CHAPTER 43

NELLY

I stare at my best friend's face in disbelief, my eyes blink, and a few tears come down. By the time I thought it was too late, my feet had carried me to the outside of the restaurant. I stopped in front of Alice and pulled my best friend's arm, leading her away from Edward. The expression on her face was the same as mine, disbelief and dread.

''Nelly.'' My name came out like an uncertain whisper from his mouth, and I couldn't stop blinking. This can only be a dream.

"You're here..." I mean, still incredulous. "How are you here? How did I not know you were coming back?" The flurry of questions, picking up a loose strand of her hair and assessing the new hue. Platinum blonde, almost as white as your skin.

"I can explain, it's not what it seems." My eyes returned to Edward at the same moment, realizing that his attention is also focused on me. I look back at Alice, expecting a logical explanation for the scene that I had come to believe there was one.

"How did this happen? I