Starting Over
Nessie:
I was at the airport waiting. My flight was delayed due to weather conditions. I figured I’d better call 首页 and let my mom know I was going to be late. As I dialed the phone, I was thinking about the last time I had seen my parents. I wasn’t told what the outcome was of my fight with my father. I nervously waited as the phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hey Mom, its Nessie.”
“Hey, honey! Are 你 calling from the plane?”
“No, my flight was delayed.”
“Oh…well that’s okay honey. I’ll pick 你 up from the airport. Just call me when you’re in the air so I know what time to meet your flight.”
“How’s dad?”
“I wouldn’t know, honey.”
“What…why?”
“Nessie your father and I are separated.”
“Separated…”
“After what he did to you, I just…can’t forgive him for hurting you. I just can’t.”
I was silent as the news churned my stomach. I was really hoping that my parents had gotten over the fight and made up. But, my mother’s words confirmed my worst fears. My parents had separated…over me…over me and Jacob? I didn’t have words for what I was feeling right now.
“Honey, Nessie are 你 there?”
“Yeah, I’m hear mom.”
“Honey, don’t worry about this right now. We can talk when 你 come home, okay?”
“Okay, mom. I 爱情 你 and I’ll call 你 soon.”
“Okay, sweetie, I’ll be waiting here, bye”
Bye.” I 说 as I slowly hung up the phone. I stood for a moment looking at the phone and shook my head as if I could actually shake off the idea of my parents not being together. When I finally turned around, Noah was standing behind me. He stared at me with a completely pitiful look in his eyes.
“Hey, Nessie”
“Noah, what are 你 doing here?”
“I’m catching a flight home, but it was delayed.”
“Oh”
“Nessie…I’m really sorry about what happen in the field. I was a real jerk to you. I just…”
“Yeah 你 are a jerk.”
“I know I am, but I really want to do my best to apologize anyway. If 你 don’t accept it, I can understand. But at least let me try first”
“I’m listening”
“Not here though, can we just take a walk 或者 something. I heard 你 flight was delayed too.”
“You were listening to me on the phone?!”
“Not intentionally…I was just waiting for 你 to hang up, that’s all… I really wanted to apologize to you. Please take a walk with me.”
“Okay” I gave in to him. I couldn’t stand his pitiful look anymore. I would listen, but probably not change my thinking on Noah being a jerk. As I followed Noah out of the terminal I could see his haste. He walked to the far end of a large parking lot where there were less cars and people that might be listening and the stopped to wait for me to catch up. Again his face had the same regretful, pitiful look. When I reached him, he fell to his knees as if to beg me for forgiveness.
“Nessie, I’m so…SO sorry about what I 说 to you. I should know better than to treat someone else the way people treat me. I really messed everything up. It’s just that I really had no idea that…well 吸血鬼 existed. I thought it was just all make believe. And I’m not saying that 你 are one. I know you’re not…you just caught me way off guard when I saw 你 that night. I mean you’re my best friend. 或者 at least 你 were till all this happened. I don’t want to lose 你 over this. It’s killing me that I hurt 你 like I did. Please, please forgive me. I’m the monster here not you. Please say you’ll forgive me.” He begged
I stared at him for a moment. The tremendous pleading in his eyes and his voice melted my anger for him. I heard all the sincerity in his voice. I knew he meant every word. I felt kind of stupid letting him hang there. But I wanted to let every word he 说 sink into me.
“Please Nessie…I’m begging you. Forgive me?”
“Okay, Noah…I forgive you”
“YES! Oh, thank you!” He 说 as he jumped to his feet and hugged me. Just as before my feet were completely off the ground as he laughed hysterically. When he finally put me down he took my hands into his. “Still friends?”
“Yeah, were still friends” I giggled.
“Oh that reminds me. I have something for you. A package came to the lab for 你 today. I went to your dorm to give it to 你 but your roommate told me 你 had already left for the airport. I have it stored in a locker at the terminal. It’s marked urgent.”
Noah held my hand as he led me into the terminal to his locker. When he opened the locker he turned and placed a brown box in my hands. It was cool to the touch. I read the name C. Cullen on the return address. I knew immediately what it was. My eyes lit up as I jumped up and down a little.
“What is it Nessie?” he 说 as he saw my excitement.
“Thanks Noah! I quickly pecked Noah on his cheek and headed out of the terminal. I could hear Noah following me. “Wait! Nessie! Where are 你 going? He called running behind me.
“I’ve got to get back to the lab!” I shouted back. I hailed the first taxi I could find and left Noah standing at the terminal entrance.
When I finally got back to school I immediately headed to the lab. I was too excited as my hands trembled slightly as a slowly opened the box at my station. Inside were two vials perfectly intact from their long journey and a note from Carlisle.
Nessie, here is everything 你 need. The red capped vial is Jacob/Human and the green capped vial is Jacob/Wolf. Destroy this note after 你 read it. Good Luck, Carlisle.
I happily grabbed butane lighter and burned the note as grabbed two microscopes and a handful of glass slides. I quickly extracted the blood and laid it out under the microscopes. Both specimens looked identical under the microscope. I guess Carlisle was just being safe. I was so deep in my examination that I didn’t hear the lab room door open at first but when I looked up I saw Noah was walking towards me.
“Noah…what are 你 doing here?” I 说 as I defensively came around my station.
“I thought…maybe since 你 helped me I could help you?”
“No...No I don’t need any help, but thanks.”
“Oh come on Nessie.”
“No my work is private”
“Come on we’re friends. I won’t tell anyone”
“No Noah!”
“Nessie, my work was private too…but I allowed 你 to see it. Come on I want to help. I thought we’re friends.”
“We are friends, but this is different”
“Nessie, I thought there we’re no 更多 secrets between us. We know each other pretty well 由 now. Besides I’m not an A+ student because of my looks. If we work together it would be faster. Four hands are better than two 你 know.”
He was making a little too much sense for me. He was right though. I had seen his work. He had gotten a lot farther than I did in a lot less time. And right now time was not on my side. But how was I going to explain this to Noah without telling him too much. I just had to take the chance though. I would tell him as little as possible and hope it was enough.
“Okay, 你 can help”
“Good, let’s get to work then”
I got a third microscope as Noah put his lab 涂层, 外套 on. Before I got to my station Noah was already peering thru the first microscope with Jacob’s human blood on the glass slide. I bit my finger to get a sample of my blood. I got so used to doing this as I let my blood drip onto another glass slide and put it under the microscope. Noah was busy looking at the 秒 slide on the microscope 下一个 to mine.
