GIRL ALL THE BAD GUYS WANT

IT STARTED POURING BUCKETS halfway through my shower, turning the water ice cold. For two hours after, I did nothing but sleep dreamlessly, more tired than I thought I was. I woke to the sound of the phone ringing, shrill through my door. It was Charlie. The school had called the station. "I wasn't really feeling very well, a friend dropped me off home."

"Shelley said you were crying in the girls' bathroom."

My jaw clenched, frustrated tears welling in my eyes. Only in a town this small would the staff be in on high school drama. "No, I just wasn't feeling well, Dad."

"Gracie." He sighed, clearly hearing the bite in my voice. "Ain't no boy in the world worth that, kid."

"Mm." I balance the phone between my shoulder and ear, picking at my nails.

"You're not still going with him on Saturday, are you?"

"No." I sulk. But not because it was my choice. "You're not mad I skipped class?"

"I'll call the school and tell them you've got a bad cold." He decides. "Take a couple days off. Gossip'll die down by then."

I smiled. Charlie was kind of the best. "I love you."

He grunted. "Bella's bringing you your schoolwork, every day."

And now he's back to Chief Swan. I roll my eyes. "Yes Dad."

"See you soon kid." And then a click.

I marched myself straight back to sleep.

Bella didn't come home until a little after sunset, when the last dredges of light lingered behind the clouds. I'd kept myself busy after my prolonged nap, cleaning up my room and then, room by room, the whole house. It had been a long time since I was in the house this long, let alone by myself. The repetitive tasks helped me sort my thoughts.

A part of me knew Rosalie had been right. I wasn't mad at my boyfriend because of a stupid dance. I was mad that he'd called me a sheep. That I was seeking approval, showing off that I had a boyfriend, trying my best to be the prettiest girl at the dance. I wanted that movie moment, where they dance in the middle of all the shiny streamers and he dips her low and they kiss and everyone's watching them with envy. It was shallow. And I was hurt because my boyfriend — the person I worked to impress the most — had called me out on it. Well, the second person. Because it stung so much more when Rosalie said it.

And now I was deep in a hole I'd dug myself into. The whole school had seen me weak, vulnerable. Poor Gracie Swan, crying in the bathroom like a total loser. They couldn't have heard what Adam and I were arguing about this time, not in his car with the windows rolled up. They didn't know what I was so ashamed of, thank god, but they did see me as a victim. Adam Wexler made his girlfriend cry so much she skipped school. I didn't know how I could come back from this.

I was doing my homework at the kitchen table when the silver Volvo rolled up. They waited at the curbside for a good while, and I considered coming out to rescue my sister with an umbrella before I thought better of interrupting the lovebirds. At least they were happy. Bella didn't hop out until an unfamiliar dark car pulled up to the curb just a few feet away, its headlights briefly glancing off the kitchen window, blinding me.

Then Edward revved his engine, and his tires squealed against the wet pavement. Like Rosalie's convertible, the Volvo was out of sight in seconds.

Bella was talking to whoever was in the little black car. Whatever they were doing in the ridiculous rain, it got interrupted by Charlie's cruiser. I vaguely recognize the boy from our day at the beach, but his father is instantly familiar. Billy Black was heavyset. His face overflowed, the cheeks resting against his shoulders, with creases running trough the russet skin like an old leather jacket.

Muffled through the window and the rain, I could hear the conversation.

"Billy!" Charlie called as soon as he got out of the car. Bella and Jacob ducked quickly under the porch, finally getting cover. "I'm gonna pretend I didn't see you behind the wheel, Jake!"

The disapproval was clear in his warning.

"We get permits early on the rez." Jacob Black was telling my father as Bella unlocked the door and flicked on the porch light. I was already slipping out of my seat.

"Sure you do." Charlie laughed.

"I have to get around somehow." I recognized Billy's resonant voice easily, despite the years. The sound of it made me feel suddenly younger, a child.

"Hey." I greet my sister, leaning in the kitchen doorway and making my presence known. Bella flashes me a smile, hanging up her jacket.

She glanced back over her shoulder, at where Charlie and Jacob were helping Billy out of the car and into his wheelchair. "I heard about Adam."

I roll my eyes, my little huff clear I didn't want to talk about it. "He looked kinda mad at lunch. I think he was upset you left with Rosalie."

My heart lurched. I didn't think about that. Of course people would know I left with Rosalie, she had been missing too. Adam didn't really like the Cullens. "Well he can be upset all he wants."

"Gracie." Bella sighs at my snipey tone, but she doesn't push. She knows better. We backed up then, making way as the three of them hurried in, shaking off the rain.

"This is a surprise." Charlie was saying.

"It's been too long." Billy answered. "I hope it's not a bad time." His dark eyes flashed up to my sister, his expression guarded. My eyebrows rose up at the noticeable tension in the air between them. What the hell did I miss?

"No, it's great. I hope you can stay for the game."

Jacob grinned. "I think that's the plan — our TV broke last week."

