The entire family regarded me differently in the days following Tanya’s banishment. In the past week I had handled an angry hoard of newborns, the fury of Jane, and the snotty Tanya with more force than. They skirted around me like I was a force to be reckoned with, and I hated it.

I didn’t want to be intimidating to anyone, I wanted to be normal. I knew that for me, normal was never going to be achievable, but I wished desperately that I could be less of a freak. Even as a vampire, I was different.

I kicked a stone across the pond absently and groaned. Even a relaxing walk across the yard could not remain un-plagued by frustrating thoughts. I had been pacing for hours, listening to the piano music flowing from the open bedroom window as Edward patiently composed his third song this week.

“Something bothering you, Bella?” Esme appeared behind me.

“No. I’m fine.” I muttered in a tone that wasn’t even believable to me.

“I’m sure.” She returned my unconvincing accent pointedly.

When I finally returned her gaze, I was met with concern and the discreet but clearly distinct and undeserved respect that I had been trying so hard to escape.

“Why are you looking at me like you’re afraid of me?” I groaned. “I’m no different than I used to be!”

She blinked, obviously taken aback by my unexpected outburst. “What on earth are you talking about, Bella?”

She looked honestly confused. I shook my head in defeat and shrugged it off. “Never mind. It’s nothing.”

“Isabella Marie Cullen.” She scolded. “In all the literal sense, I may not be your mother, but that does not stop me from regarding you as my daughter anyways and as the mother figure I consider myself to be, I would really appreciate some explanation as to your attitude.” Her voice contained every ounce of hurt and offense that I had been hoping to avoid.

I picked up a flat stone and flung it across the pond. It skipped clear to the opposite bank and landed on the grass with an audible thud, sending a disturbed and unhappy flock of swallows flying haphazardly into the air. I could feel Esme’s eyes begging for a response and I struggled to compose the words to describe my emotions.