Usual disclaimer applies.

May, 2012

~76~

The morning after Dad explained his decision to finally arrest and charge Esme begins normally enough. I sit in journalism class, working quietly on the article I am writing for the school newspaper.

Not that anyone actually reads the newspaper.

I can hear the quiet undertow of noise around me. Whispers, conversations, buzzing from headphones, vibrations from phones. Most of my classmates are in their desks, while others work in small groups at the tables in the back. Using the avoidance techniques I have implemented for the past two months, I sit in a desk on the opposite side of the room to Edward and Jasper.

It would do me no good to be sitting near Edward today, of all days.

And despite the paragraph that I have written during the past fifteen minutes, my mind is far, far away from the topic of deforestation of the Olympic Peninsula.

I am on pins and needles for when it will happen. When Dad will arrest Esme. Because I know that the moment it occurs, everyone in this school will know.

And so I jump a little when my phone vibrates.

Heading there now, Bells. – Dad.

Luckily, the class ends in a few minutes and I have my spare period next. Waiting impatiently for the bell, I hightail it out to my truck as soon as it sounds.

And sitting in the driver seat, Metric playing quietly over the speakers, I try to stifle the acidic panic that is threatening to bubble over. I try to tame my despairing thoughts, halt my trembling hands. But I know that the minute I step into that school at the end of this hour, everyone will turn their eyes on me.

My eyes are trained on the doors to the school and therefore I get a clear, unobstructed view of Edward as he descends the steps.

Now, I cannot deny that I have spent a lot of time ogling this boy. Practically from the first time I met him before freshman year until the heartbreak of last summer gave me reason to stop, I have watched him. I've studied him.

I know him.

And therefore I can tell from his posture, even from this distance, that he is greatly upset. His hands are clenched into fists at his sides, his back held rigid so that his arms barely move as he walks. He looks straight ahead, and rapidly walks to his car.

I slink down in my seat as soon as he turns in my direction.

Edwards little Evo is parked only three spots down from my truck, and therefore he is heading straight towards me. I carefully reach out to turn my music down to just a gentle hum, and slide even lower in my seat. But when I hear the slam! of his car door, I can't help but jump.

But that's nothing considering the tiny scream I admit when I hear my phone go off.

Because it's not my regular ringtone.

It's the instrumental version of Here in Your Arms by Hellogoodbye. A song that I had once danced to with Edward and jokingly put as my ringtone for when he phoned.

I guess I never got around to changing it.

And so my phone lies innocently enough on my passenger seat, all lit up and softly vibrating into the fabric of the seat. But in reality, it's a ticking time bomb.

I tentatively reach over and pick it up, the weight of it feeling heavy in my hand. Looking at the display, I have confirmation that Edward is really phoning me.

From three vehicles away.

So I shakily open the phone, bringing it close to my ear.

"He-hello?" My voice sounds even weaker than I feel.

"Bella!"

Edward's voice… It's cold. And angry.

And I'm afraid for what he's about to say.

A/N: Hi everyone! I hope you enjoy this one. The next chapter shouldn't take too long so don't fret about the cliffy ;). If you haven't already, please please go and vote at the Emerging Swan Awards for So Wrong. The 21st is the final day of voting. I would really appreciate it!

Have a wonderful evening everyone!