Ah, how the week passes by so fast~

I'm fifteen minutes late in updating, but eh, whatever.

Hiii guys! How've you all been? I've been great, more than great, excellent actually! Life has been pretty good to me this week!

Anyway, I'm glad the last chapter was well received, and you guys like the new changes. Annnnd I hope you guys like this one too! More changes, Edward knows that she knows but not how she knows, but not to worry, we'll see more of what that means next chapter.

Thank you to all who faved and followed and the reviewers -you guys are especially appreciated (coughcoughfewasyouarecoughcough) :)

Con crit is very well received!

Review?

There must've been a God up there looking out for me, because despite my fears, no one came for me that night. No matter how long I lay wide awake in my bed, just waiting to hear my balcony doors open and feel the approaching presence of a vampire on a mission, they never came, and it was with a poignant sense of bafflement that I found myself still alive with all my limbs intact when sunrise came along.

That didn't mean I was placated however, and in my cowardice, I chose to skip classes that day.

And the next.

And for the rest of the week.

Yes, alright, it was blatant attempt to run away from the confrontation that awaited me at the school, and I knew, knew very well, that delaying it would only make things worse, but for Ra's sake - how could I be expected to face a vampire after revealing to said vampire that I knew they were a vampire also taking in the fact that it was against vampire laws for a human to know of the existence of a vampire?

That whole week I was a hot mess, every little sound made me jump and my eyes flitter to every corner almost manically, paranoia ran rampant within me, and I couldn't bring myself to sleep for fear that if I shut my eyes for just a minute, they'd take their chance and I'd never wake again.

But they didn't, and that only made things worse for me. Why hadn't they come? What were they waiting for? Were they trying to lull me into a false sense of security?

I remembered with extreme clarity the deep hostility in Edward's eyes, the threatening hiss from his chest, and sat up every night waiting for him to just come and finish me off, and when a new day arose I was once again left with a feeling of utter befuddlement because why?

My friends from school paid me a call on the second day of my absence to inquire about my well being, but I'd fed them a lie and claimed a particularly harsh cold, and when they offered to come over, Eric even promising to bring me my known favorite Apple pie, I kindly but firmly declined with a warning that I was highly contagious.

I also managed to stave off a visit from my Aunt Ana, who after an explanation from my father of the accident (whom I'd also just barely kept from flying over to see me), had insisted on multiple occasions to come check up on me herself. I'd calmly explained that I had nothing more than the occasional headache, and for that I was taking normal painkillers, and was otherwise okay.

All in all, despite my heavy paranoia, my week passed uneventfully. I did my normal exercise routine in the backyard every morning, I forced myself to eat a wholesome breakfast, and occupied myself through variois mundane activities throughout the rest of the day -tv, browsing the internet, working ahead in my school work, napping or simply just heading back outside to lie on the damp grass and staring at the cloudy skies, contemplating whether or not this was indeed reality.

And when Sunday came, heralding the arrival of Nina and My aunt and we sat on the backyard veranda together as the former calmly read Mary Shelley'd Frankenstein with a cup of tea on the glass table in front of her, and the former did my hair doing my hair while chattering genially about the events of my week, it was with a sense of resignation that I realized I could no longer evade the inevitable.

"Habibi, are you alright?" Aunty Zaho asked me the following morning at breakfast, a frown of concern marring her face. Nina as well, paused where she was munching on some fruit muesli to give me a worried look.

I forced a smile, "Oh yes, I'm fine, I just didn't sleep very well is all, but really, I'm okay." I said in what I hoped to be a convincing tone.

The blonde woman was dubious, "Your aunt's right, Noë, you look more like you're marching to war than anything," she pointed out, "Are you sure something isn't the matter? Are you still having headaches from the accident?"

I just laughed and shook my head, "Again, I just didn't sleep well, there's a history paper due today and I was up editing it, that's all."

This time Nina looked appeased, and my aunt patted my hand gently, "Don't worry, I know you did well." She told me, full of confidence, and I gave her a small smile, before returning to my previous actions of swirling the coco pops around in my milk.

In reality, I was feeling bad, a feeling of dread inhabiting my stomach and staving off any type of appetite I might have had. It'd become my constant companion since I'd awoken that early morning, staying with me all through my usual routine up till now, and I had a feeling it would remain with me for the whole day, until something potentially catastrophic happened to validate its presence.

I sighed inwardly and forced myself to eat if only a little, knowing I'd only regret it later, and tried not to show much discomfort too much.

Twenty minutes later found me sitting in the school parking lot, clutching the steering wheel with a death grip and doing the breathing exercises my psychologist had repeatedly instructed me to do in times of extreme stress, and right now, I was feeling extremely stessful.

I was early, earlier than even most of the teachers, the normally vibrant and busy lot was completely empty, save for mine and two other cars. The longer I started at the empty Cullen parking space, the more I regretted my sudden impulse to wake up a whole two hours earlier to get ready and be on the move, because now my mind was quite literally a screeching mess as I panicked over just what fate awaited me when I saw them again. It would've been better to be late, then I wouldn't have had to wait while running over multiple scenarios about being led into the thick forest behind the school and murdered there.

