I never thought that I

Had anymore to give

You're pushing me so far

Here I am without you

Drink to all that we have lost

Mistakes we have made

Everything will change

But love remains the same

-Gavin Rossdale, Love Remains the Same

Bella POV

That weekend went by faster than I expected—and I was glad for that. Charlie hadn't spoken to me since our falling out on Friday; personally, I was at ease with this.

I wasn't so nervous walking into school the next day. It was weird, because I'd never thought that in my high school lifetime that I would associate with someone like Rosalie Hale, but I did.

The day at lunch I heard her call my name. I looked at her, hoping that she'd be content with a half smile so I could return to my bubble all by myself but she didn't. She waved me over. And it was hard not to go over there. Especially because she is the only one who knows what actually happens at home—not only that, but she can relate.

"Bella, would you like to sit with me today?" she asked. I was about to say no thank you, but she looked genuinely concerned. I nodded. I knew that she would tiptoe around me, but not like everyone else did, her reason was different…because she's been there before.

I nodded sadly and she touched my arm. "How was your weekend? Everything went well, I hope?" Rosalie said, barely even whispering. I could hear her though.

"Um, well I have no new bruises or anything…so I guess that's a start."

She nodded her head at this, sensing my discomfort.

Too soon, more people arrived at the table.

First, it was Emmett who put his tray down and gave Rosalie a kiss on the cheek. "Hey, Bella," he said, as if it were no big deal that I was there. I'm sure Rosalie told him that she'd be inviting me over to sit today, of course without disclosing any details. Not that he'd ask, she really does have him whipped. An admirable, adorable whipped though.

"Hi," I said quietly, not looking up.

I saw Rosalie give Emmett a warning glance out of the corner of my eye.

Then, Jasper and Tyler came and sat down, not really knowing what to do or say. I also saw Lauren and Jessica follow and sit also, but I didn't really want to say anything to them. I didn't care to.

But then…Edward sat down. He froze once he realized that I was there. Actually, the whole table was silent. There was an overwhelming awkward silence. I just sat and Rosalie grabbed my hand in a reassuring squeeze.

It was Emmett who broke the silence. "This macaroni tastes like rubber," he said, making a scrunched up face.

"It's your fault you insist to try the specials everyday, ya fool," Rosalie teased, hitting him on the back of the head.

"Ow! Rose," he whined.

I giggled and everyone looked at me with widened eyes. I immediately took the smile off of my face and looked back down, hiding myself from everyone's stares.

It was just so awkward again. I didn't know how much more I could handle.

I felt Edward shift to sit in the seat right next to me, which everyone had left empty. "Hi, Bella. How are you?"

I met his gaze. No one was expecting for what was next. "Good. And you?"

Of course it wasn't as pleasant as it sounded in my head, and it was a lot quieter than I wanted it to be—but it worked…for now.

"Could be better. But can't complain," Edward said in a shrug.

I felt the tension at the table suddenly ease.

"Bella Swan is it? I'm Jessica." She offered me her hand with a cheerful smile while Lauren lowered her eyes at me, staring daggers.

I shook her hand and found myself in my bubble again almost immediately after.

"Mike Newton looks like he's bout to kick your ass this time. But don't worry, you have Rosalie and Bella here to protect you now, Eddie," teased Tyler, glancing at me while giving me an "aren't-you-going-to-laugh-at-my-joke" look. I honestly didn't really know what to do. I found myself giving Tyler a cold stare.

"I gotta say, though, Bella. Kudos to you. You really know how to tell Newton off…everyone was talking about it."

I didn't really know if this was him trying to be friendly, or him trying to add onto the tension. Whatever it was, I found myself wincing and looking away.

Then, a hand grabbed mine and led me out into the hallway.

I looked up. It was Edward.

"I…I'm sorry. He made you uncomfortable didn't he?"

I nodded my head and looked at the ground.

His fingers moved from my hand to my chin, to lift it up to meet his gaze.

"Bella, I need to talk to you. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you."

"Since when? Since I moved up a cup size? Or do you think my hair is better when its cut choppy like this? Or do you think you can size up all of your friends and score? Because it's not happening."

I cannot believe that just came out of my mouth. Edward looked profoundly hurt.

"So that's what you think of me now. You know me, Bella," he said in an angry yet flat tone.

"Not anymore," I mumbled with venom.

"If you must know, I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. Ever. You wouldn't fucking realize that because—"

"Because what, Edward? Because you totally shut me out of your life and now expect me to be all cordial to you? You think we can skip along holding hands like Hanzel and Gretzel to a fucking candy house and pretend like these last three years never happened?"

"No, Isabella. That's not what I think. I care about you. But now you've turned…you've turned into a complete bitch."

Then, he walked right past me, bumping me like I had bumped Mike Newton that day in biology.

And, just like that, I left, unable to go on with the school day. Once again. Just like before.

xoxo, B.