Bella's POV

I spent the last three days alone in my room only coming down to pretend that everything was ok for Charlie's sake. When Jacob left the other day Charlie came to my room demanding to know why two of the guys from the Rez had come and gone so quickly. I decided that the truth – to an extent – was the best way to go. I told him that I wanted to be with Jacob but that I had feelings for Paul that were fairly recent and that Jacob basically told me that I should be with Paul. The look on his face was priceless. I could tell that Charlie instantly regretted asking me anything.

So since then I decided that staying in my room would be the best way to avoid most of my problems. The only one I wasn't able to completely ignore was my Edward problem…actually, let me try that again. The one I wasn't able to completely ignore was my Edward and Alice problem. She came over the next day demanding to know why I had the sudden change of heart in regards to her brother. I didn't have an answer for her. I thought, maybe if I ignored her she would go away, that wasn't the case. She decided that if I was going to be silent so would she. Only she was going to be silent in an 'I'm going to stand at the foot of your bet utterly still and not move until you tell me what's going on' way. It was really creepy and I know that's what she was going for. So I finally broke and told her that her brother is a good guy, just not for me. He screwed up and I really didn't feel like giving him another chance. I told her that I loved Jake and if she had a problem with that she can take it up with her brother since it was his decision to leave me in the first place. After much pouting and arguing later she finally left. After that Edward showed up every night. The first night he came he said it was because he wanted to protect me from Victoria incase she decided to show up. I was so afraid of Victoria that I didn't argue but I made him stay at the foot of the bed on the floor where I couldn't see him. What he did while I was asleep I had no idea. The next day he tried to play the same card but I wasn't buying it. So he confessed that he just didn't want to see me with Jacob. I rolled my eyes and said, bitterly, that that wouldn't be a problem anymore. He didn't press the issue but he did have that stupid mischievous grin of his.

"I don't love you anymore, Edward." I would say and his only response would be, "Yeah, you do." I didn't argue. I knew what I felt and if Edward was living in denial than that was his problem – not mine.

The third night I was done. I missed Jake and strangely enough I was starting to miss Paul too. Edward came through the window as he usually did and had the nerve to lay down with me in bed.

"Get out! I don't want to see you anymore Edward! Leave!"

"I know you don't want me to leave,"

"What kind of delusions are going on in your mind right now? Get out! I want to see my friends. I'm leaving now."

"No, you're not." I stared at him furious that he was going to come into my room and tell me what to do when I didn't even want to see him.

If you try to stop be I'll yell and Charlie will come in here and see you.

"Fine, Bella! It's your funeral." And he was gone. Thank God!

I looked over at my clock and it was 12:05 in the morning. I guess I would be waking someone up.

I snuck down the stairs avoiding all the ones that creaked and got into my truck. I prayed that Charlie was in a deep sleep so he wouldn't hear me leaving.

I made it out of the driveway and was on my way over to La Push. I wanted to see Jacob more than anything but thought better of it since he was the one who decided it would be best for me to test the Paul waters out. Ugh. This was so unfair!

So I guess Paul's house it was…only I didn't know where he lived. I only knew where Sam lived and I wasn't about to go there. I'm sure everyone knew what had happened by now and I didn't want to get the look. The last thing I wanted was for them to look at me all crazy cause I was in love with Jacob but Paul imprinted on me.

Oh, the drama. When did my life turn into a soap opera?

Since I didn't know the way to Paul's house I had no other choice than to call him. I pulled out my cell and dialed his number. It went straight to voicemail. Lovely.

"I obviously either don't want to talk to you or I'm too busy to chat so leave a message. If I like you I may call you back. If I don't, hang up and don't call me anymore." BEEP.

"Um...hi, Paul it's Bella. Listen, I wanted to see you. I know it's really late but…just give me a call."

I hung up. I guess I would have to wait for him to call me back. Might as well wait at the beach.

