AN: Hello my lovely readers! Enjoy this chapter. It's one of my favourites. Next time we'll see more of Bella's life after the Cullen's left town. But first, it's time for her to make some real friends! Enjoy xoxo.

– Forks, Washington –

– September 2005 –

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"Come for a walk with me…"

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Bella Swan squeezed her eyes closed and buried her head in Atticus' soft fur. She was lying in her bed, wrapped in thick blankets. Her ankle throbbed where she'd tripped over in her stupid attempt to follow Edward.

She should've known better. A pathetic mortal could never catch a vampire.

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"Please don't do this, Edward… You promised you wouldn't leave…"

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Across the room, the doctor was quietly talking to Charlie. She could barely hear him, not that she was listening. Her mind was stuck on repeat, reliving the event again and again…

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"So that's it? One mistake and you're ready to throw away everything we have and run away?"

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She should've known what was coming. This wasn't the first time he'd threatened to leave her. The only difference was, last time she was in a hospital bed.

She shifted closer to Atticus as tears filled her eyes, blurring her vision. His big head rested against hers. One of his heavy legs was lying across her chest as if he was holding her together.

She'd always had such a special, fierce bond with Atticus. He'd been with her for as long as she could remember. He was her constant companion; always loving her, keeping her safe. And … if he was a little odd sometimes … a little too intelligent … a little too spry for his old age … well, Bella didn't want to question it. The thought of losing him one day broke her heart in ways Edward Cullen never could.

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"This isn't a rash decision, Bella. I've been considering leaving since the ballet fiasco with the nomads. Tonight confirmed what I've known for months. You're human. You are not meant to be part of this world…"

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She shook her head.

It hadn't hit her at the time; the realization that he lied. All these months … all the times they'd been together … been happy … and he already had one foot out the door.

Was he waiting for the right excuse?

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"You don't belong in my world, Bella. You're human. Mortal. You will move on … go to college … fall in love again … get married and have children and grandchildren! That's how it should be for you. That is what I want for you…"

"And I don't get a say in this? You've just made this decision without considering what I want?"

"You don't know what you want. You're eighteen and have your whole life ahead of you. And you and I both know you don't always make the right decisions or know what's best for yourself. I'm doing this for you. Can't you see that? I have to protect you, even if it's from myself."

୨୧

At that moment, as those words left his lips, she felt nothing but complete and utter heartbreak. Now that she was safe in her bed, she could recall the devastating breakup with a clearer mind, and she realized it wasn't just the pain she felt, but a fierce, unrelenting anger.

He took her choices from her.

Insulted her.

He spoke to her like she was a child, incapable of understanding him!

And then the bastard insinuated she was incapable of making her own decisions!

Squeezing her eyes closed, she took a deep breath. She shouldn't have been so shocked.

That was Edward Cullen in a nutshell. He always thought he knew better … no matter the situation … because he's a telepathic vampire who is far superior to an insignificant mortal like herself.

୨୧

"Please don't do this, Edward. I love you…"

"It's already done. We'll be gone by morning…"

"We?"

"The whole family is leaving. I couldn't risk your life by allowing them to remain behind. They are as much a danger to you as I am."

୨୧

They'd gone.

Left in the middle of the night without a word.

It wasn't just Edward's horrendous breakup speech that broke her heart. It was losing the rest of them. People she considered her friends, her family, had abandoned her without a second thought.

Who does that?

They let her into their home, and she opened her heart to them. They called her their daughter, sister, and best friend! And in the blink of an eye, they were gone. The betrayal and anger she felt swept through her like a tidal wave.

For reasons unknown to her, Edward and Alice seemed to think Bella needed a family. They considered Charlie and Renee neglectful parents and thought she was starved for affection. Bella couldn't understand why they thought that. She'd told them dozens of stories about her childhood … about Renee, Charlie, Phil, and her Nan and the adventures they had together. But Edward and Alice assumed her family wasn't good enough, and that theirs was far superior.

