She had spent nearly a year in the solitude and safety of Forks, Washington before she decided to move back in with her mother and step-father. It wasn't that she decided, really, but that it had been decided for her. Edward had hurt her deeply, more deeply than anyone in her past had, and it was because of this that she was welcome to the idea of going right back into things as though nothing had ever happened.

As though she hadn't had a boyfriend. That was what Phil had whispered to her as he gave the obligatory fatherly hug when they flew to Washington to pick her up. She had been too emotionally drained at that point to be truly grateful for that fact. And yet, when they settled back into Jacksonville, Florida, she almost wished he had punished her for having a boyfriend. It would have made her hate Edward easier. It was customary for an ex-girlfriend to hate her ex-boyfriend, right? And she wanted to, but she wanted nothing more than Edward to rescue her from the hell she was in.

From Phil.

But Edward wasn't going to come for her, Alice was ignoring the visions of Bella she had to have been having - Alice saw everything, afterall, and so Bella had to resort to... to desperate measures.

College. She didn't care where. She didn't care if it was a good school or a horrible school. But it was an excuse to get away. An excuse that Phil couldn't oppose, no matter how much he wanted to. Because her mother wouldn't like it if he opposed.

"You're sure that going back there is the right thing?" Renee questioned for the tenth time during the car ride. Bella glanced at her mother, and her step-father who had offered to sit in the backseat. He wasn't happy with the decision, either.

"Seattle has a great school for English. English is basically bred in Seattle." Not entirely. In fact, Seattle was pretty much just Starbucks and coffee shops. And with those came books, right? Bella wasn't sure, but it was her argument. She didn't even intend to go to Seattle. She was going to a Community College in Port Angeles until she could transfer.

And by then she'd be free... Free to do whatever she wanted, to get away from him.

Free to move on from Edward. She had to. It wasn't healthy, she knew that. And if her psychology class she took online was any indication, she needed to get some fresh air. To get over it all.

"If you start to feel depressed, or sad, or anything... anything, Bella, just call and we'll buy a flight to bring you right back home, won't we, Phil?"

"And we'll make sure you aren't back to Zombiella." Right. Phil's reassurance did little to persuade her to stay. It made her want to leave more.

"Besides, I miss everyone," Bella continued. "And now that dad's dating Sue, I won't have to do all the cooking anymore." The cooking didn't bother her. She loved cooking, but the more excuses of why Forks was better, the better. She gave them both a bright smile. "Dad's really excited, and I've hardly met Sue, so I'd like to learn about who is potentially joining our big ol' happy family." But perhaps she was laying it on a little thick.

Phil noticed it immediately. "Be sure to come back for holidays. Your mom and I will miss you."

Bella's smile faltered just slightly, but she nodded. "I'll be sure to. Christmas and Easter and summer breaks. Charlie's already planned a big fishing trip for fall break." And thankfully, Renee couldn't seem to remember that Bella hated fishing.

"Oh, well, that's alright. Christmas is only a few months away, anyway," Renee insisted. And when they pulled into the airport, Renee hugged Bella tightly. "You have everything, right? Your bags and all of your carry-on-"

"Charlie said he got all of my boxes in the mail," Bella promised. "I'm sure it's all there." But she held her mother tightly too, as if making sure she was okay. And while Renee's own crushing grip was a bit painful, Bella knew that Renee was just going to cry harder than she had when Bella had first gotten in the car. "I love you, and you can call me if you need anything." Renee just nodded into Bella, before she stepped away. And then it was Phil hugging her.

She tried her best not to stiffen, doing what she could to hug him back, but his hand just seemed to know where her rib was bruised and his touch grazed it, causing her to flinch. "Don't have too much fun."

"I don't plan to. Just for school and then I'll be back," Bella said in a voice she hoped was a strong promise.

"You better be."

Bella just nodded and Phil released her. Her mother tearfully hugged her again, but Bella was grateful to see that her plane was boarding in a half hour. She needed to go.

"Call me," Bella said before she grabbed her bag quickly and headed towards the security crossing. And as soon as Phil and Renee were out of view, it was like the Eye of Gondor had been vanquished - just for a little while. She gave the woman a forced smile as she passed through security. Three months. She'd find an excuse by then. She was sure of it.

Maybe a broken leg. Or the broke college kid card. Something would come up. She hoped so. Something had to.