A/N: This story has no Beta. All spelling errors and mistakes are my own.

Chapter Playlist:
Saint Cecilia - Foo Fighters / 21 Guns - Green Day / Famous Last Words - My Chemical Romance

Thanks for all the reviews! Especially the ones about Charlie's letter in the previous chapter.

Happy reading!

EPOV

I leaned against my locker, waiting. Just like I did Monday and Tuesday and Wednesday. Waiting for her to show.
Last night she finally spoke to me. She finally opened up.
"Come on, Swan." I whispered. I thought today would be different. I thought today she would appear. The final warning bell rang. Everyone should be in class now. I stared at the student entrance and clenched my jaw, "Come on."
Get to class.
I know I should. But what if she walked through those doors? I tossed my bag over my shoulder.
She won't show.
She will. I knew it. The door swung open and I straightened up, expecting to see Bella. I growled under my breath when I realised it was just some Freshman running late. He ran by me and up the stairs to his class. The halls were empty now except from me.
"Damn it." I hissed, almost punching my locker. Damn it. I really thought after seeing her yesterday she would have had the strength to come into school today.
I turned my back on the entrance and made my way to class, wondering how she was and what she was doing.
"Have you heard from Bella?" Jasper asked as he sat down next to me. He opened his bag and sat his notepad and pen down infront of him.
I shook my head, "No." I lied.
Jasper gave me a weird look and nodded, "Alright."
"What?"
"Nothing. You're just a shit liar." He chuckled.
I sighed deeply, "Fine. I saw her last night."
"And?"
"And nothing." I responded, rubbing my temples, "We just talked."
"About her dad?"
I frowned, did I tell him?
"Emmett told me." He muttered.
I rolled my eyes, "Damn it, Emmett."
Jasper sighed, "Dude, why didn't you say something?"
"It's not my news to tell." I answered quietly, "It's Bella's." I was seriously going to kill Emmett.
Jasper won't say anything.
I knew that was true. Jasper was a trust worthy guy, more so than Emmett evidently.
"How is she?" He asked.
I shrugged and focused my eyes on the posters on the wall, "Devastated."
"Alice should know. She would want to make sure Bella is okay."
"Yeah." I answered, it was true. "You're right."
Jasper patted my arm, and turned back to his notepad. They needed to know. Bella needed people. They wanted to be there for her.
How do you think Bella will feel now?
I sighed to myself. No doubt, she'd be pretty fucking pissed at me. But she needed her friends, whether she knew it or not.

"Edward, can you drop me at Bella's after school?" Alice asked as I sat at the lunch table.
I shrugged, "Sure."
"It's so sad about her dad." Alice sighed, "I wish she would have told me. Jasper told me this morning. Have you seen her? How is she?"
I really wasn't in the mood to discuss anything about Bella with her. I wasn't in the mood because it was draining me just as much as it was Bella.
"She's…okay." I mumbled, picking at my food.
Emmett took a seat next to me, grinning from ear to ear, "Hey! What we talking about?"
"Bella." Alice answered.
Emmett's smile vanished, "Oh."
"Yeah." I narrowed my eyes at my brother, "Can't keep a secret, can you?"
"It was hardly a secret, Edward." Emmett responded, opening his bottle of water, "We are all her friends. Shouldn't we be there for her?"
"Yeah. But I told you not to say anything but you-"
"Does it really fucking matter?" Alice hissed. I stared at her, dumbfounded. Alice never cussed. She never raised her voice.
"I'm sorry." She muttered, "I just don't see the reason for bickering about this." Alice shook her head, "We should focus on what we can do for Bella, not sit glaring at each other and passing blame."
Emmett shifted uncomfortably, "Sorry, Al."
I crossed my arms on the table. She was right. "I'll meet you at my car." I told her quietly.
"Okay."

