Chapter 20
There's a fire in your heart, don't let it out

You're just the way I prayed that you would be

I will not apologize for the fire in my eyes

Oh, will you put it out for me

~Little Locket- Broken

The weather continued to hold, extending to the school week. Instead of torrents of rain, the sun shined it's brilliant light and kept the rain at bay. With the temperature steady, people deemed it safe to wear Spring and Summer clothes.

Bella entered the school Monday morning feeling sluggish and haggard. The weather had given her hope to having a wonderful day, but she felt very tired and had mild aches on her body. It also didn't help that she had skipped breakfast. It wasn't intentional. She had cooked a nice breakfast for her family consisting of waffles, bacon and eggs. While she had plans to join them in the mini feast, the smell had her gagging. She craved something else, but she couldn't quite figure out what that was.

Bella lectured her classes about that week's assignment. They had finished their book, and she decided to take a break from reading to work on their writing. It would mean more essays would have to be assigned which in turn meant that she was in for some long nights. But that was the life of an English teacher and she truly did love her job.

When lunchtime finally rolled around, she grabbed her lunch and headed to the teachers lounge. She wanted to see her friends, and knew that if she didn't go to them, they would come to her. But it had been a while since she last ate lunch in the lounge. It was a nice room, dedicated to the teachers and she wanted to take advantage of it.

Upon entering, Bella found Demetri sitting at their usual table with Alice. They were both hunched over something and talking secretly. By the time Bella made it to the table, they jumped at her presence. "What's going on?" The brunette asked confused. "You two doing something illegal?"

Alice made a face at Bella then held out her wrist. "Look what Jazz sent me in the mail!" She waved her wrist in the air, letting the thin, silver bracelet catch the light and sparkle. The bracelet was very simple but it had an air to it that screamed expensive. A small heart was etched into the bracelet and outlined with what could only be real diamonds. "We're trying to guess how much it costs." Alice told Bella, recapturing her attention. "I'm thinking a few hundred."

Demetri rolled his eyes and grabbed her wrist, albeit, gently. "This is clearly more than a few hundred. Those are real diamonds."

"We're not sure just yet. They could be fake." Alice said the words lightly, but anyone could hear the hope in her voice that they were real. "Regardless, this is a really nice bracelet." She placed her hand delicately back onto the table and seemed flushed with pride. "He left a note on the box that read: 'My sweet Alice, until we meet again.' Isn't that just sweet?"

"Almost sickly so." Demetri joked, but he smiled kindly to show he was only teasing her.

Bella finally took her seat at the table and smiled at her friend. "So when are you going to see him again?"

A heavy blush settled upon Alice's face. "This weekend. We're going out dancing, and then he said he has a surprise for me." Alice's eyes sparkled with curiosity and she looked at her friends excitedly. "I should go shopping!"

Bella frowned at the woman. "Alice, do you have the money for that? Aren't you behind on your bills?"

"Oh Bella." Alice waved away he concerns. "You only have one life to live. Who wants to spend it paying bills?"

"No one wants to." Bella told her honestly.

"But we have to." Demetri muttered grudgingly. "That's just life. Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to." As he said these words, Demetri looked at Bella with an unreadable expression.

"Well I don't care." Alice marveled at her bracelet some more. "I'm going shopping after school," She glanced at her friends who were giving her reproachful stares. "But I'll go easy on my money."

Bella sent Alice a half-smile. "Good. We don't want your electricity to get turned off. Or worse, you getting kicked out of the apartment."

Alice laughed at the thought. "That's not going to happen. Don't worry." But she chewed on the inside of her cheek thoughtfully. "Maybe I'll only look at things in the clearance…"

The teachers continued eating their lunch and chatting amicably. Bella had packed herself a simple turkey sandwich, bag of chips and can of pop. She took a bite of her sandwich and found that she couldn't stomach it. Just having it sit on her tongue had her ready to retch. Her chips smelled wrong and the pop was too fizzy. She packed up her lunch regretfully and threw it away. While she hated wasting food, she also couldn't force anything on her obviously sensitive stomach.

"Why aren't you eating?" Demetri asked her when he noticed that Bella had pitched her lunch.

"I don't really have much of an appetite today." She told him honestly.

"I hope you aren't coming down with something."

"I doubt it. I feel fine." Bella realized this wasn't completely true as now coupled with fatigue, she wasn't eating either. "Then again, ya never know. Maybe I have a stomach bug or something." The conversation turned away from Bella and the teachers continued eating their lunches and talking about mundane things.

After lunch had ended, the rest of the school day sped by for Bella. Teaching several classes tended to be tedious as she repeated the same information but to different students. Bella loved her job though, so it didn't bother her as much as it would some teachers who hated their job. But by the end of the day, during her last class, she found her voice losing emphasis and falling into a monotonous tone. When there was only twenty minutes left before the end of class, she noticed Jane staring at her. While all of the students had their eyes trained on her, Jane's face wasn't filled with boredom or mild interest in how to use hyperboles effectively. No, Jane's face was full of speculation and had her eyes narrowed at Bella as if she were trying to figure out something about her. Bella repressed a shudder at the stare as she didn't want to tip her student off that she was in fact scaring her. Why did Jane seem so intent upon figuring out things Bella didn't wish her to know?

When the final bell rang, dismissing her class, Bella couldn't have been happier. She would be rid of Jane's stare, at least until the next day. As she was packing up her things, a couple students stopped by her desk to ask a couple questions about the assignment. While Bella was answering, she noticed Jane lingering behind and knew the girl was going to try to question her again. So she used her students as a diversion and made sure to speak slowly. Once their questions were answered successfully, she had finished packing her things and escorted them from the room. Jane had no choice but to follow them out into the crowded hall. "Have a good afternoon." She told her students before making a beeline for Alice's classroom. Jane didn't bother following after her, as there were too many students in the hallway, and Bella made sure to walk fast.

