Chapter seventeen: The choice.

There had to be a mistake. I mean, there was no way in hell I could do that scene! Especially not with Alec. People turned in their chair, gaping at the way he read it effortlessly. Nathan turned too, with his mouth open. I took no notice to the loathsome frown he was casting Alec's way, but when his eyes met mine, looking very glum. I looked away again, towards Alec. He was looking at Mr. Herd, brow arched.

"Ah," Mr. Herd cooed, "The defining scene. I hope you both do it justice." He began to write it down onto the clipboard.

I quickly snatched the slip from his icy fingers. Hoping that maybe, in some way, he had read it wrong. That he was just playing some cruel joke. But alas, there written in some tacky, old fashioned cursive handwriting said: Act V, scene III. The kiss & the final goodbye.

My heart fell in that moment. Like, seeing it for my own eyes made me come to realize it was true. Instantly my nerves went haywire. I had thought the walk to school was bad, but they were nothing compared to that. I tried to think of the many times I had actually wanted Alec to kiss me, but it didn't help. It just added to the nerves. There was no other way to put it; I was shitting myself.

Eventually, it came out that some girl and a Jock, who was sitting boredly in the chair had gotten the Balcony scene. I'd be surprised if the Jock could read.. Never the less, the girl seemed thrilled she was getting to do some romantic scene with a popular.

"Now that you've all gotten your slips you may begin to practice." Mr. Herd called. That chatter almost started instantly. I, didn't however. Instead, I stood up; despite the confused look I was receiving from Alec. Clearly he didn't have the problem with the scene like I had. Walking right to the desk where Mr. Herd was sat on. Yup, not in his chair, but on the desk. Our teacher, I believed, thought he looked cool. I cleared my throat, signaling that I was there.

The brown haired male looked up through his designer glasses. He didn't look more than twenty seven, maybe twenty eight. From what I could see, he had little wrinkles under his eyes; probably from lack of sleep due to the content grading of school papers, etc.

"Yes, miss Cullen?"

I gave a polite little smile. "I was wondering... If I could change the scene Alec and myself got,"

Mr. Herd arched his eyebrow. "Why would you want to do that? It's the climax of the whole thing."

Okay, had he been having secret meetings with Alec? Because I was sure Alec said the exact same thing once upon a time. I shook that thought from my head and shrugged. "I know, its great and everything but..."

"But what?" Mr. Herd interjected; his eyes now narrowing.

"I can't do it," I said quickly. "I just can't."

"Renesmee," He said; placing the clipboard down and facing me fully. Great. "I'm sorry but there is nothing I can do. Picking it at random is the fair way. I'm sure there are others who aren't happy with their scene but they aren't complaining."

"Yes, but they don't have to kiss their partner." I know I shouldn't have been arguing, but that wasn't the point. The thought of kissing Alec might have been appealing once to me, but now.. It just made my head spin and my legs want to collapse.

Mr. Herd's eyes flicked to Alec, who was leaning casually back in his chair, motionless as a sculpture, staring off into space. He looked back to me, and I saw the edges of his chapped lips curve. "From what I've heard of your friend, Miss Cullen, any other girl would die to be in your shoes."

My eyes widened. Oh god.

"Now, I'm sorry but the scene you got is final. Now go sit down,"

"But,"

"Another word, Miss Cullen and it's a detention. Go,"

Against better judgement, I scowled at him. He didn't seem as phased as I hoped, though. I let out a irritated breath, turned and walked back up the aisle. My palms were tingling with the want to hit something. Which was strange, because I wasn't a violent person. So, that must of shown how annoyed I was by this. Slumping down into the chair yet again; Alec came back from whatever planet he was on.

"No use?"

"Why ask? You probably heard everything."

"Indeed, I did. He's right you know," Alec said, smugly. I turned my eyes to him; lips in a hard thin line. "Right about what? The scene we got being the climax? I know. You said,"

Alec let out a low chuckle, but shook his head. "No, about the other girls wanting to be in your position."