Billy made a face at his son. "And, of course, Jacob was anxious to see Bella again." He added. Jacob scowled and ducked his head while I chuckled, back in the kitchen doorway, arms folded. Poor kid didn't have a clue. Bella looked a little horrified.

"Are you hungry?" I asked, not daring to introduce myself. Charlie would be horrified — to him, the Blacks were a part of the family. I'd hooked a thumb behind me at the kitchen.

"Naw, we ate just before we came." Jacob answered. "Gracie, right?"

"Yeah." I smile at him.

"Rach and Rebecca used to talk about you all the time." He explains. I smile at that. I still had their emails, maybe I should reach out. The idea felt awkward. We'd fallen out of touch the summer their mom died.

"How about you, Dad? Hungry?" I called over my shoulder as I disappeared around the corner.

"Sure." He replied, his voice moving in the direction of the front room and the TV. I could hear Billy's chair follow. Bella excused herself to clean up upstairs real quick.

The grilled cheese sandwiches were in the frying pan and I was slicing up a tomato when I sensed someone behind me. Jacob Black was kinda cute for his age. I could see he took after his mother. Sarah Black had been a dream, I had no doubt her son would break hearts in a few years. "Hi."

"Hey." His smile was warm. Comforting. "How's it going?"

"Good." He brightens. "How about you? You looked a little down, before."

"Just a little tired." I chuckle, trying to brush off that he'd noticed.

"Bella told me you like cars." I perk up at the words at once. "I'm fixing up an old Rabbit, I dunno what you know about—"

"What year?" Apparently, my eagerness startled him. A Rabbit was hardly a looker compared to the work of art I'd been introduced to this morning, but I'd fixed a few Volkswagens before. Including my mother's constantly disappointing Beetle.

"'86." He grinned, hands stuffed in his jean pockets. I hummed appreciatively, an earlier generation. "Can't get it to run without parts, though. We borrowed that one."

He pointed with his thumb in the direction of the front yard.

"What're you looking for?" I raise a brow.

"Master cylinder." He answered as I said 'ah'. "Is something wrong with the truck?" He added suddenly.

"No." I'm confused.

"Oh. I just wondered because Bella didn't drive it." Ah. I stared down at the pan, pulling up the edge of a sandwich to check the bottom side. I had the feeling I had to be careful what I said here.

"I came home early, wasn't feeling well. A friend dropped Bella off." I didn't mention the truck at all there, none of it was a lie.

"Nice ride." Jacob's voice was admiring, and I hummed with agreement. "I didn't recognize the driver, though. I thought I knew most of the kids around here."

"Guess not." I smile.

"My dad seemed to know him from somewhere."

"Jake, could you hand me some plates? They're in the cupboard over the sink."

"Sure."

He got the plates in silence. I hoped he would let it drop now.

"So who was it?" He asked, setting two plates on the counter next to me. I knew he was digging because it was a remarkably pretty boy who had driven Bella home, and he was scouting whether he had competition. Apparently Bella's flirting had worked too well.

I tried to sound casual. "Edward Cullen."

To my surprise, he laughed. And then, at my expression, he looked a little embarrassed.

"Guess that explains it, then." He said. "I wondered why my dad was acting so strange."

"That's right." I faked an innocent expression. "Charlie mentioned it. He doesn't like the Cullens."

"Superstitious old man." Jacob muttered under his breath.

"You don't think he'd say anything to Charlie?" The fresh fear tumbles from my lips before I can stop it. I see the damage. "He jumps to conclusions when Bella's around guys. I've given him enough heart attacks with my boyfriend."

He looks relieved. "I doubt it." He grimaces, half his face scrunching up crookedly with his nose. "I think Charlie chewed him out pretty good last time. They haven't spoken much since — tonight is sort of a reunion, I think. I don't think he'd bring it up again."

"Is that why I haven't seen you guys 'til now?" I act surprised, letting the conversation shift away. "I figured he must've just been spending all his weekends at the Rez instead of bringing the boys here."

"He does, with Harry Clearwater. They go fishing." Jacob explains. "Dad and Charlie have been frosty for a minute."

"Well, best friends fight." I hum.

Bella came down to join us all, eventually. Jacob lit up when she did, and she seemed grateful for him and his eagerness to chat because that meant she didn't have to pretend she had any idea what was going on with the game. I got pretty into it, welcoming the distraction and the opportunity to have something to vent my aggravation at. It was a long night, but I think I'd really bonded with Billie and Charlie by the end of it.

"Are you and your friends coming back to the beach soon?" Jacob asked Bella more so than me as he pushed his father over the lip of the threshold.

"I'm not sure." Bella hedged.

"I will." I decide with a smile. "If not with everyone, then by myself. I want to see the tide pools again."

"No limpets this time." Jacob jokes.

"Naw, I've graduated. I'm thinking crab." I wink and he laughs.

"That was fun, Charlie." Billy said.

"Come up for the next game." Charlie encouraged.

"Sure, sure." Billy said. "We'll be here. Have a good night." His eyes shifted to Bella's, and his smile disappeared. "You take care, Bella." He added seriously.

