Wow, you guys are amazing! The response to this story has been INCREDIBLE so far! I just want to tell you all how much I appreciate it. Thank you for all your support and understanding. Without further or do, I present to you the next chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight if you haven't already figured that out by now

BPOV

When I awoke from my sleepless night my eyes were swollen with previous tears. Rain was pounding against the top of the roof like a drum; it was half the reason why I was unable to sleep last night. The rain no longer brought comfort to me; it was now only a distraction.

"Bella," Charlie said knocking lightly on my door, "are you awake sweetheart?" I rubbed away the remainder of sleep from my eyes and slowly placed my feet on the cold wooden floor.

"I'm awake," I said walking toward my door. Charlie was hovering outside with a nervous expression on his face. He was already dressed for work.

"Good," he said as he cleared his throat. "Listen Bells, I hate to do this but I have to run into the station early. There was some sort of accident near Mason County and they want me to head down there for the day as soon as I pick up some files from the police station. Will you be okay?"

"I'll be fine," I told him confidently. I had taken care of myself for years, it was nothing new. My father appeared to be hesitant at my words.

"Bella," he said nervously shuffling his feet, "I know….I know that you have been independent most of your life but…"

"But what Dad," I inquired. I had never seen my father this anxious before, he almost looked guilty if that were possible. As far as I knew Chief Swan had never broken a rule in his life.

"I'm sorry I haven't been around," he said quickly. "I should have…I should have fought harder when your mother asked for sole custody. I should have kept you here."

"Dad," I practically whispered. The tears in my eyes were now evident, any moment they would slither their way down my cheeks. "It's not your fault. You did everything you could, and besides, I'm here now."

"I know," he sighed. "I just wanted you to know that I did want you with me. I wanted to be the one to take care of you for once." My father looked away refusing to make eye contact. I could tell that this was difficult for him. To be truthful, it was difficult for me as well.

"Thank you Dad," I told him. I wanted to hug him but something told me that would just be awkward. We had both said everything we needed to say.

"Have a good day kid," he grunted as he handed me a cold metal object. I slid it around in my hands for a few moments before opening my palm to see the object. It was a key.

"What is this," I asked him. He shuffled his feet once more and hesitantly entered my bedroom. My suitcases were still sprawled across the floor, it was difficult to walk around but somehow Charlie managed.

"Look," Charlie said once he arrived at my window. My eyes followed the direction of his finger until I saw a large red truck that appeared to be from the late fifties. I couldn't help but gasp, it was perfect!

"Is that for me," I asked in disbelief. My father nodded once and cleared his throat once more.

"Something told me you wouldn't want to ride around in the cruiser every day," he said sheepishly. I couldn't contain the smile that had crept to my face. I thanked my father once more before he excused himself to leave for work.

The clock on my night stand read 7:25. I only had thirty-five minutes to get ready before school started. I dashed across the room threw on my favorite pair of blue jeans and my only sweatshirt. In Arizona there was hardly a need for winter apparel.

I grabbed an apple and raced toward my "new" truck. I put the key into the ignition and continued to turn it until I heard my truck literally roar to life. Five minutes later I was at school. It surprised me just how quickly I was able to get here.

I parked in front of the main office and reluctantly exited the toasty cab of my truck. A few students that I had never seen before were now glancing in my direction. Forks High School had a frightening total of only three hundred and fifty-eight students, including me. In Arizona there were more than seven hundred in my junior class alone.

"Can I help you," a frizzy red-haired woman said as I entered the office. Her name was Margery Cope. She had worked here since my father was in high school. She was wearing a Rolling-Stones t-shirt and a pair of navy blue jeans. This seemed rather unusual to me. Back home every staff member was forced to wear formal attire.

"I'm Isabella Swan," I said trying to keep my tone even. I didn't want to appear nervous but it was probably obvious that I was. It had been three years since I had been here. Everything and everyone had changed, especially me.

"Bella, sweetheart," she said taking a deep intake of breath, "is that really you? You're all grown up! How long has it been, three years?"

"Hello Miss Cope," I said with a smile. She surprised me by practically leaping from her desk and taking me into her arms. I felt a deep blush ignite across my face as she squeezed me tightly.

