"Where is he

"Where is he?" Bella wondered aloud.

It was eight o'clock and Will still hadn't returned from the school. In that time, she'd served about two dozen customers, all coming from the academy, in their expensive, posh cars, which helped defined their affluence and stature. Superficial, but true.

Bella sat on her bed in the dark. The moonlight shone through her window, casting a shadow on the bedroom floor. Next to her was a suitcase, fully packed. Her closet and drawers were completely empty. She was surprised everything fit into one case, yet not so much. It's not like she had much anyway.

A fan blew her hair about her. The night air was dank and languid. Three empty Coke bottles stood on her night table. She looked around her. What was this place? She'd been there for so long that it didn't seem real to her anymore.

She was in a sort of trance when Will's pounding footsteps on the stairs broke it.

Emerging from the dark, he asked, "Bella? What are you doing in the dark?"

"Thinking," she replied without facing him.

Will saw the full suitcase beside her and the vacuous closet and dresser. The walls were bare too. As he stepped nearer to her, he kicked something. Looking down he saw another bag, filled with frames, books, and her other belongings. Now, it was all making sense.

"You're finally leaving."

A sniffle came before she spoke. "Yeah. Finally."

Putting the luggage on the floor, he sat on the bed with her. She still stared out the window, her eyes betraying the strong front she was trying to put on. They were vulnerable and somber, worn out.

Bella looked at him, eyes willed dry. "You ready to go? Because I definitely am," her voice resolute.

He got up and took her parcel with him. He went for the door, yet Bella was inert. "I'll meet you at the car." They shared a quick look, her appreciation clear.

Running her fingers over the bed as she walked away she said, "For real this time."

She was half way out the door when she paused for a moment, taking one last look, and closed the door behind her, leaving the room in total darkness.

When she got to the car, Will had already packed their things inside. Charlie stood in front of him, shaking his hand, telling him something that was out of her earshot.

Tapping her father on the shoulder, he turned with stunned tears in his eyes. Instead of asking her to stay, he said lovingly, "Go baby. It's time."

Almost jumping on him, she embraced him tightly, her sobs now uncontrollable. "Thank you daddy. Thank you for everything."

He pulled away and looked at his daughter. Though she was not his actual flesh and blood, she was more a daughter to him than Grace ever was. He was older, and not as strong as he used to be. Knowing that he only had to say the word, she would stay with him. Care and comfort him as she always had. But this was his child. Above all else, her happiness was what mattered. Charlie knew that it was because of him she came back to New Rawley and it was because of him she had stayed—even though he never asked her to. Letting her go meant risking that would live somewhere far away from this place. It was something, for her sake, he was willing to risk.

"I love you Bella. Be great," he choked out.

Wiping her face, she made her way to the car door. She and Will both went for the driver's seat, but Bella demanded, "Let me."

He adhered to her request and sprinted to the other side, hopping over the door and into the passenger seat. Bella started the car, buckled her seat belt, and placed her hands on the wheel. Letting out a loud sigh, she looked at Charlie and smiled. "I love you Dad."

"I love you too."

Focusing her gaze at the road, she pressed on the gas and drove away. The top of the car still was still down. It was dark, the main street illuminated by a few streetlights. Bella glanced at the buildings one last time. The wind blowing in her, she reveled in the feeling, empowered by it. "Goodbye New Rawley," she said as the town passed by them. "So long."

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Scout sat in the living room, his stomach full from the enormous and satisfying meal Jake had prepared for them that evening. The television was on and though Scout stared at the screen, he had no idea what was going on. Jake and Hamilton had left to watch a movie and offered Scout to come along, but tonight, he just didn't want to feel like a third wheel.

Ever since Will left three months ago, he'd felt that way. A lot. He spent more and more time with the two of them, helping out with wedding preparations. Even when he was with his friends, he felt alone…distant…out of place. It's not like they made him feel that way, but he did. People in love never intend to shut people out, but they do. Especially when they are busy planning a wedding. So rather than feeling like the odd man out while he was with his friends, he opted to feel like he was all by himself by actually being alone.

