I was numb. I made my way back with Jacob, but my mind wasn't on what we were talking about. It wasn't on the beach around me. It wasn't even on what Jacob had told me or on the Cullens at all. It was blank. I could tell I was in some kind of shock, and as soon as I made it home, where I could be away from everyone, I was going to open Pandora's box.

"It was great to see you Bella," Jacob said as we made our goodbyes. I could see Mike off to one side, giving him a speculative look.

"You too, Jake," I said.

"Maybe I will see you later," he said.

"Just like old times," I agreed.

We piled into the Suburban and the minivan. This time, I slipped into the back without complaint, saying nothing and spending the whole time looking out the window, waiting. The ride to my truck was short. I barely said goodbye to everyone, before climbing into my truck and riding the even shorter trip home.

The house was dark when I got there. Charlie wasn't back yet. I went through all the motions. I showered, and changed into clean clothes, which helped a lot to clear my head. And then, I went to the minor music collection I had, pulling out a CD Phil had gotten me last Christmas. It was the only CD I hadn't ever listened to before. I put it in the old CD player I had, and stuck in my headphones. I laid back on the bed, above the covers, my eyes closed, and listened to the music.

It was just under an hour long. I listened to it intently, with my entire focus on it. I listen to every word and every line, and four hours later, I knew most, if not all, of the lyrics to all the songs. Two hours after that, I could sing along with them with ease.

By the end of the sixth play through, I turned off the CD player. I walked over to the computer, and turned it on. I waited until it had booted up and started up the modem. I waited through the dial in and finally got online. I pulled up a search engine and searched for Vampires.

It was slow going. Adding words like "real" or "actual" only linked to people who made fake video accounts or written accounts in chat rooms or message boards. Adding the word "mythology" was more informative, but less practical. Vampires seemed to be justification for things people couldn't explain, like consumption and other diseases, or things people didn't want to explain, like infidelity. Vampires explained an unexpected birth of a child about as readily as it explained the unexpected death of one. Their abilities and characteristics varied wildly from culture to culture, along with their origins and how they were created. Gods or magic or demons or witches or spirits or fairies or suicide after a forced marriage; there didn't seem to be anything that could link these legends to anything I had seen or heard of. Not a single site seemed to be particularly definitive, and most had either had more information than I really need or not nearly enough. Everything was confusing and muddled and after an hour, it was now nearly two in the morning, and nothing else had changed.

I looked outside. Charlie was home, probably some time while I was listening to music. I got up and went downstairs quietly. Despite being in my night things and being very tired, I slipped on my shoes, put on my jacket and went outside.

It was dark but quiet, all except for the misting drizzle that sounding like distant running sand. I put up my hood and looked around the yard. I found what I was looking for, a path that lead into the woods. It suddenly occurred to me that this might not be the best idea. I was, after all, trying to entertain the idea that vampires existed. Walking into the woods this late at night was probably dangerous, even without having to worry about otherworldly creatures of the night. I didn't care. I needed to get away from reality, from people, to be completely alone with only my own thoughts.

I walked until I couldn't see any of the houses, any evidence of human civilization. Then, I stepped off the path. I walked through the tree line, went to the first tree that sheltered me from the drizzle, then put my back to it. I couldn't see the path, but if I just walked straight, I would find it again. Sitting there, I started to think.

Edward could be a vampire. What did that mean? Obviously, he had been hit by a van and walked away. That didn't exactly scream vampire, but it was one explanation. But other things seemed to fit. The way he believed that he was the worst person I knew, the way he looked at me like he wanted to kill me that first day, those things seemed very vampire-like to me. Also, him believing that I would think he was crazy if he told me the truth or that I might believe him and never want to see him again. That too made a lot of sense. But also, leaving for my own good made sense too. And with that, something else settle down into me.

Edward had saved my life. He had stepped in when the van likely would have killed me. He had said that if I wanted him to leave, he would. Was this why he had left me a way out, why he was saying that if I wanted him to leave, that he would, because he knew that if or when I found out, I would immediately reject him? That suddenly made a lot of sense and also was very sad. I felt my chest ache and my stomach twist at the very idea of what that would be like, if he were to suddenly say that I was a monster and that he never wanted to see me again. Granted, I had no real idea how he felt about me, but what I could imagine right now hurt more than enough for me not to want to consider what it would be like if it were worse.