“Huh, this is really interesting.” He 说 as he looked from one microscope to the other.
“What’s interesting?”
“Well the two samples look identical, except the first one is a bit 更多 active.”
“More active?”
“Yeah, here take a look”
As I checked back and forth over the samples I did notice the slight difference. Jacob’s blood was a little 更多 active when he was transformed. Other than that there really was no difference between the two.
“So whose blood is this anyway?” Noah asked
“I can’t tell you”
“Come on Nessie…no secrets, I can’t help if 你 don’t give me a little bit 更多 to work with here”
“It’s a…friend?”
“A friend, like Jacob, huh?”
“No…”
“Nessie, come on 你 can tell me. I have a pretty big secret too and 你 haven’t told anyone about me. Why would I tell on you?”
“Okay, yes it’s Jacob’s”
“It’s remarkable 你 know”
“What is?”
“Jacob’s blood. It’s really interesting”
“Huh?”
“Never mind” He 说 as he went to the third microscope and peered into it. “And this is your blood Nessie?”
“Yes”
“Again, it’s remarkable. Looks like if I put the two of together…maybe the combination would look similar to mine.”
“What?” he could see the panic on my face.
“Nessie, I’m just kidding…relax. It’s just a joke!”
“It’s not a joke Noah.!”
Noah was smarter than I thought. I could hear the wheels in his mind kick into high gear. He figured out what I was looking for. A stunned expression crossed his face as he realized I was serious.
“Nessie, are 你 trying to find out if 你 and Jacob…if you…had…a…baby? Together? That the additional chromosomes might create something…like me?”
“Yes, Noah”
“Amazing…but doubtful. And I’m going to do everything I can to prove that to you, right now.”
Noah moved through the lab in a flurry of activity. He knew his purpose now. He dragged half the lab back over to two stations while I sat still watching him. His movements made me think of a mad scientist as he grabbed his notes out and took a blackboard. Feverishly his hands crossed over the blackboard as he cryptically scratched out the knowledge in his head with the chalk leaving a trail of light dust on the floor. The whirling and churning and bubbling of machines began to make me dizzy as Noah began to break down the puzzle I had 给 to him. 小时 after 小时 went 由 while Noah 迷失 no momentum. He checked his notes frequently, rubbing out huge sections on the blackboard and starting over. Over and over he kept changing the glass sides on the microscope. He preformed test after test after test and suddenly after what seemed like an eternity he went to the printer. He tapped his fingers on the side of the printer in anticipation as I waited. When the printer was finished he held up two pieces of paper and scrutinized the results. I didn’t move. I was too afraid to know the results now that it sat in his hand. I could see that he had the answer. He looked up at me with a puzzled look in his eyes.
“Nessie…I need 你 to come clean on something”
“What is it Noah?”
“Are 你 one hundred percent sure that 你 and Jacob are not related?”
“Yes, why?”
“Well if someone had just 给 these two pieces of paper to me and told me nothing else…I’d swear that…well someone had 给 me a duplication of one just to see if I was paying attention. I can’t tell the difference between 你 two. It’s like your twins 或者 something. Even the twenty-forth chromosome is lined up perfectly. It’s like 你 two were genetically made to match. It’s the most unique thing I’ve ever seen. Here take a look.”
Noah handed me the two sheets of paper. I looked in disbelief. Noah was right, Jacob and I were perfectly matched. My hands started to shake as my emotions ran wild. Shock, Disbelief, Happiness, my body couldn’t make up its mind. Noah saw the strain I was going through as tears welled up in my eyes.
“Nessie, are 你 okay, say something”
I didn’t know what else to do. I dropped the papers and grabbed Noah around his waist in a vice grip hug and started crying. That freaked Noah out.
“Nessie…what’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy. I can’t see any reason why 你 and Jacob could not have a baby. There is no evidence that I can find to say that your baby might wind up…like me. It would be too easy. Genetic perfection!”
“I am happy Noah” I sobbed into his chest. “You just made me the happiest person on the planet, Thank you!”
“O-kay” He 说 and gently wrapped his massive arms around me and rubbed my back. “Glad I could help. But why did 你 think your baby might wind up like me? Isn’t Jacob like you, part vampire?”
The waterworks immediately shut off on me and I tensed up. I hadn’t told Noah about Jacob being a shape shifter who turns into a wolf. If Noah had been assuming the whole time that Jacob was part vampire then the results could be all wrong. I pulled away from Noah and looked up at him. I had to just spit it out about Jacob at this point. I had to know if the results were correct.
“No Noah, Jacob is not like me. Not like me at all.”
“Okay, then what’s different about him. Because I can’t figure it out unless 你 tell me”
“Jacob is a shape shifter”
“A what? You’re making this up right?”
“ Seriously he’s a shape shifter who changes into a wolf”
“Get outta here. Stop pulling my leg Nessie. Shape shifter. Ridiculous! He laughed
If Noah wouldn’t believe what I was saying then I’d have to 显示 him. Concentrating on Jacob’s transformation I focused the image I wanted and touched Noah’s face quickly. Noah shot back across the station as I touched him and then shook his head. “Impossible!”
“What’s impossible, Noah. You’re real, I’m real and Jacob is real. We are all real! Every legend that anyone has ever told is real. I bet there are even real witches flying on broomsticks.”
“I believe in witches at this point. How do 你 do that? How do 你 put 图片 in my head? Because it’s really freaking me out that 你 can do that.”
“I was born with a…talent”
“One hell of a talent, Nessie” Noah snorted
“I’m sorry, I won’t do it again”
“Yeah please don’t” Noah grinned slightly trying to hold a straight face
“Noah, 你 still think the results are accurate.”
“Yeah, I do. I’m positive. 你 both are definitely nothing like me.” He giggled, then busted out laughing. I couldn’t help myself as I busted out laughing too.
