ll, I said, and then I walked into Angelas room and saw the stacks of waiting
envelopes.

 Oh! I gasped. Angela turned to look at me, apologies in her eyes. I could see why shed been putting
this off, and why Ben had weaseled out.

I thought you were exaggerating, I admitted.

I wish. Are you sure you want to do this?

Put me to work. Ive got all day.

 Angela divided a pile in half and put her mothers address book between us on her desk. For a while we
concentrated, and there was just the sound of our pens scratching quietly across the paper.

Whats Edward doing tonight? she asked after a few minutes.

My pen dug into the envelope I was working on. Emmets home for the weekend. Theyresupposed to
be hiking.

You say that like youre not sure.

I shrugged.

Youre lucky Edward has his brothers for all the hiking and camping. I dont know what Id do if Ben
didnt have Austin for the guy stuff.

Yeah, the outdoors thing is not really for me. And theres no way Id ever be able to keep up.
Angela laughed. I prefer the indoors myself.

 She focused on her pile for a minute. I wrote out four more addresses. There was never any pressure to
fill a pause with meaningless chatter around Angela. Like Charlie, she was comfortable with silence.

But, like Charlie, she was also too observant sometimes.

Is something wrong? she asked in a low voice now. You seem . . . anxious.

I smiled sheepishly. Is it that obvious?

Not really.

She was probably lying to make me feel better.

You dont have to talk about it unless you want to, she assured me. Ill listen if you think it will help.

I was about to saythanks, but no thanks . After all, there were just too many secrets I was bound to
keep. I really couldnt discuss my problems with someone human. That was against the rules.

 And yet, with a strange, sudden intensity, thats exactly what I wanted. I wanted to talk to a normal
human girlfriend. I wanted to moan a little bit, like any other teenage girl. I wanted my problems to be
that simple. It would also be nice to have someone outside the whole vampire-werewolf mess to put
things in perspective. Someone unbiased.

Ill mind my own business, Angela promised, smiling down at the address she was working on.

No, I said. Youre right. I am anxious. Its . . . its Edward.

Whats wrong?

It was so easy to talk to Angela. When she asked a question like that, I could tell that she wasnt just
morbidly curious or looking for gossip, like Jessica would have been. She cared that I was upset.

Oh, hes mad at me.

Thats hard to imagine, she said. Whats he mad about?

I sighed. Do you remember Jacob Black?

Ah, she said.

Yeah.

Hes jealous.

 No, notjealous . . . I should have kept my mouth shut. There was no way to explain this right. But I
wanted to keep talking anyway. I hadnt realized I was so starved for human conversation. Edward
thinks Jacob is . . . a bad influence, I guess. Sort of . . . dangerous. You know how much trouble I got in
a few months back. . . . Its all ridiculous, though.
I was surprised to see Angela shaking her head.

What? I asked.

Bella, Ive seen how Jacob Black looks at you. Id bet the real problem is jealousy.

Its not like that with Jacob.

For you, maybe. But for Jacob . . .

I frowned. Jacob knows how I feel. Ive told him everything.

Edwards only human, Bella. Hes going to react like any other boy.

I grimaced. I didnt have a response to that.

She patted my hand. Hell get over it.

I hope so. Jakes going through kind of a tough time. He needs me.

You and Jacob are pretty close, arent you?

Like family, I agreed.

And Edward doesnt like him. . . . That must be hard. I wonder how Ben would handle that? she
mused.

I half-smiled. Probably just like any other boy.

She grinned. Probably.

 Then she changed the subject. Angela wasnt one to pry, and she seemed to sense I wouldnt 
couldnt  say any more.

I got my dorm assignment yesterday. The farthest building from campus, naturally.

Does Ben know where hes staying yet?

 The closest dorm to campus. Hes got all the luck. How about you? Did you decide where youre
going?

 I stared down, concentrating on the clumsy scrawl of my handwriting. For a second I was distracted by
the thought of Angela and Ben at the University of Washington. They would be off to Seattle in just a few
months. Would it be safe then? Would the wild young vampire menace have moved elsewhere? Would
there be a new place by then, some other city flinching from horror-movie headlines?

Would those new headlines bemy fault?

 I tried to shake it off and answered her question a beat late. Alaska, I think. The university there in
Juneau.
 I could hear the surprise in her voice. Alaska? Oh. Really? I mean, thats great. I just figured youd go
somewhere . . . warmer.

