A/N Because I can never have enough... just a little story about Bella & Edward and what his leaving causes. I don't particularly like it as much as I liked writing Addiction, but since my writing seems to be a little weaker as of late, I don't want to ruin that story by writing something horrible for it. I do need to be writing, however, so hopefully this will suffice until I get back in the swing of things. Remember: reviews make me update.

Confusing POV's:

CPOV = Carlisle

CHPOV = Charlie

EPOV = Edward

EMPOV = Emmet

JPOV = Jacob

JAPOV = Jasper

the rest you should be able to figure out!

Song For This Chapter: My Love - Sia

Review my lovelies! xoxo

BPOV

Class was boring, as usual. English had never been my strong point; I liked reading, not writing. When it came to writing, I was… less than enthusiastic. Mostly because I was insecure about it, sure- when you valued something so much, you usually opt not to attempt it, so as not to make a complete fool of yourself. Not to mention the shame of potential failure.

"Miss Swan, what about you? What are your views on Romeo's contribution to the plot?" I was interrupted from my reverie by Mr. Berty, who was gazing at me with inquisitive eyes. I looked down at my seat as I muttered something about him playing a crucial part and forming Juliet's whole character, hoping he'd just leave it at that. Of course he didn't.

"Would you care to elaborate? Perhaps you'd like to read a paragraph of the essay you wrote? I thought it was quite well done," he finished, and I cursed silently under my breath. No, I would not like to read a paragraph from that hideous essay. "Miss Swan," he pressed. I flicked the rubber band at my wrist, needing at least some relief to go along with this torture. I swallowed loudly before I answered.

"Sure, Mr. Berty," I said. With grudging reluctance I picked up the paper from my desk, as we had just been given time to do a few short revisions before resuming the discussion. I tried not to think about what I was doing as I spoke, reading the section I'd written about Romeo towards the bottom half of the page.

"Romeo created Juliet. Before his glorious presence intruded upon her monotonous life, she barely acknowledged the possibilities that lay in front of her. She accepted her life the way it was, not the way it could be."

"Enter Romeo, a man who turns her dreaming into something palpable. His undying affection morphed the girl in her heart to someone worthy of his love. Her loyalty to him and to their love could well be the truest part of the story, though it inexplicably led to her demise; for everyone knows that Romeo and Juliet died. They killed themselves with the understanding that the other was dead, and because of this, many view the play as a tragedy."

"Let it not be forgotten, however, that it was not without meaning. Their deaths brought about the end of an era of trigger-ready fighters and a public with closed ears. The truce made should represent the story as something beautiful rather than tragic. For simply put, it's a tale of sacrifices necessary for producing what is good, and what must be. It's not a love story; it's a hate story. A story of ending hate," I finished lamely, glancing up to make sure he'd let me go now. The paragraph had made me oddly emotional, and I tried desperately not to think about why.

He nodded, said something like 'very good,' and went back to teaching. It was rare for teachers to give me much attention, every since then they pretty much gave me my space, but Mr. Berty never seemed to have boarded that train. Another reason I hated English class.

The bell couldn't ring soon enough.

As soon as I was out, Jess was instantly blabbering at my side, seemingly uncaring to my silence as per usual. "-And it's just like, why bother, you know? I mean homecoming has always been lame, and like, why would the fact that Mike might be going with that blond girl bother me? That boy needs to just get over himself, right…" I tuned her out after I got a feel as to what she was talking about, not quite riveted by her boy problems. I focused on my next class instead, which was: one without Edward, my subconscious supplied. I snapped the rubber band again. That hadn't been what I meant. Still hurt.

"So you're not going, right? I mean, after all that happened- I still can't believe they just like, picked up and left. Whatever, they were all really weird. Like what was up with that pixie girl, anyway? She like-"

"There's nothing wrong with Alice!" I defended, the words out of my mouth before I could stop them. Jessica and I both stopped dead in our tracks, surprised by my outburst. I rarely ever spoke these days. "Sorry," I rushed, "What I meant to say was…you shouldn't judge people so harshly, Jess. And I think Mike was only going with Natasha because he wanted to make you jealous," I lied. Better to distract her than continue with the subject at hand.

"Oh my God, do you really think so? I knew it all along though, you know, he's always been…" I sighed internally. High school could be so boring some days.

EPOV

I was not going to call Bella. I was not going to call Bella. I was not going to…run back to Forks and take her in my arms and- get a hold of yourself, I commanded. I wondered, for the thousandth time, what she was thinking of right now. Maybe I could just call Alice and… No! I couldn't do anything of the sort, I'd promised. I'd sworn to her that it would be like I never existed, and if I didn't exist, I certainly wouldn't know what she was doing right now. Or tomorrow. Or… no.

I couldn't; I just couldn't. For her sake, I reminded myself. For her happy, normal human life's sake.

… But if I wasn't considered dead yet, then it was killing me not to.

BPOV

I'd made it to lunch, if just barely. The worst time of the day- no Cullen's to sit with. Normally I'd man their table alone, or drudgingly endure the company of my old friends, but today I couldn't do any of it. Plus that would mean eating, and my appetite was zero to none at the moment. Ugh.

