Full Summary:

Set after the Cullens left. Bella went on with her life as normally as she could, until someone from her tragic past returns. She soon finds herself in an unlikely friendship which helps her finally move on. What would happen when Bella, with a fully healed heart, crosses path once more with the one man who uncaringly left her behind? Would she be able to forgive him and leave the past behind? Or would she demonstrate the same courtesy he had coldly bestowed upon her?

Hi guys! This is my first ever fanfic. I know this storyline had been done and used a lot of times before, but I hope you could still give it a chance. I'll try my best to update once a week. Thanks! :D

The characters belong to Stephenie Meyer.

BPOV

The forest is unusually still, no footsteps of grazing deer or elk could be heard. Even the chirping of the birds seemed to be silenced. I could only pick out the pattern of droplets of the slight drizzle making contact with the tree leaves and the ground.

Well, that and the uneven thumping of my little heart.

I knew that something was wrong. I knew it since he asked to "take a walk and speak with me" behind my house. I knew it since I met him this morning in the parking lot when I drove to school. I knew it since he drove me home after my catastrophic birthday party. I knew it since I first figured out what exactly he and his entire family really are. Hell, I knew it since the first time I laid eyes on him.

He always thought of himself as a monster, someone who should have died decades ago, someone who didn't deserve to be alive anymore. Someone who didn't deserve to be loved in any way.

I, on the other hand, only saw him as my knight in shining armor, my personal guardian angel. He never failed to save me whenever I stumble, or clumsily trip on my own two feet or over thin air. He even goes out of his way just to make me comfortable, even if it results to his own pain. He has always been there.

But seeing the way our conversation was going, that's about to change.

"What- what did you just say?" I managed choked out.

"I said my family and I are going somewhere", he answered me with a flat voice, "and no, I'm not going to take you with me." I just gaped at him, unable to form a coherent sentence. "It's time for us to go, Bella. We can't stay here in Forks anymore. People will get suspicious." He was staring at me with his cold, unnerving eyes. That got me out of my stunned state.

"Wait, no! You can leave next year, then I'll be out of high school and I can go with you. What's one more year?" I didn't realize that I was tearing up until the last sentence came out as a whine.

He just shook his head and stared at me again. I realized that he wasn't going to speak so I pleaded one more time. "Please, Edward. You promised me back in Phoenix."

Again, he shook his head and turned his gaze somewhere past my head. "I promised that I will do what is best for you." His voice turned from flat to cold. My hope was starting to deteriorate, and so was my resolve not to cry.

"This isn't about your family getting exposed, is it? This is about what happened with Jasper, right?" I asked while trying my best not to wail like a damn baby. "What happened at the party was an accident, Edward. It can't be avoided and it's not like I-" "No, Bella." He cut me off with his cold, serious voice. "It can be avoided if you are with someone who's human and not after your blood every damn second you're with him." He turned around and continued speaking with his back to me. "I've let this go on for too long."

I opened my mouth but no sound came out. I tried again and again, probably looking like a goldfish in the process, until I was finally able to find my voice. "What are you saying?"

He turned around and met my gaze unblinkingly. Again with his icy tone, he finally broke my heart. "Bella, what I'm saying is that I don't want you anymore."

I was rendered speechless. I studied the creature in front of me. His eyes were cold, and his stance seemed impatient, almost looking annoyed.

Then it hit me.

Of course he's annoyed. He must be eager to get rid of the plain, clumsy human who he needed to take care of. He must be tired of saving my fragile ass all the time.

With this realization, I struggled to compose myself, especially my tear-streaked face. I took a deep breath and exhaled a few seconds later before speaking. "Well, that changes things."

I could almost swear that I saw a pained expression on his face for a split second, but then again, it could only be my mind playing tricks on me. Showing me things my eyes wanted me to see.

The silence dragged on until Edward spoke again. "Bella, can you promise me one thing?" When I nodded my head, he continued, "Now that I won't be here anymore, please take good care of yourself. For Charlie's sake, of course. You know he needs you."

