Ready for some teenage angst?

For the next two weeks, I moped around. A lot.

Edward tried to act like everything was normal, but it didn't help.

I felt like our relationship had an expiration date on it.

Part of me thought that maybe it would just be better if we broke up now.

Why prolong the inevitable, right?

But the thought of breaking up with him felt like a knife to my stomach.

I couldn't do that and then have to see him every day at school.

No way.

But I still found myself unintentionally distancing myself from Edward.

Friday night found me sitting at home, doing homework at the dining room table.

My dad was due home any minute and I had his plate of food waiting for him in the oven.

I was so spaced out, staring at my history textbook that I didn't even notice him come in.

"Hey, Bells," he greeted me, placing a hand on my back.

I jumped, startled.

"Hi, Dad. Sorry. I guess I'm a little spacey tonight." I leaned back in my chair and pushed my book away from me.

"Just tonight?" he grumbled.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I shot back defensively.

"Nothing, nothing," he replied, his hands up in surrender. "Just that you've been...off the last couple of weeks. That's all."

"Well, I'm fine," I insisted. "Anyway, your dinner is in the oven."

Charlie nodded and went over to get his food, then sat at the table across from me. "You eaten yet?"

"No, I'm not really hungry. Maybe later."

He sighed and set down his fork. "Okay. That's enough. What's going on, Bella?"

"What are you talked about?" I asked, playing dumb. "Nothings going on."

"Hah. Yeah, right. Do you miss your mom and Dot?" he asked.

"Of course I do. But that's not what's bothering me. Really. I'm fine," I insisted again.

"Sorry, Bella. But I say that's BS. Did something happen at school? Did you get in a fight with Edward?"

I sat silent, feeling like I was going to cry.

"It's Edward, isn't it. What did that boy do? I thought putting the fear of God in him would be enough." Dad was more or less talking to himself at this point. I watched as he stood and followed him out to the living room where he was getting his coat and shoes.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"To the Cullens. I need to have a talk with Edward," he huffed.

"Oh, no no no." I ran around him and stood in front of the door. "Seriously. Don't. Edward didn't do anything. It's me. I'm just being stupid."

When I was certain that he wasn't going to go after Edward, I sat down on the couch, beckoning him to follow me.

"Edward is going to go to Stanford. He didn't even talk to me about it first. He just...applied and accepted without telling me!" I bit my lip, trying to hold back tears.

"Okay...and?" Dad asked, sounding clueless.

"And what? He's going to Stanford. In California. I'm in Washington."

"Ohh," he replied, finally getting it.

"Yeah, oh," I bit back. "He's going to be states away from me! I didn't apply to schools in California. I can't even afford to go to school in California. Edward and I only have months left to be together!"

"I understand, Bella. I assume you want to stay together?" I nodded. "Well, you can make it work."

I glared at him. "Seriously, Dad? Those are your words of wisdom? The odds of a long distance college relationship lasting are like...slim to none. It's doomed from the start!"

Feeling the tears bubbling over, I stood and ran upstairs.

Life sucked.

0-0

Another week passed by and it was now the second week of April.

Easter had passed by quietly. My dad had work and I politely declined Edwards invitation to dinner at his house.

At school, Edward and I spent lunches together.

After school, I only saw him twice.

Even my dad started tiptoeing around me after my little outburst.

I was miserable.

I was probably being a little dramatic and immature about everything, but I couldn't help it.

I didn't care.

The only person who really seemed to get why I was so upset was Victoria. She didn't think I was being stupid over it. So, I found myself hanging out more with her every day after school before she would go over to James'.

"You know, he's worried about you," Victoria said.

We were sitting on my living room couch watching TV, a gigantic bowl of popcorn between us.

"Who?" I asked.

"Edward. He talks to James. They've been hanging out like...every day after school. He's turned all emoward."

"Emoward?" I asked, laughing.

"Yeah. He's all mopey. Just like you," she replied.

I threw a piece of popcorn at her.

"You should talk to him. He thinks you're going to break up with him." When I didn't respond, she turned her head to look at me. "Are you going to break up with him?"

"I don't know," I told her. And I didn't. I battled back and forth in my head, weighing the pros and cons of each.

"Well, don't do anything without really thinking it through, I guess." She shrugged.

"Yeah," I agreed.

"Who knows? Maybe things will work themselves out."

0-0

"Isabella Marie Swan! Wake your butt up!"

I groaned and threw a pillow over my head, trying to ignore Charlie's rapping on the door.

"Don't wanna."

"Get ready and then come downstairs," he said, ignoring my protest. "We need to talk."

An hour later I was downstairs, wondering why my dad had demanded I be awake at 8 am on a Saturday.

"Ah, good. You're up. I made some eggs and toast," he said, shoving a plate at me as I sat down at the kitchen table.

"You said we needed to talk?" I asked wearily.

"Yes. I'm tired of you walking around this house being all depressed. So, I did something about it."

"What did you do?" I asked cautiously. I had no idea what he meant.

"I called your mother."

I groaned. "You called Mom? Why?"

"Well, now. You could sound a little grateful. You know I wouldn't just call her for anything."

"I know, I know." I took a bite of my toast. "So, why did you call her?"

"We've come up with a plan. That is, if you agree to it."

"Okay. What's the plan?" I asked.

"Are you serious about Edward?"

"Yes." I nodded frantically. "Of course. We've been together almost a year."

"I figured as much. It's too late now and I can't afford to send you off to a fancy four year college, but I can afford for you to attend a community college. After you get your AA, you can transfer to a state school." He sighed, then continued. "Your mom and Phil can help you with an apartment and living expenses. However, you'll need to find a roommate. You'll also be expected to get a part time job."

