A/N: I don't own Twilight. This is a stupid chapter in my opinion, seeing as it only has a few spoken lines, and I totally DID NOT plan this way.

Chapter 25: Alone

Bella POV

Everything did change. After my near-death experience, my family avoided me. Jasper had taken a habit of locking himself in his study, Rose wouldn't try to sway me to say human. Esme would only talk to me if she asked what I would like to eat, Carlisle would stay at work longer, Emmett wouldn't joke with me, and Alice wouldn't come in my room at ungodly hours to dress me, and Edward……. Edward wouldn't even look at me. He had the look in his eyes when I first met him. The one of pain, guilt, and……emptiness. Many times I had tried to talk to him, but that didn't work. We rode in silence in his car, and at school, he sat as far from me as possible. I did the only thing I could. Since they were avoiding me, I avoided them. I started using the car that Carlisle and Esme had gotten me, which was given to me after I woke from my death. The car was an Audi Coupe. I blasted a lot of heavy metal in the mornings, I couldn't listen to soft music; it would only remind me of Edward. If that wasn't avoiding them enough, I hung out with another girl—Angela--and her boyfriend Ben. They were nice to me, they were the only ones who knew that Edward was avoiding me, but not because of a break-up. I told them he lost someone close to him. The "queens" of the school, Lauren and Jessica, loved to make my life miserable. They always would tell me how I wasn't good enough for Edward, and I should have left him alone. I ignored them, but not before I could punch Lauren in the face. Mike had tried talking to me, but that was the one time anyone stood up to him on my behalf. Edward had reminded him he could go to jail, seeing as I had a restraining order against him. It was the same routine every day, and I was sick of it. I knew I had torn this family apart. I had been a burden from the start, now I was a block to their happiness. I didn't want that. I knew what I would do soon. I just hope Alice doesn't see it.

Alice POV

Bella's up to something. Ever since her birthday, Edward had told us to stay away from her. He didn't want her at risk, so his option was stay away from the problem. I was mad, but I knew he was right. We couldn't take the risk. I stopped dressing her, and my husband………..Jasper would d never leave his study, except for school. I knew this was worse for him than anyone else. He often told me the emotions would slowly kill him, saying that Bella's was an emotion of total sadness. The way she acted was scary. She looked paler than usual, and she had lost a bit of weight. I didn't like this. She was hiding something. I hope it isn't drastic.

Bella POV

They were going hunting. It was perfect. They asked me if I could stay by myself, and I said it was fine. I had been alone for a while now, whether they acknowledged it or not. I had packed. My stuff was together, and the note was written. I had memorized what I wanted to say. I had no idea where I was going, but it would be away from here. I would put this family together again. My future probably disappeared though, I had considered going to La Push, but that would be the worst place to go. Maybe I could go to Canada. I don't know. I dragged my duffle bag to the car—I had to pack light—and revved the engine. I pulled out of the garage, leaving the people I had hoped to call family.

Edward POV

It was eerily quiet when we got home from hunting. Things had been mellower after Bella's near-death experience. I had warned everyone to stay away from Bella. She was too delicate to be here, so I avoided her. She was a smart girl, and caught onto my act, so she avoided us. It was only right. We were predators, and she was prey. I walked in the house, smelling Bella, but………I didn't hear her. Panicking, I ran upstairs.

"Bella?! BELLA!" I yelled. I sniffed out her scent where it was strongest. It led to my room. I looked around, and saw a white envelope on my sofa addressed to me. I opened it quickly. Edward:

I had to leave. This family needs to be together and with me around that is not possible. I want you to know I'm so sorry about this, not like it matters. This was my fault for being weak, vulnerable, and clumsy. My life and happiness has ceased to exist, because your happiness has ceased. I see the look in your eyes Edward, there's no life there, and I know I caused it. Love, life, meaning…………it's over. I can't be in a house that I cause chaos in. I would rather face Charlie a thousand times over than destroy the family you have built. Tell Jasper I don't blame him, and I'll miss him and his books. Tell Rose that we were more alike than we let on. She was my protective sister, and I thank her for that. Tell Emmett to bag a few Grizzlies for me. I know he loves them so much. Tell Alice that even though I hated shopping, I appreciated all she did for me to make me feel welcome, and accepted. She was an evil shopping pixie, but also my best friend. Tell Carlisle thanks for all the stitching up he did. I don't fear doctors as much now as I used to. He was the father I needed, but didn't deserve. Tell Esme I hope to grow up to be like her one day. She was a perfect role model, and she was the mother I never had. And you Edward………….I never stopped loving you. You were my sun, savior, and love. I'll never love anyone as much as I love you, and I say that in a present tense. Don't bother coming after me, I don't want to be found. When I can't be happy, I have to try to forget. That's how it was when I was with Charlie. Oh and before I forget, I left Mary's number on the table. Let her know I wish I could come back home to Cedar Mills, but you'd know to look for me there. Good-bye forever Edward.

Bella.

When I finished reading, I collapsed on the floor. Had I really pushed her so far? Did I avoid her so much, I had caused her to leave us forever? My family had come into my room to see what had happened, and I just gestured to the letter. They each read it, collective gasps coming from each of them. I read their thoughts one by one.

She never blamed me, even when I had practically killed her? Why? Jasper.

She-she thought of me as a sister? I suppose I knew, it's just…….EDWARD YOU ARE DEAD! Rose.

Even though she was sad she still could joke. Edward I want to kill you right now. Rose is really livid to. Actually I think the whole family is. Emmett

EDWARD ANTHONY MASEN CULLEN I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DROVE HER TO THIS! SHE WAS MY SISTER!!! I HATE YOUR GUTS RIGHT NOW, AND IF I WERE YOU I WOULD START RUNNING! Alice.

She thought of me as a father. I should have guessed. She never had one. The emotional toll of us avoiding her was too much, and she was selfless to leave. Carlisle

Another child lost. I miss my daughter, and I wish she had never left. I don't blame you Edward, but we all suffered because of your decision. Bella knew the risk, and didn't care. We should have been there. Esme.

The guilt over-whelmed me, how I had hurt my family, and Bella with the cool demeanor. I was truly a living stone.

"Alice can-can you see her?" I mumbled my pain evident in my voice.

"No." she said numbly. She sat next to me, her eyes sad. "She makes split second decisions, I can't see them. I'm sorry." She said. My family had left the room, leaving Alice and me in our misery. My sister kept me company while trying to find my love, and I sat there, resolving to never move.

A/N: Ummmmmmmm yeah this is random. I made her run away. I had to. Don't worry, I'll attempt to update soon. ATEMPT being the operative word. Anywho yeah go ahead and review my chapter. I wasn't specific, and next chapter will be where Bella is. Oh and I might throw some Mary in the next chapter/\_/\.