Shortly, I slid the Volvo into its usual spot and I settled against the car to wait for Bella. She pulled up loudly in her ancient Chevy, which squeaked and grunted as she eased it into an open space. Why on earth wouldn’t she let me replace that rusty death trap? I never would fully understand her logic on that one. She climbed out of the cab and grimaced as she caught sight of Alice, probably due to the small, shiny package she was clutching as she scampered forward to greet Bella.

“Happy birthday, Bella!” called Alice merrily.

“Shh!” hissed Bella angrily, trying pointlessly to hush Alice.

Alice paid absolutely no attention to Bella’s icy glare. “Do you want to open your presents now or later?” Alice demanded as they carefully walked to where I stood, Bella trying her best not to slip on the damp ground.

“No presents,” Bella muttered in weak protest. Alice looked slightly crestfallen but she quickly changed tactics in another attempt at birthday merriment.

“Okay…later, then. Did you like the scrapbook your mom sent you? And the camera from Charlie?” I sighed in tandem with Bella’s exasperated expression. When was Alice ever going to give up? From her animated thoughts, it looked like she wasn’t about to give up anytime soon – at least not without eliciting some kind of response first. Apparently Bella realized her only choice was surrender. She decided it was better to just play along.

“Yeah. They’re great,” she replied dutifully. Alice picked up on the unenthusiastic tone of her voice.

“I think it’s a nice idea. You’re only a senior once. Might as well document the experience,” she huffed.

“How many times have you been a senior?”

“That’s different.”

The two of them, still bickering, finally reached the car. I held out my hand to Bella’s and she took it, the soft warmth of her palm a welcome contrast to my icy skin. I gave her hand a gentle squeeze, taking care not to crush the overly delicate bones in her fragile fingers. Her warm, brown eyes gazed intensely into mine, searching for reassurance of my love in my pallid face. As if I would ever even entertain the thought of leaving her. I shuddered at the thought, a spasm of horror running through my mind. Although – and it pained me to think it – I knew deep in my soul (if I even had one left) that Bella‘s life would be far better off if I had never entered her world. I smiled gently as Bella’s heart stammered erratically in response to my touch. Just one of the many things I adored about her. All thoughts of leaving her quickly fled my brain. I traced her moist, luscious lips with my cool finger, marveling at the velvety warmth of her skin.