"When men stop believing in God they don't believe in nothing; they believe in anything." —G. K. Chesterton, 1936

Chapter I

I'd been nervous all week for this. I was giving a speech at our graduation ceremony. I hated speaking in front of people and worst of all, what was I going to say to a bunch of seniors? I sat around my room racking my brains about the past few years I'd spent at Forks High… It was place of fun memory and sad memory.

I mean this is the place were we made our friends. For most of us high school was a time when we had nothing but fun. I glanced at the clock and hurried to my truck. I sped off to school. The ceremony was inside because it was raining outside. I saw everyone and their parents running to the safety of the gym. I smiled a smile of sadness for neither of my parents would attend this ceremony. I hurried inside to join my classmates.

"Ah! Bella!" Someone squealed. I smiled.
"Hey Jessica!" I said with fake enthusiasm. Jess and I drifted apart over the year. She babbled on about how she was glad she had become friends me with me. Angela came up.

"So, you nervous for you speech?" She asked. I smiled. "Yeah… I don't think it's any good… but I was sitting in my room and I was just thinking about this year and it sort of just came to me… I know it sounds corny but whatever…" I smiled nervously. We prattled on about this for only a few more seconds when the Cullens came waltzing in. I wondered if Edward still hated me. I remember that first day in biology. I always felt guilty for some strange reason about that day. I brushed it off and we filled into the gym.

I waited until my name was called to make my speech. I shivered at the thought that after this, I was free; nothing would tie me down to this little town anymore.

"…Now valedictorian, Bella Swan!" Our principal said everyone started clapping as I headed up there. I had a half sheet of paper which I scribbled on at the last minute.

"Well, class of '07 you made it." I smiled. I stared out at everyone in a black gown and hat. "I was thinking about this speech… I mean valedictorian… big deal right, so I figured this speech would have to be impressive. I wasn't sure how to get it there. But I started to think… I mean think of all the fun we had over these past two years… I mean Mr. Banner taking us on that biology trip… or when we get snow and mush balls fly everywhere… or how Forks is under a constant cover of clouds… well that last one might not be so much fun…" I heard people laugh. "I suppose these past years we made our friends… look around you, these are your classmates, peers, but mostly they're your friends. High school has been fun for most of us. I for me… I came half way threw my junior year and everyone just accepted me.

I took a pause to regain my thoughts quickly. I had glanced at the Cullens who were staring intently at me.

"People say that High school is the best time of your life… you make friends that stick with you for a lifetime. And when you think about it, the person to your right is probably someone you'll keep in touch with after you leave and go away. I know all of us are going to soar to great heights, but sometimes we'll get stuck because we will, and then we'll find our way right out of the slump. But I wonder what is going to happen when we leave?" I took another pause… this isn't what I'd written down so now I was making this up as I went along.

"I know this has been a tough year for some. My year has been crazy. And I want to say to all of you who came with your parents that they'll be there for you ninety-three and three fourths percent of the time. Now most of you, your parents drive you crazy, right?" I asked thinking of where I was going to take this I got a murmur coming from the students.

"Well, imagine that your parents weren't there. Your mom shipped you off to live with your dad and your dad, as much as you love him, got wrongfully blamed for something he didn't do and has to sit in jail for it. No more home cooked meals… no one to pay the bills or buy the food. I bet your parents are looking pretty good right now, huh?

"I know that everyone in here will enjoy life doing whatever if that may be school or just working, whatever it is you'll enjoy it. And maybe you don't have exactly what you wanted, or maybe the year wasn't exactly how you planned but that's the truth of it, the real world doesn't follow your plan you follow its. Now, my fellow classmates, we are officially free. Go do what you want to this summer because by the end of it, you'll start you life as an adult in the real world which isn't fair and doesn't make sense." The church bells rang just as I finished my sentence.

"Good luck class of '07!" I smiled and took my hat off and threw it up into the air. I'm sure my peers are freaked out by the fact that anyone with a brain new I was talking about my family, and the weird thing is, I'm laughing at them because they're all the same; scared that they're just like me. And they laugh at me because I'm what they don't want to be. I suppose you can't please everyone. I walked off stage and saw everyone with their families. I thought of my dad and hoped he'd be proud; we always talked of this day. It was everything I'd thought it would be. I was going to leave when someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around.

