The next morning dawns bright and new and I sigh happily because it is the weekend. No school to worry about – no Cullen's.

For once it isn't raining and I open my window with exuberance. A rush of cold air sweeps past me and into the warmth of my room. For all that there is a patchy sky with hints of blue, the air is still chilly.

I do my usual Saturday morning routine, sugary cereal with cartoons, followed by a hot shower. I'm content to stand and soak in the damp steam that has gathered and I draw silly pictures on the fogged up mirror. I take my time brushing and flossing my teeth before applying my favorite deodorant and a spritz of Bath and Body Work's newest body spray Dark Kiss, courtesy of Renee. She'd bought it for herself but didn't end up liking it and had sent it (along with several other lotions and sprays that apparently didn't work out) in a giant box with a variety of other odd things. There were crochet hooks and a variety of yarns (some very soft) and some books on how to do it. There was a plethora of scrapbooking supplies and some half painted miniature wooden boxes that sort of resembled very rough jewelry boxes. Surprisingly enough, there was a Paint by Numbers that featured a wolf (I am totally giving that to Jacob) and an assortment of calligraphy pens.

I could tell that she had been going through hobbies as fast as ever and I had put most of it into my closet next to another box of things she'd sent two months ago. However, I'd kept a roll of beautiful brown yarn out, with a crochet hook and a beginner's book and placed them on my rocking chair. I figured it would give me something to do today while Charlie was at work.

I sat down in the chair and began looking at the book. There were pictures that showed exactly what to do – I couldn't really follow along with the words very well. I copied the book and before I knew it I had a three foot long "chain" of yarn. It wasn't the most beautiful thing in the world. Some of the loops were large and misshapen and others clearly too tight, but it was kind of cool.

I continued practicing well into the morning until my fingers ached. With a sigh I gave up on my "rope" and rolled it up around the remaining yarn. It still hadn't rained though the sky now looked threatening. I decided I'd go ahead and make a trip to the grocery store before the weather changed.

I took some money from the grocery envelope and took a quick inventory of the fridge and pantry before I left. I climbed into my truck without really looking and something stabbed my butt.

"Ouch!"

I lifted myself up with annoyance and pulled out a single long-stemmed rose.

I was simultaneously flattered and irritated. I took a deep sniff of the flower and let the scent of the rose engulf me. It was a beautiful scent – reminded me of my grandmother.

I placed it on the passenger's seat and pulled on my seatbelt before starting the engine. As I waited for the engine to warm up I thought about who could have left it. The answer was obvious – at least, I thought it was. I frowned. It really could be one of two people…

But why would Jacob come all the way up here just to leave a flower – especially something as cliché as a rose? If Jacob were to leave a flower – I imagined it would probably be a wildflower – something he'd picked himself, and not from a florist's shop as this one most clearly was. Although if it was a wildflower… that could be from Edward. The meadow was full of them – but that really wasn't his style.

I look over at the rose forlornly and decide I'd just ignore it. As beautiful as it was, it wasn't worth driving myself crazy over. And who knows – maybe Charlie left it?

I shrug before driving over to the store, determined to do the shopping before the rain hits. I decide to be a little creative and pick up some fresh veggies, a variety of fruits, and fresh herbs. I decide to forget the beef and choose turkey and chicken instead. The usual white bread I replace with whole wheat and I deliberately forget to pick up Charlie's usual snack foods. I know this is going to irritate him but I'm sure I can get him to acquiesce, especially since one of his best friends just died of a heart-attack.

I load up on healthy items and grimace when I reach for the soy milk. We'll both just have to deal with it.

I walk up to the cashier and nervously watch as the total creeps ever higher. It soon climbs past what I have in my wallet – the healthier choices are a little more expensive. I feel so embarrassed trying to pick through the groceries and figure out what to leave behind.

"Here," a musical voice says behind me and lays a hundred dollar bill down on the counter. Before I can protest the cashier has taken it and placed it in the cash register.

I turn around, beet red, and see Edward, Alice, and Jasper standing there with a few grocery bags.

I don't even know what to say to them. Why they are buying human food I can't imagine.

"We'll help you with your bags, Bella."

They each grab a bag and I'm left carrying the eggs.

"Thanks," I mutter insincerely.

I fumble with the keys to unlock the truck and drop them – of course.

Edward picks them up and unlocks the door in the blink of an eye. They each unload their bags.

"We'll, um, give you a minute alone," Alice says, practically dragging Jasper away.

I tuck my hair behind my ears and look up at Edward. "You didn't have to pay – I'll pay you back on Monday."

He waved his hand as if it was nothing. "It's fine. So, how are you doing?"

I cross my arms in front of me, willing myself to be strong. "Fine. Just getting some shopping done before it rains. What are you doing here?"

He looks surprised. "Keeping up appearances, of course. If we never bought groceries that would look a little strange – don't you think?"

"But why all the way up here? There are closer stores," I say, trying to keep the doubt out of my voice.

He shrugs and smiles at me. It is one of those devastating smiles, half-crooked and perfect. I will myself to look away.

"We were in the neighborhood, is all. Since we bumped into each other, I was wondering if you would be interested in accompanying me to the theater next weekend? It's opening night – Romeo and Juliet."

"What theater?"

"The Paramount and Moore Theater in Seattle."

I sigh, at war with myself. It's a theater I've always wanted to see – and Romeo and Juliet. But it would mean an entire night with Edward. We'd be close together, in the dark. The memory of our first movie in class rushes through my mind.

I shake my head. "I don't think I can, as lovely as the offer is."

His smile fades and he looks a little annoyed before putting his impenetrable mask on again. "Too soon?"

I nod.

"Well – I wouldn't want these tickets to go to waste. Take someone with you. Have a good time."

He holds out the tickets to me and I shake my head again. "I really can't accept those."

"Why not? Because they're from me?"

"Yes. It's too much, really."

He runs his hand through his hair. "You can be so insanely stubborn. Fine. I'll see you Monday, unless you want me to drop out of school?"

His aggravated tone and icy demeanor cause me to take a step back, into the truck door.

He watches me under a heavy brow before lifting his hand to his face and tugging at his jaw, such a human gesture.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be curt with you. I'll see you at school, unless you call. Drive safe, Bella."

He walks away and I hurry to get in my truck and drive home. I've never seen him like that before.

I make it into the house just in time with the last of the bags. I take my time putting things away. When I finish that chore I head into the living room and flip on the TV. I don't bother to change the channel. My mind isn't really on entertainment at the moment.

It was entirely too convenient that Edward was at the grocery store – and with Alice. I really didn't like to imagine that she was keeping tabs on me but I couldn't shake the feeling that she was, and at her brother's request, no doubt. She'd seemed too willing to leave us "alone", and she'd been smiling the entire time. I decide that I'll take all the grocery money with me next time so I don't have to go through anything like that again. And I will pay Edward back, whether he likes it or not.

I sigh, thinking about the tickets to the play. It almost seemed like a bribe, a well thought out bribe, one that I would be tempted to take. And I had been tempted – at least a little. But I wasn't about to let him try to buy time with me. Friendships don't operate that way.

I scowl – more irritated now than before I'd left the house. I thought back to the argument I'd had with Edward, the one where I told him I needed space. I hadn't really laid out the boundaries that I wanted in place – I still wasn't sure what they should be. But I knew I had better figure those out soon.

I flip off the TV and go upstairs. I pull out my journal and write "Boundaries" at the top.

Alice needs to not keep tabs on me.

You can't pay for things for me – in the event that you do, you will let me pay you back.

Don't buy tickets or make plans for us without consulting me first.

I know I need more than just those three but I figure that it's a good start.