The book slotted neatly back onto the shelf and just below it, I stuck my newly written review. Around two months ago, I'd got myself a job at a bookstore in Port Angeles. The pay wasn't the best but it was enough, and I liked the job. I glanced at the clock. Only half an hour left until my shift ended. I was itching for it to be over; Jason and I were meeting at the Bella Italia restaurant and I couldn't wait to spend more time with him.

A little ding sounded through the shop and I looked over at the entering customer to give a welcoming smile.

The smile died before it reached my lips.

"Why are you here?" I asked. Every inch of my body was screaming at me to back away, to get out of that shop and run for the hills. But I stood fast, even if my arms were shaking slightly. I did my best to look composed and defiant. Not that it would have done much; she'd have heard my heart beating erratically anyway.

"Hi, Bella!" Alice said, cheerily. "I thought I'd come back for a visit."

Now, I wish I'd had something good to say here. Something snarky or witty. Something that would shock her. As it was, I was in too much shock to come up with anything.

"Er, you- I- huh?"

"Are you okay, Bella? You look a little faint."

I shook my head. "What makes you think I'd want you to visit?"

"Well, why not?" Alice shrugged. "We're still best friends, even if I've moved away."

Taking a step back, I shook my head again, more firmly this time. "No. My best friend is Angela. Not you. Not anymore." I paused to take her in. There she stood, perky as ever, dressed in her white blouse with the floral scarf and ironed trousers. Before, I'd felt inferior stood beside Alice, shadowed by her beauty. Now it just irked me a bit. "After what Edward said… Why would you even think about coming back?"

"What Edward said?" Alice plastered a look of confusion on her pretty, pale face. "What do you mean?"

The bell dinged again and another customer came in. I gave him a smile, then looked pointedly at Alice. The customer did not deter her. While he wandered over to a shelf, Alice moved closer to me. I busied myself fumbling with some of the books behind the desk.

"What did he say, Bella?"

I stopped, sighed, and let my hands fall to my sides. "Look, it- it doesn't matter. Just go. I've moved on. I don't want you guys here again to screw everything up."

Alice leaned against the counter. "Bella, tell me. What did he say? Why are you acting so hostile?"

Behind her, the man had picked out a book and was waiting patiently. I cleared my throat and waved him forwards.

"Go away, Alice. I'm busy," I muttered.

She shifted to the right slightly, letting the man pass me the book. I scanned it and took the money, trying not to think about Alice's watchful gaze. The customer left the shop and I glanced at the clock. Still another fifteen minutes to go. I heard movement in the store room. Good, maybe Carlos would start his shift a bit earlier.

"He told me I'd never see him again," I whispered.

"What do you mean?"

"Was I not loud enough for you?" I glared at her. "He promised I'd never see him or any reminder of him again. He said he had other distractions. He said I'd forget him. So Alice, forgive me for not wanting to see you!"

From under the desk, I pulled out a big box. It was only about half full of books that needed to be put in the bookcases. I lifted out a stack and held it close to my body as I wandered around, slipping them onto shelves.

"Bella, I had no idea." Alice was still stood leaning against the counter, her pretty face frozen in shock. "None of us knew. Edward never brought it up."

I slotted a book onto the shelf. Did she know the truth about Edward? Surely some of the Cullens did. It was impossible for them not to. Right?

"Oh yeah? What else did Edward keep from you?" I asked, tartly.

Alice frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Did he ever tell you that he's done this before? Played with some poor girl's feelings and then upped and left? Did he tell you he killed some of them? Sucked the blood out of the girl he pretended to love. Did you know all along that I was just another game to him?"

I didn't wait for a reply. I stormed into the back room and slammed the door behind me.

Carlos was by my side in an instant. He was a good friend, and a good colleague. He placed a hand on my shoulder.

"What's happened? I heard shouting. Are you alright?"

Shaking my head, I moved to grab my backpack leaning against the wall.

"Can you take over now? I know it's still ten minutes before your shift is meant to start but…"

"Of course." Carlos smiled at me. "Stay safe. Have fun with Jason tonight. If you want to talk about whatever that was," he waved an arm at the door, "Then just call me. Or text."

I dropped my shoulders and relaxed my body. "Thank you."

Back in the shop, Alice was waiting for me to come out. She grabbed my wrist as I walked past her and her icy fingers made me shiver.

