BPOV

Part of me wanted to put myself back together so I could sort it all out; but I couldn't feel or think about anything. My body refused to do

anything but breathe. The tears that had ran freely down my face had long ran out when I noticed that the sun was beginning to rise. I had

been there in the same place that he'd left me all night.

I stood up. Pain from staying in a crouched position throughout the night wracked through my body. I welcomed it; it masked the emotional

disease that was eating away at my heart. As I wandered back home I pondered what would become of me. I had not lied to Edward; he had

my life with him where ever he had gone.

I began to wonder if maybe I was delusional; maybe Edward had actually gotten over me. Then I remembered the happiness that he had tried

to hide the first time I told him I loved him, and the excitement and want he had in his eyes every time he looked at me; every single time until

yesterday. I just couldn't believe it. The first time he had loved anyone in one hundred years had just happened to be a phase? I think not.

I'd never known that he'd loathed himself this much; enough to strip away the happiness from both of our lives. The masochistic man thought

he was doing what was right. I began to run. I couldn't let him do this to us. It wasn't until I ascended the Cullen's front stairs that I realized

that I had made a mistake; they had already left. I knew I had to find him.

"Bella, where the hell have you been?" Charlie was pissed.

"I can't do this right now, Dad. I have to pack." I hoped this would work.

"What do you mean pack, where do you think you're going? I am not going to have a repeat performance of last year. Does that Cullen boy

have anything to do with this?"

"What?" I played dumb "What's your problem, Dad?"

"My problem may have something to do with the fact you were nowhere to be found last night; I nearly had a breakdown wondering where

you were, and now you're here saying you have to pack like I should know what you're talking about!"

"Um… Dad?" I tried to give him my best "duh" face.

"Yeah?"

"I can't believe this!" I feigned exasperation

"Wh..What?"

"How could you forget about me getting into the Dartmouth early study?" I had told Charlie I had been accepted at Dartmouth about two

weeks prior ; he had been excited and I hoped that would work to my advantage.

"Dartmouth early study?"

"Uh… yeah, Dad. I told you both Angela Weber and I had been accepted. I spent the night over her house last night; I'm sorry I didn't call. I

didn't think it would matter since it was a weekend." I felt guilty when I saw I was winning; I didn't like lying to Charlie.

"Oh… I'm sorry, Bells. You know it must be the old age. So… When are you leaving again?"

"Well, since our flight leaves at one this morning; we figured we would leave for the airport at 10 tonight and grab some dinner before the

flight. I mean if that's okay."

"Yeah, sure, Bells. I'm going to miss you."

"I'll miss you too, Dad, but I have to finish packing."

"Sure…sure."

It was 8:37 when I entered my bedroom. Hopefully, in the next half hour it would take for me to gather my things Charlie wouldn't become

suspicious enough to check my story out. I packed clean underwear, my favorite shirt and a comfy pair of jeans. I went to the bathroom to pack

my toiletries and checked my account balance online when I returned to my room. I had $1,525.84 in my checking. It was my life savings and

somewhat meager when it came to the expenses of tracking a vampire, but it would have to do.

I threw my bag over my shoulder and made my way down stairs. "Well, Dad, I'm off!"

"Okay, Bells. Be careful. I put another can of pepper spray in your bag."

"Uh… I…" Now wasn't the time to argue. "Thanks Dad. Take care of yourself, and eat at the diner as much as possible." I chuckled. "I wouldn't

want you to kill yourself with your own cooking."

"Yeah, I can see my obituary now; Man Mauled by Spaghetti. Bye, Bells." At least Charlie had a sense of humor. I hated putting him through

this, hopefully he wouldn't get nosey and this would go smoothly.

"Bye, Dad."

Alaska here I come.

I wasn't too far down route 101 when I knew something was wrong. Luckily, I was able to pull over before my poor truck sputtered and stalled.

Shit. How the hell was I going to get to Alaska on foot? Just then I remembered that I knew the best mechanic in this part of Washington.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Jake, it's Bella."

"What's up?"

"I'm kinda stuck."

"I'll be there. Give me a few."

"Wow, there is really no transmission fluid or oil in this thing. I can't believe you made it out of Forks." Jake wondered as he examined my

disabled truck

Gee, thanks Edward. Nothing says don't follow me like draining all of my truck's fluids.

Jake was such a good friend. So I silently hated myself as I batted my eyelashes at him while attempting to sidestep his questions and gain

use of the motorcycle strapped in the bed of his truck.

"Why don't you just let me drive you to the airport?"

"Oh, Jake. I always wanted to ride a chopper." I ran my hand playfully down his back. Then trying to appear suddenly worried I wondered

aloud, "How am I ever going to make my flight if I have to wait to get this thing towed? Oh, they're so strict at Dartmouth; I was lucky to even

get accepted. If I'm late…" I forced tears from my eyes.

"Do you even know how to ride it? "

"I had a bike back in Phoenix." I thought it best not to mention it was a mo-ped; then I started thanking him before he could change his mind. I

seriously owed this kid.

"Bella,don't forget the helmet!"

"Oh… Thanks." Knowing me I would need it.

"On the road again…"

I couldn't help feeling elation that my plan was back on track as I sped down the highway. I wondered what Edward would think of me now;

he'd always made fun of my "safety driving" as he had called it. Now as I flew on a motorcycle at 100 mph, I had to laugh out loud as I thought

of his reaction.