Bella huffed as she brought out the trash. Throwing the bag in the dumpster, she hummed to the music that was playing through her headphones. She's started to have a healthy appreciation for other music that was available in the world. Broadening her horizons so to speak. Closing the door behind her, she unplugged her headphones from her IPod before setting it into the dock. Soon the music was playing through the entire house as she picked up a broom and started sweeping. Now I will tell you what I've done for you. Her head bobbed as she swept around the living room and the kitchen. Taking the dustpan, she swept up the dirt and threw it in the empty trashcan. Turning on the sink, she brought out a bucket from the bottom cabinet, poured some bleach into the bucket along with some Fabulous that a citrus scent to it and mixed it all with the hot water. Fifty-thousand tears I've cried. Dipping the mop, she wrung it out before making her way around the kitchen diligently. She did not notice that at some point, she started to sing along with the lyrics. She loved how the songs were similar to how her life has been since moving here and meeting...Edward.

Her heart thumped at being able to think his name without crying or holding her chest. Edward. Edward...Screaming, deceiving, and bleeding for you. And you still won't hear me (I'm going under). Her voice became gradually louder as she pushed down more heavily at the mop to get the dirt spot out. She finished the floors of the kitchen and left to let it dry as she started cleaning up the mess her dad loved to leave around his chair. It was as if it was his own personal man cave. Don't want your hand this time I'll save myself," Singing helped her calm down as her voice vibrated."Maybe I'll wake up for once(wake up for once). Not tormented daily defeated by you, just when I thought I'd reached the bottom." Sitting up after putting the magazines, her eyes closed as she hit pre-chorus. "I'm dying again!" Small tears were building around her eyes. It took her a while. Too long at least but maybe less to finally at some point be halfway of getting through the burden of the people who abandoned her callously. I'm going under(going under). Her body lightly bounced to the beat as she continued singling aloud, feeling more freer. as she cleaned more speedily around the house. Drowning in you(drowning in you). I'm falling forever (falling forever). She had left her phone on the coffee table, unaware that it was ringing, along with already having a few missed calls and texts. Not giving complete attention to her surroundings, she also failed to notice that the front door had opened and shut, signaling that she had a guest. Her mind was elsewhere as she continued to sing while the lone person hid behind the wall, watching her silently. I've got to break through. I'm going under. Dusting around and moving some things from place to place. She had accomplished being completely oblivious as the song continued on. She finished up tying the bag as the end of the song dropped to an end and nearly jumped out of her skin when clapping started up. Slowly she turned around and saw that not only her father was standing there, but Riley, Huey and Grandad were standing behind him. The trash bag dropped from her hand as she blushed from head to toe.

"H-how long have you guys been standing there?" She stuttered. Her hands reached up to grasp the end of her hair and she hid some of her face behind it. Of all the times to catch her unaware. Riley was grinning broadly as he pushed off of the wall he was leaning on.

"Baby girl, your voice is amazing." He murmured. Another flush of heat made her hide her face in her hands this time. She shook her back and forth.

"No, uh, Riley I-" She stuttered lightly. Robert chuckled before smacking Riley in the back of his head.

"Boy, leave the little lady alone." She sighed in relief then groaned as he continued on. "You've got a precious gift baby, don't hide what makes you unique."

Her father was chuckling in the background, removing his wet boots and putting them on the shoe rack. He had a smile on his face. It made her happy. Her father looked content. She tried to will the redness away as she noticed everyone's wet slightly damp clothes. "Raining as always." She commented.

"Yeah Bells," Charlie grunted as he fell back into his chair. "Though its' game night so I decided to invite the guys." Huey and Riley gave her hugs then sat in their usual spots they sat in whenever they came over to do their studies and homework. Robert Freeman sat by his new acquaintance as he popped open a beer. Bella on the other hand felt nervous. Did that mean Billy and Jacob were coming over again? He seemed to be in tuned with her now as he opened his own beer.

"Billy isn't coming. Apparently Jacob came down with mono and he doesn't want to leave him alone." Though her dad did say this, she noticed how tight his voice had gotten when he mentioned Jacob's name. She figured that he did in fact confront Billy about it and most likely had given him a warning.

"Mono? Is he going to be alright?" She asked after moving the trash bag by the door then coming to sit down between the boys.

"Man, who cares." Riley grumbled, his tongue clicking. She smacked his arm lightly in a reprimanding way.

