Chapter 1

His face was as hard as rock, his eyes betraying not even a shred of emotion. "Bella, we are leaving." Edward said one last time. My heart finally shattered. The one thread that had been holding it together finally snapped and my entire body went numb.

"Please," I begged quietly, knowing he would hear me, "don't do this to me. Please Edward." His eyes seemed to soften for a mere split second but hardened just as fast as they had changed.

"You aren't good for me Bella." My heart was broken into smaller pieces.

I couldn't argue, I knew that was true. Edward deserved so much better than me and he had finally realized that. "Ok," I barely whispered, "I wish you all the happiness in the world." Without looking at Edward's face one last time I clutched my sides and turned away.

"Promise me you will be safe." Edward called out to my retreating figure. "Not just for me of course but for Charlie."

My soul became bitterly cold. I felt nothing other than rage, my hurt temporarily overshadowed by rage and resentment. I chuckled darkly, my arms tightening around my torso so I wouldn't fall apart at the seams. "I don't make promises I don't plan to keep." I didn't walk towards my house, instead I walked towards my car, parked in the street. "Isabella! Think of Charlie," Edward yelled at me. The rage built up even more, and it began to boil over. To my horror, surprise, and flat-out amusement I lifted my right fist above my shoulder and lifted my middle finger in a fluidly graceful motion.

"You are exactly like every other boy out there," I whispered sure he would hear me. Getting into my car, I slammed the door shut just as Edward reached my door.

"Get out of the car," he said, his eyes lighting up with anger. But I wasn't going to complain, at least it was an emotion.

"I really don't think that's going to happen," I explained as I gunned it down the street. I could see Edward as a blur running at my car's speed dodging around trees. "Thought you said you were leaving, so just leave already." I said. I was almost positive he could hear me, being a vampire and all, but I couldn't be too sure. I drove for quite awhile before I saw my sanctuary.

Edward ran along side the car yelling at me to pull over. He had obviously figured out what my plan was. "Bite me," I said, not realizing the irony of that statement.

"Bella! Stop acting like a child!" I laughed at him and floored it down the road. Once I crossed the border line with the Quileute land I was able to slow down. I could see Edward standing at the border line, staring after my car. I drove all the way to the beach, sure to make it all the way there without breaking down. I didn't feel the tears yet, only a cold rage that filled up my entire being. I drove faster, pushing my car to its limit. I took turns far to fast and almost hit a tree, but I made it to the beach in one piece.

There was no sun, and for once in my life I realized how much I truly loved cloudy, cool days. Forks had changed me. I was not the same person I was when I arrived. Edward had changed me. I was not the quietly kind girl I was before, I knew that much already. I had become bitter in the last hour, and I hoped this change wasn't permanent. It was weird to feel nothing but anger towards Edward. I felt nothing but love towards the others, just Edward. He had used me, told me he loved me, that he would stay with me as long as it was good for me. But he had failed to mention he loved my blood and would stay only as long as it was convenient to him. I should have seen it coming, and in ways I guess I did. But instead of being the smart girl I used to be I fell for him. His perfect features, his smoldering eyes with their thick, dark eyelashes, his intoxicating smell, his melodic voice…

My body shut down, the hurt suddenly hitting me with all its force and all it's shocking side effects. Clutching my sides I fell out of my truck. My heart began pounding, and I thought it would force its way out of my chest. The pebbles shifted under my feet as I stumbled towards the water. I stumbled to my knees as I reached the water's edge and the first gut wrenching sob ripped through my body. My shoulders shook with so much force it felt like they were being ripped from their sockets. More sobs followed in rapid fire succession. My stomach churned and I felt dizzy. Vomit traveled up my throat and out of my mouth. I lost control of everything. I had lost the one guy I fell in love with. I was in a place that constantly reminded me of him, and all the secrets I had kept.

I crawled a few feet down the beach hoping to get away from it all, hoping that a miracle would happen and that numb feeling would come back. But instead I got a different kind of salvation, my world went black.

My eyes fluttered open, and were greeted by the sun setting. I rolled onto my back, amazed that the tide had never reached me, soaking me to the bones. My cell vibrated in my pocket, and when I pulled it out I had five different texts from Charlie.

Bells where r u at?

Bells what's going on? R u ok?

Bells. Call me.

Bells I will raise an amber alert. Where are you?

Isabella Marie Swan if you don't call me you are perpetually grounded.

I dialed his number, testing my voice and manipulating it until I could pull of a cool tone.

"Isabella where are you?" Charlie practically yelled into the phone. I flinched from the volume of his voice.

"I am so sorry Charlie!" I said softly, trying to keep my voice even. "I went down to the reservation and fell asleep on the beach. I am going to stay at Billy's tonight if I can, alright?" I froze for a moment, wondering if I actually could. "If he will let me that is."

"I will call Billy," Charlie said before I could even process what I would have to do. "You don't sound too good so I want you to wait until Jacob picks you up."

"Dad," I countered, "I can drive." I found myself slowly losing control over myself.

"Bells I know what's up, the news is all over town." I stiffened waiting for Charlie to say his name. "So, no, you can't drive." We said our good-byes and I was thankful it was a Friday. I had no idea how I would make it through school but I would have to deal with that later. I slid my phone back into my pocket and pulled my knees to my chest. My eyes hurt from crying and my mouth tasted horrible, for obvious reasons. I lost all respect I had in myself. I had no confidence left in me. I was hollow and it was more obvious now then ever. The waves crashing against the shore brought no comfort. My world had stopped moving, but everything else had kept going. I was lost, and I knew it.

Losing track of time, I never noticed Jacob walking up behind me or even when he sat down next to me. I just cried, and cried, and cried. Jacob watched for a few seconds then put his arms around my shoulders. The next thing I knew I was in my truck on the way to Billy Black's house, Jacob holding my hand. Not once did he let go, and not once did he utter even a single word.