I'm so sorry for the cliff hanger, guys. I couldn't help it. You need some excitement in your lives. I didn't have any time for computer stuff since I was working on school, but I've finally got the time, so I'm writing as much as I can for each story. I can't make any promises on when I'll get things in. I've gotten finished with the first book in the series I'm writing, so I've been pretty excited about that. Anyway, here's the next chapter…

"Enjoying yourselves?" Jason asked, not smiling.

Oh, crap.

I sat up and got off of the bed.

"Hi, guys," I said. I struggled to force words to come out of my mouth. "I was…I was just…"

"What's gotten into you?" Jason asked.

"Um…Guys…" I looked down at Edward, who nodded once encouragingly. "This is Edward-"

"We know who he is, babe," Jason said.

"No. No, you don't," I said. "As I was saying, this is Edward, but…he's not who you think he is exactly." I took a deep breath and sighed. "I've told you about my…problems, Jason. And, Kris, you heard from Jason." I bit my lip, looking up at them again. "This is the man who left me three years ago. Edward Cullen."

Edward's lips twitched on the side that the boys couldn't see.

"Well, yeah, we gathered that much," Kris said. "But still, the fact that you're…acting this way with anyone…especially him. You always seemed so…innocent."

"She's not exactly a little girl, Kris," Jason said. "Still just almost as innocent, though. Look at that blush."

I crossed my arms and glared at him.

"Babe, I'm not trying to be the horrible older brother right now. That blush is adorable, though," he told me.

"We just…we don't understand what's going on right now, okay?" Kris said. "Because one minute you're crying, the next you're laughing or smiling, and not the fake oh-yeah-I-don't-really-care-but-whatever smile you gave everyone aside from us before now. If we said anything wrong in the past week, you'd get upset…it's unnerving."

"Um…I think we should move this downstairs," Jason said, glancing at Edward. "If you don't mind."

"No, I don't mind," Edward said. He looked a little destroyed. Sad, rather than the smiling man I had been looking at only a few seconds ago.

"I'll be right back, Edward," I said. "Stay here."

I stood up and grabbed Jason's arm, then Kris's and yanked them out the door, down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"So, what's the problem?" I asked. "I want to give him another chance…if you can call it that. It's so much more than just that."

"Exactly," Jason said. "Bella, we might be crazy people, but that doesn't mean we don't know you. You've given him your heart already…we don't want to see you hurt again. Especially now that it may be so much worse than before. It kills us to see you in so much pain."

"I thought men didn't have that sort of emotional capacity," I said, glaring at him.

Jason flushed. "If we don't, then your Edward must be one gay son of a-"

"Stop right there," I said. "He's not gay. I swear to God if you ever suggest it again, I'll-"

"No. We won't, because we just made our point," Kris said, raising his eyebrows as if he were daring me to say otherwise.

I'd seen the boys like this before. They had talked sense into me before, but…this was different. I wanted to protect Edward, to tell them not to go any farther, to forget he was the same person who had broken my heart, but I couldn't do that, because what they were saying made sense for anyone…aside from Edward and me.

"Okay," I said, sitting. "Give me whatever speech it is you need to give. I won't stop you unless you get too subjective."

Jason nodded once and sat down in a chair, motioning for both of Kris and me to do the same.

"Understand that this has nothing to do with anything new. We don't want to see you hurt or Edward. I know that you have a hard time staying with one person for very long. We are here for his needs as a person as well, but you are family. We haven't established his permanence as a member of this family just yet. We may discuss that another time, maybe tonight. That depends on whether or not we're impressed with his behavior towards you and how many times he may ask to…be with you. Was he insistent when you met him in high school?"

"No. He didn't think it was right. He wants to wait until marriage to do that," I said uncomfortably.

"That's…good, I suppose. Most teenage boys are much more insistent about sex," Kris said.

"I wouldn't have minded if he had wanted to," I whispered, staring at the floor.

"Babe, we are past this, we get it, you loved him, he could do no wrong," Jason muttered, hitting his fist against the fridge. "The bastard had you where he wanted you."

"HEY!" I shouted, standing up abruptly. "You can say what you want about me and what I did and how gullible I was but don't you ever say a word against him again. Do you hear me? Did you understand that? Was I clear enough for you? WELL?!"

