What if Bella hears a voice? His presence lingers in depression, not just danger.

What comes into mind when you hear the name, "Charlie?" Only the words cruel and unusual punishment.

What part of 'not-ready-to-be-around-people' did he not understand? And here we were, eating pizza for dinner at the Blacks' place in a futile attempt to make me forget.

But I didn't want to forget. He may not have been real, but he was the best thing that ever happened to me.

"So, what have you been up to lately, Bella?" Jacob asked. I didn't really notice that we'd started a conversation.

"She released an album," Charlie replied, "And she's performed at a concert."

Excuse me, but is your name Bella, Charlie? I hate being the center of attention. Always.

"Cool," Jacob remarked.

Silence –which I was utterly grateful for- hung in the air.

Jacob shook his can of soda, in an effort to open it. He opened it, and the effervescent liquid sprayed out at me. Everyone's mouth formed a large O-shape, as soda dripped from my clothes and hair.

"Bella, I am so sorry!" Jacob said.

I was seething. I turned sharply and faced Jacob with narrowed eyes.

"JACOB BLACK, YOU ARE SO DEAD!" I screamed, getting up from the chair.

He got up and began running away. I chased after him. Both Billy and Charlie stared. Those were the first six words I had said all night… all week, actually.

And then, the soda on my shoes made me slip and fall. I fell onto the wooden floor with a loud THUD. Jacob laughed at me.

"Jacob!" Billy and Charlie both reprimanded.

Jacob offered his hand to help me up, and I ignored it. I tried getting up myself, and I just slid back onto the floor with another THUD. Jacob laughed again. I glared at him, and he clapped his hand to his mouth.

This time Jacob took my hand and hoisted me up.

"If we leave her like that, she's going to get all sticky…" Billy said.

"Maybe ants will come and get her," Jacob jeered. I punched him in the shoulder. "Ow!"

"Bella!" Charlie scolded.

"He started it…" I muttered.

"What do we do?" Charlie asked.

"Maybe we could bring her to the backyard and hose her down," Jacob chuckled. I stretched my arm out and slapped him in the face. "OUCH!"

"Bella!" Charlie yelled.

"I HATE YOU!" I screamed at Jacob. Then I turned to Billy and Charlie. "ALL OF YOU!"

I ran out the door and slammed it shut behind me. Tears fell like angry bullets as I got into the car. I locked all the doors of the police cruiser; I wanted to be alone.

"Bella."

"SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!" I cried, my voice shooting up three octaves.

Wait. I looked up. No one had come to get me yet. Who…?

"Bella."

It was him.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!" My face fell into my hands.

"Bella…"

"NO!" I sobbed.

I hated life. This was torture. Why was the world punishing me? What had I done to deserve such cruelty? I didn't do anything wrong.

Did I?

What if Edward heard a voice, too? A voice he doesn't usually hear, one that invites unwelcome memories.

I waited on my seat. Kamryn should be coming in. I needed to thank her, for being kind to me, despite the ignorance.

I heard her sit down beside me.

"Good afternoon, Kamryn," I greeted, trying to smile, and looking up at her for the first time.

I froze. How could I not notice?

Long brown hair… deep brown eyes… pale skin…

She stared at me with shocked eyes. "Good afternoon, Edward."

I forced my eyes back to the table. They looked too similar.

Was the universe playing some cruel, twisted joke on me?

"What's wrong?" she asked anxiously. In her mind, I looked sick… Like I was about to cry.

"Nothing…" My voice broke.

As the teacher walked in, I stood up and headed for the door.

"Where are you going, Mr. Cullen?" Ms. Cox asked.

"I'm feeling unwell. Please excuse me," I squeezed my eyes shut, and ran for the door.

I dashed down the halls at top speed. And in no time at all, I was back in my car. I was going to skip the rest of the day.

Kamryn looked too much like her. Too much. All the memories flooded back into my mind.

"Edward…"

"NO!" I barked, clapping my hands to my ears.

"Edward…"

This was torture. Why was the world punishing me? What had I done to deserve such cruelty? Hadn't I done the best thing for her?

Hadn't I?