He had to be joking! Alec was a lot of things, but I wouldn't of classed him as vain. But the way he said that, it almost sounded as vain as aunt Rose. "Careful, Alec. We don't want your head to explode due to that growing ego," I snapped.

He just gave a smirk. "As much as an ego boost that was, Reny. I simply meant the glares you were receiving while walking down and back up the aisle."

I frowned, taking a short look around. And Alec was right. I caught four girls giving me daggers. They instantly looked away, but I saw them. I wasn't the only one, I thought icily. Alec had gotten a hell of a look from Nathan. I slumped further into my seat, letting out a deep sigh.

A few moments of silence etched on in, but then Alec shifted in his chair; looking right at me. "So, shall we?"

I rolled my eyes, giving a shrug.

So much for God loving me today.

—xXx—

When the bell rang, I was the first up out of my seat and out the door. Alec was closely behind, but I didn't really care that much about that. I just had to get out of there. Mainly because the tingling within my palms only seemed to get worse when Mr. Herd was near. He had went around, checking that we were all working. The urge to hit something was slowly proven to be that I wanted to hit the teacher!

The moment I was out of that classroom I felt slightly better. I was still annoyed, very nervous and not to mention angry. Surely it wouldn't of been so hard to give ma a simple scene. I couldn't as much as the girl who had gotten the scene I wanted; because she was one of the girls giving me a little glare. I knew what she would want in return for giving me the scene. She would want Alec in return. Yeah, she was happy she got a romantic scene with a popular, but a kiss with Alec? It was probably 100% better. So, I was screwed. No matter how to put it, I would be forced into... A; either messing up the audition, not getting a part and then moving. Or B; Kissing Alec.

Sure, B didn't seem all that bad. I mean, like Mr. Herd had put it; kissing him was probably the dream of many girls. But all those girls had probably kissed a guy before. I hadn't. I wouldn't know what to do or how to do it! Worst thing was; it would be in front of an audience!

"You need to calm down," Alec said; keeping up with my pace easily. We had to walk too block B, outside into the winding alleys separating the school into sections. Usually, there was a corridor you could use to stay inside. But, some kid had slipped and busted his head open, apparently. So, that was closed off for the janitor to clean up the 'spillage.' Plus, once it was clean it would still be hard to go through. Alec had said he was hungry. Just the littlest whiff of blood in the air and not inside someone's skin could probably make his cool slip. I was sure I didn't want a school massacre where Alec killed pretty much everyone in view to ease his burning. On second thoughts... Maybe he could go munch on Mr. Herd for a while...

No. It doesn't matter how pissed you are at him, he doesn't deserve death... Yet.

"Do I?" I snapped back up to him. Alec held the door open for me, his expression hard, but I saw the mocking look in his eyes. I walked out into the cold, fine mist that had just begun to fall. It was nice, but then again; I did like the rain a little more than what I should. But, this wasn't rain. It was mere constant moisture.

"You know, I should be offended." Alec then said; following me out. He was staring straight forward, squinting his eyes into the rain.

"Of?" I mused, uninterested.

"You seem like it's a punishment to receive a kiss off me." He was still looking ahead, his expression totally emotionless. I hated it when he did this sometimes.

"And?" I scoffed, crossing my arms while turning sharply round a corner. A set of stairs were coming up. I studied his face, looking for any signs of emotions that I could read. His eyes seemed to narrow. That's all I got. He glanced down to me from the corner of his eyes, that were still narrowed. "Am I that unappealing to you?"

"For god sake, Alec. What happened to the whole lecture of it being 'respectable' that I don't want my first kiss to be with the wrong guy?"

His eyes danced. "So I'm the wrong type of guy then?"

I took in a deep, sharp breath. "I don't kiss dead guys,"

"Evidently you don't kiss living ones either," he smirked.

