A/N Ok people. This chapter is being posted without the help of my beta. I gave her the week off because she's working on some things for her own fic plus she deserves a break from work. Still, a huge thanks to c. anna. cullen for taking this on even though she's swamped. Still looking for a second beta so if there are any mistakes, you can thank me and me alone. Thank you to those of you who put me on your favorites/alerts lists. It makes me want to write more each day. Be sure to check out more notes at the end of the chapter. As always, here's the song that goes with the chapter. I recommend them for a reason; it is all intertwined so check it out and play it in this order: http:/www(dot)youtbe(dot)com/watch?v=PTo1KavRHQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player and http:/www(dot)youtube(dot)com/watch?v=Ohzf9LUCuVQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

In this farewell

There's no blood

There's no alibi

Cause I've drawn regret

From the truth

Of a thousand lies

What I've Done by Linkin Park; Minutes to Midnight

EPOV

Jacob Black

Damn you Jacob Black. You're always getting in the way of things. Things had started rough, but had progressively gotten better throughout the day. Bella always came alive when we were at the beach. The way the sun's rays accented the burgundy speckles of her hair and brought a soft glow to her face was uncanny. Every time I looked at her I still could not believe she was with me. I had never dreamed or considered being in a steady relationship with anyone, girls where just there for entertainment. I had never dated a girl for more than a month and I'd been with Bella for a year now. A year!

It hadn't been easy getting to the point we were at now. I had been a battle of wits, but it was worth it. She wasn't like all the other girls who did whatever I wanted just to be around me. From the very beginning, Bella had gone against the norm. She had refused my many advances, which was one of the reasons I'd insisted. I wasn't used to rejection and I had been determined to date her and bed her before going my own way. After various failed attempts we had finally started dating, no thanks to the unwanted interference of Jacob Black.

Jacob Black. I formed fists with my hands as I walked brusquely down the block, avoiding contact with people unless they wanted to get punched. A few guys gave me angry looks, but my glare told them it was in their best interest to stay out of my way.

~OOO~

I stood waiting outside the library for the hundredth time that month, hoping to catch Isabella on her way out from her study session. We'd had a handful of conversations, or banter sessions if you chose to call them that, in the past two weeks. I had set my mind that today would be the day I asked her out and find out once and for all if this was going anywhere. She was cute, had a tight little body I wouldn't mind burying myself in, pouty lips that ached to be sucked and legs…well they needed to be wrapped around my waist or my head.

"She's not interested in you. Why don't you get a clue and leave her alone?"

I turned to see that black haired boy leaning against his blue Chevy. The guy was probably on steroids; he looked too buff for a kid his age.

"What's it to you? Are you her bodyguard or something?" I smirked.

"Or something," was his smug reply.

Before I could comment, Isabella and her friends exited the library and headed towards us.

"So, Isabella, you doing any thing this weekend? I got tickets to the Phoenix concert up at The Wiltern in L.A. I was hoping you could come…with me?" The blond guy called Mike asked.

"Oh, umm, that's really nice of you, but I have other plans for this weekend Mike."

"C'mon Isabella, you'll have fun," he pleaded.

I noticed Isabella shifted awkwardly from foot to foot, averting her gaze, and biting her lip. I was about to comment when steroids boy spoke.

"Sorry Mike, Bella and I have plans this weekend." He stated as he put his arm around her shoulder.

Bella? Is that what she goes by? Everyone else calls her Isabella. I mused.

"Yeah, Jacob and I have plans. Sorry Mike," she shrugged and headed towards the boy's Chevy.

I watched amused as Mike walked away defeated then turned to talk to Bella.

"Hey, Bella, have a minute?"

She turned and looked at me for a moment. "I'm sorry, who said you could call me that? I don't even know you. All I know about you is that you lurk around the library and annoy me." She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes at me.

I tried to suppress my smile as I introduced myself. "Sorry I haven't properly introduced myself. I'm Edward Cullen. You're Bella?" I extended my hand to her.

"Isabella." She started at my hand for a moment before taking it in hers.

The moment our skin touched I felt an electric spark surge between us. I looked up to meet her surprised face and realized she'd felt it too. Her hand felt soft and warm in mine and I suddenly felt this overwhelming urge to protect her. She looked so small and fragile standing in front of me with that look of wonder etched in her eyes. Her eyes…they were warm and full of questions and in that moment I wanted to bare my soul to her and tell her everything about me. Something I had never done with anyone, not even my family. I slowly ran my thumb over her knuckles and she gasped.

"So, Isabella, what do I have to do so I can call you Bella?" I continued caressing her hand and smiled warmly at her.