"Bella," I heard a familiar voice squeal, "holy crow, it really is you?" I released myself from the secretary and turned my head until I saw his face, Mike Newton.

"Hello Mike," I said nervously. Though Mike had always been an amazing friend to me, he was also extremely clingy. He was almost like a loyal Labrador that you just couldn't seem to get rid of. You had to love Mike though; he was a really sweet guy.

"Well look at you Arizona," he said with a wink. "You look…amazing." I stared down at my casual attire and felt the wet hair that had cascaded across my face. I certainly didn't feel amazing.

"It's good to see you," I said. Mike was still gawking at me. I felt so awkward. No one had looked at me like that in years, it was rather unnerving.

"Here's your schedule dear," Miss Cope said causing Mike to jump. I took the piece of paper between my fingers and read over my classes. My first period was biology with Mr. Banner.

"I have that class too," Mike said as he read of my shoulder. His cheek was almost touching mine. I cleared my throat and attempted to move away from him, this only made him move closer

"Wow," he said inhaling deeply, "I had forgotten how amazing you smell." I attempted to move again but he was blocking me. Before I knew what had happened my elbow smashed into his ribs. Mike fell to the floor flailing around in pain.

"Holy crow," I gasped. "Mike I'm so sorry… I didn't mean to…are you alright?" Mike took a deep breath causing him to wince in pain. He then picked himself up from the floor and wiped away what appeared to be a tear from his eye. Even though I felt horrible I couldn't help but sustain my laugher.

"I'm fine," he lied wiping away another tear. He then grunted loudly trying to obtain at least a small amount of masculinity. "Let's get you to class before the tardy bell rings."

"Okay," I agreed smiling one last time at Miss Cope. Mike held open the door for me while I threw on my rain coat which had the feel of a biohazard suit-and headed out into the rain. Five minutes later we had made it to the Biology building.

"Mr. Banner," Mike said as he entered the room. Mike surprised me by placing his hand on the small of my back as he led me towards the teacher.

"Ah Miss Swan," the teacher said handing me a stack of books. "Class, we have a new, well sort of new student. For those of you who don't remember her, this is Isabella Swan."
"Bella," I corrected him. My voice sounded so small and insignificant. I couldn't find the strength to lift my head; I knew everyone was staring at me.

"You can take a seat over there," Mr. Banner said pointing toward the only empty chair in the classroom. Through the corner of my eye I could see the boy who sat beside me slowly rise from his chair. Just as I was about to make eye contact with him I heard someone begin to speak behind me.

"Mr. Banner," the girl said behind me. I turned around to see a tiny girl who resembled a pixy. Her voice resembled the sound of church bells. "Can I please see my brother?" She was nodding in the direction of the boy at my table.

I finally found the courage and met the eyes of the beautiful boy who sat beside me. He had the most unusual shade of hair, it was almost bronze. His skin was as pale as alabaster and his eyes were as black as night. He was glaring towards the direction of the tiny girl in the doorway. He was so beautiful; I couldn't help but be infatuated. He once again met my eyes causing me blush.

"Mr. Cullen," the teacher snapped causing me to jump. "Do you need to leave the room?" For some reason I couldn't help but be upset by his words. Why did he need to leave? Why couldn't he stay? Why did I care?

"Edward," the small girl trilled, "please." The boy named Edward once again met my gaze and a look of anguish began to cross across his brilliant face. Seeing this brought a frown to my face. A boy so beautiful and perfect shouldn't be so sad, it just wasn't right.

"May I have a pass Mr. Banner," Edward said pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. The teacher wrote a small not on a sticky note and handed it to the boy.

"Thank you," he said carefully walking past me. I felt the coldness of his breath dance across the nape of my neck, and then he was gone. I stood there frozen, I couldn't move, I couldn't breathe.

"Miss Swan," the teacher said, "Miss Swan are you alright?"

EPOV

I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream, I wanted to curse whoever was responsible for this. How could this happen? How could I not be with the only one I had ever truly loved?
"Edward," Alice said placing her tiny hand on my shoulder, I shrugged it off. I wanted to be alone; I wanted to make sense of all that had just occurred. "Edward please. Let's just go and find Carlisle, maybe he can explain this.