He didn't know what it was, but lately, more than ever, the feeling of loneliness swept over him. It had been years since his last relationship, ending with his actress girlfriend, Anna, cheating on him. It should've hurt, but oddly, it didn't. Not at all.

Nothing hurt him these days, he seemed oblivious to it all. For a long time, he didn't know why he felt the way he did. Maybe because no one and nothing hurt him as much as SHE had. As much as Bella had.

Bella. Why did she always come to mind? No matter how long it had been since they left each other, she still lingered in his head. He wasn't in love with her anymore…or was he? The memory of her—the way she moved, her smile, the way she looked at the world…the way she made him feel—was so real, so fresh in his mind. How could he feel so strongly about someone he wasn't in love with? But then again, how could he be in love with someone who had so ruthlessly toyed with his heart, someone who he hadn't seen in eight years? How could this be love?

In the corner of his eye, he could see a small, red light blinking on a table nearby. The answering machine. Someone had left a message. Getting up, he took a couple of steps, and reached for the play button.

Through the crackling static, Will's voice resounded through the room. "Jake, Ham…it's Will. Bella and I are on our way to New York. Should be there no later than one. Don't wait up. We'll let ourselves in. See ya then."

Leaning against the wall, he banged his against it and uttered, "Great. Just great."

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Bella and Will were ten miles from Manhattan when Will awoke from the deep slumber he had fallen into not longer after they left New Rawley. He moaned softly as he did this, stretching his arms and legs in opposing directions, eyes opening sluggishly.

"Hey sleepy head," Bella laughed. "Have a nice nap?"

Still half asleep, "Sure. Whatever you say."

"We're almost there."

"Good," answered Will, not sounding too enthused.

"Well don't sound too excited about it!"

"I just don't know how I'm going to react to seeing her…to seeing them after all this time."

"It's only been three months."

"Still."

"I know," Bella replied. She did know because in just a little while, she'd be facing the same sort of confrontation with Scout.

"Damn. I'm sorry Bella. I totally forgot about…" Will responded, detecting the underlying meaning of her statement.

She cut him off, "Its okay Will. No apology necessary."

A moment of silence lay between them. Bella stretched for the radio and turned it on. She'd sat in silence for too long and ironically, now that Will was awake, she wanted to do anything but talk—particularly about the looming reunion.

Sleepless nights and endless days
And all I do is promise to change my ways
Leave the lights on, you know I'll pretend you're on you're way
You used to say that there's a time we all deserve to lose our minds
So I lost my mind now I'm ready to find my way

Back home
Today
To stay
The way you wished I would
And I swear
To stay
The way you wished I would

"So we're just not gonna talk about this?" Will asked. "Is that the plan here? Look Bella, I know you'd like nothing more than to avoid this whole situation, but it's going to happen. You can't fight it."

"For now I can."

"You're not even slightly nervous?"

Giving up, she sighed, "More than slightly. I'm petrified." She bit her bottom lip, pondering for a second. "I really don't know how I'm going to do this without…without acting like a total idiot."

"Bella…"

"I'm still in love with the guy. After all this time, after everything we've put each other through, I still love him. I broke his heart, Will. I can't imagine him ever forgiving me for that."

Will could not believe what he was about to say. "Look at Jake and Ham. They worked it out. Look at them now."

"That's different. They're different. Will, can we just drop it?"

"All right. If that's what you want."

I don't know if I'm gonna have to redesign my mind
But tonight I made a wish and I sure hope that it comes true
Cause it's been too long without you
It's been too long

Come home
Today
To stay
The way you wished I would
And I swear
To stay
The way I wish you would

At that, Will ceased his pestering. He looked at the clock. It was now a half past midnight. As they drove off the Brooklyn Bridge and onto the island, Bella was overwhelmed by the sight of the city—twinkling lights of the skyscrapers, the vast number of taxis and cars that packed the avenues, people lingering on the sidewalks. She continued to drive, agape, eyes filled with astonishment.

