AN: This chapter was completely written, then I lost it on the computer. So instead of having you wait, I thought you guys would rather get a short chapter until I finish writing the rest. So I split the chapter into two shorter chapters. This was supposed to be double the length.

Since I already wrote the rest of the chapter, before losing it all, it won't take long for me to update.

This whole chapter was supposed to be up days ago, and it was going to be longer. Sorry.

Also... I am not getting many reviews. I'm not complaining, but those lurkers out there who just put this on story alert, could you leave me a review? Please? I know you're out there! (Thanks... Sadie1787, slyt, acw1, BiteMeEddie, lovable1759, and kairikh2... who reviewed the last chapter!)

But only 6 reviews? There are HUNDREDS of visitors to this story, and THOUSANDS of hits. Can't you just please leave a review?

Song: "Heaven's Falling" sung by Cheap Trick (written by Todd Rundgren). Listen to the lyrics, think about what Bella's feeling.

Charlie walked inside, shutting the door behind him. He wiped his shoes on the mat and started down the hall, doing a double-take when he saw me sitting on the sofa waiting for him. Maybe he expected me to be hiding in my room, or something.

I didn't break eye contact. He walked over and stood in front of me. "No beating around the bush now, Bella. What were you doing in a certain silver car on the end of the block this afternoon?"

Damn. "What do you mean, 'what was I doing'"? I asked. I wanted to know just how much Charlie knew before I gave anything away.

My father's face was slowly turning red with anger. "I mean, what were you doing? Kissing and doing God-knows what else with a stranger in his car is bad enough, but with a murderer? Edward Cullen, Bella?"

Now what? I thought. I had told Edward I would stand with him against the town, and that included my father, but this was a little too soon… I was seventeen, and still living with my parents. But what could I do?

"Dad--"

"Yes, tell me! What excuse could you possibly have?" He was gesturing wildly with his hands.

"I have no excuse, Dad. I'm not apologizing. You do realize he was found innocent, right?" I stood up and faced him. I wasn't going to act like I was sorry- now that he had seen me with Edward, all bets were off.

"God, Isabella!" He slammed his hand down hard on the wooden table next to the couch, making it quiver under the force. "You're young, I get it, but you don't understand! It's fine if you want to go out and have fun with other boys your age- I would tell you be careful, but I wouldn't be seriously worried about your safety! He killed that girl! I don't want you to be next!"

I looked my father in the eyes. "He didn't." I told him.

"You didn't even live here, Bella, you don't know anything." At least his breathing was evening out and his face turning back to its normal color, his rant seemed to be winding down. Maybe he could be somewhat rational, though I doubted it.

"Or maybe I know more than you."

He huffed. "So he charmed you into believing him, did he? Because he's an older guy that pretends to have an interest in you, you're going to jeopardize your safety for a fling? Really, Bella, you can't tell yourself that he just picked you to confide all his secrets in."

The way he said "you" sounded degrading. Like I wasn't worthy of anybody's attention. Even my own father didn't think anyone with good intentions could possibly be interested in me.

My eyes filled with angry tears, and I shook my head to clear it. "Dad, I'm not going to have this conversation right now. If you're going to talk like that, I'm done." I turned toward the stairs.

"I'm being rational, Bella!"

I ignored him, running up the stairs and into my room, slamming the door. I didn't cry. I felt empowered, almost- a crazy determination burning inside me. I knew I was doing the right thing. I could do anything.

I stuffed the earbuds for my iPod in my ears and let Cheap Trick's "Heaven's Falling" blast until the adrenaline washed out of me, feeling like the words and the music fit my mood exactly.

The next morning, I woke up early, forgetting that it was Easter until I went downstairs and saw my mother making eggs at the stove. She rarely cooked anything, so to see her making a big breakfast sparked my memory.

I knew Charlie had told my mother everything, but I was determined not to let anything about yesterday ruin my- or my parents- Easter Sunday. I knew, deep down, that they were trying to protect me, and I respected that. But it didn't make me rethink being around Edward.

I said good morning to my mom, and went over to help her start the bacon.

The rest of the day went by uneventfully. No one brought up yesterday, and I avoided conversation with my father. After church, we came for a few hours, before heading off to the town hall/police station, where a big Easter dinner was hosted every year. All of the cops from around brought their families, and some other families from town came too. I was introduced to a bunch of my dad's friends, then I got to eat in silence for the remainder of the meal.

When we got home, my dad went right up to bed, because he had to work the next day. I tried to escape right up to my room too, not feeling like dealing with my mom's confrontation right now, but she called me back.

"Bella?"

I sighed. "Yeah, Mom?"

"Come in here for a second?"

Reluctantly, I turned and walked back to her. "Mmhmm?" I wanted to get out of there as soon as I could.

She smiled at me. At least, she didn't look angry. "I was thinking, baby, I haven't gotten to spend so much time with you the last few days!" That's because you're off with friends, Mom, and new classes and clubs and… but I didn't say anything. I nodded for her to continue.

"I was talking to a nice lady I met in pilates, Susanne Yorkie, and she was telling me about the art festival down in Port Angeles starting tomorrow. It's supposed to be wonderful. And she has a son, who is seventeen and a senior like you, I think. I told her we should all head down together tomorrow, how about that? Celebrate your eighteenth birthday! Unless you can think of anything else you want to do to celebrate, but since we just moved here, I didn't think you would have any ideas…"

Of course she has an ulterior motive. Charlie told her about Edward, I know, and she must know that I have spenBut her intentions are good. And there was no way to refuse.

"Uh, okay, maybe, Mom. Let's see how we feel tomorrow, kay?"

She smiled brightly, and nodded. "You headed to bed already, baby? It's still early."

"Yeah, I ate a lot tonight, you know? Food makes me tired." That wasn't completely untrue, but the real reason for going upstairs was to evade any conversations about making friends here in Forks- or more specifically, one friend I may have made. Maybe she was going to bring that up in the car tomorrow, but I wasn't up to it tonight.

"Sure, baby. Goodnight."

More soon. Sorry this chapter had to be split into two parts.

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