Breathe Arsinoë, I reminded myself when the prospect almost sent me into hysterics.

Abruptly I let go of the steering wheel and switched the engine on again, putting up the stereo's volume in an attempt to distract myself, focusing instead on calming down, closing my eyes and listening to Solange's soothing tones.

Time passed quickly like this, with me concentrating on my breathing and trying not to have a complete melt down, and before I knew it, it was quarter to eight and someone was knocking on my window.

My eyes popped open and I jumped in my seat, my neck snapping to see who it was -and praying it wasn't who I feared it was.

Luckily for me, it was just Mike. Good old Mike with his sunshine blonde hair and boyish grin. I breathed a sigh of relief and shut off the ignition, grabbing my backpack and hopping out with a small, though no less genuine, smile of my own.

"You're alive!" He exclaimed teasingly, giving me a friendly hug, and I laughed, returning it with a squeeze before stepping back.

"I was dead, but then I remembered the history paper we had due today," sighing exaggeratedly, I added, "Homework haunts you even in the afterlife, man, its rough."

The blonde made a faux noise of sympathy, nodding grimly, "No rest for the tormented highschool student." He replied, tone somber.

I snorted in amusement, and was thankfully when I could feel my mood lightening. I'd always liked Mike, he was funny and cheerful, and like with most people in the Twilight franchise, had been subjected to Bella's unfair opinions. I tried to dissuade his crush on me, but he himself wasn't overbearing and was a genuine friend, so his affections rarely showed themselves.

"But you are feeling better, aren't you?" He inquired, genuinely concerned, and I waved my hand dismissively.

"I'm okay, thank you." I said, "It was just a cold, nothing too bad."

Mike looked relieved, "That's good. We would've come to see you if you hadn't come to school today." He said.

And then a new voice;

"Arsinoë, would you mind speaking with me for a moment?"

I tensed, immediately recognizing the person it belonged to. I wondered idly, if this was it, if it was finally time for things to come to a head.

"Edward," I acknowledged, turning around to address him directly. He stood with an unassuming smile, bronze hair in its usual disarray, eyes back to their striking molten gold and dressed smartly in a dark peacoat, grey scarf and dark jeans tucked into brown shoes, looking for all the world like he was a model advertising winter clothing than a supposed highschool student. I gave him my own fake smile and answered, "Of course."

I didn't have much of a choice in the first place.

Mike's blue eyes flickered between us with confusion, and another emotion I couldn't identify, and after giving him an apologetic look, followed Edward as he led me behind the cafeteria building to a secluded spot, a few feet away from the mouth of the forest. For a second, I genuinely worried he'd chosen this spot to get rid of me, before I hastily chastised myself. He wouldn't he so dumb as to do it so close to potential witnesses.

"Fine day we're having isn't it?" I couldn't help but say first, one last attempt to stall for time.

Obviously I failed, "You were gone last week." The vampire declared, an echo of my words to him the previous week.

I shrugged, "I was sick."

He raised a brow at me, "Were you?"

"Yes." I answered simply.

"That's quite unfortunate. I'm glad you're feeling better now." He said in a drab voice, clearly disbelieving, and I made a vague sound of agreement at the back of my throat.

There was a brief silence as we watched each other, the air thick with the tension of unsaid words and hidden truths, until finally he sighed softly, "Firstly, I'd like to apologize for my behavior on Tuesday. It was rude of me to be so..." Here there was a split second pause as he searched for the right word, "Abrasive." He settled eventually, mouth down turned in displeasure.

And wasn't that a surprise, the fact that he felt the need to apologies at all - yes maybe he had started it, but I wasn't exactly blameless either. I regarded him carefully for a second, but when I realized just how genuine he was being, could only relent. "Apology accepted." I said.

At the least, it was nice knowing I wouldn't be killed anymore. Probably.

Satisfied, Edward nodded once, before speaking again, "Regarding what you said about-"

And there I cut him off, because I already knew what he was referring to. "I won't tell anyone, no one will find out, I promise." I said honestly, and his eyes darkened.

"So you do know." He muttered mostly to himself, sounding resigned and running a frustrated hand through his hair. I bit my lip unsurely, and tried to make myself seem as genuine as possible, because I was -it had never been in any of my plans to revealing what his family was. All I'd wanted was to lay low and find my way back to my own world without causing waves.

Clearly it hadn't worked out quite as I'd wanted, but my principles remained the same, "Yes, but as I said, I'll keep my mouth shut, you can rest assured of that." I tried again, placing every bit of my honesty in my tone.

"How did you even find out?" He asked, frowning at me. The wind blew around us, rustling the trees behind us, and then it was my turn to sigh.

"It's complicated." I replied, shoulders slumping. The warning bell chose that moment to ring, and I rejoiced; saved by the bell indeed. "Either way, you have my word."

He looked like he had more to say, eyes holding innumerable questions, possibly even about my own secrets, but I quickly fled before he could voice any of them.

