Chapter 14: Time to Leave

A/N: Contains a lemon. Enjoy.

Bella's POV

Damn it. He just had to talk to me, and the whole senior class heard our conversation.

The sad thing was that Marie and Shane both understood and were okay with it. They pretended to be, anyway, but I knew it was fake. Marie hated me, and Shane…Well, he didn't hate Emmett, he just didn't care for him very much.

DAMN IT.

Well, it doesn't matter now. He's leaving for college.

Shane, Edward, Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, and I were watching Emmett and Marie getting ready to depart for Los Angeles. Carlisle and Esme were there, too.

Shane was only there because I was. They weren't really good friends, just acquaintances.

Edward had been like his brother since Emmett and I stopped talking; he always tried to help with the pain.

Alice loved Emmett, not like a best friend or a brother or a lover. It was much more than that. They were meant to be near each other in a way none of us could understand. She loved Jasper, was deeply in love with Jasper, but you couldn't tear Ali and Em apart because they were so close. He felt the same way about her. I just recently discovered that Emmett's biological parents and Alice's parents had been best friends since they were in kindergarten. Alice and Emmett were even conceived and born in the same week as the other. Then, Al's mom and dad befriended Carlisle and Esme. That's probably the reason. But they weren't in love, and both cringed away when someone made a remark about it. They were simply bound by a special tie, and Alice couldn't stop sobbing.

Jasper and Emmett had become friends again. Jasper realized he was wrong, and they made a pact never to let a girl come between them again, even if it was a sister. They'd miss each other so much. It was like I had never even came home when they were together, or rather, nothing had transpired between Emmett and myself.

Rosalie was going into a depression because the only one who could ever protect her was leaving. He was her safe house, but now, that house was being torn away by what seemed like the winds of a tornado. She would never stop crying. Rose and Emmett had the kind of relationship I wish Jasper and I could have.

And then there was me. I was screaming inside for him to stay. I wanted nothing more than to have a repeat of our first night on the boat, before Jasper burst into the room during our love making. On the outside, however, I was cold and harsh, but sensitive to everything he did, every word he said. I could tell that he knew it was easier for me to not show affection, but he walked over to me anyway, knocking me out of my thoughts.

"Bella? I wanted to see something…" Emmett whispered.

I nodded. "Sure. What is it?"

He grabbed both of my arms gently and pushed up the sleeves of the maroon sweatshirt. Only he and I knew the significance of it; the hoodie was his. He examined my arms, and I knew immediately what he was searching for - new cuts.

"No new ones, Emmett. I'm not that girl anymore," I said, with a slight edge in my tone. "You, of all people, should know that."

"I guess you're right, but can you make me a promise?"

I shrugged. "Depends."

He sighed, "Promise not to cut your wrists while I'm away."

I nodded. How could I not resist his beautiful voice? "I won't. I promise."

"Whenever I see you, I'll check them. I've already memorized what your arms look like."

We both smiled at each other. "I don't want you to leave…I'll miss you…"

He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine, then whispered, "I know, but I have to. I'll miss you, too. I'll try my hardest to see you on breaks."

"Emmett, what did you mean before when you said ten years? You only have to go to college for four, and it's the same with me pretty much. Why ten years? Why not four?"

He looked into my eyes, searching them like he was looking for an answer. "I'll have football. I'll be too busy. I don't want to drag you around everywhere and not have anytime for you. Bella, this is what I want to do. I'm sorry." He looked at me, kissed my forehead, and walked away while mumbling, "I love you."

And to my surprise and his, I yelled, "I love you more, Teddy Bear!"

Everyone looked confused as I ran full speed to Shane's car. Shane took the hint and said goodbye to everyone, then drove me home. The drive back to my house was filled with uncomfortable silence, but finally, Shane broke it.

"Bella, do you love me?" he asked softly.

I looked over at him and smiled. "Yes. Very much so. Why?"

"Emmett…Do you love him more? I just…I need to know."

"No, I love him differently…" I trailed off. I did love Emmett differently, the way a soul mate loves their perfect match. Shane was just my love, but I couldn't see myself spending my life with him, just the next few years. Em was the opposite. I couldn't go without seeing him for years, and I wanted nothing more than to be with him, but for some reason, I couldn't let myself do that our senior year. Now, I wished I had, no matter how much I loved Shane.

"Okay. I just want you to know that I'm here for you, any which way you want me. I love you, baby."

"I love you, too."

He pulled up into the driveway, and he began to help me pack my things. We decided to leave this summer, too. We got a large, three bedroom, Victorian house near the college. We decided it was better than having three people share an apartment. We finished packing up all of my smaller things, leaving the furniture, and began to leave the house. I ran back upstairs because I forgot my money and saw a note sticking out of my purse. It had my name on the front in a script I knew all too well.

Bella,

I love you with all of my heart, but right now is not a good time for me. I'm so sorry. Football is a big part of my life, and I love playing, so I can't just give up such an amazing opportunity. And neither can you. That's why I sent you to Dartmouth. That's why Rose sent Edward there, too. I'm really proud of you, Bella. I always have been. You have such incredible strength, and it amazes me how you can keep pushing forward even when you want to stop. So when I come back - whether it's four years, six years, ten years - I'm still going to love you just as much as I did before, and I can hope only hope that you can say the same. Good luck, Bella. With school, with Shane, with life and everything it throws at you. I don't know what I'll do without you here, but I have your face imprinted in my mind, so that whenever I close my eyes, it's you I see. I love you, and I miss you.