"So this is New York City."

"Magnificent isn't it?" Will voiced, not so much asking than making a statement. "There's no place like it. No place like home."

Still awe-struck, "It's beautiful."

They drove in silence for some time as both of them took in what being here all meant. Yes, they were back for Jake and Hamilton's wedding, but there was more to it than that. Though Bella refused to speak of it, she and Will understood each other perfectly.

I don't know if I can wait this long
To be what I used to be
And I don't think I can wait much longer
For the tide to come back to me
Come back to me

Back home
Today
To stay
The way I wish you would
And I swear
To stay
The way I wish you would
The way I wish you would

"Turn here," Will directed when they reached the corner of Canal and Greene. Bella followed and made a right. A few minutes later, Will pointed at their apartment building. "There it is." She searched for a parking space and fortunately, there was a spot right in front of the building. Once they parked, Will jumped over the door, grabbed the stuff in the back, and headed for the entrance.

Bella stood behind Will, trembling, even though it was not cold. 'Come on Bella. You can do this,' she thought to herself.

He turned and asked, "Ready?"

"Even if I'm not, you're still gonna make me go in there, aren't you?"

"You got that right." Will put his weight against the revolving door. "What are you worrying about anyways? It's only Hamilton and Jake. Scout has his own place."

Letting out a sigh of relief, "Well when you put it that way…I'm ready."

Up the elevator and down the hall, Bella and Will stayed quiet, not wanting to wake up any of the other residents. On arriving at the door of the flat, he already had the key in his hand, routinely put it in the lock, unlocking it.

They tip toed in, shutting the door gently. Will set the bags down and tapped on a small lamp.

"Wow," Bella exclaimed at seeing the uncommonly large apartment. "This place is huge."

"Seems that way at first. You get used to it. Soon, it won't seem so big."

"That's what you think. You're talking to someone who's lived above a gas station her whole life."

"Oh I forgot—pump girl!" he exclaimed. She punched him on the shoulder; he was still laughing, but grabbed his arm in pain.

"I'm starved. You want anything?" he inquired as he traveled in the direction of the kitchen.

"No I'm fine. Just sleepy."

Will peered into the open refrigerator and told Bella, "Just go up. When you get up the stairs make a left. That's my room. Go ahead and sleep there, I'll stay on the couch. And I won't take 'no' for an answer. Just get some rest."

"Good night Will." Bella snatched her suitcase and took it up with her. The door was ajar and she could see that the room was entirely black. She crept in and situated her stuff on the ground. Far too tired to rummage through her things for sleep wear, she undressed, leaving her only in her undergarments. It was still dark and Bella felt her way to the bed.

She pulled off the covers and placed herself inside. Lying back, her head up to the ceiling, she closed her eyes and covered her body with the sheets.

Uncomfortable in the position she was in, she shifted over to her side, stretching her arm over. However, instead of landing on empty space, it rested on something—on someone.

"AAAAHHHHHH!" Bella screeched at the top of her lungs. A muffled noise came from the body, the bedspread rustling as the startled individual moved. Jumping out of the bed she yelled hysterically, "Oh my god! Oh my god!"

At that instant, she heard a click and light filled the room. Still, screaming, she saw who had caused her panic. There stood Scout Calhoun, in nothing but his boxers, looking quite flustered and alarmed.

"Scout?"

"Bella?"

"What the hell are you doing here?" they asked at the same time.

For a beat, they stood there, both still in complete shock, recovering from their strange encounter.

Oh my god.

"Bella! Bella!" Will shouted as he rushed up the stairs and into the room.

Soon, Hamilton, dressed only in boxers and Jake, clad in a wife beater and panties, were there too, worried casts on their faces. Bella and Scout looked at the other three, standing just past the door way, also stunned at the sight before them.

"OH…MY…GOD!" Hamilton burst out. His expression said it all.