"It would probably help if you weren't just trying to get into her pants, Cullen."

"What? Is that what this is all about? You're trying to seduce me?" Bella abruptly pulled her hand away from me and was now throwing daggers at me with her eyes.

"No, that's not true," I growled. Damn it! This Jacob is ruining everything!

"I know all about you, Cullen. You're some hotshot surfer who thinks he's Gods gift to the world. Just because you're father is a well-respected lawyer does not mean you're anything like him. Believe it or not, you and I run in the same circle of friends. I've heard all about your sexcapades and conquests."

I couldn't believe this was happening. This guy I didn't even know was portraying me as some womanizer. I couldn't let that happen. That would ruin my chances with Bella. It was true. I wanted her in my bed, but now there was more. There was something about her that made me want to come back again and again. I needed to see her. I needed to know what she was thinking. I needed to find out what that electric spark between us had been. If Jacob continued speaking she would never talk to me again.

Bella had retreated from me and was looking at us both with disbelief.

"Is it true?"

"No"

"Liar. You're such a liar, Cullen. Maybe I should call Jessica and ask her about her history with you. I'm sure Bella would be interested to hear her side of the story," Jacob said triumphantly.

He knows Jessica Stanley? Jesus! I'm screwed!

"You? You where the one?"

Bella backed away from me then and the look of horror and disgust she gave me was unbearable. I couldn't let her think the worst about me. Not her.

"Bella please let me explain. It's not true. I don't know how you know Jessica or what you've heard but it's not true!" I pleaded.

"Don't call me Bella. I don't know you and I don't want to know you. Leave me alone. Next time I see you lurking around me I'm calling the police."

Before I could reply she got in the car and slammed the door turning her body away from the window so as not to see me. I made a move towards the car but Jacob shoved me backwards.

"Stay away from her Cullen. Bella's been through enough. She doesn't need someone like you in her life. She deserves someone better. I'd better not see you around her again or you'll be sorry."

I was too stunned to respond and before I could react, Jacob had driven away with her, leaving me standing in the middle of the sidewalk wondering how things could have gone so terribly wrong. Jacob had ruined everything and I didn't care what he said, I was not giving up. Isabella would be mine.

~OOO~

I entered the crowded restaurant and made my way to the bar. Pulling out my fake I.D. I ordered the seasonal Sam Adams on tap.

"Busy night Felix."

"All the college kids crawled out of the woodwork. Getting their last few kicks out before they go away to school and this town becomes senior central again."

Felix was the bartender at the Beach Fire Grill, one of the most popular restaurant and bars in the small town. The ambiance wasn't what I was usually into, but tonight I needed noise in my head to keep me from the dark thoughts that threatened to engulf me. He knew I wasn't of legal age to drink, but also knew that I never drank to get wasted out of my mind. I'd turn twenty-one in a month anyways, the fake I.D. was just to keep things 'legit'.

"What brings you in here? No date on a Sunday night? Or are you out looking for a hookup?" He grinned.

"You know I have a girlfriend, Felix." I half spoke half growled.

"So you say, but I have yet to meet the elusive Swan."

"Well this isn't really her scene." I looked around to see all the girls donned in their best outfits trying to snatch a guy. Some were actually pretty or would look prettier without all the gobs of makeup on their faces. They looked about twenty-five when they were probably really only nineteen. Bella would definitely feel out of place here. She wasn't the type to wear tight jeans and low cut blouses like half the clientele wore tonight. Bella was more natural. She didn't need all the makeup or skintight clothes to make her attractive. Her beauty was effortless.

"So, where is your girl tonight Eddie boy? Shouldn't you be with her? Isn't that the boyfriend thing to do? Take your girl out on a Sunday night? Or does she have a curfew?" He chuckled.

"It's complicated."

"Girl troubles already? So soon? You should have stayed on the market longer then. Lot's of available honeys here tonight!"

Felix then turned to continue bartending a crowd of college girls that had just walked in. I sat at he bar drinking my beer and trying not to think about the argument I'd had with Bella. Why does she have to be so stubborn? Why did she take Jacob's call in the middle of our conversation?

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Edward Cullen."

I turned to see Tanya sitting in the stool next to me.

"Felix, rum and coke please." She turned to me with an amused expression.

"So what brings you out to play tonight, Edward?" She cocked her head and gave me a coquettish smile while she absent-mindedly twirled her long, curly, strawberry blonde hair with her index finger.

"Tanya, nice to see you too."

"Eddie, why so glum? Don't tell me your girl is giving you heartache already? She seemed so nice. Who knew she was such a handful." She smiled batting her eyelashes.