Dr. Cullen.

"Hello, Dr. Cullen." I said trying to suppress the surprise in my voice.

"Hi Bella. I just wanted to tell you what a lovely job you did on your speech. It seemed as if you had made it up on the spot." He said. He was waiting for confirmation.

"Well actually I did. Thank you… I was really nervous about it." I admitted. He nodded. "We're having a graduation party back at our house; you should try to stop by." He said. I looked at him. I wonder why he wanted me to come… I didn't talk to any of his children.

He seemed to be reading my face. I composed my features and said, "Sure, I'll be there." I wasn't sure what else to say. He gave me directions and headed off.

"Great speech Bella." Everyone was congratulating me on my speech. I was thinking about why Dr. Cullen invited me over. Maybe he caught on to the part of my speech were I talked about my dad. I hurried home.

I was looking into my plans after the summers over. My dad left me quite a bit of money plus my mom sent a huge check for graduation, plus I saved my money from the job I worked at. I have over 20 thousand. I slowly started to realize it was dark outside, it was almost eight. I grabbed my keys and headed out for the party. I wondered what everyone would be wearing. I was wearing dark jeans and a deep blue blouse. I wasn't going to change; I just hoped I wouldn't be under dressed.

By the time I had pulled up to the Cullen's house there were cars parked in the driveway. The house looked beautiful I wondered how long it took to get set up. I quickly got out and followed some kids in. they had changed their living room into a dance room, and they had food in the dining room, plus the patio doors were opened.

"I'm glad you came Bella." Dr. Cullen smiled. I nodded and glanced around the room. They Cullens were again staring at me. It was strange. I saw tons of kids from school. Actually all the seniors were here with a most of the junior class. I glanced around. I saw Angela.

"Bella!" She waved. I headed towards her.

"You came! You've got to dance with me!" She cried out over the music. I laughed and shook my head. "Ang, I can't dance…" I protested. She wasn't listening. I finally agreed to it. We were dancing and laughing along with the rest of the seniors. The music stopped. We all looked up.

Emmett was standing on a chair.

"Now, in a few minutes us seniors, will no longer be seniors and the juniors will become seniors… but our grade had an awesome year… These next minutes will mark the rest of your life." He smiled. I smiled back at him mostly because it was impossible not to smile and because he was using what I said in my speech. He glanced at his watch. He started a count down.

"…4, 3, 2, 1, 0!" We all cheered. The music came blasting on. I slowly made my way out to the patio which was empty because everyone wanted to be inside. I stared up at the sky. It was one night in a long while that I could see the stars and the moon. Someone sat down with me. I glanced at the person. It was Emmett.

"Having fun?" He asked. I looked at him out of the corner of my eye.

"Yeah, I am actually." I said

"Don't sound so surprised." He laughed. Rosalie came out.

"Hi Bella." She said. I nodded. "Emmett do you want to dance?" She smiled. "See you inside Bella." Emmett said. I was alone again. It was relaxing to be by myself.

"Mind if I join you?" Asked an unfamiliar voice. I shrugged. "I care not." I said. I smiled at the way my words came out.

"You gave a great speech." I knew the voice.

"Thanks Edward." I muttered. I had locked eyes with the sky.

"How'd you know it was me?" He asked.

"Lucky guess." I muttered glancing at him. He smiled a crooked smile. "Any big plans after the summers over?" I asked trying to make small talk.

"School maybe… I've been accepted to some places so I just have to pick." He said. I nodded. "What about you?" He asked.

"Well, I had plans but now I'm not sure… I'm set on traveling around for awhile… backpacking… that sort of thing… I've got a bit of money… Charlie's the only thing holding me back." I muttered worried about him in prison.

"So it is true?" he asked. I merely nodded and returned my gaze to the sky.

Edward and I talked the rest of the night. I guess Edward didn't hate me after all. I ended up being about some of the few people to stay long. I finally left and headed home. I came in and I was too exhausted to even change. I dropped onto the couch and fell into a deep sleep.