A/N: Sorry for such the long wait everybody! Got moved to a new job this last month and been trying to learn everything for it from scratch. So you guys don't have to wait any longer and so it'll make a little more sense I'm splitting this chapter and the next into 2 parts each and will post the first halves one after the other. Hopefully I'll have the next chapter half done by this weekend.

Thank you for all the lovely reviews and new readers, they really do help inspire to write more.

Here is a link to the title song, I have to say I prefer this version to Sara Evans'. I of course do not own the song. watch?v=UevdJjjs_00

I do not own Twilight, just my OCs, which are making rapid appearances in this story. Enjoy!

Little Bit Stronger

Part 1

The sun coming through the windows woke Bella from her sleep and she groaned as she rolled over and cracked open an eye to see the clock read six am. Sighing she slowly sat up and carefully climbed out of bed as she headed to the bathroom. She glanced in the mirror and made a face at her wild hair and turned on the shower as she grabbed a brush. While she waited for the water to heat she slowly began untangling the long locks, watching her face in the mirror. She had been in Phoenix for a week and the pain still hadn't even begun to fade.

When she'd gone to Alice for help she'd been ready for her, having of course seen her in a vision. Between the two of them they had gotten a flight booked and her things packed by the end of the day, even convincing Charlie that her leaving was a good thing. He'd been hesitant at first, she knew he would miss her as much as she'd miss him, but he'd agreed to her plan as long as she promised to call him frequently. The thought of returning to Phoenix after James had sent shivers down her spine but she knew it was the one place no one would think to look for her. Fortunately Renee had agreed to allow Bella the use of their old house for as long as she wanted, provided that she also call her mother regularly.

She wondered how she'd thought of leaving her parents, never seeing them again, the heartache and pain they'd have gone through. She shook her head, amazed at her selfishness and stupidity that wanting to be changed had led her to. Seth had been right, she needed to get away from the supernatural for a while, clear her head and figure out what she wanted to do with her life now that she no longer had eternity. So far in her first week she'd put out a few job applications to several bookstores and coffee shops but hadn't heard anything back yet. The house was clean top to bottom and she'd filled the kitchen cupboards to bursting with groceries, out of habit buying enough to feed a small army of wolves.

She winced slightly, pushing those thoughts away and set down the brush as she stripped out of her pajamas and stepped into the hot water. As she went through her usual routine she tried not to think about what she'd come here to escape but it was impossible. Jacob occupied her every waking thought, even her dreams most nights, no matter what she did it seemed to remind her of him. Tears pricked the back of her eyes and she angrily wiped them away which only ended up with her getting water in her eyes. Groaning she reached out and snagged her towel, wiping the water from her face as she sighed tiredly and ducked back in the shower.

She slowly slid down the wall to the floor, wrapping her arms around her knees as she sucked in a hitching breath, the pain in her chest throbbing in time with her heart. She missed Jake like crazy, especially since she had realized she was in love with him and wanted to be with him. But it was too late it seemed, she had pushed him away one too many times and now she had missed her chance on real love.

Her breathing started speeding up as she choked back a sob and she ran her hand along the wall until she found the handle for the shower and shut it off. Gulping air into her lungs she forced herself out of the shower and grabbed a towel to clumsily wrap around her body, stumbling into the hallway and down to her bedroom where she snatched her cell phone from the bed and through eyes blurry with tears hit the speed dial and call buttons. She pressed it to her ear and listened to it ringing, her breathing close to hyperventilating, and after three rings a familiar warm voice answered the phone.

"Hello?"

She gulped some air in her lungs and shakily answered. "Seth?"

His voice immediately softened and she let a sob escape her. "Bella? Sweetheart are you okay? What's wrong?"

She swallowed hard a few times and hurried to assure him. "Nothing's wrong…I just…"

"It's okay Bella, calm down. Take some deep breaths, in and out, relax." She did what he said, slowly sucking air into her lungs and breathing out evenly until the shaking stopped and she could talk evenly. "There, feel better?"

She shuddered slightly and licked her lips before lying back on her bed and sighing. "Yes. Thanks Seth. I'm sorry to call so early, I just needed to talk to someone."

