I call this the "reason" part of losing someone, but honestly, what the Denali asked me to do wasn't at all reason at first. I thought they were going crazy.

It was the first time I'd ever seen them. They seemed to be the normal type of parents. The father had grey hair, kind of balding. He was wearing slacks and a button down shirt tucked in. The woman had a full head of blazing red hair, a purple knitted sweater, and jeans. Both looked like a fine couple, except the fact that their faces seemed to automatically frown and they spoke so quietly you had to lean in to hear them.

"May we come in?" The woman asked, softly.

We moved aside from the doorway and motioned for them to enter. We all went into the living room, and let them have the loveseat, and we just pulled up chairs, except for Charlie. He sat in his recliner as usual.

At the time, we didn't know who they were. So, we didn't want to be rude and ask "Who are you?" because obviously they knew us. So, we just sat there, in an awkward silence, before they broke it.

"I'm Laurent, and this is Sasha. We are – were Tanya's parents". He said, with a pained look on his face, and quickly turned his head away from us, trying to hide his hurt.

"Laurent, Sasha. You two will always be her parents. Nothing can change that." My mother, Renee, said soothingly. All he did was nod his head.

"We know that you are aware about our daughter. We came to ask some questions for Bella, and then ask you, as a family for one of the biggest favors, you might even think we're crazy," Mrs. Denali said, with a lot of fear in her voice. She barely whispered the last part.

"Okay... umm sure. Do you want to do it alone?" I asked, tentatively. I hope it wasn't alone, what if they blame me for their daughter's death? I don't want them killing me, or anything.

"No, it's fine, unless you want to do it alone," Sasha replied.

"I'm fine doing it with my parents here. So, when do you want to start?" I asked.

"Well, now. If you're okay with that..." She sounded even more scared than me! Is she afraid of me? Or my answers?

"Sure," I said, leaning back in my chair. I don't know how long this will take, but I might as well be comfortable.

"Okay, first of all... you are Isabella Swan right?" She asked while getting out a pad of paper and a pencil. What is this? I'm being interviewed by my dead classmate's parents. And their recording my answers. Maybe to give to a judge or something...

"Bella," I answered, with a smile.

She sheepishly smiled back. "Bella. Okay, you take theater at school right?"

How do they know this? "Yeah, I do."

"Would you consider yourself, a good actress?"

Huh? Are they asking this to see if I can easily act my way out of this, so it seems like I'm innocent, but really I'm not? "Well, I'm not the best, but not the worst. I can't sing, but I can improvise pretty quickly."

She quickly glanced at her husband and gave a small smile. "Do you do anything else besides act?"

"I play the violin..."

Then, she gave an even bigger smile, "Perfect." She then turned to my parents. "How are you guys doing... financially?"

What the hell? Okay, I know these people just lost a child, but seriously, what kind of question is that? We're not rich like them if that's what their asking, but we're not poor obviously.

"We're... struggling like everyone else, but we're getting by." Charlie replied.

"Okay, Bella. Do you remember how Tanya" you could see her flinch at the name, "acted through school? Like what she did?" she asked, with a little bit of hope in her voice.

"Yeah, I guess. I mean, no offense or anything, but she didn't really... do anything. She kind of just sat in the back of the room the entire time, reading or taking notes. She didn't talk that much either, actually at all. I don't think I can recall her voice... I'm really sorry."

After I said that, I realized how cold and uncaring it sounded. It's like I didn't even care about Tanya, which I didn't really, but her parents aren't supposed to know that! But, what's said is said. Thank goodness they understood exactly what I meant.

"We know... she never really was the social type..." she glanced at Mr. Denali, and he glanced back at her, before both of them looked down. "So how do you feel... or more, why do you think... she did, what she... did." The last word was barely audible.

"Honestly, I have no idea. But I do not think she did it without good reason. Sometimes I think it's because of something us... as her classmates did. None of us really tried to get to know her, or include her with anything, which I'm terribly sorry about Mr. and Mrs. Denali. If I could go back, I would've tried harder to get to know her. But I don't necessarily think we were mean to her... we kind of just didn't acknowledge her. And she didn't seem to acknowledge us. That's the way it was for two years, and it seemed to work fine, for all of us."

"We don't know why either... God, I just wish she left a note or something. Anything. One word. One letter. Just something... but what's done is done. We can't change what she did. But... this is where you guys might think we're crazy... We can't change what she did, but can we change what others might do in the future?" Mr. Denali said, looking from me, to Renee, or Charlie, then back to me.

