I felt a surge of pity, and relief. Pity because, as beautiful as they were, they were outsiders, clearly not accepted. Relief that I wasn’t the only newcomer here, and certainly not the most interesting by any standard.

Just before I heard the shattering crunch of the van folding around the truck bed, something hit me, hard, but not from the direction I was expecting.

In a lot of ways, living with Charlie was like having my own place, and I found myself reveling in the aloneness instead of being lonely.

I sighed and opened my eyes. And Edward was staring at me curiously, that same, familiar edge of frustration even more distinct now in his black eyes.

So it was going to be one of those days.

Why couldn’t I ever have a pleasant conversation with Mike anymore without it getting awkward?

My throat suddenly felt tight. I wasn’t used to being taken care of, and Charlie’s unspoken concern caught me by surprise.

My subconscious had dredged up exactly the images I’d been trying so desperately to avoid. I was going to have to face them now.

I somehow managed to hit myself in the head with my racket and clip Mike’s shoulder on the same swing.

He drives like a maniac. It was terrifying.