A/N: Okay, so I've gotten a few responses asking for more, and while I didn't expect to, getting a 91 on my math test made me feel a little generous. And, if you haven't guessed, I've made a lot of references to the fact that Bella broke down, and while Edward's break-up with her wasn't as harsh, it's still a break-up, but she's not going berserk. This version of Bella, like my other story, reacts like a normal girl does where it's a little tough to deal with the fact that you got dumped, but not like Stephenie Meyer's Bella did. I mean, come on, there's always another fish in the sea.

Flashback

It's been 33 days since Edward Cullen left Forks, Washington to take care of his stepmother's father, and it's been a little rough. I'm not the kind of girl who just breaks down and ignores everything and everyone around her, but I still kind of wonder why he wanted to break up with me instead of trying for a long-distance relationship. It works all the time, but apparently two teenagers making it is a long-shot. Not that I care, of course, because I am a completely independent girl, looking for someone who really cares about me.

So, lately my routine has been to just relax with Charlie, maybe watch a big game or hang out with Angela and Jessica. The prom is coming up in a few months, and I'd anticipated taking Edward, but that plan is out of the window, so those two have been trying to get someone to be my date. Personally, I'm not for the whole going to prom idea, seeing as I'm a klutz, but with Edward, it had been kind of mandatory for some reason. I've tried to persuade them to drop it, but to no avail.

The house is as lonely and empty as it's ever been, seeing as Charlie is out working right now protecting Forks—though he's probably relaxing with his buddies in the precinct playing cards—but this little house is starting to grow on me. The cold rain is starting to become warmer to me, and the green is so much different than back home. Palm trees and cactuses aren't the same as lush, green leaves. Life grows so easily here and maybe my life will grow as well.

To my surprise, however, my normal routine has been scratched, as there is now an instant message flashing across the screen. I'm a little shocked; my inbox has been blank as a dry-erase board after school, and to see a message there is definitely not what I was expecting.

From: HowlAtTheMoon16

HowlAtTheMoon16? What? Is he some kind of a wolf?

Hello, Ms. Isabella "Bella" Swan, my name is not important at the moment. But that's okay. I have a big plan to reveal myself eventually, but I know at the moment that your heart is still in rehab. Not to worry, though. I'm a completely respectable guy. Anyway, what I'd like is for you to move your mouse over to the "Reply" button—yes, that little blue one—and click on it. Maybe message me, give a little shout-out, whatever tickles your fancy. Just know I'm here for you.

From, The Doctor of Love

P.S. I'm totally kidding about the doctor title. I'm not a doctor. Nope, I'm just a high school kid. TOTALLY normal. Mostly.

I'm honestly flattered by the message and intrigued by it as well. I'm hoping that it's not from one of the guys Angela and Jessica were trying to set me up with, but I'll never know if I don't try. That's been my biggest downfall throughout my life: I don't take risks, and I usually end up regretting it and standing on the sidelines. Well, enough of that. This Bella Swan doesn't back down from a challenge, especially from a cheeky high-schooler. Two can play at this game.

To Dr. Howler, first of all, did Jessica Stanley or Angela Weber put you up to this?

Right away, he answered back, not even making my heart skip in anxiety.

Nope, I don't know either of those girls, so it'd probably be a little hard for them to tell me to talk to you. I just know you from around town—no clues yet—but, let's just say that I don't really talk to many people in Forks. I tend to stick to myself, except when I'm around family, family friends, friends or you.

—Wow, I feel really special, M.M.

M.M.? What am I, a candy-coated chocolate candy?

No, never said you were. It's my nickname for you—Mystery Man—seeing as I don't know your real name, and probably won't for a while. So M.M. it is.

Ah-ha, that's a good nickname. So, to start off, I know all the basics about you, but what I really want to know is what your perception of love is? I know that you were kind of serious with Edward Cullen, but how madly in love with him were you?

I wasn't too serious with him. I mean, I wanted to see where it was going, and if we'd survive a year together, but he obviously didn't think it was going anywhere.

Really? I know he left for personal reasons, but I guess I figured that you two would try to work it out or something.

