Author's note: This is just a short chapter for now – hopefully a longer one soon! Thank you very much to those of you who have reviewed. Also – this story was mentioned in a podcast last night! That is so super cool!

~.~

I drive away from Emily's with a knot in my stomach. Everything was so perfect until he'd mentioned – things. I couldn't even let myself think the four letter "L" word.

Was I immature? Yes, and I knew it. Everything was just so complicated and I felt overwhelmed.

I was so lost in my daydream that I almost hit him.

I slammed on the brakes and the truck shuddered to a stop, half off the highway.

"Shit," I breathed as I clutched my head. The steering wheel hadn't felt too great.

Before I could open the door, it was opened and I was enveloped in a freezing hug.

"Bella! Are you okay?"

"Edward! What the fuck are you doing standing in the middle of the road?"

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I couldn't cross the line into their territory without breaking the treaty. I was worried sick when Alice informed me that you were going to the Reservation. What were you thinking, going down there?"

He gently touched my face, eyes scanning me for injuries, apparently.

I was furious. "First – I can go where I want to go. Second – you don't need to be my babysitter. Third – you never answered my question! Why the FUCK were you standing there like a weirdo in the middle of the road? Why weren't you in your car or something?"

He shrugged. "I ran here. I didn't bring my car."

I move his hands off of my face. "I'm fine. Jesus. I almost hit you!"

He gave me a cocky smile. "No, you wouldn't have, and even if I'd been too stupid to move out of the way, I wouldn't have been hurt. You know that."

"Yeah, well, good for you. Meanwhile, you scare the shit out of me and almost make me get in an accident. Thanks a lot."

I glare at him, making sure he gets the message.

He looks down and away, apparently ashamed. "I'm sorry. I thought you would have seen me."

I point at my chest. "Human, remember? It's dark out here."

"It won't happen again. Are you heading home?"

I nod.

"I can drive you and then walk home."

"I can drive myself," I tell him.

He opens his mouth to respond, then closes it, and nods. "You're right. Do you mind if I ride along?"

Truthfully I did mind, but I didn't want to seem like a complete bitch. "Fine."

In a flash he's seated next to me. I close my door and readjust my seatbelt before driving off.

Edward sits like a statue next to me, but I feel his eyes on me. I refuse to say anything though – I'm too pissed.

A tense twenty minutes later and I pull into the driveway of my house. I cut the engine.

The cruiser is parked on the street and the lights are on inside.

I get out of the truck and Edward follows suit.

I face him. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, my Bella."

I shake my head, not believing he has the audacity to pretend like everything is fine. I leave him standing in my driveway.

Being home never felt better.

As soon as I cross the threshold of the house, Charlie pounces.

"Where were you?"

"I went and had dinner with some friends. I guess I forgot to leave a note."

Charlie lifts his eyebrow. "That's not like you. Hmph. Well, at least you're home safe. Who did you say you went out with?"

"Friends," I say, being vague.

"Uh huh. Well next time, leave a note or call me if you're going somewhere. You know I don't like it when you just disappear."

I immediately feel guilty. It hasn't been that long since I took off for Italy for three days without letting him know. "I'm sorry, dad. I'll do better next time, I promise."

Charlie takes a swig of his beer. "All right. There's a pie in the kitchen if you want some – pepperoni."

I wince, feeling doubly guilty.

"I thought you liked Pepperoni?" Charlie says, clearly baffled by my reaction.

"Oh – no it's not that. It's just that I was planning on cooking dinner for you tonight and I forgot, again."

He waves his hand. "You baby me too much. I know how to feed myself, kiddo."

I nod, not wanting to start a fight. Personally, I don't think a pizza and beer diet is all that great. Ever since Harry died, I've been worried about Charlie's eating habits. I really needed to make a better effort to cook healthy meals. I don't want to lose him.

Charlie goes back to the living room and I head upstairs. My bed looks very inviting but I know homework is due. With a sigh, I pull out my books.

A few hours later, I fill in the last answer to the last math problem. I close the book happily and put everything away in my backpack for tomorrow.

I pull off my clothes and don my favorite holey sweats and t-shirt. I crawl into bed with a Jane Austin novel in my hand.

I soon forget my troubles as I fall into the story. I'm just getting to the good part when I realize that the words are blurring on the page. I reluctantly put the novel aside and turn off the light, falling asleep easily.