~Chapter 5~

Something Strange

BPOV

Ever since dinner the other night, I have the feeling that something big is about to happen.

Alice pulled me up to her old room and we chatted for 3 hours.

"Bella, why did you tell Jacob 'no' again? I mean he asks every year on your anniversary, you said there hasn't been any sparks between you two in a while and yet you're still with him, why? Why not move on?

Why not just be single for a while. It's not like you and Jacob share a place, you've got your nice cozy loft, spend more time there, be alone, find out who and what you really want. It might surprise you." Alice said all that in a really quick gush.

"Well, I've actually been thinking that. After he pulled the NY proposal stunt, I was pretty pissed off! I mean, taking me where it would be possible to run into your brother (I couldn't even say his fucking name without sighing) and proposing there, it seemed so very wrong. I was pissed off the rest of the trip." I sighed.

"Bella, you know I talk to my brother all the time and he's been asking about you lately." Alice grinned.

"What? Don't start Alice, please, my heart can't take that." I moaned.

"I'm not kidding Bella, he really think s about you a lot!" Alice said.

"Well, it doesn't matter, he's there and I'm here and nothing can change that. I hate NY and wouldn't ever think of leaving Forks, my dad is here and my friends my carrer, so he can think about me all he wants, but nothing is going to change!" I was fuming.

"What if someday a change did happen? I mean he's on a high right now, he just had an awesome winter concert at Radio City Music Hall and his students were fantastic, they've offered him a big promotion, but what if something ever did happen? Would you give him a second chance? " Alice was pushy tonight.

"I don't know Alice, it hurt when he left and yes, I do think about him, but I have to think of my future, you know tonight it's been almost 8 years since he left. I can't sit around and be an old maid! I'm 25!

I need to be loved and wanted and I know I don't have that with Jake, I'm not delusional, but I know if I let myself go, I can find it with someone!" I said, sounding defeated.

"Well, do you have any feelings at all for Edward? I mean, he's still a virgin for God's sake , Bella, that's how much he never got over you! He's dated, but no one has called to him the way you did and so he's saving himself until someone does!" Alice spat.

And with that, she walked out of the room and I heard another door slam in the distance.

I walked out of her room and out the front door, to my rental car and drove to my loft, not even bothering to call Jacob. Let him worry, hah! Like he would!

EPOV

I waited for the movers and was excited when they arrived 30 minutes ahead of schedule.

They unloaded everything in the right rooms and I started putting my life together.

On my fireplace mantel, I started with old pictures from school of my family and friends.

In the center was a picture Esme had snapped of Bella and I, we had been working on a science project for hours and had fallen asleep on the floor, it was funny how we always gravitated towards one another, like I was the center of her universe and she of mine, we were snuggled up together and because we'd been painting, we had paint all over our hands and faces, because our poster was still wet, and we'd fallen asleep on it. We were both mad that we had to re do the entire poster. But, the picture is priceless.

I wonder if Bella still had he copy of it.

I stared at it for a long while, when I noticed I was crying.

Man, how long could I hold out until she was mine. My heart was aching.

I wiped the tears and finished up the living room, it was 4:15 and I had to run to the school to get my plans and keys.

I got to the school and it was empty, with the exception of a few sports I could here from the field.

I was dressed in sweats and a baseball cap and sunglasses, so hopefully I wouldn't run in to anyone, especially Bella, seeing as though she was an English teacher here. But the principal assured me that she was always gone by 3:30, so I should be safe.

I looked around before entering the hallways, made a bee line for the office to get my things and check out my classroom.

As I was leaving my classroom, I heard a deep bellowing laugh from behind me, I kept my head down and rounded a corner, SHIT! Emmett! I couldn't let him see me, he would ruin everything because he had a big ass mouth.

Success, I avoided him, he was going to be pissed that I kept my presence from him, but I had no choice, if I wanted to get Bella back.

BPOV

SHIT!SHIT!

I forgot my planner at school, I had to turn around and go get it.

Jacob had come in at the end of school and we had a big fight, about why I didn't come home last night.

I reminded him that his place wasn't my home and he flew off the handle.

"Of course not Bella, no place I could ever get for you would be good enough! I don't have the money Cullen has to buy your affections (SLAP!), I'm not good enough for you, my ring wasn't big enough for you (SLAP!) that's why you keep telling me NO! Is my dick not big enough either (SLAP!) or is it to big! (SLAP!) you can't handle what a real fucking man I am! Well, I'm done with you Isabella Swan, finished, your shit will be by the door tonight!" Jacob spat at me.

My hand was burning still from slapping him several times and I think I sprained my wrist, no biggie, I'd had worse.