No, he didn't want to. He felt that it was just too much distance to overcome, and besides, he had to take care of his stepmother's dad, which is a full-time job for all of them.

Hmm…well, I got to say Bells; I would definitely try to make the effort.

Bells? You have a nickname for me? And I appreciate the sentiment, by the way.

Yes, you have M.M. for me, so I have to have a nickname for you. It's only fair, after all. I'm the kind of guy who would make a Herculean effort to make the girl I love happy. No matter what the cost to my own personal psyche is.

That's not being fair to you, though. I hate it when a guy sacrifices everything he is and has for some girl who obviously isn't aware of how much he'd do for her. I mean, protecting the one you love is important, but not important enough to warrant sacrificing everything.

Wow, you have strong feelings on that subject.

Yeah, I do. My dad sacrificed almost everything for my mom, but she still left him, and now he has no one but me. And besides, I'm not much into the whole chivalry thing. It's called respect.

I hear you there, Bells. I guess I just want the fairytale romance.

Don't we all?

True, very true; I guess what I'm looking for is what my dad had with my mother before she died. She died a long time ago, but from what I've heard, those two were head over heels in love with each other. And please don't try guessing who I am based off of that tidbit; I'd like to tell you who I am in my own time, when I feel like you're ready to let yourself love again.

I'm ready to love, but I suppose I'm a little betrayed that our time together meant nothing to him.

My hands shook with emotion; this mysterious man had made emotions I thought dead and gone, or dormant anyway, rise up inside of me. Being with Edward had been like a dream, but a dream I knew sooner or later we'd wake up from. I suppose I'd never really let myself think that he would look back on our relationship with a cool eye. It was nothing more than a high school fling, but to me, it had been my first relationship. I did cry a little, but nothing like Jessica did when she and Mike Newton broke up for the first time.

Bells? Bella, are you still there?

Yeah, just trying to gather myself. He still has a hold over part of my heart. I knew it wasn't going to last forever, but still, he didn't treasure any of the moments we spent together.

If I were him, I would treasure every moment close to my heart, but that made me wonder: how far did the two of you go? Like, relationship-wise?

We never had sex or anything sexual at all. We did kiss a bit, but he was always trying to push me away. He claimed that he didn't want to make a mistake and regret it later.

Regret what? A baby? Or just doing it for the sake of doing it?

I don't really know what exactly the 'mistake' would've been, but all I do know is we never got very far.

I am going to admit this right now: I'm pretty glad you didn't. I personally want to be the first and last guy to hold you in my arms.

*blush* Wow, M.M. I'm impressed. You hardly know me, and already you know what you want.

Oh, Bella, Bella, Bella. I know you better than you know yourself. I know your favorite books are: A Tale of Two Cities and Wuthering Heights. You like eating chocolate ice cream with fudge bits in it; you wear flannel pajamas because the cold of Washington is still chilling your bones; you adore baby kittens because you like nurturing things, and most of all, you love your father despite being separated from him for many years.

How do you know all of that? I feel like I know you so well, and yet, at the same time, I don't. How is that possible?

I don't know, Bella, but let's have a banner year.

Huh? I'm a little confused.

Oh, sorry. I'm listening to "Banner Years", the version done by a pianist. He's crazy good, so you better look him up or I'm coming to your house and forcing you to.

You know where I live? Oh, dear. We need better locks.

Locks won't keep me out, but don't worry. I respect a lady's boundaries. Anyway, I have to go now. Familial obligations and such. See you around, Bella Swan.

See you around, M.M.

I knew that I had a big, goofy grin stretching across my face, but I did. I couldn't believe that someone had an interest me, and apparently close to home, as well. While I wasn't completely ready to start a new relationship with whoever this was, I could tell that whoever ended up with him would be a very lucky girl indeed.

A/N: Okay, so this is a continuation of The Man Behind The Curtain. PLEASE review lots and lots, because I don't write as well with little encouragement. Well, that and reading happy books makes me write better. Current books reading right now: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green—a signed copy, too—and The Rise and Fall of The Third Reich. I don't condone Hitler, but I do want to understand why it happened the way it did. PLEASE REVIEW. Dobranoc.