"It takes a minute to say hello and forever to say goodbye."

-Anyrag Gupta

Chapter 8 - Nobody Said This Was Easy...

The heat from the bonfire felt amazing to Bella. It reminded her of Jacob. His warmth, his grin, his personality... it all shone from him like the sun. She just shared her news of leaving with the pack. No one spoke, they all seemed to be absorbing the information.

Leah glared at Paul from across the fire. "Aren't you going to talk her out of this?"

He raised his eyebrow at her. "You think I can say shit to her about anything?"

She rolled her eyes, "If anyone can do it, you can. Don't you have feelings for her?"

Paul's incredulous laugh made Bella smile. No one understood their bond. They knew this. It may seem borderline romantic to those around them, and she could see why they had their assumptions. Paul isn't a blushing virgin with noble intentions toward most women.

"No, Lee. Bella and I are friends. She's my best friend. I do love her, but not like that. Come the fuck on, that would be like spitting in Jake's face."

Sam remained silent. Embry and Quil knew better than to try and reason with Bella. She was on a mission. Truth be told, they hoped with every fiber of their being that she would somehow succeed in bringing Jake back.

Kim and Emily poked at the burning logs. Neither sure of what to say. Their imprints were alive and well. If something happened to Sam or Jared they did not know what they would do. Kim loved Jared before he knew her. Emily fell in love with Sam after their imprint. Bella and Jacob had history, they grew to love one another and shared something special.

Jared stared at Paul, steadily glaring at his friend. "How can you go along with letting her go? Alone. Across country. For who knows how long."

Paul had about enough of everyone calling him out as though he had any say in Bella's actions or reactions. He was not her keeper. "Fuck you, Cameron. She isn't a kid. She talked to the Chief, both Chiefs, and they don't have an issue with her leaving. Do I want her to go alone? No. Is it up to me? No. Why don't you ask her what this is about before coming at me like I've done something fucked up."

Jared shot out of his seat and cussed up a storm as he jogged toward the treeline. Bella peeked over at Sam. "He needs a minute."

Leah eased away from Embry and over to Bella. "You're... important... to me. To us. I don't think... I can't do it. I can't say bye to someone else." The tears she attempted to keep at bay slid down her cheeks.

Bella hugged her friend, "This isn't bye, Lee-lee. This is more like 'see you later'."

Leah held her tighter; wishing with all her might that the gods would protect Bella wherever she traveled. "Promise me you'll call. Every single day. No matter the time."

Bella choked back a sob. "I promise."

Bella zipped her last bag and sighed in relief. The bonfire was five days ago. Jared had yet to speak to her. Sam and the rest of the pack said their 'see you later'... she refused to say 'goodbye'. She spoke to Quil's mother, Joy, and asked her to keep an eye on Billy when Paul or Jared weren't around.

After she counted the insane amount of funds Alice had Rosalie send her, she came up with a plan. She set aside piles of the money, one for each pack member, and mailed it to them that morning. They would not receive the envelopes until she was gone, so there was no way for them to return it. She still had a hefty amount with her, and all the cards, plus the phone. As angry as she was in the beginning when she opened Rosalie's package, now she was only thankful. It was not much, but she'd been able to help those she cared for.

Someone knocked on her bedroom door.

"Come in."

A very disheveled looking Jared stepped into her room and sat on the edge of her mattress. "Have you slept any?"

He shook his head 'no'. She tossed the duffle bag at Jared. "Bring it to the truck."

A few minutes later, he still had not said a word. She planned on leaving soon in order to make it to Idaho, specifically Coeur d'Alene. He was a dear friend, and she hoped he could make peace with her decision.

"What if it were Kim?"

He glanced up at her then. "Huh?"

"What if you lost Kim before you got a chance to live out a life with her? What if Kim was ripped away from you because of something you brought upon her? What if you could bring her back? I'm asking you these questions because its those that I live with everyday. I have a chance Jare, I real chance. I believe I can bring him home, to me. Have faith in me."

He pulled her close and hugged her. His body trembled as he held in his emotions. "I do have faith. You can't blame me for being worried. Whether you realize it or not, you've become an integral part of this pack, of our family."

Bella lightly pushed him away, "I read in one of the books that family is never apart. As long as you carry that person in your heart, they are with you always. I have you all in my heart... but I need to do this. I can feel it in my bones. I'm on the right track. Can you at least understand?"

Jared gave her a watery smile. "I get it, Bells."

She twisted the watch on her wrist and saw the time. "Paul was supposed to meet me. I really have to go. It's eight hours from here to Idaho. Tell him... tell him I'll miss him. Keep an eye on Billy. I left him enough meals for two weeks. Joy plans on coming by when you two are working..."

He held up his hand to stop her, "I got it. Don't worry about Paul or Billy. They'll be okay."

Bella squeezed him affectionately once more and climbed into her truck. She did a quick inventory check - journals, book, map, purse, phone - and waved at Jared.

She stole glances at the little red house she knew as 'home' just before the La Push Road sign came into view. She furiously wiped away the silent tears. Her heart ached at leaving her family and friends, but she would not be deterred. Soon, she would be in Idaho, and that much closer to the Adsila Reservation in Montana. Her first stop in her journey...

Side Note: And so it begins... Unbeta'd chapter. I needed to get this out. Next, we will see how Bella fares in her quest.

*Adsila Reservation is not a real reservation. In case anyone was wondering. I've taken many creative liberties with this fic. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and the next one will be out sooner.