I cursed under my breath as I saw him in the seat beside mine. I took in a deep breath to keep myself from fleeing and walked stiffly inside. My chin was unintentionally tilted up slightly in a kind of defiance as I dropped my binder on the desk and sat. I looked at the plan on the board and wrote down my notes in less than a minute so I could text Em through the whole class. I felt him stare at me as I copied the notes out of my memory. I snapped without looking up, "Take a photo, Cullen. It lasts longer."

Half of me hated snapping at him, but the other half hated him for leaving me. That velvet voice said, "Bella-"

I cut him off, looking up to meet his eyes. "What makes you think you can talk to me? You and your family left me. I have no reason nor want to talk to any of you right now. It goes beyond disliking you. I HATE ALL OF YOU!"

I felt my hands begin to tremble and I took a couple deep breaths to calm myself. Luckily, Edward didn't talk anymore. He must have gotten that I was dangerous-times-a-thousand. I, too, stayed silent and scribbled down my notes. Just before the bell rang, I got my things together so I could leave. The second the bell buzzed, I was up and out. I whipped my phone out while I walked and texted the others: Guys, we're going home early. I can't stand being here any longer.

I shoved the phone in my pocket and ran at top speed to the office. I popped inside and said to the secretary, "Hi, me and my sisters are leaving today for dentist appointments."

Mr. Ross said, sounding bored, "Names?"

I replied, "Luxe, Elizabeth, Emalie, and Isabella Swan."

He typed in a few things and said, "Bring in a doctor's note on Monday."

I gave a smile and headed outside to wait for the others. I didn't have to wait long; Em was there first, then Luxe and Liz came together. Em asked, "Bella, what's wrong?"

I shook my head and said, "Wait until we get home."

We got in our separate cars and I was out first, burning rubber. I brooded the whole five minute drive and was surprised when I found myself in the driveway. I hopped out of the silver Jeep and headed into the house. I dropped onto the couch and let out a frustrated growl. Not much could get under my skin like that but hejust could. Em walked in and sat beside me, idly drumming her fingers on the couch cushion. "So..." Em said conversationally. "What happened?"

I sighed, "Wait 'til the others are here."

It wasn't a long wait. Luxe and Liz came in not a minute later. Both were unnaturally quiet. Once they had sat down, I said, "Okay, here's what happened. When I lived in Forks a century ago, I attended this very school. On my first day, I met a boy who seemed to hate me. I learned over time though it was for my own safety that he stayed so distant. He was a vampire and to him, my blood was the sweetest scent he had ever smelled. He overcame it and we were in love. I accepted his family as my own, despite the fact of what they were. I understood I was in danger at every moment, but I couldn't care less.

"Then came my disastrous eighteenth birthday. I didn't want gifts, let alone a party, but Alice—that's the pixie I ran fromؙ—will be Alice. Long story short, I got a paper cut and Jasper—that's Alice's mate—tried to attack me. A few days after that, Edward—that's the vampire I met-told me he didn't love me and didn't want me. I've not been the same since."

Em's usually cheerful face was sorrowful. Both Liz and Luxe held equal expressions of sadness. I said, "And now I don't know what to do! He's back and somewhere deep down inside, I still love him! I love all of them. I just can't handle being left anymore."

Em said, "I think you should make him give some major explanation."

I replied, "Duly noted."

Liz chirped, "Let's pound him into the ground!"

I said, rolling my eyes, "Next."

Luxe said, "I think we should go for a run and just let everything go for awhile."

Liz commented, "Good idea, sister mine!"

Em said, "Sounds good."

I said, "Agreed. Let's get out."

We all got off the couches and headed outside. I felt the grass tickle my toes through the open-toe flats I wore as we walked a little way in the forest. I nodded to my three companions and we each leaped forward, shifting midair. I felt my bones shatter and re-form, my hands and feet turn into sturdy paws, and short beige hair come out of every surface. I tossed my head and let out a caterwaul that echoed through the woods. Ah, the mountain lion. My favorite form. I looked at Em to my right and saw a coyote with silver fur in her place. To my left sat a red wolf and a blonde grizzly bear. I immediately knew the wolf was Liz and the bear was Luxe.

See, we're not the same type of "werewolf" as the Quileute pack. They aren't werewolves either-they're shapeshifters-but that's aside from the point. Our family can shapeshift into any animal we want. Of course, we do have our favorite forms. At that point we had taken our favorites.

Em said in her head, "Man, we haven't done this in FOREVER! I was getting out of touch!"

Luxe shook herself and said, "I feel good."

"Ditto," said Liz.

I said, "All good and well, but let's get running."

There were growled agreements all around and we shot off through the woods. I was at the head, of course, as we wound through trees and over brush. As we ran, I let myself sink a little into my baser instincts. It was hard at first, as I had been in human form for a while, but soon I was thinking slightly how a mountain lion would and everything I felt was just less human. Eventually, we circled back around and went back to the house. Just before we left the woods, I shifted back to my human form and the other three followed suit. We headed back inside and dropped on the couches in the living room. I sighed, "The run cleared my head, but what do I do?"

Liz and Luxe said as one, "Don't ask me!"

Em said, "Hun, this is all your decision."

I growled, "This isn't helping me!"

Liz and Luxe shrugged and ran upstairs before I could get to pounding them. Em said, "Hun, I love you but I'm not going to help you in this. Only you know what's in your heart, Bells."

Em hugged me once and then went upstairs after the other two, leaving me alone. I sighed and leaned back against the couch. I loved them, but how could I cope if the Cullens left me again? I would always have the girls,but what would they do to stema depression deeper than Hades? I rubbed my temples with my fingers and sighed. My sisters' words wove through my head like an irritating song.

"Let's pound him into the ground!"

"I think you should make him give you some major explanation."

I let out a groan. Em's suggestion would make sense if Edward still loved me. But he didn't. I would not hurt him, so Liz's suggestion was thrown out the window. I growled a curse under my breath and sighed once more. My sisters were exactly negative two help. I suddenly felt exhausted. I tried to fight it, but soon waves of sleep lapped over me and reality faded into black.