I parked outside Bella's house and looked over at Alice. She was staring at the front door, chewing her lip.
"Are you coming in with me?" Alice asked, taking off her seatbelt.
I shook my head, "No. I've got some stuff to take care of."
"What kind of stuff?" She asked.
"Just stuff, Alice." I sighed, "Just tell her I'll see her later, okay?" I didn't want to bombard her. I doubt she would be too happy to see Alice, let alone the both of us.
"Okay. I'll see you Monday. Remember there's a teacher's conference tomorrow so, no school."
I nodded, "Yup."
Alice got out of the car and made her way to Bella's front door. I didn't stick around to see her answer. I put my foot down and drove my ass home.
I pulled into the driveway and made my way to the front door.
"Oh hi, honey." My mom smiled sweetly at me when I walked into the lounge.
"Hi." I mumbled, leaning against the door frame, "Where's dad?"
"He had a dinner meeting with some of his colleagues." My mom answered, standing from the couch, "He won't be back until late and Emmett is at Rosalie's for dinner. So, it's just you and me." She stroked my cheek affectionately before going into the kitchen. I followed her, "Actually…" I scratched the back of my head awkwardly, "I'm not staying long…"
Seriously, Cullen?
Seriously. I didn't want to spend any time here. So if it meant lying to her about plans I didn't have, then that's what I was going to do.
"What? Why?" My mom sighed. She looked upset, lonely. I inwardly groaned. Why did I have a conscience? Her face immediately made me change my mind. I took pity on her and I fucking hated it. "Nah, never mind." I smiled, "I can sort it tomorrow."
My mom frowned, "Edward, if you have something to do, just go and do it. You don't have to stay here just because I'll be here alone."
I shook my head, "No. I don't have school tomorrow so I'll have the full day to get stuff done."
She brightened up then, a huge smile on her face, "Okay. Well, what would you like for dinner?"
I loved my mom, don't get me wrong. But I hated this house. I hated living here. I hated the tension and how I felt like I didn't belong. I hated being part of this family.
At least you have one.
I scoffed to myself, I wouldn't even call what I have a family.
"Do you just want to order pizza, Edward?" My mom asked, pouring herself a glass of wine.
"Sure."
Another pizza.

I called Alice after I ate my pizza with my mom, in silence might I add.
"Hey." She answered on the third ring.
"How was she?" I asked quietly.
I heard her sigh down the phone, "Terrible. She found a letter from her dad today and she's pretty cut up about it."
I closed my eyes and silently cursed myself. I should've went with Alice.
"What did the letter say?" I quizzed. I know, I sounded invasive.
"She didn't say much about it, Edward," Alice replied, "But there's Bourbon bottles all over the kitchen."
"How many?" Had she added to the pile?
"Like three or four, Edward. I don't know. I didn't exactly count them."
I rolled my eyes and began pacing my bedroom, "How long did you stay?"
"What is this? Twenty questions? Why don't you go see her for yourself? She's terrible. Seriously, she's drunk, I'm
pretty sure she's high too. She said something about some Jake guy stopping by earlier today. But it's not weed…"
I clenched my teeth, my skin began to crawl. Jake? Fuck that guy.
"Okay. What was it?" I tried my best to keep my voice calm. I was going to kill that guy.
"I don't know, Edward." Alice sighed, "I just know it wasn't weed."
"That makes no sense, Alice!" I hissed. I was starting to lose patience with her.
"I know it wasn't weed because she was popping pills, you dumbfuck!" She growled.
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my anger at bay, "Okay." I muttered.
"Listen, I gotta go. Jasper is picking me up, but just go see her, okay?"
"Okay."
"Bye." She ended the call then.
I pocketed my phone and grabbed my car keys before storming down the stairs.
"You okay, sweetheart?" My mom called from the lounge.
I didn't answer, I slammed the front door and got into my car.
Fucking Jacob Black.

