The air in Florida smelt different than Washington. She thought the same thing every morning, when she took her first breath of the day. She didn't know why she always immediately thought of Washington. She had escaped from the rainy town from the moment she graduated. She wanted out.

She had apologized to her father, three years ago, for leaving. Once Jacob Black, her childhood friend, and only person she could rely on, had imprinted on Angela Webber... Bella knew she didn't belong anymore. So she moved in with her mother, Renee, and her step-father, Phil Dwyer. They were good people, Bella knew that, even if they behaved a little younger than their years should allow them.

Saying goodbye to Jake had been hard. They talked, occasionally. She would call Billy or Jake once a month and talk to whoever was available - which happened to be the entire wolf pack on some occasions. There was fighting over the phone, exclamations as they wanted food.

Jake, who still called her Hells Bells after she told him she got a tattoo for her twentieth birthday. Sam, who would keep her updated on any activity in the area. Seth, who just wanted to tell her about his current girlfriend (which changed every phone call). Leah, who was feeling more friendly to Bella, after three long years of awkward forced phone calls. Emily, who had a child only a few months ago and happily told Bella the joys of motherhood. Billy, who was still going strong. Jared, who was in his newlywed phase. And then Paul... Their conversations were short, no matter how polite she was to him. She had even been a bitch to him, but he still... the conversation always ended abruptly.

So when he called her just as the semester between her junior year of college and her senior year ended, she didn't know if she should have reacted hostile, worried, or... or surprised. But thoughts immediately flew to Charlie and she decided worried was best.

"What's wrong?" she answered, placing the phone on speaker as she turned her car towards her apartment complex.

"What makes you think something's wrong? Maybe I want to talk to the pale face."

Bella rolled her eyes. "Paul, honey, you wouldn't call me, even if your house was on fire and no one else was around. What's wrong? Is Charlie... He's okay, right?"

"Shit, Bella, I can't just call to tell you good news?" Paul demanded, huffing. Anger, she knew he had an issue with it.

"Well considering the last time you called me, it was about how Charlie was having chest pains and he was in the hospital, yeah, I'd say that's the only reason you call," Bella informed him shortly. "So what is it, if it's not bad?"

"Jake's getting married to Ange." There was a second of silence. Bella wasn't too surprised. She knew it was only a matter of time. With the imprint, they were already soul mates. "Angela wants you to be her Maid of Honor." That was a surprise.

"Really? But we haven't even seen each other..." Bella cleared her throat. "That's awesome. Tell them I said congratulations and tell Angela I'd love to."

"Yeah, okay."

"When is the wedding?"

"Uh... next month?"

Bella blinked, parking her car. "What?"

"Well, they sort of got engaged a while ago, but I kept pushing back calling you."

"But my dress-"

"Just call her, Swan. I really don't care."

"Wait, am I allowed to bring people?" Bella rushed out, thinking of the girls that were in the apartment at the very same moment she was in the parking lot talking to the guy that was pretty stiff with the leech lover.

He growled. "Who?"

"Stephanie and Hayley... They're my roommates. Steph's my step-cousin or something... but I just want to ask if that'd be okay."

"Yeah, whatever."

"Your consent doesn't mean it's Jake and Angela's consent," Bella snapped. "If you could please ask?" She got out of her car, slamming it shut behind her as she moved towards the front door. She nearly groaned when she saw the freaky freshman feeder looking her up and down in a not nearly as sexy way as he hoped.

"Hey, Bella."

She huffed and held the phone away from her face as she walked around the creep. "Hi, Kevin."

"Drinks later on?"

"No, Kevin." She tried desperately to keep the annoyed tone from showing. She put the phone back up to her ear, exhaling as she climbed the stairs. "Look, Paul, just... please ask?"

"Who's that?"

"Just some creep that lives in the same building as me," Bella sighed. "If you don't want to ask, I can call Angela myself-"

"Yeah, I'll ask. Do you want me to call you back?"

"You want to call me back?"

"Sam's being an ass, and he's being an ass to me," Paul said bitterly. "So it's either run patrols with him or talk to the pale-faced leech lover."

"Whatever. I need to make sure Stephanie's not sticking her tongue down Boyfriend's throat-"

As the door opened, and Stephanie heard this, the girl let out a laugh. "Sorry, Bells. Not a chance."

