A/N: This is it people. The final chapter. Thanks for reading. Also, R&R if you so desire.
I do not own Twilight, I just play with the characters.
JAKE
Of all the composition classes offered, I had to pick this one. Sitting all the way in the back is Bella. I'm sitting in the front. She still looks dead inside. She also has a nasty looking scar down the side of her face. He marred that wonderful cheek. I want to make him pay. She sighs and just stares at the head of the room. Has she even noticed anyone else in the class? The professor walks in and heads straight for the wipe-off board. He sets to writing out what looks like writing prompts on the board. I still another look at Bella before I turn to face the front too.
"All right students, just because this is the first day of class doesn't mean that we aren't going to work. I have two prompts on the board, write about one. I will collect there to check for completion only. So, write for yourselves. Consider this a warm-up activity," the professor, Dr. Wesley, tells us all.
A girl with a stack of Spanish books sighs and takes out some paper and a pen. I have to say I agree with her assessment of the situation. I might as well get this over with. I can't stop myself from stealing glances at her while I write. She just seems so lifeless. That's not how love should treat you. I know she loves that ass. I'm just not convinced that the feeling is mutual. He just wants to possess her and Bella is the kind of girl who lets him, even excuses the behavior. I look at the board.
What did high school represent to you?
Are people different in high school than they are in college?
Hmm. I'm thinking the second prompt looks good. I start writing. Soon the whole Bella thing is exploding out of my pen all over my paper. I pour my heart out because I've been trying to ignore the whole thing for too long. Through the whole process, I keep taking peeks back at Bella. She needs someone to help her. She doesn't want help. She doesn't even think she needs it, I guess. You can't help someone that does not want you to. I just wish I knew what to do. The desire to write Read Me across the top of the page almost overwhelms me.
Class is almost over and the whole ugly situation is staring at me from my paper. Dr. Wesley asks us all to place our papers on the table at the front of the room. I bet Edward the Ass comes right to the door to put his leash back on Bella. I'm a little surprised they don't have the same schedule. At least there are three exits for this room. I can easily avoid them. While I am lost in my thoughts, I accidentally bump into someone. Looking up to apologize, I see her lifeless eyes.
"Hello Jake," Bella tonelessly greets me.
"Heya Bells," I respond.
"How are things?" She seems interested in my answer.
"They are alright. How are things with you?" I can't help but ask her.
"Fine. Edward and I are engaged now," she informs me. That statement has never been said with such sadness.
"I heard, congratulations," I try to sound upbeat for her.
"How did you hear?" Confusion colors her voice a little.
"Charlie told my dad," I answer.
"Oh, right." She just seems so defeated. I physically ache to take her into my arms and make everything right for her.
Edward shows up then. He glares at me from his post in a doorway. Bella might have said goodbye. I'm not gonna lie, I'm not really paying attention. My mind was wandering to all the things I would like to do to that ass to avenge Bella. If I took him to the Rez, no one would be able to find him. I'm just sayin'. Edward says something short to Bella, but she seems to be in her own world. She can't hide her flinch at his tone though. I can't take it anymore. I turn and walk to another door. Something stops me when I get to the door though. When I look back, she is still in the same place in the middle of the room. She just looks at him, then at me, then at the third door. It kind of looks like she is trying to decide where to go.
"Bella?" Edward and I say at the same time.
BELLA
I should not have put this class off a year. What are the odds that Jake and I would be in the same time slot? Maybe I should drop the class and pick it up on a different day. I wonder if he's heard that Edward and I are engaged. I mean, we haven't really talked since he told me of his suspicions about Edward being abusive.
"I'm a history major. There is no need to make me learn citation that doesn't apply to my field," the girl next to me mutters as she pulls out a notebook.
The professor comes into the class and heads to the front. He writes down two writing prompts on the board. I don't really hear what the professor is saying. Jake is way too big a distraction for me to pay complete attention. It seems like we are using the first class to do a warm-up assignment. All I have to do is sit through this class and then Jake won't have to worry about running into me again. This has to be awkward for him. I mean, why else would he keep looking back here? Back to the task at hand.
What did high school represent to you?
Are people different in high school than they are in college?
Jake looks back again, better look productive. I choose the first option and start writing. Of course, Jake is heavily featured in the beginning portion of my essay. We were so close…good times. I had forgotten how fond of him I was. I could have loved him. If I'm being honest with myself, I still feel that way. The couple of times we have been in the same room since I graduated, I could still feel my heart race when he looked at me. He was always so supportive. I really miss him. Maybe if I don't tell Edward, I could stay in this class and re-connect with my old friend.
Edward dominates most of my essay. Okay, he dominates most of my life. I'm just lucky that he is interested. A girl like me doesn't get a guy like him very often. I know that I am not the prettiest girl, but he still chose me. In high school, he hit a rough patch that he just can't seem to shake. He just needs someone to be there. Relationships are not just good times all around you know. We take care of each other. If I hadn't qualified for that scholoarship, his adopted parents would have paid my way through. They are fairly amazing like that and are completely wonderful to me.
It's just that my life is not what I thought it would be at this point. Edward lashes out in anger. Sometimes he makes me feel so bad, that I cry for days. Other times I have to explain away bruises. But I love him. He means everything to me. He loves me too. That's why he can seem possessive to other people. We are engaged. Edward would not have proposed to me if he didn't love me.
The professor is dismissing the class. I go forward to turn in my essay. Jake accidentally bumps into me.
"Hey Jake," I greet my friend.
"Heya Bells." I love it when he calls me that.
"How are things?" I ask him. I wish he knew how much I miss him, how much I care.
"They are alright. How are things with you?" He's sweet.
"Fine. Edward and I are engaged now." I should have said wonderful. It should feel wonderful, but it doesn't. Why is that?
"I heard, congratulations." He doesn't mean it, but he's trying.
"How did you hear?" I wonder out loud.
"Charlie told my dad." I had forgotten our fathers were friends.
"Oh, right." What else is there to say?
Edward shows up. I'm not as happy to see him as I was to see Jake. I love Edward, but I care for Jake. Love shouldn't be like it is with Edward and me. Bad times should pale compared to the good times. I've been with Edward for so long… Jake is so sweet… Maybe I need time to sort myself out. I can't remember the last time I did something for myself. Jake heads to one door. Edward is at another. A third door is free and clear. Three paths to choose from. One way leads to a life with the man I love. One way leads to a new opportunity with the man I have always cared for. One way leads to the unknown. I love Edward. I deeply care for Jake. I need to take care of myself. It's been so long since I have had to decide for myself what is best. What should I choose?
"Bella?"
A/N: I know, I know. The ending is vague. I wrote it that way on purpose.