(A/N): This chapter was beta'd by RandomatGedz, so a BIG THNAK YOU TO HER for getting it done, even though her computer was acting up… I really appreciate it, hun! :)

Living Royal

Chapter Five

God, this was going to be hard.

How is a girl supposed to break up with her best friend?

Sure, Bella and Jacob hadn't been on the best of terms lately, but he was still one of her closest friends. You don't just throw that away easily.

Bella glanced out the window of the café where she sat, waiting for Jake.

How on earth was she supposed to even say it?

I'm sorry but when a hot Prince comes along, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do?

No, no. It wasn't even about Edward. He might be totally uninterested in her, after all. But her gut told her there was something there and she really wanted to pursue it.

Aside from that, Jacob and Bella hadn't been the same in quite a while. They barely spoke, and when they did it seemed forced. They only went out in groups, never alone together, and they certainly haven't been intimate in months.

Bella had been willing to stay in the relationship because it had basically become familiar. She'd never had a boyfriend other than Jacob, he was her first date, her first kiss, her first…everything. So, it was natural for her to want to stick through it, even though it was obvious that both of them were willing to give up.

Until the party, that is.

Jacob had always been a little bit possessive over the years, but never this much, and definitely never going as far as to cause a scene like he did the day before.

Bella had had enough. There was no use in trying to fix a relationship that wasn't working anymore, no matter how much you tried to make it work.

At some point, you just have to face the reality that it's over.

A few minutes later, Jacob walked in. Bella tensed in her seat as she watched him walk to her table.

"Hey, sweetheart," He leaned over to kiss her. Bella instinctually moved back.

She grimaced, however, when she saw Jacob scowling at her reaction.

"Hey, Jake," She greeted him softly.

She grimaced once more when she noticed the bruise that surrounded his left eye and how his nose looked funny.

"Um, are you okay?" She asked, pointing to his face.

"Yeah, sure I am. That was nothing." He dismissed it. "It doesn't even hurt."

Yeah, he was lying. She'd known him long enough to tell.

"So why are we here? Not that I'd pass up a chance to see my favorite girl, it's just that you sounded funny over the phone."

"This isn't working anymore Jacob." Bella chose to just get to the point.

"What's not working?" He asked, confused.

"Us, we're not working anymore. I'm sorry, but I think we should break up."

"What? What the hell are you talking about? Is this about this Edward guy? You're moving onto bigger and better things, is that it?" He yelled.

"Jacob, please; lower your voice. People are looking." She begged.

Of course, he wouldn't listen.

"No, I'm not going to lower my god damn voice, Bella! Not when you're speaking nonsense." He shouted.

"I'm not speaking nonsense, Jacob. We haven't been the same lately and you know it. I just don't see the point of us staying together anymore. And it has nothing to do with Edward, by the way." She clarified.

"Yeah, right," Jacob scoffed, "Things were perfectly fine until he came along."

"Seriously, Jacob? When was the last time we went out on a date? When was the last time we even sat down and spoke to each other? Answer those questions and then tell me we were fine!"

Jacob remains silent, obviously having nothing to say to her argument.

"But, we've been together for so long…" He trails off.

"I know Jake, but that doesn't mean we have to remain together, it just means that we can break up and still be good friends, right?" Bella asked hopefully.

Jacob frowned for a second, "I don't think I can do that, Bella."

"What? Why?" Bella started to panic. Despite everything, Jacob was still one of her closest friends. She didn't want to lose him.

"If we break up, I don't think I can still be your friend, Bella. I can't just sit back and watch you date other people, especially not that pinhead."

"Jake," Bella muttered, warningly. She didn't like it when he insulted Edward; although a couple of weeks ago she would've been the one doing the insulting.

"Protective of him, already, are we?"

"No, Jake, it's not like that. Edward and I barely even know each other."

"Yeah, but he'd like to get to know you better, wouldn't he?" Jacob's fists were clenching and unclenching on the table.

"I don't know about that, Jake. Why would a Prince waste his time on someone like me, anyway?"

"You don't see yourself clearly, Bella. You never have." Jacob got up.

