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It was dark by the time I got home.

As soon as I recognised my surroundings and new that we were coming close to the house, I insisted that Aalto come no closer. He looked at me, raised an eyebrow, and smirked.

I was half-expecting him to argue, but he did not. But as I turned to go home, his words stopped me in my tracks for just a second.

"I will see you again." It was not a question.

"When?" I squeaked, hardly recognising my own voice. What was this boy doing to me? I still had my back to him, though every instict I had was screaming at me to turn around and face this stranger. My instincts were right.

I felt his breath on my neck, "Soon."

There were no disconcerting waves to accompany his voice this time, yet I felt something, stirring within me again. My skin tingled. I sighed, but only really realised that the sinful sound had escaped my lips after it was too late.

"I'm so dead." I murmured, thinking about how Jasper would spot my mood as soon as I walked within a hundred yards of the house. Edward would read my thoughts… and everyone would notice the tell tale blush creeping up my cheeks.

"Not yet." Aalto said gently, amusement – and perhaps a hint of something else, something much more sinister - colouring his voice.

Ah crap. He thought I meant him. I whirled around to face him. He looked a little surprised at my sudden movement, but did not react. I took an involuntary step back at the closeness.

"No – I was… I meant – It's just that my family are so going to murder me when they realise what has happened tonight." I stammered, blushing furiously.

He lifted a finger to cheek, and gently stroked it. It felt strange to me.

"Hmm. I told you, sweetling. You just go about your ways, but do not think about me near them. I will make sure they do not know I exist."

"Easier said than done."

He chuckled, and I turned, concentrating on my fairly limited grasp of the Finnish language. I would rehearse basic language skills in my head. That would surely keep the thoughts out. I took a deep breath, walked a few steps, and turned to wave goodbye.

But Aalto was already gone.

When I switched the computer on that night to check my mail, there were two messages from Jacob. I checked the date and time. Both sent today, one in the morning and the other an hour ago - as if he'd sensed what was going on.

I tapped my fingers impatiently as I waited for the mail to load. Hearing a slight noise from behind me, I turned. Dad. Crap. I instantly started to translate random words into Finnish.

Forest – metsa. Tree – puu. Sea – meri. Wave – Aalto. – ahh! Shit – paska. Breathe, breathe, breathe…aah…

"Hengittaa?" He offered, quirking an eyebrow. He had just told me what 'breathe' was in Finnish. I almost giggled.

I didn't know what to say, so I turned back toward the computer and saw with relief that Jacob's message had finally loaded.

What's up Dad? I thought at him. In truth, I was impatient to read what Jacob's message said.

"I was just checking you were back. Jasper let slip that you'd gone for a run."

"You should stop prying into people's minds."

"It's not really something I can help." He looked amused.

"How did the job hunt go?" I asked, to change the subject.

"Yes, good, as Alice predicted. Your mom got a job in the hotel in town, and I'm now a Psychologist – hence why she saw me in an office."

"Great." I used the silent moments to translate more random words into Finnish, but always ended up at a word that somehow reminded me of what I was trying to hide. I was starting to break out in a cold sweat at the effort. I hated keeping secrets.

"Is there something you are hiding from me, Renesmee?"

My heart skipped a beat. Shitshitshit! I swear I almost told him right there and then.

"Nothing that I want to share with you right now dad. Sorry. Listen. I have an email from Jake. Can you leave me to read it please?"

"Yes, sure honey. Sleep well tonight."

I'm sure I wont.

"Okay, I will, night."

If he caught my lie, he did not show it. Nevertheless, even as his voice dropped to a whisper, it sounded stern to me. "Your mom will be up soon to say goodnight. You two hardly ever talk now days. You should try and make an effort."

I nodded, and then he was gone. With a sigh, I started to read Jacob's messages.

Hey squirt,

How was your trip? Long I bet. I hope you are okay and like your new place. Are you settling in okay? Have you met any people? Or wolves? Vampires? Hehe.

I am very sorry I did not come to say goodbye. I think it was easier for you this way. I miss you heaps, Nessie. I missed you the moment your car drove out of my sight – I was watching from the woods. I was so close to calling the whole thing off, but Leah talked some sense in to me. She said to say hello, by the way.

I'm ridiculously awful at all this computer stuff. I will phone you soon, I promise. Please write soon.

Love,

Your Jacob.

I sighed. I wished he had stopped the car. Though I completely understood Leah's point of view too. Leah and Jake had always been together, as long as I remember. But they both knew that when I changed, there would be some other changes too. We all knew that things were going to be different. I felt sorry for Leah, but this was just how it was always going to be.

I knew about the deal – I had heard Jacob discussing this with my mother when they thought I was asleep one night. Jacob had agreed to give Leah 'a year' before saying goodbye to her as a lover. I had thought it strange at the time, but I realised now that they were referring to my year away.

Jacob's second email was different, and far more urgent.

Nessie,

I had this weird feeling earlier. Please let me know you are okay as soon as you get this.

Love you.

Jake

I blinked and stared at the computer. Jake and I had never been apart for very long – and we had especially never been this far apart for long before. Perhaps it was like a sixth sense for Jake – knowing when I was in trouble.

Though I was mad at him for staying behind, I also missed him terribly. So I typed a short message.

Jake,

Yes, I'm fine.

I paused and hesitated. What should I say about Aalto? I never kept secrets from my Jake.

I have met some new, interesting people already.

There. That would do. Bend that truth!

The house is beautiful and we live right by a huge lake. Everything smells of wood and forest around here – you would like it. Mum and Dad already have jobs. I'm learning Finnish pretty quickly, so I might not have any excuses in school after all. Other than that, I'm just trying to keep my thoughts to myself so Dad doesn't butt in all the time.

Everyone else is fine too. How is Leah? Tell her hi back.

It feels like I have a huge hole in my chest without you. I don't think I'll stand it for long. Please visit soon. I miss you.

Renesmee.

After I switched the computer off, mom came in to say goodnight. She told me that Alice was being very strange, and I felt guilty. Aalto must be messing with her talent. It also reminded me to bug Alice about the vision she had in the shop about Matti – she had looked quite shook up after it.

I made conversation with my mother for a few minutes, which was nice, and hugged her before she tucked me in to bed tightly. It had been a long day.

I was asleep before she turned the light out.

A/N:

Next chapter will be more exciting, I promise! Aalto shows up again. And so does Matti. And we start to find out about Alice's strange behaviour. And I may even make Ness confide in Jasper. But I'm not too sure. Tell me what you think!