"It's okay, I was up anyway. You doing okay down there?" She could hear him rummaging around on his side of the phone and his muttered curse that followed a loud bump.

"Watch your language Seth Clearwater. I guess, still haven't heard back from any of those jobs I tried for, bought way too much food since I'm used to feeding you guys all the time, the Queen of England would be able to eat off the floor here…"

He laughed and she managed a small grin as she rolled to her side and looked out the window. "How's everything going there?"

There was a moment of silence before Seth hesitantly said, "Jake knows you're gone." She sucked in a breath as pain shot through her chest and she heard Seth's voice faintly call to her through the phone. "Bella, breathe."

She exhaled with a whoosh of air, absentmindedly wondering why everyone had to constantly remind her to breathe. "I'm okay. How…how is he?"

There was silence before Seth spoke. "I don't know. I've been avoiding him since you left. Told Sam I'd take a patrol alone so I don't accidently give away where you are."

She let out a sigh of relief and smiled softly. "Thanks Seth, I know this is hard for you."

He snorted softly. "Please. I'm enjoying this. And it's what's best for you. Long as you're happy I'll do whatever I can to keep it that way."

She smiled again and sighed as she sat up. "I should probably let you go Seth. Need to get ready for some more job hunting today."

"Okay sweetheart. Take care of yourself and call me if you need me okay?" She could hear the concern in his voice and she shook her head slightly.

"Worry wart. I will, don't worry. Love you Seth, talk to you later."

"Love you too Bella. Bye."

She hung up the phone, trying to ignore the pang of loneliness in her chest and sighed as she walked back to the bathroom. Bracing her arms on the mirror she stared at her reflection, taking note of her paler than normal skin, dull brown eyes, and the still wet hair that hung past her waist. Seth's words echoed through her head. "Jake knows you're gone."

He knew she was gone but he hadn't even tried to find her or even call. Obviously Paul and Leah had been telling the truth; he didn't want to see her again. Tears pricked her eyes and she angrily swiped them away with her hand. "I'm not going to cry."

She glared at the mirror, feeling her anger increase as she swiped her eyes again. "Fine. If he doesn't care, neither do I."

"Yes you do."

She rolled her eyes in annoyance. She thought she'd left the little voice when she'd left Washington, she hadn't heard anything from her since the day she'd decided to come to Arizona. "Shut up!"

The voice didn't reply, besides a soft snort of disdain, and went back to her brooding silence. Bella threw another glance in the mirror and then marched back to her bedroom, throwing on some shorts and a tank top before shoving her feet in sandals and snatching purse and keys as she locked the front door. Blinking at the sudden light she slipped her sunglasses on before making her way to the driveway and unlocking the door of the sleek black 2013 Chevy Camaro SS convertible. Alice had insisted that she needed a new car; her beloved truck would never make the trip to Arizona, and more or less played the guilt card to get her to accept the gift from the Cullens.

Although she was reluctant to accept and had promised herself that she would only use it because she was afraid of facing a certain pixie's wrath if she ignored it, she found herself enjoying and even loving her new car. It wasn't her truck but she could definitely get used to the purr of the engine. She slid behind the driver's seat and twisted the key in the ignition, smiling as the car roared to life. Glancing in the rearview mirror she backed out of the driveway and pointed her car towards downtown, her face set in grim determination.

The bells above the door tinkled loudly as she swung it open, glancing around the shop as she let the door close behind her. Across the foyer she saw a pretty blond sitting at the front desk, her platinum pixie cut tipped with teal and purple and she smiled at Bella. "Hi, how can I help you?"

"Um, I'm not sure…" She could feel her nerve starting to slip away and the girl gave her a knowing look.

"You need a change. Guy by any chance?" Bella bit her lip and nodded and the girl winked at her.

"You've come to the right place. I'm Jen, how about we go over to my station and we can figure out what you're looking for." She stepped around the counter and beckoned to Bella, her purple eyes twinkling. Bella followed her down a hallway and to a room full of vanities, several occupied with clients chatting with their stylists. Jen led her to the corner stall, spinning the chair towards her with a smile. "Have a seat Bella."

