Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Faith, Hope, And Love

By Momma2Fan

Chapter 04:

College bound…

Charlie sat in the chairs at Forks High School’s graduation ceremony. He couldn’t believe his baby girl was graduating and soon would be leaving him to go to college across the country. He wondered if she had told her friends her decision yet.

“This is so exciting.” Esme Cullen vibrated next to him. “I can’t believe they’re all grown up.”

Carlisle rolled his eyes at his wife and handed her his handkerchief. “Esme, we still have them for another two months.”

“I know, but Edward is going so far away,” Esme cried.

Charlie turned his head and smiled at the pair. “Where is he going?”

Carlisle smiled at Charlie. “He’s going to Columbia.”

Charlie nodded. “Wow. You must be thrilled.”

“Yeah. He decided he wants to go to med school so…” Esme sniffed. She dabbed at her eyes and then looked at Charlie. “Is Bella going to U-Dub with the others?”

Charlie looked down at his shoes. “No, she finally decided she wants to be a nurse, so she accepted a scholarship to Northwestern State in Louisiana.”

“Wow, she’s going far away. Is she aware there is an excellent program for that at U-Dub?” Carlisle asked.

Charlie nodded. “Yeah, but I think she wants to learn how to stand on her own two feet. The six of them have been inseparable since they were ten. I think it’s a good idea.”

The Cullens nodded as the ceremony started, both quietly thinking how hard it was going to be for the children to separate.

**FHL**

Bella watched in admiration as Edward delivered his speech as valedictorian. She was probably going to miss him the most. Over the last year it had been the two of them, while the others coupled up. She wasn’t sure when her feelings for him became more, but after what happened with Jasper, she wasn’t willing to jeopardize another friendship. Even though it was a tough decision, she had chosen to go far away for school instead of following everyone else to U-Dub. She just hoped they all took the news well.

“…so today we end one journey and start a new one. What the future holds we don’t yet know, but it will be quite the ride finding out. Congratulations, Graduates.” Edward finished his speech. His eyes swept the crowd and landed on Bella. He hadn’t told her yet he wasn’t going to U-Dub, he just hoped she took the news okay.

Alice was vibrating with excitement as she waited to cross the stage and receive her diploma. She just knew after today, the six of them would be off on new adventures…together.

Jasper watched as all of his friends got their slip of paper stating they were adults. He wondered how a small piece of paper could determine that. When his name was called, he crossed the stage, shook Principal Green’s hand, and then walked away, ready to start a new chapter in his life.

After the ceremony and a celebratory dinner with their parents, the six of them drove down to First Beach. Once Emmett had the bonfire started, they sat in their small circle and reminisced about the days behind them and planned for the days ahead.

Bella decided while they were planning, it was time to reveal her secret. “Um, guys, I have something to tell you.” 

“What, Bells?” Emmett asked as he wrapped his arm around Rose.

“I’m not going to U-Dub with you guys,” Bella said quietly.

Alice laughed. “Of course you are, Bella. We’ve been planning it for a year.”

Bella shook her head. “No, Alice. I’m heading to Northwestern State in Louisiana. My plane leaves August first.”

“But…but…why? Don’t you want to be with us for college?” Alice asked, still surprised.

“Oh, Alice, it’s not that. I want to do something on my own. Make new friends, have different experiences. I can’t do that if we’re all together,” Bella tried to explain.

“Bella, why Louisiana?”

Bella looked down and scuffed her shoe in the sand. “I need some distance, Rose.”

Bella looked up at her friend, meeting her eyes. After a moment, Rose nodded in understanding. She was one of the only ones who knew how strained things had been between Bella, Alice, and Jasper. Bella put on a good front, but Rose knew she had never fully forgiven Alice for making a move on Jaz while they had been dating.

“What are you going to study, Bells.”

Bella looked at Edward. “Same thing I would have done at U-Dub—nursing.”

Edward nodded and looked down. He was losing her and she wasn’t even his. He decided then it is was time to make his own announcement.

“Uh, I’m not going to U-Dub, either.”

“Edward!” Alice screeched.

“Alice, I was accepted to Columbia. I would be a fool not to go.”

“Why does everyone want to leave?” Alice grumbled.

For once, Emmett was the voice of reason. “Look, Alice, sometimes we need to do things on our own before we come back to the life we know we’re supposed to have. Maybe that’s what they’re doing. It’s not like we won’t see them. There will be holidays and summer. We’re not…breaking up, for lack of a better term, just having a trial separation.”

“Yeah, Alice. Besides, there is email and skype and we can call all the time. You’re all still my best friends and I love you,” Bella said.

They spent another hour on the beach before leaving for their own homes. Bella had just gotten settled in her bed when her phone chimed with a new text.

I’m gonna miss you. ~E

I’ll miss you, too. We can still talk. ~B

I’m holding you to that. ~E

Goodnight. ~B

Night. ~E