Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, settings, etc. of the book Twilight/New Moon. The original characters and plot are the property of the brilliant Stephenie Meyer.
12:51 A.M.
The sky was pitch black with a blanket of twinkling stars strewn across it. Edward hadn't moved since he spoke with Alice earlier. He heard the faintest sound of footsteps outside of his door and he feared that they belonged to Carlisle or Esme. Edward didn't want to be the cause of any tension or hostility in the house, so he had thought it would be better if he just left without a word. He was hoping that Alice would tell them all in her special way, that it was for the best.
A soft knocking sound interrupted his thoughts, and he strode across the room to open his door. Once again, Alice was on the other side of it.
"It's going to be sunny today," She said as Edward opened the door.
"At least, for most of the morning," she continued.
Edward nodded silently.
"Where is everybody? It's been very quiet since I came home," Edward said.
"Hunting," Alice replied. "I told them that you weren't up for it today, but that we would join them tomorrow...although, I guess you won't be..." she said, her eyes boring into his.
"I need you to stay away from Bella," Edward abruptly said.
Alice stared at Edward with a mixture of confusion and anger on her face.
"She's my friend, Edward," Alice said.
"It's better this way, Alice," Edward responded. "If I know Bella, she's going to try to cling to whatever she can to take the pain away. I just...I want her to forget that I ever existed."
12:51 A.M.
Bella's attempt at falling asleep was futile. All she could think about was Edward. How could she have pushed him so far? She knew better. She was berating herself over and over again when she heard heavy footsteps coming up the stairs, and realized Charlie was home. Bella quickly rolled over and threw the covers over her head in an attempt to look like nothing out of the ordinary had happened. She knew Charlie would have a heart attack if he found out that she and Edward had been alone together. Her bedroom door slowly creaked open and then closed. Bella gave a sigh of relief as she heard Charlie's footsteps gradually fading away down the hallway towards his bedroom.
6:02 A.M.
Bella woke to a ray of sunlight making a feeble attempt to shine through her window. She had spent a majority of the night tossing and turning. She hated nights like that. She walked over to her window and looked out. Charlie's cruiser was already gone.
"No rest for the weary," Bella mumbled as she made her way to the bathroom.
She turned on the shower and stepped in, letting the hot water soothe her tired body. When she was finished, she made her way back to her bedroom. The sunlight was more dominant now, enveloping her room in its incandescence. She sighed. Edward wouldn't be at school today. A part of her was glad that she wouldn't have to face him after what had happened the night before, yet she didn't want there to be any awkwardness between them.
Forty-five minutes later, she was in her truck and on her way to school. She hoped that the sunny sky meant that there were good things to come.
You know what to do!