A/N: Here is chapter 23 - Remember I speak Spanish, so I'm sorry for the mistakes this might have. I hope you like this chapter is pretty emotive. PLEASE COMMENT BACK AND TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!

Chapter 23

It took me some seconds to react. For a moment I stayed completely frozen, completely shocked. My hands started sweating and my legs shook violently. I thought my time had finally come, I thought my friend the heart attack would have finally had what it wanted – but then I reacted.

With a strength I didn't think I had in me, I went out of the car. My eyes completely focused on the furious golden hair boy that was walking and the smirking dark hair one that was waiting for him with his arms crossed over his chest in a superior way.

I gulped as I tried to run through the rain, trying to follow Edward's un-following pace. The rain was completely wetting me now, coming in a really strong way. But I didn't care. The only thing I was focused on was on stopping the fight that was imminently coming and, if I really analyzed myself – finding out what the hell was Jacob doing here.

Edward was already reaching him, his steps surer with everyone he did. And mine, even clumsier.

"Edward!" I started to shout when he was almost there. "Edward, stop!" I was breathing hard; too much anxiety and exhaustion filled my body.

Edward wasn't listening, his fists now clenched at his sides. And Jacob's smirk; bigger.

"Please, Edward, stop!" I ordered to him now reaching his shoulder with one impossible movement of my feet.

He stopped abruptly and stared at me. "Why would I?! After all he has done to you!" He was shouting through the rain that was coming like a heavy curtain. There was so much noise that it was almost impossible to hear.

"Because this is something I have to do for myself, Edward. Please, just—I really have to fix this by myself, it's the only way." I was almost whispering at the end. But it didn't matter, because these words were only for me. I needed to know that it was me the one that could end this, that it was me the one that could tell him how much bad he had made to me. That would tell him to get lost!

With that I started walking the little gap between Jacob and us. Edward following right behind, I could feel his impatient steps as the water splashed to everywhere.

Jacob was sill smirking, his eyes full of smugness. But I could feel some kind of insecurity in their depths, as if he knew that I had grown stronger.

"Aw, the lovely couple is fighting already?" Jacob said dramatizing a sweet voice.

I fumed at him and prayed to God that Edward could contain himself. "What are you doing here, Jacob?"

"I told you I'd meet you soon, had you forgotten already?" He walked closer to me. Now his shirtless body only inches from my shaky, cold, wet one.

"What do you want?" I shouted back, my hands mimicking with anxiety. Edward was behind me now, a hand in my waist.

"Aw, isn't Cullen a protective boyfriend?" He pouted.

"Shut up, Jacob. Or I swear---"

"Stop it, Edward! Just please stop it." I turned around and stared at him. His eyes angry and bitter. He stared back and splashed his arms at his sides in a defeated way.

"You never told me to stop," Jacob arched an eyebrow, his voice full of implicit connotations.

But it was Edward who answered. "You are really looking for it, Black. You are begging it!"

I squeezed Edward's hand with annoyance; I couldn't do this if he was here. "Please, Edward… Please just leave."

He stared at my eyes in shock. "What?"

I heard Jacob laughing and murmuring something like, 'Looks like she wants me,'.

"I really need to do this, E. I really need to feel I did it by my own, promise to call you when I'm inside." I pleaded to his eyes, taking his hand firm with mine.

"But what if—what if…" He trailed off, his voice worried and sad. "I won't leave you alone with this ass*ole!"

I sighed. "Would you trust me, please? For once?"

His eyes were suddenly sweet. "I always trust you, I just don't trust him." He muttered looking at Jacob in a menacing way. Jacob laughed again.

I took his face in my hands and stared at his emerald green eyes. "Just trust me, this is something I already know in my inside, but I just want to see if I can actually take it out, alright? Just please let me fight my own battles, I really need this." I explained to him, my voice showing every emotion I was feeling right now.

He grabbed my waist with one hand and pulled me to his chest. He then nodded once, his head over mine, and kissed my hair. His lips rested longer than necessary in there and unconsciously I closed my eyes… Suddenly that same weird feeling in the pit of my stomach overcame me and then he was pulling away.

"Just be safe," He whispered to me. Then turned his eyes to Jacob – and they were scary. "I'm warning you, Black, touch her even a bit and I swear…" But with a growl he shook his head and stormed away.

"I always knew you preferred me," Jacob smiled that Jacob's smile at me, the one that had left me nights without sleeping and days without living.

I clenched my legs to the ground that had suddenly started to shake with violence again. "Why, Jacob? Why are you doing this to me?"

"Because I want you back and I hate seeing you with Cullen." He growled.

