The next morning was even worse.

I sat at the table, reading my newspaper when Bella walked down the stairs. She had her hair tied in a messy ponytail and dark colors on.

She looked like she couldn't care less.

"Morning, Bella," I said when she came to the table.

She looked at me with this lifeless look. Then she mumbled a "Hi," and went to the cabinets. I watched as she took out some cereal and a bowl. She did everything with a dazed look and seemed as though she were in some far off land. Once she grabbed the milk of the fridge, Bella sat at her seat at the table and started eating.

"How are you, Bella," I asked. I knew I didn't need to. But I didn't want to lose anything with her over what happened. She spent all night screaming and I rushed to her every time. I hoped that maybe after getting all her anger at Cullen out, she would be feeling a bit better. One look at her and I knew that wasn't the reality of it.

Bella stared at me. She then tried to make a smile, which only came out looking like a grimace and said, "I'm fine", sharply and went back to her cereal.

I wasn't getting through to her. I thought maybe her friends would help her. Maybe once she got to school, Jessica, Angela and Mike would all be there for her and she'd start thinking of why she shouldn't be wasting this on Edward Cullen.

It was obvious she cared a great deal about him. But how serious could it have been? They'd only been together a few months and she'd known him even less before that. There was no way Bella was in love with that boy.

Another look at her told me I was wrong.

It was time for me to get to work. I didn't think I could get out of there without being sure she was ok, but I was now running late as I waited for her to say something else.

I sighed, "Bella," she looked up at me again, "I've got to get going to work." She just nodded to me. "I'll see you later, ok, sweetie?" Once again, she nodded as I went to my daughter and tried to hug her goodbye. She didn't even move as I put my arms around her head and kissed her forehead before I was out the door.

She needs to get through this, I thought. She just needs to.

At work I was thinking about Bella the whole time. The way she looked when Sam carried her back last night, her screams all through the night, and her expressions this morning.

Then I thought to how she looked the past few months.

Bella hated Forks. She only moved here out of convenience for her mother and Phil's new marriage. But suddenly something changed. She had a different outlook on Forks. She liked it. Then she came home telling me she was at the Cullens' house that morning.

I knew it then that there was a chance Bella would go through what I did.

Meeting Edward as my daughter's boyfriend was the most scared I've ever been: Scared for my daughter. Scared for myself that I'd lose her, And even scared for Edward. I knew I'd kill him, or at least want to if he ever hurt her.

But mostly, I never thought I'd saw her so happy as that day. She met her boyfriend's family before she told me she even had one! The first time Bella ran away, I thought at first she was running with him. But he was still here in town after Bella drove out. I had no idea what to think.

Then a few days later, Bella was in the hospital. I don't think Edward ever left her side. I've never seen a teenage boy stay days straight in a hospital room, waiting for the girl that just broke up with him because she didn't want to be serious with him, to wake up.

He even got Bella to go to Prom. Bella hates Proms. She hates dancing and anything included with that. But for Edward, she dressed up and never looked more beautiful all for something she'd never do if it weren't for her new boyfriend.

Now as I think of who Bella is since the Cullens left, she's different. It hasn't even been 24 hours yet and there are already drastic changes in her wardrobe and attitude. Maybe that isn't the right word. That would include speaking.

As the day went on, I hoped less for Bella's friends to get her out of this.

Once I finally got home, Bella sat on the couch, doing her homework. "Hey, Bells," I said cheerfully and hoping for the best.

"Hi, Dad," Bella said as she looked up at me. When I saw her eyes, I knew nothing changed. But then she got up. "Dinner's done," she calmly replied to an unspoken question. This was normal. I was used to Bella making dinner for the two of us.

We started eating and I tried once again for a conversation. "So what'd you do today, Bells," I asked her.

Bella sighed, "Went to classes, had lunch, same as any school does." Then she went back to eating.

"How's Jessica?"

"Fine."

"Angela?"

"Good."

"Bella?"

"Uh-huh?"

She looked scared, like whatever I might ask would break her. I re-thought my questions and tried my best to not hurt her feelings. "Bella…do you need any help?"

Bella stared at me again. The same lifeless look as the morning. Then she silently sighed again and said, "What do you mean?"

Now it was my turn to sigh. "I mean," I started, "Are you okay about the Cullens leaving? About Edward leaving?"

Now I ruined it. Bella dropped her fork and got up. "I'm not talking about this," she snapped.

"Bella," I tried to rephrase this right, "You need to talk about this. When your mother left, I needed to say something. Anything. I know it's not the same thing, but you should talk to someone about this to someone. It doesn't have to be me, but, just please."

She turned around to the sink and it sounded like she was starting to cry.

I got up and turned her to face me and hugged her tightly. "Bella, it's okay. You can tell me how you feel."

"I can't," she gasped. "I can't tell you. It hurts, Dad."

"I know, baby," I answered, "I know."

And I just hugged her even tighter as she sobbed.