"You're hand looks like you got some dirt in it. I'm sure you have a first aid kit at home, so what is your address?" I looked at him with an expression that I had no way of defining. I was having so many mixed emotions that I didn't know what was readable on my face. "Or do you not want to go home?" he questioned softly.

"I can't go home. He'll be there," I whispered, dropping my face so that he couldn't see the few tears that escaped my eyes.

"Do you have a friend that you can go to?" he asked. I quickly wiped away the tears and looked up at him. I couldn't help but smile when I stared into his eyes.

"Yes, her name is Alice." After I told him the address and he started to repeat it to the cab driver, I looked out the window. Everything was passing by so quickly, barely giving my any time to focus on just one thing. Everything seemed to blur together, which at this moment in time was just how my life felt. As I was thinking of what was, I could hear my name faintly being called in the background. I turned to see Edward smiling, letting a laugh escape his perfect lips.

"Sorry," I said. I could feel the blush rising up my neck; I was easily embarrassed.

"It's okay," he chuckled. "So, since it's going to take about ten minutes to get to your friends house, why not learn a little about each other?" he questioned.

"There's not much to tell."

He laughed and then his face became serious. "Are you okay?" That definitely wasn't the question I was expecting, and though I wanted to answer him, I didn't know what to say. At the moment I was okay. But, I knew that with some time, the realization of what had just happened would sink in, and I would be everything but okay.

"For now," I smiled a hurt smile, one that I'm sure he saw through.

He didn't reply. Instead he just stared at me with a look of admiration. I felt a shiver go down my spine. He had no reason to look at me like that, especially not now. I was soaked, my hair was a mess, he just saw my ex boyfriend practically toss me in the street. How could someone as perfect as him, be looking at me like that? But then I told myself that I was just overanalyzing.

He cautiously lifted his hand, being slow to show me that he meant no harm, and tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear, letting his fingers lightly trace the line of my jaw. "Are you going to be okay?" he questioned.

"Eventually," was all that I could tell him. Who knew how long it would take?

"I'm sorry for what happened to you tonight." His voice was sincere, and I could tell that he meant it. Without thinking, I lightly pressed my hand on top of his.

"It's not your fault. You have no need to be sorry."

He closed his eyes, and he looked as if he were thinking about something extremely important. Maybe he was an over analyzer like me. Maybe he thought my gesture meant something more that it did. Maybe he was just asking himself why this crazy chick was even touching him. I quickly removed my hand, but was stopped when he grabbed it again.

"I want to know that you will be okay," I whispered just as the cab stopped.

I had two options. One, I could say that I would be and leave the car, never looking back. Or, I could be more bold. He probably only wanted to be friends, which was all I could be right now, so what was wrong with giving him my number? He could see how I was doing and maybe we could go for coffee or something. I told myself that this option was absolutely fine, so I pulled out a piece of paper and scribbled my number onto it and placed it in his hand, folding his fingers over it.

"Call me sometime," was the last thing I said before getting out of the car. I didn't look back until I was sure it was gone, and I couldn't help the but smile a huge, goofy smile. But, that quickly ended when I realized why I was at Alice's house, and not my own. The pain hit me like a ton of bricks.

I knocked on the door twice before Alice came to the door with a pint of Ben and Jerry's in her hands. I had no idea how she could eat like she did, and still be so tiny. She was no more over five feet, and had to weigh not much above one hundred pounds. She had black, short, spiky hair that made her look like a pixie.

"Well hello there," she chirped as she opened her door so I could step inside. I took off my shoes and jacket and dropped them on the floor, not caring where the landed.

"Hi," I muttered. "Can I stay here tonight?"

"Of course you can. We can stay up and have a sleep over like old times." If I didn't know Alice as well as I did, I would seriously think that something was wrong with her. At the age of twenty-two, she often acted like a twelve year old.

"Thank you." I grabbed the pint of ice cream away from her and made my way into the kitchen sitting on one of the bar stools.

"So, if you don't mind me asking, why exactly are you here?" Her voice sounded concerned.

"James and I broke up," I answered wearily. I could feel the tears approaching.

I could have sworn I heard her say, "about time," but I was probably just a little out of it. I knew Alice didn't like James, nor did he like her. She always thought he was too controlling and clingy.

"What happened?" she asked. She walked past me to go to get the box of tissues that was on the kitchen counter.

"He wants to take a break so that he can get to where he wants to be in life." Thinking back, I didn't really understand his reasoning. I didn't stand in his way while he was making his way to where he was now, so why would he think I would all of the sudden start becoming a burden?

"What a jerk," Alice said angrily. "Oh, but now this means you are back on the market. I know a ton of guys that would die to be with you," she said happily.

"Alice," I warned.

"Sorry," she said apologetically. "You can stay here as long as you need." She walked towards me and gave me a tight hug, letting me know that she was here for me.

"Thank you, Alice. I love you," I said against her hair.

"I love you too. Oh, I talked to your brother today," she said, changing the subject.

"Really? I guess I should tell him what happened. I'm sure he'll be relived. He never did like James," I muttered to myself. When I looked at Alice, I saw that she was staring at my hands, and then her eyes flashed to my arms, and then to my hands again.

"Did he do this to you?" she demanded.

"Uh . . ."

"Oh my god. Are you okay? I'm going to kick his ass," she said fiercely. For someone as small as her, she could be intimidating at times.

"I'm fine. And stay away from him. I want nothing more to do with him," I said, more to myself than her. I had to start convincing myself that I could get over this.

"Well, I will, but your brother sure won't. Once Emmet sees this he is going to flip." I knew she was right. Emmet was extremely overprotective of me. We were the only family we had left after our parents died in a car accident.

"I know," I whispered. Memories of my parents started apperearing, and I had to change the subject before I became a bigger mess than I was right then. "So, do you have any pajamas that will fit me?"

"Yeah, come on."

I wasn't paying much attention when we got into her room. My mind was elsewhere, thinking about anything and everything.

"Bella!" I heard her yell.

"What? Oh, yeah. Thanks," I said apologetically as she handed me some clothes.

"You can sleep in the guest room if you want."

"Okay. Thanks again." I turned away from her and made my way to her door, and I was almost out when she said my name again.

"Yes?" I asked.

"It's going to be okay. I promise," she assured me. I knew that I should believe her.

"Yeah, I know." I tried to smile, but I couldn't just yet.

"Goodnight, Bella. I love you," she called after me.

"I love you too," I said right before I shut the door to the room that I would be sleeping in for a while.

I got dressed and brushed my teeth with the spare toothbrush that Alice had in the bathroom and laid down on the bed, my face buried in the pillow. I was thinking about James, and what he was doing right then. Wondering if he was as hurt as I was, but I knew that that wasn't the case. I started thinking about my brother, and what his reaction would be. But, the last thought that crossed my mind before I fell asleep was Edward Cullen.

Edward Cullen and his crooked smile and green eyes. I fell asleep smiling that night.