LII. All Have Been Lead Astray

"Isabella, are you serious?"

I lifted my gaze from my exam and pouted. "It's not that bad!"

"Another B? In Spanish? You know how unbelievable that is?" Jessica rolled her eyes at me as we exited the building and headed for the cafeteria.

You don't even know the half of it.

"I'll do better next time," I assured her. "We can form a study group, like you mentioned last time."

"I am holding you to that!"

I tried to smile. "Great."

Before we could join the crowd of students entering the lunch room, Jessica pulled me to the side of the walkway.

"Jess, is something wrong?" I asked her, folding up my test and shoving it into the pocket of my coat.

"You tell me," she said, thin eyebrows drawn tightly over her baby-blues. "Are you okay?"

A little too quickly, I said, "Of course."

"Is it the Cullens?" she pressed. "Are you sad because Edward will be leaving soon?"

My rigid expression softened. "Yeah, something like that."

"I'm sorry," Jess said. "I noticed you've been upset. Do you want to hang out tonight? Maybe have a sleepover?"

I shook my head. It was Friday. "I can hang out for a little bit, but Leah and the guys invited me to a bonfire in La Push tonight."

Jessica pouted. "You're not allowed to bring friends?"

"I wish," I snorted, in an effort to reassure her that she would be missed. "But no, it's tribal. I only managed to get an invite because I'm Quil's cousin."

"Oh! Okay," Jessica said, thankfully looking appeased. "I didn't know that."

I barked a laugh. "That's surprising. Quil practically screamed it from the rooftops when he first found out."

Jessica shot me a weird look.

"Yeah, don't ask."

"So, you're good to come over after school then?" she asked instead.

Despite the dread of knowing this might be the last time I got to hang out with her, I beamed. "You can count on it."

Jessica's suggestion evolved into a full-blown slumber party, when Lauren and Angela caught wind of it.

The lot of us were spread across Jessica's warm kitchen, radio blasting while Jessica and Lauren sat at the counter, flipping through magazines. Angela and I stood on the other side of the island, a mess of bowls and ingredients spread before us, as we mixed what would result in a concoction of edible chocolate chip cookie dough.

"God, this is bleak," Lauren was saying, gesturing towards her magazine with a look of disgust. "If Jen can't even keep her man, how is there any hope for the rest of us?!"

I peeked across the counter and caught sight of one of the tabloids announcing Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt's impending divorce.

"It's just so sad," Jessica heaved a despondent sigh. "They were so cute together! Way cuter than Brad and Angelina!"

"They're celebrities," Angela reminded them gently. "They're not what we would call a prime example of marriage."

I snorted. "No kidding. Besides, we're not the ones competing with Angelina Jolie. I think we'll be fine, Lauren."

"You mean you'll be fine," Lauren said snidely. "If my memory serves correctly, you're the one who brought three dates to the spring dance."

I scowled at her. "Oh, very funny."

Jessica giggled. "She's got you there, Isabella."

"I can't believe you got away with that," Angela tutted as she poured brown sugar into one of the measuring cups.

"What else was I supposed to do?" I grumbled. "Leah and Embry are the ones who showed up unannounced. And then they convinced Whitney that it was a good idea to let them inside."

"You could've let Varner kick them out instead of making everyone believe you're practically cheating on Edward," Lauren pointed out as she flipped to the next page.

"No one actually believes that Lauren," I huffed as I spooned vanilla extract into my mix of sugar and butter. "I obviously said that to get Varner off my back."

"No, but everyone does love a good rumor," Jessica said with a sheepish smile. "I heard June went and asked Edward how he felt about the arrangement."

"What?!" I squawked, face growing hot. "She did not!"

Angela looked scandalized.

"Only June would have the audacity," Lauren snickered. "What a nutcase."

"I'm going to kill her," I decided, fingers tightening around the mixer handle in aggravation.

"If it makes you feel better, Edward didn't sound bothered," Jessica tittered, eyeing me nervously. "Apparently he told her he was honored to have even a portion of your affections."

"He's so sweet," Angela cooed.

"Blegh," Lauren gagged. "Why does he talk like an old man?"

My cheeks still burned red, but for a different reason this time. "He's very old school," I mumbled.

"I think it's romantic!" Jessica squealed. "Ah! I can't wait for prom!"

"Oh, yes, we need to go dress shopping like, now," Lauren said, straightening up in her seat. "We have less than two months and I am not buying some raggedy dress from Port Angeles."

"Ooh! You want to make a trip all the way to Seattle?" Jessica gasped. "But, who's going to take us?"

"We should ask Angela's mom," Lauren decided. "She's the nicest."

"Maybe," Angela allowed. "I'll ask, but we'd need someone to watch the boys."

"Just have Isabella do it," Lauren said with a careless wave in my direction. "She already went shopping in Seattle with her new sisters, so it's not like she'll be missing out."

I rolled my eyes and tore open the bag of chocolate chips. "Way harsh, Lor."

