Author's Note: After a day of regression analysis and labor economics I was in the mood for posting. So here ya go, enjoy. Or not.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

The bright sunlight poured through my curtainless window. My body was stiff and my stomach was pleading for attention. I couldn't remember when I last ate. I didn't want to get up, that would involve facing my problems.

My first day in New York I had been hired as a waitress at a coffee shop three blocks away. At first, I was just happy to have a way to sustain myself, but now I began to wonder why this job was so easy to get.

It was Monday, and I was scheduled to start work the next day. My self imposed banishment would have been so much easier with the type of money the Cullen's possessed. Nice, Bella! Just thinking about them made me want to grab my knees and cry.

I knew Edward would know I was leaving before the letter arrived, Alice would have seen it, but I wanted him to know the reason behind my departure. I didn't know what I was going to do for the rest of the day, but sitting in my empty apartment wasn't an option.

I decided I should listen to my stomach and find some form of food. A bagel and a cup of coffee later and I was headed to thrift stores to look for furniture.

Really, any furniture would be nice at this point. I had no luck at the first store, and was headed for the second when my clumsiness kicked in. I sighed as I headed straight for the pavement, but I never made it.

A pair of cold, strong arms grabbed me by the waist. I instantly thought of Edward, but when I turned a saw a complete stranger. "Are you okay? You seem a bit out of it?"

"Ammmm….," was the only sound my voice was making. My instinct told me this guy was a vampire, but his eyes were an inticing shade of green and his cheeks were flushed. There were no purple bruise-like marks under his eyes. I quickly shook the odd-feeling I received from his touch and realized he was waiting for me to speak. "I'm fine," was all I could stammer.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, thank you," I said as my voice decided to make its reappearance.

"Well, my name is Gregory. You look like you haven't slept in days." He quickly brushed my face with his hand.

I immediately turned around and walked away. I didn't know how to respond to what he said. I couldn't tell him what I had been going through, he would think I was insane! I realized that hanging around vampires and my middle aged father was making me socially inadequate.

"Wait," he yelled, "I didn't mean to insult you."

"Its alright. I have to go, I'm running late," I said as I quickly made my way across the street.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gregory seemed to always be around after that day. I couldn't completely shake off the feeling that it wasn't a coincidence. He had saved me from falling on my face, and I was forever thankful. I wasn't exactly friendly to him when we met, but Gregory had been at the coffee shop where I worked every morning after that day.

Four months had passed since I had moved to New York. Four whole months since I had last seen Edward. The days seemed to blend together without much distinction between them. I was secreltly hoping I wouldn't have to be here for more than a week, but I now realized my plan had been flawed.

I mean four months was more than enough time for a family of very talented vampires to find me, if they had wanted to. I had changed my name to Isabella Marie Mason, nothing too difficult to figure out. Or at least that's what I had hoped.

My life in New York was turning out to be quite interesting, all things considered. My job at Irene's Coffee Shop was….treacherous. Long hours, little pay, and lots of work, but it kept me busy. Busy was good. It kept me from falling into a zombie-like state that always threatened to consume me in the confines of my small apartment.

"BELLLAAA, hurry or we're gonna be late for work," yelled Anabel from the second floor. She probably had awakened half the building in her attempt to rush me.

Anabel was my closest friend on the East coast. Alice held the same position in Forks. She had grown up in Seattle, and moved to New York to attend NYU. Anabel was very much like Angela. Silence never bothered us.

There was no need for words when we were feeling a bit down. We both had our own internal struggles to deal with, and didn't feel the need to let each other in on the details.

As I reached the second floor, we hurriedly flew down the rest of the stairs. We were both pretty chirpy considering it was a Monday. Gregory would be waiting outside for us. His black hair drapped across his eyes, and his scarf blew in the wind as me and Anabel stepped out of the building.

This had become a sort of Monday morning ritual. Anabel rushing me, and Gregory waiting for us outside. It was ten o'clock on a freezing December morning, but Gregory was holding a couple of pizza slices. Only in New York.

"I thought you guys might be in the mood for some pizza," he said.

As I quickly wrapped my scarf around my neck, I grabbed the pizza.

"Geez, Bella. Hello to you too." Gregory was clearly amused by my behavior.

"Another Monday morning," whispered Anabel in a gloomy tone.

"You guys are so pessimistic." Gregory said as he examined our faces.

Anabel was chattering about her brother's birthday, which had just passed. She was always animated when she spoke about her family, and I couldn't help but feel a tiny bit jealous.

As we entered the coffee shop, we waved goodbye to Gregory. "I'll see you guys later," he yelled over the passing amublance siren. Ahhh, boys. Why was it so hard for them to grasp the idea of friendship.

I had been clear about our relationship from the beginning. I told him I was broken and unrepairable, and that all I could offer was my friendship. Instead of dampening his spirit, it only seemed to encourage him.

I was left wondering what in the world he saw in me. He was gorgeous, and he would be a doctor someday. Why me? Yet Gregory seemed familiar to me somehow, and his presence comforted me. Like he could stand a chance against deadly vampires!

"Baby, went to Amsterdam she put a little money into traveling….," sang Anabel. She tended to sing along to whatever song had last played on her Ipod. Unfortunately, this would rub off on me. Damn music!

Music had the power to make a dark day seem brighter, but it also awakened emotions that you wanted to stay dead and buried. And the day flew by with endless humming and singing.

The street lights had just been turned on when I left work. I was lost in my own thoughts when I heard a shuffling of feet behind me. I hated walking home alone. The dark alleys seemed like gaping black holes ready to suck me in. As I turned the corner, Gregory was standing in front of me. I mean really in front of me, about an inch away from my face.

I couldn't move or speak. Gregory must have seen me turn green. "Bella, I didn't mean to frighten you." He was shaking my shoulders waiting for me to snap out of my shock. All I could do was mumble, "I'm okay."

"I am so sorry Bella."

I cleared my throat. "It's fine, just don't do it again," I said as a playfully as I could while I punched his shoulder.

"Come on, I'll walk you home." I was thankful for that. As we approached my building you could make out police cars parked in front, and a crowd beginning to form. What now, I thought to myself.