Disclaimer: I own nothing Twilight related whatsoever. It's gracefully Stephenie Meyer's.

Also, the song is by Daphne Love Derby. Totally not mine!

-Jacob Black's POV-

I checked my Blackberry again for any messages—there were none. Good. She was listening to what I said. I didn't want to hear her voice anymore. I had to sever my ties, clear her out of my system; and that meant no texts from her, either. I deleted her from my contacts. I took the photos of us off my phone. I didn't want anything to do with Bella Swan again.

Brushing the tears away, I pressed the pedal down on the car, going at least a hundred. I was on my way to nowhere, trying to forget about Forks, Washington, and anything and everyone associated. I needed a fresh start with some soul searching involved.

The tires screeched on the slick road, and I turned a corner too fast, and the car spun out of control. It's okay, that's what God made me a werewolf for. I would just walk away with barely a scratch. I'll be fine once all my bones set back in place.

My vision went blurry with my teas. And then, I just let it all go…

-24 or so hours ago-

I shut the engine of my 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit off and walked up to Bella's door. I was frustrated, and I didn't want to be there, but she was my girlfriend, despite everything.

It's been a week since I found that stupid song in Bella's room and we'd been arguing about everything ever since. I'd had the nagging feeling she was still seeing him or something. I hated it, and I was taking it all out on her, but I was at her house regardless of how I felt.

I didn't have time to ring the doorbell. She was already waiting for me at the door, with an unreadable expression on her face. It looked like maybe she had been crying earlier, but I wasn't sure. I'd kind of yelled at her on the phone, and I knew I'd hurt her feelings. But she'd been the one who asked me over for dinner. So here I was, feelings set aside.

"Hi," she said quietly. Hell, if I was her I'd be unsure too. I was being a jerk talking everything out on her. At least I'd realized that much.

I pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry, baby," I whispered into her ear. I heard a sniffle, then she pulled away.

"Not now, Jake. I don't wanna do this in front of Charlie, okay?"

I just nodded and followed her inside the house.

It smelled really good in here. Bella was such an amazing cook that I knew whatever she had made would be delicious.

The table was all set and the food was sitting there, waiting to be eaten. Seemed like the only thing she and Charlie had been waiting on was me.

"Hey, Charlie," I greeted as I sat down at the table.

"Jake, hi!"

"How was the road trip with my dad?"

"I had the greatest time. We found so many good fishing holes. Got a chance to watch some good games on the tube, eat fast food."

"Well, I'm glad you both had a nice time."

I caught Bella's eyes, and she nodded a little towards me, appreciative I was being polite and conversational like always.

The rest of dinner wasn't very conversational. We were eating, an awkward ob of silence hovering over us. I wasn't sure what to do, so I just kept my mouth shut. Wouldn't wanna say anything else wrong.

After Bella had cleared the dishes, Charlie migrated to the TV set. "Any sports you wanna watch, Jake?

"No thanks, Charlie. I've got some things to talk to Bella about."

She shot me a cold glare.

"Is everything okay?" He crinkled his forehead.

"Yeah, things are fine. I just have some things to do out of town. For Sam. So I may be away for a while."

He nodded, and his eyes strayed to the TV.

I waited for Bella to finish the dishes, and then we went to talk in her room. As she shut the door, she spoke quietly. "You're going away?"

I shifted uncomfortable. I didn't wanna talk about that. So I changed the subject. "Seen Jasper lately?"

Her eyes flashed. "No, Jake, I haven't. I told you, last time was a goodbye for s. His song was just in case you leave me or I change my mind. What's wrong with keeping a memento of an ex?"

"Nothing. Just not this ex. I know he's going to try and get you back with him. It's summer; what better things does he have to do than try and steal you from me?"

"It's not going to work. Charlie won't permit it."

"But if he did, would you honestly rather be with me over him?"

She was silent. I took that as a yes. And then she spoke. "Jasper's not good for me. It would be better if I was with you. I chose you, and that's what I'm sticking to."

She shut her eyes for a minute, and then spoke again. "Why are guys so good at distracting me from the initial conversation? Let me ask again, you're going away?"

