Monday. It seemed like every other day was a Monday lately. As I waited alongside my brothers for class to begin, Emmet turned to me with a not-so-subtle grin, and asked me about Jacob Black.

"What's it to you?" I countered.

"Oh, nothing, I just thought he seemed awfully ... friendly, is all. Don't you, Bella? Find him friendly?"

"Shut up, Em," I snorted, looking to Jasper for back-up.

… don' look at me … personally think it's nice … a new friend could be good for you …

"Seriously!" I exclaimed suddenly. "What is with this fucking family? Can you all just … get off my fucking case already!"

They chuckled to each other as I stormed off, and headed to find my seat in the biology classroom. I had never been so thankful that neither of them were in that class with me. I found it genuinely disturbing that every time I met or talked to someone new – hell, every time I happened to smile – they had to make such a freaking big deal out of it. It was really tiresome, and it felt like I was being observed at all time; which in itself was beginning to take the joy out of every little thing.

As I sat down, slamming my books onto the table, I thought to myself that I must such a pathetic sight to them; not just socially retarded, but self-destructive and cynical at that. Like a big baby, unable to take care of or even know what's best for herself. The mere thought infuriated me beyond belief.

I didn't want to think about it, so I tried to push it out of my mind, just as Edward Cullen sat down next to me. He said nothing and didn't look at me, and I – being in quite the bad mood – ignored him back.

Or, tried to, at least, thought it wasn't all that easy since, throughout the lesson, the drafty window kept blowing me whiffs of his blood. Why was it that such an imbecile had such nice-smelling blood? For whatever reason, it was really distracting, and it wasn't long until I felt the annoyance rise up in me again.

I usually had no trouble containing my urges and impulses among people. My will-power had always been quite strong (Esme often joked about it being a result of my stubborn nature), but when it came to people I genuinely despised, it was like my usual, sensible mind was shut off, and another was turned on.

Another, more hungry and vengeful mind.

Only a few people had managed to bring out that side of me before, and I'd lie if I said that those times had all ended happily. Though this wasn't nearly half as bad, I could feel bits of that anger boil up inside me more and more, as I couldn't get out of my mind the fact that Edward – this simpleton who had so rudely insulted me – had the nerve to sit next to me, without apologizing, while trying to tempt me with his fresh, young blood, and not even looking me in the eye.

I imagined what it would be like biting into his neck right then and there, and then quickly rejected the thought. I thought about Jasper and the things I would tell him to distract him at times like these. "It's not worth it." "You'll regret it." "Think about Carlisle and Esme." "This isn't who you are anymore."

It's strange how black the world seems when we are driven by our reptile brain.

Edward didn't spare me a single thought during the whole class, and as Mr. Banner began to wrap up, I rubbed my temples, thinking hard for a moment. Edward shut his notebook and gathered his things, and before I had time to stop myself, I opened my stupid mouth and said: "So you're seriously not going to apologize to me?"

As people began to shuffle out of the classroom, Edward turned to me in the slowest manner possible and stared intensely at me with with his bright blue eyes.

"I beg your pardon?"

I glared back at him, trying to contain my frustration.

"You were a dick to me the other day. In the library."

There was a moment's silence. I tried to read his mind, but it seemed almost blank; like he didn't even begin to know what to think.

"You are so unbelievable," he said then, his voice full of contempt. "I don't think I've ever met a more spoiled person in my entire life."

He got up from his seat, turned his back on me and headed for the door. I bit hard into my lower lip as I watched the back of his head distance itself from me, and just as his foot touched the threshold, I sped up to him, grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around. He looked scared and confused, and I loved it.

"YOU DO NOT TALK TO ME LIKE THAT!"

People in the hallway began to turn their heads at the sound of my angry voice, looking curiously at the scene that was unraveling itself before them; the ones closest to us were wide-eyed like deers, not quite sure what to think of it all.

"Let go of me!"

"Didn't you hear me? You have no fucking right to talk to me like that!"

"You're a fucking nutcase, let me go!"

I held him at arms-length, staring into his eyes as my world turned more and more black. He struggled to get loose, but I was too strong for him.

"Not until you apologize."

"Fuck you!", he spat into my face.

Clenching both his shoulders with intense fury, I began to shake him really hard – a bit too hard.

The blackness in my field of vision quickly subsided, and I started coming back to my senses.

Oh god. I'd felt it.

A crunching in his left shoulder.

Within seconds, his facial features transformed into those of a person in deep physical pain, and he hunched over, screaming. I immediately let go of him. People had formed a circle around us by now, and somewhere at the end of the hall I heard Mr. Banners booming voice.

"What's going on down there?"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Edward yelled at me, and dozens of judging, angry eyes were were turned right toward m face.

I looked down at Edward. He had sunk down onto the floor, resting against the door frame as he gently cupped his injured shoulder. He was whimpering quietly.

"I –," I said to the faces surrounding us, "he was the one … I didn't mean to –"

"Bella!"

Suddenly, Emmet's strong arm emerged from among the crowd, reaching for me and pulling me away. His arm around my shoulder, he led me down the hall, and away from all the people.

My mind was spinning.

Oh, crap.