Huge thanks to Pattinlethr, SparklyMeg, Iklepixie, Everydaybella, Mariahajile & Marly580 for their support, pre-reading, and beta'ing skills. This fic would be a mess without them.

Completely blown away by the response to the first chapter! Thank you all so much! I know we don't know much now, but stick with me, yeah? Those who have ready my other stuff know how much I like a happy ending.

Chapter 2

Jacksonville

"Have you seen the new guy yet? I heard he's super cute!"

I roll my eyes. "Of course you did. You think that every guy initially is super cute."

She shrugs. "You say that like it's a bad thing!"

I giggle as she looks around the hallway, as if the new guy is going to magically appear.

"See you at lunch?"

"You know it." She blows me a kiss and heads off to her Spanish class as I turn into my room for English.

Some of the class have already arrived and are playing around until the teacher arrives. I avoid them, knowing they'll get into trouble, and make my way to my seat.

I frown when I see a stranger sitting in my usual spot. "You're in my seat."

I blush under his intense gaze while he looks at me but doesn't say anything. I clear my throat and shift in my spot, hoping he'll take the hint and move. English is my favorite class, and I don't want a partner.

"I'm sure there's room for two, no?"

I look to the table. There is, but that's not the point.

"Isabella, take your seat, please." The teacher strolls into class, effectively cutting off my argument.

Reluctantly, I take my seat, ignoring the smug look on the stranger's face.

"Okay, class. Today we'll be continuing our work on Edgar Allan Poe. Now, we started his poem, The Raven, the other day, and I was impressed with the debate it caused. So now, we're going to pair up and write a small essay on it." Groans fill the classroom, mine being one of them. The teacher shushes us and then continues. "I'm going to be quite flexible and let you pick what you write about this. What's the author telling us? How does it make you feel? As long as it's heartfelt and you prove your point, you should be fine."

I make notes, ignoring my neighbor as he continues to stare at me. It's then the teacher utters the words that are certain to change my high school years. "Now, look to the person sitting next to you. That's your partner for the rest of the year."

I glance to my left.

He grins. "Hey, partner."

Chicago

I breathe a huge sigh of relief as my plane touches down in Chicago. While I've always loved everything about Florida, I've never been so happy to see the back of it. The heat I once adored now feels stifling, almost suffocating. And the more distance between myself and Jacksonville right now, the better.

I sigh, thinking back to last night. People move around me, packing up their stuff as I remember how it felt to see them together. That place on the beach was our spot. He took me there on our first date and again to tell me he loved me. I adored everything about that, and he's tainted it.

Watching them laughing and joking as if nothing had ever happened brought back everything I'd spent the last few months trying to forget. My heart, which had been healing nicely, was left with gaping wounds once again.

I thought I was past this, past him.

Now, as I face a new chapter of my life in Chicago, I feel more determined than ever to put him behind me.

As the plane begins to empty, I grab my things and follow the crowd to the baggage claim. I wait patiently, sending a text to my mom to let her know that I've landed safely.

Thankfully, baggage claim doesn't take too long. My suitcase comes through quicker than I expected, and I grab it before getting a cab to take me to what is going to be my home for the next school year.

Nerves take over as we pull up outside the halls. It's a flurry of activity as new students move in their things, mothers freak out at leaving their children behind, and older students watch with an air of arrogance around them.

I thank the driver and head toward the main reception to get the keys. I join the end of a long line and fight my nerves as I wait my turn.

"Next."

I pull my suitcase forward and smile nervously at the brunette behind the desk.

"Name."

"Bella Swan."

She looks down her list before looking back to me. "I have an Isabella Swan."

I roll my eyes at my mother's use of my full name when she completed my forms. "Yep. That's me."

"Right. Your room is on the third floor. Go down the hall and take the stairs at the end of the hallway. Your room is 323, and your new best friend is… Mary Brandon."

"Okay…" I say hesitantly, taking the keys and welcome pack from her.

"Anything else?"

I shake my head. "Um… no." I smile. "Thanks."

For the first time she returns my smile. "Word of advice, honey. Don't look so nervous. They'll eat you right up."

I chuckle nervously. "Yeah, thanks." Like it's that easy.

Finding my dorm room is easy. Avoiding the mass of bodies as I drag my case down the corridor is not. But I make it.

I stand in front of the door and eye it nervously. I have absolutely no idea who is behind the door, and that scares the absolute shit out of me.

But this is why I'm here. My plans to attend school in Miami fell through the second I found out about them. Why would I waste my time with friends like that? No, deciding to come here was the best decision I've made, and I've decided to make every minute count.

With a deep breath, I knock on the door, open it, and step into my new home.

Thank you for reading. I would love to know your thoughts.

Fic Rec: The Best I Ever Had (one of my all-time faves) by WhatsMyNomDePlume. Sex between friends complicates everything. Bella knows this. But she has no idea how much more Edward is going to complicate things