Another flare of anger penetrated throughout me. My palms again started to tingle. This time, I would give a warning. "Alec, I'm going to slap you if you don't shut up."

"Well, I'm simply addressing the fact that perhaps kissing me wouldn't be the worst thing. Since.. We're friends, we've already almost kissed four times like you said—" I cut him off, quickly.

"Almost. See, doesn't mean we did. Or wanted too."

"Who didn't wish too?"

My eyes returned a little narrow. But out of confusion. "Wait.. What?"

The left side of Alec's lip quirked skyward. "You seemed more than willing while you were drunk,"

I realized we had stopped walking and I was staring at him; glaring. "See, theres your defining statement. I was dr-un-k." I enunciated every syllable, wanting him to get the full picture.

Anger flashed in his eyes. His lips pressed into a hard line, all signs of humour gone.

"You are completely impossible to please, Renesmee." He said, his voice icy.

I turned my back and started to walk away again. Going up the steps. Alec was reluctant to follow, but he did eventually. "Wait," he said; still following. I ignored him. "I'm sorry. I understand fully. I don't see myself as a suitable suitor for you either. But," Alec gave a little pause. I was listening, but still walking angrily through the rain. "There isn't anything we can do. I would suggest switching with someone. Perhaps that... Girl who got the Balcony scene?"

I laughed. "Are you kidding? She was one of the girls killing me with her eyes."

Alec nodded. "I saw, yes. But there is no harm in asking."

"Oh, there is every harm."

"How so?" Alec said; stepping in front of me and holding open yet another door. I walked inside, the warmth instantly penetrating my cheeks. I rolled my eyes. "Lets just say, if she could do things with her eyes; I'd be dead... And you'd be naked."

"Oh," Alec said, his lips forming into a small 'o' shape.

"Yup. I wouldn't just get the scene I wanted. I'd lose you and get some jock that is Nathan's friend, who would end up switching with Nathan; thus me getting a romance scene with Nathan when my friends are adamant I have something going on with you. Therefore, making me out to be some... slapper."

"So, it ties down to.. Kissing me or moving away?" Alec questioned, a brow arching while he walked beside me.

"Pretty much."

Alec looked on ahead, his lips pursing for a moment. I thought he was trying to be funny, but when his eyes turned to me; I saw that he had been thinking. "What if I took away your feeling? Then it wouldn't be classed as a kiss? Just merely a touch that you wouldn't feel."

"As tempting as that sounds Alec, I really don't want to be senseless in a classroom full of human's while you're hungry."

Alec scoffed. "That might be wise,"

I nodded, walking into the classroom. Mr. Yates was sitting in his chair, eyes on a book on the civil war. I held back a scoff. Obviously trying to catch up to when Alec had owned his ass. Heading into the back as quietly as I could; Alec had other ideas. "Morning," he replied tauntingly towards him. Mr. Yates looked up with one hell of a look. For a second, I thought I saw the second look of lothe pointed towards Alec.

Alec gave him a polite smile, however. Walking right to the back and sitting next to me. "So we're basically stuck in a corner." He muttered, tucking himself in more.

I nodded, sighing freely.

"Well," Alec said. "The choice is entirely up to you, Reny. Whatever you decide, I will go along with happily."

Great. So, yet again; the choice was up to me. I could tell Mr. Herd and Miss. Wood I didn't feel comfortable with the scene and therefore didn't wish to do it. But that would mean I would have to move or I could just go along with it; get the first kiss out of the way, but then end up showing to my friends—because lets face it, in highschool, nothing was private.— that their suspicions of something going on between me and Alec were correct, meaning there annoyance with me would just go on forever. There would be no hope in hell that they would talk to me again. So, no matter what; I would end up losing something. Option A; I'd lose my home and going to prom. Option B; I'd lose my friends, thus no real reason for me going to prom or staying anyway.

I rested my head onto the table again; this time I had no worry about Mr. Yates pulling me up on it; since Alec was still in teasing mode. I doubted he wanted to be the laughing stalk of the classroom again.