And then, I thought about him actually leaving. The idea of him being gone, of me never getting to talk with him about anything, ever again, of not getting to have him see me like he did, of calling me out on the lies I was telling myself or asking me the hard questions I had never thought to ask myself, of me never getting to see him smile and happy, to see that sadness leave his face, to dance with him, never getting to…

In that moment, I knew one truth; I didn't want Edward gone. With that I knew and the information that I had right then, I didn't want him to leave. I had questions, and honestly, if he had been there that exact moment, I would have asked him. Was it true? Why did he think he was a bad person? Did he hurt people? What was it like to be what he was? How did it make him different from other boys? What did he want? What did he want most in the world? What did he want to do with his life, however long it was? How long was his life? How old was he? What had he seen? What had he done? Who was he really? Was there anything he couldn't do that a non vampire could? Could he… love?

I finally stood up and found the path, even though it took two tries and I almost panicked for a second. It didn't matter. I didn't know what he was, but I knew that I wished he was here that very minute. It scared me that I was willing to be beside him, even when I knew he could be something dangerous. But I also knew that even if he could be scary, I wasn't scared. Even if he was something potentially monstrous, he wasn't a monster. He had saved me and treated me well. I am sure that if he wanted to really kill me, he probably could have. But given all that I had seen and knew about him, he was, at the very least, trying to be good. He was trying to be something better. I wanted to be a part of that, to help him if I could. I wanted to know him, truly, as he really was, no deceptions, no exceptions.

I slipped back inside, and changed into some slightly less dirty and damp clothing. I considered showering again, and settled for washing up thoroughly. I climbed into bed, closed my eyes, and fell asleep almost immediately.

I don't remember exactly how the dream began. It seemed to merge with a part of my memory from the night before, with Jacob, on the beach, but it was full day. We had been talking and laughing and I wasn't sure if we were alone on the beach or if I just couldn't see anyone. As I looked around, I noticed that the western horizon was black. It was like the line where sky met sea had been filled in with a thick pen and was slowly becoming thicker. I went back to talking and laughing with Jacob, but the line kept getting big and began to bow upwards as it came. I could see stars in that darkness and realized all at once, as you do in dreams, that the line was, in fact, the border that separates night from day, and as it moved forward, the night was coming on, shifting the sky and the sea as one in its passage inexorably towards us.

"What is that?" I asked Jacob, my voice calm, curious. The line of night was licking the surf and edging onto the sand. Jacob looked around, "What?"

"That," I said, pointing.

He finally saw the darkness, and instantly grabbed my hand and started to drag me away.

"Run, Bella!" he cried. "We have to run!"

"Why?" I asked, unsure what he was suddenly so concerned. I went along with him, but I was not quick to adopt his worry. The darkness seemed to hurry as we did, as though even if we ran, it matched pace with us and yet still crept ever closer. We were heading for the woods, and something about it seemed sort of ominous to me, sort of like entering the woods that night had been.

"Go, Bella!" Jacob all but screamed, the night catching up with us as he pushed me through the tree line. The night passed all around us, time slowing for the instant it took to cross us. Then, it sped past us all at once, and it was night in full. I passed the trees, but rather than running, I put a tree between me and the beach and put my back to it. Why wasn't Jacob coming? Why did he stay on the beach?

"Bella."

I knew that voice. I felt like I would answer that voice, turn towards it, even if I were asleep. I felt almost as though it might stir me even in death.

I turned my attention back towards the woods and he was there. He was dressed in a nice modern suit, all in black and fitted, which suited him but still seemed at odds with him somehow. His pale skin shown in the night, as though in moonlight that fell on him alone. His hair was an eye drawing flair of copper and his dark eyes were the darkest I had ever seen them, his iris wide and his sclera all but a thin line. And yet those eyes seemed to reflect the light from every star in the sky, shining like globes of night. He smiled, and pronounced canines pressed into his full lower lip, their press giving evidence of how soft those lips were.

