I don't own it, I just play with it. Thanks Steph…

"I broke up with him." I blurted before my tray ever hit the table. Unsure what to expect next, I watched her expression carefully while I waited for her reply.

"Took you long enough." She chided playfully. I stared at her in shock, unable to speak. "Oh, don't give me that look. Bella, you're too strong for him; too strong to put up with what he put you through. The only thing that surprised me is that you let him control your life in the first place. It's really not you."

I stared at my observant friend in disbelief, surprised, as usual, by how much she saw and wondering at the way she always seemed to get it right. How could I tell her? 'It wasn't me!' I wanted to answer her 'I thought he would turn me into a vampire and everything would be fine because he wouldn't need to protect me anymore!' I wanted to shout it from the rooftops. 'I am NOT that girl. I don't LET people control me. It wasn't my fault! You would have done the same thing in my situation.'

"I know." I replied, weakly. I couldn't drag her into the world of the supernatural; especially now that that world didn't belong to me anymore. I had no defense that I could share, so my only option was to stare at the table and hope she let it go. She did. I always did like her. The rest of lunch went quickly; catching up on gossip, mostly, and talking about Angela's plans for college and life. We made plans to take a weekend trip to Port Angeles for a movie and some shopping and I was actually looking forward to it. I needed some new clothes, and couldn't wait to pick them out myself.

After school was grocery shopping. I strolled quietly down the aisles, taking my time and enjoying the unusual peace that came with wandering alone. Once home, I threw some steaks in a marinade and tossed some potatoes in the oven before heading upstairs to study. Finals were coming fast and I wanted to make sure I could actually pass them. I still didn't know what I was going to do, but I figured it was safe to assume that whatever it was would require passing finals.

As the night and then the week went by, I found it shockingly easy to fall into a comfortable routine. I put behind me thoughts of a future with Edward that I would never have, focusing instead on coming into my own, rediscovering myself, and becoming reacquainted with my own life. Angela was supportive, as usual, and her kind, easygoing nature was precisely what I needed to get back on track.

I began to talk to some of the others, who were slowly beginning to make room for me in their lives. Jessica was reluctant, and Lauren was downright obnoxious, but when had they not been like that? Mike Newton became a puppy again the moment he heard the news, but with Tyler finally paired off with Beth at least the numbers were dwindling. Even the teachers were noticing a difference in my disposition as I opened up; answering more questions, participating in discussions, and socializing with my fellow classmates.

Friday rolled around without help from me, and I found that I was only a little nervous about what the day would bring. I had already come such a long way toward putting myself together again in such a short time that I felt fairly confident I could handle whatever would happen next. I had spent a lot of time thinking about just what that would be. The one scenario I could conjure that I really worried about was one where I had broken Edward the way he had once broken me. Anything short of that, I decided, I could live with.

I dressed for the cooler rain, which had most decidedly returned and headed down for breakfast, surprised to see Charlie still sitting at the table, a cup of steaming coffee in his hand and a pensive expression on his face. He was in full out planning mode. It was really best not to bother him when he wore that look, but curiosity got the better of me.

"Charlie? What are you doing here?" I asked, pouring myself a quick bowl of cereal.

"Took the day off." He answered gruffly, barely bothering to look up at me. "Billy called. Asked me to come up and fish for the weekend." 'He's not doing too well' I could hear him continue silently. 'Neither of us are. Both miss Harry too much.'

"Oh, well… tell him I said hi. It's about time you brought home some fish."

"Hmm." He chuckled. "Don't see you complainin' when it's time to eat it." He stepped over to the sink, rinsing his cup, but turned to me again before leaving the room. "You're doin' real good, Bells." He shifted uncomfortably as he spoke, eyes alternating between gazing at the floor and studying me speculatively "Real good." Walking toward the door without waiting for a response, he waved over his shoulder as he rounded the corner. "Bye, Bells."

I pondered his words as I puttered through town, trying to ignore the incessant rain on my windshield. I knew what he meant, and he was right. After my catatonic age, he worried I would lose it again if something ever went wrong between Edward and I, and it did. I wasn't catatonic, though. In fact, I was better now than before I broke up with him. A sense of pride welled up within me – pride for doing what I knew was best for me, pride for refusing to put everyone's needs, and even wants, ahead of my own when it came to my own life, and most of all, pride for putting myself together, rather than falling apart, when Edward and I were no more.

I didn't have to wait long to find out what would happen at school. Thanks to the rain and my pensive driving, Edward and Alice were already there when I arrived and we had every class together. Of course, I should have known Alice wouldn't let me get even that far by myself.

"Bella!!!!!!!" she squealed, and she was bouncing up and down, her arms wrapped tightly around me taking me with her, the instant my feet touched the ground – or maybe the instant before.

