After the "forever"

1. Different

"Now remember: Your friends are picking you up tomorrow morning," I said, "I'll set your alarm for 6 o'clock. I won't be home so you have to make your own breakfast."

Renéesme's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"You can't hunt," I explained, rolling my eyes.

Renéesme pouted. "Why not? The deer in our backyard are excellent. I even caught a grizzly bear once-"

I touched my cold fingers to her lips. She relaxed a little and looked down. I smiled.

"We've practiced this several times, Nessie," I said slowly, "Your little friends will get scared if they see you sucking the blood out of an animal. Just eat some regular human food tomorrow, okay?"

Renéesme sighed and nodded.

"Good." I pulled her covers up and settled them on top of her. I smoothed her bronze hair with my pale fingers before turning off the light. I was about to leave when I heard her whisper, "Mommy?"

I turned around. "Yes?"

"When will I see Daddy again?" she asked.

I inhaled unnecessarily. It always saddened me when she asked me about her father. We would never see him or that little town again. Never.

"I don't know, sweetie." I shut the door behind me.

I crept down the stairs silently. The new cabin we lived in was eerily silent, even for a vampire. Sure, I could here the owls and small critters outside the house but other than that, all was still.

I entered the kitchen and opened up my laptop that lay on the counter. I clicked on Internet Browser and searched for the new school that I would be teaching at: Bruno de Hezeta Middle School (BHMS). I would be teaching an English class.

Before I divorced Edward, I had decided to learn how to become a schoolteacher. I'd always wanted to teach, since I was a little human girl. I got the opportunity to work with kids a couple of years older than Renéesme and teach them how to be successful in life. I got my credential quickly (vampires know basically everything) and I started looking for a teacher vacancy at local schools. I started substitute teaching at some of the schools in Forks and in adjacent cities.

For a while, I really enjoyed being with Edward. He was the love of my life, my heart's desire, my trophy of immortality- I could go on and on and write a beautifully written romantic poem. Then one day, while I was hunting with him and Reneesme, I asked myself: "Why do I love him?" It took a long time for me to find the answer to this rather rhetorical question. After spending a week of examining my behavior around him and spending time with him constantly, I discovered my subtle dilemma. I only loved Edward because he was handsome, gorgeous, and had a heart-breaking smile. Was this love? Or was this just admiration? No one loves just because of looks. They love because of how the couple bond and what they like about their personalities. I only loved Edward's body and beautiful face. This was not true love.

I eventually started to lose interest in spending time with Edward and hung out with Alice most of the time. When Edward would lean in for a kiss and I would turn away, he would get angry, asking why I wouldn't kiss him. I never told him the real reason and made up lame excuses. I was always the only one to pick Renéesme from school and take her to play dates. I told Edward not to come.

After a while, Edward started to get obsessive about me. Wherever I went, he would go to. He would stalk Renéesme at school and followed us on our way home. I would never leave his sight and I could never talk about anything privately with Alice.

I wanted to leave. I was wasting my abilities and talents for this guy who I didn't even love. He loved me, but I don't know why. It was still a mystery to me. I could be a strong, independent vampire who didn't need a husband to enjoy my immortal life. No. All I needed was my daughter, Renéesme. I felt bad for taking full custody over her and catching a plane to Annette, Alaska after the divorce papers were signed. Edward was reluctant, of course, but he wanted me to be happy. (I hope). I just wanted a peaceful life with my daughter and without the painful debates that went on inside my head.

As I scanned the website, I found the events that were coming up at the school and my name on the list of teachers. It said, Ms. Isabella Cullen- 7th grade English teacher. I hoped Edward wouldn't randomly go on this school website and find my name. Then he would know where I live… Not good.

I hoped the teachers wouldn't find me too different. I was, after all, going to be nineteen years old for the rest of my life. I probably wouldn't look like a real educated adult, more like a model. When I took the tour of the school, I saw that most of the teachers were middle aged and did not come right out of college (like me). I didn't get the opportunity to introduce myself to them because the principal just kept gawking at me and stuttering every sentence. I didn't learn much evidently.

The phone started ringing. I went over to my purse by the TV and got my cell phone. Jacob was calling. I could trust him.

"Hi, Jacob."

"Hi, Bella. How are you doing?" asked Jacob.

"I guess I'm fine. Tomorrow I start my new job."

"A new job? Interesting. So, where have you been? You just left that day and I never saw you again. What happened?"

I sighed in the phone. "It's a long story. But before I tell you anything, just know that I trust you more than anything in the world right now."

"I know," he said.

I hesitated. "I live in Annette, Alaska. I have Renéesme with me and I'm getting a teaching job here."

"Wow. You've gone far."

I laughed. "I know you really love Renéesme and you're her best friend. You can come here any time."

"Thanks, Bella." I could tell he was smiling.

"Alright. I'll have to get ready for my lesson tomorrow. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye."

I clicked the phone off and collected the binders I needed for my first lesson.