"What are you suggesting, Laurent?" My mom asked, leaning forward so her elbows were on her knees.

"We have... as you could say, connections with the film industry. When they heard about Tanya, they sent a lot of sympathy our way, and said if there was anything they could do, they would try their hardest to do it. At the time, we didn't think there was anything they could do. Anything anyone could do. It's still the same now. No one can help what happened to Tanya. But, we wondered if there was a way to help other people like Tanya. Or just to have people be exposed to what people like her felt or went through."

"Okay, so how does this involve us?" Charlie asked.

"We wanted to make a film. A documentary as well as a book. All about how teenagers who build walls around themselves, deal with the world. Is there a way to break down those walls and take that person out of their shell? We want to see how hard people will try to help these people, and what its like to actually live a day, in their shoes. Or a year," Mrs. Denali replied.

"Interesting... but I still don't exactly see what this has to do with us... not trying to be rude," Renee said, looking straight at Mrs. Denali.

"We knew there wasn't a way to actually get people like Tanya to willingly do this. So, we thought... what if we got actors? Or, actresses?" She said, raising her eyebrows at me.

"Wait... you want... me? To act like how Tanya did?" I couldn't believe what I was hearing. How the hell would this work? Everyone at school already knows me! They know how I act, and I act no way like how Tanya did. No one did!

"That's a way to put it... so yes. This would be the biggest change for you, and a huge sacrifice. You'd move, to LA-" I cut her off immediately.

"Los Angeles? An entire different state? And leave here? All my friends? All to just act like some depressed girl?" I tried my best not to scream, so I just... projected my voice.

"Bella! Don't raise your voice! You haven't even heard all that she has to say!" Renee scolded me. Like I was some 5 year old.

"No, it's fine. I want to know what she's afraid of. But, please, let me explain. Yes, Los Angeles, California. But don't worry, you won't be alone. Do you know Alice Cullen and Rosalie Hale?"

"Of course, they're my best friends," I said, a little calmer.

"Well, you see, to get 'accurate data', we need to try an experiment more than once right? And we want to know how different types of people deal with it. And we can't have you doing all that, since you can't be in more than one place at a time, we needed other people to be a part of this," she said, with a small grin on her face.

"Wait, so you have Alice and Rose involved with this too?" And soon, it was me with the smile on my face.

"Yes, and their parents already okay-ed it with us. Pretty much, everyone involved in this entire thing already knows, except you guys. Sorry, that's just the way things went. And it was a lot easier telling them, because we told them while they were together, so they already knew they had each other. But, as you would guess, they were worried about you, and when I told them you could be part of it as well, they almost picked up the phone right then and called you. But I said that you didn't know yet, and that we're going to your house right after. You should be expecting a call from them, almost right after we leave," she said, still smiling.

"Okay, so what exactly do you want us to be a part of? All I know is LA and that we're acting."

"We wanted a large range of data, so we tried to pick 3 completely different scenarios. Me and Laurent agreed on 3, because 2 was too little, and 4 would be hard to keep track of, and the documentary would be a lot longer. So, we had 3. We wanted people who actually knew Tanya, and saw how she acted to be the ones involved. So, we needed actors. We asked her old school, and they didn't want anything to do with us. However, Forks High wanted to help us as much as they could. We got a list of the kids in theater, and we were able to talk to Mr. Brand, your theater teacher. We asked him who he suggested would be the best. But, we told him they should be close friends, and have different interests from each other, and from theater. He told us he knew exactly who we were looking for," she said, giving me a grin.

"Us three?"

"Yeah, you guys. 3 best actresses in the school. But, before we could talk to you guys, we kind of did some... investigating. Hope you guys didn't mind, we just looked at what the school had about you, like what other classes you applied for. And just like the papers said, you play the violin. That was perfect. We didn't want the 3 girls to all be the same. We didn't want all of you guys doing the exact same thing in LA, because then we'd only know how people reacted to only a certain type of person. But you three, are so different. You don't look anything alike. You, with brown curly hair and average stature. Alice, black, short, spiky hair, and I don't mean to offend, smaller that most. And Rosalie with blonde hair, and a little taller. So we'll see if people react differently to how a person looks,"

"Okay, I get it, but what about my violin playing?"

"Well we wanted different environments for each of you. You guys were also perfect because you were involved with different things. You'd be involved with music, Alice with theater, and Rosalie with, like Tanya, hands-on activities. She expressed a huge interest with cars..."

Of course, Rosalie would love this.

