Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight

Okay, so here is the first chapter of Healing. I've posted it earlier than I thought I would, but everyone kept asking after it so I just had to post it or feel really really guilty.

So here we go!

BPOV

Being a vampire had definitely broadened my horizons.

After freeing myself from the Volturi I decided to leave Europe, and maybe not return there for several decades. Instead I turned east and decided to walk to Alaska. I hunted in the forests until I was over stuffed with blood. I was unsure how long this would take, and I was also unsure if I would find any animals to eat along the way. So I over fed so that I wouldn't feast upon the first human I laid eyes on once in Alaska.

With my stomach filled with blood I walked out into the snowy wasteland. My vision was obstructed by the wind and snow on bad days, but on good days when the sun was shining high, I revelled in the freedom of it all. The elements were so free here, so wild and deadly. It took me two weeks to reach the sea of ice that separated Russia and Alaska. During the time I spent in the emptiest place in the world I wallowed in my self-loathing and pity. I recalled Felix's touch, and the screams Heidi let out as she burned piece by piece. I screamed my frustration into the wilderness, and I dry sobbed when the grief got too much. I knew that I hadn't conquered the memories of Felix, or the guilt about Heidi's death, but I decided to move past them, to try and walk forward. I hadn't conquered them, I was simply pushing them away for a later time, when I was stronger and could cope with it all. I was being a coward, but it worked, so I wasn't going to knock it.

But the memories weren't the only things I was running from. I needed to know how Charlie was, to see the Pack again, or maybe just Jacob would be best. Charlie would have been devastated by my disappearance, and probably believed me dead. I wondered how the Pack had fared when they learned about Paul. They didn't know everything, and that lack of knowledge could have marred their memory of him forever. Then there was Victoria. In all my hated memories of Volterra I can't remember seeing her. Whether she is dead or alive is unknown to me. I shuddered at the thought of seeing her wild red hair again, seeing her cruel smile as she contemplated how best to make me suffer, the gleam in her eyes as she cut open my flesh, sucking on the blood.

Then there was the last thing I was running from. Maybe not thing, maybe them. I didn't want to face the Cullens again yet. I didn't think I was strong enough. Especially to see Edward. I yearned to see him, hold him, kiss him, love him, but I refused to find them. Instead I walked across a desert of snow.

So with the snow as my only witness I looked over at the ice.

The ice was weak and melting, adding a new level of danger and excitement to my challenge. I leapt from one place to another, feeling the ice shudder beneath my feet. I reach solid earth as the ice behind me gave one last groan before cracking completely, bringing a satisfied smile to my face.

The smile disappeared as soon as it arrived.

I had gone to the frozen wasteland to avoid company of any kind, but now I was in Alaska, where I knew there was a permanent coven of vampires.

But I had to hunt, and so I headed into the trees.

If I stayed clear of Denali I would be fine.

EPOV

I knew Bella would break free; Alice's vision had been proof of that.

Yet still....

I wished that the day when we would be together again would hurry on its way. This time of separation was unlike the other times, when I believed she was dead or hated me. I no longer held that need for revenge, nor was I devoid of all emotion. I knew she was alive and would one day come back to me, making my world whole again.

But I always felt longing.

They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and if this is true then I will never let Bella out of my sight again.

—X—

My siblings and I were attending school in West Burke Vermont (AN: I know nothing about the state of Vermont, I got that name from a map of the state.) Just like any other time I scanned the thoughts of those around us, searching for the slightest hint of suspicion. The general population, as usual, were captivated by our beauty, but most were also quietly afraid. Those that weren't were foolishly hoping we were all single. Alice, Jasper, and I were pretending to be juniors, whilst Emmett and Rosalie were seniors.

The day passed in a blur of tedium and repetitive subjects. Not to mention the thoughts of hormonal teenagers, Emmett's amongst them. I did not need to listen to exactly what he would like to do to Rosalie at that moment of time. My siblings and I shared the same period for lunch, so we went to fetch our props together, and sat down away from the other students. Such obvious separation should have indicated that we weren't going to socialise with them.

That didn't stop a few hopefuls from approaching us anyway.

I could tell from their thoughts that my family had made it abundantly clear that they were otherwise involved throughout the day, so the two girls were here for me. Oh joy.

I glanced at them briefly before continuing to talk with Jasper, before stifling a groan as their thoughts turned to sordid fantasies. I got enough of that from Emmett. The two girls approached us hesitantly, natural instincts warning them to stay away.

"Hi," the blonde said when they reached our table. The red head just nodded, content to let her friend do the talking.

"So, we were wondering if you wanted anyone to show you round town later," the first one continued, looking directly at me, "Get to know each other better," I shuddered internally at just how she wanted to get to know me.

"No thank you," I politely declined, "We already know our way around, after we visited the area just before moving,"

"It's okay," the red head spoke up, her thoughts radiating disappointment mingled with relief, "we just thought we'd offer. See you all in class," she said before practically dragging her friend away from us. I turned back to my brothers and sisters just as they started to laugh.

"Damn, I forgot just how funny human students are around you Eddie," Emmett chuckled, earning a scowl at the nickname.

"Oh shut up Em, you should hear what they keep thinking about you and Rose,"

"I don't have to," Jasper grumbled, "And from the waves of lust that poured off the blonde I don't want to,"

They spent the rest of the lunch period laughing at my misfortune, but their thoughts told me how glad they were I was smiling. Each of them had been worried I would return to my previous depression.

The bell rang for is to return to lessons as we gathered our things. This was the one lesson I didn't share with any of them, so I would be forced to face the hormones alone.

The teacher was worse than the students.

Oh my God! Her thoughts squealed, if he wasn't a student... I cut her thoughts off right there.

"I'm Edward Cullen," I said, wincing internally as her fantasies soared to new heights.

"Oh, right, of course," she gushed, her cheeks flushing pink, "Take a seat next to Bronagh and we'll get started,"

I did as she asked, thankful that the girl name Bronagh didn't really care what I did, focusing only on Flogging Molly blasting through her ears. It was actually quite good.

"So," Ms Calendar began "we have a new student today, so we're going to ask him a few questions, so we can get to know him better." She turned to me then, her mind bubbling with questions, "Is that alright Edward?"

No.

"Of course,"

"Okay then, how about we start with...Robyn, how about you?"

"Um...what music do you like?" and so it began

"Anything except 60s and 70s." Much to her amusement.

"What books do you like?"

"Any except classics." They remind me too much of her.

"Is that your natural hair colour?"

"Yes," She liked to run her hands through it when we kissed.

"Do you have a girlfriend?" The dreaded question.

"Yes," I wish she was here.

"Is she at this school?"

"No." because I couldn't save her when I had the chance.

"So it's a long distance thing?"

"Yes," only because we have no choice.

"Do you love her?" Bronagh asked with a soft Irish lilt to her voice.

"Yes." Forever.

The disappointment in the room was almost palpable. Bronagh simply nodded, her thoughts already drifting back to her music.

At least there was one sensible human in this school.

—X—

There was a note on top of my stereo when we got back.

It was a simple piece of white paper, a note written in anonymous block capitals. A mobile number with a single word written underneath it.

Bella.

You like or hate?

Please review, you guys make me so happy!