The whole school was abuzz with fresh gossip when we arrived, barely in time for third period. The cops had informed the principle and secretaries what had happened, so naturally, the entire student body found out. That was just wonderful. I'd had enough to deal with that morning without the other students talking about it, making me relive it again. Some would ask questions, and I would just look at them until they walked away. I didn't want to be badgered by people who never would have talked to me otherwise. Plus, I was terrified. James could come back at any moment…his father bailed him out once. He could easily do it again, I was sure. What a sick, twisted person he was. And now, because of him, I would have to leave everything I loved behind. This was going to be a very long day. Then the dance was tonight, which would make it that much harder to leave. I had to wait until after the dance, however, because everyone would notice I was gone too fast, and too easily. Especially Edward. The thought of leaving him caused me more pain than anything I had ever felt in my lifetime. But I couldn't have James hurting them anymore. It was my fault, and I had to fix it. The only way to do that was by leaving. I realized that I didn't even notice what the teacher was talking about as third period ended. I couldn't concentrate. It was a miracle in itself that I didn't fall every time I took a step. My mind was so full of James, the dance, and everything else that I didn't seem to have any brain capacity for paying attention in class. As I walked through the hallway, I bumped into Alice. She looked right into my eyes and led me into a deserted bathroom. There was one bathroom that hardly anyone actually used because it was full of the smell of pot. Even students who have gotten caught smoking in it kept going in there, but they'd eventually get suspended or detention again. I knew that she'd see the blank stare in my eyes. I didn't see her coming at all. I would have made sure she couldn't stop me if I had. I didn't really want to talk to anyone at the moment. But here we were, beginning a conversation. With Alice. The one person besides Edward who knew me inside and out.

"What are you thinking about, Bella? You don't look so great."

"Well, my family and friends were attacked by a crazy guy who broke into my house this morning. What isn't there to think about? And why would I be great after that?"

"Hmmm. There seems to be more to this, though, Bella. I'll find out what it is. You don't need to concern yourself about James." I gave her an exasperated look. "Oh Bella, come on! The police will take care of it!" She knew me so well. Even if my reasoning made sense, she could still tell that something else was underlying my distress. How was I going to keep this to myself?

"Didn't you hear him earlier? He got his dad to bail him out last time! You don't think he can do it again?" I was near hyperventilation at this point, and Alice wrapped her arm around my shoulders. I leaned into her to hold myself steady.

"I did hear that. But Bella, you can't allow yourself to be that afraid. You can't live your life fearing everything that could possibly happen! You have to just live, and take life as it comes." Was she serious? James wanted me in a very horrifying way, and she was telling me to just brush it off. Yeah, cuz that was such an easy thing to do. I was so close to my breaking point, I could almost feel it coming.

"Oh, so I waltz around and pretend like nothing is happening and then allow everyone I love to fight with me or for me? I don't think so, Alice. This is a serious situation. James is a killer… I could see it in his eyes." Alice's eyes got big as I said this.

"I know, Bella. He has a past that you know nothing about. Trust me, you don't want to know. You are right, but…" A past I didn't know anything about? What did that mean? Then I realized that the bell was going to ring in like two seconds.

"We need to get to class, Alice!" We both half-ran out of the bathroom and made it to our seats just as the bell rang for fourth period to start. The other students just stared at me, and I wished that I could just become part of the desk. Invisibility would be a helpful thing. Maybe I would meet Harry Potter and he could lend me his father's cloak. I could feel the blood draining from my face as Alice's last sentence registered in my brain. James had a past. Alice knew he was a killer. How did she find all of this out? Wasn't SHE supposed to be the new student?

"Bella, don't work yourself up over this! You look like you're going to be sick." I wanted to be sick, just to get all the stress out of my system.

"He has a past of killing people?" I glared at her.

