Summary:
Edward is afraid that if he continues his relationship with Bella that her life will be in danger. He decides to break it off, but his family doesn't want to leave Forks. They stay enrolled in Forks high school and Bella transitions better than anyone could have imagined. Could her new friend have anything to do with it? Can Edward keep his jealousy in check long enough to see his plan for Bella's safety through?
(Twilight theme by Stephanie Meyer)
BPOV
After spending the weekend in bed crying my eyes out and being in a state between consciousness and sleep I decided that I need to pick myself up. In the back of my mind I always knew that this would happen. He is just so perfect. It was a miracle I was able to be with him for this long. I need to just devote my time to school and college plans. The better I do the faster I can leave Forks and these bad memories behind.
"Bella! Bella! Get up you have a phone call!" Charlie shouted up the stairs
"Coming!" I practically scrambled out of bed. Is it Edward? Did he change his mind? "Hello?"
"Hey Izzy, happy belated birthday!"
"Tristan?" I was shocked it has been over a year since I heard from him.
"Yeah Iz, I was looking over my calendar and I could not believe I missed your birthday. Forgive me?"
"Please, it's Bella, and trust me you did not miss much this year." I shuddered as I replayed the disaster that was my birthday.
"It is the big one eight though! And you will always be my Izzy, don't try that call me Bella crap, you should know better."
"So what have you been up to Tristan? You usually are able to keep in touch better than this. No phones in New Mexico?"
"Yeah the whole state is cut off, but thank God now I am in Seattle, the land of phones"
I could practically hear the expectant smile on his face. Thinking back to all the drama of the last few days I was happy to hear that I had a close friend in the same state. If I had not been so numb I think I would have insisted on seeing him that minute.
"I will take that silence as excitement Izz. I have to go, but I want to see you in a couple weekends. I have some stuff to take care of but have Renee vouch for me with your Dad and come to see me k?"
"Yeah, I'll do that but I am not sure if he will go for it."
"I believe in you oh and take down my number. Bye Izz"
"Bye"
The next day was school. I contemplated staying in bed, but I knew that I need to get up and join the rest of the world. Plus I knew I would at least get to see him. Maybe it will be different. I got to school and I saw the shiny silver Volvo pull up. Alice and Edward got out of the car and I looked after them but, he did not so much as look up at me. I felt tears welling up in my eyes but I just took a minute to compose myself then I ran to the office. Mrs. Cope looked at me and asked what I needed. I told her I wanted to enroll in some advance classes to improve my transcript. She sent me to the counselor and after 30 mins I had a brand new schedule. Basically we moved everything around to get me into Calculus and AP Sciences. I tried to push my luck and skip Gym, but I need 4 years so I was stuck. The good news is that now I had no classes with Edward. I got through my morning classes alright and barely noticed anything but the lessons being taught. At lunch I went to the table.
"Where were you this morning?" Angela asked
"Oh, I changed my schedule around so I could switch my math and science classes. I was looking into some colleges and I thought it would improve my chances."
"Oh, that makes sense. Do you and Edward still have some classes together?"
"No, I think it is for the best though. I really need to concentrate." I tried to keep my tone light and conversational but, of course Angela is too insightful.
"Is everything ok with you two?" She looked so worried and I just could not keep my emotions reined in. I felt the tears pool in my eyes and I excused myself and hid in the bathroom.
"Bella? Please let me in …" Angela called softly though the stall door.
I came out and she grabbed me up in a big hug.
"You two broke up?"
I nodded and then she let me cry it out. I thought I had done all my crying over the weekend, but I guess I was wrong. I cleared my eyes as best as I could and we headed off to class.
EPOV
I sat in my usual seat and waited for Bella to enter. I knew I was going to have to ignore her, but I was so excited to see her. The bell rang and she was not in class. I saw her in the parking lot this morning. Did she go home? I told them this would be too difficult if we stayed. I should have insisted we go. After class I was tempted to go and find her, but I said I was going to leave her alone. Okay second period. Still no Bella.
Wow Bella is now in 3 of my classes, I wonder if she finally left that jerk Cullen. Maybe she will need a shoulder this weekend. I think there is a new comedy playing in Port Angeles she might want to watch.
Mike Newton's thoughts came spilling into my head when he thought her name. I wanted to reach over the desk and punch him. I tried to keep my emotions off my face. I blocked out all thoughts for the rest of class.
If she wanted to go out of her way to keep from seeing me I would try and make that as easy for her as possible. Alice and I didn't go to the usual table at lunch instead we opted to stay outside under a big oak. I still could see Bella's table but I don't think she could see us.
"Edward, I don't see the point in putting either you through this. You love her and look what it is doing to the two of you"
She pointed as Bella abruptly left the table. Angela threw their trays and followed after her.
"Alice, I would rather her be sad and safe than put her I danger any longer. I need to make sure she will be okay and we only have another semester before she goes to college. So just drop it ok?"