I breathed deeply and stared at the floor, this was difficult. Difficult than I'd ever think it was. "Edward has always been here for me, you know? When you broke my heart, he was the one that fixed it. And no matter what, no matter when, I can always count on him…" I was almost whispering, but I knew he could hear me. I suddenly posed my eyes on him. Why did I drop my eyes, when it was him who had to be ashamed?! "Just, how do you think you even have the chance to come and ask for another chance, after everything you've done?!" I stared at him deeply in the eyes, a confidence inside my growing in impossible speed. I suddenly needed to tell him so many things.

"I swear that wasn't me, I was drunk and---"

I laughed sarcastically, cutting him off. "Please, Jacob! I'm really not that stupid! It wasn't just one time, everybody was telling that to me but I just couldn't believe it. I was so blinded by you and your cute words. But words aren't enough! They don't mean anything if you don't act as you say!"

I was practically shouting right now. But I had so much inside, so many things I'd been keeping inside… But now I just couldn't do it anymore. I was stronger. Somehow Jacob had made me stronger, and that was something I had to thank him. No way was I going to do that, though. Psst.

He sighed. "I was childish and stupid there…. I've grown up now. I'm different, I've seriously changed."

My legs shook with violence and I felt the lump forming in my throat. "Still with the nice words… if I can give you credit for something it's for talking. Bravo!"

He smiled back. "Always with clever answers my Bells. I've missed that."

MY Bells?! Give me a break here, please!

"Oh, Jacob, trust me on this one, I'm really not your Bells." I thought for some seconds. "In fact I'm really no ones' Bells. And that's the good thing… Since you leave, I'm me." I grinned a bit, that was something I'd never though before now. But I loved being just me… it was good – actually, it was awesome.

"Don't you want me?" His eyes suddenly burned me, his face now only inches from my own.

I breathed deeply and it took all of my strength to stay standing. But I needed this, oh hell, I needed to do it. "Yes, I do. I do want you..." He grinned his special grin and with a tough movement wrapped his arms in my torso.

Suddenly with a hand that wasn't my own I reached his face and slapped him hard in his left cheekbone. His arms suddenly released me and with surprised eyes, he put a hand on the punched part.

"I want you far away! Just don't play with me, Jacob. I don't want you, alright? You've hurt me, and disrespected me, and done anything that made me sad! I DON'T WANT YOU; I DON'T NEED YOU, JUST GET LOST FROM MY LIFE FOR NOW AND FOR GOOD!"

And with that I left a puppy Jacob beside me and ran to my house. Not even looking back once, I entered slowly and closed the door.

But there I smiled, and then I grinned, and then I laughed. And laughed, and laughed…

I was happy. I had done it myself! I had told Jacob everything that I felt and had the strength to tell him to get lost. I HAD DONE! And then I remembered…

And I started jumping. "I've punched Jacob's cute cheek, I have punched him!" I danced around the kitchen, laughing and giggling, and jumping up and down. "Who is laughing, now? HUH? Who is laughing and who is crying now, HUH? Who---"

But a voice from upstairs cut my little – bad new song. "Bell, is that you?" My dad called, his voice surprised.

I put one hand on my mouth and laughed a bit more. "Yes, dad, it's me. Sorry for waking you up! Go sleep!" I cheered, still smiling.

"Okay?" He said with suspicious. "Go to bed, it's late."

"Will do!" And with that I heard the door of his room shut again.

I ran through the stairs and into my bathroom. After taking a glance at myself in the mirror with proud eyes, I took a hot shower. I was still cold for my wet clothes and I needed this relaxing time for myself. I let the water run through my body, caressing me sweetly.

I ran to my room then, still to thrill with the adrenaline of what happened. I put my Oasis sweat and took my cell phone. The beep sounded only once and then someone answered.

"Bell! Are you alright?" My best friend breathed.

I grinned, remembering the scene. "I'm more than alright, I feel happy!"

"You what?" I could feel his surprise from the other side of the line. "Sure you are alright?"

"Yes, Edward! I told him everything I felt and I told him to get lost now and for forever and then I slapped him---"

"Wa-wa-wait! You did WHAT?"

I grinned smugly. "I slapped him,"

He chuckled. "You seriously slapped Jacob?"

"No, Edward, I thought it was Jacob but it really was an old lady walking through the street. Yeah, I slapped Jacob!" I rolled my eyes but the grin would just appear alone.

"You rock," He said, his voice amazed.

"I know," I laughed.

"I'm proud of you, Bell."

I smiled. "Thanks, I really couldn't have done it without you…"

"You did it without me!" He chuckled.

I laughed back and splashed in my bed. My eyes posed in the ceiling. "Yes, but you were there no matter what. I mean you gave me strength, you always do…"

"You are strong, never doubt that." He sighed and then we stayed quite. "Thank you," He suddenly said, his voice almost in a whisper.

