A/N: I thought this story through a few years back but never got down to writing it. It popped back to my mind a few days ago and I knew I needed to finally bring it to life to be read.

I'm not bailing on 180º, I just haven't written anything in a while and thought I had to take advantage of my sudden inspiration to get back on track. And like I said, it will be updated in January. :)

This story comes with a soundtrack, music that brings images to my head and helps me write this story. First one up is the one in the title, How to Save a Life by The Fray.

See you on the other side!

Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer own all of Twilight. Sadly, that includes Edward *sigh*.

"Morning, sleepyhead!"

"Edward, it's 2 am."

I had woken up to the sound of the phone ringing, ignoring it at first in the hopes that it would stop and I could go back to my much needed rest. No such thing happened. I chanced a look at the alarm clock before taking my arm from under the covers to pick it up. My hello was barely audible in my groggy state, but the charming voice on the other end didn't seem to mind either way. I cringed at the loud excitement not suitable for this time at night on a week day and complained in a sleepy voice.

"It's time to wake up somewhere in the world," he replied very cheerfully causing a light smile to appear on my lips. He had that effect on me, always being able to put me in a good mood.

"But that somewhere in the world is not Boston. Is everything okay?"

"Yes, perfect, actually. I'm coming over," I could sense he was smiling too.

"Over where?" I said, confused.

I heard a chuckle at the end of the line. "Over to you. I should be there in a few hours."

"Not that I'm not pleased to have you visit, but why the sudden urge to drive up here in the middle of the night?"

"I need to talk to you about something. I need to see you." He sounded urgent and excited.

"And it couldn't wait till morning?" I smiled once again at his eagerness.

He had always been like this, not thinking too much about the proper time or place, just being spontaneous and going after what he wanted. That's how he got his job in New York, he decided he needed to move there to get it and showed up, bags in his hands, right at the theatre company he wanted to work for, and told them he was their new piano player. They were shocked by his confidence, and after hearing him play there was no doubt in their minds he was the person they needed, even though they weren't hiring at the moment.

"Well, it kind of has to as I won't make it there before the sun rises, but I wanted to give you fair warning. See you soon, Bella. Sweet dreams."

"Goodnight, Edward." With that I hang up and settled back to sleep with a smile in my face. I hadn't seen Edward in a couple of months and I missed him. He was my best friend and although we didn't live that far from each other, between work and other responsibilities it had been more difficult to visit lately. The thought of Edward's smile was the last thing on my mind before I dozed off.

A couple of hours later the phone rang again, my good mood from earlier vanished as I woke up for the second time that night.

"Edward, I swear to God, I will kill you with my bare hands when you get here."

"Bella?" A soft and painfully sad voice replied on the other end. I shot up in bed immediately, sitting upright against the headboard. Something was wrong, and right then and there, I knew.

"Alice, what's wrong?" My heart started racing anticipating her words.

"It's Edward…" I could sense the tears she was crying. "He, he… there was an accident. And… He, he's dead, Bella. He's dead!"

I couldn't breathe, my eyes instantly watering while I heard staggered breathing and sobs over the phone. It couldn't be, no, not Edward. Tears ran down my face for what felt like hours. I didn't know what to say. I don't think there was anything I could say. Once she calmed down, Alice explained that Edward's car had been hit head on by a track on the highway, he had passed instantly. She had already been over to recognize the body. Oh, Alice, no! I could picture my friend's sweet face looking over her brother's lifeless body and the already present aching in my heart got worse. No one should have to go through that.

The body would be transported back to Forks where the whole family would meet. I told Alice I loved her before releasing the phone and, before I knew it, I was packing. By 6 am my bags were done, my plane ticket booked. I called my office from the airport and said there had been a death in the family and I would be away for at least a few days. It wasn't a lie, for the past decade they had been my family, my unconditionally loving family. And now I had lost one of them.

I finally broke down entirely in the airport bathroom minutes before boarding the plane. I was thankful no one was around as I started breathing heavily, shaking with incontrollable sobs, refusing to come to terms with this reality.