Homeward Bound
Nessie:
Noah and I cleaned up the lab. Every time we made eye contact we laughed again. I burned the blood samples and Noah gave me the test results to take 首页 to Jacob. We hailed a taxi together and arrived at the airport. Gratefully the delays were over. But we missed our flights. I called my mom to give her my flight number and arrival time. Noah tried to get a direct flight home, but none were available. The only way he was getting 首页 was to take the flight with me to Seattle and then pick up a connecting flight back to Oregon. I didn’t mind though. We even managed to get 座位 together. Noah was nice enough to put my carry on in the overhead compartment while I took my seat. Then he plopped down 下一个 to me and tried to get comfortable. Noah’s size made it difficult for him. He was used to first class seating, but with all the delays he had to take whatever he could find which was coach. He never complained though. He just kept smiling at me. Glad I guess to see me smiling too. The plane lifted off with no further delays and we were on our way. We kept our mouths closed about the stuff at the lab. All our conversations were light hearted. Our moods were easy going. We both began to relax and just have some fun. Towards the end of the flight Noah and I were talking about family. He pulled out his wallet and showed me a picture of his family. I noticed immediately that Noah wasn’t the only one who was oversized. But he didn’t notice my expression. Noah ran his fingers over the picture naming the faces in the photograph.
“See here are my brothers Titus, Micah, Lazarus, Cain and Judah and my parents Levi and Ezra.” He said.
“Wow, 你 all have biblical name, huh?”
“Well not 由 my choice, I wish I had an easy name like Mike 或者 John 或者 something.”
“I like your name….Noah”
“Yeah it gets people’s attention. I guess that’s the running joke in my family. Why not name everyone after people in the bible linked to ominous events. Really freak people out. Like our unusual family isn’t weird enough.
“Yeah I know weird alright”
“I really don’t want to go home. My brothers really like to gang up on me. They don’t like the fact that I’m a big geeky bookworm. They are all about being the jocks. The tough guys. Every time I go 首页 it’s a nightmare. But, if I want to get some 更多 research done, I’m going to need to get some hair samples from their brushes 或者 something. I don’t think they will be willing to give me blood samples. He laughed.
“Yeah, I know what 你 mean. Jacob wasn’t too thrilled when I asked him.”
Ladies and gentleman, this is your captain speaking. Please take your seats and return your seatbacks and tray tables to their upright position as we make our final approach to Seattle where the local time is 5:00pm. Adhere to the non-smoking signs until 你 are well inside the terminal. We hope 你 have enjoyed your flight.
“So who is meeting 你 at the gate Nessie?”
“My mom.”
“Hey maybe I could meet her?”
“Yeah, sure Noah. That would be nice. 你 would like my mom, she’s cool”
“Great! I’d 爱情 to. Oh here I was going wait to give 你 this. But now is as good a time as any” He 说 and handed me a piece of paper with his address and phone number. I took it politely and hoped he wouldn’t ask for mine.
As Noah and I disembarked the plane and headed for the terminal. We were practically at the gate. I could begin to see the people waiting for the new arrivals when Noah dropped the bomb on me.
“Hey so, I’ll see 你 下一个 semester, right?” he asked
“Noah…um…I’m not coming back to Boston U.”
He stopped short causing me to do the same.
“You’re not coming back. Were 你 really not going to tell me that? Why are 你 not coming back to Boston U? Noah’s 问题 just flooded over me. I could see he was hurt 由 my intention of not telling him.
“Noah, my research is done. I’m switching majors and going to college near home-”
“I’m never going to see 你 again…am I?”
“I’m sorry Noah”
“Well in that case“ Noah grabbed me up in his massive arms and kissed me on my lips. He did it so quickly I didn’t have time to stop him. And then gently put me down and release me. I looked at him with utter shock as he smirked at me. I turned on my heels and stormed away from him through the gate with my head down. I was so embarrassed that I didn’t see Jacob until I literally walked right into his chest.
“Jacob! Where is my mom? I gasped. I was looking at him fearing he had seen Noah 吻乐队（Kiss） me. But he must have missed it because he grabbed me up and swung me around too happy to see me.
“I asked her if I could surprise you. Nessie, gosh I’ve missed 你 so much!” Jacob was all excited as he put me down. But like some sort of dark shadow looming over me I suddenly heard Noah’s voice beside us.
“Hey, 你 must be Jacob. Nessie has told me a lot about you” Noah 说 to Jacob and held his hand out. Jacob shook Noah’s and asked “ And 你 are?”
“I’m Noah Grey. Nessie and I were at Boston 大学 together this semester.” He smiled
“Well, nice to meet 你 Noah” Jacob hissed. “Excuse us, Nessie and I have to be on our way now”
“Nice to meet 你 too, Jacob. 你 both have a 安全 trip.” Noah winked at me. “Bye Nessie” and turned on his heels whistling as he walked away.
“Who’s that fruitcake?” Jacob glared at me
“Just a guy from the lab. It’s no big deal” I shook my head. “Can we just go home”
“Sure, sure” Jacob 说 and led me out to the Mustang
Jacob and I were on the highway heading back to Forks. We hadn’t 说 anything to each other. But I could tell just 由 looking at his hand gripping the steering wheel that we were thinking of the same thing. Noah Grey. I watched Jacob’s knuckles turning nearly white with the force of his grip. We were only about two exits away from Forks and just about to pass the last park and ride when Jacob suddenly veered off the highway. The Mustang’s tires were screeching as the back end of the car fishtail wildly at our sudden change in direction into the park and ride. Jacob slammed on the brakes and threw the 野马 in Park. He wildly jumped out of the door and came around the car, opened my door and pulled me out.
“Okay Nessie, spill it! What’s going on with 你 and that fruitcake Noah?!” He shouted
“Nothing is going on Jake-“
“Oh don’t give me that crap! I’m not stupid! I saw the way he was looking at you! No guy winks at a girl unless there’s something going on between them! He sneered
“Jake! There is nothing going on. Noah and I were just working in the same lab!”
“Bullshit! Stop lying to me. Is he the one you’ve been seeing this whole time.”
“Jacob Black! I’m getting really tired of these accusation!”
“Well I’m tired of being lied to!”
“I’m not lying!”
“Maybe I should go hunt down your dad have him just tell me the truth. At least he’s honest!”
“That’s it…I’ve had it Jacob. I’ve had it with you. Take me 首页 right now.”
“Fine…I’m done too.”
We traveled the rest of the way 首页 now not even looking at each other. When we pulled up to the house I jumped out of the car and ran right passed my mom who was waiting for me on the porch. I went straight to my room, slammed the door and 鸽子 onto my 床, 床上 sobbing. My mom didn’t come right away to me. I guess she was talking to Jacob. Trying to get his side of the story first. About an 小时 later after I had cried myself completely dry and calmed down I heard a knock at my door.