"Edward," I sighed, and something seemed to softening to me, as thought righting something I hadn't know was out of order, fitting a piece of me back into place that I hadn't known was missing.

"I missed you," he said, and I felt myself pink in pleasure.

"I missed you too," I said beginning to walk closer to him as he walked closer to me. Before I could even consider what I was really doing, we stood toe to toe, and he stepped even closer, his hands coming up and taking my forearms in a way that made me feel supported and yet also possessed in a way that I realized I liked. It felt right to be here, to be so close to him. I didn't mind that his hands were so cold again my skin or that I felt no pulse of life within his flesh.

One of those hands let go of me, passing upwards towards my face. I felt a cold and smooth thumb press at my lower lip, and I felt my knees weaken and my body go pliant under his touch.

"Can I…" he said, his eyes heavy-lidded, "have a taste?"

My shiver had less to do with the coolness of him and everything to do with the closeness, the intonation and intention of his words. I couldn't speak, and felt myself nod.

He leaned in, bowing towards me, and I felt my eyes flutter shut. And the moment I expected his lips to land, they did, upon the curve of my neck.

I gasped, but did not pull away. The sensation was so intense, his soft lips, the lingering of cool moisture, the hint of hard teeth behind his soft and languid kisses. Soon, I was entirely within his arms, his fathomless strength holding me up and to him. I couldn't think to know what would happen next, but I couldn't find it in myself to mind.

The trees around us shook as suddenly something passed them, slamming in between them, bringing a wash of sand in its speeding wake. Edward quickly and carefully propped me against the tree and turned his back to me, placing himself between me and it.

I wasn't entirely sure what it was. It was four legged and massive, but in the dark night, it could have been a bear or a massive wolf or mutant cougar or some other nightmarish monster I have yet to see or name. It growled a low, vicious sound and Edward made a sharp spitting, hissing sound. The two clashed violently, and rolled towards the woods away from me.

"No!" I cried, finding my feet and charging after them. "No! Don't hurt him!"

I reached out a hand, stepped further, and promptly fell out of bed.

I hit the floor with a muted thump. I should have hit harder, but my blanket was bunched under me and muffled the sound and the impact. My sheet was twisted about my torso, and as I groggily stood, I disentangled myself. Still shaking, I put my bedding back upon my bed and went to the bathroom to get a sip of water. Running water into my cupped hand, I drank a few gulps down. I lingered, leave my water cooled fingers pressed to my lips, my eyes closed, before drawing them down the edge of my neck. Drying my hand I walked back towards my bed. Standing in the center of my room, I turned and looked to my window. It was dark and empty beyond it. I curled back into bed, wondering what would have happened if that thing hadn't interrupted Edward and wondering what I wanted to have happened and if they were the same thing.

I slept in the next day. Charlie gave me a weird look when I came downstairs for food after ten, obviously having just gotten up.

"Late night?" he asked me wearily.

"I didn't sleep very well," I said honestly. "I didn't really get to bed until nearly two."

"Hmm," he grunted. "Are you getting sick? Did something happen?"

"I'm fine, Dad," I said, smiling indulgently at him.

He looked closer at me, "Are you sure? There's… I don't know. Just something about you."

"What?" I asked, feigning worried. "Is it my hair?"

He sighed and said flatly, "Ha ha. You're so funny. Ho ho."

I smiled and started making pancakes for myself.

"Okay," he said. "Now I know something is up."

"What?" I asked.

"I remember how adamant you were about pancakes," he said. "Pancakes were special and for special occasions only. You practically cried about it that one time I suggest you get some at the Diner."

I remembered that too. I hadn't even thought about it. The last time I had made pancakes was for my mother, the day after she told me Phil proposed. What was a convincing lie? Was there a reason to lie? I mean, it wasn't like I could talk about anything that was going on with me and Edward. Aside from possibly locking me up because he thought I might be crazy, if I told him that I might be dating, there was a chance that I might get locked up for entirely different reasons, given the keys and the mace and such. So, I just told him the truth.