I slammed my car door shut and knocked angrily on Bella's front door.
Like she's gonna answer the door.
I sighed deeply, stuffing my hands in my pockets.
The door opened and Bella stood, eyes wide and puffy, "Hi." She croaked, grinning widely. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair a mess. She was fucking euphoric.
I narrowed my eyes, "Hi." I was tense. It was plain to see. "What did he give you?" I clenched my jaw and watched as she frowned, "What?"
I couldn't contain my anger anymore. I couldn't sit back and allow her to deal with her grief with him.
"For fuck sake, Bella." I pushed open the door and marched inside, "What the fuck did he give you?" I rifled through the kitchen cabinets and drawers, searching for the source of her high.
She stood, watching me, "What the fuck are you doing?" She hissed.
I turned and glared at her, "Bella," I growled, "I told you to stay away from him."
Bella rolled her eyes, "How many times do I have to tell you? I can do whatever the fuck I want to."
I pinched the bridge of my nose and closed my eyes.
Never hit a girl. Never hit a girl.
"Bella, you have until the count of three to tell me what he gave you."
"Or what?" She challenged, "I'm a big girl, Edward. I can take care of myself."
"Clearly you can't!" I shouted, "Look at you! You're high as a fucking kite!"
Bella took a step back from me, her eyes wide in fear.
Good going. You fucking scared her.
I dragged my hand down my face and exhaled loudly. I had to calm down. I locked eyes with her, "One." I leaned back against the kitchen unit and crossed my arms, "Two."
Bella narrowed her eyes at me, defiant, testing me.
"Three." I raised a brow and straightened up, "Fine. If you're not going to tell me, I'll just have to find it."
I marched through to the lounge, lifting cushions and searching down the sides of the couch.
"Edward! Stop it!" She grabbed my arm, trying to pull me back. I shook her off, "Not until you tell me."
"Just some weed." She mumbled, crossing her arms and shrugging.
Fucking liar.
I scoffed and started going through the drawers in the coffee table, "Bullshit." I spat.
Bella sighed and threw herself into the couch, "Whatever."
I gripped my hair in frustration, "Damn it, Swan."
Take a breath.
I continued rifling through the drawers, through paperwork and trinkets.
"Edward, can you just stop?" She mumbled.
I shook my head, "Nope." Smoking weed was one thing, but popping pills?
You're one to talk.
Once. I did it once. And I wasn't about to allow Bella to self destruct like this.
I came across a little red and black box in the drawer. I slowly opened it up, my suspicions getting the better of me. "You need to find a new hiding place, Bella." I mumbled, lifting the small bag out. There were four small white pills inside. Before I had a chance to examine them for any hint as to what they were, Bella stood up and snatched them from me, "Stop it."
"What are they?"
She didn't answer, she stuffed the bag in her back pocket and crossed her arms, staring tiredly at me.
I was fighting a losing battle, it seemed.
"Fucking fine." I fished out my car keys from my pocket and began walking to the front door.
"It's Oxy." She muttered, "He gave me Oxy."
I slowly turned to face her, "Oxy?"
She nodded meekly, "I thought it would be able to help me sleep." She sighed, "But, it's making me climb the walls." She smiled sadly and shrugged.
I made my way over to her and pulled her against my chest, burying my face in her hair. How fucking stupid could she be? "I need you to give me them." I whispered, "There are other ways to get through this."
She pulled back and shook her head, "I need you to let me deal with this in my own way."
My brows furrowed, "But Bella-"
"No." She whispered, "Let me deal with this my own way. I promise, you'll be the first to know if I'm not coping."
I snorted inwardly. She clearly wasn't coping now, otherwise she wouldn't be popping Oxy. I reluctantly nodded, "Okay."
Bella smiled, "Okay."
I scratched the back of my head and exhaled, "I have to go. I'll see you tomorrow at some point. Call me if you need anything." I gave her a pointed look. I didn't want to leave her, but she clearly needed time to sort her head out. And I understood.
She nodded and opened the front door for me, "Bye." She mumbled, staring down at the floor. All I wanted to do was kiss her and hold her close, protect her. But I didn't. Because we weren't there. I didn't even know where the fuck we stood with each other anymore.
She has enough to deal with.
Yeah, that too. She had to grieve over her father.
I made my way to my car, my anger still evident.
I started the engine and pulled away from Bella's house, my fists clenched tightly around the steering wheel.
Jacob Black.
Jacob fucking Black. I was going to kill that motherfucker.

