Chapter 1: Visitor

A/N: This all takes place after Edward leaves in New Moon.

I laid there, motionless, on my bed listening to Evanescence on my CD player. I sang along silently in my head.

I'm so tired of being here.

Suppressed by all my childish fears.

But if you have to leave,

I wish that you would just leave.

At first, I thought the song went well compared to my life at the moment. But then, I realized it didn't. I didn't want him to leave. He was my stronghold, my safe haven. But he did leave, in the forest. I began to cry again, like I had been for the past few months. I had been trying to act normal around Charlie and my friends, but it didn't matter what I did in my own time. As the tears ran down my face, I could feel the frantic slumber approaching. Again.

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I woke up early the next morning and cooked breakfast for Charlie and myself. We didn't talk anymore. Well, to be honest, we hadn't ever really talked during the time that I've lived here. We both kept to ourselves, so it surprised me when he spoke up.

"Morning, Bells. Mmm…smells good." This was not like him at all.

"What's up with you?"

"Nothing has to be 'up' to be in a good mood. I'm sorry that I'm not Little Miss Mopey today," he snapped, but realizing the harshness of his words, he began to apologize. "Bella…I'm sorry, but it's hard trying to be happy and cheerful when I can tell you're in so much pain. Do you want to talk about it?" He sounded genuinely concerned.

It had been three months, and he was bringing this up now? "No. I don't want to talk about anything. Enjoy your breakfast. I'm going for a walk."

He nodded and let me leave. I knew he meant well, but he frustrated me sometimes to the point of no return.

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I headed into the woods near my home. Those woods. I came here to think a lot lately. It hurt so much, but helped me concentrate on trying to make this more bearable. I remember when Sam Uley found me. It sent shivers down my spine at the thought of it, and I had to get up from the log I had sat down on and leave. I rarely thought about his russet-colored skin I saw when I first awoke, but when I did, it made me feel uneasy, like he had something to hide. A secret that he was keeping locked up in a safe. And when I thought of him, I thought of Jacob Black. I ran from the woods at full speed and hopped into my truck. I started the engine up, and it alerted Charlie. He came to the door and yelled, "Where are going?!"

I yelled back over the roar of the engine. "I'm going to Jacob's house. You know, Billy Black's son?"

His face lit up with excitement of me actually doing something outside of the house. To be honest, I was shocked too. He nodded and waved, which I took as my signal to pull out of the driveway.

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I arrived at Jacob's about 20 minutes later. I didn't actually know where he lived, but when I saw him in a shabby garage near a house and figured it was his place. He was very tall, and his hair was cut short. I had told him I liked it better that way. He was very muscular and did not look sixteen at all.

"Hey, Bells." He waved me over after I got out of the truck.

"Hey," I said solemnly.

"Thinking about him again?" I had only been over here maybe twice, yet he knew me so well. I nodded, and he patted the spot beside him. He knew that the Cullens were vampires, so it was very easy to talk to him about how he left.

"Bella, he left months ago. You need to stop thinking about it. There will be other guys."

"Yeah…you. You're so nice to me. Everyone else looks at me like a depressed, soulless, object. You actually talk to me. You don't seem to mind," I said shyly. "But you are only sixteen, and I think of you as my friend."

"Well, we can always change the friend part."

"What?" I asked, shocked.

"Well, I know we've only talked a few times, but I feel like I know you." He barely got out the last word as he bent over to kiss me sweetly on the lips. I pulled away quickly.

"Jacob! What are you doing?!"

"I'm sorry…I just wanted to know what it was like…I like you, Bells. A lot."

"I shouldn't have snapped like that. I apologize. You could've asked at least."

"You wouldn't have let me…" he trailed off.

"No, probably not. But since you said it like that…" I looked up at him, grabbed his face in my hands and kissed him. He kissed me back, neither of us letting go until we needed breath.

"That…that was amazing…" Jacob said, out of breath.

"Yeah…well, I guess I should be going," I replied, getting up from my spot on the cold floor.

"No way! You can't just kiss and run!" He yelled, pulling me back down and tickling me. I laughed until I cried, and he finally stopped.

"Th-thanks. I-I needed to l-laugh," I said stuttering, breathing embarrassingly loud.

"Do you…um…what to be my…uh…girlfriend?" He said, shyly.

"One kiss and you expect me to go out with you?!" I said harshly.

"I'm sorry…um…I guess you should leave. It's getting late." I clearl hurt his feelings.

"I didn't say I didn't want to be." His face lit up.

"Do you want me to drive you home?"

"How will you get back?" I asked, confused.

"I'll bring your truck back here and pick you up tomorrow to go somewhere?" He said it more like a question.

"Sure." We got into the truck and headed to Charlie's.

"I really do like you, Bells."

"I know," I replied, smiling brightly. Maybe this is what I needed.

The drive home was quiet. We held hands, and he squeezed mine every once in a while, making me smile and blush. I went into my room after I said goodbye to Jacob, and got into my warm bed. I could actually say that because Edward's cold skin wasn't held up against me anymore. But for the first time since he left, I didn't cry at the thought of him. And for the first time since he left, I had peaceful dreams.

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I woke up the next day, cheerful. I went downstairs and into the kitchen to fix myself some cereal. I found a note from Charlie laying on the counter.

Bella,

I went fishing with Billy Black and Harry Clearwater.

Be back soon.

You seemed happy when you came in last night.

I'm glad.

Love you, Charlie

I finished my breakfast quickly and ran back upstairs into my room. I opened the door and almost began to cry. Okay…scratch the almost, because I felt a tear roll down my cheek. He was back. I looked into his golden eyes from across the room and gasped. The lights were off, the curtains were closed.

Then, a voice began speaking. "Bella…oh, Isabella. I'm so sorry. Can you ever forgive me for ruining you life?"

But it wasn't who I thought it was.

It was someone else.

A/N: It is not Edward. It's a surprise visitor. Can you guess who it is? Yeah…you probably can.