More than a month passed.

A whole month and a half passed and he didn't say one word to me. I didn't know why it came as such as surprise either - coupled with the way our last conversation ended, and my knowledge of his family's secrets, he was probably trying to limit contact as much as possible for his own good. Still, I found myself slightly conflicted on how to feel regarding his behavior, perhaps a foolish part of me thought we could even be friends, considering the lack of need of secrecy. Nonetheless, I was wrong in my assumption and was promptly and efficiently ignored. He ignored me so bad even, that when I sat with him, I actually began to doubt my own existence.

I did try to speak with him, maybe even apologise for my own, quite frankly, abysmal behavior the day of the accident, but faced with a stoney wall of silence, I let my olive branc drop and proceeded to ignore him too. I decided after much reflection, that Edward had it right, halting any interaction between us was the right thing to do. It was a tense forty-five minutes of Biology each class, to the point that even our teacher picked up on it and gave us curious looks whenever we wouldn't even look at each other during a 'paired' assignment. Thankfully, he didn't comment, as long as we got the work done properly, he didn't really care.

Lunch was much the same too. Edward didn't look at me, nor I at him. Eventually, I forgot about him and continued on with my life in relative peace and tranquility.

That's a lie.

Really, I should have been happy that he wasn't paying me any regard, because that meant less potential problems for me in the future. Getting attached was dangerous, I'd already made a mistake by allowing myself to make such good friends with my lunch group, I knew this very well, and yet it still hurt when he didn't even glance in my direction when I took a seat next to him during class.

But like I promised him, I didn't tell anyone the truth about the accident and stuck with the lie of him standing right next to me and pulling me away. Everyone believed me easily, finding no reason to question my claims, but I did also wonder why no one had seen him standing by his car. Even Angela, who had been with me at the time. I wondered if this was a part of the reality my mind had fabricated; A subconscious desire to be taken at face-value about anything and everything I said.

If that were true, well, I could see why I would want it.

Talking about Angela, as soon as she'd thanked me excessively for saving her life by pushing her out the way, and apologized for panicked during the incident. I told her that it was alright, and that I didn't blame her. Quite honestly, it would've been a traumatic experience for anyone and I was just glad she was safe. Much to my dismay, the next day she brought me a hand-baked batch of Red Velvet cupcakes as a gift, and I shamefully must admit that I ate most of them on the spot.

Who was I to decline free food?

All that aside though, that month and a half was not a good time for me. Perhaps it was the inexplicable sadness from being ignored by Edward (and what a silly girl I was for even letting him get to me), or the fact that I still hadn't woken up from this strange reality, no matter what I tried, but I sunk into a low spot. I avoided everyone by mumbling excuses about having to go to the library for extra credit work and claimed fatigue when I didn't engage in debates as I normally did.. They agreed without a fuss most times, but I occasionally thought I saw Angela giving me curious looks once in a while. My aunt and Nina worried as well but I placated them by saying it really wasn't as serious as it seemed and no, I didn't need to make the phone call. Reluctantly, they let me be, and luckily didn't inform my parents.

Plans were made to go to beach, as expected and I was invited, which was also expected. I declined though. Not because of the Quileute's, but because I didn't really like going to the beach with too many people. In fact, I preferred going alone. Most times in the evening to watch the sunset. Sometimes, Lucianna would come with me and we would dance around a fire and watch the stars when the tide was low. That's another thing that got me down during that month. I missed my friend. Even if she was the cause of this whole mess (at least I thought so). She was my bestfriend, and we were really close. Lucianna had always been my support, always there when I needed her, and the fact that she wasn't only served to make me even more depressed.

I met with Esme frequently however, chatting pleasantly over coffee at the café which had now become our usual meetup spot. She couldn't replace Lucianna, but she was a source of comfort and support. The one thing however that struck me as odd was her continuous attempt to keep up her charade. She drank the coffee without a visible sign of discomfort, made sure to move at human speeds at all times and not do anything that could possibly jeopardize her cover, and not once did she mention or make allusion to the fact that I was actually aware of her secret.

Had Edward just not told her?

And it wasn't just Esme either, none of his siblings were being more hostile than usual, not shooting me the death glares I'd expect after they found out of my knowledge of their inhuman status. Hell, Rosalie hadn't even glanced at me.

Had Edward not told any of them?

It was confusing, and I could find no reason for him to hide the truth from his own family, no matter how long I spent pondering his motives. Why hadn't he informed them of such a big thing? What was making him keep quiet about it? Unfortunately, I could find no answers, and was forced to resign myself to a state of ignorance regarding it.

On another note, the spring dance was approaching and everyone was excited for it, already planning their dates and outfits despite it not being for at least three weeks. Personally, I didn't feel much regarding it, -except maybe vague amusement at the flustered state it put the school in- as I had no plans to attend. I really was going to Seattle that day.

My mother had arranged a check-up for me, 'just to see how I was doing', she'd genially said, and though I didn't buy her jovial demeanor, I'd agreed nonetheless. Maybe I'd find an actual solution by going, or maybe I really was condemned to this faux-realit forever.