I drove over to First Beach and parked the car to the side. I couldn't see a thing but I could hear the rushing of the waves. It was so peaceful but it wasn't enough to calm my nerves. If I was going to do this thing right it meant giving Paul a chance. The butterflies in my stomach did a little dance. I was nervous, partly because I was terrified and partly because I was a little excited. I thought back to the day he risked his life to keep me safe and I smiled. He was either really brave or really stupid. Or really in love. I thought about the way he looked the next day sleeping on Jake's couch and then my phone buzzed. It was him. I flipped the phone open and it almost fell out of my hand I was shaking so much.

"Uh, hello?"

"Bella, I'm glad you called."

"Um…I'm sorry if I woke you but I need to talk to you…preferably in person."

"You didn't wake me Bella. I actually couldn't sleep so I went for a walk. Where are you?"

"First Beach."

"That's what I thought. Come out." I looked out the window and I almost swallowed my heart. Paul was right outside the driver side window. I flipped the phone shut and tossed in on the passenger seat along with the car keys and got out of the car. Paul picked me up in a bear hug and I felt a sense of familiarity and relaxed. I was so wound up; just the presence of him eased all my jitters instantly.

"Hi." I said. I know I had a stupid smile on my face. I tried to suppress it but found that I couldn't.

"Hi," he said back with an equally cheesy grin. He took my hand and led me away from the car.

"Come on, let's go take a walk."I couldn't seem to concentrate on anything other than the warmth of his hand in mine so when he said my name I had no idea if he was talking to me or not.

"Are you okay Bella?"

"Oh! Yeah, I'm just…a little nervous to be completely honest."

"I know what you mean." He stopped and faced me. My eyes were starting to adjust to the night and I could clearly make out all of his features. He looked…reserved, like he was expecting bad news.

"You had something you wanted to tell me?"

I took a deep breath in and let it out slowly. This was it. It was now or never.

"I've been thinking about what you said to me the other day and I think we should give this thing a try."

He was silent for a while and stared at me in disbelief. Was he not saying anything because he didn't want to be with me? Did he change his mind? Oh my God, was he mistaken about imprinting on me? Funny how the thought of that scared me.

"Say something." I snapped.

"I…I…just can't believe it. You said you love Jacob. I didn't think you would have wanted to give this a try at all."

"I do love Jacob but I'm starting to feel something for you and I can't put my finger on it…and…I don't know what I'm doing. I'm really confused but all I know is that for these past three days I haven't been able to get you out of my head. Every time I thought of you I wanted to call. I wanted to hear your voice and to be honest that scares the hell out of me cause I don't really know you. I mean I know you but I…don't know you. This is all new to me. I don't know what the heck an imprint entails but I know that I would be cheating myself and hurting you if I didn't try and I'm so-"

He cut me off with a kiss. I was thrown off for a second but it didn't take me more than that to respond to his touch. I pulled his face closer to mine and then slid my arms around his neck. He placed his arms around me almost as if he was afraid if he squeezed too tight he would break me. He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against mine. We were both breathing pretty heavily.

"So, we're together I take it."

"No, Paul, I kiss all of my friends like that. You should see me and Angela after a three day weekend."

"That sounds hot, can I watch next time?" I punched him in the chest and he didn't even flinch. I think I cracked a couple knuckles in the process. He, of course, just laughed at me.

"So…what now?" I asked.

"Does Charlie know you're gone?" I shook my head. "Ok, so we need to get you home."

"What? Why?"

"Well, I just got you. I don't want your dad finding out that you were out with me all night and then forbid you from seeing me…he's a cop Bella…he's not stupid."

"But I don't want to leave you." I surprised myself with those words almost as much as I surprised him.

He kissed me again only this time it was shorter. "Ok, one hour and that's it." I smiled and bounced a little. "Come on." He took my hand again and led me just a few paces further where there was a blanket on the ground.

"Were you expecting someone?" He looked at me and raised an eyebrow. He picked me up in his arms and laid me down on the blanket.

"Only you. Always you." He laid down next to me and I laid my head on his chest. We looked up at the stars and he told me stories of his family, mostly his mom and dad. We laughed at each other about silly little things until we just fell silent. I was content and it didn't take long for me to drift off to sleep. Oddly enough I wasn't thinking of Paul or the fact that we were not an item. My thoughts were consumed with Jacob.