A/N: Hey this is my tale of childhood friends who were split up, but are reunited after many years of being apart. What happens when they balanced worlds collide again?

Way Back

"Tag, you're it, Edward!" Bella screamed. She ran around the yard until Edward caught up to her slightly knocking her to the ground and they toppled over each other in a laughing fit. He kept her pinned to the ground as she struggled to free herself from his grip.

"Edward, let go of me!" She giggled. He finally got off of her as she pushed him back down to the ground to give herself a head start. When he finally caught up to her, she was breathless.

"Bella, I want to show you something," Edward smiled a little lopsided.

"Is it a surprise?" She asked. Bella placed her hands behind her back and rocked towards him.

"Yes. You'll like it," he assured her. He took her left hand and led her back towards the tree that joined both of their backyards. "Now, close your eyes…"

She followed directions and smiled anxiously. "Come on, Edward. You know I don't like surprises." He stepped closer to her and delicately kissed her. Her eyes flew open to see a worried look flash across his face.

"I'm sorry. Emmett said that's how you should show a girl you like her," he apologized.

"Don't be sorry," she said sheepishly. And with that she kissed him back. "Does this make me your girlfriend?"

"I guess so…I can ask Emmett." But they both shook their heads at the idea. And embarrassed laugh swept over them. "I have an idea!" Edward grabbed a stray branch and began to crave something into the tree. "There!" He stepped back to admire his handiwork.

"B + E" was carved into the trunk. "So, that you'll be mine forever," he said coolly. He thrust his hands into his pockets as Bella ran her hand over the inscription.

"It's pretty," she said in awe.

"But not as pretty as you," he grinned again. "I have something else for you…" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small ring which he slid onto Bella's finger.

"What's this for?"

"So, you always think of me. And to let other boys now you are taken."

Bella shined the ring into the sunlight, while Edward looked at the beautiful six year-old in front of him.

"Isabella Swan it's time to come inside," her mother beckoned. Both of them jumped at the interjection. They spent a whole afternoon with each other and knew it was time to depart.

"See you," he whispered as he strolled towards his own house.

"See you," she reciprocated. Bella ran towards home and was confronted at the door with moving boxes.

"Mommy…"

"Yes, Bells, we're moving! Isn't that exciting! You'll get a new house with a bigger room and make new friends and…"

But all Bella could think about was Edward. They were supposed to be together forever. He was her best friend and now she would have to make new ones. This knowledge brought tears to her eyes. "Edward…" she whispered, but her mother didn't seem to notice. Though, she and Edward were only six, they knew it was meant to be.

12 YEARS LATER

Home. To some it is a place of refuge, a shelter. Home may hold the security blanket that we use to curl under to make things, like nightmares, fade away. It is the place where we escape from the negative attributes of the real world. Home is where we may feel loved and wanted – the only anyone ever asks for. At home, we may be safe, sound, and free. Home may complete us.

On the other hand, to others home is where our troubles lie. We may flee from our homes at times to escape the pain and frustration. We may feel no security or comfort here. Our home may break us into tiny pieces as our homes break. Eventually, we may have to find another safe haven. We may have to find somewhere else to call home.

For me, both of these definitions described my home. I was running away from one home – fleeing the painful memories – to seek shelter in another. I had to leave. I had to get out of this city. I needed to get out of this life. I needed to get out of this body.

I clutched at my febrile abdomen trying to suppress the aching that overwhelmed body. Feebly, I slogged into the bathroom, using the walls and doorframe for support. I elevated my head slowly and grimaced at the ghostly face staring back at me. I winced in the mirror fearing that I had become this person. Bruises of deep indigo and pallid green spotted my body as if I was a leopard. I winced again, reliving the pain inflicted to create each one. Shallows breaths rasped from my blood-swollen lips.

"Bella!" I heard my mother, Renée, beckon from downstairs. She was unaware of what had happen to me. I wanted to brace her for my appearance, but I couldn't move. My body was already in agony and refused to shift. My muscles tightened as I heard her call again.

