I'm trying really hard not to sound like a broken record, but thank you! Each alert, favorite and review makes me smile!

Thanks to the girls for their help and support; Pattinlethr, SparklyMeg, Iklepixie, Everydaybella, Cruiz Fanfiction, Mariahajile & Marly580.

xXx

Chapter 10

Jacksonville

I make it to the end of the school year without too much drama. Angela becomes my closest friend, but I still keep her at arm's length. I'm still scarred, the wounds still so fresh from Jane's betrayal, which prevents me from getting close to anyone else.

What hurts the most is Alec and Jane's united front. I feel like I'm going through this humiliation alone, while they have each other to lean on. They arrive at school together, sit together at lunch, and then leave together in Alec's beat-up truck.

About a week after the party, the scandal's forgotten. Everyone—including those two—moves on with their lives.

Everyone except me.

Now, with the end of school upon us, I'm faced with a dilemma. I had chosen to stay in Florida so I could be closer to Alec — a choice I'm now kicking myself for. I need a change of scenery. I want out. Away from all these people. A new start, where nobody will know my history.

Without school to keep me entertained, I find myself left with my thoughts a lot more. Today, I wallow in bed for a little longer than I have been, then finally leave my room and head to the kitchen. I know that if I don't, Mom will soon be up and dragging me downstairs.

"Morning, Mom." She turns as I enter the room and smiles softly. She opens her arms to me, and I go willingly.

She hugs me tightly. "Go sit." She points to the table before plating up my breakfast. Pancakes with peanut butter; my favorite.

"Seems like a nice day out. Not too humid."

"Mm-hmm…"

She sits down opposite me. "Do you have plans with anyone today?"

I roll my eyes. "No. I'm not seeing Jane or Alec today." Mom is of the opinion that there must be more to the story than meets the eye. Me, I see shit for what it really is.

"So, what's the plan for today, then? We could go to the beach?"

I shake my head and push my plate forward. "Thanks for that." I point to my empty plate. "I was… uh… I was thinking of doing a little research on schools."

My mom's face drops, and I feel bad for hitting her with a curveball like this. "Schools? But you've already accepted Jacksonville."

"I can't." I stand up, my chair scraping against the floor. "I can't stay here. It's bad enough walking around school with those two. Do you know they're both going to the same college as me?"

"It's a big place and a lot different from high school. You'll see them at some point, but it will get better."

Tears fill my eyes, and I can feel my lip quivering. "I… I don't want to, Mom. They… I… Just… It hurts." A sob breaks free, and I quickly find myself in her arms. "It hurts so much, and I hate that it hurts… I want to… I want to hate them…"

My sobs cut off my rambling, and I let my mom comfort me. Her arms tighten around me as she lets me cry, and I let everything that I've been holding in for the past few weeks out.

xXx

Chicago

The following Friday finds me standing outside the library with sweaty palms and a pounding heart. I received a phone call early in the week from an excited Mrs. Cope, who had received a positive call from Edward first thing on Monday morning. She was very excited that I fit in so well and was glad to officially welcome me to the team.

"C'mon, Bella," I murmur, pushing open the large doors.

As predicted, the library is quiet. It's six o'clock on a Friday night, and most students with any sense of a social life are out hitting any one of the parties on campus. Some of the computers are taken, but even without looking, my guess is the students are on social media sites instead of using them for research.

I head straight for the staff room, signing in and dropping my bag off. I smooth my hair, pick at imaginary fluff on my skirt and go toward the front desk. Nerves flutter fast and furious deep in my stomach at the thought of being close to Edward again.

Mrs. Cope is with a student who is checking out some seriously heavy books, so I wait at the side until she's finished.

"Bella, so nice to see you again." She takes both my hands in hers, and I can't help but smile. There's something grandmotherly about this woman that I just can't help but like.

"You, too, Mrs. Cope. Thank you for letting me come back again."

She waves a hand in front of her face. "Of course, sweetheart. I had no choice after Edward's report. He can be very persuasive when he wants to be, you know."

I see the gleam in her eyes, and I know exactly what she means. Instead of answering, I just smile and ask where she needs me to be tonight.

She guides me over to a pile of books. "I'm afraid nobody got around to these earlier, and they've just piled up. Could you put them back on the shelves?"

"Sure."

"It should be clear where they go, dear. But if you struggle, just come and ask. I'll be by the desk, and I think Edward is in the back somewhere."

I try to calm the flutters in my heart at the mention of his name and pray that, for some reason, I get lost in the back of the library.

xXx

"Bella? Mrs. Cope wants you back at the desk. I'm going to continue shelving the books for you." Kate, one of the other advisers, approaches and takes the books from me.

"Oh. Did she say why?"

"No, just that she wanted to see you."

Mrs. Cope's enthusiastic tone greets me as I approach, and as the desk comes into sight, I can't help but smile. Both Edward and Mrs. Cope are leaning over the desk, their attention solely focused on some paperwork in front of them.

Although there are two of them, my attention is on the handsome man who is unknowingly warming my broken heart.

"Edward, I really think this is something we can finally pull off. I know you and Bella will do a great job together."

I clear my throat at the mention of my name. Together?

Edward looks up, grinning when he sees me. I try not to let it affect me.

I fail.

"Bella," he murmurs, stepping around the desk.

"Edward," I say softly, before turning my attention to Mrs. Cope. "You wanted to see me?"

I try to focus on everything Mrs. Cope says but fail miserably. Edward's close proximity sends me into a tailspin, and all I can focus on is the way his fingers brush mine once too often to be accidental.

"Bella?"

I clear my throat and step away from Edward, feeling the loss instantly.

"I'm sorry. What were you saying?"

"The children's group, dear? Does it sound like something you would be interested in?"

I vaguely remember Mrs. Cope mentioning a reading group for young children when I applied for the job, and I think it sounds perfect.

"I would love to, Mrs. Cope."

She beams. "That's great. I'm sure between the two of you, this will be such a good thing for the library." She claps her hands and glances between Edward and me.

My heart speeds up. "The two of us?"

"Oh, don't look so worried, Bella." She takes my hand in hers and squeezes it softly. "I'll be here if you need me, but I think you and Edward will do a great job together."

xXx

Thank you for reading!

Fic Rec: Glass House by Livie79 - Edward and Bella had it all, but one night changed everything. How will they survive when it all comes crashing down? Love, lies, loss...life. This is that story.