"Alice!" I moaned, blushing at the attention she was drawing to me. "Alice! Stop! You act like you haven't seen me in centuries!"

"It feels like it." She agreed adamantly, as if I were suggesting it had been. "I missed you!"

This had to stop. Glancing across the parking lot behind her, I caught sight of Edward. He leaned against his Volvo looking every bit the Greek God he was. To any other person looking at him, he would appear relaxed, casual, and gorgeous. I knew better. I could see the slightest taughtness to his square jaw, the tiniest tightness to his eyes. I hadn't been here twenty seconds and I was already making him uncomfortable.

"Alice…" I began, wondering what in the world I was going to say to her.

"Nope!" she said, tugging my hand toward first hour.

"Nope? Nope what?" I asked, confused.

"Nice try, Bella, really." She said sweetly as she continued dragging me down the wet sidewalk with inhuman strength. "We're Edward's family and we're upsetting him and blah, blah, blah… all very nice, but you didn't think you were getting rid of me that easily, did you?" I just looked at her with my mouth hanging open as she wrenched open the door, ushering me inside. When I simply stood there staring, she even went so far as to begin removing my jacket, bringing me back.

"Alice…" I argued.

"Nope!" she said again, her face breaking out into a huge grin. She kissed my cheek quickly before skipping to her seat. This was going to be harder than I thought. I made my way over to sit in my assigned seat next to Edward, and the moment I hit the chair the bell rang, signaling the start of class and saving us both from the awkward silence, or more awkward conversation, which would have filled the interim.

The first half of class flew by. I couldn't believe we were being introduced to new material so close to finals. The subject was challenging – at least for those of us who weren't vampires – and I didn't even have a moment to spare to glance toward Edward or speculate about how things would pan out. After the lecture, we were given some work to be done in pairs, and Edward was my partner. I took a deep breath before turning to face him.

I was equipped for anything. I spent quite a bit of time thinking of all the ways he might react and how to handle them. I was ready for the possibility that he would take off; travel, mope, drop out, leave the family for a while. I had steeled myself for angry Edward, sad, but resigned Edward, please take me back Edward, I was always too good for you anyway and I'm not affected in the least Edward, but I was not prepared for what I got when I met his golden eyes.

"Hello, Bella. How was your week?" Civil Edward? I hadn't prepared for that one. It was like being hit with a pop quiz as I took in his casual tone and curious, but not overly concerned, expression.

"You're talking to me?" I blurted, stunned into stupidity. Apparently the filter between my brain and my mouth turned off at some point.

"Bella, I'm not going to treat you like any other student here and pretend I don't know you." He replied eloquently.

"Oh." 'Real smooth Bella.'

"Besides," he cleared his throat and when he spoke again he looked as if he had an unpleasant taste in his mouth "you are… apparently… a part of the Cullen family now. Of course I'm going to talk to you."

"Edward…" I protested his words. "I'm not a part of your family. Your family is just that – yours."

"It's been voted, Bella. I won't go against a Cullen vote."

"Well, I will."

"So are you going to tell me how your weekend was?" he tried again, ignoring my objection.

"Uh… fine." I stumbled. 'Great, just what I need now' I thought, blushing 'to make a fool of myself.' "Good" I recovered quickly "I've spent a lot of time with Angela, mostly, and studied for finals. How about you?" See… I can do civil.

"Pleasant." He replied, his tone cordial, but not warm.

"Good." I told him, trying not to let my disappointment show through in my voice. I didn't like cordial Edward, I decided. I would rather have had any other Edward than this one. "I think we should get started. Some of us actually have to learn this stuff."

Classes were spent with cordial Edward, though I spent more time talking to Angela or the other friends I had classes with when I could. I spent lunch with Angela, and Alice sat with Edward – probably because Angela's table was full. I didn't see them after school, and thought I had gotten away at last when I reached my truck, but the moment I reached for the handle I heard the familiar voice.

"Bella!" She was right there, right by my ear, and she was squealing excitedly as if she were shouting across a crowded room. "You know were going shopping, right?"

I tried to write it fast, I really did, but my hands hurt from packing and cleaning and I only find time to write at night, and then I fall asleep! Moving truck comes tomorrow! I'll try to update soon, though no one ever really answered the questions about how often I should update or how long a chapter should be.

LEMON QUESTION: Obviously this story is a longer one, so there will be no lemons right away (though if you guys want a one shot to tide you over I could probably arrange it…hmmm… I think I'll throw a poll up about that idea…) Someone take a look at my other one-shots (you don't have to have read the series to like them) and tell me if this is the kind of LEMON you want when it comes time for one.