"Did I ever tell you about what I was studying before I decided on trade school?" Jason asked calmly.

I turned my head to the side slightly, telling him he hadn't. I knew he was still studying some nights as a mechanic, though Kris and I had given up on that and stuck to painting instead.

"Well I studied psychology. And you learn a few things about the human mentality in those classes. I only want to protect you from going over. We love you. We don't want to see you…damaged."

"What are you saying? Do you think I'm an idiot? That I can't…wait. Why am I arguing?" I shook my head and sat down, shoulders falling. "You're right."

A tear ran down my cheek. Jason closed his eyes and leaned against the fridge.

"I'm sorry Bella…"

"D-don't be," I whispered. "I need to go…I…I can't be here right now. I'll be back eventually so don't bother worrying about me. Tell Edward to go home."

I wanted to throw up, but instead of running for the bathroom, I walked out of the room and grabbed my keys. I ran out of the house, into the garage, slamming the door behind myself. I got in my , not the van. I hardly ever used my car since I worked so hard to stay away from anything fun…or anything that would remind me of him…of Edward. I opened the garage and left, probably speeding.

I was going out of town. I knew that much. After that I was blank. I didn't know where the road would take me this time…

XxxxxxxxxxxxX

I got out of my jet-black sports car and stared up at the raining sky, seeming to cry with me as I leaned against my door. I looked around at the tall grass and ferns before me and then at the house that was hidden in behind the trees.

It had been a long time since I'd seen that house. Since I'd walked through its rooms. Since I'd lain on the couch upstairs. Since I had fallen in love with the family that had left me.

I walked down the path to the front door and opened the door, not hesitating. I was tired of this. Of losing everything. I wanted it to stop. I walked in and ran, tripping, up the stairs. Nothing was missing. The piano was there and everything was covered with sheets. When I reached Edward's room…I stopped. I didn't go in for a few seconds. Then I opened the door and walked in. I took the sheets off of everything and then lay down on the couch.

I lost my fight to stay in reality and fainted. I knew I wouldn't wake up for a long time…but I couldn't pull out of it. And so I gave in for once instead of letting it nauseate me.

I woke up eventually…it was still light outside…though not very. I looked around at the room and sighed.

I could remember everything as though it were yesterday. Sitting on the couch with Edward, reading one of my favorite books while he played with my hair. Listening to different variations of music and laughing when I managed to confuse Edward with my random thoughts…Being the same age.

Edward was still a teenager. I was twenty-one. Not a lot of difference but it was unnerving to know that he and I were now separated by that little gap. Maybe he didn't want me after all. Maybe he was thinking of all of the things we did and wished he never met me. I hoped not.

I curled myself into a ball and stared at the carpet.

Nothing was ever going to go right for me even though I wished so badly that things would work out. The fates were against me, no doubt.

I felt myself start to cry again and wondered if I would be able to stop again…if I could manage to hide from the world, just for a little while so I could get some rest.

I wondered if Edward had moved on at all. How could I be sure he hadn't found someone new...someone better?

And I saw the slightest movement to my right and looked out the corner of my eye.

I sighed. Not him.

"Hi, Alice…Jasper," I murmured, wiping my tears away.

"Do you have any idea how long it took us to find you?" Alice asked.

"Not long," I guessed.

"Wrong," she said. "It took us 3 whole hours to find out because you didn't make up your mind. At all. Like you didn't think at all. It was like…staring at the road for too long. In fact that's exactly what it was. And by the way I have a few things to say about your disregard of safety when it comes to your new style of driving."

"I didn't know where I was going either so just calm down and shut up. Please?" I didn't want to sound rude, but I didn't know how to say what I should. "I have a migraine."

"Oh…sorry, Bella," Alice said.

"Bella…I know I may be one of the last people you want to hear from but what happened?" Jasper asked suddenly. "You were so happy…and in love earlier…and now it seems like all the colors have been washed away from your emotions. So sad. Why the change?"

"I'm not comfortable with talking to anyone right now…I…I'll explain later if I can think of the words," I told them. "I need to be alone. I really do. Please?"

"We aren't going to be far," Alice said unwillingly and moved towards the window. "But I'll be watching you."

