Author's note: Thank you to all of the people who have reviewed the preface! I'm excited about this fic and I hope you all are too.

The Truth and the Consequences

Somehow I was actually able to steal a few precious hours of sleep before having to get up for school the next day. I took longer in the shower than was necessary, perhaps to avoid whatever was going to come. I knew it couldn't be good – not with the way Edward had looked last night.

Breakfast was a quiet affair – a bowl of Cheerios with a sliced banana. I grabbed my backpack at the bottom of the stairs and slung it over my shoulder. I grabbed my keys – just in case he wasn't waiting for me, and left the house, taking care to lock the door. Charlie didn't like it when I forgot.

As I suspected, there was no silver Volvo waiting for me. I felt a little nauseous, wondering what that could mean. The skies were overcast as usual and a light drizzle continued from the storm the night before. I hurried to get into the cab of my truck and turned on the heater right away. I stared for a moment at the gaping hole where the stereo should have been – a little reminder of why Edward had left all those months ago.

I eased my truck out of the driveway and took the long route to school. Almost everyone had arrived by the time I got there and I had to take a far away spot. I forced myself to not look for a Volvo as I walked up toward the Administration Building and continued on to my first period class. It was harder than it should have been.

Despite my best efforts I couldn't help but scan the classroom for Alice when I arrived. She waved at me from the back of the class and indicated that she'd saved me a seat. I hung my coat on a peg and walked over to sit next to her.

"Are you okay, Bella?" Alice asked, her brow furrowed in concern.

"Not really," I answered honestly.

Alice shook her head animatedly. "My brother is an idiot. I'm sorry he didn't drive you to school, he needed a little time."

"What a surprise," I murmured. "He could have at least told me that he wasn't coming."

Alice reached out and touched my shoulder, looking at me with somber eyes. "He was really, really upset Bella. He didn't realize what would happen when he left."

I flinched at the reminder. "But you did?"

Alice's eyebrow lifted half an inch in surprise. "I knew things wouldn't be good but I didn't realize how badly they would get. I'm not a mind reader you know. I didn't know how you were feeling. I saw you doing well in school, getting home early, spending a lot of time with your dad."

"If you saw all of that – later, then you must have seen what was going on, before."

She bit her lip and looked away, clearly guilty. "Yes, I saw you crying, and unable to sleep."

"And you never contacted me, not once. You were my best friend. How could you leave me too?"

"Oh, Bella. I'm so sorry. Edward wanted…"

I cut her off. "It's all about Edward, whatever he wants, is that it? You have to do what he says? That's crap, Alice."

"If I contacted you, he would have known about it and he would have been furious. Don't think I didn't try to talk him out of it because I did. I knew it was a mistake to leave."

I shake my head angrily. "What's the worst thing that could have happened, Alice? If you contacted me and he found out about it?"

She looked affronted. "He's my brother, Bella. He's family and we stick together. We have to."

"And I'm not." As I said the words I knew it was true. I wasn't family to them, no matter what they had said. I was just a human girl.

Alice looked like she wanted to say something but just then class started. She slipped me a note but I was mad and didn't bother reading it, just stuffed it in my pocket. Every time she tried to talk to me I ignored her. I knew I was being childish but I wanted her to know how upset I was.

Eventually she got the point and backed off. But that didn't stop her from throwing worried glances my way every few minutes.

After class I hurried off, not even bothering to get my coat.

My next two classes were Cullen free so I didn't have to worry. But then there was lunch.

And Alice was waiting for me.

She held out my coat which I took with murmured thanks. We went through the food line and I picked a few things randomly, not really noticing what I was getting. Alice steered me to an empty table.

"We have to talk," Alice said as she slid gracefully into the seat next to me.

I shrugged. "So talk."

"I want you to know something – really know it- we love you. We loved you so much that we left our lives behind because we thought in the long run it would be best for you. We had no idea that you would become friends with young werewolves or be going through what you were. All the same, I was wrong. I should have contacted you. I'm sorry, Bella. Sorry that I left. Sorry that I listened to my brother. And I'm sorry for what you went through while we were gone, and what you're going through now that we're back."

