A.N: I've decided that, after this chapter, I'll be uploading once a week, so expect to see a new chapter every Sunday. Thanks to all who reviewed, and I hope you enjoy this next chapter

Two. Catch Me

I had been kissed by Mike dozens of times. Soft kisses, French kisses, all sorts of kisses.

Yet, not once, had he made me feel the electricity the mere brush of Edward Cullen's lips made me feel.

And that's all it was, a simple brush of his lips as he murmured the even simpler 'try.'

I felt Edward pull back slightly, but it was enough to make me close my eyes with loss. I felt almost ridiculous.

I had just caught my boyfriend cheating on me less than twenty-four hours ago, yet here I was kissing (kind of) Edward Cullen and listening to him try to convince me to run away.

And actually considering it.

"This is completely crazy," I told him. "I hardly know you, and what I do know has come from my father, who isn't exactly your biggest fan."

"But you want it, don't you?" Edward grinned at me. "The freedom."

"Why did you kiss me?" I shot back, not answering his question.

"Because you looked like you needed to be kissed. And because I felt like I needed to be the one to kiss you," he grasped my hand and pulled me toward the bike. The sun had set now, only a faint tinge on the horizon as proof of it ever being there. Above us, the moon and the stars were taking over the sky.

Edward started the bike, and I had to cover my eyes so they could adjust the glare of the headlights.

"It's up to you, Bella. Are we turning around, or do we drive ahead."

"If agree, will you kiss me again?" I asked warily.

"Probably," Edward replied cheerfully. "Does that scare you?"

I stepped up to the side of the bike so I could look him in the eyes.

"A little," I admitted, and Edward gave a roguish grin that sent butterflies into my stomach.

"Enough that we go back to Forks?"

I should have said yes, go back to Forks. It was the smart thing to do. The sane, responsible thing to do.

I was so sick of being sane and responsible.

I was so sick of doing what everyone expected. I dated Mike because he asked me out, and everyone expected me to say yes to the school's most popular boy. I got straight A's because everyone expected the police chief's daughter to do good in school.

I was sick of Forks.

"Charlie's gonna kill me," I told Edward.

"Oh?" he replied, amused.

"Yeah, so let's make sure we're a hell of a lot farther away than this before I call him," I got on the bike, made sure my purse was securely between us, and wrapped my arms around his waist. "Take me away, Edward."

Laughing, Edward kicked the bike into gear and we zoomed away from the pit stop.

Away from Forks.

Away from everything.

-*-

"How far are we gonna go before we stop?" I hollered, so I could be heard.

"Seattle," Edward called back. "It'll be easy to find a room there, and you can call the Chief."

Calling Charlie.

I was not looking forward to that.

"I think I'm crazy," I murmured.

"What was that?" Edward called.

"Nothing," I replied. "Talking to myself."

I could see the quirk of his lips over his shoulder.

"You're second guessing yourself, Bella. Don't. Just do what your gut tells you to do."

I bit my lip thoughtfully, and laid my head against his back, thinking about what he'd said. My gut… what was my gut telling me?

That I was crazy.

No. That's my mind.

My gut… it was saying… I closed my eyes.

It was saying that this felt right. That this, being on the back of this motorcycle, being with Edward, it was right.

Which was, of course, as my mind was telling me, crazy. But maybe for once crazy was the right thing. It felt like the right thing.

I decided to take Edward's advice. I would let my gut guide me.

Smiling to myself, I tightened my arms briefly around Edward's waist in a hug, and settled in for ride. When we reached Seattle I'd worry about Charlie and my life in Forks.

For now, I'd simply enjoy the feeling of freedom that I felt.

-*-

We decided to stay the night at a Best Western on the edge of the city. It was clean, safe, and not overly expensive, which had been the conditions I had laid down for Edward, who had wanted to find a five star place that served caviar in room service.

"I don't get why I couldn't choose it," he muttered. "I'm paying."

"I'm paying you back half, that's why," I retorted. "Just let me find an ATM."

I craned my neck to look for an ATM, but Edward grasped my wrist and pulled me to the elevator.

"Hey- what the hell, Edward?"

"You're not paying me back, Bella," Edward replied. "I have money I don't really need. Let me fund this little expedition."

"I told you I'm not letting you pay for me, and no," I interrupted him as he opened his mouth. "I won't give sexual favours in payment."

There was an insulted scoff to our left, and I looked over blushing as I realized we weren't alone on the elevator.

We were in the company of an old woman who had to be at least eighty, no more than five feet tall, and who was looking at me as though I were the ooze on the bottom of her brown loafers. The elevator binged, and she strode off, her nose in the air.

"The youth of today! So crass!" she said as she left.

The doors closed again, and Edward and I looked at each other for a moment in silence.

Then we burst out laughing.

"Did you," laugh, "see her," laugh, "face?" Edward gasped out, holding his stomach.

"Yeah," was all I got out in reply.

We were still giggling when we reached the door to our room, but it ceased when we entered and I pulled out my cell phone.

"Do you need a pep talk?" Edward asked. "Cause if you do, I can give you one before I shower."

"No," I shook my head. "I can do this."