I managed to nod my head again. He shifted on his foot and I reluctantly met his eyes again. After a few seconds of looking at each other's eyes, he spoke the words that served as nails to my coffin. "It's over, Bella. You will never be hurt because of me again. It will be like I never existed."

He kissed my forehead, and in a blink of an eye, he was gone.

I tried to run blindly after him, but after tripping on a tree root, I gave up. I finally let all the emotions out and wept for my shattered world.

**

I woke up with a start, sweating and shaking. I clenched my fists, trying to beat the pain that was tearing my chest apart. After a few deep breaths, I finally managed to calm down my shaking body. Unfortunately, it also gave me the godforsaken opportunity to dwell on what I dreamt about. It was of that dreadful day when my whole world was shattered into pieces. It was the nightmare that has never failed to visit me every night. I felt nauseous and immediately ran to the bathroom I shared with my dad.

After flushing the toilet, I was immediately thankful that there were little rays of sunlight coming through the window, which means that Charlie had already left for work. I was spared from another "move on" sermon from my dad.

It has been months since they left Forks, since he left me. And still I couldn't let myself think of his name, let alone speak it out loud. For the first few months that they have moved out, I was pretty much useless. Aside from Charlie, I never spoke to anyone. I couldn't even remember what events took place during that time. It was like I zoned out for months. School, homework, cook dinner for Charlie. That was my routine, and it never changed. It never changed until Charlie put his foot down and presented me with his very first "move on or get help" speech.

Charlie demanded that if I continued on my "wallowing", it's either he would send me back to my mother and her new husband Phil, or he would have me seek professional help. Now, I cannot not be in Forks. This is where I met him. This is where I first fell in love. And even if he didn't want me anymore and left me broken, I still feel the need to have a connection to him. I still feel the need to know that he existed. And Forks satiates those needs.

Going to a shrink, on the other hand, is absolutely out of the question. My name's Bella, and my vampire boyfriend who refuses to drink human blood left me because I was causing him pain and he thought that breaking up with me was for the best. Great, real smooth. I wonder how that would turn out.

So after a few months of grieving, and not to mention Charlie's lectures, I struggled to compose myself. I strived to reorganize my routine, making time for my friends and our "hang-out" sessions. But that didn't mean that I was healed. The nightmares still came to me every night, and I was still powerless to keep them at bay.

I strived to look alright in front of Charlie. Making one of his favorite dishes every once in a while, or engaging him in conversations about his interests, such as baseball and fishing, which I certainly know nothing about. Hell, I even try to smile or laugh every now and then, though it usually comes out forced or strained. And I think Charlie knew that. Sometimes I see him watching me from the corner of his eyes, gauging if I would crumble down again. If he really knew that something was up, he never tried to discuss it with me. Thank God for that. If it was because he sees my effort to finally "move on", or his aversion to female tears, or that he just simply gave up, I would never know.

My friends, of course, were a different story. There's Angela and her boyfriend Ben who stayed with me and reveled when I finally uttered my first words after emerging from my catatonic state. There's Eric and Tyler who continuously exert heroic efforts to make me laugh, or at least, prevent me from returning to my zombie-self. There's Jessica who felt that it was her job to update me with all the Forks gossip that I have missed when I was "hibernating" – not that I was ever interested in any of it. There's Lauren – I've never considered her as my friend but she hangs out with the same people that I hang out with, so to hell with it – who never fails to throw jibes in my direction regarding how I look or dress, as if her opinion would matter to me. I remember that she even once made fun of how I breathe. I mean, come on! Really?

And then, of course, there's Mike. When I resurfaced from my personal Dark Ages, he welcomed me back with arms wide open, literally. Like before, he still follows me wherever I go. He walks with me along the corridors of the school, bringing me to my next class, even though his was in a totally different building. He even goes as far as waiting promptly outside my last class, then walking me to my car. Sometimes I just can't help but feel smothered. I mean, it's not like aliens are going to land on this planet and specifically abduct me. But then again, with my marvelous luck, that's not too far off the mark.

