Full Summary: Bella has grown up in Forks all her life. Jacob is her abusive boyfriend of 2 years. No one knows about the abuse. One day while running away from Jacob, Bella runs into Edward and feels an automatic connection. Will she find not only protection, but love?

I couldn't help but panic as I got farther from La Push. I knew Jacob would come searching for me soon, so I had to go, and go fast. He was already furious. The last thing I needed was for him to find me and punish me for "not obeying" and "being a bad girl".

Jacob abused me. He hadn't always been like this. But after a month or so, he became very possessive, and I couldn't escape from the pain and the injuries I received daily.

After about twenty minutes, I found a place where I could pull over to hide. I directed my truck into some thick brush on the side of the road and climbed out quickly. As soon as I was positive my truck was hidden, I bolted into the trees. I knew he could navigate around the trees well, but surely he couldn't find me by the time he got here.

I continued running until my legs gave out on me. I didn't know where I was or what was around me, so I screamed when suddenly a hand landed on my shoulder.

"It's okay. I won't hurt you," came a sweet, velvety voice from behind me. I looked up to see who the voice, and hand, belonged to. And when I looked up, my eyes met the most gorgeous green eyes I'd ever seen. The boy also had disheveled bronze hair that fell into his eyes. He was trying to smile, but he saw I was terrified, so his eyes gave him away. "My name's Edward Cullen," he said. "I'm new to Forks. I was wandering around out here and thought you might be hurt."

"My name's Bella," I said weakly. "Well, it's Isabella Swan, but I prefer Bella."

"Well, it's nice to meet you Bella. Would you like some help up?"

"I'd love that," I moaned as he grasped my hands and heaved, standing me upright again. When he touched my hand, I swear I felt energy pulsing through both of us.

"But, Bella, if you don't mind my asking, why are you here? And why do you have bruises on your arms?" Edward asked me. His eyes blazed with concern for me. But, when he asked me why I had bruises, I couldn't think of anything to say. So I answered only his first question.

"I just…wanted to go for a walk. I had to…think about some things," I replied. Brilliant, Bella. Brilliant, I said to myself.

"Okay," Edward replied, clearly not satisfied with my response, but deciding not to press it further. "But that still leaves the question why do you have bruises all over your arms?"

"Uh…" was all I could think to say.

"Is someone doing this to you?" he asked, tensing as he stared at the bruises that decorated my skin from shoulder to fingertip. At least he couldn't see my legs. They had twice, if not more, than my arms.

"Bella, answer me," he commanded.

"No, no one is doing this to me," I lied. I was always a horrible liar, but I hoped that today I would be convincing.

"Bella! Where are you?!" yelled an angry Jacob.

"How the hell did he find me?" I muttered, hopefully low enough that Edward couldn't hear. Then it came to me.

"Edward! You need to hide, and now!" I whispered in a rush. I know I'd just met him, but I couldn't bear it if he got hurt by Jacob, too.

His eyes were wary, but he jogged off, hiding behind a large Oak with a large trunk. I knew he'd be watching me.

"Bella," came the sickly sweet voice of Jacob. He stood right behind me, his hot breath blowing on the back of my neck. Tonight, there'd be hell to pay. And even worse, no one would be able to come to my rescue.

Thanks for reading! Tell me if you like it. Because it is only my first story. So give me constructive criticism.(:

-iheartedward123456789