But, my brain was fuming, I was pissed! How dare he accuse me of wanting Edward (ouch!) for his money and such. That was a low blow!

I can't believe it, I said his name, what a tug on my heart, I wanted to cry, but he wasn't going to see me cry, because it wasn't going to be over him, it was because I still wanted Edward (ouch) and I wanted him bad!

Maybe what Alice said would come true, in a million years, I'm sure…he'd never leave his dream job in NY, but a girl can dream.

I started to cry as I entered my classroom and I saw that Jake had been there and shredded every picture of us I'd had on my desk. Well, he saved me a ton of time, I wasn't keeping any of these memories.

I pulled out my planner and looked at the picture tucked neatly inside the cover.

It was one of Edward and I when we'd fallen asleep on his floor, doing an art project, Esme had snapped it.

I wondered if he still had his? We were the center of each others universe.

I stood there holding my planner and crying, touching his face, I could almost feel his presence.

EPOV

I waited to make sure Emmett was gone and started back towards my car, I was walking down the hall, when I heard soft sobs from a classroom, I peaked inside the little window.

BELLA!

She was crying!

I wanted to go to her, why was she crying, what had happened?

I'd have to get Alice to get the story.

I took another quick glance and her head popped up, but I was already walking away.

God, she was beautiful.

This is going to work!!!

I pulled out of the school parking lot and headed fro Alice's shop in Port Angeles.

"Alice!" I came pouncing through the door, "I need to talk to you pronto!!!"

I saw her little spiky hair over the racks and ran to her.

I pulled her to the back room.

"Alice, you've got to get Bella out tonight. She was upset, I saw her crying at school, she didn't see me, Emmett almost saw me, but I avoided him too, why was she crying Alice, why?" I got it all out in one breath.

"She's already called, she'll be here in 20, so you've got to go, especially since you look like shit right now and we're going to talk, Jacob was an ass to her today and they got in a big fight at school! He accused her of only wanting to be with you because of your money and looks! And you need to go!

15 and counting…" Alice was shoving me out the door.

I got into my car and pulled across the street, I had to catch a peak at her again.

There she was, driving a domestic car, must be a rental, she didn't look like a Focus (eeewww) kinda of woman! She got out of the car, she had on sunglasses, jeans, Converse and a Band tee, same old Bella, I smiled to my self. I knew Alice would be glaring holes through her for wearing such an outfit.

I watched as she walked towards Alice's store and she looked around nervously, like she was not wanting anyone to see her.

BPOV

I arrived at Alice's store and she gave me the once over and said I was O.K. to enter her store this way today, because I was upset, but any other time…

"Alice, I feel like someone is following me or watching me, maybe it's just my nerves, but it makes me feel uneasy. I guess it's the stress, from today, I just started feeling it this afternoon, so that's it." I sighed.

"O.K., ready for a bite to eat.?" I asked Alice, who also seamed jumpy today.

"Yeah, we'll walk to the corner deli and get a bite." Alice suggested.

"O.K., spill" Alice said as soon as we were seated and waiting for our food.

"Well, Jake came into my classroom after school and was pissed because I 'didn't come home' last night.

I went straight to my loft and just reflected on everything we'd talk about last night.

Anyway, he started with all the Edward is rich and handsome, that's why you want him, I'm a real man, my dick is bigger shit! And I slapped him several times Alice, it felt great! But, I think I sprained my wrist, I might need to call your dad and have him look at it, it's kind of swollen." I finished.

Alice sat there with a quirky smile on her face, for the first time she didn't know what to say or she was trying to figure it out. I wasn't sure.

Finally she spoke.

"Bella, what ever you do, don't give up hope o.k.! I know the right thing is going to happen I know you'll find true happiness and I know it'll be soon. Come with me to my shop after we finish, I got some great blues in and I order a few just for you. 'K!" Alice said.

"Alice, when was the last time I wore blue? Really? I don't like it, it's a reminder!" I protested.

"Bella, you don't have a choice! I've already bought and paid for them, they're yours, you look fabulous in blues and it'll pick your mood up. Just let yourself picture him once in a while, what's he doing? Is he happy? I can tell you the answer to the last one, "no, he's not happy!" "What he's doing… he's thinking of you, I know for sure." Alice quipped!

"Fine, lets go, I don't want you showing up at my place before school and trying to dress me, we're a little old for that!" I looked at her, "Aren't we?" No Alice, don't even…

"I'll be at your house at 5:30a.m. Monday morning., be showered and waiting! I'll make you feel like a Queen!" Alice said.

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A/N: Hope you liked this Chapter, it was long, but fun.

Still more to come!!! I'm on a writing kick!!!

Disclaimer: I don't own any part of Twilight! These are Stephanie's characters, I'm just borrowing them… :0)