Once in the plane, I started thinking back to when we met, to those happy days we shared together as teenagers never thinking, never knowing that this day would come much too soon.

10 years ago

I had been 17 when I moved back to Forks, well, moved back may be stretching it a little. My parents had met 18 years ago, falling madly in love and hastily getting married 3 months later. My mother still gives me the creeps with the story about how I was conceived on their wedding night, trying to sound all romantic. The marriage didn't last long, but it wasn't one of those ugly divorces full of fights and pain. They were just too different and they realized it a little too late. I was one when my mother moved us to Arizona, so I didn't really spend that much time living in Forks. I did spend every summer there with my dad after the divorce and, when my mother remarried and decided to travel the world with her new husband, Phil, I decided moving in with Charlie was the right thing to do. My mother tried to convince me we could make it work, I could travel with them and be homeschooled. But I was stubborn and knew my mother and Phil deserved to have some time to themselves.

I didn't particularly like the town with its depressing weather, but I didn't have any real friends back in Phoenix I would actually miss, so it wasn't that difficult of a move. Charlie was happy about my decision, although he did question my judgment.

I arrived a month after classes had started. I already dreaded the first day of school, not to mention somewhere completely new where all eyes would be on me, the daughter of the Chief of Police, so adding the fact that I was coming in late in the semester just made matters all the more unsettling.

Dad dropped me off in his cruiser to add to my dread. I really needed to get my own car. I could feel all stares on me when I exited the car after Charlie wished me a good first day. I started walking towards the school doors and, once Charlie drove off, this petite pixie-like girl, with short black hair, blue eyes and a huge grin plastered on her face, suddenly appeared in front of me, obstructing my path.

"Hi, I'm Alice. I'm your new best friend," she said without hesitation.

I just blinked and stared, not understanding what was going on in the slightest.

Before I knew it she was holding my hand and dragging me away to a group of four people who were standing next to a silver Volvo and somehow new it would be futile to fight her.

When we finally stopped she spoke again directing her words to the group of people in front of us before turning again back to me. "Guys, this is Bella. Bella, this is my Jasper." A thin but muscular brown headed boy with deep blue eyes stepped forward to shake my hand that had finally been released from Alice's grip. I uttered a shy "Hello", still not sure what exactly was going on when he said: "You'll have to excuse Alice, she gets a little carried away sometimes when she's overly excited about something. But I assure you she's harmless," his soft smiled calmed me somewhat before he added an "Almost" with a light chuckle.

"Enough from you, Jas," Alice shoved him off to move on to the next person. "This is Rosalie." I was suddenly facing a blonde goddess with perfect curves and light green eyes. I think my eyes might have bulged out of my head a little as I shook her hand, slightly intimidated by her. Her unexpected sweet smile as she greeted me eased my eyes back to normal.

"And this is my brother Emmett." I was now looking at the most humongous human being I had been this close to, all pure muscle towering over me. If it wasn't for his playful smile and cute dimples I would have run across the parking lot shouting for help and looking for cover.

"Hey, newbie," he said winking causing Rosalie to elbow him in the ribs. Got it, off limits.

"And finally, my annoying brother, Edward." I diverted my gaze once again to find two deep green eyes looking back at me. As I shook his hand I knew that I would never forget this beautiful bronze haired boy. And as we all made our way into the building, I knew I was stuck with this bunch for life. And that thought brought the widest smile to my face.

A/N: So… what did you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts, good, bad, in between.

I know most people expect a Twilight story with a happy "Edward and Bella fall madly in love" ending (I know I do, hehe) and this is not exactly it. It will have its up and downs and to me the ending will not be sad one, but there are no vampires to save the day and bring Edward back to life. I still hope you are able to enjoy reading it as much as I enjoy writing it.

I'm hoping to be able to update ever two weeks (Ideally it would be weekly but I don't think school and work will allow, although you never know…).

Write you again soon! ;)