SUMMARY: Bella decides to go to grad school after being told by an annoying ex that she'd never make it. She meets the Cullens (they have different last names) and hilarity ensues. Will her grad school experience force her to grow up? Or will she realize that she's just the same old Bella…and that's okay?

A/N: I'm not a Jacob hater, so please don't slam me. I just needed a villain to put the events in motion. I'm also still working on "Sunrise, Sunset," but this idea has been kicking around for a while, so I needed to put it on paper. Rated M for language and possibly more.

Eventual Canon pairings. All human. All Bella POV.

I'm not one to typically beg for reviews, but if you could take the time to tell me what you think, I'd appreciate it more than you know.

I have really got to stop letting people get to me.

This was my thought as I hauled my giant trunk up the stairs to my fifth floor walk-up. It was my fourth trip up these damn stairs, and I was sweating and frustrated. New York in the summer is what Hell must feel like. 99 degrees with 90 percent humidity. Why the hell did I do this to myself?

It all started when I ran into my ex-boyfriend, Jacob, at a club in LA. We had broken up two months before the run-in, and it was the first time we'd seen each other since. I was out with my friends Angela and Ben, celebrating Angela's birthday, when I saw him across the room. To say I was shocked is an understatement. Jacob is not exactly a social butterfly. In fact, in the three months we were together, I had to twist his arm to get him to go out. He hated bars, probably because he was socially inept. What was even more shocking was the fact that he was with a girl.

Here's what you need to know about Jacob: he's from a small town in Washington. He went to an even smaller university in Maryland, then decided to do his spontaneous act of the century and move out to Los Angeles. When I met him I was working as a cocktail waitress at a lounge in Hollywood, a job I hated with an all-consuming passion. Not only did I have to deal with drunken assholes trying to put tips in my cleavage, I also had to fend off advances from my boss, who regularly reminded me that the only reason he hired me was because he wanted to sleep with me. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, and all in all, I was feeling trapped.

Jacob was the seemingly sweet, stable guy I thought I needed. He had his life together (so I thought), he was charming, and most of all, he adored me. That was what proved to be our downfall.

You see, before we met, Jacob was a virgin. How a 25-year-old man can still be a virgin is beyond me. It only took two dates to take care of that little problem, and after that, he rarely left my side. What was at first sweet became an annoyance. I would become nauseous just thinking about him. That was my clue that it had to end.

But instead of being brave and up front about it, I took the "it's-not-you-it's-me" route, creating a lavish story about how I was never loved by my father and so I didn't know how to love, and maybe I needed to get counseling for my commitment issues. He cried. We're not talking light tears, either. We're talking full, body-racking sobs. The kind of sobs a grown man should never subject himself to. He said he understood and hoped that my counseling would prove to be "worthwhile," and he would pray that I would get my "issues" straightened out.

What an asshole.

So two months after this conversation took place, I happen to run into him. He immediately spots me and comes over, dragging the little tart behind him. He gives me a hesitant smile and puts his hand on my shoulder. I struggle not to gag.

"Bella, this is Leah," he introduces us. At the sound of my name, Leah pales. Ah, so he's mentioned me.

Jacob leans down to whisper in my ear.

"How are you feeling, Bella?" He asks me, his voice husky with concern. I glare at him.

"Just fine, thank you. Taking the night off work."

"I thought you were going to quit that job. That's what you told me," he accused, hurt seeping into his voice.

"That's the plan. I just have to figure out what I'm going to do. I'm thinking about grad school." Where the fuck did that come from? Angela was looking at me, puzzled. Ben, having adopted a no-Jacob policy, simply engaged in a conversation with the person to his left.

Jacob smirked. The jerk actually smirked.

"Like you could get into grad school, Bella." My temper flared, and the only thing that stopped me from wiping that smirk off his face was Angela's reassuring hand on my arm. I breathed deeply, willing the anger to fade.

"Why is that so hard to believe, Jacob?" I bit out his name. He shrugged.

"Well, it's not like you had the grades in college. Besides, you have your issues." Had Angela not tightened her grip, his face would have shaken hands with the floor. I shook with anger. Why do I let him get to me?

"My issues are none of your concern." He nodded sympathetically.

"Sure, whatever you say."

Fucker.

Suddenly, a whiny voice piped up from behind him. "Jacob, come on! You promised we'd dance!" Leah's voice was like nails on a chalkboard. Jacob didn't seem to notice as he wrapped his arm securely around her waist and turned to leave.

