Chapter Five 'Next Phase'
Bella had been dating Paul most of her senior year and they couldn't be more happy. Edward ran through her mind every now and then but it always was angry thoughts. Paul had come by the night before her graduation and she hugged him close. "What are you doing here?" Bella asked.
"I heard that you didn't have anything to wear," Paul said pulling out a small box. "So I bought you a dress," he said. "It's my favortie color and it looks good on you," he said with a smile.
"You didn't have too," Bella said opening the package and looked at the dress. It was a low cut maroon halter top that had sparkled sequence and went just belong her knees.
"Well?" Paul asked causing her to smile and kiss him softly.
"Its beautiful," Bella said. "But we have to talk," she said softly.
"What?" Paul asked. "Are you breaking up with me?" He asked causing her to smile.
"No come here," Bella said. "But you might break up with me," she said firmly.
"That could never happen," Paul said sitting on the ocuch with her.
"I got the scholarship to Seatle," Bella said causing him to hug her close. "Are you okay?" She asked.
"I am so proud of you," Paul said touching her face. "You are going to do so great," he said.
"What about us?" Bella asked arching her eyebrow.
"I will always be with you," Paul said. "And its not that far away," he said firmly.
"I know," Bella said. "But not being able to go out every night," she said causing him to smile.
"We'll figure out something," Paul said kissing her softly. "Now try it on for me," he said causing her to head up the stairs to try on the dress.
Paul stayed there until she fell asleep and then he took her up to the bedroom. Charlie came into the house just as he walked out. "Hey kid," Charlie said.
"Hey," Paul said. "I just put Bella in her bed she fell asleep on the couch," he said. "She put dinner in the fridge for you I think," he said.
"Thanks," Charlie said. "Drive safe," he said shaking her head.
"I will," Paul said heading out to the car and thinking of Bella. She would be leaving and he wouldn't get to see her all the time. He had to do something and he couldn't be with out her.
Bella came down the stairs to see her dad waiting for her and taking pictures. "Dad," Bella said raising her hand slightly.
"Oh come on," Charlie said. "Phil and Renee are already there," he said. "And your mother will kill me if I don't get enough pictures," he said softly.
"Fine," Bella said standing there with a smile on her face.
"Thank you," Charlie said. "And you look amazing," he said looking at her. "Come on," he said handing her the jacket and they headed to his car.
"Bella Swan!!" The principle annoucned causing everyone in her family to cheer. Then she heard the guys cheering in the back along with Billy.
Bella looked over at Paul who had made her a sign that said. 'Bella Swan the Queen of My Heart'. She just laughed at that before taking her diploma and then going next to Jessica.
"He is so cute," Jessica said softly.
"I know," Bella said laughing. "So are you ready for California?" She asked.
"As long as I have Mike and Lauren with me," Jessica said. "Totally," she said. "I just am going to miss you so much," he said hugging her close.
"Hey," Bella said. "You can always call," she said causing her to nod.
Bella went over to her mom hugging her close and then hugging her dad. Paul came over to her and kissed her on the cheek. "Nice to see you again," he said to her mother.
"Same here," Renee said nodding her head.
"Come on lets go to dinner," Charlie said with a smile on her face.
"Bella," Jacob said. "Don't forget about the party for you," he said.
"I will be there," Bella said with a smile on her face.
That night after dinner with her family and saying goodbye to her mother they went to La Push. Paul and her were cuddled on the couch together. "I got a surprise for you," he said softly.
"What?" Bella asked causing him to take her out to his car.
"Look," Paul said handing her a folder and she went through it.
"Job acceptance letter," Bella said. "And an apartment in Seatle," she said looking up at him in utter shock. "Oh my god," she said jumping into his arms.
"I take it your happ," Paul said hugging her close. "I talk to the pack and they are okay with it," he said softly. "As long as I come here once a month to report," he said firmly.
"I can't believe you," Bella said softly.
"I love you Bella Swan," Paul said stroking her face.
"I love you too," Bella said kissing him firmly and they went back to the party.
A few week later they had loaded up his car with all of their things. "I am gonna miss you," Charlie said hugging her close.
"I am going to miss you too dad," Bella said hugging her back.
"You take care of her," Charlie said shaking his hand.
"I will sir," Paul said shaking his hand and they got into the car. "Do you releize something?" He asked.
"What?" Bella asked looking over at him.
"This is our seven month anniversary," Paul said kissing her hand and she smiled at him. "Come on our apartment is waiting," he said heading away from her old house.
'Goodbye Forks. Hello next phase of my life,' Bella thought to herself.