Mike grabbed every opportunity to ask me out, much to Jess' dismay. And every time he asked me out, I turned him down, which brings me back to Jess' good side.

Hence, my little night out tonight.

I hurriedly took a shower, letting the hot water calm my still tense nerves. Get a grip, idiot!, I thought to myself. It's been five months, and it's not like he's still thinking about you. He's probably much more relaxed right now that he's miles away from you and your oh-so-irresistible blood. I felt the familiar pain rising to my chest again and I decided to divert my thoughts to what I have to deal with tonight.

Mike persistently asked me to go to the movies with him. And since he was too dense to process the idea that I was not interested and never will be, I finally decided to yield, just to shut him up. I thought that maybe he would stop pestering me once I turn his "dream date" to "a date from hell with plain, boring Bella". I was already picking schemes on how to lightly piss him off during our date, not too much but enough to make him hesitate to ask me out again. But, maybe, my luck was beginning to change, because an easier solution came along. A solution named Jessica Stanley.

I grabbed my school bag and descended the stairs slowly – no need to tempt fate. I snatched an oatmeal bar from the kitchen counter and headed outside to my truck. As I was driving to school, I can't help but snort at what I had spontaneously arranged yesterday.

"Hey, Bells! So what's up?", Mike asked me as soon as I stepped out of my class, as if he hadn't seen me just an hour ago. I just shrugged my shoulders and continued walking to the cafeteria. Mike walked beside me, and the minute we fell in line to purchase our lunch, he vocalized the most dreaded statement of all. "So tomorrow's Friday night and the movie I've been waiting finally comes out. Um, I was wondering if you wanted to come to Port Angeles and watch it with me." I turned to face him and almost said my habitual 'No, Mike, I can't', but instead opted to seriously think about it. Maybe I really need to go out a little more. Not necessarily with Mike "the guard dog" Newton, but, he was the first one who asked, so to hell with it. I mean, it's just one date. How bad can that be?

I noticed that Mike's face grew hopeful when I didn't automatically turn his invitation down. "Yeah, sure, Mike. That sounds fun.", I replied flatly while I grabbed a slice of pizza and a bottle of water. Mike remained quiet, and after a few more seconds of silence, I looked up at him. He was staring at me with wide eyes.

"You okay?", I asked him when we finally reached our usual lunch table. "Uh, yeah. I- well- you never- you always turned me down.", he finally stuttered out. A part of me felt a little pity for him, but then again, he is Mike Newton, the very guy who may consciously or unconsciously- but never fails to- invade my private space. "You know for a second there, I thought you were going to say no again.", he chuckled. Oh boy, you have no idea, I thought to myself.

Before I could say anything else, Mike had regained his posture, and not to mention his self-confidence. He started to bombard me with his plans for tomorrow night. "So, maybe we could go to dinner after the movie. Where would you like to eat? Or maybe we could eat before the movie? I could pick you up a little earlier than planned. The Italian restaurant really has the best steak, and their Pesto really- ".

I zoned out after that. The Italian restaurant? In Port Angeles? Could Mike be talking about the very restaurant Ed- he took me to after he saved me from those frat boys months ago? The very same restaurant where I figured out his deepest secrets? Oh hell no! This can't be happening. Please, I take it back! Yes, it's just one date. And it can be that bad.

Mike must have noticed that I was out of it, so he nudged me softly with his elbow. "So, what do you think? I mean if you don't dig it we could always-" I raised a hand to stop him. "Mike, listen. I think you-", I started, but was cut off by Jessica who was skipping towards our table "How ya doing, peeps?" God bless Jess and her impeccable timing.

She sat herself on my other side. I threw a little smile at her direction, while Mike barely acknowledged her presence. As I also nodded to Angela, Ben and Eric who were now sitting across from us, I noticed that Tyler and Lauren were already seated on the other end of the table. Great, I thought dryly, we can get the party started now that the whole gang's here. I sincerely wished that Mike would keep his mouth shut about tomorrow night, but then again, knowing Mike, I knew that it was too much to ask.

