I don't own Twilight but I do own a new passport which means that I will not be updating for just over a week as of Friday. First vacation in thirteen years that does not include my mother or mother-in-law. I will post again as soon as I can. But I will post a few extra chapters as penance for leaving.

Chapter 17

Bella woke feeling on edge. Before she knew what every day would consist of. She knew exactly how the school day would go but now, she had no idea. What did they have planned for her today. More notes? Or something sinister? Would they go back to ignoring her or demand her attention?

For all her worry the day was uneventful. Sure the other kids stared at her. The nicer ones smiled. Jane and Katie said hi and asked after her. No one got in her face, no one left her notes, and no one glared at her. It was beginning to improve slowly but Bella couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen. That something major was coming and she was standing in the way.

On Wednesday, there was another note.

I see you.

I'm sorry I didn't see you before.

I wish I could go back and be a better person.

A person who could deserve a friend like you.

Your Secret Admirer.

These notes were starting to confused her. What did they mean? The note, type written again, gave no indication of gender.

On Thursday, Bella joined Katie, Jane and their friends at lunch. It was stiff and awkward at first, Bella was out of practice in small talk. Eventually the tension got to be too much and Bella burst into giggles. The furtive looks and tentative smiles were all getting to be too much. Bella felt like the shiny new toy in the toy box. When she explained this feeling to the other girls at the table they joined her in her laughter.

That evening at work Edward and Tyler came into Newton's for Edward to buy a birthday gift for his father. Bella had never thought Dr. Cullen to be the outdoorsy type but showed Edward and Tyler around the store, pointing out things that she felt might be appropriate. Tyler was quite interested in her work there and asked a lot of questions. Edward just watched them interact with a slight smile on his face. They ended up staying for an hour and a half, making Bella work day go by faster. It was one of the easiest interactions she had ever had with Edward. Tyler, well, Tyler was just fun to have around.

Friday rounded out the week nicely. Jane and Katie joined Bella at her table first followed by Tyler and Edward tagging along. Katie produced a deck of cards and lunch was over before anyone was ready. For a change in pace, Tyler read to Bella in the library. She had managed to get her hands of a copy of Fantastic Beasts and they had a great time laughing at the annotations put in by 'Harry and Ron'.

Bella was very happy to find a large package from Alice at her door when she came home from school. She tore into it with very uncharacteristic squeals of delight. It was everything she had asked for and much, much more. There was a note inside from Alice.

Dear Bella,

So, I went a little overboard. Jasper and I had a blast finding all this stuff. Some of it made Jasper a little sick but he is better now, big baby. Some where at the bottom of the box is that stupid cheque you sent me. If you think I'm letting you pay for this, you are out of your mind. Send me details when it's over.

Miss you,

Alice

Bella was quite put out with Alice not letting her pay for this project. She decided to get her back another way, later. She carted the box upstairs to hide in her closet. She knew that if Charlie found it there would be hell to pay.

The weekend flew by with lots of list making and as much Thanksgiving prep as Bella could do. Charlie teased Bella relentlessly about her menu planning. When she threatened him with the loss of his favourite turkey, he left her alone. When she further threatened him with having to clean his own fish after his annual trip, he agreed to any cleaning project she asked for.

Monday came too soon but brought with it yet another note. Well, not really a note, but a poem.

The Song of Wandering Aengus

I went out to the hazel wood,

Because a fire was in my head,

And cut and peeled a hazel wand,

And hooked a berry to a thread;

And when white moths were on the wing,

And moth-like stars were flickering out,

I dropped the berry in a stream

And caught a little silver trout.

When I had laid it on the floor

I went to blow the fire aflame,

But something rustled on the floor,

And some one called me by my name:

It had become a glimmering girl

With apple blossom in her hair

Who called me by my name and ran

And faded through the brightening air.

Though I am old with wandering

Through hollow lands and hilly lands,

I will find out where she has gone,

And kiss her lips and take her hands;

And walk among long dappled grass,

And pluck till time and times are done

The silver apples of the moon,

The golden apples of the sun.

William Butler Yeats

He can say it better than I can.

Your Secret Admirer.

Bella was becoming intrigued by this 'secret admirer'. While Yeats was not necessarily one of her favourites, the images and sentiment behind the poem left a little tingle at the back of her neck. Was someone searching for her? It seemed a little too far to go for just a prank. She would have to wait and see.

At least it wasn't a clichéd love poem, it was a poem that made her think, made her wonder as to the meaning. She folded the note and slipped it in her bag. She had a long week ahead of her so she decided to think about this admirer later, much later. She giggled quietly, calling herself Scarlet O'Hara in her head.

AN: It kind of feels like cheating to use someone else's poem but I don't have the mental capacity to write my own.