I sat in my car, quietly seething as I drove the streets, searching for that prick.
Calm down.
I knew I should. I should calm down, take a breath and get the fuck over it. But some part of me was itching to get my hands on him and beat his sorry ass.
Go home.
I shook my head at myself. I couldn't let this slide. If I did, and it happened again, then what? I'd feel even worse. I'd feel like I failed her.
Go the fuck home.
What if she overdosed? That prick wouldn't even care. What if the Oxy was messed up? He wouldn't take the blame.
I pulled up outside my house and growled at myself. This was messed up. This was unbelievably messed up.
I opened the front door and before I had a chance to climb the stairs, my father cleared his throat.
"Where have you been?" He asked, taking off his reading glasses.
"Out." I muttered. I wasn't in the mood for this.
"Define out." He raised a brow, leaning himself against the bannister.
I rolled my eyes, "I was at Bella's."
My dad pursed his lip and nodded, "I see. You really care for this girl, don't you?"
I scoffed and shrugged indifferently, "She's a classmate." I turned away from him and began taking the stairs,
"That's all."
My father sighed deeply, "Goodnight, son."
"Whatever." I mumbled. I walked down the hallway and stopped outside of Emmett's room, knocking.
"Come in." He called.
I pushed open his door and shut it behind me.
"What's up?" He paused his Xbox game and frowned.
"I need your help with something." I took a seat by the window and rested my arms on the rests.
"Okay?" He gave me a puzzled look, "Help with what?"
"Bella's on Oxy." I muttered, sighing.
Emmett's eyes widened, "Fuck off."
I nodded, "Yeah."
"Who supplied her?" He asked quietly.
"Jacob Black." I answered.
"I fucking hate that guy." Emmett growled, shaking his head in disgust.
I smirked, "Good. Cause you're gonna help me end him."
Emmett tilted his head to the side, confused for a moment before his metaphorical lightbulb flickered on. He grinned widely, "I can't fucking wait."
I stood up, "I'll let you know when." I opened his door and turned back to him, "And for the love of God, don't fucking say anything."
Emmett nodded, "I won't."
"Good."
"Edward?"
"What?"
Emmett chewed the inside of cheek for a moment, "Are you doing this for Bella…or for you?"
I shrugged, "If I say me, would you believe me?"
Emmett shook his head, "No."
I smirked, "Then, I'm doing it for me." I shut his door behind me and made my way to my bedroom.
Tomorrow, I'll check on Bella. Tomorrow, I'll make sure she knows drugs is not the answer. Tomorrow, I'll become a better fucking person.

I stood in Bella's lounge, watching her pace back and forth, back and forth, back and forth.
"It's like he's inside my head." She mumbled to herself, "I can't fucking sleep, Edward." She chewed on her thumbnail and continued to pace. The Oxy was wearing off, leaving her a paranoid, sweaty wreck.
How much had he gave her? Was there more than just that one bag I found?
"Bella, you need to calm down." I said, "He's not in your head." I gripped her shoulders tightly and effectively stopped her pacing, "You're coming down from your high, okay? There's no one in your head."
Bella's eyes widened and she shook her head, "No. He's in there, Edward. My dad is in there, telling me how disappointed he is and it's just too much. It's ridiculous. Everytime I close my eyes, I see his face, I hear his voice and I just can't…"
I leaned my forehead against hers, "Bella." I whispered, "He is not disappointed, okay? He's not."
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "He is."
Guilty conscience.
I pulled away from her, "This isn't the drugs talking, Bella. This is you."
"I know." She whined, pacing again, "That…that fucking letter did this. I was fine. I was fucking coping."
I rubbed my forehead, resisting the urge to sigh, "What did it say?"
Bella shook her head, "It's personal."
I made my way to the kitchen, "Alright."
I poured her a glass of water and handed it to her, "Drink this."
She took the glass from me and gulped it down, "Thanks."
I nodded, "Yeah." I took a seat on the couch and patted the space next to me, "Sit."
She did as she was told and curled up into a ball against my side. I put my arm around her, "You should try and get some sleep."
"I can't sleep, Edward." She whispered.
"I'm here now, so just try." I stroked my thumb across her arm, trying to relax her.
"Okay." Bella breathed, cuddling into my side. She was simply angelic.
I traced shapes across her arm, listening to her breathing evening out as she began to slip into unconsciousness.
"I love you, Swan." I whispered.
She hummed quietly in her sleep and snuggled into me, gripping my shirt in her hand.
I knew I wanted to stay that way forever. I knew I would protect her forever. I knew I would love her forever.

