Author's Note: As you can see, this is an update. I know, an update. Wow. It's been a very, very long time, hasn't it? I'm so sorry for the long wait. I won't abandon this story. I guess I just had a writer's block for this one. I will be continuing it and finishing it. Hope you enjoy this chapter and please review! :)

Bella's POV

The hot Florida sun didn't feel the same on my pale, alabaster skin. The heat and warmth that I used to love when I lived with Renee and Phil in Phoenix, Arizona didn't feel the same in Florida. I actually missed the rainy, cloudy, and overcast weather in Forks, Washington. I missed the cold. I've grown too attached to it.

It's similar to how I've grown too attached to the people over there in Forks and La Push like being with Jacob. I didn't act like I did, but I wanted to change and make a better effort to truly show I cared about them.

My parents made me move to Jacksonville because of my 'recklessness' and 'disobedience'. Charlie had enough of me that I'm always in constant danger. I couldn't win the fight against him at that time. My rash and an impromptu trip to Italy had him finally set his foot down. Renee was more than thrilled to have me back with her. I wish I could've felt the same to live with her again, but I didn't. It felt more like a punishment, and I didn't want to be here.

After successfully saving Edward's life, I told him off that what he did was extremely stupid. To kill himself for me because of a misunderstanding? I couldn't believe he risked his life and almost exposed the vampire's existence in front of humans!

I could still remember the conversation I had with him. When we returned from Italy and were back in the Cullens mansion. The flight to Italy gave me a lot of time to think and reflect what Edward was doing is actually the dumbest thing. His action changed my mind about how it was like Romeo and Juliet, but it's not by any stretch of the imagination.

"Edward, why did you have to go all the way out to Italy to expose not only yourself, but your own family and other vampires? You were putting their lives at risk and in danger! You didn't care! You only cared about yourself!" I argued with him in the living room.

"When Alice couldn't see you anymore, I thought you died, Bella," Edward replied in that familiar velvet voice of his. "You were my mate."

I wanted to scornfully laugh at that. "You think of me as your mate yet, before you left me, you wanted me to forget that you never existed? I felt like I was dying when you left me. But I did what you wanted. I did try to forget you. We haven't been mates anymore ever since you left," Then I dropped the bomb on him and everyone in his family that was present. "And when I've got my own."

"Don't tell me that mutt, Jacob Black, is your mate?" Alice asked with disgust.

I knew that vampires and werewolves were enemies, but her comment stung.

"No, my mate is another so-called mutt from his pack."

"You shouldn't be with him, Bella, or any of them for that matter." Edward hissed.

"I don't think that's your choice to make!" I snapped. "You've lost any right to me when you broke off the relationship. I only saved you because I would feel guilty about not doing anything at all. That's the only reason why I came back for you. Now that my job is done, I like to go home. Anybody else can take me home except for you, Edward. You've done enough."

That was the last time I had ever spoken to Edward or the Cullens ever again. I've helped them out, but I'm done with them. They hurt me so much when they abandoned me. Alice only came back to me because she thought I died and was worried for Edward more than me. If I died, she knew that meant Edward would kill himself which was very stupid of him to do. I couldn't take any of them back with open arms. I couldn't trust them anymore. It was best for me that I cut all ties with them.

I went with Alice and left my imprint behind. The more I distanced myself from Paul had hurt me beyond any other pain I've experienced, but I still went anyway despite my instincts screaming and gnawing at me not to.

The pain in my chest still hurts and burns me now that I'm gone away to another state.

If only I didn't rescue Edward from his recklessness, I would still be with Paul, Jake, and Charlie. But my parents put their foot down and had enough of me throwing myself into danger and trouble. And I couldn't have Esme lose a son.

I've really screwed up this time.

I had to put on a good behavior for Renee and not act like how did for Charlie when Edward left. I did everything that Renee and Phil had asked me to, whether it be any kind of chores or errands. I didn't have a total meltdown like when Edward left. How could I? It was me who left Paul this time. The situation just got reversed.

I talked to Jacob most of the time on the phone. Talking to him about what happened back at home and if Charlie was okay. I even wanted to know about the pack. Mostly about Paul.

