For full effect, I would reccomend listening to "Happiness"-The Fray, "Happy Ending"-Mika or "Look after you"-also by the Fray, when reading.

Time had begun to heal my wounds. Wounds given to me by a childhood friend.

Someone I knew since I was five. Someone I trusted. He had apologised.

But that didn't distract from the fact that he broke me. He broke us. It would be a long time before I could even begin to see reason, to have hope for a future. Something better. But I did. After a while. This was only achieved through pure determination. I had thought about giving up. I admit it. It did cross my mind. But I pushed that thought aside, knowing that would be taking the easy way out. I wouldn't let him make me weak. So, I soldiered on.

I hadn't planned on coming back to Forks. But, things change, all the time. Billy, Jacob's Dad, had died. He was Charlie's best friend, just about his only friend in town. I had stuck my chin up and come to my Dad's side. What kind of daughter would I be if I ignored him my company?

In a time like this? When he need it the most. I wouldn't, because I would never be that selfish.

I packed my bags, said goodbye to my life in Phoenix, goodbye to my mother, Renee and her husband Phil.

I said goodbye to everything, squared my shoulders, reared my courage and stepped on that plane to take me across the country. I had gone to the funeral, for Charlie's sake, not mine. After all, I hadn't known Billy all that well. I had stood by his side, my hand on his shoulder.

He wore his only suit, his eyes rimmed in red as the viewing took place. I sat beside him and held his hand in mine. Then I saw him there. I saw my own personal nightmare standing beside the coffin that carried his dead father.

I didn't feel sympathy for him. Only for Billy, a great man, not knowing what sort of monster his son was. He turned around, spotting me from afar.

I tensed instinctively. My own tears, tears of rage and terror streamed in salty lines down my face.

Before leaving Phoenix, I had promised myself I would shed no more tears for Jacob Black. His face was blank, probably numb. He frowned infinitesimally when he saw me. Then sat down, his face betraying no emotions. Was he human enough to have any? I shuddered as the memories took hold of my mind.

Drowning me in the blackest pits of my past. I remembered his touch. All over me. I remember how he whispered promises that no-one would find out. He told me not to tell anyone. He told me it wasn't his fault, that he was drunk. Drunk five times in a row? My emotional walls were buckling, threatening to come down in a spectacular show.

I gritted my teeth and stuck it out until it was over. He approached me at the wake, I had quickly deterred and fled to Charlie's side, not letting go of his arm the entire time.

***

Before yesterday, that was the last time I had seen him.

I had hardly even thought about him. I couldn't go down to La Push anymore, where it happened inside that red house. I gulped down my rising surge of tears as I pushed myself out the door of my truck and into the parking lot of school. My nerves were still raw and tender from my encounter with Jacob.

Any slight jolt and I would be in pieces. I made it all the way till lunch until Angela noticed my lack of appetite.

She looked into my eyes, I had to look away, afraid that she'd be able to tell. I felt so disgusting. It was at the forefront of my mind, I felt like I was giving it away, just by the way I looked. She frowned and her expression turned to one of concern. I shifted uncomfortably under her friendly gaze. Angela was a great friend, she really was.

And as we walked away from the line, I averted her gaze and mumbled a quick goodbye as I strode to Edward's table. He seemed wired, stressed about something. Maybe that could be today's subject. I plopped down on the chair, resting my chin on my hands. I looked up into his perfect green eyes, he quickly looked down.

"Bella," he began, seeming to weigh his next words. The way his voice said my name sounded like we were life-long friends.

"Edward, stop. I know what you're going to say. I'm fine, okay?" I tried to look away, hoping he couldn't read minds. He seemed slightly confused, and began to speak. "That's not—" he started then stopped himself. His eyes seemed to roam over me. I shifted in my seat, hoping he would just drop it. I couldn't let him know.

What would he think of me then? "Bella," he said, sternly now. I closed my eyes for a moment, dreading the approaching conversation.

"Outside. Now." He ordered me. I scowled at the lino below my feet and pushed back my feelings of anxiety and revulsion toward myself. I could get through this. I would. I always have. This shouldn't be hard. I realised just how hard it was going to be when we had reached the hallway. I could hear people's conversations coming from in between the glass doors, but I stopped far enough away that no-one would hear us. I needed privacy if I was going to effectively gather my thoughts and keep my sloppy emotions in check.