I hurried to the library, burying myself in the comfort of the silence it brought along with it. Our librarians were especially strict, meaning there was 'Absolutely no talking in the library, Mrs. Swan.' Just what I needed, I was so sick of bitchy teenage girls and homecoming and dances and dating and boys and life.

I was dangerously aware that I was getting close to a very bad place, but I shrugged off the feeling as it came. I wouldn't kill myself, that much I knew. I couldn't hurt Charlie or Renee like that, I just couldn't. I chuckled humorlessly; didn't mean I wouldn't cut, that's for sure.

When I decided it was an acceptable time to venture outside, I picked up my books and left my dim sanctuary in favor of my truck, the one place no one would find me... Even on the rare occasion someone decided to look.

Blood flowed from my arm, and I watched it expressionlessly. This was normal; not something I found much relief in anymore- just a habit, something to do. I was knelt over the front seat, patting the wound with a tissue in order to blot it. I didn't exactly want to, but class would be starting soon, and so far I'd been able to keep this to myself…something I intended to continue. I ran my good hand through my hair, taking a huge breath.

I didn't want to think about him, or them, or any of their names. Alice. The name inadvertently popped into my head, and I jerked back automatically; but there is no escaping your own mind. A fact I'd grown very close to in the past few months…too close for my liking. I miss you. I took another shuddering breath, trying to focus on anything that could distract me. By now the cut had stopped bleeding, much to my displeasure…there was something just- calming, about watching blood flow. It no longer grossed me out like it used to, but reminded me of something precious. Like I was doing something. Like I wasn't so completely and god forsakenly alone.

I didn't realize I was crying until I felt tears fall down from my eyes, but it was just an inconvenience, not much of a worry. I let them continue, as time somehow passed.

I hopped out of my truck in a hurry to get to class, sending flakes of rust flying in every which way when I slammed the door. I was going so fast that I almost didn't notice the beautiful creature sitting on the hood. Almost.

I stared, treasuring every minute of his impeccable beauty that I was able to experience. I knew this was just some freaky hallucination, it'd happened before a few times…whenever I did something dangerous or 'reckless,' as he put it. I don't think cutting myself is that reckless, Edward. Not when a vampire isn't around. A sour expression crossed my face as I thought this, but I tried to ignore it, as he was fading.

As soon as his figure disappeared in all its bronze-haired glory, the hole in my chest seemed to rip back open with a scream. I gasped as the pain overtook me, sending me nearly to my knees. But I had to get going, I reminded myself. Class. Screw class. For your grades. I made all A's. A normal human life. My expression turned bitter. That, Edward had given me; he'd made sure of it.

EPOV

My cell phone was ringing of the hook, but I ignored it. Was it not possible for my family to give me at least a little space? Surely they knew how hard this must be. Bella was the love of my existence, my one true mate. I'd read their paired minds before we left; none of them could imagine leaving the other. I reluctantly reached for the tiny silver phone, impatience the main sentiment in my action. I screened the number, an angry hiss leaving my lips as I saw my sisters' name pop up. I answered nonetheless.

"What is it, Alice?" I demanded. I hated talking to them since… then, and Alice was the worst to deal with. She would never be happy with my decision, she was always trying to give me a reason to go back. As if I needed more than I had on my own. Jesus.

"Just hear me out, Edward, please," she begged, and I sighed. I could never refuse pleading. Especially Bel- "She's not coping, Edward. It's nothing like you wanted it to be. She-"

"Stop reading into her future, then! You promised that you wouldn't intrude, Alice- I highly doubt foreseeing what she's going to be wearing each day is staying out of it," I was angry with her; sure I didn't think Bella would pick right back up to the point before we complicated everything in her life, but given time, she'd adjust. She's only human, that wicked voice in my head reminded. Human's memories fade.

"Edward, could you stop being an ass for like one second! I'm perfectly aware of the terms of our agreement, and besides, I already told you it's not like I can exactly control what I see! They just pop up, and Edward she's-" Alice paused then, and I unconsciously realized that I was holding my breath. She's what? What was she doing that was so important Alice would feel the need to disrupt me from my desolation? Don't listen to her, I told myself. It didn't matter what my Bella was doing that disturbed Alice; she would stop eventually, it was the way of her kind.

"Cu-" I hung up the phone before I could hear, instantly regretting it the second I did. 'cu-' what? I mentally ran down a list of words that began with those two letters, but decided on nothing. I would call her back. I would call Alice back and apologize and- crack.

Oh. I looked down at my hands to see that the sane part of me had smashed the phone into dust, preventing me from calling her back. A smile lit up my face as I surmised that I had more self-control than I thought. No, whatever Bella was doing would be fine. As long as she was safe it was okay.

The hideous, defensive monster within me seemed to wake up after months of hibernating at my last thought. What if…what if she wasn't safe? What if Alice was calling to warn me or-

I didn't get the chance to dwell on it, because before I realized what I was doing, I was sprinting at vampire speed back to Denali, where the majority of my family was staying. No, I wouldn't go back to Bella, I decided. Not yet... Great, just what I needed; to be even closer to where she was, to the proximity of her illustrious appeal. I would just go to Alice, hear the rest of what she had to say in person. No harm there, right?

I realized that a terrible part of me was nearly praying that she needed me, that there would be some form of danger to bring me back to her. Because I was absolutely desperate to get back to my angel, regardless of all the consequences that would ensue.

So much for improved self-control.