"Fine," I muttered. "Just…please go now. For a little while."

I got up and started towards the door but stopped dead when I saw one of the two copies of our prom pictures Edward had received. Without warning I fell into a crying, shuddering mess on the floor. I couldn't stand the idea of him leaving again…I felt arms encircle me and I looked up expecting to see Alice's worried face but instead I was looking into the eyes of her other half.

Jasper pulled me into a gentle hug and Alice observed with only a slight look of confusion on her face.

"Bella, it's alright. Everything is going to be okay," Jasper said soothingly. I could feel an almost warm sensation evading my body. Calmness. Safety. "Listen to me, Bella. Do you remember the day I attacked you?"

I nodded slowly and relaxed my shoulders.

"Edward was willing to do anything to save you. He put himself in front of you, knowing I may rip him apart to get to you. The look on his face would have surprised me had I been in any other state of mind…I felt such a strong wave of determination and love for you from him I almost fell back but I couldn't stop myself. I wasn't behaving as myself."

I relaxed farther and nodded again. I couldn't be annoyed with his calm soothing tone…

"Alright, Jasper, stop now please," Alice said. "She's going to be okay…she believes you…"

I was falling asleep.

"Good," Jasper said, Picking me up. "Now, Bella, go to sleep for a little while okay? You need to rest for a bit. You'll feel much better tomorrow, I promise."

And he laid me on the couch again and Alice stood beside him.

"Sweet dreams, Bella," Alice murmured.

I fell asleep then without a word. I surrendered for a while longer.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

I woke up and sat bolt upright on the couch, nearly falling off and landing face first in the carpet. I steadied myself and turned over and lay on my stomach. Jasper had done one hell of a job knocking me out like that. I felt so calm it would have been unnerving if I hadn't been sedated by him.

I groaned and got up for a second to search for my phone. I pulled it out of my right pocket and plopped down on the bed and slid it open. Nine-oh-clock. It had been approximately an hour since I had found myself standing in front of the Cullen's home. I prayed Alice had said nothing to Edward. Even if I decided to trust him a little more now I couldn't give him my complete trust until I was changed into a vampire.

I stood up and walked out the door and down the stairs. I walked out the door and got into my car and drove into the garage. May as well hide a little better. I turned on my radio and turned it off again as soon as I recognized the song. Halo by Beyonce. I let out an animalistic cry and fell over the seat, crying into the leather seat. Alice ran into the garage and opened the door.

"B-Bella," she stuttered, surprising me. She never stuttered.

"How does it feel to know Jasper will never leave you?" I asked softly.

"I…" she stared at me looking as if she wished she could be crying with me.

"Alice, I need to know…I can't remember that feeling," I said, my throat closing up.

"Like nothing can go wrong. Like I can take on anything. Like I never have to be alone…Like I'm important and beautiful," she said.

I laughed with a hiccup. "Alice you are beautiful."

"So are you, Bella," she said and wiped the tears from my face. "And Edward needs you as much as you need him. You can't deny you haven't felt alone, even though you may not show it or notice at times…life isn't right without him, is it?"

"No…but…I want to know he won't leave again," I said.

"He won't," she promised.

Alice reached over and turned on the radio and then switched it to the CD player. She put in a CD and the first song was the one I had turned the radio off so quickly to avoid.

I closed my eyes and felt fresh tears fall down my face.

"Thank you, Alice," I said.

"No problem, Bella," she said. "I think Jasper and I are going to leave now…I trust you can handle staying in the house alone…we stocked up on food so that you won't starve to death."

"Um. Okay…Thank you," I said.

"You're welcome," Alice told me.

"I'll see you soon," I said.

"Bye," she murmured and then left.

I listened to the rest of the CD and then went inside, realizing that I was starving.

After I ate, I went back to Edward's room and curled up on the couch. I couldn't sleep. And then I heard a door downstairs close. It wasn't a big noise…but more like someone trying not to make much noise…like they knew someone was here…

I know it isn't that much, but I tried…I'm sorry I haven't posted much at all but my mind has been elsewhere so I can't really help it. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did…I promise I'm working on more for this story. Sorry about the cliffy but I can't think anymore tonight.