“Nessie, can I come in” my mother asked
“Sure, mom”
She quietly opened my door and closed it behind her as she came to sit on my 床, 床上 with me. She brushed my hair away from my face and rubbed my back softly.
“Nessie, I know Jacob can be hot tempered and judgmental sometimes…but it’s just because he loves 你 so much.
“I hate him!”
“No 你 don’t. I know 你 don’t mean that.”
“Yes I do…I’m tired of him always accusing of cheating on him. Shouldn’t he just know 由 now that I wouldn’t do that.”
“Well…honey I remember a time when Jacob used to be that way with me, before your father and I were married. Jacob thought he was madly in 爱情 with me. But the 日 你 were born…well all that changed.
“Mom, I really wasn’t doing anything with Noah. 你 believe me right?”
“Ah yes…Noah, Jacob told me about him. Do 你 want to tell me about him though?”
“Noah was just helping me in the lab mom. He’s really a good guy. He was the one who helped me find out that Jacob and I….”
“Honey…why don’t 你 just 显示 me…it may be easier for you.”
“Okay”
I knew if I showed my mom that Noah had helped me discover that Jacob and I were a perfect match, she would at least understand. And maybe she could talk to Jacob for me. It would be easier for her to make him listen. I concentrated my thoughts. Leaving out the non important details about Noah, like the 吻乐队（Kiss） he gave me, the fact he was a werewolf, 或者 anything else I didn’t want anyone to know about. When I collected my thoughts into one conclusive visual statement I placed my palm to my mother’s cheek as she closed her eyes and I let the 图片 flow. When I let go it took her a moment to come back to me. But when she did she smiled.
“I understand honey. Noah helped 你 find what 你 were searching for…and 你 have the answer now.”
“Yes, and I wouldn’t have found it with Noah’s help.”
“Don’t worry anymore honey. I can talk to Jacob. I bet any amount of money that after I talk to Jacob he will be running over here and trying to climb into 你 window begging 你 to forgive him.”
“That’s if I let him in”
“Nessie, don’t be spiteful. I raised 你 better than that. Just get some rest, Nessie. 你 have had a long day. And no 更多 worries.
“Okay, mom…good night.”
“Good night Nessie”
I tried to sleep. But my mind was flooded with the events of the 日 like my parents not being together, Jacob and me fighting, and Noah Grey. It also didn’t help me when my mom told me Jacob may come visit me during the night. 由 morning, I wasn’t feeling any better as I played with my breakfast instead of eating it while my mom darted in and out of rooms behind me humming an unknown tune. I wondered for a moment what she was doing and then there was a knock at the door.
“Oh that must be Jacob!” as she ran to the door to answer it while I sulked at my breakfast. Why was he here? I really didn’t want to talk to him.
“Hey Bella, are we all set?” He asked my mother.
Jacob and my mother entered the 厨房 where I was still sulking at my breakfast. Jacob pulled out the chair 下一个 to me and sat down with his head hanging low. He didn’t say anything at first to me. He sat quietly while I avoided looking at him as best as I could.
“Okay 你 two. Everything is all set. Bags are packed. Here are your tickets.”
“Tickets?” I 说 as my head snapped up to look at my mother with question. “What tickets?” as I now turned to Jacob.
“Your mom thinks we need to get away for awhile. 你 know…sort things out. Maybe?” Jacob whispered to me.
“Nessie. 你 and Jacob need some quality time together. I want 你 to take these tickets and go. Just have some fun with each other, for once”
“But mom…I just got here” I whined.
“I know and I’ll be here when 你 get back” she promised and gave me a wide eyed look and a slight head tilt towards Jacob. Jacob was just staring at me with 小狗 dog look in his eyes. His bottom lip slightly protruding.
“Please Ness, come away with me?” Jacob whispered
“Fine” I gave in. I knew they weren’t going to let me say No, no matter how hard I tried.
Jacob and I got up from the table. I gave my mother a hug and headed for the door. Jacob hugged my mom and they whispered for a moment, then Jacob was right behind me with two suitcases. He opened the door for me as my mom yelled “Have a good time 你 too!” Jacob opened the passenger door to the 野马 for me. I slid in as he was putting the suitcases in the trunk, then he sat in the drivers’ seat. Neither Jacob nor I 说 anything to each other as we drove to the airport. I had no idea where we were heading. When we got to the airport and were standing on line at the check in. The suspense eventually made me ask.
“So where are we going, Jacob?”
“Your mom gave us first class seats to Honolulu”
“We’re going to Hawaii!” I couldn’t help but be excited at this point.
“Yep, well actually Oahu…Its one of the smaller islands. He smiled.
When we were on the plane in the air. I eventually turned to Jacob and asked.
“So how did 你 pull this off and convince my mom to let us go to Hawaii?” I sneered
“It was her idea… not mine. Let’s not get into this now. How about we just enjoy the flight, okay?” He kept his eyes 前锋, 期待 on the seatback in front of him.
I didn’t say anything else. We kept to ourselves during the flight. We didn’t speak to each other after we landed, while we were in the taxi to the hotel, 或者 even after Jacob had checked us in at the front 台, 办公桌 of the hotel. We didn’t say anything even in the elevator up to our floor. When Jacob found the room he unlocked the door. The suite was massive, beautiful, and had every creature comfort 你 could imagine. I was spellbound as I staggered into the room. But then I noticed there was only one bed.
“So what room number are you, Jake? He was still standing in the doorway. He had put my suitcases down 由 the door.
“It depends on you?”
“What?” I asked as I spun around to look at him. “Me?”
“Yeah, it depend on whether 或者 not…Nessie, sorry just doesn’t cut it. It really doesn’t. My behavior is just completely uncalled for. I’ll understand if 你 want to be alone. I don’t blame 你 one bit for hating me right now. I could have got us killed with that stunt I pulled on the highway. I’m reckless and dangerous. But I’m also crazy in 爱情 with you.”
I knew what he meant. I knew what my mom was up to. “Jake I’m crazy in 爱情 with 你 too, and I forgive you”
He dropped his suitcase and slammed the door, crossed the room in 秒 and grabbed me up in his arms. We were finally laughing. He didn’t want to let me go, he was holding me so tightly. I loved him so much that tears welled up in my eyes. When he did release me he sniffed and I could see his eyes were wet too. We kissed each other lightly and hugged again, finally we were both happy again.
