Hey guys, I'm writing this on the plane to San Francisco so I won't be updating my stories for awhile. But I am turning over a couple of new ideas so don't be surprised to see a new story or two.

Disclaimer- Twilight is all mine! No it isn't. Really. Don't sue me Stephanie!

The next month was almost unbearable. The boredom was truly horrible. I was never bored before I met him. I guess when he left, I realized how miserable I really was. The worst of it was I still hoped. Every time I saw a bush move or the wind whispered, I thought it was him for a second. Once or twice I was convinced he was outside my window. But when I checked, the roof was vacant as always.

I had forgiven Mike for his blunder. After Jessica and Mike's 'fight' they had broken up. We were sort of dating, but we never kissed. I knew that subconsciously I still hoped, which is stupid.

Even Charlie saw something was off. Every time Mike came over Charlie would give us sidelong glances. With any other couple, it would be checking that we weren't making out behind his back. But with our nearly 'no touch' policy, Charlie didn't have to worry about that. He was probably wondering if this was normal. If I was normal.

Mike and I were watching a movie together once. Charlie was at work, and it was just us. We were watching a romantic movie, Mike's choice. It was the climax of the movie, when the misfit brunette was kissed by the popular jock. I wasn't paying attention to the movie enough to know their names. But when my line of vision was blocked by Mike's head, my senses heightened. His lips were two inches from mine when I pushed him off. I guess I was too forceful because he fell off the couch and hit his head on the coffee table.

"Ow! What the Hell?!" he yelled. I blushed and apologized.

"Are you apologizing for me falling, or for denying your boyfriend of a month a kiss?" he said with a unfamiliar venom in his voice.

I blushed in anger. "For you hitting your head." I said with an equal tone.

"You know what, never mind. It was stupid of me to expect my girlfriend to kiss me." he answered. I only responded with a glare and returned to the movie. I didn't even look at him for the rest of the day.

"So you're not going to talk to me, huh?" he said after an hour of the cold shoulder. I didn't respond. "Then I'm leaving. Bye Bella." he said before leaving.

Once he was gone, I sighed. I did truly care for Mike, just not romantically. Why couldn't I show any affection towards him? Wait, I knew that. It was more why I felt like that. He left, so I should move on. I had the feeling nobody forgets somebody like that. Part of me felt I should be happy to have ever known this astonishing man (or whatever he was) and count my blessings. But the other half was greedy and couldn't survive off his mere memory.

I eventually apologized to Mike a few days later. We were going to the park, I needed to tell him why I couldn't be affectionate. Why I couldn't be his girlfriend.

His mood was cheerful that he was forgiven. It broke my heart a little; it was so easy to please Mike. I almost backed out of my mission, but I knew it was for the best. He was whistling and took my hand tentatively. I knew it would only make things worse for him in the end, but I didn't want to make today any worse for him.

"Mike..." I began in a soft voice. He looked at me, curious. I took a deep breath and began. "You... you deserve someone better than me. I can't be a good girlfriend to you. I'm not ready for this." I forced myself to peek at his face. It was frozen in a hard grimace, very uncharacteristic of him.

"Who is it, Bella? Tell me." As cordial as it was, his voice frightened me. It was friendly and threatening at the same time.

"I'm not with someone else, Mike." It was true, but I felt guilty anyway.

"You're sure? I know you and Cullen had something going on. Mustn't have been too serious, though, if he left." His words tore at my already weak heart. His voice was cold, menacing, but still had the air of light conversation between acquaintances. This wasn't the Mike I knew, kind and friendly. Had I really hurt him that badly? But now he was hurting me; I knew he could see the tears threatening to spill.

"Just go away, Mike!" I half shouted. I disguised my pain as anger and he left quickly, thank God. I found a vacant corner with a big tree and allowed myself to go to pieces there. He was ruining everything. Force me to move on, but holding me back at the same time. I knew I would only want him as long as he existed. That wasn't going to happen though. I absentmindedly thought about before I met Edward. I wasn't entirely miserable by myself, not happy but still. I could be alone forever.

Weeks passed, I would go to work and not speak to my former best friend. Part of me felt sorry and wanted to patch things up. He had messed up too many times though. It seemed like I was constantly forgiving him. So I worked, did the chores, and slept. I didn't make an effort to make friends. Jessica was out of the question, and Angela was at college. I just focused on trying to get out of this one horse town.

One day it payed off. I had just gotten my check in the mail. I finally had enough money for the first year at Seattle U. I walked into the house and told Charlie the good news.

"This is wonderful, Bella! Let's go celebrate." He was so happy; his only child going to college. We were in my truck on the way to the 'nice' restaurant in Forks for dinner. Charlie was overly enthusiastic, and was talking the whole trip. He was saying how proud he was and I just smiled or nodded until one thing caught my attention.

"We should start making the preparations soon, college starts in two months! Think Bella, only a few more weeks and you'll be out of here." he said.

I gasped a little. I would be leaving. And he wouldn't find me. My insides ached and my head was spinning. When I left, there would be no chance, none. Whatever hope I had tucked away in my head burst into a incredible longing I was unfamiliar with. I couldn't leave. I would be leaving him. Sure, he was probably somewhere far away but I didn't care. His memory would always be in Forks, and I wasn't ready to leave that. Not now, not ever.

Luckily Charlie in his joy never noticed my breathing nearing hyperventilation. I felt like screaming at him to turn around, but I didn't want to ruin his mood. I will just roll with the punches until I figure something out.

At the restaurant Charlie saw one of his cop buddies and invited him over. They were chatting while I silently ate my fish.

"Bella?" Charlie asked and I popped my head up. "Doug asked if you had any idea what you wanted to major in."

"English Literature." I told him. I remembered the last time I told someone this. In a coffee shop, talking to Adonis. It was our 'first date'. My stomach twisted and I felt nauseous even looking at my food.

Charlie was talking about the recent crimes with his friend when I asked him, "Dad, I don't feel so good. Can I drive back home? Maybe Doug could give you a ride, if that's okay."

"Sure Bells. Hope you feel better." he told me before returning his attention to Doug.

Outside, I fumbled for my keys and climbed into my truck. I didn't feel like going home with nothing to do, so I went for a drive. I let the car take me wherever it pleased. I was concentrating on the scenery and the road instead of letting my mind wander. The sun had set and the sky was a deep purple except for the horizon, that was a golden peach. Twilight.

The sound of screeching tires caught my attention. A car was careening out of control; and coming straight towards me. I always thought that when I would get in a cash, I would barely have enough time to brace for impact. But time seemed to cease in my mind and only my body was frozen. Would I survive this? Even if I did, I was on a back-road in the middle of nowhere. Nobody would call for help, unless the driver was in any condition to call 911. Poor Charlie, he would hold himself responsible. I wish I could leave a message or something before I died. I would probably die.

The car was barely a foot away from destroying mine. One last thought ran through my mind. Edward. His angelic face looking at me, distraught. I wonder if he really would be upset if I died. Would he even find out? 'Whatever happens, wherever I go, I will be thinking of you.' Those words in his sweet voice were the last thing I heard. The car smashed into me with force. I was throttled and my entire body smashed against the steering wheel. My head split open, my arm burned with intense pain. My sides were in pain also. But none of that mattered. Two black dots appeared in my eyes, growing larger by the second. Soon the blackness swallowed me whole, and I was in pain no more.

Cliff Hanger! Hanging from a cliff. It's time for Cliff Hanger! Now guys, I have the next chapter written out. After ten reviews, I'll update. I've got other stories to write, so I'm in no rush. You can do it!