"Alice!"

Alice jumped upon hearing her name and whirled around to face Bella. She had a splotch of red paint dripping off of her cheek, and her clothes were a multitude of colors because of the day's assignment. "Bella, shit! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

Bella closed Alice's door, and looked around the empty room quickly. "Sorry. I just came to tell you I'm ready to go."

Alice sent Bella a funny look. "Did you forget I'm going shopping?" The pixie haired woman took out a small mirror from her desk and examined her face. Upon seeing the paint, she rolled her eyes, then grabbed a tissue and tried to clean it off. "Some kids thought it would be funny to throw paint at each other." Alice finished cleaning off the paint and gestured to her outfit. "Look at me, I look terrible." Her hands flitted over the dried paint stains. "Well, they're both suspended for a week so that will be nice." Alice grabbed her purse and hurried to the door. "Did you want to go shopping with me?"

Bella hadn't planned on it. She wanted to go home, grade some papers and relax. Just as she was about to reluctantly agree, Demetri came barreling down the hall towards them. "Oh good, there you are." Demetri was slightly out of breath and some of his hair had fallen across his face. "Big news! We're going out Saturday!" He grinned at the women and a light blush flittered across his face. "Max is coming."

"This sounds like juicy gossip." Alice grinned and motioned them back into her classroom. Once they were inside, she closed the door. "Spill."

Demetri ran a hand through his hair that had grown considerably. "Ok, so I ran into him after my last class. He apologized for kissing me and tried to tell me he was a hundred percent straight." Demetri snorted and leaned against the door. "Well, I told him I didn't care about the kiss. Then told him we were all going out to the Victoria's tavern again on Saturday. He asked if he could come too, and I said yes." Demetri couldn't help smiling at the thought. "So is that ok? Will y'all come?"

"Fine with me. I'll even bring Jacob." Bella replied.

Alice placed her hands on her hips and sighed in exasperation. "I'm going on my date that day." She cursed under her breath and dramatically rubbed her temples. "I like going to the tav, darn you Demetri." She turned to Bella and took her hands. "Tell me everything that happens that night."

"Of course." Bella responded. "I know how much you love your gossip."

"You know it." Alice winked then looked up at the clock. "I have to go! There is a special clearance sale at Macy's that ends 5!" Before the two teachers could blink their eyes, the art teacher had escaped the room, leaving them alone.

"Saturday will be fun." Demetri murmured, then looked at Bella with surprise. "Oh, I can give you a ride home. I know Alice usually gives you one."

"Thanks Demetri."

It didn't take the teachers long to reach Bella's apartment. When Demetri had parked, Bella exited the car and was surprised when Demetri followed her. "I have something for Renesmee." He told her. "Late birthday gift."

"That's nice of you." Bella lead the way inside the apartment and as she was unlocking her door, she heard a slight creaking noise behind her. She sighed as she knew it was Caius.

True to her suspicions, a grunt noise behind them had her and Demetri turning around to see Caius glaring at the pair. "I swear you stomp up the stairs so loudly on purpose. Do you think you could quiet down?" He snapped. Upon seeing Demetri, his scowl only deepened. "What, are you throwing a party? Might I remind you that you and your family aren't the only people who live in this building? Keep the noise down!" Caius slammed his door shut and Demetri sent Bella a confused stare.

"What's his deal?"

Bella shrugged. "Beats me. Alice thinks he needs to get laid."

"I BEG YOUR PARDON?!" Caius screamed from behind his door.

Bella stifled her giggles, but ushered Demetri inside her apartment quickly before Caius could return to yell at them more. Once they were inside, she locked her door and breathed a sigh of relief. "He can wear on your nerves." She muttered.

Renesmee happened to be in the living room watching TV with Midnight playing at her feet. "Hi mommy." She greeted upon spotting her mother. When she noticed that Demetri was with her, she sent him a wave. "Hi Dee-dee!"

"Dee-dee?" Demetri looked at Bella with amusement.

"Your name is really long." Bella shrugged then took a seat next to Renesmee on the couch. "Where is your father?"

Renesmee pointed towards the back of the house. "He's in his room."

"Figures." Bella looked up at Demetri. "He has a gift for you since your birthday was a few days ago."

"Oooo! What is it?"

Demetri reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box wrapped in tissue paper. He removed it and opened the box to reveal a small golden locket with a wolf pendant hanging from it. "It's the closest thing to a dog I could find." He told Bella sheepishly.

"It's beautiful!" Renesmee squealed, reaching out and pulling it from the box. "Look mommy!" Renesmee held up the necklace and it sparkled delicately.

"How nice. Here, let me help you put it on." Bella took the necklace from her daughter, then clipped it around her neck. "There you go."

Renesmee beamed with pride then stood from the couch abruptly. "I'm going to go show daddy!" She zipped from the room with Midnight yipping at her heels.

"That was really nice of you." Bella told Demetri. "I hope it didn't cost too much."

"Nah, it was nothing." Demetri told her.

"It's funny, Jacob gave me a bracelet once that had a wolf charm on it. But I lost it years ago." She smiled ruefully. "It was really nice of you to get something for Renesmee."

"She's a great kid." Demetri spoke softly, then looked at his feet bashfully. "Uh, I have to go, but I'll see you tomorrow at school." Without another word, Demetri exited the apartment, leaving Bella to feel bewildered as to his sudden departure.

A/N: First update of the year! Many more to come~