"What do you think I should pick," I whispered; knowing Alec would hear. People were beginning to arrive, noisily.

"Well," Alec paused, leaning back in his own chair. "I'd evaluate the options and go with the one less painful. Decide to yourself which would be more easy to do. Kissing a dead guy," by this point, I had turned my head to look at him. He flashed me a little wink. I held back the need to roll my eyes. "and staying in the your hometown for a bit longer, or moving away; starting afresh and still have your... Lip virginity as you put it,"

I scoffed, then letting my eyes roll. I wanted for it to seem that it didn't help, but it did. He had a good point. Which one would be worse. That is what I would have to think about non stop until the final moment when stepping into Drama. As soon as that moment came, I would have to make up my mind. What made it a little better was the fact Alec had said he would go along happily with whatever my choices were. But now, I was left thinking as to what would be worse. Would kissing Alec be so bad?

I held my breath, letting my eyes adjust while sitting up and looking towards Mr. Yates as the lesson began. The civil war, yet again. Alec's lips turned into a little smile, I noted. Well, at least I'd get a little laugh before my mind exploded with over thinking. Mr. Yates made a statement, and Alec's hand raised instantly. Here we go...

—xXx—

The next hour consisted to Alec correcting Mr. Yates. Mr. Yates losing his temper and asking Alec to hold back the comments. Alec replying with he's just trying to get the best education for himself and others, Mr. Yates asking him if he was implying that he couldn't do his job, Alec replying that he was implying that; and he could probably do a better job while being asleep.

Lets just say, Alec had gotten himself a new nemesis. I would of hated if it Mr. Yates actually challenged Alec, for he would be the one made a fool out of. In fact, never mind that. Alec would've happily ripped his head off, and I knew he happily would have; because during the last few minutes of the lesson; Alec had to change his contacts; letting me get a glimpse at just how dark his eyes had gotten from this morning. They were very, very close to being almost pure black.

But still, I again, was the first out the classroom. Mainly, because I was dragging Alec. Another debate on Mr. Yates teaching skills would most probably end up with Alec being called to the principal's office; thus hims being alone with a human, and I doubt we would have a principle for very much longer if Alec was alone with him.

In the corridor, people were passing and giving small looks; but I payed no attention. What I payed attention to was slamming Alec against my locker and giving him the devil glare. Or, my attempt at a devil glare. Weird, how last time Alec was here I was the one against the locker; now it was him. I guessed the tables were turning. "You have to stop doing that!"

"Why? It's not my fault that excuse of a qualified teacher is feeding you false information. Filtered and false. Albet he got his qualifications in a barn house," Alec replied rather rantivily.

"And so what? He's still a teacher and he is expected to have respect. Mr. Yates might be a jackass, and as you say 'false' with his lessons, but it's his job. And he's pretty scary when he loses his temper, so lay off."

Alec scoffed. "His temper? Ha. Reny, to be fearful of that blood bag is hilarious. You would be able to rip his head off within seconds,"

"Yes, but I wouldn't."

"And why not?" Alec frowned, but the laugh was still in his voice.

"Because he's my teacher and I respect him,"

Alec gave me a little look and smirked. "Well, I hope they have better teachers in your new school; because I would hate to be friends with someone who was fed all the wrong information."

This time, I was the one who frowned. "Teachers in my new school?"

Alec rolled his eyes. "I saw the little doodles in your book, Reny."

"Oh, really?" I scoffed. "I thought you were too infatuated with arguing with Mr. Yates."

"Yes, but that doesn't mean I don't watch you. You seemed to be moving towards the 'Option A'" He said effortlessly. When my hand holding him to his locker had fallen, he didn't move. He continued to watch me, intensely. "And, if I'm not mistaken option A was to move away."

I let out a small scoff. "I might have changed them around. You don't know what option is which."