"I don't know what you're talking about, Bella," she said, softly. "I- Edward wouldn't do that. I know Edward. He's not like that."

A nauseous sensation was building inside me. Was Alice right? My only sources were James and Victoria, who were murderous nomads in the eyes of the Cullens. But all the same, they both, and especially Victoria, had done so much to help me. Surely I could trust them.

I closed my eyes. It was too much. I wanted to forget about the Cullens, about vampires, heck, even about James and Victoria and Laurent. I just wanted to be a normal teenager with her normal boyfriend and her normal job, living her normal life. Was that too much to ask for?

"Alice, just…" I sighed in resignation. "Please just leave me alone. I- I don't want to have reminders of you all. Please never visit me again."

Her grip on my wrist slackened and I tore my arm free. Then I walked out of the shop into the warmth of the evening, rubbing away the cold from Alice's hand.

At the Bella Italia, the lights were dimmed, giving a cosy atmosphere. There was a gentle hum of voices and some music playing quietly in the background. I moved amongst the tables until I spotted Jason sat in the corner on his own with a glass of water in front of him.

And sat at the table next to his?

Edward.

He was staring at me. Our eyes met for a split second before I forced them away again. His eyes were black, whether from anger or thirst, I couldn't tell. My heart started beating frantically again. But I couldn't let myself panic here.

I cursed silently. What the hell was he doing back here? After the confrontation with Alice, I wasn't in the mood, nor did I have the energy for a conversation with Edward. I walked past him in what I hoped was a confident, purposeful stride, and sat opposite Jason. Not once did I glance at him.

"Hey, Bella!" Jason greeted me enthusiastically. "What would you like to drink? I'll call a waitress over."

I shrugged my think jacket off. "Just water is fine. Did you have a good time camping?"

"Of course. Excuse me, could we have another glass please?" He turned back to me. "Yeah, it was great. You should come with me sometime."

"Maybe I will." I smiled at him. I could get through this. Jason would make things better.

Throughout the evening, I could feel Edward's eyes on me, though I did my best to ignore it. I threw myself into conversation with Jason, and then ate my spaghetti with vigour. Why couldn't he just go away and leave me alone?

I didn't care anymore whether Victoria and James had been telling the truth about Edward. It didn't matter anymore. I'd moved on. Edward and all the Cullens were irrelevant. They meant nothing.

"I'm going to the toilet, Bella," Jason said, once we'd both finished eating. "I'll be quick." He flashed me a smile, then left the table. I watched him leave with dread quickly building in my stomach.

"Bella?"

I grimaced, picked up my glass, and took a gulp of water. Maybe I could just pretend to not hear him until Jason got back.

"Bella."

He was louder this time. I put the glass back on the table and wiped my mouth with the napkin.

"Isabella!"

People had glanced around to look at us. I took a deep breath, forced a neutral expression, and turned towards Edward.

"What do you want?" I asked sharply.

He gave me a brilliant, shiny, crooked smile. "I wanted to see you."

I raised an eyebrow. "What happened to the promise you made me? I thought you said it would be as though you'd never existed."

"Well, I-" He frowned. "I missed you."

"Yes, and in case you couldn't tell, I don't miss you. I'm happy Edward. Without you. And I don't want to see you again."

"But Bella, I love you."

I rolled my eyes in frustration. "Cool. Great. That's nice for you, Edward. I really don't care, though."

"You love me too."

"Did you miss the part where I'm here on a date? With my boyfriend?" I gesticulated at the table. "Look, there he is coming back now. I'm sure he won't be happy that you're here. He doesn't particularly like you either."

"He can't hurt me," Edward hissed.

"And you can't hurt him here with so many witnesses."

With a big smile on my face, I sat back on my chair properly.

"Has he been bothering you?" Jason said, sitting down again.

"It's nothing I can't handle," I replied. "Here, I'll call for the bill."

There was a shuffling behind me. Jason's eyes moved and followed Edward as he stood and leaned beside me.

"Hey, get away from her!" Jason shouted, but Edward remained where he was. His mouth was by my ear, his cold breath washing over my cheek.

"I love you, Bella," he whispered. "I love you and I want you. You know I always get what I want."

Then he straightened up and nodded at Jason. "I'll be leaving then. Goodnight, Bella." He smirked at me. Eyes wide, I watched as he left the restaurant. Outside, in the light of a streetlamp, I could just about see a petite figure staring through the window at us.