My jaw clenched. I racked my brain for something to say. I didn't want to be mean, or rude. I wanted it to be simple, but I don't think that will happen. Not after everything we've been through…

But now really wasn't the time. It was my fault for mentioning it to Charlie, but I really didn't want to be a jerk and leave her without a goodbye. I didn't want to become Jasper in her book.

It was inevitable that I was going to break up with her. There's no doubt I'm in love with her, but as long as Jasper is still alive, there's no room for me in her world. I was going to bow out gracefully, travel the world or something, and forget about the girl who broke my heart. I was sure of the course we were taking, but now wasn't the time for the break up. I wasn't ready to end it just yet.

"Yeah, trying to make things up for Sam. He's still pissed, so I'm doing some business for him."

I don't think she bought it. "What kind of business? Werewolf stuff?"

"Nah, something personal. Something to do with Emily. He wouldn't give me all the details."

"Is Emily okay?" Her eyes bulged.

"She's fine, Bella. It's all okay."

She seemed to buy into my lie now. Thank goodness I had some acting ability. She swallowed half my lies.

Then she came to sit with me on the bed. "When are you leaving?"

I hadn't exactly thought that one through yet. I didn't want to go tomorrow, but if I didn't it was like I was stalling. I feared if I didn't do it soon, I never would, and I was sick of being second best to a bloodsucker; her choice only for convenience. I wanted her to be all the way happy, not settle for second best werewolf best friends because that's what she thinks is right.

"Maybe tomorrow, maybe the day after."

"Then let's please not fight over Jasper. Let's just spend tonight together. It might be the last for a while."

I swallowed. It might be the last for a lifetime, I thought. It all depends on my attitude after I travel. And if the bloodsuckers will let me.

"Sounds good to me," I muttered. I didn't want to ruin this for her.

I just held her in my arms for a while, and neither of us felt obligated to speak. I wanted to know so badly what she was thinking of—or who she was thinking of—but I was too chicken to actually get the words out.

Odd. I never had trouble with coherency around her. I literally wore my heart on my sleeve, never thought before I acted. She'd changed me. Getting my heart broken changed me.

So I just settled for the silence.

God, I wish all our time spend together could be like this. For the moment, I actually felt like the wanted me, like she was truly content with her life and there was no one else she'd rather be with.

Of course I knew the feeling would be gone as soon as I left and I couldn't feel my arms shaping themselves around her body anymore. I knew while she was sleeping, her subconscious would be dreaming of him, and not me. But I'd accepted this fate. It was time to move on.

Time ticked by too fast, and Charlie kicked me out. For once I drove slowly back to La Push, keeping my mind on the task ahead. Tomorrow I would tell her the truth of why I was leaving. Tomorrow I'd promise myself never to see her again. I would pack my things tonight, get a head start, call her from the road.

No. That won't work. That was just slightly better than Jasper's goodbye letter. I had to break up with her in person, or things would never end between me and her. I had to sever the ties. It had to be face to face. For closure.

When I got back to the house, Billy was watching sports. Probably the same game Charlie was, I guessed.

My dad turned to look at me. "Things go okay with Bella?"

I sighed and sat on the couch next to him. I was grateful there were no secrets between my dad and I. "I didn't tell her. I'm waiting until tomorrow. The timing just wasn't right. We needed one last perfect night before everything goes to shit, you know?"

"Are you leaving for sure?"

"Dad, I'll be back." Eventually.

"I know. I understand. I'll just miss you, is all."

A lump rose in my throat. I felt kinda guilty now. I was leaving him here all alone. My mom's dead, Rachel is in Seattle, and Rebecca in Hawaii. I was his last comfort. And I'm taking it away from him.

"Dad, I'm sorry. But I have to do this."

"It's okay. I get it, Jacob. Go travel. I'll be okay without you."

I almost smirked. I was too sure of that.

"Oh, Leah came by looking for you. She had something important to talk to you about," Billy informed me.

No doubt about it. Probably doing Sam's bidding. "I'll give her a call once I'm done packing. Thanks."

I used Billy's wheelchair to heavy myself off the couch and bounded up the steps, taking two at a time. I had to pack now, or I'd never do it.

