Disclaimer: I still own nothing. Meyer does.
A/N I know the first chapter ended with Edward starting a new day, but I wanted to get his POV in before Bella made it to the bonfire and I felt that chapter, at least from Bella's POV, needed to end there.
Chapter 2: Now what?
I walked out. Oh my god, I walked out.
As I walked down the front steps and into the driveway I realized what a stupid move that was. Not because I had left Edward, but because he had driven me here and I had no way to get home. Oh well, at least the walk will give me time to think, if Victoria doesn't catch me first. I laughed sarcastically to myself and set off down the Cullen's long driveway. I thought about calling Jacob but figured he'd be busy getting ready for the bonfire. I knew I couldn't call Charlie because he was working late tonight. Just as I was finishing that thought, a red BMW pulled up beside me with Rosalie at the wheel.
"Bella, get in." I hestitated for a moment before she said, "Come on, I'm not gonna eat you. You don't really think you can walk to your house from here, do you? You and my brother may be over, but he could never live with himself if Victoria picked you up on the side of the road like some cheesy hitch hiker horror flick." With that, I got in the car, secretly glad that she had stopped.
Rosalie sighed and began what I figured was going to be a lecture. "What just happened in there? I know I've been gunning for your humanity, but girl, that was unreal!" I was honestly still reeling from the events that occurred just moments ago. While I didn't regret it in the least, my brain was still processing the fact that I had left Edward. I had left Edward hurting and broken and didn't look back. I walked out of that house, no apologies, no lame excuses. I had left Edward.
Oh my God.
"I left Edward."
"I left Edward."
"I..... LEFT..... EDWARD!" I felt like I had to keep saying it because it didn't seem real. I felt like at any moment he was going to appear and use his charm to talk me out of yet another decision. But that didn't happen. Rosalie kept driving and Edward was nowhere in sight. He let me leave. He let me walk out. I left Edward.
Rosalie chuckled and said, "Yes Bella, you left Edward. Look, I know we've never been close but I have to tell you how proud I am of you. Even though my brother is hurting right now, for once, you stood your ground. You didn't back down. For once, you fought for your humanity. You did what I never got a chance to do. I will always respect you for that."
I took in what Rosalie had just said and couldn't help the pride that swelled within me. With all that has happened recently, with everything that has been taken out of my hands, I finally felt in control. It was a good feeling.
"I think I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. I don't regret it at all. And I don't really know what happened. I just know that he started treating me like a child and I snapped. I couldn't take it anymore. It was like my future flashed before my eyes and I knew. I just knew that even after I was changed he would never be able to accept the fact that I can take care of myself. I can't imagine spending an eternity being coddled, never being allowed to make my own decisions. But worse, I couldn't imagine always feeling like what I thought and felt was wrong. He got me to second guess myself all the time and there is no way I could spend an eternity doing that." I began to shake as the reality of what just happened set in. Everything I had just told Rosalie was true. I couldn't live like that. I had not been raised to be submissive to a man. I had been raised to be my own person, to have my own ideas. And I knew I would finally get that chance.
We were pulling up in front of my house. Rosalie turned to face me and said, "Bella, just please promise me something. Don't come back to him. I know you may be in shock after what's happened tonight. This may hit you like a ton of bricks in the morning, but please, know that you made the right decision. He may not believe it now, but he will be fine. We, his family, will see to that. But what are you going to do now?" I thought for a moment. I wasn't really sure. I felt like I was finally free to live like a normal 18 year old.
"I don't know Rosalie. I guess I'm just going to live one day at a time. Probably go to college like most normal people my age do."
Rosalie smiled softly and said, "I think that's a perfect plan. You may not be with my brother anymore, but if you ever need anything, anything at all, please call me." She took my cell phone out of my hand and punched her number into it. After that she did something which shocked me to my core. She pulled me in for a hug.
"Thank You, Rosalie. I don't think I can ever repay your family for the kindness they've shown me. Please let them know that I still care for them and appreciate everything they've done for me."
"I will Bella. Now go live." With that, I got out of the car and made my way into the house. Looking at the clock, I realized I was going to be late for the bonfire. I called Jacob's cell phone, hoping he had it turned on and that he hadn't given up on me.
"Hello"
"Hi Jake, it's Bella. Look, I know I'm late, but is the bonfire still on? I could really use a night out."
"Really, you mean the lee--, I mean Edward is letting you out of your playpen for your own party? How nice of him."
"Jacob, don't start with that. It's a long story which I promise to tell you, but I just wanted to let you know I was on my way."
"Ok, fine, we're all here. But you better hurry before all the food's gone. You know us, bottomless pits and all."
I laughed and replied,"Oh, I know, I'm on my way."
I hung up the phone, got into my trusty Chevy, and headed for La Push. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I couldn't understand how I could feel that way. I hadn't even shed one tear yet. Wasn't I madly in love with Edward just yesterday? True love like that can't just be turned on and off like a light switch, can it? But then, maybe it was never true love at all. Maybe it was just an intense infatuation, a huge crush. No, it wasn't only a crush. It was... an obsession. I realized again that I had become obsessed with the idea of Edward. It was the fantasy, live forever with an immortal creature that only exists in fairy tales, or more specifically, nightmares. He once told me that I was his brand of heroine. In that moment, I understood. He was mine. We were both junkies living for the rush, the high that came with partaking in something so forbidden. That thought alone let me know that I could really be at peace with my decision. Rosalie may be right. It may hit me like a ton of bricks in the morning. But, for this moment, I had peace, something that I hadn't had in a long time.
Before I knew it, I was pulling up to First Beach. I could see the glow from the bonfire and I could hear the raucous laughter of the pack. I jumped out of my truck and started walking towards them. My other family, my other home.
As I walked onto the beach, Jacob came running over to me, trapping me in one of my favorite hugs.
"Bells, I'm so glad you made it! Hey everyone! The guest of honor is here!" I was greeted by the hoots and hollars of some of my favorite people in the world. Emily walked over to me once Jacob had put me down and gave me a much softer hug.
"Bella, I'm so glad you could make it, come with me and grab some food before these wolves beat you to it."
"Thanks, Emily. I'll be there in a sec." Jacob looked at me with questioning eyes and asked, "So, what is this long story you had to tell me? What alternate universe am I living in where Edward lets you come to La Push to hang with us?"
I took a deep breath. The pack had gone silent, waiting for my answer. Jacob looked ready to jump out of his skin in anticipation.
"It's no alternate universe, Jacob. I left Edward. We're finished."
The pack let out a collective gasp. Jacob's jaw hit the ground. He was staring at me like I'd just given him the best gift in the world. No, it was more than that. He was looking at me like he was seeing me for the first time. And he wasn't looking away.
A/N
I guess that's as good a place as any to end this chapter. It was a lot of filler but I felt Rosalie needed to be in there somewhere. Alice's vision will eventually be revealed, and more details on Jacob's reaction. Did he imprint? Is he just shocked? You will all have to wait to find out! :) Let me know what you think!