I laughed a little, still staring at the envelope. Yeah. Forks has really changed my perspective on life.

And Edward?

 Though his name set butterflies fluttering in my stomach, I looked up and grinned at her. Alaskas not
too cold for Edward, either.

She grinned back. Of course not. And then she sighed. Its so far. You wont be able to come home
very often. Ill miss you. Will you e-mail me?

 A swell of quiet sadness crashed over me; maybe it was a mistake to get closer to Angela now. But
wouldnt it be sadder still to miss out on these last chances? I shook off the unhappy thoughts, so that I
could answer her teasingly.

If I can type again after this. I nodded toward the stack of envelopes Id done.

We laughed, and it was easy then to chat cheerfully about classes and majors while we finished the rest
 all I had to do was not think about it. Anyway, there were more urgent things to worry about today.

I helped her put the stamps on, too. I was afraid to leave.

Hows your hand? she asked.

I flexed my fingers. I think Ill recover the full use of it . . . someday.

The door banged downstairs, and we both looked up.

Ang? Ben called.

I tried to smile, but my lips trembled. I guess thats my cue to leave.

You dont have to go. Though hes probably going to describe the movie for me . . . in detail.

Charlie will be wondering where I am anyway.

Thanks for helping me.

I had a good time, actually. We should do something like this again. It was nice to have some girl time.

Definitely.

There was a light knock on the bedroom door.

Come in, Ben, Angela said.

I got up and stretched.

Hey, Bella! You survived, Ben greeted me quickly before going to take my place by Angela. He eyed
our work. Nice job. Too bad theres nothing left to do, I would have . . . He let the thought trail off,
and then restarted excitedly. Ang, I cant believe you missed this one! It was awesome. There was this
final fight sequence  the choreography was unbelievable! This one guy  well, youre going to have to
see it to know what Im talking about 

Angela rolled her eyes at me.

See you at school, I said with a nervous laugh.

She sighed. See you.

 I was jumpy on the way out to my truck, but the street was empty. I spent the whole drive glancing
anxiously in all my mirrors, but there was never any sign of the silver car.

His car was not in front of the house, either, though that meant little.

Bella? Charlie called when I opened the front door.

Hey, Dad.

I found him in the living room, in front of the TV.

So, how was your day?

Good, I said. Might as well tell him everything  hed hear it from Billy soon enough. Besides, it
would make him happy. They didnt need me at work, so I went down to La Push.

There wasnt enough surprise in his face. Billy had already talked to him.

Hows Jacob? Charlie asked, attempting to sound indifferent.

Good, I said, just as casual.

You get over to the Webers?

Yep. We got all her announcements addressed.

Thats nice. Charlie smiled a wide smile. He was strangely focused, considering that there was a game
on. Im glad you spent some time with your friends today.

Me, too.

 I ambled toward the kitchen, looking for busy work. Unfortunately, Charlie had already cleaned up his
lunch. I stood there for a few minutes, staring at the bright patch of light the sun made on the floor. But I
knew I couldnt delay this forever.

Im going to go study, I announced glumly as I headed up the stairs.

See you later, Charlie called after me.

If I survive, I thought to myself.
I shut my bedroom door carefully before I turned to face my room.

Of course he was there. He stood against the wall across from me, in the shadow beside the open
window. His face was hard and his posture tense. He glared at me wordlessly.

 I cringed, waiting for the torrent, but it didnt come. He just continued to glare, possibly too angry to
speak.

Hi, I finally said.

 His face could have been carved from stone. I counted to a hundred in my head, but there was no
change.

Er . . . so, Im still alive, I began.

A growl rumbled low in his chest, but his expression didnt change.

No harm done, I insisted with a shrug.

He moved. His eyes closed, and he pinched the bridge of his nose between the fingers of his right hand.

 Bella, he whispered. Do you haveany idea how close I came to crossing the line today? To breaking
the treaty and coming after you? Do you know what that would have meant?

I gasped and his eyes opened. They were as cold and hard as night.

 You cant! I said too loudly. I worked to modulate the volume of my voice so Charlie wouldnt hear,
but I wanted to shout the words. Edward, theyd use any excuse for a fight. Theyd love that. You cant
ever break the rules!

Maybe they arent the only ones who would enjoy a fight.

Dont you start, I snapped. You made the treaty  you stick to it.

If hed hurt you 

Enough! I cut him off. Theres nothing to worry about. Jacob isnt dangerous.