After gathering everything in a duffle bag and placing it at my door, I flipped open the Blackberry and called Leah's phone. She answered it on the first ring.

"Jake, thank God! I have to see you. Talk to you about something." Her words were super rushed. I wondered if everything was all right with her.

"Okay, uh, don't know why you would wanna talk with me, but I'll meet you somewhere."

"Good. Your spot at the beach. Leave now." Then she hung up.

What could Leah possibly be so eager to talk to me about? She and I had never gotten along well, for many reasons. We haven't really exchanged many words, and I knew she was pissed I knew everything about her.

While running through theories in my head, I told Billy where I was going and that I would be pack soon.

I went to the big oak tree with the initials JB & IS on it, and smiled sadly. That would be all over soon. I would miss this place terribly. Really. After everything bad that happened, I'd go here to think and clear my head. It was so strange to think that I wouldn't have the comfort of this place to sulk to anymore, or my dad to talk to about my problems, or even a pack of brothers (and a sister) who had my back, even if they didn't' like me all that much.

I didn't have to wait too long before Leah Clearwater showed up, hitting me in the back with a rock to get my attention. My fists balled, annoyed with her already.

"This better be good."

She didn't answer, just kept walking towards me. When I saw her up close, I was shocked. Her scowl was gone. A small smile was playing on her lips. Her eyes were no longer hard and cold, but bright and hopeful. What was going on with her?

"So I heard you're leaving." The smirk on her face got bigger.

"Yeah. Your point being?"

Full on smile now. "How much do you love me?"

I winced. "Not at all, actually."

She raised an eyebrow and pursed her lips. "Will you do me a favor?"

"Depends on what it is…" I said warily.

"Okay, so here me out." She shifted her feet uncomfortably. "I want you to take me with you."

I was about to protest but something in her eyes shut me up. She looked really desperate. So I just swallowed and said, "Go on."

"Okay." She smiled again and tucked a strand of raven hair away from her face. "When you leave tomorrow, I would very much like to come with you. I promise I won't be a bother or anything, I just need a ride out of this town."

I laughed a little. "Why? Too cool to hang around with a bunch of guys?"

"Not cool enough," she admitted, shocking me. From my perspective, Leah Clearwater had acted like she was too good for all of us and our nonsense games of chasing smelly vampires.

"I know what you're thinking," she said in a quiet voice, "but you're wrong. You don't know what it feels like to be the only girl werewolf in history. You don't know what it's like to feel like a freak, to wake up every night scared that you're a genetic dead end, that there's nothing left for you anymore, that no matter how many awesome, supportive people surround you, you know you're always the odd one out that people whisper about when you're not around."

She swallowed hard, and both of us were silent for a moment. "Jacob, do you have any idea how difficult it is to know that the love of your life is destined to be with someone else?"

"Yeah, I do," I whispered, knowing all too well how she was feeling.

"Then help me. Because I swear, if I have to see Sam and Emily flaunting their happy coulpleness at me, I'm gonna flip out or something, I don't know. It's just…too hard to be around them. I'm still in love with Sam, and it kills me to know he imprinted on my cousin and that there's nothing I can do to change back time and make sure they never meet."

I thought she was gonna cry, so I took her in a hug. She let out a shaky breath, and I pulled out of the embrace to look at her.

"Leah, I know how you feel. So I'll be straight with you. If you promise not to act like a cold hard bitch that doesn't wanna be with me, I'll let you come with me."

Her whole face lit up at my words. "I promise! Oh, Jacob, you won't be disappointed!" She pulled me into an excited hug.

I groaned. "Don't make me regret this. Meet me at the same place tomorrow at eight. I wanna leave sooner than later."

"I'll be there!"

I blew out a gust of air. Damn me for being so sympathetic.

Once I got back home an in my room—staring at the ceiling intently like it held all the answers—I finally decided to call Bella.

"Hello?" She answered, and I bit my lip at how much I was going to hurt her tomorrow."

"Hey, Bells. Um, sorry to say, but I gotta leave tomorrow morning, but I wanna say goodbye before I do so. Is it okay if I come over at 8?"