Nessie:
I was at the airport waiting. My flight was delayed due to weather conditions. I figured I’d better call 首页 and let my mom know I was going to be late. As I dialed the phone, I was thinking about the last time I had seen my parents. I wasn’t told what the outcome was of my fight with my father. I nervously waited as the phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Hey Mom, its Nessie.”
“Hey, honey! Are 你 calling from the plane?”
“No, my flight was delayed.”
“Oh…well that’s okay honey. I’ll pick 你 up from the airport. Just call me when you’re in the air so I know what time to meet your flight.”
“How’s dad?”
“I wouldn’t know, honey.”
“What…why?”
“Nessie your father and I are separated.”
“Separated…”
“After what he did to you, I just…can’t forgive him for hurting you. I just can’t.”
I was silent as the news churned my stomach. I was really hoping that my parents had gotten over the fight and made up. But, my mother’s words confirmed my worst fears. My parents had separated…over me…over me and Jacob? I didn’t have words for what I was feeling right now.
“Honey, Nessie are 你 there?”
“Yeah, I’m hear mom.”
“Honey, don’t worry about this right now. We can talk when 你 come home, okay?”
“Okay, mom. I 爱情 你 and I’ll call 你 soon.”
“Okay, sweetie, I’ll be waiting here, bye”
Bye.” I 说 as I slowly hung up the phone. I stood for a moment looking at the phone and shook my head as if I could actually shake off the idea of my parents not being together. When I finally turned around, Noah was standing behind me. He stared at me with a completely pitiful look in his eyes.
“Hey, Nessie”
“Noah, what are 你 doing here?”
“I’m catching a flight home, but it was delayed.”
“Oh”
“Nessie…I’m really sorry about what happen in the field. I was a real jerk to you. I just…”
“Yeah 你 are a jerk.”
“I know I am, but I really want to do my best to apologize anyway. If 你 don’t accept it, I can understand. But at least let me try first”
“I’m listening”
“Not here though, can we just take a walk 或者 something. I heard 你 flight was delayed too.”
“You were listening to me on the phone?!”
“Not intentionally…I was just waiting for 你 to hang up, that’s all… I really wanted to apologize to you. Please take a walk with me.”
“Okay” I gave in to him. I couldn’t stand his pitiful look anymore. I would listen, but probably not change my thinking on Noah being a jerk. As I followed Noah out of the terminal I could see his haste. He walked to the far end of a large parking lot where there were less cars and people that might be listening and the stopped to wait for me to catch up. Again his face had the same regretful, pitiful look. When I reached him, he fell to his knees as if to beg me for forgiveness.
“Nessie, I’m so…SO sorry about what I 说 to you. I should know better than to treat someone else the way people treat me. I really messed everything up. It’s just that I really had no idea that…well 吸血鬼 existed. I thought it was just all make believe. And I’m not saying that 你 are one. I know you’re not…you just caught me way off guard when I saw 你 that night. I mean you’re my best friend. 或者 at least 你 were till all this happened. I don’t want to lose 你 over this. It’s killing me that I hurt 你 like I did. Please, please forgive me. I’m the monster here not you. Please say you’ll forgive me.” He begged
I stared at him for a moment. The tremendous pleading in his eyes and his voice melted my anger for him. I heard all the sincerity in his voice. I knew he meant every word. I felt kind of stupid letting him hang there. But I wanted to let every word he 说 sink into me.
“Please Nessie…I’m begging you. Forgive me?”
“Okay, Noah…I forgive you”
“YES! Oh, thank you!” He 说 as he jumped to his feet and hugged me. Just as before my feet were completely off the ground as he laughed hysterically. When he finally put me down he took my hands into his. “Still friends?”
“Yeah, were still friends” I giggled.
“Oh that reminds me. I have something for you. A package came to the lab for 你 today. I went to your dorm to give it to 你 but your roommate told me 你 had already left for the airport. I have it stored in a locker at the terminal. It’s marked urgent.”
Noah held my hand as he led me into the terminal to his locker. When he opened the locker he turned and placed a brown box in my hands. It was cool to the touch. I read the name C. Cullen on the return address. I knew immediately what it was. My eyes lit up as I jumped up and down a little.
“What is it Nessie?” he 说 as he saw my excitement.
“Thanks Noah! I quickly pecked Noah on his cheek and headed out of the terminal. I could hear Noah following me. “Wait! Nessie! Where are 你 going? He called running behind me.
“I’ve got to get back to the lab!” I shouted back. I hailed the first taxi I could find and left Noah standing at the terminal entrance.
When I finally got back to school I immediately headed to the lab. I was too excited as my hands trembled slightly as a slowly opened the box at my station. Inside were two vials perfectly intact from their long journey and a note from Carlisle.
Nessie, here is everything 你 need. The red capped vial is Jacob/Human and the green capped vial is Jacob/Wolf. Destroy this note after 你 read it. Good Luck, Carlisle.
I happily grabbed butane lighter and burned the note as grabbed two microscopes and a handful of glass slides. I quickly extracted the blood and laid it out under the microscopes. Both specimens looked identical under the microscope. I guess Carlisle was just being safe. I was so deep in my examination that I didn’t hear the lab room door open at first but when I looked up I saw Noah was walking towards me.
“Noah…what are 你 doing here?” I 说 as I defensively came around my station.
“I thought…maybe since 你 helped me I could help you?”
“No...No I don’t need any help, but thanks.”
“Oh come on Nessie.”
“No my work is private”
“Come on we’re friends. I won’t tell anyone”
“No Noah!”
“Nessie, my work was private too…but I allowed 你 to see it. Come on I want to help. I thought we’re friends.”
“We are friends, but this is different”
“Nessie, I thought there we’re no 更多 secrets between us. We know each other pretty well 由 now. Besides I’m not an A+ student because of my looks. If we work together it would be faster. Four hands are better than two 你 know.”
He was making a little too much sense for me. He was right though. I had seen his work. He had gotten a lot farther than I did in a lot less time. And right now time was not on my side. But how was I going to explain this to Noah without telling him too much. I just had to take the chance though. I would tell him as little as possible and hope it was enough.
“Okay, 你 can help”
“Good, let’s get to work then”
I got a third microscope as Noah put his lab 涂层, 外套 on. Before I got to my station Noah was already peering thru the first microscope with Jacob’s human blood on the glass slide. I bit my finger to get a sample of my blood. I got so used to doing this as I let my blood drip onto another glass slide and put it under the microscope. Noah was busy looking at the 秒 slide on the microscope 下一个 to mine.