"Yeah," Jess agreed with a pout. "Plus, she didn't even buy a prom dress. Right, Isabella?"

I flashed her a sheepish smile. "I don't actually need to. Alice is making my prom dress."

"See?" Lauren huffed.

"Even if she doesn't need one, I still think Isabella should come with us," Angela said, shooting Lauren a look of disapproval. "It'll be more fun that way."

"Yeah, Lor!" Jessica chirped. "You don't have to be so crabby, just 'cause you're on your period."

Lauren scowled at her. "Whatever."

"Here," I said, sliding a mug full of chocolate chip cookie dough across the tiled surface of the counter. "Some chocolate should help."

Lauren perked up and grabbed a spoon.

"Lauren's right though," Jessica said, resting her elbows on the counter and cupping her chin between her palms. "We need to go soon so that we can color coordinate with the guys. How soon do you think your mom could take us, Ange?"

Angela pursed her lips as she poured a splash of milk into her bowl. "I'm not sure. I'll have to get back to you on that."

"Here, Jess," I said, passing on another mug.

"Thank you!" she beamed, and then said around a mouthful, "Oh, this is yummy!"

"Thanks," I laughed. "Do you want some, Ange?"

"No, I'm almost done with this batch," Angela assured me, pouring chocolate chips into her mixture.

I shrugged and served myself a generous portion.

"Wait," Jessica suddenly gasped, once she'd swallowed a mouthful of cookie dough. "Isabella, do you know what your dress looks like?!"

I licked a chocolate chip stuck to my spoon and hummed in acknowledgement, before saying, "Yep."

"Well?" Lauren said, looking a little less irritable. "Don't keep us in suspense."

"It's a deep indigo color, with long sheer sleeves, and off the shoulders," I described and gestured towards my chest. "With all these little flowers tapered across like constellations. And it's asymmetrical―knee-length in the front, floor-length in the back."

"Wow," Angela gasped.

"Ooh, what kind of flowers?" Jessica asked. "I love daffodils."

I laughed. "I prefer hydrangeas. But it's nothing so detailed. It's more wildflower types."

"That sounds gorgeous," Jess sighed, eyes glittering. "I can't wait to see it."

I didn't think about the fact that she wouldn't see it; didn't think about the fact that I would never get to wear that dress. "Me too."

"Speaking of flowers," Lauren cut in. "Tyler better not get me one of those hideous wrist corsages."

Jessica wrinkled her nose. "Really? I think they're pretty."

I winced. "Sorry Jess, I'm with Lauren here. They look so tacky."

"It's okay," Angela assured her as she served herself a mug of cookie dough. "I want to wear one too."

Jessica grinned at her. "We'll look so cute with our wrist corsages!"

Lauren and I exchanged a look above our mugs.

"Right…" Lauren said dryly. "Anyway, we need to start brainstorming. This is going to be our last summer before we can finally move out of this miserable town. And we need to make it memorable."

"I second that!" Jessica exclaimed. "What should we do?"

We fell silent and all that could be heard was Avril Lavigne's My Happy Ending blaring from the radio as we stared at each other cluelessly.

"Really, guys?" Lauren scoffed. "Nothing?"

I arched an eyebrow. "Well, have you thought of anything, Lauren?"

She shot me a smug look. "I actually have."

"Ugh, this better not be another rendition of the Maroon 5 concert you tried to make us raise money for," Jessica sniffed.

Angela looked skeptical. "Yeah, Lauren. I am not spending another summer organizing any more yard sales."

"Okay, admittedly, that was my bad," Lauren conceded with a small scowl, setting aside her empty mug and crossing her arms. "But this is different, I swear."

"Fine, we're listening," Jessica said clumsily around another mouthful of cookie dough.

"I think it's time we finally go surfing somewhere other than First Beach," Lauren decided. "A road trip along the Pacific coast would be perfect."

I grimaced, trying not to imagine going anywhere near the ocean again.

I didn't quite succeed.

"Um, I don't think my parents would let me," Angela admitted.

Jessica heaved a sharp sigh. "Ditto."

"Guys, we're practically adults," Lauren whined, slumping against the back of her chair.

"Maybe we can rope someone into taking us," Jessica suggested, setting her mug down.

Lauren wrinkled her nose. "Like who?"

"Angela's mom?" Jessica suggested with a nervous laugh.

"That's going to be a no," Angela said apologetically. "She's pretty busy in the summer helping my dad organize church events. Plus, with the boys, she won't have time."

"Would it be better if you got one of the seniors to take you?" I asked instead.

Jessica narrowed her eyes at me. "Why does that sound like you're not coming?"

I pursed my lips and settled on, "I don't know how to surf."

Lauren scoffed. "Neither does Mike, and you don't see that stopping him."

"Hey, he's not that bad," Jessica giggled.

"He's getting better," Angela added.

Lauren scoffed. "Debatable."

"Anyway, you're coming with us," Jessica said, pointing a finger at me. "No excuses!"

