Chapter 3: Decisions

Bella spent the next week moping around the house like a zombie. She had told Mrs. Cope at the library that she was sick, but she probably knew Bella was full of shit.

After a week and three days Bella decided enough was enough.

Sure Jake and their relationship had played a factor in her misery, but it was not solely to blame. Bella decided to do something she was good at.

She made a list.

Reasons Why I'm Miserable:

I'm dating my best friend

I hate my job

I hate this town

I don't know what I'm doing with my life

She crossed reason number one off the list since her and Jake had broken up and it was doubtful he ever wanted to speak to her again.

Maybe she was being a tad melodramatic when she used the word hate to describe her feelings about her job. She loved books. Reading was her escape, and maybe she'd enjoy being a librarian in another town. A town with a bigger selection and more people.

Why did she hate Forks? Because she felt there was nothing for her here. Because if you burped the whole town knew about it. Because every day was a repeat of the last. Her reasons for hating the town she called home were endless.

If she left people would only say she was like her mother, the same thing Jake had said. But she wasn't. She wasn't married, she didn't have children. Bella had nothing holding her in Forks. She loved her father dearly but it's not like she wouldn't come back to visit him.

Bella couldn't think of anything to about reason number four. Just because she didn't know what she was doing with her life didn't mean school was the answer. Whatever it was she wanted to do, she wasn't going to find it in Forks.

I need to get the hell out of here, she thought to herself.

And she knew right then and there that she would do exactly that.

I mean the idea seemed insane but if she left the only reason left for her misery would be figuring out what she wanted to do with her life.

She had quite a bit of money saved up. She could go six months without work and be completely fine.

Where would she go?

A plane ticket was expensive, and served useless if she didn't know her destination.

Perhaps she could drive. Drive until she wanted to stop.

Charlie would never let her do it. So, she came to the conclusion that he didn't have to know.

Bella spent the next couple of weeks coming up with a plan. She continued to work at the library, because quitting unexpectedly would only make her dad suspicious. Plus she would take whatever money she could get.

She began to withdraw money from the bank every week, and would cash her new checks. She'd gone to Port Angeles where she wouldn't be recognized and bought a disposable phone and a suitcase. Her current phone plan was under her dad's name, she didn't want him to have to pay for it after she left and she didn't think she could handle the millions of phone calls she would get from him.

The thought of leaving Charlie behind made her feel so guilty, she almost backed out a few times. But she needed to be strong and hope this decision wouldn't be a mistake. It felt selfish just running away from her home, but Bella had been selfless her whole life. It was her turn to shine.

She was set to leave in two days. She'd done laundry and she was trying her best not to use up so many clothing items. She was taking her suitcase with as many clothes as possible, two pairs of comfortable shoes, and all of her important paperwork, her disposable phone, and her favorite book.

She'd prepared the house for her departure, she'd gone overboard on grocery shopping. Charlie had stared at her like she was crazy when she brought in all the food, she was afraid he'd go hungry. She'd cleaned the house spotless and had been careful to make her room look as full as possible, she didn't want Charlie to notice anything was missing.

On the night she was set to leave she made Charlie's favorite dinner, and sat down with him to watch the game afterwards. He must have asked her if she was feeling okay at least five times, she was going to miss him so much. When Charlie started to get ready for bed Bella ran over to him and gave him a hug, "Goodnight, daddy."

She felt Charlie's eyes on the back of her head as she went up the stairs. When she was in her room, she played the waiting game. She had already placed all she was taking with her in the truck. When Charlie was snoring she slipped downstairs and left a note near the door.

Charlie,

I don't know when I'll be back but I feel like this is something I need to do. I love you and promise to call you when I'm ready. I love you.

Love, Bella.

She got into her truck and started the engine. Praying it didn't wake Charlie up, she began her drive into the night.