As far as she saw it, Charlie and Renee were the superior parents. They loved their daughter. They would never abandon her in the middle of the night. Even after their divorce, they remained close. Charlie visited her almost every weekend. He called her throughout the week, helped her with her homework, and made sure she had the best of everything. He even bought Renee a house to ensure the woman he'd cared for and their child had a safe place to live! They went on holidays together and spent Christmas as a family every year.

She spent her school holidays in Forks with her father. When she outgrew fishing trips and mud pies with Jake, she and Charlie started planning vacations. They traveled all over the US. Then, after Renee met Phil, he joined in on all their family traditions and adventures. Charlie easily accepted Phil in their lives as if the two were old friends.

They may not have lived in the same house … or the same state … but they were as close as any family who lived under the same roof! Charlie and Renee made sure their daughter came first in everything they did.

Renee was a wonderful mother. Bella couldn't have asked for anyone better. She was warm, kind, and caring. To Renee, nobody was more important than her daughter, her little Ladybug. She worked hard to make sure Bella had everything she desired.

There were no two parents better than Charlie and Renee. Esme had come in a close third but now…

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"I'll always love you, Bella … in a way. But my kind, we're easily distracted…"

"And that's what I was to you? A distraction?"

"Yes. Nothing more. I thought we could be something more, but I was wrong. I've spoken to the family … to Carlisle and Esme … and they don't think you're worth the effort, time, or money. And, after talking to Alice, I agree. She sees something different in my future … and, well, neither of us thinks you're cut out to be a Cullen."

"I see … that, umm … changes things…"

"Yes. It does. I, uh, I'm sorry it couldn't work out. But … well, you're not good enough and I should've seen that sooner. I promise this will be the last time you'll see me or the family. We won't come back. You can remain here and go on with your life without any more interference from us or the supernatural world. It'll be as if we never existed…"

Slowly, Bella nodded her head.

"Don't worry. You're human. Your memory is no more than a sieve. Time heals all wounds for your kind. I don't have that luxury, of course. My mind is far superior to yours. I won't forget. But, I promise, in the centuries to come, I'll remember you and our time together fondly…"

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The sound of shuffling feet broke Bella out of her thoughts. Without lifting her head, she watched Dr. Snow turn away from her as Charlie led him out of the room.

More tears fell as her mind continued to replay those horrid words, and her heart shattered repeatedly.

How could she have been such a fool?

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"Stop this, Edward. You can't mean it…"

"I do. You're human, Bella. I am not. You are temporary. I am not. You are fragile and insignificant. I am not. I am a vampire. And you do not belong with me or in my world. I'm tired of you and I'm tired of pretending I find you even remotely interesting."

She shook her head as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I don't understand this…"

"I've told you, it's for the best. I know what you need. I know what's best for you. Now, one last piece of business, I'd like you to promise me you'll be safe. You are not to do anything reckless, rash, or irresponsible. Understand? Do you promise?"

Something deep inside of Bella suddenly surged to life. Her eyes narrowed as she straightened her back. "Are you serious?" She asked. "You just tore my heart from my chest, shattered it, completely obliterated any self-worth I felt, and now you want me to make promises?"

For a moment, Edward Cullen looked shocked. But he quickly rearranged his features to mask his surprise. "That's not fair…"

"Not fair?" She questioned. "Not fair! My God, Edward! You don't get to walk out of my life and then force a promise out of me to be a good little girl."

"I care about—"

"If you cared," Bella yelled, taking a step toward him, her anger bubbling over, "if you gave a damn about me or my feelings, you wouldn't be leaving! If you cared, even a smidge, you wouldn't have dragged me out into the middle of the goddamn forest to break up with me! Had you any common decency, you would have broken my heart at home. If you cared, at all, you would have sat me down and talked to me like I'm a grown woman and told me your reasons for leaving like a mature adult! I guess that's too much to ask!"

