Sorry I took so long but here we go. Chapter two, hope you enjoy :)


Chapter Two
Bella's POV

Watching Edward leave through the window was kind of a surreal moment for me. I mean, I knew now that it was what I wanted, what I needed, but I couldn't help feel a small pang of pain as he retreated. At the lack of fight he put up. It didn't take him long to disappear into the trees which I was thankful for. If he prolonged his stay then I may have given into the small urge to call out and take back everything I'd said, only because I was scared of what happened next, not because I thought what I was doing was wrong.

I sat on the edge of my bed unsure of what to do now. I knew I should have probably went to sleep but my wind was going too fast. Sleep would have evaded me no matter how hard I tried. I heard the heavy footsteps of Charlie as he stumbled his way up to bed no doubt. He called out a swift goodnight, as he always did, to which I responded. I realized then I'd have to tell him about the breakup. I wondered if he'd be happy. Probably. It was every fathers dream to not have to worry about their daughters and boys.

With a sigh I finally relented and climbed under the covers. I could at least try for a few hours sleep at least. It wasn't the first night I'd slept without Edward but it was one of a few. He usually hunted while I was having dinner with Charlie so he wouldn't have to leave me alone. Like something was going to happen to me in my sleep. It never bothered me at first, in fact, I relished in the times I was able to cuddle into him and fall asleep as he hummed my lullaby. But then it began to feel like a routine. Something I didn't look forward to because I knew it would it happen anyway. I was like listening to the same song over and over again. It was exciting and new at first, enjoyable, but then eventually it lost its thrill. It became repetitive and boring.

There had been plenty of times when Angela or even on occasion Jessica had invited me to sleepovers but I always politely declined, not knowing what Edward would say. I didn't want to offend him by going off somewhere else while he had nothing else to do with his time during the night. I revolved around him, everything I did was reflective of how I thought Edward would feel. It took me a while to realize but now that I had, I wanted nothing more than to get away from it. How could I have ever wished to be changed into a vampire when I didn't even live for myself anymore? I didn't do the things I wanted and that really was OK with me.

At some point I finally drifted off. My sleep was restless and I was woken abruptly by the sound of a car door closing. Guess Charlie was heading out to work. I could've used a couple more hours sleep but I knew they wouldn't come so I hauled myself from my bed and down the stairs. Breakfast was a quiet event. Usually, Edward would be sitting across from me, staring intently with a hint of disgust at the contents in my bowl. Well, not everyone can stomach blood like you.

It was Saturday and I had no idea how to spend my day. I debated whether or not I should call Angela and see if she wanted to do anything but quickly decided against it. She'd probably want to invite Jessica and the first person I wanted to tell about Edward and I separating was definitely not the gossip queen of school. I pondered who else I could call as I got dressed. I wasn't in the mood to stay home but since I'd pretty much abandoned all my friends for the Cullen's, I cam up blank. I wondered minutely if I should call Alice, just because it was over with Edward didn't mean I had to stop spending time with my best friend.

As quickly as the thought came, I pushed it away. That was the last thing I wanted. Not only was it unfair on Edward, how could I tell him to forget about me and not wait for me when I'm gallivanting around with his sister? But it would also mean I'd probably have to listen to her trying to convince me that what I was doing was wrong and that she had seen us together.

Newsflash, Alice, your visions are subjective.

I was so lost in thought when I heard the phone ring. I was cautious about answering, what if it was one of the Cullen's? I wasn't ready to talk to them yet. I was planning on not answering but then thought it might be Charlie and he could have something important to tell me. I figured if it was someone unwanted I could easily just hang up.

"Hello?" I asked as I held the receiver to my ear.

"Bella?" A boisterous voice sounded through it. "Bella is that you?"

"Yeah, Jake, it's me," I said slightly confused. What other female would be answering the phone at Charlie's?

"Wow, I never thought I'd actually reach you. I was planning on leaving a message. Thought you'd be off with Cullen by now."

Nice Jacob. Real smooth. Hearing him talk only served to remind me how much I'd actually ignored my friends for Edward. It must have been a while since I last saw Jake. Edward had always been wary of him, I mean, he wasn't able to go to La Push because of the treaty which made him wary of me going alone. And of course, to please the all mighty vampire, I didn't go.

"Uh yeah, Jake, I'll be around a lot more."

I heard Jacob let out a deep chuckle. "Uh oh," he said in a sing-song voice. "Trouble in paradise?"