"Okay, I'll be up by then. But Jake, I really don't want you to go."

I sighed. "I know you don't. But Leah and I have business to attend to."

Silence was on the other line. "Leah Clearwater is coming with you?"

"Y-yeah. I told her she could tag along. It would do her some good getting away from Sam for a bit."

"Oh…well, do you know when you'll be back?"

"Sorry, Bells. It could be a while. But I really don't know. That's why I'm gonna say goodbye to you in person."

"Okay. Well, I'll be waiting for you. Bye."

I hung up the phone and stared long and hard at the ceiling again. Then I turned my lamp off and tossed and turned, trying to find sleep, which proved to be a very difficult task to come by. If it wasn't one thing, it was another. I had to make sure I got all my stuff, the mattress was too lumpy, Leah wasn't gonna be there on time, Billy decided he didn't wanna let me go. But I knew I was just worried about talking to Bella.

Finally, sleep claimed me and the next thing I knew I was being woken by my alarm on my phone. I groggily stepped out of bed and got dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. Then I brushed my teeth and put shoes on and loaded my shit in the trunk of my Rabbit. Hope Leah wasn't like normal girls and packed her entire existence into five suitcases…

Billy was awake to see me off, and I hugged him fiercely, not knowing when—or if—I'd ever see my father again. I felt another pang of guilt at leaving him here all alone, but I ignored it. This was something I needed to do.

I picked Leah up at the beach, relieved to see she had only packed a duffle bag as well. Maybe Leah and I would get along after all.

Once we were driving, I talked to Leah. "You won't mind staying in the car while I say goodbye to Bella, do you?"

"Not at all. Are you breaking up with her?" I glared. Why did she sound so delighted at the prospect?

"Yes, I am."

"Good. The leechlover deserves it."

I clenched my jaw, but didn't comment. It was pretty obvious how the pack felt about leeches, me included.

When I got to Bella's house, I shut the engine off, and sat there for a minute, thinking of what to say.

Leah cleared her throat. "Need help with your parting words?"

"Nope."

She laughed knowingly. "Say you finally realized you weren't the one for her, and you want her to pursue her dreams without you holding her back."

"Hmm. Not bad." I got out of the car and walked to her front door.

"You're welcome!" Leah called from the car.

My hands shook as I rang the doorbell. She answered, biting her lip off like she was about to cry. I came in the door and took her in my arms as she sobbed.

"I don't want you to go, Jake!"

"I know," I said softly.

"Curse Sam for making you do this!" I stopped hugging her and she wiped away her tears. "Stupid alpha."

I took a deep breath. Well, here goes nothing…"Bella, I have to be honest with you. Sam isn't sending me anywhere. I'm going on my own accord."

Confusion ping ponged in her eyes. "What?"

"I can't do this anymore, Bella. I can't sit around and pretend I'm happy living this way. It's clear you're still in love with Jasper. He's the one who makes you happy; he's the one you wanted to choose. I know you'd settle for me, but Bella, I don't want you to settle for just anyone. I want you to settle for the guy you know you're gonna spend the rest of your life with. And that's Jasper.

"Bella, I love you more than words can say. And I know you love me too, but you love him more…"

I paused, watching tears slip down her cheeks. I remembered Leah's words. "I want you to follow your dreams, and those dreams lead you to Jasper, not me. I'm not the one you're destined to be with. So I'm letting you go. All I want is for you to be happy. So this is our last goodbye."

Bella sobbed, clearly heartbroken. "Jake, don't leave."

"I need to, Bella, sweetie. I need to let you go, and leaving is the best way I know how. I need to erase you from my life, like you never happened. So don't call or text me. I'm deleting your number. Goodbye, Bella."

I kissed her forehead, and left her, fighting back tears of my own.

Once we got on the road again, Leah deleted all things Bella from my phone.

"You know, once you get on the road and travel and have more time to think about this, you will realize this really is the best thing. And you'll get over her," Leah said.

"Like you're getting over Sam?"

"Yes, Jacob. That was the whole point of me coming with you, remember? To get away from him."

"Right. Sorry."