"Bella," Edward sighed, "you see, this is what I mean. I can't trust you to make good decisions. You make everything so difficult. Why can't you understand that I know what's best for you? I know how to protect you!"

Bella's eyes narrowed. "And yet, for the seventeen years before I met you, I was doing just fine. You want to leave, Edward, fine. Go," she stated, all emotion suddenly void from her tone. "Leave. You've made it abundantly clear you don't give a shit about me, my decisions, or my feelings. But I'm sure as hell not making you any promises…"

"Do it for Charlie…"

Bella shook her head. "For Charlie," she laughed, though there was no humor in it. "And this would be the same Charlie who took me to swim with sharks when I was fourteen? Who lied about my age and took me skydiving for my sixteenth birthday? The same man who taught me to ride his motorbike when I was seventeen?"

Edward's eyes were wide in shock and horror. He pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. "Bella," he sighed, "I'm sure none of that is true. You're just being difficult. Now, please, promise me…"

"No. I'm eighteen. An adult. I do not need you to, nor do you get to make my decisions for me. And I certainly don't need you to decide what's best for me."

"Bella," he sighed, "you're being stubborn."

"Well," she snapped, "you'll find having your heart broken in the middle of the forest by an insensitive asshole will do that to a girl. Now, if you're done completely destroying any shred of self-worth I have, I'd like to go home…"

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Whether she was being stubborn or difficult, she couldn't say, but she sure as hell wasn't about to make him any promises. Not after the things he'd said to her and the way he'd so thoroughly broken her heart.

Had that been his intention?

Getting home was a challenge. Edward didn't have the decency to walk her back to the house. One minute he was standing in front of her—fuming because she wouldn't promise him anything—and the next he was gone. He'd taken her so far into the forest and off the path that when she tried to get home, she got lost.

She walked and walked, calling after him—hoping he had a shred of decency in him and he could walk her home—but it was too late.

Edward Cullen was gone.

And Bella was left all alone.

As she walked through the forest, it began to rain. The temperatures were dropping. She hadn't thought to bring a coat with her.

Eventually, her legs grew tired. She stumbled often. And finally, she tripped over an uplifted tree root. Her ankle twisted. Exhausted and in pain, she remained on the forest floor.

As she lay there, tears rolled down her cheeks, and she wondered if this was the place she was going to die.

It felt like it.

Alone on the forest floor …

– October –

– November –

– December –

– Friday 9 December 2005 –

"That's it!"

In the cafeteria of Forks High School, Bella sat alone at the Cullen table. Across the room, her old friends gathered at their usual table, eating and laughing. Every so often, one of them would look over at her, concern etched on their faces.

She knew they were worried. She'd heard all the rumors. But she couldn't find it in herself to care.

She jumped when a heavy book landed on her table. The sudden noise was loud, echoing through her mind. Looking up, she found Lauren Mallory standing with her hands on her hips. Her golden blonde hair cascaded around her shoulders as she narrowed her apple-green eyes.

"We are sooo done with this nonsense, Isabella Swan!"

Looking nervous and worried, Jessica and Angela stood a step behind a fuming Lauren.

Bella didn't see any of them move. Then again, she probably wouldn't have noticed if the sky had fallen and the Jolly Green Giant swallowed the earth up.

It could happen…

"You know," Lauren continued, glaring down at Bella, "I've been feeling sorry for you. We all have! But you know what? I'm done now. For ten weeks, we've all watched you fall deeper and deeper into this depression. Well, enough is enough! We're sooo done with this patheticness! I get it, I do. Whatever that jackass said to you in those woods, it must've been something damn awful for you to act like this. But now we are done!"

"Lauren, maybe…"

"No," Lauren snapped at Angela. "She needs to hear this." She turned back to Bella. "We've all been dumped at least once! The difference is … the guys who dumped our asses had a little common decency. No guy … no good guy … no decent guy would break up with a girl in the goddamn forest! There are bugs in there! And wolves and bears and snakes and … and … skunks!"

