A.N.: Wow. xD; I read a lot of fanfics in the past few days, and the name William is apparently really common for Twilight OCs. Please excuse my adding one more William.

Sorry for not updating in so long. I sort of needed a break. :)

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Suddenly, his gaze turned scornful.

"Of course not." He practically sneered.

I stared, wide-eyed and confused at him for a while. His expression didn't change. He seemed to get tired of our staring blankly at each other, so he sighed and walked back into the house. He didn't look back.

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I was lying in my bed, staring transfixed at the ceiling. William's reaction had confused me even more, if that's even possible. A part of me wanted to take the words back, what proof did I have that he had any feelings whatsoever for Emily, when it wasn't even my business in the first place?

I turned on to my side and sighed. But… what confused me the most was, for a few seconds after the words had left my mouth, the truth was so obvious on his face. The pure distress alone seemed like it was desperately trying to convey to me something, something he couldn't say aloud. So, which was it? Do you or don't you?

Then there was that burning desire to march across the hallway, into William's room and demand him to tell me what the heck is going through his mind, and force him to apologize for making me think any more than necessary.

Besides, I had plenty enough to think about.

But I quickly cleared away those thoughts from my head. No, this is the start of my new life. Sure, it might only bring a sad mockery of the happiness I had in my previous life, but it would be enough. I mean, my life is short. What's another seventy or eighty years?

No, Bella. I thought sternly to myself. Don't think that way. Just forget about the past, and look into the future. It might not be the ones you want, but it's not as if everything that you valued is gone forever.

But the pessimistic side is always so much more demanding. What are you talking about? Of course it's all gone. What do you have now? Friends? Oh sure, if you're insane enough to call these vampires your 'friends.' Your parents are gone, the family you want is gone, and he is gone. Bella, what do you have left?

I groaned at the battle waging inside my head. I needed to clear my mind.

With that thought, I sat up and decided to go take a walk outside. Nothing long, just a quick stroll. What did it matter?

And even if something did happen? Who would care?

I tried my best to knock those thoughts out of my mind. With all the lost things in my life already, the last thing I wanted was for me to lose my mind, too.

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The cool evening wind was blowing gently on my face. I didn't tell anyone I was leaving, I'll only be a minute and they needn't worry.

I found a steel bench on the side of a forest trail. Normally I wouldn't have allowed myself to wander into the woods alone, especially after dark, but I needed a change— any change, and the trees seemed to usher me in. I was happy to comply.

Sitting down on the bench, I pulled out a book I had brought with me. I had just grabbed it from the shelf, another rash decision, without looking at what it was. Borrowing the light from a nearby old-fashioned street lamp, I stared down at the title. I groaned again.

Romeo and Juliet. What a nice reminder.

I wasn't about to subject myself to that kind of torture, so I got up and started down the trail, back towards the house. I stayed for a bit shorter than I wanted, but the walk had served its purpose. I felt relatively calm now.

Then, a rustle in the leaves told me I might not be as alone as I thought I was. I stopped abruptly and wearily looked around. Nothing. Maybe it was an animal, a squirrel or something. Nothing to be worried about, I convinced myself.

Two more steps, the leaves shook again. It was too deliberate to be a wild animal; I broke into a power-walk, eyes darting around frantically.

I let out a shriek as something jumped out from the bushes lining the path. It looked like a dog, but massive. I stared horrified at it, unable to look away, and it stared menacingly back. In its eyes, there was a burst of recognition—or that's what it looked like, who knows if an animal could even feel recognition?—and it darted back into the darkness.

I ran back into the house, hyperventilating.

"Bella!"

I jumped, and Emily froze. Her eyes were worried.

"Bella?" She repeated slowly, not moving, probably thinking she had scared me. I met her gaze, my eyes probably as alarmed as I felt.

"I'm fine." I managed to choke out. Her expression turned skeptical.

"Of course you are." She walked towards me as if nothing has happened, but her steps were unconsciously cautious.

She held out a hand to help me up; I hadn't realized I'd sunk into the ground. I stared at her outstretched hand. This scene was exactly like when we'd first met.

Emily seemed to realize this as well, and she giggled. I put my hand in hers, and a strange comforting feeling came over me at her marble-like grasp. She pulled me back onto my feet. When I saw her face, you was watching my expression very carefully.

"Do you want something to drink?" She offered. I realized my throat felt dry, and I nodded. She led me into the kitchen and sat me down while she reached inside the fridge. She emerged with a carton of milk, which she started to pour into a glass in front of me.

I obediently gulped down the glass. When I faced Emily again, her expression surprised me. She looked at me disapprovingly, almost angry. I smiled sheepishly back.

"Bella," she sighed. "What possessed you to just walk out without saying anything? I went up to check on you, and you weren't there. Do you know how worried I was?"

"But, Emily," I was confused. "It was just a walk. It's not like I was running away or anything." I said flippantly.

She glowered at me. I shrunk in my seat. "How well do you know this area, Bella?"

"Not well at all." I admitted hesitantly. I wasn't familiar with the outskirts of the reservation… it did seem a bit stupid to go off on my own now. But I stayed on the trail, so what was the worst that could happen? I was a bit surprised with Emily, too. She never struck me as the type of person who would take something so little this seriously.

Emily sighed. "Look, I don't need to scare you with the details," she leaned forward and looked me sternly in the eye. "But you must swear to never go out into the forest on your own again, alright?"

I nodded slowly, confused yet again. It seemed like I was getting more befuddled by the minute.

Emily's face brightened with each bob of my head. When I stopped, she seemed content.

She stood up from the table, and I followed suit.

"Well then, go to sleep now. You need your rest." She started to walk to the stairs as I put the glass in the sink.

She paused right outside the doorframe, and turned back to me. "By the way, Bella?" She grinned. "Take a shower, would you?"

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A.N.: Sorry it's short, I need to go. xD I promise to update soon.

Buuut. If you review, I might be able to later todaaaay… : )