Alec's lips quirked again into a small smile. "Then would you be so kind as to telling me what Option A is?"

"Nope." I replied smugly, popping the 'p.'

Alec frowned and rested his head back onto the metal locker. "You are very, annoyingly, stubborn, Reny."

"Get used to it." I smiled up towards him. Alec's eyes deepened into my own; almost causing my breath to hatch, but I was too busy smiling up towards him to notice the fact Ivy, Suzannah and Shannon had wandered on past. Figures, they'd see us in a moment like this. Never the less, when I did eventually realize they had seen me being all 'staring up into his eyes' and crap; I felt bad. Alec did his best as to keeping my mind from it. In fact, he went onto a subject of being late just to piss Mr. Yates off even more. I had been paying attention, I always did when he was speaking. But my attention was stolen when Alec looked up, gave a polite smile and turned emotionless. A gentle tap appeared on my shoulder; making me look.

Nathan stood, his eyes sheepish, head bowed down like some puppy who had been in the wrong. God, he basically was a puppy! Bella had always said Mr. Ne- I mean, Mike was like a golden retriever, and Nathan was his son... So he was a puppy; in some way.

"Oh, hi, Nathan." I gave the best friendly smile I could.

"Hey. Uh, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Yeah, sure." I turned so that I was facing him.

He cleared his throat, awkwardly. "... Alone?"

Well, that was weird. I took a glance behind me. Alec was still standing there, emotionless. "Can I?"

He nodded. "Sure, I'll meet you in the cafeteria."

Then he did probably the most strangest thing within the whole time- well, near enough strangest thing- I've known him. He kissed my head, and walked on off into the crowd. I was left stunned, and blushing. When I turned and saw Nathan again, it hit me as to why he might have done that.

The look of total betrayal moved on over him. His eyes were alive with fury, to what I could see. He did his best at hiding it though, I'd give him that. Giving me a gentle smile when my eyes were on his. But I could see through the cracks.

"So, uh... The scene you got,"

"Oh, don't remind me." I half laughed.

"You're not really going to do it, are you?"

I gaped at him, brow arched. "What?"

"You can't do it.."

Oh god, it was the Jacob thing all over again.

"I mean... It's Alec. He's your friend. You said yourself that you and him have nothing going on and stuff. That he wishes. You kissing him would be like... letting him win you,"

"Win me?" I arched an eyebrow.

"Yeah... You're not going to do it, right?" Nathan asked, his eyes beginning to burn yet again. I then realized just how deep I had gotten into this. But breaking it to him now would be like tearing his heart from his chest. Alec said he liked me, Nathan proved that he did, and I was left to be the one to break it too him. I should have never agreed to letting Alec string him along if I wasn't sure I wanted him in the first place. Well, I was sure back then. But now? Oh, god. What did I want?!

"Honestly..." I said, glancing down to the floor, "I don't know. It's complicated Nathan. If I don't, I lose everything. If I do, I lose something else. It's... a matter of deciding what means more to me, being around people I love; who will probably hate me, or leaving and never seeing the people I love again."

Nathan looked at me none the wiser. "You're confusing me, Reny."

I shuddered at the nickname. It had gotten infectious to everyone apart from my family. It was almost... sickening to hear Nathan call me that, when he was basically bitching about the guy who invented the most amazing nickname I had ever gotten!

"See, it's confusing full stop. I need to think if I am, or if I'm not or if any of it's worth it and... Ah, my head hurts. Right now, all I can do is be around Alec. He's all I have left now," I shrugged.

"Yeah, I heard about the little argument you had with Ivy," He said in a rather bemused tone.

"News travels fast," I muttered.

"What d'you expect. It's high school," He shrugged.

I half nodded, bringing my hands up to my face and running them down slowly. "Things should be cleared up by Drama. That's when I'll have to make a choice."

"Yeah.. I suppose, but Ren?"

I looked up to him. "Yeah?"

