BPOV

As I walked out of my last class for the day. Alice skipped to my side, wrapping her arm around my own.

"A little birdy told me that you had a wolf in your bed last night." She said, matter-of-factly.

"Oh, and what birdy was this? Inquiring minds must know."

"No denying it, I see. Rosalie did. When she went to escort you to school, she saw him leaving through your bedroom window." Alice made a face like she wanted more information, but given Edwards view into her mind. I felt it best to not give details. I motioned a zipper over my lips and a lock and key. I tossed the imaginary key toward the football field but Alice reached her hand out quickly, grabbing it and smirking at me and unlocking my fake muzzle.

"Oh come on, that's not even fair. Way to abuse your speed."

"Spill." She said, not giving any room to argue as we climbed into my truck and drove off toward the store.

"Yea, he was with me last night. But we didn't do anything in my bed." Ha, got you with that one. Can't pry if you don't know where to look, but she gasped and her eyes went wide.

"Isabella Marie Swan, tell me that doesn't mean what I think it means. Are you trying to trick me? Did you do stuff elsewhere?"

My mouth dropped, sometimes having a friend that was a hundred plus years old was not fair. Then there was the seer gut instincts, I knew how it felt, I had one of my own, but is was not cool to use on me of all people. "I… Edward is hurting enough because of me and Jake. I just don't want to discuss things with you and have him hear about it later."

"Well, that's kind but unnecessary. The whole dating a vampire conversation at lunch? Well I had a vision this morning, and you would not believe what I saw. Edward and Bree, making out, like he could not keep his hands off of her. At first I thought there was no way he'd do that. He was always so cautious with you, but then I remembered, her blood doesn't sing to him like yours does. He doesn't HAVE to be as cautious. Plus that weird thing where she heals really fast? Even if she got hurt, he doesn't need to be concerned about her blood."

"So Edward and Bree… wow, and of course he knows because he read your mind but she doesn't?"

"Oh, God no. That would just be weird and could affect how things end up. Edward's good at pretending my visions don't happen if need be." I popped a piece of minty gum in my mouth, hoping my breath would smell good by the time I arrived at work. I offered one to Alice, not that she needed it but I figured even vampires might enjoy the addiction that is chewing gum. "No, thank you."

"What does that mean for her future?" I couldn't help it but I felt a bit jealous. Edward barely pecked my cheek, and he was making out with this girl in their future together?

"Well I saw her as a vampire running in the woods with him so I guess that?"

"He changes her?" I didn't mean for my voice to sound so hostile. I had no claim over him, but he adamantly refused to change me into a vampire but he was going to change this girl?

"Bella, are you alright?"

"I… yeah… I just… I…" Come on, form a full sentence you doof! I took a deep breath in then let it out, choosing my words, carefully. "Despite my current situation, my now permanent situation, it DOES still hurt a little, knowing he's willing to do those things that he refused me for a year." I parked my truck and turned off the engine, the lack of rumble made the air in the cab of the truck even more uncomfortable.

"Oh. Bella I get it. I think it just means that he's found the one. His mate. You should be happy for him."

"I am, or I will be. Wait, my vision?"

"That's something I need to look into. How exactly does one MAKE a hybrid? What does being a hybrid mean? What kind of life would that be? I don't have any information on how it happens. What criteria is needed. How can I make sure it either does or doesn't happen based on all the facts when I have no facts?"

Alice was very upset at her inability to accurately predict the future and what it would mean for all 3 parties involved but I had a feeling that things would work themselves out if Alice just left it alone.

"How about I look it up? Better to not interfere more than necessary. I'll tell you if any information is absolutely needed, that way Edward won't go crazy thinking about the details you have in your head."

"Fine, that makes sense." I could tell Alice wasn't happy with what I said, but she was starting to trust my instincts more, so I knew she'd listen, plus she recently made a promise to never lie to me again, and I was going to hold her to it.

"I have to get inside. Will you be sticking around here?"

"Yup. Jasper's on his way too. Oh you sneak! Distracting me from the real question. You and Jake, not the bed?" Alice raised one of her eyebrows at me questioningly.

"Why is everyone so obsessed with my sex life?"

"So there IS a sex life?" Alice asked, smiling at me. For being a very observant, prophetic, hundred year old vampire, she sure did act like a teenaged girl.

I sighed. "Yeah."

"Details. I need details, Bella."

"Ew, no."

"Not THAT detailed." Alice laughed at me then rolled her eyes.

I had no idea why I was so open about this conversation with my friends, maybe because it was one aspect of my life where I wasn't sworn to secrecy and knew nothing we did was private anyways because of the pack mind.

"Up against a tree." I said, quietly like somehow others would hear me through the truck and I'd be branded with a bright red A on my jacket. Alice gasped, her mouth opening then closing like she wasn't sure what to say. "Bye."

I hopped out of the truck and practically ran inside the store, hoping it would stop the onslaught of questions. Alice didn't follow me inside, mission accomplished.