“Huh, this is really interesting.” He 说 as he looked from one microscope to the other.
“What’s interesting?”
“Well the two samples look identical, except the first one is a bit 更多 active.”
“More active?”
“Yeah, here take a look”
As I checked back and forth over the samples I did notice the slight difference. Jacob’s blood was a little 更多 active when he was transformed. Other than that there really was no difference between the two.
“So whose blood is this anyway?” Noah asked
“I can’t tell you”
“Come on Nessie…no secrets, I can’t help if 你 don’t give me a little bit 更多 to work with here”
“It’s a…friend?”
“A friend, like Jacob, huh?”
“No…”
“Nessie, come on 你 can tell me. I have a pretty big secret too and 你 haven’t told anyone about me. Why would I tell on you?”
“Okay, yes it’s Jacob’s”
“It’s remarkable 你 know”
“What is?”
“Jacob’s blood. It’s really interesting”
“Huh?”
“Never mind” He 说 as he went to the third microscope and peered into it. “And this is your blood Nessie?”
“Yes”
“Again, it’s remarkable. Looks like if I put the two of together…maybe the combination would look similar to mine.”
“What?” he could see the panic on my face.
“Nessie, I’m just kidding…relax. It’s just a joke!”
“It’s not a joke Noah.!”
Noah was smarter than I thought. I could hear the wheels in his mind kick into high gear. He figured out what I was looking for. A stunned expression crossed his face as he realized I was serious.
“Nessie, are 你 trying to find out if 你 and Jacob…if you…had…a…baby? Together? That the additional chromosomes might create something…like me?”
“Yes, Noah”
“Amazing…but doubtful. And I’m going to do everything I can to prove that to you, right now.”
Noah moved through the lab in a flurry of activity. He knew his purpose now. He dragged half the lab back over to two stations while I sat still watching him. His movements made me think of a mad scientist as he grabbed his notes out and took a blackboard. Feverishly his hands crossed over the blackboard as he cryptically scratched out the knowledge in his head with the chalk leaving a trail of light dust on the floor. The whirling and churning and bubbling of machines began to make me dizzy as Noah began to break down the puzzle I had 给 to him. 小时 after 小时 went 由 while Noah 迷失 no momentum. He checked his notes frequently, rubbing out huge sections on the blackboard and starting over. Over and over he kept changing the glass sides on the microscope. He preformed test after test after test and suddenly after what seemed like an eternity he went to the printer. He tapped his fingers on the side of the printer in anticipation as I waited. When the printer was finished he held up two pieces of paper and scrutinized the results. I didn’t move. I was too afraid to know the results now that it sat in his hand. I could see that he had the answer. He looked up at me with a puzzled look in his eyes.
“Nessie…I need 你 to come clean on something”
“What is it Noah?”
“Are 你 one hundred percent sure that 你 and Jacob are not related?”
“Yes, why?”
“Well if someone had just 给 these two pieces of paper to me and told me nothing else…I’d swear that…well someone had 给 me a duplication of one just to see if I was paying attention. I can’t tell the difference between 你 two. It’s like your twins 或者 something. Even the twenty-forth chromosome is lined up perfectly. It’s like 你 two were genetically made to match. It’s the most unique thing I’ve ever seen. Here take a look.”
Noah handed me the two sheets of paper. I looked in disbelief. Noah was right, Jacob and I were perfectly matched. My hands started to shake as my emotions ran wild. Shock, Disbelief, Happiness, my body couldn’t make up its mind. Noah saw the strain I was going through as tears welled up in my eyes.
“Nessie, are 你 okay, say something”
I didn’t know what else to do. I dropped the papers and grabbed Noah around his waist in a vice grip hug and started crying. That freaked Noah out.
“Nessie…what’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy. I can’t see any reason why 你 and Jacob could not have a baby. There is no evidence that I can find to say that your baby might wind up…like me. It would be too easy. Genetic perfection!”
“I am happy Noah” I sobbed into his chest. “You just made me the happiest person on the planet, Thank you!”
“O-kay” He 说 and gently wrapped his massive arms around me and rubbed my back. “Glad I could help. But why did 你 think your baby might wind up like me? Isn’t Jacob like you, part vampire?”
The waterworks immediately shut off on me and I tensed up. I hadn’t told Noah about Jacob being a shape shifter who turns into a wolf. If Noah had been assuming the whole time that Jacob was part vampire then the results could be all wrong. I pulled away from Noah and looked up at him. I had to just spit it out about Jacob at this point. I had to know if the results were correct.
“No Noah, Jacob is not like me. Not like me at all.”
“Okay, then what’s different about him. Because I can’t figure it out unless 你 tell me”
“Jacob is a shape shifter”
“A what? You’re making this up right?”
“ Seriously he’s a shape shifter who changes into a wolf”
“Get outta here. Stop pulling my leg Nessie. Shape shifter. Ridiculous! He laughed
If Noah wouldn’t believe what I was saying then I’d have to 显示 him. Concentrating on Jacob’s transformation I focused the image I wanted and touched Noah’s face quickly. Noah shot back across the station as I touched him and then shook his head. “Impossible!”
“What’s impossible, Noah. You’re real, I’m real and Jacob is real. We are all real! Every legend that anyone has ever told is real. I bet there are even real witches flying on broomsticks.”
“I believe in witches at this point. How do 你 do that? How do 你 put 图片 in my head? Because it’s really freaking me out that 你 can do that.”
“I was born with a…talent”
“One hell of a talent, Nessie” Noah snorted
“I’m sorry, I won’t do it again”
“Yeah please don’t” Noah grinned slightly trying to hold a straight face
“Noah, 你 still think the results are accurate.”
“Yeah, I do. I’m positive. 你 both are definitely nothing like me.” He giggled, then busted out laughing. I couldn’t help myself as I busted out laughing too.