Nathan leaned in quickly; aiming to kiss my kips. Luckily, though.. I moved my face away in time so that he kissed my cheek. He pulled away slowly, his eyes boring into mine.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

Nathan shrugged. "It's... cool. It's not the right time. I can wait, though."

"Yeah... Lets just hope it's not longer than what you want it to be," I muttered, giving a fake laugh. He gave a gentle chuckle, adjusting his bag on his shoulder. "So... Do you want to walk to meet Alec with me?"

I nodded. "Yeah... I'd like that."

Nathan grinned, giving me a smile that wasn't as dazzling as I used to think it was. It was nothing compared to the gleaming grins I got from Alec. There I go again, thinking about him. I know I said that we should stop with the whole Nathan thing, mainly because I was unsure if I actually wanted him, or wanted anyone at this point. I was so close to moving away, and this final choice would define if I leave or not. Nathan was a nice guy, anyone could see that, he was popular, and funny, and sweet, and caring, and god was he a good football player. I was once like every other girl in the school. I wanted the Jock, I dreamt about being with the guy who could make a touchdown within five minutes of the first half. The dude with the bright smile, the one everyone liked. But now... I didn't know what I wanted.

Nathan went on talking about the next football game, coming up on Friday. Asking if I was going and stuff like that. Telling me his plans for after the game. Usually, one of the team members or the laid backs held a little party. I'd never been invited before; but he did invite me. I wasn't sure if it included bringing Alec, but I said I'd think about it. Then, when we walked into the cafeteria, I looked around for Alec.

At first, I couldn't see him. But I wasn't looking in the right place. The place I didn't want to look. He was by Ivy, Shannon and Suzannah. They were grinning up at him; while he leaned on the table. His lips were moving quickly; but I couldn't pick out what he was saying.

"So, uh... D'you wanna sit with us?" Nathan sounded, bringing me out of my trance. I glanced towards the populars table, finding Brittany's eyes instantly. She was glaring, like always. Though, there was more fire and fury in her orbs than what I had ever seen before. Mercedes was texting again and Amber was playing with her hair. She did look up, smile at me, then go back to whatever she was thinking about. If she was thinking at all...

"I think Alec just wants to sit alone for today. Maybe next time,"

There was a glum look in his eyes, but he nodded none the less. "Alright. So, see you in Drama."

I nodded. "You bet,"

He smiled, and left me to fend on my own. Instead of walking over to Alec and my former best friends, I went to get water. I decided, tonight, I'd have to go out and get something real to eat. The effects of not feeding on blood were probably taking hold. Hey, maybe that was why I was so snappy lately, and not able to come to a choice on whether I should stay in Forks longer or not. See, there was a reason for everything. I picked up a bottle; placed it on a tray and moved onward. I got a sandwich, since I was rather hungry.

"Boo," A voice whispered into my ear. I didn't need to jump, or turn to see who it was. Alec did it too often to scare me anymore. "So, I had a chat with your friends,"

"I saw." I muttered, grabbing an apple.

"They miss you,"

I laughed. "Its only been a day,"

"You missed them a mere hour after having the argument."

Damnit. "How do you know they miss me?"

Alec's lips curved while I walked past; towards an empty table; far from both the populars table and Ivy's group. "I could tell,"

"You could tell," I smirked. "Yeah, totally believing that."

"Honestly, Reny. I've seen the look of grief a million times before."

"And how have you?" I asked, taking a bite from the apple. For some reason, Alec's eyes went to my chin. Probably wanting to see if the same incident of this morning happened. Too bad, I was careful. His eyes moved to mine again, taking my bottle cap again. My teeth clenched.

"Your forgetting my job, Reny." He smiled, vigorously. "When we execute someone, in most cases; they have friends. When the friends find out, they have that look in their eye. Thus, I know what it looks like."

I rolled my own eyes. "Alec, the people you kill and the people who are their 'friends' are probably their lovers or mates, whatever. I don't think Ivy loves me like that."

