Chapter Eight

Bella

Although I was sad to see Edward leave I felt a great weight had been lifted from my shoulders, I was free. I would graduate and then move away, probably to Florida, to find a job. I couldn't face college yet, I needed some freedom but I had no money so I would have to work and save using my tiny college fund to find a place to live. I wouldn't live with Renee, I'd done that and it wouldn't work again now. Charlie came up to see if I was OK and in his hands were a set of car keys and an envelope.

"Carlisle left these for you. He said its their fault your truck is gone and he thought they should offer you something in return."

I took the envelope and ripped it open remembering what had happened last time I opened an envelope from Carlisle but this time it didn't matter if I cut my finger off.

Dear Bella,

We are all sad that you have decided not to continue your relationship with Edward although I accept he didn't act in the way he should. I won't make excuses for him, that would be pointless. Instead I want you to remember that should you find yourself in trouble in the future we will always be there for you. Please accept the car as an apology for your truck.

Carlisle Cullen.

I looked out the window and was relieved to see a nondescript truck in dark blue parked at the curb and I remembered Jasper's words to me, "I'd have chosen a newish Dodge" Had he chosen the truck for me?

School the next couple of weeks was awkward but I made it through. With Alice gone there was only Edward at the Cullen table in the cafeteria and he had a book propped up reading and ostentatiously ignoring me. I made it through Graduation although I hated the ceremony, I made the effort for Charlie, he looked so proud of me. Esme and Carlisle came over to congratulate me before driving off with Edward and I wondered where they would move next. I went home, after a celebratory dinner out with Charlie, to start packing.

I sighed and opened the closet door pulling out the box containing the birthday presents, cards, and the photograph I'd had beneath my pillow and he'd missed when he left. I screwed the photo up and threw it in the bin then pulled out the presents, the necklace from Rose, the unopened gift from Alice, and the cards from the family. I'd eventually used the flight tickets to see Renee with Edward but I'd thrown the stubs back in the box and I threw them and the cards in the bin too. The necklace I hadn't opened and I picked it up but something told me I didn't want to see what was inside. A smiling photo of Edward probably I thought, even though Rosalie had given it to me I doubted she'd bought it or wrapped it for me. I threw it in the bin then something made me pick it back out and put it in my case along with Alice's, maybe I'd open it some time. I grabbed my clothes and squashed them in the suitcase Charlie had given me as a present. The rest went into my flight bag and my books and bits went in a box that Charlie was going to post on to me when I had a place to put them. Florida was first on my list. I would stay with Renee for a few weeks while I decided where I was going to find a job, not to close to her though, I needed my own space.

That evening I had several visitors, Jake was first, he'd heard I was leaving and was angry I hadn't told him personally, especially after he'd done so much to protect me.

"Jake, you did that as a friend. Don't tell me you're like Edward, you want payment? I'm leaving Forks and I don't expect to come back. Thanks for everything."

I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

"Goodbye Jake. I hope you find your imprint soon."

He went, unhappy, but I knew it was for the best. He deserved someone who really loved him, I did but not enough, it was as simple as that.

I went up to bed early, I wanted to sleep then leave and never see Forks or the Cullens or Jake ever again. There was a tap on my window as I got into bed and I groaned, why didn't Edward take no for an answer? I pulled back my curtains amazed to be confronted by Emmett's smiling face. I pulled up the window,

"Emmett what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to say goodbye Bella. I'm going to miss you."

"I'll miss you too Emmett. I'm sorry about everything"

"Hey Bell's I haven't had so much fun in years. You take care of yourself and take this"

He handed me a piece of paper and I looked at the number on it,

"Its my cell phone number. You ever need help you ring."

I kissed him on the cheek too and he went with a wink.

Looking at the paper I put it in my bag, I wouldn't ring him but it was nice to know we'd been able to say goodbye as friends.

I climbed back into bed and picked up my book then Charlie tapped on my door,

"You OK Bella?"

"Fine dad. I'm gonna miss you"

"I'll miss you too bells. Ring me won't you?"

"Every night as I drive and then once a week until I get my own address."

"I'm sorry things didn't work out but I guess you were never going to stay around here. Too much of your mother in you, wanderlust."

He went out shutting the door quietly and I saw how much my leaving was affecting him. It made me feel very sad and a little guilty but at least he still had his friends on the Res. I was just starting to doze when there was another tap on my window, was it Edward this time? I got up and pulled the curtain back,

"Jasper?"

He was sitting on the sill as Emmett had but there was no smile on his face. I hadn't seen him smile since Alice left.

"Could I speak to you for a few minutes?"

"Of course, come in"

He hesitated,

"Jasper come in for heaven's sake I won't bite you"

Realising what I'd said I laughed quietly and he smiled just a little.

"Thank you. I won't keep you long"

He climbed in and sat on the ledge looking ill at ease.

"I hear you are leaving?"

"Yes tomorrow."

"Can I ask where you are going?"

"Why?"

"I'm not sure. It doesn't matter if you'd rather not say."

I shrugged,

"Florida at first anyway. What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Well, I guess Edward wasn't happy with you and you don't seem at ease in Forks any longer."

"You see a lot more than you say."

"I always watch, it's easier than being involved."

"True. I'm leaving too. It's not working with the Cullens especially after I heard Alice got married."

"Alice married? Who to?"

"Marcus Volturi. It seems she's found her true mate at last."

"And you?"

"Like you Bella, I'm still looking."

"Where will you go?"

"South. I have friends in the south, at least that's where they were last I heard."

"South? Did you pick the truck for me?"

That stopped him but eventually he nodded,

"Carlisle asked my opinion".

"I love it."

"I'm glad Bella"

"Jasper"

He waited for me to go on,

"I just wondered if maybe...well...if you wanted we could...if its on your way...you could"

Why couldn't I string a coherent sentence together? He made my brain into mush. I took a deep breath

"You could travel with me"