Homeward Bound
Nessie:
Noah and I cleaned up the lab. Every time we made eye contact we laughed again. I burned the blood samples and Noah gave me the test results to take 首页 to Jacob. We hailed a taxi together and arrived at the airport. Gratefully the delays were over. But we missed our flights. I called my mom to give her my flight number and arrival time. Noah tried to get a direct flight home, but none were available. The only way he was getting 首页 was to take the flight with me to Seattle and then pick up a connecting flight back to Oregon. I didn’t mind though. We even managed to get 座位 together. Noah was nice enough to put my carry on in the overhead compartment while I took my seat. Then he plopped down 下一个 to me and tried to get comfortable. Noah’s size made it difficult for him. He was used to first class seating, but with all the delays he had to take whatever he could find which was coach. He never complained though. He just kept smiling at me. Glad I guess to see me smiling too. The plane lifted off with no further delays and we were on our way. We kept our mouths closed about the stuff at the lab. All our conversations were light hearted. Our moods were easy going. We both began to relax and just have some fun. Towards the end of the flight Noah and I were talking about family. He pulled out his wallet and showed me a picture of his family. I noticed immediately that Noah wasn’t the only one who was oversized. But he didn’t notice my expression. Noah ran his fingers over the picture naming the faces in the photograph.
“See here are my brothers Titus, Micah, Lazarus, Cain and Judah and my parents Levi and Ezra.” He said.
“Wow, 你 all have biblical name, huh?”
“Well not 由 my choice, I wish I had an easy name like Mike 或者 John 或者 something.”
“I like your name….Noah”
“Yeah it gets people’s attention. I guess that’s the running joke in my family. Why not name everyone after people in the bible linked to ominous events. Really freak people out. Like our unusual family isn’t weird enough.
“Yeah I know weird alright”
“I really don’t want to go home. My brothers really like to gang up on me. They don’t like the fact that I’m a big geeky bookworm. They are all about being the jocks. The tough guys. Every time I go 首页 it’s a nightmare. But, if I want to get some 更多 research done, I’m going to need to get some hair samples from their brushes 或者 something. I don’t think they will be willing to give me blood samples. He laughed.
“Yeah, I know what 你 mean. Jacob wasn’t too thrilled when I asked him.”
Ladies and gentleman, this is your captain speaking. Please take your seats and return your seatbacks and tray tables to their upright position as we make our final approach to Seattle where the local time is 5:00pm. Adhere to the non-smoking signs until 你 are well inside the terminal. We hope 你 have enjoyed your flight.
“So who is meeting 你 at the gate Nessie?”
“My mom.”
“Hey maybe I could meet her?”
“Yeah, sure Noah. That would be nice. 你 would like my mom, she’s cool”
“Great! I’d 爱情 to. Oh here I was going wait to give 你 this. But now is as good a time as any” He 说 and handed me a piece of paper with his address and phone number. I took it politely and hoped he wouldn’t ask for mine.
As Noah and I disembarked the plane and headed for the terminal. We were practically at the gate. I could begin to see the people waiting for the new arrivals when Noah dropped the bomb on me.
“Hey so, I’ll see 你 下一个 semester, right?” he asked
“Noah…um…I’m not coming back to Boston U.”
He stopped short causing me to do the same.
“You’re not coming back. Were 你 really not going to tell me that? Why are 你 not coming back to Boston U? Noah’s 问题 just flooded over me. I could see he was hurt 由 my intention of not telling him.
“Noah, my research is done. I’m switching majors and going to college near home-”
“I’m never going to see 你 again…am I?”
“I’m sorry Noah”
“Well in that case“ Noah grabbed me up in his massive arms and kissed me on my lips. He did it so quickly I didn’t have time to stop him. And then gently put me down and release me. I looked at him with utter shock as he smirked at me. I turned on my heels and stormed away from him through the gate with my head down. I was so embarrassed that I didn’t see Jacob until I literally walked right into his chest.
“Jacob! Where is my mom? I gasped. I was looking at him fearing he had seen Noah 吻乐队（Kiss） me. But he must have missed it because he grabbed me up and swung me around too happy to see me.
“I asked her if I could surprise you. Nessie, gosh I’ve missed 你 so much!” Jacob was all excited as he put me down. But like some sort of dark shadow looming over me I suddenly heard Noah’s voice beside us.
“Hey, 你 must be Jacob. Nessie has told me a lot about you” Noah 说 to Jacob and held his hand out. Jacob shook Noah’s and asked “ And 你 are?”
“I’m Noah Grey. Nessie and I were at Boston 大学 together this semester.” He smiled
“Well, nice to meet 你 Noah” Jacob hissed. “Excuse us, Nessie and I have to be on our way now”
“Nice to meet 你 too, Jacob. 你 both have a 安全 trip.” Noah winked at me. “Bye Nessie” and turned on his heels whistling as he walked away.
“Who’s that fruitcake?” Jacob glared at me
“Just a guy from the lab. It’s no big deal” I shook my head. “Can we just go home”
“Sure, sure” Jacob 说 and led me out to the Mustang
Jacob and I were on the highway heading back to Forks. We hadn’t 说 anything to each other. But I could tell just 由 looking at his hand gripping the steering wheel that we were thinking of the same thing. Noah Grey. I watched Jacob’s knuckles turning nearly white with the force of his grip. We were only about two exits away from Forks and just about to pass the last park and ride when Jacob suddenly veered off the highway. The Mustang’s tires were screeching as the back end of the car fishtail wildly at our sudden change in direction into the park and ride. Jacob slammed on the brakes and threw the 野马 in Park. He wildly jumped out of the door and came around the car, opened my door and pulled me out.
“Okay Nessie, spill it! What’s going on with 你 and that fruitcake Noah?!” He shouted
“Nothing is going on Jake-“
“Oh don’t give me that crap! I’m not stupid! I saw the way he was looking at you! No guy winks at a girl unless there’s something going on between them! He sneered
“Jake! There is nothing going on. Noah and I were just working in the same lab!”
“Bullshit! Stop lying to me. Is he the one you’ve been seeing this whole time.”
“Jacob Black! I’m getting really tired of these accusation!”
“Well I’m tired of being lied to!”
“I’m not lying!”
“Maybe I should go hunt down your dad have him just tell me the truth. At least he’s honest!”
“That’s it…I’ve had it Jacob. I’ve had it with you. Take me 首页 right now.”
“Fine…I’m done too.”
We traveled the rest of the way 首页 now not even looking at each other. When we pulled up to the house I jumped out of the car and ran right passed my mom who was waiting for me on the porch. I went straight to my room, slammed the door and 鸽子 onto my 床, 床上 sobbing. My mom didn’t come right away to me. I guess she was talking to Jacob. Trying to get his side of the story first. About an 小时 later after I had cried myself completely dry and calmed down I heard a knock at my door.