"I just felt like pancakes," I said, measuring out ingredients. "You want any?"

"Sure," he said. He moved to the stool at the counter with his coffee, watching me intently. I decided I should have kept my big mouth shut.

"So," he said, "still planning on going out of town next weekend?"

I came up short. Right. Was I? I mean, I know a lot of girls go all out, with the hair and everything, taking hours to get ready, and that really wasn't me. But also, I was going with Edward, and I could use all the help I could get. Maybe Angela or Jessica would help me with makeup. Maybe I should just go to Seattle on Saturday and not come home until after the dance was over.

"I am not sure," I said honestly.

He smiled, "Really? Why is that?"

Crap. That last thing I needed was Charlie starting to poke his nose in.

"I, huh…" I said. "I'm not sure about the truck."

He looked concerned, "What's wrong with the truck?"

"Nothing," I said quickly. "I mean, nothing yet. I just, I haven't taken it that far before. I'd hate to get halfway to Seattle and have it break down on me. I might need to get it looked at first."

He smiled, "Uh huh. You know that it would be expensive to give it a tune up in town."

"Oh," I said. "I don't think I know anyone who knows anything about cars."

"Hmm," Charlie mused, and something about his words made me think he was up to something or maybe thought I was up to something. I wasn't sure.

"I know someone you might be able to ask," he said.

I tested the heated pan and kept stirring batter.

"Oh?" I asked. "Who?"

"Do you remember Jacob Black?" he asked, a knowing look on his face.

I sighed, "So, you talked to Billy?"

He looked instantly affronted, "I- No. What?"

I shook my head, "You're a worse liar than I am, Dad."

Charlie looked rather sheepish.

"Oh, alright," he said. "I may have been there when I helped Billy home and he asked Jacob why he was in such a good mood. Wasn't hard to figure out."

"Good mood?" I asked, dolloping batter down.

"Oh no," said Charlie. "I am not going to do that. You want to know, you talk to Jacob."

I considered, "Okay. What does that have to do with my truck though?"

He grinned, "Who do you think took care of it?"

I frowned, "Jacob?"

"Yeah," said Charlie. "The kid is good with mechanics. He is working on his own car, pulled an old junker from the yard and has been working it up into something drivable. May even getting it running by the time he turns sixteen."

"Wow," I said, sounding impressed. "That's pretty cool."

"So," he said. "There you go. If you want to tune up, Jacob's your man. So to speak."

I gave Charlie a teasing smile, "I don't know, Dad. Jake is pretty cute."

He gave me a pained look, "Don't do that."

"Maybe he can take me on a long drive afterword," I said meaningfully. "Then we can find some place to… park."

"You will do no such thing," he said, his tone making it hard to tell how serious he was. "I won't have you corrupting that young man. Jacob is a good boy."

I laughed, "Jeez Dad, relax. I am not going to do any corrupting. It isn't exactly like… well…"

He gave me a look, "Do I want you to finish that sentence?"

"Ugh, fine," I said in discomfort. "I have never even kissed a boy, Dad. So, yeah, no corruption here."

There was a long pause. I flipped pancakes.

"Well," Charlie said. "Jacob wouldn't be the worst-"

"Dad!" I exclaimed. "I do not need dating advice!"

"I'm just saying," he started, defensive.

"Out!" I said. "You can come back when they're done. Out!"

Charlie walked off towards the living room, muttering something about it being his kitchen after all. I kept cooking.

I didn't need to have my truck looked after. I only really needed the excuse to not go and change my plans last minute. That way, I wouldn't have to sit back and have Charlie nitpick and badger me about the dance or my date from now until Saturday. I could work with this.

The pancakes turned out quite well. The rest of Sunday was good too. I finished up my usual chores, finished up the last of my homework, and had a conversation with Jess. We made plans for the following night to head into Port Angeles with Angela and, sigh, Lauren to look at dresses. I asked her if she can help me out with makeup, and she got so giggly and excited, I immediately had second thoughts. She said to come over to her place directly after school and that we would work on a look before making final decisions once we knew important details like what dress I would be wearing and such. I made her swear up and down like five times that she would not treat me like a life-sized doll, and she agreed.