Either way, it would do me some good to finally figure out what was going on.

That morning I woke up pretty sluggishly (playing Marble Legend all night does that to you) and took my time in getting ready. I washed slower than a snail ever could, brushed my teeth using all the time in the world and languidly blow dried my hair. Even eating breakfast was a chill event, to the point that I even had a second bowl of Coco Pops. Nina gave me a pointed look when she saw me do that but didn't comment. Her eyes said enough. "You and me are going to have a real workout session soon" they said.

As if everything we been doing every morning was fake. I huffed and ignored her but inwardly I was dreading it. Already a session with her was worse than being sent through a meat grinder, I couldn't imagine what she'd make me endure if she was determined.

She was right though, during my three months in this world, we'do only been doing light exercises, and that was unacceptable. If I slacked off any more, my older brother Larz would actually have a chance to tease me next time we saw each other.

I left for school in a hurry after that and made it just before the bell rang to signal the start of it, the consequences of my slothfulness catching up with me. The morning passed quickly, though I was surprised to see Jessica looking like her puppy had just died during lunch. I suspected Mike had declined her invitation to the dance in three weeks. She'd called me the previous night to ask me if it was okay if she could ask him. I easily reassured her that it was no problem and that I wouldn't even be attending. She'd tried (quite genuinely, to my surprise) to get me to come but me being me, just told her no in the most no-nonsense t voice I could muster.

By the time lunch rolled around, I was pretty sure Mike had indeed said no, and judging from how they were sitting on complete opposite sides of the table, and how she was chatting up Eric, I was correct in my assumption. I think her goal was to make him jealous, but Mike was silent all through his meal and even more so when he walked with me to Biology. The look of discomfort on his face was concerning, but for the life of me, I couldn't figure out what was wrong. He didn't talk to me at all, like he usually did, and instead perched himself on my desk waiting for class to start. I gave him a curious look, wondering why he was behaving so oddly, but eventually let it go and busied myself by going over my homework from the night before (while Edward ignored us both) while half contemplating what would happen if I tried to stab my seating companion.

"So," Mike started rather loudly, startling me from my musings. Much to my surprise, he was still sitting on the table. I looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to speak and finally reveal what was bothering him.

"Jessica asked me to the spring dance today." He said nervously. I nodded in acceptance and smiled.

"Good for you then." Was my honest reply. I saw Edward tilt his head slightly in our direction, obviously paying attention to our conversation and tried not to frown.

"Well," He floundered for a response after seeing my encouraging expression. He'd clearly not been expecting my response, "I told her I would think about it."

I paused in my tapping of my pen against my notebook and leveled him with a suspicious stare, which made him shrink away. Was he asking what I thought he was asking?

"Well...shouldn't you be thinking then, instead of telling me about this?" I asked pointedly.

Mike turned red as a tomato and looked down.

"I was, well…um…I was wondering if, if you might be planning on asking me." He stammered out nervously, confirming my suspicions. Edward let out a small cough so quiet that I almost didn't hear it. He was probably laughing at my situation on the inside.

"Mike…" I said somewhat guiltily. I shouldn't have waited so long to discourage his attentions and now it was blowing up in my face. "I think you should tell her yes."

"Did you already ask someone?" I really hoped that Edward would be courteous enough to at least pretend that Mike's eyes hadn't flickered to him in that instant. I felt the guilt being replaced by annoyance.

"No." I assured him, noticing how my lab partner's head tilted a bit more to hear my reasoning. "I'm not going."

"Why not?" Mike all but demanded.

I frowned at him, "Quite frankly, its none of your business Mike, but if you must know, I'm going to Seattle that day."

He seemed ashamed, "Can't you go another day?" He asked in a much calmer voice and I shook my head.

"Nope." I said, popping the 'P'. He sagged and I smiled at him, trying to cheer him up a bit. I felt guilty, he'd only kept pining for me because I hadn't been clear in my romantic disinterest. Now he was sad because I was a procrastinator. He was a good friend, always trying to cheer me up. He deserved better.

Giving him a smile, I poked his side hard, "You shouldn't make Jessica wait any longer. It's rude." I told him in an encouraging tone, and he nodded solemnly.

"Yeah, you're right."

I winced at his crestfallen tone, looking away as he trudged to his seat. Mr. Banner had just walked in when I opened to a fresh page in my notebook and quickly wrote the date, and then cursed when I wrote 2016 instead 2005 and was forced to cross it out to correct it. I sighed wearily, tugging at my hair hard in frustration, before glancing up.

Edward Cullen was staring at me curiously, frustration also present in his golden eyes. I wasn't so surprised, as defiant and I stared back at him expectantly, raising an eyebrow, just daring him to comment on mymistake. He must've taken it as a challenge, because he didn't look away, instead just searched my gaze harder.

"Mr. Cullen?" the teacher called, waiting for the answer to a question I hadn't heard.

"The Krebs Cycle." He didn't even seem to think about the answer. It was correct, of course.

I huffed in annoyance, rolling my eyes and looking away.