"I shouldn't have brought it up. I looked him up after you told me what he did to you in middle school. I thought he sounded familiar, and I was right. Bella, you don't want to mess with him. He will go after everyone until he finds you." This was why I had to leave. If he only went after me, everyone else would be left alone…I hoped. I didn't know what would solve all of this, but staying sounded like the worst thing I could do for my beloved friends and family. I would have to leave them all a note. I would write it before I left for the dance that night.

"That doesn't sound very good."

"Well, it isn't." Her eyes were full of concern for me. The teacher cleared his throat and glared at us, and we didn't get a chance to start up another conversation after that.

After class, Edward met us outside the door for lunch. I didn't feel any better when I saw him, though. I smiled at him, but decided to stay quiet. He knew I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about the morning. He probably was, too. I didn't want him suspecting my plans for later that night. When we sat down with our food, which happened to be a chicken patty on a bun that day, Edward looked right at me as I picked at my sandwich.

"So…how are you doing, Bella?" His voice was full of concern.

"Not well," I admitted. I looked up at him, and he just nodded. The rest of our lunch crew ended up sitting at a different table, leaving Edward and I to ourselves. I was confused yet grateful for this notion. I didn't want to talk about the morning with all of them there again.

"You don't look well." He took my hand, and I felt a rush of heat go up my arm. He stared at me and sighed. "Of course, you don't really have any reason as to why you would be well today." Couldn't argue with that one.

"Yeah, that stupid dance is tonight." I groaned, trying to change the subject, maybe put a smile on Edward's face. It worked. He laughed and shook his head at me. I smiled at the sound of his laugh. I loved that sound more than anything in the world.

"You'll try to fight off James, but you worry about going to a dance."

"I wouldn't willingly go after James, though… and I am willingly going to the dance because I'll be with you." I blushed a deep shade of red when I said that, and my head felt woozy. I started to fall out of my chair, but Edward steadied me. The wooziness was a combination of everything in my head, plus suppressing it so that I wouldn't tell anyone. Trying to keep my emotions off of my face was difficult.

"You okay, Bella?" What a dumb question. But I didn't want him to worry.

"Yeah, I think so."

"You've had a trying day." He looked so concerned for me. My forehead creased as he spoke to me. I just looked into his beautiful green eyes and smiled the best that I could. I never thought that I would ever trust myself or others enough to have real friends again. But Edward was still here with me, even after all that had happened. I didn't deserve a friend like him or Alice, but I was incredibly grateful that they loved me and allowed me to love them, too.

"Thank you, Edward." I scooted my chair over and leaned into him as he wrapped his arms around me, perfectly content to stay there forever. Too soon, though, lunch ended and we had to head to our next class of the day.

After school let out that day, Jazz and Em were waiting for me by the Jeep. I didn't know how they got out there so fast. I was the only one who had inherited the bad coordination from Charlie, though. Bad coordination usually made me slower than normal people.

"Bella! Hey, hey Bella!" Someone wanted me from behind, so I turned around and saw Lauren running towards me. I waited for her until she was standing beside me.

"Hey, Lauren…what's going on?" She looked apprehensive.

"Well…I wanted to talk to you. Look, I know that it must be really hard for you with the whole James thing going on right now, and I'm really sorry about that, but I want you to officially meet Jacob Black." I was confused by this, as I already met him. Did she not remember the other times I'd seen him? I really didn't want anything to do with Jacob Black, but if she liked him, then she could go for it.

"We've met." I did not try to hide my contempt. Lauren looked stung, and I instantly regretted my tone. She sighed deeply before going on.

"Look, he's different now…he wants to help." Different? What did she mean by that?

"Lauren, how in the world could he help? The only times I've seen him were when he was drunk or trying to get that way. I don't trust him." And I had no reason to trust Jacob.

"I understand, but you gotta listen to me. He has completely sobered up! He realized that it was taking a huge toll on our relationship, and he stopped all that stupid behavior. Especially now that James is gone. It was hard for him at first, but he's come a long way, and I'm so proud of him. Here, just talk to him for a couple of minutes. Please? We want to help you. Especially since I feel as though this is all my fault. We never should have done that to you in middle school. He may not have even found out you existed if not for that night. I'm so sorry, Bella. Please, let me help."