"How is Paul, Jake?" I asked. The same question I always ask every time we talk just to have an update on my imprint.

"He's...he's not the same, Bella. He wouldn't admit it, but he's a wreck without you. Neither one of us has seen him like this before. He's a mess."

The guilt and shame were eating me alive at how much I've hurt Paul.

"I knew I shouldn't have gone to Edward-" I deeply regretted it, but Jacob interrupted me.

"The damage is already done now, Bella. Nothing much you can do about it."

"But I can talk to him, can't I? Does he want to talk to me?" I asked, hoping that Paul would.

We should have gotten along better. I was in my anger when I first met him. I shouldn't have slapped him. He shouldn't have phased. The both of us did stupid and reckless things against each other. We can apologize and make amends. We'll have to for the sake of being imprints.

"I'm not sure if that's a good idea-" Jacob sounded uncertain.

"Please?" I begged. "I want to talk to him. Paul needs to know."

"Needs to know what?"

"How I feel about him."

There was a pause.

"Are you serious that you want to make the imprint work with Paul?" Jacob got surprised.

"Yes," I honestly answered. "I feel this strong tug in my heart that's pulling me to him, and it won't go away. I think it will go away unless I'm with him. If Paul still feels anything to me, then I'm sure he can feel that, too."

The feeling was so intense that I couldn't ignore it. I felt it at its peak while I was on the plane to Italy. I didn't want to keep experiencing this. When I first moved into Renee and Phil's home, I lay in bed for a few days. It was like the feeling made me sick. I managed to force myself to get up and do things. I didn't want to be a burden to Renee and Phil even though they told me I wasn't. I felt like I was because I've abrupt their childless lives. I kept proving to them that I was fine and mentally stable enough to return to Forks.

There was another pause. Hopefully, Jacob was thinking about it at least.

"Fine. I'll let Paul know you want to talk to him and have him call you if he wants."

My heart felt like it was soaring at the possibility of talking to Paul.

"You will? Thank you so much, Jake. I mean it." I honestly said, being grateful.

"Sure, sure." I could picture him rolling his eyes.

Before we could hang up, I had to mention something else to him.

"Jake, I have something else to tell you, too. I'm sorry for how I've been treating you lately over these past few months." I apologized sincerely.

"What do you mean?"

"You were great to me while Edward was gone and been a very good friend. Looking back on it, I knew I took advantage of you and was leading you on. I shouldn't have done that, and I'm sorry for messing around with your feelings. I know you like me, and I'm sorry that I can't feel the same way, Jake."

"It's fine, Bella, really. You're Paul's imprint now-" Jacob dismissed, but I could detect the hint of jealousy in his tone when he mentioned that I'm Paul's imprint. That must've crushed Jacob when Paul imprinted on me.

"It's not fine, Jacob. It's wrong for me to string you along and use you like that. If Edward didn't leave, I knew I wouldn't have been around you that much, and I'm not a good friend for doing that to you. I want to be Paul's imprint and stay with him. I don't want to lose him again. That's just something you're going to have to accept."

"Yeah, I know. It's not easy for me to do that, but I'll try. I know better not to get in between a wolf and his imprint." Jacob said.

"Thank you, Jake. I know there's a perfect girl for you out there whether she is an imprint or not." I encouraged him.

"Thanks, Bells." He replied appreciatively.

"Have Paul call me," I added hopefully, but I hesitated if he would and got worried and disappointed a little if he won't. "If he wants to, that is."

"I'll let him know, Bella. Promise."

"Thanks again, Jake. Bye."

"Bye, Bells."

We hung up.

I've been waiting for days to hear from Paul. Well, it felt like a lot of days passed. When I looked at the calendar that was on Renee's fridge, I noticed that only two days passed. Two days felt like forever when I heard the phone ring. I had a phone in my bedroom, and I eagerly answered it. Hoping it was either Jacob or Paul. But mostly Paul.

"Hello?" I said to the unknown person on the other line.

"Bella?"

It's the one person who I wanted to talk to more than anything.

It was Paul.