This chapter has a lot of growth for Bella's character and happens over a long period of time. I really wanted to have Bella grow to be more confident and developed . Because with the world she is about to be thrust into, that is definitely important.

Thanks so much to Fran and Sherry for all of your help! I could not do this without you!

Anyway….I hope you enjoy. Please review!

BPOV:

Time crawls forward, and I'm left to wait for him. The moments we have had together have been much too short, and the time apart has dragged on as if it will last forever. It's a frightening thing, when you don't know if the end is near. He said he would find me, but months have flown by, and he has not come to me.

I've seen him in my dreams, reaching out to me, imploring me to come with him; wherever he may be. I know I would follow him anywhere, but perhaps he prefers to be alone. He is as mysterious as he is taciturn, but for some reason, I believed he would open up to me. I tell myself, as I lie awake in the dark at night, that he would be with me if he could; I reason something must have pulled him away from my grasp.

I've spent days in the city, walking down the crowded sidewalks with the hopes of finding his handsome face amongst the swarm. But his emerald eyes are nowhere to be found, and nothing I find is comparable. Tonight is another night I spend searching for him.

People are scarce as the rain falls from the sky, but the city is just as loud as always. As I walk down the empty sidewalks of the wet, neon-lit, Chicago streets, my eyes search through every restaurant, every taxi cab, and every shop on every corner. I am lost, and with wet eyes, I lean back against the brick walls of a Walgreen Store and gaze at the neon lights as they mix with the reflectivity of the streets. The colors calm me, and the noises from the cars zooming by make me feel as if I am not alone.

"Are you all right Miss," a polite voice calls out from a distance.

I straighten up, and smooth out my dress, though I know it is futile, for my outfit is drenched from the rain. Mother would be furious if she knew I had willfully ruined one of my finest dresses. I squint my eyes, trying to make out the figure coming toward me. He is quite tall and broad, dressed in a dark suit with a wool coat; and though I cannot see his face, he looks familiar.

"Do you need help Miss," the dark voice asks.

Finally, he is close enough for me to peer up at his face, which is now illuminated by the red flashing lights of the sign above. Though he is handsome enough, something in his eyes unsettles me. Where have I seen this man before?

I regain my composure, and with a polite smile I say, "I'm fine, sir, and thank you for asking."

My eyes search for a cab, suddenly ready to return home.

"You really should not be out in the city alone at night," he remarks coolly.

A nervous laugh escapes my lips as I try to place this person. Although I do not remember him, something tells me I should be on my way. "Actually, I am just heading home," I comment with as much confidence as I can muster, "thank you for your concern, but I am quite all right."

His eyes appraise me for a moment, causing me to shiver in discomfort under his unwelcome gaze. I step forward toward the street to the line of taxis and frown when I find that the man has followed me.

"I'm fine from here," I insist, this time with more ice in my voice.

Apparently I do not scare him; instead of backing away due to my tone, he simply chuckles and persists. As he steps forward, I step back until I reach the end of the sidewalk and nearly trip. I open my mouth to yell, but I watch the man's face morph from that of a predator to that of prey. Something has clearly spooked him, and he backs away, staring over my head and across the street. I perk up, and suddenly my fear has vanished. The man takes one final look at me before he quickly walks off and disappears into the night.

I turn my head, with my heart filled with hope. Perhaps my Edward is near. But I am disappointed when instead of the man I have been lusting after; I find the familiar face of a man with hair as white as ice. Next to the familiar face is a tall, burly man who is as dark as sin. It dawns on me that the fair man is the one Edward was with the last time I saw him. Perhaps I should head across the street and seek my answers. However, with their straight faces and domineering statures, I don't dare.

As I slide into the back of a taxi cab and quickly give instructions to my home, I wonder if the appearance of these two men means Edward is near. I sleep easier tonight, with the belief that Edward will reappear soon.

But much to my dismay, more months pass without a single glimpse of him. I grow angry. Why would he leave me without a word, without any explanation? I understand we are only acquaintances, but I always felt that the man cared for me. I trudge through my days…my eccentric mother to keep me busy. But, in truth, I see less and less of her now that she has set her sights on a successful town doctor. Dr. Phil Dwyer, is younger than mother by a few years, but with her outrageous vivacity, he seems to be years her senior. I can't help but notice that his eyes stray from my mother, something that would upset me if hers did not do the same. Seeing them with their eyes constantly searching for a better prospect makes them the most interesting pair.

As summer comes and I feel my hopes begin to dwindle. He is still vivid in my dreams, but that is the only place I ever see him. I have notebooks filled with sketches of his handsome face; his features have become my obsession. I keep them hidden away as sometimes they are too hard for me to look at.

I have made a friend, someone who keeps my obsession at bay. I found her one day when I was shopping with mother. Usually, someone such as her would not be the best match for me. But with a spunky and outgoing attitude, she insisted that we become friends.

Alice is a year older than me, and has lived in the city all of her life. I tell her about Indiana, a place that seems as far off as the moon to her. She laughed when I said I was a farm girl, unable to believe my upbringing. I suppose, after seeing my mother, it would seem unbelievable to think of her in such a place.

Alice introduces me to her crowd and takes me to parties, insistent on pulling me into her world. I'm happy to oblige her, for partying with her is much better than spending my days dreaming about the man who left. It is also nice to drink something other than grenadine and club soda. I'm thankful that mother has never noticed when I come home practically blitzed.

While socializing with my new friend, I have met several boys my own age. But none of them move me like Edward did. One was a complete pantywaist, while others were oddballs and drips. What Alice had not understood my distaste, mainly because I was too heartbroken to tell her that I had already found someone.

With my birthday a few months away, I'm thankful I have someone who cares for me in my life. Alice is already planning a special day for me in the city, something my mother would have never done with this much love and enthusiasm.

The only wish I could possibly have for my birthday is the return of my Edward.

Nothing else matters to me.

A/N: So no Edward this chapter…but for plot purposes, this chapter was very important. Trust me, you will thank me later when you see what is going to happen! I have chapters ready to update for the next month! I love writing this story and I can't stop! Once I finish Glimmer of Hope, this story will become my main focus!

If you haven't yet and would like to, friend me on Facebook under Lizzie Lee (Highlander Princess). Also, like always, please review! So much going on in this chapter and I am dying to hear what you have to say!