"The moving power of mathematical invention is not reasoning but imagination." –Augustus de Morgan

I stared blankly at the Calculus test paper I was holding. Mr Varner liked to insert quotes with mathematical reference on top of the page and I didn't know whether he found this useful or whether he thought this relevant to our lives.

The room was filled with different exclamatory sounds from the students. Some looked instantly weary just with one look at the hand out. Some knew what to do. Some didn't. One guy at the farthest row indifferently placed his head on the table as if to sleep. Jessica, who was sitting on my left, ran her fingers through her hair then proceeded to the test coolly. I knew she had been doing well in this subject and she certainly had the advantage over me during the Dark Age period of my life.

I straightened my back as if posing for battle. There were two parts in the test. First was a multiple choice and the other was free response. I moved my eyes straight to the second portion and wrote briskly.

After what seemed like an endless hour, Mr Varner cleared his throat to signal the end of the time limit.

He announced, "I believe the five-minute extension I gave you for the test has already expired." His tone sounded proud of his own generosity. "You may now pass your papers and leave."

My brain felt woozy from all the logarithmic expressions that invaded me. I pressed my temples after handing my paper to the person in front of me. It was over now and I thought I didn't do so badly. Calculus was our last period for the day and the class had already started to set aside any thoughts of the test as they looked forward to their free time.

Contrastingly, I wasn't in a hurry to gather my books for I didn't want to join in the stampede of exiting students. Mike, who was sitting in front, didn't accompany Jessica on her way out. He kept shooting glances at me. He would arrange his books neatly on his table as if they weren't already in order, and then twist his neck back to look at me.

Right then and there, I believed it was my cue to leave. I could imagine the fire alarm screaming in my ears as if to mock me in my panic.

My feet treaded the seemingly long stretch from my chair to the door while hoping against hope that Mike was just exaggeratedly interested in the bulletin board behind my seat and that he wouldn't notice me leave.

After a few strides, my book Animal Farm for Mr Berty's class dropped on the floor. From a distance, I saw Mike rise from his seat and was making his way to me.

Oh no. I groaned.

I deliberated picking up the book or running away for dear life. I snorted, knowing that running would only cause bodily injury to me or to someone else. So I was left with no choice but to stoop down to pick it up.

Of course, Mike was already hovering a foot away from me when I got up.

"Bella," he greeted. His blue eyes looked hopeful.

"Hey Mike." I noticed his pale blond hair was now longer and gelled in careful disarray, which for me, was strikingly familiar of him.

"Can I walk you to your truck?" His voice was too low and throaty; it took me longer to connect his words together. Was this his version of sexy?

"Sure," I agreed.

I was thankful that it wasn't a long way to the parking lot and to my Chevy because it was awkward walking with him. He knew how romantically involved I was with...the other guy. It was obvious he was never my first choice and added to those reasons was the fact that Jessica was still not over him. And Jessica used to be my friend. It would never work out between us because destiny had already misaligned our paths from each other right from the beginning.

But with or without those reasons, I knew in one heartbeat that I would still choose...Edward over any other guy in the world no matter the circumstances. No matter the outcome. Notwithstanding he didn't want me...

I briefly recalled our argument on my birthday. It seemed so long ago but it had actually been only two months.

"...Mike Newton would be a hell of a lot healthier for you to be with," he growled.

"I'd rather die than be with Mike Newton," I protested. "I'd rather die than be with anyone but you."

"Don't be melodramatic, please."

I released a shaky sigh. I could never make him believe the intensity of my feelings for him. He belittled my devotion for him and left, thinking I could forget. What a stupid vampire.

Mike seemed to sense my sudden shift of mood and steered me to casual talk. I cringed when he ruffled my brown hair like it was something natural between us. I gritted my teeth for his boldness. He must have noticed my reaction because he quickly withdrew his hand and inserted it into his jeans pocket.

Finally, we stood next to the door of the driver's seat of my truck. The drizzle was starting to pelt much stronger.

"I need to go in now. Thanks for walking me," I told him quickly.

"Wait, Bella." He touched my arm lightly.

I looked up at the dark clouds to show that the rain was getting more serious by the second. He ignored it.

"I know things have been hard for you and I'd just like to let you know that I'm still here for you," he said. "As a friend," he added quickly.

"I appreciate that, Mike. I really do," came my response. I opened the door of my truck to deposit my books and bag. I didn't want them to get ruined any further.

"Wait. Don't go yet. I wanted to ask... I'm wondering if you'd like to go back to working at our store," he suggested shyly.

I was surprised. I started working at Newton's Olympic Outfitters last summer. But during my zombie stupor, I didn't have the capacity to smile and sell items to the customers so I decided to quit and not give his mother any more headaches. He would always defend me, for that I was grateful. But I didn't want to create any more friction from their relationship so I volunteered to go.

"How about your mom?" I inquired.

"She'll be okay with it. We still need one more staff you know." He reassured me.

I smiled a real one this time. "Thanks. When do I start?"

"This weekend would be great. Unless you have a date or something," he trailed off, fishing for information.

"No, I'm free. I'll be there bright and early on Saturday."

"Okay. Great." Then, finally realizing that we were already drenched, he said goodbye and ran to his Suburban located at the opposite direction.

I entered my truck and switched on the heater. Things were, as hard as I would like to admit, looking up for me.

Suffering is definitely ennobling.