It seemed like time was going by faster and faster and soon graduation would be here. It was already Wednesday and graduation was on Friday. If I could last two more days, James wouldn't know where I was. He wouldn't even know where to look. As excited as I was by the prospect of getting away from James forever, I also didn't want to leave. The Cullens had gained access to a part of me that I thought was long dead—my heart. I didn't want to have to leave any of them. It would only hurt me and them. I almost wanted to tell them the whole story because maybe they could help me, but then I realized that after they found out, they would probably want nothing to do with me. I was damaged goods. No one wants that.

Every day they got closer and closer and to me and so did James. I needed to escape. I needed to get away and I was going to, just as soon as I could. I was going to miss my dad and I hated leaving him like this, but I had no other choice. I wanted him to know that I was going to be safe wherever I was going, but I would have to tell him I was leaving before and I could tell him that I would be safe, and then he's ask questions and I just couldn't handle that. It has to be kept secret.

Graduation was two days away and everyone was getting excited, even me, just for different reasons. Since high school was almost over for our senior class, we weren't doing much of anything in class, which most kids were happy about. But, not me. This meant that the Cullens had more time to talk to me and they took full advantage of that fact. They would not leave me alone.

I was sitting in the cafeteria when they all walked up to the table. "Bella, we have a surprise for you," Alice said. I wasn't looking forward to what was coming.

"What is it, Alice?"

"We're throwing you a graduation party! Isn't this exciting? It'll be Saturday night, is that okay with you?"

A graduation party? On Saturday? I was supposed to be long gone by Saturday. What am I going to do now? If I say no, they'll ask why and I can't exactly tell them the truth, now can I?

"Sure Alice, that sounds great, but no presents. That's where I draw the line."

"Yay! You won't regret this. It will be great. I promise you. Oh, I have to go finish planning the party. This is great!"

She was so excited that I couldn't help but be happy for her. I knew I was probably going to regret this, but at the moment I was okay with it. I wasn't thinking about the consequences that could happen. I was content with spending one last night with these people that I had gotten so close to, and then I would leave. What could one more night do? One more night wasn't going to hurt me. Or maybe it was. That's a risk I'm willing to take.

Graduation. It's finally the day. The day I was supposed to leave, but I no longer am. I'll stay for one last night, and then I'm gone for good. It might be nice to have one last night to say goodbye to my dad and the Cullens too; even if they don't know that it's goodbye.

When my name is called and I walk across the stage, I expect nothing, but then I hear the clapping. It's not just from my dad, but it's from Edward, Alice, Jasper, Emmett and even Rosalie. When I hear the cheers, I start silently crying. The tears streaming down my face, I can't help but smile. This must be what it feels like to be loved by someone. This feeling of serenity and happiness, a feeling I never expected to feel. I don't know how I'm going to be able to leave these people. I just don't think I can do it anymore. I don't want to lose this feeling. I don't know if I could love without it anymore, now that I know how it feels. And if I'm always with someone, what are the chances that James can get me? He'll have to give up eventually. I'll just wait him out. I just can't leave, not now. I can't do it.

The party's here. And I'm more excited than I've been in a long time. I didn't think I would be. I thought I would be dreading it, but I'm not. Rosalie and Alice have been helping me get ready all day long. And I'll admit it, I look good; better than I've ever looked before.

"Edward's going to die when he sees you," Alice tells me.

"He's not going to know what hit him," Rosalie adds.

"Edward and I are just friends. Nothing more." At least that's what I tell them. I would give anything for Edward to feel the same way about me that I feel about him, but I'm content with his friendship.

"Whatever you say, Bella, but everyone can tell that something's going on between you two, and one day you two will realize that you're meant for each other." If only that was true.

"Okay, you two, it's time to make our grand entrance. Alice and I will go first and you'll follow us Bella. And Edward will love it, I promise."

"They left the room and I followed closely behind them. They walked down the stairs before me and joined Emmett and Jasper at the bottom. I didn't see Edward, but I started down the stairs anyways. When I reached the landing, I stumbled at the site before me. There was Edward in a beautiful suit, looking more beautiful than I'd ever seen him before. I couldn't help but stare, and he was staring right back at me.

"You look beautiful, Bella, so beautiful," he murmured to me. I blushed about a thousand shades of red and looked down at the ground. He held out his hand and I reached towards it. As soon as our hands touched, I felt a spark travel down my spine. I had never felt this way before, and I doubt I ever would again.

We walked together towards the main room, where everyone else was at. I saw my dad and I let go of Edwards hand and walked over to my father.

"You look beautiful, Bells. You're really growing up," my dad muttered. I knew he hated the emotional stuff and I understood that, but it meant a lot to me to hear him say that. I wrapped my arms around my dad, and hugged him harder than I had ever before. He seemed surprised for a minute, but then hugged me back. I wanted to stay here forever. I didn't want to have to leave. "Go have fun, Bells. I'm not going anywhere."

"Neither am I, Dad. Neither am I," I whispered. My mind was made up. I couldn't leave, not now.

I joined Edward on the dance floor and he held me close as we danced. "Walk with me, Bella," he whispered in my ear. I couldn't say no to him. We walked outside, holding hands, and sat down on a bench in his garden. He turned his face towards me and began to lean in. I did the same. When the moment came that our lips were about to touch, my phone rang, alerting me to a message.

I looked at the screen and blood went cold. James was here, now. And he wasn't going anywhere until he got what he came for.