But then, like an idiot, I started crying. "Listen, Bella—" he started, I reached my finger to his lips, cutting off his sentence. I didn't know why I did it, it just felt right.

I let out a gigantic breath, bracing myself for what I was about to do. I couldn't believe what words were about to slip out of my mouth, possibly ruin my life for a second time.

I didn't know if anyone gets through that more than once. To have so much taken away. "Bella? What's going on?" he asked, concerned. I looked up into his anxious eyes.

"Bella, what the hell is going on? Why are you crying?" I was biting my lip, afraid of what his reaction might be once he knew I was tainted. Damaged beyond repair. Who would want a part of me now? I sniffed and whimpered. Why was I just letting this happen? I couldn't help it. He had to know. I needed for him to know. It was vital, like oxygen.

"Its just—It's..." I inhaled deeply, trying to expel my despair and replace it with a business-like facade. It didn't work. "There's this guy. His name is Jacob. I didn't tell you how I used to come here every Summer. Last year...something—happened." I felt like I would fall into a shattered piece of glass. I hated thinking his name, much less thinking it.

I felt like it might make me physically sick, which is exactly what happened this morning. He had touched me, caught me off the stairs. It had caused me to be ill.

"What happened?" Edward breathed. I didn't look up, I couldn't watch his face as it turned disgusted once I told him what had happened to me.

My anger flared and erupted. "He ruined my life!" I hissed out. Not directed toward Edward. It was directed at the rest of the world. Living their completely blissful lives, not an ounce of care or worry expanding outside of their mundane dating issues. I wanted to stomp my foot on the ground, I wanted to pound my fist into some dry-wall.

"Jacob?" Edward clarified. His voice sounded funny. I couldn't bear to look at him yet. I was shaking, I felt like I was convulsing. My heart beat wouldn't slow down and my tears wouldn't relinquish. I felt queasy, as if dredging up those thoughts was too much in itself. I was scared. Completely and utterly terrified. "What did he do?" Edward asked flatly.

It was a moment before I could make my lips move, I knew my answer was vague, but he would know then. Anyone with a brain would connect the dots.

I didn't know why I was confiding in Edward instead of Alice or Angela, but I felt I owed it to him, to let him know what he was dealing with. Giving him an out or whatever. I drew all my strength to utter the next words. They broke my lips in a slow whisper. "He did things." With that I stared into his eyes.

I couldn't read his expression, but it had altered from the concern. His eyes were off somewhere else. I sobbed, a heart breaking, gut wrenching sob wailing from my throat. I backed up against the wall, sliding down on my back until I was sitting. Edward still stood, his fists clenched at his sides.

I covered my face, my shoulders heaving with each sob and whimper. "I'm damaged, Edward. I'm nothing." I tried to keep it as quiet as possible. I wouldn't be able to disguise this if someone were to interrupt. Thats why I chose so far away from the lunch room.

Wordlessly, Edward's hands unclenched, his body turned in my direction. Before I knew what he was doing, he slid down on his back next to me.

I felt his hand on mine. Just a simple sign. A show of affection, to let me know that he thought nothing bad of me for what happened. He was telling me it didn't matter, he was being a true friend. I cried harder, aware now that Edward was one of the greatest friends I'd ever had. A day! One single day to really get to know each other, and it felt like there was some cosmic connection. I wouldn't be the one to break it. I doubt anyone could break it now. His hand on mine was the most natural thing, so comforting and heart-breakingly sweet.

I looked up at his face. He stared straight ahead, so I rested my head on his shoulder. He was tense, but after a few breaths, he relaxed. I sat there, with my head resting against him. His thumb stroked my fingers.

"Don't believe that for a second." He murmured, squeezing my hand.

A fresh hot tear stole its way down my face.

Thankyou for reading, Chaps :) Disclaimer: Obviously, I do not own Twilight. Where will this new revelation lead Edward's plans to rid Bella of himself? Will Bella be able to get Edward's past out of him?