"What can he do Alice," I growled.

"I don't know," she sighed. I walked towards my locker and threw the remainder of my books into it; I nearly bent the metal by doing so. "Maybe he can explain this. Perhaps he can offer you some sort of explanation.

"It's her Alice," I said with anger. "She's here of all places." Alice looped her tiny arm through mine and lifted me off the ground.

"I know Edward," she said taking on a serious tone. "I also know that we need to figure this out quickly. If not this girl may lose her life." Alice's words struck me like a bullet to the heart. I couldn't risk hurting my beloved, she didn't deserve such distress.

"Your right," I told her. "Call Esme and find out where Carlisle is." Alice did so and discovered that our father was at the hospital. I threw my car into reverse and roared out of the school parking lot. Because of my reckless driving we arrived at the hospital in ten minutes, it still wasn't soon enough for me.

"What is it," Carlisle asked looking distraught. Was there an accident? Did you…did you…hurt someone?

"Carlisle no," I practically shouted. Let us continue this discussion in my office. There are too many to have this conversation here. I followed behind my father, Alice walked beside me in silence. She appeared to be so defeated, so hopeless though I couldn't understand why.

"What is it Edward," Carlisle asked shutting the door to his office. "What happened?"

"I had a vision," Alice said suddenly. "Edward was about to…He almost…"

"He almost what Alice," Carlisle said with anxiety. Alice was never one to hesitate; this is why Carlisle had become so panicked.

"I almost killed someone Carlisle," I blurted out. "I almost killed the only woman I have ever loved."

"Loved," Carlisle repeated solemnly, "what do you mean loved Edward? You can't mean…that's not possible."

"It is possible," I said looking away from him. Edward, Carlisle thought. You must have her confused with someone else. It is not possible that she…Edward this cannot be possible.

"You think I do not realize this Carlisle," I roared. "Bella almost died today and it was because of me!" I had never yelled at my father before, it seemed so unusual to me. I knew Carlisle didn't deserve it but I could no longer sustain my emotions, they were far too powerful.

"Edward," my father said hesitantly. "It wasn't your fault. I know you do not to wish Bella but we are what we are. Sometimes it is hard to sustain, that is just a draw back to our existence. We can't control…"
"It wasn't that," I cut him off. "Her blood was not what I desired. Her blood held no craving for me. All I wanted to do was touch her, hold her, and see that she was real, but this was not possible. I could not touch her; if I did then she would be dead."

My father was silent. His thoughts were running wild but he could not seem to focus on one certain topic. He was dissertating through every option, every theory, yet he could find no explanation.

"I cannot be near her," I found myself saying. "Her body is like a magnet to me. Her gravitational pull is a force that I simply cannot fight father."

"Edward," Alice said with a glazed expression, "do not leave. You cannot leave! Think of what it would do to Esme, think about what it would do to us, think of Bella."
"I am thinking of Bella," I roared in frustration. "If I leave then no harm can come her way. I must protect her Alice, no matter what it takes."
"Stop him Carlisle," Alice begged. "Make him stay. You cannot just let him walk out that door and leave forever."

"What choice do I have Alice," I asked her. "If I stay here she will die. I will not allow myself to be the reason for her demise."
"Carlisle please," Alice pleaded once more. I could tell that the thought of me leaving was killing her. Our family had been together for nearly a century. We had never parted from one another.

"Edward," Carlisle said somberly, "are you sure this is what you wish to do? Could you not wait a short while until I find a solution?"

"No Carlisle," I said with certainty. "The only way she can be safe is if I am not near her." He covered his eyes with one hand and reached into his pocket with the other.

"Take the Mercedes," he said tossing the keys. My hand quickly flew into the air and caught the silver object.

"Thank you father," I said looking at him one last time. Come home soon my son, he thought simply. And so it was decided, until there was a solution I would not return. It may have been the hardest thing that I would ever do but I knew that it was worth it. I was doing this for her, I was doing this for her safety, and nothing could be of more value to me.

Okay, so last time I had almost forty reviews, could we try for forty this time? I'll make a deal with you guys if you give me forty reviews I'll update in two days, if you give me over forty I will update tomorrow! Thanks for your support!