I rolled my eyes and inadvertently glanced out the kitchen window. Night had already fallen. "We can argue about this another time. I have to get going."

"Aw no way," Jessica pouted, but hopped to her feet. "I'll walk you out."

"Thanks. I'll see you guys on Monday."

"See ya," Lauren said with a careless wave, eyes already glued to another glossy picture of her magazine.

Angela flashed me a smile. "Have fun!"

"I will," I called as Jessica walked me to her front porch. Outside, I turned to her and said, "Thanks for this, Jessie. I had fun."

Jessica beamed. "You're welcome. Call me if you're free tomorrow!"

I hesitated. Depending on whatever plan Rosalie had concocted, this could very well be the last time I saw her. And I didn't even know what to say.

"Sure thing," I settled on. "Thanks again."

Jessica eyed me strangely. "Don't you need to get going?"

"Uh, yeah," I said, reluctantly turning and traipsing down the porch steps. Over my shoulder, I shouted a quick, "Bye!"

By the time I crossed the driveway, Jessica had already disappeared back into the house. I gazed at the shut door remorsefully, before climbing into the driver side of my truck

Soon, I was on the road, on my way to pick up Leah first. It was a relief, knowing that I wouldn't be showing up to Emily and Sam's house alone. I didn't imagine Sam was too thrilled to have an outsider joining in tonight, and I had already thrown in my lot with Leah, so being friends with Emily didn't exactly appeal to me.

Hopefully, the boys would make a nice buffer and quell the inevitable hostility.

It wasn't long after I'd exited Forks, merging out of the 101 and onto La Push Road, that my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I answered without glancing at the caller ID, eyes glued to the dark road weaving in front of me.

"Hello?"

"Isabella," Serena's voice choked out. "Thank God you answered!"

"Serena?!" I gasped, fingers curling tight around the edges of my cellphone in shock. And then, I realized she was sobbing, gasping. "Hey, slow down. It's a little hard to understand you. What's going on?"

"It-it's Angelo," she said, "I think he's dead."

I gaped. "Dead? Are you sure?"

"He-he was supposed to come last night," Serena bawled. "He promised. But I know he was in some kind of trouble. You have to help me! I don't know what to do. What if they're after me?!"

"Alright, just take a deep breath," I suggested, ignoring the spike of fear that cut through my own heart.

If Angelo really had been killed, if this had been a result of him breaking the law, then it could only be the Volturi at work. But then, that meant they would surely kill her as well.

Hoarsely, I asked her, "Where are you right now?"

"On the road. I didn't think it was smart to stick around. I have a friend in Canada who said she'd let me stay for a while," she explained, hiccuping. "―oh no!"

"What happened?!"

"Fuck," she hissed, voice faint as though she'd lowered her phone. "I think there's something wrong with my car!"

"Are you near any cities or rest stops?"

"Not since a few hours ago. I'm by a river, near the Bogachiel State Park."

I sighed, knowing I couldn't just leave her stuck out there, especially after dark. Hopefully, no one was actually after her.

"That's not too far outside of Forks," I admitted. "I'll pick you up."

"R-really?" The relief in her voice was palpable. "Thank you, Isabella. Really. I feel like I'm losing my mind."

"Of course. Hang tight, I'll be there soon."

I ended the call and slowed the truck to a shuddering halt, then turned back the way I'd come, heading back towards the freeway.

My mind was a swirl of panic, as I tried to figure out what to do next. Despite my assurances to Serena, I knew showing up alone would be foolish.

First, I needed to call Edward. And then, Leah.

I ignored the sharp stab of disappointment. I knew I wouldn't be getting another opportunity to attend a bonfire.

"…Your call has been forwarded to an automated voice messaging system. 206-620-0119 is not available. At the tone, please record your message. When you've finished recording you may hang up, or press one for more options."

"Edward," I said. I would have to try Carlisle next. "You remember Serena? She's here. She thinks her boyfriend is dead, and that whoever killed him might―"

I was flying. The sickening crunch of metal rang against my ears, stomach dropping as my body slammed between the seat and steering wheel, head knocking sharply against the roof of the car as it spun.

And then gravity hauled us back down with a nauseating lurch and my body snagged against the seatbelt, skull colliding against the steering wheel with a sharp crack.

The silence that followed was eerie and suffocating. Something hot slid down my forehead and into my eye. I tried to move but my head spun and my stomach roiled in protest.

And then I heard the violent sound of ripping metal.

The driver door was gone.

"Isabella?!"

Serena's pale green eyes glowed strangely in the night.

I tried to speak, but a wave of black cut off my vision.

"It's okay," was the last thing I heard, before I lost consciousness. "Everything will be okay."

A/N: Here's the beginning of the end, folks :) Hope you enjoyed!

And in response to Julia's review, in my stories, there's always a happy ending ;) It's just that everything gets worst before it gets better. But it does get better. You just have to stick around long enough to see it.

As always, reviews are love :)