All her fault? Where did she get that idea? She was actually becoming more of a friend to me than she ever was before.

"Lauren, I never blamed you for this. I never blamed anyone. Besides, we might have crossed paths at some other point in life, and I'm sure he'd still be the same James. Who he is has nothing to do with anything that you did, so don't think that way…and fine, I'll talk to Jacob."

I knew this would just keep going until I eventually gave in, so I decided to give Jacob a chance. Lauren smiled widely as she pulled me toward the side of the building. I saw two large figures emerge from the shadows of the trees, and one of them was obviously Jacob Black. He actually looked really friendly without the alcohol going through his system. He was actually quite attractive in a boyish way. I didn't know who the other boy was. He looked strong and ready to stand his ground. I stood there wondering what was going to happen next when Jacob held out his hand to me. I looked into his eyes and shook it. A sign of camaraderie. He looked completely different from the last time I'd seen him! He was composed and more refined. Maybe more mature even. I didn't know what it was exactly, but sobering up definitely helped him. My mind was swimming when Jacob spoke to me.

"Hello Bella Swan. I'm Jacob Black. Next to me is my friend Embry. I don't think our last few meetings went so well, and I'm sorry about that. My behavior was unacceptable. I do believe I have a way to help you, though. I know James inside and out. I know how he operates." He had a deep, husky voice that went well with his appearance. I realized that he would know quite a bit about James, as he used to spend all of his time with James before he was incarcerated.

"And how exactly does he operate?" I looked to Lauren, who shook her head. So they hadn't talked about any of this.

"It depends on what you're going to do about all this, Bella. If you would happen to run, it would make it more fun for him. He would find you, and then hunt the rest of your family and friends down. Well, at least the Cullen's. He hates them, and mostly because they protected you."

"Me?" So this was all my fault.

"You are what he wants the most." Of course I was. I rolled my eyes and sat down. I had to breathe. What was I going to do? My face was so easy to read. I was that sure Jacob saw my lack of resolve on my face as he spoke to me.

"You weren't planning on running, were you, Bella? Because that's probably the worst possible thing you could do for yourself." I had already known that.

"But it's the best for everyone else." I spoke very softly. Great. Now Lauren knew my secret. She knew of the plan that no one else knew. She stared at me with wide eyes. Not surprise, really. Her eyes were full of fear and concern for me.

"Not necessarily. Bella, we want you to stay safe. You being in danger is not going to help your friends and family." Jacob bent down in front of me so that he could look into my face, which was directed at my hands. "Do you have any idea how much your family would go through just to find you again? Bella, they would die looking for you. Don't give James the opportunity to let that happen! You have to stay here, Bella. You are worth it. Stop thinking that you're not worth the fight. Because you most certainly are."

"That's very sweet of you, Jacob, but I really just want to do what's best for everyone." I had never thought that my running off would cause my family to come so much closer to dying for me.

"Then stay here and get some rest. If you leave, it will split everyone up, giving James more of an opportunity to hurt them. If you stay, they are all still here together, and there is a chance that we…yes, we…could win this battle." That actually made sense. He relaxed as my face calculated the logic. I didn't want to be the cause of anything, but either way I would cause distress. It seemed that staying was just the lesser of two evils.

"I don't want anyone to battle over me." My voice was almost a whisper.

"I know, but Bella, you can't blame yourself. This is James and all of his doing. Don't let him win by thinking that this is your fault! There has to be a battle now. We have to show the law exactly who he is. It isn't going to be easy, but I'm sure we can all think of a way to-"

"Bella?" Uh-oh. "Bella, is that you? What are you doing over here?" He didn't sound angry, just worried. I analyzed the scene in front of me. Jacob was bent down in front of me as Edward came around the corner. He was seeing me with the drunkard who I had come to despise until this day. He was Lauren's boyfriend, though, and he didn't look angry or upset with me. He looked as though he thought Jacob had captured me, and forced me to come over there with him. Emmett's booming voice came next.