"If you agree to be a part of this, here is what would happen. The three of you, together with your families, would move to LA. We own an apartment building, and there's 4 room openings, all right next to each other. You can use all 4, one for each family, but all the girls stay together in one room, or you can just use 3, and all the families can stay together. Or any other arrangement you like. Your stay would be free. We talked to 3 schools who have all been a part of this. A boarding school, public school, and private school. Those schools know about this 'experiment'. We got all the students and their parents to sign release papers, so that their kids could be filmed. During the school year, each of those schools is going to have a "film" project where a director is going to come and film them, for what they think is going to be a documentary on Los Angeles. This is a totally fake film project, and I'M actually going to be the 'director' to come and shoot them. So, they think they needed to fill out the forms for this fake film project which is going to last one day, but really they're going to be filmed the entire year, secretly. But, this isn't illegal because they signed the contract, and the contract doesn't say what it would be for, it just says that they have permission to film. So no one at the schools, except for some administrators and the principal, has any idea about the three of you. Get it?"

"Somewhat... so pretty much it's illegal to film people without their consent? So, you sent out release contracts that they all signed. They think the contract is for this fake documentary about Los Angeles, and the fake director who's going to come and film is actually going to be you? So, they think that contract is for this fake documentary, but really its for this experiment?"

"Yes. At the end of the year, we're going to tell all 3 schools that they were filmed all year, and if some kids want their voice changed, or face blurred out, we'll do what they want. We just don't want kids treating you differently that they would normally, just because they know they'll be in a movie. We don't want you getting fake friends or anything, we want this to be as accurate as possible."

"Okay, I get it. So, what happens once the school year starts?"

"Well, you, Alice, and Rosalie will talk and figure out who goes to which school. Loyola High School, which is the private school; Mayfair High school, Public; and North Park Continuation which is the Boarding school. Whoever goes to North Park, they won't live there. They're just going to go for classes, but you'll still live at the apartment complex. It's too risky having someone actually live there, someone could walk in, and know the entire secret. Or just listen through the door or something while one of you is on the phone. Way too risky. No one knows about this. Not even the teachers. Only the head of the school does, whether its the Dean, or the principal. Some people in the district know, because they had to put up the video cameras. Everything that goes on will be on tape. Only you will know. We have hidden cameras that just look like security cameras, everywhere. Except the bathroom stalls. We have part of the bathroom videotaped, in case something happens while you're washing your hands, but don't worry, we won't be able to see if you're doing your business."

"Heh, thanks," I said, with a small laugh, trying to hide the embarrassment.

"This would be a year long commitment. You're going to go through an entire school year like this. I'm not sure if you'll be able to back out of it in the middle of the year, because then it's all been a waste, since we didn't go through an entire year. If I could, I would have made it two years, since that's how long Tanya was at Forks High, but I know that's not a realistic view. No one would want to do it for two years. I'm not even sure if you want to do it for one. But, you're also going to have to keep a journal. That's where the book comes in. All three of you are going to keep a journal with your own personal thoughts and such. We're going to publish it, right after the documentary. So, try to give as much detail and be honest, but anything you're not comfortable with the world reading, then don't write it."

This is crazy. The whole world is going to know who I am and what I'm going to go through for an entire year! These people... are not the 3rd step of losing someone. This is not reason and rationality. THEY may think it is, but I sure don't.

"You're going to dress like Tanya as well. We went through her wardrobe and it seems all it consisted of was... black. We ordered pretty much anything black we could find, and it should be at the apartment in about a week. You're going to have a secret button, that you can put anywhere you're comfortable. When you press the button, it signals to us that someone is talking to you, or doing something to you. We just want you to have it, so that we don't have to watch you sit in class while the teacher's making a lecture. Once you press the button, we'll know something interesting is happening, and we'll pay closer attention. You'll also have an earpiece. We will probably rarely talk to you, its just if someone talks to you and you don't know how to respond, we'll tell you what to respond with. Like, if some random guys comes up to you and asks for your phone number, you'll have pressed the button already, because something interesting is happening, and if you don't know what to do, press it again, and we'll tell you what to do. Whether to just ignore him, or actually give him your number,"

"But, what if I want to do the opposite of what you tell me?" That's what I was most afraid of. What if I meet a person, and actually want to be their friend or talk to them, but since I'm supposed to act distant from people, I won't be able to. Could I really be that good of an actress?

