**Disclaimer: I don't own anything Twilight related, but I do own this storyline**


And you got your share of secrets
And I'm tired of being last to know
And now you're asking me to listen
Cause it's worked each time before
But you don't have to call anymore
I won't pick up the phone
This is the last straw
Don't wanna hurt anymore
And you can tell me that you're sorry
But I don't believe you baby
Like I did before
You're not sorry, no, no, oh
You're not sorry, no, no, oh

-Taylor Swift "You're Not Sorry"

-----

Things fell into an easy routine while I stayed with Edward and Rose. It had been almost a month since I started staying with them, and I would watch the kids while Rose went out, and did whatever it was she did with Emmett. Most of the time, she would claim that they were going to appointments - doctors, dentists, mechanics - but I never believed them. Edward spent a lot of time working at the hospital and I would run into him every once in a while, when he would come home late at night or early morning.

His advances towards me had become non-existent and I started to wonder if there was something wrong with me.

Alice and Jake still called me continuously, but I still wasn't ready to talk to them. Well, I mean, I just didn't know what to say. I knew that I had to talk to them, but what do you say to the people who you trusted the most? The people who betrayed you?

Sighing, I went back to playing with Bobby while I waited for the time to pick Emma up from school. To be honest, I was getting a little tired of playing hide and seek, but there wasn't really anything I could do about that, since I was watching him while Rose and Emmett were, once again, out going to "appointments."

"Five... Six... Seven... Eight... Nine... Ten... Ready or not, here I come!" I exclaimed, already hearing Bobby's high-pitched giggles coming from behind the curtains on the floor to ceiling windows. "Oh my goodness, where ever could Bobby be?" I said, being a bit sarcastic while 'looking' behind the couch. "Nope, he's not behind the couch… and he's not under the table… Hm… Where is he?" I put my hands on my hips, pretending to be seriously contemplating where he was.

He giggled again.

"Hm…," I hummed, walking towards the curtains. "Bobby?" No answer, just giggles. I pulled back the curtains. "There you are!" He ran between my legs and tried to get to the safe spot, while I slowly ran after him.

"You can't catch me, Ella!" He screeched happily, calling me by the name he started using not too long ago.

"Oh yeah? I'm going to get yoooou!" I playfully sang out chasing after him a little faster, and catching him. I scooped him up in my arms and swung him around. "Looks like I caught you, Bobby!"

His laughter filled the house and it made me smile. "It's your turn to hide now! Go! Hide!"

I laughed. "You want me to hide while you're still in my arms?"

"Nooo! I want you to put me down, and then you go hide!"

"How about we go play something else?"

"Can we watch a movie?" He pleaded.

"Sure thing, Bub," I said, nodding.

"Yaaaay! Let's watch Cars! I'm Lightning McQueen!" He exclaimed.

I laughed and put him down then walked over to the huge DVD selection on the wall and pulled out Cars. While I popped it into the DVD player, Bobby settled on the couch and turned his complete attention to the television.

Smiling, I sat down next to him and let myself get caught up in the antics of Lightning McQueen and Mater.

Once the movie ended, I realized that we had just enough time to walk over to Emma's school to pick her up. Holding my hand the entire way, Bobby chattered on and on about the movie as if I hadn't been sitting next to him watching it the entire time.

Arriving at the school, Bobby and I walked over to the student pick up area and waited the last couple minutes before the kids were dismissed from school. I tried my best to ignore the stares and whispers of the moms who were congregating together while waiting for their kids. I was the hot topic as of late. I definitely didn't want to hear what they were saying about me.

Emma was one of the first ones out of the gate, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Bella!" She said, running over to hug me.

"Hey baby, Em," I said, smiling and hugging her back. "How was school today? Having any more trouble with the other kids?"

She shook her head, no. "No more trouble with the other kids. School was fun. We made paper chains to count down the last days of school!" She was clearly excited. She was holding my hand as we walked back to the house.