I woke up, my neck killing me. I rubbed my eyes and straightened myself up. I had fallen asleep on Bella's couch.
"Swan?" I croaked. She wasn't beside me. I groaned and stood up, rolling my shoulders back. The clock in the kitchen told me it was just after three in the afternoon.
"Swan?" I called again. She wasn't downstairs. I suppressed a yawn and climbed the stairs. Where was she?
I reached the top of the stairs and stopped, listening for her.
"Seriously, where are you?" I muttered, opening her bedroom door. Nothing.
I gently knocked on the bathroom door and listened for her. I opened the door and found nothing again.
I moved on to her father's room. I paused outside it and took a deep breath. "Sorry Mr Swan." I mumbled, before walking in. She wasn't there. She wasn't in the house.
I fished out my phone from my pocket and called her.
"What?" She hissed down the phone.
I rolled my eyes, "Where are you?" I began descending the stairs, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Edward. I'm busy."
"Busy? Define busy." I patted my pockets for my car keys and opened her front door.
"I'm with Jake." She sighed. I growled under my breath. What the fuck was she doing? Getting more Oxy? I slammed her front door and jogged down to my car, "Where are you, Swan?" I spat, starting my engine, "Tell me where the fuck you are."
Bella sighed deeply, "Seriously?"
"Fucking seriously." I growled.
"Glendale." She muttered before hanging up on me.
Fucking Glendale.
I dialled Emmett's number and veered left, exceeding speed limits.
"What's up, bro?"
"Get your shit together, I'm picking you up in five minutes." I spat down the phone.
"Why?"
"Just be ready, okay?" I ended the call and put my foot down, flooring it to my house.