"Bella and I are going to Port Angeles tomorrow night to see the movie that I've been telling you about.", Mike said with a smug smile. Well, there goes my wish. I felt Jessica tense beside me, as our usually loud lunch table suddenly became quiet except for the sound of a piece of cutlery falling to floor and someone coughing violently. I could almost swear I could hear crickets. I looked around the table, and almost laughed out loud to my friends' comical faces.

Angela was staring at her plate, while Ben was scratching his head, both of them were wearing matching furrowed brows. Eric's right hand, which was holding an apple, was inches from his still wide open mouth. Tyler was covering is mouth while he coughed his heart out and Lauren stared at me with a raised eyebrow.

Huh, I never thought I had the extraordinary capability to shut thesepeople up, I chuckled to myself. I've always thought that no one was that powerful.

"Really? Well that's something new." Jess grunted, finally breaking the unnatural silence. I glanced at her direction and sensed that she was really upset about the fact that Mike asked me out, practically ignoring her flirtations in the process. I guess I underestimated her feelings towards him all this time. Maybe she really does like him a lot. And Mike was too busy hovering over me to notice her. So I guess it's up to me to change that., I resolved to myself.

"Of course, Jess!", I turned to face her. "I realized that I've neglected my friends too much in the past. I just want to make it up you guys. I was thinking, maybe we could all hang out tomorrow night. Only if you don't have any plans." I smiled timidly at her, while Mike started to protest. "Bella, I mean-", he stammered, but his voice was drowned out by Jessica's shriek. "Are you kidding me, Bella?! Of course we'll go out tomorrow! Ooh, we are going to have so much fun." She rattled on and on, while the others managed to butt in their agreements.

I peeked at Mike, measuring his reaction. I was glad when he remained silent and didn't attempt to set the record straight about our supposed to be exclusive date. I guess I'll have to send a thank you note to his parents for instilling some gentlemanly values in him.

Finally, the bell rang and we stood up to proceed to our respective classes. Mike walked with me, still looking like someone kicked his puppy. My guilt genes were starting to act up, so I swiftly bumped his shoulder. "Hey, sorry about that. But you can't deny that I have really been ignoring you, all of you, these past few months." He nodded with a shadow of a sad smile but didn't say anything. "Mike, you're a really great guy, but I think we just aren't going to work. I'm not ready for that." I really hoped he understood what I was saying. "Fine, Bells. I'll stop.", he sighed and then chuckled, "I'll still be your friend though. You won't get rid of me that easily." I lightly punched his arm and thanked him seriously.

I was about to enter the room when a thought suddenly came into my mind. "Hey!", I called to him and he eagerly turned around to face me again. "Keep your eyes open. You know, try to be more attentive to everyone around you. You might find that you may have been unknowingly ignoring what you're looking for all along." I could only pray that my cryptic message would keep his brain working, enough to divert his thoughts from the reality that I have rejected him again for the hundredth time.

Mike started to say something, but I just raised my hand to stop him again. "Just think about what I said, okay?" He nodded and waved goodbye before jogging off to his next class, which was in a different building. I took my usual seat and shook my head. Just because my heart is screwed beyond repair doesn't mean that my friends have to suffer along with me., I concluded firmly to myself.

I parked my ever noisy vehicle, and noticed that Tyler's truck was already parked across the lot, with him, Lauren, Mike and Jess lolling around beside it. It was the replacement vehicle that his parents had granted him. I shuddered once I relived the unspeakable incident, the phenomenon which provided me my very first concrete evidence that Ed- he was, indeed, supernatural.

I remembered that Tyler's mini van was so distorted that his parents just opted to sell it to the junk shop, simply because it would be cheaper to buy another second hand car, rather than get the devastated van fixed. Damn it, if I wasn't saved by a certain someone who happened to be impossibly fast and strong, I would have suffered the same, if not worse, fate as the ruined mini van.