"Something like that," I sighed.

"Well, listen, you can tell me all about it later. Tonight actually, there's this bonfire. You should come."

I thought about it for a moment then subconsciously replied, "I don't know Jake," purely from the fact I was so used to rejecting invitations that it was like a second nature to me.

"What's stopping you, Bella?" Jacob groaned. "It's just a bonfire. Plus, I need a chance to give you your gift after all, I did miss your birthday."

"Don't even mention presents or I'll definitely not come," I chastised.

Jacob let out a loud guffaw. "C'mon, Bella. It'll be fun, it's been a while since you and I had fun."

When he put it like that it really made we want to give in. "You know what, I'll come. Like you said, what's stopping me?"

"Really?" Jake gasped. "You'll come? Great! I'll pick you up at seven." And he hung before I had a chance to reply. I stood frozen for a second. Was I really ready for this? Of course I was. This was just Jake. I hadn't seen him in forever and he deserved some of my time. I'd neglected him for too long. With a shake of my head I decided to do the laundry until it was a reasonable time for me to get ready for the bonfire. There was obviously going to be a fire there but I still wanted to dress warm just in case. The impulse probably came from spending so much time with people who were constantly cold and it was a habit I would take a while to break.

Charlie arrived home around six, just as I was covering the potatoes I was making for dinner in foil. I put them in the oven before turning to greet him.

"Smells good, Bells," Charlie muttered as always. "Need any help?"

"Nah, I got it," I said simply. The last thing I wanted was Charlie in the kitchen. He could cook simple things like beans or maybe fry an egg but when it came to more complicated things, he was at a loss.

Charlie smiled slightly before retreating silently out of the kitchen and into the living room. I heard the soothing blare of a game immediately. It was around half six when I had finished cooking and called Charlie to eat. We sat in silence for a moment until I decided to bring up the bonfire.

"Hey, dad?" I asked.

He looked up from his food with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"You mind if I go out tonight?"

He seemed to ponder this for a second before his eyebrows drew together. "Don't you think you spend enough time with that boy?"

Ah! Here it goes.

"Actually not with Edward, dad. With Jacob?"

His eyebrows shot up at this. The man was very expressive when it came to his brows. "Jake, huh? Well sure, I guess that's OK."

I couldn't hold in the chuckle. Of course he'd agree to Jake. I'm sure he was still holding onto that small hope that something other than friendship would occur between the two of us but I knew that would never happen. Even if Edward had never been in the picture I probably would never seem him more than a friend. He was like a little brother to me.

"So no Edward tonight?" Charlie asked after a moments silence.

I shook my head. "Actually Edward and I broke up." I was once again shocked at how easily the words flowed, how easily I had accepted it. It scared me, shouldn't I be more upset after breaking up with my boyfriend? Even if it was juts a little bit. I sighed and shook my head. What did it matter if I was or not? Obviously we weren't meant to be. After all, vampires and humans should never mix the way we did. It wasn't natural.

Charlie's eyebrows shot up for the second time and I was sure his mouth fell open slightly. "You broke up?" I nodded. "You don't seem to upset about that?" I sighed and nodded again.

"I guess I'm not," I mumbled. "I don't know dad, it just isn't the same, I did what was right for me."

Charlie nodded. "Would it be wrong of me to say I'm glad?"

I couldn't stop the loud laugh that fell from my lips. "Probably," I mused, "but I'm glad too. I think."

A little after seven I heard the rumble of a truck, the sound similar to my own. After I donned my waterproof and slipped into a pair of sneakers I bid goodbye to Charlie, told him to wait up to which he responded he would, and made my way out to meet Jacob. He was leaning against the side of a black truck with a sort of cocky smile. "Never thought I'd manage to coax you away from Cullen," Jake chuckled. "It was a lot easier then I'd anticipated."

I shook my head and slapped him lightly on one arm. "Trouble in paradise remember," I joked. "But, hey, Jake? Maybe you should lay off the steroids," I frowned. It was a joke but I couldn't help notice the muscles that were beginning to bulge from beneath his t-shirt. How long had it been since I last saw him?

Jake chuckled before walking round and climbing into the truck. I followed suit, climbing into the passengers side before realizing I was oddly excited for this bonfire.


A/N - Eeek! So is anyone else excited for the bonfire? I am. I can't wait for a little Sam/Bella action.

Let me know what you think, even if it's to yell at me for taking so long. Review. You know you want to.:D

-Savanna