Angel

Disclaimer : No matter how much I wish it, Twilight belongs only to Stephanie Meyer.

This is only my interpretation of what could have happened, and does not in any way reflect ... blah blah blah ...

Note: This happens right after she leaves Jake at his house (fight, sit in car, Billy tells Charlie she'll be home, you know the part) in New Moon. I am not exactly sure at the moment about how it will end up, but this is what I think would have happened if Jake and Edward hadn't come back to her.

Chapter 1:

Bella left Jake's house with her soul in knots. She had been sure that he would have acted different. All that she knew is that she loved him. Nothing like Edward of course, that was different. She loved Jake like a brother, more than that, really, but not much more. She needed him happy, and if her being gone would do that for him, so be it.

She would leave, and never come back.

The friendship had gone too far anyways. She had let another person get in a position to make another hole. But this time, the hole, even though large, was not as large. There could have been worse.

Bella drove carefully, her eyes not leaving the road. Filled with tears though they were, her eyes could make out the sides of the road and the oncoming traffic just fine. She made it back to her house safely enough; the only thing going wrong was a slight trip as she got out of her truck. And though she fell, the small cut there was only an explanation for Charlie, for her tears.

Charlie was no fool. He understood her expression at once.

"Bella," he asked her, his voice tinted with concern, "what happened?"

"I went to Jake's" she replied, hoping to placate him.

But his expression was the same as ever, maybe even more worried.

"Are you sure that something is wrong with your so-called "cult"?" he asked this time.

Here was the decision. She could either nod her head, have Charlie investigate, and maybe have her friend back, or she could pretend that her fears had been not wholly founded. She frowned, thinking of her choice, and shook her head.

"No, Dad. I was wrong. The guys are fine. Jake's happy to be in a group of people who like everything about him. He's back with Embry now. They are his friends and would not see him hurt."

Charlie was still worried. She could see it in his face and decided to tell some of the truth. Even though she stank at lying, it somehow made sure that her truths seemed even more so. She took a deep breath and said "I know it's a little weird Dad, but Jake and I need some time apart." It hurt her to say this, and even though Charlie seemed to understand, he still wasn't all that thrilled with the arrangement.

Bella dried her tears and went into the kitchen to make dinner. Tonight she hurried, all the more fast so that she go to her room and cry in peace.

Dinner was strained on her side and even Charlie seemed to notice. He was obviously uncomfortable. "I could call them," he finally said. "Maybe I could talk some sense into Billy, make him force his son …" He trailed off as Bella looked up.

"No, Dad. Even though the gesture would be kind on your part, I would rather not have to live with myself knowing that Jake was my friend only because he was asked to. Plus, I really do need the time."

Charlie looked as though he still was not sure, but humphed into his food and stopped. But the expression on his face said it all. He would not give up this thought until he deemed it necessary. They finished eating as soon as we could, and after doing the dishes, Bella went upstairs to my room.

She closed the door and collapsed on the bed, realizing that another day would come and that she was probably the least person ready for it. What type of pain would be inflicted then? Bella fell asleep to the sound of her own sobs.