The first half of the school year was interesting. Edward's dilemma with girls became mine too when some of them tried to befriend me in the hopes that I would set them up with Edward (*cough**cough* Jessica). It would have been funny to me if it wasn't so pathetic. This change resulted from my new lunch seating arrangement: a seat at the Cullens' table. Jasper had gotten used to my scent now. Though it hadn't escaped my notice that Rosalie usually ignored my presence there. Probably because I wouldn't tell them what the future held. Anyway, whenever Jessica started chatting me up and inviting me places, I regretted not taking Edward's proposition that we fake date. At least he got a good laugh out of my attempts to get out of any outings with her.

During the winter break, the news spread that the police chief's daughter was coming to town to live with him. I had to stop myself from freaking out about the incoming start of the plot. I even stopped opening up my mind to Edward just so he wouldn't get any spoilers. But then I felt obligated to tell him. What if this Edward wasn't strong enough to stop himself from draining this Bella? Should I risk it? I feel like I shouldn't.

Oh but I could imagine his reaction if I didn't. The image was clear in my mind. His face would be contorted by betrayal and anger. "You knew? You knew and you didn't think to warn me?"

Even if it is Edward, I can't exactly betray my own friend like that because I already know how much trouble this is going to cost him. So what if I give him this spoiler? If it'll help him be prepared for it, then that's good. It's a good thing...

But what if he just decides to leave forever? Ethically, could I downplay the severity of the issue so he doesn't leave and the plot can continue? No, that wouldn't be right. Realistically, most people in my world are in agreement that he and Bella should not be together and that it's wrong for the Cullens to be here in Forks because it then causes young Quileute men and boys to involuntarily become shapeshifters. So him leaving, and possibly with his family, would be a good idea... realistically. And this is real life... not that I expected it to be.

I tried to spend my break holed up in my room to debate this dilemma of mine. I only left my room for meals and playing with my dogs. My parents were busy and my aunt spent more time at the hospital due to seasonal illnesses, so talking to nobody was quite easy until Edward came to my bedroom window after a week of me not stepping a food outside my home.

I flinched at the sound of the soft knock on my window and knew it was him. I stashed away the papers I was using to map out the possible outcomes of me telling or not telling him, and got up from my desk to open my window.

I was welcomed by the cold breeze that smelled of incoming rain and I realized that it was the first time in a while that I had gotten fresh air.

"How have you been?" He asked while curiously eying my desk where I hid the papers. I could feel his senses pushing up against my mind to see if I was ok, but I had it blocked off.

I was having trouble making eye contact with him, but I managed to murmur, "I've been ok. And you? How's your break going?"

He was immediately suspicious since I normally don't lack the confidence to look someone in the eye. "It's been fine. Boring, but fine. Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yeah, I'm ok."

He raised a speculative brow. "Really? You're usually out and about. Yet, you haven't stepped a foot outside your home."

"It's cold."

"That's never stopped you before." He said quickly. Damn, he knew me too well. Great.

I could see where his mind was going right now and I had to bite back from laughing. He was thinking of those scenarios in friendships when one party has realized that they like the other and stays away from them while they try to repress their feelings... and he's wondering if I like him. I swear if a mind could blush, his would be blushing right now.

"Oh, Edward... no that's- I mean you're very good-looking, but- well, not that that's your only good attribute, you're more than that- but, what I mean is-"

His laugh interrupted my rambling and his smirk told me all I needed to know.

"You jerk!" I scold playfully. I even mess up his hair just to bug him but he smooths it out in one swoop. Ugh. "I hate you, I hope you know that," I say through my own laughter. Gods, it's been a while since I laughed.

"Duly noted," he said as he took a seat by my window.

I sigh and sit back down at my desk  and I'm immediately taken back to my dilemma. If I tell him and he leaves, Penelope Addams would go back to a friendless existence... and so would I. Unless I befriend Bella, but still.

"What are you thinking?" He asked with a bit of a furrowed brow. He often got this look with me as he will get this look around Bella while trying to figure out what was going on in my mind.

I look over at him nervously. There was no point in hiding it now. "Well... something bad is almost going to happen in a few weeks and I don't know if I should tell you about it."

His expression turned serious. "Penelope, if something bad is going to happen, I should know-"

"But it doesn't end up happening, exactly," I interject. "It gets close to happening but then danger is adverted. Very narrowly, I might add."

"How bad is it then?"

I tighten my lips and think back on my diagrams about the possible outcomes of this conversation. I must have been at it a while because his voice interrupted my train of thought.

"Penelope."

He was now standing next to me, looking down at me with a mix of desperation and seriousness. "Please, tell me..."

His tone became a bit pleading and honey-sweet, the mixture he would use with Bella to get her to fess up on something. I hated to admit that it was working on me too.

"You know, there are different ways this conversation could result in if I do or do not tell you. The reasons for not telling you are selfish, but if I don't, then you might get angry with me. If I do tell you... you might find it in the best interest of all to leave, but I don't think it would be in your best interest at the end of the day to leave. You would need to get through all the bad and to fight against it so you can- and I know you think this is impossible- be happy. And it would make me happy if you decided to stay anyway."

