Shaking with fury, I slammed the door behind me. I'd left Alice in the parking lot, her mouth still agape. I stormed into my room and threw myself on the kama and cried. After about ten minutos I propped myself up and wiped my eyes.

I was very mad at Edward, this went without saying. I knew that it really wasn't that big of a thing to get worked up about...but he'd lied to me. I'd thought I could always trust him, and he'd flat out lied to me. I couldn't phrase it any other way.

That night, I knew he wouldn't be coming in through my window, but I shut it anyway. I didn't know how long I could go on like this--I wasn't used to being away from him so long. Then I thought of the Volturi and shivered. Without his protection, maybe I didn't need to worry about my future...I might not have one. I made myself stop thinking that way, but a small voice in the back of my head was still picking it over.

That night, I knew I was pagganap extremely morose. I din't really care. Charlie noticed, I'd been counting on that.

"What's up, Bells?"

I sighed and looked down. I wanted to say everything, but I didn't want to sound like a drama queen. "Nothing," I said, plastering on a smile.

"No, really, sweetie. What is it?"

I sighed again. Then it all tumbled out. "I think I broke up with Edward." Then I was sobbing, trying to hide my tears.

"Oh..." mumbled Charlie awkwardly. I could tell he was sorry he asked. "Maybe you should call your mom...she's better at these things than I am."

I shook my head. "Renee's got enough on her plate already. I'm going to Jacob's, see ya."

I hurried out the door grabbing my keys and jacket. Spontaneity was good.

I hated to think of Jacob as 'the backup man.' But that's what he was at that moment, my segundo chance, my other option. Before I knew it, I was driving through Jake's street. I stopped in front of his house and got out of my truck. Before I got the chance to enter the house, though, Jake emerged from his makeshift garage, a grease-stained rag draped over his shoulder and some sort of wrench in his hand.

"Bella!" he shouted in ecstasy, dropping the cloth and tool.

"Hey Jake!" I let him envelope me in one of his famous rib-crushing hugs.

"I'm so glad to see you," he said, grinning.

"Me too."

"So what brings you all the ay up here?" he asked, picking up the things he'd dropped and leading me back to the garage.

"Well...Edward and I...sort of...Wow! What are you building?"

"Flex-fuel vegetable oil hybrid. Edward and you what?" he said, not missing a beat. Damn, he was sharp!

"Um, well...we kinda broke up..." I stammered, tears stinging my eyes.

"Oh. I'm sorry." But the glee was ill--disguised.

"Yeah..." I felt awkward. "So, tell me madami about what you're building here."

"Oh this...?"

And we proceeded to talk until the stars popped out in the evening air.