Bella. He rolled his eyes. You arent exactly the best judge of what is or isnt dangerous.

I know I dont have to worry about Jake. And neither do you.

 He ground his teeth together. His hands were balled up in fists at his sides. He was still standing against
the wall, and I hated the space between us.

 I took a deep breath, and crossed the room. He didnt move when I wrapped my arms around him.
Next to the warmth of the last of the afternoon sun streaming through the window, his skin felt especially
icy. He seemed like ice, too, frozen the way he was.

Im sorry I made you anxious, I muttered.
He sighed, and relaxed a little. His arms wound around my waist.

Anxiousis a bit of an understatement, he murmured. It was a very long day.

You werent supposed to know about it, I reminded him. I thought youd be hunting longer.

 I looked up at his face, at his defensive eyes; I hadnt noticed in the stress of the moment, but they were
too dark. The rings under them were deep purple. I frowned in disapproval.

When Alice saw you disappear, I came back, he explained.

You shouldnt have done that. Now youll have to go away again. My frown intensified.

I can wait.

Thats ridiculous. I mean, I know she couldnt see me with Jacob, but you should have known 

But I didnt, he broke in. And you cant expect me to let you 

Oh, yes, I can, I interrupted him. Thats exactly what I expect 

This wont happen again.

Thats right! Because youre not going to overreact next time.

Because there isnt going to be a next time.

I understand when you have to leave, even if I dont like it 

Thats not the same. Im not risking my life.

Neither am I.

Werewolves constitute a risk.

I disagree.

Im not negotiating this, Bella.

Neither am I.

His hands were in fists again. I could feel them against my back.

The words popped out thoughtlessly. Is this really just about my safety?

What do you mean? he demanded.

You arent . . . Angelas theory seemed sillier now than before. It was hard to finish the thought. I
mean, you know better than to be jealous, right?
He raised one eyebrow. Do I?

Be serious.

Easily  theres nothing remotely humorous about this.

I frowned suspiciously. Or . . . is this something else altogether? Some
vampires-and-werewolves-are-always-enemies nonsense? Is this just a testosterone-fueled 

His eyes blazed. This isonly about you. All I care is that youre safe.

The black fire in his eyes was impossible to doubt.

 Okay, I sighed. I believe that. But I want you to know something  when it comes to all thisenemies
nonsense, Im out. I am a neutral country. I am Switzerland. I refuse to be affected by territorial disputes
between mythical creatures. Jacob is family. You are . . . well, not exactly the love of my life, because I
expect to love you for much longer than that. The love of my existence. I dont care whos a werewolf
and whos a vampire. If Angela turns out to be a witch, she can join the party, too.

He stared at me silently through narrowed eyes.

Switzerland, I repeated again for emphasis.

He frowned at me, and then sighed. Bella . . . , he began, but he paused, and his nose wrinkled in
disgust.

What now?

Well . . . dont be offended, but you smell like a dog, he told me.

And then he smiled crookedly, so I knew the fight was over. For now.

Edward had to make up for the missed hunting trip, and so he was leaving Friday night with Jasper,
Emmett, and Carlisle to hit some reserve in Northern California with a mountain lion problem.

 Wed come to no agreement on the werewolf issue, but I didnt feel guilty calling Jake  during my
brief window of opportunity when Edward took the Volvo home before climbing back in through my
window  to let him know Id be coming over on Saturday again. It wasnt sneaking around. Edward
knew how I felt. And if he broke my truck again, then Id have Jacob pick me up. Forks was neutral,
just like Switzerland  just like me.

 So when I got off work Thursday and it was Alice rather than Edward waiting for me in the Volvo, I
was not suspicious at first. The passenger door was open, and music I didnt recognize was shaking the
frame when the bass played.

Hey, Alice, I shouted over the wailing as I climbed in. Wheres your brother?

 She was singing along to the song, her voice an octave higher than the melody, weaving through it with a
complicated harmony. She nodded at me, ignoring my question as she concentrated on the music.

I shut my door and put my hands over my ears. She grinned, and turned the volume down until it was
just background. Then she hit the locks and the gas in the same second.

Whats going on? I asked, starting to feel uneasy. Where is Edward?

She shrugged. They left early.

 Oh. I tried to control the absurd disappointment. If he left early, that meant hed be back sooner, I
reminded myself.

All the boys went, and were having a slumber party! she announced in a trilling, singsong voice.

A slumber party? I repeated, the suspicion finally settling in.

