Сумерки

           IstayedwhereIwas,waitingfortheirritationandanxietytosubside.Whenthetensioneventuallyfadedabit,Iheadedupstairstochangeoutofmydressyclothes.

           Itriedonacoupleofdifferenttops,notsurewhattoexpecttonight.AsIconcentratedonwhatwascoming,whathadjustpassedbecameinsignificant.NowthatIwasremovedfromJasper’sandEdward’sinfluence,Ibegantomakeupfornotbeingterrifiedbefore.Igaveupquicklyonchoosinganoutfit-throwingonanoldflannelshirtandjeans-knowingIwouldbeinmyraincoatallnightanyway.

           ThephonerangandIsprinteddownstairstogetit.TherewasonlyonevoiceIwantedtohear;anythingelsewouldbeadisappointment.ButIknewthatifhewantedtotalktome,he’dprobablyjustmaterializeinmyroom.

           "Hello?"Iasked,breathless.

           "Bella?It’sme,"Jessicasaid.

           "Oh,hey,Jess."Iscrambledforamomenttocomebackdowntoreality.ItfeltlikemonthsratherthandayssinceI’dspokentoJess."Howwasthedance?"

           "Itwassomuchfun!"Jessicagushed.Needingnomoreinvitationthanthat,shelaunchedintoaminute-by-minuteaccountofthepreviousnight.Immm’dandahh’dattherightplaces,butitwasn’teasytoconcentrate.Jessica,Mike,thedance,theschool-theyallseemedstrangelyirrelevantatthemoment.Myeyeskeptflashingtothewindow,tryingtojudgethedegreeoflightbehindtheheavyclouds.

           "DidyouhearwhatIsaid,Bella?"Jessasked,irritated.

           "I’msorry,what?"

           "Isaid,Mikekissedme!Canyoubelieveit?"

           "That’swonderful,Jess,"Isaid.