Chapter 17

• I don't answer, keeping my eyes downcast. I can feel each and every gaze and glare on my skin and the heat of them grows with each step. Edward's secure hold and stable stride are the only things keeping me from running away from this situation.
• Finally, we reach Carlisle and my father. Instantly, my father takes my hand in his, releasing me from Edward. I try not to think about how I immediately feel colder and how a small part of me longs to be close to him again. My father squeezes my hand in comfort, giving me enough courage to I lift my eyes up from the ground. We are standing on a small platform and there must be about fifty people standing in front of us. I swallow harshly, my mouth going completely dry. My eyes fall to the people standing in the front row, and feel a little more at ease.
• Alice, Leah, Jake, Quil, Embry, Rose, and Emmett are standing front-row-and-center, and I can see several other familiar Swan faces that I had met earlier that day. I inhale shakily, forcing myself to square my shoulders and stand proud.