"Bye-" Bella began to say, but the sounds of a dial tone reached her ears. Huh. She threw the phone on the counter, spotting Stephanie's boyfriend, who everyone called Boyfriend, sniffling. Sick. Wonderful.

"He's got the flu."

"And he's here?" Bella demanded. Hayley was in her room, a note saying she was quarantined from the plague, so she wouldn't get sick. Her interview at Sea World was in a few days and she didn't want to be dying for it.

"So, who was that on the phone?"

"Ugh, Paul," Bella sighed, sitting on the kitchen counter, watching as Stephanie rubbed Boyfriend's head, resting in her lap. "I've been invited to Jake's wedding, so he's checking to see if I can bring you and Hayley... Not you, Boyf, sorry."

"Don't worry about it," Boyf muttered, his voice congested. Wonderful. Almost immediately, her phone started to ring and she answered it, not even glancing at the ID.

"Hello?"

"They said yes." His voice was gruff, as though he was puffing out some anger.

"You okay?"

"Peachy-" And the phone on his end slammed into the receiver, cutting their conversation off. She winced, pulling the phone away from her. Whatever upset him sure wasn't going to make for a pretty Paul. Her phone rang again and this time, her ID said it was still the Lahote house.

"Look, Paul, the more you call me the less they'll stop bugging you to be civil," Bella snapped into the phone. "It's rather rude, you know, to hang up on someone, twice now-"

"Yeah, like I said, we're working on the anger," a very different voice said.

"Jake!" Bella said in surprise. "Sorry, my ID said- Anyway, congrats. I've heard the great news."

"I was kind of surprised it took him this long to tell you," Jake admitted. "But if it would have gone longer than it has, we would have told you ourselves. Therapy's not working for him, I don't think. Sam's trying."

"Well, I guess trying's what counts." Bella moved towards her bedroom, shutting it behind her for privacy. "So, what was it this time? Burnt hot dog? Oh, let me guess, a pinch of sand in his sandwich?"

"Unfortunately, no. It had something to do with this girl he's interested in," Jake said simply. Bella felt her eyebrow lift in surprise. Paul actually honestly liked a girl? As something more than a sexual object? It was a miracle. "That's all Sam said, anyway. Paul phased so Sam's trying to calm him down. Apparently, alpha orders to call you only work so well."

"And me being the leechlover, that probably really doesn't help," Bella admitted. "So... when do I need to get there?"

"Ange's starting to panic. So... the earlier the better, really. When's best for you?"

"Well... it's summer, so I don't have any classes," Bella admitted. "And my boss was a dick so I quit. I'm free, so anytime really."

"Can you get here next week? Because Angela is starting to turn into the bridezilla that dad always warned me about and she needs someone that won't phase on her to... well, to calm her down."

"Consider us there... and thanks for letting my friends come-"

"Yeah, no problem. Just... I think it's a good idea not to bring your boyfriend."

"My boyfriend?" Bella asked, confused. "I don't have a boyfriend. Stephanie does, though, but he's ... well, more of a friend with benefits. Otherwise, no boyfriends in my apartment." She paused. "Where did you get the idea I had a boyfriend?"

"Oh... Paul was just saying how you were making sure your friend wasn't kissing your boyfriend."

"Oh, we call him Boyfriend, but he's... anyway, no I'm single. I definitely would have told you if I had a boyfriend, Jake. Come on, you're only my absolute best friend in the world."

"I was almost hoping you'd gotten over Cullen."

Bella paused, quiet. "It'll always hurt, but... I'm not hung up over him. He was bad for me. We all know that. Besides, wolves are a man's best friend. Why would I choose a leech over a wolf? If anything, I'm intending on wrangling one of the boys into bed."

Jake laughed, and it was a sound Bella found comfort in. God, she loved Jake so much. "I'm sure all of the boys will love to hear that."

"I hope so too." She glanced towards her bedroom door. "Will I need to find a place to crash, or is the house open?"

"It's open. Ang and I have it blocked off, for anyone that stops by for the wedding." Bella sighed in relief. There would have been no way she could have afforded a hotel for a month. "So-"

"We're going to drive, so I'll be up there in... maybe four days?"