I sat quietly for a moment, trying to clear my head. She meant what she was saying, I knew that. She clasped my hand, trying to convey her sincerity. I felt my worries begin to slip away – allowing myself to bask in her presence. Her smell wafted up and around me, the sweetest smell in all the world, and I luxuriated in it. It was so familiar, so comforting. My anger melted away.

She smiled. "Are we okay?"

I smiled back, tentatively. "Yeah."

Alice quickly changed the subject and we talked about a bunch of different things. I didn't even have time to eat anything I bought before the bell rang.

"Oh! Bella, you didn't even get to eat lunch. I'm sorry."

"Oh yeah – the time just flew by. It's okay. I can save some of this for later."

I stuffed the unopened cupcake pack into my backpack along with the red apple. The sandwich however, was introduced to the Mr. Trashcan.

I walked to Chemistry in a much better mood. The rest of the day went by quickly and before I knew it I was walking toward my truck, keys in hand.

But then I stopped. My heart seemed to skip a beat.

"Jake?"

I ran over to him and threw my arms around him, so happy to see him. It took me a minute to realize he wasn't hugging me back, but was stiff as a board.

I stepped back gingerly, feeling like an idiot. I tucked my hair behind my ears.

"Hey," I said, not knowing what else to say.

"Is the bloodsucker here?"

I frowned. "No, Edward isn't here."

Jake snorted. "Figures. I come all the way up here and he isn't even here."

"Why do you need to talk to Edward?"

Jake looks at me coldly. "Business."

Oh.

Jake stares at me for a minute before relaxing his posture. "You okay?"

I shrug. I know that I can't lie to Jake.

"That bad, huh? Is it because of me?"

He looks almost hopeful.

I sidestep the question. "I've missed you – a lot. I've tried calling but no one answers."

He toes the ground, looking guilty. "Yeah – I know. I'm still kind of pissed off."

"I know and you have every right to be. I'm sorry I took off like that."

He looks surprised. "An apology? I didn't expect that."

"What were you expecting?"

"More excuses, I guess. 'Bout why you had to go, yadda yadda. You know I was worried sick, right? I was so afraid for you – you could have never come back."

I lean against him. "I know. I'm so sorry."

He wraps his arms around me. "Well, I wasn't ready to talk to you when you called."

"It's okay. I understand."

I feel myself relax for the first time in a long time. I ignore all the stares that we're getting. I can almost see the gossip mill churning but I don't care.

"This feels nice," I say. It's the first almost normal moment I've had in the last two weeks.

Jacob moves away and I immediately miss the heat that he had provided.

"I can't do this – pretend like everything is okay. I've gotta go. Take care, all right?"

I cross my arms over the imaginary wound in my chest as it throbs. "Okay."

He looks at me regretfully before hopping on his bike and taking off.

I drive home in a fog.

I spend the afternoon staring listlessly out the window and listening to maudlin emo songs. I luxuriate in the numbness that has taken me over. It's so much better than the alternative.

I must have been sitting there for a long time because I heard the Cruiser pull up. I jump out of the chair. I forgot to make dinner. I walk downstairs just as Charlie comes in. He hangs his holster and his jacket up.

"Hey Bells, you all right?"

I nod. "Yeah. I actually forgot to make dinner. I can heat up some leftovers if you don't mind having lasagna again?"

"That's fine. How was school?"

"The usual," I answer nonchalantly.

"Did you turn in all that homework you missed?" Charlie asks pointedly.

I grimace. "Yes, dad. I told you I got everything in on Friday, remember?"

Charlie grabs a beer from the fridge. "Just checking."

He sits at the table while I put a few lasagna squares on a plate for him and pop it into the microwave.

"So – are the Cullen's back for good?" He asks tentatively, as if he was afraid of the answer.

"Yeah, far as I know," I answer honestly. No joy seems to be forthcoming inside, and I'm surprised by my own lack of enthusiasm.

"I don't like it," Charlie says gruffly.

I don't respond but the microwave dings and I pull the plate out, setting it on the table.

I'm not sure I like it either.