I sat at the kitchen table and listened to the careful drum of my fingers. It had been one month since the incident in San Fransisco. Jake and I were happily dating. Leah had recovered within two days from her broken ribs and ankle. Stephenie and Laurel were still in the newborn stage, but doing fairly well. Stephenie was able to change her voice to sound like anyone in the world. My favorite was Regis Philbin. Laurel, on the other hand, was able to move things with the point of her finger. The once large gaping hole in my family was slowly mending. My dad did find out about the night between Jake and me, but surprisingly, he was okay with it. My mom was more accepting of the fact that Jake and I were in fact an object.

I still hadn't heard from Ethan. He wasn't even at school anymore. All the teachers said he'd moved to Florida, though I knew he couldn't. My heart ached, something I never thought it would do. Everyday I stared at the empty seat next to me, hoping by some miracle he would come back. I couldn't help but wonder what could have been if I'd given him a chance. But I couldn't think about that. I loved Jacob, and that was all that mattered.

Aunt Rosalie and Aunt Alice had started Saturday morning ice skating. Indoors of course. They were perfect. The teachers watched enviously as they skated circles around them. I'd come a few times to watch, never daring to go anywhere near the rink.

Uncle Emmett, Uncle Jasper, and my father had joined the school theatre club. They seemed like perfectly trained actors, delivering every line with deep emotion. Girls swooned as they walked down the halls---some even joined just to be that much closer to them.

My mom had taken a different approach, much like me. We both joined student paper. No need to use our feet, though I figured she would be able to handle it.

Stephenie and Laurel's parents believed they were studying at some fancy school in England, though they were really living with us now. We figured it was better than telling them they were dead. Maybe some day they would be able to see each other again.

Every night at dinner we debated where to move once Stephenie and Laurel were able to control themselves. After many days of discussing the pros and cons of Vancouver, Alaska, and New Hampshire, we had decided on moving back to Forks. Our cover story was already made up, and we were ready to go, end of the school year, of course.

My strange dreams came less and less often, to my dismay. I just wanted a sign from Ethan... but he never sent any. I began writing my dreams down in a small notebook I kept besides my bed every night, hoping to find some pattern. There never was one. Just weird, pointless ones. One night, I dreamt I was a seal at SeaWorld. Another night, I dreamt I was made of chocolate. No pattern ever occured, except stupidity.

My parents didn't let me go hunting anymore, though they didn't let me go that much in the first place. Now they made sure the fridge was stocked with lots and lots of deer blood, though my diet was beginning to become more human and less vampire. I still couldn't eat as much as Jake or Leah, but I began to find myself craving human food more than blood.

The terms "bloodsucker" and "mutt" were rarely used anymore between the pack and my family. Only when they were joking were they ever used. Respect had grown since we all began to depend on each other.

Tires pulled up on the brick drive. I raced to the door to see Jacob dressed in a black suit.

"Think it's a bit much?" he asked.

"I love it," I said, kissing him on the cheek. "Let me just get my purse."

I raced upstairs to my room. A small white piece of notebook paper flew off the side when I picked up my purse. I knelt to the ground and picked it up. "Renesmee," it read.

I'm sorry. I can't bear this anymore. I just want you to know that I'm alright. You should know my love for you is as strong as it was a month ago. You make me a better person. I'm even trying your diet of animal blood. But I understand you love Jacob Black. And that's something I'll just have to accept. I love you, Nessie.

--Ethan

Tears began to flow from my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away. Tucking the piece of paper safely away in my purse, I ran down the stairs.

"I'm ready," I said, though my voice sounded sad.

"Are you okay?" Jacob asked, running towards me.

"Yeah," I lied. "I'm fine. Let's go."

The school gym was decorated with balloon arches and streamers. Flashing lights lit up the floor. My family twirled around gracefully on their feet. Homecoming. A dance I never wanted to go to. Jake held out his hands for me to take them.

"Jake," I said. "You know I can't dance."

"Trust me," he said. "I'll catch you if you fall."

I took his hands and he twirled me around. My short yellow dress swayed with the movement of our dance. He held me tightly against his chest. I smiled. There was no place I would rather be than right here, right now. Though there were probably many around us, I could see no one but him.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you, too," I whispered back.

I leaned into his warm chest as we danced the rest of the night away.

I watched her. Jealousy boiled inside of me as I saw him holding her so tightly. I shouldn't have come. She looked so happy. How badly I wanted to be him. Renesmee Cullen should be with me. She made me a better person. She didn't believe I was a monster. And I wasn't... because of her. I wanted to run up to her. I wanted to run my hands across her smooth, warm face. But I couldn't. She wasn't mine. I saw the reflection of my golden orbs in the windows. Her doing, not mine.

They looked so happy. I wanted that happiness. I could almost taste it... but it was ripped away from me before I had the chance. She had promised. But she had lied. Jacob whispered something into her ear. Her beautiful smile lit up her face as she said something back. I backed up and ran. I ran as far away as possible, leaving my ghost behind me.

Danced all night, slept all day
Careless with my heart again
Fearless when it comes to playing games

You don't cry, you don't care
Afraid to have a love affair
Is that your ghost or are you really there?

Now I can't walk, I can't talk anymore
Since you walked out the door
And now I'm stuck living out that night again
I'm not falling apart

Weather on a sunny day
Time slows down; I wish you'd stay
Pass me by in crowded, dark hallways

Try my hardest not to scream
I find my heart is growing weak
So leave your reasons on the bathroom sink

Now I can't walk, I can't talk anymore
Since you walked out the door
And now I'm stuck living out that night again
I'm not falling apart

I heard you say you needed me now
What's the problem I can't see
You destroyed me, I won't fall apart again
I'm not falling apart

Take what you wanted
I will be just fine
You will be better off alone at night
Waiting and falling
Constantly calling out your name
Will it ever change?

Now I can't walk, I can't talk anymore
Since you walked out the door
And now I'm stuck living out that night again
I'm not falling apart

I heard you say you needed me now
What's the problem I can't see
You destroyed me, I won't fall apart again
I'm not falling apart...

Author's Note: The end :D Don't worry! First chapter of the next story will definitely be posted by next Friday. The preface may be posted today, since it's already been written. I just want to thank all of my wonderful readers and reviewers for supporting me through my first fanfic. You guys are the best :D And you guys supply me with so many ideas, I have to give you all credit. So THANK YOU! I know last chapter was sucky, but... idk. Lolz But thanks again, and I owe you guys big time!

Song by Maroon 5 above (Not Falling Apart) is my sign off song. Byee!

--Lauren :D