There was silence between us for a few moments apart from the soft ticking of the clock. While he analyzed my words, he scoffed at the idea of being happy- just as I knew he would.

"So... your hesitation in telling about something important is based on your desire for me to stay?"

I blushed a bit and bow my head in shame. It was a very self-serving wish that he stay despite the troubles ahead and this shame is coming from my real self than from Penelope Addams. He immediately softened his approach. I felt his icy fingers on my chin and he gently lifted it so that my eyes met his. "Don't do that."

I couldn't stop the blush from darkening on my cheeks but I tried my best not to look away. Good thing I didn't feel butterflies or else this would be very awkward for our friendship.

He smiled slightly and, thankfully, let go of my chin. "I promise I won't leave unless absolutely necessary. Just... if danger is coming, help me advert it?"

I was absolutely surprised. "Really? That's it? Wouldn't Rosalie freak out if I knew something about the future that even Alice didn't know?"

He hummed. "She has been pushing me to find out what the plot is of the book we're in. She thinks we ought to know everything we can. Carlisle respects your wish to not mess with the timeline, but he is curious too. Esme is on the same page as him. Everyone else seems to be leaning towards Rosalie's side."

"I figured," I murmur contemplatively. "I hope this hasn't caused too much tension in your house."

He shook his head, his gaze falling to the floor. "No... but your bit of news that you may or may not tell me might." He looked back up at me. "Is there anything you can tell me that doesn't mess with the timeline?"

I run the possibilities through my head and settle on one. "It tests you. Your self control, to be exact. More than anything ever has, but you restrain yourself just in time."

"Thank you," he said softly, his eyes wandering over to my desk. "Is that what the papers were for?"

I smiled a bit and nod. "Yeah. It's what I've been doing this whole week, mapping out all the conceivable outcomes."

His eyes shined with amusement. "Spoken like a true worrier."

I roll my eyes at him, but I was glad to know that I hadn't really compromised the integrity of the book. At least not that I know of.

He went back to contemplating my words. The thought of possibly losing control was starting to freak him out, but I put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Hey. You're going to be ok. You're not going to break, even thought it might feel like you would. Trust me, I know. Just remember why you do it and make sure your hunger isn't neglected for a good while."

It was a bit funny that a human was trying to comfort him on the matter of his thirst, but I wasn't just any human to him. I was his friend... from a different world where I knew what was going to happen.

・・・

With that out of the way, we went back to hanging out like always. Though this time, I actually went over to his house almost every other day of the remaining break. Jasper and Alice were away for a quick vacation and so were Rosalie and Emmett, leaving Edward alone with Esme and Carlisle.

Every time I went over, Esme would fuss over me for a few minutes and give me food until I could convince her that all my needs were met and thank her for her hospitality. She even stocked the bathrooms with all sorts of menstrual products in case I needed to use them. She was very sweet to me and I always gave her a hug before Edward walked me back to my house.

We would end up playing music together either as duets on the piano or I would accompany him with the violin. If I was in the mood, I'd have Edward play a ballet and I would dance to it. Other times, we would just be reading in his room. It felt nice to be normal for a bit even though we were anything but normal.

But winter break soon came to a close and we had to return to school.

During the break, I had gotten a beautiful journal as a gift from my aunt with the family crest and family credo on it. I smiled at it because the mock Latin that was used in the movie was used here too. A delightful consistency. She said I could use it for anything I like, or even as a starting point for writing down my findings on our family history.

But I knew what I wanted to do with it and it was not going to go towards the family history. I wanted to use it as a diary to document my thoughts while going through the book's plot line. But first, I went to Morticia to have it spelled so that if anyone else but me opened it, they would be met with strong storm winds, thunder, and lightning until they closed the book. You know, just to be safe.

January 11th, 2005

There are only 7 days left until Bella's debut at our school. As the day draws closer, my anxiety goes up. I think Edward has a good idea that it's due to Bella's incoming presence since the buzz about her is growing alongside my worry.

I've been trying to figure out if there is anything I can do to reduce his reaction and I did get one idea. I don't have biology at the same time as him but I do have a free period in which I help out at the front office. I could ask Esme to call Edward out of school during the class period so I could go down to the classroom to hand the teacher the note and this Edward would be let out of his torment earlier than Book Edward. Yeah... that's a good plan. I think. It's the least I can do for only giving him a vague heads up about the whole Bella thing.

...

If I'm being honest, I don't think I want to go home yet even if I could find a way back right now. I want to see this play out. I wonder what will happen when (or if) I do return. Will this have all just been a crazy/amazing dream? Will I have physically disappeared without a trace? Or is Penelope Addams playing as me and also trying to find a way back? Who knows- certainly not me.

It's getting late and I have to find a way to get to sleep. Perhaps I'll ask mother for a batch of henbane tea. It is her specialty.

~ P

Author's Note: I may introduce POVs. I know I did one a while ago, but I think it would be fun to do it again with Bella coming into the story.