I shook my head to clear the horrible thoughts away. I carefully got out of my truck and immediately got assaulted by Jessica's screech. "Bella! What's taking you so long? Get your ass over here already!" I winced internally, and tried to walk faster to pacify my friend's loud mouth. As I stumbled my way to them, almost slipping once on a smooth patch of ice, Jessica continued to drone on about, no doubt, what would be happening tonight.

"Hello! Earth to Isabella Marie Swan. Have you been listening to what I was saying?" Jess sighed dramatically. I was looking down while I was walking, watching my feet cautiously to avoid any more mishaps, so logically, I wasn't really paying attention to her.

"Um, what was that again?", I asked her sheepishly. Jess placed the back of her hand on her forehead and groaned. "Geez, Bella. What are we ever going to do with you?", she said theatrically, causing the Mike and Tyler to laugh. I was thinking of something witty to respond to her when Lauren finally decided to put her two cents in. "Oh come on, give her a break, guys. She was busy trying to avoid another encounter with her friend named Mr. Ground."

The boys instantly shut up and we all turned to face Lauren. She was studying her nails as if it held the answer as to why the sun was the center of the solar system. Okay, who is this creature standing before us, and what have she done with Lauren the bitch? I mean, seriously, if Lauren was actually defending me, then something's definitely not right.

Lauren finally looked up to see us all gawking at her. "What?", she asked exasperatedly. "Bella was obviously on guard, looking out for her fat ass, since Prince Charming bailed out on her." Oh look, there's the Lauren we all know and love., I thought sarcastically. I wanted to rip her hair out right then and there, but since I wasn't really a violent person, I eventually decided to just ignore her. Besides, I thought Charlie won't be able to live past the notion of arresting his only daughter.

But the damage has been done. The tension between all of us was so thick it could be cut with a knife. For the second time that day, I was overwhelmed by the thoughts of the man who smoothly rescued me whenever my clumsiness attempts to display itself. The same man who's the reason as to why I was still standing in this parking lot, physically intact, unlike Tyler's mini van. Great, that's twice now Bella., I mentally scolded myself. And your classes haven't even started yet.

I saw Tyler elbow Lauren slightly, trying to make her apologize. I knew that she would rather eat dirt than apologize to me, and I couldn't care less. Jessica cleared her throat, and once again I found myself thanking her and her superb timing. "So Bella, as I was saying, we would be taking two cars later and we'll all meet up at the Newtons' store at five. Got it?" I was still a little disoriented, so I asked without thinking, "Why two cars?" She playfully slapped my arm. "Silly, Bella. We are taking two cars because we all couldn't fit in just one. There's eight of us. Me, you, Mike, Ange, Ben, Lauren, Tyler and Eric." She explained like she was talking to a toddler, even making me watch as she counted off on her fingers. "You and the girls will be riding with me and the guys will ride with Tyler.", she continued.

Wait, what?! Did she just say that I will be stuck in her car with Lauren for the whole ride to and from Port Angeles? Well that's just freakin' fantastic. Lauren, combined with Jessica's ability to chatter endlessly will be unbearable as it is. And if we're riding in Jess' car, I might as well brace myself for the craptastic pop songs she always played in her stereo. Thank the heavens I'd have Angela to keep me sane.

The bell finally rang and we all walked to our classes. Instead of walking beside me, I noticed that Mike stopped in his tracks. He faced me and scratched his temple. "So I take it you wouldn't want me to walk you to your class?", he asked me with a shy smile. I grinned at him, thankful that he finally got what I was saying. "Thanks, Mike. I really appreciate that, you know?" "Yeah, yeah.", he laughed, "See you later, Bells!", and with a wave he jogged off to the opposite direction.

I made it to my room unharmed. While I waited for teacher to grace us with his presence, I thought over a few things. I was greatly appreciative of Mike's actions to discontinue his hovering over me, and the fact that we're still good friends despite the actuality that I've rejected him so many times. On the other hand, I was dreading the car ride to Port Angeles. A prickly Lauren, a blabbering Jessica and a collection of ear-shattering bubble gum songs are not I want to get stuck with. Damn, what have I gotten myself into?

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