everytime I tried to read my notes I'd accidentally light them on fire, so I'd learnt to print out several copies. But obviously, I couldn't say that. This was before I realised gloves worked. That said, I was like a furnace, and sometimes I burnt through them.

"Morgana!" Bella yelled again. I turned to look at her, and just as I was about to answer, I heard a large screech.

A dark blue van was skidding, tires locked and squealing against the brakes, spinning wildly across the ice of the parking lot. It was going to hit the back corner of Bella's truck, and she was standing between them. I didn't even have time to blink, it was happening so fast.

I think I yelled a warning to her, and she turned just in time to see the truck just a second from her. She didn't have time to move, and I felt the blood rush in my head.

I'm pretty sure my knees buckled, and I was vaguely aware of Emmett holding me up as I let out a scream.

There was a shattering crunch of the van folding around the truck bed, and I felt sick to my stomach. There was no way Bella survived that.

There were screams all around us. I wrenched myself out of Emmett's hold and ran over to the cars.

"Morgana, hold on," Rosalie called, chasing after me. I didn't stop.

People were pulling the car off the truck now, and I hugged myself tightly, fearing the worst.

"Don't move, Bella!" someone instructed, and I stared in confusion. Bella was lying in Edwards lap, and he was holding her cautiously. She was breathing heavily, but something told me it was more from adrenaline than actual pain. "Get Tyler out of the van."

My eyes snapped over to the window of Tyler's car, where his head was lolling out the window, glass splattered across his body from the windshield.

Rosalie caught up to me, and clutched me carefully. "Its okay," she whispered, whether to me or to herself I was unsure. "It'll be fine."

Bella tried to get up, but Edward's cold hand pushed her shoulder down. "Just stay put for now."

"But it's cold," she complained. I laughed softly.

Now that the main worry was gone, I was confused. How did Edward get here so fast? I was talking to him only seconds ago. I shook my head and tried to think. Surely it wasn't just seconds ago. Maybe he had left a minute or two ago to talk to Bella about Biology?

But no, that wasn't right. We were talking about Bella and then the nickname and then my notes. There was no way that he could have got here.

His head flicked up and he met my eyes. All I saw was pain and worry. I wanted to ask him so many questions, but I couldn't. Not here, at least.

I could hear sirens now. Rosalie let me go and looked at me carefully.

"It's fine," she said in a cold voice, although I was sure she wasn't mad at me. Perhaps she was worried about Edward? "They're fine. Bella's okay."

Stretchers were brought in, and I almost laughed at Bella when I saw she was made to wear a neck brace. But then I saw Tyler, and I felt any amusement fade. He looked horrible, glass shards in his skin and blood splashes against his clothes.

Edward vehemently refused his stretcher told the EMTs that she'd hit her head and probably had a concussion.

Of course, then Dad arrived and he was very much not looking like the calm police chief he was supposed to be.

"Bella!" he yelled in panic when he recognized her on the stretcher.

"I'm completely fine, Char — Dad," she sighed. "There's nothing wrong with me." He turned to the closest EMT for a second opinion.

"C'mon," Rosalie said quietly, turning me away from the accident. "I'll take you to the hospital."

I nodded my thanks, but didn't say anything. She guided me to their car, a red BMW, and I got in silently. Alice and Jasper were in the back, and I felt my emotions calm down a little.

"Bella will be fine," Alice said with absolute certainty.

Rosalie drove, and we followed the ambulance at a fast pace. I said nothing when we arrived, and got out with almost robot-like actions.

"She's still in shock," Jasper whispered to Alice. I pretended I hadn't heard him.

"Ana," Dad, making me look up. He must've arrived here early with the police cruiser, and then spotted me hanging by the doors.

I looked back, noticing the Cullen kids, minus Edward, were still there. "Thanks," I muttered.

Rosalie smiled grimly. "Don't worry about it," she said.

I walked over to Dad and he tried to give me a one-armed hug. For once, I let him.

"Is she okay?" I asked quietly.

"Yeah."

We passed several rooms, before Dad pulled me into the Emergency area. Half hidden by a curtain was Tyler. Next to him was Bella, and I quickly ran over to Bella, giving her a hug.

"You stupid, stupid girl," I said, examining her face. Besides the general paleness, she looked untouched. Her brace was on the floor, and I figured she had removed it as soon as she could.

"Aw, look at that," she said, her lips tugging up. "You do care."

I rolled my eyes, ignoring her comment.

"Good afternoon, Miss Swan," said a heavenly voice behind me. "How are you feeling?"

I turned around, and was faced with what must be an actual angel sent to walk on earth. He was young, he was blond… and he was handsomer than any movie star I'd ever seen. He was pale, though, and tired-looking, with circles under his eyes, and I desperately wanted to get to know him. I somehow instantly knew this was Carlisle Cullen, and I blinked quickly. This was not the time to ogle.