I glared at her. She knew better than to talk about Bella in a negative way.

"Down boy. I don't mean anything by it. I haven't seen you in a while and the first time I do you're here, " she motioned to the restaurant with her hands, "and you're drinking. You hardly ever drink. You only do so when you're stressed or have something that's bothering you."

"Maybe I just felt like having a drink."

"Honestly, Edward, you're not fooling me. You're always going on and on about how you have to keep healthy. You don't stay late at parties, you don't smoke, you hardly drink because you want your body to stay fit and healthy for your surfing. I doubt people are lining up to take lessons from a hung over teacher. Tell me, what's wrong?"

Felix arrived with her drink and I waited until he left to speak.

"It's Bella. We had a fight."

"Okay, and…she broke up with you?"

"No."

"Then?"

"I can't tell you without breaking her confidence."

"Look, Edward, You don't have to go into details. I understand if you can't tell me, but you have to vent a little. You look like you're about to punch a wall." Tanya gave me a concerned look before placing her hand on my forearm and squeezing it affectionately.

"A lot has happened in the past few days and well, she moved in with me." I mumbled lamely.

Tanya raised her brow and looked at me expectantly. I took a drink from my beer and continued.

"We had a pretty fantastic day today, but then things went sour once we got to my apartment. We had a fight about money and sleeping arrangements."

"She doesn't want to help you out and won't let you sleep with her?"

"No, it's the other way around."

"I'm confused, she wants to help you pay for things and does want you to sleep wither?"

"Something like that," I muttered.

"The fight was before, after..?"

"More like during."

"So what did you to decide on?"

"We didn't really decide on anything. She more or less told me what was going to happen. She can be so stubborn."

"So, she is going to help you pay with things instead of mooching off of you and has no problem sharing the bed. What's the problem?"

"It sounds simple when you put it that way, but there's more to it. It's complicated." I mumbled childishly.

"Whatever, Edward, you're being a typical male is all."

"No, that's not all Tanya. Jacob called her. We were in the middle of a fight and she took his call without even thinking about it. She always takes his calls, always puts him before me, so I left."

"Does this happen a lot? I mean does she talk to him a lot?"

"I don't know. She doesn't really talk to him when I'm around so maybe she talks to him when I'm not there." I absent-mindedly traced circles on the bar with my finger.

"Did she date him before you? Is he an ex boyfriend of hers?"

"No," I frown, "She's never said anything about having dated him, but I know he has feelings for her. I can tell by the way he looks at her. Ever since I met her he's always been there, like a shadow, a pebble in my shoe."

"What did she say exactly, Edward?"

I sighed resigned. "She said she hadn't talked to him in days and she thought he might be worried about her." I rubbed my face exasperated. "Something bad happened at her birthday party on Friday and she wanted to let him know she was ok."

"Let me see if I have this right. You had an argument because she doesn't want to be a burden to you and she doesn't mind the two of you sleeping in the same bed. How is this a problem, Edward? Never mind." Tanya shook her head and let out a breath before continuing. "You're upset because she wanted to talk to Jacob?"

"Yes, sort of, maybe."

"So, you're mad at her because she wanted to talk to a good friend, someone she's known longer than you, and let him know she's okay. You're upset with her because she's being considerate to someone who's always been there for her? You left the apartment in the middle of an argument without telling her when you'd be back?"

I shifted in my seat uncomfortably. Things didn't look as bad as I had thought they did. I was being jerk and I new it.

"Does she know you're here, Edward?"

I shook my head and started at the bar in front of me, not wanting to meet Tanya's disapproving gaze.

"So, it's okay for you to sit here, in a bar, talking to an old friend who happens to be someone you once fooled around with, but it's not okay for her to talk on the phone with an old friend whom she's possibly never even kissed?"

When she said it like that it sounded awful. I was being childish and hadn't realized it until Tanya had pointed it out.

"Edward, you and I have a strange history, one I'm sure you haven't shared with her so I'm telling you this from experience. If you want to have a future with her, be it a few months or the rest of your life, you have to stop being so possessive and jealous. It'll only driver her away and into the arms of another guy. Stop seeing things that aren't there because if you don't, she will choose Jacob over you and next time she won't come back."

I met her concerned gaze and nodded in understanding. My chest constricted painfully at the thought of ever losing Bella due to my actions. Tanya smiled warmly at me and kissed me on the cheek before getting up from her place at the bar.

"I'm glad you finally met someone who challenges you, Edward. Just make sure you don't spoil things. Girls like that don't come around often." She then turned and made her way towards a crowd of her friends.

