Author's Note: I would like to thank Juliejuliejulie and edward-bella-harry-ginny and everyone else who has faith in me to write a decent middle and ending for this story!

"I've got your picture that you gave to me
And it's signed with love, just like it used to be
The only thing different, the only thing new
I've got your picture, she's got you"

She's Got You; I'm listening to Roseanne Cash's version

Chapter 4

Bella is very familiar with the sensation of losing her footing. She knows the feeling of expecting to land on solid ground and instead— if she's lucky— struggling desperately and ungracefully to remain upright or— more often— crashing painfully to earth. She had thought she knew how things stood, but seeing Tanya was like tripping as she crossed her own kitchen. It caught her off guard and threw her completely off balance. Bella is like a cartoon character who has strolled off a cliff. Only when she noticed that she lacked visible means of support did she plummet out of the sky.

She knows who has supplanted her: word went around immediately once Mike extracted the name from Edward, and Alice reluctantly confirmed that Edward's friend is one of their Alaskan "cousins." The scales hadn't fallen from her eyes. It felt like they had been ripped off, leaving her eyes raw and sore and weeping. She had thought she was devastated by Edward's decision. Yet at the same time she had surprised herself with how well she was coping. Now she realizes that her ability to put on a calm face and continue to function was due to denial. At one level, she fully believed that Edward was right to break up with her. But on another, deeper level, she had believed that she would always have what she had never deserved. He'd tried to stay away before and without making the slightest conscious effort, she'd been irresistible to him. Now she knows that he isn't going to cave in. He isn't going to come back to her. He doesn't want to. The spell is broken. The love potion that made her beautiful in his eyes has worn off and revealed her for the ordinary girl she is. Now he's with someone in his league, someone worthy of him.

She's always been pragmatic. Once she makes a decision, she doesn't fret about it. Well, now the decision has been made for her, and her only option is carry on. She keeps going to school. She already knows she can get through the day without him. Only the future has changed, not the present. She had thought that the estrangement was temporary, and now she knows it is permanent. She'd thought she was treading water in a swimming pool, and eventually, when she tired and sank down a bit, she'd touch the bottom and be able to propel herself back to the surface. Now she is aware she's in water fathoms deep. But as long as she keeps herself afloat, it doesn't matter how much water lies below her. She just has to focus on getting through each hour of each day.

Bella decides to put away the few pictures she has of him and the CD he made for her. How strange that as soon as she had documented their relationship and reluctantly accepted a token of his affection, it was all over. It's been a comfort to have these things nearby, but she hasn't touched them. She's ready now to go cold turkey. She can't imagine ever being strong enough to look at the images or hear him play the music he said she inspired, but she doesn't want to do anything irreversible. Packing them up is enough for the time being. Handling the objects as if they were radioactive, she throws them in a box and shoves the box into the back of her closet.

She wants to remove the new sound system from her truck. She can't listen to any music these days. She drives to the reservation pleased with her resourcefulness and resolve. The Cullens have infinite money and time and skills, but she too can get things done, with a little help from her friends. Hearing the truck approach, Jacob comes out of the garage to meet her. It's been a couple of months since they've seen each other, but he doesn't seem surprised or guarded.

"Hey, Bella!" He greets her with a broad grin.

"Hi." She looks down at her shoes, and then back into his warm gaze. "I wonder if you could do me a favor."

"Sure, if I can," he says at once.

She takes a deep breath. "It's kind of crazy, I know, but I want to take the new stereo out of the truck."

"Is there something wrong with it? Maybe I could fix it."

"No, it works fine. It's just, it was a gift."

She doesn't say any more, and guessing what's on her mind, he tries to put her at ease. "Charlie told Billy that you… aren't seeing anyone anymore." She nods and seems to relax a bit, relieved that he has mentioned no names. "So, fresh start?"

"Yeah." She's grateful for his understanding. "The stereo is nice, but I don't know, it wasn't there before. My truck was fine how it was."

"It sure was," he agrees. "Seeing as how I'm the one who made it that way."

His calm acceptance relaxes her. "When would be a good time? It doesn't have to be right now. I can come back."

"Hmmm." He pretends to ponder, looking at his bare wrist as if consulting a watch. "I think I have some room on my schedule."

"Really?"

He laughs. "It'll only take a few minutes. Come on back and I'll grab the tools I need."

It's more than a few minutes, but he proceeds with confidence. While he works, he explains what he's doing. Screws must be loosened, bolts removed and wires detached. Installing the equipment had taken place off stage, in an instant, as if by magic. Dismantling it is trickier, but Jacob knows enough to figure it out.

"Where did you get all these tools?" she asks, admiring his workshop as he's replacing things neatly in the garage.

"Here and there. They're not all mine. My dad had some, and people gave me some. Like if they got a new set, they'd pass on the old one. And some are just loaners. Everyone knows I'm working on this car. We help each other out. Maybe I can fix something for them, and they'll bring us a casserole, so we're not eating the same pork and beans every night."

She realizes she's been rude, and heat rushes into her cheeks. "I'm sorry. I should have brought something."

"Bella, no," he hastens to reassure her. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm just happy to see you. I'm so glad you came over and there was something I could do for you."

"I can bring over some stuff for dinner next time, though."

His face lights up. "Next time?"

"If that's okay."

"Oh, it's okay," he says firmly. "I'm a growing boy, you know. I can always use a good meal."

"And brownies too?" she asks. "To make up for my atrocious manners?"

"I'll forgive you… if they're any good." Her smile is a greater accomplishment for him than successfully removing the stereo. He actually whistles as he watches her pull away, before shaking his head over his clichéd behavior.

The truck has been restored to its original state, and she has a plan to return and hang out with Jacob after school on Thursday. Bella feels lighter as she drives home.

Author's Note: Writing this chapter I became aware of how much it bothered me that Edward took her CD and her photos. A boyfriend can break up with you, and he doesn't have to tell you the real reason if he doesn't want to, but stealing your stuff is just wrong! It's up to her what to do with her things.

The next chapter was not in my original outline. A review to the previous chapter made me realize that I had omitted an important moment of the journey. Reviews have inspired to me write unplanned chapters for other stories too-- Sunshine State, Paradise Lost and Bedtime Stories. So reviews are not just adored. They can really make a difference!