"Fine," Bella said behind me.

He walked to the lightboard on the wall over my head, and turned it on. "Your X-rays look good," he said. "Does your head hurt? Edward said you hit it pretty hard."

Bella scowled.

Carlisle trailed his fingers across her head, and I felt a surge of jealousy that I quickly pushed down.

"Tender?" he asked.

"Not really."

"Well, your father is in the waiting room — you can go home with him now. But come back if you feel dizzy or have trouble with your eyesight at all."

'Please, Bella, let's come back here,' I thought like a love-sick puppy. I frowned at the thought.

"Can't I go back to school?" Bella asked.

"Maybe you should take it easy today," he said, but he sounded distracted. "Take some Tylenol for the pain."

"It doesn't hurt that bad," she insisted.

"It sounds like you were extremely lucky," Dr Cullen said, smiling as he signed her chart with a flourish.

"Lucky Edward happened to be standing next to me," Bella amended. I frowned again. Surely she realised Edward was nowhere near her at the time.

"Oh, well, yes," Dr. Cullen agreed, suddenly occupied with the papers in front of him.

"Dr Cullen," I started, drawing his attention towards me.

"Call me Carlisle," he said with a soft smile. "And you must be Morgana?"

I nodded. "Yes. Is there anything to watch out for?"

He paused. "Try to make sure Isabella doesn't sleep for a few hours. She might want to, but it'll be better if she doesn't."

"Okay. No sleep. Anything else?"

"No strenuous activities, but that's it."

I grabbed Bella's bag and held her steady as she got out of the hospital bed. She stumbled, and I almost fell over with her weight suddenly forced upon me, but Carlisle's cool hands stopped me. I gave him a smile, and I blushed.

"Thanks," I said. I gave him one last look before Bella and I exited the room, only to find Edward waiting outside. "Ah, the hero," I mocked. "We need to talk."

He looked worried, and I sat Bella down on a chair, but she got back just as fast.

"I want to talk to him too," she said, and I instantly understood. She was confused by his heroic act too.

"Your father is waiting for you," he said through his teeth.

"He can wait," I said, firmly.

He glared, and then turned his back and strode down the long room. Bella and I nearly had to run to keep up. As soon as we turned the corner into a short hallway, he spun around to face us.

"What do you want?" he asked, sounding annoyed. His eyes were cold. His unfriendliness intimidated me.

"You owe me an explanation," Bella said meekly.

"I saved your life — I don't owe you anything."

"You promised."

"Bella, you hit your head, you don't know what you're talking about." His tone was cutting.

"She did, but I didn't," I reminded him. "I was talking to you on the other side of the parking lot just seconds before the accident."

He glared at me again. 'You remember wrong. You were in shock."

"No, I remember perfectly well. We were talking while I waited for Rosalie."

"Can't you just thank me and get over it?"

"Thank you," Bella said. I waited, fuming and expectant.

"Neither of you are going to let it go, are you?"

"No," I said firmly.

"In that case… I hope you enjoy disappointment." We scowled at each other in silence.

"Why did you even bother?" Bella asked frigidly. He paused, and for a brief moment his stunning face was unexpectedly vulnerable.

"I don't know," he whispered. And then he turned his back on us and walked away.

I was so angry with him, it took me a few minutes until I could move. I understood keeping a secret better than anyone else, but my power was evil, and dark. His had just been used for good.

I told Bella I'd catch up with her, and we spoilt ways. Her to go to Dad, and me to chase after Edward.

"Stop," I said, when I caught up to him. "What you did was strange, and supernatural even."

He didn't say anything, and he kept walking.

"Edward, stop."

He still kept walking. I ran up to him, pulled off my glove and forcefully put my hand against his wrist, and made my hand heat up. He jerked his arm back, and he looked at me strangely.

"You're not the only one with secrets, Edward," I said. "I need to know how to stop this, and if you had any bit of compassion in you you'd help, and I know you do because you saved Bella and risked your secret being exposed."

My voice was rising now, and I pulled my glove back on hurriedly.

"I can't help you," he said quietly, but there was still something he wasn't telling me.

"Do you know who can?"

He wouldn't look at me, choosing instead to look down at the ground. I stomped my foot, but knew I wouldn't get anything more out of him, so I stormed my way back to Dad and Bella.

That night, I dreamt of raging fires and floods and most strangest of all, Carlisle Cullen.

Thank you so so much for the reviews!

I'm so very glad to hear I'm going at a nice, decent pace - be sure to tell me if I mess up.

I can't express how much I love hearing what I'm doing right and wrong, so be sure to comment on the story.