"Riley!"

He only shook is head at her. "Baby, just cause he got sick, doesn't change a damn thing about him putting his hands on you." Looking between both boys, she can see how angry they were both getting at being reminded of the incident. Of course, she understood that. Though it did not mean she was going to hide out forever and that she wasn't going to forgive him.

"The boys got good heads on their shoulders." She gave Charlie an exasperated look. He shrugged at her. "Bells, childhood friends or not, it doesn't excuse him."

"Shoo, his ass must've not gotten beaten enough." Grandad commented, taking a swig of beer.

"Well he does only have his father." Charlie sighed. "When Sarah died, it was only Billy, Jacob and the twins Rebecca and Rachael. Then the twins disappeared as soon as they were able to for college and Jacob had to grow up to take care of his father himself at a young age."

"Doesn't excuse the way he treats a lady. The boy needs to learn."

Bella sighed as all the men agreed with each other. "Well, I'm gonna go at least check up on him." She got up and went to the kitchen, hearing the guys grumble under their breaths. The words 'stubborn' were thrown around and it made her frown a little. Yes, she shouldn't care but that was her problem. She does care. It would be hard to change how she was. Well...thinking about how these past months transpired, maybe a little thinking about how she went about things, should change a little more. Dialing the number to Billy's home, she waited as it rung.

"Black Residence." Billy's voice sounded through the phone.

"Uh, hey Billy. It's Bella." She bit her lip. "I heard about Jacob, is he okay?"

"He's fine, Bella." His voice was cold. Feeling her head snap back in shock, she blinked owlishly.

"Well, can I at least make some soup for him." She had to try.

"No, thank you." A click rang into her ears and she pulled the phone back in shock. What just happened?

"Bells! Come eat." Her dad called to her. She put the phone up in the dock and walked back into the living room.

A week had past and she managed to keep Riley on a leash about her singing. Right now she was getting ready for an outing that the group decided they wanted to do again. This time it was only her, Angela, Riley and Huey. They were making a trip down to First Beach in the reservation. It made Bella's nerves waddle around. She had made herself scarce from the reservation after what transpired on the phone with her and Billy. To her honesty, she felt angry on how the older gentlemen decided to treat her over the phone. Like it was her fault that Jacob pushed her. In the first place, she had her reserves on Jake coming with them to the movies to the first place. They imposed themselves on her and her friends and she was the one to get crapped on in the end? Great. She did push after the phone call and she never told her father. He was angry enough and she did not want to be the cause of their old friendship being broken over her.

Also Angela seemed to be getting progressively closer to Huey. She loved seeing the chemistry between them. Huey relaxed more. Riley and herself started their own hobby together. She went jogging with him in the early mornings. It helped her center herself. She also has fallen. A lot. Though Riley was always there to help her up whenever. They ran anywhere. Lately, she has been getting the feeling of being watched. And it made the hairs on her neck stand on end. It bothered Riley immensely to the point where he stopped their morning jogs for a little bit. He muttered to himself constantly and would always look around him when they made it back to her home and he ushered her inside of her house promising to come back.

As Huey took her directions towards First Beach, she eyed the little red home as they past it. Of course they should be home. Should she go see him was the question that grated at her feelings. A hand ran down her back and her eyes turned to meet Riley's. He looked at her before looking back at the house. "Remember shortie, it's never a good thing to keep chasing after people after they push you away. You let them come to you." His hand rubbed at her back then went back to playing on his phone. Why did he always speak with sense? She looked at the rare clear sky as the sun started going down. Huey stopped the car and everyone scrambled out, stretching out, then gathered their things. The boys found a spot away from people and brought logs to sit on. Angela was carrying the cooler. Bella picked up the large baskets of food she packed and sat them close by. Setting up picnic like, Riley took out a speaker from his bag and connected his MP3 player.

Bella blanched as the bass made her heart thump along. Riley raised his eyebrows at her. "Too loud ?"

She shook her head. "I'm just not used to music making my heart match the beat."

"Ah." Riley reached into the cooler, taking out a big bottle.

Bella's eyes widened. "Riley, I hope that's not alcohol. Please tell me that is not alcohol."

Riley blinked at her slowly. "Okay...It's not alcohol." A giant smirk crossed his face and her heart fluttered.

"But we're underage!" She whisper yelled as she looked around in case her father decided to pop out of nowhere. Today was going to be interesting that's for sure.