Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight.

AN: Was supposed to get this out yesterday but fanfiction did not want to work with my apple mac. So I'm posting today instead. I'm going to stop apologising for not posting regular because I'm stressing myself out trying to stick to my schedule for posting this. I'm hoping that in being more relaxed about it, I can motivate myself into writing more and hopefully I can increase the time between posting. I'm really bad at doing shout outs for reviewers or generally acknowledging them - mostly because I have a terrible memory - but I'd like to thank all those who have reviewed this story. It gives me hope to continue. ~ Hannah

Chapter Thirty-Three – Planning the Music Video

I was performing in my music class today. I'd been up all night sewing the finishing touches on my costume. Bella had helped motivate me which I appreciated. I was wearing a bright red tea dress with cap sleeves, buttons down the front and a tight waist ribbon. I'd embroidered the collar of the dress with small flowers and done the same along the bottom of the dress. It seemed like a lot of hard work for one song but we'd been asked to dress the part of the song we had chosen to sing. It was all about presentation, or so our teacher said.

I was the third to perform that morning and I was thankful that I didn't share this class with Marco because I didn't think I could take his staring at me while I sang.

'When marimba rhythms start to play

Dance with me, make me sway.'

That's right, I'd decided to sing 'Sway' by Rosemary Clooney. Originally I was going to sing something more modern but as I thought about it and listened to what others in the class were going to do, I had changed my plan. I didn't want to be the same as everyone else so I'd jumped out of my box and decided on an era I didn't think anyone else would have picked and looking around at the other costumes I saw, I had been right in my assumption.

'When we dance, you have a way with me,

Stay with me, sway with me.'

I was trying to channel that 1940s-sexy seductress vibe but I'm not entirely sure I was convincing. My teacher was smiling in my direction so that was a point in my favour and several people in the class were swaying with the beat of the music so I didn't feel like I was completely failing in my interpretation of the song.

'Quien sere el que me de su amor

Quien sera, quien sera.'

I had been most worried about those lines, knowing that my experience with languages wasn't the best. I'd been practicing those four lines at all hours of the day, driving both Dad and Bella up the wall but it seemed to have paid off in the end. Even though I was worried about them, I delivered them without any problems.

I was given a round of applause when I finished the song and sat in my seat happily until the end of the class. The teacher held each of us that sang back from the class so she could offer her own comments on our performance. I had the unique opportunity of being the last to be reviewed by the teacher, meaning I was last in the room and no one could overhear.

"I'm actually pleasantly surprised by your performance Ella."

"How so?"

"Well, you have been the only student so far to have got the meaning of the assignment. I asked you all to pick a song that you could make your own. I asked you to step out of the box and embody something different. You did that in picking your song, making your costume and putting emphasis on 1940s sirens. Everyone else so far has picked a current song and put minimal effort into it."

"I enjoy stepping out of my box and I always give one hundred percent in anything I do. I don't see the point in doing something half hearted."

"I've heard great things from your other teachers Ella. You are a very talented young lady. I can't wait to see what your group produces for the music video. Have you made any progress with that?"

"A little. Of course, there have been clashes between the three of us but we are just starting to put down some good chords. We have a meeting this afternoon so hopefully we'll get more ideas down on paper."

The teacher nodded and I was dismissed. I was slowly getting used to how happy the camp leaders/teachers were here. At least they all weren't overly bubbly like the woman who welcomed me at the beginning of camp.

After meeting Sophie at the grocery store, you could say I was extra aware of how my behaviour towards Marco affected those around me. I was surprised to note that it wasn't just Sophie who seemed unnerved by our constant bickering. I did feel a little guilty for the tension I'd created within Red Group, I of course, wasn't completely to blame but I could take control of my actions so that I didn't cause more drama.

We three, Marco, Sophie and myself were sitting on a circular picnic table on the camp grounds, discussing plans for our music video. We still hadn't started on our lyrics yet but we had laid some ground work on some chords of music. We had thought to write the song first and then plan the music video but with our musical writing coming along slowly we thought of trying it the other way around.

In a way, I was starting to regret the group I'd been assigned for the music video. Sophie was sweet enough but hadn't exactly exerted herself. Marco was Marco. I just didn't feel we meshed together well as a working group, even if we did put aside our differences because we just seemed too different.

I didn't want to be the one to cause more drama and ask for a group swap, however, so I would hold my head high and continue despite how I was feeling. I wanted the finished project to be a good representation of the three of us.

I was a shout of our three voices talking over each other and trying to get our points across that started my headache. In the end, I opted to sit back and watch as Marco and Sophie argued between themselves over what we should do for the video.

"I agree with Sophie's idea," I said in the end.

Marco glared at me but I ignored him.

"Sorry but a fun summer party themed video sounds more exciting than your idea about making it dark and creepy. We want to wow the camp leaders not make them shudder and wonder about our mental health."

"No, we want to stand out of the box. Making a haunting and dark video will do that."

"Well it's two against one Marco. We already laid down some upbeat chords and those just don't go with the theme you're suggesting. I don't want to have to start from scratch on a song that we're finding hard anyway and I don't think Sophie does either."

"Ella right, I don't. Look we've heard everyone's ideas and this one just works best."

"You're just saying that because it's your idea," grumbled Marco.

"It's not my idea and I'm still backing it," I replied.

"Girls always stick together."

"Are you going to be a grump over this because that would make for a bad working environment."

Marco grumbled something that I'm sure was an insult towards women before he shook his head in the negative.

"Fine, I'll leave the creative video planning to you girls but could I at least pick what our song is about?"

After a quick look to Sophie, we both nodded.

"What ideas do you have?" I asked.