“Nessie, can I come in” my mother asked
“Sure, mom”
She quietly opened my door and closed it behind her as she came to sit on my 床, 床上 with me. She brushed my hair away from my face and rubbed my back softly.
“Nessie, I know Jacob can be hot tempered and judgmental sometimes…but it’s just because he loves 你 so much.
“I hate him!”
“No 你 don’t. I know 你 don’t mean that.”
“Yes I do…I’m tired of him always accusing of cheating on him. Shouldn’t he just know 由 now that I wouldn’t do that.”
“Well…honey I remember a time when Jacob used to be that way with me, before your father and I were married. Jacob thought he was madly in 爱情 with me. But the 日 你 were born…well all that changed.
“Mom, I really wasn’t doing anything with Noah. 你 believe me right?”
“Ah yes…Noah, Jacob told me about him. Do 你 want to tell me about him though?”
“Noah was just helping me in the lab mom. He’s really a good guy. He was the one who helped me find out that Jacob and I….”
“Honey…why don’t 你 just 显示 me…it may be easier for you.”
“Okay”
I knew if I showed my mom that Noah had helped me discover that Jacob and I were a perfect match, she would at least understand. And maybe she could talk to Jacob for me. It would be easier for her to make him listen. I concentrated my thoughts. Leaving out the non important details about Noah, like the 吻乐队（Kiss） he gave me, the fact he was a werewolf, 或者 anything else I didn’t want anyone to know about. When I collected my thoughts into one conclusive visual statement I placed my palm to my mother’s cheek as she closed her eyes and I let the 图片 flow. When I let go it took her a moment to come back to me. But when she did she smiled.
“I understand honey. Noah helped 你 find what 你 were searching for…and 你 have the answer now.”
“Yes, and I wouldn’t have found it with Noah’s help.”
“Don’t worry anymore honey. I can talk to Jacob. I bet any amount of money that after I talk to Jacob he will be running over here and trying to climb into 你 window begging 你 to forgive him.”
“That’s if I let him in”
“Nessie, don’t be spiteful. I raised 你 better than that. Just get some rest, Nessie. 你 have had a long day. And no 更多 worries.
“Okay, mom…good night.”
“Good night Nessie”
I tried to sleep. But my mind was flooded with the events of the 日 like my parents not being together, Jacob and me fighting, and Noah Grey. It also didn’t help me when my mom told me Jacob may come visit me during the night. 由 morning, I wasn’t feeling any better as I played with my breakfast instead of eating it while my mom darted in and out of rooms behind me humming an unknown tune. I wondered for a moment what she was doing and then there was a knock at the door.
“Oh that must be Jacob!” as she ran to the door to answer it while I sulked at my breakfast. Why was he here? I really didn’t want to talk to him.
“Hey Bella, are we all set?” He asked my mother.
Jacob and my mother entered the 厨房 where I was still sulking at my breakfast. Jacob pulled out the chair 下一个 to me and sat down with his head hanging low. He didn’t say anything at first to me. He sat quietly while I avoided looking at him as best as I could.
“Okay 你 two. Everything is all set. Bags are packed. Here are your tickets.”
“Tickets?” I 说 as my head snapped up to look at my mother with question. “What tickets?” as I now turned to Jacob.
“Your mom thinks we need to get away for awhile. 你 know…sort things out. Maybe?” Jacob whispered to me.
“Nessie. 你 and Jacob need some quality time together. I want 你 to take these tickets and go. Just have some fun with each other, for once”
“But mom…I just got here” I whined.
“I know and I’ll be here when 你 get back” she promised and gave me a wide eyed look and a slight head tilt towards Jacob. Jacob was just staring at me with 小狗 dog look in his eyes. His bottom lip slightly protruding.
“Please Ness, come away with me?” Jacob whispered
“Fine” I gave in. I knew they weren’t going to let me say No, no matter how hard I tried.
Jacob and I got up from the table. I gave my mother a hug and headed for the door. Jacob hugged my mom and they whispered for a moment, then Jacob was right behind me with two suitcases. He opened the door for me as my mom yelled “Have a good time 你 too!” Jacob opened the passenger door to the 野马 for me. I slid in as he was putting the suitcases in the trunk, then he sat in the drivers’ seat. Neither Jacob nor I 说 anything to each other as we drove to the airport. I had no idea where we were heading. When we got to the airport and were standing on line at the check in. The suspense eventually made me ask.
“So where are we going, Jacob?”
“Your mom gave us first class seats to Honolulu”
“We’re going to Hawaii!” I couldn’t help but be excited at this point.
“Yep, well actually Oahu…Its one of the smaller islands. He smiled.
When we were on the plane in the air. I eventually turned to Jacob and asked.
“So how did 你 pull this off and convince my mom to let us go to Hawaii?” I sneered
“It was her idea… not mine. Let’s not get into this now. How about we just enjoy the flight, okay?” He kept his eyes 前锋, 期待 on the seatback in front of him.
I didn’t say anything else. We kept to ourselves during the flight. We didn’t speak to each other after we landed, while we were in the taxi to the hotel, 或者 even after Jacob had checked us in at the front 台, 办公桌 of the hotel. We didn’t say anything even in the elevator up to our floor. When Jacob found the room he unlocked the door. The suite was massive, beautiful, and had every creature comfort 你 could imagine. I was spellbound as I staggered into the room. But then I noticed there was only one bed.
“So what room number are you, Jake? He was still standing in the doorway. He had put my suitcases down 由 the door.
“It depends on you?”
“What?” I asked as I spun around to look at him. “Me?”
“Yeah, it depend on whether 或者 not…Nessie, sorry just doesn’t cut it. It really doesn’t. My behavior is just completely uncalled for. I’ll understand if 你 want to be alone. I don’t blame 你 one bit for hating me right now. I could have got us killed with that stunt I pulled on the highway. I’m reckless and dangerous. But I’m also crazy in 爱情 with you.”
I knew what he meant. I knew what my mom was up to. “Jake I’m crazy in 爱情 with 你 too, and I forgive you”
He dropped his suitcase and slammed the door, crossed the room in 秒 and grabbed me up in his arms. We were finally laughing. He didn’t want to let me go, he was holding me so tightly. I loved him so much that tears welled up in my eyes. When he did release me he sniffed and I could see his eyes were wet too. We kissed each other lightly and hugged again, finally we were both happy again.