"Bye Bella. Good luck with grad school." He smirked again, then walked away, the little poodle in tow. I turned to Angela.

"Why do I let him get to me?" She shrugged.

"I was wondering the same thing," she answered.

I spent three days mulling this over and decided that grad school actually might not be such a bad idea. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life: I hated my job, and if I stayed in LA much longer I'd probably go on a killing spree, starting with Jacob. It was time to get the hell out of Dodge.

So with that in mind, I set out to find schools. After looking at virtually every school that had a graduate program in Biology, I settled on New York University. It appealed to me since it was on the other side of the country and there was no way in hell I would run into Jacob, therefore keeping me out of jail. It was a win-win situation. Now all I had to do was figure out the financials.

That's where the Bank of Dad came in.

This was going to be tricky. Charlie knew I had spent my undergraduate years in a drunken stupor, skipping class on an almost daily basis. Even though I graduated with a 3.2 cumulative average, I had been put on academic probation during my junior year and had to go for an extra semester. To say he was unenthusiastic is an understatement.

"Why do you need to go to graduate school? You barely survived college as it was."

"I know Dad, but I feel completely lost. My life is going nowhere. I'm stuck in a dead end job that I hate. I need a change," I argued. He sighed.

"What are you going to do with a graduate degree? Is it going to open up more opportunities for you?" I nodded eagerly, taking advantage of the topic he opened up.

"I can teach. If I decide I want to work in a lab, I have to have a Master's degree anyway. There's a whole host of opportunities for me if I do this." I could feel that he was starting to relent. Charlie had always dreamed of me going to work in a bio lab, something he wanted to do but was unable to afford the schooling for. I knew it was low to play that card, but I was desperate.

He sighed heavily. "What schools have you looked at?" I smiled.

"I've looked at a bunch, but I'm pretty set on NYU. They have a great program in Developmental Genetics, and it's only a two year program."

"Were your grades good enough to get in?"

"You had to have a B average, and that's what I graduated with. Dad, I've got the grades, all I need is the tuition money. I can apply for financial aid, but it won't cover all of it." His face was still hard.

"Please, Dad, this is something I really want to do. I have to find something to do with my life, and this is a great opportunity. I hate being aimless, and I know this will put some direction into my life." I knew I was begging, but I was surprisingly sincere. Up until now, I was only doing this because Jacob told me I couldn't. But now I found that I desperately wanted to find my purpose in life, and I knew that this could be my chance to do that.

It took another two weeks of pleading, but Charlie finally came around and agreed to pay for my tuition, on the conditions that I eventually pay him back and I seriously consider going to work in a lab.

I took great pride in quitting my job and informing my boss that he could go fuck himself. I said goodbye to my friends. I was out with Angela and Ben the night before I was set to leave when I heard my name being spoken smugly from behind me. I cringed. I knew that voice.

"Hello Jacob," I said coldly, turning slowly to face him. I wasn't surprised to see Leah clinging to him. Jacob took in our empty plates, two bottles of wine, and margarita glasses. He turned back to me with disapproval on his face.

"Taking another night off work?" I smiled winningly. This was what I had been waiting for.

"No, actually, I quit my job." His face registered surprise.

"Did you find another job?" I shook my head.

"Nope." A moment, then: "I'm actually leaving for grad school in the morning." Jacob laughed. The asshole actually laughed.

"No, really, what are you going to do?" I smiled indulgently, like he was a two-year-old child.

"I am going to NYU." His jaw dropped. "To study Developmental Genetics." His jaw hit the cement. All of the bullshit I was undoubtedly going to be going through over the next two years was so worth it for that moment. He stuttered as Leah tightened her hold on his waist.

I was enjoying this immensely.

"Well, enjoy school, I guess," he said, still shocked.

"I will," I replied, turning my back to him. Angela was grinning, and Ben reached out to high-five me.

It was the best farewell dinner I could have asked for.

Fast forward to me flinging open the door to my apartment after my sixth trip up the stairs, grumbling under my breath. "I am going to kill Jacob," I muttered, breathing heavily before I dragged the final trunk into the apartment.

I noticed my roommates weren't in residence yet, and a shower was desperately in order. I spent 20 minutes letting the hot water relax my sore muscles. Once out, I wrapped myself in my oversized towel and opened the door.

"Holy shit!" I shrieked. The tiny girl on the other side of the door screamed too.