He smirked, shrugging. "I suppose, but she does miss you. They all do."

I nodded ever so slightly; taking another bite out of my apple. Alec turned his attention to the bottlecap; giving me a chance to glance back to look at my friends. Ivy was looking at me, her expression hard to read. For a moment, I thought I saw her lips curve, but she looked away again. Letting out a sigh, I turned back; suddenly feeling sick. I pushed the tray away, and took the bottle. "I'm going hunting tonight."

"Oh, what are you hunting? Old? Young? Teenage?"

I frowned. "Alec, that isn't funny."

He smirked, shrugging. Not once did he look up. "Well... I'll come with you, if you like?"

My eyes grew wide. "You'll try the animal diet?"

That's when Alec looked up; humour all in his face. "Hell no,"

Again my eyes widened. This was the first time I had ever heard Alec remotely cuss. I felt slightly... Impressed. I made Alec cuss. I WAS AWESOME! "I'd rather-"

"spend a thousand years under Janes illusion of pain, I know. You've said." I cut him off, finishing his sentence for him while rolling my eyes.

He smirked. "What I mean is, I'll accompany you, and you with me; when I set off to hunt."

My heart froze, my eyes felt like if they grew any wider, they'd fall out. My stomach twisted at the mere thought of watching him kill something. Someone..

But then again, I did want to see what Alec looked like when he hunted. If his eyes went wild, if he was elegant in the process of taking someone's life, if he was graceful when going in the for the kill...

"I don't know if I could resist hurting someone myself. Even when we do the blood type test in Biology, it irritates me. What if I lose control,"

Alec brought ah and to my face, catching my attention quickly. His eyes captivated mine in a hypnotic stare. My stomach was twisting still, but now for another reason.

"If any of that happens, I will stop you. I give you my word, Renesmee. You can trust me,"

"I don't like death..." I whispered.

"It's a way of life. I do not go for the young ones anyway. Just the low lifes. The ones who would be in a better place if they weren't living, etc. You know.."

Well, that wasn't so bad... right? I slowly, and hesitantly, nodded. He smiled, then dropped his hand from my face; continuing to play with the bottle cap. My heart took forever to slow down, but it did eventually. But was only made race up again the moment the bell rang, signaling Drama.

Alec walked beside me, held open doors, made me smile on the walk to the class. He was trying to keep my mind off the choice, obviously. But at the end of the day, I would have to come to one. No matter how much I wanted to run off and hide in a closet, I'd have to pick one. Kiss Alec, stay in forks but lose my lip virginity. If I had kissed Nathan, I wouldn't of had this problem. It wouldn't have been a big deal; right? Damnit, I wished I had kissed him now. Or not kiss him; move away and start a new. This was far too much for me to pick, I mean... I was fifteen! I didn't want to make choices that could take effect on my life, and crap like that! I just wanted to have fun, relax, keep my friends cool... Be normal!

Alec let me walk into the classroom first, and as expected; Mr. Herd was standing talking to Miss. Wood, her cheeks were flushed. Maybe he'd finally found his balls and asked her out. It was clear she liked him too, since... She was forever being clumsy around him. I never understood how they didn't see it. I mean, surely the speechless looks they gave one another said it all. The way they smiled at one another, etc. I knew, I'd know right away when I fell in love. If I ever fell in love, that is. If I stayed in one place long enough.

The seats; that no one really used; had been moved away. So, it'd be like always, sitting on the floor against the mirror, watching on the little wooden stage that Miss. Wood always stood and done her lessons on. She was sitting on the side though, on the steps; while Mr. Herd stood towering over her, chatting away while she giggled. Their moment was ruined the moment the class began to flood in. Alec and I sat right up against the mirror, far away from the found. Little groups of people sitting together began to form. Nathan strolled in; with his friends, chatting over who gets to stab who and such. I even overheard that Nathan had been nominated by the group to be Romeo. So, that would be interesting to watch.

