Disclaimer: I'm not Stephenie Meyer. I am not swimming in pools of money, whether I like it or not. I wouldn't be writing this if I was, that's for sure. And Breaking Dawn wouldn't have been written the way it was if I was the author. It just wasn't my cup of tea. Sorry for those who did like it anyway...

Note: This is written as though Edward had departed shortly after the battle in Eclipse. He believes that Bella is in more danger when he's is here. He ignores the fact that their engaged, cuts off all ties with the Cullen family and leaves Forks forever...(Sorry, but I have to ignore Breaking Dawn completely.)

Warning: Bella will seem slightly OOC. She's trying to handle the pain in another way this time, so a person is bound to wind up somewhat different.

And for those who are curious, Yes I was the one who wrote the poem below. It's not my best work, that's for sure. My best work is already published in a book and it earned the Editors Choice Award...

They whispered around me,

Their words were of myself,

I used to hate the words they murmured,

No longer do I care,

I never heard

Thoughts of him flew by,

His remembered words scorched my heart,

Those final words,

His denial,

I never heard

For how can I truly care,

When his thoughts are the Ones,

The ones that hurt forever,

Never shall the pain cease,

I never heard

~~From 'I Never Heard' by Ashleyia Days

Those Red Eyes

By Zafearia

I still have the faintest memory of the first time E-- no, no, I can't even bare to hear his name anymore-- had left me. I remember only vague thoughts of events that had occurred during the long period of time I'd spent within my protective shell. I'd felt that hurt so badly that time, but now...now I just can't feel it at all. There was nothing left for me.

It wasn't like last time he'd left me. I didn't retreat back within herself and refuse to do anything at all. I made a point to stay emotionally there and alive, a fact that surprised Charlie the most. He never questioned it, but I could see it in his eyes. He wanted to ask, but he was afraid for me. Everyone is afraid for me, even...him.

"Charlie," I said softly as my father and I ate dinner that night. Unfortunately, Mike had asked me to stay a little later that night at the shop to close up for him. He and Jessica had another date. Nowadays, the two always were together. In my absence, my father had time to order pizza. I sighed; I didn't exactly dislike pizza, but there were so many things that would be better. "I..." I struggled to find the words that would hurt him the least. "I don't think there's anything left for me to stay in Forks for."

Charlie stayed silent and I tried to contain my fidgeting. Silence usually didn't make me feel uncomfortable, but Charlie...my poor father was probably feeling so betrayed. "I understand, Bella." Charlie's voice cracked and I closed my eyes, feeling more guilty than before. "Renee and I have been talking... well we thought it was best for you to go back to Phoenix to live with her and Paul."

"Thanks dad." I ended the conversation there with a short excuse about having homework to do, though we both knew my backpack had came home empty that same day.

"Bella?" Charlie murmured softly to me just as I exited. "There's tickets already. The plane leaves tomorrow."

If Charlie expected me to be angry, he was correct, but I immediately had enough brains to keep it contained. He was the one who was being hurt by my sudden departure, not me. I would be going back to a city I live in for the majority of my lifetime. I could be happy there with no reminders about him. "That's fine. I'll...I'll just go pack. Maybe I'll go over to Mike's to tell him that I can't work at the shop anymore."

He was so accepting--even after I told him I'd be leaving. He knew I'd refuse to come back--even for vacations. Any little thing could remind me of him. Even the computer on my desk in my room reminded me of him and the family I practically called my own.

But one question kept repeating itself as the endless night wore on. Why? What was his reason for leaving? Didn't he see that it didn't matter whether or not he was in the same town? Was he really dense enough to believe that they would all just forget about me? They won't--I know it, but does he? Obviously not.

The sheets rustle gently as I allow myself to get up and look at the clock--1am. Too early. Not to long ago, he would be by my side at this time, watching as I slept.

That small comfort was gone now and just now I realized how much I need it.

"Get a grip, Bella." I murmured to myself as I watched the open sky for a long, long time. "He doesn't need you any longer. Why should I need him?"

Oh, that was obvious.

And how--how--did he possess the nerve to say that it hurt him just as much as it hurt me to be away from each other? If it was the same, then he'd be crawling back by now, just as I would be. There was no way I could resist, so why was he? Did I mean nothing? Was I just becoming another random human he could care less about?

Slowly, I close my eyes, taking in the air around me. Soon, I would never have to see this place again. This room with its painful memories. This town with the reminders, since the rest of the Cullens still remained behind. He was the only one who left.

Only the one I love.

Or loved.

I couldn't decide anymore. Everything is turning out so confusing. Hopefully, tomorrow will bring something better. Perhaps I could get back on my feet in Pheonix.

And I never want to see Edward Cullen again.

Ever.

This is pretty much a Prologue. If anyone likes it, then I'll continue. If not, I dunno yet.