"Alice?" I heard a male voice call from down the hallway. "Are you okay?" A moment later a Greek god stepped into my line of vision. His green eyes were startling vibrant, his unusual bronze hair arranged in disarray. The shirt he wore showed off his muscular body. I felt my breath hitch.

"Yes, Edward, I'm fine," the pixie-like girl answered, recovering from her shock. She extended a hand. "I'm Alice, and this is my brother Edward. Are you Bella or Rosalie?" I took her offered hand and shook it firmly.

"Bella. It's nice to meet you both." I couldn't take my eyes off of Edward. I knew it was impolite to stare, and I was embarrassing myself beyond belief, but I couldn't help it. There was only one word to describe him: perfection.

He cleared his throat lightly and looked pointedly at me. It was at that moment that I realized I was only wearing a towel. My cheeks flushed as I hurriedly excused myself. I ran to my room and threw on whatever clothes I could find, hurriedly dragging a comb through my wet hair. As I left my room I heard voices in the kitchen, and directed myself toward them. Alice smiled when I entered the room and indicated to the seat next to her. I decided then and there that I liked Alice.

"So, Bella. Tell me everything about yourself. Where are you from? What are you studying? Do you have a boyfriend? Do you like it in New York? Are you-" I laughed as I held up my hand to stop her.

"I'm from Los Angeles." Her eyes lit up and she opened her mouth to respond, but I kept talking. "I'm getting my Master's in Developmental Genetics. No boyfriend, thank God. I like New York so far, but there's still time." I smiled to let her know I was joking. Her eyes were shining.

"I've always wanted to go to Los Angeles! I am so jealous! Did you grow up there? Did you meet any famous people? Are Brad and Angelina just a gorgeous in real life?"

"I grew up in Phoenix, but after I graduated I moved to LA for a change of scenery, and also to be near my father. I never met any famous people, and I've never seen Brad and Angelina up close." She frowned.

"How can you live in Los Angeles and not meet anybody famous?" She looked like she might start to rant, but Edward put a gentle hand on her shoulder. Until then, I had forgotten he was there.

"Alice," he scolded in his velvet voice. "I think you're overwhelming her." He looked at me apologetically. Alice just pouted.

"Bella's going to be my roommate for the next two years! I have to know everything about her!" I laughed again, and this time Edward joined me. I relished the sound of his musical tenor.

"Alice, you have two years to get to know me, and I promise you will find out more about me than you ever wanted to know." Her eyes lit up again. This seemed to pacify her. "How about you? Are you from around here?" She shook her head.

"We grew up in Chicago. When I decided to go to grad school, Edward convinced me to look at NYU since they have a killer acting program."

"So you're an actress?" She nodded.

"Yeah. Edward works at a law firm in Midtown, so I was able to come out here and stay with him while I looked at the school." I turned my attention to Edward.

"So you're a lawyer? What kind of law?" His eyes burned into mine.

"Marital." Talk about a conversation killer. I switched tactics.

"So what brought you out here?" He smiled a small crooked smile that made my heart race.

"They made me an offer I couldn't refuse." I laughed. His cell phone rang, and he sent me an apologetic look. "Excuse me for a moment," he said, flipping his phone open. "Hi Tanya." Alice's scowl didn't escape me as she watched her brother leave the room.

"Girlfriend?" She nodded grimly. Though I wasn't surprised, I was vaguely disappointed. Get a grip Bella! I admonished myself.

"I wish he would just dump that dumb bitch." Alice's venomous voice broke through my thoughts. I stared at her in surprise.

"Not a fan?" I guessed.

"Not at all. She's not good for him. For one thing, she's controlling as hell. She doesn't like him to have any friends. She hates that he spends time with me. If she saw you, she'd never let him out of her sight. She doesn't deserve him and she knows it. So she makes his life a living hell." I smirked.

"Something tells me that you've made it very clear that he's too good for her." She smiled sheepishly. I took that as a yes. I was about to ask her more, but Edward chose that moment to enter the room. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"Ali, I'm so sorry, but I have to go. Tanya's having a small crisis." Alice scowled.

"What? She broke a nail?"

"Alice, be nice," he scolded, kissing her on the forehead. "I'll call you later." He turned to me hand extended. "Bella, it was a pleasure meeting you."

"Likewise." I shook his hand firmly.

"I'm sure I'll be seeing you again soon." I watched as he turned to walk out the door, and I knew in that instant that he would break my heart, whether he meant to or not. It also occurred to me that I would never have been in this situation if I hadn't decided to go back to school.

Fucking Jacob.