Chapter 1

"You're Invited to

Forks High School

For your Five-Year Class Reunion

Time: 7pm

Date: July 15th

Place: Forks High School Gymnasium

Be there to share relive the memories and share new stories"

The invitation slipped through my fingers as I walked back to my house. I bent down to pick it back up and reread it. It's been three years since I've been back to Forks. I missed Charlie, but I've never been able to bring myself back to that town. There were just too many bad memories. Some of the worst since high school.

Six Years Ago

Jacob and I sat in my truck. Jacob had finally warmed me up from my disastrous cliff diving event that afternoon. I looked up at him and realized how comfortable I was when I was with Jacob. The voice in my head, Edward's voice, was telling me to be happy. I saw him look down at me, smile, and slowly he bent his warm, red lips to mine. He kissed me, and I kissed back. It was nice, not like the kisses with Edward, but nice nonetheless. We spent a long time kissing and holding each other in my truck that night. I couldn't believe I was letting myself feel this way again, but at least I knew Jacob cared for me.

Charlie came home shortly after that, and found us that way. My cheeks remained crimson that evening as Jacob and Charlie teased me about the make-out session. Charlie couldn't stop his goofy grin, despite the funeral. I remember going to sleep that night and looking out the window. I swear I saw a dark Mercedes on the street, but I'd given up that they would ever return.

A month passed until the pack was able to capture Victoria. That day I had been on the beach. I was waiting for Jacob to finish patrolling. I heard two wolf howls in the distance. Each time I heard that sound my heart would stop. I looked up and saw the fiery red on the water. The red was so familiar and I realized with paralyzing fear that Victoria was swimming towards me. I froze. I was going to die on that beach, the same place I first learned about the forbidden world of vampires and werewolves.

Victoria was about ten feet before me when I saw a flash of burnt red fly passed my head. I screamed when I realized that Jacob was fighting Victoria. Soon my screams were masked by the enormous brawl before me. Sam and the others arrived quickly and helped Jacob finish Victoria off. I remember seeing Jacob's smug face after the fight. He held me close as we watched the purple smoke filter up to the clouds above.

We were inseparable after that. I mean, he saved my life, I owed him so much more than I could ever give. We spent a year dating, much to the dismay of Mike Newton. (I giggle a little when I remember his face the day he found out Jacob proposed to me) Jacob proposed after a very romantic dinner on the beach under the stars. They were some of the first stars I'd seen since moving to Washington. I remember being hesitant about marriage, but realized that Jacob did in fact love me, and I him. Charlie was ecstatic and fatherly at the same time. Renee wasn't sure how to respond. She wanted me to be happy but she always had her doubts.

We were married in a quiet ceremony behind Charlie's house with just a few friends. We danced, ate, and enjoyed our time together. We said sad good-byes before heading to Jake's car and to our honeymoon. Again, I swear I saw a silver Volvo speed around the corner that night, but quickly shook that thought from my mind. We went on a wonderful honeymoon and returned to La Push where we had a warm home and life ahead of us.

After about two years of a blissful marriage (who knew I could actually be that happy) Jacob and I had settled into a comfortable routine. He would patrol, but not as often since the threat was gone. He supported me as I went to school and tried my hand at homemaking. Everything was wonderful. Jacob ran an automotive repair shop on our property, and life was treating us well. Then, Michelle came into our lives.

Michelle's car broke down late at night. She was sweet and on her way to her family when her car suddenly stopped working. The tow truck brought her and her car to the garage. Jacob was out patrolling with Sam and Embry that evening, so I answered the door. She seemed so scared to be out late and alone. I invited her into the kitchen to get something warm to eat and drink.

"I really don't know much about cars, but my husband is amazing. He can fix anything. I'm sure he'll have you driving in practically no time." I told her.

"Thank you so much. I don't know what I'm going to do tonight, do you have a phone book so I can get a hotel room and a cab?" she asked.

"Honey, you can stay with us, I'll have Jake working on that car first thing tomorrow. We'll get you all taken care of."

I showed her to our guest room that I had made up for Renee and Phil when they visited us. She was sleepy and quickly fell asleep that night. About an hour after she went to bed, Jacob returned.

"Honey, I'm home. Did you miss me?" he asked.

"Of course. There's a nice young woman here with her broken-down car. She had nowhere else to stay so she's in the guest room. I told her that you could get to her car tomorrow. I hope that's all right." I told him.

"Absolutely. It gives me something to work on while you're taking your finals. Speaking of which, you should get a good night's sleep so you are rested for them," he teased.

We went to bed that night. I woke before him and headed to school. I finished my two finals by noon and decided to pick up lunch for Jacob on my way home. I was pulling into the garage when I saw Jake's face. He had the strangest look in his eyes. I chalked it up to his fatigue and headed into the house. After a few minutes, I heard him come into the house. He hugged me as soon as I turned around and that was when I saw the tears in his eyes.

"Jake, what's wrong?!" I screamed.

"Bells, we - I - Can we take a walk, please?" he asked uncomfortably.

"Yeah, sure! We haven't been to the beach in so long."

I grabbed my coat and we headed out. We reached our tree before too long and before I could even sit he started sobbing. I reached out to him and hoped that I could comfort him. Suddenly he jerked back away from me.

"Bells, I never thought… I just… I've been so happy with you," he sobbed.

"Jacob, what's wrong. You're really scaring me here," I pleaded

"Bella, I love you, you have to know that." He stared into my eyes with panic. By now my heart was beating so fast I could barely breathe, let alone speak.

"Jacob, tell me what's wrong, please," I whispered.

"Bella, I… I… I was working on Michelle's car this morning. It was a pretty simple thing to fix. I came back into the house to let her know she would be able to leave within a few hours, and…" he stared at the pebbles beneath our feet. "The moment I saw her, I understood what Sam was talking about. That moment, the split second when he first saw Emily…"

I stood up and started running. I knew I wouldn't be able to outrun him, but I needed to get away. I didn't want to break down in front of him. He imprinted. He would be leaving me. He would go to be with Michelle. I was spun around quickly and held in a warm iron grip

"I never wanted to hurt you Bella! I swear it, I've never wanted anyone but you. You have to believe me. I love you, but, I just can't explain. Michelle. She's my match. Oh God Bella! Why do I have to hurt you too. You deserve so much better." His voice was on the edge of panic.

I looked up at him, kissed his cheek and removed my wedding ring. "Be happy Jacob. She's your match. I'll be fine. I've survived worse," I told him.

I got back to the house, packed my things, and got into my truck. I drove to Charlie's in the hope that I could stay one night with my father. I wasn't going to stay in Forks. I couldn't do that again. Charlie didn't ask questions, surprisingly, but refused to believe that my marriage had ended, just like his and Renee's.

The next morning I kissed Charlie's cheek, packed all my belongings into the truck and drove away. I was in Seattle by nightfall. I drove to a motel until I could find a place to live. It took a few days, but I found an apartment and a job to pay for it. I became a waitress at night and during the day worked at a small newspaper as a copy editor.

Present

I had skipped the five-year reunion. Besides Angela and Ben (and sometimes Mike) I really didn't have anyone I wanted to see again. However, I just couldn't throw the invitation away when I returned to the kitchen. I made dinner for myself that night thinking about what would happen if I went to the reunion and back to Forks for the event. I spent all evening thinking about it and finally went to bed after making the decision to attend the reunion. I figured it would be nice to see my father and Angela and Ben had a new baby. I missed them and wanted to see them. Like my other decisions, once I had made up my mind, it was done.

That night, I dreamed about Edward Cullen for the first time in almost 5 years.