Edward didn't say another word, he just entered the bathroom. I waited until I heard the shower running and, pushing the thought that Edward was naked just a door away, dialled the number for the house in Forks.

RING.

Maybe he wouldn't be home.

RING.

I could leave a message- that would easy. All the info, none of the drama.

RI-

"Bella, where the hell are you?"

Stupid call display.

"Hi Ch- Dad. How was your day?" I replied pleasantly, trying to stall.

"Answer the question, Bella."

I really hated it when he was stubborn.

"I'minSeattle," I said, the words coming out in a slurred mess as I tried to say them as fast as possible.

There was a pause, then Charlie spoke slowly, and with deadly calm.

"What did you say?"

"I'm in Seattle," I replied, marginally slower this time.

"And how did you get to Seattle, Isabella?"

"Erm… onthebackofEdwardCullen'smotorcycle."

"Slower, Isabella. Because I swore you just said on the back of Edward Cullen's motorcycle," Charlie's voice was too pleasant, and calling me Isabella was never a good sign. "But that can't be right, because you know my view of the young Mr. Cullen."

"You heard me right," I replied nervously.

"Tell me where you are. I am coming to get you."

If Charlie had stopped there, I probably would have agreed, just because the calm he was showing was just too freaky.

But he didn't stop.

"I don't know what that boy did to you, but I'll get you, and I'll make sure he's behind bars where he belongs-"

"No, Dad," I interrupted him, feeling my anger rise in response to the insult to Edward.

"What did you say?"

"I said no. You're not coming to get me, and I'm not coming home. I'm going to go… wherever with Edward, and I'm going to enjoy every second of it."

"You're not going anywhere with that boy."

"I'm eighteen- you can't stop me."

"He's a delinquent!" Charlie was beginning to get angry. That was good- it was far easier to rebel against angry Charlie than eerily calm Charlie.

"I know your views on him, Dad. But considering that you though Mike Newton was wonderful, and he ended up trying to fuck my best friend in my bed, I think I'll trust my own instincts over yours. Thanks."

"Don't take that tone with me, Isabella!" Charlie was yelling now. "Tell me where in Seattle you are, and I'll come get you."

"You can't make me, Dad. I'm legally an adult. You have no say in what I do."

"If you do this, then don't bother coming home, Bella."

That made me pause. I had expected anger, but I hadn't expected disownment. For a second I almost gave in, but then my anger came rushing into me, and I made my decision.

"If you're going to wipe your hands at me the first time I make a choice for myself, then I don't want to come home. I've always done everything you wanted me to. I dated Mike because you approved, I did good in school because that's what you wanted, I even decided to go to Washington State because that's what you wanted!! Well, I'm done Charlie. For once, I'm doing what I want. If you can't handle that, then fine. I'll disown you."

I heard Charlie blustering, but I ignored it and clicked the end button, staring down at my phone.

"Are you okay?"

My head shot up. Edward stood in the doorway to the bathroom, wearing his jeans but no shirt. A part of me admired his lean, muscular physique, but the larger part was too hurt and angry to care.

"We'll have to get chargers for our cells," I said. "Neither of us have one. We should be fine for tonight but-"

Edward stopped my rambling by sitting next to me and wrapping his arms around me. The comfort made a sob rip from my throat. Once it came, more followed, and I sobbed into his chest.

"I'm sorry Bella," he murmured. "I knew he'd be angry, but I didn't think he'd disown you."

"I'm so mad," I sobbed. "I get that he's mad. Seriously, I would've had a heart attack if he hadn't been. But I didn't think he'd do that."

"Do you want to go back?" Edward's voice was soft.

"No," I sat up, pulling away so I could wipe the tears away from my eyes. "If he has that little faith in me, then I don't know if I want to see him again."

"Are you sure?"

I was, I realized. Charlie's anger, rather than making me re-think my decision, just made me that more positive that I'd made the right one.

"Yes," my voice was filled with steely resolve. "I think I need to do this. I've always done what was expected, it's time I break free," I flopped back on the bed, and Edward flopped back next to me. "I've always wanted to see New York. And the beach in Florida," I turned my face to look at him. "What about you? Where do you want to go?"

"Chicago," he replied.

"Chicago?" I raised a brow.

"Yeah. It's where I was born. I can't remember my life there, but I've always wanted to go, to see where I came from."

"Can we do it all?" I asked.

"We'll do everything we want," Edward replied, reaching over to brush a piece of hair out of my eyes.

"Everything?" I repeated.

Edward nodded, his green eyes solemn. If felt a smile peek at the edge of my lips.

I didn't know if it would last, but for right now I believed him.

A.N2: I am having loads of fun writing this story. You'll probably find that the character are OOC, but there's reasons for that: a) Edward is a teenage boy who is mortal, not a 108 year old vampire. He's going to be different. B) Bella is OOC, because she's stepping outside her comfort zone and going wild.

The main musical inspiration for this chapter was "Catch Me" by Demi Lovato. Normally I'm not into Disney stars, but I don't mind her, and I really love that song. I was also listening to "Where No One Knows Me" by Jan Arden.