I was relieved when the bell rang, eager to escape such stifling tension and expecting him to flee like normal, but I was surprised to see him watching me gather my things.

Oh, so today was the day he would talk to me again? Yippee. I should have been happy, ecstatic even because I'd been suffering from his silence for so long, and yet I wasn't. His mood swings were wild and erratic, and honestly, I was tired of them.

"Arsinoë?" The sound of my name on his lips should'nt have made me want to listen to whatever he had to say. No, it really shouldn't have. I worked hard to keep my annoyance intact.

"A historic day! Is Edward Stick-up-his-ass Cullen actually talking to me?" I gasped, feigning surprise. Much to my satisfaction, I had managed an insult, which he had caught too, judging by the slight look of amusement on his face. It only made me angrier. He was supposed to be offended. The asshole. Real annoyance at my insult being completely disregarded reared its head and I glowered at him.

"No, not really." He answered, clearly fighting a smile.

I promptly turned on my heel and walked away. If he wasn't going to be serious, then I wasn't going to stay and be mocked. I heard a soft laugh and soon footsteps chasing after me, but I didn't stop until he grabbed my hand just as I made it out the classroom door.

I sighed heavily, closing my eyes wearily, "Edward, I'm not in the mood for this."

"I'm sorry." He said, and my eyes popped open once more in my surprise. My brows furrowed as I searched his face, but my expression softened when I registered the sincerity and seriousness of his apology. I cursed inwardly and berated myself; I was such a sucker when it came to him.

"I'm being very rude, I know. But trust me, it's better this way." He stated gravely. I huffed and snatched my hand away. He let go.

"Elaborate." I stated, putting a hand on my hip, holding my stuff in my other arm.

"We shouldn't be friends." He said, voice full of regret. I pursed my lips in displeasure.

"I gathered that, yes." I stated, tapping my foot against the ground impatiently. "Kind of hard not to when you've been pretending I don't exist for the last month and a half."

Edward looked guilty, "Trust me." He impeached. I stared at him in disbelief for a second.

Yes of course, I trusted in the fact that I was a bother to him and his family, a liability.

"Its too bad you didn't figure any of this out earlier," I hissed through my teeth, "You could have saved yourself all this regret."

"Regret?" He echoed, caught off guard by my blatant hostility. "Regret for what?"

I glared, "Regret for saving my life, obviously."

He was astonished clearly, by the way he regarded me in disbelief. "You think I regret saving your life?" He sounded angry.

I felt like screaming! Obviously he did! I wasn't Bella, he didn't do it out of anything aside from obligation towards his family, lest I become a stain and Jasper reveal their whole secret. Did he think I was blind? Stupid? Despite my own damning feelings, I harbored no misconceptions about his own.

I was seething, "Of course, you do! Who am I, except some, some irrelevant stranger to you who's suddenly become an annoyance that knows more than she's supposed to just won't go away!" My voice was so heated that English had become a vague concept. I could barely pronounce the words correctly in my fury, my foreign tongue turning everything almost entirely unintelligable, and my accent shooting everything to hell besides. It was a wonder he understood anything I said at all.

Edward was livid. "You know nothing." He ground out, golden eyes cold and slowly darkening.

English was promptly thrown out the window. "Neither do you!" I declared in Arabic just as angrily. The bell rang shrilly, interrupting us, and I gave an enraged huff, before turning and marching away.

By the time school ended later that day, however, I'd managed to control myself enough that I was no longer fuming, though speaking in proper English without fumbling was still a little hard. Whenever I got really angry, my brain had a tough time functioning as normal, and it took a while for everything to click back into place.

I basically ran to my car in my haste to get away. I wasn't totally okay, and all I wanted to do was go home and curl up under the covers with a jar of peanut butter and drown everything out with some music.

I almost had a stroke when I rounded a corner and saw a dark figure leaning against my passenger door -though my heart calmed when I saw that it was only Eric.

"Eric." I greeted, trying to pass as nonchalant.

He looked odd, and swallowed thickly. "Hi, Noë." He replied.

I stared at him with a frown, before looking away and reaching into my pocket, taking out my keys. "Why are you lurking about my car?" I asked, unlocking my car.

"Uh, I was just wondering...if you would go to the Spring Dance with me?" Eric asked, sounding hoarse.

I froze, and looked up at him. Was I mistaken? Wasn't it a Sally Hawkins dance? But I couldn't be, because even Jessica had asked Mike herself.

"Its girl's choice." I said tiredly, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand and already at the limits of my patience.

"Well, yeah." He agreed, and I blinked. Why then, had I been asked, not just once, but twice today, when the rules clearly said that the girl was supposed to ask? "So then, why are you asking me?" I didn't understand.

"Um...Well, because you didn't ask me...and I wanted to know if you wanted to go with me?" He sounded unsure, and I frowned.

Were the boys at this school so inflated that they wouldn't even let a girl make her own choice?

"Did it ever occur to you, that if I wanted to go with you, I would have asked?"

