It's been like...over a year since I last updated this. Sorry. I'll start working on it again, if it makes it up to you?

Bella seemed to be a complete zombie.

I watched her eat her cereal after Charlie had left for work. She ate slowly, almost robot-like. I slowly pulled one of the chairs out, and sat in front of her. She glanced up at me for a second.

"Why are you here?" Bella finally asked weakly. I felt a strong wave of emotions crash into me; sadness, anger, confusion, gratefulness, and...love? What?

"Alice and I...are no longer together. She kicked me out." I finally answered, "Bella, why are you feeling love and gratefulness?"

"I've always loved you as a brother, even though we've never spoken or really interacted except for in Phoenix. I'm grateful because you came back." She answered softly. Then she went back to her cereal, and I didn't have the heart to question the poor girl anymore.

"Do you have school today?" I asked softly. She shook her head.

"Christmas break, Jazz..." She smiled weakly. The nickname took me off guard.

"Jazz?"

"Sorry...I'll never call you that again..." Her beautiful...what? Anyway, her eyes filled with tears.

"No. No, it's okay. I like it." I assured her. I brushed one of her tears away.

"Okay..." She smiled weakly at me again.

"Why don't we do something today? Like...go to Port Angeles or something? You should probably get some Christmas shopping done, because I feel a little guilt coming from you as I say this."

"Sure. That'd be great. I just...ah...need a human minute, okay?"

"Okay. I'll wait here."

~X.x.X~

I sat in the passenger seat of her truck, staring out the window while she drove. I could see why Edward hated this thing, but I didn't mind the lack of speed. She never took her eyes off the road. I glanced over at her a few times, but she never returned my glances. She was projecting depression and loneliness. I sent a wave of calm toward her, and she glared at me.

"Quit messing with my emotions!" She snapped. I chuckled under my breath, and glanced back out the window.

"Sorry Bella."

~X.x.X~

I trailed behind her in the bookstore, watching her brush her fingers along the spine. She picked up a classic that she didn't have, and I saw her eyes fill with longing. She set it back down, and went off to another section. I picked up the book she'd been holding, and tucked it under my arm. She selected a few books for her mother; one science fiction and two romances. After she bought them, I hid the book for her under a Civil War book I didn't have, and bought them. After we were back in the truck, I set the bag at my feet, and glanced out the window after putting her bag with mine.

Whenever I get the next chapter written and posted, the shopping trip will be continued. (: Sorry for the long wait!

-Deadly