Chapter One

He's gone. He's gone.

The words repeated themselves in my head. Over and over again, in my head. Like the chorus of a break up song. Edward was gone. I stumbled blindly in the darkness. I was in the meadow, hoping to hear Edwards' voice. I wanted to feel him near me. It had been six months since he had left me. Six months since he left, taking my heart and soul with him.

I felt something scrape across my leg. I didn't bother looking down. My gaze was fixated on something else. A tall figure stood in front of me, his back facing me. A low growl escaped the stranger.

"Edward?"

The stranger didn't turn around. I took a step closer. The stranger smiled at me. It was Laurent. Everything moved quickly. The numbness I usually felt was replaced with a burning fire. I heard another growl. It came from behind me. I tried to focus but I couldn't. I heard Laurent being attacked by the new vampire.

"Bella? No!"

Jake? What was he doing here?"

I could hear the stranger tearing Laurent apart. It reminded me of James.

James. Phoenix. Edward.

"Edward ?" I whispered.

"He's gone, Bella. Bella, open your eyes. Bella, please!"

I knew that it would be only minutes before I succumbed to the fire.

"Edward," I whispered again. "I love you."

"Bella?"

"What?" I asked disorientated.

"You were at it again," said Nathan.

"Sorry."

"I don't get it," said Tasha. "What do you constantly daydream about?"

I remained silent. Tasha, Nathan and Shelly watched me. Twenty years ago, when Laurent had bit me, Daniel had fought him off. After that, I joined his coven. It wasn't actually his coven. It was Meg's. Dan had brought me to her and she took care of me. When the occasional Edward-day dream kicked in they patiently waited for me to come back to Earth unlike Tasha and Nathan. Dan knew about Edward. Meg and Shelly just knew that I had liked a guy. They didn't know specifics and I liked it that way.

"It's none of your business," Dan retorted.

I smiled at him thankfully. "It's better to daydream then listen to everyone else," I grumbled.

"Sick of it already?" Dan teased.

"Argh. It's torture," I groaned.

Meg, one of the teachers in school, was getting engaged. Everyone was talking about her engagement.

Dan laughed and put his arm around my shoulder. It didn't mean anything to us. Everyone else thought we were dating. Dan reminded me a lot of Jacob, a comparison they both hated.

"Aw, look at the lovebirds," Nathan cooed.

"Butt out," Shelly replied.

Nathan glared at her but remained silent. He and Tash got up and left the cafeteria. I smiled at his angry face. Nathan hated being told what to do. Just like Edward.

I sighed and closed my eyes. Dan's grip on me tightened.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"I think so."

"Do you want to go home?"

"No. I'm fine."

I stood up and walked out of the cafeteria. Dan followed behind me. I felt a burn in my throat. I desperately needed to hunt.

And forget Edward, added a voice in my head.