OKAY there IS some edward in this chapter... just not in the way you think.. heheheh..

BPOV:

Chapter 9:

"Bells, something's happened to you." Jacob said, glancing at me as he drove.

"What?" I asked, looking at him.

We were on our way to my house, and it was dark outside. We'd spent the whole day cliff jumping. I had to admit, I was getting better at it.

"Well…" he trailed off, looking out the window, obviously trying to distract himself.

"Spit it out, Jake," I demanded.

He looked at me warily. "What made you get over Edward so fast?"

"Easy." I replied, smiling. "He was stupid for letting me go like that"

"You're absolutely right," Jacob grinned. "I'm glad you know that now, Bella. He was never good enough for you."

"I always thought he wasn't good enough for me," I said, laughing. "What a joke."

Jake seemed overjoyed now. "This is awesome, Bells. We can have so much more fun without him. I'm really happy you got over him. He's dumb."

For once, I didn't try to punch Jacob, I didn't try to yell at him, I didn't do anything. I just smiled and nodded my head in complete agreement.

"Yeah. Want to skip school on Monday and go to Seattle?" I couldn't believe what just came out of my mouth.

But I wanted to do it.

I wanted to have fun with Jacob.

"Bells, are you sure?" Jake looked over to me again. "Are you failing, or something?"

"No," I responded. "I can keep up perfectly fine."

"Then let's go."

--

That night, I had the most perfect dreams.

Jake and I were in his Rabbit, plowing along the highway to Seattle, Monday morning. Rock tunes were pouring out the windows loudly, annoying other cars as they passed. I just laughed. I was having the time of my life.

"Woohoo!" Jacob cried, opening the sun roof. "This is awesome, Bells."

"I know!" I exclaimed, smiling so hard it hurt. "We should do this more often."

Jake's face suddenly became more serious. "I can't let you skip school all the time."

"What are you, a mini Edward?" I mocked, laughing.

"Me? Never," Jake insisted, grinning now. "I just don't want you to fail grade eleven."

"Gotcha." I said, looking out the windows.

I could see the green swooshing past us, and surprisingly, it was kind of a nice day. It was cloudy, but there was no rain yet. Good enough for Forks.

"What are you thinking about doing?" Jacob asked, thrumming his hands carelessly against the steering wheel.

"Don't know. Let's just drive around," I suggested, still grinning.

He shrugged and continued to sing along to the words of the song I didn't know, but was enjoying none the less.

Life had become so much better with Edward not here. I was enjoying my free time more, and he wasn't bugging me about stuff.

Not to mention, I didn't have somebody wanting to kill me 24/7.

Life was good.

--

EPOV:

I stared at the flecks of dust collecting on the ground. Life wasn't getting any easier. It was getting harder as the days went by.

"Edward?" I could hear Alice's obnoxious little voice ringing from downstairs.

I didn't reply.

Nano seconds later, I heard her bouncing up the stairs.

"Edward," she looked at me, coming in the room to sit by my side.

"Don't even think about it," I spat, reading her thoughts.

"When are you going to break out of your trance?"

I felt a rumble building deep inside of me. How dare she ask that question? My brows furrowed and the growl was on the tip of my tongue. But I held back. For Alice. For Bella.

"I'm just saying, maybe you should go back and visit her…"

"No!" I roared, my reflex reaction.

When I'd made this promise months ago to Bella, I meant it. I was going to do what was best for her. I was going to leave her alone.

She would get over it. She was probably over it by now, anyway. I hoped she was.

But somewhere deep in the pit of my heart, I was hoping so greatly that she hadn't. That she still had that unconditional love for me, even though I was a horrible monster.

How I would love to go back and hold her in my arms…

I shook my head.

"No, Alice."

"Why, Eddie?" she sang.

"Alice, get out. Now." My jaw clenched together.

Jeez, Edward. You don't have to be so mean.

She shook her head this time, hopped up, and skipped lightly out of the room.

Stupid little pixie.

What was the point of going back, anyway? Bella would just yell at me, and Charlie would surely not be happy. They didn't like me anymore.

I bet Bella was now in love with that Quileute kid. How could she?

I didn't even have time to get mad at her, because I loved her too much. I wanted to be by her side again, my arm around her petite hips, feeling the warmth coming off of her, the sweet scent of her strawberry shampoo..

Surely, even with every way I strategized, she would be outraged with me for coming back.

She couldn't love me anymore.

You never know, Edward.

Alice again.

I was just about to get up from my spot and go yell at Alice when she saw my actions.

Don't even think about it. I just want you to know you might be interested in going back and checking on her..

"She wouldn't want me there." I yelled loud enough for every vampire in the house to hear.

How do you know?

"Get up here."

My overly-happy sister skipped in the door a second later.

"Think of what I've done to her," I answered, my eyes tightening.

I read the first thought that popped across her mind: She loves you.

"Alice, you don't know anything!" I roared, standing up.

"Maybe not," she said in a smaller voice. "I do think she loves you, still."

"I know what you think."

"God, get out of my head, Edward!"

"She doesn't love me."

You're arguing with yourself, now.

She was right.

I didn't know what to believe; if Bella really didn't hate me, or if she did. My thoughts were always leaning towards the did side.

Maybe I should go back and check. One little check wouldn't hurt.

I would observe her from a distance, she wouldn't even notice me.

Then I would leave quickly.

That's exactly what I would do.

You're such a smart boy, Eddie.

I gave one last glare to Alice and took off running.

alrighty so i just wanted to give an introduction to the next chapter, to let u know what edward was thinking so its not a huge surprise.

and how bella has totally blown him off.

what will edward think when he sees bella like that? with jacob? oooh. i see a huge conflict happening...

the next chapters gonna be big, so i must write it tomorrow (lots of hw).

thanks for the reviews, updates, and subscribers!