Eric flushed crimson and shifted his weight awkwardly from foot to foot, but didnt reply. I sighed wearily, I was tired and I just wanted to go home.

"I'm not going to the dance, Eric. I'm going to Seattle that day."

"Oh." He mumbled, barely looking at me. "Maybe next time?"

"No." I stated quite clearly.

Eric slumped away at that, heading back for the school building and I sighed again. Suddenly I heard a low chuckle.

Edward was walking past the front of my car, lips pressed together and looking entirely innocent. I growled, annoyed all over again and got inside the car, slamming the door roughly closed and revving the engine, reversing into the aisle. Edward was already in his own car two spaces down, smoothly sliding out and cutting me off. He stopped there -to wait for his family. I could see them slowly waltzing to the car, taking their sweet time, and I resented them for it. At that moment I seriously contemplated driving into the back of his car, consequences be damned.

I took a deep breath to calm down before I did something I'd regret in the future and reached for my phone lying in the dashboard slot. I could wait, I could be patient, I wouldn't let him get to me. I needed to stop letting him have so much control over me, I was fine.

I chose a song by trusty Raspberry Blond, always able to calm me down, and sighed in satisfaction when the first notes filled the car.

A knock on my window made me jump in surprise, and when I turned to see who it was, dread pooled within me. After a second, I rolled down the glass and lowered the music.

"Ah, Tyler, as you can see, I'm stuck behind Edward. Sorry, if that's what you're here for." I said gesturing to the silver in front of me.

I desperately hoped to the Gods that was what he was here for.

"Oh, I know," Tyler said, undeterred, "I just wanted to ask you something while we're trapped here." His grin was confident.

I was not.

I thought fast for a solution, and made a split second choice. I pasted on my widest grin and leaned forward. "Dude, you'll never believe what happened to me today!" I exclaimed dramatically, and he paused. "I think like four guys asked me to the dance! I told them I was going to Seattle that day, but you know what? One of them even said 'Oh I know, I just thought you were letting the others down easy." I declared, inserting clear annoyance in my voice.

Tyler's grin slowly slid off his face because that was exactly what he was going to say. "Can you believe how utterly arrogant and pigheaded some guys are? Its unbelievable, Tyler!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands in the air for added effect. "I'm serious when I say I'm not going to that dance, and I swear if anyone asks me again, I'll punch them in face!" I threatened, waving my fist for emphasis.

Then I smiled innocently at him as if I hadn't done anything. "But I know you're not like them, and obviously you won't ask me to the dance." I scoffed loudly, "The mere idea is absurd, am I right?" I grinned at him expectantly.

Tyler swallowed and nodded numbly. "Err, yeah." He agreed lamely. My grin widened.

"Awesome," I declared, this time smiling genuinely. I couldn't help but feel so much better now that I'd pulled my little act. It made me feel all foxy-sly. "So what was it that you wanted to ask me?"

"Oh, um...my grandmother wants to know if you'd like to visit sometime?" Tyler asked. I'd met the kindly Ivorian woman once, when she'd personally come to the school in order to apologize for her grandson's mistake, and she immediately took a liking to me and I her.

"Of course." I answered, voice sugar sweet.

"Cool then." He said nodding and wringing his hands. "I'll uh, let her know." He beat a hasty retreat, and I grinned triumphantly.

I noticed the rest of the Cullens getting into the Volvo. Edward seemed to be laughing, and I caught his eye in his rearview mirror. I couldn't help but be amused, and I rose a brow exexpectantly. I knew exactly why he was laughing, he'd been eavesdropping.

I should have been still angry with him, but my trick ovee Tyler had calmed me down exponentially, and I was feeling so much better.

Finally, when all his siblings were in, Edward sped away, and I sighed.

When I arrived, I found Nina and my Aunt in the process of making dinner, and joined them in the kitchen to help with what I could. It was Koshari, and so my job was to mash the fava beans. While I was wrapping them in tin foil, the telephone rang in the foyer, and since I was the only one with clean hands, I was left to answer.

It was Jessica, and she was ecstatic; Mike had caught her after school to accept her invitation to the dance. I celebrated briefly with her while I sat on the stairs. After a while of listening to squeals piglets would be proud of, I eventually cut her off by innocently suggesting that Angela could take Eric, and maybe even Lauren could take Tyler, and they could make it a group thing. She took to the idea easily, and after trying once again to convince me to join them (to which I gave my Seattle excuse), she bid me farewell to go call the other girls.

I was mostly preoccupied after dinner, even when Nina tried to engage me in conversation as she helped me unbraid my hair. I was too busy going over my dispute with Edward from earlier in the day. I knew why he said what he did, he wasn't interested, I wouldn't delude myself into thinking otherwise. Bella was his soulmate -wherever the hell she was at the moment- and obviously no one would catch his attention like she could.

I berated myself for even giving him the time of day all, when I knew very well that I couldn't be getting myself into anything. I wouldn't be here long anyway. There was no reason to feel a pang in my chest when I thought of him. I'd wake up, and everything would be back to normal and I'd be back in my Dublin apartment with Lucy.

