Chapter 2: The End

I FELT ABSOLUTELY HIDEOUS IN THE MORNING. Metaphorically. Maybe a little literally. I had tossed around all night scarcely sleeping for a couple hours at a time. No brush could save my hair. In the shower—picking apart shampooed tangles in my hair—water like scalding rain finally freed me from my thoughts. I hadn't been able to stop my mind all night. It was a relief to have a blank mind. Hair dripping, I wrapped a towel around my body and stood in front of the mirror.

Purple bags under my eyes. Puffy from crying. The shower had helped my mental state but my physical state… Thank God school was out for the summer because no way could Jessica resist making a big deal out of why I looked like hell. Angie would be worried too. And Dad. If there were any good luck left he'd be at work already and I wouldn't have to explain. Maybe I could tell him I was on my period. He might buy that.

I had no plans for the day. Edward appeared whenever I didn't have plans. But maybe today he'd figure out I needed a day alone. I dressed in old faded shorts and a baggy t-shirt. I don't know why I had bothered to wash my hair. I tied it up lazily, a misshapen bun that held together through sheer force of will.

Dad had gone to work. At least I had one miracle today. My stomach gurgled. My exhaustion had resulted in intense hunger. I didn't feel like creating a masterpiece breakfast. In fact, I didn't feel like even leaving my room, but it was a hot day, Dad had never invested in air-conditioning, and my room could be a sauna by noon. It was small and stuffy. So I grabbed a jar of peanut butter, a spoon, and my laptop. I emptied half the jar. God. How would being a pig solve anything? It relieved the ache in my head temporarily, but it came back when I reluctantly put the peanut butter back in the cupboard.

The internet, as I had hoped, had a few hidden gems on reddit and I think I almost laughed out loud a few times. Almost. My mind wouldn't shut up; it refused to let me enjoy a quiet day. Something big had happened. Something big was coming. I didn't want to face it. I needed to recharge. But not even gags and memes were relaxing me.

My phone had a few random texts. Angie asked about some movie coming out soon. I texted back Sure without really reading it. Jake apparently had looked at the local forecast and recommended that I meet him at La Push beach any day this week. I'd answer that one later. First I'd have to survive whatever happened with Edward before I made beach plans.

It was afternoon before I knew it. I felt like patting myself on the back. I'd made it so far. I felt better. Really. The exhaustion was there, and it showed on my face, but I felt like I could get off the couch.

I put on my big girl pants—metaphorically, but I also put on jean shorts and changed into a t-shirt fit for public consumption. Phone in hand, I held my breath and dialed Edward's number.

He answered after the first ring. He didn't speak for a moment. "Bella."

I was so nervous. I didn't know why, but I almost hung up. "Hi. We should talk. In person."

"Yes," he said, his voice low. "I suppose we should."

It was probably my turn to speak, but I didn't know what to say next. Edward didn't say anything either. I took a breath; exhaled, thought about saying something, thought about making a joke about the awkward silence, but in the end nothing was said. I'd been brave enough to call him, so why couldn't I finish one silly conversation? And he was the man, why couldn't he say something? Man up. The words 'we should talk' made every word more important than the last. There was a lot weighing on what was said next.

"Today?" Edward asked.

If only it could be put off another day—but this had to end.

"Yeah."

He sighed. "I'll be there soon."

"Okay. Goodbye." Saying that word made my stomach queasy. I hung up. I went to the bathroom; let my bun loose, and combed my fingers through. Good enough.

This summer was going to be difficult. Despite the warmth, a chill ran through me.

I couldn't wait inside and pace the living room. I waited outside, sitting on the front step, watching the road. When Edward said soon, he meant it. He had probably gotten in his car the second I'd said hi. He parked on the road. I walked down the driveway faster than I'd intended. My nervousness was making me hurried. For once, Edward didn't open the door for me. I got in on my own.

We didn't say much in that first half hour. I said hi again. He nodded. Minutes passed. I caught Edward staring at my wrist, which I had done the courtesy of covering with loose bracelets, but he saw through the cold metal bands. He saw the bruises shaped like fingers. I crossed my arms, wanting to hide it, but it hurt my arm, so I lay my hands flat on my lap. Edward asked how my neck was. Fine. It was fine. A car drove by slow and we both watched it go. It hurt the closer we got.

"Bella, you were hurt again," Edward said. "Because of me. Again."

I couldn't disagree. It had taken a lot of resolve to talk to him again after what James had done. I'd thought about trying to stay away from Edward for good, but I'd known then it was useless. Edward hadn't been willing to end it then. He still saw a future for us then.

"Being with me is dangerous," he continued. "Being away from you…I don't want that, but I can't keep hurting you. I don't want to see you hurt. And you will be hurt if you stay with me. You're human. You're…fragile."

I nodded. My aching arm was strong evidence. "I'm human. Definitely human. And I want to be human."

Edward pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I'm not going to reconsider," I said. "I've decided. I'm staying human."

"You can't come with us if you stay human," Edward said sharply.

I took his hand from his face and held it. "I can't come with you."

Edward's shoulders tightened and his eyebrows pressed together. His mouth opened, his eyes pleading. His hand tightened around mine.

"I'm not going with you," I said.

His mouth closed. His lips pressed into a firm line.

"I wish I could stay with you," he whispered. He leaned across the cab, one hand on my cheek, stroking down until he found the spot on my neck where his teeth had touched. He kissed me, softly once. His kissed my cheek. He kissed my forehead. He leaned back and brought my hand to his mouth. He kissed the back of my hand.

"I'm leaving," he said, his voice shaking. "Tonight."

My fingers tightened around his. I knew this would happen. Knowing didn't make it hurt less.

"I won't come back," he promised. He touched my hair, waving it through his fingers. "I want you to promise me that you'll be safe. Don't do anything reckless. I want to you be happy and live a long life."

"I think the chances of me being safe are higher without vampires," I teased with a tense smile.

He nodded. "I think so too."

He moved in the blink of an eye and kissed me again, deeply this time. Until I was breathless. Until my heart raced. Until my legs wobbled. Until I didn't think I could get out of his car.

"I'll never stop thinking of you," he promised.

"I won't forget you," I said grinning even with watery eyes.

He bowed his head. "I hope that you will. In time." He raised his head. "Forget every bad thing I let happen to you." He released my hand. "Please be happy, Bella."

My lips quivered and I think I let out a sob. I didn't want him to hear it, so I turned and opened the door. But he heard it. I know he did. When I looked back he had faced forward, hands clenched tight around the wheel with a hard expression. I saw pain in his eyes.

"Goodbye, Bella," he said.

"Edward." I tried to say goodbye, but the word didn't want to come. I closed the door and ran to my house, shutting the door. I leaned against it, closed my eyes, and tried to catch my breath.

Author's Note: Thank you for reading and please post a review if you can!

I know this chapter is much shorter than the others, but I hope you feel it is appropriately so.