"Oh goodness, school is over for you soon isn't it?"

Nodding her head, she exclaimed, "Yes! Only thirteen more days! And guess what?"

"What?" I said, curiously.

"That means it's only sixteen days until Daddy's birthday!"

"Really?" I asked, completely caught off guard.

"Yup! I don't know what I'm going to get him yet, but I'm sure he's going to love it! He loves everything that I get him!" She started talking animatedly to Bobby about how they were going to surprise Edward on his birthday.

I smiled absentmindedly and walked them home.

I didn't realize that Edward's birthday was so soon.

What are you going to get him?

I have no idea.

I do.

You do?

Yup. It's one that's been in the back of your mind for a while.

What's that?

Give him yourself for his birthday.

I snorted and started laughing, startling the kids.

"What's so funny, Bella?" Emma asked.

"Nothing, I was just listening to your plans to surprise your dad. You two are so cute going on and on about what you want to do, is all."

She smiled up at me. "Do you really think so?"

I nodded and walked up to the front door of the house, unlocking it and letting them in before I walked inside. "Emma, remember that you need to finish your homework first, before you go and play," I said, with a warning tone in my voice.

"I know, I know…," She said, pouting.

-----

I worked diligently at cleaning the house and cooking dinner. I figured I owed it to Rose and Edward for letting me stay, even though the agreement was just for me to watch the kids.

Rose and Emmett arrived back home and we sat around in the kitchen joking while Emma finished up with her homework and Bobby played with his toys.

I found myself feeling more and more comfortable with the two of them, and whatever they happened to be doing. It was hard to not get along with Emmett. He occasionally made lewd comments to me, but they were all meant in jest and I teased him back, just as hard.

"So how were the kids today?" Rose asked, like she does every day.

"They were great. No major problems actually." I smiled.

"Good, I'm glad!"

I finished setting the table and Emmett stood up. "I'll go get the kids and let them know that dinner is ready."

"Look at you all, Mr. Domestic Mom," I told him, teasing.

He stuck his tongue out at me and I laughed as he walked up the stairs.

"Isn't he great?" Rose said to me once he walked out of the room.

"He's definitely fun to be around," I said, turning towards her and watching her intently. I had never seen her as happy as she was when she was with him. I knew that it was wrong that they were together while she was going through a divorce with Edward. The one thing I really couldn't get over was the fact that Edward still continued to live in this house even though things were over between them.

Guess they don't really want to upset the kids. I thought to myself.

You'd be disappointed if Edward stopped living here.

Yeah, I'm not going to lie, I would. He's definitely a nice piece of eye-candy.

I giggled internally and brought my focus back to what Rose was saying. "Well, the kids love him and I'm thankful that they get along so great."

"Yeah, it's because he's a big kid himself," I said and we both laughed.

"That's very true." She turned and looked at me. "How are you doing, Bella?"

I cringed on the inside. "I'm fine."

"That's not what I meant and you know it," she said, sternly.

"What do you want me to say, Rose?" I asked, not really wanting to get into this at the moment.

"Be honest and tell me how you feel."

"Truthfully?" I asked, and she nodded. "I feel like a used piece of garbage. I was just a disposable piece of trash to both Jake and Alice."

Rose leaned in to hug me. "You're not a disposable piece of trash!"

"You wanted to know how I felt and I told you," I said, shrugging and turning my attention to putting dinner on everyone's plate as Emmett and the kids walked into the kitchen and sat down.

"Yummy! S'ghetti!" Bobby exclaimed, happy about the choice I had made for dinner.

I smiled and sat down. "Yup, enjoy!"

A chorus of "Thank you Bella's" and appreciation for the food was heard around me as everyone dug in.

Dinner chatter was kept light and fun while Emma told everyone about her day at school, and how she and Bobby were going to give Edward a big birthday surprise. She wouldn't say what it was, but I had a feeling that whatever it was, it was going to be a mess that I would have to clean up.