Monday morning couldn't have come soon enough. When I woke, I was surprised by just how clear and sunny it was. Sunlight literally beamed through my window, waking me early as soon as it cleared the trees. I bumped into Charlie before he left for the day.

"Morning Bells," he said. "You seem chipper, and early. What gives?"

"I swear," I said, "am I going to get the twenty questions every time I do something different?"

"Probably," he said.

"It's a nice day," I pointed out, "and sunny."

And I got to go back to school today. Being excited to be back at school should be against the rules or something, but I was.

I packed up and drove in early, having nothing else to do. I was sitting there, waiting at a set of picnic benches, trying not to think about who I was waiting for and why, when someone approached me.

I turned around at the noise before I could check how eager I was.

"Oh," I said, feeling my face fall. "Hey Mike."

"Hey," he said. He was actually wearing shorts.

"How are you doing?" he asked, sitting across from me.

"Fine," I said. He looked a little put out.

"Were you expecting someone?" he asked.

"No," I said, looking at the parking lot. No silver Volvo.

"Not especially," I added.

"Cool," he said. "Do you have any plans tonight?"

"Yes," I said, "I do, actually."

"Oh," he said. "Hey, what about tomorrow night?"

"Why?" I asked, a sinking sort of suspicion filling me.

He seemed a little bit flustered at how direct my questions were.

"I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go out," he said, a bit lamely.

I stared at him.

"It doesn't have to be like a date," he backpedaled. "Just… you know, get a burger and all of that."

For a moment, I really wanted to judge Mike. It would have been super easy to sit back and just think he was being a jerk. But I knew one thing for sure. People don't see when they are being a jerk. They really can't see it. People don't wake up, and see the options of being a jerk or being a decent human being and choose jerk. Mike couldn't see what he was doing wrong. He was just doing the best he could with what was in front of him, unable to see any other good option.

"No," I said. "Thank you."

He looked a little hurt and more confused.

"What?" he almost heckled in defiance. "Why not?"

I shrugged, keeping my expression pleasant.

"I don't owe you an explanation, Mike," I said lightly but not carelessly. "You asked, and I answered."

"But…" he began, and I looked at him, in his eyes.

"Michael," I said firmly. "I understand why you are upset. I know you wanted this to go a different way, but I have a right to make my own decisions. And I have. I am not going to change my mind. That's just not the type of girl that I am. This is my choice. You would be much better off accepting it than trying to change it."

He looked taken aback.

"Fine," he said, shortly.

He stood up. He looked around, as if trying to find something, somewhere to go, something to say.

I sighed, "Hey, Mike."

He came up short, "What?"

"I shouldn't be telling you this," I said. "So, if you repeat it, I will deny it."

He looked confused, "Okay…"

I shook my head, "Where you paying attention at all on Saturday?"

"Yeah," he said. "You got to my parents shop towards-"

"Not me, Mike," I said.

He looked even more confused, "What do you mean?"

"What did you do?" I asked.

He shook his head, "I spent the day at the beach with you."

"No you didn't," I said. "I spent most of my time with Angela."

"Yeah," he said, "And I spent most of my time with Jess. So?"

I raised an eyebrow at him.

His expression went from confusion to dismay to speculation to doubt.

"No," he said in disbelief. "No. Jess and I dated last year. We broke up. She wouldn't want to date me again."

I turned my attention back to my spiral notebook. I hadn't realized I had been sketching. Two dark eyes stared back at me. Turned the notebook over as I said, "And who asked who to the dance?"

He stared at me for a long moment.

"What?" he stammered, still in disbelief. "No. Really?"

I sighed, and said meaningfully, "I don't know what you are talking about, because I didn't say anything."

Mike walked away without saying another word. The boy was nice, but so very dense. And blind.

