My Sunday was spent relaxing with Edward, and he left early on Monday morning to go home and change. Angela had very thoughtfully texted me mid-afternoon on Sunday, asking whether I would like a ride to school in the morning. I figured it would be a good time to catch up with her, and she – unlike Edward – wouldn't be able to detect just how terrified I was in cars. While I waited outside in the rain, I studied the damp greenery around me.

I had never truly loved Forks, but now it had become the location of some of the most critical events in my life. The endless green I had viewed before seemed more like a spectrum of life, and the rain was something that brought movement, freshness, and energy to the quiet town. Yesterday Edward had described the growth of the trees, or the fall of giants that he had noticed upon his return to Forks. He had been open and honest, describing scenery, houses, and even people (like Angela's grandfather). I had asked him if he knew any of Jacob's family, as his people had lived here for generations.

"I did know his grandfather yes." He answered carefully. "And a few of the other young males you've described sound like descendants of individuals I knew. But the elders of the Quileute tribe didn't trust our kind. They knew what we were and preferred we keep our distance, and a pact of secrecy." His eyes glazed over, before he changed the subject with a smile. "You know… there are less wolves around Forks now I think of it."

I had decided not to push him on the subject. Although Edward didn't seem the type to usually blend with people, I wondered if he did feel connected to some of them. He was in their brains so often that perhaps, even stoic as he was, he did get attached. I had slipped into daydreams about my future, if I were to become like Edward, and having to say goodbye to my parents. Renee would be okay – she had Phil now, and he was doing a stand up job of taking care of her, but Charlie… he'd been on his own for so long, that I wondered if he could ever find happiness. A wave had interrupted my thought stream.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Charlie." I answered honestly. "I wonder if he'll be obliging of my plans to head to La Push."

Edward frowned.

"Why wouldn't he be?"

"I've only been back really for one night."

"Well he should be alright with it. He seems to have a particular fondness for Jacob."

"Jacob and I grew up together during the summers I spent here." I had reminded Edward.

"To see you then… would have been fascinating. Perhaps one day I'll ask him about you as a child. See some of his favourite memories of you."

"Oh god please don't." I hadn't managed to shake the blush after that. Thinking about being embarrassing as a child, running around naked in the summer, my million accidents. I needed none of that in Edward's nearly infallible memory.

A flash of headlights brought me back to the present. Angela had pulled up on my driveway. I waved to her and made my way awkwardly to the car, bumping into the side mirror as I rounded the door.

"Good morning!" I smiled at her, when I got in. I buckled my seatbelt instantly, and began to think desperately about anything other than being driven somewhere. She talked very loudly about Ben, and how close they'd gotten in my absence.

"I hope you don't mind that he sits with us now at lunch?" she asked, worried, as I'd been quite quiet.

"Not at all Angela." I smiled reassuringly, trying to unclasp my hand from the seatbelt and relax a little. "I'm really happy you found someone too."

We were quiet for the rest of the trip, until we pulled into the school and headed to our first class. We only had a few more weeks of school, and so I shouldn't have been surprised, but I still was absolutely confused by Angela's next question.

"Are you coming to -" I missed the last word. I blinked at her.

Prom. She fingerspelled. I still blinked at her. Finally she spun me around and pointed to a cheesy looking poster, which listed the upcoming date, the word 'PROM' spelled out very largely and clearly.

"Oh." I said, slightly shocked. "I guess I hadn't really thought about it. I don't really do music, so I don't really do dances. Plus, in my old school, only the graduating class went to prom."

Angela's eyes widened and she laughed a little. "I guess that makes sense if your school is large enough. But ours isn't, so we all get to go every year."

"Well I'm not really a fan of dancing to music I can't hear. Plus it gets dark, and I can't read anyone anymore." I muttered at her. She nodded understanding.

"I guess it would be sort of like being blind and deaf." She mused. Some people just really got it. I smiled at her, and looked around, out into the pouring rain of the Forks High parking lot. Edward's car pulled into the school, his family loaded in as usual. I waved shyly back at an enthusiastic Alice. Angela tapped me on the shoulder.

"Bell." She said, indicating the direction towards class. Half of me wondered if I should wait for Edward, but regardless, I'd see him at lunch, and I did not want to be late on my first day back in ages.

