A/N: Don't own anything! Not quite sure where I want the story to go or even if I'll continue it after I get the main idea in my head out. If I continue it's because I actually have another idea for it. Thanks for reading!

Also, sorry if you don't like kind of OOC Bella, I really hate how pacifist she is, so I'm changing it. The change could have happened if she'd really thought about Edward and how much bull he really pulled with her. I probably didn't need to justify it, but I did so whatever. Take it or leave it. :)

Bella POV

I wake up from another nightmare. This is getting old; it shouldn't be so crazy! Something has GOT to change; he's probably never coming back. He said so himself a month ago!

I wrap my arms around myself to hold it together. I eventually pull it together enough to go to the bathroom and get ready for the day. After my hair is dried and brushed, I stare at it long and hard.

Something has to change... Edward loved my hair... It's got to go.

I rush into my room and pull out a pair of scissors. I braid my hair back and pause, I don't want it to be uneven or anything. I look out the window and see that Dad's cruiser is still in the driveway. I can ask Charlie to do it for me, so it'll be straight and even. I cautiously go down the stairs, scissors in hand.

"Dad?"

"Over here, Bells." I look over and see him sitting in his recliner looking confused at the scissors in my hand.

"Hey, do you have a later shift or something?" I continue on my way to him. He nods as I sit on the floor in front of him.

"Uh, Bells? What-"

I pass the scissors to him as I speak, "Would you cut my hair? I want it to be even, or I'd do it myself. Just do it right at the top of the braid." Once he takes them from my hand, I gesture to where the braid actually starts.

"Sure, I can do that, why do you want me to though?"

I stare forward without speaking for a moment, pondering how to answer while ignoring the awkwardness of the silence. "It's time for a change. I don't want to move or anything crazy, but... I need something to change." I take a deep breath still resolutely staring at the wall in front of me, "I can't keep stagnating like this; it's making me crazy."

Dad gives me shoulder a little pat as he says, "Okay, I get it; I really do. Whatever I can do to help, please tell me." I can hear the small, pained smile in his voice. I know this hasn't been easy on him at all. He starts cutting the braid, and my shoulders tense up. I've always had long hair, so this will be a drastic change. After a few moments, I feel him double checking to make sure it's all even before he sighs, "All done. I think it looks nice." When I look at him, he's smiling.

"Thanks Dad. Does it really look okay?" I run my hands over the ends in wonder at its length- or rather its shortness. It comes to just below my ears.

"Yeah, it looks great, different- definitely- but great." He looks at his watch, "Well, it's time for me to go now; just let me know if you need anything else, yeah?"

"Yeah, sounds good." I smile back at him, still in shock. He leaves as I start breakfast for myself.

At school, I have people staring again; I sigh and ignore them for now.

As I set at the lunch table later, Angela sits next to me, "Hey, your hair looks great." I give her a genuine smile for the first time in a month. She never stopped trying to get me to talk to her.

"Thanks, I just wanted a change." Her eyes light up with understanding.

"Do you want to dye it? Or get highlights? Or lowlights? Actually, I think red toned lowlights would look really good."

I think for a moment, "Yeah, yeah that sounds great. Do you know how to do that?"

"Oh yeah! My Mom does this kind of stuff all the time! Do you want to come over tonight?" I nod. She pauses before quietly saying, "I'm glad you're back Bella."

"Me too." I smile. The rest of the day goes smoothly, I leave Dad a note on the table telling him where I'll be before heading over.

After they give me red toned lowlights, I look in the mirror, satisfied at the change I see. I eat dinner with her and her parents before we watch a movie and head back. When I get home, I walk into the house, and Dad just stops and stares for a moment. "It looks really nice; I love your hair."

"Thanks Dad! Are you going fishing tomorrow like normal?" I stop at the base of the stairs to hear his response.

"Yeah, with Billy and Harry."

"Have fun! I might go down to La Push for awhile."

"Okay, have fun." I smile in response.

The next morning, I sleep in since it's Saturday before I finally get up. I go to a large box that I had stored under my bed pretty much as soon as I got here and not touched. I put it on my bed and open it to check the materials inside. Yep, a few canvases, a foldable stand for the canvas, clean brushes, a water bottle, a cup, a sketchbook, some graphite pencils, a small handheld pencil sharpener, and a bunch of different paints are all still inside, untouched since I moved here.

I close the box back up and haul it out to my truck before buckling it into the passenger seat. I drive down to the La Push beach and take the box with me to the sand. I haven't drawn or painted in awhile, so it might take some work. I sit on a large piece of driftwood with the box on my lap before pulling out a pencil and the sketchpad. I start tracing the beach on the page and sigh contentedly. I lose track of time and soon enough my stomach gives a loud gurgle before I laugh, pack up, and head back. I got a lot of detail sketched, but I definitely want to go back. Just next time, I'll bring sandwiches!