Emmett opened the car door and frowned at me, "Where are we going?"
"Glendale." I answered, pulling out of the driveway.
"What's in Glendale?"
My fists tightened around the steering wheel, "Jacob Black." The venom dripped from my voice as I spoke. I was utterly disgusted with that guy.
"Okay." Emmett shrugged and leaned back in his seat, whistling to himself.
He was irritating me. I glanced at him and rolled my eyes, "Could you please stop that?"
"What?"
"Whistling!" I hissed. It was the most annoying noise in the world to me.
Emmett chuckled, "Since you said please."
I clenched my jaw, "Thanks." Dickhead.
I tossed Emmett my phone, "Call her and find out where exactly she is." I instructed.
"Call who?"
I rolled my eyes. Was I seriously related to this meathead?! "The fucking queen. Who the fuck do you think?" I hissed, stopping at a red light.
Emmett rolled his eyes and sighed, "Chill out." He put the phone to his ear and hummed quietly to himself.
I clenched my jaw. He was fucking annoying.
"She's not answering." He mumbled.
"Try her again." I instructed as I drove down Glendale Ave.
"Still nothing." Emmett pocketed my phone and rolled down the window, "Are you sure she's here?"
"She is." I replied, "Somewhere."
"Why don't we try the park?" Emmett suggested, hanging his head out like a dog.
I chewed my lip, "For a drug deal?" I shook my head, "I doubt they would be there. It's too open."
"He has a car, doesn't he?"
He had a point.
Couldn't hurt to check it out.
I pulled in at Heroes Regional Park and killed the engine, "Let's go."
Emmett shut the door and followed close behind me, "Are we just gonna attack him?"
I turned to face my big brother and sighed, "Emmett, did you eat a bowl of stupid for breakfast?"
He frowned, "I had cereal."
"Oh for fuck sake." I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed, "Let's just wait and see if he's supplied Bella first before we kick his ass."
"Okay." Emmett patted my shoulder and began walking. I followed him, weaving our way through cyclists and kids.
"Should we split up?" Emmett asked, glancing back at me.
I nodded "Yeah. I'll look over at the basketball court." I left Emmett and began making my way through the park.
I patted my pockets for my phone, figuring I'd try and call her again. "Shit." I muttered. Emmett had it. I rubbed my forehead and silently cursed him.
Just keep walking.
Just keep walking and pray I find her.
I knew in my gut I was close to finding her. I knew she was here somewhere.
What the fuck was in that letter to cause her to self destruct so violently?
She doesn't care that you care…
That was obvious. She didn't believe I loved her, she didn't believe I cared for her. She wasn't to blame for it. It was all me. All my fucking fault.
My fists clenched at my sides as I spotted Jake, leaning against the gate to the playground, Bella at his side. They were laughing. It made my skin crawl. Jake extended his hand to Bella's and leaned in close to her ear as he subtly passed her a small bag.
"Bro!" Emmett jogged up to me and began to try and catch his breath, "Any luck?"
I nodded toward them and narrowed my eyes. Emmett followed my line of sight and growled under his breath, "Let's go." He grabbed my arm and pulled me with him as he approached them.
"Well hello!" Emmett grinned wickedly at Bella and Jacob.
Bella's eyes widened when she saw us, "Hi."
Jake rolled his eyes and draped his arm over Bella's shoulders.
This motherfucker right here..
"Let's go, Bella." I took her hand and pulled her beside me.
Jake snorted and puffed out his chest like a fucking gorilla, "You're not her keeper, Edward. She wouldn't want a pussy like you."
Anger boiled in my blood, "What the fuck did you just say?" I hissed, stalking toward him.
He rolled his eyes, "Chill man." He pushed me away from him and shook his head.
"Both of you stop it." Bella muttered, "This isn't a pissing contest."
I clenched my fists and sneered at him. He was a cocky asshole and he needed to be taught a lesson.
Emmett placed a hand on my shoulder, "Walk away." He mumbled.
Jake smirked, "Yeah, walk away, Cullen. Show everyone how much of a pussy you really are."
Before I knew it, I had him pinned against a nearby brick wall, my arm pressing down on his throat and Bella screaming behind me.
"You think you're great, huh?" I hissed, "Supplying her with shit that fucks with her head?"
Jake gripped my arm, swinging his legs around, "She asked…for it.." He choked out.
I scoffed, adding pressure to his throat, "You leave her the fuck alone, alright?"
"Edward!" Emmett growled, "Fucking leave him."
I narrowed my eyes at Jacob's pain striken face as he choked for breath, "This isn't over." I whispered venomously before releasing him. I watched as he fell to the ground, gasping for air.
"Nothing wrong with making someone feel good, Cullen!" He screeched after me, "In more ways than one."
I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to face him, "What?"
Was he talking about what I think he was?
She fucked him.
I already knew that, I just hadn't had the confirmation.
Bella's eyes widened as she shook her head, "No. Don't!" She put her hands on my chest, trying to push me back as I made my to him again. I took her hands from me and narrowed my eyes at her, "Move." She did as she was told, her eyes gluing themselves to the ground.
Emmett sighed deeply, "Edward, leave it. Someone's gonna end up calling the cops."
"Let them!" I growled, crouching down to Jake, "I want to hear it."
He smirked, "You wanna know?" He chuckled, sitting himself up.
Bella whimpered behind me, "Please stop."
I grabbed Jacob by the collar, bringing him up to face me properly, "Fucking tell me."
"I fucked her." He responded with a huge shit eating grin. Bella sobbed behind me.
My skin turned ice cold, my stomach threatened to empty its contents. I swallowed back bile.
"Dude." Emmett sighed deeply.
"I fucked her so good." Jake laughed, "If I were you-"
My punch silenced him, "You fucker." I spat, standing up. I shook my hand, flexing my fingers. The skin on my
knuckles cried out as it tore. Blood. Blood and fucking pain. That fucking hurt.

The drive home was intense.
"You do know you're gonna have a target on your back now?" Emmett muttered, shaking his head.
He's right.
Of course he's fucking right. No one starts shit with a drug dealer and lives to tell the tale. I didn't answer him. I didn't want to speak. I was afraid my words would do more harm than good.
"You okay, Bella?" Emmett turned to Bella, who was sitting in the back, chewing on her nail.
"Yeah." She whispered.
Liar.
She was lying. The pain in her voice was obvious. She didn't want me to know, really know. I had my suspicions but now I know. And she hated that.
I pulled up outside of her house and stopped the car, waiting patiently for her to get out.
"Thanks." She mumbled.
I rolled down the window and held my hand out, "Give me it." I mumbled, staring at the tree infront of the car.
Bella sighed and placed the bag in my hand, "That's all he gave me."
I put the bag in my pocket and rolled up the window, starting the engine again.
"You need to calm down, bro." Emmett mumbled, "This isn't her fault."
"I don't want to talk about it." I replied, pulling away from her house. I glanced in the rear view mirror to see Bella standing in her front lawn, hugging herself as she watched me drive away. I took a deep breath and focused my eyes back to the road, "It's over now."