School was school. I got asked the same few questions in each class, mostly by the teachers who didn't converse or care to listen to the student body already passing around the information. I bumped into Edward between almost every class, and he actually suggested we sit with Angela and Ben (where we were then joined by an enchanted looking Jessica and an annoyed looking Mike). The day went by very normally. Having both Edward and Angela in on my secret, I was hardly lost in the conversation. One of them would catch me up if I missed even the slightest thing. It was refreshingly fun. I felt almost normal.

I told Edward that I was going to see Jacob after school, especially since Angela had agreed to be my ride there.

"And how will you be returning?" he asked casually.

"Please. Charlie will more than likely be there anyway. Jacob has a car, Billy has a car…" I began to list.

"Alright, I understand!" he chuckled. "I'll be there when you get back."

"I would have been surprised if you weren't. But please, don't wait around for me. Go hunting or something."

"Perhaps." Edward smiled.

I kissed him chastely before I followed Angela to my afternoon classes. The rest of my school day was much like the first half, except that I didn't have to participate during gym. I wondered if I could get Carlisle to keep wrapping my wrist even without injury. Any excuse for getting out of gym.

Angela and I got into her car at the end of the day and I began directing her to Jacob's house in La Push. Her uncertainty with the destination made her a little more cautious than normal, and it helped slightly with my nerves that she was driving so slowly. As soon as she pulled up I thanked her, and she took off again. I knew that unlike last time, this time Jacob had no idea I was coming – Angela's car was much quieter than my awful tank of a truck.

I waved Angela away, and walked slowly towards the familiar front door. I knocked, what I hoped was loudly, and waited. Billy answered the door, awkwardly and slowly. He looked more shocked than happy.

"Bella!" he cried. "How you doing kiddo? Here to see Jake?" he asked.

"Yeah. He around?"

"You beat him home." He started, while backing into the hallway so I could step in out of the cold. "I'm actually glad you're here. I'd like to talk with you."

My breath caught as I looked at him. I remained silent, waiting for the conversation to continue.

"You've been spending a lot of time with the Cullen's lately."

"Yes." I interrupted, unphased. This seemed like a continuation of the conversation that I had asked Jacob to drop. Apparently either Billy hadn't gotten the message I'd sent along with Jake, or he wasn't as eager to quit testing boundaries.

"I don't think you realise the extent of how dangerous they are."

"I don't think you realise the extent of their self control and compassion." I retorted. "Trust me when I say I am fully aware how dangerous you think they are, hypothetically speaking of course. You have nothing to worry about. They've saved my life far more times than they've threatened it."

For a moment I thought I had the winning ground, but I could see his eyes glinting dangerously.

"And how do you think Charlie would feel if he knew the truth about your situation?" his booming voice was heavy and rumbling, like the growl of a large animal. I could see him being very intimidating in his prime. Hell he was still intimidating now. This time though, I did have the upper ground.

"From what I understand, you and Charlie nearly fell out permanently the last time you brought the Cullens up to him. Something about the res kids not going to the hospital anymore? You really want to re-open that wound?" I signed the word 'wound', as it was a physical representation of a gouge into the flesh. I wasn't much for psychology, but there were some signs that made an impact on people. I saw Billy's chest heave with a torrential sigh. The fight, if not won, was at least a draw for now.

"Jacob will be home soon." He turned away, and I just caught the word 'garage'.

"I'll wait for him there then." I said, backing away. I paused a moment. "Thank you for being concerned Billy. But I promise you, I'm safe."

I only saw the back of his head shake slightly as he rounded a corner. I bit my lip as I turned around, closing the door after me. I headed into Jacob's garage. His car was there, and I decided to wait inside the shelter, just in case it rained more. I wasn't alone for two minutes before I had the living daylights scared out of me. Jacob hugged me from behind, causing me to scream in shock. I wasn't expecting to not hear him at all, or perhaps I wasn't expecting to have him appear so suddenly. Either way I was glad to see him.

"Careful of the shoulder Jake." I warned as he let go. I rolled it slightly. "You wanna put me back in hospital?"

"Nah." he said. "You'll manage it soon enough."

"Ouch." I responded. It was great to be back.