"Wait, where are you going, Jake?"

"I think we've said all there is to say. Goodbye, Bella."

"What do you mean goodbye?" Bella asked.

"I'm thinking your new boyfriend won't take kindly to you keeping in touch with your ex."

"Jacob, I've told you already. I'm not breaking up with you so I can start dating Edward."

"We'll see," Jacob said before he turned to leave.

Well, that was just plain weird. He went from furious to quiet and accepting in a heartbeat.

Bella sighed as she got up to leave herself. At least, that was out of the way for now.

A few hours later she had just finished her classes for the day and was heading back to the dorm when she noticed something strange happening.

Everyone was looking at her.

Bella wasn't prone to being paranoid, but this was no paranoia. Every single student walking on campus was either looking at her or whispering with the people walking with them about her. They were even pointing.

What the hell.

Bella increased her pace until she was almost running back to her room. She heaved a sigh of relief as she got there and closed the door.

What was that about? Did she have something in her hair?

Bella walked to the mirror that hung next to her closet and checked her appearance for anything out of the ordinary.

Nope, everything seemed to be in place.

"Bella! Oh my God, why didn't you tell me?" Alice screamed as she ran into the room.

"Uh, I was going to but I just got back from there." Bella explained, thinking Alice was talking about the situation with Jacob.

"Just got back from there? You spent the night?"

Now, Bella was confused, "What? Spent the night where?"

"With Prince Edward, of course!" Alice was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Why the hell would I spend the night with Edward?"

"But you just said that you just got back from there…Okay, Bella you lost me."

"I meant Jacob. I just got back from meeting Jacob. I haven't seen Edward since last night."

"Yeah, that's what I'm talking about, last night. Did you see today's papers?"

"Um, when have I ever read the papers, Alice?"

Alice rolled her eyes, "Well, then have a look." She brought the newspaper close to Bella's face. Bella's eyes crossed for a second and then she moved the papers at a proper distance from her face so she could read the headline on the front page.

Prince Edward Saves Young Maiden's Honor

Oh my God! Who wrote this crap?

Then Bella glanced at the photo beneath it and she almost had a panic attack. The photo was of Edward the moment he punched Jacob and Bella standing a little to the side looking horrified.

It was like a scene out of a movie.

"I've been hearing about this all morning. The news has spread all over campus. They're calling you the Royal Girlfriend, now." Alice smirked.

Bella groaned. That was just what she needed. After spending all this time trying to convince herself that nothing was going on between her and Edward, now the entire country thought they were together.

Bella's phone chose that moment to ring.

It was her mother.

"Hi mom, listen before you say anything…"

"Bella, baby, why didn't you say anything? Did you think we wouldn't like it? I mean, you're dating a Prince, Bella! But wait, what about Jacob? Does he know about this? Of course he knows. Everyone knows by now."

"Mom, I'm not dating anyone. I broke up with Jacob this morning and Edward and I are just friends, I promise."

"Yeah, right." Alice scoffed in the background. Bella glared at her.

"Then, why does that article that you are more than that?" Renee Swan asked.

"I don't know, mom. You know how the press over reacts over anything that has to do with the royal family."

"But, honey, do you really think he would beat up another guy if he didn't care about you that way?"

"I don't know," she thought.

"Yes, it's just the kind of guy he is. He can't see a girl in trouble without jumping to the rescue. He's got the whole knight in shining armor thing down to a T." Bella smiled.

"Sounds like he's not the only one with a crush." Renee teased her.

Bella blushed even though her mother couldn't see her. She knew her mother's words were true, she just didn't want to admit it, not yet, anyway.

"Um, you know what mom, I gotta go. I have a lot to do today." She excused, lamely.

"Don't think you can escape me young lady. This discussion is so not over. Oh, and how hot is Prince Edward in real life?"

Bella chuckled, "Bye mom."

As soon as she hung up, Alice pounced on her again, "So, what are you going to do about this?"

"I don't know, Alice. I just don't know."

(A/N): Before you hate on Bella, just remember that a real Edward would confuse the hell out of any one of us :D

Thanks so much for your reviews! They meant the world to me, honestly!