She looked at Jen in surprise and tried to think back to walking in if she'd mentioned her name. Jen patted the chair again and she quickly sat down, glancing around as Jen spun the chair to face the mirror. "It okay if I take your hair down so I can look at it?"

She nodded and watched as Jen carefully removed the band that held her hair, the long locks tumbling down her back. Jen picked up a strand and studied it thoughtfully, rubbing it between her fingers before her eyes met Bella's in the mirror. "What do you want?"

She bit her lip, studying her reflection and shrugged slightly. "Something different. I still like it longer but…I need something…not me anymore."

Jen nodded slowly, her purple eyes reflecting sympathy and she turned to a book on the counter to flip through. "Bad breakup?"

Absentmindedly twisting a strand of hair around her finger she sighed and shook her head. "Not exactly. It's complicated."

Jen nodded, flipping a couple more pages before placing her finger on a picture with a smile. "Ah ha. There we go. Now Bella, I know we just met but I'm asking you to trust me and put the fate of your hair in my hands. That ok?"

She stared up at Jen in surprise, debating on whether she should just get up and walk out but something in the girl's purple stare calmed her and she knew somehow she could trust her, with anything. "I just want it long enough to put in a ponytail or braid or whatever to keep out of my face. I'll leave the rest up to you. You aren't gonna make me a blond though, right?"

Jen laughed and shook her head, swinging a sheet around Bella's shoulders and grinning at her in the mirror. "Trust me, you're in good hands. Now, relax and let me handle the rest. I promise, you'll be a new Bella by the time I'm done working my magic, you won't even recognize yourself."

Bella stepped out of the bookstore and squinted through her sunglasses at the bright sun, a relaxed smile on her face. It had been three weeks since her determination to forget about Forks, WA and find herself again. Going to the salon had been the first step, and one of the best decisions she had made in a line of many. Jen hadn't been kidding when she said Bella wouldn't recognize herself.

She'd started by cutting her hair to a few inches below her shoulders, adding several layers and then adding in highlights. Bella had been shocked when she'd seen her reflection in the mirror, the russet colored highlights an exact match to Jacob's wolf's fur. She'd been on the verge of having a panic attack when Jen had placed her hand on her shoulder and met her gaze in the mirror with a gentle smile. "It suits you."

Bella stared at her reflection again and slowly nodded, her inner voice agreeing with Jen's statement. "Now at least we have a piece of him with us..."

She'd thanked Jen and been prepared to leave when the other girl grabbed her hand and shook her head. "No no no, I'm not done with you yet. That was just hair, now we have makeup and wardrobe."

She had tried to protest but Jen had been as persistent as Alice and dragged her off to another room full of every shade of lipstick, eye shadow, blush, you name it. For Bella, the room was almost as terrifying as facing a hungry vampire but Jen showed infinite patience and slowly got her over her initial fear. Two hours later, she knew how to do everything from a simple, everyday look to a romantic and sexy smoky eye. She'd snorted when Jen said she'd need to use that look quite a bit, but secretly was glad she at least could do it if she needed it.

After that, she'd been coaxed into shopping with Jen for new clothes. In addition to the car, Alice had placed a hefty sum of money in her bank account for any emergencies. She had barely touched it, planning to hopefully give it back when she found a job, but Jen had nearly strangled her when she told her that. "Bella! You have more sitting in your account than I probably make in a year! Use it for heaven's sake! I understand you don't like taking money and things but it's a gift, say thank you and spoil yourself a little!"

Three hours later they'd finally made it back to her house, Jen drooling over the car the whole way. She was slightly surprised at how comfortable she was around the girl but she brushed it off as loneliness. Jen had helped her put all her new clothes away before they decided to order pizza and watch a movie. In the middle of that, she'd received three phone calls about the jobs she had applied for, one being a manager at a little bookstore that also housed a cafe. With Jen's encouragement she'd taken it and now she loved it, much better than working at Newton's any day.