Tanya was right, she always was. We'd tried dating for a while when we were both in high school, but had both been unwilling to give in to the other's demands. She wanted a steady boyfriend and I just wanted someone who'd be there whenever I wanted sex. We'd eventually stopped trying and after a heated argument in which she emphatically reminded me that I had no claim on her since I refused to commit to a serious relationship, we ended up being great friends. She was the only woman who'd stood up to me, until Bella. What the hell was I doing? Tanya was right, I had fucked up in a big way and I had to fix it. Bella had enough things stressing her out at the moment and I wasn't helping.

I finished my beer and paid Felix before going out into the cool summer night. It was almost eleven by the time I got to the dark apartment. The lights were off and everything was silent. I opened the door slowly and noticed my sheets were sitting on the sofa like I'd left them that morning. The bedroom door was slightly open so I peeked in expecting to see Bella in bed. She wasn't there. I noticed the bathroom door was closed so I turned back to the living room and sat on the sofa while I waited for her to come out.

I must have fallen asleep while I waited because opening my eyes I noticed morning had come. I stretched and groaned at my stiff muscles. Sitting was not a good position to sleep in. Odd, Bella didn't wake me to make me go to bed. She must still be mad at me for leaving last night. With a sigh I stood and walked to the bedroom. The bed was still empty and the bathroom door was still closed. I strained to hear for any noise but was met with silence.

"Bella?" I knocked on the door. Nothing. "Bella, are you okay?" Still nothing.

I tentatively grasped the door handle and turned it. Opening the door slowly I saw that the bathroom was empty. Hmmm. She must have left for work early. I couldn't remember if she'd said she had an early shift at the bookstore, but glancing at the clock on the bedside table I saw it was only eight in the morning. I had thirty minutes to get ready for my first lesson of the day so I quickly jumped in the shower to wash away the stiffness in my muscles.

Bella didn't wake me this morning either. She must be really upset with me, or maybe she was in a hurry. No, idiot, she's mad at you and she has every right to be. You behaved like a 5 year old throwing a temper tantrum. I argued with myself. I'd have to find a way to make it up to her. Maybe I'd surprise her at work with flowers. I smiled to myself as I thought of a plan. I got dressed in my blue board shorts and quickly threw on a white v-neck t-shirt. Reaching for my phone on the counter on my way to the front door I noticed the battery was drained. I plugged it in to charge and headed out for my 9 am lesson, I wouldn't need it at the beach anyway.

I got back to my apartment a little after eleven and headed straight for the shower. I needed to rinse off all the sea salt and the tension from the lesson from hell. I wasn't sure if my new student was really interested in learning to surf of just interested in me. She'd made a few passes at me and "accidentally" brushed up against me one too many times for my comfort. Hopefully she'd get the message that I wasn't interested.

I turned on my cell phone and phoned Bella's work but was told she wasn't there. Hmm maybe she's out on break. The icon at the bottom of the screen informed me that I had four voice messages. The first was from a student calling to cancel his lesson for today. Good, gives me more time to plan my surprise for Bella. The second was from Bella.

"Edward, are you coming back soon? I hate fighting with you. Please call me. Okay. Bye." There was a pause and a small sigh before she hung up.

A lump rose in my throat as I imagined her standing in the middle of the empty apartment trying to contact me. The third call was also from Bella. "Edward, Please pick up. Please…" Someone knocked at the door and she opened it. There was a slight rustling noise and then the line went dead. The last call was just a hang up.

She'd sounded sad in her last message, almost as if she'd been crying. I furiously dialed her number but it went straight to her voice mail. I was about to dial again when the screen flashed with an incoming call from Alice.

"Hey Alice, I can't talk right now, can I call you back?"

"Edward! Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you all morning!"

"Alice, I don't have time, I have to call Bella, we had a fight last night and I need to make things right."

"You had a fight? What's wrong with you? This is the worst moment to be picking fights!" She yelled into the receiver.

"Alice, I'm hanging up now…"

"No! Edward, you have to come to the hospital right now!"

"Why?" Alice was usually composed but her tone was starting to scare me. Something must be really wrong in order for her to be so rattled.

"Oh Edward…"

"What's wrong Alice, why are you in the hospital?"

"Edward, it's Bella…"

The phone fell from my hands and hit the floor with a thud. Bella…her last message…the knock at the door, then the line going dead. I feel to my knees as the air left my lungs and felt a sharp, stinging pain in my chest. No! Bella! My Bella!

A/N Next update may not be for another two weeks. You have been warned. That is unless I get flooded with a massive amount of reviews.

Also, check out my beta's fic "I know Those Eyes" http:/www(dot)fanfiction(dot)net/s/5762812/1/I_Know_Those_Eyes