Arent you excited? she crowed.

I met her animated gaze for a long second.

Youre kidnapping me, arent you?

 She laughed and nodded. Till Saturday. Esme cleared it with Charlie; youre staying with me two nights,
and I will drive you to and from school tomorrow.

I turned my face to the window, my teeth grinding together.

Sorry, Alice said, not sounding in the least bit penitent. He paid me off.

How? I hissed through my teeth.

 The Porsche. Its exactly like the one I stole in Italy. She sighed happily. Im not supposed to drive it
around Forks, but if you want, we could see how long it takes to get from here to L.A.  I bet I could
have you back by midnight.

I took a deep breath. I think Ill pass, I sighed, repressing a shudder.

 We wound, always too fast, down the long drive. Alice pulled around to the garage, and I quickly
looked over the cars. Emmetts big jeep was there, with a shiny canary yellow Porsche between it and
Rosalies red convertible.

Alice hopped out gracefully and went to stroke her hand along the length of her bribe. Pretty, isnt it?

Pretty over-the-top, I grumbled, incredulous. He gave youthat just for two days of holding me
hostage?

Alice made a face.

A second later, comprehension came and I gasped in horror. Its for every time hes gone, isnt it?

She nodded.

I slammed my door and stomped toward the house. She danced along next to me, still unrepentant.
Alice, dont you think this is just a little bit controlling? Just a tiny bit psychotic, maybe?

 Not really. She sniffed. You dont seem to grasp how dangerous a young werewolf can be.
Especially when I cant see them. Edward has no way to know if youre safe. You shouldnt be so
reckless.

My voice turned acidic. Yes, because a vampire slumber party is the pinnacle of safety conscious
behavior.

Alice laughed. Ill give you a pedicure and everything, she promised.

 It wasnt so bad, except for the fact that I was being held against my will. Esme brought Italian food 
the good stuff, all the way from Port Angeles  and Alice was prepared with my favorite movies. Even
Rosalie was there, quietly in the background. Alice did insist on the pedicure, and I wondered if she was
working from a list  maybe something shed compiled from watching bad sitcoms.

 How late do you want to stay up? she asked when my toenails were glistening a bloody red. Her
enthusiasm remained untouched by my mood.

I dont want to stay up. We have school in the morning.

She pouted.

 Where am I supposed to sleep, anyway? I measured the couch with my eyes. It was a little short.
Cant you just keep me under surveillance at my house?

 What kind of a slumber party would that be? Alice shook her head in exasperation. Youre sleeping
in Edwards room.

I sighed. His black leather sofawas longer than this one. Actually, the gold carpet in his room was
probably thick enough that the floor wouldnt be half bad either.

Can I go back to my place to get my things, at least?

She grinned. Already taken care of.

Am I allowed to use your phone?

Charlie knows where you are.

I wasnt going to call Charlie. I frowned. Apparently, I have some plans to cancel.

Oh. She deliberated. Im not sure about that.

Alice! I whined loudly. Cmon!

Okay, okay, she said, flitting from the room. She was back in half a second, cell phone in hand. He
didntspecifically prohibit this . . . , she murmured to herself as she handed it to me.

 I dialed Jacobs number, hoping he wasnt out running with his friends tonight. Luck was with me 
Jacob was the one to answer.
Hello?

Hey, Jake, its me. Alice watched me with expressionless eyes for a second, before she turned and
went to sit between Rosalie and Esme on the sofa.

Hi, Bella, Jacob said, suddenly cautious. Whats up?

Nothing good. I cant come over Saturday after all.

It was silent for a minute. Stupid bloodsucker, he finally muttered. I thought he was leaving. Cant you
have a life when hes gone? Or does he lock you in a coffin?

I laughed.

I dont think thats funny.

Im only laughing because youre close, I told him. But hes going to be here Saturday, so it doesnt
matter.

Will he be feeding there in Forks, then? Jacob asked cuttingly.

 No. I didnt let myself get irritated with him. I wasnt that far from being as angry as he was. He left
early.

Oh. Well, hey, come over now, then, he said with sudden enthusiasm. Its not that late. Or Ill come
up to Charlies.

I wish. Im not at Charlies, I said sourly. Im kind of being held prisoner.

He was silent as that sunk in, and then he growled. Well come and get you, he promised in a flat
voice, slipping automatically into a plural.

A chill slid down my spine, but I answered in a light and teasing voice. Tempting. Ihave been tortured
 Alice painted my toenails.