Jessica gasped. "I never thought of that. Oh, my god! Bella, were you sprayed by a skunk?"

Lauren huffed. "Jess. Not now—" She looked back at Bella. "Wait, were you?"

"Guys!" Angela sighed. "Not the point!"

"Right, right," Lauren nodded. "Sorry. My point is, this moping, depression, icky hair, not bathing, no makeup, or decent clothes thing you've got going on, it ends. Now. Today. There are more important things in life than a stupid boy! So, he was pretty and had a shitload of money. If he doesn't treat you right, then he's no good. And as far as we see it, Edward Cullen is the biggest dick, like ever!"

"Did he at least have a big dick?" Jessica asked.

"Jess!" Lauren snapped, then looked back at Bella. "Did he?"

Bella's cheeks felt hot. "I, uh, I … I don't know," she shrugged. "I never saw his dick…"

"Wait, hold up!" Lauren frowned. "You two weren't even having sex?"

Bella shook her head. "Edward was very puritanical in his beliefs. He barely even kissed me…"

Lauren took a deep breath. "Are you a virgin, Bella?"

She nodded her head. "Edward was my first … everything. And there was no way he was going to have sex unless we were married…"

"Oh, good god! It's worse than we thought!" Lauren sat down at the table and handed Bella a tissue. "Now, you listen to us. No boy—no matter who he is, how pretty, or how much money he has—is worth your tears, Isabella."

"Agreed." Jessica nodded, sitting down beside Lauren.

Sitting at the seat beside Bella, Angela sighed. "We all saw the way he treated you, Bella. Like you were a possession, a thing that he owned! That's not right. You deserve someone who'll cherish you, not someone who only wants to control you."

Jessica nodded. "And that sister of his, Alice, was just as bad. I saw her reprimanding you for wearing a hoodie! A hoodie! Who doesn't own at least one hoodie?"

"I do!" Lauren smiled.

Angela nodded. "I love mine."

With a soft, friendly smile, Lauren brushed a lock of hair behind Bella's ear. "Edward Cullen is a horrible, pathetic excuse of a man! You deserve so much better than that little fuckturd! What kind of asshat breaks up with a girl in the middle of the fucking forest and leaves her there to get hypothermia? You could've lost a limb! Your fingers or toes could've fallen off! Do you really want to waste your life moping and crying over a fucker like him? Or do you want to live your life and find someone who's worth your time?"

Bella stared at the three girls, completely surprised. She hadn't been expecting any of them to talk to her, let alone attempt to knock some sense into her. She thought she'd pushed everyone away weeks ago.

It was oddly … comforting.

They care…

"I … umm …"

"Keep in mind," Lauren smiled sweetly, "there is only one right answer. If I have to drag you out of this depression kicking and screaming, I will."

For the first time in months, Bella laughed. She couldn't help it. There was something hilarious about the entire situation. It was so … normal. So … human! They were worried about hoodies and skunks…

"I guess …" Bella sighed as her laughter died down. "I don't … I don't know how …" she admitted. "Everything's …" she shook her head, "… they had control of everything. What I ate and when I slept. Alice completely overhauled my wardrobe. There's nothing in there that's mine anymore. Edward replaced all my favourite CDs and movies. He wouldn't even let me wear perfume!"

"It is worse than we thought…" Angela sighed, wrapping her arm around Bella's shoulders. "It'll be okay, sweetie. We'll get through this together."

A fierce look of determination shined in Lauren's emerald eyes. "Angela's right. We can get through this!"

Jessica placed her hand on top of Bella's, gently squeezing. "If that's what Bella wants … if she's ready to take her life back…"

Bella took a deep breath, her eyes darting between the three girls. "I'm ready."

AN: You know, I kinda love this chapter. There's so much good stuff to come! I can't wait to share it with you. I hope you liked this chapter as much as I do. Let me know what you think! xoxo