The following month was quiet, for me at least. Gran had me wait until after Thanksgiving to go back. The school's Facebook mentioned something about a new permanent teacher.

I wore a white shirt under a blue flannel shirt, faded blue jeans, and black vans. My hair was in a ponytail. Gran drove me to school, and it'd be forever before I could walk outside with her on my heels.

Jeremy and I went to history class together; he told me about the last time he saw Vicky. The sheriff interviewed him, Matt, Elena, and Stefan about Vicky's disappearance; she left town. Jeremy said he missed her, but he thinks it's for the best.

It was very well rehearsed.

I felt he was compelled; maybe with more pressing, I could break it.

A tall man, about 6'2, with an athletic build, walked in. He with short, brown hair that is gelled on the top and blue eyes. He wore casual clothes, a dark blue shirt, jeans, and black boots.

The name, which I presumed was his, Alaric Saltzman, was written on the board.

'It's pronounced Alaric, but I prefer Rick.' he turned to face the class. 'The name Alaric belongs to my dead great-grandfather. I want to go around the room and learn something about you.'

Darn.

He began calling us out alphabetically, and I prayed he wouldn't get to me.

'Swan, Isobel.'

Dang it!

Everyone looked at me, whispering about the attack; Mr. Saltzman looked around.

'Isobel Swan?' I raised my hand. 'Ah, stand up, Isobel.' I stood. 'Isobel, that's a pretty name.'

'It's Isabella. I mean, Bella. It's Bella.'

'Tell us about yourself, Izzy.'

'Bella.'

The bell rang and saved my life, and I ran like my life depended on it and crashed into Tyler.

'Hey, watch- oh, Bella. Hey. Have you spoken to-'

'Let's go, Bella.' Jeremy put his arm around me. 'I want to talk to you about something.'

'How did you survive that?'

'I don't know, Jeremy.' I laughed. 'I guess my parents.'

'Your parents?'

'Charlie and Renee told me to keep fighting. Do you have any idea where Vicky might be going?'

'To see her mom, or maybe she's on a bender.'

'I don't think she's on a bender.'

'Maybe she missed her mom, or maybe she's with some guy.'

'What did you want to talk about?'

'Mr. Saltzman is letting me make up all the assignments I missed. I have to write an essay.'

'On what?'

'That's just it; I can't figure out what I want to write about.'

'Didn't family create this city? Start there.'

'Hey, where you going?'

'I think I left something in my locker.'

'Stefan.'

'Hi.'

'You weren't in class; I was worried.'

'Yeah, I got your messages, and I'm sorry I didn't get back to you, but what I wanna say shouldn't be said over the phone.'

'A simple "I didn't kill my brother" text would have sufficed.'

'I didn't kill my brother as much as he deserved it. He has you to thank you for that.'

'So, what did you wanna tell me?'

'I won't be coming to school anymore. I'm going to back off and keep my distance. It's the right thing to do.'

'Back off from school or me?' there was an awkward silence before she let out a defeated sigh. 'Thank you for telling me.'

She didn't understand, but she would one day.

'It's better this way.'

She shook her head. 'Yep. I got it.'

'You're angry. That's good. It'll be easier if you hate me.'

I turned to leave, but the scent of her stopped me.

'I don't want to hate you.' Elena said, jumping in front of me.

'Stefan, I-' she stepped back when she saw my face. 'What is it?'

We both turned to see her ten yards away from us at her locker, rubbing her wound. I could hear her blood flowing through her veins; it sang to me.

'Is she bleeding?'

'No.'

'Then what is it?'

'Her blood. It's her blood; something about her.'

'What do you mean?'

'Her blood is the sweetest scent I've ever smelt.' I whispered. 'No one comes close to her, not you, not anyone!'

Elena scowled and swung around to Bella; her brown shirt made her mahogany-colored hair and swan skin stand out. She was listening to music on her iPod; it sounded like Debussy.

'Maybe we should leave.'

'Don't; I'm not sure I can control myself right now. I might hurt you.'

'I'll get rid of her.'

I saw them talking, Elena Gilbert and Stefan Salvatore, when I was at my locker and thought about turning down my music to eavesdrop but decided against it.

1, I don't think they'd be stupid enough to talk about Stefan's condition in public.

2, Stefan could probably hear my music.

And 3, if I am right and he can hear my music, turning it down would tip my hand and alert him to my lack of compulsion.

I need more information before I can lay down my cards.

A tap on the shoulder made me jump and drop all my books. I turned to find Elena standing behind me; she wore a denim jacket, a purple top brown or possibly faded black pants.

'Sorry.' she said as she helped me pick up my books.

'Ok.'

'I like your top.'

'Did you need something, Elena?'

What did she want with me?

'Uh, I remember you mentioning that Mr. Tanner was friends with your uncle.'

I'm surprised she remembered.

I noticed Stefan was gone; she was distracting me.

Why?

Was Stefan on to me?

'What about it?'

'They hosted a candlelight-'

'The night I was attacked.'

'Right.' she handed me my books. 'Oh, you like Wuthering Heights too.'

'Yes.'

'It's my favorite book.'

'What are you trying to distract me from?'

'Nothing.'

Playing dumb, huh? Fine.

'I have to get back to lunch-'

'I noticed that you and Jeremy are pretty close...'

'Does it exacerbate you to know he's friends with a drug addict like me?'

Her cheeks turned red, and she looked at her feet. 'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that.'

'What did I say to make you out me as a drug addict? What was so improbable for you to believe?'

'Come on, Bella! Did you hear what you said?!'

'Refresh my memory.'

'You said-' she paused.

'What did I say?'

'It doesn't even matter anymore.' she scoffed.

'Then how can it be illogical?'

'It must be ridiculous for me to react in such a way.'

'Or maybe you were in denial.'

She paused, searching for a retort, but muttered, 'I have to find Bonnie. She wanted to talk to me about something.'

'I'm not holding you up.'