A/N: Last one until tonight!

Disclaimer: Characters owned by SM

March, 2012

~19~

Alice sits beside me on the bench in a tiny enclosed area off the bike path. I live near the park, and this is one of my favourite places to go. Shrubs and flowers help to enclose this private area, and the smell of lilacs and mint leaves fills my nostrils.

Alice, appearing stricken, begins to speak. "Bella, I had to leave. I couldn't stand lying to you. And I had to. I had no choice. Edward was so crushed, destroyed, I couldn't take it. And then you… you wouldn't stop asking questions. I'm sorry. It was really my only choice."

I stare impassively at her, trying to figure out what the hell she is talking about. Her face begins to swim, as does the bench, the lilac bushes, and the flowers.

"Alice, why does my head hurt?"

~SW~

I slowly stir into consciousness and the first thing I am aware of is the press of fingers into the back of my skull, a gentle hand holding my head from the floor. I am cold, really cold, and the back of my eyes hurt, as if an unseen force is pressing against them, hard.

After a few minutes, or maybe several, I begin to register sound and only then am I aware of the small crowd that has gathered around me. A very noisy crowd. I try to open my eyes only to squeeze them back shut again to avoid the blinding light.

I can somewhat make out a voice, much closer than the others, that I believe is trying to communicate with me. I do not know who it is, or what he is saying. However, I am able to register the keen desperation saturating the end of his words.

I don't really know what's wrong though.

Suddenly, the hand that was holding my head up is gone. The presence that was so close before has left and the quiet voice in my ear is missing.

The noises have gotten noticeably louder; obviously a commotion has disrupted the crowd. I try and open my eyes again and this time, the light isn't so harsh. I manage to sit up, my head swimming. Looking through the excited crowd, I can see Ben and Angela just arriving, concern evident on their faces.

Angela glances behind her, and I follow her gaze. There I see Jasper and Edward stalking away, Edward holding Jasper by the back of his shirt, pushing him forward.

My head is filled with pain, confusion, and an overwhelming urge to follow them.

I stand up on shaky legs and push through the gawking crowd.