That night before I slept, I upped the usual dosage of medicine from two pills to three.

I woke up feeling alive the next morning. I didn't even groan when I had to get out of bed.

I showered, scrubbing my hair throughly now that it was once again free, and brushed my teeth, all with a smile on my face.

I wondered how long my good mood would last.

Then I stared into my closet for a few minutes, in the mood to dress up, before deciding on a pair of black skinny jeans, a matching colored elbow length boyfriend shirt, and my favorite maroon suede booties with black laces in the front. I also wore my grey coat and my black suede gloves, because the weather was still cold, even though spring was on its way.

When I went downstairs, Aunty Zaho paused in her perusal of the latest Vogue issue to give me a once over and raised an eyebrow.

"You look good." She remarked casually, and Nina nodded in affirmation. I smiled brightly and said a chirpy "I feel good!" causing her eyebrow to rise even higher.

"So, who're you trying to impress?" She asked bluntly and I laughed.

"Zehira, she doesn't have to dress up just to impress someone. She could be doing it for herself." Nina placed a bowl of fruit salad in front of me and I smiled gratefully.

"Thank you, Nina." I stated pointedly. The blond woman winked at me in reply.

My aunt still didn't look entirely convinced, but hummed in acknowledgement at her friend's word. "Perhaps." She demured, green eyes twinkling. I laughed around my grape.

Nina rolled her eyes, but did do anything aside from sip her own cup of coffee. "Your mother called last night after you went upstairs." She told me, "She wants you to call her back before school." I sighed in resignation.

"I'll call her on the way." I declared, standing and shouldering my backpack. "I have to go, 'else I'll be late. Will I see you when I come back?" I asked my aunt.

"Sorry, I won't be here. I'm going to Seattle. The new store is almost ready and I need to go supervise. I'll be back by nine though." She explained and I nodded.

"Alright then. Bye Nina."

"See you later, Noë." Nina replied waving before I grabbed my keys and headed out.

I connected my phone's Bluetooth to the car so I could drive hands free, and dialed mother.

It rang three times before she picked up. "Noë, my little kitty-cat!" She exclaimed happily. I smiled a little at the term of endearment, reversing out the drive way.

"Ma, good morning. How are you?" I asked. She sounded like she was in a agreeable mood and I sighed inwardly with relief. I'd been preparing myself for a quarrel.

"I've been talking to your director, and I heard that you've been doing very, very well at school! My clever kitty-cat, Ma is so proud of you!" The car filled with the sound of her delighted laughter, and I could only huff fondly.

"I've been working hard." I said, turning onto the highway. And I had been -basically throwing myself into my books in an effort to distract myself from the current reality I was facing. I couldn't say it was the best thing to do, but at least it made my report card look spick and span.

She made a sound of agreement. "I know you have, and you sound so much happier than when you left. I'm glad sending you to Forks was a good idea." My mother sounded jubilant. "Are you finally making yourself some friends? Found a boyfriend?"

I almost swerved off my lane when she said that, and barely recovered in time. I chuckled awkwardly, "Eh, Ma, you know I don't have time for that." I said.

"Oh -well, at least you're happy. That's what matters for now." She declared firmly. I sighed, but didn't answer. For all our differences, I knew my mother loved me, in her own strict way, and I didn't want to rain on her parade by ruining her mood.

"Yes, Ma." I answered, turning into the school.

I pulled into the parking lot and deliberately parked as far as possible from the Silver Volvo already there. I didn't need temptation,lest I decided to total it by ramming into the back of his car.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and disconnected my phone, placing it against my ear. "Now, I'm actually calling, because I heard it was Spring Break soon, and I was wondering if you wanted to come home with me for that weekend?" She asked, much to my surprise. "I have to jet over for a quick meeting, and I thought we could catch up. Spend some time together."

"Home as in Alexandria?" I asked incredulously. She made an impatient sound.

"Last I checked, that's where your home is, yes." I could just see her eye roll.

Only she would propose a 'quick weekend' trip halfway across the world.

I got out the car, adjusting my bag on my back and closed the driver's door. "Ma, isn't that a bit, unnecessary? Its only for two days, and anyway, I have that doctor's appointment remember?"

She scoffed. "We can always reschedule, not a problem."

I dropped the car keys in my hand from shock at her words. Who was this woman and what had she done with my mother?

As I bent down, a white hand grabbed it before I could, and I jerked upright to see Edward next to me, leaning casually against the front of my car, nonchalantly examining my diamond keychain.

I stared at him for a moment, before remembering my mother. "Ma, I'll -ah, call you back later. Class is about to start. Love you." I hung up before she could reply.

Belatedly, I realized what I'd just done.

"How do you do that?" I asked irritably, sliding my phone into my pocket. No, I wasn't referring to his speed, but his abilty to get me to drop everything I was doing and pay him my full attention. Today, he was wearing a pair of dark grey jeans tucked into black laced calf-length boots, a slightly lighter grey shirt and a light black coat on top. His hair of course, looked windswept like every other day and he had a smirk on which would make every woman (and man) turn into a puddle of goo.