I frowned unconsciously. "For what?"

"For today, I know I was upset but… I was also really relieved when I saw how much you really cared about her. You know? Thank you."

I smiled. "How can you be so nice?! I lied to you and nevertheless you are here, thanking me!"

"You always knew I was crazy," He chuckled. And then his voice went serious again. "You wanna talk about Jacob? Wanna tell me how it was?"

I gulped. "Not really, I'm still kind of… shocked, I guess."

"'Kay, whenever you are ready…" He sighed and the quietness invaded us again.

I wondered then, with no conscious reason. "Hey, E?"

"Yeah?"

"Where do you think you'll be in ten years from now?"

He sighed loudly, and somehow he went nervous. "I-I don't know, but I hope somewhere near you."

I smiled, and suddenly that same weird feeling in my stomach came again. Ugh, I hated my stomach! But I somehow liked that feeling…

"Yeah, me too." And with that a big yawned came through my mouth. I was suddenly really exhausted.

"Bell—"

"I'm gonna go sleep," I said at the same time and cut him off. "But what did you want to tell me?"

He breathed deeply. "Nothing, just… sleep well." His voice didn't seem like he was going to tell me 'nothing'. But I didn't want to push, even though the intrigued was killing me. "Alright, I guess I see you tomorrow night in the big date," He sighed and I could feel him rolling his deep, emerald green eyes.

I almost choked again. "See you there, hate you…"

"I love you." He whispered back and then the phone went dead.

The next day I woke up over-excited. I knew it was still really early in the morning when I saw the sun too low in the sky… but I couldn't sleep anymore. And a smile flashed through my face as I noticed that there was no rain today, no clouds either.

Charlie was still here, I could hear his low steps as he would always do to not wake me up. But I wanted to be with him a little bit, to tell him about Dartmouth. That would put him in a good mood!

With that thought wandering inside my head I jumped off the bed and ran down stairs. He was still with the coffee in one hand and the paper in the other one. His eyebrows arched as he saw my bewildered face.

"Isn't it a bit early?" He said suspiciously, giving me a nice grin.

"Yep, it is, but I couldn't sleep anymore," I almost shouted as I went to sit in a chair in front of him.

"Is everything alright?" He said again, his eyebrow even more arched.

I sighed, content. "More than alright, everything is awesome, dad! Yesterday I received a letter from Dartmouth and though I know I can't go because I can't afford it; I can't believe I have been accepted---"

"Wa-wa-wait!" He stopped me, a smile suddenly flashing through his wrinkled lips. "YOU HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED TO DARTMOUTH?"

"Yep," I said proud of myself. He jumped to his feet in that second and took me in a big hug. "Dad, I—can't—breathe—" I gasped. He released me with shaky hands.

"I can't believe it, Bell! That is so great, I'm proud of you, little girl." He cheered. I could see something blurring his eyes.

"Dad, you are not going to cry, aren't you?" I pleaded, blushing violently only for the thought.

He laughed. "Promise I'll try to contain myself," He sighed and took me again in another big hug, this time softer. "I'm really proud of you, really."

I smiled. That was a nice thing to know. I think I'd never get tired of hearing that Charlie was proud of me. That made me feel really good. "Thanks dad," And then I remembered. "But you know I can't go, right? I don't have the money and---"

He released me from his hug and stared to my eyes intently. "What are you talking about? You have that money,"

"Umm, no, dad. I'm pretty sure I don't. And if you are thinking that you can give it to me yourself, you are out of mind. There is no way I could ever accept that—"

But he left. Yep, he turned around and stormed through the stairs and to his room. I stayed staring to the same spot that now was with no one and thought that now it was his turn to turn insane.

"Dad?" I called once, a frown pasted in my forehead. But no one answered. I sat down again with my arms crossed over my chest, thinking of a possible explanation for his reaction. Maybe I had disrespected him in some way I didn't know…. But I was pretty sure that I hadn't said anything bad.

Suddenly I could see him again, his legs going faster than his body through the stairs. His face had a weird happy and yet sad smile. Unconsciously I stood up, the same frown decorating my face… now even stronger.

"What is it dad?" I tried to scrutinize his expression. He suddenly showed me a little envelope that he had in his right hand and gave it to me – his hands shaking.

"This is for you, please read it and then, if you want… we can talk about it." He said with that same sad tone and after giving me a sweet pat in my shoulders, he went and grabbed his gun and all his equipment. He gave one more look at my surprised face and then went out of the house.

I stared to the paper with the same blank expression in my eyes. I was truly lost. With a slow movement I started examining the envelope… it had some yellow parts, as if it was old. I turned it around and there was something written on it, something that made the old hole in my chest, jump.

