A/N: Hey! This is my first fic, and I'm open to criticism (I welcome it) and suggestions on how to improve my story, but enough about me, let's get to the painful part _

Prologue: Jasper

People say a lot about love. I try to ignore it. I've had some bad luck dealing with it. I know nobody thinks it easy, but being an immortal usually has that perk. Once you find a mate, well there's no going back. I thought I had found that with Alice when she found me. Well, like everything else in my life, that ended badly. My human life was cut short by Maria, my army life gave me scars that I can never live down, life with the Cullen's was the most forgiving time of my life, and that damn human ended that for me. Bella. She may as well have ended my life for a second time. She caused us nothing but trouble, with James, then the party, then golden boy Eddie making us up and leave. For making MY Alice leave me! Bella pulled everyone to her, she was their world. And that is something I will never understand. I could hear Peter approaching me, probably to yell at me some more.

"You know they say 'When you are in Love you can't fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams.'"

I glared at him. "Who says this and why are you repeating it?" At this he laughed.

"Well I would love to be able to say that I said it, but that quote (so I hear) is from the genius Dr. Seuss." Wow. Really? Why does this not surprise me? If this is another one of his cryptic puzzles that will "help me" I'm gonna kill him. "Just skip to the annoying lecture already," I warned. I knew he didn't want to tell me anything, just infuriate me more.

"Actually, today's lecture has nothing to do with that quote, I just wanted you to keep it in mind. For today we will be learning how to pack a suitcase and get our ass out of our brother's house. K, you try it." Was he serious? I have nowhere else I want to go. I can't go back to the Cullen's who were now in Denali, I have no use in any of the other Cullen homes, and I have no other friends…

"I know what you're thinking, but you can't stay here. There is no life for you with us. So you'd better get your ass out of here and find another sorry couple to live with. And no, I don't think you should go back to the Cullen's, and no, you should abso-fuckin-lutely not go back to Alice. I don't know where you should go, but get the hell out of here." Is he out of his mind? "I know what you're thinking, I'm not crazy. But I will be until you go. Here," he handed me my suitcase, apparently he really wanted me gone, "I know you have no plans, but I don't care. Get a job or go to school, those losers liked to promote that right? Well do that!" He walked over to me and put his hand on my shoulder, "Charlotte sends her love, I'll miss you, call when you're settled, bye, go!" And with that, he ran away. What the fuck was that all about? Well, I guess I'll have to figure something out now. School would work, but do I really want to go back? Back to people? It's true that with Peter and Charlotte I had kept up my diet of animal blood. I guess I'll just travel a while until either something comes up, or they let me back here. _

Prologue: Bella

I've been a wreck ever since they left. It's brought me nothing but trouble. Sure, I have a steady job, a good education, and great friends… but it's not the same. I know I have a great life, but it's not complete. Most people would slap me for saying this. But they don't know, can't know the pain I've felt and still feel every day. My best friends, Kate and Dani are the closest it comes to understanding. I met them in community college and they have been my life preserver ever since. Without them, well heck, I'd probably have killed myself. I have no one else anyway. My old best friend, Jake imprinted and I didn't want to get in the way of that. My mom doesn't call or e-mail me enough to show that she cares and Charlie… Well Charlie died of a heart attack over a year ago. It's killed me ever since. I haven't heard a word from them and I have a feeling I never will.

So, now I'm traveling abroad with Kate, Dani, and Dani's brothers Mark and Kevin. I know, me, out and about. Well, that's what best friends will do to you. Besides, I didn't have much of a choice, I live with them and they moved and I really didn't want to find a new place. It's not costing me anything because Dani's parents are rich and funding this trip thinking that her and her brothers are looking at schools. Yeah right. Mark finished college and Kev is in college, and Dani doesn't plan on going back to college anytime soon. If there's a beach, a sun, and boys, Dani's there. Kate is like me; she's finished school already and is in it for the trip. Of course, the circumstances are a little different. But, hey… I have a degree in English Literature and am hoping to become a teacher when this little excursion blows over. And I know it will. Dani is never one to stay in the same place (in this case country) for long. I wouldn't mind staying in one spot forever. Well, not forever because someone forbade that.

The *cringe* Cullens. I hope to never have to hear or see one of them ever again. They ruined my life. I shouldn't say that… he did. He up and left! Although the others could have had the decency to at least say goodbye to me, especially Alice. She was my best friend and kept me completely in the dark. Even Carlisle and Esme, who were (practically) my parents. And my brother, Emmett. The only ones I didn't expect were Rosalie and Jasper. Rosalie hated me and I accepted that. She wouldn't have said goodbye to me if he had asked her to. And Jasper… I didn't expect him to interact with me at all. I wouldn't be surprised if he hated me too, he had every right. If it was anyone's fault that night, the night of my party, it's mine. I ruined his life and I know that. I just wish I could have said I was sorry to him, though I don't think I'd survive long under his heavy glare.

So, here I am in destination number three: Spain. Just then, as if reading my mind Kate said, "Well, here we are… Spain! Isn't this wonderful? There's so much culture we can learn about here, right Iz?" I neglected to respond. That's one of the things I love about this girl. She doesn't call me Bella or Isabella. She knows I hate that. I told her that this trip is about renewal. Forgetting that those damn vampires ever existed! Well, I didn't tell her that part.

"Izzy, what's wrong? And don't tell me nothing, you got your heart on your sleeve!" Of course I do. Always! *smacks forehead*.

"Nothing KT, forget about it. So, where to?" Thankfully Dani stepped in.

"Well, we're headed to the beach house and then we'll go shopping and…" Every one of us, save Dani, visibly shuddered at this. KT can get me out of this; she knows I want nothing to do with shopping ever again if I can help it. Oh well, I may as well get used to it. Even Kate wants to shop, she loves the culture. Thank God there's boys on this trip…