A/N- I hope everyone had a good Christmas! I did (: I would've updated sooner, but I was held captive at my dad's apartment… Which has no computer. And please keep reviewing! That's what helps me write faster :p

DISCLAIMER: I don't own it, :|

Chapter 2: Memories

"No! Don't, please just leave me alone. I'm tired of being blamed for things that I don't do!" I screamed at him as I stepped back as far as I could go to the wall, scared.

"Bella, I'm not going to hurt you." He said with a smug smile taking a step towards me again.

"You already are! Kaiden, you are always screaming at me, yet I do nothing to deserve it. You make up things you 'think' you say, or heard just so you can get this satisfaction of controlling me." My yell pierced the silence surrounding us.

He stepped closer to me, closing the gap that once was between us. "My dear Bella," He started and grabbed my wrists in his hands, "I don't make up all this stuff, I've heard from numerous people that you've been sneaking around behind my back with another guy. And of course you would deny it, so I have nothing to do but believe what they say. But if you would just listen to me every once in awhile, you'd know that all this is for your own good."

"My own good?! How is being yelled at every single night good for me? It's the EXACT opposite," I tried to wriggle my hands from his strong grip as tears started rolling down my face.

"You're not good for ANYTHING Bella; I just want you to know that it's true." He shouted in my face.

"Just, let go of me, I want out." I keep trying to move out of his grasp as he clutched my wrists tighter making it hurt.

"Silly Bella, the more you try to leave, the harder it'll be to get from me. So be a good little girl and stay still." He let go of with one hand and rubbed my cheek with it. "See Bella, I still love you. You just need to start behaving."

"Kaiden. Let me go! I don't want to be here anymore." I tried moving again.

All of a sudden I saw his eyes grow furious as he slapped me across the face.

I woke up as I screamed; I turned on my light and realized I had tears streaming down my face. The dream felt so real… Too real. I pulled my knees up to my chest and started crying harder.

"Bella, are you okay?!" Alice opened my door and ran to sit down by me on my bed. She knew exactly what happened, I've had this same dream for the past year on and off. I didn't respond, she sat there hugging me repeating "It'll be okay Bella; he's not near us anywhere." I knew this was true, and I knew that it was just a dream from that last dreaded night after graduation.

I honestly didn't know my relationship was that bad up until a week before that night. Two years spent with the (what seemed to be) the most perfect guy I could ask for. He wasn't abusive till that last week, never even argued with me. He was sweet, caring and loyal; it just didn't make any sense at that point. I hoped that it'd last forever, but I was mistaken.

All of a sudden it took a turn for the worst. He was always calling me to ask where I was and who I was with. He constantly thought that I was cheating on him, which I'd never do. He was paranoid about EVERYTHING.

After that night we was taken to jail for physical abuse. After then I learned that he started taking drugs with some of his 'best friends'. I cried because I had no idea, as far as I was concerned he didn't even like the idea of doing that.

After thinking, more like remembering, those memories I look Alice in the eye. "I… Still miss him, not how he hurt me, or any of that. But before that, when our relationship was.. right, and I felt like I had everything in the world." My voice became soft as she listened intently.

"Bella, the way things worked out are for the best. I understand that you miss the relationship, everyone would. But he's changed; he's not the same guy that you first loved. You don't want to be in with someone like that." I knew she was right, it just always makes me wonder, where would I be right this second if he hadn't started the drugs…

"Thanks for always helping me through this Alice; you really are my best friend." I smiled at her.

"No problem, now go to sleep, you have work in the morning. And you might see Edward." I laughed along with her; she always knew how to make me laugh. I hugged her as she walked out of the room after turning off my light.

--

Buzz. Snooze. Buzz. Snooze. Buzz.

I rolled over and saw the big red letters on my alarm clock, 6.35. I groaned and turned off the annoying alarm, realizing I had to leave in fifteen minutes. I was glad I didn't have the reoccurring nightmare for the second half of what I slept last night. I got out of bed and grabbed some clothes out of my closet and went to shower. After taking a short shower I dried my hair and went into the kitchen to grab something to eat. I grabbed a granola bar, my bag and keys and headed out the door.

It was raining so I decided to take my car today. I was glad it wasn't such a long drive to work. I clocked in at 6.58. I grabbed my apron and started getting everything ready as the first usual customers walked in the door.

"Good Morning!" I said as I started making the same drinks for them as I had for the past two months. They paid and left after some small talk and there was a constant flow of one or two people for the next couple hours. Then finally it died down.

I wiped down the counters and tables throughout the small lobby. I picked up one of the magazines that we sold also and flipped through the pages. The bells rang on our door as another customer walked in. without looking up I said, "Good morning, what can I get you?"

"I don't know, what do you recommend?" it was then that I looked up to see who it was. Edward.

"Uhm, I guess it just depends on what kind of flavors you like." I said as I smiled.

"Surprise me," He chuckled, pausing for a little. "How are you doing this morning Bella?"

I started making his white chocolate mocha, "I'm doing pretty good, not very busy today. How are you?"

"I'm doing alright." As I finished up he sat down at the counter and paid. "This is pretty good, thank you." He said after taking a sip.

"Anytime, what are you up too for the day?" I asked wiping down the counters.

"Studying, I have test in a few of my classes." He answered, plainly.

"Gotta love the college life!" I said with a laugh.

"Yea, such a fun time!" He spoke with heavy sarcasm in his voice as he looked at his watch. "Well I do have to go, I have an appointment before I head back to my apartment, hopefully I'll see you around sometime Bella."

"Bye Edward, have a good day." I said as a waved.

The rest of the work day I was in a haze, wondering if I'd ever see him again…

A/N-I'd like to thank my best friend Krista for being my Beta. And… also my boyfriend for giving me the idea that proofreading wouldn't be a bad thing=p Thanks KristaLenn! 3