Unfortunately, Bella's heartbreak lasted all throughout Christmas and into the new year. Four months. Bella was in a comatose state, a husk of her old self. She would only eat the bare minimum to sustain herself, she doesn't go out anymore and she even refuses to talk to our friends at the lunch table despite their constant attempts to interact. It was a breakfast one morning when everything came to a head. Dad slammed his fist on the table, causing me to jump. "That's it, Bella!" Dad declared, "I'm sending you home." Bella slowly looked up from her cereal, it had gone soggy.

"I am home." Bella muttered, confused.

"I'm sending you Renée. To Jacksonville." It took a second for the news to sink in.

"What did I do?"

"You don't do anything. That's the problem. You never do anything!"

"You want me to get into trouble?"

"Trouble will be better than this...this moping around all the time!"

"I'm not moping around."

"Dad." I said softly, placing my hand on his arm. "I've got this." I turned to Bella. "Listen, honey, that was the wrong word to use for this. You...you're lifeless."

"I'm sorry."

"We don't want you to apologise." Dad said gruffly.

"Then tell me what you want me to do."

"Bella...honey, you're not the first person to go through this kind of thing you know."

"I know that."

"Listen, honey, we think that...that maybe you need some help."

"Help?" Dad paused, as if looking for what to say.

"When your mother left, and took you with her, well...that was a really bad time for me."

"I know, Dad."

"But even before that, when Aspen's mother left, and then nine months later she showed up. I was broken, I never even got to see her birth. Either way, I handled it. Honey, you're not handling it. I waited, hoped it would get better. I think we know it's not getting better."

"I'm fine." Bella insisted.

"Bella, you're not." I said, reaching over and taking Bella's hand in my own. "I've seen people lose their loved ones, I've lost people too, and this is not a healthy way to deal with them. Maybe you should go see a professional about this."

"You want me to see a shrink?"

"If it helps, then yes."

"And maybe it won't help one bit." Bella snapped, yanking her hands out of mine, which caused me to fold my hands in front of me again, hurt.

"It's beyond us, Bella." Dad said. "Maybe your mother."

"Look, I'll go out tonight, if you want. I'll call Jess or Angela."

"That's not what I want. I don't think I can live through seeing you try harder I've never seen anyone trying so hard. It hurts to watch."

"I don't understand, Dad. First, you're mad because I'm not doing anything and then you say you don't want me to go out!"

"Bella, we just want you to be happy." I pleaded, "Wait, not...not just happy at least not miserable. You'd have more of a chance to do that if you get out of Forks…"

"I'm not leaving." Bella stated.

"Why not?" Dad demanded.

"It's my last semester of school, it would screw everything up."

"You're a good student, you'll figure it out."

"I don't want to crowd Mum and Phill."

"You're mother's been dying to have you back."

"Florida is hot." Dads first slammed on the table again. I was prepared for it, and suppressed a flinch.

"We both know that's not what's really going on here Bella, it's not good for you." Dad sucked in a deep breath, the temper his Father gave him was starting to resurface. "It's been months. No calls, no letters, no contact. You can't keep waiting for him." Bella sent him the harshest glare I've ever seen her give.

"I'm not waiting for anything. I don't expect anything." Bella replied in a monotone.

"Bella-" Dad started. Bella then stood.

"I have to get to school." Bella took her bowl and dumped it in the sink without bothering to wash it out. "I'll make plans with Jessica!" Bella called behind her as she grabbed her schoolbag, not paying attention to us. "Maybe I won't be home for dinner. We'll go to Port Angeles and watch a movie." And with that, Bella was out the door. I heard the truck door close, start and then drive off, leaving me sitting at the kitchen table.

"Does...does she realise she's left me here?" I wondered.

"I'll drop you off at school." Dad muttered, "Tell them why you're late, they'll understand." I nodded. Dad dropped me off at school, and I was late. I managed to get to the last half hour f my first lesson that morning. The day dragged on as usual, and, surprise surprise, Bella forgot me at school. I stormed into the house about half an hour after school ended, slamming the door behind me. Bella slowly trudged down the stairs to see what was going on.

"Ok, Bella, I get your mad at me, but did you have to leave me at school?" I demanded, throwing my bag onto the couch. "You left me here this morning too, did you even think to wait for me." Bella was silent, and honking outside meant that I assumed Bella had talked with Jess. "Fine, just go." I waved Bella off, prying my heels off my feet.

TIMESKIP

I was sitting in the lounge room, hanging out with Dad as we waited for Bella. As much as I was angry with Bella, she's still my sister. Dad was pacing the length of the hall waiting, and finally paused when a car door closed. He crossed his arms, balled his fists and stared at the front door. The front door opened and closed. "Hey, Dad." Bella said absentmindedly. Out the corner of my eye, I watched as she tried to duck around Dad, but he grabbed her arm to stop her.

"Where have you been?" Dad demanded.

"I went to a movie in Port Angeles with Jessica. Like I told you this morning."

"Humph."

"Is that okay?"

"Yeah, that's fine. Did you have fun?"

"Sure. We watched zombies eat people. It was great."

"'Night, Dad." Dad let go of her arm and she hurried up the stairs. I rolled my eyes and scoffed.

"You all good Aspen?" Dad asked, shuffling over to me. I looked up from the page in my book to lift an eyebrow at him.

"I'm mad at Bella." I told him. "Not only did she leave me here this morning, she abandoned me at school. I had to walk home. She's wrapped up in her own life right now that she's oblivious to those around her."

"Look." Dad sighed, sitting next to me. "I'll look about getting you your own car, alright? Nothing too expensive, I'm not made of money, but something to get you here and back without having to wait for your sister." I nodded.

"Thanks dad." I put my book down and scooted over to him, pressing into his side and giving him a tight hug. "I love you."

"Love you too sunflower."