"Don't be," she grumbled. "It's whatever."

After a while of awkward silence, Leah took a cd out of her purse and put it in the cd player.

I wrinkled my nose. "Leah, if this is Britney Spears or Lady Gaga or some pop crap, we're not listening to it."

"It's not. It's Daphne Loves Derby."

"Who?"

She laughed. "They aren't well known. They're soft rock…acoustic stuff…think Keane, and that's what they sound like."

The cd started playing and I had to admit it wasn't terribly bad. I was just kind of an Underoath guy, you know? It was different. But I can't say I didn't connect to the songs. There was this one, called Hopeless Love, Leah ad I played on repeat until we sang all the words.

"200 miles away from home. 200 miles beneath this lake is where my heart belongs. But you don't care at all. You wouldn't even smile if I were screaming as the water filled my lungs, oh my lungs. You demand to be chased for your love. My desperate heart is far too weak to run for you this long. But you don't care at all. There's nothing I can do to draw you close to me.

"Can you take this silence like a pill so I can breathe again? I've been trying to ignore the best parts of you. But I'm still hoping that I'll be with you somehow, somehow. Please be home tonight. I'll die if I don't get a chance to make this just right. I'm sorry but I can't forget about the way I feel every time you're here.

"What would it take for me to be with you? I swear I'd rip my heart out if you said you'd be impressed, please be impressed. I'd go so far to please you but I bet you wouldn't care at all, oh at all. Hopeless love, please leave me. This broken heart is far too weak to run for you this long. Why don't you care at all? I'm dying for a place in your heart.

"Can you take this silence like a pill so I can breathe again? I've been trying to ignore the best parts of you. But I'm still hoping that I'll be with you somehow, somehow. Please be home tonight. I'll die if I don't get a chance to make this just right. I'm sorry but I can't forget about the way I feel every time you're here.

"Hopeless love, why did you carve your home in me? This broken heart is too weak to hold your weight. And now I regret the day we met. And help me forget your name."

I laughed. "You know, you're a really bad singer, Leah."

"Me? You aren't much better," she commented.

"Whattt? I am an amazing singer…when I'm on pitch."

"Which is never."

"Shh!" We both laughed.

"See? We're getting along, just like I said we would. I'm not that bad to be around, am I, Jacob?"

"No, you're not," I admitted. "Um, any messages on my phone?"

She groaned, but checked anyway. "No. Bella hasn't called or anything. Now quit talking about her and do something to forget her."

I chuckled slightly, pressing the gas pedal down harder. The numbers were creeping higher and higher. Probably wasn't too safe for me to be going fast right now, since the road was wet, but Leah and I were werewolves. Unless some passing semi flattened us, I think we'd be all right.

The journey continued. Until a sharp corner came. I cursed, trying to slow the car down as I saw a truck on the wrong side of the road coming at us.

"Jake, slow down!" Leah was panicking.

"I'm trying! What the hell is this guy thinking?" I honked my horn repeatedly, but the guy didn't move.

He was coming too close. It was either be hit, or turn the car over on the way around him. I veered hard to the right, but not before the semi's grille crashed into my door and plowed something straight into me.

Gotta love fate. I talk about a semi hitting me, and one magically appears.

I spit something out of my mouth—blood, I realized. I could taste it in my mouth. The sharp, metallic taste. I winced at the pain as I tried to move, struggling to breathe.

"Jacob!" Leah yelled.

My hands wrapped around the force that held me in place—a chunk of ash wood from the truck. I thought a stake was supposed to kill vampires, not werewolves…

Everything was getting hazy on me. My breath was becoming shorter. My vision sparkled with dots of black. The music in the background was slow as molasses, garbled together.

And now I regret the day we met. And help me forget your name.

And that's when everything went black.

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So I finally finished it! Sorry for the wait...school just started again and I was determined for you guys to read this chapter, cause things get really good as I come to an ending soon. I have maybe five or six chapters, and then I'm ending the story. And it will actually end, so no sequels. I've got it all mapped out and ready to finish, if I have time to sit down and write now that I'm back in school, but I'll try my best. Hope you like the chapter!