"You're driving?" Jake asked, surprise. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean... Victoria and-"

"Flying is way too expensive," Bella admitted. "And I'd rather have my car to take the girls out and go see friends." Bella sighed and flopped back on her bed. "I miss you so fucking much, Jake... I wish I could stay there, but..."

"Bad memories, yeah. We know. And the pack understands. You need space. And college will be good for you, right? I mean, you're finding yourself without that dickwad."

Bella snorted. "Believe me, it's been liberating. Did you know that I'm pretty sure I invented new sex pos-"

"Lalalala!" Jake cried suddenly, cutting her off. She let out a peal of laughter, turning onto her side.

"Stop trying to ask about my romantic life. You aren't subtle, Jake." Bella listened to him chuckling for a minute, closing her eyes. She missed him. She missed all of them, even dickhead Paul. "How is everyone? I mean, really?"

"Charlie and Sue are a bit romantic... all the time. Leah moved out because she didn't want to walk in on them for the eighth time." Gross. "Seth imprinted-"

"Really?" Bella cried. "Why didn't you guys tell me? On who? Do I know them?"

"Nah, some girl in his Health class. Her name's Sarah. Sweet, a bit odd, but good for him, ya know?" She knew the type. Angela was the same way for Jake. "And everyone else is the same. Paul throws shit-fits every day, Sam and Emily are wrestling their own little pack, and Claire is already declaring she's going to marry Quil."

"At least she knows where her heart is," Bella admitted. "And Jared and Kim?"

"He's about ready to pop the question," Jake admitted. Everyone was growing up.

"Goodness... You're only twenty. At this rate, I'm going to be the spinster of the group. Do I need to find someone serious to fit in, because I might be the only one single at this rate. Even Paul's got someone."

Jake just laughed. "I think showing up single will be best. The twins are single. And Paul is still single, even though he likes that girl. That's enough for you and your friends, right?"

Enough? She liked the sound of it. "I do get dibs on Paul, right? Leech lover be damned, he is probably the hottest of the pack, Jake. And I don't want Steph or Hailey on that-"

"I'll be sure to let him know," Jake seemed to grin.

"Please do," Bella smiled. Glancing at her clock, she sighed. "I've got to go make dinner. I'll call you tomorrow... I think I'm going to head out tomorrow. Maybe Boyfriend will eat all of our food for us-"

"See, when you say it like that, it makes it sound like your boyfriend."

"I assure you, I'm not interested in that," Bella snorted. "I'll see you later, Jake. And tell Paul to stop being a dick. No girl wants a dick."

"I'm pretty sure that's all you want him for-"

"You know what I mean!" Bella cried. "Jake!" But she giggled. "I miss you."

"Miss you too, loca. Call me when you get close, then, and we'll get you all situated."

Bella heard more sneezing in the living room. "Yeah, because that's what the heavy lifters are for." She hesitated. "You won't really tell Paul that, though, right? Because it'd just make things even worse between us."

"You're kidding me, right? Of course not."

"Good." She listened to the sneezing of Boyfriend again. God, she prayed she wouldn't get sick before the wedding. "Good," she repeated quietly. The last thing she needed was even more tense atmosphere between her and Paul. The pack were basically forcing him just to be civil with her for five minutes every time they talked. When Jake had to go to get Paul some clothing, Bella took her chances and moved towards the hall, peaking her head around to see Stephanie. "Hey, so how do you feel about a roadtrip to Washington?" Stephanie glanced up as Boyfriend groaned.

"Really? Never been."

"My best friends are getting married and they said I can bring you and Hayley. If you want, that is," Bella continued. "But I'm going to be leaving tomorrow night, I think. It's a long drive, but we've got a beach house to stay in and Charlie and all them."

"Yeah, count me in, too. I haven't met your other side of the family." There really was just Charlie, family-wise. And then his girlfriend of a few years, Sue. The people in the house hadn't met Stephanie since Renee and Phil's wedding nearly seven years ago, now. And they had all really grown up since then. So, Bella just nodded and left the two contaminated members of the apartment to themselves as she quickly ducked back into her room, breathing normally.

A brief moment of wry amusement crossed her mind. Is this what it was like when the leeches were near her? They acted like she was a disease they would catch if they breathed too deeply? Though, Bella, supposed in all actuality, she would still likely get sick in the car ride to Washington.

Just as the Cullens had still hurt her beyond repair.