I opened my mouth to alert her about my situation, but the words wouldn't flow.

"Isabella!" she hissed. Her nearness startled me that I instantly wound up in to protect myself. Slowly, I rotated around so she could see me fully.

"What happened?" she cried.

I stood there, motionless, unable to gaze her in the eyes. It would hurt me more to see her trying to experience my pain. But, I couldn't hold myself together anymore. I felt myself break down as I slumped to the bathroom floor.

I heard a tiny voice pass my lips whimpering, "I'm sorry, Mom. I'm so sorry." Pain rocked through me as I coiled my body into a hermit position. My mother wrapped her arms around me trying to put us both back together.

"Bella, honey you have to tell me what happen," she whispered in my ear. I nodded my head, as I let my story pour out.

I had come home from school and went upstairs to start my homework. I was coming downstairs to grab a snack when I heard knocking. I looked out to see who it was. I let Damien in, but he had a dark look in his eye. He looked possessed, evil. I asked him what was wrong. And he spat back at me 'you.' I told him I was confused and that sent him into a rampage. After he was done, I laid in my bed, aching.

"Let's go file a report," Renée whispered. I could see she was straining to stay calm.

"I don't want that! I want to leave. Can't we just leave? Mom, please…don't make me stay. Please," I pleaded. She held me carefully, but strong enough to reassure me everything would work out in the end.

I buried my tear-stricken face into my hands, trying to conjure up a fantasy world. I tried to escape the terrible memories lurking on the ridge of my conscience. I needed to be liberated. My only option at this point was to leave – to get as far away from this home as I could.

"Mom, we need to leave now," I muttered. I felt her nod in my hair as her tears moistened my scalp. It was nice to finally have her maternal instincts show.

"Okay…okay, Bella. We'll leave."

That's exactly what we did. We packed up and left Phoenix. Every mile we drove, I felt my breath flow easier. I didn't care where she drove to just as long as I didn't come back and face him.

Synonymous with one of the most traumatic moments in my life will always be his name, Damien, my Renée's ex-boyfriend. I shuddered at his mention.

Shying away from his memory, I looked out at the terrain and knew where we running to. "We're going to Charlie's?" I asked as the sign reading AIRPORT passed.

"Actually, you're going to Charlie's, while I take care of some final circumstances." Renée peered at me from her side and saw the apprehension on my face. "Bella, you'll be fine, won't you?"

"Yes," I lied. I still had to convince myself that it was in my best interest to go with my dad. But if I was gone, who was to say that Damien wouldn't go after my mom.

"Bella, honey, you know I can take care of myself. Don't worry about me. I'm going to handle everything. I would never do anything to put you or me in jeopardy. I love you," she smiled before kissing me on the cheek.

My mom escorted me through the airport until we were at the gate. I was terrified. I needed my mom to make me secure.

"Flight 192 – Phoenix to Seattle – Last Call for boarding," the stewardess announced. Tears filled my eyes as I hugged my mom one more time. I didn't want to let her go.

"Bella, you're going to miss your flight," she warned. Reluctantly, I released her and wiped the tears from my eyes. "Just promise one thing, Bella…" she began. I nodded, encouraging her to go on. "Be happy. That's all I want for you, Bella."

"I promise, mom. I love you," I smiled as I began to back away towards the gate entrance. She made a heart out of hands as she repeated the words 'I love you' back.

Soon, I was alone. Hours passed as I continued towards my new home. In the cabin, I felt exposed as if everyone could look at me and know instantly what happened. Without my mom here, there was no one here to shield me. I was in transition. I was just as vulnerable as a hermit crab when it transitioning from one shell to another.

Finally, we landed in Seattle. I was met my dad, Charlie, at the main gate.

"Welcome home, Bells," he greeted. I smiled as I took him in an embrace. The instant we hugged, all of his warmth chased away any haunting nightmares that followed me. I breathed deeply in relief while twirling the ring that lay on my necklace. I was home again.

What do you think? I won't write unless I get 2 reviews to continue...