"Thanks." Bella muttered, looking away.

"I'm gonna crash." I pat Dad on the shoulder as he watched and waved at them from the doorway. I didn't want to be alone with him or Bella. I didn't want to talk about today.

"You sure?" He glanced my way with worry, before seeing my expression. "Alright. Good night, Gracie."

"Night Dad." I half-turn to my sister on the stairs. "Night Bells."

I slept better that night, too exhausted to dream again. When I woke to the pearl gray morning, my mood was gloomy. Adam hadn't called the house even once to check on me. Bella said he seemed mad, but that was no excuse. I wasn't going to be the one to apologize.

As I turned over to try to go back to sleep again, it struck me that he wouldn't know not to pick me up for school today. I thought of calling, but thought better of it. Maybe I should confront him at home, where the rest of the school couldn't hear us. Your arguments are very loud...and very public. Rosalie's words drifted through my mind.

I groaned, rolling over to my stomach with my quilt tangled around me, stuffing my pillow over my head. I did not need to think of her first thing in the morning.

Long after Bella left with Edward and Charlie left for work — after calling school to tell them I was down with the flu — I waited at the kitchen table, watching the lawn with some sort of expectancy. I imagined all the ways I could talk to him, before deciding the fight wasn't worth it. Rosalie had been right. If I cared about him, then I should prove it by moving past this. Do what he wanted. But Adam never showed up.

I was mad again by the time the clock struck eight forty-five, the end of first period. What if I had wanted to go to school today? And Bella had already left without me, because of course I would be waiting for him? I guessed I had the truck, but I didn't want to go anywhere near that thing and he knew my childish fear. He knew it. And he had still left me high and dry to face it by myself.

I needed some air.

It took longer to get to the leaned log in the woods this time. Maybe I'd taken a different route through the dense foliage, or maybe it was my hiking boots constantly squelching into the goopy wet mud from the storm last night. But I felt better when I got to what I supposed was becoming my special spot. This time, I felt more peaceful. The radiating silence of the forest was a balm over my upset.

I'd come prepared. A pack of sandwiches, a can of orange soda, a bottle of water. My CD Player. A sketchbook, a pen. I hadn't noticed the hours ticking away until I had company. I sighed, tugging my cheap little headphones off. I wasn't startled by her appearance, she'd made sure to walk in directly through my line of sight, a little ghost of a smile on her lips. "Well, I suppose I am in your natural habitat. I was bound to run into one of you out here."

That little smile vanished at once at my joke. I guessed it didn't land well. But as I paused the CD I caught the time on my watch, frowning with bewilderment up at her. "It's noon."

"I left after lunch." Rosalie answered, getting closer now. She wore a flecked grey wool coat today, pale hands stuffed in the pockets, a pale blue sweater peeking out beneath. It looked very soft even from afar. "Edward left with Alice."

I didn't see how the two instances were related, waiting patiently with a raised brow. As she reached me, I recognized the simmering frustration in those clear golden eyes. "He insists on recklessly endangering your sister tomorrow."

"Oh?" I frown with confusion. "What, in Seattle?"

"They're not going to Seattle." She glowered. "It'll be sunny tomorrow."

I sighed, looking back down at my drawing, picking up where I left off. "You know I can't help you when you don't fill in the blanks."

She furrows her brows at me. "I thought you were here to rant to your not-friend."

This made her lips twitch. She ducked her head slightly, poking at a gnarled root with the toe of her snakeskin boot. "He's taking her somewhere tomorrow, alone. He plans to show her what we look like in the sun."

"And that's dangerous because...?" I trail off.

"It's one thing to be alone with her in town." She glared, as if it were obvious. "With the humans everywhere for him to hear in his head. Without a buffer, without anyone, absolutely alone with her — it's insanely reckless for him to even consider it. Callous, even. The fallout if he lapses for even a split second in his control—"

"Rose, you're literally alone in the woods with me right now." I cut her off, tone tired. "Literally — look around us. We're off trail. Who's gonna find my body?"

This made her very upset, and I took a little pleasure in the schadenfreude. She'd called me out, now it was my turn. "It's not the same."

"Why not?"

"Because her blood drives him insane."

"And mine doesn't affect you the same? You said it did."

"I have better control than him. I've never even tasted a human."

"I really don't think that matters." I chuckle a little darkly, and she's as close to pouting as I think I'll ever see her. "Adam didn't come to pick me up for school today."

"I noticed." She frowned with confusion. "He didn't call you yesterday?"

I shook my head, turning back to my drawing. She sighed. "Grace..."

"I really don't want to hear it. That's why I'm out here." I tell her, honestly.

She seems to finally notice what I'm doing, cocking her head sideways. And then she smiles. "Is that my car?"

"Can't get it out of my head." I grumble, and she laughs. It's smug and delighted, all at once. The RH33 didn't look exactly right, but I was getting there.

"Come on." She nods her head over her shoulder, and I raise a brow. "It's going to rain soon. Let's get you back in your house before you drown."