With shaky legs I went to the chair and sat there. My hands too nervous to open the envelope, I could only read what it said outside again and again.

To my beloved daughter, from her crazy mother.

I smiled as a tear came down my face. What was this?

With the same shaky hands I slowly opened the old envelope, careful that I wouldn't rip anything with my clumsy fingers. I took a deep breathe and started reading the letter, making my best not to wet her perfect handwriting with my shed tears.

My sweet little girl… Is a young woman now. Oh, you are already eighteen! You are probably wondering right now why you received a letter from me now that I'm long gone… it is because I couldn't leave you alone in this moment. Because you have always been the most important thing to me. A true blessing from heaven. Though I'm sure Charlie is following every step you do and trying his best to understand this teenager with his heart. I'm sure he is doing a good job; he has always been a great dad. It doesn't matter what happened between us, he has always loved you more than anything.

How big you should be right now! I can't even picture you so grown up, you must still be blushing as you did when you were a little girl, well… as you are now, now that I'm writing this letter. I've decided to give this to you, it is not much but it is something you can do to go to the place you want… I've always wanted you to study in Dartmouth baby, but that is my dream. You don't have to do it if you don't want to, I only want you to be happy my little girl.

I want you to let you know how proud I've always been of you and how much good you've given to my life! You are the only thing I could have never lived without.
My baby… you have my same smile, you know? And you have your father's eyes, the prettiest eyes I've ever seen. But, shh! Don't tell him, please!

My sweet Isabella, you should know this. You should know that you can achieve whatever you want; dreams can come true if you try hard enough. And if you fall, never surround, stand up again and try one more time. If someone tells you they never fall, that is because they never live. Don't be afraid of living, my doll.

Are you in love? Do you have a boyfriend? Maybe you don't, but don't worry… I've always thought you were special in that way. You are only going to fall in love with the right one, with that one that would love you forever and ever. And he will truly love you, my baby, I can feel that. But don't give up if you haven't find it yet; you'll have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince... But love, true love really exists, and is the most beautiful thing that can happen to you. But if you feel you have found it, don't fight it… Enjoy it, my girl, enjoy it with all the will of you heart!

Always be true to yourself, Isabella... And overall, be happy!

Don't be sad for me, the only thing I wished in this life was to have a daughter like you, and I had it. That is more than I could have ever asked for. I love you today and always, I'll always be there for you, taking care of you from beyond. I love you my little girl.

Yours truly,

Mommy.

With the final lines I cried so strongly that I thought I would faint. I put the letter in my chest and just cried and cried until I didn't have more tears to shed.

With a half hearted smile I took the other little paper from the envelope, it was the number of a bank account. And for what it said it would be enough for paying all my studies and even for more. I WAS GOING TO DARTMOUTH!

She had done it again, made me so happy… She had managed to be with me now even if she physically wasn't. And I couldn't be more thankful.

"I love you too mom, today and always." I whispered to the letter as I put it inside the envelope carefully.

And then I smiled at her sweet letter, "you'll have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince..." Would I? How many?

But there was one part that continued wandering in my head, "But if you feel you have found it, don't fight it… Enjoy it, my girl, enjoy it with all the will of you heart!"

I spent the rest of the day thoughtful, the letter flashing behind my eyes almost at every minute. I made everything too slowly, quite. I needed a bit of serenity and time for myself. There had been seriously a lot of things going on inside me lately… some stronger than other ones. But all important.

A text message from Angela made me jump from my bed as I was listening to Claire de lune.

'Bella, next Monday is my birthday, as you already know – I hope that you do! :)
I'm having a party at my house, and of course I've already invited Jasper ;) and I think Rosalie it's coming too! Lol! Well, just wanted to let you that know, talk to you later!

Angela.'

I splashed my arms at my sides in defeat, another thing to be nervous about! Angela's birthday parties had this thing that something weird would always happen… And I so didn't need that right now!

But it was already time for me to get ready, and I so didn't want to be late and be the center of attention. Groaningly I had a quick shower and took one of the outfits Alice had made me try for my first date with Jasper but decided I looked better in another one.

Blue would do, it always did.

I went inside my car after standing in the street for a minute and smelling the nice warmth of summer. That gave me a big grin as I turned on the engine and drove to Marcus' Pizza were I would find my interesting triple date.

I got out of the car with nervous legs, my heart already beating faster than usual. I walked to the middle of the parking lot and waited there for some seconds.

I heard three cars parking almost at the same time; I looked to the left and saw the two Hales already walking out of the car and to me. Then I turned right and saw the two Cullens walking to my spot too, I looked at my front and saw JessicASS with the biggest smug smile and also walking to where I was.

I gulped heavily; this would be a long, long night.