I sat there, stunned silent.

"Well, what do you say?" Dad asked.

"Are you being serious right now?" I asked, still not believing what I was hearing. I could move to California...with Edward?

"Yep. As much as I may not like you being all alone in California, at least you have Edward there with you."

"Oh my god. You're serious?" I jumped up off the chair and ran over to my dad, hugging him.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I kissed him on his cheek.

My dad, not knowing how to really take my affection, awkwardly patted me on the back.

"I have to go see Edward. Like...right now!"

I ran over to the door and slipped on my shoes, grabbing my bag and keys along the way.

"Don't forget to call your mom as well!" Charlie called after me.

I would, later. But now I had to go to Edwards and tell him the good news.

0-0

I was buzzing with excitement as I drove over to Edwards.

I was going to California. With Edward!

As soon as I pulled up in front of his house, I was out of my car and at the front door in a flash.

"Hello, Bella. What a pleasant surprise! I haven't seen you in a while," Esme greeted me when she answered the door.

"Hi, Esme. Is Edward around?" I asked.

"Yes, he's still sleeping though, I can go wake him."

"No thanks, Esme. I think I'll go wake him up. I have news!" I ran past her and into the house, leaving a confused and laughing Esme behind.

Taking the stairs two at a time, I threw threw his bedroom door open and pounced on Edwards bed, startling him awake.

"What?" he asked, confused.

I peppered kisses all over his face, straddling him.

He sat up, with me still latched on to him.

"Bella?"

I slapped his chest lightly. "Is there another girl that would run into your room and jump you?"

"No, of course not." He leaned forward and kissed me. "I'm just confused. I haven't seen you practically all week."

"I know," I frowned and climbed off him to sit next to him on the bed. "We need to talk."

Edward gulped audibly, looking worried. "Okay."

"I can go with you to California."

I paused, waiting for Edward to respond. He didn't.

"Did you hear me? I can go with you to California. Not Stanford, of course. But I can go to a community college there and then transfer to a state school. We don't have to do the long distance thing."

"You're not breaking up with me?"

"No!" I yelled. "I'm not breaking up with you."

"Really?" he asked, skeptical.

"Yes. Why, did you think I was?" I asked. A sinking feeling settled in my stomach.

"Well, yeah. I've barely seen or talked to you outside of school for three weeks. I thought I screwed up too badly. I dunno." Edward looked down at his lap.

"I'm sorry," I replied. I scooted closer to Edward and laid down, pulling him with me.

"It's okay. I was just...a little freaked out. I didn't know what to think," he said, pulling me even closer to him so I could rest my head on his shoulder and throw my leg over his.

"I was scared. I didn't think that We would be able to survive the distance. I turned into Emo-Bella. I started to push you away. I didn't want to break up with you."

"I'm sorry too. Again. I shouldn't have not told you about Stanford," he whispered. "But tell me more about your plan? Are your parents really going to go for it?"

I nodded. "Yeah. It was actually their idea, I guess. My dad just told me about it this morning and I came here as soon as I found out. There's conditions, of course. But it's really gonna happen. I can go to California with you."

Edward didn't say anything and I started to worry.

Had I jumped the gun? Maybe he didn't want me to go to California with him.

I hadn't even thought of that.

"I mean...if it's okay with you," I said.

"Huh?"

"I never thought that maybe you didn't want me to come with you. You can tell me if you want. We can try the long distance thing. Who knows, maybe it will work." I tried to laugh, but it fell flat.

"No, of course I want you with me," he assured. "It's just...I don't want you to change your plans for me. I don't want you to regret it."

"I didn't have plans." I played with the neck of Edwards t-shirt. "I guess I never thought much about college. But the idea of being in a new place with you is exciting."

"Do you know what you want to study?" he asked.

"Umm..I'm not sure," I replied.

"Well, you have time. I'm not entirely sure yet either. But we can figure it out. Together."

0-0

We laid a little longer on the bed and I told him more about what my dad had told me. We also made out a little bit. Okay, a lot. And maybe with a little touching over the clothes going on as well.

However, we were interrupted when Esme knocked on the door, causing us to jump apart. Edward quickly pulled the comforter over his lap, hiding his boner.

"Bella, I'm making breakfast, would you like to stay?" She asked, sticking her head in the room, a knowing smile on her face.

I blushed. "Um, no thank you, I already ate. Actually, I should probably get going. I have to call my mom."

"Okay, well it was nice seeing you again, Bella," she said, before turning around and leaving.

"You really gotta leave?" Edward asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, I should call my mom. But do you wanna do something tonight?"

"Sure. I'll call you later," he replied, groaning uncomfortably as he adjusted himself.

"Sorry," I giggled, nodding at his lap. "Maybe tonight?"

Edward smiled and nodded eagerly.

Such a guy.

I spent a couple hours on the phone with my mom, in which we planned a tentative trip down to California after graduation. With all of us going.

By all of us, I meant Mom, Phil, Dot and Dad.

Yeah, I wasn't sure how he would react to it but I knew that he would want to see where I would possibly be living.

When the phone call ended, I felt better than I had in the past three weeks.

There was so much to look forward to now.

I didn't want to drag the "angst" out for too long. Hope you liked it.

Chapters are getting shorter cause the story is winding down. I think 2 more + the epilogue.

But don't hold me to that.

This fic hit 800 reviews last chapter. That's so awesome! I can't believe you guys are still with me...years later.

Next up is prom!

Don't forget to review and I'll see you next time.