"Edward! Is she over there?" They were so worried, and I was right there. Jacob was right. I couldn't leave. They'd split up and look through every house, tree, and garden until they found me. Edward looked into my eyes, and all I saw there was relief. I sighed as I looked back down at my hands.

"Yeah, I found her." Edward's voice was off. He glared at Jacob, and was probably remembering the last time they had seen each other. Jacob had been on James' side then.

"Edward, please, don't misunderstand. I only want to help Bella. James is out of control, and I am no longer associating myself with him. I can't believe I wasted so much of my life with that loser." Edward didn't seem to hear him.

"Bella. How in the world could you come talk to him?" His eyes held an unfathomable expression. I couldn't tell what he was thinking, and I was becoming worried for both of our sakes.

"Well, Lauren is here, too. He's her boyfriend. It's not just me and two guys from the reservation. Lauren wanted me to listen to Jacob, so I followed her and this is where Jacob and Embry were. " I tried to sound like this wasn't a big deal. I didn't want him to know that I had planned on leaving before this conversation.

"So you, Lauren, Jacob, and Embry were all back here…just talking?"

"Edward. Please listen to me. Jacob was just trying to tell me that this fight isn't my fault, and what exactly I should do about this situation."

"What do you mean, what you should do?" He stared at Jacob, but I stared at the ground. I did not want to confess what I was planning. But, he might warm up to these new friends of mine if I told him that Jacob showed me that my plan was not the best one. I just stood there, looking at my feet as if they were the most interesting things in the world.

"Bella, just tell him what were you going to do." Lauren spoke very softly; the tension was plain in the air.

Edward looked at me as I explained myself.

"I am so tired of everyone getting hurt and fighting over something that has to do with me. I figured that if I was gone, you all would be safer, and James could just deal with me and get over it. I know that sounds bad, but you don't know what it's like seeing everyone you love battle for something that you caused. I just didn't know what to do. I was going to leave, Edward. It gave me more pain than anything else, but I figured everyone else would be safe if I wasn't here to endanger you."

Edward's eyes were wide with shock, fear, and anger. I shrank back and sat on the ground.

"Isabella Marie Swan. You did not cause this. James did. And you do realize that we would all risk our lives just trying to find you. Right? And James could just deal with you? Do you even hear yourself? How did I not see? That's why you've been so upset. Bella, if you leave, you would put us in more peril…not necessarily from fighting…but from emotional pain. I can't bear the thought of losing you. If that ever happened, I don't know how I would keep going." The tears that formed in my eyes burned my cheeks. I couldn't help it. I had been so worked up over everything, and now to have it all resolved just seemed to be overload. To hear Edward proclaim how much harder it would be for him if I left...just to hear him say that he loved me in that way…I just broke down inside. I looked at my hands again as I sat on the ground, watching my tears fall from my face. I couldn't say anything. I just shook my head as Edward sat down next to me and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"Bella? Are you okay?" Lauren had crouched down to look at my face. I looked at her and nodded. I smiled through my tears as I said, "Now I am." She hugged me, and then walked over to Jacob. As I leaned in to Edward, we waved goodbye to our new friends until the next meeting. Edward looked at me finally, and wiped the tears off my face. I looked straight into his deep, green eyes.

"Edward, I'm so sorry. I-"

"Shhh. It's okay. Just promise me that you won't leave, Bella." I nodded, and he kissed me softly. Then I heard Emmett's voice around the corner.
Bella! We gotta go get ready for the dance! It starts in four hours! Wasn't Alice going to dress you up?" I groaned. The dance and Alice? Hadn't I had enough for one day?

"I'm coming." I sulked as Edward pulled me up with him. Alice was coming over to my house so that she could dress me up without Edward seeing me until I was completely ready. She went way overboard with her little antics. But she was still my best friend. I walked over to the jeep with Em and Jazz, feeling a sense of joy that I would not be leaving my family and friends after all.