I didn't see Elena at school the next day, not that I was looking for her. I only found myself noticing after Stefan Salvatore came to me during lunch when I was showing Jeremy my pictures.

'Hi, Bella. Jeremy.'

'Hi.' I was my strangled response.

'I don't know where Elena is.' Jeremy mentioned absently.

'What?' I veered around to him.

'She didn't come home last night. The favoritism Jenna shows her is unbelievable.'

'Actually, I was wondering if I speak to Bella.'

'Bella who?' I let out.

'Swan.' Stefan looked at Jeremy as he nearly choked on his juice.

I was gobsmacked. 'Me? You want to talk to me?!'

'Yes?'

'What about?'

'Ah, it's kinda private.'

I glanced over at Jeremy, who was engrossed in the photos.

'I'll be right back.'

Bella followed two paces behind me into the hall, she wore brown today, possibly to blend in with the other humans.

And I d say she was successful, or she would be if it weren't for that scent.

I'd lay awake many nights craving her blood, and her rapid heart rate wasn't helping.

I glanced behind me, Isabella was clutching a book as if it were a bat. She looked like a terrified lamb who just woke a den of starving lions.

'What's this all about?' she stopped walking, I could hear her blood rushing.

'Elena told me that you collapsed yesterday.'

Her face turned red and she pouted her lips. 'Really, she told you that?'

I nodded. 'Yep, she said it happened right after we left.'

Bella complained about Elena having a big mouth before she turned to me. 'What else has she said?'

'Did Damon upset you?'

She scoffed. 'Does he upset you?'

I shrugged as I felt my mouth form into a small smile. 'I guess.'

'I can survive Damon.' she declared firmly.

I'll bet you can.

The gaze of her large dark eyes held me captive, she parted her full lips as if she was intending to speak, but instead, she bit them and averted her gaze, finally releasing me.

She began tossing her mahogany tresses in my direction, during my observation of her, I noticed that she seemed to do this she was put on the spot.

Her long hair was her security blanket, protecting her from the examination of others. However, it threw her scent into the air, sending out a signal to every vampire within running distance.

'Elena is angry with me.'

'Why?'

'It's not-'

'Then why tell me?'

Her stare locked on me once more, but I had the sense to look away.

'She's with Damon.'

I glanced her way, Bella had a panicked look in her eyes, and I began to consider Elena's worries concerning her.

Did my compulsion on Isabella work?

Did she truly forget?

'What are you saying?'

'Elena is missing.'

'Has she been kidnapped?!'

'No.' I lied.

'Are you going to go after her?'

'I don't know where she is.'

'Why didn't Jeremy mention it to me? Did you tell her aunt? I'm calling Caroline-'

'Elena is angry at me.' I took hold of her wrist, and our eyes locked. 'Chances are that she and Bonnie are keeping their lips sealed until Elena says otherwise.'

'But she chose to confide in Damon?'

Her trepidation was apparent, her eyes informed me that she didn't buy my story.

'She won't respond to my calls, but maybe she would answer yours.'

Her shoulders slumped and she averted her gaze once more. 'That's what you wanted to talk about.'

'Yes. You could say-'

'Give me her number and I call her after school.'

'Could you please try it now?'

'Is Elena in danger?'

'No.'

She turned back to me, her eyes narrowed. 'Then what's the hurry?'

'I don't trust Damon.'

We stare at one another for a while, before she glanced at my hands.

'What's wrong?'

'I'll need my hands, Stefan.'

I let her go, and she rubbed her wrist, her skin was soft.

I dialed Elena's number and handed it to Bella, it rang for a bit before the voicemail answered.

'She's not answering.' Bella gave up. 'I'll try again later.'

'Just a moment.' I grabbed her by the waist, causing her body to jump and trip over her own feet. 'Sorry.'

I helped her up, and she stiffened in my grasp. 'It's alright. Well, what you do want?'

'How how has your neck been?'

'Fine.' she rubbed her neck. 'How's your brother? Has he been biting any more underage girls?'

'What?!'

'Caroline told me he bit her!' Bella stuttered. 'Maybe he's biting Elena.' Concern flashed in her eyes. 'I'm calling her again.'

Bella called Elena's cell once more, it rang for a second then I heard a faint, 'Hello?'

'Elena? Elena Gilbert?'

'Yes, who's this?'

'Let me talk.' I mouthed to Bella.

She held her finger to her pump lips.

'Who is this?' Elena repeated, impatiently.

'Where the heck do get off telling Stefan Salvatore I collapsed?!'

'Bella?'

'I don't appreciate you talking about me behind my back.'

'How did you get my number?'

'My Gran.'

'Who gave it to her?!'

'Someone worried because you didn't come home last night.'

'Not that it's any of YOUR business, but I'm with someone-'

'Tch.' Bella scoffed. 'I know what that means.'

'You don't know-'

'I know that your family's worried sick about you, and you're shacked up with some guy! The least you could do is call everyone and let them know you're ok.'

'Elena's fine, little swan.' Damon's voice called out in the background.

I think I saw Bella's skin crawl, she glanced at me. 'You're with Damon?'

'Is that an issue?' Damon challenged.

'How long have you and Caroline been broken up?'

'It's not like that!' Elena pressed.

'So Damon abducted you?! I'll call the sheriff-'

'I'm with Damon because I wanna be.'

It stung to hear that, and it must have shown on my face because Bella mouthed, 'Are you ok?'

I mouthed a 'yes.'

'Are you sure?' she mouthed back.

I nodded, and she responded to Elena, 'So, it's exactly like that!'

'What do you want Bella?!' Elena was growing impatient.

Bella held out her phone, and I reluctantly shook my head. 'You should call home and tell your aunt you're alright.'

Elena hung up, Bella turned to me, sympathy written all over

her face. 'Well, at least you know she's safe.'

Damon could have compelled her to say that, or she could be saying that to get Bella off her back.

'Yeah, I guess I do.'

I started to leave, but something- for lack of a better word- compelled me to meet Isabella's gaze.

'What?'

'Does it bother you that Elena told me that you collapsed?'

Her face reddened and noticed the rays shining, making her hair appear red.

'I don't appreciate other people telling my business.'

'Your hair.'

'What about my hair?'

'It turns red in the sun.'

I found myself running my fingers through her hair, it felt like silk.

She gasped and teetered back from my touch, I folded my arms and looked away.

I cleared my throat. 'I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so forward.'

'I'm not a rebound!' she asserted. 'And I don't go for guys with a girlfriend.'

Her irritation made me grin and held up my hands in defeat, 'Yes, ma'am.'

'I have to get back to Jeremy.'

'How is your project going?'

'My what?'

'Caroline once mentioned that you were doing a family project for your grandmother.'

'Oh, yeah, it's going fine.'

'What did you find out?'

'My uncle was friends with Mr. Tanner.'

That would explain why he seemed to have a soft spot for you, I thought.

'Anything else?'

'My uncle was a war hero.'

I felt like she holding back, but I decided not to press her.

'If you need an extra set of eyes, I'd be more than happy to help.'

She opened her mouth, then shut it, turned on her heel, and started to leave, but stopped and turned back to me.

'Give me your number, I might take you up on that.'

'We could meet up at the grill after school.'

'Uh, s-so soon?'

'Yes...'

'Why?'

'I'm very curious about you.'

Her cheeks flushed and bit her lips but nodded.

'Alright.'