I waited there until the bell rang. To my dismay, there was no silver Volvo at all. I kept an eye out in the hall, and nothing. By lunch, I was practically frantic. Once in the cafeteria, my fears were confirmed. The Cullens were not at school. Jessica and I stood in the line, and I tried to sound interested and not stare at the empty table, untouched even in their absence.

"Bella," Jessica complained, "aren't you listening?"

"Huh?" I said, turning back. "I'm sorry, what?"

"It's okay," she said. "They don't come to school when the weather is nice. They camp or whatever. It happens all the time. He isn't moving across the country and never speaking to you again. It's okay. Didn't he tell you he would be out of school?"

I thought about it, "He said he wasn't going to be here Friday, but I didn't think he meant he wouldn't be back on Monday."

"Well," she said, "he'll be back. I mean, he has to be back before Saturday. He couldn't possibly make you miss the dance."

I shook my head, "I'm okay. I just need to not dwell. You know? Keep my mind off of it. Thank goodness for the girls night tonight."

Jess gave me an unsurprised look, "Yeah, you really weren't paying attention."

"Huh?" I questioned. "What?"

"Mike asked me out tonight," she said. "He wants to get a burger and hang out. I didn't think he was really all that interested after Saturday, but he can surprise you. Are you free to reschedule tomorrow?"

I sighed, "I guess. I don't really have plans outside of homework on weekdays. I really should get a job or something."

There really was only one bright side to the rest of the day. Lauren, as it turned out, had plans with friends Tuesday that she couldn't break and wouldn't be able to make it. So, it would just be me, Jessica and Angela going the next day. Getting through the rest of the day was not fun. Getting through the evening was even less fun. I spent some time laying out on a blanket in the backyard soaking up as much sun as I could. And it didn't matter; no matter what I did, whether it was homework, reading, or just laying on the blanket with my eyes closed, I couldn't help but think of Edward. Where was he? Was he really of enjoying the nice weather? Somehow, I didn't believe that. But, if he really was a vampire, how could he come out during the day? How could I get a hold of him? I was utterly convinced that he had to be at school the next day. And if he wasn't, I would seriously consider tracking him down on Wednesday.

Alas, he was not as school Tuesday. Again, no silver Volvo, not Cullens in the cafeteria, only an empty seat in Biology. I almost hoped that he would be there after school in the parking lot, awaiting, even though he hadn't been there all day. I was about ready to call off the Port Angeles trip to go looking, but Jess talked me down.

"Come on," she said. "We have a little time. I'll follow you home, then drive you to my place. Angela will meet us there. It is close enough that she can walk from her place. We will do makeup and girly things and then go dress shopping and not talk about he who shall not be named."

I stared at her, "I thought you didn't read."

She looked confused.

"Never mind," I said. "Okay. Let's go."

By the time we got to Jess's house after swinging by mine, leaving a note for Charlie and getting my money, I was feeling pretty distracted. We ended up in Jess's bathroom, which I was pretty sure was the only one in the house. But it was huge and done over in such a way that I felt anyone could have gotten ready for anything in that bathroom and had whatever product they needed. The counters and shelves were lined with bottles and sprays and hair and makeup implements.

Jessica had this getting dressed up thing down to a science. Makeup had to match shoes or the dress but not both. Hair had to compliment the dress shape. Nothing too formal outside of prom. No more than two colors in a dress, and makeup had to match the color furthest from your face. Halter dresses were not for the flat of chest, but after eyeing me into a fit of embarrassment, she said she thought I could pull it off if I wanted. She also thought I could get away with a dress with a fitted bodice, whatever that was. But after talking it over with her, we concluded that simplicity was our best bet. We would look for a simple, one color dress, something in a blue or purple, that would work with the sensible dark dress shoes I had. Jess was showing me what she could do with eyeshadow, and I had one purple eyelid and one blue one when Angela arrived.

She was really supportive, but in the end, I put my foot down.

"I appreciate the advice, Jess," I said, "I really do, but this just isn't me. I don't want to completely cover my face with foundation and gobs of eyeliner and shadow and everything. I just want to do something simple. Tasteful. Like, I don't want anyone to see that I am wearing makeup, you know. I want to make my natural colors and just sort of accent what is there. Can we do that?"