I cursed my inability to disregard him. I felt like throttling him because of it.

"Do what?" He asked innocently, taking my hand and dropping the key in it. I was happy to note that he was willing to at least touch me…But maybe it was only because I had gloves on, so I couldn't feel his cold temperature.

I thought quickly for a reply. "Just 'appear' out of thin air." I said, adding the quotation marks with my fingers. His smirk grew, revealing his sharp and blindingly white teeth.

"Arsinoë, it's not my fault that you are exceptionally unobservant." He stated, his voice was soft as usual, but clear.

I scowled at him.

"Why the traffic jam yesterday?" I asked, changing the subject. "I thought you were determined to ignore me out of existence. Not annoy me." I said, crossing my arms and leaning against the driver's door.

"That was for Tyler's sake, not mine. I had to give him his chance." He told me, amusement evident on his handsome face.

"You're so-!" I couldn't even find the right word to describe him, I was that irritated. I wished the heat of my anger would physically burn him, but he only seemed more amused.

"And I'm not pretending you don't exist." He stated. I rolled my eyes.

"So you are trying to irritate me to death? Since Tyler's van didn't do the job." I questioned, exasperated.

"You are utterly absurd." His voice was back to its startling cold, all traces of humour gone. I turned on my heel and walked away without a word. I was under no obligation to deal with his nonsense.

"Wait." He called out, but I kept walking. It was no use though, he easily kept pace with me.

"I apologise, that was rude." I didn't answer. "I'm not saying it wasn't true, but it was rude to say, nonetheless."

"Why won't you leave me alone?" I grumbled.

He was making everything so complicated, messing me up on the inside. I didn't like being so entirely at his mercy, attachment was not a good thing in my case, and yet he wasn't making anything easier for me.

"My intention was to ask you something, but you sidetracked me." He chuckled. Apparently, he was in a good mood again.

His mood swings were pissing me off and I wondered if he had multiple personality disorder. He switched moods faster than even I did, and I could find no other explanation.

"See? You're doing it again." He pointed out when I voiced my question, still grinning and I sighed, shaking my head.

"Excuse me then. What was it you wanted to ask?" I queried, raising an eyebrow.

"I was wondering if, a week from Sunday –You know the day of the spring dance-"But I cut him off.

"Don't do it, Edward." I stated threateningly.

"Would you kindly let me finish?" He huffed and I nodded.

"Fine."

"I heard you were going to Seattle that day and I was wondering if you wanted a ride?" He asked. I blinked.

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"Do you want a ride to Seattle?" He asked again.

"With who?" I couldn't help but ask. Surely he couldn't be talking about himself.

"Myself, obviously." Edward enunciated every syllable as if he were talking to someone mentally handicapped. Which, I didn't much appreciate.

My brows furrowed and I squinted at him suspiciously. "...Why?" I asked warily. For what reason could get possibly want to go with me, Arsinoë Zeidan for? I didn't understand. He didn't like me, so why would willingly condemn himself to my company?

"Well to be honest, I was planning on going to Seattle in the near future and I suppose this was the best option. Why not go together and save on gas?" He asked, and it was a logical response.

I still didn't buy it.

"I don't see how that's important Edward." I told him. Why couldn't he just tell the truth, and say the real reason, whatever it was.

"The wasting of finite resources is very important Arsinoë." He retorted.

"Are you going to interrogate me? Dig for information?" I asked warily.

He shrugged, "I am undoubtedly curious." He told me, apparently unconcerned despite the fact that I'd just called him out on his true motives. He held out a hand to stop me from replying, and smiled at, "I'm mostly trying to be friendly, however."

I still didn't trust him.

"I thought you didn't want to be my friend." I said to him, raising an eyebrow. He shook his head.

"I said that it would be better if weren't, not that I didn't want to be." He clarified, and I gave him a dry look.

"Oh, okay, now that's all cleared up." My voice was dripping with enough sarcasm to kill a small rodent.

"It would be more…prudent for you not to be my friend, all things considered," he clarified. "But I'm tired of trying to stay away from you, Arsinoë." His eyes were superbly intense now, making my heart stop momentarily as I stared into them, but I caught myself quickly and sighed heavily.

I didn't understand him, he was entirely too confusing for my mind to make sense of, but I knew that I didn't have the willpower to deny him anything either.

"We'd have to take my car." I stated and was amused to see his eyes light up, eagerness shining through.

"Not a problem, I've wanted to drive it for a while." He stated and I gave him a pointed look. He automatically assumed that he would drive. Typical.

"And I play my music loudly…" I warned, reading his expression.

"I'm curious about your taste in music. It's interesting, from the bits I hear." He spoke and I shook my head in resignation.

"Alright, fine," I acquiesced finally with the air of someone condemned to a hanging. My mother was right, I could always reschedule my appointment.

He smiled once more, making my chest want to explode and nodded, a smug smirk forming on his face.

"You really should stay away from me." He stated and just like that, walked away from me, seconds before the bell rang.

I sighed. I was getting myself into deep shit, and I knew it.