We had been back at school for a week and a half. Ruby had continued to sit with us at lunch, and I sat with her in almost all my classes. She was chatty, but hardly ever mentioned her family or beautiful friends. All I learnt was that the muscled one was Emmet and his girlfriend was Rosalie, yet somehow I was still suspicious of them. They would talk to Ruby in low voices, in hallways, that I could barely hear, and her face would grow angry. She so often snapped at them, I wondered if she was truly friends with them.

It was Wednesday, and as we sat around our table at lunch, Izzy was shouting about plans to go shopping.

'Well Pioneer Place is closest, but not as nice as the Lloyd Centre. If everyone doesn't mind the long drive, it'll be great!' Izzy's voice was high with excitement. A few of the girls beside her looked just as happy, but the guys groaned and Lucy gave me a look. Neither of us were shopping fanatics, and when we did go, we went just the two of us, it was easier that way, rather than traipsing round every shop, for every different style of all the girls.

'Think I'll pass, mum probably needs me at home, you know, doing, uh, stuff 'cause, yeah.' Brandon said his voice drifting as his made-up excuse ran out of gas. I needed an excuse too, and quickly.

'You know, my car probably wouldn't make it; it only just gets me to school in one piece.' I chipped in, finding my excuse. Lucy glared at me as it hadn't given her a way to opt out.

'Hey, no worries Beth, I can give you a lift, I mean it'll be fun right?' I still wasn't used to Ruby's music-like voice. I smiled back at her, unwilling to refuse. If she experienced one of Izzy's trips, she'd known to avoid them in the future.

'Thanks.' I looked over to her. I couldn't help but notice the colour of her eyes. They always seemed to change, they were golden, but seemed to drift darker with each day. Today I noticed they were back to the golden colour they had been when I first saw her.

'You couldn't give me a lift too could you?' Lucy piped up from beside me. She had gotten very close to Lucy after learning she was close to Emmet. She had decided breaking Emmet and Rosalie up would be her mission this year. I tutted at her and she flashed a sly grin at me.

'Hey, uh, maybe I could come along. I mean my mum couldn't be that busy right?' Brandon turned to look at me. 'I mean I could catch a lift too, yeah?' His glance moved and his eyes rested on Ruby. A smile spread across her face.

'Course I'll give you a lift! This is so exciting, my first shopping trip with you guys!' Her beam was infectious, and I couldn't help but laugh with her.

I stepped into the parking lot. It was another cloudy day. I had lived here for so long, and sun was almost a distant memory. If it wasn't for my occasional trips down to California, I would almost certainly have no recollection of feeling the sun heat my skin.

I walked towards my car thinking about what I could do this evening. Nothing came to mind. I pulled open the door of my car without unlocking it. The locks had broken years ago, but there was nothing worth stealing, so I had no worries. As I put the key in the ignition, I heard a familiar noise. My car wouldn't start. I groaned and leaned my head against the steering wheel. This car was so frustrating.

I sat back up and got out of my car. There was no way I was walking, but I wasn't sure there was much of a choice. All of my friends had left earlier, as I had stayed to get some work done in the library.

I slammed the white door and leaned against it, searching my pocket for my phone. Damn. Of course I hadn't brought it with me today, of all days.

I could suddenly feel eyes on me and I looked up back towards the building. Bella Swan, Ruby's friend was walking over to me.

'Need some help?' She asked, looking concerned.

'The frickin' thing won't start. Plus I forgot my phone.' I rubbed my forehead and ran my fingers through my hair.

'Give me five minutes and I'll give you a lift. You live down by the ford don't you?' I nodded dumbly. Here was the girl I had never spoken to, giving me a lift, because she knew where I lived. She glided swiftly away from me and as she did another figure appeared.

'Edward, I said I'd give Beth a lift, you wouldn't mind having a look at her car would you?' Bella questioned Edward. He glanced quickly, from Bella, to me, to my car. He nodded and walked towards Bella, wrapping her up in his arms before pressing his lips to her forehead and walking towards my car. He smiled at me before holding out his hand.

'Could I have the keys?' He asked politely. Yet again, I noticed the voice. It was like a melody.

'Well you, can but they it doesn't lock, so...' I trailed off.

'I'll need them to return it to you though.' He swiftly took the keys from my hand before turning away from me and opening the car door. I secretly doubted he would be able to fix it, but I decided not to voice my fear. I turned and Bella was waiting for me. I walked towards her, not knowing which car was hers. She headed towards something black, shiny and fast-looking. I opened the door and slipped into the passenger seat, feeling uncomfortable in this stranger's car.

The engine started with a purr, and even though I wasn't a car lover, I knew this was a nice car. We pulled out of the lot and she headed towards my house, not taking a wrong turn. I couldn't help but wonder why.

'I don't mean to be rude, but how do you know where I live?' I questioned, my curiosity finally getting the better of me and feeling the awkward silence in the car.

'Oh, just through Rubes. She just mentioned it, you know, in passing.' I thought back to when I had told Ruby where I lived. I hadn't. I remembered thinking about it after Ruby offered me a lift, knowing I would need to tell her, but I never had said out loud. It raised my suspicions of them again. While I was thinking I noticed we were pulling up just outside my house. I reached to grab my bag as Bella spoke.

'Uh, thanks Beth.' I looked at her confused. Shouldn't I be thanking her? She was the one who gave me a lift. 'You know, for being so sweet to Ruby. She's going through some hard times; I think it's nice for her to make some friends who don't judge her every move like Rose does.' She looked at me and I noticed her eyes were golden like Ruby's.

'I didn't know she was going through, uh, hard times,' I said, wanting to ask more, but not knowing if it was my place.

'She lost someone really close recently. But you've just cheered her up. She always comes home from school smiling and laughing. I just wanted to say thanks.' I was dumbstruck. Ruby seemed like such a happy person, how could she have lost someone? She was always smiling. Bella showed no more signs of speaking, so I picked up my bag and stepped out the car.

'Thanks again for the lift.' I said, meaning it. Bella nodded and the car glided out the drive and back down the street.

I went into the house thinking about what Bella had said. I couldn't help but wonder. Who was it she lost? A family member? A friend? I wanted to know, but I couldn't ask; I would have to wait for her to tell.

Someone called my name from the kitchen.

'You making my dinner or what? I'm hungry, and you're late!' I heard my brother's voice ring through the house.

'Spencer you will not be so rude to your sister!' I heard my mum's voice come from down the stairs. I laughed to myself. My brother and I had always argued as younger kids, but my mum couldn't seem to tell the difference between harsh words and messing about. I knew he was messing with me and so I slowly walked towards the kitchen, my thoughts still pondering Ruby.