"Hey Bella!" Mike called from the register.

"Hey. I'm not late, am I?" I asked, checking my watch, which said 3:56 PM.

"Nah, right on time. I just got here too." We traded places and Mike walked off toward a customer while I stayed at the cash. Mike was better with the customers. He knew the products and what was needed for each specific hobby, and I was good at math. It just worked. I came to the realization though, that with the impending battle, I was putting others in danger by working here. It was bad enough I still went to school, but this job wasn't needed, not since Alice had a say in my 'inheritance'. After the afterschool rush was done. I sat at the register with a large yellow, lined notepad and started writing.

/Dear Mr. And Mrs. Newton. As the year winds to an end and my future starts to come into focus, I have realised two things. One, that I am deeply grateful to you and the opportunity you gave me. Two, that I must allow myself the time to study in preparation for Post-Secondary Education as well as the freedom to find employment opportunities that line up better with my future goals. It does not being me joy to hand in this letter, but I must follow my heart.

Please accept this letter, dated Tuesday, April 4th, 2006 as my official notice of resignation, which will be effective as of 2 weeks from tomorrow as the regular end to my work week.

If there is anything I can do to help make this transition easier, please let me know, and I will be more than happy to accommodate.

Sincerely,

Bella Swan./

I knew I wouldn't work at Newton's forever but the act of actually leaving had me in tears, I had no idea why since it isn't like this place was someplace I fit, though Mr. And Mrs. Newton were such lovely people. I chalked it up to the hormones of birth control, since crying was not my thing, and folded the letter nicely and placed it in an envelope I found in one of the drawers at the counter. I tucked it inside the top drawer where my phone was placed in case of emergencies and forgot about it for the rest of my shift, enjoying the playful banter between myself and Mike in between customers.

As my shift neared it's end, I found Mike stocking shelves and decided to help him. The last customer in the store already bought their items and left.

"Hey. So uh, I thought I'd tell you first but…" I held up the letter. "I'm putting in my two weeks."

"What?" Mike sounded shocked by the news. "Why?"

"This was never meant to be anything permanent for me. I need to start looking for something that holds my heart."

"Yeah? What would that be?" Mike sounded offended but I knew it was just his sadness talking. We worked well together and it didn't bring me any joy to leave this place.

"I've always been good at baking, though recently I realised just how happy I am doing it. I applied at Peninsula for an online culinary course, specifically baking, and will be looking for jobs in the area that will help me hone my skills. I hope to someday own my own bakery. Bella's Bakery maybe, or… Bella's Dishes… no. I dunno. I'll think of something, when the time is getting closer."

"Wow, So you plan on staying in Forks, since it's online?"

"Yes. So don't worry. I'll stop in and visit whenever I can."

Mike smiled, then pulled me into a hug. "How about Bellissima Tratta?"

"Oh that sounds fancy, and kind of has my name. What does it mean?"

"It's Italian for Beautiful Treats." Mike smiled again.

"I love it. When did you learn to speak Italian?" I was so surprised and it sounded so beautiful coming from his lips. I moved away slightly but Mike kept his arm around me as he spoke.

"I started learning online. I was hoping to someday backpack across Europe. I have been slowly learning Italian, French, German and Dutch. I know that isn't all that's out there but it's a good start." Mike sounded so proud of himself, and he should. What an accomplishment. Maybe I should learn a new language. Maybe I'll learn Latin. How exciting?

"That is so amazing, Mike! Listen, I have to…" I motioned for the letter in my hand, and shrugged out of his embrace. "I'll still see you at school though, and I have 5 more shifts left here." He nodded, and I waved to him as I walked toward the office.

"Karen, may I come in?" I asked, through the open door. Karen was sitting at her desk looking through some papers. She motioned for me to come in then slipped the papers into the desk.

"What can I do for you Bella?" She asked, sweetly. Karen was a very kind woman and I was going to miss working for her. I hoped my next employer was as easy to get along with.

"I wanted to give you this." I walked over and handed her the envelope, and looked down, suddenly feeling ashamed.

Karen skimmed through the letter and cocked her head to the side. "Bella, we're going to miss you here." She stood up and pulled me into a motherly hug, and my eyes filled with tears once more. "Oh, sweetheart, don't cry. You have a beautiful future ahead of you, I'm happy you're going to be pursuing it. This is good. If you ever feel the pull to come back though, we will always accept you here."

"Thank you." I wiped the tears from my eyes, stupid birth control. "I'll see you tomorrow." And with that I walked away, out the door and into my truck. Alice hopped in beside me and hugged me. "What is with all the hugs today?"

"You obviously need them. Look at you. You're a mess. Will you be okay alone in that bedroom of yours or would you like me to come up and have a sleepover?"

"I don't think Charlie would like us to have a sleepover on a school night." I said, but it sounded like a great idea. I didn't want to be alone.

"Bella, he loves me. I'm sure he'll be okay with it." She was right. He was.