"Alright, class," Miss. Wood called, her voice frail and fragile. She wasn't wearing her usual green parka over a shirt and plain gray trousers, but she was wearing a skirt! Sure, it was still gray, but it was a skirt. Also, she was wearing heels. She had a tight fitted jacket, more like a suit for business, over a red shirt. Her hair was straight, instead of it's usual frizzy mess. And she had new glasses? Designer ones too. Well, what d'ya know. Miss. Wood was actually pretty behind the hair from hell, and the glasses that I doubted anyone from the 1800's would've worn.

"So, Mr. Herd gave you a brief of what's going to happen today. Basically, I'm going to call you up one by one, you perform and I write down how well you did. By Wednesday there will be a bulletin outside on the notice board saying names that are to return for a call back. Understand?"

A groan of 'yeah' 'mhm' 'yep' sounded. I just let out a gentle breath, resting my head against the mirror. A cool touch surrounded my hand, and with a little look, I smiled towards Alec's hand taking hold of mine. I glanced towards him, like he was to me. He didn't need to speak for me to realise what he was saying. Be calm. Whatever you decide, I'm behind you all the way.

I used my gift to channel into his thoughts. Projecting my own of the snowfall, and me hitting him with a snowball. Basically, that was his answer to his look. It didn't help with any choice to be made, it only made the decision all the more troublesome. But then again, a choice in kissing a guy wasn't nearly comparable to the choice Alec would have to face by the end of this mission. I had befriended him, I had gotten to know him, I had basically made it all the more harder for Alec. If it did come down to my death, surely Alec would be pulled both ways. Wanting me to be alive to stay his friend, but needing me dead to keep the vampire world safe. This choice was nothing compared to the one he had to make, so I was really acting like a child.

I had to stop doing that. Acting like a child, I mean. I was forever doing that, making rash choices, doing stupid things. I hated it when people treated me like a child, but I was always acting like one. Alec was right, how could I expect to be treated like an adult if I was forever acting like a three year old. This had to change. I had to prove to everyone I wasn't a child, I wasn't a little kid and I could stand on my own two feet. That I didn't need anyone infiltrating my choices in things. I would do the mature thing and be a grown up. Starting with this choice. My mind was set on what I was too do. I wasn't going to be a kid, I'd be a woman.

"Okay, Renesmee and Alec;" Mr. Wood called; once Nathan and his friends bounded down from the stage. It took me a moment to realize I had zoned out completely, missing their performance. Well, that sucked. I was strangely looking forward to one of the Jocks getting stabbed in the chest. I was sure Chris would of taken that too a whole new level. His acting, and playful skills were just... Well, you know. He didn't take anything serious.

Alec was the first to stand; pulling me up with the hand he had been holding. I dropped his hand, and made my way up towards the stage. Silence rolled on through, since this was probably the scene that everyone was dying to see. Would she go through with it, etc. All these questions I heard as I walked past and onto the stage. Standing on the center stage, I cleared my throat. Alec stood beside me, waiting for my choice.

Moment of truth. "Act five, scene three. The kiss and the final goodbye,"

Alec glanced to me, giving a gentle nod. He believed I was going to say no. Well...

"Starting with Romeo's farewell," Yup. I had made up my mind. And by the look on Nathan's face, he knew my choice also. I laid myself down on the prop bed, getting comfortable.

"Ready when you are, Alec."

A/N:

So... Being PM'ed to update, since I'm WAY ahead of you guys with writing kinda got to me. So, yup. As an early present for being amazing readers, you didn't just get one extra chapter this week. Here's another. Another cliffhanger. Sorry guys, but I just LOVE doing these. But it keeps you interested, right?

Anyway, my goal is to at least reach 215 reviews before the next chapter. Think you guys can be amazing and do that for me? Besides, there might be another little treat in there for you! Anyway, you have Nikkie Volturie to thanks for this update. Hope it's worth it.

I love you guys. (:

-C.H.