Im serious.

Dont be. Theyre just trying to keep me safe.

He growled again.

I know its silly, but their hearts are in the right place.

Theirhearts ! he scoffed.

 Sorry about Saturday, I apologized. Ive got to hit the sack  the couch, I corrected mentally 
but Ill call you again soon.

Are you sure theyll let you? he asked in a scathing tone.
Not completely. I sighed. Night, Jake.

See you around.

Alice was abruptly at my side, her hand held out for the phone, but I was already dialing. She saw the
number.

I dont think hell have his phone on him, she said.

Ill leave a message.

The phone rang four times, followed by a beep. There was no greeting.

You are in trouble, I said slowly, emphasizing each word. Enormous trouble. Angry grizzly bears are
going to look tame next to what is waiting for you at home.

I snapped the phone shut and placed it in her waiting hand. Im done.

She grinned. This hostage stuff is fun.

Im going to sleep now, I announced, heading for the stairs. Alice tagged along.

 Alice, I sighed. Im not going to sneak out. You would know if I was planning to, and youd catch me
if I tried.

Im just going to show you where your things are, she said innocently.

Edwards room was at the farthest end of the third floor hallway, hard to mistake even when the huge
house had been less familiar. But when I switched the light on, I paused in confusion. Had I picked the
wrong door?

Alice giggled.

 It was the same room, I realized quickly; the furniture had just been rearranged. The couch was pushed
to the north wall and the stereo shoved up against the vast shelves of CDs  to make room for the
colossal bed that now dominated the central space.

The southern wall of glass reflected the scene back like a mirror, making it look twice as bad.

 It matched. The coverlet was a dull gold, just lighter than the walls; the frame was black, made of
intricately patterned wrought iron. Sculpted metal roses wound in vines up the tall posts and formed a
bowery lattice overhead. My pajamas were folded neatly on the foot of the bed, my bag of toiletries to
one side.

What the hell is all this? I spluttered.

You didnt really think he would make you sleep on the couch, did you?

I mumbled unintelligibly as I stalked forward to snatch my things off the bed.

Ill give you some privacy, Alice laughed. See you in the morning.
 After my teeth were brushed and I was dressed, I grabbed a puffy feather pillow off the huge bed and
dragged the gold cover to the couch. I knew I was being silly, but I didnt care. Porsches as bribes and
king-sized beds in houses where nobody slept  it was beyond irritating. I flipped off the lights and
curled up on the sofa, wondering if I was too annoyed to sleep.

 In the dark, the glass wall was no longer a black mirror, doubling the room. The light of the moon
brightened the clouds outside the window. As my eyes adjusted, I could see the diffused glow highlighting
the tops of the trees, and glinting off a small slice of the river. I watched the silver light, waiting for my
eyes to get heavy.

There was a light knock on the door.

What, Alice? I hissed. I was on the defensive, imagining her amusement when she saw my makeshift
bed.

 Its me, Rosalie said softly, opening the door enough that I could see the silver glow touch her perfect
face. Can I come in?




7. UNHAPPY ENDING

ROSALIE HESITATED IN THE DOORWAY, HER BREATHTAKing face unsure.

Of course, I replied, my voice an octave high with surprise. Come on in.

 I sat up, sliding to the end of the sofa to make room. My stomach twisted nervously as the one Cullen
who did not like me moved silently to sit down in the open space. I tried to come up with a reason why
she would want to see me, but my mind was a blank on that point.

 Do you mind talking to me for a few minutes? she asked. I didnt wake you or anything, did I? Her
eyes shifted to the stripped bed and back to my couch.

 No, I was awake. Sure, we can talk. I wondered if she could hear the alarm in my voice as clearly as I
could.

 She laughed lightly, and it sounded like a chorus of bells. He so rarely leaves you alone, she said. I
figured Id better make the best of this opportunity.

 What did she want to say that couldnt be said in front of Edward? My hands twisted and untwisted
around the edge of the comforter.

 Please dont think Im horribly interfering, Rosalie said, her voice gentle and almost pleading. She
folded her hands in her lap and looked down at them as she spoke. Im sure Ive hurt your feelings
enough in the past, and I dont want to do that again.

Dont worry about it, Rosalie. My feelings are great. What is it?

She laughed again, sounding oddly embarrassed. Im going to try to tell you why I think you should stay
human  why I would stay human if I were you.

Oh.

She smiled a