After everyone finished, Rose took the kids upstairs for their baths while I cleared the table and did the dishes. Emmett helped me load the dishwasher, and once it was started, we sat down on the couch. I closed my eyes for a minute. "Goodness, I'm exhausted," I said.

"I'm stuffed," was his response.

I laughed and nodded. "Well, you did eat two helpings of dinner."

"I can't help it. You're an amazing cook."

"Thanks. I try," I said.

We sat there comfortably, and I was glad that he didn't feel the need to talk incessantly.

Rose finished giving Emma and Bobby their baths and came down and joined us.

"I need to go to the store," she groaned.

"Oh, I can do it," I said.

"Are you sure?" She asked, warily.

"Yeah, just let me know what you need and I'll be happy to get it."

"Bella, you do know you're a guest in this house, not the help, right?" she questioned.

I nodded. "Of course. I don't mind going to the store for you though. It'll be nice to get out alone."

Rose and Emmett laughed. "Maybe I should go then," Rose said.

I joined in with their laughter and it was decided that I'd run to the store and grab what she needed.

I went to the store feeling really ridiculously happy that I was actually going to get some alone time, even if it was to just pick up a few things for the family. As I shut off my car and got out, I looked up to find Jake jumping out of his car and grabbing me by the arm.

"Jake, what are you doing here?" I asked, the hurt evident in my voice.

"I need to talk to you, Bella. I've tried to call you, Alice has tried to call you, and you just won't talk to either of us."

"That's because I have nothing to say to you," I simply stated.

"We have plenty to say to you."

"Why are you even out in this area?" I asked.

"Because, I need to talk to you."

"That doesn't really answer my question. Why are you here?"

"Because I've been following you, hoping to get you alone." The second the words came out of his mouth he looked chagrined as I blanched.

"You've been doing what?" I hissed.

"Look, you can't ignore me forever."

"Yes, I can."

"No, you can't. I really need to talk to you, and get things straightened out between us. Alice is really hurting you know…," he trailed off.

"Really now? Alice is hurting? Alice? What about me? Do you two have any inkling of how hurt I am, because of the two of you?"

"I know and I'm sorry."

"No, you DON'T know and you're NOT sorry!" I screamed, tears threatening to spill from my eyes. "Why would you two do this to me? Why?"

"When you're desperate, you have no choice," he said.

"No, that's not true!" I exclaimed. "There's always a choice! Always! And with every choice comes a consequence. The consequences of your choice just so happens to be hurting me."

I vaguely registered the fact that we were standing outside in a parking lot. I knew that we were being watched and that this was going to be quite the gossip tomorrow. Edward's little Bella was seen fighting with some other guy in the parking lot. Guess she's a whore who fucks everyone, huh? Poor Rose…, having Edward want to start fucking the help is just so, so wrong.

"I never intended to hurt you, Bella…," Jake's voice brought me back to the here and now.

"Yeah, just like you never intended to fuck my roommate, right?" I spat out venomously.

"That's not how it happened and you know it!" He said, his anger starting to match mine.

"No, Jake, I don't know it! Because you two refuse to give me the answers I NEED!" I screamed.

"You're not listening to me! You're not hearing the words that I'm trying to get across to you." He moved closer to me and was staring me in the eyes.

"I don't want to listen to you anymore. I don't want anything to do with you anymore. I just… Just… No more… I can't take it…," I put my face in my hands and tried to calm myself down, while also effectively shutting down the only way he could see the emotions bubbling inside of me.

"Is that what you really want? You really want to throw our friendship down the drain?" he asked, quietly.

"Jake, it wasn't much of a friendship. We fooled ourselves into believing it was, but really, it wasn't. We were just two people who occasionally fooled around. Friends don't purposely hurt other friends. They don't maliciously stab them in the back. And they don't use them for their own pleasure."

I walked away, not bothering to glance back at him. I didn't want to see his face, or hear anymore of his excuses. As I got into my car, I was shaking while I drove away and called Edward.

