sorry for taking so long for update, i have no excuse so im not even going to bother justifying it. i do promise to update soon though :D:):P

disclaimer: i dont own twilight, though i wish i did :)

Chapter 8

to say that charlie was reluctant to let me move into my own place was an understatement. I had seen my father angry before but never this angry. Of course he had assumed it had something to do with Paul, and instantly berated me for apparrantly centering my life around another guy.

When he made that statement it really hit home, bewcause he was half right I used to organise my life around what edward and the other cullens would want me to do, which is part of the reason I was so lost when they left, because I didnt know how to function anymore. I couldnt remember who I really was until I started hanging out with Jake, and even then I was still flaky and unsure of myself.

I found I was more thankful than ever for the personality boost I had received when my firestarter side kicked in. hell, I didnt even know how people could stand to be around me before, I was just so damn whiny. If I could travel back in time I would, just so I could kick my own ass.

I was stunned for a few minutes at charlies statement, using a couple of those minutes to calm the rising anger bubbling in the pit of my stomach. If I wasnt careful charlie would be looking for a new place too, and I dont think my apartment would be adequate for the both of us.

After denying charlies accusations about my moving for Paul, he calmed down a fraction, though it took a lot of pursuading before he believed me.

"bells, I really hope you know what your doing, you were just starting to get better after that... family left" charlie sighed, putting his hands on his cheeks. A light bulb clicked on in my head at his statement and I found an angle that was believable and that charlie would be more likely to agree to. I put my own hands over my face to make it look as if I were distressed.

"daddy, its because of them I want to move. Everything here reminds me of the cullens. The cullens wernt welcome in la push so everything there is free from the tormenting memories that surround forks" I fake sobbed into my hands, discreetly rubbing my eyes. I heard a low chuckle from outside, too low for human ears, and remembered that Paul was waiting. I peeked out between my fingers to see charlie looking at me with pity in his eyes.

"bella, I had no idea that it was so hard for you to live here, baby. But do you really think now is the best time to be moving schools and all? Graduation is barely a couple of months away. Cant the move wait until its over?" charlie begged, seeming like he was trying to buy more time.

"please daddy, I cant stand it anymore. I cant relax in my own home because everything in the house reminds me of him" I wailed. Charlie seemed like he was going to cave, before a look of fierce determination came over his face and my heart plummeted, believing that he was about to say no.

"bella, I will agree to you moving into la push right away, but I have one condition." charlie said in a voice that reminded me of a buisness man trying to swing a deal. I looked over my hands at him carefully.

"what is it charlie?" I asked, curious as to what he was going to ask of me.

"i want you to stay in forks high until graduation. You can move into this apartment youve found right away if That's what it takes to make you better, but I want you to stay in the same school. I know you want to go to the rez high school but im worried it will affect your work, with so little time left. Please bells, just finish up with school in forks." charlie begged. I had to admit he had a good point. My school work would definitely suffer if I switched schools so late in the year. It wouldn't be so hard to stay at forks high for another few months would it? I heard a throaty cough from outside and realised Sam was out there now. He had told me earlier that in situations like these, or when they were phased and couldnt talk, one bark/cough meant yes, and two meant no. I silently thanked god that we had thought of this, other wise I would have had to make up an excuse while I went and asked Sam if it was okay. Damn I felt like a toddler, having to ask big bad Sammys permisson for every insignificant little thing. Sure, sometimes it was nessecary, but other times I felt like I wasnt aloud to make any of my own decisions. Damn I hated that alpha sometimes.

"thank you charlie, I promise ill stay at forks high until I graduate, youre right of course, it would be silly to transfer right now. Ill deal with the memories for a few more months at school. It will probably be easier now that I wont have it at home and at work too." I sniffed, faking wiping my eyes with a napkin. Charlie nodded stiffly before his eyes softened again.

"bells, I want you to know that you will always have a room here if things dont work out. Just promise me one more thing?" charlie looked close to tears now, so I just nodded mutely.

"promise me that if they ever come back, you wont let them into your life. Especially not him" charlie pleaded. I felt a wave of relief wash over me. That was one thing I could proimise.

"you have my word dad. I dont want anything to do with any of them." charlie must of heard the resolve and determination in my tone because he gave me an approving nod.

After our emothional descussion charlie headed through to the livving room while I headed out the back door to 'get some fresh air'. Paul, Sam and Jared were stood against the wall of the house. Embry and Jake must have been patrolling.

