A/N: Okay sorry for the wait. I've had a busy few weeks. Hope you guys like it. R&R

"Bella?"

I looked up at my school advisor, Mr. Howard or Howin or something, he was staring with an expression of concern. He patted my hand and gave me a reassuring smile.

"I know it's a little overwhelming at first but I'm sure you'll do fine," he encouraged.

If only he knew my lack of attention had nothing to do with anything school related. And that for the last few minutes of his talk I was thinking about how delicious Jared was or how hot he made me. In fact the entire time he was talking my mind was Jared consumed. I smiled and nodded at him before gather the info he had gave me and getting up.

"See you in the fall," he said standing up with me holding his hand out. I shook it calmly.

"I'm looking forward to it," I lied with a smile on my face.

I couldn't have made it out of his office any quicker. My plane back to Forks left early in the morning and not a minute sooner. The tour of campus had been nice. It was everything I thought it would be and more. But I felt empty. My muscles were achy and each step I took felt like a fight. It felt as if my mind has never left Forks. Well never left La Push to be exact. I was anxious to get back. Anxious to see Jared.

I hated myself for the position I put us in. I hated Kim for adding to our burden. I could already feel myself falling for him outside of the imprint. And instead of letting us explore that I let my insecurities play against us. I got into the car that Charlie had rented for me and decided against driving back to my hotel room but instead choosing to go to the little coffee shop I had seen when I first got here.

I hope their bakery section was half decent. I could do with a warm chocolate chip muffin and a hot coffee. I had a lot to think about. But really it was the company of absolute strangers I craved I didn't want to be locked up in an empty room with just a TV and nothing else. I had promised myself that I wouldn't call and text Jared repeatedly a feat that would be virtually impossible if left to my own devises.

I parked in the small parking lot behind the shop. It seemed to be slightly deserted. And I sat there. Who the hell am I fooling? I wanted to get out of the car. I wanted to walk into that small coffee shop, buy a latte and get some sort of baked goodie. But I can't stop thinking of everything I left behind at home. I clutched the stirring wheel with white knuckles and indecision. Get out the car or call the airport and see if there are any earlier flights? I tried to move to turn the car off but I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. What is happening to me?

This isn't me. No something in me was broken. Something in me wanted to get Jared out of my system. Because my life went on whether he was next to me or not… right?

"Southwest Airline how can I help you?"

I stared down at my phone shocked. I could barely let go of the stirring wheel a few seconds ago but yet my fingers found the airplane carrier line on my phone?

"Hello?"

"Uh Yes," I sputtered, "I have a flight booked for tomorrow morning flying out to Forks, Washington… I was wondering if there are any flight available tonight instead?"

"Let me check for you."

Is this what I wanted? Did I want to leave early? I mean it would be better than spending a lonely night in my hotel room. But it would mean calling Charlie and making sure I had a ride. I could take a taxi or call Jake… or Jared. I could….

It hit me like a splash of cold water. I was giving in. I couldn't just jump into a plane when I was in school. I couldn't just forget my classes and bail whenever I needed a Jared fix. I hung the phone up. I would wait it out. And right now my first action would be to turn the car off and go into that small coffee shop and get a latte.

Any minute now. Any minute now turned into five minutes. My arms were literally shaking. My mind processed that my phone was ringing. It processed that it was repeatedly ringing. I answered it not really looking to see who it was.

"Hello," I said with a shaky voice.

"Bella?"

His voice filled me and an instant calm washed over me. Yes. This is what I needed. I was like a crack addict and he was my cocaine.

"Jared."

"What's wrong?" he demanded I could hear the strain in his voice.

"I don't know," I whispered, "I was contemplating getting a latte but I can't seem to get out of the car."

He snorted, "Get out of the car Bella, go make a friend in there… and when I say friend I mean a female friend."

I laughed. My fingers were down to a slight tremble. I could hear him breathing, and his words of encouragement still playing in my mind.

"Bella," he said hoarsely, "I miss you something fierce woman."

I sucked in a deep breath and closed my eyes. My time away from Jared almost felt like it was back firing. I needed him more then I needed air.

"Don't Bella."

"What?"

"You're over thinking again," he chuckled.

"No I'm not," I tried defending myself.

"Bella everything will work out," Jared whispered, "Go make a friend and when you come back we'll be together."

"Okay."

"Okay good see you tomorrow babe."

I hung up the phone with a smile on my face. Go make a friend he says… I snorted eyeing up the coffee shop. Didn't look like much but it certainly it could offer a hot latte. I drew myself together and opened the car door. The first step went relatively easy before I knew it I was in front of the door. I wrapped my hand around the handle… tomorrow I'll be home and back in his arms.

And I'll forget all this just friend bullshit. Because without him I'm a mess and with him for some reason things just make sense. Taking a deep breath pulled the door open. The scent of baked goodness assaulted me as I walked in. My mouth watered instantly when I saw the best looking chocolate chip muffins in my life.

"Delicious looking aren't they."

The girl behind the counter was smiling at me. Her black hair short framing her face. Her eyes an unusual golden brown color filled with amusement.

"Do you make them?" I asked taking in the bake good proudly displayed in the glass counter.

"Heavens no my mother does, I would burn the place down if I tried."

"Then I guess I better try one," I smiled at her.

This would be considered making friends. Right? I tried to think back to pre- Jared. How life how gone by passingly easier. How the simplest tasks didn't seem like the big decisions. Even though I understand the imprint… kind of. I still didn't get it all. If I was supposed to be everything he needed, was he supposed to be what I needed? Did I need a confidence booster. I never felt like I wasn't confident enough. I was popular enough in high school. I had plenty of friend and boyfriends. So why is now the prospect of meeting some new, someone not Jared, utterly terrifying? It made no sense. I was making no sense. Even now that pull to go home was still strong. I could feel it in my bones. I could feel it in my soul. The silent calling to be returned to his arms. I wonder how long I could go before I had to return to him. How long would it take for me to break down and need him in my arms again?

"Will that be all?" the girl behind the counter asked interrupting my thoughts.

I stared at her for a second. Trying to get my bearings. She was staring at me the same way my counselor had. I recognized that look now. It hit me because I used to give other people that same look. I wanted to scream, no I'm not crazy I just have a lot on my mind. But I guess that wouldn't help the situation.

"No... No that's it," I smiled at her uneasily, "How much?"

"It's on the house."

"No," I started to protest.

"Really take it, and if you love it I know you will be back," she smiled and handed me the bag, "I'm Alice by the way."

"Bella."

I shifted my weight back and forth. I wasn't sure what I should do from here. She seemed nice. I took in her wide smile that seemed to compliment her short hair and slightly pointed ears. She looked like a pixie.

"Well I guess I better be going," I cleared my throat.

"Okay," she said still smiling, "I hope I see you around, I start Harvard in the fall."

"Me too."

"We should keep in touch," She said coming around the counter.

"Yeah," I said pulling out my phone taking down her number.

Maybe this wasn't as hard as I was making it. I mean already I was breaking ground way making a friend. The hole in my being that represented Jared's absence was still there but I knew he was supporting me. And I'm sure we could arrange visits… rights. When I left the coffee shop I was feeling a little better. At little lighter. It was if I had a new understanding on it all. And I couldn't wait to get home to see Jared. It didn't hit me until I got into the car that I never got my latte.

A/n: Okay I know its long awaited. And it's not an eventfully chapter. But I wanted to bring in the Cullen's. Tell me what you think. R&R