Thinking of you every minute of every day of every week, month, year…

Emmett Hale

I cried. I clutched the paper to my chest and let all my tears out. I went downstairs, still holding the paper but with a dry face, and got into the car. Shane didn't ask, and I didn't tell.

It figures that just when everything is starting to feel the slightest bit better, I fall in love with him all over again…

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DECEMBER - The Thursday Before Christmas Break

My classes were going great. So were Edward's medical studies and Shane's literary courses. Shane and I had some periods together, but not many. Edward and I had none at all.

I just took my mid-terms, and I was definitely in need of a break, so when Christmas was just around the corner, I felt awesome.

College took my mind off of Emmett, and when the school day was over, I was able to focus on Shane.

My cell phone rang, bringing me away from my thoughts. I knew who that ring tone belonged to.

Gave me more lovin' from the very start. Piece me back together when I fall apart. Tell me things you never even tell your closest friends.

It was Plain White T's. 1,2,3,4 was the song I chose for Emmett. The words were so true.

"Hello," I answered.

"Hey, Bells. You'll never believe this." He sounded excited.

"What, Em?"

"I'm coming to New Hampshire and spending the break there! Isn't that great?"

The words almost caught in my throat, I was so happy. "That's fantastic! We have an extra room in our house for you and Marie."

"Well…We, uh, kind of had a fight. She's going back to Texas to visit her family. They left Forks, too."

"Oh, Emmett, I'm so sorry. I know…you love her…" The last three syllables were so hard to say. "What was the fight over?"

"You…How I still love you. I thought she was okay with it, but when I told her I was planning to come up there, she got mad and started going off. So naturally, I defended you…"

"Emmett! You shouldn't have done that!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah. Well, I knew it wouldn't last long. I think we're finally done. I just can't wait to see you again! How are you and Shane doing? What about Edward? God, I have so many questions," he laughed.

I was sure you could hear the smile in my voice. "As do I. Shane and I are doing great. I have more time to focus on him, you know. But I still get this feeling that he's not the one. And I know who is…"

"Oh? Who's that?" he asked sarcastically.

"You didn't know?! It's Edward, silly!" I giggled.

"Whatever. So how's he doing?" he asked again.

"Great, actually. We've become close friends."

"How close? Close enough to where you watch him jack off or just do it for him? There was humor in his voice.

"Yeah, whatever. Just keep making fun of my extra-curricular activities." I rolled my eyes, laughing silently.

"Why, Miss Swan, was that an eye roll comment?" he asked mockingly.

I replied in the same incredulous tone, "Why, Mister Hale, however did you know?"

"I know my Bella well enough to distinguish that over the phone."

It was silent for a moment, then I spoke. "Well, I'll make sure that everything in the guest room is perfect for you…I love you, Em…"

"Thanks, and I love you, too, Bellaboo. More than you'll ever be able to comprehend…" Then, he hung up.

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Two days later, there was a knock on the door. I opened it and smiled shyly.

"Bella," Emmett sighed, smiling that dimpled smile of his.

"Emmett…"

I turned around to see if anyone was looking, but soon realized that Edward was "welcoming" Rose home, and Shane had volunteered to go grocery shopping. I stood on my tiptoes and brushed my nose against his. Then, I kissed him sweetly, but it soon turned passionate. I wound my arms around his neck, and he pushed me against the wall. The way our tongues slid against each other was now filled with lust and hunger.

"I missed you so much," he breathed against my lips when he pulled away.

"Me, too…" I whispered.

Our mouths collided again, as did our bodies. I couldn't stop the need I felt for him as I began to unbutton his shirt. He easily slid mine over my head, breaking the kiss for a mere second, and I pushed his from his shoulders. I unsnapped and unzipped his jeans, allowing them to pool to the floor. He stepped out of them, and we repeated the same process with mine.

"You sure?" he asked.

I just kissed him again and moaned into his mouth. I could feel him getting even harder as our lower bodies pressed even closer together. He took my panties off slowly, teasing me, and when he was finally done, I pulled him back up to me and kissed him once more. He undid my bra, and I let it fall off my arms.

"Even more beautiful than last time," he murmured. I was only slightly aware that I made love to Emmett once, and I was positive it wasn't going to be like that, now. I needed a good fuck.

"I could say the same thing about you…" I ran my fingers down his chest and along his cock. He trembled slightly under my touch. I smirked.

He wrapped my legs around his waist and slammed me into the wall again. I whimpered and could feel him at my entrance.

"Please," I begged, barely able to contain myself. He pushed in slightly. "Damn it, Emmett! Fuck me!"

And so he did. He slammed into me so hard that the picture frame hanging on the wall shook. I moaned. He slammed into me again, and again, and again. He picked me up, took me to the couch, and pulled out of me, positioning me to where I was bent over the armrest. He thrust into from behind, and it was pure bliss. Pure. Fucking. Bliss. We finally came together and fell into an entangled mess on the floor. I quickly got up and retrieved my clothing, realizing what I…we had just done. I got dressed as fast as I could, and so did Emmett. He could tell I was panicky, even more so when I heard the key jingle in the lock.

Shane was home, and the whole downstairs smelled like fucking sex.