"who knew? My girls an actress?" Paul beamed, smirking at me. I laughed at him before walking over to him and placing a chaste kiss on his lips. I truned to Jared and Sam as Paul wrapped his arms around my waist.

"well that went better than expected" Jared chirped, ever the optimistic one.

"yeh I suppose it did, though his eyes did flicker to his gun once or twice while he was talking about paul" I laughed, patting pauls hand that was resting on my hip.

"bit of a pain about the school thing though. It would have been so much easier if you went to the rez high school" Sam whined, kickin a rock on the ground. I felt my annoyance pique a little.

"easier for who Sam? Coz its definitely easier for me to stay at forks high. I only have a few months left, and I actually want to graduate this year. If I transferred to the rez I would never pass the year." I grumbled. Sam looked at me apologetically.

"sorry bells, I wasnt thinking about that, I just wanted to keep you safe. I think ill send Jake or Embry to forks high with you, that way they wont fall behind with their school work, seeing as they have more than a year left before they graduate." he mused. I actually quite liked the idea of having Jake or Embry at school with me. It wouyld make the long boring days more fun.

"well then That's settled. Now, whos helping me pack up my stuff?" I looked at them all expectantly as all three of them took a step back, Paul removing his hands from my waist before hand. I glared over my shoulder at his retreating form, while Jared and Sam chuckled.

"please bells? Im useless with packing. Ill help you drive the stuff down though, just dont make me pack things" Paul pleaded desperately. I scowled at him dangerously and his shoulders slumped in defeat.

"good, im glad that's settled." I said sweetly as I stode over to him and kissed him innocently on the cheek. "hop in the bedrrom window tonight and we can start" I told him. His eyes brightened a fraction at the thought of us being alone together all ngiht in my room. I snickered at how easily he was won over.

"ill be over as soon as charlie starts snoring" Paul murmered, kissing my forehead.

"so you moving in tomorrow? Because I have the day off work and I could bring my land rover down and help move stuff" Jared chimed in helpfully. I grinned my thanks to him and nodded at Sam, who was going to go shopping with emily tomorrow and buy me yet more stuff for the apartment, using the councils money of course. I still needed things like pans and cleaning supplies, so That's what was on Emily's shopping list tomorrow.

The guys took of into the woods so that Sam and Jared could take over patrol. Paul was just going to hang out with them for a bit, wolfy style, before coming to help me pack later.

I walked back inside and kissed charlie goodnight before walking up to my room and getting the boxes out that one of the guys had hidden under my bed earlier.

An hour later I had filled five boxes and still felt like I was no further in the packing process. I hadn't even gotten started on my wardrobe and drawers. Charlie had just gone to bed a few minutes before and already I could hear him snoring loudly. He sounded like a chainsaw.

I was startled from my amusing thoughts by a body flying through the window and rolling over the floor, stopping just before he rolled into me.

"well Paul, I have to say that you arnt the most elegant of burgelers" I teased as I heard charlie grunt in his sleep. Paul stood up with a frown on his face, scratches that were just healing on his face.

"you need to trim your bush" he growled. My jaw dropped and my eyes widened considerably.

"excuse me?" I spluttered. Paul grinned at me.

"i meant the ones in the garden, bells. Get your mind out of the gutter for a second here." he smirked teasingly. I scowled at him as a small blush came over my face. He stroked my cheek lovingly.

"its harder to make you blush now, but damn, its worth it. You look so beautiful when you blush like this." I frowned.

"stop trying to butter me up. Your here to pack." I said in a mock-annoyed tone. I picked up one of the boxes and threw it at him. "start on the wardrobe, honey" I stretched up to kiss him on the cheek, as he sighed deeply and walked over to the wardrobe.

I watched, a little irritated, a little amused, as he started throwing the clothes into the boxes in a heap.

"paul, my clothes are going to be ruined if you dont fold them properly." I whined. He turned to stare at me incredulously.

"of course they wont! All you hve to do is iron them when you get to the new place" he told me. I huffed and went back to packing my books away.

A few hours later, and a lot of bickering between Paul and I, we were finally finished, and we both collapsed in a heap on my bed. I was practically on top of Paul, and I shuffled up the bed so I could lay my head in the crook of his neck. I was exhausted. Paul started stroking my hair as we both fell into a deep sleep. Just before the darkness took over, I swear I heard Paul tell me he loved me, but it could have been wishful thinking, because I was falling hard and fast for this sexy guy.

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