A/N: Sherry & Tiffany rock my socks.

So do all of you. 3

Chapter 9

The next day, I received a delivery of flowers, beautiful, vibrant flowers. I knew who they were from before I even looked at the card.

Sorry, not sorry, for kissing you & because I believe you could use a little color in your life. X x

"Oh, who are they from?" Alice asked, peering over my shoulder.

"No one," I said, shoving the card in my pocket and dumping the flowers in the trashcan. I didn't understand why he couldn't leave me alone. How many times did I need to tell him that I wasn't interested? I just couldn't… not with him, not with anyone.

"Why are you putting them in the trash?" Alice shrieked, pulling them back out.

"I don't want them."

She frowned at me. "Someone obviously wanted you to have them." I shrugged. I didn't care what he wanted. "What's going on with you? Who are they from? Why are you hiding the card?"

"Like I said, they're from no one." I picked up my bag and headed towards the door.

"You can't keep pushing everyone away, Bella," Alice called after me.

I rolled my eyes. How many times was I going to hear that line? I could do whatever the hell I wanted and I had no intention of letting anyone in. When I let people in, they died. I didn't want anyone else to die.

I headed down to the pier, avoiding the beach and boardwalk because bumping into Edward was the last thing I needed right now. I felt too raw, too emotional, and seeing him might push me over the edge. I sat down at the spot where I had met James and his crew on my first night here. My choice of location may have been intentional. I could really be doing with something to take the edge of right now.

James and his gang showed up a short time later.

"Hey, do you have any of that dank stuff?" I asked, as he sat down beside me. Okay, so I was straight to the point.

"Sure do," James smiled, pulling the baggie out of his shorts, "but it's gonna cost ya."

"I don't have anything on me."

"Not my problem," he said, shoving the baggie back into his pocket. "Though... maybe we could come up with some sort of an arrangement?"

I know exactly what kind of arrangement he had in mind and I wasn't going there with him. "How about I five finger you something instead?" I asked, knowing there were shops nearby.

James grinned. "Does Maria have sticky fingers?"

I wasn't in the mood to play games. "Do we have a deal or not?"

He nodded. "Make it something good."