"Well since I'm doomed to be outnumbered by two girls, I already have a feeling that my masculinity is going to be sacrificed."

"Just get on with it."

"What about a song about Exs? I mean most songs are written about love or broken love. We could make it an upbeat song about moving on from an ex, right Ella."

I glared at his implied tone of voice. He looked triumphant and that didn't sit well with me.

"That could work quite well and we could still use our summer party theme," said Sophie.

"You could channel your feelings for your boyfriend Ella," said Marco.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I just meant that he's away for the whole summer and that's got to be difficult for you. It's practically like he doesn't exist at all. With you singing lead vocals, if you put your…anger at his disappearance behind whatever lyrics we come up with, it could make for quite an explosive song."

"You misunderstand, I love my boyfriend."

"Maybe, for now…"

"Alright, let's move on. We made some good progress today. I think we have a solid base for what we're going to create and we have the time frame to do it justice."

Thank God for the saving grace of Sophie. Whether she acted because she was uncomfortable or she sensed I was one step away from thumping Marco, I care not. I only care that she defused the situation.

Sometimes I wished I had supernatural powers so that I could throttle people like Marco. To them, only their own opinion mattered. It was clear that he thought Edward was a waste of space but I didn't know whether his words were just talk or whether he wanted me for himself. It was all a little confusing really.

Despite the annoyance of Marco, I managed to have a pretty good afternoon. I wished that Sophie lived near Forks because she was a friend worth keeping. Unfortunately, from what I gathered because she didn't talk much about her home, she lived a long way away, far too long to visit at any rate.

It sucked because I loved making new friends but I was terrible at keeping them when I didn't see them all the time. I'd make a terrible pen pal that's for sure!

I felt ill at ease while driving home from camp. There was something playing on my mind but I couldn't pin point what that something was. I was driving to the Cullen house, not home because Bella had insisted I spend time with Rose and Emmett. I think she felt obligated to please me, like spending time with them would fill the gap they'd left in my heart. I think she was hoping that their appearance would mean the others would be returning soon. I know she worried about me and she alone knew how much I missed Edward.

It was like some unseeing eyes were following me where I moved. It sounds silly and I couldn't explain it properly. It was like feeling that the monsters in the corner of your eye were coming alive and wandering the streets looking for prey.

I knew I wasn't feeling paranoid from the way the hairs on the back of my neck rose as I stepped out of my car at the Cullen's home. I knew someone was watching me but I didn't know who they were or where they were watching. I knew I wasn't crazy, it was like I could feel the breath of my follower on my cheek.

My head felt heavy like it was weighed down with something. I felt like those reports you read about people getting drugged, my head didn't make sense. Maybe there was something wrong with me but I didn't feel dehydrated and I couldn't remember accepting anything from a stranger.

It felt like something was pulling my mind towards something unknown. I didn't know what it was but it was like I had to get to it or else something terrible would happen. It was a foreign thought and one I actively fought against. Once I made it to the Cullen's front door I was a shaking mess of nerves and panting against the force against my brain.

The door swung open and for a split second I thought an enemy stood before me and not the sweet worried face of Rose.

"Ella, what happened? What's wrong? You're burning up. Emmett!"

I felt someone with strong arms pick me up and carry me through the house. It was Emmett because I could see Rose hovering protectively over me.

"Get an ice pack," said Rose as Emmett set me down on the sofa.

"Rose I don't feel so good," I said.

"It's ok sweetie, we'll sort you out. What happened?"

"Something is pressing on my brain."

"Awh you have a headache? I'll get you some paracetamols."

"NO!"

I had to tell her but my mind was playing tricks on me. I couldn't tell what was real and what was just pain inside my head. I gripped Rose's wrist with strength I shouldn't have for a mere human.

There was something in my mind, controlling me. I could feel it.

"Rose."

"How are you doing that? Emmett get in here."

"There's something in my mind…"

I heard dialling, someone was dialling a number.

It was like a switch was flicked in my brain. The presence withdrew but I wish I knew why. The release of pressure on my brain was like a snap of the fingers for my conscious sending me into the darkness.

"Ella, Ella can you hear me? Wake up for us sweetie."

I woke feeling refreshed and pushing the blanket off me, sat up and looked around the Cullen home. My gaze rested upon the worried faces of Rose and Emmett.

"Did something happen? Is it Edward? Is everyone alright?" I asked.

"Sweetie do you not remember what happened?"

"What do you mean? I was tired when I got here so you said I could have a nap. Why do you look so concerned?"

"You don't remember being in pain?" asked Emmett.

"Of course not. I think I'd remember that. Are you playing a trick on me? Guys I'm fine, I just needed some sleep."

Rose and Emmett exchanged a look but one I didn't understand. I couldn't tell if they were teasing me or not. I had no idea what they were going on about. I remembered feeling sleepy in the car journey to the Cullen's so asked Rose if I could have a nap before anything else. Why would they be worried for me when they knew I was having nap. Silly vampires.

"If you're sure you're alright. Alice said hi," said Rose.

"Awh I missed Alice calling? Why didn't you wake me?"

"You needed your sleep didn't you," challenged Emmett.

"Ok…are you both finished with acting so weird?"

"She called us weird Rose!"

"Sorry…"

"If you want Rose to cook you some nice Italian food you have to apologise for calling us weird."

"I just did Emmett."

"I'm sorry I didn't hear you," he said while pretending to pout.

I grumbled annoyed at Emmett's childish behaviour.

"Fine. Oh, wonderful, strong King Emmett, won't you please accept my most humble apology for calling you weird when you are actually the most amazing in all the land."

"See Rose, told you she likes me best!"

"You're terrible."

I still got my Italian dinner so I wasn't complaining.