She gave me this pained look and I knew she disapproved.
_____Fast Forward (2 weeks) to Friday _____
BPOV
Mike has taken his spot next to me after each class we had together. It felt like my first weeks all over again. Today he was extra clingy though. He kept starting as if he was going to say something then just changed his mind. Finally, during P.E. I asked him,"Mike, is there something you want to talk about?"
"Well, I know that you have been feeling really low since you and – he broke up"
It looks like he caught on to the fact that I couldn't stand to hear his name which was surprisingly insightful for the usually dense Mike.
"Well, did you want to go to Port Angeles tonight or tomorrow to watch a movie? I really think being out with a friend may cheer you up."
I was quiet, I knew I needed to keep my friends if I was going to survive walking the halls with him every day, but going out on what would be considered a date with anyone is just too painful.
"I am actually spending the weekend with a friend of mine from Phoenix. I will be in Seattle all weekend."
"Oh okay" Mike said looking like I wounded him. I hated to see that disappointed look on anyone's face.
"Maybe another weekend though" I flashed him a smile and then I quickly regretted it as I saw a flash of amber eyes narrow in my peripheral. I don't know what happened but something in me just snapped. He broke my heart and now he is spying on me? I turned to where I saw his eyes and he was gone.
After class I went to the parking lot and stood by the Volvo. Alice arrived first. "Bella, how are you? I miss you so much."
"Hi Alice, I miss you too, it is just too hard right now. . . I am sorry I have been so distant. Where is Edward?"
"Bella I think you should know something . . . "
"Alice, go wait in the car!" Edward growled."What do you want Bella?'
"You left me, you broke my heart, and you have no right to spy on me. If you are so bored with me then why meddle in my life?" I began to tear up.
"You are right; if you want to date Mike Newton then you should be free to do so. Goodbye Bella"
He didn't even raise his voice. He used his cold vampire voice which made everything much worse.
He was in the car yelling at Alice as they drove away. I was so angry! I needed to get out and just forget about Edward and school. I drove home and called Tristan.
"Izzy? I am glad you called. When can I see you? "
"I need to get out of town could I stay with you this weekend?"
"Yeah of course I have an apartment right outside of campus. I'll come pick you up in like 2 hours."
"Sounds great, I have missed you so much. See you"
I called Charlie and let him know I would be gone for the weekend. At first he protested but I subtly reminded him that I am 18 and I said I didn't want to spend all weekend in my room crying so he relented and I went to pack. After 2 weeks of nightmares and non-stop zombie behavior I think a part of Charlie was glad I was making plans that did not include moping.
An hour and a half later I heard an engine roar up my street and then I flung the front door open and ran to greet Tristan. I was so excited I jumped into his arms. He scooped me up in a huge bear hug. It was just like old times back in Phoenix, before I had my heart broken, before I knew about the supernatural, before my destiny was robbed by my fragile state.
EPOV
"Alice what part of stay out of it don't you understand?!? You know why I am putting her through this."
"Then why do you care if Mike wants to watch a movie with her. Why would you care if she said yes and they dated or got married or whatever course her life will take? You love her Edward; I still see her becoming one of us."
"No, I will not do that to her."
"Well, you should at least apologize to her. Calm down then go to her and make this right. After that maybe she can try and move on."
"I will on the condition that you stay out of her future and you let me figure this out."
"Fine, but you know I am always right in the end."
I decided to go and hunt, then I ran over to Bella's. I was about to climb in through the window, but I realized that would be too familiar. I peered into the window and she was packing a bag. She really was going to a friend's for the weekend. I thought she said that to get out of plans like she had been doing for the last couple weeks. Then I heard an engine approaching . . . a 1967 GTO? In Forks? Bella heard it too and she ran downstairs. I ran to the front of the house to see who had arrived. I did not recognize him; he was a tall guy with brown hair and deep green eyes. Just then Bella flew out of the front door and jumped into his arms. He held her and gave her a quick peck on the lips. I wanted to rip her from his arms and controlling the hurt and anger that coursed through my body made me insane. Who was this guy? She said she didn't have a boyfriend back in Phoenix. Did she lie? No, she is a terrible liar. Why are they so comfortable together? The questions were swirling in my head and I had to get out of there before I did something dangerous. I ran back to the meadow and if I could cry I would have sobbed out of anger and hurt. I still loved this girl. How can I stay here and watch?
It was 3 am by the time I found the strength to go back to the house.
"Edward, what is wrong? Where have you been?" Esme took me in her arms and tried to comfort me. I felt nothing.
" I am just trying to cope with my decision. Alice insisted her life would be horrible if we left town. I am trying to stay but I can't be this close to her without being with her."
Esme tried to smooth my hair and she soothed," It will all work out Edward."
(A/N) Is this something you want me to continue? Any feedback welcome.