Thank you for all your kind wishes while I've been sick and your patience. I hope we won't disappoint. Love Jules xx
Chapter One
Bella
I'd had enough, I was sick of being treated like I was made of spun glass and needed wrapping in cotton wool. I was sick of being told what I should do, where I could go and who I could see. And as if that wasn't bad enough I had my dad on my back constantly although in a way I didn't blame him.
It had been a terrible shock to him finding me in the hospital in Phoenix and even though he had no idea how I had really received my injuries he did blame Edward and refused to have him in the house most of the time. Our times together were strictly supervised by a Charlie who made no effort to hide his animosity.
I could have coped with my dad if Edward had eased up on me but now I wasn't even allowed to visit the reservation or speak to Jake who Edward hated as much as Charlie hated him. I thought it was pure jealousy at first but it slowly became apparent there was more to it although neither would explain and as a result I was going to break off with both of them. I wanted more than two adolescent boys arguing over me and much as I loved Edward, or had. I couldn't be the person he so obviously wanted me to be.
I had already spoken to Jake who had been livid with me, shouting that I was making a big mistake and that I would regret my actions in the future. I hadn't told him I was breaking up with Edward because he would have, A) gloated which would have infuriated me more and B) expected that I would eventually end up going out with him instead. As a result of his attitude I didn't go to the reservation any more and I missed the camaraderie of the boys and the Clearwater's friendship. They asked dad if he knew why I avoided them now but of course he didn't know,...yet.
I hadn't seen Edward for a few days, the family had gone hunting as the weather was sunny which gave me time to get my thoughts together. I would miss the family, of course, going over to the house, Esme's motherly attitude and the warm welcome I received. It would be too awkward but I would still have Alice's friendship at school. The thought of a brooding bad tempered Edward sitting next to me in classes wasn't pleasant but we'd get through it. Who knows we might even find we could be friends although I wouldn't hold my breath on that score.
He came straight over when they got back, much to Charlie's disgust as he was off to work. Edward got the evil eye and a one-hour curfew before Charlie left though personally, I doubted it would be that long before Edward left, upset or angry. Once Charlie was gone he came to sit beside me on the couch so I got up and went to make coffee, suddenly nervous.
"What's the matter, Bella? You're very tense. Has Charlie been giving you a hard time? He'll come round. I know he's not my greatest fan right now but that will pass."
Realizing this was my opening I began, hesitantly at first but then gaining confidence once the words were out.
"Over? You don't want to go out with me any longer? Why? What happened Bella? Is this because of Charlie? Or is it Jake? He doesn't miss an opportunity to put the boot in where I'm concerned. I suppose you went to the reservation, I did ask you not to while I was away."
Even when I tried to explain to him that was the trouble he didn't see it or didn't want to see it maybe.
"It's for your own good Bella. I want to keep you safe that's all."
The argument went back and forth while I drank my coffee, Edward was not going to accept my decision easily so I decided I would need to be blunt.
"Listen, I'm not a child and the only time I've been in danger is when I was with you. I can't live like this Edward, being told what to do, who to see, where to go. I have my own life and I make the decisions about what I do with it, not you Edward. I can't go on like this."
He wasn't going to give up without a fight I could see this. He pointed out how much he loved me and that was the reason he worried.
"If you love me so much why did you stop me from becoming a vampire like you? We could have been together for eternity then. I think you weren't sure you loved me enough. That's why you stopped it."
He opened his mouth to object but I was through arguing, I was tired, weary, mentally as well as physically.
"Don't Edward. Whatever you say won't make any difference, I've made up my mind, it's over. Perhaps we can still be friends, though, in time."
He could see I meant it and left soon after looking both hurt and slightly angry and it occurred to me that Edward Cullen wasn't used to being thwarted and he didn't like it. Perhaps we couldn't be friends, after all, I just hoped he wouldn't see me as the enemy. Once he had gone I went upstairs and closed my bedroom window knowing I wouldn't be leaving it open any more, there was no need. Then I went for a shower, hoping it would help me to relax.
When the phone rang as I went downstairs to get a drink I wondered if it might be him, or even Carlisle if Edward had driven straight home to tell him but it was just my dad, checking I was alone, he knew I wouldn't lie to him. When I told him it was all over between Edward and I the relief in his voice was noticeable.
"Well, I won't say I'm sorry because you know I'm not but was it you who broke it off? Or him?"
I wondered if it made any difference but told him it had been me, that I wanted to concentrate on my school work and he was happier still. As I slipped into bed I wondered if I would miss Edward joining me later or if he would come tapping on my window and I was still half expecting to hear him when I fell asleep sometime later.
I was nervous as I drove myself to school the next day, worried about facing him for the first time since I'd broken it off and not looking forward to my friend's questions but his silver Volvo was nowhere in sight, neither was Rosalie's red sports car or Emmett's monster truck. Had they all stayed away because of it? Of course, Jessica, Angela, and Mike made a beeline for me seeing my old truck pull into the parking lot. I told them as succinctly as possible then said I didn't want to discuss it further although I knew they would, behind my back.
Edward's seat in classes remained empty, so he had decided to take the day off. Fair enough although no one was going to approach him with questions, even our friends still kept their distance most of the time. I was however surprised to see the Cullen table empty in the cafeteria, they were all staying out of school? That seemed a little extreme. The buzz of conversation became louder when I entered but I ignored it going to my old place on Jessica's table and eating my lunch in silence while they chattered around me.
The next few days were a repeat of the first and I began to wonder what was going on with the Cullens and then my dad broke the news when he got in from work on Friday.
"The Cullens are gone."
I looked up my fork poised halfway to my mouth,
"Gone?"
"Yep, they just up and left without a word to anyone except Carlisle. He told Geoff at the clinic that there was a family emergency and he would need a leave of absence, an indefinite leave of absence. It seems you drove them out of Forks, not that certain people are too upset at that."
I knew he meant the Quileutes, Jake, and his dad especially.
"Where did they go?"
He shrugged chewing a piece of steak before answering,
"No idea, Geoff said Carlisle didn't give him any details, just the address of the family lawyer in Seattle. Strange, though, but still probably for the best where you're concerned."
It was strange to think I would never see the family again, never laugh with Emmett or be dragged around clothing stores by Alice. I would miss them but if they had run away from Forks just because I broke up with Edward then they didn't care much about me, not so much as a goodbye, they just disappeared from my life and Forks as if they had never existed.
