MICHELLE'S POV

My hair was straightened, my makeup done. I was even wearing decent clothes. Grabbing my backpack, I trudged downstairs and into Sam and Emily's kitchen. Of course, all the guys looked up, their mouths hanging open.

"W-what are you doing?" Seth asked.

"Going to school?" I said uncertainly.

"Michelle, you're awake!" Paul yelled, hugging me.

"Yeah… uh we're going to be late so…" I trailed off.

"Oh yeah, let's go," Paul said, grabbing my hand and leading me out to his truck.

"So you're uh… going to school today," he said, scratching the back of his neck.

"Yup, but I made Dr. Cullen promise to call me if he woke up," I sighed, looking out the window and blinking back tears.

"Hey, you alright?" Paul asked quietly.

"Fine," I sniffed, "We're here. See you in health."

I grabbed my backpack and walked quickly into the school. I don't really know what I was expecting, but I definitely hadn't prepared myself for all the staring. Heads turned as I walked by and I could hear the whispers. Jeez, you miss two weeks of school and everybody thinks you were abducted by aliens. I rolled my eyes and grabbed my books from my locker.

I had been in school for twenty five minutes and already my homework load was more than I could handle. My arms wanted to fall off; I was carrying so much stuff.

"MICHELLE YOU'RE BACK!"

I jumped and dropped all my crap on the ground. Whirling around, I felt myself smile for the first time in ages.

"Cara!" I giggled, hugging her.

"Ugh! Art has been so boring without you," Cara groaned, helping me pick up my stuff.

"Sorry, uh… I've been away," I muttered.

"Do you need to talk?" she asked quietly.

"Um, not yet," I said, trying not to choke on my words.

"Alright, but just tell me if you do," she sighed, smiling and handing me my last book.

I really like Cara. She's really cool and she doesn't push things. Not that I would ever dream of telling her… or anyone what I'm feeling. I won't even admit to myself what I'm feeling. Right now I'm just numb. Pushing my feelings away.

"Oh look who's back," Casey snorted, walking past me. Her words dug deep, just another thing to add to the pain I was shutting away.

"Ignore her Michelle," Cara sighed, pushing me into the art classroom, "She's just trying to get to you."

"Mmhmm," I sighed, sitting down.

Art was good. My teacher decided that I didn't have to make up any of the projects I missed, thank god for her! But she seemed to be the only reasonable teacher and by the end of the day, I knew free time was no longer an option.

"Well… that's a lot of stuff you got there," Seth said, walking with me on the way to Paul's car.

"Really? I didn't notice," I rolled my eyes. My backpack was so full and I was holding three text books.

"So how was your day?" Embry asked, walking next to me.

"Long," I mumbled, "And I have so much homework!"

"I can see that," Embry laughed, easily slinging his light backpack over his shoulder.

"Whoa, Michelle if your bag was any fuller, you would fall over!" Quil laughed, joining our group.

"Really guys?" Paul growled, grabbing the text books out of my hands and slinging my bag along with his own over his shoulders.

"Oh… uh… you need us to carry anything?" Seth asked, eyeing Paul nervously.

"It's fine," I mumbled, rolling my shoulders. It felt so good to be free of the weight!

Paul opened the door of his car for me. I hopped in and he got around the other side, locking the doors.

"Hey!" Embry said.

"What?" Paul asked innocently.

"No ride?" Quil pouted.

"Oh you want a ride home?" Paul asked.

"Yes please!" Seth nodded eagerly.

"Aww, that's too bad!" Paul laughed, revving the engine and then speeding out of the parking lot.

I rolled my eyes and looked out the window. Rain was pouring down, forming droplets on the glass. I watched one drop race the other drop down the window.

"What, no laugh?" Paul asked after a minute.

"Hmm?" I asked, looking towards him.

"You usually would have some sarcastic comment to add to that stunt I pulled back there," Paul shrugged.

"Oh uh… sucks for… them?" I muttered sheepishly.

"Original," Paul snorted, but then sighed, "Are you alright?"

"Fine," I said, looking back out the window.

"Michelle…"

"I said I'm fine," I snapped, getting out of the car and making my way into Sam and Emily's to start my mountain of homework.

PAUL'S POV

I was extremely worried about Michelle. It was only a matter of time before she cracked… and with her eating disorder still on the fence, I didn't know what would happen. I watched from the kitchen, sitting on the living room floor with her books spread around her. Looking at her now, you wouldn't know something was wrong, but I could tell. She didn't even laugh when I left Embry, Quil, and Seth in the rain.

"You're worried," Sam sighed.

"Yup."

"She'll be alright, she's a strong girl," Sam said, patting me on the shoulder.

"I know but… her dad's the only person left Sam. I don't know what to do!"

"Be there for her?"

"I'm trying," I sighed, "But she's not letting me in."

"She might not be ready yet. Give her time, she'll come around."

"I hope so."

I watched Emily walk into the living room and hand Michelle a plate with a sandwich on it. Michelle studied the sandwich for a minute. I wanted to get up and tell her to eat it, but Sam put a restraining hand on my shoulder. After a few seconds, she took a bite and continued her work.

"See, she's getting better," Sam said, smiling lightly, "She's even eating on her own."

I nodded, letting out a breath. Maybe everything will be okay. Maybe her dad will get better and she'll come around. Maybe everything will settle down.

I hope.

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