"That's something we don't know yet, and we'll figure it out when the time comes. Bella, we trust your judgment. We don't want you being rude or mean to people. We just want you to have these walls built around you, and for you to distance yourself from others, but if someone wants to break down those walls, we want you to slowly let them in. And when I say slowly, I mean slowly. The minute someone starts talking to you, don't start being all bubbly and talk to them like how you normally would. We want you to act like Tanya. The first time someone talks to you, try to distance yourself. Only talk if completely necessary. You say you can't recall Tanya's voice? Well we want that the same with you. Don't talk, unless you really have to. We made sure the teacher never called on Tanya or made her speak. It was for a certain reason, and we're not... exactly comfortable telling you it now. But you'll probably figure it out sooner or later. It's not really our secret to tell..."

"I know, you don't have to. So, you just want me to act exactly how she did? And if I encounter a situation where I don't know what to do, I need to act the way I think Tanya would've acted if she was in that situation, or just press the button and you will tell me what to do?"

"Yes, pretty much. But if you meet someone, and you feel like they are trying to get in, let them in. Just one millimeter at a time. First... just start with a nod of a head. Or a wave. Or a smile. Then distance yourself again. Each time, let them in a little more, then pull right back out. But Bella, you cannot, under any circumstance, tell them about this. They cannot know that you're an actress. That this is all a set up."

A nod of the head... a wave. That's how it was with Jessica and Tanya the second day... Jessica just didn't try again. Could there really be someone who would try to get to know us? Me, Rose, or Alice? Even if we keep on pushing them out? Ha, doubt it.

"Okay, I understand. When do you need a decision made?" I asked. It can't be now, I need to think. Especially, I need to talk to Rose and Alice.

"Well, as soon as possible would be nice. Oh, something else, you get $1 million. Take it as a gift. I'm sure you'll be able to find job openings, but if you can't, then you'll at least have that to keep you stable for a while. And it'd only be for a year, in the end, if you want to move back to Forks, you most certainly can."

"We'll do it!" My dad nearly yelled, jumping up from his chair.

"Dad! I need to have a say in this too! This is my life that's changing, not so much of yours," I said, annoyed he'd made such a rash decision. "I'll tell you, hopefully by tomorrow. I just need to think and talk to Alice and Rose."

"We completely understand. Just call us whenever you decide. Don't feel obligated to do this." Mr. Denali said, handing me a piece of paper with a phone number scribbled on it.

"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Denali."

They gave a small, departing smile, "Please, Laurent and Sasha," they said, before walking out the front door. Charlie, who was already standing up after yelling that I'd do it, went over to the door and closed it.

"Bella?" he asked, but I just ignored it. I was staring out the window at the two of them, getting into their car, closing the door, then driving away. Once they were out of sight, I let out what I held in for about half an hour.

I threw my hands up and screamed, "WHAT?"

"Isabella! What's the matter with you? They seem like very kind people, and you talk about their daughter as if she was nothing! And now, you scream WHAT? What do you mean what?" Renee yelled at me. As if she was the mature one here. She's yelling as well!

"Mom! I didn't ask for this, okay? I don't want to move to Los Angeles and portray this girl who won't talk to anyone! I want to stay here, and live the life I want to, and ACT the way I want to! But you two lacked to tell me some information about how we're struggling financially, so now, I don't know what to do! Do I say yes, and live the life I don't want, but have you guys happy and us stable? Or do I say no, and break their hearts, but live the life I want? And we continue struggling?"

"Bella, if you don't want to do this, it's fine. We'll get by. And I'm sure they'll understand if you refuse to do this. But you have to think rationally, and be considerate..." Charlie said, still standing at the doorway.

"It's just... I need to talk to Rose and Alice. Can they come over?" As if I need their permission. I sound like a 7 year old asking to go on a play-date. If they won't let me, I'll just go over to wherever they are.

"Sure. Me and Charlie need to go run some errands anyways," My mom said, giving a stern look towards my dad, telling him to just play along.

"Okay then..." and I turned around and went up the stairs, up to my room. Grabbed my phone from the charger, unplugged it, and hit speed dial 2. It took one ring.

"Hey Bella! You got the news?" Of course Alice sounds cheerful as always.

"Yeah, I did. Get over here, ASAP, okay?" I didn't mean to sound rude, but I didn't know what to think of anything right now.

"Yep, sure! See ya in a few!" Then I heard the beep that she hung up, and then silence.

Speed dial 3. This time, it took four rings.

"Hey, so you know?" Rose, bored as ever.

"Yep, can you get over here? Fast?"

"As fast as the car will let me. See ya," and the same beep, then silence.