Jessica looked disappointed, but we spent the last few minutes before we had to leave trying some tamer shades and I found one I liked. I consented to a little mascara and just a bit of blush and a nude lipstick, and the effect was actually really nice.

"Wow," said Jess and even Angela looked more than just supportive. "You look really good."

I went to go wipe it off but Jess stopped me.

"No," she said. "We can see what it looks like with the dress. It will work better that way."

I sighed, "Okay, fine, but I am not keeping it on one second longer than I have to."

We all piled into Jessica's Mercury and were on the road shortly.

"So," I said, realizing that my day had pretty much been filled with hoping that he would suddenly appear and little else, "how was your date with Mike?"

Jessica blushed just a bit.

"Umm," she said, obviously downplaying it so that I would draw it out of her, "It was…. nice."

"Nice?" I obliged her. "It was nice?"

"He… uh…" she said, getting all smiley, "he kissed me."

I glanced at Angela, who looked willing to listen and be happy for her friend but didn't look like the conversation was doing much for her.

"Yay, girl," I said in solidarity. "Congratulations."

She got a bit of a dream look in her eyes, and smiled, "Yeah. That was the one thing Mike and I never had any problems with. The boy can kiss!"

Angela started to look a little uncomfortable, and I shared her feelings. I suddenly realized a huge oversight on my part.

"Oh, jeez, Ang," I said, aghast. "I don't even know who you are taking to the dance."

She smiled, "That's okay. I'm going with Ben."

"You're going with Ben Chaney?" asked Jessica, sounding totally nonplussed and I gave her a look.

"That's great," I chimed in.

"I know," said Angela, catching Jessica's tone. "He's a little shorter than me."

Ben was only a little taller than me. Angela was almost a foot taller than I was.

"He's a great guy," said Angela, and she too got a bit of a dreamy look in her eyes, but it was an entirely different sort than Jessica's. It made me feel wobbly and like I did when I thought about Edward's smile or the way he had made me feel safe.

"I'm happy for you," I said, adding, "the both of you."

"What about you and Edward?" asked Jessica.

"Jess," said Angela, as reproachfully as Angela ever got, which as to say almost not at all reproachful.

"Are you two dating?" she asked.

"Jess," I said. "I haven't seen him since the day he agreed to go to the dance with me. Nothing new has happened since the last time we talked about him. What makes you think we are dating?"

"I'm just asking," said Jessica. "You two haven't made, say plans for prom yet?"

I started at her like she had just started speaking in tongues, "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing," said Jessica, sounding like she had given too much away.

"What?" I asked.

Jessica and Angela exchanged a look.

"She asked," said Angela.

"You tell her," said Jessica.

"Tell me what?" I asked.

Angela sighed, "Tyler said that he was taking you to Prom."

"He what?!" I cried. Jessica managed to stay in our lane.

"I told you it wasn't true," said Angela.

"Well, of course it wasn't true," said Jessica. "She is going to the Spring Formal with Edward Frickin' Cullen! No one in their right mind thinks that she will turn around and go to Prom with Tyler after that."

"Wait," I stammered, "is that why Lauren doesn't like me?"

"Wow," said Jessica. "I guess we don't need to explain it to her."

"I wish someone would explain it to her," I sighed bitterly. "I am not going to Prom with Tyler. I never said I would got to Prom period. I have no interest in Tyler. If she wants him, she can have it."

"Mad much?" asked Jessica.

"I don't like liars," I said. "Especially when those lies get me treated poorly by people who believe them. It's not fair."

Angela was sitting in the back. She put a hand on my shoulder.

"You're angry," she pointed out, simply.

I sighed. She was right. And it wasn't helping anything.

"I'll talk to Lauren tomorrow," I said.

"I wouldn't do that," said Jessica. "That is just going to make things worse."

I sighed again, not sure what to do.

"You'll figure something out," said Angela. "It'll be okay."

I squeezed her hand, thankful.

As we pulled out of the city limits, and felt myself swell. I was glad to be out of town with my friends. I just hoped the distractions could remain throughout the night.