I can't sleep so finally I get up and figure I might as well work on a paper that would be due soon. I take my book and computer and go to the living room so I don't disrupt Masen. I type my name and the class but I can't concentrate on the essay. I wish Edward had stayed, had apologized, had tried to help. But no, he just left. Like always. With a sigh, I realize I will not be getting any work done tonight so I turn on the T.V. and snuggle into my blankets.

I am woken by a brisk knocking on my door and hesitantly make my way to it, still half asleep. Even in my sleepy state, I know better than to just open the door in the middle of the night.

"Who is it?" I ask the door.

"It's me Bella, I'm sorry, can we talk?" says Edward in a small voice. I don't know what to do. Should I say no?

"I-I don't know Edward. Maybe you should just go." I say not wanting him to stay if all he is going to do was leave again.

"Please Bella, I am so sorry." He says looking into my eyes.

"Fine." I say, holding the door open. He walks in hesitantly.

"I'm sorry I left like that I was just so surprised and I needed to think and talk to Carlisle." He apologized.

"Is that why you left the first time too?" I ask bitterly turning away from him. He reaches out for me but I pull away. "Why did you leave me?" I ask, finally looking him in the eye.

"I just thought it would be better, easier, for you if I was gone, I thought you could have a normal life and you wouldn't be in danger." I laugh mirthlessly and start pacing.

"You left me so I could have a normal life? Why? You knew that wasn't what I wanted. I didn't even get a normal life. Unless you consider being a single mom at seventeen normal." I practically yell the last part. How could he do this to me?

"What do you want?" I ask the question that had been on my mind since he first arrived.

"I just wanted to see you, to know you were happy, and to see if maybe you still wanted me?" He tells me sounding so sad I almost feel sorry for him. Almost.

"I can't deal with this right now. Just leave. I need to think." I tell him pushing him toward the door.

"Fine but Bella, I really am sorry." He turned to leave then stopped.

"Is he, like me?" He asked not looking at me.

"No." I say and shut the door.

OoOoOoO

I wake up to Masen playing with my hair.

"What are you doing?" I ask him groggily.

"Momma pretty." He replies. I try to sit up but realize there is something wet in my hair. Oh no.

"Honey, what did you put in mommy's hair?" I ask, closing my eyes.

"Pretty stuff." He replies happily. I push off my blankets and practically run to the bathroom. I look in the mirror and sigh with relief. It's only shampoo. I check on Masen then hop into the shower and wash the shampoo out.

After getting ready and making dinosaur oatmeal for Masen I go back to my room. I stand in the doorway just looking at him, not wanting to go outside and face the world, or Alice.

OoOoOoO

After dropping Masen off at school, I find myself driving slower than the speed limit to my first class. The class is with Alice and I do not want to arrive before it starts.

When I walk in the door I take my usual seat surprised by the absence of Alice. When the class starts and Alice still doesn't arrive I feel a little panicky. What if they left again? How can he leave without even meeting Masen? How can he leave me again? As my worry grows I begin to feel angry. Not just at Edward but at all of them. Why did they let him keep leaving me. I can't concentrate and am so thankful I only have two classes on Fridays.

I leave class and walk to the cafeteria finding Jake directly in front of me in line.

"Uh hey Bella, what's up?" He asks me a little awkwardly.

"Nothing. So glad it's Friday though. It's been a long week." I respond, flashing him a smile.

"Yeah, so who was your uh friend?" he asked still a little unsure.

"That was Alice, so your uh a werewolf?" I ask him.

"Yep. And you are friends with Vampires." He responds.

"I don't suppose I could talk you out of hanging out with her?" he attempted. I laugh.

"I don't think so" I respond. We eat lunch chatting about our plans for the weekend and deciding to meet up at some point.

We separate and I head to my car to pick up my books.

As I am walking to the car, I see Edward leaning against it.