really wouldnt behelpful. 

Why not? I argued; I could hear the desperation in my voice. Eight is better than seven. Theres more than enough time.

Theres not enough time to make you helpful, Bella, she disagreed coolly. Do you remember how Jasper described the young ones? Youd be no good in a fight. You wouldnt be able to control your instincts, and that would make you an easy target. And then Edward would get hurt trying to protect you. She folded her arms across her chest, pleased with her unassailable logic.

And I knew she was right, when she put it like that. I slumped in my seat, my sudden hope defeated. Beside me, Edward relaxed.

He whispered the reminder in my ear. Not because youre afraid.

Oh, Alice said, and a blank look crossed her face. Then her expression became surly. I hate last-minute cancellations. So that puts the party attendance list down to sixty-five. . . .

Sixty-five!My eyes bulged again. I didnt have that many friends. Did I even know that many people?

Who canceled? Edward wondered, ignoring me.

Rene.

What? I gasped.

She was going to surprise you for your graduation, but something went wrong. Youll have a message when you get home.

For a moment, I just let myself enjoy the relief. Whatever it was that went wrong for my mother, I was eternally grateful to it. If she had come to Forksnow . . . I didnt want to think about it. My head would explode.

The message light was flashing when I got home. My feeling of relief flared again as I listened to my mother describe Phils accident on the ball field  while demonstrating a slide, hed tangled up with the catcher and broken his thigh bone; he was entirely dependent on her, and there was no way she could leave him. My mom was still apologizing when the message cut off.

Well, thats one, I sighed.

One what? Edward asked.

One person I dont have to worry about getting killed this week.

He rolled his eyes.

Why wont you and Alice take this seriously? I demanded. This isserious. 

He smiled. Confidence.

Wonderful, I grumbled. I picked up the phone and dialed Renes number. I knew it would be a long conversation, but I also knew that I wouldnt have to contribute much.

I just listened, and reassured her every time I could get a word in: I wasnt disappointed, I wasnt mad, I wasnt hurt. She should concentrate on helping Phil get better. I passed on my get well soon to Phil, and promised to call her with every single detail from Forks Highs generic graduation. Finally, I had to use my desperate need to study for finals to get off the phone.

Edwards patience was endless. He waited politely through the whole conversation, just playing with my hair and smiling whenever I looked up. It was probably superficial to notice such things while I had so many more important things to think about, but his smile still knocked the breath out of me. He was so beautiful that it made it hard sometimes to think about anything else, hard to concentrate on Phils troubles or Renes apologies or hostile vampire armies. I was only human.

As soon as I hung up, I stretched onto my tiptoes to kiss him. He put his hands around my waist and lifted me onto the kitchen counter, so I wouldnt have to reach as far. That worked for me. I locked my arms around his neck and melted against his cold chest.

Too soon, as usual, he pulled away.

I felt my face slip into a pout. He laughed at my expression as he extricated himself from my arms and legs. He leaned against the counter next to me and put one arm lightly around my shoulders.

I know you think that I have some kind of perfect, unyielding self-control, but thats not actually the case.

I wish, I sighed.

And he sighed, too.

After school tomorrow, he said, changing the subject, Im going hunting with Carlisle, Esme, and Rosalie. Just for a few hours  well stay close. Alice, Jasper, and Emmett should be able to keep you safe.

Ugh, I grumbled. Tomorrow was the first day of finals, and it was only a half-day. I had Calculus and History  the only two challenges in my line-up  so Id have almost the whole day without him, and nothing to do but worry. I hate being babysat.

Its temporary, he promised.

Jasper will be bored. Emmett will make fun of me.

Theyll be on their best behavior.

Right, I grumbled.

And then it occurred to me that I did have one option besides babysitters. You know . . . I havent been to La Push since the bonfire.

I watched his face carefully for any change in expression. His eyes tightened the tiniest bit.

Id be safe enough there, I reminded him.

He thought about it for a few seconds. Youre probably right.

His face was calm, but just a little too smooth. I almost asked if hed rather I stayed here, but then I thought of the ribbing Emmett would no doubt dish out, and I changed the subject. Are you thirsty already? I asked, reaching up to stroke the light shadow beneath his eye. His irises were still a deep gold.

Not really. He seemed reluctant to answer, and that surprised me. I waited for an explanation.

We want to be as strong as possible, he explained, still reluctant. Well probably hunt again on the way, looking for big game.

That makes you stronger?

He searched my face for something, but there was nothing to find but curiosity.

Yes, he finally said. Human blood makes us the strongest, though only fractionally. Jaspers been thinking about cheating  adverse as he is to the idea, hes nothing if not practical  but he wont suggest it. He knows what Carlisle will say.

Would that help? I asked quietly.

It doesnt matter. We arent going to change who we are.

I frowned. If something helped even the odds . . . and then I shuddered, realizing I was willing to have a stranger die to protect him. I was horrified at myself, but not entirely able to deny it, either.

He changed the subject again. Thats why theyre so strong, of course. The newborns are full of human blood  their own blood, reacting to the change. It lingers in the tissues and strengthens them. Their bodies use it up slowly, like Jasper said, the strength starting to wane after about a year.

How strong willI be?

He grinned. Stronger than I am.

Stronger than Emmett?

The grin got bigger. Yes. Do me a favor and challenge him to an arm-wrestling match. It would be a good experience for him.

I laughed. It sounded so ridiculous.

Then I sighed and hopped down from the counter, because I really couldnt put it off any longer. I had to cram, and cram hard. Luckily I had Edwards help, and Edward was an excellent tutor  since he knew absolutely everything. I figured my biggest problem would be just focusing on the tests. If I didnt watch myself, I might end up writing my History essay on the vampire wars of the South.

I took a break to call Jacob, and Edward seemed just as comfortable as he had when I was on the phone with Rene. He played with my hair again.

Though it was the middle of the afternoon, my call woke Jacob up, and he was grouchy at first. He cheered right up when I asked if I could visit the next day. The Quileute school was already out for the summer, so he told me to come over as early as I could. I was pleased to have an option besides being babysat. There was a tiny bit more dignity in spending the day with Jacob.

Some of that dignity was lost when Edward insisted again on delivering me to the border line like a child being exchanged by custodial guardians.

So how do you feel you did on your exams? Edward asked on the way, making small talk.

History was easy, but I dont know about the Calculus. It seemed like it was making sense, so that probably means I failed.

He laughed. Im sure you did fine. Or, if youre really worried, I could bribe Mr. Varner to give you an A.

Er, thanks, but no thanks.

He laughed again, but suddenly stopped when we turned the last bend and saw the red car waiting. He frowned in concentration, and then, as he parked the car, he sighed.

What