A/N: Hello Potential readers. This is my first story, so please be kind. I'm just practicing =)
This will probably be a short story, and I will hopefully update once a week. Thanks for reading!

When you know someone you're whole life, it's easy to fall together. Forced play dates with our dad's cooking barbecue outback turn into time on our own filled with easy laughs and hidden feelings which ultimately twisted into love made of memories and close proximity. He was the center of my world, a sun that I orbited myself around 365 days of the year.

Until I didn't.

I thought it happened abruptly. That one moment I was in line, spinning and spinning along with him. Looking back, I realize I was fighting a losing battle. I was in another solar system, a different galaxy. Sophomore year, I should have felt myself jarring off course, but it didn't feel like that then. Or maybe it did, but it just made me want to fight more to stay with him and in the warmth that came over me with every sly look and inside joke.

Looking around me, seeing this empty room reminds me of how far I have come from that little girl in that little town with the big shot boyfriend who I thought I loved with every fiber of my being. This empty room reminds me I missed out on my future, and that maybe I'm not that different from the little girl who went on orbiting a boy who I didn't love.

Looking around this empty room, I should have known that something brought up in heart break could only ever hope to end in tragedy.

1 year ago…

"Is that from your college secret lover?" Angela draws me out of my phone. I feel a blush and an automatic scowl creep across my face.

"Ang, you know he's just a friend. He's helping me out with college applications." I think I've told her this a million times, but she takes her job as best friend and tormentor very seriously.

"Yeah, to his college. So he can whisk you away from your small town life and your small town friends and your small town boyfriend" She says as she opens the door to the cafeteria.

"Angela, you and everyone else knows I'm staying in state. I only toured UCLA because my mom wanted me to." I've told her this story a million times, and she still thinks I'm hiding some deep dark secret.

Two years ago during my sophomore year, my mother suddenly decided to get involved with my future. It became her new project. Even living states away, she managed to get me on a plane to spend a weekend at UCLA touring the school. Some people would say I'm a pushover, and I wouldn't argue.

I was supposed to stay with a girl named Alice for the weekend, but she came down with some kind of flu or something. The people at the admissions office told me they didn't have any other female replacements. Just as I was prepared to turn around, defeated and frustrated that I let myself get into this situation, in walked this guy who was a volunteer for the weekend. Within an hour, it was set up for me to stay with him, and he showed me around the entire weekend.

"It was really nice, he was really nice, and now we're friends, Angela" Hopefully the millionth time is the charm.

"Mmhmm I know adoration when I see it, Bella. That boy has got it bad." She says, walking us towards our table. After giving her a well-deserved eye roll, I walk over to my seat next to Jacob.

He gives me a welcome kiss on the cheek and moves his hand to my knee without pausing his conversation on whether or not the penalty at the last game was fair or not. I used to insert myself in these conversations. My father never missed a Sunday game, so I was more than familiar with the rules. It used to impress all the guys, and especially Jacob, who would agree with whatever I said in a way that made me feel special and like he wanted to show me off to anyone who would listen.

As we've gotten older though, the boys seemed less and less impressed with Jake's opinionated girlfriend who might just know more than them, so I've become less and less involved.

It's fine with me though. I never really liked that game anyways. This gives me time for more important things. Looking down, I open up the e-mail that Angela wouldn't let me get through.

Hey Bella,

It's getting close to graduation your way, huh? I hope you're not freaking as much as I was. It's not as scary as it seems. Especially when you know you have friends at the school you got into (aka, me).
I know, I know, you're staying in state. Don't even bother telling me again. All I'm going to say is that it's not over until it's over, and I think UCLA would be a great fit.
In response to your last question, I think college can in some ways be easier than high school. The work is more advanced, but you get to sleep in =)

Till you come to your senses about California,

Edward

I shake my head and find myself smiling at the e-mail.

"Hey babe, what you got there?" Jacob pulls me out of my phone and brings me back to him.

"Oh nothing, that kid from UCLA just wrote me back." I reply, while locking my phone and putting it away. I don't know what comes over me, and why I think I need to hide it the way I do.

"UCLA, hm?" His gaze is back on his lunch.

Not wanting him to be upset I laugh and kiss his cheek before replying, "Yeah, but you know I'm staying in state. Who else is going to keep you in check next year?"

He laughs and goes back to his previous conversation. Back to football and scoring points. I push down the annoyance I feel with being easily dismissed. Once upon a time, he couldn't take his eyes off of me for longer than a moment or two. Everyone used to complain that they couldn't have a productive conversation with him when I was around.

But what could they expect? We're Jacob and Bella. Friends since before we could have friends and in love since we realized that there was more to our playful banter. We've been in sync since birth and the 'it couple' since 8th grade homecoming when he kissed me on the dance floor.

No one complains about that anymore, though.

The bell rings, pulling me from my memories. Jake kisses my cheek again, mumbling something about seeing me later for our date and walks toward his bio class. Before I can overanalyze this, I'm pulled towards the other door by Angela, "I see the wrinkle in between your eyes. Bella, what are you thinking so hard about?"

I don't really want to talk about it. Everyone sees us as this perfect couple, and I'm not sure I'm even willing to question that to myself, "Nothing, really. College and graduation I guess." I say, silently praying she'll believe it.

"Not ah, lady. You got your lying face on. Spill." Clearly, Angela's bullshit meter is armed and dangerous.

I take a moment to phrase how I'm going to respond when I'm not even sure what my issue is. My home life is great, I'm about to graduate high school, I have a great group of friends and a loving boyfriend who I'm going to college with next year. Complaining at this point would make me seem ungrateful. Choosing my words carefully I ask, "It's silly, but have you noticed anything off with Jacob lately?"

She stops in her tracks, I can't meet her eyes. My heart beats a little faster and I steel myself for the worst, "Bella, I don't know what you're talking about. Maybe you should talk to Jake?"

I keep my eyes down but nod my agreement. We continue our way to class and she talks about going dress shopping later for graduation. Outside, I'm back to being Bella Swan, all smiles and happiness as if my world isn't turning upside down. Inside, I'm scared to death.