He answered after two rings. "Hey Bells, what's up?"

"I know you're not home yet, and I know you're probably busy as work, but I need to talk to someone and I don't feel like talking to Rose, since I know she's at home with the kids right now…," I rambled on, my voice shaking slightly.

"What's wrong?" he demanded.

"Nothing… I just… I ran into Jake at the store. I went out to grab a few things for Rose, and it turns out that he's been following me and has just been trying to get me alone so that we could talk, I guess."

"He was following you?!"

"I guess. He let it slip that since he and Alice couldn't get a hold of me, he had taken to following me around, waiting for an opportunity to be alone…"

"What happened?" I could literally feel his anger through the phone.

"We just had a fight in the parking lot… I'm sure you'll hear all about it through the gossip grapevine," I said dryly.

"I don't want to hear it from anyone else. I want to hear it from you. Look, I'm going to be getting off work in a few minutes. Where are you now? Is he anywhere near you?"

I looked around me, not really realizing that he could possibly be following me again. "I don't think he's following me anymore. I'm nowhere in particular, just driving."

"Are you anywhere near the hospital?" he asked.

"No, but I can go that way."

"No, no, no. I'll just meet you somewhere. How about at the all night coffee shop a few blocks from the house?"

"That's fine with me." I said, my heart suddenly beating furiously.

"Alright, I'll see you soon," he said. "And Bella?"

"Yeah?"

"Be safe." He hung up the phone.

Fuck. What am I doing?

You're going to meet up with Edward and just talk. You're staying with him. You can just talk.

I know, but my body wants to do more than just talk.

I groaned and headed over to the coffee shop Edward was talking about, trying to drown out my inner monologue by blasting some music.

I pulled into the parking lot of the coffee shop and looked around for Edward's car and noticed that it wasn't there yet. Shutting the engine off, I kept the radio on and sang along softly, waiting for him to show up. I had my window down just enjoying the feel of the fresh air outside.

I felt myself getting really nervous and tried to just ignore the frantic beating of my heart.

What's wrong with me? Why am I freaking out so much?

I didn't have time for an answer because out of nowhere a hand reached into the car and pulled open my door. "Get out of the fucking car!"

I felt myself being pulled out of the car and thrown to the ground. My head hit it hard with a sickening crack, and I felt the warmth of my blood running down my face.

"Bella? Bella!" I heard the squeal of tires and felt my leg being crushed underneath the tire of my car. I cried out in pain.

"Bella! Bella, look at me, please!"

I looked up to see Edward staring back down at me, the light from the parking lot giving him a heavenly glow.

"Say something!"

"What…," I tried to speak, but found that it took too much energy.

A crowd of people were closing in around me and Edward yelled for them to stay back as he called an ambulance. I could hear his voice and I tried to hang on to what he was saying.

"I was pulling into the parking lot when I saw him pull her out of the car and throw her to the ground. Her leg was also crushed when he took the car and sped out of here…,"

I was able to figure out that I had just been carjacked, and I shivered. I was unsure if it was because I was cold or if because I was starting to freak out about the fact that a crime had just occurred in a town where crime usually needed non-existent.

I felt the presence of the emergency crew, along with Edward, kneel beside me.

"Don't close your eyes, Bella." I heard Edward say. "Stay awake, stay with me, please…,"

How could I have let this happen? How could I have prevented it?

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, the answer came to me as I lay on the rough pavement in the parking lot, trying to stay awake and fight the darkness that threatened to overtake me.

We can't prevent what we can't predict.

Then the darkness won.


So, don't kill me for ending it this way... Reviews welcome and highly appreciated... I'm sorry if I'm unable to respond to them for awhile. You're all really great.

Let's see... what question can I ask this week? Hm... Have you ever been stalked or followed by someone? I've had a few stalkers both online and in real life and it's a pretty scary situation... especially when they would show up where I worked and I would have nowhere to go.