A/N: A bit of a short chapter, but I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight or any of its characters; Stephanie Meyer does.

Chapter Five

BPOV

The following day, I wake up with a massive headache, a cold, and a fever. How do a cold and a fever even mix anyway? I feel terrible, but don't want to miss school; obviously Alice has something to do with that. I want to know why she left in such a hurry. Hopefully it's nothing too serious.

I get ready at a sluggish pace, and by the time I'm done, I have ten minutes before the warning bell would ring. Charlie had finally given me the keys to my bike, and I was just well enough to ride without worrying about ending up wrapped around a tree. Or, with my luck, a lamp post.

When I eventually make it, I have ten minutes of first period left because of how slowly I was going, so I decide to just skip the rest. I make my way to the office to get my late slip then go to second period.

My morning classes pass quickly and like always, I walk with Jasper to the lunch room and we part ways at the doors. When I get to my usual table, I notice that Alice is sitting with her siblings today. I sigh. Guess I'll just have to talk to her about it during Gym then.

Angela notices my sullen mood and hugs me to her when I sit down, her hand running through my hair softly. Everyone else leans away from me all during lunch to avoid catching whatever it is I've manage to come down with. Mike invites me to a party at the La Push beach on Saturday, and he doesn't take no for an answer. Angela will be there though, so maybe it won't be as terrible. I should try to get Alice to come with us too. If she talks to me, that is. Hopefully I won't run into Leah.

The rest of my classes pass by in a blur and eventually it's time for Gym again. I make my way to the changing rooms and get dressed quickly.

The coach makes me sit out of today's class, but I don't mind because that wouldn't stop me from talking to Alice. Whenever someone walks out of the changing rooms, I turn my head, hoping it's Alice, but I'm disappointed each time. I give up when coach starts taking attendance and Alice still isn't there.

Halfway through class, I see Alice walking up to the teacher, handing him a note before joining the others in Badminton. As I watch her, I can't help but notice how graceful she is whenever she moves around. I squash the jealousy that threatens to rise.

She glances at me a few times, but when she sees me staring at her, she looks away just as fast. At the end of class, I change as fast as I can, and chase after Alice, who is already making her way out of the gym.

"Alice, wait!" I call after her. I see her shoulders slump as she turns around to face me.

"What, Bella?" she asks, not looking directly at me.

"Um…what's up?" I begin lamely.

"Nothing." A very loud silence follows, and it seems as if time is moving slower.

"So, uh...what happened yesterday?"

"Family issues." Another short reply; she's not making this easy for me.

I sigh. "Look Alice, I don't know what I did to upset you, but I'm sorry okay?"

"I'm not upset Bella," she says softly. "I'm just…dealing with things right now. Like I said, there were some family issues that had to be taken care of."

I deliberate on whether or not to ask her what it is and I notice that she zones off again for a short while, before she coming back, her face looking pained.

"Would you just make up your mind about something? You're giving me a headache!"

I look at her with confused eyes. "What?"

She seems to catch herself, shaking her head and bidding me goodbye. I don't even get to ask her about the beach trip.

I sigh and make my way to my bike, putting my helmet on and putting the key in the ignition. When the engine starts up, I get more than a few curious and jealous glances, but I ignore them all. I ride out of the parking lot, weaving in and out of the queue of cars all trying to get out at the same time.

Alice's car zooms past me. I'm far too agitated about the beach trip this Saturday and the possibility of running into Leah.

I need to see Jacob about my truck anyway, I figure, trying to make the trip sound a little more worth while.

A/N: More will be revealed about Leah and Bella's relationship later on. Reviews are appreciated, and thanks for reading :)