Jen had become her best friend over the last few weeks, and she'd finally opened up about what had happened in Forks, excluding all the supernatural elements of course. Jen had been completely understanding and supportive, although she seemed convinced one day Jacob would change his mind. Her phone buzzing jerked her from her thoughts and she glanced at it as she hit the answer button on her Bluetooth. "Hey Jen."

"Hey Bell, what's up? Feel like catching a movie or something tonight? I'm ready to turn into Edward Scissorhands here, every customer I've had has been witchy today."

Bella laughed, she could picture the frustrated glare on her friend's face and slid into her car as she glanced at the clock. "I'm free till 8:30 tonight."

"Oh...someone's got a hot date."

Bella rolled her eyes as she pulled into traffic, shaking her head at her friend. "It is not a 'date' date, Bryce just asked me to dinner tonight."

"Uh huh…and how did he tell you to dress?" Bella was silent for a moment and Jen cackled triumphantly. "It is so a date! Well forget me needed to veg out, I'll come over and help you get ready. And when am I going to meet this mysterious Bryce anyways?"

"When he becomes someone worth meeting Jen, we aren't dating, its just dinner between two avid book readers."

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone before she heard Jen sigh. "Bell Bell Bell…you really are naïve aren't you?"

"Jen, are you coming over or not?"

"Fine fine, I'll come help you get ready for your non-date date." After agreeing to meet at Bella's house in an hour she hung up and enjoyed the wind blowing her hair behind her as she thought of Bryce. She had met him two weeks ago when he'd come into the bookstore looking for a rare copy of Grimm's fairy tales.

Her looking to special order it had turned it to a two hour conversation between them on classic literature and she found herself drawn to him somehow. His blue eyes and blond hair with his tanned skin and strange European accent made him very attractive and mysterious in her mind. He told her he worked for a company that dealt in special personal acquisitions for high priority collectors. Since then he'd taken her out to dinner several times, not dates she told herself firmly, just two people who enjoyed literature having dinner at very nice restaurants.

"Oh please, Jen is right you are naïve." She rolled her eyes in annoyance and tried to block out her inner voice. For whatever reason she didn't seem to like Bryce very much and Bella often got a headache from ignoring her while having a conversation with Bryce. As she pulled up the driveway her phone beeped another incoming call and she grinned when she saw the name pop up. "Seth!"

"Well look, you are alive." She winced at his slightly annoyed tone and climbed out of the car as she waited for him to finish. "It's been almost a week Bella; do you know how worried I've been? I was ready to phase and head down there to make sure you hadn't been kidnapped or worse."

"Sorry, it's just been crazy at the bookstore and going to the gym and everything."

There was silence for a long moment as she unlocked the front door and she frowned. "Seth?"

"You're going to the gym?" The disbelief in his voice made her laugh and she plopped down on the couch.

"Yup. Jen made me go to a kickboxing class with her and I'm actually not too bad. And I've started running in the mornings." There was a longer dead silence and she frowned as she glanced at the phone to make sure she hadn't lost the call. "Seth?"

"Yeah, I'm definitely coming down there now; no way you're the same Bella. Must be a clone."

She laughed again and shook her head. "Hey now, it'd be nice to have a little faith in me."

"Bella I've seen you trip over a flat surface in an empty room. You expect me to believe that you're taking kickboxing and running classes and haven't broken your neck yet?"

"Oh please, I'm not that big of a danger to myself. And I'm starting a yoga class next week too." The doorbell rang and she glanced at her watch as she jumped off the couch. "Oh shoot, I gotta go Seth. Jen's here to help me get ready for dinner tonight. Talk to you later, love you!"

She hung up before he could reply and pulled the door open to see Jen, her hair spiked in pink and blue, standing with shopping bag in hand and a mischievous grin on her face. "Let's get you ready for your non-date."

A/N: I know, don't hate me. What did you guys think of Jen? And what about Bella's non date date with the mysterious Bryce? Don't worry, you'll meet him in the next half of this chapter.

Hopefully by this weekend I'll have the first half of our next chapter, You Don't Know Her Like I Do, where we'll take a peek at how well Jacob's doing. Or not doing. Anyways, I'll try my best to have it up for you guys. Please review and tell me what you think! :)